Does Betty White Own a Condo?
We'll bet she does. Not that it's that much of a leap. After all, lots of people own condominiums. But we like Betty White, and she's been quite the media butterfly again recently, which led us to wonder "does Betty White own a condo?"
You don't have to be glued to the TV or have your head buried in supermarket checkout aisle magazines to know about Betty White. The charming and tough 89 year-old comedien and actress has experienced a sort of career rebirth recently, dropping salty language as host of Saturday Night Live and being tackled in the mud by a football player for a TV commercial. She's also a star, along with Valerie Bertinelli, in the current series Hot in Cleveland. It's a long way from her appearances on television game shows and talk shows in the 1950s and '60s, her role as Sue Ann in the 1970s on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and--most famously--her long-running character Rose on the TV sitcom Golden Girls in the 1980s. In fact, Betty, who married for the third time at age 41, recently told a writer at AARP Magazine that sex got better with age. Go, Betty!
Does Betty White own a condo? No doubt she has a sprawling home befitting a successful Hollywood personality, but somewhere in the world, we think she enjoys condo living, too. Choosing a condo has nothing to do with wealth. Rather, it's about independence, maintenance-free living and lifestyle. It's about having something of your own, be it penthouse or garden-level, luxury to affordable.
We like the possibility that Betty White owns a condo. We'll help you find your condominium, no matter where it may be.
Chicago Weather Forecast: Condos Galore!
There are not many things more beautiful than lightly falling snow. We just peered outside to predict the Chicago weather forecast: condos galore!
Yes, it's a classic winter day at OwnACondo.com World Headquarters, and even from the sliver of a basement window that we have access to here in the blogging department, we can't help but feel happy. Each flake so unique, so numerous...kind of reminds us of the current condo market. There is really so much to choose among.
The temperature is cold, but not oppressively so as winters go. We'll take 28 degrees F and some pretty snow over those paralyzing single-digit temps any day. It's hard to even function in such weather. No wonder people head south for the winter. But with the extreme weather in Atlanta these past few days, you might want to set your sights even further south if a winter getaway is your goal.
But while the snow is falling and people are bracing for the weather, the shoveling and the long commutes, consider what a great time it is to do your condo search. Use the advanced technology offered by OwnACondo.com to learn about and find condos that match your specific criteria from the comfort of your office and home. Then, with the help of one of our caring, dedicated real estate agents, you can continue your search by actually visiting condos that interest you.
A key component of your search is condo financing, so don't forget that important step. We can help there, too. Condo owners are going to want to see that you have a green light from a lender before throwing open their doors.
Take advantage of the Chicago weather forecast: condos galore! Get started today.
Maureen Nesbitt
Fan mail...we get fan mail. Maureen Nesbitt, one of our many condo buyer specialists, is the latest recipient.
Our fan mail comes in the form of letters, emails, phone calls and sometimes even a floral bouquet or a box of sweets with a pretty bow attached. And, truth be told, we ocassionally...but only very ocassionally...get complaint mail. How often? Oh, about once per occurence of Halley's Comet, which means the next complaint letter will arriving in...let's see... the year 2061. We can only imagine what postage will cost in 2061, although by that time, you're likely to hear "Letters? Postage? What are these strange concepts you speak of?"
The latest letter of thanks comes from Ninia S., who recently relocated to a condo in Oak Park, Illinois. The letter was completely unsolicted and it surprised us by its arrival. But knowing Maureen, we're actually not surprised at all.
Earlier in December, 2010, Ninia wrote:
"I am sending this letter to express my sincere appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Maureen Nesbitt. In my opinion, Maureen has gone above and beyond her call of duty.
About two weeks ago, I called the OwnACondo.com office...I was under the gun and needed to see properties right away. Once Maureen knew what I was looking for she began to send me listings right away. She has always been prompt at setting up the appointments and with getting back to me. She literally went through rain, sleet and snow to show me units that she thought would fit my needs.
She never pressured me into deciding on a unit that I really didn't want. She even gave me helpful hints and tips about the area and about being at my desired price point. From the day we met, I felt Maureen had my best interest at heart.
I believe Maureen is a great asset to your company and I wish her continued success."
Her colleagues at OwnACondo.com know that Maureen Nesbitt gets more compliments and thanks than we can shake a copy of a condo decs and bylaws at. But, like customer experiences everywhere, few people are actually motivated enough to compose a letter or an email when they are happy with the service they receive. That's just the way things are in this busy world, which makes Ninia S's letter all the more appreciated.
Maureen is the company's senior condo buyer specialist. She's been with OwnACondo.com since day one, which doesn't go back quite as far as the last appearance of Halley's Comet in 1986, but close (she joined the company in 1997 as its first sales associate). Maureen singlehandedly sold out the first several entire condo projects the company undertook in those days, and she continues helping people buy real estate to this very day.
Maureen points out she simply serviced Ninia the way she deserved to be serviced. "I didn't do anything more than give her my time, my knowledge and my attention, to the best of my ability," says Maureen. We have a feeling Maureen is being far too modest.
