June 2013

As the first of its kind, Millennium Place luxury condos are now open for sales for buyers who are ready to be part of a lifestyle that is unmatched.  Located in downtown Boston, Millennium Place residents can enjoy the vibrant downtown energy.  The neighborhood includes The Ritz-Carlton, Loews Theater, Paramount Theatre, Boston Common, The Opera House and The Sports Club/LA.

The list of amenities is incredible:

• An owners lounge with a full bar and fireplace for entertaining or getting to know your new neighbors.

• A wine tasting/dining room to make the most memorable special events.

• Sports Club/LA personalized fitness, nutrition and wellness services including state of the art equipment, pilates and yoga studios and spa

Google just released it’s mapping of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa Tower using their technology from Google Street View maps.  The entire building was mapped, providing users the ability to take a tour of the worlds tallest skyscraper.  The interactive maps might even cause some woozyness as you virtually walk up and look out the window and see 154 floors of views below.  The views are incredible and even give you a view as a window washer.  

We are excited to see how Google will continue with this theme as we would love to have a tour of our high-rise condos in North America.   

Click here to view the tour of Burj Khalifa

Mortgage rates had their biggest jump this week in 26 years and rose from 3.93 percent last week  to 4.46 percent this week.  

Although this is a huge jump in mortgage rates, it still is still at a 60 year low.  Below is a chart showing the mortgage rates since 1972 until June 2013.

Pending home sales are at a six year high, and many experts believe this is the time to take advantage of the low mortgage rates before they increase.  Freddie Mac released a report this month that most markets across the US will be able to bear up to 5 or 6% before the housing affordability index begins to hit a barrier with increased mortgage rates.

Thus, according to Freddie Mac, rising interest rates will make the amount of people able to buy homes a

Every once in awhile, an architect catches our eye with incredible unique design.  Ryue Nishizawa designed this “Garden House” in Tokyo.  Ditching the typical concrete facade Ryue lines the exterior with plants so much so that a person walking by might think it is a a sort of mysterious magical high rise garden.  Inside the “Garden House” plants separate rooms and amenities to blend the indoor and outdoor experience.

The MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association) is producing a  monthly Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) to show if mortgages are becoming more or less available.  The data shows that there was a slight increase in May 2013 of available mortgages.  It appears that 2013 rates are increasing back to the levels of 2011 before it decreased in 2012.  In the chart above, the data has been benchmarked to 100 as a relative value in 2012.  The MBA also noted had this number been tracked back to 2008 it would have been a staggering 800!  

When values are above 100 it represents greater availability of mortgages, and when below 100 it tells us that there are more strict standards.  The increase in 2013 is most likely due to lenders accepting lower credit scores

Here are this week's selections.  If the link is broken, it means that property is already under contract.  Properties that are priced right are going fast in this market!

3 Bedroom, $289,000: Think outside of the downtown box! We've just listed this Circle C Ranch single story home located in one of the hottest real estate areas of Austin. Why is Circle C hot? It's only 12 miles from DT Austin! Never leave "the Ranch" which is loaded with an incredible array of retail services, restaurants, medical offices, hike/bike trails and a swim center. Did we mention great schools that are within the Ranch? Minutes from major IT firms as well.

2 Bedroom, $329,900: Want to live or invest in DT condo for incredibly low price/square foot? This 2/2 at Towers of

One of the biggest challenges to building a skyscraper is the shadow it will cast (literally) on the neighborhood.  To generate a solution to increase the amount of sun that will shine on a neighborhood, Studio Gang, a Chicago Architecture Firm who also designed The Aqua, has designed a New York slanted skyscraper that uses “solar carving” to allow natural sunlight to shine down.  The new 186,700 square feet, “Solar Cave Tower” is expected to be finished.in 2014.

• This project is going vertical and FAST! They are currently building on the 17th floor. 
• BrickellHouse has two available units.  The remaining units are under contract.
• Available inventory: Unit 4302 (4bed/2 Dens/ 6 Bath) $2,396,900.00 , Also available unit 4401 (5 Bed/ 7.5 Bath)  $5,119,900.00
• BrickellHouse is expected to be completed on 2014

• Centro is accepting reservations with 50% already reserved.  Contracts will be expected within August 2013
• Centro will be located in the heart of Downtown, Miami
• Centro Units begin from the low 200's
• Centro Sales Office will be ready the last week of July

If you would like more information on these projects or other condos in

Flagler on the River is under construction on the Miami River, and will be one of the newest additions to the Miami River Walk towers.  The river front master plan is to connect all of the frontage from Biscayne Bay going inland several miles inland with the pedestrian walk you currently find in front of Bayside, One Miami and Icon. 

Flagler on the River is located at 356 W. Flagler Street between I 95 and the Miami River.  Melo Group is developing the 32 story tower which will be a mixed use tower including residential, office, and two street level floors of retail space.  This new addition is across the river from Neo Lofts.  If the views are anything like Neo Lofts, you will see the river, downtown, and Biscayne Bay in the background.  I 95 may

Here are this week's selections.  If the link is broken, it means that property is already under contract.  They go fast right now!

2/1.5 at Travis Oaks: We love this affordable, gated complex in SOCO (South Congress). New on the market, this updated two bedroom is just a stroll away from SOCO restaurants, boutiques,music venues,Central Business District of DT and parks! Major CapMetro bus service right outside the gates! $163,000

3/2.5 at Ivy on Kinney: You won't find this square footage in a DT high rise at this remarkable price! Over 1800 sf in upgraded three bedroom, two car garage. Walkable neighborhood on the edge of Barton Springs/South Lamar/Zilker Park. Minutes to DT. $450,000

2/2 at Milago: Just hit the market! Cozy, beautiful 2/2