Holiday Home in Israel for Atlanta Families
Holiday Home in Israel for Atlanta Families
Atlanta families often travel to Israel for Pesach, Sukkot or a summer trip, and each visit means hunting for hotels or short-term rentals that are hard to book in busy seasons. A holiday home offers a permanent base, a place where children on gap-year programs can spend Shabbat, and a foothold for possible retirement or aliyah later. It also raises questions about what to do with the apartment during the months you are in Georgia. This guide covers where Atlanta families tend to buy holiday homes, how to look after them from afar and whether renting the unit out between visits makes sense.
What Atlanta Families Look For
Most families want walkability to a synagogue, shops and cafes, enough bedrooms for visiting grandchildren, and a building that stays secure while it stands empty. A balcony large enough for a sukkah is a frequent request from families who come for Sukkot.
Location usually follows family ties. Jerusalem neighborhoods such as Baka, the German Colony, Talbiya and Arnona are popular with observant families, while Netanya, Herzliya and Tel Aviv appeal to those who want the beach.
Travel Timing Around the Holidays
Flights from Atlanta usually connect through the East Coast or Europe, and seats fill quickly around the chagim. Owning an apartment removes the pressure of finding accommodation during peak weeks, especially for large families.
Because Israel is usually seven hours ahead, families arriving after an overnight journey appreciate a home that is ready on landing, with utilities running and a caretaker who has aired out the rooms.
Empty Between Visits or Rented Out
Some owners keep the apartment empty so it is always available. Others rent to long-term tenants and give up flexibility, or use mid-term rentals around their own dates. Some cities have discussed or applied measures concerning empty apartments, so check current local rules.
An empty home offers full flexibility but needs regular checks
Mid-term rentals can suit visiting professors or families on sabbatical
Short-term rentals require management, cleaning and a review of local regulations
Caring for the Home from Georgia
Humidity on the coast and winter rain in Jerusalem can cause damage in a closed apartment. A caretaker who visits periodically, runs the taps, checks for leaks and collects mail is well worth arranging.
The building committee will expect regular payments and occasional decisions. Set up automatic payments from an Israeli account and make sure someone can represent you at meetings.
Choosing the Right Building
Look for an elevator if grandparents will visit, a secure entrance and a protected space or mamad. Newer buildings often include storage rooms and parking, which help when you leave belongings between trips.
In older buildings, ask whether an urban renewal plan is in progress, since construction during your visits can change the experience considerably, even if it adds value over time.
Legal and Tax Points to Clarify
Buying a second home in Israel may carry a different purchase tax treatment from buying a sole residence, and your status as a foreign resident matters. Owning the property also has US reporting implications.
Consult an Israeli lawyer and tax advisor, as well as a US CPA, about ownership structure, whose names the property should be registered in and how any rental income would be taxed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Atlanta families usually buy holiday homes in Israel
Jerusalem, Netanya, Herzliya, Raanana and Tel Aviv are frequent choices, often guided by where relatives or children studying in Israel are based.
Can I rent out my holiday apartment when I am not there
Many owners do, using long-term, mid-term or short-term arrangements. Check local rules and the tax treatment with Israeli advisors first.
How do I keep an empty apartment in good condition
Appoint a caretaker to visit regularly, check for leaks and humidity and prepare the home before you arrive. Keep building committee and utility payments on automatic transfer.
Is a holiday home a step toward aliyah
For many families it is, since it lets you get to know a community first. The tax treatment of a purchase before aliyah may differ from one made afterward, so ask your advisors.
Elkayam Group
Elkayam Group, Kobi Elkayam Real Estate Ltd, works from Rival Street 37 in Tel Aviv and carries forward a family tradition begun in 1945 and continued across three generations. Its work covers real estate development, urban renewal including TAMA 38 and pinui-binui, combination transactions and complex deals, supported by backing companies and partners and with the ability to provide guarantees. Families calling from Atlanta can speak with the team in English, and it also works in Hebrew and French while coordinating the professionals involved.
Dreaming of a family base in Israel for the chagim. Contact our team to explore holiday home options.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv