Holiday Home in Israel for Phoenix Families
Holiday Home in Israel for Phoenix Families
Phoenix summers are famously hot, and many Valley families travel when school is out, while others visit Israel for Pesach, Sukkot or family celebrations. A holiday home turns those visits into a lasting connection, offering a place for grandparents, children on Israeli programs and extended family. Some Phoenix families also like the idea of an Israeli home as a stepping stone to retirement or aliyah. This guide explores where Phoenix families tend to buy holiday homes, how to use them across the seasons and what to arrange for the long stretches when the apartment stands empty.
Choosing a Setting
Jerusalem appeals to families who want to be near the Old City and celebrate the chagim in a deeply Jewish setting. Its summer evenings are cooler than those in the Valley. Coastal cities such as Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Netanya offer beaches and a lively atmosphere.
Eilat, with its Red Sea coast and desert mountains, may feel familiar to Phoenix families and offers warm winters. Some families pair a city apartment with occasional trips south.
Using the Home Across the Year
Think about when you will visit most often. Many Phoenix families first consider a holiday home around a bar or bat mitzvah in Jerusalem or a child's gap year, so choose a home that will also work for quieter visits in the years after the celebration.
Summer visits favor cooler Jerusalem or breezy coastal cities
Winter visits suit Eilat and the coast
Holiday visits favor walking distance to synagogues
Long absences require a caretaker and secure building
Rental Options Between Visits
Some owners rent long-term and give up flexibility, while others rent mid-term to visiting academics or professionals. In tourist cities such as Eilat and Tel Aviv, short-term rentals may be possible but require management and a check of local rules.
Discuss the options with an Israeli lawyer and tax advisor, since each affects taxes and insurance differently.
Caring for an Empty Apartment
Israel is typically nine or ten hours ahead of Phoenix, so you will need local help. A caretaker can check for leaks, manage humidity on the coast and prepare the apartment before you arrive.
Set up automatic payments for arnona, utilities and building committee fees, and keep a spare key with a trusted contact.
Travel from Sky Harbor
Flights from Phoenix usually connect through the East Coast or Europe, making the journey long. A holiday home with easy access from Ben Gurion Airport helps families arriving tired, especially with young children or older relatives.
For Eilat, allow for a domestic connection or a drive through the Arava.
Legal and Tax Points
A holiday home may be treated differently for purchase tax than a sole residence, and holding property abroad has US reporting implications. Arizona state tax may also apply to rental income.
Consult an Israeli lawyer, an Israeli tax advisor and a US CPA before buying.
Apartment or Villa
In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, holiday homes are almost always apartments in shared buildings. In parts of Eilat, Caesarea and smaller communities, private houses and villas exist, offering pools and gardens that may remind Phoenix families of home.
A house brings more maintenance, especially when it stands empty for long periods, while an apartment in a secure building is simpler to leave between visits.
Whichever you choose, ask your lawyer to check the land registration carefully, since some properties sit on land leased from the state and carry specific terms.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Phoenix families buy holiday homes in Israel
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Netanya are common, and some families who like desert landscapes consider Eilat.
Is Eilat a practical choice for a holiday home
It offers sun and sea, especially in winter, but travel from central Israel takes longer. Consider how often you will visit.
Can I rent out the home between visits
Yes, depending on local rules. Discuss options and tax treatment with Israeli advisors.
How do I maintain the home from Arizona
Appoint a local caretaker, set up automatic payments and arrange regular inspections.
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. From new development and urban renewal to TAMA 38, pinui-binui, combination agreements and complex deals, the company works with backing companies and partners and can offer guarantees. The Hebrew, English and French speaking team is used to working with families from Phoenix and other US cities across time zones.
Planning a holiday home in Israel from Phoenix. Contact our team to explore the options.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv