Friday, January 22, 2010

University Club of Orlando Hosting “Cocktails for a Cause” Jan. 28 to Raise Funds for Coastal Conservation

ORLANDO - The University Club of Orlando and members Jennifer and Ray Kennedy will host “Cocktails for a Cause” Thursday, Jan. 28, to raise funds for the Coastal Conservation Assn.

Petréa Litscher, director of services and communications at the University Club of Orlando, said the event is open to the public and will feature a live auction and several raffle prizes.

In addition, Club staff the cocktail party and donate their tips to the Coastal Conservation Assn., which educates and promotes the public on conservation of present and future marine resources.
Last year, The University Club of Orlando’s Cocktails for a Cause event raised more than $10,000 for the Coastal Conservation Assn.

“Cocktails for a Cause has become a local institution that mixes good times with worthy local causes,” said Litscher.

“Admission is free and we typically raise several thousand dollars for our charitable organizations,” she said.

For information about the event, call 407-425-2514.

The University Club of Orlando is located at 150 E. Central Ave. at Rosalind across from the Orlando Public Library in downtown Orlando.
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For more information about this press release, contact:
Petréa Litscher, Director of Services and Communications, University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, membership@ucluborlando.com;
Justin Wright, Membership & Events Director, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514; PRIVATEEVENTS@UCLUBORLANDO.COM

Lennar has introduced New Model Homes, New Low Pricing for the New Year in Three Brevard County Communities

VIERA - Lennar’s Central Florida Division began the New Year with new homes and new low pricing in three Brevard County communities.

David Parker, director of sales and marketing for Lennar’s Central Florida division, said the home builder is unveiling new model homes and new mortgage financing plans that require no down payments on qualified homes.

New town homes and single-family homes at the three Lennar communities qualify for up to $8,000 in U.S. tax credits for first-time home buyers and up to $6,500 in tax credits for existing home owners, Parker added.

Lennar’s new pricing and new home designs have been introduced at the following communities in the Town of Viera

•Heritage Isle off Wickham Rd. west of I-95, with Manor Homes priced from the $190s and Villas from the $120s;

•Daintree, located off Tavistock Drive and Solerno Blvd. west of I-95 with single-family homes priced from the $180s

•Sunstone on Tavistock Drive off Solerno Blvd with single-family homes priced from the $240s.
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For more information, contact:
David Parker, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489;
Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar-Central Florida, 888-317-7489;
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700

Lennar Starts Construction of Three New Model Homes, Introduces Eight New Floor Plans at Bella Terra in Estero

ESTERO - Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division has introduced eight new floor plans and started construction of three model homes at Bella Terra, the master planned resort style community located south of Corkscrew Rd. east of I-75 in Estero.

Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar in the Fort Myers/Naples region, said the new floor plans range in size from 1,483 square feet of living space to 3,800 square feet.

Three new model homes to open in mid-February are priced from the mid-$100s with many pre-construction incentives, Devereaux said.

Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division builds condominiums, town homes, villas, terrace homes, executive homes, and luxury homes priced from the $100s to more than $500,000.
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For more information, contact:
Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales, Lennar-Southwest Florida 239-278-1177

Lennar has introduced New Model Homes, New Low Pricing for the New Year in 11 Orlando Communities

ORLANDO - Lennar’s Central Florida Division began the New Year with new homes and new low pricing in eleven Orlando-area communities.

David Parker, director of sales and marketing for Lennar’s Central Florida division, said the home builder is unveiling new model homes and new mortgage financing plans that require no down payments on qualified homes.

New town homes and single-family homes at the eleven Lennar communities qualify for up to $8,000 in U.S. tax credits for first-time home buyers and up to $6,500 in tax credits for existing home owners, Parker added.

Lennar’s new pricing and new home designs have been introduced at
•Camden Landing Town Homes near Lake Hart in southeast Orlando, priced from the $140s;
•Celery Estates in Sanford, priced from the $130s;
•Heritage Hills off Hancock Rd. and S.R. 50 in Clermont, priced from the $150s
•Legends Golf & Country Club off Hwy. 27 in Clermont, priced from the $200s
•Preston Woods at Providence Golf and Country Club in Davenport, priced from the $190s;
•Reserve at Lost Lake off Citrus Tower Blvd. in Clermont, priced from the $210s.
•Stoneybrook Hills on U.S. 441 in Mount Dora, priced from the $140s;
•Wyndham Lakes in south Orlando, single-family homes priced from the $150s and Townhomes from the $130s;
•The Shire At Westhaven in Davenport, priced from the $250s;
•Wekiva Landing Town Homes in Longwood, priced from the $160s;
•Westbrook Town Homes in Winter Garden, priced from the $140s.
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For more information contact:
David Parker, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489; J
assy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar-Central Florida, 888-317-7489;
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700

Lennar Introduces Seven New Floor Plans at River Strand Golf & Country Club in Bradenton

BRADENETON - Lennar has unveiled seven new floor plans priced from the mid-$100s at River Strand Golf & Country Club, located within Heritage Harbor in Bradenton off S.R. 64.

Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the new floor plans range in size from 1,677 square feet of living space to 3,800 square feet.

Golf, tennis and country club membership at River Strand Golf & Country Club is included with each new home purchase, said Devereaux. Homeowners will enjoy a 39,000 square foot members-only clubhouse and a 27-hole Arthur Hills-designed championship golf course.

Lennar reported is sold more than 175 new homes at River Strand Golf & Country Club in 2009.
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For more information, contact:
Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales, Lennar-Southwest Florida 239-278-1177

NAI Realvest Negotiates New and Renewal Leases totaling 8,200SF at Hanging Moss and Goldenrod CommerCenters in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new long-term lease agreement for 4,200 square feet of industrial space in the Hanging Moss CommerCenter located at 6100 Hanging Moss Rd.

Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord, Maitland-based COP-Hanging Moss, LLC and the new tenant, Vibe Dance Center LLC of Orlando. The Dance company leased Suite 570 for 63 months.

Heidrich also negotiated a two-year renewal agreement with Class A Carpets, Inc. at Goldenrod CommerCenter. The tenant renewed the lease of Suites 110 and 115 with 4,000 square feet at 1460 N. Goldenrod Rd. COP-Goldenrod, LLC of Maitland is the landlord.

For more information, contact: Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 or mheidrich@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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 Reports Record Sales in Orlando Area in 2009

ORLANDO - Ashton Woods Homes reports it closed on sales of 198 new homes in seven Orlando communities in 2009.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said 2009 sales are up more than 11 percent over 2008 sales.

“This is the second year in a row we have reported record sales,” Roche said. In 2008 the home builder reported it closed on sales of 179 new homes, up 48 percent over 2007 sales.

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

Lennar to Open Three New Model Homes at Stoneybrook at Venice in Mid-February and the Key Word is “Efficiency”

VENICE - Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division will premier three new model homes at Stoneybrook at Venice, located off N. River and Center Roads west of I-75 exit 191 in Venice.

Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar in the Naples/Fort Myers region, said the new model homes range in size from 1,677 square feet of living space to 3,300 square feet.

“The key word here is efficiency,” Devereaux said. “These new model homes have been designed and engineered to offer the lowest energy costs, the lowest maintenance, and the most lifestyle in southwest Florida,” he explained.

Stoneybrook at Venice was recently ranked as the only Florida community on Builder Magazine’s Top 10 list of top-selling communities in the U.S.

Lennar’s Southwest Florida division builds condominiums, town homes, villas, terrace homes, executive homes, and luxury homes priced from the $100s to more than $500,000.

For more information, contact:
Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales, Lennar-Southwest Florida 239-278-1177

Sevilla Womenade Reception Raises $1,200 for daniel Kids

JACKSONVILLE - Mattamy Homes hosted a gathering of 44 Womenade participants at the community clubhouse at Sevilla in Jacksonville recently. The group raised $1,200 for daniel Kids, the oldest child serving agency that assists troubled youth and their families with a variety of innovative and nationally recognized programs.

Kerry Soltis, marketing manager for Mattamy Homes in the Jacksonville region, said Heirlooms Café and Market catered the Womenade dinner reception and Fazzini’s Coffee & Tea provided gifts.

Womenade was founded in 2002 by Judy Hicks with RE/MAX Coastal Real Estate. Since 2002 Womenade has raised over $100,000 for the kids at daniel. For more information on Womenade visit www.womenadejax.com

“Our mission is to show the kids that there is a great big world out there waiting for them but they have to be prepared and they must dream big,” Hicks said.

For more information, contact:
Kerry Soltis, Marketing Manager, Mattamy Homes-Jacksonville 904-279-9502;
Dennis Ginder, Division President Mattamy Homes-Jacksonville 904-279-9500

About Mattamy Homes: Mattamy Homes expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and has divisions in Jacksonville, Orlando, Charlotte, Phoenix and Minneapolis. The homebuilder is the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com.

Winston-James Development leases 2,250 square feet of space at Beville Road Business Park to Shoreline Kitchens, Baths and More

SOUTH DAYTONA - Winston-James Development, Inc., which is developing the Beville Road Business Park, located on Beville Road at SR 5A in South Daytona, reported it recently completed a long term lease agreement for 2,250 square feet of industrial showroom space with Shoreline Kitchens, Baths and More, a company that specializes in kitchens and baths.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, said Shoreline Kitchens, Baths and More is locating its principal showrooms and warehouse space at Beville Road Business Park.

For more information, contact:
Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119, 386-760-2555,
James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc., 386-760-2555

Meritage Homes to Unveil Eight New Floor Plans, New Pricing Jan. 30 at The Oaks at Brandy Lake in Winter Garden

WINTER GARDEN - Meritage Homes will unveil eight new floor plans priced from $169,900 on Saturday, Jan. 30 at The Oaks At Brandy Lake, the lakefront community located just off the West Orange Trail at 623 Bending Oak Trail in Winter Garden.

Heather Barnes, marketing manager for Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said Meritage is building 80 new homes at The Oaks at Brandy Lake---some on lakefront home sites---that range in size from 1,660 square feet of living space to 2,661 square feet.

Barnes said Meritage Homes will be showcasing one new model home and reduced prices at The Oaks at Brandy Lake, which is within walking distance of downtown Winter Garden.

The first 50 families to register at The Oaks at Brandy Lake on Jan. 30 will receive a free Super Bowl Fun Pack with snacks and soda for the big game, Barnes said.

For more information contact: Heather Barnes, Marketing Manager, Meritage Homes-Orlando, 407-712-8648, Heather.Barnes@meritagehomes.com;
Brian Kittle, Director of Sales, Meritage Homes-Orlando, 407-712-8669; Brian.Kittle@meritagehomes.com;
Jim Bagley, Division President, Meritage Homes-Orlando 407-712-8669, Jm.Bagley@meritagehomes.com

Orlando Developer/Investor Ron Schwartz Launches Florida REO Managers, Inc. to Manage Distressed Properties Nationwide

ORLANDO - Central Florida developer and investor Ronald Schwartz has launched Florida REO Managers, Inc. (www.floridareomanagers.com) to provide receiver and property management services to lenders nationwide.

Schwartz said the firm has already contracted with several property lenders nationwide on a variety of projects.

“We specialize in overseeing and/or managing commercial and residential properties that are in foreclosure, or where a receiver is needed, or for properties that have already been taken over by the lender,” Schwartz said.

“Our principal focus is to protect and maintain the assets as Receiver appointed by the court until such time as the lender completes the foreclosure process on the property,” he said. “Florida REO Managers can then manage the property for the lender.”

Schwartz is a Special Trustee for the US Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida and has more than 30 years of experience as a builder, developer and property manager.

For more information, contact: Ron Schwartz, Principal, Florida REO Managers, Inc. 407-342-3648 (direct)

NAI Realvest negotiates Long-term Industrial lease for 6,400 square feet at Poinciana CommerCenter West in Kissimmee

ORLANDO – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new five-year lease agreement for 6,400 square feet of industrial space at 1754 Business Center Lane at Poinciana CommerCenter West in Kissimmee.

Michael Heidrich, vice president and principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Maitland-based Realvest-Poinciana LLC.

The new tenant is Plastronic Enclosures, Inc. a manufacturer headquartered in Piscataway, N.J., and who was represented in the transaction by Dean Fritchen of Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT.

Plastronic is the largest lease closed at Poinciana CommerCenter West since the facility was completed in 2008.

For more information contact: Michael Heidrich, VP and Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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.

University Club of Orlando Elects New Officers

ORLANDO - Orlando attorney H. Gregory McNeill, a partner at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. in Orlando, was recently elected as president of The University Club of Orlando.

Justin Wright, events director of The University Club of Orlando, said McNeill took over as president in January.

Jennifer Nichols Kennedy, a partner at Nichols Design Group in Winter Park and a commercial interior designer who specializes in health care facilities, was elected vice president, Wright said.

Wright said three University Club members were elected to the club’s Board of Directors: Orlando attorney Ralph Martinez of McEwan, Martinez & Dukes, P.A., Yatan Patel, Internet entrepreneur and Arthur Lee, food management company owner and concessionaire for the Amway Arena.

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For more information about this press release, contact:
Justin Wright, Events Director, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, PRIVATEEVENTS@UCLUBORLANDO.COM

Three Top Orlando Area Realtors Awarded $12,000 in Prizes in Lennar Loves Realtors Sales Contest

ORLANDO - Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds new single-family homes and town homes priced from the $90s to the $400s more than 30 Lennar communities in the Orlando, Tampa Bay and the Space Coast regions, recently awarded $47,500 in prizes to 10 of the Central Florida region’s top Realtors competing in a Lennar Loves Realtors sales contest from May 1 through Nov. 30.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the 10 contest winners posted sales and closings that totaled more than $11.7 million during the contest.

Flaviano Bullian of Union II Realty and Investments in Orlando posted sales and closings that totaled $1,120,503 to take the Orlando area’s top prize---a $5,000 shopping spree through the Lennar Loves Realtors Wish Book, an online catalogue of more than 3,000 luxury items that range from luggage to house wares to furnishings, jewelry and travel.

Other Orlando region winners included Philippa Liddel of IPG Realty in Clermont, with $982,666 in sales and closings and Patrick Washburn of Sunstate Guaranteed Realty in Lakeland, with $582,802. Liddel and Fisher both won shopping sprees valued at $3,500.

Other contest winners included Janith Overstreet of Lithia, an associate at New Homes Realty, who won a $10,000 shopping spree for sales and closings that totaled $2,750,549; Miguel Beltran of Charles Rutenberg Realty in Clearwater and Danny Christian of REMAX Paramount Properties in Lakeland, who both won $5,000 shopping sprees for sales that totaled $2,222,513, and $1,298,893 respectively; and $3,500 award winners Luisa Mizgorski of Tampa For You Realty, with $805,797; Suanne Vagnini of New Homes Realty in Valrico, with $772,441; Stuart Hurry of New Home Finders in Lakeland, with $627,992; and Tammy Keller of Charles Rutenberg Realty in Clearwater, with $617,116.
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For more information, contact:
David Parker, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489
Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar-Central Florida, 888-317-7489
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700