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Where do you live? Most people have no problem answering this basic question, but there are some who simply cannot give a straightforward answer. I have one French friend who is registered as a resident of Paris but spends at least three months a year in his Netanya apartment and another few months in his alpine chalet.

In Israel, second homes are a relatively new concept, primarily because of the country's shortage of land reserves and the relatively high price of housing. But according to Anglo Saxon Real Estate Agency, about 120 householders own second homes in Israel. Getaways in Safed, Tiberias and Arad, a convenient hub for those who like the Dead Sea, provide the overworked with relaxing retreats away from the buzz of fax machines and the jangle of telephones.

The second home trend started several years ago following a rise in the construction of holiday apartments, especially in Eilat. Vacation apartments are also available in other places like the Hevat Habaron complex in Zichron Ya'acov, the Caesarea Golf complex and the Carmel Beach project in Haifa.

One of the more interesting developments currently under construction is the Kfar Hayam Funtasea Village. Unlike most others, this village is being developed by a group of Israeli families who for years shared a common dream: to establish and operate their own holiday resort village by the sea.

"The idea originated from a group of about 300 people that meet about twice a year for fun," says developer Lior Ben-Hor.

The village, now being built along Binyamin Bay on the Hadera shoreline midway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, is intended mainly for those who want to spend weekends or afternoons there.

"People are not buying solely for investment purposes. They are interested in getting away from everyday hassles and spending time in a resort that has all the luxuries they require, with people who share common interests," said Ben-Hor. "The resort is a good answer to workaholism."

The homes are not being sold in the conventional way. Instead, a group of businessmen headed by Ben-Hor and attorney Roni Ben-Nir is using the one-friend-brings-another technique.

"To buy an apartment, you have to be a friend of a friend," Ben-Hor said. "This is based on the assumption that if your friend is good enough for you, he will also be good enough for me."

So far, 320 of the 522 homes have already been sold, mainly to businesspeople with families. Occupancy is scheduled for April 1997.

The sales campaign is mainly based on parties attended by friends of the owner. According to Ben-Hor, potential buyers are invited to an interview to determine whether they can be accepted. Over the past year and a half, eight buyers were rejected.

About eight months ago, the group decided to sell some of the homes to foreign residents who are interested in spending their holidays in Israel.

Each home will be registered under the private ownership of the purchaser. There will be five seven-floor residential buildings, as well as 60 two-story cottages. In addition, there will be a hotel with 80 rooms and 80 apartment-hotel units. The three lower floors of the hotel will house restaurants, cultural and sport facilities for the apartment owners.

Apartments vary in size, from studios on up. Each apartment has its own sun terrace, kitchen, private parking and a view of the sea.

Part of the purchase price includes a share in the company that owns, manages and maintains all the public areas of the village. The share is worth about $30,000.

The price of a 45-square-meter studio apartment with a balcony starts at $118,000. The price of a two-room, 64-square-meter apartment starts at $167,000 and a three-and-half room, 74-square-meter apartment is $190,000.

The four-room, 100-square-meter cottages are $330,000. The cottages have their own gardens.

The resort complex includes swimming pools, lawns, restaurants, tennis courts, squash courts, a fitness and health center, pub, disco, business center, and facilities for children.

Another holiday resort is the Kinneret Sea Club. The developers are offering a total of 120 units situated close to a lake and surrounded by grass and trees. The apartments will be registered under the owner's name.

Apartments vary in size from studio to three rooms. The smallest is $64,000 while the largest is $210,000. Apartment owners will be able to use all of the facilities of the Sea Club hotel resort.