Thursday, October 27, 2011

Tolaris Realty Group starts property management division

SANFORD, Fla. –Tolaris Realty Group now has a property management division.

Richard Bavec, who heads Tolaris Realty Group, based on SR 46 west of Sanford at Lake Forest said, “We’ve been asked by many investors and property owners to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of their properties in Central Florida.”

The property management division will work out of Tolaris Realty Group’s Lake Forest headquarters.

Data Transfer Solutions expands, adds 5,000 square feet of office space to Orlando Headquarters in Downtown Avalon Park

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), the Avalon Park based firm that provides asset management, geographic information systems, application development, transportation planning and engineering, web design, database applications, and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S., has expanded its Orlando headquarters offices by 5,000 square feet.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the firm currently employs 50 full time professionals in offices in Orlando, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Collins, Colo., Portland, Ore, Nashville, and New Hampshire.

Aquarii Services, Inc. to Pilot Test Innovative Dehumidification System

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – Aquarii Services, Inc., a turnkey design and installation company whose systems can help building owners significantly improve energy efficiency and air quality, is launching its pilot test phase.

Cliff D’Angelo, a principal of the company, said Aquarii specializes in solar thermal desiccant dehumidification systems that utilize the sun’s energy to reduce air-conditioning loads.

“We have developed a truly innovative way to use hot water,” D’Angelo said. “The desiccant dehumidifier draws out moisture from the air inside the building and pumps it outside through exhaust vents.”

By reducing humidity, air-conditioning thermostats can be set at higher temperatures without sacrificing comfort. “Our system can reduce air-conditioning loads by at least 30 percent, and it is most effective during the hottest parts of the summer,” D’Angelo said.

The desiccant dehumidifier, controlled by an independent humidistat, maintains indoor air humidity between 40 and 60 percent, reducing mold, mildew and dust mites that trigger allergies. D’Angelo said odors, bacteria and chemical reactions are dramatically reduced, generating a much healthier environment for workers.

Aquarii Services is currently seeking a local commercial test site to validate that the system is fully operational and ready for widespread distribution. The pilot test would allow a local business building owner to have a system designed, installed and monitored for its effectiveness at controlling the building’s humidity and reducing energy costs. Commercial building owners who are interested in reducing their high air conditioning costs and improving their air quality are encouraged to volunteer for the pilot testing opportunity.

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.

WeinPlus develops CLEAR process improvement solution

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg plans to trademark the CLEAR process improvement system it developed for its clients including both publicly traded and private real estate owners, a leading grocery retailer and a public school district.

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, principal of WeinPlus, said her CLEAR process improvement technique has applications in many industries besides commercial real estate development.

CLEAR is highly effective, Wein said, because it is logical, practical and productive.

Already, CLEAR has helped a publicly traded REIT dramatically improve its tenant coordination procedures by increasing efficiency, directly resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue.

“CLEAR stands for Collaborate, Learn, Evaluate, Act and Respond,” Wein explained.

“This system coordinates all the moving parts of a management team to increase efficiency and generate a more desirable — and profitable — level of productivity,” she said. “The first step is to collaborate and learn about the challenges we’re facing,” Wein said. “We talk with everyone on the team. We interview, we get it all out in the open,” she explained.

Most challenges focus on three principal constraints: cost, quality and time. Typically focus is on cost, , Wein said, but real cost can be deceptive.

“Sometimes, a manager will sacrifice time and quality to control costs,” Wein explained. “There’s a perception that dollars are everything, but the team expense should be measured as well. An additional four approvals for a minor cost likely lose more value in time expended than in direct expense.” she said.

Sometimes developers who spend more money to increase the speed at which a project is completed will end up generating greater returns because the finished product is available sooner for customers or tenants.

Once the challenges are clearly identified by the entire management team, WeinPlus works with the team to evaluate action steps to increase productivity.

“Then we act,” Wein said. “We do a test implantation to see if we can change our process to increase productivity and then respond to that action to determine how to continually improve the process,” she said.

Wein said, “CLEAR serves as an excellent organizational tool for projects that require the coordinated efforts of several different departments.

“Departments within a corporate culture have a tendency to evolve independently,” Wein said. “CLEAR is a way to learn and analyze the best practices within and outside each department and maximize the benefits throughout the entire company.”

Crossman & Company Completes New Long Term Lease Agreement with Great Clips at Shoppes of Citrus Park

TAMPA, Fla. -- Crossman & Company, the Orlando-based firm that ranks as one of the largest retail property management and leasing companies in the Southeast, recently negotiated a five-year lease at the Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7851 Gunn Highway in Tampa.

