said Jeff Lewis last night on Bravo TV’s Flipping Out, when the host of the show began reading viewer’s questions about Mr. Lewis’ alledged plastic surgeries.

Gotta love a guy who prides himself on having just the “perfect amount of botox.” 

Anyways, Mr. Lewis stated it is “all about the trough sink.”  So, if JL says it, it must be true. The trough sink is the must have basic for the upcoming season here in South Beach.

So, for my readers in advance of Fall Fashion Week here in South Beach, I give you the TROUGH SINK:

This is the first installment of Miami Beach/South Beach condo market statistics. The data was based on information from the Southeast Florida Regional (SEFR) MLS or from the associations participating in the SEFR for the period 1/1/07 through 9/3/2007.

This analysis covers the luxury high-rise condos South of Fifth Street (SoFi) in South Beach; ICON South Beach, Murano Grande, Yacht Club at Portofino, Murano at Portofino, Portofino Tower, South Pointe Tower, and Continuum I.

It seems that Murano Grande has had an unusually high amount of sales compared to the rest of the buildings in the neighborhood.  There are probably many factors that are contributing to this.  The amount of inventory available in Murano Grande condo may be one of the factors which would account for owners pricing their properties more towards the actual market value. 

ICON South Beach seems to be a tad stagnant this year while Murano at Portofino continues to shine as the undisputed star of SoFi, at least until Apogee South Beach opens.

It is generally accepted that in a “normal market” 10% of the building inventory would be available for sale at any given time; the average for all seven buildings is 12.9%.  I would consider the amount of inventory not to be alarming.  In the event that inventory continues to grow and the rate of sales continues at today’s pace, this would put downward pressure on the $ PSF because real estate is primarily governed by the law of supply and demand.

This graph indicates why ICON South Beach is lagging in sales.  I would consider ICON & Murano Grande “sister buildings.”  They sell at nearly the same price ($ PSF), yet the list prices at ICON are over $60 PSF higher, on average, than Murano Grande.

“Fat Factor” is computed by taking the $ PSF List Price and subtracting the $ PSF Sold Price.

So What’s the Best Deal?

Ok, Portofino Tower has great comps and from the “Fat Factor” graph it seems like the owners are generally reasonable with their pricing.  There is a large inventory of units on the market and a low number of sales.  I bet there are a lot of anxious owners ready to sell at Portofino.

Continuum I is a really good buy for being an oceanfront building.  Sales are hovering just above $1K PSF and with Continuum II coming on-line later this year, most of those units will be over $1200 PSF. 

Next post will be on absorbtion rates for the buildings South of Fifth. 

Continuum I, South Pointe Tower, Portofino Tower, Murano at Portofino, Yacht Club at Portofino, Murano Grande, and ICON South Beach

You know what they say, “Sex Sells!”  Notice the Realtor taking the picture in the mirror.  Makes you wanna live in this condo, huh!

Photo courtesy of the Southeast Florida Regional MLS

I hear that Apogee is to be delivered before the end of the year. I know a lot of readers have been asking me about construction updates so here it is! What was even more fun was that I went out to check out the $12M penthouse at Murano at Portofino for a client and I was treated to a birdseye view right into the penthouses of Apogee. So I’m doing my best to get my readers on the “inside” first!

The penthouses are two-story units with roof-top balconies and summer kitchens (what’s with that term?) The west-facing penthouse is owned by Tom Daly of Related Group; the center penthouse was purchased by a well-known sports figure for a local team; the east-facing penthouse was purchased by Peter Fine.

Here is the pool area at Apogee South Beach. It is really cool and has these “pod-like” beds that extend into the pool. It is for those priveliged enough to be in the pool without getting wet. Now that’s living!

Apogee South Beach Resales

Resale condos available at Apogee South Beach: super-desirable, west-facing corner unit, $6.899M. Click here for floor plan

• Fisher Island and Ocean Drive views
• 4154 sq. ft. of interior sq. ft.
• 2441 sq. ft. of exterior balconies
• Summer Kitchen on balcony
• Air-conditioned 2–car garage