As someone who's actually lived IN CITY PLACE and a REALTOR who has been in the business for 30+ years in West Palm Beach, I would not recommend buying anything in Downtown West Palm Beach at this time. .....UNLESS you read all of my reply..... There is a 3 year(minimum) supply of new and resale inventory available and this number is expected to DOUBLE in the next 6 months as new unsold inventory comes on line.

Check outhttp:// www.realtytrac.com to get an idea of what this nightmare is really like. Try searching zip code 33401(downtown wpb) .. there are as of today 1431 active properties of which 918 are "pre-foreclosures" , 39 up for auction, 173 Bank Owned, and about 280 FSBO and REALTOR listed properties. the typical market activity for this zip code is around 300 units available in a "normal" market. We haven't had a "normal" market since 2002-2003 and the "equilibrium" level for this market is the "pre 2003" price level.. so do your homework!!!!!

Buy now if you can get a Condo at the "pre-2003" price .. you'll do well as the market continues its decline to that level.... and it will.. it's inevitable.

Also, look into the monthly HOA fees and taxes on these units.. in some instances, the CAM and Taxes exceed the monthly mortgage payments.

Again, do your homework!.. there are some fabulous buys to be had but you've got to know the market intimately...

Hope this helps!

Sat Mar 15 2008, 08:19

If your looking to rent to own home s any where. You should just call up non-owner occupied or vacant property owners and ask them if they would consider owner financing there property. I do this for a living. I help people with bad credit or just i a pitch with cash, buy home with this creative mortgage program. if you or anyone you know needs help BUYING A HOME EASY .NO BANKS NO LOANS JUST CALL ME AT 5612948089. OR EMAIL ME AT barbershop042033@yahoo.com p.s. do ask about the email address. its a long story.

Tue Mar 11 2008, 09:46

There are great opportunities. At City Place you can find condos priced just as low as they were originally offered in 2004, and sometimes even as in 2002.

Tue Nov 20 2007, 21:11

Downtown West Palm is a great place to buy a condo now, especially by City Place. I have been there many times and have spoken to a few brokers in the area. I do think that it's a great area with ALOT of promise. I truly enjoy the area, but I would like to see more quality dining and nightlife. However, hold on b/c it's coming. Great time to buy a condo there.

Wed Nov 7 2007, 22:16

West Palm Beach has SOOOOOO much to offer! It has the convention center, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, a real airport, Clematis Street, CityPlace, bars, clubs, restaurants, the courthouse......the whole area is booming with building, new offices, jobs, tourism and more. You are just a stone's throw from Worth Ave across the bridge, too.

But like other overbuilt areas in Florida, there is a small glut of condos in the area between CityPlace and the intracoastal, which is the true 'downtown' of WPB. There are TONS of great deals on condos that buyers do not want to close on or owners that are choking on their new ARM payment. You just need a fantastic Realtor to show you the way!! ; )

Sun Sep 30 2007, 18:09

Hi Joan,

Trulia currently shows 320 condos for sale in this area and I've included a link below to those properties. You can refine the search to show homes in the price range you are looking for and with your desired bedroom/bathroom and square-footage values as well.

Best Wishes,

Emily Gibson
Customer Service Representative

Fri Sep 28 2007, 10:14

It's currently a buyers market. Inventory is high and is currently carrying foreclosed and short sale properties. Conditions are right for investors and buyers wanting to move up or buy for long term.

Wed Sep 26 2007, 20:00

Hi Joan, The real estate market in West Palm is offering some good opportunities for investors. After the past few years of drastic appreciation we are now seeing an oversupply of available homes, which makes for a good buyers market. Some homes and condos are available at bargain prices. This is a good time to buy for cash investors, handymans/foreclosures or those looking to hold for a while. West Palm has plenty of condominiums available. Some in more desirable markets than others. Some areas are experiencing an over supply due to preconstuction contracts from a few years when things were 'booming' to say the least. Also, rising foreclosure rates are contrinuting to an oversupply in certain areas. As a Realtor® and Appraiser, I come across quite a few deals in different areas. Some areas I would avoid all together. Where to look really depends on your (or your client's) needs, to find the best fit. An owner occupied unit for someone relocating in the area may be different from an investor looking for a long term investment. Proximity to beaches, malls, hospitals and other amenities are also going to influence to look and thus what kinds of a deal you may be able to fing. A little more information on your (or your client's) needs and purchasing power would be helpful to get a better idea of what is needed. There is a public MLS via the link below. Feel free to browse the MLS resource available there for a general idea, or contact me directly to narrow your search a little further and set up some automated searches and notifications so you can tune into the local market. Hope this helps.! :)

Wed Sep 26 2007, 19:31

Hi: Tell me how many bedrooms, how many baths, what price range, do you have a pet, are you over age 55 and I'll check the MLS and let you know. Those properties priced low are selling. In the case of long vacant properties such as bank owned and foreclosures, you need a good inspector (like mine) to be sure you are not stepping into a hornet's nest of repairs. Happy to find you a good deal on condos. Also, what amenities would you want? Clubhouse? Pool? Golf course? Near downtown West Palm Beach or is west area okay?

Wed Sep 26 2007, 18:44