Condo.com

Dominican Republic – December 18, 2009 – Group Metro, one of the leading real estate and transportation companies in the Dominican Republic, recently received a $20 million construction loan from Banco de Reservas de La República Dominicana for Costa Blanca, an exclusive residential golf and beach community located in the Juan Dolio region. With construction well underway, this generous $20 million loan will be allocated to complete the Founder Residences and surrounding areas of Costa Blanca. www.costablanca.com.do

“The 52 exquisite Founder Residences are moving along at a rapid pace most recently reaching the rooflines,” stated Luis Jose Asilis, CEO of Group Metro. “The 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course is also progressing at a steady pace. The irrigation system has already been completed for the first nine holes and we expect them to be ready for grassing before the end of the year,” he added.  

Spanning 580 acres along the coastline of Juan Dolio Beach, just twenty minutes from the Santo Domingo International Airport, Costa Blanca is a billion dollar development that will encompass luxurious residential homes, retail, a full-scale mega-yacht marina, an 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course, private beach and other sporting components. The private golf club house will feature the Hole 19 Bar, fine dining restaurant, cigar lounge, pro shop, conference center, and more.

The General Manager of Banreservas, Daniel Toribio, has confirmed that by approving this loan their Board of Directors is committed to the growth of the real estate market in the Dominican Republic. More specifically in the tourist areas, and therefore they are pleased to partner with Group Metro, a solid and respectable company in the real estate and construction industries, to complete the first phase of Costa Blanca in Juan Dolio.

The Founder Residences have enjoyed tremendous success, with 45 of the 52 Villas already sold. Residents of the Founders are part of the exclusive Founder’s Club, which presents numerous benefits. The Founder’s Club package includes a luxurious 4,500 sq. ft.  private villa with golf, bay or marina views, as well as two condominiums, a private boat slip in the marina, and membership to the prestigious golf club. Members of The Founder’s Club will also enjoy top VIP treatment in addition to various properties and onsite amenities.


About Group Metro

Group Metro has established a formidable international reputation throughout its four decades of experience in transportation, tourism and real estate.  From its landmark property, Metro Country Club, to the oceanfront condominium developments of Costa del Sol, Marbella, Costa Blanca and Las Olas, Group Metro has become the definitive company for real estate and tourism in the Dominican Republic.  Led by CEO, Dr. Luis Jose Asilis, the company has played an integral role in putting the Dominican Republic on the map as a top Caribbean destination.  Further, Group Metro will be one of the first developers in the Dominican Republic to provide flexible financing to buyers. For more information, visit www.groupmetro.com, www.metrocountry.com or www.costablanca.com.do.  

 

Florida? California? Aruba? Thinking of retiring to a tropical destination? Consider Panama – one of the world's top retirement destinations and a world class tourist location, particularly for adventure and eco- tourism.

From its pristine white sand beaches and Hispanic colonial ruins, to its untouched primary rainforest and year-round tropical maritime climate; Panama City, Panama offers an ideal primary residential destination. Panama retirees can enjoy the benefits of a developing economy, take a taxi across town for under $4, get a haircut for $5, or enjoy dinner with a bottle of wine at a trendy Panama City restaurant for under $20 a person. There are also many activities to enjoy including its jazz clubs to art openings to English language theater performances.

Need additional motivation to retire to Panama? Consider the reasonable condominium pricing, and the fact that the government of Panama has the best incentive program in the world for foreign retirees -its incredible pensionado program. Panama's pensionado program was created via Law No. 6 and Law No. 9, both passed in June, 1987. Today, the program still provides pensioners with the most appealing special benefits the world has to offer. Under the pensionado program, retirees are entitled to the following:

•    50% off entertainment, such as movies, theater, concerts, and sporting event
•    30% off bus, boat, and train fares
•    25% off airline tickets
•    30 to 50% off hotel stays
•    15% off hospital bills
•    10% off prescription medicines*
•    20% off medical consultations*
•    15% off dental and eye exams*
•    20% off professional and technical services
•    50% off closing costs for home loans
•    And more…

Additionally, pensionados also receive a one-time exemption on the importation of household goods of up to $10,000, and, additionally, will enjoy an exemption from duties for the importation or local purchase of a car every two years. The government has also set up an additional national and foreign investment program where new properties have a 20-year exoneration period during which investors do not have to pay any kind of real estate property tax.

Rated as the number one place in the Americas for retirement by Modern Maturity magazine (based on safety, cost of living, infrastructure attractions, beauty and climate), Panama’s lifestyle offerings and cultural activities coupled with the gorgeous beaches and great surfing, kayaking and diving, ensures Panama has something for everyone.

Leading online real estate portal, Condo.com has users singing, clapping, and dancing to their new jingle. The jingle video, now on YouTube seen below, demonstrates one way the company likes to have fun while providing users with a one-stop shop for all their Condo needs.



The lyrics tell the site’s story of how Condo.com improves and simplifies the way people buy, sell, rent, and vacation in condos. As the world’s largest condo marketplace, the site has over 800,000 listings for sale and rent in the United States and 70+ countries around the world. With Condo.com, advertisers can list their condo for sale, rent or as a vacation property to over 15 million qualified buyers and renters. Moreover, the site’s expert agents help all their clients find the condo of their dreams. Condo.com also has a great community area filled with blogs and property reviews to help users make the best decision on their condo purchase or rental. Used as a social networking tool, the community offers free tools including a Q & A forum and the ability to upload videos and photos.

Condo.com’s new jingle summarizes all the above features in a video format, one yet to be seen by any other industry competitor. Click the play button above. This video is sure to make you smile!

Holiday Home Buying...Data to Suggest Driven Buyers this Season

Just in time for the holidays- this year buyers are likely to add an unusually large purchase to their shopping carts- a new home! With the great deals on homes made recently available, home buyers are able to take advantage of listings priced at record low discounts this year.

Approximately 44% of homes listed for sale across 27 major markets reduced prices in October, according to a recent survey by ZipRealty. San Diego and Orange County had the greatest seller price cuts in absolute dollars for October with California averaging $52,500 off of original list prices. Miami and surrounding south Florida cities experienced the highest percentage of homeowner price reductions of $40,000 on average. Leading online real estate portal, Condo.com, highlights such reductions in their Bargains section featuring over 60,000 condos listed at below average prices on a per square foot basis. Florida alone makes up nearly half of the site’s bargain listings.

Recent and expected rises in home sales home sales rising can also be attributed to the first-time home buyer tax credit. Originally set to expire on December 1st, the government extended it to April 30, 2010. The tax credit allows first-time buyers to reduce their federal income taxes by 10 percent of the price of a home, up to a maximum of $8,000. The credit was also expanded to include up to $6,500 for repeat buyers who have lived in their homes for at least five years. The effect of the credit can be seen in the types of homes that have been selling. Properties priced below $300,000 lead the way in home sales according to the Sunshine MLS report for October 2009. Condo sales increased 49 percent with 254 closed sales compared to 170 closed sales for last October.

Bottom line…Buyers still hold the power and will likely be browsing homes and condos this holiday season much more than last. It is clear that certain factors such as low interest rates, the federal tax credit, and price reductions by sellers will be driving this buying activity.

We’d like to hear your feedback. What is your prediction on home buyer behavior this holiday season? Submit your answers right here on our blog.

No corporate or personal taxes and financial privacy? These words are music to the ears of inventors wanting to purchase real estate in the Panama region. Panama is the ideal destination for investing and its proximity to Latin American markets makes it a perfect location for world business operations.

From a corporate investment perspective, Panama is a country in much better shape financially than its Central American neighbors to the north, or Colombia to the south. Because of its dollar based economy and stable political situation, sustained by the Panama Canal, Free Trade Zone and international banking, many Fortune 500 companies have relocated to the region. The Panama Canal’s operations in 2001, according to the Panama Canal Authority, generated $630.8 million in total revenues.
 
In addition to its superior location, Panama’s inflation rate is minimal. Its annual inflation rate has averaged 1.4% for the past 30 years, and during the 1990s, it barely exceeded 1% per year.

As an added bonus, Panama’s government offers a number of special programs to foreign investors. They give those who invest in the region attractive incentive packages so they may capitalize and experience a tremendous head start in the business world or corporate growth.

From a residential perspective, Panama is an investment paradise.  Foreigners are able to purchase apartments under the same laws as Panamanian citizens, and they benefit from a property tax exoneration period. From its pristine white sand beaches and Hispanic colonial ruins, to its untouched primary rainforest and year-round tropical maritime climate; Panama City, Panama offers an ideal primary residential destination. Within an hour’s drive from Panama’s modern capital city, residents can explore and enjoy the nation’s hidden paradise. From its endless islands and inlets to its world-renowned tourist attractions, residents can benefit from the region’s healthy economy, cultural offerings and nature destinations.

 

We apologize that we have not been able to sell you real estate up to this point. But, rest assured, there is a reason. To this point, we have been busy attending to the master plan, permitting process, disclosure regulations and every detail necessary to build top-notch world-renowned resorts from the ground up.

