What Happens If A Buyer Cannot Close On Their Preconstruction Condo?

The spring and summer of 2017 are going to be an interesting time for Miami in a real estate sense. We are going to see a flurry of new condo developments opening, bringing thousands of new closings (and probably hundreds of new resale and rental listings).

Brickell Heights 01 and Brickell Heights 02 are set to open within the next month, 1010 Brickell will follow shortly thereafter (or maybe they will open before… the two projects are neck and neck). Up in Edgewater, Biscayne Beach is slated to open its doors any day now, followed by the first tower of the Paraiso District, Paraiso Bay. The four projects together total over 1,800 new condos that are set for completion this summer. The fall and winter will bring another flurry, but for now let’s concentrate on the openings that are closer. These projects are all effectively sold-out. They are a wild success for the developers! But, what happens if one of the buyers is unable to come up with the remaining funds to close?

During the sales cycle of these four towers, the developers were requiring staggered deposit schedules that totaled a 50% down payment prior to closing and the remaining 50% due at closing. Remember that the majority of these condo sold in 2014-2015. A lot of things can happen in 3 years that can change the financial situation of the buyers. There could be an argument between partners in a condo, divorce, death, health issues. There could be political problems, currency exchange rate troubles, economic hardship. A dictator could be elected. We all know that these things are going on around the globe and they are all very sad. But what happens if one of these factors affects a buyer’s ability to close? It isn’t as dire as some may fear. The buyers do have choices.

They can walk from their deposit

Everyone knows this one. If you put a deposit down on a contract and don’t complete the contract, you will lose your deposit. It is very straightforward, and it stings. These condos sold around $500-$600/square foot. If you figure Related Group’s signature 2 bedroom layout that is almost always 1,200 square feet, give or take, the sale amount would be around $700,000. That’s a $350,000 loss, and that is not ideal for anyone… but it’s an option.

They can close with a mortgage

Although condo financing isn’t easy in brand-new developments, there are banks that will finance preconstruction purchases at the time of closing. The challenge is that many of the buyers in these developments are foreign nationals, and those mortgages are more difficult. Some banks refuse to lend to buyers from countries that have political turmoil (looking at you, Venezuela). It’s not a racist thing, the banks are worried about the political climate and their ability to recoup the mortgage. If you have questions about which banks can finance buyers from different countries, let us know. We have a resource that can help.

They can close with a private mortgage

If traditional financing just isn’t a possibility, buyers could visit a private lender. These mortgages typically require very little documentation and are able to close very quickly because the lender is familiar with the local market, the project, and bases the approval on that. The downside of these mortgages is that they are extremely expensive. Expect to pay 3-4 points to the lender at closing as a fee plus astronomical interest rates. I’ve seen interest rates as high as 13-14%. If a buyer was attempting to close the signature 2 bedroom unit that we discussed previously, that would amount to $10,500 – $14,000 just as a closing fee. Then you could expect around $4,000 per month to go just toward interest. Again, not ideal but also better than losing $350,000 right out of the gate.

They could find someone to step in and close on their behalf

This is probably the most ideal situation for someone in a preconstruction condo bind. Developers typically frown upon contract flipping and there’s no guarantee they would approve it, but developers in today’s market are also not eager to hold inventory on a previously sold-out project. They want to take their money and go do something else until another build cycle opportunity presents itself.

We have already had several investors request opportunities to buy in the event that a preconstruction buyer cannot or will not close. If anyone is in a preconstruction condo bind, please contact us and hopefully we can work it out in a mutually beneficial way.

A Solution Is Found For The BrickellHouse Parking Saga

At last! Two years after opening and more than 1 year without a functioning parking garage, the owners at BrickellHouse have found a solution to their motorized parking problem. For those who didn’t hear, the “state-of-the-art” automatic parking system that was touted as an amazing feature of the building turned out to be not-so-state-of-the-art. It didn’t even work. People were having to wait up to 45 minutes for their car to be delivered each morning! The association started a free coffee bar to make people feel better, but adding 45 minutes to your morning commute because your robo-valet doesn’t work is still annoying.

To complicate matters further, the company that designed and installed the system filed for bankruptcy and disappeared, leaving the 374 buyers in the building with lots of questions about where to put their cars. Lawsuits were going everywhere as the owners and association scrambled for a solution. Sales values took a huge hit, with values falling from $600/square foot down to $400/square foot the last time we published a market update. Typically when buildings go through issues like this, I say it is a great opportunity to buy. With no answer in sight, the BrickellHouse situation was still too scary for me to advise investors to buy. Now that there is a solution, I would feel better about recommending a purchase in the troubled building.

So, what is the building going to do???

The association and condo board have been hard at work interviewing motorized parking companies and have ultimately come to an agreement with Unitronics Automation Solutions, a fully bonded and insured company that has been around for almost 30 years. Hallelujah! We have a savior!

Unitronics is going to test their software system on the first two floors of parking. If all goes well, they will complete the remaining floors. If the solution does not work, they will part ways amicably and not charge the BrickellHouse owners. The downside is that the full repair could take 2-4 years to complete, they don’t really know yet. It is also super expensive, I don’t see how the repair can take place without a special assessment, but we don’t have any solid verification of that amount just yet. Once we find out, I will be sure to let everyone know. The good news is that buildings typically win their 558 claims against developers for structural defects, so the developer’s insurance policy will likely be the one to ultimately foot the bill, just someone has to pay for the solution and lawyers in the interim.

Once the repair is complete, Unitronics will continue to manage the garage.

What is going on with the sales and rental values?

The sales values are still pretty scary, but at least they’ve stopped the free fall. There were 4 closed sales in the first quarter of 2017 with an average price per square foot of $427 for finished and non-furnished sales. There was one that sold for $219,000, but that one was a decorator-ready studio. An upgraded and fully furnished 2 bedroom sold for $550,000. There are 3 deals pending, which we are anxious to see what they settle for. The alarming part is also that there are 62 active listings. This rate gives us 46 months of sales inventory. The available sales range from $230,000 for a studio up to the $6.9 million penthouse.

The rental market is still really healthy. The first quarter brought 37 new tenants and we currently see 41 active listings. The prices are holding firm also. Studios start at $1,750/month, one bedrooms for $1,900/month and up, and two bedrooms start at $3,000/month.

Hopefully the new solution will bring more life back to the sales market in the building! I’m sure it at least brings peace of mind to those affected.

Brickell Heights Expects Move In’s To Begin May 1 – Equinox To Follow

Brickell Heights and SLS Lux from 1010 Brickell – Photo by @305_gucci

Brickell Heights will begin distributing keys on May 1 with Equinox opening shortly thereafter, according to an email we have received from Equinox. The project sold the last of the 690 residences in January, although we expect to see plenty of resale and rental opportunities once the doors officially open.

Equinox has been busy gaining membership over the last months, with their membership center set up on the vacant lot to the east of SLS Lux (30 SE 8th Street). They are offering zero initiation fee and reduced monthly rate promotions to those who purchase memberships prior to opening day. Those who join after opening day will pay an initiation fee of $300 and a monthly rate of $165. Some companies also offer a reduced rate wellness program to their employees.

Jonathan Vilma’s Brickell Condo Fetches $1.1 Million

Super Bowl champ Jonathan Vilma has unloaded his 27th-floor, 2 bedroom condo at Jade at Brickell Bay for $1.1 million, according to MLS data. The unit has 1,730 interior square feet and features a private elevator and porcelain tiled flooring throughout, with direct, unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay.

According to public records, Jonathan Vilma purchased the property in 2004 for $940,000, the same year that he joined the New York Jets as a first round draft pick and named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The former linebacker was later traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he helped lead them to a Super Bowl Championship in 2009.  The property was originally listed for sale last year for $1.335M, just a few months before Vilma joined ESPN as a college football commentator.

Jonathan Vilma is a native of Miami and a graduate of the University of Miami, where he won a national championship title and led the Hurricanes in tackles for three consecutive seasons. He is also co-owner of the popular BBQ joint, Brother Jimmy’s, at Mary Brickell Village.

New Miami Condo Buildings With Tennis Courts

This time of year brings one of our favorite events to Miami. The Miami Open runs from March 19-April 1 this year, and to commemorate it, let’s have a look at our favorite buildings in the greater downtown area that have tennis courts!

If living in a brand-new condo is important to you, there are several in the pipeline. Key International’s 1010 Brickell is slated to open within a few weeks. They have an indoor tennis court and 3 remaining presales starting at $950,000. All are 3 bedroom layouts. There is one resale unit on the market so far. SLS Lux is also on track for completion this fall/winter. They have only four penthouses remaining that have recently been repriced.

In Downtown, Paramount Miami Worldcenter is going to bring every amenity imaginable to their mega-project. They are about 60% sold and have residences priced at an average of $750/square foot. Because of their strong sales figures, they were recently able to secure the second largest construction loan in this build cycle. They are currently in vertical construction and should deliver keys at the end of 2018.

If you’re looking for something sooner, you could head up to Edgewater and check out Biscayne Beach. They have 2 tennis courts over their parking deck and a bayfront beach club. They have 5 remaining presale opportunities, and we will be listing an amazing high floor 3 bedroom on the southeast corner.

For people who are looking for an integrated community, I would suggest the waterfront Paraiso complex. There are five residential sections to the complex, totaling 1400 units. Paraiso Bayviews is the most affordable section, with remaining inventory starting at $470k (as of today). They just passed the 42nd floor of construction and should be ready by the end of this year. Paraiso Bay was the first of the towers to open sales. They are currently all sold out and on track to open this summer. GranParaiso is the most luxurious of the towers. It will be finished in Spring of 2018 and has 2 bedroom residences starting at $1 million. One Paraiso is the sister building to Paraiso Bay. They have 3 remaining penthouses, starting at $1.9 million. Aside from the towers, there is also a small enclave of bayfront beach homes. There are only 8 in total and 1 remains at $2 million.

Hyde Midtown is going to be the first project in Midtown to offer a tennis court for residents. They recently topped off at 80% sold. Their prices start in the mid $400,000’s and the rooftop penthouses start at just $735,000! The penthouses have rooftop terraces as well.

Come back tomorrow and we can take a look at the existing buildings who also offer tennis courts!

1010 Brickell Is Almost Complete

Brickell is very close to having a new newest building. 1010 Brickell is on track for completion in May. The crane and construction hoist have been removed, the painters are hard at work and the 50th floor pool landscaping is already installed.

Despite being a few months behind schedule (completion had been projected for December 2016), the building was a big success from a sales standpoint. The 387 units sold for an average of $650/square foot. We assume that all 387 have sold, because our requests for their close-out inventory have not been responded to.

The building was geared toward healthy living for active families, given the central location and span of amenities. The 11th and 12th floors feature:

• Indoor heated swimming pool with retractable glass walls for flexible access to the outdoors in any weather
• Impact-absorbing outdoor running track providing unparalleled views of the Miami skyline
• Tanning Sundeck
• Mini Golf
• Kids Indoor/Outdoor playground areas
• Children’s outdoor mini water park with cooling water spray
• Active indoor game room including games such as: bowling lanes, foosball, air hockey, table tennis, and arcade games
• Vending machines (ice cream, snacks, beverages etc)
• Modern Kids Recreation Zone – a two-story exercise and entertainment area designed to keep the little ones active and engaged in healthy pursuits like climbing, crawling, and other activities
• The Court – an area with half-court basketball, racquetball, and volleyball
• Indoor Mini Soccer
• Indoor Tennis Court
• Parent/child wristband system to allow the children to freely enjoy the common areas.

There is already one resale on the market, a 1,554 square foot 2 bedroom plus den with 3 full baths. It has terrace access from both bedrooms and the living room and a southwestern view. It is priced at just under $1 million, which works out to $643/square foot (less than the average pre-construction price!)

We haven’t seen any rentals offered as of yet, but do expect them to arrive as May draws closer. As a matter of fact, I expect this to turn out to be a very popular building for young families, who would appreciate the active amenities.

While 1010 Brickell is nearing completion, it won’t be the next newest building. Brickell Heights and Brickell Heights 02 are both on track to open in April, and will hold the “Newest in Brickell” title for just a few weeks before 1010 takes it. The next buildings to open will be SLS Lux and ECHO Brickell later in the year (or early 2018 since construction timelines often get delayed toward the end).

Brickell City Centre’s Apple Store Opens March 25

The long-awaited Apple Store at Brickell City Centre is slated to open on March 25. There will be a grand opening beginning at 10am, according to Apple.

This will be the first Apple Store in the Downtown Miami area and is very much welcomed. It will employ over 100 people speaking a total of 9 different languages, according to TechCrunch. Over half of the employees will speak Spanish, something we know is required for the Miami market.

On the outside, there will be 13-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking into the indoor/outdoor mall. Inside, there will be a large forum with a video wall and display windows with regular new designs. There will also be a boardroom for business customers to speak with Apple employees and try out new devices.

We will see you there next Saturday!

Just Listed – Beautiful 3 Bedroom Condo at the Luxurious Jade at Brickell Bay

I am pleased to announce our newest listing – a beautifully renovated and furnished 3 bedroom, 3 bath, flow-through residence at the luxurious Jade at Brickell Bay with 2,130 interior square feet; 32-inch by 32-inch, white porcelain tiled flooring throughout the living areas and marble flooring in all bathrooms. It also includes motorized shades on all windows; closets with built-in cabinets; custom lighting; Samsung front-loading washer and dryer; and Master Bath with Jacuzzi tub, separate glass-enclosed shower, bidet, and double vanity. Best of all, the unit is located on the 41st floor offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, Virginia Key, and Miami Beach skyline.

It is rare that a 3 bedroom unit on a high floor becomes available for sale at Jade.  In fact, it has been almost 3 years since one above the 36th floor has been listed for sale. From these very high floors, the view to the north becomes significantly better because it completely clears all but one of the high-rises on Brickell Key. It is also rare to find a renovated unit at Jade, especially one with such a clean, modern decor.  Unsurprisingly, the feedback that I have received thus far from agents and their prospective buyers has been very positive.  I have no doubt that this showroom-quality residence will soon find its way to a very happy buyer.  The asking price is $1,999,999 and condominium association dues are $1,747 per month. It includes 2 parking spaces (1 assigned space + 1 valet space) plus storage.

Despite being built in 2004, Jade at Brickell Bay is still regarded as one of Miami’s finest condo developments. It is a waterfront development located along Biscayne Bay at 1331 Brickell Bay Drive. It is comprised of 338 total residences and rises 48 stories. Amenities at Jade at Brickell Bay include: infinity-edge pool, hot tub, state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, full-service concierge, rooftop sky lounge, complimentary valet parking for guests, 24-hour business center, and more.

See below for additional photos and information.  If you or someone you know have an interest in scheduling an appointment to view this spectacular property, please contact me via email at [email protected] or on my cell phone at 786-247-6332.

Jade at Brickell Bay #4107 listing

Jade at Brickell Bay drone video

$200k Price Chop For Andy Murray’s Brickell Apartment

Four months ago, Andy Murray relisted his 45th floor 4 bedroom apartment at Jade Residences at Brickell Bay, and we were optimistic at his chances of coming out on top with a workable deal. Well, that didn’t happen. As of today, he has slashed his price by nearly $200,000 in order to reduce it below $2.5 million.

To be honest, the listing photos really don’t do this lovely apartment justice. Jade Residences at Brickell Bay is a great building and is increasingly popular despite the inventory struggles of our current market. The apartment is a 3,415 square foot 4 bedroom, which is insanely large for the Brickell area. It is also on the northeast corner of the building, offering amazing views of Brickell Key, the Port of Miami, Brickell, Miami Beach and of course the Biscayne Bay. Unit 4201 has the same layout and recently sold for $2.7 million. We recently sold apartment 904, which is a smaller plan, but the buyer was able to take out a conventional mortgage on the property… something that is not particularly common in the Brickell real estate market and speaks very highly of how the building is being run.

As for the active and available alternatives to this listing, we have had apartment 4107 on the market for just over a week and have already had several prospective buyers. Apartment 4107 is a three bedroom with bay and city views. You can compare the layouts and photos here.

Do you think Andy will have success this go-round?