2013 has been a busy year for Israeli residential real estate. Let’s review the past twelve months’ activity and try to identify market trends going forward in 2014.

2013 Activity

In 2013, there was no slowdown in real estate sales activity despite efforts by the Israeli government to reduce demand by imposing new mortgage restrictions

Unless you have been asleep under a rock for the past few years, you are probably aware that a few bad apples, whose extremism and intolerance are against everything that Judaism stands for, have blemished Bet Shemesh’s reputation. Now that I got that unpleasant part out of the way, let’s discuss what a great town Beit Shemesh really is.

Beit

Nachlaot is a cluster of over two dozen Jerusalem neighborhoods centrally located between Sha’are Chessed and the famous Machane Yehuda shuk. Nachlaot, which means lands of inheritance, became home to communities of Jews who emigrated from many different lands throughout the Diaspora.

Nachlaot’s neighborhoods were established beginning in the 1870s

(Bet Shemesh, Israel)—Twenty English-speaking families in Israel have signed on to join a new community in a prime suburban setting inside the popular town of Ramat Bet Shemesh. Ganei HaEla ( www.ganeihaela.com ) will be led by Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, a dynamic and well respected

My friend recently asked me to help him purchase an apartment in Israel as an investment. David wanted to diversify his portfolio, which had been comprised of stocks, bonds and U.S. real estate.

Goals

As David lives in New Jersey and therefore won’t be a “hands-on” owner, he wanted to acquire an apartment in good

AssafPinchuk specializes in creating images of architecture, design, commerce and industry. Together with wife and business partner Miri, he has worked for a roster of clients that includes some of Israel’s leading companies and institutions. He’s also captured some of the country’s most magnificent homes and hotels within his lens.

Rachel Neiman is a

The Challenge

My client wanted to buy a 3-bedroom apartment within a ten minute walk of Emek Refaim, but didn’t have the budget to afford atraditional apartment in Katamon or the German Colony.

The Solution

Although she was adamant about location and budget, my client was flexible on other issues,

Permanent life insurance is a descriptive term for a group of policies designed to remain in force for the entire life of the insured. Most permanent life insurance policies (such as whole life, variable life or universal life) also feature a cash value account, and this unique combination of a lifetime insurance benefit and tax-deferred accumulation can be a very

My client informed me that he wanted to purchase an apartment in Talbieh between Jabotinsky Street (home of the Inbal Hotel) and King David Street. I mentioned to him that most apartments in this area are on land owned by the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem (the “church”), which surprised him as he had never heard about this before.

I then

The Friendship Circle hosted their Volunteer Evening of Appreciation on May 30 at Congregation Beth Aaron in Teaneck.  A beautiful dessert buffet welcomed everyone into the hall, followed by a heartwarming program.  Mr. Joel Vidal of Tenafly, a parent of a child with autism, spoke about the impact the Friendship Circle has had on his entire family.  An

When people approach me to discuss buying a second home in Jerusalem, Rechavia is invariably the most requested neighborhood. And for good reason. Rechavia is within walking distance to the Kotel, in close proximity to many shuls, a short stroll to the hustle and bustle of the city center and Emek Refaim, and near cultural centers, hotels and

Have you been guaranteed the lowest interest rate available to refinance your home?  It’s not always as simple as it sounds. Understanding how rates work and the various fees that you may incur will give you a better perspective and help you improve your financial standing.

Mortgage brokers and banks lure clients by espousing rates that are “as low as they