Mattamy Homes earns top Central Florida Parade of Homes Awards for all Three Model Town Homes Entered

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, entered three model town homes in the recent 2011 Central Florida Parade of Homes and earned three top awards and a fourth grand award — the Parade’s highest accolade.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, said the home builder earned more awards than any other home builder and he was delighted at the recognition.

“The Central Florida Parade of Homes brought hundreds of visitors to our communities of City Homes at Baldwin Park, Lake Burden in Windermere and Tuscany Place in southwest Orlando,” Parker said.

Mattamy Homes earned a first place award for its Plan 2 model town home at City Homes at Baldwin Park, a three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath town home priced from $260,990.

Mattamy Homes took a first place award for its Milano model home at Tuscany Place, located near the Mall of Millennia in Southwest Orlando, The Milano features three bedrooms with two-and-a-half baths priced from $167,990.

Mattamy Homes earned a second place award for its Castlefield model town home at Lake Burden in Windermere. The Castlefield features three bedrooms with two-and-a-half baths priced from $168,990.

“The Lake Burden award is ironic,” Parker mused. “The Castlefield model home competed in the same category as our Milano model home in Tuscany Place and we took first and second place,” he said.

For Parker, the best moment in the awards ceremony came when HBA officials announced the Baldwin Park model home earned the Grand Award for the overall best production home in all price categories.

“It was a big night for us,” Parker said.

Mattamy Homes has been winning major awards across the country.

Mattamy’s Jacksonville division earned five top awards at the recent Northeast Florida Builders Association’s 2011 Parade of Homes, and the Charlotte division earned nine top awards during its 2011 Parade.

“We think we’re getting it right,” Parker said.

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group

Mattamy Homes www.mattamyhomes.com expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Orlando, Jacksonville Phoenix, Minneapolis and Charlotte. 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.

Crossman & Company Negotiates Three Lease Agreements totaling 9,550 square feet at Deltona Fountains

DELTONA, Fla. --- Crossman & Company, one of the largest retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, negotiated three long term lease agreements for retail space totaling 9,550 square feet at Deltona Fountains shopping center, 777 Deltona Blvd. off Enterprise Road in Deltona.

Courtney Kowalchuk, vice president of leasing at Crossman & Company negotiated the three transactions representing the landlord Deltona Fountains, LLC

Greenberg Dental Associates, who was represented by Drew Forness of Forness Properties, leased 3,550 square feet for 11 years.

Bagel King, a tenant already occupying over 1,800 square feet at the center, signed a five-year renewal and expansion lease for 3,000 square feet.

LA Beauty is a new salon tenant who leased 1,200 square feet for three years.

About Crossman & Company:

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast US. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease agreements at Goldenrod and Hanging Moss CommerCenters in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 2,000 square feet of industrial space in the Hanging Moss CommerCenter located at Suite 560, 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, Paramount Drywall, Inc. headquartered in Miami.

Heidrich also negotiated a renewal agreement with Alternate Elevator Sales & Service, LLC of Orlando at the Goldenrod CommerCenter. The tenant renewed the lease of Suite 125 with 2,000 square feet at 1460 N. Goldenrod Rd. COP-Goldenrod, LLC of Maitland is the landlord.

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 350 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.

Emerson International Negotiates Two New Long-Term Office Leases at Major Center Plaza in Southwest Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Emerson International recently completed two new long-term lease agreements for Class A office space totaling 2,212 square feet at Major Center Plaza I, 5728 Major Blvd. in southwest Orlando.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, Inc. said commercial portfolio manager Kenneth Koch negotiated transactions representing the landlord, Emerson.

Passur Aerospace, Inc. an information technology firm serving the aviation and aerospace industries headquartered in Connecticut leased 1,315 square feet and Bryant Hodge & Associates, a financial services firm based in Buffalo, N.Y. leased 897 square feet.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Marketing Agents for Unique Horse Farm in Lake County

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive marketing agents for the unique Rozzy Osbourne equestrian estate located on Tuscanooga Road in Groveland, Fla.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the 32 acre estate includes a four bedroom, four bath luxury home, with 3,847 square feet of living space and a 2,100 square foot barn.

To view a video of the property visit http://www.stirlingsir.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=149361

Stirling Sotheby’s International Luxury Home Specialist Linnette Sanzalone is marketing representative for the blues singer’s property which is listed at the highly discounted price of $599,000.

“The barn is extremely well built and could easily be converted to a guest house, workshop or man cave.” Soderstrom said.

The property includes stables, a tree house, a pond with a private dock that affords seating and electricity, plus a covered picnic area with electricity that would easily seat 40 people.

Sanzalone said the on-site utilities include a generator, 500 gallon propane tank, two separate wells — one for a nine zone irrigation system — and a pumping station that shunts excess water to wetlands in the very back of the property.

Indoors, the home features tray ceilings, crown molding, oversized rooms, solid custom wood floors, built-in shelving units, two pantries, double built-in ovens, commercial grade ice machine and top-grade appliances.

Two additional oversized storage rooms could be converted into guest rooms or an exercise room, Sanzalone said.

This is a remarkable home that could serve as a family compound for entertaining and hosting the annual family reunion, she added.

See Rozzy Osborne’s web site www.rkoblues.net for an illustration of his continued support and compassion for animals.

Hendricks & Partners Closes on Four Apartment Communities in the Birmingham area totaling $3.5 million

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Hendricks & Partners, which ranks as one of the nation’s largest multi-family real estate advisory and research firms, closed on four sales of rental apartment communities in the Birmingham area for $3.5 million since the start of the year.

David Oakley, senior investment advisor for Hendricks & Partners in Birmingham, negotiated all four property sales and represented both buyers and sellers in three out of the four transactions.

Wedgewood Apartments, located at 100 Robert Jemison Ave. in Birmingham, sold for $1,350,000 to Abbey Residential, an investment group that includes AR-Highland, LLC, JFB-Highland, LLC and DXM-Highland, LLC, all of Birmingham.

Oakley negotiated the sale of the 54-unit Wedgewood Apartment property along with Hal Warren, associate partner of Hendricks & Partners in Orlando.

“Wedgewood Apartments sit adjacent to the Highland Bluffs and Highland View apartments that Abbey Residential acquired in November 2010 and they plan to blend these into their Highland Portfolio,” Oakley said.

East Bend Apartments, 1968 East Bend Cr. in Birmingham’s Centerpoint area, sold for $1.1 million to Summer Rise, LLC of Birmingham, JIL East Bend Apts. Inc., sold the 110 unit property, which was built in 1971. East Bend Apartments was 78 percent occupied at closing.

Highland court, located in Birmingham’s Lakeview Avondale area, sold for $560,000 to Domar Properties II, LLC of Birmingham. The 36 unit property was 50 percent occupied at closing, Oakley said. Bulldog Investments, LLC was the seller.

Hillwood Apartments, 100 Pinson Place in Birmingham, sold for $490,000 to Hillwood Apartments, LLC. The 44 unit property in the Pinson community was 59 percent occupied at the time of closing. Superior Bank was the seller and was represented by Bob Schuler with Schuler Realty Investment, LLC

Celebration Golf Management courses roll out the Red carpet for charity golf tournaments

CELEBRATION, Fla. – Six golf courses in Central Florida under Celebration Golf Management are rolling out the Red carpet for charitable organizations that want to hold golf tournaments to raise money for their programs.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management and Dorothy Benson, Sales and Marketing Manager, said all six Central Florida golf courses in the Celebration portfolio work with civic, social, community and charity organizations to produce fundraising golf tournaments.

Celebration donates twenty four (24) free rounds of golf — four rounds at each Celebration Golf Management Course — for use as prizes or donations in tournaments that draw 40 or more players, Benson explained. That offer is good by signing a contract, and giving a deposit by the end of the year.

Benson added that Celebration Golf Management recently hosted tournaments for the British American Chamber of Commerce to raise money for Dream Flight, Celebration High School’s football program, and the Florida Association of Water Quality Control (FAWQC) will hold a charity tournament to raise money for scholarships in May.

In May, Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden will host Charity Tournaments for Lake Sherwood Church, West Orange High School and St. Marks AME Church, Benson said.

Celebration Golf Management golf courses include Celebration Golf Club near Walt Disney World in Celebration, The Golden Bear Club in Windermere, Legends Golf and Country Club and Kings Ridge Club in Clermont, Stoneybrook West Golf Club, in Winter Garden and Eagle Creek Golf Club in southeast Orlando.

