Housing Finance Policy

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A. Legal and Regulatory Framework

A.1 Legal and Regulatory Framework
VariableEnd of 2015End of 2014End of 2013SourcesVar ID
Basis of the legal system: Civil, Common, Islamic, Other? (Describe)Mixed (common and civil)Mixed (common and civil)Mixed (common and civil)A.1.1
Registration/Transfer of titles:A.1.3
 Are property rights easily transferable?YesYesYes
World Bank
A.1.3.2
Typical number of days needed for the transfer of title81.0081.0081.00
WDI
A.1.3.4
Can liens be effectively enforced?YesYesYesA.1.4
Are there legal constraints on mortgage features?YesYesYesA.1.6
Loan-to-Value capYesYesYesA.1.6.2
Payment-to-Income maximumYesYesYesA.1.6.3
Is there specialized legislation covering:A.1.9
B. Housing Finance Subsidies
B.1 Subsidies to Housing Finance Institutions
B.2 Subsidies to Households
VariableEnd of 2015End of 2014End of 2013SourcesVar ID
Are there subsidies to households on housing finance?YesYes 
Bank of Israel
B.2.1
Interest rate subsidies by special government fundsYesYes 
Ministry of Construction and Housing
B.2.1.1
OtherYesYes 
Bank of Israel
B.2.1.6
Reach of subsidies in 2.1.1 to 2.1.4 ?B.2.2
C. Taxation
VariableEnd of 2015End of 2014End of 2013SourcesVar ID
What taxes apply to Residential Real Estate?C.1
Tax on property (home-owners) NoNo 
Global Property Guide
C.1.1
Property transaction taxes (purchase/selling)YesYes C.1.2
Tax on capital gains on property YesYes 
Global Property Guide
C.1.5
back to top | Country Data:
Notes: "New Format Buyer's Price" Program: Government will grant a discount on price of land and lower the price of dwellings built on it. First home buyers must participate and win the Buyer's Price Lottery to be eligible for the government subsidy.
Notes: Inflationary appreciation is not taxed.
Notes: Inflationary appreciation is not taxed.
Notes: LTV's for all housing loans are capped at 70%, except for first time home buyers for whom this cap is at 75%
Notes: LTV's for all housing loans are capped at 70%, except for first time home buyers for whom this cap is at 75%
Notes: Target Price Program: Government offers builders state-owned land at discount, but the discount must be passed along to buyers (i.e. selling price should be 20% less than market value).
Notes: The Government grants housing assistance to individuals who fall under its "without housing" criteria. Eligibile individuals will have mortgage interest rates of 0.5% less than the average interest rates of mortgage banks publicized by the Bank of Israel. Eligibile individuals may choose repayment period for mortgage between 10 and 30 years.