The DC Condo Loft » Press Release

Burglar Alarms Have Come a Long Way

Tammy Barbee — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:50:30 +0000

We spend most of the time on The DC Condo Loft, and at CondoDomain.com, talking about new home opportunities, neighborhood developments that may influence where you want to live and generally have a lot of information and insight to help you find the best new place to live in DC. Today we’ll take a quick break to talk about something you should consider AFTER you move into your new home. We all know car alarms have pretty much had their day in the sun. That loud squawking going off in the middle of the night is just as likely to get your grill smashed in by an annoyed neighbor as it is to prevent a theft. But home alarms…those have come a long way. Is it really worth getting a home alarm? In most cases, yes it is. Right off the bat, there is a good chance that having a burglar alarm installed will reduce your home insurance payments. That’s an easy one to measure. Next, modern alarm systems are now networked right into emergency services. This means that if something happens, you can focus on getting to safety first, and 911 after that. Finally, alarm systems these days often come with additional monitoring features for fire, carbon monoxide and other “bad things you don’t want in your home.” A home alarm can help you care for your loved ones, valuables and keepsakes even if you aren’t home (or conscious) to do it yourself. There are several powerful systems out there for you to choose from. One innovative start up is making some big waves in the industry. A company called SimpliSafe has developed a wireless, easy to install home security system that requires no long term commitment (other companies often do but SimpleSafe has no commitment obligation at all). Although we encourage you to explore a few different options, we were impressed with SimpliSafe when a client first introduced us to them and have enjoyed getting to know them better. Are any of you impressed (or disappointed) with an alarm system out there that you have used? What’s your inside scoop?

We all know car alarms have pretty much had their day in the sun. That loud squawking going off in the middle of the night is just as likely to get your grill smashed in by an annoyed neighbor as it is to prevent a theft. But home alarms…those have come a long way.

Is it really worth getting a home alarm? In most cases, yes it is. Right off the bat, there is a good chance that having a burglar alarm installed will reduce your home insurance payments. That’s an easy one to measure. Next, modern alarm systems are now networked right into emergency services. This means that if something happens, you can focus on getting to safety first, and 911 after that. Finally, alarm systems these days often come with additional monitoring features for fire, carbon monoxide and other “bad things you don’t want in your home.” A home alarm can help you care for your loved ones, valuables and keepsakes even if you aren’t home (or conscious) to do it yourself.

There are several powerful systems out there for you to choose from. One innovative start up is making some big waves in the industry. A company called SimpliSafe has developed a wireless, easy to install home security system that requires no long term commitment (other companies often do but SimpleSafe has no commitment obligation at all). Although we encourage you to explore a few different options, we were impressed with SimpliSafe when a client first introduced us to them and have enjoyed getting to know them better.

Are any of you impressed (or disappointed) with an alarm system out there that you have used? What’s your inside scoop?

