I think it all depends in what you like as well as your agents negotiation skills and seller's willingness to sell! My client closed on Washington square early this summer w/price of $516/sq foot on 17'th floor. The final price was $100,000+ off the asking price! So fight and you might get a great deal where you thought it was not possible! good luck!

Karin,

In my opion I think Bellevue Towers would be the best option if you are looking for new construction. Bellevue Towers unit 401 if it is still for sale is 1515 sq ft listed at $499,000 or $329 per sq ft. vs. the Bravern unit S704 - 1288 sq ft at $732 per sq ft or Washington Square unit 2107 - 1539 sq ft at $649 per sq ft. Lincoln is not new construction. There might be some motivated sellers.at that property.

Van

I'd think hard about a luxury condo being a long term investment. It could work out really well depending on how well the market appreciates long term ... but it also depends on what your investment objectives are. If you're going to buy and live in it yourself for the long term, then .. who knows. Who's to say that Bell towers will have a better longer term value than Washington Square or Lincoln or Bravern. They're all within blocks of each other. ...

however, ..if the investment goal is to rent out you need to remember that living costs in a condo building is not fixed like your mortgage. HOA dues can and do go up. Whether or not you can have positive cash flow is highly dependent on your down payment and the dues can bleed you dry ... if memory serves me ... wasn't Bell Towers like 65 cents a sqft? I just remember the unit I was looking at was around 1300-1400 sqft and monthly dues were in the $800 to $900 range. That is absolutely insane to me as for an investment property. Why not take some of the downpayment and put it towards another rental.

But ...this is my biased opinion on what makes a good investment property ...I don't like having my investments controlled by an HOA that I only have 1 vote in and pay an enourmous amount for dues per month.

, but it depends on your investment goals. If you are going to rent it out ...Bellevue Towers ... last year at least...was about 65 cents a sqft (if memory serves me) for HOA dues... and that's a LOT of money to dish out a month. Then again, it depends on the investor's down payment in order to make the mortgage, taxes, and HOA dues pencil out.

In my opinion Bellevue Towers - the best total package due to location, floor plan selection, finishes, owner and building amenities and long term value.

Robin Myers/Coldwell Banker Bain
condominiumlifestyles.com