Moving Downtown

[Richard at Remax]

Hey all. I am looking to move downtown within the next year and need to know of which places to check out and which to avoid.

Other things is that I am looking to buy not rent.

So if anyone lives downtown or knows someone who does I'd really like to hear some suggestions.

Thanks

[OKCisOK4me]

I don't know if it has been stated or how full they are but I was at Red Pin yesterday and the bartender inside told me the top floor units at The Centennial go for no less than $1 million, the second floor units between $100,000 to $200,000. I didn't ask what range of square footage there was on the units though.

[Midtowner]

The last time I saw prices for the Centennial, it was about $300/sq. ft.

For any new construction downtown, prices range between $225-$275/sq. ft.

[BailJumper]

By "downtown" do you mean actually in Bricktown or Deep Deuce? Or, do you just mean living in or around the downtown area. Also, can we get an idea of your budget?

While you can rent from moderate to high budgets, you better have a big bank account of really good credit is you're gonna buy/build.

[Richard at Remax]

Budget is a cash deal of about 300-450k. Great Grandfather must have really liked me for some reason and left me and inheretance and I figured now would be a good time to buy.

and I am looking at the Hill, Lofts at Maywood, Central Ave, and Block 42. The Brownstones are cool but they seem wayyy overpriced, but then again what isn't overpriced down there.

I don't know if the places I mentioned above rent or not but I wouldn't be against it. Thanks for the responses.

[metro]

I don't know if it has been stated or how full they are but I was at Red Pin yesterday and the bartender inside told me the top floor units at The Centennial go for no less than $1 million, the second floor units between $100,000 to $200,000. I didn't ask what range of square footage there was on the units though.

The Centennial is SOLD OUT and they started at over $300K per unit. Now I know several owners have since put units up for sale, so it's possible with the current economy they could have dropped a smaller unit for the high 200K's. Your best bet is to just look at all the downtown properties that have for sale units and decide on what YOU like. I've lived downtown for 4 years now and love it, been to all the downtown properties and not one that I don't like, it's all personal preference as with anything. If I cautioned you to stay away from anything, it'd be the Hill as I think they are overpriced for what you can get elsewhere downtown for the same money. Honestly, I think the Brownstones are the best buy for the money, if you have that kind of money, I think they are a sound longterm investment compared to some of the others.

[BBatesokc]

The wife and I are currently looking downtown since the kiddo goes off to college next year.

We've opted for some place like Mesta Park, Hertiage Hills, etc. because it seems we could get more amenities we want for our money (yard, large porch, a since of a real neighborhood, parking, but within walking/bike riding distance to downtown for about $300K).

I lived downtown for awhile in different locations. I like it, I just think for what they are getting you can buy more bang for your buck elsewhere.

[khook]

bbatesokc - Your price range you will find some in Mesta Park.... Not Heritage Those listed in HH are running $180-225 sq. ft. Mesta you will find fixer ups or fixed up in the 2000-2500 sq. ft range.

[Steve]

I know this won't make me popular, but I'd suggest looking at all of the major developments yourself. There is a lot of misinformation on this board and out on the streets about pricing, value, etc. I can tell you the guy at Red Pin is totally off in his info and there are inaccuracies being repeated in this thread as well (not intentionally).

I know some people who live at The Hill and love it, even with construction stalled. The most active "community" seems to evolved at Block 42, while The Centennial has the drawback of having a lot of corporate condos that aren't full time residences. The Brownstones may be the most ambitious of the projects and are very close to the central business district. The Maywood Lofts are less expensive but also close to Bricktown, CBD and Deep Deuce. Ditto for the Central Avenue Villas.
Pricing is what you can negotiate. Make no assumptions going in. You're buying in a buyer's market thanks to the current economy. Any prices being cited to you on this board are speculative at best.
If you want to walk to plays at Stage Center or the Myriad Gardens, or to games at Ford Center or the Bricktown Ballpark, or be in the heart of downtown, any one of these developments should be a good place to start looking. And this is the "value" that Bates may be overlooking.

[Richard at Remax]

Thanks all. I heard about the corporate people buying the centenial condos for clients and due to it being right in the middle of everything I dunno about noise and such.

That's why I want to get going on this because its a buyers market and this will probably be the best time to get a good deal.

I wish there were some more developments in midtown because thats my favorite area.

I've looked online and found that Central Ave Villas and the lofts only have one place with the size I am looking for (1400-2000sqft) and I am looking at those this weekend.

About the Hill, I know construction has stalled but is there plans to finish or are they selling off the rest of the land?