ICI Homes sweeps NE Florida Parade of Homes and earns four first place awards

JACKSONVILLE, FL --- ICI Homes, which ranks as one of the nation’s largest luxury community developers and builders, recently swept the 2011 Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) Parade of Homes and earned the company four first place Gold awards and one second place Silver award.

Don Wilford, North Florida division president at ICI Homes, said the awards sweep marks ICI Homes’ best Parade of Homes performance in more than 25 years in Northeast Florida. “We are very excited over the news,” Wilford said. “We knew we would do well in this year’s Parade — we entered some spectacular model homes.”

ICI Homes took first place gold awards for the Plantation II model home at Magnolia Preserve, the Egret III model home at St. Johns Forest, and the Milan model home at Palencia. The community of Palermo topped the list with gold going for the Portofino model home and silver for the Venticello.

Wilford pointed out that ICI Homes won more first place awards this year than the other 23 participants and believed this is due in part to the fact that he has designed ten new plans every year to meet the rapidly changing market.

Of the 52 models that ICI has entered in the NEFBA Parade of Homes over the last fifteen years, 42 received gold awards and six more received silver awards. Said Wilford, “That means that more than 80 percent of all ICI’s entries are gold award winners and we’re really proud of that.”

Of the eighteen model homes currently open at communities in the Jacksonville area, fourteen are past and present award winners. For a complete line-up of ICI Homes’ available models and communities, directions and contact information, go to www.ICIHomes.com or call 904-281-0800.

Beazer Homes hosts more than 100 at Grand Re-Opening of Dupree Lakes in Land O’Lakes, two new model homes unveiled

TAMPA, Fla. --- Beazer Homes hosted more than 100 current residents and potential home buyers recently at the grand re-opening of Dupree Lakes, a residential community located in Pasco County off Collier Parkway in Land O’Lakes.

Ed Suchora president of Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay region said the home builder hosted the recent weekend event to showcase two new model homes in the new third phase at Dupree Lakes.

Suchora said 75 home sites are available in the new phase at Dupree Lakes. New three, four and five bedroom homes priced from the $150s range in size from 1,400 square feet of living space to 3,200 square feet and are built with Beazer’s eSMART features that include elements to increase energy and water efficiency and indoor air-quality.

Dupree Lakes features a community sports complex and clubhouse that includes a resort-style swimming pool and splash zone with playground area, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts. The community is convenient to shopping, entertainment a new hospital and 15 minutes from three highly rated schools.

Visit www.beazer.com or call 813-929-0710 at Dupree Lakes which is open 10-6 Tuesday through Saturday and Noon to 6 Sunday and Monday.

About Beazer Homes:

Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

Celebration Golf Management eyes major growth, will focus on southeast region

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management LLC plans to expand the business model that has grown the four year old company into a well-respected regional management firm with six central Florida courses and two more in Myrtle Beach and Kingsport, Tenn.

Gene Garrote, president and principal of Celebration Golf Management LLC, launched the company in 2007 while he was operating the Celebration Golf Course in the unique Disney community near Orlando.

Garrote, 39 grew up in Miami, of Spanish and Italian heritage, where he started playing golf as a 15 year old and took jobs at local courses to earn more playing time.

“I started as a bag attendant, worked in the cart barn, in the golf shop, in food and beverage and finally worked my way into management,” Garrote said. That’s where he found his passion

Today, Celebration Golf Management employs more than 300 co-workers. More than 30 managers at Celebration Golf followed Garrote’s career path “up through the ranks.”

“Golf course management is a relationship business,” Garrote said. “Every visit to one of our courses presents the opportunity for us to help create a lifetime memory for the golfer. Every detail of our business aims to achieve that,” Garrote said.

Garrote said Celebration Golf enjoys modest growth and profitability thanks to a conservative approach that keeps the customers — and the courses — first.

“Our priorities are first making sure the guest is number one, second, making sure our co-workers have all the resources they need to provide excellent services and a memorable golfing experience on every visit, and third, to generate a profit,” Garrote said.

“We dissect our business and look at every single element, every expense,” he said. “We put our profits back into the courses, our guest facilities, our equipment and our co-workers,”

The U.S. economic downturn has separated the good golf management companies from the great ones, Garrote said, and Celebration Golf’s top managers have become expert at out-of-the-box thinking.

“We don’t look at golf courses as the sole revenue center,” Garrote said. “There are so many things we can do to generate revenue if we create our own opportunities.”

Celebration Golf hosts its own golf academies, corporate and institutional golf leagues, tournaments, banquets and a wide range of special and seasonal promotions and events, Garrote explained.

Garrote said Celebration Golf Management is currently considering acquisition of some six additional courses in Florida and outside the state. “We’re looking at two opportunities right now,” Garrote said.

Celebration plans to focus its growth on the Sunbelt states.

Right now Celebration Golf Management includes Celebration Golf Course, in Celebration, The Golden Bear in Windermere, Kings Ridge Golf Club and Legends Golf Club in Clermont, Stoneybrook West in Winter Garden and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Southeast Orlando.

Crossman & Company Negotiates 10 Long Term Leases for Publix Super Markets that Total 24,577 Square Feet of Retail Space

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Crossman & Company, the Orlando-based commercial real estate firm that ranks as one of the largest retail property specialists in the southeast, turned in a strong 2011 first quarter for client Publix Super Markets, Inc.: 10 long-term agreements that total 24,577 square feet of retail space.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, said associate Ashley Thornburg and Justin Greider, vice president and director of leasing at Crossman & Company negotiated the lease agreements in Brevard, Seminole, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Pinellas, Duval and Martin Counties in Florida and in Atlanta, Ga.

Thornburg negotiated five lease agreements at three Publix-owned retail centers in Florida:

At Publix at Town Commons, 8899 Hypoluxo Rd. in Lake Worth, Wildberries leased 1,572 square feet for three years and Prime Time NY Deli, 3,869 square feet for 10 years.

At Cornerstone at Stuart, 1501 NW Federal Highway in Stuart, Festival Music Centers leased 1,200 square feet and Surf Ratz, 3,600 square feet and both were for five-year terms.

At University Walk, 2875 University Parkway in Sarasota, AT&T signed a four-year lease for 1,000 square feet.

Greider negotiated five lease agreements at five Publix-owned retail centers in Florida and Georgia:

At Palm Springs Crossing, 482 East Altamonte Dr. in Altamonte Springs, Miracle Ear leased 1,025 square feet for five years.

Sound Advice Hearing Aids leased 1,761 square feet for five years in the Pinellas retail center at 857 West Bay Drive in Largo;

At OakLeaf Plantation Center, 9518 Argyle Forest Blvd. in Jacksonville, Fro-Yogi leased 1,725 square feet for five years.

Anytime Fitness signed a 10-year lease for 4,025 square feet at Rockledge Crossing retail center, 3820 Murrell Road in Rockledge.

Sherwin-Williams leased 4,800 square feet for five years at Paces Ferry Center, 2451 Cumberland Parkway in Atlanta.

Publix Supermarkets owns or operates retail centers throughout the Southeast that total more than 11 million square feet.

About Crossman & Company

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast US. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Ryland Homes Eyes Entry into Raleigh Market, Appoints New Vice President of Land Acquisition

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Ryland Homes has appointed Mitch Huff vice president of land acquisition in the Raleigh region.

Jay Thrower, division president for Ryland Homes in Charlotte, said Huff earned his MBA degree from the College of William & Mary and has more than 30 years of experience as a homebuilding executive and developer.

“Mitch Huff is one of the most experienced land acquisition experts in the Raleigh region and we are delighted he has joined the Ryland Homes team here,” Thrower said.

Thrower said Huff, who will be based in the Raleigh office, has a lot to do: Ryland Homes is expanding to include the Raleigh market, and Huff’s efforts in securing new land positions will lead the process.

“We are currently negotiating to acquire home sites in the Raleigh market,” Thrower said.

Currently, Ryland Homes builds single-family homes priced from the $120s to more than $300,000 in 12 communities throughout the Charlotte area.

The homebuilder recently hosted grand opening events at Traditions in Pineville, Baden Village at Regent Park in Fort Hill, Christenbury Mews in Concord, The Reserve at Morrison Plantation in Mooresville and Westland Farm in Mount Holly.

Visit www.ryland.com.

