Archive for the ‘Condominiums’ Category

South Beach Condos In Miami - Luxury Real Estate Condos Are Now Available - Ocean Front Homes

Wednesday, April 18th, 2007

South Beach with the style, the beach, the night life, the history, and its world famous restaurants is a perfect place for anyone who wants the best to call home. Here you may purchase modest condos and ultra luxury condos.

South Beach Real Estate Condos has some of the most luxurious and best located condos you will find anywhere in the world. With the beach, shopping and restaurants just a short walking distance from most of the buildings, life in a South Beach combines the best of all aspects in city living with a seaside community to make it the envy of all who visit here. Most condos in South Beach offer an array of amenities and some are even available at preconstruction prices.Some of the news buildings in South Beach Miami feature such names as Icon South Beach, Continuum, Portofino, Murano Grande, Floridian and the Bentley Bay. Most if not all of the luxury condos are located in the South of Fifth Street. Units in these condo projects range in size from 851 to over 2000 square feet with price ranging from $399,000 all the way up to $14,000 for a 2 story 7,000 sq foot penthouse. As you can imagine the view from MOST of these properties are of the ocean, bay, city and the beach. Lobby common areas will include a coffee and tea bar with afternoon tea service and much, much more.

In 1996 and 1997 the two newest towers in South Beach were the Portofino and the Floridian. Both Rise over 36 floors. These towers were far ahead of their time and have since spurred a huge development boom on the last remaining parcels of land in this small neighborhood.

As additional developments such as Icon South Beach, Murano at Portofino and Murano Grand were built, property values soared to new heights. However The Continuum on South Beach is thought to have the best location of any building in all of South Beach condos. Situated on the South East corner of South Beach Continuum one and two luxury condos have unobstructed direct Ocean and Beach. Continuum one which was completed in 2002, took luxury Miami real state market to new heights. Here you can have a one bedroom all the way up to a 2 level penthouse with 20 foot ceilings.

The Setai luxury condo Residences is a condo residence and condo hotel tower with over 220 units soaring majestically into the sky over the South Beach with a multi-level lobby and all the finest amenities. You may obtain unit in this building from one bedrooms all the way up to and they priced from $1,000,000 to over $8,000,000. Ah, but the penthouses are a different story at the Setai. They are approximately 6,500 square feet, excluding all terraces and private decks with lap pools.

However, the newest benchmark in luxury is set by Apogee South Beach located on the last great waterfront site at the southern tip of South Beach. Apogee is unparalleled when it comes to modern luxury living. There are only four residences per floor. These condos with floor to ceiling glass range in size from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet with prices from $2.5 to $9 million. All units will have a 180 or 270 degree views. Developed by the Related Group of Florida, Apogee was designed by Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership. Units will range in size from 3,200 to over 4,200 square feet.

Designed to have three towering tiers with 25, 31 and 37 floors, Murano at Portofino and

Murano Grande luxury condos also have floor-to-ceiling glass windows bringing in spectacular views of the Miami skyline, beaches and crystal blue waters, and the cruise ships as they embark to and from the Port of Miami. Murano at Portofino and Murano Grande both at the gateway to South Beach. Just steps away from the Miami Beach Marina. Completed in 2002 and 2003 respectively, Murano at Portofino and Murano Grande condo and townhomes condos that range in size from 1300 to well over 4000 square feet. With price from from $750,000 to over $4,000,000.

So why not make South Beach your home or your vacation home.

To find out more about these wonderful real estate condo buildings, choose the South Beach Real Estate expert. Choose Miami Real Estate Trends http://www.miamirealestatetrends.com/pages/SouthBeachPreCon.aspx to sell or purchase a condo in South Beach. Call us today at 305 433-2818!!!

A Look At Luxury In Akoya - Miami Beach

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007

Miami Beach is one the best places to go to year round. There are a number of beach resorts that can offer you the time of your life. You can enjoy the entire day at the beach and even enjoy some skinny-dipping at SoBe (or the South Beach). But when nighttime falls, you can let yourself into one of the popular nightclubs in the district. With the beautiful and festive people of Miami Beach area, you are sure to enjoy this part of Florida. And what’s the best way to truly enjoy the gaiety atmosphere in Miami Beach? Buy yourself a real estate property. Consider Akoya Condominiums in Miami Beach.

