Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Executive Tells Young Professionals the Secret of Successful Selling

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida president Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, served as featured speaker during a luncheon meeting of the Young Professionals Society at the University Club of Orlando recently and told the group to get ready to take risks.

“You have to seize the moment,” Sweeney told the group. “You have to be self-motivated, disciplined, persistent, and you have to know yourself,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney has more than 30 years of experience as a commercial real estate executive.

Despite a recession that has hit the real estate industry particularly hard, Sweeney said commercial real estate is a career goal with tremendous potential.

“The secret of success is to know yourself,” Sweeney told the group. “Be yourself. Understand the context you are working in and look for the opportunities that are inherent,” he said.

About Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis

Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.

Contacts:

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR 407-481-5387
Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Industry experts, met with Florida Governor urging him to help reinstate the Florida Inland Petroleum Trust Fund

URGENT NEED ... Irvin Heath, (right) President of HCR (Handex Consulting and Remediation LLC, based in Mount Dora), along with a group of industry experts, recently met with Florida Governor, Charlie Crist, urging him to help reinstate the Florida Inland Petroleum Trust Fund (IPTF). The IPTF was established to fund environmental cleanups of petroleum contamination at more than 2,000 Florida sites where pollution is in endangering Florida drinking water. Heath is chairman of the Environmental Subcommittee of the Florida Petroleum Marketers Assn. (FPMA).

For more information contact:

Irvin R. Heath, President-Elect FPMA/Chair, Environmental Committee, and President, HCR (Handex Consulting and Remediation, LLC), 352-735-1800 ext. 127, IHeath@handexmail.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

About HCR:

HCR is headquartered in Mount Dora with offices in Tallahassee, Tampa, Delray, Fla. and in central New Jersey. HCR has over 120 employees serving clients that range from state environmental protection agencies, industrial and commercial firms to some of the largest U.S. major and independent oil corporations and convenience store operators. Due to potential stimulus project work, HCR is also focused on providing services to the transportation and construction business sectors. As HCR’s record shows, the company can perform all environmental component work.

Orlando Attorney Mark Lippman Expands Offices in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Orlando attorney Mark R. Lippman has expanded his law firm and relocated his downtown Orlando offices from a 1,400 square foot suite on Broadway Street to the Citrus Building at 255 S. Orange Ave. The office space has been expanded to 2,000 square feet in the new location.

Lippman also appointed Jennifer Craddock senior associate attorney.

Lippman, whose practice focuses on real estate and criminal law, opened his offices in Orlando in 2004 after earning his law degree from Nova Southeastern University.

Craddock, who did her undergraduate work at Marshall University and earned her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, focuses on real estate law.

Lippman also has offices in Kissimmee on South Clyde St.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Mark Lippman, Esq., Lippman Law Offices, 255 S. Orange Ave. Orlando; 407-648-4213; LippmanLaw@aol.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

NAI Realvest Negotiates Sublease for 10,894 square feet of Class A office space in Maitland

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a sublease agreement for 10,894 square feet of Class A office space at 2301 Lucien Way in Maitland.

NAI Realvest Principals Matt Cichocki and Kevin O'Connor negotiated the four-year sublease agreement representing the sublessee Medallion Convenience Stores, Inc. & Affiliates. The sublandlord is Centex Homes based in Southlake, Texas.

Medallion, which operates more than 60 gas stations and convenience stores, is moving its company headquarters into the space vacated by Centex Homes.

For more information contact:
Kevin O’Connor or Matt Cichocki, Principals NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, koconnor@realvest.com; mcichocki@realvest.com

Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, Inc. 407-644-4142

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, with offices serving all of central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division Promotes Anthony DeSimone to Vice President of Construction in Orlando Region

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida division, recently promoted Anthony DeSimone to vice president of construction.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division, said DeSimone has more than 15 years of experience as a home builder.

“Anthony DeSimone is a highly knowledgeable, energetic and highly disciplined construction executive and he will play an increasingly important role in our growth in the Orlando region,” said Metheny.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division builds new single-family homes and town homes priced from the $100s to the $400s in 16 Orlando-area communities.

For more information contact:
Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar, 888-317-7489;
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Relocates Melbourne Office

MELBOURNE, Fla. --- Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, with offices in Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne, has relocated its Melbourne headquarters from U.S. 1 to new suites at 2108 West New Haven Ave. (U.S. 192) in West Melbourne.

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said the firm has expanded its offices and expects to see an increase in commercial real estate activity in the Melbourne area.

“Commercial real estate activity follows the economy,” Sweeney said. “We’re seeing an increase in activity that can be attributed to economic recovery, but we’re also seeing activity related to the recession, such as distressed properties, tenants relocating and commercial property foreclosures,” he said.

About Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis:
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.
Contact: Jeff Sweeney, SIOR President 407-481-5387

NAI Realvest negotiates industrial leases at Monroe CommerCenter in Sanford

MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated industrial leases totaling 9,252 square feet -- a long term renewal and a new lease – at Monroe CommerCenter in Sanford.
Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, brokered both transactions at

•Monroe CommerceCenter South, 667 Progress Way, where Southern Custom Creations of Enterprise, Fla. leased 2,000 square feet for three years and COP-Monroe LLC of Maitland is the landlord; and

•Monroe CommerCenter North, 4200 Church Street where Franklin Electric Sales, Inc. renewed the lease of 7,252 square feet for five years and Maitland-based COP-Monroe North, LLC is the landlord.

For more information contact:
Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.nairealvest.com.

Ashton Woods Homes has only Four Home Sites for Sale at Fern Grove in Valrico

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has only four single-family home sites remaining for sale at Fern Grove, located in Valrico.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said new three, four and five-bedroom single-family homes at Fern Grove range in size from 1,712 square feet of living space to 2,764 square feet.

New homes at Fern Grove are priced from $179,900, and one model home is open daily.
Fern Grove is located on Durrant Road one-quarter mile east of S. Dover off Highway 60 in Valrico.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.
* * *
For more information, contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa 407-647-3700
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

With “Kolter ECO-NOMICS™” Your Home’s Energy Footprint Could be Cut in Half

LAKE MARY, Fla. -- Kolter Homes, which is developing Grande Oaks at Heathrow, a private luxury townhome community in Lake Mary, recently unveiled “Kolter ECO-NOMICS™” (www.koltereconomics.com), a company-wide commitment to building smarter, more sustainable homes that offer home owners substantially greater value.

The design and engineering of every Kolter-built home includes 15 valuable features to assure comfort, safety, and environmental responsibility, said Steve Bovio, Kolter Homes senior project manager at Grande Oaks at Heathrow.

“Kolter Homes has more than 50 years of experience in the forefront of Florida home building,” Bovio said. “We’ve always been a technologically advanced home builder. I joined Kolter because I believe we build some of the most energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable homes in Florida,” he said.

Bovio said Kolter’s advanced home building technology includes obvious solutions such as cool tile roofs and foam insulation. But Kolter goes several steps farther to create a sealed attic system that turns the external structure of the home into a thermal and air barrier, HEPA air filters that remove 99.97 percent of the most difficult airborne particles, and air comfort systems that cool the home with maximum efficiency.

“Our commitment is to reduce the average Florida homeowner’s energy bill by half or more over the life of the home by reducing waste, improving the home’s environment, and utilizing materials and techniques that offer us all a sustainable future,” Bovio said.

The Grande Oaks at Heathrow sales and preview center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and Sunday Noon to 6 at 1450 Lake George Drive. From I-4 go west on H.E. Thomas, Jr. Pkwy., (CR 46A), to the community entrance just past International Parkway.

For information, call 407-829-8961.

* * *

For more information contact:
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Steve Bovio, Senior Project Manager, Kolter Homes/Orlando 407-333-1733 sbovio@kolter.com

About Kolter Homes:
Kolter Homes is part of the Kolter Group, a private investment firm focusing on real estate development, investment and construction. Kolter Homes brings more than a decade of experience in Florida homebuilding to each of its communities in Orlando, South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Visit www.KolterHomes.com for additional information.

Ashton Woods Homes Opens Four Ready-To-Move-In Single-Family Homes at Thornhill in Windermere

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has opened four move-in ready, single-family homes at Thornhill, a secluded enclave located off Reams Road and S.R. 535 in Windermere.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said the three, four and five-bedroom single-family homes are eligible for the $8,000 and $6,500 U.S. federal tax credit incentives for all qualified new home buyers, and move-up buyers in existing homes.

New homes at Thornhill evoke a Key West theme in a tropically landscaped setting and range in size from 1,870 square feet of living space to 4,000 square feet, priced from $219,900.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

* * *
For more information, contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando 407-647-3700
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive U.S. Sales and Marketing Representatives for Cacao Pearl Island Resort in South Pacific

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive U.S. sales and marketing representatives for Cacao Pearl, a unique luxury eco-resort community of 100 residences located on a private island at the Calamianes archipelago, at the northernmost tip of Palawan in the Philippines.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and principal of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the Cacao Pearl island resort ranks as the world’s first non-profit luxury eco resort.

Designed by former film director Antonio Calvo ( “Alexander,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “Love Actually”), Cacao Pearl offers 125 acres of lush rainforest and towering coconut trees with more than a mile of pristine beaches, Soderstrom said.

Private residences are available with investment-grade security and with options to buy, re-sell or rent. One and two bedroom beachfront, beach access, rainforest garden, resort and crèche residences are priced from an average of $280,000 to $487,000.

“Cacao Pearl is within sailing distance of two UNESCO World heritage sites and four marine reserves,” Soderstrom said.

The eco-chic, low-density boutique resort offers designer homes with zero carbon cost, five-star service, an infinity pool, wreck and reef diving, a secluded destination spa, organic gardens and bar, restaurant, and private media rooms.

“Cacao Pearl claims one of the world’s most unique lifestyles,” Soderstrom said. The first phase of Cacao Pearl – with 35 residences – has already sold out and a second phase is under way now, Soderstrom added.

* * *

For more information or questions about this press release contact

John Kurtz GRI, Director of Global Sales, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890; JKurtz@stirlingSIR.com

Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890; rsoderstrom@stirlingSIR.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com