South Florida Condo Business

Henry B. Nathan is a Realtor Associate at United Realty Group - Phone: (954) 296-6741

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

This is what I was talking about


At some point I wrote that, in the last few years, I couldn't remember a single instance when I sold a property to a local buyer.

Most of my sales have been to foreign buyers. A few to out-of-state people, in search of vacation homes at the bargain prices seen since 2008 were the exception, but most of my buyers spoke French, Spanish, Portuguese, even Russian. 

It's not only a question of "affordability". Mortgage Lenders are immensely more demanding nowadays that at the good times of the freewheeling loans, subprime programs, no-income-verification, negative amortization, you name it. 

But that is just one point. 

Confronted with the strict requirement of verifying a high income in order to be granted a loan, a typical middle class person, or family just does not meet these requirements. 

People income has shrunk, or is stagnant at the best. Talking of salary increase is anathema in the new corporate culture, and would almost automatically blacklist the unfortunate employee who voices such an incongruous subject. 

Sub-employment is also much more frequent. Or, to put it in other words, people do not get to work full time. They have flexible schedules, at the whim of their employers, which depend on the day-by-day needs of the corporation, not on the employee's need to pay a rent, a car bill, or a mortgage.

Then there is job security that is a thing of the past for the great majority. Taking a thirty or even a fifteen year term loan to buy a house is an audacity that needs a great amount of mad hope. You grow older and your chances of being retained due to an increased experience or skill are not very high. 


To make it short, it's easier, simpler, and safer to just rent. 

I read this article today. It confirms all the above.  

It is not based on speculations, but on statistics. 

After all, I wasn't so wrong.

From the South Florida Business Journal  -   Aug 13, 2013, 



Housing affordability drops to lowest level in more than four years


Only 69.3 percent of houses sold in the second quarter were affordable to families with the U.S. median income of $64,400.


There's a down side to the housing market's recovery: More people now can't afford to buy a house.

Only 69.3 percent of new and existing homes sold in the second quarter of 2013 were affordable to households with the U.S. median income of $64,400, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index. 


That's down from 73.7 percent in the first quarter, and it's the first time this housing affordability measure has fallen below 70 percent since late 2008. 


The median price of homes sold in the second quarter was $202,000, compared with $185,000 for the same period a year ago, according to NAHB. 


"Home values are strengthening at the same time that the cost of building homes is rising due to tightened supplies of building materials, developable lots and labor," said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. 


"Together with rising mortgage rates, this contributed to affordability slipping to the lowest level in more than four years," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. 


This problem could get worse, Crowe hinted, if Congress limits the mortgage interest deduction as part of tax reform and ends federal support for the secondary mortgage market, "both of which play enormous roles in keeping home ownership affordable." 


The most affordable major housing market in the U.S. was Ogden-Clearfield, Utah, where 92.8 percent of homes sold in the second quarter were affordable to families earning the area's median income of $70,800. The least affordable major market? You probably guessed it -- San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif., where only 19.3 percent of homes sold were affordable, even though families there have a median income of $101,200.


Henry B. Nathan
 is a Florida Real Estate Professional. 
Please visit my website: 
 to search for


Monday, July 22, 2013

New Preconstruction Project in a Great Location



Aventura Isles

We were missing this kind of project. Affordable single family homes, of adequate size, yet within reach of the local buyer as well as the out-of-town-vacation-focused crowd; in a gated community, close to good schools, not far from the beach, close to Aventura Mall. 

We can now offer exactly all of the above. Here it is: 

  Aventura Isles





 
A lifestyle of affordable luxury in an elegant, gated community located in one of the most desirable areas in South Florida. 

Imagine a selection of impeccably designed single family residences situated in a maintenance-free landscaped vista across an expansive 148 acres. 
Imagine the convenience of being minutes from your schools, Aventura Mall, unique dining, fabulous entertainment, sporting venues, two international airports and the golden sandy beaches situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

 Imagine living in an exquisite community that will impress your family and friends with its upscale resort presence and impeccable attention to details. Imagine coming home to Aventura Isles.



Aventura Isles Community Features 

 •Grand gated entry and elegant common areas
 •Pristine Lakes and natural preserves 
•Sidewalks throughout community 
•Over 37 acres of parks
•Walking and jogging trails with exercise stations
•Conveniently located near shopping, dining, and activities 
•Easy access to I-95, I-595 and Florida Turnpike 
•Luxurious swimming pool, lounge areas, cabana baths 
•Distinctive mailboxes 
•Community irrigation system 
•Comprehensive Builder 1-year warranty



Aventura IslesExterior Finishes
 •Mediterranean style with stone accents and concrete tile roof •Steel–reinforced concrete foundation 
•Termite treated foundation 
•Concrete block first and second floor hurricane code compliant construction
 •Engineered truss system and hurricane strapping •Screens on all operable windows
 •Aluminum hurricane impact windows in bronze finish •Brick paver driveway, walkway, entry and covered rear patios •Deep rich color coordinated exteriors 
•Professionally designed landscape package •Decorative 8’ fiberglass 6 panel entry door 
•Distinctive exterior door hardware and deadbolt lock •8’ high sliding glass doors 
•Finished garage with raised panel garage door •Distinguished exterior coach lights per plan
•Maintenance free aluminum soffits & fascia •Aluminum gutters on both sides of home 
•Two weatherproof exterior electric duplex outlets
 •Two exterior hose bibs 
•Professionally landscaped and sodded home site •Covered patio (per plan)