ONLY 19 DAYS UNTIL THE RELEASE OF PHASE 2 at Seaside Mariana!

Right now, there remain 6 ocean view home sites starting as low $49,000 at Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort. More Information. If you are in search for beachfront property, there remains only 1 beachfront home site priced at $51,300 at Isla Mariana Beach & Marina Resort. More Information

Join Us for Our Next Webinar: Alternative Investments In Central America

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 Register Here >

Always remember, every purchase through Grupo Mariana Gives Back to the greater good. Your purchase will send 5% of the total sales price to Fundación Grupo Mariana toward achieving our fund-raising goal.

"Nicaraguan Abundance: Live, Invest and Grow," December 3-6 at the Hilton Hotel in Managua, Nicaragua. The deadline for registration is soon approaching, and there are only 5 spaces available so this is a reminder call for all of you who are interested in learning about how to do business, live well and invest in Nicaragua with abundant returns. Calling All Entrepreneur

An Encouraging Sign for a Caribbean Developer Despite a Worldwide Slowdown
Juan Dolio area of Dominican Republic, Through the Efforts of its Most Important Developer, Group Metro, Continues on its Path to Becoming a World Class Destination for Second Homes
 

Nov 04, 2009 – Dominican Republic –  While many real estate developers from around the world are postponing or cancelling projects due to lacklustre sales and inadequate funding, Group Metro, one of the leading real estate and transportation companies in the Dominican Republic has bucked this trend. Group Metro today announced that it closed a US$35 million growth capital investment with Portland Private Equity.  The funds, earmarked for Las Olas, an oceanfront condominium complex in Juan Dolio, will enable the company to continue its expansion plans for the up-and-coming region of the Dominican Republic. www.metrocountry.com.

“Las Olas construction is scheduled to reach the halfway mark before the holidays, so the timing of this capital injection coincides perfectly with our need to purchase important components such as fixtures and finishing elements,” stated Luis Jose Asilis, CEO of Group Metro. “This will allow us to capitalize on cost saving opportunities through bulk advance purchasing of materials, which will be passed on to our clients in the form of a higher quality end product,” he added.

Located in Juan Dolio, 35K from Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, and 15 km from the Las Americas International Airport, Las Olas is a sixteen level Art Deco style beachfront condominium that features 227 apartments showcasing open spaces and panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. Residents will also have exclusive memberships to the nearby Metro Country Club, which features an expansive Clubhouse, the Las Marlins 18-hole golf course, mini golf, tennis courts, swimming pools, restaurants, preferential access to the in-resort Embassy Suites Hotel, and much more.

Portland Private Equity, the private equity manager of the AIC Caribbean Fund, stated, “We are pleased to partner with a fast growing and successful company like Group Metro, the market share leader for beach front condominium apartments in the southern coast of the Dominican Republic,” said Managing Partner Kip Thompson. “We are bullish on this development as it offers many advantages compared to the other tourism dependent real estate projects in the region that we look at.  The Juan Dolio area is fast becoming a suburb to Santo Domingo and the affordable luxury emphasis of Las Olas opens up the opportunity to local and ex-pat Dominicans to buy a condo as a second home.”

Portland Private Equity will also participate on Metro Country Club’s board of directors and will provide the board with global industry insight and international investment banking experience. “In addition to being a strong financial supporter,” continues Asilis, “Portland Private Equity’s participation on Metro Country Club’s board will play a key role in guiding our expansion strategy.”

About Group Metro
Group Metro has established a formidable international reputation throughout its four decades of experience in transportation, tourism and real estate.  From its landmark property, Metro Country Club, to the oceanfront condominium developments of Costa del Sol, Marbella, Costa Blanca and Las Olas, Group Metro has become the definitive company for real estate and tourism in the Dominican Republic.  Led by its visionary CEO, Dr. Luis Jose Asilis, the company has played an integral role in putting the Dominican Republic on the map as a top Caribbean destination.  Further, Group Metro will be one of the first developers in the Dominican Republic to provide flexible financing to buyers. For more information, visit www.groupmetro.com, www.metrocountry.com or www.costablanca.com.do. 

About Portland Private Equity
Based in Barbados, Portland Private Equity is a private equity fund management company currently focused on opportunities in the Caribbean region through its management of the AIC Caribbean Fund (ACF).  Building on Portland’s track record of successful investments throughout the Caribbean region, ACF is a $230 million fund focused on medium-sized businesses.  Companies in its portfolio do business in over 21 countries throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Latin America. For more information please contact Douglas Hewson at dhewson@aicgh.com.