CondoDomain.com Secures a Significant Private Investment

Tammy Barbee — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:43:31 +0000

The Leading Online Broker for City Real Estate Solidifies Growth Plans by Securing Capital and Adding Industry Leader Bret Violette to the Board of Directors New York, NY – January 11, 2011 – CondoDomain continues to enhance its value for customers, build its executive team and expand operations. The company just closed a significant private investment round led by angels including several industry leaders including Bret Violet. The company is the leading national real estate broker focusing exclusively on the specific needs of city condominium, loft and townhouse homebuyers with a superior online experience, expert local agents and cash refunds to clients. “This capital will allow us to grow our current markets, expand brokerage operations into the balance of the top-twenty U.S. cities and will enable us to ensure that our technology and employee infrastructure are up to the challenge” said President & COO Hoyt Morgan. “Bret’s addition to the team gives us an unbelievable resource as we make key business decisions.” Bret Violette, winner of the Inman 2005 Innovator of the Year Awardandelected to Inman’s 100 Most Influential Leaders (brokerage category) in 2007 & 2008, teams up with CondoDomain’s Founder and CEO, Anthony Longo, who was recently nominated for the 2010 Inman Innovator of the Year Award. “I am excited to join Anthony, Hoyt and the CondoDomain team,” said Bret Violette. “This company has the technology, web presence and agent philosophy to dramatically change the city real estate landscape for the better – in fact they already are doing it. Our super-efficient business model means we can do more with less and the biggest winner here is our customer.” As an executive consultant and member of the Board of Directors, Bret’s role will be expansive. His key focus will be assisting with the implementation of technology and methodology to enhance the customer experience, expanding the current agent recruiting, hiring and training programs, and solidifying the 100% in-house real estate agent experience. Prior to joining CondoDomain, Bret was most recently President of RealEstate.com where he started and grew the brokerage operation in 20 markets, to 1,500 agents and to over $30M in revenue, all in three years. He has also served as President of Weichert Lead Network and Weichert Rental Network, as well as CFO and VP of Business Development for YHD Foxtons. CondoDomain is a premium real estate brokerage, offering best-in-class online and agent experiences. The team’s experience in premium real estate service, new model real estate and building great real estate brands and businesses will help continue the company’s aggressive growth and most importantly enhance the company’s commitment to the customer. About Conease visit: www.CondoDomain.com.

The Leading Online Broker for City Real Estate Solidifies Growth Plans by Securing Capital and Adding Industry Leader Bret Violette to the Board of Directors

New York, NY – January 11, 2011 – CondoDomain continues to enhance its value for customers, build its executive team and expand operations. The company just closed a significant private investment round led by angels including several industry leaders including Bret Violet. The company is the leading national real estate broker focusing exclusively on the specific needs of city condominium, loft and townhouse homebuyers with a superior online experience, expert local agents and cash refunds to clients.

“This capital will allow us to grow our current markets, expand brokerage operations into the balance of the top-twenty U.S. cities and will enable us to ensure that our technology and employee infrastructure are up to the challenge” said President & COO Hoyt Morgan. “Bret’s addition to the team gives us an unbelievable resource as we make key business decisions.”

Bret Violette, winner of the Inman 2005 Innovator of the Year Awardandelected to Inman’s 100 Most Influential Leaders (brokerage category) in 2007 & 2008, teams up with CondoDomain’s Founder and CEO, Anthony Longo, who was recently nominated for the 2010 Inman Innovator of the Year Award.

“I am excited to join Anthony, Hoyt and the CondoDomain team,” said Bret Violette. “This company has the technology, web presence and agent philosophy to dramatically change the city real estate landscape for the better – in fact they already are doing it. Our super-efficient business model means we can do more with less and the biggest winner here is our customer.”

As an executive consultant and member of the Board of Directors, Bret’s role will be expansive. His key focus will be assisting with the implementation of technology and methodology to enhance the customer experience, expanding the current agent recruiting, hiring and training programs, and solidifying the 100% in-house real estate agent experience. Prior to joining CondoDomain, Bret was most recently President of RealEstate.com where he started and grew the brokerage operation in 20 markets, to 1,500 agents and to over $30M in revenue, all in three years. He has also served as President of Weichert Lead Network and Weichert Rental Network, as well as CFO and VP of Business Development for YHD Foxtons.

CondoDomain is a premium real estate brokerage, offering best-in-class online and agent experiences. The team’s experience in premium real estate service, new model real estate and building great real estate brands and businesses will help continue the company’s aggressive growth and most importantly enhance the company’s commitment to the customer.

About Conease visit: www.CondoDomain.com.

