Online condo marketplace expands in Florida

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Online condo marketplace expands in Florida $1.5 billion worth of condos up for sale Thursday, October 13, 2005 Inman News Orlando, Fla. U.S. Condo Exchange has added more than $1.5 billion of Orlando and Tampa Bay condominiums to its online condo marketplace, the company said today. The addition marks the second phase of the company's national rollout. The exchangeis dedicated to condominium sales and purchases in the United States. It brings together buyers, sellers, brokers and developers in a central marketplace where condos can be researched, negotiated and purchased online. The exchange launched this past summer with an initial focus on South Florida. The Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg areas represent the next phase of the exchange's nationwide rollout. More than 5,000 condo listings in those regions can now be purchased via the site. "The Orlando and Tampa Bay areas are seeing skyrocketing growth, with the condo market surging to meet the demand," said Richard Swerdlow, chief executive officer of the U.S. Condo Exchange, in a statement. "We wanted to establish a presence in these important markets very quickly, where we will provide a level of efficiency and information to condo buying in the Orlando and Tampa Bay regions that has never before existed," Swerdlow said. Potential buyers can put in a bid for a $3.2 million "penthouse in the sky" on downtown Church St. in Orlando, complete with media room and gym, or a two-level penthouse in the city with views of theme park fireworks for $1.2 million, the company said. More economical choices include a $224,900 two-bedroom condo near Disney World and an outlet mall, or a $159,900-condo near Universal Studios and International Drive, according to the company. The site offers a satellite tour of the region making it possible to zoom in or out to show street names, malls, parks, marinas and view satellite maps that give an aerial perspective of surroundings. USCONDEX, which aims to be the "eBay of the condo market," allows condos to be easily exchanged in an informed and efficient marketplace. The Tampa and Orlando areas represents the second regional addition to the exchange with plans to unveil in Las Vegas this winter, followed by New York, Chicago, Southern California and other major metropolitan areas throughout the country. *** Send tips or a Letter to the Editor to janis@inman.com or call (510) 658-9252, ext. 140. Copyright 2005 Inman News