THE BRITISH CONSTITUTE MAJOR SHARE OF FLORIDA HOME BUYERS

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Foreign nationals constitute a major share of Florida home buyers as Florida real estate sales reach new record levels. Roger Soderstrom, owner and founder of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty a major real estate firm in Central Florida, said that among international home buyers British subjects rank as one of the most prominent nationalities. From July, 2012 through July, 2013 British subjects accounted for six percent of the 22,572 residential real estate transactions in Florida that involved foreign-born buyers. At the same time, Michael DeMoya, global luxury real estate advisor at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said sales to international buyers totaled more than $6.4 billion during the period, according to the National Association of Realtors, and 80 percent of those transactions were all cash. DeMoya said Orlando has been a favorite destination for the British for many years, offering a very attractive lifestyle with a plentitude of restaurants, attractions and restaurants. Soderstrom and DeMoya stressed that Orlando’s economic base is anchored by the world’s most popular tourist destination. Walt Disney World heads an enormous infrastructure of attractions and activities that attract a substantial market of workers who constitute another market segment further driving demand for housing in the region. Corporate executives, celebrities and high net worth individuals have fueled the luxury home market in areas such as Windermere, and multimillion dollar subdivisions such as Isleworth and Keenes Pointe. Housing values in Central Florida, Soderstrom said, are extremely attractive compared to other areas within the state and the U.S. In many neighborhoods a new home is priced about the same as an older existing home. Active adults of retirement age constitute the second most important segment of the housing market. Every day, approximately 1,500 Americans celebrate their 65th birthdays. Central Florida’s weather, DeMoya reminded, along with its retail opportunities, and lifestyle are particularly appealing, and the appeal to visiting children and grandchildren is an added bonus. Central Florida’s cost of living is exceptionally moderate without a personal income tax. New state of the art medical complexes such as in Lake Nona are providing a high level of quality healthcare, DeMoya added. Soderstrom said Orlando offers a long-term steady and continued growth that is sustained by a solid economic base which is strong in employment, great family environment, value priced real estate, very reasonable cost of living and entertainment options galore.

CANADIANS CONSTITUTE MAJOR SHARE OF FLORIDA HOME BUYERS

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Foreign nationals constitute a major share of Florida home buyers as Florida real estate sales reach new sales records. Roger Soderstrom, owner and founder of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty a major real estate firm in Central Florida, said that among international home buyers Canadians rank as the largest single nationality. From July, 2012 through July, 2013 Canadians accounted for 30 percent of the 22,572 residential real estate transactions in Florida that involved foreign-born buyers. At the same time, Michael DeMoya, global luxury real estate advisor at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, added that sales to international buyers totaled more than $6.4 billion during the period, according to the National Association of Realtors, and 80 percent of those transactions were all cash. DeMoya said Orlando has been a favorite destination for Canadians for many years, offering a very attractive lifestyle with a plentitude of restaurants, attractions and restaurants. Both Soderstrom and DeMoya stressed that Orlando’s economic base is anchored by the world’s most popular tourist destination. Walt Disney World heads an enormous infrastructure of attractions and activities that attract a substantial market of workers who constitute another market segment further driving demand for housing in the region. Corporate executives, celebrities and high net worth individuals have fueled the luxury home market in areas such as Windermere, and multimillion dollar subdivisions such as Isleworth and Keenes Pointe. Housing values in Central Florida, Soderstrom said, are extremely attractive compared to other areas within the state and nationally. In many neighborhoods a new home is priced about the same as an older existing home. Active adults of retirement age constitute the second most important segment of the housing market. Every day, approximately 1,500 Americans celebrate their 65th birthdays. Central Florida’s weather, DeMoya reminded, along with its retail opportunities, and lifestyle are particularly appealing, and the appeal to visiting children and grandchildren is an added bonus. Central Florida’s cost of living is exceptionally moderate without a personal income tax. New state of the art medical complex communities such as in Lake Nona are providing a high level of quality healthcare, DeMoya added. Soderstrom said Orlando offers long-term, steady and continued growth that is sustained by a solid economic base which is strong in employment, great family environment, value priced real estate, very reasonable cost of living and entertainment options galore.

