Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Appoints Deborah Clifton Controller

LAKE MARY - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed Deborah Clifton controller.
Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Clifton attended Valencia Community College, the University of Central Florida and Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla.

Clifton has more than 10 years of experience in corporate finance. She formerly served as an executive with Golden Corral Restaurants and worked for a CPA firm in Orlando.

For more information contact:
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890 or 333- 1900

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contracts to Design Three Suite Interiors at Lucerne Hospital

ORLANDO - Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park was recently awarded a contract to design three suite interiors at the Lucerne Hospital off S. Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando.

Jed Downs, president of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said all three suites total approximately 4,000 square feet of space.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100;
Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates New Flex Lease for Solar Panel company at Lee Vista Lakeside in Southeast Orlando

ORLANDO - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently completed a new lease agreement for 3,635 square feet of flex space at 6457 Hazeltine National Drive in southeast Orlando.

Eric Penaranda, associate in the Industrial Services Group at Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, brokered the transaction representing both the landlord at Lee Vista Lakeside and the tenant, Orlando based Suncor Solar, Inc., a startup company engaged in sales and distribution of solar panels for commercial and residential applications.

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, Tampa and Melbourne 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 its investment subsidiaries, 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, mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Meritage Homes Acquires 45 Home Sites at the Preserve at Black Hammock in Oviedo

ORLANDO - Meritage Homes has acquired 45 home sites at the Preserve at Black Hammock, located off S.R. 434 and DeLeon Road in Oviedo.

Brian Kittle, director of sales, said Meritage Homes is building four, five, six, seven and eight-bedroom homes at the Preserve at Black Hammock ranging in size from 1,994 square feet of living space to 5,111 square feet priced from $249,990.

For more information contact:
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

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Posts Sale of $800,000 Luxury Condominium at Vizcaya in Southwest Orlando

ORLANDO - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Orlando recently reported the $800,000 sale of a four-bedroom, three-bath luxury penthouse condominium at Vizcaya, located off Sand Lake Road and S.R. 535 in southwest Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Rolf Nonnast of the firm’s Windermere/Dr. Phillips office negotiated the sale.

The condominium, Unit 37 in The Esplanade, offers 3,515, square feet of living space and a lakefront view. The unit was formerly listed at $849,000.

“Exceptional luxury homes and condominiums have been less affected by the real estate downturn than the middle price ranges,” Soderstrom explained. “Sales and listings have slowed somewhat, but luxury property transactions are still taking place,” he said.

Nonnast recently posted a new listing in the same area — a 4,373-square foot luxury home at 8718 Southern Breeze Drive in The Estates at Phillips Landing, a gated luxury community off Dr. Phillips Blvd. in southwest Orlando. The five-bedroom, four-bath home features two-story Mediterranean architecture with a private tropical pool and spa listed for $1.055 million.

For more information contact:
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com

Only 10 Home Sites Remain For Sale by Mattamy Homes at English Trails in Fort Mill, Homes Qualify For $8,000 Tax Credit Incentive

CHARLOTTE - Mattamy Homes has only 10 home sites and two completed homes remaining for sale at English Trails, located in Fort Mill, S.C. off Flint Hill Rd. and Carowinds Blvd/US 21 near 1-77 Exit 90.

Bill Kiselick, president of Mattamy Homes in the Charlotte region, said four and five-bedroom homes at English Trails range in size from 1,725 square feet of living space to 2,870 square feet priced from the $180s.

Two homes at English Trails qualify for the $8,000 and $6,500 U.S. tax credit incentives, Kiselick said. The deadline to take advantage of these tax credit incentives is April 30.

For more information contact:
Bill Kiselick, Division President Mattamy Homes US Group-Charlotte 704-375-9373 Bill.Kiselick@mattamyhomes.com

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Names James C. Moler, CCIM Senior Vice President of Office Group

TAMPA - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida recently named James C. Moler, CCIM, senior vice president of the firm’s Office Group in the Tampa Bay region.

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said Moler earned his B.S. Degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and has more than 18 years of experience in commercial real estate.

Moler will provide leasing and investment property services to local, regional and national ownerships in the Tampa Bay region, Sweeney said. Moler relocated to the Tampa Bay region from Chicago in 2005 and served a client portfolio that totaled more than 1.8 million square feet of office space.

“James Moler brings a wealth of experience to our Tampa Bay Office Group and we expect him to play an integral role in our continued growth with Office Group colleagues Paula Buffa, CCIM, and Maria Camarinos Hall,” Sweeney 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 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace. Visit http://www.commercialfl.com/.

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/.

Two Associates at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Report 15 Sales in Nov-Dec totaling over $6.6 Million

ORLANDO - Two associates at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty serving Volusia County reported sales of 15 homes that total more than $6.6 million in November and December of last year.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said associates Rachel McGrath and Debby Keilin sold 15 properties during the two-month period covering the Spruce Creek and Port Orange markets.

Both McGrath and Keilin joined Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in June 2009.

For more information contact:
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Obama Administration Should Expand Small Business Administration Lending to Spur Economic Recovery, Mercantile Capital Corp. CEO says

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - The Obama Administration’s proposal to funnel $30 billion in TARP receipts to community banks to spur lending to small businesses could do more to help the economy if it focused on the U.S. Small Business Administration lending programs themselves, says Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation in Altamonte Springs.

Hurn, whose company ranks as one of the leading providers of SBA 504 commercial loans to small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, said changes in SBA lending could go a long way toward growing the national economy.

“One of the things I’ve been saying for a few years is that the SBA 504 program should be used to refinance commercial real estate as well,” Hurn said. “You can’t do that with the program right now,” Hurn explained. “But as of Friday the 5th, the President seems to be on board with my proposal. We’ll see how quickly this solution can be put in place.”

Hurn gave the Obama administration high mark for its plan to eliminate capital gains tax on investments in small business.

“That’s phenomenal,” Hurn said. “We’ve finally seen a free market solution out of this President and this one actually would be good. That would be the kind of thing that will stimulate equity investments in the small business sector,” he said.

Hurn said many Obama administration proposals are problematic.

“The small business lending proposals are going to have mixed results,” Hurn explained. “Most community banks that have survived over the past 18 months have better capital ratios than large national banks, are relatively flush with capital and yet they’re lending less of their capital.

“Providing them up to five percent of their weighted assets to lend to small business customers at interest rates in the low fives to seven percent, doesn’t provide enough profit to cover the banks’ overhead. The only community banks that will be interested in this program are the ones that aren’t doing as well,” Hurn said. “Healthy community banks probably aren’t going to participate,” he said.

The $5,000 jobs credit is also troublesome, Hurn said. “If you’re a smart business person you’re not going to hire somebody for a position for something that you don’t have a demand for in your products and services just in order to get the job credit,” Hurn said.

The plan may benefit companies that are already expanding, but too few companies are expanding in this economy, he said.

“Expense reductions for equipment purchases also falls flat,” Hurn said.

“If you are a company that’s buying equipment, it helps you, but it doesn’t really get to the underlying problem affecting most small businesses in America that are struggling right now,” he said.
* * *

For more information about this press release contact:

Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040 or Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

BDG Construction Services Awarded Contract to Build Orange County Recreation Facility at Barnett Park

WINTER SPRINGS - BDG Construction Services, LLC based in Winter Springs, was recently awarded a design-build contract from Orange County worth $273,318 to build a public “splash park” at Barnett Park off S.R. 50 in Orlando.

Kevin Guffee, principal at BDG Construction Services, LLC, said the facility will include a 1,900 square foot water play area and 2,000 square feet of surrounding hardscape. Most of the facility will be built underground.

“The splash park incorporates a complex of pumps and drains to create a healthy, exciting water-themed recreational facility for young people,” Guffee explained.

BDG renovates and builds commercial facilities throughout Florida. Recent clients include Lillibridge Healthcare Services, The City of Winter Springs, Jones Lang LaSalle, Scottrade and Wal-mart Stores of Bentonville, Ark.

BDG Construction is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at the Seminole County/Winter Springs Incubator on E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs.
* * *
For more information, contact:
Kevin Guffee, Principal, BDG Construction Services, LLC, 407-951-7451, kguffee@bdgcs.comEsther Vargas-Davis, Site Manager, UCF Incubator-Seminole County, 407-278-4881, evargasd@mail.ucf.edu

About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities open across the Greater Orlando community and one more underway, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents for Private Estate near Heathrow

ORLANDO - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents for a private luxury estate on a one-acre lakefront home site at gated Lake Markham Preserve near Heathrow in North Seminole County.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Stirling associate Mary Ann Hartmann of the firm’s Lake Mary-Heathrow office negotiated the exclusive representation and serves as principal contact for the property.

The two-story water front estate home, on a ski lake, features European-style architectural elements enhanced with the latest in travertine flooring, custom wood cabinetry and millwork.

The 6,711 square foot home with a gourmet kitchen with nine-foot island, new outdoor summer kitchen, a heated lagoon-style swimming pool, a home theater, game room with kitchenette, four bedroom suites with private baths, and a separate suite for nanny/caregiver is priced at $2,199,000.
* * *

For more information contact:
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com

Centex Homes begins Construction of Magnolia Park Central Amenity Center in Riverview

TAMPA - Pulte Homes, the nation’s largest homebuilder, said their Centex Homes brand recently started construction of a second amenity center at Magnolia Park, its community of single-family homes located off Falkenberg Rd. in Riverview.

Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte Homes, said the new central amenity center, which will be complete by July 4, features lush landscaping, a playground, basketball court and a zero entry swimming pool with splash zone.

Centex Homes recently introduced the village homes at Magnolia Park priced from $89,900. New homes at Magnolia Park range in size from 1,250 square feet of living space to 3,280 square feet.

The Vienna, a two-bedroom, two-bath village home model was recently opened at Magnolia Park, Strickler said.
* * *

For more information about this press release, contact:
Lyndsey Clarke, Gulf Coast Area Marketing Manager, Pulte Homes Inc., 407-661-2150 ext 1416; lyndsey.clarke@pulte.com; Sean C. Strickler, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Pulte Group 407-661-1461 sstrickler@pulte.com

About Pulte: Pulte Homes, Inc., based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in 69 markets, 29 states and the District of Columbia. The Company has an unmatched capacity to meet the needs of all buyer segments through its brand portfolio that includes Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb, as well as its regional brands of DiVosta Homes (Florida) and Fox & Jacobs (Texas). In 2009, Pulte Homes brands received more top rankings than any other homebuilder in the annual J.D. Power and Associates 2009 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Studysm. Pulte Mortgage LLC is a nationwide lender offering Pulte customers a variety of loan products and superior service.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contracts to Design Renovations for J.H. Harvey Supermarkets in Florida, Georgia

ORLANDO - Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently awarded contracts to design renovations of three J.H. Harvey supermarkets in Havana and Tallahassee, Fla. and in Lakeland, Ga.

Jed Downs, president of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said each supermarket facility totals 30,000 square feet of retail space.

J.H. Harvey is a Nashville, Ga.-based, privately owned supermarket chain.
* * *
For more information, contact: Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100; Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100

Ashton Woods Homes Opens Two New Homes Priced from $139,900 at Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel, Starts Construction of Four More

WESLEY CHAPEL - Ashton Woods Homes recently opened two new ready-to-move-in homes priced from under $140,000 and has four more under construction at Palm Cove, located off Boyette Road and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel in Wesley Chapel.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the new homes range in size from 1,339 square feet of living space to 2,764 square feet.

Roche said all six new homes will qualify for the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 tax credit for existing home owners.

The deadline to take advantage of home buyer tax credit incentives is April 30 for contracts and June 30 for closings.

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-Orlando 407-647-3700; John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes Tampa-Orlando 407-647-3700

Top GIS Software Architects at Data Transfer Solutions Publish Research Article in ESRI ArcUser Journal

ORLANDO - Two top GIS software architects at Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), headquartered in Orlando’s downtown Avalon Park, were recently published in ESRI ArcUser, the world’s leading journal of the GIS (geographic information systems) and spatial modeling and mapping software industry.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said Brian Noyle, senior project manager and software architect at DTS, and David Bouwman, chief technology officer, authored the technical article, Unit Testing for ESRI Developers to teach GIS developers how to engineer software tests before deployment of custom software systems.

“A recent survey showed that only about half of all GIS unit developers write unit tests,” Fragala explained. “Over the life of a custom GIS software project, maintenance costs will equal about half of the project development cost, so testing units beforehand can substantially reduce total project costs,” Fragala said.

Noyle and Bouwman rank among the top software engineers in the GIS industry, Fragala said.
Data Transfer Solutions provides geographic information systems (GIS), transportation planning and engineering, asset management, web design, custom applications development and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S. The firm has offices in six states.
* * *
For more information, contact: A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, PMP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com

Mattamy Homes has only One Home Site remaining for sale at Brighton Park in Mint Hill Area

CHARLOTTE - Mattamy Homes has only one home site remaining for sale at Brighton Park, located off Lawyers Rd. west of I-485 in the Mint Hill area.

Bill Kiselick, president of Mattamy Homes in the Charlotte region, said Brighton Park features four and five-bedroom homes that range in size from 1,913 square feet of living space to 2,392 square feet priced from the $180s.
* * *

For more information contact:
Bill Kiselick, Division President Mattamy Homes US Group-Charlotte 704-375-9373 Bill.Kiselick@mattamyhomes.com;

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group: Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, www.mattamyhomes.com expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Charlotte, Jacksonville, Orlando, Minneapolis and Phoenix. The homebuilder, the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion was ranked among the highest of all homebuilders in the greater Toronto and Ottawa areas in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey conducted by J.D. Power Associates.

Three Avalon Park Groups Join Hands with Schools to Create Community Garden

ORLANDO - Residents of Avalon Park in east Orlando have created a unique partnership to develop a community garden.

Stephanie Hodson, marketing coordinator for Avalon Park Group, which is developing the neotraditional community, said the Avalon Park Property Owners Association is behind the project that includes the Avalon Park Garden Club, Avalon Church and Avalon Park’s schools.

“Property Manager, Tracy Durham, has been organizing all of the details including working with Avalon Church to set aside a parcel of land to be used for the garden,” Hodson reported. “The project will afford students a hands-on opportunity to learn gardening and nutritional skills and a provide place for town home and apartment residents to plant their own vegetables,” Hodson explained.

Hodson said the garden, which will kick off its first planting season this spring, will reserve a special space for a butterfly garden of native flowers.

If all goes well---gardening is subject to the trials of nature, after all---Hodson said the entire Avalon Park community can benefit.

“We hope to produce great vegetables we can sell in our Farmers Market, with proceeds going to the Avalon Park Foundation.”

* * *

For more information about this release, please contact: Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565

Lennar’s Central Florida Division Promotes Dustin Johnson to Assistant Controller

TAMPA- Lennar’s Central Florida Division has promoted Dustin Johnson to assistant controller.
Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Johnson joined Lennar five years ago after graduation from Ohio State University.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division, builds new single-family homes and town homes priced from the $80s to the $400s in more than 30 Lennar communities in the Tampa Bay, Orlando and Space Coast regions.

* * *

For more information contact: Francine Miller, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar-Tampa Region, 727-479-1747; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700

Beazer Homes Appoints Evan Marie Vogel Sales Analyst

ORLANDO - Beazer Homes has appointed Evan Marie Vogel New Home sales analyst.

Theresa Tilton, vice president of sales and marketing at Beazer Homes in the Orlando region, said Vogel, a graduate cum laude of Elon University in Elon, N.C., has more than six years of experience in sales and marketing.

Vogel will be working out of Beazer’s Florida division headquarters in Maitland Center.

* * *

For more information, contact: Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes /Florida Division 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com; David Byrnes President Beazer Homes / Florida Division - 407-339-4114 dbyrnes@beazer.com