About Ryland Homes

With headquarters in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. The company currently operates in 28 markets across the country and has built more than 275,000 homes and financed more than 230,000 mortgages since its founding in 1967. Ryland is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYL.”

Grub Taxi Adds TooJay’s Gourmet Deli in Waterford Towne Center for Business and Home Delivery Services

ORLANDO, Fla. - Grub Taxi LLC, the Orlando restaurant home and business delivery service that launched in June 2008 in the UCF area, announced that TooJay’s Gourmet Deli in Waterford Lakes joined the company as a restaurant partner.

David Gray, marketing manager at Grub Taxi, said Grub Taxi mobile waiters are now making home and business deliveries for TooJay’s in Waterford Towne Center to any of Grub Taxi’s standard delivery areas in the Orlando area.

Grub Taxi’s 25 to 30 drivers currently deliver in East Orlando, Oviedo, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Winter Park, East and Southeast Orlando communities including Avalon Park, the Lake Nona, Lee Vista and Airport areas.

Grub Taxi now serves more than 90 restaurants and plans to expand delivery service into Osceola County in June.

Gray said the firm projects sales for 2011 will exceed $1.2 million, which is a 60 percent increase over sales in 2010.

Grub Taxi is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program. For more information visit www.grubtaxi.com.

About Grub Taxi LLC

Grub Taxi partners with more than 90 Orlando area restaurants to offer customers choices beyond traditional pizza and Chinese delivery, although Grub Taxi does offer those restaurants. They deliver non-traditional cuisines such as BBQ, Bar & Grill, Ice Cream, Smoothies, Deserts, Diner meals, Sushi, Mediterranean, Latin and more. Grub Taxi also provides convenient drop-off and corporate catering – parties, social events, office meetings – for large groups at discounted prices. Visit www.grubtaxi.com

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business 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, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Mattamy Homes earns five top awards in Northeast Florida Home Builders Association’s 2011 Parade of Homes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes earned five top awards in the Northeast Florida Home Builders Association 2011 Parade of Homes, which ended recently.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, said Mattamy entered six model homes in this year’s parade, which drew a total of 70 entries.

Mattamy Homes earned Gold Awards — the highest given — for its 2,189 square foot Emerald model home at Sevilla in St. Augustine and its 2,116 square foot Rosebury model home at Old Sebastian Point in St. Augustine.

Mattamy Homes earned Silver awards for its 2,306 foot Lancaster model home at Cedar Bay in northern Duval County, the 3,195 square foot Sydney model home with bonus room at the Colony at Greenbriar in St. Johns County, and the 2,483 square foot Kaila model home at Greenleaf Village in Nocatee in Ponte Vedra.

“We are extremely pleased with the awards,” Parker said. “The Parade of Homes generated hundreds of visitors to our communities and we think five top awards for six entries is a very powerful showing,” Parker added.

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.

Hendricks & Partners negotiates sale of 444-unit Pine Hills Apartment Property for $5.5 million

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hendricks & Partners, the nation’s leading multi-family property advisory group, recently negotiated the sale of Seville Place Apartments at 3124 N. Pine Hills Rd. in Orlando.

Cole Whitaker, partner at Hendricks & Partners, who heads the firm’s southeast region, said Associate Partner Hal Warren negotiated the sales transaction. Bob Hold of Hold Thyssen of Winter Park acted as Receiver for Seville Place Apartments.

Seville Place Holdings, LTD of Orlando paid $5.5 million to acquire the 444-unit property.

Built in 1973, Seville Place features five swimming pools, a playground, basketball and tennis courts, seven laundry facilities, car care center and a community clubhouse.

Tolaris Homes Remodeling Division Completes $1 million Renovation at Alaqua, Launches More Projects

LAKE FOREST, Fla. – Tolaris Homes, a division of Tolaris International who builds luxury homes throughout Seminole and Orange Counties, launched a renovation division and recently completed a $1 million remodeling project at Alaqua County Club community in Seminole County.

Richard Bavec, president of Tolaris Homes based at Lake Forest west of Sanford, said the Alaqua Country Club community renovation project totaled 10,000 square feet of space.

Tolaris has started a second remodeling and addition project at a residence in Baldwin Park that includes a swimming pool, balcony and outdoor living facilities for a total cost of over $200,000.

MERITAGE HOMES PLANS GRAND OPENING FOR MODEL HOME AT CYPRESS LAKES IN ORLANDO

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes will hold a grand opening for its new model May 14 at Cypress Lakes, located off Chuluota Rd. in east Orlando.

Brian Kittle, director of sales for Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said the model will offer 4,163 square feet of living space with eight bedrooms, four baths and a three-car garage.

Meritage Homes has 67 single-family home sites at Cypress Lakes with homes ranging from 3,055 square feet of living space to 5,107 square feet, priced from $236,990 to 290,990.

Volusia Law Firm Joins Firefighter Motorcycle Club to Sponsor May Benefit Poker Run For Shands Burn Center

FLAGLER COUNTY – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra P.A. and Chapter 11 of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club will sponsor the 7th annual Shands Burn Center Poker Run on Sunday, May 1.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. with pre-registration at the White Eagle Lounge on U.S. Highway 1, Korona in Flagler County, the event will have participants stopping to play their hands at four restaurants/bars in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties before returning to the White Eagle Lounge by 4 p.m.

“This poker run will raise money for the Shands Burn Center in Gainesville, and it’s also a fun event for all who will be participating,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the Port Orange-based firm.

According to national statistics, burn injuries – caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation or fire – are the third largest cause of accidental death in the United States. More than two million people are injured each year; 6,000 of them fatally.

Tickets for the May 1 three-county ride – one of many sponsored annually by Rue and Ziffra in support of the motorcycle-riding community – are $15 per person and include one poker hand, food and live entertainment. Prizes will be awarded to the best hands and a raffle will be held.

For more information, contact RKMC Chapter President Paul Metzner at 410-591-2676 or h43huskie@yahoo.com. Details also are available from the club’s website at www.krmcfl11.org.

About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

Meritage Homes Appoints Tom Evans Sales Associate

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Meritage Homes recently appointed Tom Evans as new home sales associate at the Oaks at Brandy Lakes in Southwest Orlando.

Brian Kittle, vice president of sales at Meritage Homes in Orlando, said Evans has more than 11 years of experience in new home sales.

Shopping centers, malls are transforming as “Big Box” retailers seek smaller stores, developers seek new uses, says WeinPlus chief executive

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- Retailers eyeing smaller, smarter retail facilities could change the look and feel of some malls and retail centers across Florida, says one Florida real estate strategist.

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg, said many “big box” retailers are opting for smaller facilities that are more efficient.

“Retailers have begun to focus more on smaller real estate footprints, with larger inventory turnover, more sales per square foot and more sales per individual customer,” Wein said. “A store that can meet its sales objectives in 8,000 square feet or 10,000 square feet instead of 14,000 square feet can be much more profitable,” she said.

Wein said Office Depot, Target, Best Buy, Gap and even Wal-Mart are all considering smaller, smarter retail store footprints.

“Wal-Mart plans to open more than 30 smaller format stores in 2011, focusing on grocery products and a smaller inventory of general merchandise,” Wein said.

“Target’s CityTarget concept aims at smaller stores with more targeted merchandise in urban areas.

Smaller, “Big Box” stores offer strategic advantages, Wein said.

Smaller footprints are more efficient, and that means more stores — and more consumer choices — in a single retail center,” she said.

Lowered operating expenses, which include everything from energy costs and maintenance to the workforce, will help retailers economize.

“We should see several changes as developers and retailers shift strategies to accommodate the recession,” Wein said.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty named exclusive marketing agents for Merritt Island $1.4 million 1910 Vintage Carlton House

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, the Orlando-based firm that specializes in luxury properties and unique resort and vacation homes, was named exclusive real estate broker to market the Carlton House luxury estate home on the Indian River at Melody Lane in Merritt Island.

See http://youtu.be/FleZu0S-YBo.

Constructed in 1910, the Carlton House property includes a gated 1.88 acre estate with 178 feet of Indian River waterfront and a private boat dock.

The Carlton House offers 11,587 square feet of living space with six bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Luxury Home Specialists Kim Tillett and Lauren Merrell are listing the property for $1.4 million, according to Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty.

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

Meritage Homes Plans Grand Opening May 14 at Waterford Trails in East Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes will hold a grand opening May 14 for its newest community of Waterford Trails located off Avalon Park Blvd. in east Orlando.

