Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Pulte Homes Presents Spring Hill Realtor with $1,500 Best Buy Shopping Spree

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. --- Pulte Homes presented Spring Hill Realtor Paula Lopes of Tropic Shores Realty with a Best Buy gift certificate worth $1,500 recently.

Evelyn Zena, a Pulte Homes sales associate at Trillium located on County Line Rd. at Suncoast Hwy. in Brooksville, presented the gift certificate to Lopes during the recent Hernando County Realtors Assn. “Beach Bash” event in Brooksville.

Lopes was one of more than 28 Hernando County Realtors who took prospective home buyers to visit Pulte’s Trillium community in Brooksville from January through March.

Each participating realtor was entered into a drawing to win the $1,500 gift certificate.

Pulte Homes builds three and four bedroom single family homes priced from under $100,000 at Trillium that range in size from 1,265 square feet of living space to 3,136 square feet in both one story and two story designs.

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

First Green Foundation names Restaurateur James Petrakis to its Board of Directors

Mount Dora, Fla. – First Green Bank Foundation at First Green Bank in Mount Dora has appointed Restaurateur James Petrakis to its board of directors.

Kenneth LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank and one of the organizers of the foundation said Petrakis, a gourmet chef, along with his wife, Julie, also a chef, are owners of the Ravenous Pig Restaurant in Orlando.

The First Green Foundation supports worthy charitable causes that further its principles of environmental responsibility and sustainable community banking practices.

Amelia National Golf & Country Club Celebrating Five Year Anniversary of Clubhouse

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Amelia National Golf & Country Club is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its spectacular clubhouse that was built on the 18th green of the award-winning Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course.

The 18,000-square foot Amelia National clubhouse cost more than $10 million to build, said Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for developer ICI Homes.

The French Provincial-designed clubhouse features include full service 19th hole and dining room, resort-style zero entry swimming and lap pool, Jacuzzi, massage room, state-of-the-art fitness room, and three Har-Tru tennis courts.

“The Amelia National is one of the only Private Gated Golf Course Communities in the immediate area” Messina said. “The clubhouse was designed for the enjoyment of every resident.”

Messina said luxury home building activity at Amelia National has increased this year and that the community is perfectly positioned for future growth.

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.

Stirling Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Appoints Nonie Slaalien Int’l Luxury Home Specialist

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently appointed Nonie Slaalien an International Luxury Home Specialist at its Heathrow Marketing Center in Lake Mary.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Slaalien is a former banker who founded her own mortgage company, which she expanded into a six-state operation with 225 employees before selling it. She then became a consultant for several financial institutions.

“Nonie Slaalien has a passion for real estate and no desire to rest on her laurels,” Soderstrom said. The Alaqua Lakes resident also maintains a home in New York and plans to focus on globally marketing and sales of luxury properties in Seminole and Orange counties.

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.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects earn contract to design renovations of 11,700 square foot building in Downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, located in Baldwin Park, recently was awarded a contract to design renovations to the 11,700 square foot Orange County legal reporting building located on E. Colonial Drive and Summerlin Ave. in downtown Orlando.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at the architectural firm, said the design project includes the renovation of both the interior and exterior of the building.

Construction is anticipated to begin this fall.

ICI Homes Names New Sales Associate, Sales Assistant at Plantation Bay in Ormond Beach

ORMOND 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., recently named a new sales associate and a sales assistant at its Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club community in Ormond Beach.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, said the homebuilder named Christine J. Claus sales associate at Plantation Bay. Claus, who resides in Plantation Bay, has eight years of real estate sales experience and formerly was a sales associate with Plantation Realty Services.

Messina said Claus graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. with a degree in Business Administration with emphasis on Marketing and Finance.

At the same time, Corinne Renee Turkowski was named sales assistant. Prior to her new position at Plantation Bay, Turkowski worked for T. Rowe Price and Lake Nona Golf and Country Club as a service center representative and catering director assistant.

Messina said Turkowski holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

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.

DiMucci Companies Starts Construction of 3,000 square foot Headquarters Office Building in Daytona Beach Shores

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. --- The DiMucci Companies will start construction soon of a 3,000 square foot office building on the corner of Dunlawton Blvd. and Peninsula Ave. in Daytona Beach Shores.

Anthony DiMucci, president of the DiMucci Companies, said the building will be completed before the fall and will serve as headquarters and offices for DiMucci Realty Company and DiMucci Development.

The building will include 700 square feet of leasable commercial space for a second business with a drive through on the west side of the facility, DiMucci said.

The present temporary headquarters facility will be demolished within the next two months, DiMucci added.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Lease and Lease Renewal at Oviedo Commerce Center totaling 9,385 square feet

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a lease renewal agreement and a new lease totaling 9,385 square feet of industrial space at the Oviedo Commerce Center, 2460 West S.R. 426 in Oviedo.

George Viele, associate at the firm, brokered both transactions representing the Landlord, Oviedo Commerce Center, LLC based in Winter Park.

The new tenant, Oviedo-based Bill Ault Systems, Inc. leased Suites 1002, 1008 and 1036 with 6,526 square feet, and Going Green Services, renewed its lease of suite 1004 with 2,859 square feet.

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.

NAI Realvest negotiates New Lease for 3,927 square feet at Apopka Industrial Building

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 3,927 square feet of industrial space at 1733 Benbow Court off U.S. 441 in Apopka.

NAI Realvest associate Michael Heidrich, Jr., was the lead broker in the transaction representing the tenant, along with Michael Heidrich Sr., principal at NAI Realvest.

Orlando based Austin Outdoor, LLC is the new tenant who leased Suites 1, 2 and 3 at the industrial facility.

The landlord, Tuscan Ridge, LLC of Orlando was represented by Patrick Goetz of Bishop Beale.

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.

Mercantile Capital Corporation Has its Biggest Month — Reports Record Number of Commercial Real Estate Loan Closings in May

ORLANDO, Fla. — Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans to small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, reports it closed a record number of commercial loans in May.

Chris Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said the firm closed 11 loans to finance real estate projects valued at more than $33.2 million.

Hurn said May ranks as Mercantile Capital Corporation’s biggest month in nine years of operation. He added that 2012 is shaping up to be a record year for the company.

“Since Jan. 1, Mercantile Capital has closed 44 commercial loans,” Hurn said, “which is double what we closed by this time in 2011, 2010, or any other calendar year in our history.” Mercantile Capital closed 57 loans during all of 2011, its highest yearly total ever.

Hurn said many of the new loans help small business owners refinance their current commercial mortgages at lower rates and more favorable terms.

“There is a big demand for the refinancing of commercial property loans,” Hurn said. “Last year, the SBA issued new rules that include the ability to refinance commercial debt with SBA 504 loans, and that’s proving to be a huge relief to small businesses that have weathered the recession,” he said.

Hurn said the largest single loan Mercantile Capital provided in May helped finance the $10.4 million acquisition of a hotel in the historic village of Roslyn, New York.

Meritage Homes Acquires 186 Home Sites at Parkside in Southwest Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Meritage Homes recently acquired 186 home sites in the southwest Orlando community of Parkside, located off Apopka Vineland Road in the Dr. Phillips area.

Brian Kittle, vice president of sales at Meritage Homes, said construction of the community infrastructure is underway now and Meritage will start construction of model homes in November.

Kittle said Meritage plans to build single-family homes ranging in size from 3,200 square feet of living space to 5,300 square feet with four to eight bedrooms.

New homes at Parkside will be priced from the high $300s.

Ninety new homes are planned in the first phase of Parkside along with a community clubhouse and swimming pool, Kittle said.

Residents, Veterans at Del Webb Stone Creek in Ocala raise new flag and flag pole to mark community entrance

OCALA, Fla. – The entrance to Del Webb Stone Creek off SW 80th Ave. in Ocala has a patriotic new look thanks to residents and local veterans.

Michael Finley, general sales manager for Del Webb Stone Creek, said more than 75 residents — most of them veterans — were on hand Flag Day to raise a new flag pole and a new 12 by 18 foot American Flag.

“We have many veterans in our community and they suggested we ought to have a more noteworthy commemoration at the entrance to the community,” Finley said.

“We thought they were right,” he said.

After the formal flag raising ceremony participating residents headed for the Reunion Center for coffee, juice and donuts.

Del Webb Stone Creek is one of the homebuilder’s largest communities in the U.S. featuring the Reflection Bay and Elan Spa clubhouses and 29 acres of gardens, the Stone Creek Grille and an 18-hole championship golf course.

For more information, visit delwebb.com/stonecreek or call 877-333-5932.

About Del Webb:
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010, award-winning Del Webb communities provide a vibrant, enriched lifestyle for those ages 55 and older, creating an unmatched experience for the next phase of life. Del Webb communities began with the original Sun City which opened outside Phoenix, Arizona in 1960 and have grown to include more than 50 communities currently open for new home sales in 21 states. Del Webb is the undisputed leader of active adult communities in America and draws on its 50 years of experience of providing residents an engaging life which fulfills their creative, physical, mental, and social needs. Together with Del Webb residents, the brand is redefining retirement. For more information on Del Webb, visit www.delwebb.com

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Industrial Lease for 2,700 square feet at Poinciana CommerCenter East in Kissimmee

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new industrial lease for 2,700 square feet at 1743 Business Center Lane in Poinciana CommerCenter East off U.S. 17-92 in Kissimmee.

Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, brokered the transaction representing the landlord, Maitland-based Small Bay Partners, LLC.

High Grove Fractional Homes, LLC, a local residential builder leased the space.

Small Bay Partners has developed more than 500,000 square feet of small bay industrial space in the Orlando area for users who require from 2,000 to 20,000 square feet of space, according to Heidrich.

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.