UCF Incubation Program Appoints Michael Weiss Program Development Manager

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program has appointed Michael Weiss program development manager. Gordon Hogan, director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said Weiss has seven years of marketing and communications experience within Central Florida, previously serving as the associate director of public relations for Winter Park-based publication conglomerate, Bonnier Corp., and most recently as the assistant director of public relations for UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Weiss earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from Florida Atlantic University and is currently pursuing his master’s at UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication. In his new role, Weiss will develop marketing and communication initiatives for the UCFBIP and also work with incubation site managers to create new support programs that will help startup businesses accelerate growth and hiring opportunities throughout Central Florida. About the UCF Business Incubation Program Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 300 emerging companies (including more than 120 current clients and more than 90 graduates) create over $500 million in annual revenue and generate an average wage that is 45 percent above the average wage in the area. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, The Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Volusia Counties, and the cities of Orlando, Apopka, Winter Springs, Sanford, Kissimmee and St. Cloud. The UCF Business Incubation Program was named Incubator Network of the Year for 2013. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Exam Plus FL Earns Contract to Provide Services to Major Professional Employer Organization

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. -- Exam Plus FL, which provides administration of drug and alcohol testing programs for employers, governmental and law enforcement agencies, was recently awarded a continuing contract to provide services to Resource Management, Inc. (RMI), a privately owned professional employer organization based in Fitchburg, Mass. José Batista, president and chief executive officer of Exam Plus FL, said the testing programs his company administers are necessary standards for most corporations and governmental agencies. “Exam Plus provides an essential service for RMI clients to facilitate their compliance with background checks, and drug and alcohol testing programs to maintain a safe workplace,” Batista said. RMI serves small to mid-size companies with payroll preparation, risk management, HR, and employment law compliance with branch offices in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando and Miami. Exam Plus FL, a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located in Winter Springs, is a member of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association and the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division Names Attorney Kami Corbett Director of Entitlements and Due Diligence

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division, active in more than 30 communities in the Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, Melbourne and Clermont markets, recently named Kami Corbett director of entitlements and due diligence. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Corbett served as senior counsel with a national client base at Foley and Lardner in Tampa specializing in land use and transactional matters. Corbett earned both her Juris Doctorate degree and L.L.M. degree in Real Property and Development, from the University of Miami School of Law. Her experience of more than 10 years includes legal work for both law firms and government. Metheny said Corbett will head Lennar’s due diligence team in the Central Florida region focusing on underwriting new acquisitions.

Avalon Park to host Ground Breaking Aug. 1 to Showcase New Rental Apartment Homes in Downtown Avalon Park

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Avalon Park will host a Ground Breaking on Thursday, Aug. 1, to showcase a new four-story building with 95 new rental apartments at The Flats at Avalon Park, located in the heart of Downtown Avalon Park. Stephanie Hodson, vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group, said refreshments will be served at the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the public is invited to attend. Hodson said the new building, with 100,000 square feet of space, will complete the third phase of The Flats at Avalon Park, which will total 232 apartment homes. Avalon Park Group partnered with sitEX Properties AG, a Swiss real estate investment company headquartered in Basel, to develop the third phase of the Flats at Avalon Park. For more information or to RSVP contact Stephanie@avalonparkgroup.com or 407-658-6565.

Avex Homes introduces Two New Floor Plans at Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel, Fla. -- Avex Homes and Avalon Park Group have unveiled two new floor plans for single family homes at Avalon Park West, the master planned community located off SR 54 in Wesley Chapel. Stephanie Hodson, vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group, said the Monroe floor plan offers three bedrooms and two baths in 2,181 square feet of living space with a two car garage. Priced from $209,990, the Monroe floor plan comes with three distinctive elevations to choose from and includes an optional porch and a huge flex space that can be turned into a bonus room. Hodson said the Escambia floor plan is one of the most innovative in Pasco County. “The Escambia offers four bedrooms and two baths in 1,832 square feet,” Hodson said. “The two car garage is located at the rear of the house with a driveway that runs along the side of the home and includes a parking court,” Hodson explained. Avex Homes builds single family homes at Avalon Park West that range in size from 1,697 square feet to 2,974 square feet priced from the $170s For information call 813-782-2839 or email Stephanie@AvexHomes.com.

LENNAR’S CENTRAL FLORIDA DIVISION PROMOTES SHAWN REED TO PURCHASING MANAGER

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division has promoted Shawn Reed to purchasing manager. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Reed is a highly talented home building executive who joined Lennar eight years ago as a customer care representative. Reed has served as a construction manager and most recently managed regional planning in Lennar’s Regional Operations Center in Tampa. In his new role as purchasing manager, Reed will work closely with the construction team on bid agreements, scopes of work, construction documents, all phases of product development, Metheny said.

VOLUSIA ATTORNEY RECEIVES NATIONAL CERTIFICATION

Luis Gracia is the only attorney in Volusia and Flagler counties to be nationally certified in social security disability law PORT ORANGE – Luis R. Gracia, a partner in the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, recently became board certified in social security disability law by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, making him the only attorney in Volusia and Flagler counties to hold such a distinction. Gracia, who joined the Port Orange-based firm in 1998, heads up the social security department and hosts its free annual social security seminar for Volusia and Flagler county residents. In addition to social security disability cases, Gracia also handles worker’s compensation, as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases, according to firm president Allan L. Ziffra. “We’re excited that Luis has been recognized for his expertise in this area of the law, and extremely proud that, to date, he is the only attorney in two counties to have achieved this level of certification,” Ziffra said. A graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law from Texas Southern University, Gracia is a member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Justice Association, American Association for Justice, the Florida Bar, the Volusia County Bar Association and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. In addition to being admitted to all Florida Courts, Gracia holds admissions to the National Board of Social Security Disability Advocacy and the National Trial Lawyers Association, and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell: 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.

Pulte Homes Unveils New Portofino Home Design at Vizcaya near Jacksonville Beach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has introduced the new Portofino home design at Vizcaya, located near Beach and Hodges Blvd. on Casitas Drive in Jacksonville. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for the North Florida Division Pulte Homes, said the Portofino floor plan offers three bedrooms with two full baths and a half-bath in 2,052 square feet of living space plus a two-car garage. Special features of the Portofino include a first floor owner’s suite and a spacious kitchen. The Portofino town home is priced from $305,990. The luxury, low maintenance Vizcaya community is located just four miles from Jacksonville Beach. Amenities also include a community clubhouse with a fitness center and swimming pool. Strickler said Pulte Homes builds Mediterranean-styled luxury town homes at Vizcaya in six distinctive floor plans ranging in size from 1,718 square feet of living space to 2,369 square feet, priced from the mid-$200s to the mid-$300s.

Celebration Golf Course named one of Top 50 golf courses for women in U.S.

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- The Celebration Golf Club near Walt Disney World has been named one of the nation’s top 50 golf courses for women by GolfDigest. Carol Daniels, tournament and group sales agent, said Celebration’s welcoming atmosphere, top-course conditions, amenities and beginner-friendly ladies league along with a comfortable 5181 total yardage from the women’s tees are some of the reasons the golf course was selected. Celebration also has junior/ beginner tees. Celebration Golf Club recently launched a summer league for ladies; they meet every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. for golf, prizes and dinner.

Ashton Woods Homes has five ready-to-move-in homes at Rosedale Golf & Country Club in Bradenton

BRADENTON, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has five ready-to-move-in homes at its community of Rosedale Golf & Country Club, located off 44th Avenue West and Hwy. 70 in Bradenton. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes, said the five homes range in size from 1,862 square feet of living are to 2,880 square feet and are priced from the $320s. All five homes will be ready in August, Roche said. Rosedale Golf & Country Club features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ted McAnlis. The country club features full-service dining, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a heated junior Olympic-sized pool along with lighted Har-Tru tennis courts.

Ashton Woods Homes has four ready-to-move-in homes at Copley Square in Downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes is offering four ready-to-move-in homes priced from the $260s at its Orlando community of Copley Square, located near Downtown Orlando off Delaney and Michigan Avenues. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said the homes range from 2,046 square feet of living area to 2,363 square feet. All four homes will be ready for viewing in August, Roche said. Copley Square amenities include community swimming pool and cabana.

Ashton Woods Homes ends fiscal year with 239 home sales – 70 Percent Increase over the fiscal period last year

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa division of Ashton Woods Homes ended its fiscal year May 31 with 239 homes sold which is a 70 percent increase over sales in the 2012 fiscal year when only 141 homes sold. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes, said Ashton Woods is active in six communities in the Orlando, Tampa and Sarasota regions. The average price of an Ashton Woods home during the period was $249,364, according to Roche.

NAI Realvest negotiates lease renewal at Vistawilla Office Center in Winter Springs for Snap-On Tools.

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a lease renewal for Suite 1025 with 2,254 square feet in the Vistawilla Office Center, 1511 E. SR 434 in Winter Springs. Senior Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM along with Margaret Knize of NAI MLG Commercial negotiated the transaction representing the tenant, Snap-On Tools Company, LLC, the global manufacturer and marketer of tools. The landlord, Vistawilla Office Center LLC was represented by David McLeod, managing partner.

NAI Realvest Negotiates sale of 109 Acres in Palm Coast

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of 109 undeveloped acres at the northeast corner of Belle Terre Parkway and Citation Blvd. in Palm Coast for $750,000. NAI Realvest principals Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki negotiated the sale representing the buyer, MM&M Enterprises, LLC of La Jolla, Calif. NAI Realvest principal Thomas E. Hankins, CCIM, SIOR, who represented seller BB&T, successor for Colonial Bk, said 60 acres of the tract is useable and designated as mixed-use residential.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Renewal Lease Agreement for 11,096 Square Feet of Office Space at The Citadel in East Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a renewal lease for 11,096 square feet of office space in The Citadel at 5950 Hazeltine National Drive in southeast Orlando. Senior Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM and principals Matt Cichocki and Kevin O’Connor, brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord, Citadel Partners, Ltd., based in Groveland. The tenant is Orlando-based Air Transport IT. NAI Realvest is exclusive management and leasing representative for the property and West leads the leasing team at The Citadel.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Sublease and New Lease for Office Space at University Court in East Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated both a sublease and a new lease agreement for 2,096 square feet of office space at 3361 Rouse Rd. Suite 210 in University Court off University Blvd. in east Orlando. Senior Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM said the former tenant / sublessor Cole Engineering needed to sublease the space and PDCS, LLC leased it for the remainder of the term which expires Nov. 30, 2013. PDCS then signed a new lease agreement for an additional term that will start Dec. 1, 2013. West brokered both transactions representing the Sublessor Cole Engineering and the Daytona Beach-based Landlord RREF Interchange-Fl Rouse LLC.

Ryland Homes Reports Sales of Eight New Homes at GreyHawk Landing in Bradenton in First Month since Grand Opening

TAMPA, Fla. --- It’s been a busy summer for Ryland Homes in the Tampa Bay region. Mike Finley, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes in Tampa, said eight new homes sold in the first month following Ryland’s Grand Opening at GreyHawk Landing, located 3.5 miles east of I-75 off State Road 64 in Bradenton. Finley said he attributes brisk sales to the community’s location and reputation – close to shopping, parks, dining and A-rated schools. “GreyHawk Landing is an established community that offers the rare combination of a peaceful, natural environment with conveniences and recreation. Multiple pools and playgrounds are scattered throughout and many pristine preserve areas span the community’s 950 acres. GreyHawk Landing also boasts a fishing dock on a private lake and a two-mile wilderness trail that is perfect for biking, roller blading and exploring. “You rarely need to leave the neighborhood,” Finley said. Ryland is building one and two-story single-family homes at GreyHawk Landing priced from the mid-$200s with three and four bedrooms and two and three-car garages. Ryland offers homes at GreyHawk Landing ranging in size from 1,853 square feet of living space to 2,840 square feet. Three new homes Ryland started at GreyHawk Landing will be ready for September move-in, Finley said. For more information about Ryland Homes and its communities, visit www.ryland.com.

Ryland Homes Starts Construction of New Models and Ready-To-Move-in Homes at St. David at Windsor Plantation

Myrtle Beach, S.C. -- Ryland Homes has started construction of three distinctive single-family model homes and three move-in ready homes at St. David at Windsor Plantation, the master-planned community located east of the Intracoastal waterway at the south end of Myrtle Beach next to Surfside Beach. Gayle Jinks, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland’s Charleston-Myrtle Beach division, said the three ready-to-move-in homes that will be ready for occupancy in October are: The Ambrose II, a single-story home with 1,998 square feet of living space, offering three bedrooms and two baths priced from $269,000 with a two-car garage. The two-story Virginian II floor plan that offers 2,547 square feet of living space with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The Virginian II is priced from $304,000 with a two-car garage. The Conyers II, with 2,574 square feet, is the largest floor plan Ryland Homes offers at St. David at Windsor Plantation. With four bedrooms and three baths, the Conyers II is priced from $314,000 with a two-car garage. Jinks said three new models–Barrett, Litchfield and Bellhaven–are also underway at Windsor Plantation and will be completed and ready for viewing by mid August Ryland Homes is also building new single-family homes priced from the $170s at Devonshire in Windsor Plantation. Windsor Plantation is a gated resort-style, master-planned community that’s less than a ten-minute drive to the beach and in close proximity to major retail centers. Amenities include a community pool and clubhouse.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Markets Luxury Estate at Historic Mountain Lake in Lake Wales, Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla., -- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named sales and marketing agents for a 2.5 acre estate home in the historic, gated, country club community of Mountain Lake, a little-known, extremely private, resort style community developed a century ago within sight of the famous Bok Tower near Lake Wales. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the luxury estate home is a glittering example of 1920s Florida Mediterranean design that has been modernized and completely renovated. Soderstrom said the property is being represented by Michelle Hochfelder an International Luxury Home Specialist with Stirling Sotheby’s Dr. Phillips Marketing Center. The below market price of $699,000 is sure to attract national and international buyer interest, Hochfelder said. The 6,154 square foot estate features five bedrooms, six full baths and two half-baths, with a huge island kitchen, formal living room with fireplace, private dining room that will seat 12, and a generous family room which opens onto a screen-enclosed sitting area surrounded by park views. A grand covered terrace overlooks the large swimming pool, with heated spa and cabana house. The detached four-car garage has a half bath and covered parking space for a golf cart. Mountain Lake was developed in 1915 by Frederick S. Ruth as an exclusive winter enclave for wealthy northern financiers and industrialists, and designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, one of the nation’s greatest landscape architects whose projects include Central Park in New York City and Yosemite National Park. “The Mountain Lake estate home is the best value we have seen in the Florida luxury home category,” Soderstrom said. To view a video of the property go to http://www.stirlingsir.com/eng/3mountainlake The exclusive community – conveniently located near I-4 and Disney World resort amenities – features a finely manicured rolling terrain golf course designed by Seth Raynor, a lakefront setting with views of the Bok Tower, an elegant clubhouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with tennis and croquet courts.

For Sale: 50-Acre in town Site near Avalon Park, Econlockhatchee River in East Orlando, Asking Price $3.6 Million

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents for a 50-acre in town site adjacent to Avalon Park in east Orlando and less than 1,000 feet from the Econlockhatchee River, designated an Outstanding Florida Water by the Department of Environmental Protection. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the site, located on Sunflower Trail, is being offered for $3,595,000. “For its size, location, beauty, and proximity to the Econ River, this is a great price,” Soderstrom said. Benjiman Hillman, International Marketing Specialist with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in the firm’s Dr. Phillips Marketing Center, is representing the property. Soderstrom said the site would be perfect for a private estate, equestrian facility or investment and is minutes from the Lake Nona Medical City and downtown Orlando. “The site is beautiful with big stands of oaks, open areas, a pond and an abundance of wildlife,” Soderstrom said. “In the future – as the area continues to grow – this could be a prime development site.

Lennar to Expand its Revolutionary NextGen ‘Home within a Home’ Program to 11 Communities in Southwest Florida

Fort Myers, Fla. --- Lennar Homes plans to roll out its innovative NextGenTM ‘Home within a home’ program for multi-generational families in 11 communities in southwest Florida. NextGen homes are designed to accommodate multi-generational families. “For thousands of American families today, the family unit includes grandparents, in-laws or adult children, sometimes with children of their own,” said Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division. NextGen homes are designed to provide private living space within the family home. That means a private entry, a bedroom and bath, an eat-in kitchenette and a living room, and some floor plans offer a private garage, Devereaux said. Several factors helped to bring about the nationwide shift toward multi-generational families. Given the realities of today’s economy, adult children often live under their parents’ roof. And in many immigrant cultures, three and even four generations living under one roof is common. “It wasn’t long ago that multi-generational families were the norm in the U.S. Think of the Waltons,” Devereaux said. Devereaux said Lennar will build new NextGen model homes at Emerson Park at Ave Maria, The Forum and Reflection Isles in Fort Myers, Copper Cove, Reflection Lakes and Orange Blossom Ranch in Naples, River Strand in Bradenton, Bella Vida in Cape Coral, Bella Terra and the Preserve at Corkscrew in Estero, and Stoneybrook at Venice. Lennar tested NextGen homes in several Florida communities last year and they proved very popular, Devereaux explained. Lennar is introducing two new NextGen model homes in southwest Florida. The Independence offers 2,518 square feet of living space in the principal living area with five bedrooms, three full baths and a half-bath. The ‘home within a home’ area totals an additional 839 square feet with a bedroom, bath, kitchenette, dining nook and living room, all with its own private entrance. The Independence features a three-car tandem garage. The Liberation floor plan offers six bedrooms with four full baths and a half-bath in the 3,029 square foot main living area with an additional 838 square foot home within a home. “NextGen homes are the future of housing for many American families, and Lennar is proud to be among the first home builders in the U.S. to accommodate this trend,” Devereaux said.

Lennar Has Three-Bedroom Home Ready for Move-in at Twin Eagles Golf Course Community in Naples

Naples, Fla. --- Lennar Homes has a spectacular three-bedroom luxury home ready-to-move-in at Twin Eagles, the award-winning golf course community located five miles east of I-75 off Immokalee Rd. in Naples. Matt Devereaux, director of sales and marketing for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the 2,246 square foot home---Lennar’s popular Isabella floor plan---is a striking example of Lennar’s Florida-inspired open floor plans evident in all its Executive Series model homes at Twin Eagles. “Twin Eagles boasts more than 1,115 acres of preserves, lakes, open space and miles of biking, jogging and walking paths, with gorgeous preserve and golf course views,” Devereaux said. “The Isabella floor plan is spectacular and the ultimate reflection of the Twin Eagles environment,” he said. Under construction at 12509 Fenhurst Way in Naples, the new luxury home offers a sweeping flow from the covered entry through a wide formal foyer and into a massive open family living area that includes an island kitchen, formal dining area and huge family room that itself opens onto a 24-foot screened lanai. Priced from $472,480, the Isabella’s master suite is large, with walk-in closets and a luxurious master bath. Lennar’s Executive Series homes at Twin Eagles offer four distinctive single-family floor plans including the two-bedroom, 1,850 square foot Victoria, and the three-bedroom Nina and four-bedroom Sophia, each with three full baths. New homes at Twin Eagles range in size from 1,649 square feet of living space to 2,246 square feet priced from the mid $300,000s. And each new Lennar-built home at Twin Eagles comes with Lennar’s Everything’s Included pledge: Granite countertops, GE stainless steel appliances, brick pavers, crown molding, designer interior and exterior light fixtures, tile floors in wet areas, tile roofing and hurricane impact glass windows---all included for one Lennar Homes price. And that price also includes a golf course membership. “That’s a very special value,” Devereaux explained. “Twin Eagles offers 36 holes of Championship golf and a glamorous 47,000 square foot clubhouse with casual and fine dining,” he said. The master-planned community also offers Har-Tru tennis courts and a state-of-the art exercise and aerobics area.

First Green Bank Appoints Lauren Maxwell Assistant Marketing Manager

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- First Green Bank, the fast-growing, award-winning community bank based in Mount Dora with branch facilities in Clermont, Ormond Beach, downtown Orlando and (soon) Winter Park, has appointed Lauren Maxwell assistant marketing manager. Kenneth LaRoe, chairman of First Green Bank, said Maxwell earned her B.A. Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida and an M.B.A. Degree from the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. LaRoe said Maxwell has two years of marketing experience. She was with Walt Disney World for six years in various positions in operations and most recently held a marketing strategy professional internship there.

Hendricks-Berkadia Negotiates sale of 185-unit Ravenwood Apartments in Kissimmee for $8.5 million

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hendricks-Berkadia, among the nation’s largest and most active multi-family investment banking and research firms, recently negotiated the sale of Ravenwood Apartments off N. John Young Parkway in Kissimmee. Cole Whitaker, partner who heads Hendricks-Berkadia in the southeast region and associate partner Hal Warren negotiated the sale. Sale of the property, built in 1993 with 185 apartment units on 16 acres, qualified for low housing tax credits (LHTC) financing. The average rents are $632.00. Ravenwood Partners LLC paid $8.5 million to acquire the property from Ravenwood Partners of Kissimmee.

