Hello from New York City. I just wanted to send out a short message this morning and give you a quick update on our website and blogs.  First off our blogs have been fully restored and we are up and running at 100%.  So blog followers, readers and admirers – comment away!

Secondly the framework of our core website (CondoDomain.com) has been restored and successful moved to a brand new server environment.  In hopes to eliminate all of the bugs, errors and downtime we were experiencing, the new site is lightning fast giving you all a much better consumer experience.  Search 10X faster today!

Left to be done over the next week.

1.  Reinstall our core MLS search functionality on Boston, Chicago, DC, Baltimore & NYC

2.  Prepare MLS installations on the remaining 15 new markets.

3. Install our new “Condo Forum” and more features we have to surprise you!

On behalf of CondoDomain I would like to apologize for anyone who has experienced technical issues or website performance over the past few weeks.  I can assure you the problems are behind us now and we look forward to providing an even better experience, starting today!

Any questions – as always – contact your City Vice President and of course feel free to drop me a line as well!

Sincerely,

Tony Longo
CondoDomain/CEO
ajl [at] CondoDomain.com

We know you love living in Downtown Charlotte, because it is such a great city and you have a hip, stylish Charlotte condo. But no matter how perfect a Charlotte condo is, you still have day to day things to take care of to LIVE there. Things like sleeping, working, and eating.

Well, eating just got a bit easier in your urban mecca. Lowes Foods to Go Downtown Delivery is now available from two of their Charlotte area stores. You order online, or by fax. They shop for you. And now, they deliver. Done.

Check it out here to see if delivery is available in your area.

Imagine that. Your life just got easier – and you didn’t miss a thing.

Speaking of delivery – Find out why CondoDomain is different from other real estate brokers.

Charlotte’s Third Ward is a turn of the century streetcar area that has grown to include Bank of America Stadium and Gateway Village. Johnson and Wales University is expanding its campus in the Third Ward, and a new transit hub is expected to be complete in 2010. The area is vibrant, growing, and highly desirable real estate.

You will find Charlotte condos in the Third Ward which range from $200K to over a million dollars. Right now you have a lot to choose from.

The Ratcliffe
The Gallery Lofts
1st Row Warehouse
The Catalyst
Trademark

Call us to learn more about Charlotte’s Third Ward. Find out why CondoDomain is different from other real estate brokers.

Here’s some news about Charlotte, and our continuing phenomenal growth as a city – in 2009, our population was estimated by the census bureau to be 716,874. Charlotte’s metropolitan area population is 1,725,759. We are the 19th largest city in the United States, and are number 8 on the CNNMoney.com 100 Best Places to Live and Launch list.

The Queen City’s phenomenal growth is attracting young professionals seeking a better lifestyle and more secure employment prospects. Our municipal and regional investments in transit, business growth, and our position as an airport hub all work in our favor.

Take a look at these new and affordable Charlotte condos that are attracting professionals to relocate to the Queen City.
230 South Tryon
The Annex
The Park Condos
Courtside Charlotte
Fifth and Poplar
Find out why CondoDomain is different from other real estate brokers.

Dilworth is an established neighborhood in Charlotte featuring many nice town homes, shopping, and restaurants. Dilworth includes a new light rail line, and plenty of old world style architecture. Dilworth at one time was considered a streetcar suburb of Charlotte, but now is a vibrant part of the city.

Take a look at these unique Dilworth condos:
1315 East Condominiums
Lofts Dilworth

Find out why CondoDomain is different from other real estate brokers.

It seems that some developers are now offering incentives to entice buyers to view Charlotte condo units, and to buy. We’ve seen creativity with auctions and negotiations, but incentives certainly are going to attract people to look at condo units, and perhaps consider an area or a building that they had not considered before.

The Fourth Ward is one area where the right price and the right marketing reap rewards for buyer and seller at closing. Several buildings in this dynamic neighborhood have been attracting attention with dramatic price reductions and incentives.

For example, Fourth Ward Square’s conversion from apartments to condos at 501 N Graham Street is creating quite a stir. These newly renovated condos are priced from 99,900 to 120,900. When is the last time you saw THOSE prices in the Fourth Ward???

As for incentives, Woodstone of Elizabeth is matching the $8000 incentive from the federal government with an $8000 incentive of their own. Prices start at $199,900. And The Catalyst, a luxury tower in the third ward is now starting their pricing at $170,000. Not to be outdone, Royal Court in Dilworth is offering a Smart Car with purchase!

Lower prices, incentives, and we give you money back at closing. What a great time to buy a Charlotte condo!

Find out why CondoDomain is different from other real estate brokers.

A condo buying frenzy took place in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward recently. The owners of 501 N. Graham St announced that they were converting to condos, and pricing the units from $99,900 to $221,900. More than 700 people crowded the sales office and model unit.

Condos in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward have previously had a price range of $150,000 to over $1 million. This tremendous interest shows that at the right price, Charlotte’s Fourth Ward is a very attractive neighborhood, and one that holds interest and value in Center City.

Here are some listings in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward:

The Garrison At Graham

The Citadin

701 North Church

Fifth and Poplar

Find out why Condodomain is different from other brokers.