 

Miami, FL. (October 28, 2009) - Condo.com, the world’s largest condo marketplace, proudly announces the hiring of Jason Mizrachi as Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Mizrachi will direct the company’s internet lead generation business with leads being generated for real estate and several related verticals.

Condo.com currently operates an affiliate program with partners in over 25 countries. The company is able to leverage the power of its strong domain to affiliates as both an advertiser and a publisher. New business development in the form of lead generation will focus on Condo.com’s initiatives as a publisher.  Mr. Mizrachi states: “With Condo.com’s position in the real estate vertical, my plan is to aggressively expand to related sub-categories including mortgage, moving, insurance and home services and to seek partners that want the highest quality and significant amounts of leads. With our growing traffic and lead generation platform, we will ensure a strong, consistent position in the space.” 

Online lead generation is considered one of the fastest growing segments of online advertising with an estimated $1.6 billion ad spend last year according to eMarketer.com’s November 2008 report. Condo.com’s strategy is proving to be consistent with such trends in marketing spend. Mr. Mizrachi’s hiring is one step toward their lead generation strategy as he will lead Condo.com’s efforts as a publisher in the Real Estate category along with the other sub-categories. Under his leadership, the company will focus on creating relationships with affiliate networks, agencies, and directly with advertiser clients that are dominant in the space.  

Jason Mizrachi brings 12-years of extensive internet and lead generation experience to Condo.com, as well as 15 years in the sales arena. Prior to joining Condo.com, Jason was the Director of Sales for Internet Advertising Group, Inc. where he oversaw several million dollar sales divisions. He has also held management positions at AT&T Advertising, JCDecaux North America, and Citysearch.com where he led successful marketing and sales initiatives. Mr. Mizrachi obtained a BSC in Communications from the University of Miami.

About Condo.com

Condo.com (http://www.condo.com) is the world's largest condominium marketplace with over 800,000 listings valued in excess of $200 billion. The site receives over 1 million visitors monthly and is dedicated to the evolution and prosperity of the condominium real estate market. Condo.com improves and simplifies the way people buy, rent, sell, manage, market and enjoy the condo lifestyle. Condo.com lists condominiums for sale and for rent in the United States and 70+ countries around the world. The Company cost-effectively delivers exposure and qualified leads to developers, brokers and owners through the seamless distribution of its listings to a global network of real estate websites visited by over 15 million viewers per month. Condo.com is privately held and headquartered in Miami, Florida. For more information visit http://www.condo.com.

Condo.com, one of the fastest growing brokerages in the United States, announced today that they have hired two new expert brokers to manage luxury condo sales in Miami and Miami Beach. The two new additions are Asher and Goldie Ouazanan who will be focusing on oceanfront property sales in South Florida.  These new agents will also be responsible for adding additional expert agents in the region to service buyers and renters looking for condos. 

"Team Ouazanan has an outstanding reputation in South Florida for exceptional service to their clients and we are proud to have them as part of the Condo.com brokerage team" said John Menezes, Director of Brokerage Operations for Condo.com. "We are confident that Asher and Goldie will continue their impeccable service records and help their clients find the condos of their dreams at the best possible prices." 

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Asher Ouazanan was raised between Paris and New York. Along the way, he took an innate interest in real estate and studied urban real estate development at Baruch University in New York City. His dedication to the field was exemplified in his position as a property manager for over 500 units in the city and luxury Manhattan skyline. With aspirations of making his mark on the sunshine state, Asher made the move to South Florida, where he became leasing director for Majestic Properties. The value of being licensed in New York and Florida was proven priceless. Next, he joined the renowned Fortune International Development team as leasing director of sales for luxury projects such as Artech, Jade Ocean & Jade Beach.

Goldie Ouazanan is a superstar agent as well. With over 10 years of experience in luxury real estate sales and an excellent knowledge of oceanfront property from the tip of Miami Beach to Aventura. In addition, Goldie has lent her expertise as an agent to many high profile clients and has worked with many celebrities including Jeremy Piven, Steven Baldwin, Woody Harison and Burt Reynolds.

Condo.com utilizes the latest technology that today's market has to offer, and serves the millions of highly motivated consumers that visit our website on a monthly basis. For more information, please contact, John Menezes at j.menezes@condo.com or by calling 305.476.2060.

Paul Ditmar has been named Central Florida Regional Manager for Condo.com's Luxury Sales Division. He leads a newly created Central Florida Sales Team that covers two regions, Orlando and Melbourne, FL., where he will spearhead the company's residential new home sales, re-sales and rentals.  Paul will be responsible for streamlining a team of experienced and skilled Realtors that will deliver exceptional real estate services in two major market segments.