The Condominiums have a fantastic panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also enjoy the amazing view of the Miami Beach skyline from Akoya high-rise. The condominium stands a total of 492 feet and has 48 floors all together. You can pick your own abode from 528 units available for occupancy that ranges from 683 sq. ft. to 3,337 sq. ft.

To enjoy Miami Beach and enjoy the luxury life in Akoya Condominiums, you may have to shell out around $300,000 to $1,235,000 per unit.

The Condominiums have eleven units per floor. You would enjoy their floor to ceiling windows that would give you the perfect view of Miami Beach- the sun, the sand and the beach life that has attracted thousands of people to the place. You can get the best out of Miami while enjoying a coffee or a wine on your unit’s wrap around balcony.

Akoya’s interior is also complete with fully functional features. Each unit has a washer and a dryer ready for any occupant to use. It is all set up with luxurious European kitchens where you can prepare your food with ease and comfort. Your unit’s elegant granite counters would definitely impress your guests.

Aside from the luxurious rooms it offers, Akoya also has a number of amenities that you would enjoy. If you are the sporty type, you can enjoy a game or two of tennis at their property tennis court. You can also try to get your hands on some indoor racquetball. If you want to cool up in the waters but would like to enjoy the sun away from the crowd of the Beach, you can dip in Akoya’s swimming pool. To get yourself in top shape, you can spend a few minutes at their state of the art fitness center. You can also relax and enjoy the atmosphere in cabanas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Security would never be a problem. Akoya employs a 24-hour security desk that would attend to your needs 24/7. A valet parking and a secured parking garage are also provided for. Its friendly and approachable staff is also one of the things that Akoya is proud of.

It is located just a few minutes from the famous South Beach and the Art Deco District of Miami. You would enjoy the lively community of Miami with its fashion shops, fine restaurants, and sparkling nightlife. Miami would not be tagged as Entertainment Haven for nothing. So get ready to enjoy life at its fullest at Akoya Miami Beach!

www.miamibeachprestigerealty.com

3rd Street In Downtown Las Vegas - A New Urban Destination?

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

If the developers from the CIM Group have their way, the Lady Luck casino in downtown Las Vegas will soon make way for new retail and entertainment center, complete with 3 new hotel towers, thereby leveraging the Freemont Street Experience by Third street and further enhancing the downtown Las Vegas lifestyle.

Word on the street is CIM is actively making purchase offers to the real estate and business owners along the pedestrian plaza with hopes of strengthening the link between the Lady Luck and the Freemont Street Experience, which draws from 17 to 22 million visitors a year.

And why? Because CIM has already used this formula to revive downtrodden neighborhoods in Los Angeles with a great degree of success. Their goal is to turn downtown Las Vegas into a new urban destination. And they have the deep pockets to make it a reality.

The Lady Luck was purchased in 2005 by Andrew Donner of Las Vegas and has been closed since early 2006 with not much happening at all - a source of annoyance to many city officials (including the mayor). But since CIM bought into the project, the mood has changed drastically. In fact, CIM comes to the table with a $4 billion urban real estate portfolio backed by the California Public Employees Retirement System. News such as this continues to be cited as evidence that there is great economic potential to be tapped into Downtown Las Vegas.

Have you bought a high rise or a mid rise condo there yet? More and more signs point to that being a smart decision.

Ron Costa ron@vegasnnn.com 702-688-6454

www.vegasnnn.com

www.gozoneprojects.com

Read my high rise blog: http://highrises.blogspot.com

Austin’s Identity Crisis for Downtown Austin Real Estate

Thursday, October 5th, 2006

I don’t know if you’ve noticed— it’s certainly hard to miss— but the landscape around Austin is changing. As is the skyline. As is the… well, the feel of the city. The flavor.

Some Austinites are not excited about the changes going on. The corporations moving in, the family-owned and operated businesses go down while the thirty-six story condos go up. People who have lived here all their lives (or even just more than ten years) say that this is a different city than the one they remember. Back when they might not even have called Austin a “city.”

There was a time when Motorola was just a type of phone people had, not a place where they worked. When video games were a thing people played, not designed. Where Dell was a thing from a song about a farmer, not a computer company. In short, there was a time when Austin was a big, friendly village where everyone seemed to know everyone.

Now, it’s hard to see the sky without noticing the foreboding skeleton of an incoming condominium projects or a crane in your periphery. Developers are buying up land and displacing local businesses in order to get the best spot downtown for a high rise that will dwarf all the others, that will sell for more money, that will be nicer and closer to all the downtown Austin attractions.

