Former Israel Tax Authority director Eran Yaakov said at a real estate conference that contractors' financing arrangements effectively discount apartment prices by 15-20%, but they refrain from official price reductions to maintain favorable reports with financing banks, according to N12.
Eran Yaakov, a former director of the Israel Tax Authority, leveled a pointed critique of the housing market at a conference hosted by the Palmo Group, a real estate investment firm. Yaakov stated that contractors' financing promotions — often advertised as "0% interest" or deferred payment plans — effectively amount to a 15-20% reduction in the apartment's sticker price. However, he noted, contractors avoid lowering the official list price to keep their balance sheets looking stronger to financing banks.
Yaakov's remarks come amid a broader public debate on housing affordability. The Zioneer previously reported on the Builders Association president's call for direct foreign worker permits to shorten construction timelines and reduce costs. Yaakov's observation adds a layer of transparency criticism: the gap between effective discounts and official prices may mask the true market trend and complicate price comparisons for buyers.
The statement is based on a single report from N12; no official comment from the contractors' association or the Tax Authority has been issued yet.
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