Secondhand Apartment Sales Plummet in 10 Israeli Cities
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Sales of previously owned apartments in Israel fell by 3.7% in the third quarter of 2026, with central cities like Modi'in and Petah Tikva experiencing the sharpest declines. Meanwhile, some peripheral cities saw increased sales, suggesting a shift towards more affordable housing options. Jerusalem remained the city with the most transactions, showing stability. The slowdown in sales may impact future housing price trends, which have already seen a 1.8% decrease in the past year.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Secondhand apartment sales in Israel dropped 3.7% in Q3 2026.
- Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut saw the steepest sales decline at 22.6%.
- Peripheral cities like Nahariya experienced increased secondhand apartment sales.
- Jerusalem remained the city with the highest number of secondhand apartment sales.
- Buyers are reportedly seeking more affordable options outside expensive central areas.
- Housing prices have decreased by 1.8% over the past year.
Sales of previously owned apartments in Israel saw a significant slowdown in the third quarter of 2026, with a 3.7% decrease across 23 monitored cities compared to the previous quarter. While overall sales dropped from 7,616 to 7,331 units between April-June and July-September, the data reveals a stark regional divide. Central Israeli cities experienced sharp declines, while some peripheral areas saw increases in secondhand apartment transactions.
Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut led the list of cities with the steepest drop, recording a 22.6% decrease in sales, from 239 units to 185. Petah Tikva followed with a 17.9% decline, selling 81 fewer apartments. Other cities with double-digit percentage drops included Beit Shemesh (13%), Ashdod (12.6%), Tel Aviv-Yafo (12.5%), Rehovot (11.4%), Netanya (10.7%), and Holon (10.3%). Herzliya and Bat Yam rounded out the top ten with decreases of 9.2% and 7.3% respectively.
In contrast, cities like Nahariya saw a 21.3% increase in sales, followed by Kiryat Gat (17.4%) and Hadera (14.4%). Harish also experienced a 10.1% rise, and Lod saw an 8.6% increase.
Jerusalem remained stable with 829 secondhand apartment sales in both quarters, maintaining its position as the city with the highest transaction volume, ahead of Haifa (785) and Be'er Sheva (636).
Experts suggest that the decline in demand for secondhand apartments in expensive central cities, where prices are high, may be attributed to buyers, particularly young couples and those looking to upgrade, seeking more affordable alternatives. This trend contrasts with the peripheral areas where prices are generally lower, and demand appears to be strengthening.
The article also notes that while new apartment sales figures can be misleading due to bulk purchases or presale events, secondhand market data offers a more accurate reflection of housing prices. The upcoming consumer price index report for October is expected to include housing price data, which will reveal if the recent slowdown in transactions will translate into a continued decrease in housing prices, which have fallen 1.8% over the past year.
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