But what are those attractions?

There will always be a Congress Bridge, and so there will always be bats. But will people want to walk from the Sheraton to see them, then get a drink at the Coyote Ugly Saloon franchise? Will they want to eat at the Baby Acapulco’s? What will make the town special when Las Manitas is gone, when all the little businesses that got us to this point are gone, and the only choices for restaurants are in the lobbies of the newest hotels?

What will make Austin Austin? It’s a good question.

It’s easy to see that the city has lost some its appeal. Its uniqueness, its originality. Big business has a way of doing that. But is it so bad? Is it really true that there will be nothing left?

Those small, local places brought people here, it’s true. And they certainly gave Austin its flavor. But millions more people are here now. The city has grown by leaps and bounds. People still need places to live. And the more people there are, the more money is being spent. There is much to be thankful for when we think about this new “bigger” Austin. The Austin real estate market values go up. Many businesses prosper. The city has more money to improve infrastructure and city services like parks. It’s called progress, and it hard to allow it to change some of what we love, but it will be okay.

The key is that the people are still here. The same people that made Austin the coolest city in the… well, in my opinion in the entire country —are still here. They’re still waving at you from their yard, still smiling at you on the street. The buildings aren’t the personality in the city —the people in them are. So let’s make sure those people don’t go anywhere, and we’re all gonna be just fine. Yes, we may have to part with a couple businesses and landmarks dear to our hearts, but as long as Austinites keep true to what we love about this city, it is not going to turn into strip malls block after block. Love Austin for what it was and look forward to a new adventure.

Ki Gray works for Austin Real Estate and Homes a small company in Austin Texas. Their website provides a search of the Austin MLS along with information on Austin Condos

Austin Condos-A Great Real Estate Investment In Any Economy

Sunday, October 1st, 2006

Many people discover Austin condos because after falling in love with Texas’ capital city. Austin, Texas condos for sale move fast on the real estate market. The location of Austin condos lures many people. CNN ranks Austin as the third fastest growing area in the United States.

Many people seek to buy Austin condos because of the natural beauty that surrounds the area. Many Austin, Texas condos for sale, located near Lake Travis, lure celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock and Lance Armstrong. You may see Armstrong cycling near Lake Travis from select Austin condos.

Fishermen seek to buy Austin condos near Lake Travis because of the waters attract some of the greatest catches. Four types of bass, sunfish and catfish swim in the waters of Lake Travis. Austin, Texas condos for sale close to the lake go fast. Others purchase these Austin condos because of their proximity to the lake and their need to play on the water. Parasails and water skiers line Lake Travis almost every weekend.

Nature walkers, seen every time of day on Lake Travis, revel in the beauty of the area near Austin condos. Beautiful foliage and a variety of wildlife calls the area home.
Sunsets and sunrises draw many to the lakeshore. Many people looking for Austin, Texas condos for sale love the untouched landscape of the area. The natural beauty lures many to buy Austin condos near the lake.

Residents of Austin condos near Lake Travis dine at one of more than a dozen restaurants featuring a variety of cuisine. The fine dining and outdoor activities emphasize the value of Austin, Texas condos for sale. Very few Austin condos offer the amenities found on Lake Travis.

Austin condos containing all the furnishings sell quickly. Three bedroom Austin, Texas condos for sale attract people wanting a family home or a weekend getaway for relatives and guests. Guests bedrooms containing DVD players, televisions and VCRs give visitors an opportunity to watch their own programs without disturbing their hosts. Many people buy Austin condos only to entertain guests on the weekend.

Downtown Austin features every kind of entertainment available near Austin condos. Known for its eclectic music venues, many celebrities travel to Austin to enjoy the night life. Many of these celebrities rent Austin, Texas condos for sale for a short period of time while visiting Austin. Other entertainment near Austin condos lines the streets of downtown—-museums, theaters and restaurants.

Three professional sports teams play near Austin condos. Drive just an hour from Austin condos to see the world champion San Antonio Spurs play. Sports lovers seek Austin Texas condos for sale to enjoy all the city offers.

Austin condos sell fast due to the recent interest in the city from national media outlets. Austin, Texas condos for sale move faster than any other property. With many of them fully furnished Austin condos, buyers pay top dollar for these properties. As many people seek natural beauty close to nightlife and a large city, Austin condos will not remain on real estate markets long.

Ben Jordan is a x-Fortune 500 Texas Real Estate Investor and marketing consultant has consulted realtors, and other Austin condos buyers, sellers, and investors in Texas.

