My team and I recently had an interesting experience which I’d like to share with our readers. Last week, we placed an offer on a condominium offered as a short sale at the Murano Grande in Miami Beach.  We only went through the effort of contacting one of our most loyal and best buyers after receiving a solicitation on behalf of a distressed owner who I happen to know (this South Beach condo is listed with a family friend).  Unfortunately, shortly after submitting a contract significantly ABOVE the list price, we discovered that the price on the Multiple Lisitng Service was raised several times, and that the commission to cooperating Broker was changed to one percent (with total commission payable of six percent).

Here’s the problem – our ready, willing and able CASH Buyer was completely turned off by the lack of coherent pricing. Also, all short sales and bank foreclosures which we have dealt with in the recent past (and we’ve closed on many) stipulate commission splits of 50/50 between the buying and selling brokers.  We subsequently found out that the listing agent for the condo convinced the current owner to accept a finance contingency contract (his own buyer) at a significantly lower price.  Not only was this agent acting unethically with us, but the worst part is that the owner (and the lenders) have no idea of the games that this particular agent is playing in a desperate attempt to earn some extra commission income.

I firmly believe, especially in this market, that it’s an agent’s duty to do everything possible to sell a property for as high a price as possible to a QUALIFIED buyer.  Any agent (or Brokerage firm) that is not willing to work for the best interest of their client should no longer be in the business.  The old adage applies – “Let the Buyer (and Seller) beware.”

Latest Closed Sale from TheKleerTeam (Buyer Representation):

Continuum condo - North Tower #1404

Continuum North Tower presents over 15 styles of residences, with this unique split two bedroom floorplan offering views of Fisher Island, the Atlantic Ocean, and Government Cut. Residences feature private balconies with glass railings, floor to ceiling sliding glass doors with tempered, tinted glass designed to meet hurricane standards of the South Florida.

Closed Sales Price: $1,250,000 (7/1/09)
Original “For Sale” Price : $1,425,000
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Sold Price per S.F.: $838/S.F.
Reduced from Original Price: 12% (106 days on market)

What I especially like about this latest bank approved condo is that it represents a genuine VALUE for the savvy real estate investor or potential owner/user. This price point represents a value that is FAR below replacement cost. The annual rental income on this premier luxury Miami Beach condo is approx. $4,500/month for short term rentals (High Season) and $3,200/month for annual rentals (Low Season).  The Bentley Bay offers incredible unobstructed views of both the downtown Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay, and the Ocean. This unit is one of the best condo deals in South Beach.

The Bentley Bay condo was completed in 2005 (with subsequent bank supervised rehab of balconies) and is a boutique building located just North of Fifth Street. Offering direct and easy access to all major expressways, it is considered the gateway to South Beach. The downside to the Bentley Bay- the relatively high maintenance fees (due to having two towers and relative small number of units), but I believe that the flexible rental policy and the premier waterfront location in the heart of South Beach make up for this. Also, the planned retail development by Crescent Heights on 6th Alton as well as the 5th and Alton Shopping Center will completely transform the neighborhood over the next few years.

Bank Approved Price: $500,000
Previous Sales Price (comp units): $1,150,000
Bedroom: 2
Bathroom: 2
Today’s Price/S.F.: $400/S.F.

My team and I are committed to providing strong value added service to our clients, which means delivering the best purchasing opportunities to today’s buyers of Miami Beach luxury condos. Contact us at 305-673-3809 for more information on this foreclosure condo.

With the current uncertain financial market and credit crisis exerting strong downard pressure on prices in housing market, I’d like to expose some of the best condo deals in South Beach luxury waterfront condos market. Every Buyer today is looking for a “great deal”, but how do we define this in today’s real estate market? One possiblity is to roll prices back to pre-boom prices of 2003-2004. Another possibility is – not so precise formula – is to take an overall price reduction anywhere between 30%-70% off 2005/2006 prices (peak of the real estate bubble).

However, I’d like to highlight what I consider one of the better income valuations for a truly “great deal”, which involves looking at the cash flow from potential rental income. Below are a few waterfront condos I consider to be “great deals” in Miami Beach luxury condos:

Bentley Bay Condo Unit-2211

The Bentley Bay #2211
2/2- 1,250 S.F.- Wrap Around Terrace, Direct Bay Views, with potential monthly rental income ranging from $3K – $5K/month.   Foreclosure Sale Asking Price: $459,000 ($367/SF)

Icon South Beach Condo Unit 1804

Icon South Beach #1804
2/2- 1,536 S.F.- Large Terrace, Intracoastal & Bay Views, with potential monthly rental income ranging from $4K – $6K/month.   Foreclosure Sale Asking Price: $829,000 ($539/SF)