Leasing Associate Tracy Harrison represented the landlord at the Shoppes of Citrus Park in the retail lease agreement for 1,200 square feet. The new tenant, Great Clips was represented by Brian Bern of Franklin Street Real Estate Services.

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 Heads Team of Volunteers, Joins ‘Rebuilding Together’ for Rock and Roll Paint-A-Thon on ‘National Make a Difference Day’

PHOENIX, AZ --- Mattamy Homes in Phoenix organized a team of volunteers among many who devoted their time and energy recently to fix up and repair homes of elderly and disabled residents across the state of Arizona.

Carolyn Morrison, vice president of operations at Mattamy Homes in the Phoenix region, said “It’s all part of a national volunteer organization--Rebuilding Together” (www.rebuildingtogether.org)

Rebuilding Together assembled the teams for its Rock and Roll Paint-A-Thon on National Make a Difference Day.

“Across Arizona, teams of volunteers repainted and spruced up 180 homes for people who are unable financially or physically do repair work themselves,” she said.

The effort was a labor of love for a group of Mattamy Homes colleagues, partners, suppliers and providers joined without hesitation.

Morrison said the Mattamy Homes team, along with trade partners Gothic Landscaping, B&H Drywall and Stucco, Studio Dwell, Contrado Group, ProTex, Southwest CLG, Ferguson Appliances, Motivational Systems, Inc., Walton Development, TDR Group, Iwired and Arizona Wholesale painted, repaired and did stucco work at a Phoenix residence.

“Our trade partners volunteered their personal time and labor for this work and they all responded immediately to the request,” Morrison said.

Altogether, the Mattamy Homes team included more than 20 volunteers, Morrison said.

“We are looking forward to future volunteer projects with Rebuilding Together,” she added.

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

Lennar Acquires 27 home sites at Bahia Cove in Ruskin

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar has acquired 27 home sites at Bahia Cove, located off Shell Point Road in Ruskin.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Lennar plans to build four, five and six bedroom single family homes in five distinctive floor plans at Bahia Cove priced from the $190s to the $230s with two and three car garages.

New homes at Bahia Cove will range in size from 2,529 square feet of living space to 3,889 square feet, Metheny said.

Ashton Woods Homes has three ready to move in homes available at Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel

TAMPA, Fla. --- Three ready-to-move-in homes are now available at Palm Cove located in Pasco County off Boyette Road and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the ready-to-move-in homes at Palm Cove range in size from 1,634 square feet of living space to 2,639 square feet.

Single-family homes at Palm Cove are priced form $154,900 and three, four and five bedroom homes are available. Roche added that Ashton Woods has 40 home sites remaining in the community.

Ashton Woods Homes is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies, with operations in Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Raleigh, Dallas, Houston, Austin and Phoenix. Visit www.ashtonwoodshomes.com.

SeaGate Homes has New Luxury Home Available in Palm Coast’s Upscale Forest Park Estates Neighborhood

PALM COAST – SeaGate Homes has completed a spacious three-bedroom, three-bath lakefront home in Forest Park Estates, a gated community off Colbert Lane in Palm Coast.

Priced at $359,900, the 2,555-square-foot Palm Coast model is situated on a lakefront estate homesite in a private community with underground utilities and mature hardwood trees, according to SeaGate President Robert Gazzoli√.

Located at 13 Clementina√ Court – the home is conveniently located to shopping and restaurants and is only five minutes from the beach. Gazzoli said the Palm Coast was designed around an open great-room layout and features a large master-bedroom suite with his and her closets, formal dining room and study, a huge walk-in pantry and oversized eat-in kitchen as well as a 40-foot, three-car courtyard garage, a 35-foot covered lanai and summer kitchen .

Architectural features include coffered ceilings, decorative arches, tile floors, along with the gourmet kitchen’s granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, under-mount sink, tile backsplash and 42-inch cabinets with crown molding.

For details about SeaGate models, floor plans and communities, call 386-445-1616√ or visit SeaGateHomes.com.

About SeaGate Homes:
SeaGate Homes, Flagler County’s largest homebuilder, is a 17-year-old, family-owned company with headquarters in Palm Coast. SeaGate builds quality homes at communities in St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach and Edgewater, as well as through their On-Your-Lot program in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties. Prices range from the $90s to the $400s.