A Luxury Austin Condo Offers the Best of Both Worlds For Homeowners

Friday, September 29th, 2006

CNN and Forbes magazine ranked Austin, Texas as the third fastest growing suburb in the United States and many people desire to live in an Austin condo. But not all luxury Austin homes offers the best in rural and city life. The Villas on Travis provide an Austin condo with the beauty of the rural outdoors with the best of ‘city life’ only a short drive away.

Fisherman flock to Lake Travis to take advantage of the great catches found in the lake, located just outside the Austin condo. Others may not fish, but desire to spend a leisurely day on Lake Travis in a canoe or pontoon boat.

Very few luxury Austin homes provide this plethora of lakeside views and recreation so close to home. If you avoid the water, you can take a gorgeous nature walk near the lake and enjoy the outdoor beauty near the Austin condo.

If you prefer city life, you can drive into the city from your Austin condo and taste all the city offers. Restaurants, dance clubs, theaters and museums line the streets of Texas’ capital city giving residents many options to soak up all the city offers near luxury Austin homes.

Three professional sports teams call Austin home and you can take a short drive to San Antonio to see the world champion San Antonio Spurs. You will fine everything but boredom near your Austin condo!

Many people value their privacy in an Austin condo —particularly celebrities. Security and comfort drew many celebrities, such as Sandra Bullock, Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey to luxury Austin homes. No one gets into the Villas on Travis without going though one of three gates monitored 24-hours a day. This keeps away “undesirables” such as criminals and the paparazzi hoping to get a picture of one of Austin’s famous residents living in an Austin condo.

If you run into Sandra Bullock or Lance Armstrong, invite them to dine in your Austin condo. You can impress them with the amenities in the luxury Austin homes. If the fun continues until the wee hours of the morning, invite guests to stay in your Austin condo. Guests feel at home in your Austin condo and may want to stay forever.

Since the Villas on Travis offer rural and city living, an Austin condo provides the perfect romantic setting for a weekend getaway. Dine at one of the best restaurants in Austin before returning to the Austin condo for a romantic evening by the fire. Nothing beats the view from luxury Austin homes at the Villas on Travis and the sunset (or sunrise!) at the lake caps of an intimate experience.

Ben Jordan is a x-Fortune 500 Austin Real Estate Investor and marketing consultant has consulted Realtors, and other Austin condo buyers, sellers, and investors in Texas.

Apogee South Beach - Luxury, Elegance and Comfort

Friday, August 25th, 2006

Their unparalleled design plan and state of the art technology is the work of renowned design firm Yabu Pushelberg. Firm partners George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg both received the honor of induction into Interior Design Magazine’s “Hall of Fame”. Each lavishly designed condominium unit is bound to exceed the expectations of even the most meticulous buyers.

The building developer is Jorge Perez, CEO of The Related Group of Florida. Mr. Perez has several previous accomplishments including the Murano Grande, the ICON, the Portofino, and the Murano at Portofino. To date, the Apogee is the top upscale creation since the inception of The Related Group over twenty-five years ago.

Condo owners will be delighted with both the abundant terrace space and gorgeous breathtaking views at this 22 story building located on a 2.88 acre plot. Those that love to cook will enjoy the thoughtfully designed summer kitchens. Now you can prepare a palate pleasing meal while still enjoying the warm weather and relaxing scenery. With 500 feet of unobstructed views, friends and family can dine outdoors surrounded by an impressive glimpse of the beach and city sites. Indoor chefs will delight in the three different kitchen styles to choose from including the Connoisseur, Entertainer, and Gourmet style kitchen.

Although the Apogee South Beach contains some of the most spacious interior floor plans around, ranging from 3,000 to over 4,500 square feet, the comforting environment offers residents a sense of both peace and tranquility. Each unit has its own elevator and private two car garage with air conditioning and valet service. Unlike other condominium properties, the Apogee contains only four private residences per floor, all with flow through design. In total, the building houses 67 separate units, each with a wealth of amenities and top notch features.

With all that Apogee has to offer, only a limited number of condominium properties will remain available. Why not schedule a private tour and get a first hand glimpse of this luxurious welcoming environment coupled with smart technological living.

