Holiday Home in Kfar Saba for American Families
Holiday Home in Kfar Saba for American Families
Many American families have children or grandchildren living in Kfar Saba, Raanana or other Sharon communities. A holiday home in Kfar Saba lets them spend festivals, summers and family celebrations nearby without relying on hotels. The city's parks, walkable center and closeness to Raanana make it a pleasant base, and the Mediterranean beaches of the Sharon are a short drive away. This guide covers selecting a suitable apartment, looking after it while you are in the US, renting it between visits and planning taxes in both countries.
Why Kfar Saba Suits a Second Home
Proximity to family is usually the first reason. Kfar Saba is also central enough to make day trips to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the northern Sharon straightforward. The large city park, local cafes and walkable streets give visitors a sense of everyday life rather than a tourist experience.
Choosing the Right Apartment
For a home that stands empty part of the year, a modern building with an elevator, safe room and responsible management is often simplest. Kfar Saba HaYeruka and other newer areas offer such buildings. Consider space for family meals, a balcony suitable for a sukkah and parking for visiting relatives.
Near children and grandchildren
Modern building with good management
Room for family gatherings
Parking and easy access to main roads
Caring for the Home While You Are Away
A relative, neighbor or paid manager should check the apartment regularly, pay building fees and municipal property tax, and arrange repairs. Remote water valves, smart locks, a spare key with a trusted neighbor and a list of reliable tradespeople make it easier to respond to problems across the time difference.
Before each visit, ask your contact to prepare the apartment so that the family can settle in quickly.
Renting Between Visits
Renting the apartment to families on sabbatical, visiting professionals or newcomers exploring the Sharon can help cover costs. Medium-term rentals often fit well around family visits, especially when the lease sets out clearly which weeks your family keeps for its own stays. Short-term rentals may be restricted by building rules or regulation, so consult an Israeli lawyer first.
Tax Questions
Owning an additional residential property in Israel has particular purchase tax implications, and your residency status matters. Rental income and a future sale also have consequences in Israel and the US. Consult an Israeli tax advisor and a US CPA to plan ownership and use.
Buying from the United States
Most families make an exploratory visit, review shortlisted apartments by video and sign a power of attorney so that an Israeli lawyer can complete the purchase. Early morning calls on the US East Coast often align with the Israeli afternoon. Keep every contract, receipt and registry extract in a shared folder so that your lawyer, your family and your US CPA are always working from the same documents.
Planning for the Future
A holiday home may one day become a permanent home or pass to children living nearby. Ask your Israeli lawyer about registration and inheritance, and your US CPA about how a future transfer would be treated, so that the home continues to serve the family.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kfar Saba close to the beach
The Sharon beaches are a short drive away, though Kfar Saba itself is inland.
Can relatives use the home when I am not there
Yes. If you rent it to others, make the agreement clear about the periods reserved for your family.
Do I pay municipal property tax when the home is empty
Generally yes. Check the rules with the municipality and your lawyer.
How does this affect my US taxes
Rental income and a future sale may need to be reported. A US CPA can advise.
Elkayam Group
Kobi Elkayam Real Estate Ltd, part of Elkayam Group, draws on three generations of family business experience and works with partners and backing companies across development and urban renewal. Our Tel Aviv team on Rival Street speaks English, Hebrew and French and helps families buy a second home with confidence.
Thinking about a holiday home in Kfar Saba Reach out to plan your purchase with us.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv