Why You Should Use a Buyer’s Agent to Buy a Condo

Interested in buying a condo in a new Boston condo development? Have you considered working with a Buyer’s Agent, or do you want to buy directly from the development’s sales center staff (i.e. the seller)? You should think twice before moving forward without a Buyer’s Agent representing you exclusively.

If you’re a real estate agent yourself, or a professional real estate investor, it might very well make sense to “go it alone” when buying into a new condo development, but for the majority of the buying public, it’s wise to leverage a Buyer’s Agent not associated with the development’s sales center.

Why would you want to do this? Let’s look at some of the reasons why using an exclusive Buyer’s Agent is something that you should seriously consider.

  • The price you pay is the same if you are buying a condo with Buyer’s Agent representation or through the sales center. It is oftentimes misunderstood that you will get a better price buying directly from the sales center without a Buyer’s Agent present – this is almost never the case since developers want to create a win-win relationship with the thousands of Buyer’s Agents and their clients across the city.
  • Having an independent Buyer’s Agent (not directly affiliated with the condo development like someone from the sales center staff) protects you from being pressured into any one particular condominium project. Remember, the sales center staff are employed by the project developer and are compensated for selling only units from their development. An independent Buyer’s Agent, on the other hand, gets paid (not by you, but by the Seller) regardless of which development you buy, thus, advice and analysis of the entire market, including other developments, will be more objective.
  • A Buyer’s Agent can assist in a lot of the legwork before you make your decision. Buyer’s Agents answer questions like what’s a fair price per square foot for this area and comparable quality, what do comparable condos now on the market look like, what new listings are on the horizon, is this a building all the agents are talking about as an investment for themselves, how would this specific unit and layout appeal to future buyers, etc.
  • A Buyer’s Agent is also a project manager. Buyer’s Agents work on your behalf, representing your best interests exclusively, throughout the entire buying process.

All this sounds too good to be true, right? What’s the catch for the Buyer, how is the Buyer’s Agent getting paid for their work? The answer to this is simple; the Seller/Developer pays the Buyer’s Agent. When a Listing Agent (the party responsible for representing the Seller/Developer in marketing the condo development) takes the listing, the Listing Agent and the Seller agree upon an overall transaction commission, which includes payment for the Listing Agent’s services, as well as those of the Buyer’s Agent. That’s right, a Buyer does not pay any out of pocket expenses to have an expert exclusively represent them.

This all makes sense you say, so who do you work with? Boston Condo Guy is looked at and respected in the Boston real estate market as one of the top information sources for downtown condos and condo developments. Boston Condo Guy is recognized by not only Buyers and Sellers as a great information source, but Agents, Brokers, and Developers come to Boston Condo Guy to find out the latest information about the Boston condo market – this speaks volumes. Boston Condo Guy is a leader in online technology, and provides professional representation throughout the entire buying process. Learn more about Boston Condo Guy.

Sapeo South Boston No More

Recent updates to the ground floor commercial space in Allele Boston has a Jae’s Cafe TBD restaurant moving in, rather than a spin-off of Newbury Street’s Tapeo, as reported earlier in the summer (Tapeo Restaurant to Open in South Boston).

A restaurant in Allele, regardless of who gets the coveted spot, will make a great addition to what is quickly becoming the hottest area to call home in Boston.

Allele Boston Condos Show Progress

One of the Three South Boston Amigos, Allele Boston, is showing significant progress towards its Q1 2008 occupancy target. The best vantage point to view the Allele development is from Dorchester Avenue looking south, where you can get a great view of the rounded bow facade of the building. The exclusive photos below provide a great time series piece on what has been happening over the past several months on the construction progress at Allele.

allele-condos-9

Allele, meaning hybrid, will be a loft-style condo development at 150 Dorchester Avenue, consisting of 48 units priced between $429,000 and $1,100,000. As you can see from the pictures, terraces accompany most units. Garage parking will be available for $30,000 $40,000.

For more information on Allele Boston, or any other South Boston or Seaport District condo, please contact us.

allele-condos-11 allele-condos-11-1

Broadluxe Financial District Condo Update

For the most up to date Broadluxe condo auction information, see Broadluxe condo auction.

We are continuing to stay close to the Broadluxe development in Boston’s Financial District at 99-105 Broad Street as it moves closer to completion, and perhaps more importantly, available for sale.

TD Banknorth foreclosed on the property several months back, and they brought in Union Construction (a greater-Boston company) to finish off outstanding construction. As of Monday morning, TD Banknorth communicated to us that they were approximately 30 – 45 days out from construction completion. What remains up in the air are title issues that TD Banknorth absorbed when they foreclosed on the property.

Until TD Banknorth can work through the outstanding title issues with the title company, they are not in a position to convey individual units to Buyers (i.e. no units have been sold yet, and none will be until title issues can be cleared). At this point, there is no clear and concise answer as to when the title issues will be handled. TD Banknorth appeared excited that Boston Condo Guy has several interested Buyers, and wished they could convey units immediately.

If you have continued interest in the Broadluxe condo development, please contact us so that we can stay connected with you as things move closer to completion.

Broadluxe condo development

Broadluxe condo development

Harborview Navy Yard Condo Auction Status

There’s been some confusion, and ambiguity, surrounding the Harborview at the Navy Yard auction. As Boston Condo Guy reported in early September (Harborview Navy Yard Fails, Now Luxury Rental), Harborview was yanked from the market as a 224-unit for sale condo development, and was slated to become a luxury rental property. It was recently announced that parties involved with Harborview are inching towards making that a reality.

