Anecdotally, there just seems to be a deluge of new construction out there. I'll have time to do more actual research this week to put some real numbers around the supply.
Some buildings have cropped up more recently, but today and tomorrow we'll look at two on opposite sides of WeHo that are getting that "old man smell".
Today, representing WeHo West ...
"CYNTHIA HOMES"(8833 CYNTHIA STREET)
Listed: May 2009
# Units in Building: 5
# Units Sold: 0
Unit Types: 3BR / 2.5BA townhomes
Unit Sizes: 1500 - 2400 sq ft
Original List Prices: $995,000 - $1,995,000
Price Reductions?: Yes, lower-end units
Description: * * * BUILDER'S SPECIAL/SELLER WILL CARRY FIRST * * * 201- $1,145,000 / 202 - $889,500 / 203 - $889,500 / 204 - $1,145,000. PRIME WEST HOLLYWOOD NEW CONSTRUCTION SELLER FINANCING AVAILABLE 3 BR, 2.5 BATH Luxury Town home features Modern Gourmet Kitchen w/ top of the line stainless steel appliances, 3 zone A/C per unit, tile and wood floors throughout, spacious, private balconies, sumptuous baths w/ glass tiles, huge walk-in closets, custom designer finishes. Bldg has rooftop deck. OPEN SUN2-5 tues12-2
These units have been on since May of last year, with the only price reductions being on the two lower-priced units ($100k reductions) last summer and fall. Of course, these were done as a series of modest reductions at the time.
They look like nicely appointed units, but then again, so does most new construction. I think the addition of the new Pavilions on SMB/Robertson help this area a bit, but it was certainly "desirable" before that. Clearly, though, these units are not moving.
Not that we should let numbers get in the way of owning a home, but let's look at our two favorite metrics: "rent vs. own" and "who can afford these"?
RENT VS. OWN: Some very quick math on the lowest-priced units (assume 20% down so you hit conforming, 5% rate, HOA of $350 which may be understated) gets you to a pre-tax number of approx $5k/month. Tax-affect that and you're probably in the $4k range.
A quick look at Craigslist shows upper-end units in WeHo renting in the low to mid $3k range, so one could argue that this isn't far off. However, I'd suggest that the condos being rented on Craigslist, for example, are people trying to bail themselves out from purchases and breaking even on their mortgage, so those rent price asking numbers are artificially high. But let's give benefit of the doubt and say that it's close to a wash.
"WHO CAN AFFORD THESE"?: Again, some back-of-the-envelope math would suggest (30% DTI) that income to support these would be around $200k. Are there people (or couples) making $200k? Absolutely. Would they want to live here? Possibly. You could make this argument fairly easily.
HERE'S THE PROBLEM ... (full disclosure that I have not yet seen these units)
Do many people making $200k have $170k to thrown down for the down payment needed to get these under conforming status? Possibly, although I'd argue that if they did, it would severely cut into their savings (if they care). We always tend to hear about the extremes, and yes, I know there are people both making and saving a lot of money - although in LA, I'd argue it's more of the former, less of the latter. I saw a survey recently that suggested that the average total savings for individuals making over $125k/yr is approximately $40k. Consumer nation, anyone?
But I digress ... on to some other "problems" ...
These are the LOWEST-priced units in the building. As you start to look at the others, priced at $1.15mm or more, the numbers go up significantly. Plus, unless you throw down a chunk of change (see above) you won't hit conforming and rates go up significantly. Again, yes, there are people making $300k+ in WeHo. I know this. Would they choose to live here? Maybe.
The bigger issue ... there's a lot of inventory out there, as we'll see in subsequent posts, and although the next couple will remain focused on the new construction condo market, we'll then compare these to the SFRs on the market.
3 comments:
$1,500,000 for a stacked condo with no privacy on lovely Cynthia and Palm?...Not likely.
Who comes up with these ideas?
Who comes up with such ideas: Developers with connections, that's who. Here's the backstory on this languishing new offering, directly across from a boutique neighborhood hotel that keeps changing its name so much that I can't keep track.
The 6,000 sqft lot with 500 sqft hobbit hovel built in 1923 was last sold in the boomdiada days of Aug. 2004. Remember well the hovel hugging the back of the lot while the old man puttered in his huge front sunflower garden. The last of a dying breed in WEHO. Sale at $640K was a relative bargain for those times when similar lots were going for +$900K. Any one ever see a for sale sign back then?
Well, 8833 Cynthia now sprouts for sale signs but they're going to be up for a very long time if prices don't come down. Remember the Milano on Laurel -- appears to finally have sold its 16 units after 3 years on the market with substantial discounts on many units -- for example, a 2/2 on a lower floor went for $650K when it was originally asking $1,000K.
The original Cynthia hovel and its great yard harked from the days when the community was called Sherman. It was featured in a front page West Hollywood Independent newspaper article just before demolition -- the title was something along the lines of "The Little Cottage That Could..."
Good to see you back, Homes in WeHo!
Great description of this "CYNTHIA HOMES". Great picture too. Good to see you back also.
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