Murano Grande Condo Unit 1809

Murano Grande #1809
2/2- 1,437 S.F.- Large Terrace, Open Views of South Beach & Ocean, with potential monthly rental income ranging from $4K – $6K/month.   Foreclosure Sale Asking Price: $740,000 ($514/SF)

Waverly South Beach condo unit # 804 - SOLD

Waverly South Beach #804
2/2- 1,084 S.F.- Spectacular Intracoastal & Bay Views, with potential monthly rental income ranging from $2,500 – $3,500/month.   Foreclosure Sale Asking Price: $364,900 and Sold/Closed for $330,000 ($304/SF)

My team and I are committed to providing strong value added service to our clients, which means delivering the best purchasing opportunities to today’s buyers of Miami Beach luxury condos.

Below are some highlights of closed condominium sales for the past 90 days for the more prominent South of Fifth Street buildings such as Murano at Portofino, Murano Grande, Continuum II South Beach and Continuum South Beach, Apogee Miami Beach, Portofino Tower and Icon South Beach.

A total of thirty one (31) luxury condos sold and closed during this period with an average sales price of $2,185,000. The median price per Sq.Ft. was $908, with an average marketing period of 149 days. In EVERY case, these waterfront luxury condominiums were significantly price reduced.

ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT SELLING? – If you own a condo in South Beach (especially a South of Fifth Condo), and have had trouble selling, please call us for a free market analysis. I believe in telling it “straight” to clients (or potential clients), as wishful thinking will not carry the day in this real estate environment. However, we are still seeing strong demand and interest from buyers (especially Europeans) for premier waterfront condos in the area.

Once again, the market has shown that it rewards sellers who work with experienced, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and top producing real estate salespeople. Thanks to aggressive and creative targeted International Marketing Campaigns, we have sold ALMOST our entire Residential listing inventory from the first half of 2008.

Below are a few of the more notable condo sales that have occurred in the over the past ninety days in the South of Fifth Street District:

Apogee Miami Beach

4 beds / 3 baths 4,154 S.F.

Original List Price: $6,700,000 Sales Price: $5,500,000

142 days on Market, $1,324/S.F. Waterfront Corner Unit

Apogee Miami Beach

4 beds / 3 baths 4,154 S.F.

Original List Price: $7,900,000 Sales Price: $7,300,000

147 days on Market, $1,757/S.F. Waterfront Corner Unit

Murano Grande

3 beds / 3 baths 3,979 S.F. Home 3,979 S.F. Land

Original List Price: $4,850,000 Sales Price: $3,100,000

365+ days on Market, $779/S.F. Waterfront Corner Unit

Continuum South Beach

3 beds / 3 baths 2,954 S.F. Home 3,979 S.F. Land

Original List Price: $3,600,000 Sales Price: $3,100,000

471 days on Market, $1,049/S.F. Oceanfront Unit

Icon South Beach

3 beds / 3 baths 2,158 S.F.

Original List Price: $1,799,000 Sales Price: $1,450,000

365+ days on Market, $671/S.F. Bayfront Corner Unit

Portofino Tower

2 beds / 2 baths 2,040 S.F.

Original List Price: $1,625,000 Sales Price: $1,350,000

245 days on Market, $661/S.F. Unobstructed Views Bayfront

Murano at Portofino

2 beds / 2 baths 1,390 S.F.

Original List Price: $1,350,000 Sales Price: $1,150,000

258 days on Market, $827/S.F.

Below are sales statistics for the overall Miami Beach (South Beach) luxury condo market for the past three months :

• As of late July, there are 450 units for sale between $500K and $1.1M
• As of late July, there are 209 units for sale between $1.1M and $2.1M
• As of late July, there are 111 units for sale between $2.1M and $5M
• As of late July, there are 43 units for sale over $5M

Continuum II South Beach – 50 South Pointe Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

I’ve received many inquiries about CONTINUUM II South Beach since its opening, so far there have been nine closed sales and one pending sale as recorded on the Multiple Listing Service. This is a significant slowdown in sales activity, especially comparing the re-sales activity that took place with Continuum – South Tower a few years ago. However, the latest sales have been averaging well over $1,000/s.f. for higher floor units. Currently there are 46 condos for being offered for sale at Continuum 2

ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT SELLING? – If you own a condo or a single family home (especially those on the water), and have had trouble selling, please call us for a free market analysis. I believe in telling it “straight” to clients (or potential clients), as wishful thinking will not carry the day in this real estate environment.

Once again, the market has shown that it rewards sellers who work with experienced, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and top producing real estate salespeople. Thanks to aggressive and creative targeted International Marketing Campaigns, we have sold ALMOST our entire Miami properties’ inventory from the first half of 2008.