Forman Capital Provides $26 Million First Mortgage for 280-unit Condominium Inventory in Panama City Beach

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Forman Capital, a direct lender for commercial real estate nationwide, recently funded a $26 million first mortgage secured by 280 units in the 709 unit community known as Shores of Panama located in Panama City Beach. Brett Forman, founder and president, said the loan was utilized to refinance the existing bridge debt, and provide greater flexibility for the sponsor’s business plan. Forman Capital took an entrepreneurial approach to the transaction, provided flexible terms, and closed in less than 30 days. Forman Capital’s platform combines real estate underwriting and analysis of traditional credit metrics, with integrity and speed. Since 2004 Forman Capital has provided creative and reliable capital solutions to its middle market clients across a diverse range of real estate asset classes and transaction types.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents for Palermo Vista in Longwood

LAKE MARY, Fla. -- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing representatives at Palermo Vista, an intimate community of luxury villas located off Longwood Hills Road in the Lake Mary / Longwood area. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said construction of 16 two-story luxury Italian villas at Palermo Vista is already underway and the first villas will open for occupancy by the end of the year. Each villa offers 3,269 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, three full baths and a half bath, a family room, a private 450-square foot verandah patio on the second floor, plus an optional fourth bedroom or den. The gourmet kitchen includes designer solid wood 42-inch cabinets, solid surface granite countertops and stainless appliances, with custom finishes throughout. The spacious owner's suite features a luxurious bath with tub, separate shower, a double vanity, an oversized walk-in closet and private balcony. The main living area opens onto an 18' x 25' verandah patio through large glass pocketing doors and homebuyers have the option to include a gas fireplace and summer kitchen with gas grill. Each villa also includes a two-car garage. Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has opened a model center at its Heathrow Marketing Center, located on International Parkway, and Luxury Home Specialists Sally Andy and David Warren are representing the property. Soderstrom said Palermo Vista ranks as one of the first communities of new luxury villa homes to come onto the market since the start of the U.S. recession six years ago. Luxury villas at Palermo Vista’s pre-opening prices start from the mid-$300s.

With Record Sales of 39 New Homes in May, Royal Oak Homes Foresees a Busy Summer, Fall

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Royal Oak Homes, the Orlando-based, family owned home builder with deep roots throughout the region, reported sales of 39 new single-family homes in 10 Central Florida communities in May. Steve Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said sales of new homes in May will total a record $9 million in revenue. May sales surpassed the previous record of 37 sales which was set in April. “Royal Oak’s success is heavily influenced by being a local, family business. We are able to respond quickly to the market and really take care of our customers.” Orosz said. Builder Magazine ranks Royal Oak Homes the nation’s 186th largest home builder, and Orosz said he expects to break into the Builder Top 100 list next year. "Royal Oak and its sister company Hanover Capital currently control more than 4,000 lots in the Central Florida market." Orosz projects Royal Oak Homes will sell new single-family homes in 11 communities in 2013 for more than $60 million in revenue.

Lennar Appoints Senior Accountant, Staff Accountant

Tampa, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds single-family, town homes and vacation homes in more than 50 communities in the Tampa Bay, Orlando and Brevard markets, has appointed Holly Gibbons senior accountant. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Gibbons earned her B.S. Degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida and has more than seven years of experience in accounting. Gibbons previously served as an accountant at Avantair in Tampa and Atkins, one of the world’s leading engineering firms. Metheny said he also appointed Cory Brady staff accountant. Brady graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has more than four years of accounting experience. Brady formerly served as staff accountant at Bishop McLoughlin Catholic High School and played an instrumental role in creating Diocese of St. Petersburg Catholic School system.

Lennar Opens Third Phase at Concord Station in Land O'Lakes

Tampa, Fla. – Lennar has opened the third phase at Concord Station located on SR 54 two miles east of Suncoast Parkway in Land O’Lakes in Pasco County. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division, said homesites in the new phase are available for single-family homes ranging from 1,909 square feet of living space to 3,889 square feet and are priced from the low $200s. Lennar built homes at Concord Station come with Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: a wide range of appliances, special features and add-ons at one “everything’s included” price. Amenities at Concord Station include a swimming pool, clubhouse and community center with catering kitchen, conference library, multi-purpose room, fitness center, galleria, office and lounge, along with tennis, basketball and picnic facilities. For more information, visit www.Lennar.com or call 888-317-7489 and visit the Welcome Home Center Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MERITAGE HOMES NAMES MATT O’BRIEN PRESIDENT OF TAMPA BAY DIVISION

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Meritage Homes, a top 10 U.S. home builder in 17 markets in the U.S., recently appointed Matt O’Brien division president in the Tampa Bay region. Fred Vandercook, southeast regional president of Meritage Homes based in Orlando, said O’Brien graduated from Wofford College in South Carolina with a degree in Business Economics and has more than 16 years of experience as a home building executive. O’Brien held executive positions at Pulte Homes before joining Meritage, Vandercook said. “Matt O’Brien is one of the most astute home building executives in Florida,” Vandercook said. “We expect him to play a leading role in our continued growth in the Tampa Bay region.” Meritage Homes builds single-family homes priced from the $300s in six communities in the Tampa Bay region: Basset Creek at K-Bar Ranch, Bella Casa and Crystal Preserve in New Tampa, Wellington Manor in Lutz, Estuary of Mobbly Bay in Oldsmar, and Hallandale Reserve in Carrolwood, and 18 communities in the Orlando region.

Freshorize USA LLC, Soft Landing Company at UCF Incubator, is Industry-leading aromatic soap maker that will target U.S. airlines, tourism industries

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Freshorize USA, LLC, the U.S. division of an 11-year-old, award-winning British company, has opened its U.S. headquarters office in the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program’s Kissimmee City Centre facility in downtown Kissimmee. Aziz Patel, president and chief executive officer of Freshorize, said his specialty products already dominate the European market and much of the Middle-East. He hopes to do as well in the U.S. if he can get U.S. airlines and tourism industry executives to take notice. Patel said Freshorize has two prestigious airline awards under its belt; The ITCA Mercury award and the highly coveted Crystal Cabin Judges award from The Aircraft Interiors Expo that took the airline industry by storm. The awards were a tremendous boost in gaining notoriety in a difficult market. Rafael Caamano, associate director of the program and Incubator site manager in Kissimmee, said Freshorize is the latest international company to take advantage of the incubator’s “Soft Landing” program that accommodates international companies that want to launch specialized or exploratory U.S. operations — and hire U.S. workers. Patel’s principle product — Freshorize — is a non-allergenic aromatic dispenser soap for safe, clean, sanitized hand washing. And it freshens the air with each use, Patel says. Freshorize is particularly useful in confined spaces – aboard planes, trains or cruise ships – and in high traffic tourist areas. But in public toilets with hand-washing sinks and soap dispensers, Patel says Fresh Orize has found its niche. “Odor is always an issue, especially in confined spaces,” Patel explained. Patel invented Freshorize 15 years ago after an airline flight. “I was seated in the back row across from the rest room and the smell was bothersome,” Patel said. “I saw an opportunity to solve a problem,” he said. Today, Freshorize supplies 90 percent of the UK airlines market, as well as Atlanta-based World Airlines and Canada’s Sun Express, and it exports products to the Mideast. In the U.S. Freshorize supplies Coach buses in Boston and Trailways. “We are a dominate provider in the European air passenger market and we foresee many new markets here in the U.S., including public transportation, tourism, schools and universities,” Patel said. The UCF Business Incubation Program’s unique “soft landing” program enables companies to test their products and services in Florida and the U.S. before locating permanent offices here.

Celebration Golf Launches Summer Kids Play Free Program at Eight Central Florida Golf Courses

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management has launched its Summer Kids Play Free program at eight of the region’s finest golf courses, including Celebration Golf Club southwest of Orlando near Disney World. Kenny Nairn, chief operating officer at Celebration Golf Management, said 2013 marks the third year Celebration Golf Management has offered its Summer Kids Play Free program and he expects more than 1,500 youngsters will play free this summer at all 10 area courses that Celebration Golf Management owns or manages. Nairn said youngsters accompanied by a paying adult can tee off for free all summer long at Celebration Golf Club in Celebration, The Golden Bear Club in Windermere, Kings Ridge and The Legends in Clermont, Stoneybrook West in Winter Garden, Eagle Creek in East Orlando, Stonegate at Solivita in Kissimmee and Redtail in Sorrento.

Exam Plus FL in Winter Springs featured on Telemundo Orlando News Special Series

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. -- Exam Plus FL, which provides administration of drug and alcohol testing programs for employers, governmental and law enforcement agencies, was featured on the Telemundo Orlando News special series “En las garras de las drogas” (In the Clutches of Drugs) that aired recently. Jose Batista, President and Chief Executive Officer of Exam Plus FL, said Telemundo Orlando news interviewed several professionals and rehabilitated people about how drugs are affecting our youth and the potential effects of legalizing marijuana in Florida. A recording of the 2-part interview can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxSNNUuzDwc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5zhmQVJPJo. Batista also recently appeared on Salsa FM 98.1 radio to talk about the medical marijuana initiative in Florida. “There are pros and cons of the initiative,” Batista said. Medical marijuana legalization could appear on the ballot in Florida in 2014. Exam Plus FL, a University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program company located in Winter Springs, opened three years ago and is a member of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association and the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association.

Incubator Graduate Company Launches Web-based Software that Makes Business, Home Owner Inventories a Snap

ORLANDO, Fla. --- An Orlando Inventory company – a recent graduate of the UCF Business Incubation program in Apopka – has launched a new and highly automated product that turns inventory chores---the bane of every business and homeowner---into a lightening-fast, user-friendly, web-based tool that principals and authorized agents can access securely from anywhere. “Click” on each item, and it quickly makes the inventory. PROTECToVision LLC, which recently graduated from the UCF Business Incubator, designed its EZLivingInventory program to handle the complex inventory requirements of businesses and manufacturers; yet it is loaded with intuitive, user-friendly, and time-saving features for homeowner inventories to fill the insurance and asset protection “documentation void” that has negatively impacted those with recent losses. Daniel R. Fanelli, president and chief executive officer of PROTECToVision, said the EZLivingInventory program gives owners instant access to their inventory records---including important documents like passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, property deeds and even medical records---with a few taps on their keyboards or their smart phones. “Recent destructive tornadoes and hurricanes have highlighted the need to be able to document all the possessions owned, including high value items. Without documentation, insurance companies sometimes only pay 10 percent of a loss, which leaves the owner financially devastated” Fanelli said. “Home owners need fast, secure access to inventory and personal documents. The EZLivingInventory provides both, and it’s very easy to use,” he said. With so many impressive features and capabilities, PROTECToVision has landed a new client--a famous California estate with over 100,000 items to inventory.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects completes design of Four Fresh Markets in Houston

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park recently completed design work on four Fresh Market stores in Houston. The locations are at 5016 San Felipe, 12516 Memorial, 3745 Westheimer and 2617 West Holcombe. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said construction is now underway on the four stores — all 18,000 square feet of grocery / retail space. This will be The Fresh Market’s first Houston stores and all four are expected to open by Fall this year.