Volusia Law Firm to Help Sponsor “Spooktacular Charity Motorcycle Ride” Saturday, Oct. 29 in Daytona Beach

ORMOND BEACH – The Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra is one of several local businesses helping to sponsor this year’s Spooktacular Charity Motorcycle Ride, which is being presented Saturday [Oct. 29] by the Iron Horse Saloon on Main Street in Daytona Beach.

The police-escorted ride is a benefit to raise money for the Halifax Medical Foundation, Daytona Beach Police Foundation, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, and Volusia Charity Cops, a group of members from the Daytona Beach Police Department and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office who raise money for various charities.

The event – which begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. at Destination Daytona, 1637 N. U.S. Highway 1 in Ormond Beach – will include a ride down historic Main Street and around Daytona International Speedway before ending at the Iron Horse Saloon, according to John Rue, partner of the personal-injury law firm.

“We’re happy to be a sponsor of this event as motorcycle safety is part of our job and many of our employees will be participating in the ride,” Rue said.

In addition to the ride – which cost $15 for drivers and $5 for riders – the Spooktacular will feature music by the Old Haw Creek Band, a Halloween Costume Contest, raffles and door prizes and drink specials.

For more information, call 386-788-7700 or click on http://www.rueziffra.com/spooktacular-charity-ride-ormond-beach

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.

Yard Sale to Benefit Rescued Hearts Animal Shelter

HOLLY HILL – The proceeds from a Nov. 5 yard and book sale will benefit the Rescued Hearts Animal Shelter and help the group assist unwanted animals.

Rescued Hearts is a 501C (3) non-profit agency that organized in 2007 with a goal of helping animals in Volusia and Flagler counties. Money made from the sale will be earmarked to buy land to build an animal shelter and spay/neuter hospital, according to Lynn A. Myers, the animal group’s president.

If you have unwanted items taking up space in your house or garage, please consider donating them for the sale to help save homeless dogs and cats. All kinds of items will be accepted.

The sale – which is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – will be held at 1338 Holly Ave., between Walker and 14th streets in Holly Hill.

So far, the group has received donations of housewares, bed linens, electronic items, lamps, paintings, exercise equipment, as well as a number of books that range from romance, poetry and self-help to biography, history and spiritual.

For details about this and other Rescued Hearts’ fundraising efforts, call 386-679-8829 or visit www.rescuedheartsanimalshelter.com.

10,000 REASONS TO HELP SUPPORT NOV. 4 FUNDRAISER FOR THE DUVALL HOME IN GLENWOOD

DELAND – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra is helping sponsor the third annual “Duvall Home $10,000 Drawdown,” a Nov. 4 Poker and Bingo event that will net one card player a cool $10,000, while helping support an agency that assists those with developmental disabilities.

The drawdown – which features gaming activities such as Bingo, 50/50 and Texas Hold ‘Em – offers a one-in-500 chance to win $10,000, according to David Sweat, a partner in the Port Orange-based, personal-injury firm.

“The Duvall Home is an amazing organization that has provided care to disabled adults since 1945,” Sweat said. “We helped sponsor their golf tournament earlier this year and we’re excited to be able to help once again.”

The event, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at the DeLand Conference and Business Center, 1301 E. International Speedway Blvd.

Advance tickets are limited and range from $20 for admission to $100 for admission with entry into the $10,000 Drawdown. Tickets are available from the Duvall Home at 386-734-2874, www.duvallhome.org, or stopping by 3395 Grand Ave., Glenwood.

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.

Webinar on SBA 504 Loans for small business owners expanded by Mercantile Capital after more than 280 people register to participate

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Mercantile Capital Corporation has expanded its Nov. 1 webinar for small business owners who want to learn how changes in the rules governing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners can help them.

Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said record response to the webinar announcement shows how much interest their is in the new rules, which will allow borrowers to include many operating expenses in their loan request.

Mercantile Capital Corporation ranks as one of the nation’s most active providers of SBA 504 loans, which were designed for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities.

Hurn said new SBA 504 rules permit use of SBA 504 funds to refinance commercial property loans at below market interest rates over fixed 20 year terms with as little as 10 percent down, and will permit SBA 504 financing of many business operation expenses as well. Moreover, the 10 percent equity requirement need not be entirely cash.

The new rules are in effect until September of 2012, so it is imperative that businesses make their decisions and lock in their rates soon, Hurn said.

Small business owners can register for the free webinar by visiting tiny.cc/SBA504RefiUpdate.