Foreclosures are on many people’s minds lately.  Since the Federal Government has offered incentives to lenders to restructure people’s loans, local and state governments are encouraging home owners to seek help sooner rather than later and work with their lender to avoid foreclosure.  Help includes restructuring loans, and the purchase of homes by municipalities and non profits.

Foreclosure is the last stop on the money crisis train for home owners.  Once a home is foreclosed, the lender really does not want to own it.  This is why for the savvy buyer, these homes can be a great deal.

Charlotte foreclosures are no longer just in risky neighborhoods.  The foreclosure crisis has hit all sorts of homes in all types of areas.  Pre-foreclosure, many homeowners and developers are willing to negotiate with a buyer/investor.  If they can walk away with a little cash and satisfied liens, and you have a property for less than the market value, it can be a win – win proposition.

How do you find pre-foreclosure opportunities?  By searching for them on our site!  Our partnership with RealtyTrac enables you to search all Charlotte foreclosure listings.  Pre-foreclosures, foreclosure auctions, and bank owned properties are all at your fingertips on our site, and we can help you make sense of the entire process.  We can also assist you with obtaining financing.  Contact us today to learn more about Charlotte foreclosure opportunities.

Charlotte lofts are a popular lifestyle choice right now.  Whether built brand new, or converted from formerly commercial and industrial space, the convenient locations, ample space, soaring ceilings and light pouring in through large windows make an attractive choice, and are a magnet for urban designers.

The Gallery Lofts in the Third Ward warehouse district have a masonry and metal siding exterior.  These Charlotte lofts feature 20 foot ceilings, stained and sealed concrete floors, and hardwood flooring upgrades. Controlled access parking and private access per plan assure security, and also these spacious lofts feature private decks or a stoop.

Call us to tour the Gallery Lofts and remember, with CondoDomain, we give you money back at closing.

There’s been a lot of attention to nationwide foreclosures in the news lately. The number of foreclosures is up this month, and looks pretty drastic. This is partly because of the moratorium on foreclosures in December and through February, awaiting word from the White House on how the federal government would intervene. Now that the moratorium is over, foreclosed properties that were already set for auction have been again scheduled for sale, and now there is a backlog of them.

Foreclosures are pressuring the real estate market in many cities, but providing many opportunities for home ownership. Formerly investors and “house flippers” were the majority at Charlotte foreclosure auctions. But now, regular home buyers who want a chance at an affordable home are flocking to Charlotte foreclosure auctions.

While foreclosures in huge numbers hammer housing prices, efforts to sell the homes and get them off the market have two benefits. One is that once the large inventory of Charlotte foreclosures is off the market, housing prices can stabilize and a true market value can again be established, with homeowners once again building equity. The second benefit is obvious – the buyer gets a home at a low price.

Buying a Charlotte foreclosure is not without risk, since the buyer is responsible for repairs and all liens against the property, including taxes, construction liens, and second mortgages. When it comes to Charlotte condos, it’s possible to have less risk exposure than with a freestanding house.   We can help you with this. We can give you information about the building, the community, and assisting you in finding out the truth about all outstanding liens. We can also assist you with purchasing any foreclosure you choose, not just a condo.

Here at CondoDomain, we have partnered with RealtyTrac so that you can search all available and pending foreclosures in the Charlotte area. Take a look at these, and then call us with your questions.

Good news for FHA loans! As of last week, there are new maximum loan limits that are available due to the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. These new loan limits are for new and existing loan applications that are submitted with credit approval on or after March 12, 2009.

Here is a list of the 2009 FHA Maximum Mortgage Limits*:

$729,750 for one-unit properties
$934,200 for two-unit properties
$1,129,250 for three-unit properties
$1,403,400 for four-unit properties

These new limits open up the possibilities for many new buyers! Now lenders can go as high as a $729,750 loan amount with only 3.5% down! So if you are in the market to buy and have previously been unable to put 10-20%  down, this is excellent news!

Contact Christina Longo immediately for more information at 978.886.9359

View the all-new Condo Loan Center to learn more information. The Condo Loan Center offers everything from first-time homebuyer programs with down payment assistance, to private mortgage banking with unlimited loan amounts. In addition, the Condo Loan Center has the ability to act as a broker gives clients even more loan programs. Through the Condo Loan Center, you can rest assured that you will be provided with a competitive loan that meets your individual needs.

A complete schedule of FHA’s maximum county mortgage limits can be viewed through the HUD website by clicking here
*the list excludes financed UFMIP or EEM cost

Court 6 in Charlotte is an affordably priced uptown Charlotte building within walking distance to the arena and trolley lines. This four story Charlotte condo features mostly one bedroom apartments, with private balconies, and high ceilings. Cork flooring is throughout, and these spacious Charlotte condos are designed as lofts.

Located just one block east of the arena, Court 6 is in an exciting location in the First Ward. All these Charlotte condo lofts have either a great city view or overlook the garden courtyard.

Call me for more information about Court 6, and to arrange a tour. And remember, when you buy your Charlotte Condo with CondoDomain, we give you money back at closing.