Lennar eyes September opening of three Move-in-ready Villa Homes Reflection Lakes in Naples

NAPLES, Fla. -- Lennar Homes has started construction of three ready-to-move-in Twin Villa homes that will open in September at Reflection Lakes located off Tamiami Trail south of Collier Boulevard in Naples. Matt Devereaux, vice president of sales and marketing for the home builder in southwest Florida, already has one twin villa home open and ready for immediate move-in priced at $194,470. All four villas reflect Lennar’s single-story Magnolia floor plan, which features three bedrooms and two baths in 1,417 square feet of living space with a two-car garage. Two distinctive Twin Villa floor plans are available at Reflection Lakes, Devereaux said. New homes at Reflection Lakes come with Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: everything from window, wall and floor treatments to upgraded appliances, counters and cabinets, mostly everything that would usually be added on is included in one Lennar price,” Devereaux said. Reflection Lakes, along with a community clubhouse and state-of-the-art fitness center with a community swimming pool and tennis courts. Visit www.lennar.com.

Lennar is showcasing five bedroom Monte Carlo model home at Orange Blossom Ranch in Naples

NAPLES, Fla. -- Lennar Homes’ five-bedroom, three bath Monte Carlo model home at Orange Blossom Ranch, the gated tennis community located on Fairmont Lane east of Immokalee Rd. in Naples, is open for viewing. Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the two-story Monte Carlo model home offers 3,231 square feet of living space priced from $280,990 with a formal living and dining area, open kitchen and family room, and a guest bedroom and bath on the first floor and a bonus room upstairs. “The Monte Carlo floor plan puts the emphasis on family living space,” Devereaux explained. “The open island kitchen serves the entire first floor of the home,” he said, “with a breakfast nook that opens onto a screened lanai.” All new homes at Orange Blossom Ranch come with Lennar’s Everything’s Included pledge: upgraded features, appointments, appliances and finishes all included in the one Lennar price. Orange Blossom Ranch features a community tennis center along with a community club house, basketball court, a private park and picnic area, swimming pool and a hiking trails. Visit www.lennar.com.

ICI Homes Names Jose A. Soto sales consultant at Cypress Reserve in Kissimmee

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes, which builds two and three bedroom town homes at Cypress Reserve, the gated luxury resort community on Florida Blvd, in Kissimmee, has named Jose A. Soto sales consultant. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes, said Soto is a Florida licensed Realtor with more than 20 years of experience in selling luxury homes. Soto, a Kissimmee resident, has earned the Home Builders Association’s “Best Sales Person” achievement award and a MAME nomination as top producer at a new home community.

ICI HOMES TO HOST GRAND OPENING JUNE 29 AT GREENLEAF PRESERVE AT NOCATEE IN PONTE VEDRA

Ponte Vedra, Fla. -- ICI Homes will host a grand opening for the public on June 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Greenleaf Preserve at Nocatee – 178 Auburndale Drive, Ponte Vedra 32081. Don Wilford, north Florida division president for ICI Homes, said two model homes – the Biltmore and the Allegheny – will be on display and Realtors and the public are invited. The two-story Biltmore offers five bedrooms and five baths in 6,500 square feet of living area along with a three-car garage, and is base priced at $426,900. The Allegheny model home offers four bedrooms and four baths in 3,802 square feet of living space with a three-car garage and is priced from $463,900 Wilford said ICI Homes plans to build 41 new single family homes priced from the low $400s at Greenleaf Preserve at Nocatee.

Henin Homes Has Completed Two Move-In Ready Homes at Riviera Bella in DeBary

DEBARY, Fla. --- Henin Homes has completed two ready-to-move-in homes at Riviera Bella its luxury, guard-gated community on the St. Johns River in DeBary. Jerome Henin, president of Henin Homes said the two new homes are the Maranello and the Darina. The two-story Maranello offers four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths in 2,354 square feet of living area with a two-car garage, priced at $324,900. The Darina offers four bedrooms and two baths in a one-story design with 2,396 square feet of living area and a two-car garage priced at $329,900. Special features include tile roofs, brick paver driveways and walkways, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, Henin said. Amenities at the community include a clubhouse with pool, media and fitness centers along with a private boat ramp. The award winning Riviera Bella community overlooks the St. Johns River off Fort Florida Road, west of the 17-92 / Highbanks Rd. intersection in DeBary.

NAI Realvest negotiates sale of industrial/flex condominium for $378,240 at South Park Business Center in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of a 2,364 square foot industrial/flex condo at South Park Business Center, 8600 Commodity Circle, Unit 106 in Orlando. Tom R. Kelley, II, CCIM, principal at NAI negotiated the transaction on behalf of the seller, Miami-based South Park, LLC. HNN Investments, LLC a local privately held real estate investment firm purchased the property. Angela Chapman of Capital Realty Group Florida represented the buyer in the transaction.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two New Leases of Herndon Center Office Space

Maitland, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two new lease agreements for office space totaling 2,980 square feet in Herndon Center units 615-F and G, Herndon Ave. in Orlando. Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest, brokered both transactions representing the landlord, LBJ Properties of Winter Park. The tenants are local firms, National Domino Federation USA who leased 2,000 square feet of office space and Steps, Inc. leased 980 square feet.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Sale of Longwood Industrial Building for $2.715 Million

Maitland, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of a 55,520 square foot industrial building situated on four acres at 1205 Sarah St. off SR 434 and 427 in Longwood for $2,715,000.00. Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Industrial Property Partners, Inc. of Coral Springs. The buyer, Oasis Investments, LLC of Sanford, was represented in the transaction by Rizwan Manji of Ameriteam Realty, Inc.

NAI Realvest negotiates new lease agreement with compressor manufacturer for 12,320 square feet of industrial space in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease for 12,320 square feet of industrial space in units 18, 19 and 20 at 8350 Parkline Blvd. off Orange Avenue and McCoy Road in South Orlando. Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction on behalf of the landlord Parkline Properties, LLC of Columbus, Ohio. Tenant Quincy Compressor of Bay Minette, Ala., one of the country’s leading designers and manufacturers of air compressors, was represented by Quentin Caruso of Lee & Associates-Central Florida.

Newmark Grubb Knight Frank's Southeast Capital Group Negotiates Sale of Southpark Village in Raleigh for $11,000,000

ATLANTA, GA. --- The Southeast Capital Group at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank in Atlanta recently negotiated the sale of the 82,262 square foot Southpark Village neighborhood retail center at 324 Village Walk Drive in Holly Springs, N.C., a suburb of Raleigh. Whitney Knoll, who leads the Southeast Capital Group at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, said Aurora, Ohio-based Optimus One, LLC paid $11,000,000 to acquire the property from SouthPark Village Investments I, LLC. Knoll, along with team members Mark Hillis and Jason Archer, negotiated the sale on behalf of the seller. “Optimus One was a great match for this property and SouthPark Village has a great future,” Knoll said. “The Holly Springs and the Raleigh MSA is experiencing tremendous growth and anchor tenant Harris Teeter is a dynamic, forward-thinking retailer that ranks as the 25th largest supermarket in the U.S.,” Knoll said. Built in 2008, the Southpark Village retail center is currently 98 percent occupied.

Dave Brewer has Eight luxury homes priced from $1.4 million to $2 million underway

SANFORD, Fla. --- Dave Brewer, Inc. one of Central Florida’s most active builders of luxury custom homes valued at $1 million or more, has eight luxury homes under construction priced from $1.4 to $2 million in Windermere and Seminole County. Matt Trask, vice president of Dave Brewer, Inc., said all eight homes are located on lakefront home sites or within gated communities. Trask said all eight homes should be completed before the end of the year or early next year.

Pulte Homes to Host Grand Opening June 29 at Legacy Park in Casselberry

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Pulte Homes will host a grand opening Saturday, June 29, at Legacy Park, an intimate community in the heart of Seminole County in Casselberry where the homebuilder will present three new two-story single-family home designs priced from the $200s. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for the North Florida division of Pulte Homes, said Pulte’s new three bedroom Penrose model home will be open and available for touring at the event. The two-story Penrose model offers 2,145 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a downstairs flex room shown as a study, a second floor loft and two-car garage. The grand opening event – at 1536 Burning Sage Lane, Casselberry, Fl 32707 ‒ scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature live entertainment, food and fun for the whole family, including face painting and balloons. The new two-story single-family home designs Pulte is offering at Legacy Park range from 1,837 square feet of living area to 2,453 square feet with three and four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, optional lofts and two car garages with brick paver driveways. Amenities include an onsite tot lot and access to a community swimming pool and cabana. Legacy Park, located off Seminola Blvd. near E. Lake Drive between Winter Park Drive and Tuskawilla Road, is convenient to top-rated Seminole County schools, easily accessible to major arterial highways and minutes from major shopping centers and international airports. After the grand opening the community will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday. Visit www.pulte.com/Orlando for more information and directions.

Real Estate Veteran Jim Bagley named to head Encore Housing Opportunity Fund, Joel Lazar named marketing VP

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jim Bagley, a real estate veteran with more than 25 years of experience as a home builder including stints with Pulte Homes, Park Square and Meritage Homes manages the Central Florida operations of Encore Housing Opportunity Fund, based in Celebration. Bagley said he already has some 15 master planned communities he is working with including Reunion in Orlando, Splendid China in Orlando and Cannon Ranch in Tampa, among others. Bagley estimates the number of projects he is now involved in totals close to $1 billion. These projects include single family homes, apartments and short term rental homes. At the same time, Bagley appointed another expert and veteran home building executive – Joel Lazar – as vice president of marketing. Lazar has more than 25 years of experience in the residential and resort real estate industry. Encore Housing Opportunity Fund is an opportunistic real estate fund manager which invests in residential real estate, primarily in Florida and California and is a seasoned residential real estate development and investment firm with land acquisition, development and construction capabilities in-house. With over $700 million in assets under management and investments in Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Encore Housing Opportunity Fund is actively investing in a variety of real estate opportunities.

