Comments on: Housing in Israel is Simply Unaffordable

By: Gadolhadorah

Gadolhadorah — Wed, 30 May 2012 03:08:19 +0000

The solution to this problem is LESS regulation of the real estate market, not more rules as to who can buy and how much they should pay. Fortunately, EY is still largely a free market economy where property rights are respected. Like everything else, individuals need to take responsibility for their own lives and not depend on parents or the state for handouts. If you cannot afford to start a family and buy or rent a home, than wait several years until you save enough to afford it.

By: brooklynhocker

brooklynhocker — Wed, 30 May 2012 01:29:08 +0000

Boohoo, welcome to the real world….. Real Estate like everything else has it’s up and down cycles, and now it’s seeing a high market like it hasn’t seen since the ’80s. I wouldn’t worry too much about the availability and subsequent cost of housing in Israel from all the recent ads trying to market to foreigners. Besides who do you think is pumping millions of investment dollars into the country- the “tourist” or the taxi driver? The Israeli Government would be stupid to restrict the sale of properties to foreigners over what is considered the low to middle class Israeli citizen. I’ve never seen a foreigner get an “Arnona” tax break for a new investment apartment because they “only” make 19,000 shekel. Worse comes to worse they can complain that real estate in America is too expensive and that’s why foreigners are buying.

By: FIXTHEWORLD

FIXTHEWORLD — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:09:34 +0000

hmmmm, NO WORK = NO MONEY, obviously the parents must help!

By: akuperma

akuperma — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:06:18 +0000

1. They should try deregulating the construction industry.
Shortages are a normal result of “socialist” policies.

2. Perhaps tax the more expensive housing.

3. Change their legal and tax system to encourage construction of rental housing.

By: esmith92000

esmith92000 — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:54:15 +0000

There are ways around this. Do not allow an apartment to be rented for more than six weeks a year; do not allow an apartment to be owned by a foreigner or someone not living in Israel at least 10 months a year, etc. This is not being done because of the money involved and the need for money among the politicians.

After the six day war I wanted to buy one of the new apartments in the old city, and was told that a foreigner could not buy one. I knew there were people who did, and I asked how they managed to. I was told that they bought them in the name of their children, who were living in Israel, but were living in rental apartments with their young children, who wouldn’t have fit into one of those small two bedroom units. I didn’t want to be dishonest.