Ashton Woods Homes starts Construction of Large Luxury model home at Preserve at FishHawk Ranch

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has started construction of a new model home in the Preserve at FishHawk Ranch a new phase of homesites the homebuilder recently opened in the master-planned community located in Lithia in the Tampa Bay area. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said 13 oversized home sites are available in the Preserve at FishHawk Ranch for three, four and five bedroom homes ranging from 2,833 square feet of living area to 3,711 square feet, priced from the high $400s. Roche said the new model underway is the Durango, a spacious, luxurious two-story floor plan with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, in 3,532 square feet of living area priced starting from $529,990. Visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com.

Ashton Woods Homes Opens New Community of Whitaker Park in Sarasota County

Sarasota County, Fla. --- Sales are underway at Ashton Woods Homes’ newest community of Whitaker Park, located off Richardson Road in Sarasota County. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said Ashton Woods currently has 79 home sites available at Whitaker Park for its new homes in one and two-story designs. Roche said Ashton Woods is offering nine separate floor plans at Whitaker Park with three and four bedrooms ranging from 1,710 square feet of living area to 3,111 square feet, priced from $267,990 to $326,990.

Dave Brewer Inc. appoints Darla Sutrich design coordinator

SANFORD, Fla. --- Dave Brewer Inc. has appointed Darla Sutrich design coordinator. Matt Trask, vice president at Dave Brewer, Inc., said Sutrich earned an AS Degree in Interior Design and has more than 10 years of experience in the custom homebuilding industry. “Darla will be responsible for liaison among vendors, construction managers, decorators and clients,” Trask said. Dave Brewer Inc. ranks as one of the region’s most active builders of luxury homes valued at more than $1 million.

Mortgage Interest Rates climbed a whole point over the past 60 days, says top Florida Mortgage provider

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- Mortgage loan rates have risen a full point over the past 60 days, leading to a big change in the business for Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida, the state’s largest privately-owned mortgage company. Matt Malloy, president of Integrity Home Loan, said his firm has shifted to a greater focus on home sales. “In the past we have seen significant growth in mortgage refinancing,” Malloy said. “Now it appears that side of the business has slowed as interest rates have risen.” Six months ago, about half the mortgage loans Integrity Home Loan provided refinanced existing mortgages. Today, about three-fourths of Integrity’s mortgage business is for the purchase of new or existing homes, Malloy said. Malloy said rising mortgage rates and fewer applications for mortgage refinancing are both signs of a healthier economy. “The U.S. economy is coming back and we can all feel good about that,” Malloy said. Integrity Home Loan is Florida’s largest fully integrated privately owned mortgage company with 11 branches including the headquarters in Lake Mary and locations in Coral Springs, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Mich.