I’m Ben Levene, originally from London, and I’ve been a real estate broker for the last 10 years in Israel. Over this time, and especially now, I have received many questions from English speakers who are interested in purchasing Israeli real estate—they often ask about purchasing from abroad, changes to foreign tax laws, understanding changing demand in various neighborhoods and financing. In light of the recent boom in demand, I have begun a series of articles to answer your most burning questions.
If you have wondered why the Anglo property market in Israel is so disproportionately expensive, you are not alone. Prices in the Jerusalem’s ‘Anglo bubbles’ of Rehavia, Baka, Nachlaot, the German Colony, Katamon, etc., as well as in other Anglo-forward areas around the country such as Ra’anana and the neighborhoods near the beach in Tel Aviv, are quite high—at least 20 % more expensive than the nearby non-Anglo areas.
The explanation is simple—there is much more demand than supply in these areas. Say you’re reading this article right now, looking for a three-bedroom home with a balcony, parking and a Shabbat elevator. Chances are that there are 50 other readers looking for the exact same thing. With only five to 10 available apartments relevant to these 51 people, as long as these five to 10 apartments do not cost significantly more than they should, they will most likely sell without needing to decrease in price.
While Anglos often gather in specific neighborhoods to be close to Anglo shuls (such as Nitzanim in Baka, Shir Chadash bordering the German Colony and Talbiya, or Ramban, in Katamon) or to enjoy the familiarity of an English-speaking community, the market is not only reliant on Americans and Anglos coming from abroad—there is a strong local market in these areas as well.
The starting point for two-to-three-bedroom apartments in Anglo areas are already pricey, and even the less expensive neighborhoods next door are only slightly less expensive. Additionally, as time goes on, such nearby areas that are considered more fringe are becoming quickly gentrified.
But as buyers would prefer not to speculate on the gentrification of an area, instead seeking a safer investment, Anglos tend not to seek these more price-effective neighborhoods near the Anglo areas, despite the great likelihood that their value will double in price over 10 years. Real estate in Arnona, for example, was recently 15 to 20 % cheaper than neighboring Baka, but is already becoming more expensive.
Even in our current, uncertain situation during the time of coronavirus, the local Anglo market has yet to reflect drastic price drops.
Part of the reason that the market has held up so well may also be due to Israel’s strict banking laws that prevent extensive borrowing. Comparing Israel’s banking laws to that of the United States, Israel’s more controlled bank regulations have created a safety net for the country’s real estate market, keeping the industry strong and prices high. If getting a loan on a large percentage of a mortgage were permissible and prices were to drop, homeowners might need to rush to sell to cover their mortgages, driving down the prices.
The stability of the market is unsurprising to me, and I imagine that demand and prices will remain high. During intifadas and other world events that fostered uncertainty in the past, while I witnessed a slowing of transactions in the Anglo real estate market, I witnessed no subsequent decrease in prices. Competition and demand make the market move, and both have stayed relatively constant during this time.
To submit a question for Ben, email [email protected].