Why do we say inching? Well, the auction that will be take place on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 11am is looking for a suitor of the entire development, not the individual condos themselves. The entire development still has to be sold off, and the new owner would then proceed with renting out, or perhaps even selling off, units. In other words, if you are a Buyer looking to acquire an individual Harborview condo at below market rates, do not show up to the auction. The development’s suitor needs to put down $1 million in a cashier’s check the day of the auction, with 10% forthcoming 10 days later.

Paul E Saperstein Co., the party who is handling the auction, is working on behalf of Riemer & Braunstein LLP, who is foreclosing upon Eurohypo AG, who apparently backed Trammell Crow (project developer) to get the work done for them. The mortgage of record is for approximately $95 million, so the auction should fetch somewhere in that area – it’s currently uncertain as to what the outstanding balance actually is, given construction loans and other financing more than likely obtained throughout the development process.

Will the Harborview condos ever be sold off to individual Buyers? The answer to that is more than likely, no, at least in the short term. At this point there has not been any condo documents filed. A new owner could potentially use the property for rental purposes or proceed to move forward in the documentation required for condos. It looks more realistic that Harborview will continue down its course of becoming a luxury rental property, eventually.

For further details, view the Harborview Auction Packet (6.7 MB PDF)

South End Brownstone Restoration Open House

Our Featured Open House this week is a 5-unit restoration project in the South End at 676 Tremont Street. The complete redevelopment is being called a classic brownstone, architect designed, luxury condominiums.

The condos have been professionally designed, and most include gas fireplaces, Gioa Italian marble bathrooms, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors throughout, patio decks, and built-in flat screen wiring. Parking is included in the penthouse unit, and available in for an additional price with other units. Units range in size from 780 to 1,607 square feet and in price from $629,000 to $989,000.

The open house will take place from 11am to 1pm at 676 Tremont Street on Sunday, October 21, 2007 – tell the listing agent that you heard about this open house from Boston Condo Guy. For more information, buyer representation, or to setup a second showing after you see the units later today, please contact us.

676 Tremont Street Condos

676 Tremont Street Condos

676 Tremont Street Condos

J.J. Foley's South End Opens Cafe

We had the opportunity to stop into J.J. Foley’s in Boston’s South End for a grand opening expansion party. The well known bar has just expanded to add a cafe where one can now get lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

The spread of food, including mimosas, bloody mary’s, and full samples from the new brunch menu, was excellent, the staff was friendly, and the atmosphere was great – hopefully they will keep the restaurant in the southernmost room, where they had the grand opening party, as it definitely has more of an upscale bar feel than the other two rooms in the property.

J. J. Foley’s is located at 117 E. Berkeley Street (between Harrison and Washington Streets) on the west side of Berkeley.

J. J. Foley's South End

210 South Street Boasts Buyer Incentives

They started with 54 available condos at the 210 South Street condo development in the Leather District, and they now have 11. The development team has been coming up with new buyer incentives what seems like every quarter that the remaining units go unsold, including some significant price reductions back in August.

Currently, when you buy a 210 South Street loft-style condo, the development team will pay for one year of condo fees and one year of rental parking. Depending on what unit you are looking at, this could add up to almost $10,000 – would you rather just have the money?

The 11 remaining units at 210 South Street are priced from $575,000 to $1,450,000, and range in size from 1,119 to 2,759 square feet. The penthouse level has exquisite arched windows, with excellent views of the city. For more information on 210 South Street, or other Leather District condos and lofts, contact us using the link at the top of this page.

Jeffries Point Condos in East Boston

Developers are continuing to upgrade East Boston one rowhouse at a time. Recently hitting the market is a total renovation of a hip, 3-unit rowhouse of two-bedroom one-bathroom condos located in the heart of Jeffries Point. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, sparkling bamboo floors, back porch, custom tile shower, and exclusive roof rights for the to-floor unit. Steps to Brophy Park, Piers Park and miles of Harborwalk paths.

This house has been renovated with “green” living in mind — bamboo floors, energy efficient lighting and water conserving plumbing fixtures. One of the best value in Jeffries Point.

Units 1, 2, and 3 are 665, 716, and 716 square feet respectively, and priced at $185K, $195K, and $219K. For more information about the condos located at 21 Lamson Street, please contact us.

21 Lamson Street East Boston Condos

21 Lamson Street East Boston Condos

21 Lamson Street East Boston Condos

21 Lamson Street East Boston Condos

Exclusive D4 Condo Photos

Based on popular demand, we have exclusive D4 condo photos for your enjoyment. The D4 condos, which recently received their Certificate of Occupancy, are a Philippe Starck design – the lobby and Winter Garden courtyard area, the interrogation windows surrounding the courtyard, and front doors (all below) are some of the common area highlights of this landmark redevelopment in the South End.

Eight condos are for sale at D4 currently, priced from $669,900 to $3,200,000. D4 is a boutique 25-unit development at Warren Avenue and Berkeley Street in the South End, and features a concierge, garage parking, elevator, bamboo flooring, exquisite marble baths and counters. D4 stands with the Penny Savings Bank as premier landmark properties to call home in the South End, and the city.

D4 Lobby & Courtyard

D4 Lobby & Courtyard

D4 Courtyard

D4 Courtyard

D4 Condo Front Doors

D4 Courtyard

D4 Interrogation Windows