NAI Realvest Names Veteran Real Estate Broker Jason G. Toll Director, Industrial Services Group

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest, which ranks as one of Central Florida’s most active developers of industrial facilities and one of the region’s largest commercial real estate services companies, has appointed veteran real estate broker Jason G. Toll to director, industrial services group. Robin L. Webb CCIM, managing director at NAI Realvest, said Toll has more than 17 years of experience in Commercial Real Estate. He was formerly managing partner of Logistic Development Group which specializes in development of multi-modal industrial space and brokerage. In his new role Toll will focus on representation of industrial clients for leasing and sales, Webb said. “Jason has extensive experience in industrial brokerage in addition to ground-up development in Central Florida. We are delighted he has joined NAI Realvest and we expect he’ll play a major roll in our growth.” The third generation central Floridian holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Central Florida. He is a member of the Orange County Nuisance Abatement Board, president-elect of the Maitland Rotary Club and an active member of the Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two New Industrial Lease Agreements in Orlando and Tavares totaling 19,000 square feet

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated new lease agreements totaling 19,000 square feet at two industrial facilities – one in Orlando and one in Tavares in Lake County. NAI Realvest Principal Michael Heidrich Sr. and Associate Michael Heidrich, Jr., represented landlord David P. Reckell Trust in the lease of 10,000 square feet of industrial space at 27620 Highway 561 in Tavares. Walker Stainless Equipment Co. of New Lisbon, Wis. is the tenant who was represented by Joseph Howell of NAI Global Corporate Solutions. Heidrich Sr. and Heidrich Jr. negotiated an industrial lease for 9,000 square feet at 2169 N. Forsyth Rd. in Orlando representing the landlord Forsyth Road LLC of Longwood. The tenant is Super Transportation of Florida LLC, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz.

DiVosta Homes opens two new model homes priced from the mid $200s at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes recently opened two new model homes priced from the mid-$200s at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs, located on Umiak Court in Bonita Springs off Bonita Beach Road S.E. east of I-75. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for DiVosta Homes in South Florida, said the two-bedroom, two-bath Willow Bend model home at VillageWalk offers 1,927 square feet of living space with an enormous island kitchen, great room and dining room that open onto a lanai and an optional extended patio. Altogether that can total more than 600 square feet of space for family gatherings or social occasions. The Willow Bend model home is priced from $253,990 with a den and lanai off the owner’s suite and a two-car garage. The single-story Cambridge model home, with three bedrooms and three baths in 2,384 square feet, features the same spectacular open-space design: a huge open great room, kitchen and dining room that together encompass almost 600 square feet. Mairn said DiVosta Homes is also offering the Willow Bend and Cambridge floor plans at VeronaWalk in Naples. “The open concept is really taking off and the tremendous space inside these two new model homes offers decorating opportunities that can be breathtaking,” Mairn said.

Six move-in ready homes underway at Villages of Royal Palm

PORT ORANGE, Fla. --- Six new ready-to-move-in homes are under construction at Villages of Royal Palm, the award-winning, active adult community in Port Orange. Winston Schwartz, president of Winston James Development, developers of Villages of Royal Palm, said the new homes that will be ready by fall will range in size from 1,500 square feet of living space to 2,400 square feet and will be priced from the $170s. At the same time, Schwartz said two models at the Villages of Royal Palm are open for viewing – a four-bedroom, two-bath home with 2,226 square feet of living area plus two-car garage priced from $277,000, and a three-bedroom, two-bath model with 1,618 square feet of living space and a two-car garage, priced from $185,000.

Law Firm Celebrates Grand Opening Friday with Chamber Ribbon Cutting

Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell will host an open house after cutting the ribbon on their neighboring office space at 640 Dunlawton Ave. in Port Orange PORT ORANGE – At noon Friday 6/14, the partners of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell will make the building adjacent to their Dunlawton Boulevard office an official part of the longtime personal-injury firm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house. The ceremony, led by firm partners and officials from the Daytona Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, will include tours of the property as well as a light lunch and refreshments. The 6,000-square-foot two-story building, which sits on 1½ acres, previously was used as a medical and a real estate office. Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell purchased the building in 2010 and it now houses about one half of the company’s 45-person staff, including those working in the Social Security, worker’s compensation, medical malpractice and litigation departments. The building is the fourth office operated by the 30-year-old Port Orange-based law firm, as they also have offices in DeLand and Palm Coast.

Avex Homes reports 12 new home starts at Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel, Fla. --- Avex Homes reports 12 new home starts at Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel from May 1 through May 31. Stephanie Hodson, vice president of marketing for Avex Homes, said Avex Homes closed on three sales and signed seven new contracts in May. Avex Homes started construction of 12 new homes during the month of May and the homebuilder expects to start construction of more than 20 new homes in June, Hodson said. The three-bedroom, two bath Braden model home from Avex Homes’ Celebration Series has proved to be the most popular during the month, Hodson said. The single story Braden floor plan offers 1,697 square feet of living space with a two-car garage. Built on the rich traditions of small-town life, Avalon Park West has a pedestrian friendly character with tree-lined streets meandering around lakes and neighborhood parks, rocking chair porches on its craftsman styled homes, nearby schools, and shops that are designed to evoke the ideal of main street America. For information call 813-364-4918 or email Stephanie@AvexHomes.com.

New long term lease in Downtown Avalon Park brings Real Estate Attorney, Title Company and seven full time employees

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Avalon Park Group recently negotiated a new long term lease agreement for 1,600 square feet of office space on the second floor of a Class A Office Building located at 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd. in Downtown Avalon Park. Stephanie Hodson, vice president of marketing at Avalon Park Group, said Vice President Rich Browning negotiated the lease agreement for Avalon Park Group. Attorney Karen R. Spell, P.A. is the new tenant, along with Avex Title, LLC. Hodson said the law firm and title company totals seven full time employees.

Two Independent Rating Agencies Rank First Green Bank Highest in Asset Quality

Mount Dora, Fla. --- First Green Bank, the Lake County-based community bank with branch offices in Clermont, Ormond Beach, and downtown Orlando, was recently ranked the best community bank in Central Florida for asset quality by two top ratings agencies. The 2013 First Quarter Asset Quality Review by Monroe Financial Services, a leading U.S. investment bank serving community banks since 1968, ranked asset quality at First Green Bank the best of 29 Central Florida community banks in its study. Kenneth LaRoe, founder and chairman of First Green Bank, said the Monroe study focused on total assets, non-performing assets (NPAs) and the highly respected Texas Ratio, a benchmark used to rate banks’ financial security. The Monroe study ranked First Green Bank highest in all three categories. “We scored the lowest in the region when NPAs were included and when NPAs were excluded we scored perfect zeroes,” LaRoe said. Hacker Johnson and Smith, the leading provider of independent audit and tax services to financial institutions in Florida, ranked First Green Bank’s asset quality among the top five banks in Florida. The Hacker Johnson and Smith study also ranked First Green Bank as first in Central Florida in growth in assets. “These studies are interesting to our shareholders and customers as they are an accurate way of measuring our conservative, community-based banking strategy and we are very proud of the results,” LaRoe said. First Green Bank plans to open a branch office in Winter Park later this year. Headquartered on U.S. 441 in Mount Dora and ranked one of the greenest banks in America by the America Bankers Association, First Green Bank opened in 2009.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division Promotes Don Lunko to Land Development Project Manager in Orlando Region

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds single family, town homes, villas and vacation homes in the Orlando area, including Clermont and the Space Coast, has promoted Don Lunko to land development project manager. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Lunko joined Lennar 23 years ago and most recently served as due diligence land manager. For the past three years Lunko has focused on land acquisition and development. “Don will be working with Lennar business partners to acquire and develop sites for new and existing communities,” Metheny said. The first projects on Lunko’s to do list include new phases at Emerson Park in Apopka and Heritage Hills in Clermont. “We are on track to expand our community development efforts and Don Lunko is one of the most experienced residential community land acquisition experts in the mid-Florida region,” Metheny said.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division Names Veteran Marketing Executive Beverly Drain Design Production Manager

TAMPA, Fla. – The Central Florida division of Lennar Homes has appointed Beverly Drain design production manager in the Tampa Bay region. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division, said Drain is a marketing professional and graphic design specialist who has more then 24 years of experience. “Beverly ranks as one of the most widely experienced marketing design specialists in the Tampa Bay area and we are looking forward to her contribution at Lennar,” Metheny said. Drain will be responsible for in-house graphic design and marketing collateral that supports sales of new single-family homes, including Lennar’s NextGen homes for multi generational families, town homes and active adult communities throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.

Hendricks-Berkadia Negotiates sale of 123 Acre Site in New Smyrna Beach area for $500,000

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hendricks-Berkadia Real Estate Advisors, one of the nations’ largest multi-family property investment advisors and a leading provider of commercial capital in the U.S. recently negotiated the sale of a 123-acre site on S. Glencoe Road in the New Smyrna Beach area for $500,000. Cole Whitaker, partner who heads the Southeast for Hendricks-Berkadia, and Jim Dowd of Jim Dowd Properties, Inc. based in Celebration negotiated the sale representing the seller, PNC Bank. Patricia Johnson and David Heyburn acquired the site.

New Design Studio Does Double Duty by Offering Homebuying Choices for Both SeaGate Homes and Bellagio Custom Homes

PALM COAST – A new 2,300-square-foot design studio has opened at the corporate offices of SeaGate Homes and Bellagio Custom Homes at 185 Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast. The studio – which offers those building with either SeaGate Homes or Bellagio Custom Homes the opportunity to make all of their new home selections under one roof– provides a wide selection of new styles and finishes of today’s most popular products used throughout new homes, according to Michael Sawdai√, vice president of operations for both companies. “The studio is unique in that it features full-size displays of three separate kitchens, a master bathroom, a staircase display with railing options, as well as a sitting room with a fireplace,” he said. “Here, customers can see and feel a variety of products such as flooring, plumbing and lighting as they personalize their homes.” The studio showcases more than 200 carpet selections, over 100 choices for cabinet doors and floor and wall tiles, seven vanity displays, a wall of Moen faucets, more than 75 wood-flooring selections, entry door and cultured stone displays, and countertop examples in granite, Silestone, Cambria, Piedrafina and travertine. Sawdai said while both companies share the new space, certain areas of the studio offers products specific to each builder. For more information, please call 386-437-6188 or visit SeaGateHomes.com. About SeaGate Homes: SeaGate Homes, Flagler County’s largest homebuilder, is an 18-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 $100s to the $400s.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Completes Design on Two Bottom Dollar Stores in Pennsylvania

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, completed design on two Bottom Dollar stores in Pennsylvania. Both stores are 18,000 square feet, according to Chairman Lonnie Peterson. One store is on Ninth Street in Philadelphia and the other one is at 15th Street and Edgemont in Chester, Pa.

