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The Miami real estate market is certainly picking up activity. That has been the case for the past 12 to 18 months. And what is most assuring is that the pace is gaining momentum.

The analogy is the heading on this blog. Those with a strong appetite for risk boarded the train 18 to 24 months ago or so, and for a while they had to sit and wait at the station until others – also patient investors – boarded as well.

Since last year we have begun to observe price appreciation in certain areas of Miami and particularly in specific buildings in the Brickell-Downtown area. With this in mind, you can argue that is time for the more conservative investors to also board the train. Traditioanlly, these investors prefer to see a real estate market that is showing steady signs of improvement before they invest.

But what you want to avoid is a train like the one on this picture. Because if you are an investor and by any chance you could see your face in the photo shown here, then is too late to jump in and buy. You might fall and get hurt, because the train is already moving at full speed. WE ARE NOT THERE, NOT YET!

As the title implies. “The train has left the station, but you can still jog to catch it… no need to run… not yet!” WE BELIEVE IS TIME TO INVEST and DEALS are still in abundance, get on board before the masses do!

For more information or if you have any questions or comments, please send me an e-mail to: michael@miamiflorida.com or call me at my mobile number 305.450.0036

Does Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, know something about interest rates that the rest of us do not?

Maybe, but the likelihood of higher interest rates in 2010 and beyond is not much of a secret!

In a recent TIME Magazine interview, Chairman Bernanke says he refinanced his own mortgage a couple of months ago at 5%, and switched from a floating rate, which the Fed chairman said “exploded” in cost, to a 30-year fixed.

TIME: Do you have a mortgage?
Bernanke: Oh, yes, we refinanced.
TIME: Oh, perfect. When?
Bernanke: About 5%. A couple of months ago.
TIME: Good time.
Bernanke: Yes. We had to do it because we had an adjustable rate mortgage and it exploded, so we had to.
TIME: So, did you get a fixed rate at 5%? I think this might be the most valuable piece of information. (Laughter.)
Bernanke: Thirty years fixed rate at a little over 5%.

Although the motivations to refinance your home or finance a new purchase may vary from one family to another, it is clear that the low interest rates available today and the strong possibility of higher interest rates into 2010 and for several years to come is a strong motivation.

And for Buyers, lets not forget that low real estate prices will not last forever either.

If you are buying real estate or are considering refinancing your existing property, we can help! Give us a call at 305.450.0036

For more information or if you have any questions or comments, please send me an e-mail to: michael@miamiflorida.com or call me at my mobile 305.450.0036

The increased percentage of real estate construction loans in delinquency is another sign of bad news not just for commercial real estate but also for the banking sector.

Many argue that commercial real estate prices – which so far have suffered relatively little downward pressure – are heading for a substantial correction in the months to come. And by the way, the banking sector – one that has enjoyed a substantial 6 month rally in its stock prices in expectations of much better times ahead – could very well experienced a second act in troubled loans in the months ahead, specifically in commercial real estate loans.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR HOUSING INVENTORY

In short, get in before is to late.

With sales increasing, the current levels of inventory will eventually be a thing of the past by 2010.

And with limited financing for developers, don’t expect new building projects for several years ahead.

As of last September 2nd 2009, Miami-Dade county had 27,692 properties for sale. That represents a drop of 36% or 15,496 properties for sale in a period of 15 months. Don’t forget that the number of properties for sale in Miami-Dade county peaked at 43,188 properties for sale in June 2008. The drop in the number of properties for sale is expected to continue well into 2010.

Don’t miss on the buying opportunities available today. Prices are stabilizing and before you notice, prices will start to climb again.

Give us a call!

If you have any questions or comments, please send me an e-mail to: michael@miamiflorida.com or call me at my mobile 305.450.0036

Source:
Construction Loans Falter, a Bad Omen for Banks
FLOYD NORRIS
NYT, September 4, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/economy/05charts.html

See also:
For Commercial Real Estate, Hard Times Have Just Begun
TERRY PRISTIN
NYT, September 1, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/business/economy/02office.html

Miami parece ser el centro del universo en lo que se refiere a las oportunidades de inversión disponibles hoy día en bienes raíces, al menos para aquellos que residen en el Caribe, Centro y Sur América.

Si usted ha estado siguiendo las noticias de la caída de los precios de las propiedades en Miami y se inclina a invertir en el mercado residencial de Miami, pero por una razón u otra todavía no se decide, le sugiero que lea detenidamente nuestro breve y mas reciente estudio titulado “Oportunidades de Compra en el Mercado Residencial de Miami“. Los datos están actualizados al 31 de marzo del 2009.

Si usted esta interesado en identificar que oportunidades existen de acuerdo a sus intereses particulares, envienos un e-mail a: michael@miamiflorida.com y/o ana@miamiflorida.com

También nos puede llamar al 305.450.0036 cel de Michael P. Schnabel o al 786.210.6578 cel de Ana M. Schnabel (Margare Báez).

Our New Offices at ”Mary Brickell Village”

The following is a brief update on Brickell Key condos, what is listed in Foreclosure according to Dade county records and how many condos are listed for sale.

2,432 Condo folios

119 units of the 2,432 are in some stage of Foreclosure

334 units of the 2,432 are listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service

45 units of the 334 listed for sale show remarks related to Foreclosure

CONDO PRICES IN FORECLOSURE range from:
$150,000 to $650,000 or from $214 to $598 in Sq. Ft.

