How an Accelerated Marketing Campaign Drove Rapid Capital Recovery

93% of Appraised Value in Less Than 180 Days

Project
The Broadluxe is a 9-story, 44-unit luxury residential loft-style condominium development in the Financial District of downtown Boston.  As a result of significant cost overruns and through numerous construction delays, the project lingered at approximately 70% complete, and was deeply in default

Process
The disposition plan consisted of three parts:

  • “Quietly” market the property as a whole during the final construction and sale preparation phases.
  • Barring the receipt of a satisfactory offer on the entire property, bring the individual units to market in a public outcry “ballroom” style auction.
  • Liquidate any remaining units through the negotiated sales process over an deadline driven time frame

A condensed 27-day marketing campaign relied heavily on cost effective, cutting edge online strategies, which included aggressive lead capture mechanisms both online and offline as well as efficient management tools.

The campaign drove more than 1,100 website registrations and 104 pre-registered bidders.  On auction day, all units were offered with a “guaranteed sold” minimum bid. Prices were raised 25% on units remaining post-auction.

No additional marketing budget was required following the conclusion of the condensed initial campaign.

Result
Two-thirds of the units were sold at auction and the remainder through a high-tech, high-touch negotiated sale campaign. Our client recovered 60% of the appraised value in the first thirty days, 79% within 90 days and sold out at 93% of appraised value in under 180 days.

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in Sold | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Early Info Notices Now Available for Mill Development Sale

This sale has been posted at Tranzon.com which means that you can now login and receive early notice when the Property Information Package is available. If you have interest in this project this is a must.

Sign up to receive first notice of any new information on the Boott Mills Development Phases Auction.

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in For Sale | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bank Owned Loft Condo: Boston

A lot of people have been asking me for photos of unit 7C at the Broadluxe. This unit is back on the market, which we announced Thursday. There is a steep discount from the previous ask. Current ask is only $529,000 a steal at $403/foot.
Log on to www.broadluxeauction.com for more details and a floor plan.

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in For Sale | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tranzon Set to Sell Historic Mixed Use Development by Auction

The final development phases of the otherwise successful Boott Cotton Mills are set for a Mortgagees Foreclosure sale on December 18th, 2008 in two parts at 4:00PM then 6:00PM.

Sale One December 18th, 2008 4PM

Sale 1 consists of a large 75,000+/- commercial space and two residential development phases totaling about 70 units. The commercial space currently has one national tenant occupying approximately 3,000 of the roughly 20,000 square feet of renovated space. The commercial unit sprawls over three floors the first of which is renovated while two upper floors remain as raw space.

Above the 3-story commercial unit are two floors that are residentially zoned, together referred to as Phase 3. This phase is slated for 40+/- residential condos. These floors wrap around to the connector building where they meet Phase 2. Phase 2 is a river-view section of the complex immediately adjacent to the successful Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2, currently raw space, will hold approximately 30+/- residential units.

Sale Two December 18th, 2008 6PM

Sale 2 will consist of an anticipated 11 fully renovated loft style condos. About 3/4s of Phase 1 is sold out. These units feature hip, polished, concrete floors, exposed brick and beam, some water views, high ceilings, granite counters, and stainless steel appliances. These units will be offered individually and we are in the process of arranging special financing that should accomodate any ordinarily qualified buyer.

About the Boott Mills Complex

The Boott Mills project is an historic mill complex set on the Merrimack River in Lowell Massachusetts. The Boott Mills was a centerpiece in Massachusetts of the Industrial Revolution. Today the sprawling complex holds a successfully operating office building that houses national and local tenants a National Museum, 154 newly renovated residential rental units, 30 individually owned renovated loft condos, and a self storage facility (none of which is part of this sale).

We’ll post an announcement here as soon as the Property Information Packages are available at tranzon.com.

Have questions or comments about this sale? Leave them below or call our Massachusetts office at 781-507-9507 or our Maine office at 207-775-4300.

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in For Sale | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A New Look For the Tranzon Auction Properties Blog

This week we updated the blog platform that we’re using and found that we were missing out on a whole bunch of features in our old theme. We hope you like the new one.
We’ve added a button on the right side bar (the GO! button) that will take you directly to Tranzon Auction Properties upcoming sales in New England.
If you do or don’t like the new theme we’d love to hear your opinion.