CondoDomain DC: Who I Am, What we are

Anthony Longo — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:12:34 +0000

Let me first introduce myself. My name is Simon Landau, and I am the Social Media Coordinator of CondoDomain DC. I grew up in New Jersey, and then moved to Baltimore when I was 14. I like long walks on the beach, sunsets, and peppermint hot chocolate in the winter. Sarcasm aside, I actually do like peppermint hot chocolate in the winter. I love DC, I love Baltimore, and am big time fan of our NFL team the Ravens and our Major League baseball team the Orioles(although some would argue that the Orioles don’t really play professional baseball). I love playing soccer—you can find me on weekends in front of the White House in pickup games year round. I dig art and music, but I don’t paint or play an instrument. I love my parents. My mother has a Ph. D. in psychology and teaches at Johns Hopkins University. She resembles Mary Tyler Moore. My dad runs our family business, a woolens shop in Princeton, New Jersey (he commutes to there from Baltimore) that my great-grandfather opened in 1914. He used to look like Libyan dictator Moammar El-Gadhafi, but then he went bald. I have one older brother who lives in Panama in Central America. He’s a skinnier, better looking version of Argentine international soccer player Javier Mascherano. As siblings we get along great, especially since he grew out of a stage in which he would tie the sleeves of my shirts to the legs on our living room table, rendering me helpless and immobile for hours. It’s been almost 3 months since I had an incident like that, so I really sense major progress in our relationship. And then there’s me. Simon to my guy friends, Simón to my girl friends, Simone and Pumba to my enemies, Simey to my cousins, and Frogs Legs to my father, who would call out that name at my youth soccer games for no particular reason at all. “Do you like to eat frogs legs?” My teammates would ask me. “No, I don’t really know why my dad calls me that either,” I’d respond, leaving them incredibly perplexed, at which point I would usually just walk away. I graduated from George Washington University in May of this year. My friends and I did the LeBron James pre-game chalk clap before the ceremony—we like to have fun. My degree is in Journalism, a field that sadly seems to be fading away into oblivion. So why am I with a real estate company? What is Condo Domain? I can answer these questions because they were questions I asked myself when I was asked to interview for the position. Just after graduation, my roommates and I began looking for a new place to live. While we had gone to school in DC for 4 years, it would be an understatement to say we were a bit uncomfortable with the process of finding an apartment. The extent of our apartment and house hunting knowledge came from the little information we gleaned from HGTV’s “My First Place”. 99% of our time researching potential spots was spent surfing Craigslist. This was frustrating, as we had to navigate through the jungle of bizarre listings like people who needed someone to dress up as a centaur at their upcoming birthday party as well as housing options that were clearly scams. I still remember telling my roommate there had to be an easier way. There had to be a place that didn’t just have a paragraph property description and some shoddy photos, but some kind of real estate Mecca, a place that provided the whole story. A portal, a one-stop shop, a Heaven that had write ups and videos not just about the property itself but also the community and culture surrounding it. A magical place that did all of this and served peppermint hot chocolate year round. This is Condo Domain. This is what we are. This is who we are. Minus the peppermint hot chocolate. While the words fun, easy, and even entertaining have seemingly become taboo when dealing with house hunting, we’re bringing them back. CondoDomain DC is your all-in-one hub for everything DC. I’m not going to simply show you photos of beautiful kitchens and stunning buildings— I’m going to take you there. Through my videos and blogs, you will get an honest, true, behind the scenes view of the vibrant urban communities where our properties are located. Using my own unique, creative style, let me show you why DC is so incredible, why each and every neighborhood is unique. So that’s me. Call me Simon, Seemsy, Seamus, whatever you want, just call me. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas regarding my blogs and videos, email me at simon@condodomain.com or Tweet me at CondoDomain_DC. I will get back to you right away. Unless, of course, my brother decides to visit me and ties my shirt sleeves around our living room table, in which case I will be AWOL for an hour or two.

I love DC, I love Baltimore, and am big time fan of our NFL team the Ravens and our Major League baseball team the Orioles(although some would argue that the Orioles don’t really play professional baseball). I love playing soccer—you can find me on weekends in front of the White House in pickup games year round. I dig art and music, but I don’t paint or play an instrument.

I love my parents. My mother has a Ph. D. in psychology and teaches at Johns Hopkins University. She resembles Mary Tyler Moore. My dad runs our family business, a woolens shop in Princeton, New Jersey (he commutes to there from Baltimore) that my great-grandfather opened in 1914. He used to look like Libyan dictator Moammar El-Gadhafi, but then he went bald. I have one older brother who lives in Panama in Central America. He’s a skinnier, better looking version of Argentine international soccer player Javier Mascherano. As siblings we get along great, especially since he grew out of a stage in which he would tie the sleeves of my shirts to the legs on our living room table, rendering me helpless and immobile for hours. It’s been almost 3 months since I had an incident like that, so I really sense major progress in our relationship.

And then there’s me. Simon to my guy friends, Simón to my girl friends, Simone and Pumba to my enemies, Simey to my cousins, and Frogs Legs to my father, who would call out that name at my youth soccer games for no particular reason at all.

“Do you like to eat frogs legs?” My teammates would ask me.

“No, I don’t really know why my dad calls me that either,” I’d respond, leaving them incredibly perplexed, at which point I would usually just walk away.

I graduated from George Washington University in May of this year. My friends and I did the LeBron James pre-game chalk clap before the ceremony—we like to have fun.

My degree is in Journalism, a field that sadly seems to be fading away into oblivion. So why am I with a real estate company? What is Condo Domain? I can answer these questions because they were questions I asked myself when I was asked to interview for the position.

Just after graduation, my roommates and I began looking for a new place to live. While we had gone to school in DC for 4 years, it would be an understatement to say we were a bit uncomfortable with the process of finding an apartment. The extent of our apartment and house hunting knowledge came from the little information we gleaned from HGTV’s “My First Place”. 99% of our time researching potential spots was spent surfing Craigslist. This was frustrating, as we had to navigate through the jungle of bizarre listings like people who needed someone to dress up as a centaur at their upcoming birthday party as well as housing options that were clearly scams.

I still remember telling my roommate there had to be an easier way. There had to be a place that didn’t just have a paragraph property description and some shoddy photos, but some kind of real estate Mecca, a place that provided the whole story. A portal, a one-stop shop, a Heaven that had write ups and videos not just about the property itself but also the community and culture surrounding it. A magical place that did all of this and served peppermint hot chocolate year round. This is Condo Domain. This is what we are. This is who we are. Minus the peppermint hot chocolate.

While the words fun, easy, and even entertaining have seemingly become taboo when dealing with house hunting, we’re bringing them back. CondoDomain DC is your all-in-one hub for everything DC. I’m not going to simply show you photos of beautiful kitchens and stunning buildings— I’m going to take you there. Through my videos and blogs, you will get an honest, true, behind the scenes view of the vibrant urban communities where our properties are located. Using my own unique, creative style, let me show you why DC is so incredible, why each and every neighborhood is unique.

So that’s me. Call me Simon, Seemsy, Seamus, whatever you want, just call me. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas regarding my blogs and videos, email me at simon@condodomain.com or Tweet me at CondoDomain_DC. I will get back to you right away. Unless, of course, my brother decides to visit me and ties my shirt sleeves around our living room table, in which case I will be AWOL for an hour or two.

CondoDomain Whitepaper: Year 1

Anthony Longo — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:53:49 +0000

Putting this Whitepaper together was almost as exciting as engaging in the real estate brokerage community this year. For all of you who have followed us through social media and our blogging efforts… and for all of you who have met us or become a client of ours: you all know we like to have fun along the way! Well, while all of that fun that is publicly displayed, there is actually quite a bit of work that went on behind the scenes. I believe that this CondoDomain Year 1 Review reveals our true colors. What will you find in this report? i. Transactional Data / Commission Refunds ii. Negotiation Advantage iii. Demographics iv. Customer Satisfaction v. Why CondoDomain vi. 2009 Corporate Forecast Heck, its short enough….check it out. Like Redfin’s similar real estate annual reviews, Ill let the statistics do the talking. Congratulations to all of our team members here at CondoDomain for an outstanding 2008 and congratulations to all of our new clients and friends of the firm. 2009 is set to be an even bigger year. DOWNLOAD THE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Well, while all of that fun that is publicly displayed, there is actually quite a bit of work that went on behind the scenes. I believe that this CondoDomain Year 1 Review reveals our true colors.

