Monday, August 16, 2010

Stirling Sotheby's International Realty Market Report Shows Alaqua Lakes Homes are Holding Their Value, although Sales are Down

LAKE MARY - Alaqua Lakes, the luxury country club community located at Lake Mary Blvd. and Markham Woods Road in Seminole County, appears to be holding home values better than most neighborhoods in central Florida.

Cassandra Levine, luxury homes specialist at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty and Alaqua Lakes community specialist, said seven luxury homes have sold during the first six months of 2010 at an average sale price of $977,942. In 2009, Alaqua Lakes saw sales at a lower average price of $868,153, Levine said.

The highest sale price for the first half of the year was $1,264,000, but it’s lower than the $1,475,000 highest sale reported in 2009.

Thirty-three luxury homes at Alaqua Lakes were listed for sale during the first six months of 2010, Levine said, compared with 45 in 2009.

Sellers are reducing their asking prices, but only slightly, Levine said.

“In 2009, the average asking price listed was $988,330. Today, the average asking price is $1,070,948,” she said. That could change, but not much.

”The difference between the average asking price and the average sale price is less than 10 percent,” Levine said.

“There’s some room for negotiation, but Alaqua Lakes was well-established before the real estate downturn and asking prices are very realistic here,” Levine added.

To view a video of Alaqua Lakes, go to http://www.stirlingsir.com/video/uneek/Video/ALAQUA%20SMALL%20GOOD.wmv.

To view the Alaqua Lakes Market Trends, go to http://www.stirlingsir.com/video/uneek/Video/ALAQUA%20SMALL%20GOOD.wmv

For more information, contact: Cassandra Levine, Luxury Home Specialist, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty-Heathrow/Lake Mary, 407-620-8483; clevine@StirlingSIR.com; Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890 rsoderstrom@StirlingSIR.com

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.

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Relocates Orlando Headquarters to Larger Facilities

ORLANDO - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is relocating its Central Florida headquarters to larger facilities at 20 N. Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando.

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said the new 7,000 square foot headquarters facility will allow room to grow.

“We are expanding, and will be hiring more commercial real estate professionals,” Sweeney said.
The firm was headquartered at a 5,600 square foot suite in the Landmark Center at 315 E. Robinson St. in downtown Orlando.
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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 45 brokers divided among its Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis Company: 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 100 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), mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

NAI Realvest negotiates sale of industrial condominium for $168,000 at Anchor Road Commerce Center in Casselberry

ORLANDO — NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of units 1536 and 1542 with 2,400 square feet in the Anchor Road Commerce Center at 206 Reece Way in Casselberry.

Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the sales representing the seller, Anchor Road Commerce Center, LLC of Maitland.

Pyramid Enterprises LLC of Largo, Fla. purchased the two units for $168,000.

For more information, contact: Michael Heidrich, Principal NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, Principal/Chief Operating Officer, 407-875-9989
About NAI Realvest: NAI Realvest in Orlando, 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.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty names Michael Springer Marketing Associate in its World Marketing Center

ORLANDO – Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed Michael Springer an associate with its World Marketing Center team in downtown Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty said Springer, a central Florida resident for more than 20 years, has some seven years of experience in outreach marketing and most recently was coached by the Mike Ferry NLP Coaching System that helps real estate agents succeed.

Springer’s accomplishments extend far beyond real estate sales coaching, Soderstrom said. He has extensive experience as a renowned public speaker and is a devoted advocate for self-development.

He served as a taskforce board member with Family Services Metro Orlando, has addressed Orlando’s top executives and civic organizations extensively to raise funds and awareness for adolescents and youth.

Soderstrom said Springer will focus on marketing Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty luxury and executive home listings and will work with buyers and sellers locally, nationally and internationally. He will also assist new home builders and developers to maximize the marketing efforts and potential of their properties.

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

NAI Realvest Negotiates Sublease for 15,000 square foot warehouse facility in Lakeland

MAITLAND – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new sublease agreement for the 15,000 square foot warehouse facility and its 4.26-acre site at 3306 Waterfield Rd. off U.S. 98 and Polk Parkway in Lakeland.

Sean DuPree CCIM, associate at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction representing the sublessor Atlantic Acquisition Corp. d/b/a Allied Building Products, headquartered in East Rutherford, N.J.

The tenant, subleasing the property for two-and-a-half years, is The Car Book, Inc. of Auburndale, Fla.

For more information contact: Sean DuPree, CCIM, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989; sdupree@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

About NAI Realvest: NAI Realvest in Orlando, 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.

Melrose-Sovereign Companies Ranked in the top 50 Among Florida’s Best Companies to Work for in 2010 by Florida Trend Magazine

ORLANDO - Melrose-Sovereign Companies, which ranks as one of the largest condominium, community and home owner association management companies in Florida, was recently ranked among Florida’s Best Companies to work for in 2010 by Florida Trend magazine.

Florida Trend, the “magazine of Florida Business,” conducts this business survey annually. In identifying Florida’s best employers, the analysis is based on work environment, employee satisfaction, compensation, corporate benefit package and ongoing management training.

Ellen Lumpkin, LCAM and Jack Hanson, LCAM, co-founders and principals at Melrose-Sovereign, said the Orlando-based company, with over 80 full and part time employees, currently has eight offices throughout the state. The 17-year-old company manages more than 170 condominium, community and home owner associations. Melrose-Sovereign’s clients include many of Florida’s best known community builders.

For more information contact: Jack B. Hanson, LCAM, Partner/co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, jhanson@melrose-sovereign.com; Ellen G. Lumpkin, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, elumpkin@melrose-sovereign.com