News Buy a condo for less than a new car

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The discussion highlights the significant decline in condo prices in South Florida since the mid-2000s, with one participant reflecting on their mother's timely sale of a condo for $350K in 2005, just before the market peak. The conversation notes that while some condos are now available for as low as $25K, many units remain vacant, indicating a market downturn. The redevelopment of nearby properties initially drove up prices, but subsequent market changes led to a collapse. Additionally, a key concern raised is the high maintenance fees associated with condos, which can range dramatically and deter potential buyers despite low purchase prices. The presence of property management companies with long-term contracts is also mentioned as a contributing factor to these escalating fees.
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http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/02/real_estate/condos_less_than_cars/index.htm?hpt=T2

Reading about the ones in south Florida for around $25K made me think of my mother selling her condo in Fort Lauderdale (1 bed, 1.5 baths, small older building) in summer 2005 for $350K. :bugeye: That building is on a canal and the unit included a dock space, so I expect even nowadays it would sell for a bit more than average. Still, the last time we heard from the person who lives in the unit next door, about a year ago, the word was that prices were down a lot and some of the units were vacant.

My mother got out at just the right time. I think it was the following winter that housing prices in south Florida hit their peak and started to collapse.

Now that I look back on it some more, I think one reason prices went so high in her building was that that particular island was starting to be redeveloped. Right across the street, several older rental-apartment buildings had been torn down and a big new condominium was going up, with units for sale in the range of several $100K to $1M. I think the expectation was that my mother's building would follow suit eventually. I think that new building never did get finished.
 
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Darn, I should move to Florida.
 
I thought an "m" was missing, and didn't understand jtbell's enthusiastic post.
Now I do.
 
Even if I had spelled out all the way, it still might not have helped. Do you know the joke about the definition of the word "condominium?" :biggrin:
 
jtbell said:
Even if I had spelled out all the way, it still might not have helped. Do you know the joke about the definition of the word "condominium?" :biggrin:
No, I don't! Smile:
 
Okay I will be the wet blanket. In my area the issue is not finding cheap, there are many of cheap units and houses, but it is the maintanence fees. From 200 a month to 1800. In 2 years.

From my understand a lot of the developers created "property management" companies and the housing coop has a long term contract with that mangement company.

In my area you can a place for 10,000, but the management fees are unbelievable.
 

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