Gross Yield – The Basic Formula and Why It Is Not Enough
Gross yield is the starting point of any feasibility check. The formula is straightforward: divide annual rent by the purchase price and multiply by 100. For example, a 3-room apartment in Kiryat Ono purchased for NIS 2,500,000 and rented at NIS 5,000/month yields 2.4%. A similar apartment in Or Yehuda at NIS 1,970,000 renting at NIS 4,658/month yields 2.84%.
The problem with gross yield is that it ignores all expenses: municipal taxes during vacancy, building maintenance fees, routine upkeep, insurance, legal fees, and agent commissions. In practice, these reduce net income by 15%–25% compared to gross. A gross yield of 2.7% can therefore translate into a net yield of only 2.0%–2.2%.
- Gross yield formula: (Monthly rent × 12 ÷ Purchase price) × 100
- Kiryat Ono – 3 rooms: ~NIS 2.5M, rent ~NIS 5,000 → gross yield ~2.4%
- Givataim: average gross yield ~2.77%, average rent ~NIS 6,220 (2025)
- Or Yehuda: gross yield ~2.85%, average 3-room price ~NIS 1.97M
- Ganei Tikva: price per sqm NIS 32,000–35,000; gross yield ~2.6%–2.8%
Net Yield – What You Actually Keep After Expenses
Net yield calculates NOI (Net Operating Income) after all running expenses, divided by total purchase cost. Formula: ((Annual income − Annual expenses) ÷ Total purchase cost) × 100. Total purchase cost must include purchase price plus purchase tax, lawyer fees, and pre-tenancy renovations.
Numerical example: A 4-room apartment in Kiryat Ono at NIS 3,000,000. All-in cost: NIS 3,180,000. Rent: NIS 6,200/month → NIS 74,400/year. Annual expenses: NIS 10,900. NOI: NIS 63,500. Net yield: 2.0%.
- Net yield formula: ((Annual rent − Annual expenses) ÷ Total cost) × 100
- Typical annual expenses: building fees, property insurance, maintenance, vacancy, leasing agent fee
- Average annual expenses in Gush Dan: NIS 8,000–15,000 depending on property age
- Older buildings (30+ years): expect higher maintenance – deduct 20%–25% from gross yield
- Total purchase cost must include: price + purchase tax (usually 8% for 2nd property) + lawyer 0.5%–1% + renovation
Cash on Cash Return – The Right Metric When Using a Mortgage
When financing part of the purchase with a mortgage, calculate return on equity alone. Formula: ((Annual income − Expenses − Annual mortgage payments) ÷ Equity invested) × 100.
A reality check for Gush Dan 2026: Bank of Israel caps investment property financing at 50% LTV. On NIS 2,500,000, the maximum mortgage is NIS 1,250,000. At prime 5.5% over 20 years, the monthly payment is approximately NIS 8,500 – more than most Kiryat Ono apartments generate in rent (NIS 5,000–6,500). This means negative monthly cash flow.
- Cash on Cash formula: ((Annual rent − Expenses − Mortgage payments) ÷ Equity) × 100
- Investment property LTV cap in Israel: 50% (Bank of Israel regulations)
- Prime rate January 2026: 5.5% (Bank of Israel cut 0.25% in January 2026)
- Long-term CPI-linked fixed rate 20+ years: 3.30%–3.57% (as of 2026)
- In Gush Dan: most leveraged investors face negative monthly cash flow – plan your finances accordingly
Israeli Rental Tax Tracks – Direct Impact on Net Yield
Choosing the right tax track can add or subtract a full percentage point from your net yield. Three main tracks in 2026: the exemption track (up to NIS 5,654/month), the 10% flat rate on all rental income, and the marginal tax track (minimum 31%).
Example for a landlord collecting NIS 7,000/month: Under exemption track, tax is approximately NIS 1,252/month. Under 10% flat track: NIS 700/month. The 10% track suits most landlords earning NIS 5,654–20,000/month but does not allow expense deductions.
- Full exemption: up to NIS 5,654/month (2026) – zero tax, no expense deductions
- Partial exemption: NIS 5,654–11,308/month – complex formula, usually less beneficial than 10% track
- 10% flat track: applies to total rental income, no expense deductions allowed
- Marginal tax track: minimum 31% (10% from age 60), allows full expense + depreciation deductions
- Depreciation (2%/year on building value): must be subtracted from cost basis at sale – impacts capital gains tax