What will you find in this report?

i. Transactional Data / Commission Refunds

ii. Negotiation Advantage

iii. Demographics

iv. Customer Satisfaction

v. Why CondoDomain

vi. 2009 Corporate Forecast

Heck, its short enough….check it out.

Like Redfin’s similar real estate annual reviews, Ill let the statistics do the talking.

Congratulations to all of our team members here at CondoDomain for an outstanding 2008 and congratulations to all of our new clients and friends of the firm.

2009 is set to be an even bigger year.

DOWNLOAD THE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

CondoDomain.com Opens San Diego and Washington D.C. Condo Markets

Anthony Longo — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:04:13 +0000

PRESS RELEASE: CondoDomain.com is pleased to announce the launch of their web-based buyers’ brokerage business model in the San Diego, CA and Washington D.C. marketplaces. The Boston based company is now operating in six cities as they expand into their pre-existing 33 markets as a buyers’ brokerage helping buyers search, tour, buy and save thousands via the company’s commission refund policy. “We are in a wild market at a wild time right now,” noted Tony Longo, the firm’s founder & CEO. “We are witnessing traditional real estate companies cut back, reduce staff, and in some instances close their doors. Our ability not only to stay alive, but to continue growing is directly connected with our technology-centric business model and our savvy, value-oriented clients whom choose to work with the firm.” As the appointed City Vice President and natives of their prospective cities, real estate brokers Cleve Shirley of San Diego, CA and Khalil El-Ghoul of Washington, D.C. will now run all of the real estate operations and work with local buyers looking to purchase in San Diego and Washington D.C. At a time of increased economic concern, CondoDomain.com offers consumers a choice and a way to save money when they need it most. On average, CondoDomain.com clients have received more than $13,000 in commission refunds at closing. Shirley and El-Ghoul will run the San Diego and DC operations with commitment and passion for their markets and will now strive to become a valuable resource for buyers in this new Internet home buying era. Search The New Sites: San Diego Condos | DC Condos ######### About CondoDomain.com CondoDomain.com is a web-based real estate brokerage based in Boston, MA. The company is expanding nationwide to offer its buyers’ brokerage business model in more than 30 cities around the U.S. Currently operating in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, San Diego and Washington D.C. CondoDomain offers an innovative flat-fee business model allowing the majority of the commission to be refunded back to the buyer. By combining up-to-date MLS feeds, new construction buildings, FSBO, Foreclosures, Lofts and Auction listings all on one site, CondoDomain has become one of the most popular and user friendly real estate websites available. CondoDomain.com offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee to all of its clients, ensuring a professional, efficient, and pleasant transaction. Visit www.CondoDomain.com for more information or feel free to dive into our blogs at www.CondoDomain.com/Blog. Press Contact: Erica Farthing Director of Social Media 617.849.4993 erica@condodomain.com

PRESS RELEASE:

CondoDomain.com is pleased to announce the launch of their web-based buyers’ brokerage business model in the San Diego, CA and Washington D.C. marketplaces.

The Boston based company is now operating in six cities as they expand into their pre-existing 33 markets as a buyers’ brokerage helping buyers search, tour, buy and save thousands via the company’s commission refund policy.

“We are in a wild market at a wild time right now,” noted Tony Longo, the firm’s founder & CEO. “We are witnessing traditional real estate companies cut back, reduce staff, and in some instances close their doors. Our ability not only to stay alive, but to continue growing is directly connected with our technology-centric business model and our savvy, value-oriented clients whom choose to work with the firm.”

As the appointed City Vice President and natives of their prospective cities, real estate brokers Cleve Shirley of San Diego, CA and Khalil El-Ghoul of Washington, D.C. will now run all of the real estate operations and work with local buyers looking to purchase in San Diego and Washington D.C.

