From left: 1200 S. Ocean Boulevard, the Continuum in Miami, Shaquille O’Neal

The historic housing market meltdown continued its ripple effects
through South Florida’s real estate market in 2009, but the waters here
are not yet calmed. Lower prices may be around the corner as the next
wave of foreclosures looms. At the same time, many adjustable-rate
mortgages will have new rates kick in 2010 and credit availability
remains a major concern for prospective buyers. As experts make predictions for 2010, The Real Deal is bringing you its top
five picks for South Florida residential real estate transactions of 2009. From
Palm Beach to South Beach and key cities in between, 2009 proved to be
interesting examples of trend-bucking, celebrity-gazing and foreign
buyers. Comments

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From left: Arbor Oaks at Boca Raton, the Compson Financial Center in
Boca Raton, Bank of America Tower in Miami, and the Caribbean South
Beach in Miami

Sparse credit and a looming wave of commercial mortgage-backed
securities defaults dominated the year in South Florida commercial real
estate. Rents fell, vacancies rose. The bottom never quite showed
itself, despite the concerted hopes of landlords, lenders and brokers. Real estate pros say that there will be more of the same in 2010. Despite the market woes, some notable commercial real estate deals got
inked in 2009. The Real Deal offers up its picks for the top five such deals, marked by
large office leases, healthy renewals, mega sales and lessons in
discounting. Comments

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