Brian Kittle, director of sales for Meritage Homes in Orlando, said there are 114 home sites available at Waterford Trails with homes ranging from 1,691 square feet of living space to 3,589 square feet.

Celebration Golf Club honored by Golf Digest ranked among top 30 of more than 1,700 Florida golf courses

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Club was recently ranked among the top 30 best golf courses in Florida by Golf Digest.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management, which owns and operates Celebration Golf Club and five others in Central Florida, said he was pleased with the ranking, which reviewed more than 1,700 Florida golf courses.

“Celebration Golf Club is an excellent course and we are delighted to be named among the top 30 golf courses in Florida,” Garrote said.

Ashton Woods Homes introduces prototype floor plan at Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has introduced a prototype floor plan with 2,187 square feet of living space at Palm Cove, located off Boyette Road and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the new two-story plan offers four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths with a two-car garage priced from $174,900 at Palm Cove.

Ashton Woods Homes is building 25 new homes in the current phase at Palm Cove.

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 Austin, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Raleigh, Phoenix, Denver, Tampa and Orlando.

ICI Homes Names Online Marketing Specialist

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes has named Duane Alan Kennerson as online marketing specialist.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes said Kennerson has more than nine years of experience in web development and marketing. He was formerly with Palm Coast Data, and is also a resident of Palm Coast.

About ICI Homes

ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 privately owned homebuilders in the nation. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

Ashton Woods Homes Introduces Prototype Floor Plan at Eagles Landing at Westyn Bay in Ocoee

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has introduced a prototype floor plan called the Marconi with 3,075 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, three full baths and a two-car garage at Eagles Landing at Westyn Bay, which overlooks Lake Apopka off of West Road and Ocoee-Apopka Road in Ocoee.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the prototype floor plan will be ready this summer.

Ashton Woods Homes is building 15 new homes in the first phase at Eagles Landing at Westyn Bay priced from $254,900.

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 Austin, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Raleigh, Phoenix, Denver, Tampa and Orlando. Visit www.ashtonwoodshomes.com.

ICI Homes Names New Home Sales Associate at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes has named Robert Steiner a new home sales consultant at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes said Steiner, who holds a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Southern Connecticut State University has 4-1/2 years of experience in real estate sales.

The Crescent Beach resident is a licensed Realtor who was formerly a sales associate at Watson Realty Corp. in St. Augustine, Messina said.

About ICI Homes

ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 privately owned homebuilders in the nation. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

Meritage Homes Starts Presales of Single-Family Homes Priced from the $240s at John’s Lake Pointe in Winter Garden

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Meritage Homes started presales of new four, five, six, seven, and eight-bedroom single-family homes priced from the $260s at John’s Lake Pointe, located off Avalon Road and S.R. 545 in Winter Garden.

Kelly Hernandez, marketing manager for Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said Meritage plans to build 74 new homes at John’s Lake Pointe ranging in size from 2,481 square feet of living space to 5,111 square feet.

Meritage recently hosted a grand opening of the Kerrville model a new six-bedroom four bath design at John’s Lake Pointe, Hernandez said. The model offers 4,163 square feet of living space and is priced from $305,990.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Three Design Contracts

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently awarded contracts to design a senior living facility and two office interiors.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the firm recently completed concept design for a Lena Center for Living, a 60-unit senior living facility located at the corner of Boston Avenue and S.R. 436 in Altamonte Springs.

Construction is expected to start on the 34,000 square foot facility before the fall.

Construction has started on interior improvements Cuhaci & Peterson designed for Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company on Mitchell Hammock Rod in Oviedo. The 5,000 square foot facility will open in May.

Cuhaci & Peterson was also awarded a contract to design interior improvements for an All-in-One Insurance office in Lady Lake. The Benchmark Group is developing the 2,000 square foot facility.

Celebration Golf Management to Install New Fitness Equipment at Golden Bear Golf Club in Windermere

WINDERMERE, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management will be upgrading the fitness center at Golden Bear Golf Club in Windermere.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management, said the firm purchased new exercise stations from Life Fitness for Golden Bear Club at a cost of more than $100,000.

The new fitness center equipment will be installed sometime this spring, Garrote said.

Celebration Golf Management LLC owns Celebration Golf Club in Celebration; The Golden Bear in Windermere; Kings Ridge Golf Club and Legends Golf Club in Clermont and Stoneybrook West in Winter Garden. Celebration leases and operates Eagle Creek Golf Club in east Orlando.

Pulte Homes has only three townhomes remaining for sale priced from $99,900 at Arrowood at Bartram Park in South Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Only three townhomes remain for sale at Arrowood at Bartram Park in South Jacksonville off Bartram Park Blvd. west of I-95 and south of St. Augustine Road.

Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte Homes in North Florida, said new two-story, two-bedroom townhomes at Arrowood at Bartram Park are priced from $99,900 with two-and-a-half baths.

Two model townhomes are available at Arrowood that range in size from 1,199 square feet of living space featuring open floorplans with vaulted ceilings, screened lanais, master suites and upper level laundry rooms.

Arrowood, situated in the preserve section of Bartram Park, boasts tree-lined streets and access to the community’s clubhouse with private pool and cabana and fully equipped fitness center.

About Pulte Homes

Award-winning Pulte Homes communities are designed to deliver the best quality of life for home owners. By combining innovative life-enhancing designs, an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail, Pulte Homes is the nation’s premier home brand for upwardly mobile home buyers in 26 states and the District of Columbia. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, Pulte Homes has ranked tops in the annual JD Power and Associates® New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Studysm more than 75 times since 2000. For more information about Pulte Homes, visit www.pultehomes.com.

Lennar announces “short sales pricing” on new homes at Heritage Hills in Clermont

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar Homes announced it is offering “short sale pricing” at Heritage Hills, the gated active adult community located in Clermont on Heritage Hills Blvd. off Hartwood Marsh Road, east of U.S. 27.

David Parker, director of sales and marketing for Lennar in Central Florida, said the price for one 2,433 square foot home at Heritage Hills has been slashed from $258,990 to $224,990.

“That’s a savings of $34,000 from its original price,” Parker said.

Another home with 1,861 square feet of living space was reduced from $204,990 to $183,490, saving the buyer $21,500.

Heritage Hills features an 18,890 square foot community clubhouse with a grand ballroom, swimming pool, fitness center, card and billiards rooms, aerobics studio, bocce ball courts, lighted tennis courts, social director, private vineyards and olive grove, fitness and biking trails, and golf simulator.

Visit www.Lennar.com.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Named Kevin Beil Project Manager

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, has appointed Kevin Beil project manager.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said Kevin Beil is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and has more than 15 years of experience.

Mattamy Homes Acquires 56 Single Family Home Sites at Waterford Creek in East Orlando

Winter Park, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, recently acquired 56 single family home sites at Waterford Creek, located off U.S. 50 at Hancock Lone Palm Rd. in East Orlando.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group based in Winter Park, said new single family homes at Waterford Creek will range in size from 1,600 square feet of living space and will be priced from the $170s.

Parker added that presales and construction of models will start early next year.

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group

Mattamy Homes www.mattamyhomes.com expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Orlando, Jacksonville Phoenix, Minneapolis and Charlotte. 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.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Industrial Leases totaling 18,298 square feet at Countyline Industrial Park and Hanging Moss CommerCenter

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest negotiated two industrial lease agreements totaling 18,298 square feet at the Hanging Moss CommerCenter in Orlando and at Countyline Industrial Park in Oakland in West Orlando.

Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest brokered both transactions on behalf of the landlords.

Goodman Distribution, Inc. based in Houston, signed a new 62-month lease for suites 1 and 2 with 16,298 square feet at 100 Countyline Court in the Countyline Industrial Park off Highway 50 and the Florida Turnpike. Brent Landry of Transwestern and Mark Stratman of Jones Lang LaSalle represented the tenant.

In the Hanging Moss CommerCenter Heidrich negotiated a three-year lease for 2,000 square feet with new tenants Henry Auad and Fabian Pinilla at Suite 430, 6112 Hanging Moss Road representing the landlord Maitland-based COP-Hanging Moss, LLC. Mike Sigrist of Compass Investment Properties represented the tenants.

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 350 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.

Mattamy Homes Starts Construction of New Model Home at Forest Hammock near Oakleaf Plantation, June Opening Planned

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, has started construction of a new single-family model home at Forest Hammock, located adjacent to the Oakleaf Plantation Town Center off Argyle Forest Blvd. and Oakleaf Plantation Pwy. in Clay County.

