Mortgage

High financing costs and unsold inventory in Tel Aviv and central regions will likely force small real estate developers into mergers, according to Psagot Sigma analyst Avi Shakuri.

The Bank of Israel reports mortgage volumes reached 8.66 billion NIS last month despite the Tishrei holidays, reflecting a strong housing credit market.

Bank of Israel data shows prime-rate mortgages surged to 23% of total housing loans in September, reaching 2 billion NIS amid falling interest rates.

Madlan data reveals that the median time to sell an apartment in Israel has reached a record 103 days, with sellers increasingly forced to offer discounts and navigate strict tax deadlines.

Matan Ahabia, 34, shares how he built a four-property real estate portfolio in Dimona, Ukraine, and Eilat over six years using creative leverage and minimal starting capital.

Israel's real estate market remains sluggish with 7,532 apartments sold in August, a 1% year-on-year drop. Excluding government subsidies, free-market sales fell 5%, driven by a sharp decline in second-hand transactions and plunging developer cash flows.

Israeli bank interest spreads reveal wide gaps in loan pricing, with One Zero offering the lowest median rate at 6.09% and Mercantile Discount the highest at 11.186%.

Mortgage volumes in Israel reached 10.9 billion shekels in August driven by a surge in refinancing amid falling interest rates. First International Bank offers the lowest average rates.

Property prices in Tel Aviv have fallen below 50,000 shekels per square meter, offering relief to buyers through contractor discounts and lower mortgage costs as the market corrects.

Indigo Finance analyzes household finances by examining past tax overpayments, loan structures, mortgages, and insurance policies to optimize cash flow and long-term costs.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics shows purchasing an average apartment in Israel requires up to 164 salaries, with Tel Aviv exceeding 300 salaries.

The Bank of Israel interest rate dropped to 3.25%, lowering prime-linked mortgages and reducing monthly payments. Experts note that aggressive bank negotiations yield greater savings than waiting for future rate cuts.

Knesset elections on October 27, 2026, and declining interest rates will shape Israel's real estate market, with experts predicting renewed price growth in a year and a half.

Recent interest rate cuts to 3.25% are drawing buyers back to Israel's housing market, easing monthly mortgage payments and reducing defaults, though high income requirements persist.

Leslie's, the largest U.S. pool supply retail chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The firm will wipe out $685 million in debt, close 76 stores, and secure $150 million in new financing.

Bank of Israel data for 2026 shows mortgage volumes rising by 10%, driven largely by a sharp jump in average loan sizes rather than an increase in new borrowers.

The US housing market faces renewed pressure as 30-year mortgage rates rise to 7.03%, subduing sales volumes while home prices remain surprisingly resilient at a median of $429,100.

Fair Isaac Corporation stock plunged 22% after US housing regulators eased the use of rival VantageScore, threatening its dominance in mortgage credit ratings.

Bank of Israel interest rates fell to 3.25%, lowering monthly mortgage payments. However, strict equity and net income requirements continue to challenge homebuyers in the market.

New Bank of Israel mortgage regulations effective October 1 will tighten PTI calculations for all-purpose loans, sparking industry warnings of pushed non-bank borrowing.

Israeli housing prices have surged, with the average apartment hitting 2.4 million shekels and requiring steep equity, pushing first-time buyers toward peripheral cities.

Non-bank mortgage lenders in Israel continue offering extravagant perks like luxury trips to advisors, sparking ethical concerns and regulatory scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham launched the Your First Home initiative, allowing young renters to bypass steep down-payment barriers by using consistent rent payments for mortgages.

An analysis of whether to liquidate a liquid keren hishtalmut fund to pay off a mortgage, comparing long-term compounding returns, tax advantages, and liquidity.

Israeli developers in central regions and the Sharon area are offering cash discounts up to 250,000 NIS and heavy mortgage subsidies to accelerate apartment sales amid sluggish market demand.

Israel's mortgage lending surges toward 120 billion shekels annually as borrowers rush to beat strict new Bank of Israel PTI caps and limits on parental loan backing.

Despite high living costs, Israel's mortgage default rate dropped to 0.6% in August 2025, with overdue payments falling to ₪4.102 billion as refinancing hit record highs.

Buying a four-room apartment in Tel Aviv requires 4.5-5 million NIS and a net monthly household income of 45,000-55,000 NIS, highlighting severe affordability gaps compared to other regions.

