Downtown Condo Tower Sellout - the First of Its Kind Since 2007
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Need for More Accelerated Sales at Projects Prompts New 'Bulk Buy' Solution for Savvy Buyers SEATTLE, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives at Realogics, Inc. confirm a mutually accepted purchase contract on the last available home at The Parc, a 185-unit condominium in downtown Seattle's popular Belltown neighborhood. When closed, this sale will represent the first time a new construction condominium community has been completely sold out in downtown Seattle since 2007. The last successful project sellout was the 2200 development in South Lake Union, which was also marketed by Realogics. The Parc began occupancy in late 2008. "The sellout of any tower is always a milestone but it's far more significant today because it means that we're finally digesting the standing inventory," says Sam Cunningham, Managing Broker for Realogics Brokerage, LLC. who is the listing broker at The Parc. "We're especially proud to have sold out using traditional sales and marketing efforts - it's a win-win for buyer and seller in what has been a challenging marketplace for many, but not all projects downtown." Cunningham credits his seller, Western & Clay, LLC (a development entity managed by Intracorp Real Estate), for responding to market pressures and meeting buyer expectations with sharper pricing, financing incentives and other buyer perks. He acknowledged that demand is never evenly distributed about town because product offerings vary significantly throughout the city and buyer preferences focus on select developments that are better positioned. Several other new construction condo developments in downtown Seattle are near sellout but they still have unsold inventory to absorb. Some developers are holding real estate auctions to close out remaining inventory or to engineer sufficient sales (51%) to comply with strict mortgage guidelines and/or pay down the construction debt. Still, no new supply of inventory has been added to the market since the rise of the credit crunch in 2007. As for demand, Realogics' research suggests that hundreds of buyers may be sitting on the fence in an attempt to time the market. Some are waiting for further price drops and others want to see more sales in a project before they buy in. "We know that many buyers are eyeing their options from the sidelines - we want to build their confidence and make deals with new construction inventory," says Dean Jones, President and CEO of Realogics. "Our goal is to assemble buyers together and bring offers to projects in bulk. The concept is simple - the more we sell, the more they save." The firms latest venture; known as "Condo Bulk Buy" aggregates buyers and negotiates with developers for a volume discount - provided they close as a group. Like a real estate auction, the potential to sell a significant block of units at one time provides efficiencies to the seller so consumers can drive a better deal than when buying alone. However, unlike real estate auctions the bulk buy process is completely controlled by the buyer and not by the seller. "We don't need to wait for sellers to find the market because we'll bring the deal to them," says Cunningham. "We know where the opportunities are and work directly with buyers or with the buyer's agent at no cost to the buyer." Realogics' agents are currently accepting registrations of interest at www.CondoBulkBuy.com to start the process. About Realogics, Inc. Realogics, Inc. is a Seattle-based real estate consultancy and the managing member of Realogics Brokerage, LLC. The group collectively specializes in market research, product development, marketing and sales brokerage solutions for in-city condominiums and mixed-use properties. Realogics also established a realty division recently to represent buyers and sellers of resale inventory. For more information, please visit www.realogics.com. SOURCE Realogics, Inc. Michelle Poitevin, +1-206-448-5752, for Realogics, Inc.
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