And one more thing, does anyone know off thier head through hearsay the homeowners fees, because they don't ususally tell you on the websites.

THanks again

[metro]

Worthy, you could try looking at Harvey Lofts in MidTown and definitely talk to MidTown Renaissance guys as they have several prospective properties for residential, but are waiting for owners to purchase so they can do customized build outs. Definitely don't rule out MidTown. Heck you could even purchase a lot and build your own modern house over in SoSA for your price range (easily). Actually some of the HOA fees are posted on several of the developments websites, but they really vary from property to property. As far as the Hill, Phase 2 and 3 are stalled for now, and they can't just sell off the land considering it's an Urban Renewal project.

[ksearls]

Worthy,

I heard there were units for sale at the Centennial. I checked the MLS and it looks like there are five, a few in your price range. I second Steve's suggestion to contact the properties directly or work with a realtor that knows what is available. You can check Downtown OKC > Home for links to all of the Downtown living options.

Glad you will be in the hood!
kim

[CuatrodeMayo]

You could get brave and just find a building you like in a location you like and find a way to make it your home. I know of a good Intern Architect who would be more than happy to help you out...

[BailJumper]

I've seen homes in and around DT that could definitely be bought in the $300K range if you're not over 2,000 - 2,500 sq feet.

[metro]

Kim, no offense but the DOKC website only has SOME of the Downtown Housing.

[DaveSkater]

I've seen homes in and around DT that could definitely be bought in the $300K range if you're not over 2,000 - 2,500 sq feet.

Wow, if I had 300k to lay down on a home, I damn sure wouldn't be looking at downtown as an option. Call me silly, but I prefer a little privacy.....I'd be looking at a 2000sqft on about 5 acres just west of town.... But that's just me. YRMV

Good luck in your search tho!

[Richard at Remax]

Yeah I have been living in Edmond about 3 years out of college and while its a good place to raise a family, I feel I am missing out on being around people my age. That plus the fact, though still not cheap, prices have come down there I feel like its a good opportunity to capitalize on the situation.

[Richard at Remax]

also, anyone have any thoughts on 360 at founders tower? happened to drive by there the other day and it caught my attention.

[Midtowner]

Founder's isn't downtown. It does offer tremendous views though. I also hear the amenities are great. I think it's still mostly vacant though. Moving there, I'd be really concerned that the owners will start leasing spaces out (which will destroy your property value).

[Richard at Remax]

well I obviously knew it wasn't downtown was just in the area and looked interesting. but I didn't know about the leasing part so that might hinder that idea

[Midtowner]

To be clear, they haven't leased any of those units to my knowledge, but if what I've heard is true (completely unsubstantiated rumors), then there is a very low occupancy rate there.

Anyhow, this is rank speculation on my part. I encourage you to give them a call at the very least. I understand the views are spectacular and many of the units have AWESOME balconies.

(sorry for the BILLY MAYS, but that's all I could come up with to do the balconies justice)

[Richard at Remax]

Just an update I went down last evening and look at three properties: central ave villas, block 42, and The HIll.

I plan on only going back to Block 42 because they seemed to have to most going for them and the residents I talked to were very down to earth and answered any question honestly.

Central Ave was a big disappointment to me. For a new construction the layouts were very strange, such as in the master bath in one there was a shower tub combo, then right next to it was a walk in shower. and some of the doors to rooms was just a doorframe, with no actual doors. While the exterior was neat, the interior of the building looked like a jail.

The hill was very high quality but the fact that they were still in limbo over phases two and three was a real downer because the unit i liked had fences and dirt out the window that was probably not going to change over the next year.

I still have yet to see the lofts at maywood park, I do that monday, but I was wondering if anyone knew when they would be finished because they look close

[icecold]

I plan on only going back to Block 42 because they seemed to have to most going for them and the residents I talked to were very down to earth and answered any question honestly.

If you dont mind saying, what was the price on some of those you were looking at? Assuming you were looking in the 1400-2000sq ft. range. How were the amenities? Pool?

[Richard at Remax]

The ones I looked at were ~1600 sq feet and were give or take 370k-402k. The only place I looked at that had a pool was the Centennial but those were way overpriced. The Hill will have a pool eventually when they get going on the next phases.

[Richard at Remax]

Well I finally got to look at the lofts at maywood park and honestly I was not that impressed. The floor plans seemed to generic and the hardware and woodwork was very tradional, which confused me because in the pictures on the website it looks very contemporary. plus the lady showing me the place was a real, i mean real, b*&ch.

with that I decided to shelve my plans for now and come back to them in the spring when things have begun to mature more because there was nothing down there that I couldn't live without right now.