Cuhaci & Peterson completes design work on three projects in Florida, Construction underway on all including Orlando Gateway Phase Two

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, completed design work on three retail projects including phase two of 20,000 square feet of design work for retail shops and restaurants at Orlando Gateway, located off SR 436 and the Beachline. The second project is a Canopy renovation at Granada Plaza, a 100,000 square foot shopping center in Ormond Beach. The third project is another Canopy renovation of the 50,000 square foot shopping center in Westchester in southwest Dade County, Fla.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects named to remodel New Tribes Mission in Sanford

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park has been hired to conduct interior remodeling of a multi-story headquarters for New Tribes Mission located at 1000 E. First St. in Sanford. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the interior remodeling will cover some 30,000 square feet.

LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE FOR FREE JUNE 15 SPANISH LEGAL SEMINAR

ORANGE CITY – The Port Orange-based law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell is partnering with the Volusia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to present a free legal seminar for area Spanish speaking residents June 15 in Orange City. Luis Gracia, a partner in the personal-injury firm, will lead the reserved-seat session from 9 a.m. to noon at the Holiday Inn Express near the intersection of Saxon Boulevard and Interstate 4. Gracia – who focuses mainly on Social Security disability, workers’ compensation, and personal injury and wrongful deaths cases – said the seminar is designed to educate the Hispanic community about common legal issues and inform them of their rights regarding everything from Social Security disability and Workers’ Compensation to automobile and motorcycle accidents. “Those participating will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn what to do if they are ever faced with a personal-injury situation,” he said. Carlos Valderrama, president of the Volusia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is very pleased with the partnership it has forged with the firm. “This partnership with Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell allows us to offer free legal seminars and workshops about pertinent legal topics of today for our residents, as well as potential business owners,” Valderrama said. Space for the seminar is limited to 65 seats and reservations must be made by calling 386-788-7700, 1-800-JUSTICE, or visiting www.rueziffra.com.

M/I Homes expands its position at Randal Park near Lake Nona, Sees big opportunity of home buyers

ORLANDO, Fla. --- M/I Homes sees a bright future for new home buyers at Randal Park located on Dowden Rd. near Narcoossee Road in Southeast Orlando. David Byrnes, area president in the Orlando region, said M/I Homes recently acquired 62 additional home sites at Randal Park, increasing its inventory there to 110 home sites. And at the rate new homes are selling at Randal Park, Byrnes said he may sell all 110 homes by the end of 2014. Randal Park is averaging 10 new home sales every month so far this year, Byrnes said. “This is a beautiful prosperous, highly desirable area that serves the new College of Medicine campus along with the healthcare facilities and research centers that comprise Medical City,” Byrnes said. M/I Homes is building one and two story homes at Randal Park that range in size from 1,750 square feet of living area to 2,800 square feet priced in the mid-$200s to the high $300s. Byrnes said M/I Homes recently started construction of a new two story luxury home at Randal Park that will be ready to move in by July 1. Priced from $269,990 the Norwood II floor plan – from M/I’s Eco series of new home designs – offers 2,178 square feet of living space with a two car garage. Standard features include 42-inch kitchen cabinets with crown molding, granite kitchen and master bath counters, stainless steel Energy Star® appliances, tiled wet areas, a tray ceiling in the master bedroom and an oversized covered lanai.

Greensleeves LLC passes Million Square Foot Mark

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – Greensleeves LLC the company that designs highly efficient environmental systems which reduce heating and air-conditioning cost in commercial and public use buildings by 30 to 50 percent, recently passed an important milestone: one million square feet of building space utilizing the GeoModule control software. Robert Braam, general manager of geo operations at Greensleeves LLC, said Greensleeves’ newest contract, to design energy-efficient environmental systems for 111,956 square feet of new campus facilities in Fort Wayne, Indiana, pushes the three-year old company’s total to more than one million square feet completed or under construction. Greensleeves’ largest single project was a 384,000 square foot office building for the corporate headquarters of a large food service company. “A million square feet is a drop in the ocean of all commercial buildings in the U.S., but for us it is a huge benchmark,” Braam said. “Little by little we are helping universities, hospitals and commercial and industrial operations achieve substantial energy efficiency and significantly lower their energy costs,” Braam said. “We’re using very sophisticated technology to reduce these companies’ carbon footprints and their power bills,” he said. Greensleeves specializes in providing intelligent energy management that controls the thermal exchange in the geothermal borefield and optimizes the flow of energy thru the system and operation of the components. Greensleeves is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Winter Springs.

Low key membership drive at four area golf clubs results in new members

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management’s low key first quarter membership drive at four area golf clubs resulted in a significant increase in members. Kenny Nairn, chief operating officer at Celebration Golf Management said the low-key membership drive resulted in 12 new golf club members at Golden Bear Golf Club in Windermere, 36 new members at Redtail in Sorrento, six new members at Stonegate at Solivita in Kissimmee, and two new members at Kings Ridge in Clermont.

Celebration Golf Management Names Jim Huntley Superintendent at Stoneybrook West in Winter Garden

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Celebration Golf Management has appointed Jim Huntley superintendent at Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden. Kenny Nairn, chief operating officer and executive vice president of golf at Celebration, said Huntley has more than 18 years of experience in golf course management and formerly served as assistant superintendent at The Golden Bear Club in Windermere. “Jim Huntley takes great personal pride in the quality of the tees, greens and fairways he manages and that’s what makes for a perfect golfing experience,” Nairn said.

DiVosta Homes’ Cathy Franco is PulteGroup’s Leading Sales Consultant in South Florida for May

JUPITER, Fla. --- PulteGroup has named Cathy Franco the New Home Sales Consultant of the month for selling the highest number of new homes during May at the DiVosta Homes communities of Windsor Park and Mallory Creek at Abacoa located on Indian Creek Parkway in Jupiter. Franco, who has been with DiVosta Homes for 11 years, is a native of New York City but has lived in South Florida more than 12 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Anthropology from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for PulteGroup, Inc. in South Florida, said Franco sold more homes during May than any other sales consultant not only among DiVosta Homes sales consultants, but Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb too in more than 20 communities in south Florida. “We look forward to many more years of Cathy’s continued sales success with DiVosta Homes at Mallory Creek and Windsor Park at Abacoa,” Mairn said. The master-planned community features 16 distinctive townhome and single family home designs priced from the $220s to over $800,000, Mairn added. For more information, visit www.divosta.com or call 877-235-8173.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects awarded contract to design professional offices for Central Florida Oral Surgery

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park was recently awarded a contract to design a new Central Florida Oral Surgery facility in Oviedo. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the medical professional building will be 3,500 square feet and located on Red Bug Lake Road.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects awarded contract to handle interior renovation for tool/equipment retailer in Casselberry

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park was recently awarded a contract to complete interior renovations at Northern Tool and Equipment Company in Casselberry. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the Northern Tool facility is located at S.R. 436 and U.S. 17-92 and the renovations will cover some 15,000 square feet of retail space.

CUHACI & PETERSON ARCHITECTS RANKED NO. 1 AMONG ORLANDO AREA ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park was recently ranked No. 1 among the largest architectural firms in Central Florida, according to an Orlando trade magazine. The Orlando Business Journal recently researched Central Florida architectural billings for 2012 and listed the top 23 architectural firms in the area. Cuhaci & Peterson was in the lead with $14.5 million in billings. Recently the firm had a visitor from Ottawa – its co-founder Edward Cuhaci who teamed up with Chairman Lonnie Peterson in the mid-1970s to open the Orlando office. “Our first client was the Winn Dixie grocery chain,” Cuhaci said. Cuhaci is now chairman of his own firm in Ottawa–Cuhaci & Associates. The 70-plus year old architect says he’s retired now but still goes to his office, “when I feel like it.” When Cuhaci & Peterson opened its Orlando office in the late 1970s, the first year’s revenues totaled less than $10,000, according to Peterson. Things are different now with over 100 employees. “When we started it was just Lonnie and me,” Cuhaci remembers. Cuhaci started his architectural career in the early 1960s and Peterson joined his firm in 1976. The first Cuhaci & Peterson office was located in a Turkey Lake Rd. strip center where they leased 4,000 square feet. Now they have their own building in Baldwin Park totaling 20,000 square feet. Why Orlando? “Orlando in the 1970s, I mean… my God, there was no airport, but we knew that was all coming. It was advertised because of Disney World,” Cuhaci said.

Lennar to open 134 new ready to move in homes over next 90 days in 14 communities in Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida division plans to open 229 new ready-to-move- in homes over the next 90 days in 14 communities in Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk Counties. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said most of the 229 ready-to-move-in homes are currently under construction but some are already completed and ready for move-in. Metheny said the new homes include single-family and town homes priced from the low $100s to the mid-$300s. Metheny said the total number of new ready-to-move-in homes may change. “Some of the new homes will sell before construction is completed,” Metheny said. Visit www.lennar.com, for more details, or call 888-317-7489.

Competitive Pricing and Ocean Views Draw A-List Businesses, Professionals to the BankUnited Building in Palm Beach

PALM BEACH, Fla. – For Brett D. Forman, chief executive officer and principal of the firm that owns the BankUnited building at 2875 South Ocean Blvd. in Palm Beach, less is more. Forman, who acquired and redeveloped the abandoned office building for some $5.5 million in 2004, applied the same entrepreneurial approach to pricing he uses at Forman Capital, LLC a specialized commercial real estate lender with an anticipated loan volume in excess of $60 million this year. So far, he’s been successful in spite of the real estate crisis. In addition to BankUnited, and Forman Capital, the building tenants include a not-for-profit Bethesda Health doctor’s office, a pharmacy, physical therapist, salon/spa and venture capital firm. “As a direct lender we use an entrepreneurial platform that combines real estate underwriting with analysis of traditional credit metrics and creativity, Forman explained. Most Class A office buildings in Palm Beach charge upwards of $50 per square foot and are much older buildings with vacancy rates in the area averaging about 20 percent. Forman said rents in the $20-30 per square foot range are much more sustainable. “We try to look at our tenants as business partners,” Forman said. “We succeed if they succeed and if one of us fails, it affects the whole community.” The building boasts the Palm Beach Executive Center, a full service 9,000 square foot executive suite for startup and entrepreneurial business models and Forman said only 20 percent of the space remains available for lease in the building. “As a direct lender to commercial real estate ventures, I try to know the market pretty well,” Forman said. “By taking a sustainable approach to our property we hope to encourage economic growth and prosperity all around. We all benefit from that.”

