TAMPA - If you're in the market for a luxury condominium, it has never been easier to get into the Towers of Channelside, the iconic downtown condos that have lost value and struggled to attract buyers.

The twin 29-story condos are approved for Fannie Mae financing, which means buyers have more loan options at more lending institutions. Prices have fallen up to 45 percent.

The Fannie Mae approval, along with new prices, means a larger pool of buyers qualify.

"Our market has been more of the young empty-nester with enough income for" a 20 percent deposit, said Steve McAuliffe, president of JMC Realty, which is handling the marketing and sales for the condos.

McAuliffe is hopeful the Fannie Mae status will help attract enough buyers to fill the twin towers' remaining units.

Until now, buyers typically had to choose among four lenders the development worked with. Now buyers can use other lenders with various loan programs, McAuliffe said. It could shorten the application process, give more buyers an opportunity to buy and allow for lower down payments.

The condos are among the most luxurious in downtown Tampa, but they were built toward the end of the housing boom. The bubble burst, and buyers, many of whom planned to flip for big a profit, dropped out. In 2008, the developer filed for bankruptcy.

The court appointed a receiver, which hired JMC to handle the rest of the sales. McAuliffe said it has sold 60 homes since February. Seventy percent of the 257 units are. Twenty units are under contract, McAuliffe said.

The lowest priced condo is $178,000 for a unit with one bedroom and 1½ baths. The average unit used to sell in the $300,000 range. Still, the condos aren't cheap. They come with a $553 monthly condominium fee, which includes services such as phone, cable, Internet and water.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804.