Miami Beach Real Estate Blog

Art Basel Miami Beach will be taking place December 4 – 7, 2008.

Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important contemporary art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. It is the sister event of Switzerland’s Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 39 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international diversity of the world’s top Art galleries along with exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the South Beach Art Deco District, walking distance to the beach and most South Beach hotels.

An exclusive selection of more than 220 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists.  Most artists will be displaying at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and also and at various galleries in Downtown Miami’s Arts District.

We have several buyers from Eastern Europe (and one from South America) that will be looking at purchasing among South Beach’s premier Condos (some of these asking prices have adjusted downward following the latest financial crisis).  I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the premier turnkey condominiums offered for sale on the South Beach market:

Portofino Tower # PH4004- 2 Stories, 4,100 S.F., 5 beds / 4 baths
300 South Pointe Drive
Miami Beach, 33139
Original Asking Price: $6,575,000
Current Asking Price: $6,200,000 (6% reduction)

Portofino Tower – Penthouse 4004 (Kitchen and Living Room)

Murano Grande #3003/4- 6,032 S.F., 5 beds / 5 baths
400 Alton Road
Miami Beach, 33139
Original Asking Price: $9,500,000
Current Asking Price: $6,900,000  (27% reduction)

Murano Grande Condo – Bathroom and Dining Area

Continuum South Beach – South Tower PH1- 3 Stories, 7,374 S.F., 5 beds / 7 baths  13’ Ceilings
100 South Pointe Drive
Miami Beach, 33139
Original Asking Price: $25,000,000
Current Asking Price: $14,950,000  (40% reduction)

Continuum South Beach – (Dining Area and Pool)

Apogee South Beach – 2001/2002-, 7,254 S.F., 7 beds / 8 baths  10’ Ceilings
800 South Pointe Drive
Miami Beach, 33139
Current Asking Price: $17,750,000

Apogee South Beach – Kitchen and View

Il Villaggio PH 6 & 7 – 2 Stories, 5,700 S.F., 3 beds / 6 baths
1455 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, 33139
Original Asking Price: $18,500,000
Current Asking Price: $13,900,000  (25% reduction)

Il Villaggio – Den and Living room

Icon South Beach #1801- 4303 S.F., 3 beds / 5 baths
450 Alton Road
Miami Beach, 33139
Original Asking Price: $5,900,000
Current Asking Price: $3,600,000  (39% reduction)

Icon South Beach – Dining Area and Living Room

Murano at Portofino #3101 – 3,365 S.F., 3 beds / 3 baths
1000 South Pointe Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Current Asking Price: $4,900,000

Murano at Portofino – View and Kitchen

It’s been a busy month for myself and my team, as we’re seeing strong buyer activity from so-called “Bargain Hunters”.  I’ve intentionally avoided weighing in on the technicalities of the financial crisis and the future impact of the Paulson Plan, as there are many more qualified sources out there to give readers their analysis.  However, now that we are seeing some stability return to the banking sector, I’ve noticed a strong surge in buyers looking to purchase prime real estate properties at significant discounts.  What’s  happening are that the properties in the best locations are being picked up now at prices that range from approximately 30%-50% discounted values from 2005 prices.

Waterfront homes (turnkey) in Miami Beach at reasonable prices are in surprisingly short supply, and these are the first of the “bargains” that have been purchased recently.  For example, I recently conducted a search for a client with a budget of $5 Million looking to purchase a luxury waterfront home (remodeled) on the Venetian, Palm Island, Hibiscus, Sunset Islands or Bay Drive in Miami Beach.  The real choices?  Just twelve waterfront homes!

Also, a few of our latest sales are indicative of the above referenced “deals” that are happening now:

Jade Beach- Prime Location Sale #1
Spectacular Lower Penthouse #4401 “F Line”- 4 beds / 4.5 baths – 3,136 S.F.
Contract Price: $2,475,000  ($789/S.F.)
2005 Sales Price:  $3,400,000 ($1,084/ S.F.)
Today’s Discount:  27%
•    A spectacular 51-story oceanfront tower
•    Designed by Carlos Ott and Fortune Development Int’l
•    Beautiful entrance with cascading fountains, lush landscaped gardens, reflecting pools, and contemporary décor throughout
•    Three-story Grand Entrance Lobby with direct ocean and pool views
•    Located directly on the Ocean close to Bal Harbour Shoppes and Aventura Mall, as well as easy access to Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports

(Next door condo Jade Ocean, is completed)

Jade Beach Floor Plan- Unit F

Jade Beach Condo

Jade Brickell- Prime Location Sale #2 (Bank Owned / Pre- Foreclosure Sale)
Spectacular 43rd Story Residence “E”- 4 beds / 4.5 baths – 3,415 S.F.
Contract Price: $1,600,000 ($468 / S.F.)
2005 Appraised Value:  $3,100,000 ($907 / S.F.)
Today’s Discount:  48%

Downtown Miami’s Most Luxurious & Lavish Building, the Jade Residences is a 49-story building offering 326 luxury residences with advanced technology. Spectacular Ocean and City Views, state-of-the-art security system, Infinity edge pool, Sauna, steam room, fitness center, European spa, racquetball, concierge services.
•    49 story architectural masterpiece designed by Bernard Zyscovich
•    Distinctive three-tiered tower offering views of Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami and Key Biscayne
•    Grand entrance lobby graced breathtaking 21-foot ceiling with contemporary deco

Jade Brickell - Unit E

Jade Brickell condo - Miami

What Works:

• Be willing to contribute to Buyer’s Closing Costs
• Consider Seller Financing
• Offer to pay for Buyer’s Mortgage Points
• Get a Home Warranty

Gimmicks that generally do NOT work:

• Free Vacations
• Free TV’s and cars
• Non-related seller contributions