Intensive Sales Campaigns Boost Tel Aviv Apartment Sales in May Despite Market Slump

In May 2026, intensive sales campaigns organized by developers in Tel Aviv significantly increased new apartment sales, according to data released by the Chief Economist and the Central Bureau of Statistics. Approximately 8,300 new and secondhand apartments were sold nationwide, marking a 23% rise compared to May 2025, though the previous year coincided with the "With Claws" military operation. Sales also rose 63% from April 2026, a month traditionally slow due to Passover and Independence Day holidays. Despite these increases, the housing market remains in a slump that has persisted since the second quarter of 2024.

Two major sales campaigns in Tel Aviv, one in the Sde Dov area and another linked to urban renewal projects, drove new apartment purchases in the city from 150 units in May 2025 to 481 in May 2026. This surge is notable even compared to peak sales five years ago but is considered a one-off event amid an overall weak market. Between March and May 2026, Tel Aviv led new apartment sales with 1,137 units, followed by Jerusalem with 539, Ashdod with 442, and Ashkelon with 410.

In the secondhand market, Jerusalem and Haifa led sales with 847 and 773 units respectively, ahead of Beersheba and Tel Aviv. When combining new and secondhand sales, the three largest cities, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, accounted for nearly 20% of all apartment sales from March to May 2026, highlighting a concentrated market.

The supply of unsold new apartments remains stable at around 84,000 units nationwide, reflecting a balance between building permits issued and sales pace. Jerusalem holds the largest inventory with 10,368 unsold new apartments, followed by Tel Aviv with about 9,800 units after a reduction of roughly 200 due to the recent sales campaigns. Bat Yam and Haifa follow with over 5,000 and 4,300 unsold units respectively.

The data underscores the impact of targeted sales efforts in temporarily boosting Tel Aviv’s housing market, though the broader market conditions remain challenging. The article also notes a commitment to respectful and diverse discourse in reporting.