The Lily model home will open in June with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 2,295 square feet of living space and a two-car garage.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, said Mattamy plans to build 75 new three and four-bedroom single-family homes at Forest Hammock priced from the $180s on 50-foot home sites.

New homes at Forest Hammock will range in size from 1,600 square feet of living space to 2,900 square feet with two and three-car garages.

Forest Hammock features a community clubhouse with a large swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer field and a tot lot.

Mattamy Homes recently opened new model homes at Greenleaf Village at Nocatee in Ponte Vedra, at Old Sebastian Point in St. Augustine and Cedar Bay on Jacksonville’s north side.

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.

Crossman & Company President John Crossman to Participate in Panel Discussion at Real Estate Forum April 28

ORLANDO, Fla. --- John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, the Orlando commercial real estate firm that ranks as one of the largest retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, will speak at the panel discussion during the Central Florida Real Estate 2011 Valuation Forum April 28 at the Sheraton Orlando North Hotel in Maitland.

The 2011 Valuation Forum is sponsored by the East Florida Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Crossman, whose company represents Publix Super Markets, Inc. throughout the Southeast and Orlando Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, said he plans to talk about emerging trends in retail properties: big box stores opting for smaller facilities with lower operating costs and retail properties who are finding new ways to repurpose existing retail facilities.

Crossman played a role in one such repurposing when he helped negotiate a long-term lease at Orlando Fashion Square for the 20,000 square foot headquarters of the Disney Entrepreneur Center.

Crossman’s fellow panelists at the 2011 Valuation Forum include Ken Kupp, a partner at Boyd Development; Stephen Markowski, senior vice president and marketing manager at Wells Fargo / Wachovia Bank; and John Duttore, Florida operating partner for the Shopping Center Group.

About Crossman & Company:

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast US. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Cotter Ryan Commercial completes construction of 19,000 square foot addition to Triquint Semiconductors Headquarters in Apopka

LONGWOOD, Fla. --- Cotter Ryan Commercial LLC, based in Longwood, recently completed construction of a 19,000 square foot addition to the Triquint Semiconductors microchip manufacturing facility located off U.S. 441 in Apopka.

Scott Ryan, founder and president of Cotter-Ryan Commercial, said construction costs for the addition totaled more than $1.8 million.

Ryan also said his firm recently completed construction of tenant improvements totaling 2,000 square feet for the GG Medical Group in Kissimmee.

Villages of Royal Palm Wins Silver Award for Cottage Series Model Home in Volusia County Parade of Homes

PORT ORANGE, Fla. --- The Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange won a Silver award in the Volusia County Parade of Homes for its Cottage Series model home.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., which is developing the Villages of Royal Palm said the new Cottage Series model home on Coconut Palm Circle has proved one of the most popular designs in the community.

The three-bedroom home offers 1,304 square feet of living space with a two-car garage, starting at $169,900.

Providence Golf Course Community in Polk County Hopes for Fourth Award as Best Community in Central Florida Parade of Homes

PROVIDENCE, Fla. --- Providence Golf & Country Club in the Loughman-Davenport area of Polk County has its eyes on a unique prize: Best Community Award in the Central Florida Parade of Homes, which starts April 2.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, which is developing Providence, said the luxury community has won the Parade’s “Best Community” award for the past three years. A fourth year will set a record that will be difficult to beat, Kohn said.

The 1,800 acre luxury community features a championship 18 hole golf course designed by premiere architect Michael Dasher, a family-oriented fitness and aquatic center, an elaborate golf clubhouse with pro shop, lounge and restaurant that seats up to 200 people, lighted tennis courts, and two swimming pools – a resort-style pool for social activities and a lap pool for exercising.

Kohn said ABD also plans to enter its Courtyard model home at Heritage Green in the Parade.

The 4,200 square foot Courtyard model home features its own interior courtyard along with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a loft and a bonus room, both of which can serve as additional bedrooms. The Courtyard model home is priced in the $650,000 range.

Stonebrier Community Turns Out for Spring Fling Easter Festival

TAMPA, Fla. - Nearly 200 residents turned out for the Spring Fling Easter Festival recently at PulteGroup’s community of Stonebrier in Lutz.

Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and marketing for PulteGroup

’s North Florida division, said the festivities included a barbecue, balloon animals for everyone and an Easter egg hunt with the Easter Bunny.

Stonebrier offers new single-family homes built by both Centex and Pulte Homes priced from the $140s, with from 1,335 to 3,304 square feet of living space on a variety of conservation and lake front home sites.

Homeowners at Stonebrier have access to its 14-acre neighborhood amenity center with a community club house, a state-of-the-art fitness facility with weight training and cardio equipment, resort-style swimming pool with a jungle waterslide and children’s play area, a basketball court, a multi-use sports field, and a children’s playground complete with a rock climbing wall.

For more information please contact the Stonebrier sales team at 813-948-8866.

** LOOKING FOR EGGS — Youngsters at Stonebrier in Lutz on the hunt for eggs during the recent Easter Spring Fling hosted by the PulteGroup.

Who’s A ‘Hacker’? Orlando Data Recovery Company Offers Career Position for Rare Skills

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Computer “hacker” is a term most people view with a mixture of respect and contempt, and with good reason: the term has undergone a dozen evolutions since its coinage in a computer lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 50 years ago.

Most of us would generally agree with the definition currently posted at Wikipedia: “…a person who breaks into computers and computer networks, either for profit or motivated by the challenge.”

Not Andrew von Ramin-Mapp. The CEO of Data Analyzers LLC, (www.datanalyzers.com), recently launched the Sunshine State Hacktacular Challenge to identify promising new hackers. The reward---a career position as a junior data recovery engineer at the Orlando firm with a salary range in the high $30s, generous performance bonuses and even a relocation allowance.

Von Ramin-Mapp’s company specializes in data recovery and computer forensics, a highly specialized field that evolves almost daily as new data security measures are introduced.

Born and raised in Germany, von Ramin-Mapp was trained as an industrial engineer but soon found the profession monotonous. He emigrated to the U.S., where he landed a job in a corporate IT division and studied computer security.

“Everybody and their brother was getting into computer security,” von Ramin-Mapp said. “I was looking for something a little more adventurous.”

The hacker community appealed to him.

“The best hackers are self-taught,” von Ramin-Mapp said. “They are characteristically intuitive, inquisitive, persistent almost to the point of being obsessive, and generally more comfortable thinking outside the box than in,” he explained.

But the shadowy world characterized by more than 20 major motion pictures and thousands of newspaper and magazine articles held less appeal.

“I wanted to find ways to use hacking skills to earn a living that would benefit people,” von Ramin-Mapp said.

Enter data recovery and computer forensics. The work is demanding, stimulating, profitable and best of all, “no two jobs are ever the same,” von Ramin-Mapp said.

And the volume of work is exploding, von Ramin-Mapp said. Expanded hard drive capacities and the wave of ‘smart’ devices such as iPhones and Android have generated a large and growing universe of customers and clients.

“The computer manufacturers won’t tell you this, but the larger the hard drive capacity, the more things can go wrong,” von Ramin-Mapp said.

And besides routine computer crashes, a host of problems sends clients to von Ramin-Mapp’s door, from fires and roof leaks to vindictive employees and malicious-minded outsiders---those erstwhile “hackers,” although most computer professionals prefer the term “crackers.”

“The data recovery industry has more work than it can handle today,” von Ramin-Mapp said. “We have one position available now and we are a small company. We could hire as many as three more people this year if we can find the skill sets,” he said.

To see if your hacking skills qualify, visit www.datanalyzers.com and click on the Sunshine State Hacktacular Challenge.

Lennar to Host Grand Openings to Showcase New Model Homes at Five Communities in Tampa Bay Region

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division plans to host grand openings at five communities in the Tampa Bay region over April and May to showcase new model homes.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said new model homes are priced from the $90s to the $170s.

At the Hammocks in New Tampa, located on Startfinder Way off County Line Road one half mile west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Lennar will host Margarita Madness on April 30 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with plenty of food and refreshments.

Lennar is unveiling two model town homes at the Hammocks: the Capri model home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 1,801 square feet of living space with two-car garage, and the Marisol model home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 2,319 square feet of living space with a two-car garage.

New town homes at The Hammocks are priced from the $90s.