Erena Stus
www.miamibeachprestigerealty.com

Condominiums - Sharing the City

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006

Though condos can built anywhere, perhaps one of the most appealing things about them is that they afford people a high quality lifestyle in expensive high-density areas. Million dollar luxury condos aside, condominiums in desireable areas are typically cheaper than single family homes. If you work and play in the city, buying a condominum can put you in the right place at the right time - all the time.

CONDOS - HOW DO THEY DO IT?

The term condominium refers to a type of ownership rather than type of unit. Condos can be lowrise, highrise, lofts, warehouse spaces or ground level townhomes. When you buy a condo, you own the unit as well as a share of all common amenities: shared spaces, facilities and services. In some cases, condominium owners also own the land the unit sits on.

Essentially, what’s shared and how it’s shared defines the nature of condominium ownership. In contrast, single family homeowners are wholly responsible for everything themselves. This gives them greater autonomy but also a greater finacial burden. Condominium owners on the other hand, pay home association dues or condominium fees that help cover shared costs and labour for the community. These fees cover general maintenance issues like landscaping, exterior paint, heat, water, roofing and insurance along with luxury perks like swimming pools, fitness gyms, saunas, parking garages, security, playgrounds and party rooms.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION…AND MONEY

Though condos can built anywhere, perhaps one of the most appealing things about them is the fact that they afford people a high quality lifestyle in expensive high-density areas. Million dollar luxury condos aside, condominiums in desirable areas are typically much less costly than single family homes. If you work and play in the city, buying a condominium can put you in the right place at the right time - all the time.

A survey of of over one thousand condo owners released by the NAHB in 2007, revealed that for people who purchased condos over the last two years, price and location topped their list of priorities at 70%. This was followed closed by design and size of the unit and the desirability of the neighborhood overall.

So though the pools and workout rooms are absolutely lovely, where you swim and workout still matters a great deal. For people looking to invest and have a greater level of control over where they live than renters, buying urban real estate in the form of condominium ownership is a dream come true.

It’s a fact that Minneapolis’s mix of historic architecture, culture and natural beauty make the downtown core a great place to be. Chosen by Frommers as one of the top places in the world to visit in 2007 - it’s certainly one of the most desirable urban locations in the Northeast. For years, the thriving economy and job market have been attracting young professionals looking for opportunity.

In Minneapolis, developers are continually addressing this demand by building well-designed, affordable condos in the downtown core. Loft apartments, studio spaces and conversions are being snapped up by all kinds of people. Those starting their careers, young families, single men and women and even students who would otherwise be stuck paying rent are venturing into the Minneapolis real estate market. Stylish and affordable downtown condo developments like Olin Crossings are loved for the way they allow people to live and raise their families exactly where they work and play. Forget the suburbs and mind-numbing commutes. With the business district, arts district, walking trails and light rail just steps from the front door what are you waiting for?

Andy Asbury is an Accredited Buyer’s Rep and Realtor. Minneapolis Loft and Condo specialist with Minnesota’s Asbury Group. Visit Andy online at http://www.minneapolisloftsandcondos.com or call him direct at 612.616.3058 for information on the Olin Crossings Condo Development

Highrises - Fact, Fiction, Fun, and For Sale

Monday, July 10th, 2006

Unlike the term “skyscraper”, the term “highrise” has a fairly widely accepted definition, though the definition DOES vary somewhat depending on the perspective of the definer. According to Emporis, a real estate data firm headquartered in Germany, a highrise is a multi-storied building with a minimum of 12 floors, OR reaching a height of at least 115 feet. While these are probably the most widely accepted requirements, there are others.

The International Conference on Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings defines a highrise as “any structure where the height can have a serious impact on evacuation”, while many in the construction industry consider anything between 75 - 491 feet a highrise, and anything over 492 a skyscraper. Regardless of the minimum height, the maximum height is going UP all the time, so, if living above the city - or even above the clouds - is you thing, read on.

Highrise history goes back a long way, back at least to the Romans who had buildings up to 8 stories high, despite the fact that technology did not allow for water to be pumped up that far. Walled cities in the middle ages meant city space was limited, giving “rise” to highrises from 11 to 14 stories in 16th century Britain. One of the big drawbacks about these historic highrises was the obvious lack of elevators, forcing the unlucky residents to climb many, many steps. The 202 foot London Monument, completed in 1677 (and still standing!), has 311 steps winding up its spiral staircase, while Toronto’s CN Tower, completed in 1976 boasts a ridiculous 2,579 stairs - the tallest metal staircase in the world! Not surprisingly, it was the invention of elevators, along with water pumps, steel, and steel-reinforced concrete that gave us the modern highrise.

