Buy a condo for less than a new car

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the affordability of condominiums compared to new cars, particularly focusing on the real estate market in South Florida. Participants share personal anecdotes, observations about market trends, and concerns regarding maintenance fees associated with condo ownership.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reflects on their mother's experience selling a condo in Fort Lauderdale, noting a significant price drop in the market since then and the impact of local redevelopment on property values.
  • Another participant expresses a desire to move to Florida, implying interest in the lower prices mentioned.
  • A participant humorously comments on a misunderstanding related to a previous post, indicating a light-hearted tone in parts of the discussion.
  • Concerns are raised by a participant about high maintenance fees associated with cheap condos in their area, suggesting that while purchase prices may be low, ongoing costs can be prohibitive.
  • This participant also mentions the involvement of property management companies and long-term contracts that can affect the affordability of condo ownership.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; while some share positive anecdotes about low condo prices, others highlight significant concerns regarding maintenance fees and management practices that complicate the affordability of such properties.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying regional real estate conditions and personal experiences, with some participants focusing on specific locations and others discussing broader trends. The impact of management fees on overall affordability remains a point of contention.

jtbell
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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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