At Autumnwood Grove, located off U.S. 98 South in Lakeland, Lennar will unveil its new Canterbury model town home at a backyard barbecue on Saturday, April 30 from noon to 3 p.m.

The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath Canterbury model town home offers 1,559 square feet of living space. New town homes at Autumnwood Grove are priced from the $90s.

Lennar will host a Family Fun Day at Hampton Hills in Lakeland from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 to showcase the Kennedy model home with four bedrooms and three baths in 2,267 square feet of living space with a three car garage.

New homes are priced from the $120s at Hampton Hills, which is located of U.S. 98 North and Sleepy Hill Rd.

At Live Oak, located off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, Lennar will host a Family Fun Day from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14 to showcase two new model homes.

Metheny said the Hamilton model home at Live Oak offers four bedrooms and three baths in 2,032 square feet of living space with a two-car garage.

The new Monte Carlo model home at Live Oak offers five bedrooms with a bonus room and three baths in 3,209 square feet with a three-car garage.

New homes at Live Oak are priced from the $170s.

Lennar will host Margarita Madness from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 to showcase two new model town homes at Brandon Pointe, located on Providence Lakes Blvd, south of Lumsden Rd./Causeway Blvd. in Brandon.

Metheny said the Glenmoor model home at Brandon Pointe offers two bedrooms and two-and-half baths in 1,543 square feet of living space with a one-car garage.

The Hampton model home features three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 1,625 square feet with a one-car garage.

New townhomes at Brandon Pointe are priced from the $150s.

For more information, visit www.Lennar.com or call 888-317-7489.

Rachel Wein, Founder of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg Appointed To University of Florida Conference Planning Committee

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- Rachel Elias Wein AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services, LLC in St. Petersburg, has been appointed to the planning committee that will coordinate the University of Florida’s Real Estate Trends and Strategies Conference to be held in Orlando early next year.

Wein, who graduated from the University of Florida and then earned postgraduate degrees there in Architecture and Real Estate, said she expects the 2012 Real Estate Trends and Strategies Conference to be one of the most important in a decade.

“We are emerging from a major economic recession that centers on real estate values, and residential and commercial real estate will play a pivotal role in our economy at the national level and most importantly here in Florida,” Wein said.

The annual conference, hosted by the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business Administration, relocated to Orlando last year to provide expanded meeting facilities to its growing audience.

VOLUSIA LAW FIRM HELPS RAISE MORE THAN $125,000 AT 5TH ANNUAL TOYOTA SKINNER ROUND-UP FOR CHARITY

DAYTONA BEACH – The Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra P.A. recently helped raise more than $125,000 for local charities when it presented the 5th Annual Toyota Skinner Round-Up, a two-day event that featured golf and poker tournaments and a live concert featuring Nashville recording artists.

The annual event – the brainchild of NASCAR truck driver Mike Skinner and his wife Angie – also included silent and live auctions, a Taste of Daytona food sampling, and other entertainment and activities.

Allan L. Ziffra, president of the personal-injury law firm, said the event, which was held March 16-17, is one that he and his staff look forward to each year.

“The Skinner Round-Up not only is a fun event for our employees and the community, but it raises a significant amount of money each year for several local charities,” he said. “To date, the annual Skinner Round-Ups have raised well over half a million dollars.”

This year’s local benefactors are the Volusia County Council on Aging, Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare, Second Harvest Food Bank, Halifax Health Speediatrics Unit and Greyhound Pets of America.

Pulte Homes has Only Four Town Homes Remaining for sale at Ventura Bay in Riverview

TAMPA, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has only four town homes remaining for sale at Ventura Bay, located off Bloomingdale Avenue and Highway 301 South in Riverview.

Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte Homes in Central Florida, said new three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath town homes at Ventura Bay range in size from 1,580 square feet of living space to 1,715 square feet. Town homes are priced from $139,990 to $159,990. Residents of Ventura Bay enjoy onsite amenities including a gated entry, resort pool and cabana, and a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Visit www.pulte.com/tampa or call 813-627-9333.

About Pulte Homes

Award-winning Pulte Homes communities are designed to deliver the best quality of life for home owners. By combining innovative life-enhancing designs, an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail, Pulte Homes is the nation’s premier home brand for upwardly mobile home buyers in 26 states and the District of Columbia. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, Pulte Homes has ranked tops in the annual JD Power and Associates® New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Studysm more than 75 times since 2000. For more information about Pulte Homes, visit www.pultehomes.com.

About PulteGroup

PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM) based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is America’s premier home building company with operations in 67 markets, 29 states and the District of Columbia. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2010, the Company has an unmatched capacity to meet the needs of all buyer segments through its brand portfolio that includes Pulte Homes, Centex Homes and Del Webb. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, the brands of PulteGroup have consistently ranked among the nation’s top homebuilders as surveyed by third-party, independent national customer satisfaction studies.

For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, see www.pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com

NR Electronics receives ITAR Certification to Permit International Sales of Military Technologies

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla., - NR Electronics LLC, based in Winter Springs, and specializes in obsolete and hard-to-find electronic components, recently received its ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) Registration from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Liza Ordonez, Managing Director of NR Electronics, said the ITAR Registration certifies that NR Electronics complies with regulations designed to control the manufacture, export and transfer of defense articles, information and services to ensure that military technologies are shared solely with U.S. persons unless the Department of State grants special approval to do otherwise.

“We stock and supply a wide range of electronics components, hardware and parts that are hard to find and difficult to replace on older equipment,” Ordonez said. “Some of the components we stock apply to military technologies governed by the ITAR regulations,” she said.

“The ITAR Registration certifies that NR Electronics has the knowledge and understanding to comply with ITAR and to handle ITAR-protected products according to specific regulations,” Ordonez explained.

“The ITAR registration will enable us to assist our customers with extremely sensitive projects and extend our work to projects that require exceptionally high levels of security and confidentiality,” she said.

NR Electronics is a client/member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program at the Business Incubator in Winter Springs at 1511 East State Road 434.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business 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, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Collegiate Staffing USA President Speaks Positive Stress Management at Wonderful Women Network

ORLANDO, Fla., -- Mikaela Nix, founder and president of Collegiate Staffing USA based in Orlando, spoke to the We are Wonderful Women Networking Conference recently hosted at the Hilton Hotel in Altamonte Springs; on the topic of “Practicing Safe Stress: How to Handle Stress in the Workplace.”

Nix, a graduate of Florida A& M College of Law, has first-hand experience with the stress of wearing multiple hats- including running her employment staffing firm, working as an adjunct professor at both Seminole State and Valencia Community Colleges, and fulfilling her duties as Chair of the University of Central Florida’s Black Alumni Association.

“In today’s hectic, work-driven society, individuals find themselves spending about 70 percent of their waking hours at the actual work place, or wrapping up work at home, successful leaders must learn how to effectively deal with the accompanying stress in order to remain at the top of their mental and physical game.” Nix told the group.

“The upside of eliminating or reducing stress,” Nix counseled, “is increased productivity, sharpened memory, and better physical and emotional health.” Overall, using various techniques to manage stress can manifest powerful results,” Nix said.

Women from throughout Central Florida attended the We Are Wonderful Women Networking Conference, which was sponsored by Breakaway Moments, a Caribbean Tour and Travel Company.

Collegiate Staffing USA, is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program.

About Collegiate Staffing USA:

Collegiate Staffing USA assists star students in making that sometimes difficult transition from college to career; by allowing them to gain real world experience in their field of interest. Clients can efficiently select from a wide range of fresh, eager, and talented individuals that are able to hit the ground running in a variety of positions and organizational cultures. Visit www.csusajobs.com for more information.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business 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, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Hal Warren Named 3rd Most Active Investment Properties Broker in Region in CFCAR Hallmark Awards

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hal Warren, associate partner at Hendricks & Partners in Orlando, earned top honors in the Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors (CFCAR) Hallmark Awards recently.

Cole Whitaker, partner at Hendricks & Partners, who heads the firm’s southeast region, said Warren earned Hallmark Awards as the Central Florida region’s third most active investment properties broker, eighth most active land sales broker and fourth most active broker in the overall top 10 category.

Hendricks & Partners is the nation’s largest multi-family advisory group, specializing in sales of apartment communities and development sites.

“Hal Warren, with his operations and due diligence background, is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced brokers of multi-family investment properties, apartment communities and development sites in Florida,” Whitaker said.