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Typical Sherrif’s Sale Auction

If there is an antithesis to what we are and what we do – this would have to be it.

Click Here for Link to WSJ Video on Sheriff Sale Auction

As opposed to transactions like this – our financial institution clients are real “sellers” who understand market dynamics and believe in the auction process. To them the bidders at the auction are their buyers and the price the bidders are willing to pay is likely the highest and best offer they will receive for the near distant future. As opposed to these Sheriff sales, our clients want to say sold, they also, obviously, want to get all the money they can, but if they get close they’re going to say sold.

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Overbuilt, Check – Oversupply, Check – Overleveraged, ?

The macro factors affecting the retail market are broader reaching than simply supply demand, but the issue of overbuilding will be one the retail market (and other markets) will struggle with for years to come. The question mark in my mind is – what will happen when notes come due and owners are forced to shop for rewrites? My gut says the overbuilding and potential high vacancy will make it very difficult for owners to find competitive terms and many will either be forced to liquidate or write a check to make up the difference…

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122100092574816923.html?mod=CommercialRealEstateMain_1

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in Auction News, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Buying Real Estate at Auction

Distressed real estate sales in general and foreclosure auctions in particular are getting a lot of press right now – Foreclosures are up, delinquencies are up, distress is up. Frankly, I’m bombarded at parties and events with questions about how busy we are and how I must see some incredible deals. The short answer is yes; we are busy and yes; I do see some real estate sell for less than retail value. That said, there is some inherent risk in purchasing real estate at foreclosure auction. Buying foreclosure properties is not for everyone. Any real estate transaction takes a certain level of knowledge and skill and purchasing properties on an “as-is where-is” basis takes additional ability. We always encourage all prospective buyers to seek out the counsel of capable real estate professionals, whether that be real estate brokers, attorneys, surveyors, engineers or whomever they need in order to feel comfortable with their purchase. If you have an inclination to participate in an auction, at a minimum, I suggest gaining experience in these areas:

 

  1. Title Research – Most title companies will provide title search services and a commitment of title insurance for a small fee.  This title commitment will allow you to factor in any outstanding liens and encumbrances that will need to be paid over and above the foreclosing mortgage, including, but not limited to; Municipal Liens and Taxes, Mechanics Liens, Superior Mortgages.

 

  1. Market Research – we recommend specializing an a particular market area: Multi-units on Portland Peninsula, SFH’s in Gorham, Waterfront Property in the Midcoast Area, Commercial Property in Bangor. Work to understand that market better than anyone. The best way to do this is team with an experienced real estate broker. Even if you can’t include a broker in a commission, you may be able to hire them for a fee to provide comparative analysis, opinions of value or simply for their time to show you around.

 

  1. Financing – Generally your contract to purchase real estate at foreclosure will not be contingent on financing and therefore it helps to have your financing commitment prior to making a bid. Contact your bank or mortgage broker and explain what you are hoping to do, if they aren’t enthusiastic about working with you, go find another one.

 

  1. Public Records – A trip to the town offices is highly recommended. Check zoning, permits, code violations, taxes, and try to talk with whomever you can. Town officials may know a property better than any broker or owner.

 

  1. Property Inspections: Depending on who is conducting the auction and the status of the property, prospective buyers may only be able to inspect the property from the exterior. If a professional auction company is handling the sale every effort will be made to allow potential buyers interior inspections at specified time periods.

 

In most cases auction companies prepare and provide comprehensive property information packages (PIPS) containing as much information about the property as possible. These information packages will save you both time and energy in chasing down documents and public records, but are not substitutes for conducting your own due diligence. With this information and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit you will discover there is upside in participating and buying real estate at auction.

 

 

 

 

 

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NY Times Article – Regional Banks Demise

I am a big believer in supporting your local economy in every way you can – this article reinforces my belief that creating a relationship with your local bank is important. While you might not do every deal with them – local banks have an intimate knowledge of their geography and the players within it and can offer invaluable advice and counsel.

click here for entire article

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in Foreclosures, News, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Foreclosure Changes

I’m skeptical that this will have any significant impact – a few extra days will probably help a small percentage of homeowners in trouble, but the majority will continue to have problems. I’m also a bit skeptical that staffing can be increased enough in workout departments to enable timely and frequent communications between Lender and borrower.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121363821436678049.html?mod=RealEstateMain_1

Sphere: Related Content

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment