Wednesday, November 30, 2011

PING GOLF, CELEBRATION GOLF MANAGEMENT PROVIDE NEW GOLF CLUBS AND GOLF CLINICS TO WAR-INJURED VETERANS

ORLANDO, Fla. --- PING Golf and Celebration Golf Management, Inc. recently pooled resources to help two war-injured veterans in the Fairways for Warriors program, a nationwide initiative that helps injured soldiers cope with their handicaps by teaching them to play golf.

PING presented full sets of PING golf clubs, and Celebration Golf is providing a series of 10 golf clinics for both veterans.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management (CGM) said both soldiers were severely injured in Iraq.

“Jorge Zapata was a Marine combat engineer who neutralized more than 80 IEDs before he was injured,” Garrote said.

“B.J. Jackson lost both legs below his knees when a Humvee he was driving was hit buy a rocket-propelled grenade. He had to be extracted from the burning vehicle,” Garrote explained.

Kenny Nairn, Scottish PGA Golf Professional and Executive Vice President of Golf at Celebration Golf Management, said the series of golf clinics for soldiers started recently at all six CGM clubs in Florida.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Pulte Homes introduces five new floor plans including Pulte Planning Centers at Berkshire Park in Windermere, model Grand Opening Dec. 10

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has introduced five new floor plans with new featured “Pulte Planning Centers” and “Drop Zones” at Berkshire Park located in Windermere. A Grand Opening is set for Saturday, Dec.10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Berkshire Park that will feature Pulte’s new Madison model home.

Sean Strickler, Vice President of Sales for Pulte Homes in Central Florida, said the new floor plans include three, four, five and six bedroom designs that range in size from 2,430 square feet of living space to 3,649 square feet boasting such features as first floor owner’s suites, three-car garages, granite countertops and tile floors.

Strickler said Pulte Homes is introducing two big new features at Berkshire Park: “Pulte Planning Centers and Drop Zones.” These new features were integrated into the new floorplans because of feedback derived from focus groups conducted with its homeowners.

“The Pulte Planning Center looks like an open room or den but it’s really a survival tool because it’s a place where you can organize the family -- open the mail, pay bills, kids can do schoolwork. Since it’s centrally located in the home and open to the kitchen and great room it offers a lot of flexibility -- it can be whatever you need it to be,” Strickler said.

“The Drop Zone is similar to a northern mud room -- a place for the kids to drop off backpacks and shoes before heading into the rest of the home. So many homes in Florida are designed to walk through a laundry room when entering from the garage. It gets a little depressing coming into your home and seeing all of the laundry that didn’t get done. The Drop Zone addresses that issue.”

The Drop Zone can have bead-board backing, coat hooks and storage for shoes. Additional options in the Drop Zone include upper and lower cabinets with granite countertops, electrical outlets for charging phones and iPads and cabinet cubbies for organizing the mail.

The Madison model home that will be premiered at the grand opening is designed with the new Drop Zone feature.

The public is invited to stop by, tour the model and enjoy food from a gourmet food truck, The Crooked Spoon.

Berkshire Park is located off Overstreet Road and S.R. 535 in Windermere. 13314 Roskin Ln., Windermere, FL 34786.

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 one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in approximately 60 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer segments and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide home buyers with innovative solutions and new homes designed for the way people actually live today. As the most awarded home builder in customer satisfaction, PulteGroup brands have consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, see pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com

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

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Crossman to Lecture UCF Real Estate Students Monday Nov. 28

ORLANDO, Fla. --- John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company the Orlando-based firm that ranks as one of the largest retail property management and leasing companies in the Southeast, will lecture students in the Real Estate program at the University of Central Florida Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.

Crossman is a frequent lecturer at Florida universities and colleges and a sought after speaker at real estate conferences and seminars.

A panel discussion will follow lecture which is being held in Room 105 of the Psychology Building on UCF’s main campus.

Del Webb starts construction of Eight Carriage Homes at Sweetwater Active Adult Community in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Construction is underway of eight new carriage homes at Sweetwater, Del Webb’s award-winning active adult community located on Surfbird Circle off of Baymeadows Road East in Jacksonville.

Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Del Webb in the North Florida region, said new two-bedroom carriage homes that range from 1,438 to 1,857 square feet at Sweetwater offer two baths and a den plus a one-car garage.

Strickler said the eight new carriage homes at Sweetwater will be completed and ready for occupancy by April-May 2012.

Maintenance free carriage homes at Sweetwater are priced from the $150s, Strickler said.

Sweetwater offers residents a clubhouse where the community hosts a wide range of educational, recreational and entertainment events, indoor and outdoor pools, picnic pavilion, bocce ball and tennis.

About Del Webb
Del Webb, the pioneer of active retirement communities, is America’s leading builder of developments for people 55+ since 1960. By building quality homes and communities that help active adults optimize their next phase in life, Del Webb’s amenities and programs enable homeowners to easily engage creatively, socially, athletically and intellectually. In concert with Baby Boomer residents, the brand is continually redefining retirement and retirement living. Del Webb communities have grown to include more than 50 communities currently open for new home sales in 20 states. For more information on Del Webb, visit www.delwebb.com. To learn more about how to plan a smart future, check out financial tools at delwebb.com/value.

L.A. Tan names new Manager, Assistant Manager at Clermont Salon

CLERMONT, Fla -- L.A. Tan has promoted Lisa Zelaya to manager and Lisa Lowry to assistant manager at the Clermont salon at 1670 E. Highway 50.

Rick Patel, owner and chief executive officer said Zelaya joined L.A. Tan early this year as a manager trainee. She has more than 20 years of experience in the retail and hospitality industry and was formerly in the management program at Panera Bread. Zelaya attended Valencia College. She is also the CEO of L.A. Zelaya Construction Inc. (formerly known as L .A .Molina Construction Inc.) in Clermont.

Lowry has been with the company since 2005 and recently graduated from Westside Vocational Technical School with a license in massage therapy.

In her new role, Zelaya was also recently involved in training and hiring a new manager for the new L.A. Tan in Tampa located at 5323 Gunn Hwy.

“Lisa is an exceptional administrator with personal drive, customer appeal and creativity,” said Patel. “We expect her to play a key role in our continued growth and expansion in Florida.”

Data Transfer Solutions appoints Corey Durno and Eric Wilkinson to “key” professional positions

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), has named Corey Durno a full time Mobile Asset Collection (MAC) Vehicle Operator and appointed Eric Wilkinson Engineer I.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at DTS, said Durno earned his B.S. degree in geography from the University of Florida and began working with DTS’ fleet of mobile data collection vehicles that are designed to collect roadway condition data and inventory infrastructure assets.

The vehicles, which are outfitted with an array of precision scanning and data collection equipment, are built using proprietary DTS collection technologies at a cost of more than $500,000.

Durno recently collected data in Charlotte, N.C., Albuquerque, N.M., and Bexar County, Texas. He is beginning a statewide data collection project for the Delaware Department of Transportation this fall.

Wilkinson is currently assisting with development of minor roadway design plans and maintenance of traffic designs as well as pavement analyses for state and local governments. He earned his B.S. degree in civil engineering at the University of Central Florida.

VOLUSIA LAW FIRM TO HELP PRESENT “HOLIDAY AT THE BEACH” DEC. 2 AND 3 IN FLAGLER BEACH

FLAGLER BEACH – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra is helping several Flagler County agencies put on the 2011 “Holiday at the Beach” event Dec. 2 and 3 in Flagler Beach.

Sponsored by the Flagler Beach Chamber of Commerce, the City of Flagler Beach, Rotary Club of Flagler Beach, and the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, the weekend event will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday night with a Veteran’s Memorial Park Christmas tree lighting and music in the park.

Included will be customer-appreciation offers and luminaries lining the downtown area, as well as photos with Santa at the Flagler Beach Commission Chambers, according to Kim Bouck, a partner in the Port Orange-based law firm.

“We’re very happy to be a presenting sponsor and excited that so many of our employees are participating in this annual event,” Bouck said.

On Saturday, Santa Claus will parachute onto the beach to signify the beginning of the “Flagler’s Got Talent,” holiday parade at 1 p.m. where several members of the firm will be riding atop fire truck, he said.

Other Saturday events will include the Fun Coast Bed Race, and parade viewing and judging in front of Veteran’s Park with trophies awarded. Children attending the festivities are invited to a party with Santa at the Flagler Beach Fire Department.

For details, contact Kim Carney, the chamber’s event chairman, at 386-846-5493.

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, DeLand and Palm Coast. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

CINEMATIKA STUDIOS NAMED ONE OF THE “HOTTEST TECH STARTUPS” IN FLORIDA, INVITED TO PRESENT AT THIRD ANNUAL TECHVENTURE 2011

ST. CLOUD, Fla. --- cinematiKa Studios, headquartered at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in St. Cloud, was recently named one of the 10 hottest tech startups in Florida by TechVenture 2011, the third annual showcase of new concepts, tools and resources hosted by Florida Technology Journal.

Ricardo Bernardini, founder and creative director of cinematiKa Studios, said he was invited to present his project at the conference of technology leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at the Hard Rock Live venue in City Walk at Universal Studios Tuesday Dec. 6.

The project, Angal Tentara, a revolutionary new iPad entertainment application, has launched for additional funding through Kickstarter.com, the world's largest funding platform for creative projects.

CinematiKa’s unique entertainment technology merges three major storytelling platforms–book, movie and video game–into a compelling multi-level production that engages viewers as active participants.

Bernardini hopes Kickstarter.com investors will help finance the completion of his project, which has been 10 years in the making so far at a cost of more than $150,000.

Bernardini said the opportunity to showcase his project at TechVenture 2011 comes at just the right time.

“TechVenture 2011 is free to attend, you will pay for parking and you must register to attend online at www.TechVenture2011.com. The event brings together many of the top technology experts in our respective fields in a platform for peer-to-peer interaction and crowdsourcing,” Bernardini explained.

“Our new technology expands storytelling possibilities to draw the reader in, ignite the imagination, awaken the senses, and inspire the emotions with a magical interactive historical adventure,” Bernardini said.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program -
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers & Planners names new Engineer, Project Coordinator, Designer

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers & Planners LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently named a new senior structural engineer, a project coordinator and a mechanical designer.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said Roberto Archila PE, was named senior structural engineer. Archila holds a Masters of Science in Structural Engineering from California State University and Bachelor of Science degrees in Ocean Engineering and Marine Science/Mathematics from Florida Atlantic University and University of Tampa respectively. Archila has more than 25 years of experience.

Cuhaci & Peterson also named Daniel Barrett senior project coordinator. Barrett who has 11 years of experience in the architectural and engineering field, graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Design.

Randy Green, who was appointed mechanical designer, graduated from Valencia College with an Associates Degree in Arts and Sciences and an Associates of Science in Building & Construction Management. Green is currently attending the University of Central Florida to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management. He has 18 years of experience in the architectural and engineering field.

New Program Assistant Named for University of Central Florida’s Daytona Beach Business Incubator

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Arlene Wilson, a former executive assistant with a background in business and education, has been named program assistant for the University of Central Florida Business Incubator at Daytona International Airport, 601 Innovation Way.

Wilson – an honors’ graduate of Daytona State College – has more than 25 years of experience in the educational and business fields, having spent 10 years at Daytona State College, and many years in the business arena, including an administrative position for ITT Community Development Corp.

She recently began putting both – as well as her years of experience as a volunteer – to work in her new position, according to Site Manager Doris “Connie” Bernal.

“Arlene’s many skills are proving to be perfectly suited for the position,” Bernal said. “And, her experience as a volunteer and office holder for organizations such as the DeLand Art Festival and the March of Dimes are invaluable.”

The 9,607-square-foot incubator – a partnership between UCF, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council – opened July 27 after a $1.4 million renovation to part of the airport’s international terminal building. Like incubators in Orlando, Sanford, Leesburg, Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Winter Springs, the Daytona Beach incubator helps start-up companies, as well as established businesses that need assistance getting to the next level of their operations, Bernal said.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across Central Florida, 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

University Club of Orlando to Celebrate 11-year-old Cancer Survivor at Christmas Party for Member’s, Families Dec. 3

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The University Club of Orlando will celebrate the health of 11 year old cancer survivor Tyler Youtz at a special Christmas party for University Club members and their families Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Club, on the corner of Central Blvd. and Rosalind Ave. across from the library in downtown Orlando.

Justin Wright, general manager of the University Club of Orlando, said the event will benefit the Toys for Tyler Foundation and raise awareness of the children in Central Florida recovering and suffering from cancer.

“We’re asking that all members’ children bring toys to contribute to the Toys for Tyler Foundation,” Wright said.

The toys will be distributed to the children throughout Central Florida,” Wright explained.

Wright said the University Club is planning a wide range of events and activities for the party, including Christmas tree decorating, bounce house, visit from Santa and plenty of holiday snacks and refreshments.

Mercantile Capital Corporation Will Mark Record Year of Commercial Loans, move to Downtown Orlando in December

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Mercantile Capital Corporation in Altamonte Springs will mark a record year of commercial loan transactions this year and will be in new offices in the Old Florida National Bank building at 60 N. Court St. in downtown Orlando this December.

The firm, which ranks as one of the largest and most active providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans to small business owners, merged with Winter Park-based Old Florida National Bank earlier this year and plans to relocate to the historic downtown Orlando building before Christmas.

Geof Longstaff, chairman of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said he projects the firm will end 2011 with over 60 closed loans to fund projects in more than 15 states, totaling more than $150 million.

That’s a new record for the eight-year-old company.

Longstaff said he’s sorry to leave Mercantile Capital’s Altamonte Springs headquarters but the merger with Old Florida National Bank opens big, new doors for the firm’s mission: local economic growth and new job creation.

“Job creation is one of the principal aims of the SBA 504 loan program,” Longstaff said.

Chris Hurn, Mercantile’s chief executive officer, said new SBA 504 lending rules are already stimulating economic activity and will likely generate another record year in 2012.

“The SBA 504 program is certainly the smart choice and often the only choice for small business owners who see an opportunity to grow,” Hurn said.

Last year Mercantile Capital Corporation closed 51 loans to fund projects worth more than $140.6 million.

Beazer Homes opens new phase with 40 villa homes priced from the $150s at Gulfwinds just north of Tarpon Springs

TAMPA, Fla. --- Beazer Homes recently opened a new phase with 40 villa homes priced from under $160,000 at Gulfwinds, located off Alt. U.S. 19 and Anclote Blvd. in Holiday just north of Tarpon Springs

Ed Suchora, market manager at Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said three bedroom villa homes in the new phase of Gulfwinds offer two baths and range in size from 1,745 square feet of living space to 1,883 square feet with two car garages.

All new Beazer villa homes at Gulfwinds are Energy Star® certified.

ICI Homes Names Online New Homes Specialist at its Corporate Office in Daytona Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes, which ranks as one of the largest and most active luxury home builders and luxury community developers in the U.S., has appointed Bethany Kempf, Online New Homes Specialist.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes said Kempf holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida and a Florida Real Estate license

Messina said Kempf has a big job to do. “Most home buyers consult online resources before buying a new home in a luxury neighborhood such as ICI’s Plantation Bay in Ormond Beach, Amelia National and Julington Creek in Jacksonville, Cypress Reserve south of Orlando and at Grand Hampton in Tampa.”

“Today’s social marketing strategies are increasingly important,” Messina explained.

Kempf, a social networking veteran and new homes specialist, has six years of experience in the industry.

About ICI Homes
ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 homebuilders in the nation. The 32+-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

Former WDI-IRC East Employee who Survived Fiery Accident Settles into her “She Den” to write Series of Children’s Books at Del Webb Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – Donna Morris never set out to be a writer of children’s books, but fate led her in that direction just as it led her to a place she said she never wants to leave.

“I had not planned to be an author,” the Florida native said from her home office at the Del Webb Orlando community near Davenport. “It chose me; I didn’t choose it.”

But, she and her husband Jeff, did choose their home at Del Webb Orlando in 2008 and they’re very glad they did.

“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” said Morris. “My husband feels that when he’s away, I’m taken care of by our incredible neighbors.” Because of their jobs the couple travels a lot, but they always have someone to look after their 15-year-old rescued pets, a gray cat and a boxer named Morris who she lovingly says looks like a “bug-eyed dingo.”

Morris, a former large theme park employee who grew up in the Fort Myers/Sanibel Island area, lost all of her hair and most of her skin in 2004 when a fireball engulfed her body as she stoked a fire pit near her home in Lake Wales.

“I was burned over most of my body,” she said. “I have scarring, but it really doesn’t bother me. I’m just thankful I’m alive. I tell people ‘it was a heck of a way to get a chemical peel!’ ”

While Donna was recuperating from her injuries, Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne blew across Florida destroying the Morris’s Lake Wales home and everything in it. Like so many others, the couple had to start over from scratch.

During her recovery Donna Morris had an epiphany. As she looked outside, a firefly landed on the screen. She thought to herself how beautiful this creature was that lit up such a vast amount of darkness and immediately thought of Edison creating the light bulb. Thus her first series was born.

The rest, as they say, is history. Or at least, historical in the sense of children’s books, as Morris – aka Donna Raye – took a different approach to her literary works. Each of her children’s books are written in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Since then she has published several books in different genres, including a new series called “Faith-a-Leapin’ ” that is written from the point of view of a frog, one of Morris’s favorite creatures. Donna Raye’s children’s series teaches about diversity, being kind to others and that children can grow up to do anything they set their minds to, Morris said.

“We have a pond in our backyard and we hear croaking all the time,” she said. “I have a collection of frogs in my office that range from ceramic ones to a Chinese frog carved from a nut to one from Africa that sounds like a bull frog when you rub a stick against its back.”

When she isn’t holed up in her “she den” writing, Morris – the mother of two sons and three grandsons – said she enjoys numerous amenities at Del Webb Orlando, including a dog park, hot tubs, pickleball courts, and gathering rooms for movies or parties.

She also makes good use of the community’s fitness center and swimming pools, exercising 1.5 hours daily at the gym and two hours at the inside pool

“I love the outdoors,” Morris said. “We really love our home here, but the only time I’m inside very long is when I’m writing. Otherwise, we’re on the golf cart riding around the community with our dog, just enjoying life.”

Four Mattamy Homes Site Superintendents Win Cornerstone Awards from Home Builders Assn.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- Four site superintendents at Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, were presented with Cornerstone Awards during a recent luncheon meeting of the Home Builders Assn. of Charlotte.

Bill Kiselick, division president for Mattamy Homes in the Charlotte region, said Jim Brodnik, Keith Holiday, Price Leonard and Brian Smith earned Cornerstone Awards for their home building efforts during the period of Oct. 1, 2010 through Sept. 30, 2011.

Kiselick said Brodnik was awarded in the category of 15-25 homes built, and Holiday, Leonard and Smith received the award for building more than 26 homes during the past year, the highest achievement category of the HBA Cornerstone awards.

The Home Builders Assn. of Charlotte is the only HBA in the nation that recognizes the builders themselves for their labors, according to Kiselick.

“We are very careful in the selection and supervision of our home builders and Jim, Price, Keith and Brian rank among the most conscientious, hardest working and most knowledgeable home builders in the Charlotte region and they deserve every accolade they receive,” Kiselick said.

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.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Stirling Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Named Sales Agents for Lakefront Country Estate with Architectural Pedigree

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty was recently named exclusive sales and marketing agents for a luxury lakefront country estate just west of Orlando that comes with a notable pedigree.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the 55-acre luxury estate at 19035 Orange Ave. in Groveland features a 5,600 square foot lakefront hacienda designed by Arizona architect John B. Sholz, whose Uptown Court---a 103-room estate home outside the village of Windlesham in Surrey, England---ranked as the most expensive home offered for sale anywhere in the world at the height of the real estate boom.

Recently the palatial estate sold for half its former asking price, or about $67 million.

Soderstrom said the Groveland hacienda, built in 2002, is a brilliant example of the California Craftsman architectural style with pecky-cypress doors and cypress plank ceilings.

“The hacienda is a work of art,” said Stirling Sotheby’s Luxury Residential Specialists Sally Taylor and Emily White. The Taylor/White International Team for Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty are representing the Groveland estate which is listed for sale for $2.6 million.

The four-bedroom luxury home offers three full baths and a guest half-bath along with a game room, a private library, and a grand entrance with a 25-foot high rotunda.

A white, sandy beach on secluded Lake Arthur is a focal point of the 55-acre estate property, which includes a park-like 15-acre homestead and gardens with extensive wooden decking and a secluded stone waterfall, Taylor said.

The estate earns its agricultural property tax exemptions: its 10-acre irrigated organic citrus grove and 30 acres of well-fenced cattle pasture are served by a 3,750 square foot workshop, garage and farm vehicle storage building.

The entire property is well-fenced and the cattle pasturage is cross-fenced, Taylor said. The property is protected by a gated entrance and extensive electronic security system.

See a brochure on the property at http://www.stirlingsir.com/eflyers/19035-orange-ave/19035-orange-ave-brochure.pdf and view a video at http://youtu.be/ygretH_-5G8

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Stirling Sotheby’s Int’l represents Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar in 8,100 square foot lease

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Commercial Division recently represented the tenant, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar in securing a new lease agreement for an 8,100 square foot restaurant facility overlooking Little Sand Lake on Restaurant Row on Sandlake Road in southwest Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said International Commercial Division Associate Mark Arnold represented Rocco’s Tacos, an upscale West Palm Beach-based restaurant chain with locations in West Palm, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach Gardens.

“Rocco’s Tacos is a very successful restaurant concept that offers upscale Mexican fare, with guacamole prepared at tableside, and the largest selection of premium tequilas in Florida,” Arnold said.

The new Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar location, at 7468 W. Sand Lake Rd., is the former home of the Samba Room Restaurant.

Arnold said Rocco’s Tacos will appeal to both Orlando residents and visitors to the area as both a dining and entertainment destination of choice.

“Rocco’s Tacos is extremely popular in South Florida, with “standing-room-only” crowds most nights,” Arnold said.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Industrial Lease for 4,760 Square Feet in Oviedo

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new industrial lease for 4,760 square feet at Unit A, 640 Kane Court in Oviedo.

Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, brokered the transaction representing the landlord, Winter Springs-based Sandbagger Properties, LLC and the tenant Haddad Management Advisors.

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.

ABD Development to start construction of two pre-sold homes, one model home at Heritage Green in Providence South of Orlando

PROVIDENCE, Fla. – ABD Development Company will start construction in January of two pre-sold luxury homes and one model home at Heritage Green in Providence, the luxury golf course community ABD is developing South of Orlando off US 17-92, near Disney.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the presold homes include the Wyndham with 2,700 square feet of living space and the Tuscan with 4,000 square feet.

ABD also started construction of a new Portofino model home with four bedrooms and three baths in 2,673 square feet of living space that will be completed in February.

Kohn added that a new Courtyard model home with 2,684 square feet of space in underway and will be ready early next year at Heritage Green priced at $410,000. The multiple award winning Courtyard model home features a large indoor courtyard.

First Green Bank opens unique new headquarters facility at 18251 U.S. Hwy. 441 in Mount Dora, open six days a week

MOUNT DORA, Fla. – First Green Bank, which has locations in Clermont and formerly in Eustis, has opened the doors at its unique new headquarters facility at 18251 U.S. Hwy. 441 in Mount Dora and is now open for business every day except Sunday.

Kenneth LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank, said the 12,000 square foot building is one of the greenest in Central Florida.

“Our new facility is designed to exceed the LEED Platinum Standard for energy efficiency, environmental quality, water conservation and sustainable building materials set by the U.S. Green Building Council, LaRoe said.

Platinum is the highest LEED standard the U.S. Green Building Council has established for its Leadership in Energy Efficiency Design program.

LaRoe said First Green Bank opened its doors on Nov. 14. The bank is open six days a week starting from 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and staying open until 6 p.m. on Fridays.

Lobby banking hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Drive-up tellers are open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

LaRoe said the new bank headquarters is a model for environmentally responsible commercial facilities.

“A great deal of time and energy went into the design standards,” LaRoe said. Using recycled and sustainable building materials and the highest efficiency lighting, windows, electrical, plumbing and interior treatments, First Green Bank was designed and built to minimize environmental impact over the long term,” LaRoe said.

“Our goal was to fuse form and function to create a facility that will assure the safety, security and comfort of our workers, customers, and our community,” LaRoe explained.

LaRoe said First Green Bank plans to host an official grand opening for the public on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, with food, refreshments and live entertainment.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Mattamy Homes Names Jeff Rimmer New Home Sales Counselor

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, has named Jeff Rimmer new home sales counselor.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. division, said Rimmer has more than 10 years of new home sales experience including sales positions with Mercedes, Engineered and Pulte Homes.

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.

Beazer Homes opens new twin villas priced from $169,900 at Starling at FishHawk Ranch in Lithia

TAMPA, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has opened two new twin villa homes priced from $169,900 at Starling at FishHawk Ranch located off Fishhawk Boulevard in Lithia.

Ed Suchora, market manager for Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said new twin villa homes at Starling at FishHawk Ranch offer three bedrooms and two baths with two-car garages and range in size from 1,745 square feet of living space to 1,883 square feet with the addition of a den.

New Beazer twin villa homes at Starling at FishHawk Ranch include Beazer’s Energy Star® package of energy-saving appliances and design features that help lower energy bills and improve indoor air quality, comfort and safety.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two New Office Leases in Maitland

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently completed two new lease agreements totaling 2,947 square feet at office facilities in Maitland.

Senior Broker Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated the transactions representing the tenants.

Total Health Diabetes, a local firm that provides diabetes education, support and referral services, leased suite 204 with 1,523 square feet at 541 N. Orlando Ave. Landlord IMMO Maitland, LLC was represented by Patti Jackson of Bradley Corporation.

Development Planning & Financing Group, Inc., business management consultants headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is the new tenant who leased suite 340 with 1,424 square feet at 1060 Maitland Center Commons. The Landlord, Orlando Bramingham, Inc. of Warrington, Pa., was represented by Paul Reynolds of CB Richard Ellis.

About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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.

Ryland Homes Starts Second Phase at Charleston Oaks with 62 Home Sites – Sales opening by mid November

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Ryland Homes has started construction of a second phase with 62 home sites at Charleston Oaks, Ryland’s newest community of three and four bedroom single-family homes located in Tanner Plantation off North Rhett.

Don McDonough, division president for Ryland Homes in the Charleston region, said workers are clearing the home sites now and plan to complete construction of streets and utilities in time to open the phase for sales in mid-November.

Ryland is building new three and four bedroom homes at Charleston Oaks that range in size from 1,906 square feet of living space to 3,398 square feet in 10 distinctive floorplans.

One model home – the two-story Virginian, with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths – is already open at Charleston Oaks in Phase I. New homes at Charleston Oaks are priced from the low $200s.

About Ryland Homes
Headquartered in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. Since its founding in 1967, Ryland has built more than 285,000 homes and financed more than 235,000 mortgages. The Company currently operates in 14 states and 24 homebuilding divisions across the country and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYL." For more information, please visit www.ryland.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

cinematiKa Studios pitches revolutionary new iPad entertainment app in bid for funding at Kickstarter.com

ST. CLOUD, Fla. --- cinematiKa, Inc., headquartered in St. Cloud at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator, has launched a bid to fund development of a revolutionary new iPad entertainment application at Kickstarter.com, the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects.

Now through Dec. 23, thousands of Kickstarter.com subscribers worldwide will decide whether to finance the next phase of cinematiKa’s unique entertainment technology that merges three major storytelling platforms – book, movie and video game – into a compelling multi-level production that engages viewers as active participants.

Ricardo Bernardini, founder and creative director of cinematiKa, said his project, Angal Tentara, has been 10 years in the making so far at a cost of more than $150,000.

Bernardini created a brief documentary to pitch his project to potential investors.

“Our new technology expands storytelling possibilities to draw the reader in, ignite the imagination, awaken the senses, and inspire the emotions with a magical interactive historical adventure,” Bernardini said.

The story of Angal Tentara explores the adventures of a girl who is the sole survivor of an ancient civilization. cinematiKa’s revolutionary storytelling technique invites the viewer to interact with the story in real time.

“When you interact you become a part of the story, more than an observer of events,” Bernardini said. “And you are more likely to want to share your experiences with your social network.”

Funding for the next stage of development is critical, but Bernardini feels confident that Kickstarter.com subscribers will consider his request.

“Now is the pins and needles time, but Angal Tantara is such a unique approach to the entertainment media, with so much potential, that it will attract its share of investors,” Bernardini said.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program -
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Newest Top Gun at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is a Real Ace: Third-Generation Florida Luxury Properties Expert

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently appointed third-generation Realtor and international marketing expert Aaron C. Ernst an International Luxury Home Specialist who will be representing property owners throughout the Central Florida market area.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Ernst goes by his initials, “ACE,” a well-earned affectation Soderstrom says we’ll be hearing plenty of in the future.

“Ace is one of the bright young stars in luxury real estate in Central Florida,” Soderstrom said. “He has a powerful career ahead of him,” he added.

Soderstrom said Ernst’s growing portfolio of professional credentials identify him as a future power broker.

“He’s an award-winning marketing expert---a former regional account manager for a Fortune 500 company---and a local who graduated from Dr. Phillips High School in southwest Orlando,” Soderstrom said.

Ernst specializes in the international marketing of luxury properties valued in excess of $1 and 2 Million.

“His parents and his grandparents were real estate professionals. He’s grown up around the values and customs of the real estate profession,” Soderstrom said.

Ernst is also a private real estate investor and graduate of the Zig Ziglar Born to Win course.

He married his childhood sweetheart, who shares the duties of raising three bright young children.

“Ace,” as his friends and colleagues call him, devotes his free time to personal development, public speaking, reading and personal fitness.

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

ROLLINS COLLEGE TO CO-HOST CEO NEXUS FORUM DEC. 13

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, CEO Nexus and the Florida Economic Gardening Institute will host a forum at the Mills Memorial Center at Rollins College in Winter Park on Tuesday Dec. 13.

Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus, the firm that works with public and private organizations to help accelerate the growth of second stage businesses, said admission to the CEO Nexus Forum is by invitation only.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute said Central Florida CEOs and principals of qualified second stage businesses have been selected to attend the event, which begins with a reception for registration and networking.

Waymon Armstrong, the 2010 SBA Region, State and National Small Business Person of the Year, will be the featured guest speaker. Armstrong, a frequent lecturer at Rollins College, is the chief executive officer of Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc. (ECS) in Orlando. He will share the story behind the growth and success of ECS and how he and his wife/business partner have managed the challenge of maintaining a work-life balance.

To learn more about CEO Nexus, its forums and how to register, contact Quello at info@CEONexus.com or 407-590-6101.

About CEO Nexus
CEO Nexus is an organization that works in concert with public and private organizations interested in providing business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include the Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship and GrowFL.

About The Florida Economic Gardening Institute / GrowFL:
The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida was established in 2009. Initially funded by the Florida Legislature, the Institute has provided services via the State of Florida’s Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program, known as GrowFL. With various partnerships throughout the state, including Orange County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Institute collaborates with statewide partners to support the growth of second-stage businesses through localized entrepreneurial ecosystems. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

About ECS
Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc. is a software development and solutions company located in Orlando, Fla. The core mission of the organization is to provide advanced learning technology solutions to clients within the Commercial and Government sector. The company’s technology portfolio of immersive virtual worlds, serious gaming, performance assessment, staff training, and mobile innovations offers efficiencies in education, training and collaboration. In 2009 and 2010, Inc. 500/5000 named ECS on its prestigious list. Also in 2009, ECS made the Deloitte Fast 500, Washington Technology Fast 50, as well as several other awards. In March 2010, the Florida Small Business Administration selected ECS President and CEO Waymon Armstrong as Florida’s Small Business Person of the Year. In late May, the Small Business Administration selected Armstrong for its top award in the Nation and named him the National Small Business Person of the Year.

About Waymon Armstrong
Waymon Armstrong attended the University of Central Florida and is a frequent lecturer at Rollins. He serves on the Metro Orlando Military Affairs Advisory Committee, Digital Media Alliance of Florida, Valencia Community College’s Digital Media Technology Advisory Committee, Otronicon Advisory Board, Executive Committee Sunshine Chapter of AUSA, Missionary Ventures International, The College of Elders at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando and Orlando Chamber of Commerce ETeam.

Beazer Homes Opens New Newbury II Model Homes at Sawgrass in South Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has opened a new model home at Sawgrass, located on Sawgrass Plantation Blvd. between Landstar Blvd. and Weatherbee Rd. in south Orlando.

Theresa Tilton, vice president of sales for Beazer homes in Orlando, said the two story Newbury II model home offers five bedrooms and three full baths with a half bath for guests, 3,500 square feet of living space and is priced from $231,990.

Beazer Homes at Sawgrass offers new single-family homes ranging from 1,400 square feet of living space to 3,200 square feet, priced from the $160s.

All new Beazer homes at Sawgrass are Energy Star® certified.

Mikaela Nix, President of Collegiate Staffing USA, to Speak at Orlando Florida Job Fair on Nov. 18

ORLANDO, Fla., – Mikaela Nix, founder and president of Collegiate Staffing USA, will be a featured speaker at Friday’s Florida Classic Career Expo & Diversity Job Fair in Orlando.

Nix, whose company links graduates with employers in a wide range of fields, will talk about the dos and don’ts of interviewing and proven techniques for landing the job.

The job fair, which is presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Amway Center.

Collegiate Staffing is a member of the UCF Business Incubation Program–Orlando. Nix is a member of the Florida Bar, is an adjunct professor at Valencia College and Seminole State College, past professor in the legal studies divisions at other educational institutions and is chair of the UCF Alumni Association’s Black Alumni Chapter.

With more than 20 years of experience in business consulting, staffing, social media, internet marketing, and business innovation, Nix also is a certified diversity trainer and is a motivational speaker.

For more information about the job fair, visit www.orlandojobs.com/diversity.

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.comfor more information.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.eduand UCFBIP on Facebook.

Fidelity Security Agency in Winter Springs Adds Two New Divisions to Provide Security Training, Private Investigations

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. --- Fidelity Security Agency, LLC of Winter Springs created two new licensed divisions to provide security training and private investigations to Central Florida businesses, organizations and individuals.

“Fidelity Security is one of only a handful of private agencies licensed to provide security services, private investigative services, and Florida mandated Security Officer training programs,” said Michael Williams, president and chief executive officer of Fidelity Security Agency.

“The security industry in Florida is well-regulated,” Williams said. “Corporate and personal security, private investigations and professional training all require separate licenses with separate standards and governing criteria. The new divisions will accommodate Florida’s rigid professional licensing requirements,” he explained.

Fidelity Security professionals offer more than three decades of collective work experience in corporate and personal security work in a variety of specialty fields. Fidelity Security executives include a registered nurse, a retired Deputy Sheriff’s Corporal, a former Florida criminal investigator and a former probation officer.

“We offer a unique mix of talents, training and professional experience that are not available under one umbrella in Central Florida,” Williams said.

Fidelity Security Agency is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program at the Winter Springs incubator located at 1511 E. State Road 434.

For more information, visit www.fsa-security.com

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

VOLUSIA LAW FIRM HELPS SPONSOR DEC. 3 GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT FIREFIGHTER STRICKEN WITH CANCER

PORT ORANGE – The Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra is helping a local firefighters’ union sponsor a golf tournament next month that will benefit a local firefighter who has cancer.

Craig Morrisey, a 27-year-old firefighter/driver engineer for Port Orange Fire and Rescue, recently was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called a desmoplastic small round cell tumor.

Port Orange Professional Firefighters Local 3118 is hosting the Dec. 3 tournament to offset the costs Morrisey is incurring as he battles the illness, according to Luis Gracia√, a partner in Rue & Ziffra’s personal-injury law firm.

“We’re very happy to be a part of an event to help someone who spends so much of his time helping others,” Gracia said.

The tournament – a four-person scramble – will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at the Golf Club at Cypress Head in Port Orange. Tickets, which include green fees, cart, lunch, door prizes and entrance in a VIP tent, are $75 per person.

Donations of sponsorships, gift certificates or services also are appreciated, Gracia said. Visit registration@portorangefirefighterstore.com to register.

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, DeLand and Palm Coast. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

Beazer Homes in Tampa opens new model townhome at FishHawk Ridge at FishHawk Ranch in Lithia starting a $99,900

TAMPA, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has opened a new model townhome at FishHawk Ridge Townhomes located at FishHawk Ranch off Fishhawk Boulevard in Lithia

Ed Suchora, marketing manager for Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the model townhome offers two bedrooms and two-and-a- half baths in 1,208 square feet of living space priced from $99,990.

Suchora said there are eight completed townhomes available for quick closing at FishHawk Ridge.

Beazer also offers a larger plan with three-bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths with 1,609 square feet also ready for immediate move in, Suchora said.

Townhomes at FishHawk Ridge include Beazer’s Energy Star® package of energy-saving appliances and design features that help lower energy bills and improve indoor air quality, comfort and safety.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease Renewal for Flex Space at the South Park Business Center with PPT Strength & Conditioning

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a lease renewal for 2,146 square feet of flex space in Suite 116 at the South Park Business Center, a flex/ office/warehouse center at 8600 Commodity Circle in Orlando.

Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction on behalf of Miami-based South Park, LLC, the landlord of the 57,000 square foot business center built in 2008.

The tenant, PPT Strength & Conditioning LLC, is a local full-service, private personal trainer.

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 U.S. Group reports sales of 25 new townhomes in 90 days priced from the $150s at Nona Preserve in Lake Nona area

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes reports it sold 25 new three-bedroom townhomes during the past 90 days priced from $153,990 at Nona Preserve off Narcoossee Road in Southeast Orlando.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, said Mattamy recently opened a second phase at Nona Preserve with 20 townhomes.

The new townhomes at Nona Preserve offer two-and-a-half baths and one and two-car garages.

Five distinctive floor plans designed by architects for modern family living in the Lake Nona area feature open floor plans, master suites and upstairs laundry rooms, Parker said.

Mattamy Homes will open a third phase with 20 townhomes in December, Parker added.

Nona Preserve features its own clubhouse with a fitness center, media room, swimming pool and children’s playground.

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.

Orlando Poll names Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Associate Theresa Parker “Five Star Professional”

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Associate Teresa Parker was named a Five Star Professional in a recent poll conducted by Orlando Magazine.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said fewer than seven percent of the 21,600 licensed realtors in the Orlando area were named to the poll.

“Teresa Parker is certainly a standout professional,” Soderstrom said.

The Five Star Real Estate Agent program is designed to identify and showcase real estate agents in overall satisfaction. Agents are evaluated by their customers based on characteristics such as customer service, integrity and market knowledge.

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Stirling Sotheby's International Realty has a Big Deal for Investors--36 Home sites at Mission Inn Golf & Country Club Comes with Turnkey Development

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is willing to make potential investors a deal they can’t refuse in Lake County: 36 finished home sites in the Las Colinas subdivision at Mission Inn Resort Golf & Country Club priced at $35,000 each and all the development expertise you need to turn them into finished villa, duplex or estate homes priced to sell from the mid $200s to the $600s. http://www.stirlingsir.com/eflyers/agents/marnold/mi.html.

Called Mission Inn Resort and Residences, the 36 homesites within Las Colinas comprise some of the most desirable home sites in Lake County, according to Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Mission Inn ranks as one of the most prestigious resort communities in Florida,” Soderstrom added.

Featuring its own resort hotel, conference center, country club, spa, golf academy, marina and two world class 18-hole golf courses – including the championship El Campeon and Las Colinas course – Mission Inn has a reputation worldwide, Soderstrom said.

Soderstrom said that as soon as an investor joins the development team, he plans to establish a full-time, onsite sales office to market Mission Inn Resort and Residences to homebuyers.

“Our first job will be to invite Central Florida homebuilders to join us as exclusive builders,” Soderstrom explained, “but we will launch a worldwide marketing effort to sell new homes at Mission Inn Resort and Residences almost immediately,” he said.

Mark Arnold is the Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty agent handling the sale of the property

Arnold, a member of the Global Real Estate Advisors Group at Stirling Sotheby’s, said target buyers include active adults and retired families in nearby Lake County communities, second home and vacation home buyers as well as area executives.

Arnold said he expects that all 36 home sites will sell – as finished luxury resort homes – within about 36 months.

“That’s a very enviable return for investors in this day and age,” Soderstrom added.