Warren who joined Hendricks & Partners in 2007, has more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate in Central Florida and currently serves as chairman of the City of Orlando’s Historical Preservation Board.

Miami Cybersecurity Company Selected to Participate in State’s Economic Gardening Program

MIAMI, Fla., – AuthenWare, a security software provider that focuses on the prevention of identity theft, has been selected to receive free technical assistance through the state-funded GrowFL program.

Founded in 2006 by CEO Ron Brittian and Chief Technology Officer Felix Racca, AuthenWare creates cybersecurity software for clients that range from individuals and small businesses to government offices and other large-scale enterprises.

“We are very excited to be part of the GrowFL program,” said company President Tom Helou. “The GrowFL designation means access to valuable resources that will help us grow and create new jobs in the state of Florida.”

Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses for the program the institute looks for ones that have the potential to succeed, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“AuthenWare is a forward-thinking company that already has achieved much in a short period of time,” said O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for UCF’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

GrowFL will offer support to AuthenWare through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, CEO roundtables and forums, database research and website optimization.

AuthenWare’s main headquarters is located in Miami, with satellite offices in New York City and Mendoza, Argentina, Helou said.

A leading cybersecurity software provider, AuthenWare’s innovative authentication system offers tight security through a combination of keystroke dynamics, as well as behavioral and environmental characteristics [including changes in behavior such as those caused by medication, injury or fatigue] to minimize identity theft, web fraud and other system vulnerabilities.

Helou said the company’s affiliation with GrowFL opens up an entire network of resources from funding to marketing to real estate to employee training.

“The network understands second-stage companies,” he said. “Our membership in the GrowFL community means introductions to companies that can help us grow and succeed.”

About AuthenWare:

AuthenWare is a leading cybersecurity software provider that focuses on fighting identity theft through its innovative tokenless authentication system that delivers security with a multi-dimensional approach to validating identity. Using a series of algorithms that record and measure a person’s keyboard typing patterns, as well as other behavioral and environmental heuristics, the product creates a personal security pattern – the AuthenWare Singularity Pattern – that is as unique as the person’s DNA. For more information about Authenware, visit www.authenware.com.

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute:

The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

Lennar Starts Presales of New Town Homes Priced From the Low $100s at Thousand Oaks in Pasco County

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division has started presales of new two and three-bedroom town homes priced from the low $100s at Thousand Oaks, located south of S.R. 54 on Little Road near New Port Richey in Pasco County.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said new town homes at Thousand Oaks range in size from 1,300 square feet of living space to 1,650 square feet.

Lennar plans to build 254 town homes at Thousand Oaks.

For more information or driving directions, visit www.Lennar.com or telephone toll-free 888-317-7489.

Celebration Golf Management has special offer at six area golf courses for golf tournament organizers

CELEBRATION, Fla. – Celebration Golf Management has a special offer at six area golf courses for golf tournament organizers: event and group rates as low at $19 per person, with special golf banquet menus available.

“Many communities, service clubs, companies and charitable organizations sponsor summer golf tournaments at various courses and country clubs in Central Florida and we are reaching out to them with a special package offer that we think is eminently affordable,” said Dorothy Benson, sales and marketing manager for Celebration Golf Management.

Celebration golf courses are some of the best in the region, Gene Garrote, president and principal of Celebration Golf Management said. The clubs include Celebration Golf Club near Walt Disney World, the Golden Bear Club in Windermere, Legends Golf and Country Club and Kings Ridge Club in Clermont, Stoneybrook West in Winter Garden and Eagle Creek Golf Club in southeast Orlando.

Organizers who book tournaments with 40 or more golfers will receive 24 complimentary foursome rounds of golf at any CGM course, Benson said.

The offer is good through Oct. 31, 2011. To book an event, telephone Celebration Golf Management at 321-293-4613.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Industrial Lease Renewal at South Park Business Center

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a lease renewal for 2,400 square feet at South Park Business Center, a flex, office and warehouse center at 8600 Commodity Circle in Orlando.

Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction on behalf of landlord, South Park, LLC of Miami. The tenant, Orlando-based Accessgate.net, Inc. – a technology firm that serves the security and intelligence industries – renewed a lease for suite 106 at the 150,000 square foot business center.

About NAI Realvest

NAI Realvest in Orlando, 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 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.

Mattamy Homes Marks Record Sales in March for Orlando Region, Early April Saw Highest Weekly Sales in a Year Nationwide

Mattamy Homes Marks Record Sales in March for Orlando Region, Early April Saw Highest Weekly Sales in a Year Nationwide

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, reported nationwide sales the first week in April were the highest since March of 2010, and this past March was a record sales month in the Orlando region.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, said the home builder sold 12 new homes in just four Orlando area communities in March valued at $3.2 million.

Parker added that during the first week in April, Mattamy Homes sold 21 homes for $5.5 million throughout its communities in the Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Phoenix and the Minneapolis-St. Paul areas.

Parker said that 19 of the 21 homes were ready-to-move-in homes.

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group

Mattamy Homes www.mattamyhomes.com expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Orlando, Jacksonville Phoenix, Minneapolis and Charlotte. 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.

Newmark Knight Frank's Southeast Capital Markets Group Headed by Whitney Knoll Names J. Mark Hillis Partner for Atlanta Based Firm

ATLANTA, Ga. --- The Newmark Knight Frank Southeast Capital Markets Group headed by veteran Whitney Knoll, has appointed J. Mark Hillis principal.

Knoll, a principal of the group said Hillis has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate with transactions valued at more than $8 billion across all property types including office, retail, industrial, multi-family and hotels.

“Mark Hillis is one of the most experienced senior capital market specialists in the U.S.,” Knoll said. “We are delighted he has joined the Southeast Capital Markets Group her at NKF and we expect him to play a major role in our continued growth,” Knoll said.

Hillis will focus on investment sales and capital market transactions, in addition to executive responsibilities within the Southeast Capital Markets Group.

Hillis formerly served as a senior managing director of Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets Group Investment Sales Division, and as executive director at Morgan Stanley predecessor companies Equitable Real Estate and Lend Lease, where he was in charge of dispositions nationally and multi-family acquisition in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Hillis co-led the team that acquired the $1.5 billion Town & Country Trust (NYSE: TCT), a multi-family REIT.

Newmark Knight Frank is one of the largest independent real estate service firms in the world. Newmark Knight Frank provides strategic solutions to real estate capital concerns.

Headed by Knoll, the Southeast Capital Markets Group is a five-member team focused exclusively on capital market transactions on behalf of owners with assets in the Southeast.

Orlando based Geocove, Inc. to present disaster recovery strategies at National Hurricane Conference in Atlanta

ORLANDO Fla. --- Geocove, Inc. an Orlando firm that provides GIS software and strategic support to government agencies, has been invited to present new disaster management strategies at the National Hurricane Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta April 20.

Karyn Tareen, president and chief executive officer at Geocove, said the invitation represents a major opportunity for the five year old technology firm to demonstrate its ARM360 software suite products, which enable disaster relief organizations to assess damages quickly and efficiently.

Tareen said Osceola County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Halquist will accompany the Geocove team to the conference and assist in their presentation Wednesday from 3:30-5 p.m. – “Extending the Capabilities of Emergency Management with GIS.”

Osceola County Emergency Management is one of Geocove’s many damage assessment clients, Tareen said.

Geocove’s ARM360 is proven technology, Tareen said.

“We have field tested it for more than five years. It’s very user-friendly and the system can be installed and fully operational in as little as five days, with complete training for users,” Tareen said. “We can do it even faster if hosting is preferred,” she added.

When disaster strikes, damage assessments and reporting are the most immediate tasks facing disaster management officials. ARM360 leverages technology to enable quick, reliable damage assessments and accurate reports for FEMA and other reporting agencies.

About GeoCove

Geocove, Inc. provides scalable GIS software and implementation solutions across a multitude of industries. The Geocove team has extensive experience in providing support, design, customization, and implementation of the Esri suite of GIS products. Geocove’s mobile products feature ArcGIS Server™ Mobile and ArcPad™ Solutions.

An Esri Parner, Geocove, Inc., is a privately held corporation located in central Florida.

Esri, ArcGIS, and ArcPad™ are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Eiland Park Community in Zephyrhills to Host “Margarita Madness” Celebration April 16 from Noon to 3 P.M.