OwnACondo.com serves condo buyers with an entire team great condo specialist Realtors. Maureen Nesbitt is the latest to receive praise from one of our many satisfied consumers thanks and she definitely won't be the last. Keep watching this space for more news about our specialists and how they can help you find your dream condo.
Foreclosed Condos
As the number of foreclosures steadily increases, so do the opportunities to take advantage of the slumping housing market and to take the leap from renting to owning. Foreclosed condos are affordable investments that can provide you with the potential for return in your future. Now is the perfect time to purchase your own property instead of throwing all of your money away paying monthly rent.
If you have been stuck in the viscous cycle of renting for a number of years now is the time to break the cycle. Monthly rents are on the rise in order to accommodate a number of rising costs. Energy prices are steadily increasing and so are property taxes as cash strapped cities and villages that are running out of other options. With monthly rents on the rise, how much longer will you be able to afford the cost of living?
Instead of throwing your money away every month you could be applying your monthly payments towards your own property. The money that you spend every month will be recouped when you sell your property. Instead of merely paying a price to live somewhere, you will be investing in property that you will be able to sell for a profit in the future. If you purchase a foreclosed property that is selling below market value and you hang on to the condo for a couple of years until the real estate market improves, you will see a significant increase in value.
Foreclosed condos are selling well below market value. Banks are requiring low down payments in order to get rid of the properties. There are many incentives currently available for buyers. You may find that the monthly payments on foreclosed condos may be even cheaper than the monthly rent payments that you were making. There are also a number of tax incentives that are being offered to first time buyers and anyone that purchases a personal residence.
With the high number of these condos available you can even be selective in which unit that you choose. Many complexes have several condo units that are being foreclosed on and you will be able to find a condo that has the number of baths and bedrooms that you would like. Many of the condos are new construction or have recently been remodeled. It is a complete fallacy that foreclosed condos are in a state of disrepair or are old and dilapidated.
Condo Sales
The American dream of owning your own home has changed over the last couple of decades. The dream is still alive but the options have changed dramatically. One of the fastest growing segments of property sales today is condo sales. Owning a condo has many things in common with owning a traditional home, but it is the differences that count. It is important before you make that jump into home ownership that you know whether a traditional home or condo is right for you.
First of all, what is a condo? Condos resemble apartments in many ways. They can consist of several units in the same building or complex, with common areas like courtyards, lobbies, pools, etc. that are shared by everyone. But condos, as opposed to apartments are owned by the individual tenants and not just rented. When you purchase a condo you may be giving up some privileges but gaining in others. It is this balance of benefits that will be most helpful when deciding what type of property to buy.
One area that you need to investigate before you buy a condo is the prices of similar properties that have sold in the complex or complexes in the immediate area. Condo sales in the area can tell you if the price you are offering is too high or too low. A comparative analysis will also tell you how long units in that complex have been on the market, if prices have been reduced, how many units are for sale, and the prices in which they sold. With the ever changing real estate market it is important to be aware of all of these things to get the best value for your money.
Not all real estate agents are familiar with the nuances of condo sales. Real estate transactions are most likely the biggest financial investment most people will experience in their lifetime, so it is even more important to find the right person for the job. But how do you choose the right person for the job? First of all with most any financial transactions you will want to make a thorough search which can be done quite easily by attending open houses to see how agents work and to meet them first hand. Ask the prospective agent how long they have been licensed, how long they have worked in the condo market and how many sales they have closed in recent months. Ask for references and talk to your friends and family about who they would recommend and why. Once you have found the right agent you are well on your way to realizing the American dream of home ownership.
Miami Condos
If you are looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle, maybe in a popular downtown location or near the beach there is no better place to look than Miami Condos. Living in a condo in Miami can offer many benefits that you will not find in a home in the suburbs. They can offer more plentiful amenities from beach access, pools, golf courses, lawn maintenance and much more. All of these things offer a different lifestyle that many find appealing but there are a few things you might want to consider.
- Condos usually have an association that has guidelines, some may be casual but others can be strictly enforced. Get a copy of the rules and guidelines and make sure they will fit in with your lifestyle. Being at odds with the association and possibly your neighbors can make home a much less appealing place to live.
- Many Miami condos come with a variety of benefits but also a cost. Most associations have fees that cover many of the amenities which convinced you to entertain the idea of condo living in the first place. Some associations charge a small maintenance fee to cover the basics but depending on the extravagance of what are offered in your complex they can run much higher. Associations are anxious to provide you with their list of fees, what they cover, and what is expected of you as an owner. One last thing to consider regarding fees is to find out if the association is planning on any improvements or upgrades that can raise costs.
- Before you jump at that Miami condo find out about the community you are buying into. Does it fit the lifestyle you want? What is the financial status of the condo association? How many units are vacant? How many units are rented? If possible, talk to some of the owners and find out if they are happy living there, how well the complex is being run, or if they have had past problems and how those problems were resolved. You are buying into an entire community and it is important that you know all you can before making a decision.
There are many Miami condos in all types of locales from downtown Miami to Coconut Grove to Key Biscayne offering something no matter your taste or budget. No matter if you are retiring to south Florida to sit on the beach or find a vacation property there can be no more exciting location than Miami.
