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.