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division will host Margarita Madness from noon to 3 p.m. on Sat., April 16 at Eiland Park, on Daliha Terrace in Zephyrhills off Massey Rd. west of U.S. 301 and south of S.R. 54.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Margarita Madness will feature games, prizes, foods and beverages along with special tours of town homes and villa homes.

Lennar is building 78 town homes and villa homes at Eiland Park priced from the $80s.

Metheny said admission is free and the public is invited. For more information or driving directions, visit www.Lennar.com or telephone toll-free 888-317-7489.

Celebration Golf Management to host free Summer Rounds for kids at Five Central Florida Golf Courses

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management will host free rounds of golf for children aged 6-15 when accompanied by an adult through the end of September at five golf courses in the Central Florida area: Celebration Golf Club at Celebration, Legends Golf Club and Kings Ridge Golf Club in Clermont; Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden and Eagle Creek Golf Club in east Orlando.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management, said the offer is good daily at all five golf courses. Each child must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian, Garrote said.

“Golf is an important and rewarding experience that many golf enthusiasts want to share with youngsters,” Garrote said. “We want to help open up opportunities and create a lifetime memory on one of Central Florida’s finest golf courses,” he said.

No registration is required, Garrote said, but it’s always best to call ahead to assure tee times.

Crossman & Company Associates take Top Honors at Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors (CFCAR) Hallmark Awards

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Associates at Crossman & Company, the Orlando commercial real estate firm that ranks as one of the largest retail leasing and management firms in the southeast, took top honors in the Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors (CFCAR) 2011 Hallmark Awards recently.

John Crossman, President of Crossman & Company, said Associate Whitaker Leonhardt was named CFCAR’s rookie of the year. Leonhardt, who joined Crossman in 2009, negotiated leasing and sales transactions in 2010 that totaled more than $6 million. The award, presented by 2010 Rookie of the Year recipient and Crossman & Company Senior Associate Daniel Germano, is the second Rookie of the Year award Leonhardt has achieved this year. In March he was presented with the same award by the Orlando Chapter of NAIOP.

Justin Greider, Vice President/Director of Leasing, was honored as the region’s top producer in the retail properties category. Greider, who joined Crossman in 2008, negotiated retail property sales and lease transactions that totaled more than $17 million in 2010. Greider was also named the Top Overall Retail Producer by the Orlando Chapter of NAIOP last month as well.

Greider’s retail transactions were enough to earn him a seventh place ranking among overall top producers in Central Florida.

Three other Crossman & Company officers and associates were named top 10 producers in the retail properties category, Crossman said.

Courtney Kowalchuk, Vice President of Leasing, who ranked fourth; Associates Katherine Rush, seventh and Leonhardt, eighth. Senior Associate Daniel Germano also received the Circle of Achievement award.

“I am thrilled with the accomplishments our team achieved in a very challenging market. We are looking forward to a strong 2011,” Crossman said.

About Crossman & Company:

Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Squash Anyone? University Club of Orlando to open Central Florida’s third Squash Court May 15

ORLANDO, Fla. ---The University Club of Orlando will open Central Florida area’s third squash court on May 15.

Susan Greene, general manager of The University Club of Orlando, said growing demand for regulation squash courts by Orlando-area players and the rise of international squash clubs prompted the University Club to consider installing a regulation court.

Greene said the University Club is converting one of its racquetball courts for regulation squash play.

Squash, which traces its earliest roots to 12th century French monks, was refined by aristocratic debtors incarcerated at Fleet Prison in Great Britain in the 17th century and offers as many traditional peculiarities as golf.

St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire opened the first American squash court in 1884. Thirty years later, adherents formed the United States Racquets Assn. (USSRA), now known as U.S.-Squash in Philadelphia.

The sport is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and narrowly missed being included in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The IOC overlooked squash again for the 2016 Olympic games in favor of golf.

“Squash is a superb sport with an avid following,” Greene said. “We are proud to be able to offer it at the University Club.”

Principal of Newmark Knight Frank’s Southeast Capital Markets Group, Whitney Knoll, heads Retail Panel at Interface Retail in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. --- Whitney Knoll, principal for Newmark Knight Frank’s Southeast Capital Markets Group, told an audience of real estate investors, brokers and developers gathered in Atlanta that Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) will play an increasingly important role in the retail development industry as the U.S. economy improves.

Knoll headed a panel of experts discussing the impact of REITs on economic development in the southeast U.S. at the Interface Retail: Atlanta conference sponsored by professional trade journals Shopping Center Business and Southeast Real Estate Business.

While the retail development industry’s recovery from the recession has been slow and new construction reflects slow residential growth, retail equity partners have been actively pursuing acquisitions of well-positioned retail facilities throughout the southeastern U.S., Knoll said.

“Retail equity participation is weathering a severe credit crunch and an evolving debt market,” Knoll said. “REITs have emerged as a principal source of liquidity in both debt and equity capital fundraising as investors and developers seek other means of financing projects,” he said.

Knoll, who is responsible for initiating retail investment sale transactions and capital markets transactions for Newmark Knight Frank’s Southeast Capital Markets Group, ranks as one of the leading retail property brokers in the Southeast, with career transactions that total more than 3.3 million square feet of commercial space valued at approximately $3.3 billion.

Knoll’s panel, “Meet the Retail REITs: Hear From the Equity Players in 2011,” included Richard H. Carson, Regional Vice President for New Development and Acquisitions at Weingarten Realty Investors; Mike Cohn, Executive Vice President for Retail Investments, Leasing & Asset Management at Cousins Properties, Inc.; Bob Mitzel, Regional President for Southeast and North Florida at Equity One; and Will Ponder, Vice President of Investments at Edens & Avant.

ICI HOMES’ PALENCIA OPENS NEW SWIM AND FITNESS CENTER

St. Augustine, Fla. – ICI Homes recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for a brand the new Swim & Fitness Center located at Palencia, a private community located in St Augustine.

David Haas, ICI’s chief development officer, said ICI Homes constructed the 9,050 square foot facility which houses state of the art fitness equipment, group exercise area and an outdoor swim facility built to the accredited standards for aspiring athletes wishing to qualify for national competition.

On hand for the celebration was ICI Homes Owner/Chairman Mori Hosseini, along with ICI Homes staff and others affiliated with the project including developers, architects, county officials, engineers, bankers and other partners of the endeavor.

“This eight-lane competition swim facility is another feather in Palencia’s cap,” said Haas. “It is an excellent resource for local families, and because of its accreditation, the Swim Center will attract athletes from all over the state,” he added.

The new facility is located adjacent to the new Bella Terra neighborhood at the northern end of the community. ICI Homes features custom new home packages starting in the mid $300s.

For more information, see www.ICIHomes.com or call 904-810-0500.

Pulte Homes reports sale of 10+ new homes at Trillium in Brooksville, will open new phase in May

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. --- Pulte Home reported it sold more than 10 new single-family homes since Jan. 1 at Trillium, located off Trillium Blvd. in Brooksville off County Line Road east of the Suncoast Parkway.

Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte Homes in Central Florida, said Trillium offers three and four bedroom single family homes that range in size from 1,265 to 1,981 square feet with two-car garages priced from $99,990. Strickler said Pulte plans to open a new phase at Trillium in May with 56 home sites.

“We have seen a marked increase in sales activity and we’re looking forward to a very busy summer,” Strickler said.

He added that an improving U.S. economy and pent up demand from retiring baby boomers will help drive the housing market in the Brooksville region.

“Starting in May, more than 1,500 people will celebrate their 65th birthday every day on average,” Strickler said.

Visit www.pulte.com/tampa or call 352-797-8183.

About Pulte Homes

Award-winning Pulte Homes communities are designed to deliver the best quality of life for home owners. By combining innovative life-enhancing designs, an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail, Pulte Homes is the nation’s premier home brand for upwardly mobile home buyers in 26 states and the District of Columbia. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, Pulte Homes has ranked tops in the annual JD Power and Associates® New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Studysm more than 75 times since 2000. For more information about Pulte Homes, visit www.pultehomes.com.

About PulteGroup

PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM) based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is America’s premier home building company with operations in 67 markets, 29 states and the District of Columbia. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2010, the Company has an unmatched capacity to meet the needs of all buyer segments through its brand portfolio that includes Pulte Homes, Centex Homes and Del Webb. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, the brands of PulteGroup have consistently ranked among the nation’s top homebuilders as surveyed by third-party, independent national customer satisfaction studies.

For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, see www.pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com