Steel was very important in the development of the highrise. In 1884 Architect William Le Baron Jenney designed a building whose entire weight was supported by a steel frame. It was Chicago’s Home Insurance Building, only ten stories high, but the first of its kind: the world’s first skyscraper. At around this time, England was also building towers and highrises, including Shell Mex House which actually measured taller than the Home Insurance Building. A complaint from Queen Victoria soon put a stop to English highrises, however, but by this time Chicago’s attention had turned eastward, to what would become the tallest city in America.

While Chicago has the tallest building in the U.S. (the Sears Tower - 1,729 ft) New York City has the most tall buildings - a whopping 195 buildings OVER 492 feet. And while New York will be challenging Chicago’s tallest building title with the construction of Freedom Tower (1,776 ft), Chicago will trump that in 2010 with the construction of the Chicago Spire (2,000 ft.). And on it goes. While Chicago and New York have the tallest and the best, most North American cities have a couple of noteworthy skyscrapers. San Francisco has the regal Trans America Pyramid, Atlanta has the 1023 foot Bank of America Plaza, Philadelphia has the new deco style One Liberty Place, and Cleveland - yes, even Cleveland - has the lofty Key Tower.

While the bigger skyscrapers have traditionally been built as a combination of office space and a massive symbol of a city’s economic power, today, many of the nation’s tallest buildings offer condominium and loft space. Some, like Chicago’s Spire, with 1,200 luxury condos, are completely residential, others, are a mix of condos, hotel suites, and retail space. Las Vegas’s City Center is a prime example of the latter type of real estate development: four unique and spectacular towers, offering a range of luxurious condos atop 500,000 square feet of retail space, services and amenities. These are just some of the more extravagant examples of the types of amazing homes available today in America’s highrises.

Brian Enright is a representative of Highrises.com your first stop for Chicago Condos and Las Vegas Condos. Highrises.com provides customers with all the information they could ever need to find the perfect highrise condo.

Condos - The Kids Just Love Them

Monday, July 10th, 2006

What is it about cities that continues to draw the best and brightest? Since time began, the choice of where to live has been driven primarily by the search for food. People settled near rivers and bays where fishing was good, in landscapes abundant with vegetation, natural shelter and intrinsic beauty. They favored water and good vantage points. They built relationships and trade, shelter and security. They shared resources.

Not much has changed. Today, people continue to be drawn to our major urban centers for their abundance - culturally, socially and economically. Though you’ll be hard pressed to find any wild antelope, the hunting’s particularly good right now in the form of jobs. Our modern cities hold vast amounts of wealth in the form of information, technology, art and novelty making them magnets for young people looking for an opportunity to tap in. But where are they living?

IT’S ALL ABOUT LOCATION

As the population swells and available land is gobbled up, the younger generation is finding that even with great jobs, they’ve been effectively priced out of the urban housing market. Many first time home buyers will make compromises, accept the idea of commuting and start looking outside of the city. But for most first time home buyers without children, it’s all about location and lifestyle. The idea of fleeing to distant suburbs and outlying areas just to own property is simply too boring to mention. Mowing lawns on Saturdays? I think not. Your average young professional just wants a piece of the pie and a place to call home.

Well if they’re not still living with their parents or renting, they’re buying condominiums. According to the 2005 American Housing Survey (AHS), about 27 percent of all condo owners in the US are under 35 years old and 43 percent have incomes under $35K.

Not surprisingly, in a 2007 survey of condo owners released by the NAHB, a whopping 86 percent of those under 35 purchased a condo as their first home and more of them bought in the inner city than any other age group. The survey also revealed that price and location was the top-rated priority among all condominium buyers in the last two years. Certainly, there’s no cheaper way to buy a home close to the action when you want to live in an area where real estate is at a prime.

Condos aren’t just the low-rent version of buying a home though. In places like Seattle, the urban condominium market continues to grow - with appreciation rates out pacing those of single family homes in 2006. Condominiums provide a low maintenance option similar to renting while affording the luxury of owning real estate in busy metropolitan area. In the right location, they also provide access to a wide range of jobs, social networks and economic opportunities that typically appeal to those starting their careers.

Brian Enright is a rep for Highrises.Com, an international service connecting high-rise condo buyers and sellers. Want to relocate? Highrises.com gives clients everything they need to search for the perfect condo in any major US city - all online. For more information visit the website at http://www.highrises.com