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Insights & News / Real Estate
December 13, 2016
Financial Catch of Mechir Lemishtaken Affordable Housing Program
Adv. Ariel Nadler, a partner and head of our Real Estate Department, was interviewed by Bizportal following the cancellation of Mechir Lemishtaken winners’ eligibility due to financing difficulties. Ariel explained that, when payments are secured by a bank guarantee, the payment schedule may allow buyers to pay 20% of the apartment’s purchase price upfront and the remaining 80% once the occupancy permit (Tofes 4) is issued. He recommends deferring as much of the purchase price as possible to the final payment.
October 30, 2016
Does Granting Foreign Companies Permits to Perform Construction Work in Israel Create Healthy Competition or Hurt Small Construction Companies?
Adv. Ariel Nadler, a partner and head of our Real Estate Department, told Ynet that opening the market to foreign companies is a positive step. He also addressed potential challenges for consumers dealing with foreign companies, expressing confidence that the Ministries of Finance and Construction would require adequate guarantees to address construction defects and ensure construction quality.
October 27, 2016
Five Chinese Companies and One Portuguese Company Granted Permits to Perform Construction Work in Israel
Adv. Ariel Nadler, a partner and head of our Real Estate Department, was interviewed by TheMarker about the decision by the Ministries of Finance and Construction to grant foreign companies permits to carry out construction work in Israel. Ariel noted that, with Israeli construction firms facing collapse, opening the market to foreign companies is a positive step.
August 10, 2016
Investors Search For Options Before Apartment Tax Comes Into Force
Adv. Liat Keisary was interviewed by Bizportal following Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon’s announcement of the government’s intention to impose an annual tax on owners of three or more apartments. Liat discussed the advantages and disadvantages of holding these properties through a company.
August 3, 2016
Moshe Kahlon Proposes New Apartment Tax
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon is proposing an annual tax of 1% of property value on owners of three or more apartments, effective January 2017. Adv. Liat Keisary told Globes that owners are likely to find lawful tax structures to reduce their liability, while those unable to do so may pass the cost on to tenants.
July 26, 2016
Jerusalem Real Estate Scams and How to Avoid Them
Adv. Liat Keisary was interviewed by Ynet about a real estate fraud case in Jerusalem involving the sale of apartments using forged documents. Liat emphasized the importance of watching for warning signs and following a structured process when purchasing property.
June 28, 2016
Israel Tax Authority Audits Short-Term Landlords
Adv. Harel Perlmutter, the head of our Tax Department, was interviewed by Globes following the Israel Tax Authority’s announcement of tax audits targeting landlords who offer short-term rentals. Harel explained that these landlords are liable for both income tax and VAT.
June 26, 2016
Brexit Effect on Real Estate Market in Britain
This interview by Ynet explores the possible economic implications of the Brexit vote on real estate prices. Our expert advises to wait and see how much prices drop before buying or selling property in the country.
June 26, 2016
Opportunities for Israeli Investors in Wake of Brexit Referendum Results
Adv. Simon Jaffa, a founding partner, was interviewed by Calcalist on the opportunities for Israeli investors created by falling real estate prices in the UK in the wake of the Brexit referendum results
April 6, 2016
A Watershed Moment for Purchasing Groups – Interview with Adv. Ariel Nadler
A conversation with Adv. Ariel Nadler on the pros and cons of purchasing groups.
February 28, 2016
Bizportal Interviews Ad. Ariel Nadler on Sale Law Change
Adv. Ariel Nadler, a real estate expert, was interviewed by Bizportal about an amendment to the Sale Law approved this morning by the Israeli government. Ariel warned that reducing the guarantees provided to apartment buyers by the VAT component could harm buyers: if a guarantee is called, repayment of the VAT they have paid would not be guaranteed.
December 22, 2015
Hungary Reduces Standard VAT Rate for Sale of Newly Constructed Residences
Since the number of newly constructed apartments and houses dropped drastically in Hungary in recent years, the aim of the VAT amendment is to increase the number of residential properties available on the Hungarian market. Adv. Gal Oren, who has extensive experience in the Hungarian market, was interviewed by Calcalist.
November 22, 2015
Average Home Prices Continued to Rise in the Third Quarter
Adv. Ariel Nadler was interviewed by Globes about a Government Assessor’s Office report showing that home prices in Israel’s 16 largest cities rose by 1% compared with the previous quarter and by 3% year over year.
November 22, 2015
Israeli Home Prices Rose in Q3
Israel’s Government Assessor reported today that home prices rose by 1.4% in the third quarter of 2015. In an interview with Bizportal, Adv. Ariel Nadler, head of our Real Estate Department, said he believes that only a comprehensive solution to Israel’s high property prices can halt this upward trend.
October 12, 2015
Barnea Represents AFI Group
We represent the AFI Group in a EUR 50 million transaction involving the construction of two office buildings in Romania.
March 25, 2015
How Will the New Government Cope with Failures in the Real Estate Market?
Following last week's elections, Eched Ha'am magazine hosted a roundtable of real estate experts to discuss the housing crisis, potential solutions and the market outlook. Adv. Ariel Nadler, a partner and head of our Real Estate Department, discussed market failures and the challenges and shortcomings of existing solutions.
July 14, 2015
Housing Cabinet Approves Subsidized Housing Program
The housing cabinet, headed by Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, approved a series of measures yesterday aimed primarily at bringing down housing prices. Globes published reactions from real estate experts, including Adv. Maya Zisser, a partner in our firm’s Real Estate Department, who expressed doubt about whether the promises would be fulfilled.
August 11, 2015
Israeli Home Sales Reach All-Time Monthly Record
The Ministry of Finance has published data showing a 42% surge in apartment purchases in June, reaching a record 16,100. The surge was driven by investors rushing to buy before the new purchase tax took effect. Adv. Maya Zisser Ben Tal, a partner in the Real Estate Department, was interviewed by leading publications and websites, including Globes, Calcalist, Ynet, and Bizportal. She expressed doubts about whether the new tax would ultimately bring down housing prices.
March 25, 2014
Zero VAT Plan for New Homebuyers
Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid recently proposed exempting couples with at least one child from VAT when purchasing their first apartment from a developer. Ariel Nadler, head of Barnea’s Real Estate Department, believes the proposal would help young couples buy a home but would not, on its own, be enough to address the challenges facing Israel’s housing market. Calcalist, March 19, 2014.
October 7, 2014
Zero VAT on First Homes to Apply for Seven Years Only
The proposed 0% VAT measure for first-time homebuyers would remain in effect for seven years under a temporary ordinance. Leading business newspaper Globes examined its legal implications in an interview with Adv. Liat Keisary Yahalomi.