The information resource for Luxury Oceanfront Condominiums in Miami, Sunny Isles, Bal Harbour, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Palm Beach. (954) 632 3266

The economy and housing situation has been very well documented in all forms of the media. However, Many people see this as a time of opportunity, especially in the luxury oceanfront condo market.

In the luxury oceanfront condo market in a first class building, there have been some incredible opportunities. We recently worked with a buyer at the Diplomat in Hollywood and were able to negotiate an oceanfront condo at an incredible price. This was a high floor direct ocean views. Regardless of what the market does over the next few months, this was a great deal.

There are some very shrewd buyers out there taking advantage of spectacular opportunities.

At this point in time, I wanted to take a look at pending contracts in south Florida in Miami, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles, Hollywood, Hallandale, and Fort Lauderdale. There are 55 luxury oceanfront condos listed above $1million under contract. There are buyer’s out there seizing the moment…….

Here is a list of oceanfront condo’s over $1million under contract as of today, July 30, 2008:

As, reported by the Wall Street Journal, a growing number of rich Russians are house-shopping and buying in costly U.S. enclaves. The WSJ states, the “Miami area in particular is drawing Russians with its upscale shopping, hip nightlife and an escape from Moscow’s harsh winters.”

Donald Trump;s $100 million mansion in Palm Beach was recently purchased by fertilizer mogul Dmitry Rybolovlev.

South Florida attracts second, third and fourth home buyers from around the world.  Visitors to blogsouthflorida.com come from every country imaginable.

As we come to the end of June, a 6 month marker for the year, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at the data. We pulled statistical data for Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles, Hollywood-Hallandale, and Fort Lauderdale (which includes Lauderdale by the Sea and Pompano Beach). Each city has its own statistical identity which you will see in the charts.

We used the following criteria for the data:

• Oceanfront Condo
• Built after 2002
• Units with over 1500 square feet under air
• Minimum of 2 bedrooms

We are looking at average asking price, average closed sale price, average percentage sold to asking price and the number of condo sales with this criteria. This information was sourced from the MLS of South Florida.

On average, Miami Beach commands the highest price per square foot.

Bal Harbour, a much smaller geographic area has the highest percentage of selling to asking price. Sellers are less negotiable.

Sunny Isles had the highest number of closed sales. Sunny Isles also has a dense concentration of relatively new oceanfront condos built after 2002.

You can see that Hollywood and Hallandale offer the best prices per square foot.

Fort Lauderdale does not have that many newer oceanfront condos.

A footnote to add, there is always a delay of reporting on closed sales so additional closed sales data for June is expected.

In today’s market there have been great buying opportunities in luxury oceanfront condos as they go through their completion phase. Buyer’s/investors that bought in several years ago, that do not want to close will offer their units at deeply discounted rates. Furthermore the developer will take back some units that they do not want to keep in inventory and they will price these units aggressively as well. This scenario is exactly what transpired recently at One Bal Harbour and at Canyon Ranch. Timing was exactly right for savvy buyers that took advantage of these opportunities and bought in to magnificent oceanfront condos at very attractive prices.

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I anticipate that at the Mei, there will be similiar buying opportunities as well.

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Prices at the Mei Start at the low $700’s. There will only be a total of 134 residences, 8 per floor. with a total of 22 floors.

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The Mei located at 58th and Collins in Miami Beach is in the premium area of “Millionaire’s Row” . Nearby oceanfront condos include Bath Club, Canyon Ranch, Aqua and the Fountainbleu. Mei is midway between South Beach and Bal Harbour and minutes from the airport expressway.

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Mei is a contemporary Asian influenced design. Created by the world renowned Hirsch/Bedner team of interior design, creators of the Mandarin Oriental Hotels around the world. Mei’s elegant entrance lobby is complemented by a unique Tea Lounge and Library, as well as the resident’s Spa and Fitness Center which leads to the oceanfront pool.

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Detailed Information on the Mei In Miami Beach at 5875 Collins Avenue, click here.

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Trader Monthly, a magazine and online information resource, ranked the world’s best trading cities. In today’s world of connectivity, “where you trade matters less than what you trade.” The editors set out to rank 50 of the top cities constructing a matrix that combined a mix of business and lifestyle criteria. The factors included; entertainment, nightlife, recreation, weather, taxes and other factors. Miami ranked 5th in a list of very impressive cities. Here is the ranking of the top twenty:

1. 1. Chicago

   2. London

   3. New York

   4. Hong Kong

   5. Miami

   6. Sao Paulo

   7. Los Angeles

   8. Paris

   9. Toronto

   10. Dubai

   11. Boston

   12. Houston

   13. Dublin

   14 .Monaco

   15. Tokyo

   16. Sydney

   17. Las Vegas

   18. San Francisco

   19. Denver

   20. Dallas

   It is always interesting to read other views on what a great place South Florida is!!!

We visit so many truly beautiful oceanfront condos all along the coast. There are some very unique ultra luxury properties on the market. We were in a really unique penthouse unit today with breathtaking views. The lower penthouse on the 27th floor at the Diplomat Residences and it is available for purchase. It has over 5000 square feet under air and over 7300 square feet in total. The views are spectacular. The balconies are spacious and wide and there is even room to install a lap pool. The entire residence is controlled by an electronic Smart System. This is a sensational residence. Asking price…$3,999,999.

If this is a bit out of your budget, there are many other units being offered at prices comparable or lower than pre-construction prices. Here are the Diplomat Residences Units For Sale

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Canyon Ranch offers luxury oceanfront condos, a complete healthy lifestyle and right now incredible buying opportunities.

The South Tower has begun closings. The North Tower will begin closings in a couple of months and the hotel and incredible spa facilities will be completed this summer as well. This multi-use project is like non other. The lifestyle and amenities offer an immersion into healthy living on all levels. The options are so extensive but your level of participation will be total personal.

Buying into a luxury oceanfront condo in South Florida has tremendous appeal. Add in the complete lifestyle immersions available to you everyday and night and this project is truly something special. Now here comes the icing on the cake; there are buying opportunities right now. A few select units are being offered by the developer at 2003 price levels and they are selling fast.

The pictures in this post were taken from a corner flow through unit in the South Tower with direct ocean, intracoastal and downtown Miami views.

If you are thinking of buying a luxury oceanfront condo in Miami or South Florida….Canyon Ranch is something really special. RUN DON’T WALK!

Here are Canyon Ranch Condos For Sale These listings are not developer units but resales from previous purchasers. If you would like information on some particularly interesting opportunities…let us know.

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It’s great to be in South Florida and have access to so many great cultural events.  Now in its 22nd year, The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will present over 200 films from around the globe.  Filmmakers and celebrities will attend many screening and events over the 37 day festival. 

The FLIFF website has all the information you need with respect to film schedules, events, and even how to submit a film.  

The event opens with a comedy “The Grand” which will be shown at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center.  Following the Florida Premiere of the film there will be an opening night gala themed “Dancin with the Stars”. And there will be many parties open to all and many private aboard yachts and local “hot spots.  Click here for a link to the parties and special events being held.