ICI Homes has 36 Move-in Ready Homes for sale in the Volusia-Flagler, Jacksonville and Orlando regions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- ICI Homes recently completed 36 ready-to-move-in luxury homes in Volusia County, Jacksonville and Orlando. Rosemary Messina, vice president of marketing and on-line sales at ICI Homes, said the ready-to-move-in luxury homes include five town homes. ICI’s ready-to-move-in single-family homes range in size from 1,743 square feet of living space to 3,698 square feet and are priced from $169,900 to $531,900. Town homes range in size from 1,563 square feet to 1,847 square feet priced from $169,900 to $203,900. Messina said the ready-to-move-in homes offer 34 distinctive floor plans ICI Homes builds luxury homes in 22 communities in the Jacksonville, Volusia-Flagler and Orlando markets.

Tournament at Kings Ridge Golf Club in Clermont Raises more than $5,500 for Fairways for Warriors

CLERMONT, Fla. -- Kings Ridge Golf Club in Clermont hosted an open golf tournament recently that drew more than 125 golfers and raised more than $5,500 for Fairways for Warriors, which provides golf outings and equipment to help wounded military veterans restart their civilian lives. Jay Scruggs, general manager at King’s Ridge Golf Club, said the Fairways for Warriors tournament was started at King’s Ridge two years ago by Rocky Nicholson of the golf shop staff, and it is one of the club’s most successful charity golf events. “Rocky organized and coordinated every aspect of this tournament from fundraising to recruiting golfers and it could not have been such a success without his dedication and hard work,” Scruggs said. Celebration Golf Management, which owns the Kings Ridge Golf Club, has adopted Fairways for Warriors as its principal charitable beneficiary. “We were blessed with perfect weather, the course is at its very best and we had one of those near perfect days that make us all remember why we chose this career in the first place,” Scruggs said.

M/I Homes names Audrey Cangialosi division controller

ORLANDO, Fla. -– M/I Homes has named Audrey Cangialosi division vice president / controller for its Orlando area homebuilding operations. David Byrnes, area president of M/I Homes in the Orlando region said Cangialosi has more than 13 years of experience including years with Meritage and Beazer Homes. A graduate of the University of South Florida with a BBA Degree in Accounting and Finance, Cangialosi started her financial career with Centex Homes.

M/I Homes completes new model home at Lake Heiniger Estates in Apopka

LAKE MARY, Fla. -- M/I Homes recently completed a new model home at its community of Lake Heiniger Estates, located at Pickford Circle and Lakeview Drive off Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka. David Byrnes, area president of M/I Homes in the Orlando region, said the model — the Corina — offers four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a two-car garage in a two-story design. The home offers 2,971 square feet of living area and is priced at $254,000, Byrnes said. There are 30 home sites available at Lake Heiniger Estates with homes ranging from 2,100 square feet of living area to 5,300 square feet. Homes are priced from $219,000 to $390,000, Byrnes added.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Completes Design of a new LEED Certified Element hotel at Fashion Square Mall

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently completed the design of a 151-room Element Hotel at Fashion Square Mall on E. Colonial Drive in Orlando. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said construction is expected to get underway on the hotel in early 2014. The project will be LEED certified, and total construction cost is estimated at more than $10 million, Peterson said. The design contract was awarded to Cuhaci & Peterson by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the developer of Element.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contract for Design of Retail Shops and Grocery Store in Alexandra Bay, NY

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, completed design of retail shops and a grocery store in Alexandra Bay, NY. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said the his firm designed 10,000 square feet of retail shop space along with an adjacent 30,000 square foot Price Chopper grocery store in Alexandra Bay. The project will be LEED Silver. Construction of both facilities is complete. Cuhaci & Petersen Architects is one of the nation’s leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually.

New Prototype Walgreens pharmacy designed by Cuhaci & Peterson Architects

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, completed design of a new Walgreens drug store located off Dale Mabry in Tampa. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the new Walgreens is a new prototype design and will total 14,800 square feet. Regency Center is the developer of the new facility.