Israel's housing market defied expectations as developer financing incentives plummeted following Bank of Israel restrictions, while property prices experienced a much smaller correction.

August 2026 mortgage volumes in Israel reached 10.9 billion shekels, pushing the yearly total to 79.6 billion shekels. Data reveals shifts toward the prime track and fixed unindexed rates.

The People's Bank of China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the 16th consecutive month, keeping the one-year LPR at 3% and the five-year mortgage benchmark at 3.5%.

A new study reveals that 70% of first-time homebuyers take on risky mortgages exceeding 30% of their net income, despite average monthly payments dropping slightly to 10,864 NIS.

A new Taub Center study reveals that actual mortgage financing costs in Israel surged 52% in 2023, outstripping official inflation data that relies on theoretical rent calculations.

A new Alrov Institute index shows the average equity required for a 4-room apartment in Israel reached 1.38 million NIS, highlighting massive regional gaps from Beersheba to Tel Aviv.

The Central Bureau of Statistics reported a mixed housing market trend in H1 2026, with Tel Aviv prices surging while other cities saw slight declines, alongside a 13.8% rise in cumulative mortgage volume.

Israeli mortgage volumes hit a record 11.5 billion shekels in July, driven by falling interest rates and a wave of refinancing activity across the housing market.

The Israeli real estate market faces political turmoil at the Israel Land Authority alongside a surprising 20% surge in apartment sales, high mortgage burdens, and rising prices in select urban neighborhoods.

Lloyds Bank in the UK refused a mortgage to the mother of a pro-Palestinian activist convicted over an Elbit factory riot, citing discomfort, sparking controversy.

A panel at the Global Aliyah Live Summit urged new immigrants to prepare financially for Israel's unique banking, high housing costs, and a challenging first year by building a strong safety net and doing thorough research.

A study by the Alrov Institute shows the average monthly mortgage payment in Israel fell 4.8% annually to 10,864 NIS, with massive disparities between Tel Aviv and Be'er Sheva.

Until recently, buying a home was the cornerstone of the American Dream for young people, but soaring housing prices have forced a shift in strategy. Instead of mortgages, Gen Z is increasingly turning to trading apps and long-term investments in stocks and pension accounts, while delaying family milestones and living with parents to build capital.

Since November 2025, the Bank of Israel has lowered the interest rate five times, resulting in a significant reduction in costs for mortgage borrowers. The new interest rate cut will take effect this coming Thursday.

The Bank of Israel interest rate stands at 3.5%, deposits and money market funds still provide a decent return, but many mortgages cost 5% or more; on 200,000 shekels, the gap can reach thousands of shekels per year - and there are also considerations of tax, early repayment fees, and liquidity.

The average apartment price rose by 3.7% this year, the average mortgage continues to rise, and Tidhar reports point to a jump in revenue and profit, while the company previously spoke of a price crash and is now predicting a market recovery.

Deputy Chairman of the Mortgage Consultants Association, Avi Yusufov, explains what is behind the drop in the number of delinquencies and talks about the wave of refinancing sweeping the market: "More households have consolidated existing loans."

Despite the ongoing slowdown in the housing market, the average mortgage continues to climb, reaching 1.117 million shekels in July — the second-highest figure ever. About 43% of new mortgages were taken for properties worth 3 million shekels or more. Contractor loans also remained at a high level, with a volume of 1.6 billion shekels, but their share of total mortgages actually decreased.

Bank of Israel data reveals gaps in interest rates and mortgage tracks between the major banks. Experts explain why the average interest rate is misleading, how banks profit from each track, and what really determines the best deal for the customer.

Over the past year, the portfolio of balloon and bullet mortgage loans has grown by approximately 20%, significantly outpacing the growth of the total mortgage market. By July 2026, the balance reached 29.2 billion shekels.

Bank of Israel data reveals a significant trend: the number of mortgage refinancings has reached a peak not seen since 2023. This largely explains the jump in total mortgage volume. Additionally, there is a positive indicator for the Bank of Israel: the number of those in arrears on mortgage payments is decreasing and is at its lowest level this year.

The south was a key region for 10/90 and 20/80 financing campaigns, allowing buyers to enter the market with low initial capital. As large payments fall due, the combination of high interest rates, repayment capacity issues, and eroding apartment prices in some projects is forcing a recalculation. In the Beersheba area, the cancellation rate for 2023 deals approached 7%, significantly higher than...