"Condo.com is quickly becoming the premier brokerage dedicated to the purchasing, leasing and selling of condominiums worldwide and we are happy to add Paul to our team" says John Menezes, Director of Brokerage Operations for Condo.com. "Paul has a superb reputation for helping his clients find and purchase the condo of their dreams in the Orlando area and his addition will give Condo.com users access to his years of expertise in finding the best deals."

Prior to joining Condo.com, Paul enjoyed a fast track career while expanding his Real Estate Business in Central Florida after spending 23 years in the Medical Diagnostic Industry in Senior Level Management positions.   Paul graduated from Boston College with a BS/BA in Marketing and Business.

Condo.com utilizes the latest technology that today's market has to offer, and serves the millions of highly motivated consumers that visit our website on a monthly basis. For more information, please contact, John Menezes at j.menezes@condo.com or by calling 305.476.2060.

Condo.com, a national leader in the on-line real estate world, is proud to announce the recent addition of well-known local Realtor® Sonny Solomon as their new Managing Broker for the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County, joining a rapidly growing team of Realtors® throughout the country. Sonny is responsible for all sales efforts in this prime Florida area and will build a strong sales team that will focus on excellence in customer service and satisfaction. Sonny will also be managing the Luxury Sales Division for the area and will be lending his years of expertise and his impeccable service record to clients looking to purchase luxury properties throughout the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County.

"Our vision for Condo.com is to be a global company and brand. From our internet start-up beginnings just a few years ago, we are now the largest condominium marketplace in the world," stated Richard Swerdlow, CEO of Condo.com. "Condo.com is quickly becoming synonymous with real estate success worldwide for consumers, agents, brokers and developers alike. To ensure we accomplish this strategically, we needed someone like Sonny, with his tremendous breadth of experience, to take this region to a new level. We are fortunate to have him join our team and look forward to his contributions."  Sonny couldn't be more excited about his new association. "Condo.com has built an impressive team with tremendous energy and the sort of talent that any Fortune 500 Company would be thrilled to have. Beyond the people and pace however, it's the opportunity and innovation that's taking shape in the online real estate industry that has me most excited to join the Condo.com team and inspired to execute our vision for the Condo.com brand."

Sonny Solomon has spent more than 30 years in the corporate world, traveling the globe and working alongside everyone from Fortune 500 leaders to factory workers.  Eventually, Sonny decided to focus his experience, passion and years of business knowledge on becoming a real estate broker. "I didn't go into real estate just to sell houses or condos, though. Anyone can do that," Sonny says. "The fact is, I love working with people and I get a lot of satisfaction from helping someone get into the right home for them, in the right place for them. If I don't think you're happy, if I don't think you're ready to buy, of if I don't think the home is good for you, I'll be upfront and talk about it with you. And I'm proud to say that many of my former clients have become personal friends, simply by showing them the respect they deserve."

Sonny offers his clients a seamless turnkey service: From researching, to negotiating pricing, to arranging financing and managing the closing - it's all about protecting their interests.

"I've heard many people say "buying a house or condo is such a stressful experience. But trust me, buying a house is fun. It really just depends who you have as your agent and I have a lot of clients who can attest to that."  That respect for his clients has not only earned Sonny "Top Producer" awards, but it's also made him a mentor to his co-workers and is something he plans to instill in his new team.  Whether you're thinking of a starter home, investment opportunities, or an oceanfront estate, let Sonny make your home buying experience something you never thought possible - easy, stress-free and, most importantly fun.

Are you an agent or broker in the U.S.? Then Condo.com has new career and partnership opportunities for you. We are working to grow our team of real estate brokers, agents and lead referral partners nationwide and have hundreds of available positions.
 
Our brokers, agents and lead referral partners are referred qualified buyer and rental leads and are provided all the tools they need for success in real estate. In addition to having clients referred to them, agents will also receive the following benefits by working with Condo.com. Full marketing support, a CRM account to manage leads, a power agent profile, featured listings on Condo.com, inclusion in the weekly newsletter, Local and Building Expert advertising in service territories and other great tools.
 
The program is FREE to join and we are currently offering some of the best commission splits of any real estate brokerage in the country for brokers, agents and lead referral partners who join our team. This also includes a tiered commission structure that allows agents to increase their commission splits based on closed sales and other opportunities to expand their real estate business.
 
Real estate brokers and agents who are interested in joining the team or who would like more information about working with Condo.com can submit their information by Clicking Here.