It sounds like an investor's horror movie come true.
Friday, April 16th 2004, 2:38AM
by The Landlord
That routine trip to the bank to finalise last-minute details of your off-the-plan apartment purchase has just turned into a nightmare.
What you thought was a routine session to sign the loan documents has instead developed into a make-or-break situation for you and your family, as the bank explains that new waterfront apartment you've contracted to buy for $800,000 is worth only $650,000.
As the cold sweat starts to break, you feebly mumble that the purchase price is $800,000 so it must be worth that amount.
The bank is unmoved. If you want to buy it for $800,000 that's your business, but it will only lend 70per cent of its valuation and you will have to fund the shortfall.
As the high-rise apartment market takes a turn for the worse, the number of disputes is rising as off-the-plan buyers try to get out of their contracts because they face massive shortfalls compared with their purchase prices.