Aventura Isles Elegant Interiors 
•Professional interior design consultation 
•Two-story homes feature 9’ 4” ceilings on first floor and 8’ ceilings on the second floor 
•Deluxe wall-to-wall carpeting with padding in non-tiled areas •Decorator rocker-style light switches 
•18”x 18” ceramic tile in foyer, kitchen, nook, family room, laundry 
•Decorator lighting package 
•Textured finish ceiling throughout home •Light textured finish on interior walls 
•8’ single light French door per plan 
•8’ raised panel interior doors on first floor and 6’ 8” on second 
•3 1/4” wood baseboards
•Decorative staircase with wood rail 2”x 2” pickets per plan 
•Vinyl-clad ventilated closet shelving •Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup •Pre-wired ceiling fans in all bedrooms, family room and lanai •Auto programmable thermostat 
•Interior washer and dryer hookups •Structured wiring system with connection points run to central distribution panel and 110V outlet inside 
•All phone wiring is CAT-5e cable in kitchen •All cable TV wiring is RG-5 home run to single wall plate in all bedrooms, family room 


Aventura Isles Designer Kitchens 

•Designer cabinetry with 42” upper cabinets 
•Granite countertops in choice of color •Stainless-steel double bowl sink 
•Attractive single lever faucet with integrated sprayer •Elegant recessed lighting in kitchen 
•Premium ceramic cooktop, self-clean range, and dishwasher •25 CF side-by-side refrigerator with ice-maker 
•Pre-plumbed line for ice-maker 
•Vented hood 
•Conveniently located pantry

Aventura Isles Luxurious Baths 

•Luxurious acrylic non-jetted tub in master bath (per plan) 
•Separate 13”x 13” ceramic tile shower in master bath 
•Clear glass shower enclosure with chrome accents 
•Ceramic 13”x 13” tile flooring in secondary baths 
•Pedestal sink in powder room (per plan) 
•Elongated water closet in white 
•Designer 36” height cabinets in master bath 
•Granite countertops with two sinks in master bath 
•Mirror over full width of vanity in master Bath •Culture marble with integrated sink in secondary baths 
•Decorator faucets and coordinated bath accessories •Decorator lighting fixtures 
•Exhaust fans

Aventura Isles Energy Saving Package 

•Energy-efficient R-30 BATT/blown insulation in ceilings 
•Energy-efficient R-11 garage wall insulation 
•Energy efficient electric air-conditioning and heat 
•Quick Recovery 50 gallon electric hot water heater



Aventura Isles Prices:  Starting in the mid to high $200's
Sizes:  1537 to 2347 Sq. Ft.
Delivery: Now
166 Units in the first phase.



Presented by: 

Henry B. Nathan

Luxury Waterfront Real Estate Specialist

 United Realty Group 



www.aventura-shortsales.com


Preconstruction Hollywood Beach - Properties in Preconstruction in South Florida -
Prevendas Apartamentos Miami - Preventas Apartamentos en Preconstruccion Miami 
Preconstruccion Florida - Florida Preconstruction - New Pre-construction Projects in South Florida


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Friday, September 25, 2009

BRAVO

BRAVO!

Read in the Sarasota Herald Tribune - September 23, 2009


Sarasota County opposes drilling

Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously to make stopping a proposed offshore drilling bill a legislative priority in 2010. Pristine beaches should trump oil exploration, Sarasota County leaders said Tuesday in opposing any oil exploration in Florida waters. Oil drilling promises to be a major issue in the upcoming state legislative session. Top legislators -- most from inland counties -- are pushing a plan to allow oil exploration within 10 miles of the shore. The County Commission voted unanimously to make stopping the oil bill a legislative priority in 2010. Commissioners even changed the language of the resolution to remove any ambiguity. It now reads: "Do not pursue offshore drilling in Florida waters." "I would support that," said Commissioner Nora Patterson. "Pretty straight," added Commissioner Shannon Staub. Instead of oil, the county's legislative agenda calls on state leaders to support alternative energy options like solar energy and to "build a green economy through aggressive energy policies." The Legislature did not pass a major renewable energy bill proposed by Gov Charlie Crist last year. Crist's proposal -- known as a renewable portfolio standard -- would force power companies to generate a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources such as solar energy.


I agree. Leave our beaches alone. Our oceans and water are already enough polluted. And our agonizing coral reefs are desperately asking for a break.

Henry B. Nathan is a Florida Realtor at United Realty Group Inc.
Visit my website: http://www.condo-southflorida.com
where you can search for Aventura Condos, Florida Condos, Sunny Isles Condos,



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