First Green Bank Foundation Awards Two More Grants for Solar Energy Systems

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- First Green Bank Foundation, the charitable arm of Lake County-based First Green Bank, recently awarded two grants of $1,000 each to businesses and individuals who want to develop solar energy systems for their businesses or homes. Kenneth LaRoe, chairman of First Green Bank, said the First Green Bank Foundation awarded a grant to Bowen Radson & Schroth, a law firm in Eustis a 20-kilowatt solar energy system. LaRoe said First Green Bank Foundation awarded another grant to Bob Cirone who owns a storage facility in Winter Garden and is developing a 20 -kw solar energy system there. The First Green Bank Foundation has awarded grants to support four solar energy projects, LaRoe said.

Emerson International closes on four new office leases that total more than 4,000 square feet

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Emerson International recently closed on four new office lease agreements that total more than 4,000 square feet of space in Orlando, Longwood and Altamonte Springs. Kenneth Koch, director of leasing at Emerson International, negotiated two lease agreements in Orlando and Longwood representing Emerson as landlord. Beacon Enterprises leased 971 square feet in the Major Plaza building on Major Blvd. off Kirkman Rd. near the I-Drive tourism corridor in southwest Orlando. RDL Development, LLC, leased 1,322 square feet of office space in the Sanlando Office Center on West SR 434 in Longwood. Zac Starkey, Commercial leasing associate at Emerson International, negotiated two lease agreements in Altamonte Springs at CenterPointe Office Park. Brad Central Business Group, Inc. leased 700 square feet of office space and the Together We Are Better Foundation, Inc. leased 1,054 square feet at CenterPointe Office Park.

M/I Homes starts development of four new communities in St. Cloud, Winter Garden, Apopka and South Seminole County

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- M/I Homes has started development of four new communities in St. Cloud, Winter Garden, Apopka and south Seminole County. David Byrnes, area president for M/I Homes in Central Florida, said development will be completed by early fall through early winter. The new developments include Narcoossee Village in St. Cloud, located off Jack Brack Road, east of Narcoossee Rd. with the first phase comprising 93 home sites and second phase 106 home sites totaling 199 home sites, Byrnes said. Narcoossee Village will begin selling Oct. 13 with homes priced from $225,000 and ranging in size from 1,900 square feet of living space to 4,700 square feet. Another new community is the Enclave at Bear Lake, located off Bear Lake Road and Maitland Blvd. in Seminole County. Byrnes said there will be 35 home sites at the Enclave at Bear Lake with pre-sales starting in August. Homes will start from $239,000 and range from 1,900 square feet of living space to 2,700 square feet. Hickory Hammock is another new community M/I Homes has under development located off Marsh Road in Winter Garden. In phase one there will be 54 home sites, Byrnes explained, and sales will start in December of new homes priced from $299,000 and ranging from 2,800 to 5,200 square feet of living area. M/I Homes is also developing Magnolia Park Estates located off Park Meadow Drive and Ocoee-Apopka Road in Apopka. Byrnes said the homebuilder is offering 32 home sites in Magnolia Park Estates with sales starting in August for homes priced from $229,000 and ranging in size from 2,100 square feet of living area to 5,200 square feet. M/I Homes is now active in nine communities in Central Florida and with the new communities will offer home buyers distinctively designed homes in 13 communities.

More than two years of effort plus renovation to lease 13,771 square feet of Class A office space at Crystal Center in Lake Mary

MAITLAND, Fla. – It took more than two years of effort by NAI Realvest in Maitland to lease up most of the remaining space at Crystal Center at 3300 West Lake Mary Blvd. in Lake Mary, but the effort was worth it. Senior Broker-Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM recently negotiated two new lease agreements that total 13,771 square feet of Class A office space at the Crystal Center to the Nemours Foundation and to J.D. Insurance & Financial Group. Now the building is 95 percent leased. West said the biggest problem was the struggling economy. “Costar posted a 19 percent vacancy rate for the first quarter of this year in the Lake Mary submarket and we’re in recovery mode,” West explained. During the same period, Lake Mary showed a 50,000 square foot negative absorption rate, meaning more tenants vacated the Lake Mary submarket than moved into Lake Mary. West said she was able to convince the landlord, Maya Associates, LLC of Okemos, Mich., to renovate the building lobby along with the second floor landing and seal and repair the exterior of the building. The owner was forward-thinking and dropped the rental rate to below market to accelerate occupancy to cost conscious tenants.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Office Lease for Wellness Center in Building B at La Vina Office at Lake Nona–Level 2 now is 94 Percent Leased

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for professional office space in Building B of La Vina Office at Lake Nona, 9161 Narcoossee Rd. in East Orlando. Mary Frances West, CCIM senior broker associate at NAI Realvest, negotiated the lease of suite B208 with 1,610 square feet representing the landlord Orlando-based Ripley’s International, LLC. The tenant is NU Wellness, LLC d/b/a Progressive Wellness Medical Center is the tenant. The 21,028 square foot second floor of Building B is now 94 percent leased. West added that there is lease proposal pending on Suite B104 – the only remaining suite on the second floor at La Vina Office a Lake Nona.

NAI Realvest negotiates sales of industrial properties in Sanford Totaling More than $686,000

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sales of two industrial properties totaling $686,400 in Sanford. Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest negotiated both transactions representing the sellers. McWeeney-Smith Real Estate Partnership of Orlando sold a 12,000 square foot office-warehouse building at 751 Central Park Drive in Sanford’s Central Florida Industrial Park for $600,000 to Space Port USA, Inc. The buyer was represented by David Hammett of CRE Advisors. Heidrich brokered the sale of a 1,350 square foot industrial condo at 4240 Church St. in Monroe CommerCenter IV representing the seller/developer Small Bay Partners, LLC of Maitland. The buyer, Longwood-based FC Management Consulting, LLC paid $86,400 for the condo in shell condition.

Celebration Golf Management names Anukul Hampton Executive Chef at Stonegate Golf Club in Solivita, promotes Michele Woods to Banquet Chef Supervisor

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Celebration Golf Management has appointed Anukul Hampton executive chef at Stonegate Golf Club at Solivita in Kissimmee. Arto Rahmani, general manager of Solivita Club services and vice president of food and beverage operations for Celebration Golf Management, said Hampton has more than 14 years of hospitality experience. Hampton has been featured in Orlando Home and Leisure magazine and served as signature chef at the Central Florida Restaurant Forum Magazine Taste of the Nation exposition. “Chef Anukul is a highly skilled professional with an excellent sense of timing and taste,” Rahmani said. “He possesses just the right mix of experience and creativity and we’re sure he’s going to be a big hit with our guests,” Rahmani said. Rahmani also promoted Michele Woods to banquet chef supervisor at Mosaics Restaurant at Solivita. Woods joined Celebration Golf Management two years ago as banquet cook. “Michele Woods is a great leader who is very detail-oriented with strong organizational and communication skills, and that’s what our guests at Solivita deserve,” Rahmani said.

Orange County National Golf Center promotes two to Top Management Positions

Winter Garden, Fla. --- The Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden recently promoted Toby Krause to assistant general manager of the award winning facility. Tano Malentin, general manager at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge, said Krause joined the staff at Orange County National in March of last year as an assistant in the pro shop. Most recently Krause served as event manager. “Over the last year Toby has demonstrated strong leadership and organizational skills,” Malentin said. His passion to make a success of the Orange County National brand will serve him well and we look forward to many good things from him,” Malentin added. Malentin also promoted Kevin Naylor to golf shop and events supervisor. Naylor joined Orange County National last year and most recently served as golf shop supervisor. “Since taking over as golf shop supervisor, Kevin’s organizational and customer service skills have grown dramatically,” Malentin said. “He has gone above and beyond many times to assist the event team to help turn well-run events into excellent tournament experiences,” he said..

Park Square Homes Unveils New Augusta Luxury Town Home at Gated Waters Edge at Lake Nona

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Park Square Homes has taken its trademark open space design theme to the next level with its new three-bedroom Augusta model town home at Waters Edge at Lake Nona in southeast Orlando. Anthony Rouhana, sales and marketing coordinator at Park Square Homes, said the Augusta model town home was designed for smart couples and professional singles who might be juggling careers, education and starter families, or planning to. “For young professional families, efficient design is a high value feature,” Rouhana said. With 1,861 square feet of living space and two-and-a-half baths, the Augusta is Park Square’s largest town home design. It’s than Park Square’s Belmont and Cambridge town home floor plans at Waters Edge. An open kitchen that serves a dining room and family room turns square footage into smart family living and social space accented by the Augusta’s courtyards or patio, Rouhana explained. “The Augusta is a smart lifestyle,” Rouhana said. “We think it will prove to be one of our most popular town home designs,” he said.

Park Square Homes to host Realtors June 5 at Prairie Lake Reserve Open House

ORLANDO, Fla. – Park Square Homes will host an open house for Realtors from Noon to 2 p.m. at Prairie Lake Reserve its gated town home community located off A.D. Mims Road and Clarke Road in Ocoee. Anthony Rouhana, sales and marketing coordinator at Park Square Homes, said two models will be showcased at the event. Rouhana said Park Square Homes recently opened a new phase at Prairie Lake Reserve for town homes that range from 1,652 square feet of living area to 1,785 square feet with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a two-car garage. Town homes in the new phase start from the $150s and currently there are 30 available, Rouhana said. Amenities at Prairie Lake Reserve include a community swimming pool, clubhouse and children’s playground. Visit www.parksquarehomes.com

Winston James Development leases 1,050 square feet of commercial space at Beville Road Business Park in Daytona

South Daytona Beach, Fla. --- Winston James Development, which developed the Beville Road Business Park in Daytona Beach, recently reported it negotiated a new lease agreement for 1,050 square feet of commercial space there. Jamie Adley, president of Beville Road Business Park, said Beautiful Salon and Spa leased the space. The locally owned business is expanding, Adley said.

Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange reports sales of new homes in April at $1.5 million

Port Orange, Fla. --- The Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange reported that sales of luxury homes in the community topped the $1.5 million mark in April. Jamie Allen Adley, president of Villages of Royal Palm and co-owner of Winston-James Development, the developer of the Villages of Royal Palm, said the award-winning community sold five new homes during the month totaling close to $1.5 million. Adley said only 45 new home sites remain for sale at the Villages of Royal Palm, priced from the high $100s to $300,000.