Highest Priced Foreclosure Unit for Sale

$650,000 ($435 sf) is the highest asking price which corresponds to unit #2204, a 3 bedroom 3 bathrooms with 1,493sf at the COURTS on 801 Brickell Key Blvd.

Highest Price Foreclosure Unit for Sale per Sq.Ft.

$598 sf ($579,000) is the highest asking price per Sq.Ft which corresponds to unit #1703, a 2 bedroom 2 bathrooms with 968sf at the ISOLA on 770 Claughton Island Dr.

Lowest Priced Foreclosure Unit for Sale

$150,000 ($214 sf) is the lowest asking price which corresponds to unit #602, a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom with 700sf at BRICKELL KEY CONDO II on 540 Brickell Key Dr.

Lowest Priced Foreclosure Unit for Sale per Sq.Ft.

$214 sf ($150,000) is the lowest price per Sq.Ft. which corresponds to unit #602, a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom with 700sf at BRICKELL KEY CONDO II on 540 Brickell Key Dr.

CONDO PRICES NOT IN FORECLOSURE range from:
$144,000 to $9,000,000 or from $204 to $2,023 in Sq. Ft.

Highest Priced Unit for Sale

$9,000,000 ($1,800 sf) is highest asking price which corresponds to unit PH3402, a 6 bedroom 5 bathrooms and 2 half bathrooms with 5,000sf at the ASIA on 900 Brickell Key Blvd.

Highest Priced Unit for Sale per Sq.Ft.

$2,023 sf ($7,750,000) is the highest price per Sq.Ft. which corresponds to unit PH4501, a 4 bedroom 3 bathrooms 1 half bathroom with 3,830sf at THREE TEQUESTA POINT on 848 Brickell Key Dr.

Lowest Priced Unit for Sale

$144,000 ($204 sf) is the lowest asking price which corresponds to unit #905, a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom with 708sf at THE ISOLA on 770 Claughton Island Dr.

Lowest Priced Unit for Sale per Sq.Ft.

$179.79 sf ($178,000) is the lowest price per Sq.Ft. which corresponds to unit #404, a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom with 968sf at THE ISOLA on 770 Claughton Island Dr.

If you have any questions or comments, please send me an e-mail to: michael.schnabel@mac.com or call me at 305.450.0036

Investors looking for buying opportunities in the Brickell Area Condo Market, can look no further than the the following report; click on this link => “Miami Brickell Condos – Buying Opportunities on 0/1 and 1/1 as of 30oct08″ . This first report covers studios and one bedrooms in buildings built since 1990 in the Brickell area. A separate upcoming report will focus on 2 bedrooms and another one on 3 plus bedrooms. 

From a total of 71 units for sale (of which 37 are foreclosures), 55 are one bedrooms (of which 31 are foreclosures) and 16 are studios (of which 6 are foreclosures) 

One (1) bedroom prices per SqFt range from $171 at The Club to $317 at The Sail.

Studio prices per SqFt range from $220 at The Club to $443 at Latitude on the River.

Notice on line 10 of the report, to the extreme right, the numbers 90% (assumes a 90% occupancy rate), 90% (assumes the unit is purchased at 90% of the asking price) and 4% (assumes a 4% annual expenses between property taxes and association fees).

Clearly, Cash Buyers have the advantage. 

Please note that the net returns do not take into account financing cost, price appreciation and/or taxes when sold.

The buildings covered in this report and sorted by the year they were built:

YEAR
BUILT    BUILDING NAME
2007     Latitude on the River on 7th St., west of Brickell Ave.
2006     Neo Vertika on 7th St., off Brickell. west of Brickell Ave.
2006     Emerald on 14th St. east of Brickell Ave.
2006     Sail on 14 St. east of Brickell Ave.
2006     Solaris on 12 Te. east of Brickell Ave.
2005     The Club on Brickell Bay Dr., east of Brickell Ave.
2004     Skyline on Brickell Ave.
2004     The Vue on South Miami Ave., west of Brickell Ave.
2001     The Mark on Brickell Bay Dr., east of Brickell Ave.
1998     Fortune House on 14 Te., east of Brickell Ave.
1991     Brickell Key II on Brickell Key, east of Brickell
1990     Isola on Brickell Key, east of Brickell

If you have any questions or comments, please send me an e-mail to: michael.schnabel@mac.com or call me at 305.450.0036

Just updated my report on The Jade Residences at Brickell.

If you have any questions or comments, please send me an e-mail to: michael.schnabel@mac.com or call me at 305.450.0036

Just updated my report on the Santa Maria on Brickell.

If you have any questions or comments, please send me an e-mail to: michael.schnabel@mac.com or call me at 305.450.0036

There is no “one size fits all” respond. My answer will depend on your particular circumstances. Will it be your homestead (primary home), secondary home or simply an investment property that you plan to rent.

No matter what your interests are, I guess at the end we all want to know if a condo purchased today at the Jade Residences will appreciate over the next 3 to 5 years and for how much.

My hunch is it will appreciate over the next 5 to 10 years and for an average annual percentage growth rate in the mid single digits. I’m a believer in demographic growth over time and its impact in the local economy. Want to read more about demographics, look up the economist Harry Dent.