Disney World

Some were up all night, others tried to sleep on the sidewalk, but concrete generally doesn’t make for a cozy bed.

“She came in at I think, at 3:30 yesterday”, one man said.

“I’ve been here since 11 o’clock yesterday morning”, said a woman in line.

Those potential home buyers camped out beginning Friday morning outside Stadium Lofts in Anaheim, in hopes of snapping up a condo, at what for many were bargain prices.

A broker for the developer, Windstar, called it a one day sale.

“It’s sort of like your blue light special, only this was more than your garden variety discount… This was a real, real estate deal, with condos slashed by up to $125,000 for a two bedroom, two bath unit”, the broker said.

The lowest price was for a one bath loft, reduced to $242,908 down from $341,400, with the highest priced… a two bedroom at $402,966 down from $535,300.

Granite counters are standard and all appliances, stainless steel, are included.

The 390-unit building on Katella, near Disneyland and a block from Angel Stadium, was completed in January of 2007.

Scott Hamilton with Doma, the company which brokered the sale, says while 195 units had been sold, nothing since February of that year had moved.

Hamilton says prices were dropped so the developer could stop losing money, while putting home ownership within the grasp of people who would otherwise be priced out of the market… in this case, an urban market.

The building sits atop shops with amenities including a gym, pool and game room with a gourmet kitchen.

Hamilton says nearly 50 condos were sold during the event, plus three which were were purchased at regular price.

Casey Williams became a first time buyer with a one bedroom condo.

First item on the agenda, a condo-warming party.

“I’m really happy”, Williams said. “This area is going to appreciate, with all these shops around here. Yeah, I’m excited.”

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