First Response Disaster Team Doubles Staff and Moves into Larger Quarters

EDGEWATER, FL – First Response Disaster Team – a three-year-old emergency response company that extracts water, removes mold and restores damage from smoke – recently hired several employees and moved into a 1,000-square-foot facility at 2220 Hibiscus Drive in Edgewater. A member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubator at Daytona Beach International Airport, First Response doubled its staff to include four full-time technicians, an administrative assistant, and four part-time employees, says Anne-Marie Poulin√, who co-owns the business with husband Ken Poulin. “We’ve been able to grow quickly in part because of the help we’ve received from Connie Bernal√, the incubator’s site manager,” Anne-Marie Poulin said. “We also wanted to be closer to Interstate 95 so that we’d be within 60 minutes to most Central Florida locations, including Orlando, Flagler County and Brevard County.” The incubator–a partnership between UCF, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council –helps start-up companies as well as established businesses. Incubator clients can either lease space at the Daytona Beach International Airport incubator site or, as First Response Disaster Team does, participate as “off site” clients to receive access to mentoring and coaching opportunities; educational programs; marketing and public relations specialists; access to seminars; networking with peers; as well as office equipment and support services. Those who opt to locate at the incubator also benefit from affordable office space with a flexible lease. The First Response staff – which occasionally drives box trucks or tows a 26-foot trailer out of state to assist with damage caused by disasters such as hurricanes and major storms – is led by Ken Poulin, a Certified General Contractor and a Certified Mold Remediator. Having worked together for more than 20 years, the couple views their new venture as being recession proof. “No matter what; there will always be floods, fires and natural disasters,” Anne-Marie Poulin said.

Centex to host grand opening June 15 at Magnolia Park in Riverview to showcase three new town home designs

TAMPA, Fla. --- Centex will host a grand opening Saturday, June 15 to showcase three new town home designs priced from the $130s at Magnolia Park, located off Falkenburg Rd., west of U.S. 301 in Riverview. Sean C. Strickler, vice president of sales for Centex in the North Florida region, said lunch and entertainment will be provided from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with tours of the new two-bedroom Fraser model town home, which offers 1,548 square feet of living space with two-and-a-half baths, priced from $142,990. All three new town home designs — the Evergreen, priced from $134,990 with 1,451 square feet, the 1,818 square foot Ashe town home priced from $164,990 and the Fraser -- feature one to two-car garages. Pond and conservation home sites are available as well, Strickler said. Magnolia Park is a gated community that features a community cabana, swimming pool and a playground. The Magnolia Park community features a mix of single family homes and town homes.

DiVosta Homes opens new three bedroom Cambridge model home at IslandWalk at the West Villages in Venice

VENICE, Fla. -- DiVosta Homes has high hopes for its newly completed three-bedroom, three-bath Cambridge model home at IslandWalk at the West Villages, a gated community located on US 41 between Jacaranda Blvd. and River Road in Venice. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of DiVosta Homes, said wide open spaces in the Cambridge model are very popular at DiVosta communities in Florida and he thinks the single story Cambridge will prove just as popular in this gated luxury community. Priced from $281,990, the Cambridge features an island kitchen, great room and dining area that totals more than 700 square feet and opens onto a screened and covered lanai that can become an optional extended patio. Mairn said the Cambridge is packed with energy-efficient features including Lennox central air-conditioning and heating with a programmable thermostat, an energy-efficient water heater, R-30 ceiling insulation, double-pane insulated, low-E screened windows, and insulated fiberglass entry door. The Cambridge comes in four distinctive elevations.

Pulte and DiVosta Homes join forces to host summer sales events in 20 Florida Communities

Fort Myers/Naples, Fla. --- Pulte Homes and DiVosta Homes have joined forces to host summer sales events from Memorial Day Monday, May 27, through Sunday, June 9. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the firms’ parent company, said home buyers at 20 communities in Florida where either Pulte or DiVosta are building can save up to $10,000 by taking advantage of 20 percent off special design options such as cabinets, tile and wood flooring, granite countertops and more. Summer sales events are being hosted at the Pulte Homes communities of Bridgetown and The Plantation in Fort Myers, The Preserve at Corkscrew in Estero, The Quarry in Naples and Emerson Park in Ave Maria as well as the DiVosta communities of VillageWalk of Bonita Springs and VeronaWalk in Naples, Oak Haven in Lake Worth, Heron Bay in Palm Bay, Provence Bay in Vero Beach, and Copperleaf in Palm City as well as the DiVosta communities of Windsor Park at Abacoa in Jupiter, Castellina in Wellington, Waterway Village in Vero Beach, IslandWalk at the West Villages in Venice and The Isles on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota. Pulte and DiVosta Homes in these communities range from the mid $100s to the $600s. “With these discounted high-end design options every homeowner can get tremendous value and choice on a brand new DiVosta or Pulte home in their price range and live in a first-class community,” Mairn said.

Lennar unveils new Monte Carlo model home at Orange Blossom Ranch

NAPLES, Fla. --- Lennar Homes recently unveiled its new five-bedroom Monte Carlo model home at Orange Blossom Ranch, a new community located off Immokalee Rd. in Naples. Phillip Macon, new home consultant at Orange Blossom Ranch, said the two-story Monte Carlo model home offers three full baths in 3,200 square feet of living space with a massive family, living and social area that includes a huge open island kitchen, leisure, formal dining and living rooms and screened lanai. “The Monte Carlo model is one of the most dramatic executive homes Lennar builds,” Macon said. Lennar plans to build 10 new three, four, five and six bedroom single family homes at Orange Blossom Ranch that range in size from 1,577 square feet of living space to 3,231 square feet. Priced from the low $200s, new homes at Orange Blossom Ranch feature Lennar’s “Everything Included” pledge: extras such as granite kitchen countertops, wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, crown molding and tile are all included in the Lennar price. Visit www.lennar.com.

Ryland Homes Opens Two New Single-Family Homes Communities in Riverview, new models ready for viewing in June

Tampa, Fla. --- Ryland Homes is opening two new single-family home communities in Riverview. New models will be ready for viewing in June. Mike Finley vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said Ryland plans to build 43 new homes at the Enclave at Ramble Creek, located on Whistling Wind Drive off Ramble Creek Drive east of U.S. 301 between Symmes and Rhodine Roads. New three, four and five bedroom homes from Ryland’s popular Florida Series of new home designs at the Enclave at Ramble Creek will range in size from 1,679 square feet of living space to 2,984 square feet with two and three baths and two-car garages, Finley added. Ryland Homes plans to build 54 new three, four and five-bedroom homes in the first phase at WaterStone Lakes, located on Waterstone Drive in Riverview off Mathog Road and Gibsonton Drive just east of I-75. Finley said Ryland Homes is featuring its popular Florida Series homes at WaterStone Lakes as well as its Palm Series. New homes at WaterStone Lakes will range in size from 1,853 square feet of living space to 3,500 square feet with two, two-and-a-half and three baths and two and three-car garages. “Riverview is one of the most desirable areas in the Tampa Bay region and we expect sales to be very strong in both the Enclave at Ramble Creek and WaterStone Lakes,” Finley said. Ryland Homes already plans a second phase at WaterStone Lakes with 45 new home sites, according to Finley.

ICI Homes appoints Antonio (Tony) Hernandez New Home Sales Associate at Avilla in Kissimmee

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- ICI Homes, which is building 81 four and five bedroom luxury homes priced from the mid $300s at Avilla, a gated neighborhood near Walt Disney World in Kissimmee, has named Antonio (Tony) Hernandez new home sales associate. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes, said Hernandez is a former New Yorker who served as an equity and fixed income trader at global financial service giant UBS for close to two decades. He also was a Realtor in New York City working on a part time basis since the mid 1990s. Hernandez relocated to Florida four years ago and was most recently with Charles Rutenberg Realty.

Gravitational Marketing hosts over 120 auto executives at specialized marketing seminar in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – Gravitational Marketing, the Avalon Park based company author entrepreneurs Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller launched three years ago to provide marketing expertise to small business owners, hosted more than 120 auto dealer executives at downtown Orlando’s Renaissance Hotel recently for a special seminar on marketing strategies. Vee and Miller recently published a book on Gravitational Marketing with a first printing of some 10,000 copies. John Wiley & Sons is the publisher. Vee, co-author of Gravitational Marketing, The Science of Attracting Customers said the seminar focused on successful, highly effective marketing strategies using video and social media and smart new approaches to offline strategies for newspapers, radio, TV and direct mail. “We offer a bold, contrarian view point and non-traditional ideas,” Vee explained. “Our seminar explains how to attract the right customers who pay more, stay longer and refer everyone they know,” he said. Miller, who likewise co-authored Gravitational Marketing, said the simple ideas, tools, strategies and tips that drive Gravitational Marketing attract customers and close sales naturally, without manual sales labor such as cold calling, prospecting and begging for business. Miller, who also co-authored the text, said Gravitational Marketing is based on a simple concept. “Gravitational Marketing is based on the principle that all bodies exhibit an inherent gravitational force that naturally attracts other bodies. Every business has a natural tendency, however large or small, to attract customers,” Miller explained. “We teach business owners how to increase their gravitational potential without corresponding marketing costs utilizing a wide range of smarter strategies and new technology,” Miller said. Vee and Miller launched Gravitational Marketing with a total budget of $200. Last year the firm reported revenues of more than $6 million.

Royal Oak Homes Names Sales Associate for Clermont community

CLERMONT, Fla. --- Royal Oak Homes, a third generation family home builder whose track record includes more than 14,000 new homes in Central Florida over the past 30 years, has appointed Tiffany Reis, sales associate for the home builder’s community of Vista Grand in Clermont. Matt Orosz, co-president at Royal Oak Homes, said Reis has more than 10 years of real estate experience. Royal Oak Homes, based in Baldwin Park, builds single-family homes in 10 Central Florida communities.

Royal Oaks Homes hires Financial Analyst, and promotes Steve Shackelford to Construction Manager

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Royal Oak Homes, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, has promoted Steve Shackelford to construction manager and appointed Tim Tassone financial analyst. Shackelford has been with Royal Oak for three years as a community builder. He was Royal Oak's first employee when they broke ground in early 2011. Tassone is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida. Royal Oak Homes is a third-generation home builder whose track record boasts more than 14,000 new homes built in Central Florida over the past 30 years under the Cambridge Homes brand, one of the region’s most successful home builders in the 1980s and 1990s. Founded in 2011, Royal Oak Homes is rapidly becoming one of the largest and most active home builders in the Central Florida area, building in ten active communities in the region.

Royal Oak Homes aims for spot in Top 100 ranking next year

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Builder Magazine ranked Royal Oak Homes in Baldwin Park as the nation’s 186th largest home builder last year and Royal Oak Homes co-president Steve Orosz said that won’t do. “We expect to be ranked among the Top 100 builders next year,” Orosz pledged. Last year Royal Oak Homes built new single family homes in five communities in Central Florida that totaled more than $18 million. This year, Royal Oak Homes should see sales in excess of $54 million in 11 Central Florida communities, Orosz said.