According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there was a sizable increase in apartment sales in the capital during the last quarter of 2009.

During the second quarter, 204 apartments were sold, but that number increased to 249 in the last quarter of the year, representing a 22% increase. If one compares the sales to the last quarter of 2008, the increase is over 80%.

According to Mrs. Hadad, a senior official at Euro Israel, building projects in Har Homa and Givat Ze’ev, during the past two years, there have not been tenders for communities close to the capital, which offer a less expensive alternative to young couples, communities such as Maale Adumim and yishuvim in Gush Etzion, contributing to the greater demand in Yerushalayim. She believes the building freeze throughout Yehuda and Shomron will contribute to an even greater demand in Yerushalayim as well as the “envelope communities including Har Hadar, Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Homa”.

Ofir Sagiv of the Mei Tal Engineering firm which is building in Maale Adumim and Har Homa explains there is a noticeable interest in homes during recent months, especially in Har Homa. As a result of the increased demand he explains, prices are rising as well.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)