At a time of increased economic concern, CondoDomain.com offers consumers a choice and a way to save money when they need it most. On average, CondoDomain.com clients have received more than $13,000 in commission refunds at closing.

Shirley and El-Ghoul will run the San Diego and DC operations with commitment and passion for their markets and will now strive to become a valuable resource for buyers in this new Internet home buying era.

Search The New Sites: San Diego Condos | DC Condos

#########

About CondoDomain.com
CondoDomain.com is a web-based real estate brokerage based in Boston, MA. The company is expanding nationwide to offer its buyers’ brokerage business model in more than 30 cities around the U.S. Currently operating in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, San Diego and Washington D.C. CondoDomain offers an innovative flat-fee business model allowing the majority of the commission to be refunded back to the buyer. By combining up-to-date MLS feeds, new construction buildings, FSBO, Foreclosures, Lofts and Auction listings all on one site, CondoDomain has become one of the most popular and user friendly real estate websites available. CondoDomain.com offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee to all of its clients, ensuring a professional, efficient, and pleasant transaction. Visit www.CondoDomain.com for more information or feel free to dive into our blogs at www.CondoDomain.com/Blog.

Press Contact:
Erica Farthing
Director of Social Media
617.849.4993
erica@condodomain.com

The Washington D.C. Condo & Loft Blog Goes Live

Anthony Longo — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:52:11 +0000

In anticipation for the all new CondoDomain Washington DC search portal, we have pushed our local blog live! In the coming months we plan to release CondoDomain Washington DC and begin working with buyers looking to purchase in downtown Washington DC! If you want to get a feel for what our site will be like in Washington DC, please feel free to check out our Boston site. Why Buy With CondoDomain? 1. We are exclusive buyers brokers! We only do 1 thing…and we do it very well! 2. Condos! Its what we know! Its what we do! 3. Flat Fee! We run an efficient business that benefits YOU, not a commission based agency that is compensated when you spend more! Our average client receives more than a $13,000 refund back at closing… We’re Hiring! If you are interested in learning more about the company please write us or check out our Facebook Group here. About CondoDomain.com LLC CondoDomain.com is a web-based real estate brokerage based in Boston, MA. The company is expanding nationwide to offer its buyers’ brokerage services in more than 30 cities around the U.S. Currently operating in Boston, CondoDomain offers an innovative flat-fee business model allowing the majority of the commission to be refunded to the buyer. By combining up-to-date MLS feeds, new construction buildings, FSBO, Foreclosures, Lofts and Auction listings all on one site, CondoDomain has become one of the most popular and user friendly real estate websites available. CondoDomain.com offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee to all of its clients, ensuring a professional, efficient, and pleasant transaction. Visit www.CondoDomain.com for more information or feel free to dive into our blogs at www.CondoDomain.com/blog. For more information, please contact Erica Farthing at (877) 852-6636.

Why Buy With CondoDomain?

1. We are exclusive buyers brokers! We only do 1 thing…and we do it very well!

2. Condos! Its what we know! Its what we do!

3. Flat Fee! We run an efficient business that benefits YOU, not a commission based agency that is compensated when you spend more!

Our average client receives more than a $13,000 refund back at closing…

We’re Hiring!

If you are interested in learning more about the company please write us or check out our Facebook Group here.

About CondoDomain.com LLC

CondoDomain.com is a web-based real estate brokerage based in Boston, MA. The company is expanding nationwide to offer its buyers’ brokerage services in more than 30 cities around the U.S. Currently operating in Boston, CondoDomain offers an innovative flat-fee business model allowing the majority of the commission to be refunded to the buyer. By combining up-to-date MLS feeds, new construction buildings, FSBO, Foreclosures, Lofts and Auction listings all on one site, CondoDomain has become one of the most popular and user friendly real estate websites available. CondoDomain.com offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee to all of its clients, ensuring a professional, efficient, and pleasant transaction. Visit www.CondoDomain.com for more information or feel free to dive into our blogs at www.CondoDomain.com/blog.

For more information, please contact Erica Farthing at (877) 852-6636.