ocean city: revisited
Transcription
ocean city: revisited
OCEAN CITY: REVISITED Ocean City’s economic expansion of the last several years has ground to a halt. In 2008, of the ten indicators that we follow, all but two were negative. The two positive indicators were tax base (which will be subject to change after the assessment appeal process and which lags behind actual trends by up to three years) and construction permits based on number of dwellings, which also reflects pipeline projects. Of the negative indicators, the most important was the condominium sales volume, down 14.82%. Average condominium price was also notably lower, down 7.12% (net of inflation). This reflects the slowing economy and imploding condominium market. The hotel statistics, after inflation, also trended to the negative. Construction permits for the town were up by 22.6% in number of dwelling units but down by 9.1% in dollar value. The analysis below will summarize the most important statistics, provide explanations, and reflect upon their impact to the resort. The number of vehicles crossing the Bay Bridge decreased last year, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority. Average traffic volume in 2008 for the Bay Bridge was 35,263 vehicles daily, down 5.0% from 2007 at 37,101. Year-to-year decreases occurred in all months, except for February, which showed an increase of 5.3%. The largest year-to-year decrease in traffic volume was in September with a drop of -15.2%. These statistics relate to the average price per gallon of gasoline (see chart). Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com Bay Bridge Crossings Compared to Gas Prices in 2008 vs. 2007 % Change 2007-2008 Crossings Gas Price 2007 Gas Price 2008 Gas Price Jan 944,391 $2.27 921,492 $3.05 -2.4% 34.0% Feb 826,916 $2.29 870,712 $3.03 5.3% 32.7% Mar 1,042,992 $2.59 1,024,389 $3.26 -1.8% 25.7% Apr 1,078,004 $2.86 1,029,597 $3.44 -4.5% 20.3% May 1,224,324 $3.13 1,181,564 $3.76 -3.5% 20.3% Jun 1,287,497 $3.05 1,220,295 $4.07 -5.2% 33.2% Jul 1,373,152 $2.96 1,311,808 $4.09 -4.5% 38.1% Aug 1,397,914 $2.78 1,269,042 $3.79 -9.2% 36.1% Sep 1,186,894 $2.79 1,007,048 $3.70 -15.2% 32.6% Oct 1,134,179 $2.79 1,070,123 $3.17 -5.6% 13.6% Nov 1,056,497 $3.07 980,338 $2.15 -7.2% -29.9% 989,124 $3.02 984,438 -44.1% Dec Daily Avg. $1.69 -0.5% 13,541,884 12,870,846 -5.0% 37,101 35,263 -5.0% 2008 vs. 2007 Monthly Bay Bridge Crossings & Gas Prices) Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com Ocean City generated $253.2 million in gross hotel, motel and condominium rentals in 2008, a decrease of 3.44% from 2007 ($262.2 million). This is an indication that tourist dollars spent on rooms have declined and additionally, there is a siphoning-off of revenues to unsold condominium units that may not be paying the room tax. Also, the lower number of hotel rooms, due to demolition or conversion to condominiums may have had an impact here. Revenues from rentals have remained steady since 2004, with an average annual increase of 1.21% over four years. OCEAN CITY ROOM TAX AND REVENUES Rate is .045. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2008 Tax January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $128,038 February. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $184,433 March. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $248,475 April. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $347,274 May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $937,221 June. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,213,868 July. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,111,941 August. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,671,155 September. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $954,188 October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $353,442 November . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $149,163 December . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95,549 Totals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,394,746 Total divided by Rate:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $253,216,587 2007 #. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $262,233,197 % Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3.44% Room Tax 2008 Ocean City’s tourists spend more time at the newest hotels rather than at the older ones. These properties for the most part support suites, large bathrooms and a generally higher level of finish. The older, well-established properties must continue to reinvent themselves regularly to compete with the newest additions to supply. Also, oceanfront properties lead the way in terms of RevPAR (revenue per available room). Differentiation is also accomplished by pricing, with the highest rates at the newest properties. Vacationers not only rent hotel rooms, they also spend money on food, clothing, gifts and other taxable items. The State tracks these items by county and we use these statistics in our evaluation of Ocean City’s economic condition. The retail sales figures reported for Worcester County in 2008 decreased to $1.113 billion from $1.280 billion in 2007, a decrease of 12.98% (12.88%, net of inflation). This figure indicates that consumers are buying fewer goods in today’s recessionary market. Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com The Assessable Tax Base is the total of all assessed property values in a given area and is affected by physical growth, the economy and market prices. The Town of Ocean City’s estimated real property assessable tax base (full year) for the tax year beginning July 1, 2008 increased 21.40% in 2008 with a tax base of $10.309 billion. Worcester County experienced a 17.50% increase in 2008, with a tax base of $19.914 billion. Both the Town and the County have enjoyed extraordinary increases over the last several years. Home sale prices have declined but, the assessable tax base lags for a year or two, so increases in the tax base are not unexpected. Billions Ocean City Tax Base 1998 to 2008 TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MD ASSESSABLE TAX BASE For Tax Years Ending June 30th: Fiscal Tax Base % Change Cumulative Year (In $Billions) Change 1998 $3.297 - - 1999 $3.332 1.04% 1.04% 2000 $3.415 2.51% 3.57% 2001 $3.541 3.68% 7.38% 2002 $3.676 3.82% 11.49% 2003 $3.861 5.04% 17.11% 2004 $4.710 21.98% 42.85% 2005 $5.641 19.75% 71.06% 2006 $6.643 17.76% 101.45% 2007 $8.492 27.84% 157.53% $10.309 21.40% 212.64% 2008 Average % Change 1998-2008: 12.07% 2000-2008: 14.81% Sources: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2008. Uniform Financial Report of Town of Ocean City to Maryland Department of Fiscal Services, 1998-2008. Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com HOTEL DEVELOPMENT A Courtyard by Marriott hotel with 91 rooms and nine apartment condominiums is nearing completion on the former Santa Maria motel site, on the Boardwalk at 15th Street. Also nearing completion is the American Suites, a property with 16 threebedroom apartments and ten employee housing units, located on 10th Street between Baltimore and Philadelphia Avenues. This property will be run in conjunction with the Americana Hotel located on the boardwalk at 10th Street. The 44-room Avelon Hotel at 1st Street and Baltimore Avenue has been razed and is under construction with an 84-room Sleep Inn. The Monte Carlo suites has razed an adjacent house and is constructing seven additional suites on that site. All of these projects are expected to be completed in 2009. The existing hotels are still holding their own with the highest rates and occupancies in the newest projects, on the oceanfront. According to the City government, there were no hotel units completed in 2008. Currently on hold are a 160-room bayside hotel at 45th Street and an expansion of the oceanfront Clarion at 101st Street. Though not exactly a hotel, a proposed 94-unit boarding house has been approved for 2nd Street and St. Louis Avenue. CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT Only three projects reached 100% sold out with a total of 55 units. Recently Completed & Sold Out Building Building Location # Units trailer park Broad Marsh Condos (3 phases) Bayfront, 69th Street 15 2007 Ice Land Sea Bright Bayside, Wicomico Street 20 2006 Bay 1 Bayside, 76th Street 20 2005 Total Units Year Built Type C 55 Three new condominium projects and Phase 2 of a fourth were completed in 2008, adding to the large inventory of unsold units remaining from 2007. Completed on the Oceanside is the Gateway Grand, 196 high-end, high-priced oceanfront and oceanside units at 48th Street. On the bayside at 81st Street, the Rivendell was completed with 88 bayfront and bayside units. Also completed was the Makai at 42nd Street, a conversion of the Ramada Inn hotel into 96 condominiums. There are 19 projects still in initial sell-out and comprising a total of 836 units. Of these, 553 units are still available. Of the 553 available units, 387 of them are new additions in 2008. The remaining 283 are left over from 2005 through 2007. A summary of these projects is shown on the following page. Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com Completed Buildings in Initial Sell-Out Building/Community Name Street Comments Type Hobbitt Rivendell Bayfront, 81st Street # Units Year Built 88 2008 75 units available as of 4/3/09 C, R Gateway Grand Oceanfront, 48th Street 196 2008 177 units available as of 4/3/09 C Ramada Makai Bayside, 42nd Street 95 2008 91 units available as of 4/6/09 C bank site Seaside Escape Oceanblock, 79th Street 15 2008 12 units available as of 4/20/09 C Nassau Meridian (Phase 2 - west bldg.) Oceanside, 60th Street 38 2008 32 units available as of 4/6/09 C Nassau Meridian (Phase 1 - east bldg.) Oceanfront, 60th Street 42 2007 36 units available as of 4/6/09 C Belmont Towers Oceanfront, Dorchester St. 75 2007 29 units available as of 4/6/09 C Sapphire Sea Oceanblock, 35th Street 10 2007 4 units available as of 4/20/09 C Tamarindo - Phase III & IV Oceanside, 56th Street 8 2006/07 4 “ units available as of 4/6/09 (1 unit in Phase III and 3 units in Phase IV)” TH Bel Mare Oceanside, Somerset St. 13 2006 4 units available as of 4/6/08 C, R 4100 Condominium Oceanside, 41st Street 16 2006 2 units and 2 retail spaces available as of 4/6/08 South Beach Boardwalk Oceanfront, Surf Ave. 36 2006 1 unit available as of 4/6/09 C Bella Vista Bayside, 46th Street 40 2006 25 units available as of 4/6/09 C Sunset Beach Bayside, 46th Street 35 2006 13 units available as of 4/6/09 C Bahia Vista II Bayside, 10th Street 20 2006 9 units available as of 4/6/09 C Emerson Towers Bayfront, Wicomico Street 13 2006 8 units available as of 4/6/098 C Pier 17 Bayfront, 17th Street 15 2006 3 units available as of 4/6/09 C Bahia Vista I Bayfront, 10th Street 40 2006 17 units available as of 4/6/09 C Laguna Vista Bayfront, 14th Street 41 2005 11 units available as of 4/6/09 C Sunset Island Bayfront, 67th Street 85 85 condos and 6 SFD available as of 8/21/08 Total Units 921 638 units available as of 8/21/08 C-16, R-3 CONDOS UNDER CONSTRUCTION The largest condominium project currently under construction is a 20-unit building on Sunset Island. All 20 units are reportedly under contract and are expected to settle in June or July 2009. There is also an 11-unit townhome development known as Sunburst, located on 16th Street, between Philadelphia and Baltimore Avenues. Phase I, consisting of five units, has received final approvals but has not yet received its use and occupancy permit. Approval has been granted for Phase II but building permits have not been issued. Properties Under Construction Building/Community Name Sunburst Phase I Street # Units Comments Type 16th St. betw. Phil.& Balt. 5 final approval, no U & O issued as of 4/20/09 TH Total Units 5 Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com CONDOS IN THE PIPELINE There are 203 units are in the preconstruction phase and have received site development plan approvals. Sunburst (Phase II) and Bayside Retreat are expected to begin construction in 2009. Three buildings are approved for a total of 68 units on Sunset Island, however, the developer is waiting for the market to improve before beginning construction. The Cropper’s Landing development has been granted approval but was granted an extension on the approval through November 16, 2009. It is uncertain exactly how many additional units might be in the conceptual phase but shelved until the condominium market resurrects itself. Below is a summary of the approved projects that are in the pre-construction. Properties in Pre-Construction Phase Building/Community Name Street Type Status Sunburst Phase II 16th St. betw. Phil.& Balt. # Units Comments 6 No building permit issued as of 4/20/09 TH Approved Bayside Retreat Bayside, 44th Street 35 Property is being actively marketed (as of 4/20/09) C Approved Cropper’s Landing Bayfront, 1st Street 94 Granted extension on site approval plan (expires 11//09) C-40, TH-54 Approved Total Units 135 Properties in Review Phase Building/Community Name 65th Street Housing Street 200 64th Street Total Units # Units Comments Type Status 40 40 Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com CONDOMINIUM SALES According to ARIS , the number of Ocean City condominium sales decreased 14.8% from 742 units in 2007 to 632 units in 2008. This is a significant drop, although not as drastic as the 43.5% drop from 2005 to 2006 (1,444 in 2005 to 811 in 2006). Average selling prices have dropped over 7% while the average asking price has decreased 3%; discounts have decreased from 36% in 2007 to 14% in 2008. This indicates that sellers are somewhat more realistic in their asking prices. The average number of days on market has been steadily increasing from 155 days in 2005 to 225 days in 2006 to 305 days in 2007, to 347 (nearly a year) in 2008. The graphs at the end of this section illustrate trends and recent status of the market. Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com In 2006 there were 23 condominium units which sold for $1 million or more. In 2007, there were 39, a substantial percentage increase. Clearly, there were individuals willing to cross the million-dollar mark in Ocean City. In 2008 the number of sales in this price range dropped back to 21. The supply of these higher-priced units resides mainly in the larger buildings which became available in 2008. Buyers are hesitant in this tumultuous marketplace. Many of the 2008 sales likely emanated from 2006 and 2007 contracts for 2008 delivery condominiums. In order to deplete the supply of high-end condominium units, significant price reductions will be warranted. The newest larger oceanfront and bayfront projects for 2008 are: Belmont Towers, Gateway Grand, Meridian, and Rivendell. All told, these projects delivered more than 400 such units. This flood of highly priced units will farther drive down the premium for oceanfront and bayfront views. As a microcosm of the condominium (re-sale) market, we tracked sales in the Sea Watch, a 400-unit condominium erected in 1975 with about 360 identical two-bedroom oceanfront units, as illustrated on the chart below. This particular property was chosen due to the consistency in unit size, layout and orientation to the ocean. From 2001 through 2005, the average price increased steadily, with a modest decline in 2006 and 2007. During the period of price inflation, the number of sales remained fairly constant until the peak in 2006. At that point, the number of sales dropped to almost half. In 2007 the price declined and the number of sales remained flat. In 2008, the price declined further, from $461,429 to $435,818 and, as a result, the number of sales increased from 7 to 11, as condominium unit owners became impatient with the market and more eager to sell their unit. Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com CONCLUSIONS/OUTLOOK There has been a steady drop in condominium prices and units sold, coupled with a significant increase in number of days on market. Relative to the net proceeds of sale, increased marketing time and reduced price have a similar effect. Therefore, while average prices showed a modest decrease, the net effect, including the increased days on market, results in an effective price decrease across the board. Pricing or other concessions will be the key to selling out the over-supply of condominium units. Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com Condominium Sales by Price Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com Condominium Sales Summary Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com Summary of Economic Indicators Indicator 2004 2005 2006 2007 Bay Bridge Crossings 5.10% -0.50% 3.20% 0.80% Hotel, Motel and Condo Rentals 4.61% 0.30% 6.48% 1.76% -3.44% Retail Sales (Worcester Co.) - Gross 8.09% 1.59% 6.77% 4.47% -12.98% Net of Inflation Assessable Tax Base (Tax Base) (Worcester) 2008 -5.00% 4.79% -1.81% 4.17% 0.37% -12.88% 20.43% 18.21% 23.53% 20.10% 17.50% Construction Permits Total $ Value (all constr.) 9.00% 69.92% 2.89% -68.05% -9.10% No. of Dwelling Units 8.71% -64.12% 215.96% -33.00% 22.61% Condominium Sales Volume ($’s) 32.25% 34.65% -26.06% -10.62% -14.82% Condo Price Change 21.74% 22.54% 9.40% -1.08% -7.22% Net of Inflation 18.44% 19.14% 6.80% -5.18% -7.12% Number of Indices Up (out of 10) Ocean City Health Barometer 10 7 9 5 2 100.00% 70.00% 90.00% 50.00% 20.00% CPI (U.S., All Urban Consumers) 3.30% 3.40% 2.60% 4.10% -0.10% NASDAQ 2,011 2,185 2,217 2,430 2,654 to to to to to 2,175 2,205 2,415 2,652 1,577 10,453 Dow Jones Industrials 10,784 10,718 12,460 13,262 to to to to to 10,783 10,718 12,463 13,265 8,776 Prime Rate 4.00% 5.25% 7.25% 8.25% 7.25% to to to to to 5.00% 7.00% 8.25% 7.50% 4.00% Liberty Place at Columbia Crossing • 6240 Old Dobbin Lane – Suite 140 • Columbia, Maryland 21045 (410) 423-2300 • Fax (410) 423-2410 • www.lfmvalue.com