To view a video of the property, visit http://vidnat.com/watch_video.php?v=O6472UDN5W3K

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Top Associate at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is Featured Speaker at Luxury Realtor Conference in California

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Joyce Marsh, International and Luxury Marketing Specialist at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in the Orlando and coastal regions, will be a featured speaker at the Leaders in Luxury symposium for top luxury real estate professionals Nov. 15-17 at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel hotel near Los Angeles.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the invitation only symposium is hosted annually by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing for top luxury home specialists throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Marsh, a founding member of the Institute and member of the organization’s Million Dollar Guild, has sold numerous multi-million dollar properties during her career. Marsh recently marketed and sold an oceanfront estate home in Ormond Beach for $2.9 million earlier this year representing both buyer and seller, a transaction which ranks as the highest price recorded residential sale in the Daytona Beach Area MLS this year.

Marsh is also credited with making the highest recorded residential Sale in 2010, for an oceanfront home she sold located in Ponce Inlet.

Marsh plans to speak to symposium participants about “Marketing Luxury Properties in a Challenging Market”, with special emphasis on utilizing internet marketing tools and international marketing initiatives. Sotheby’s International Realty has 600 offices located in 46 countries, with over 12,000 sales professionals worldwide.

Marsh has been a Broker Associate with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty since 2006, and has focused on the luxury home niche market since 2000. Marsh is also a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Certified Short Sale Professional, and a CIPS designee.

Beazer Homes to collect Toys for Tots at Three Orlando Area Neighborhoods

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Beazer Homes is collecting Toys for Tots this Christmas season.

Theresa Tilton, vice president of sales for Beazer homes in Orlando, said toys will be collected at Sawgrass in South Orlando, The Enclave at Moss Park near Lake Nona and Woodland Lakes Preserve in East Orlando through Dec. 15.

Tilton said collection hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Mattamy Homes Acquires 120 Home Sites at Shelly Wood in Rock Hill, S.C., Sales to Start Second Quarter of 2012

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, has acquired 120 home sites at Shelly Wood in Rock Hill, S.C.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. division, said the three, four and five bedroom homes at Shelly Wood will offer 2,400 square feet of living space and will be priced from the $230s.

Presales will start by the second quarter of 2012, 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.

Henin Homes to Showcase Two New Ready-To-Move-In Luxury Homes Nov. 17-19 at Riviera Bella in Debary

DeBary, Fla. --- Luxury home builder Henin Homes will host a Realtor Preview on Nov. 17 and a Grand Opening on Saturday, Nov. 19 to showcase two new ready-to-move-in luxury homes at Riviera Bella, overlooking the St. Johns River in DeBary.

Jerome Henin, who heads the Henin Group, which is also developing the award-winning Riviera Bella luxury community, said the Maranello model home offers four bedrooms and three-and-one-half baths in 2,244 square feet of living space priced from $272,845.

The Turino model home, with six bedrooms and three-and-one-half baths in 3,303 square feet of living space with a bonus room is priced at $373,770.

Both luxury homes feature gourmet kitchens, stainless steel appliances, tile roofs and covered patios.

Henin said the Realtor Preview is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Friday, November 11, 2011

New Home Star Names Nathan Amidon Chicago Division Manager

Chicago, Ill. — New Home Star, the national real estate sales and marketing firm that works with builders and developers to sell new homes, has appointed Nathan Amidon division manager in Chicago.

David Rice, president of New Home Star, said Amidon’s experience managing the sales and marketing initiatives of a Fortune 150 builder will be an asset to the New Home Star team.

“For nearly a decade, Nathan Amidon has trained and managed some of the top producing sales associates and projects in the Chicago metropolitan area,” Rice said.

“Nate created and ran a highly effective training program for a top three builder and is widely recognized in the Chicago area as one of the best sales minds in the business. We expect him to play a major role in our continued growth in the Chicago area,” Rice said.

Founded in Chicago in 2007, New Home Star has steadily increased its local presence while also expanding into markets across the country.

EMERSON INTERNATIONAL APPOINTS GILLIAN WALKER SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Emerson International, which owns and develops upscale condominiums and office properties throughout Central Florida and Eagle Creek, a luxury golf community near Lake Nona in southeast Orlando, has appointed Gillian Walker senior property manager.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said Walker has more than 10 years of experience in property management.

Emerson International owns and manages office properties that total more than one million square feet of space in Orlando, Longwood and Altamonte Springs.

Emerson International is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Emerson Group, the global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies.

First Green Bank of Lake County Named Central Florida’s ‘Business of the Year’ by U.S. Green Building Council

EUSTIS, Fla. --- First Green Bank, which has locations in Clermont and Eustis and plans to open its new 20,000 square foot Mount Dora headquarters facility before the end of this year, was named Central Florida’s Green Business of the Year recently by the Central Florida Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a coalition of engineers, architects, builders and developers that sets standards for energy-efficient design and construction nationwide.

Kenneth LaRoe, Chairman and CEO of First Green Bank, said First Green Bank’s new Mount Dora headquarters facility, located on U.S. 441 in Mount Dora, will be one of the first commercial buildings in Central Florida to meet the USGBC’s most rigorous LEED Platinum standards for design and construction.

The USGBC’s LEED criteria---for Leadership in Energy Efficient Design---form a benchmark for sustainable architecture, safety, environmental quality and energy efficiency in commercial and residential design, construction and maintenance.

“First Green Bank is a new kind of community bank that takes a socially responsible approach to environmental quality, good citizenship and personal service,” LaRoe said.

“We are delighted at this latest recognition, and we applaud the attention this will bring to the innovative green strategies businesses are undertaking to improve our quality of life and stimulate economic growth,” LaRoe said.

The USGBC’s Award was presented during the Central Florida Chapter’s Annual LEEDership Awards Gala at the Hilton, Orlando.

Mark MacCracken, Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council National Board of Directors and CEO of CALMAC Manufacturing Corporation, was the event’s keynote speaker.

Venice Florida Medical Duo Offers Children a Healthy and Tasty Omega-3 Snack that Helps them Learn

VENICE, Fla. – Ten years after Congress passed the “No Child Left Behind Act” to help improve American educational standards, a pair of South Florida physicians and Omega-3 specialists are encouraging higher school nutritional standards through their “No Brain Left Behind” effort.

Dr. Bo Martinsen and his wife, Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers – the founders of Ambo Foods Inc. in Venice – are betting that their healthy, yet tasty, fiber-packed snack will help ensure that children’s brains are ready, willing and able to learn.

Martinsen and Chalmers, who started the company in 2008, say the Omega Cookie is a “nutritional breakthrough” as it fills the body’s need for omega-3 fish oil, plus provides fiber, calcium and vitamin D. And, the cookies contain no processed ingredients, such as trans fats, preservatives or high-fructose corn syrup.

Numerous studies throughout the world show how a healthy breakfast improves academic performance, she says.

“Omega-3 fatty acids are a crucial element of brain function,” Chalmers says. “And, according to some of these studies, at least 85% of Americans are deficient in it.”

The problem, she says, is that in today's world many children think "healthy" means "it tastes like cardboard."

“Because of that, junk food is more appealing to them,” she says. “As long as this is the case, kids will not eat as they should, and will not be able to learn as well as they could.”

The two omega-3 experts both received medical training at the University of Oslo. Born and raised in Norway, Martinsen also trained at the University of Bordeaux in France, and Chalmers, a U.S. native, is a graduate of Brown University.

Since starting their Venice-based company, their desire to move ahead with new ideas has grown into a passion to help others get healthy and stay that way.

Because of their groundbreaking Omega Cookie, Ambo Foods LLC won an innovation award at the 2010 annual Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County’s Hall of Fame awards.

Adding omega-3 to food is not a new idea, according to Martinsen. “But, Ambo Foods is the first company in the world to have successfully created a bakery product that contains an effective dose of omega-3.”

Individually packaged in cranberry, tropical, chocolate chip and ginger-raisin flavors, the Omega Cookie is the perfect addition to a school lunch box, and equally effective for an adult lunch, Chalmers says. But, the best part is that the cookie that is so good for you actually tastes good.

Each Omega Cookie contains five grams of fiber [as much as a bowl of gluten-free oatmeal], seven capsules worth of omega-3 fish oil, [a full day’s dose,] as well as 200% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin D and 35% of the daily value of calcium. The cookies also have less sugar than an apple, which Chalmers says easily meets the limits recommended by the American Diabetes Association.

“The Omega Cookie doesn't solve all of the country's dietary problems, but it can help ensure that children's brains can maximize the benefits of “No Child Left Behind,” Chalmers says, adding that is doesn't make sense to send a child to school after he or she has fasted all night. “Without breakfast, mistakes and slower thinking are inevitable.”

To learn more about Omega Cookie or Ambo Foods, visit www.omegacookie.com or call 866-414-0188.

About Ambo Foods:
Founded in 2008 by two Omega-3 specialists and physicians – Bo Martinsen, M.D., and Anne-Marie Chalmers, M.D. – Ambo Foods offers several varieties of healthy cookies. Each Omega cookie contains seven capsules worth of omega-3 fish oil, five grams of fiber, 200% of the daily value of Vitamin D and 35% of the daily value of calcium. Ambo Foods was named a winner in the category of innovation at the 2010 annual Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County’s Hall of Fame awards. The honor came as the result of being the first company to create a bakery product that contains an effective dose of omega-3 fish oil. For more information about the Omega Cookie or Ambo Foods, visit www.omegacookie.com.

Gordon Food Service® Goes Green with Greensleeves’ GeoModule™

Findlay, Ohio / Orlando, Fla., --- Gordon Food Service recently announced they have chosen to incorporate Greensleeves’ GeoModule into their new 384,000 square foot building in Wyoming, Mich., according to Stephen Hamstra, Chief Technical Officer at Greensleeves.

Hamstra said the new building will be within the Gordon Food Service headquarters campus at 1300 Gezon Parkway, and will house 1,100 employees. The GeoModule will reduce the geothermal earth heat exchanger size and cost by more than 20 percent over a standard geothermal system while increasing energy efficiency due to its advanced control technology.

“Gordon Food Service wanted to select a green alternative to meet the building’s heating and cooling load. The GeoModule offered a more advanced option to do so while reducing our impact on the environment,” said Kirk Mortenson, Director of Real Estate and Facilities at Gordon Food Service.

The advantages that attracted Gordon included monitoring the loop temperature, giving control of key building mechanical systems, and notification of corrective actions. Construction is expected to be complete by late summer 2012.

The GeoModule is a hybrid geothermal product that includes a prefabricated pump and controls package. This ISO9001 factory assembled package reduces the borefield size, construction time, has a smaller footprint, reduces on-site labor and increases quality control. The integrated control package leverages a cooling tower to keep the temperature of the loop at an optimal level. “This solution will, along with government incentives, make geothermal an obvious consideration because first cost is lower plus the on-going energy and maintenance cost are reduced,” said W. Michael Linn, CEO of Greensleeves.

Greensleeves LLC is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program at the Winter Springs incubator located at 1511 E. State Road 434.

About Greensleeves LLC
Greensleeves is an energy solution integration innovator that provides a unique combination of technologies and proven professionals that can deliver a 35-50% reduction in energy use for the life of a building with little to no increase in construction costs. This solution is more comfortable, attractive, healthier, and less expensive to own and operate than the heating and cooling systems currently used in the U.S. Greensleeves has locations in Ohio, Michigan, and Florida. Visit www.greensleevesllc.com.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Crossman & Company Negotiates Five Long Term Lease Agreements for nearly 14,000 Square Feet at South Wind Plaza in West Palm

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. --- Crossman & Company the Orlando-based firm that ranks as one of the largest retail property management and leasing firms in the Southeast, recently negotiated five lease agreements that total 13,986 square feet at South Wind Plaza located at 5335 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach.

Associate Ashley Thornburg negotiated the transactions on behalf of the landlord South Wind Plaza and they were all five-year leases.

Unique Beauty signed a lease agreement on the 1,400 square feet of space already occupied at South Wind and at the same time expanded, bringing its total leased space to 3,200 square feet at the center.

A new tenant, Soaphia Laundry, leased 3,186 square feet and Building Blocks also signed a new lease to occupy 2,800 square feet at South Wind Plaza

Thornburg also negotiated five-year renewal leases for 2,400 square feet each with both Romeo’s Restaurant and Negril Restaurant.

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.

Mattamy Homes Names Rick Stevens VP of Land Acquisition

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, has named Rick Stevens vice president of land acquisition.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. division, said Stevens is returning to Mattamy Homes after stints with M/I Homes in Columbus, Ohio.

Stevens has more than 10 years of experience and received a law degree from Quinnipiac University of Hamden, Conn.

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.

Mattamy Homes acquires 200 townhome sites at Willowbrook in Oakleaf Plantation in Clay County, presales in 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, has acquired 200 townhome sites at Willowbrook in Oakleaf Plantation in Clay County and plans to begin sales during the third quarter of 2012.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes, U.S. division, said the townhomes will offer 1,500 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and two baths and will be priced from the $120s.

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.

Mattamy Homes to Host Grand Opening Nov. 17 to Showcase New Model Town Homes at The Reserve at Loch Lake off Lake Mary Blvd.

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes will host a Grand Opening on Thursday, Nov. 17 to showcase new town homes at The Reserve at Loch Lake, a private, gated lakefront townhome neighborhood located on Laurel Ridge Lane north of Lake Mary Blvd. in Sanford.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, said new three-bedroom town homes at Loch Lake offer two-and-a-half baths and one or two-car garages priced from $135,990.

The Grand Opening, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature foods, beverages and tours of model townhomes.

Five distinctive floor plans are available,

Mattamy Homes plans to build 113 new three and four bedroom townhomes at Loch Lake that range in size from 1,508 square feet of living space to 1,735 square feet.

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.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Associate Bruce Elliott Earns CIPS Designation from National Association of Realtors

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Associate Bruce Elliott was recently awarded the Certified International Property Specialist professional designation (CIPS) by the National Association of Realtors.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Elliott successfully completed a rigorous course of requirements to achieve the honor.

“The CIPS designation is the gold standard in our industry, the highest assurance that a professional has demonstrated solid experience and a thorough grasp of the peculiarities of international real estate transactions,” he said.

Elliott has been with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty since November 2008 and has focused on international marketing of luxury homes throughout Central Florida.

Soderstrom said the U.S. real estate downturn and resulting recession have generated market conditions that bring international real estate transactions into a sharp focus.

“Economic uncertainty is a way of life in most other countries around the world,” Soderstrom said. “Worldwide, particularly in Asia, India, Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and now western Europe, the American Dream is highly desirable by the more resourceful and affluent families and international home buyers,” Soderstrom explained.

Elliott said the CIPS designation was the result of hard work.

“The study requirements are pretty strenuous but there’s a lot to learn,” Elliott said.

Elliott said he is now able to use the designation “CIPS” after his name in official correspondence and will soon receive a formal certificate and a lapel pin that identifies his professional expertise to colleagues.

Elliott said certification by NAR’s CIPS program provides him with access to research and reports on international real estate trends and transactions and access to the CIPS Network.

CIPS tools are valuable to my career,” Elliott said.

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty named exclusive broker of the Historic Metcalf Building in Downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive brokers for the historic Metcalf Building, located on S. Orange Avenue and Pine Street in Downtown Orlando directly across from The Plaza twin towers building.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Orlando, said the historic 10 story building was one of Orlando’s first “skyscrapers” when it was constructed in the center of the central business district in 1923.

The nearly 40,000 square foot building served as Disney’s first Florida headquarters. The Metcalf building was extensively renovated and restored in 2003.

Current tenants include Lawyers Alvarez, Sambol & Winthrop, P.A., the downtown branch of TDBank and Tanqueray’s Bar and Grille, a popular downtown nightspot for more than 30 years.

Stirling’s commercial real estate specialists Jere Matheny and Mark Arnold listed the building for sale.

Matheny said the building will be extensively marketed to national and international buyers, real estate investment firms and potential investors.

Early interest in the building has come from Canada, the Mideast and South America. Stirling will be launching an extensive global marketing campaign that will include 580 Sotheby’s International Realty offices in 42 countries.

“There is a good chance the buyer will be an international real estate investor from outside the U.S.,” said Matheny.

To see a brochure on the property, go to http://metcalfbuilding.com/pdf/100_S_Orange_Ave_Brochure.pdf

To view a video of the Metcalf building, go to

http://vidnat.com/watch_video.php?v=OD97HR372MA5#current_quick_share

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents for $579,000 Baldwin Park Luxury Home

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents for a unique luxury home in Baldwin Park near Winter Park and Downtown Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the luxury home, located at 3009 Stanfield Ave. was built in 2008 and is priced at $579,000.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, “Trusted Real Estate Advisor” Michelle Hochfelder of the firm’s Orlando World Marketing Center in Downtown Orlando is representing the property.

The two-story, 3,139 square foot home offers four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in the main residence with a separate guest quarters above a detached two-car garage that includes a full bath and kitchen.

The home is loaded with upgrades that include a spacious kitchen with center island, granite countertops and stainless appliances, and wood floors in the living, dining and family rooms,” Soderstrom said.

The home opens onto a private garden patio with lush landscaping and a trellis.

Visit http://www.stirlingsir.com/eflyers/baldwinpark/3009-baldwin-park-mh.html to view a brochure on the home.

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates $480,000 Sale of Orlando Industrial Building

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the $480,000 sale price for a 8,000 square foot industrial building at 3882 Center Loop off U.S. Hwy. 441 in Orlando.

Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the sale of the 20-year-old building representing the landlord Clarence E. Wallick of Brevard, N.C.

Tillman Kids Property, LLC. of Orlando purchased the building that includes 2,300 square feet of office space and is situated on a 1.14± acre site. Brian Smith of Smith McIntosh Properties, Inc. represented the buyer.

About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, with offices serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Long Term Industrial Lease for more than 19,000 square feet at Lake Mary Business Center

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 19,355 square feet of industrial space at Suite 140 of Lake Mary Business Center, 1150 Emma Oaks Trail in Lake Mary.

Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Dalfen America Corporation of Westmount, Quebec.

Tenant Lancer Sales USA, Inc. of Winter Springs, which sells laboratory accessories, leased the property for 7-1/2 years and was represented in the transaction by Mike Sawyer of Southeast Commercial Development.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest in Orlando, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 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.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two Leases totaling more than 11,000 square feet at Goldenrod CommerCenter in Orlando

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two lease agreements for a total of 11,030 square feet of industrial space at the Goldenrod CommerCenter located at 1468 N. Goldenrod Rd. in Orlando

Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, brokered both transactions on behalf of the landlord, COP-Goldenrod, LLC of Maitland.

A & B Stucco, Inc. doubled its occupancy with the renewal of its current lease for Suite 240 with 4,412 square feet and expanded with the lease of Suite 255 with another 4,412 square feet.

New tenant, Garage Automotive Group Corporation of Orlando, signed a lease for Suite 215 with 2,206 square feet of industrial space.

Goldenrod CommerCenter located at 1460-1476 N. Goldenrod Rd. in Orlando is currently 86 percent leased.

About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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.

Meritage Homes to Host Grand Opening at Bella Vista Nov. 19 to Showcase First Energy Efficient Community in Longwood

LONGWOOD, Fla. --- Meritage Homes will host a Grand Opening on Nov. 19 to showcase the first energy efficient neighborhood in Longwood at Bella Vista, a gated community located off Sand Lake Rd. and Forest Park Ct. at 1104 Bella Vista Cr. in Longwood.

Katie Suggs, regional marketing director for Meritage Homes in the Orlando area, said Meritage will showcase a deconstructed model home at Bella Vista where potential home buyers and realtors can get a close-up look at how the entire home is constructed, from its foundation to its roof.

Meritage plans to build 24 estate-style homes at Bella Vista that range in size from 2,701 square feet of living space to 4,830 square feet with four to eight bedrooms.

New homes at Bella Vista are priced from the $330s.

Suggs said Meritage Homes’ newest community features the home builder’s newest, highest standards for energy-efficient and sustainable design and construction.

New homes at Bella Vista are designed to reduce energy bills by up to 50 percent with Energy Star® appliances throughout and an EnergyStar® programmable thermostat, spray-foam insulation, low-E2 vinyl windows, CFL lighting and fixtures, dual-flush toilets and water-efficient fixtures and low-VOC carpets, paints and finishes.

Suggs said all participants at the Grand Opening will be automatically entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.

Grand opening festivities are scheduled from noon to 4 p.m.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Meritage Homes to Host Sneak Preview for Realtors at Bella Vista Nov. 17 to Showcase First Energy Efficient Community in Longwood

LONGWOOD, Fla. --- Meritage Homes will host a private Preview Reception for area Realtors on Nov. 17 to showcase the first energy efficient neighborhood in Longwood at Bella Vista, a gated community located off Sand Lake Rd. and Forest Park Ct. at 1104 Bella Vista Cr. in Longwood.

Katie Suggs, regional marketing director for Meritage Homes in the Orlando area, said Meritage will showcase a deconstructed model home at Bella Vista where Realtors can get a close-up look at how the entire home is constructed, from its foundation to its roof.Meritage plans to build 24 estate-style homes at Bella Vista that range in size from 2,701 square feet of living space to 4,830 square feet with four to eight bedrooms.

New homes at Bella Vista are priced from the $330s.

Suggs said Meritage Homes’ newest community features the home builder’s newest, highest standards for energy-efficient and sustainable design and construction.

New homes at Bella Vista are designed to reduce energy bills by up to 50 percent with Energy Star® appliances throughout and an EnergyStar® programmable thermostat, spray-foam insulation, low-E2 vinyl windows, CFL lighting and fixtures, dual-flush toilets and water-efficient fixtures and low-VOC carpets, paints and finishes.

The Realtor Preview is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m.

NAI Realvest Launches New Division to Help Commercial Property Owners Work with Government

MAITLAND, Fla. –NAI Realvest, which ranks as one of the region’s most active developers of industrial properties and one of the area’s largest and most active commercial property brokers, has launched a new division to provide commercial property owners with assistance in working with government.

Paul P. Partyka, managing director at NAI Realvest, said the Government Real Estate Services Group (GRESG) will represent private property owners on a wide range of government related matters from land use changes and development approvals to zoning, permitting and transportation matters. GRESG will also be able to help local government with its real estate needs.

Partyka said Angel de la Portilla, president of Central Florida Strategies, Inc., has joined NAI Realvest to co-direct the new division with Partyka.

Central Florida Strategies is a leading Central Florida government relations and business development firm that provides their clients with government advisory services at the county, municipal and school board levels. Earlier this year, de la Portilla played an active role in advocating for the reduction of impact fees in Orange and Osceola County.

Partyka, a longtime commercial real estate broker, is a former mayor of Winter Springs, past president of the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commercial and a former congressional candidate who likewise has extensive experience in helping government agencies and private property owners interface.

“Our Government Real Estate Services Group provides a wide range of expert services from helping state and local agencies negotiate lease agreements with private property owners, to negotiating right-of-way agreements with government agencies,” Partyka said.

Partyka said the Government Real Estate Services Group will focus on zoning, property valuations, dispositions, acquisitions, property management and transaction issues.

“We thoroughly understand the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, agency staff and the private sector and how all three interests can interact efficiently to meet public and private demands,” Partyka said.

Partyka said de la Portilla will focus on business development for the Government Real Estate Services Group and Partyka will focus on marketing and real estate transactions.

About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Crossman & Company Associate Closes on Five New Leases in 3rd Quarter at Publix anchored shopping centers in Sarasota and South Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Crossman & Company Retail Leasing Associate Ashley Thornburg closed on five new long term retail lease agreements that total more than 8,000 square feet of commercial space at four shopping centers in South Florida during the third quarter.

At University Walk, a Publix anchored retail center at 2875 University Parkway in Sarasota, Thornburg negotiated a new five-year lease agreement for 2,250 square feet of retail space to Menchie’s, a frozen yogurt franchise.

Thornburg brought two new tenants at the South Dixie Highway Publix anchored retail center at 14601 S. Dixie Highway in Miami, including a five-year lease of 1,500 square feet for YoBlendz, a frozen yogurt franchise and Sir Galloway Cleaners, who leased 1,000 square feet for 10 years.

At Publix at the Acreage, located at 7070 Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd. in Loxahatchee, Thornburg brought in a Party Zone party supply store franchise with a five-year lease of 1,300 square feet.

At Cooper City Commons, a Publix anchored retail center at 9359 Sheridan St. in Cooper City, Thornburg negotiated a three-year lease with Cynthia Martial Arts for 2,240 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 U.S. 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.