SkyLarx Systems of Winter Springs Advances to Semi-Finals in Get in the Ring Competition

Winter Springs, Fla.– SkyLarx Systems co-founders Wiley Martin Jr. and Marcelo Agui rolled the dice in early September with an official entry in the Kauffman Foundation’s Get in the Ring: The American Startup Clash, a contest which gives America’s most outstanding entrepreneurs an opportunity to compete against founders from across the country and around the world. Two weeks later the Kauffman Foundation sent word that SkyLarx was the only Florida company to make the semifinalist cut of Get in the Ring, a key event in the international celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Selected as semi-finalists from a field of 283 entrepreneurs, SkyLarx and 39 others will compete for a shot at a once-in-a-lifetime payoff: the chance to pitch their enterprise to prominent judges including Steve Felice, president of Dell, Inc., one of the largest distributors of technology products in the world, and serial entrepreneur Marc Eckō. Only eight companies will earn the privilege of being flown to Kauffman Foundation’s headquarters in Kansas City to make the pitch for the finalist cut based on a three-minute video. ”Our message is pretty simple and clear. Our SkyLarx software makes it easier to run an efficient, effective and enriching childcare business,” Martin said. SkyLarx is a cloud-based system of aps and programs that helps childcare businesses manage their operations with everything from reliable, efficient check-in and check-out protocols to governmental regulatory compliance to teacher communication platforms. “Skylarx developed the gold standard in childcare management solutions, and we are developing parallel systems for Senior Care, Health Care and retail operations,” Martin explained. Martin said the SkyLarx video was produced and edited by Sunshine Video Productions of Orlando. Eight finalists will be named on Oct. 23. But the SkyLarx partners aren’t holding their breath---most of the time they’re trying to catch it. “Winning Get in the Ring is fun to think about when I go home at night, but our days are very busy right now working with clients and fine-tuning our systems,” Agui said. SkyLarx Systems is a client company of the UCF Business Incubation Program in Winter Springs.

VOLUSIA LAW FIRM, CAR DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL PARTNER FOR A FIVE-DAY ANTI-TEXTING PROGRAM FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS

VOLUSIA COUNTY, FL – To help educate student drivers about the newly created anti-texting and driving law, the law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell in Port Orange, Gary Yeoman’s Ford Lincoln and WESH 2 will for the third time sponsor a week of simulated texting and driving at five local high schools. The businesses have become regular partners since funding the first of three simulated texting sessions beginning in 2012. Since then, more than 10,000 students have learned first-hand the dangers of texting while driving, according to Carlos Lira√, general manager at Gary Yeoman’s. “While each of the sessions we’ve held has been important for students, next month’s will be of even greater importance, as it now is illegal to text while driving,” Lira said. The new law, which went into effect Oct. 1, provides that drivers caught texting behind the wheel now can be issued a $30 fine for their first offense, and $60 for any others, according to Allan L. Ziffra√, president of the personal-injury firm. “The driver can be cited only if they are stopped for another traffic violation, such as speeding,” Ziffra said, “as texting while driving is considered a secondary offense and the law only applies when the vehicle is moving.” The Nov. 4 through 8 training program puts students in the driver’s seat behind a state-of-the-art, hands-on texting and driving simulator. As many as 5,000 local students are expected to use the equipment this year. Presented free of charge, the “Text Free Zone” campaign will begin Nov. 4 at Spruce Creek High in Port Orange, followed by DeLand High on Nov. 5, Matanzas High in Palm Coast on Nov. 6, University High in Orange City on Nov. 7 and New Smyrna Beach High on Nov. 8. National statistics show that about 50 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 text while driving. Data compiled from simulated sessions throughout the United States showed that nearly all of those who got behind the simulator’s wheel failed after speeding, swerving and sometimes even striking simulated pedestrians while trying to send a text. “In our line of work, we see too many reports of teen-age drivers who injure themselves or others while texting,” Ziffra said. “Because of these statistics, we enthusiastically support this program.” For more information, please visit www.rueziffra.com/pledge-don’t-text-and-drive or call 386-788-7700. 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.

Freshorize USA appoints Michael Joseph, Business Development Manager and Cody Swain, Director of Business Strategy and Growth

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Freshorize USA, LLC, the U.S. division of an 11-year-old, award-winning British company that ranks as a leading provider of airline soap and air freshener, recently appointed two young executives to top posts in the company. Freshorize is currently targeting the U.S. airlines market as well as hotels, cruise lines and automobile air fresheners. Aziz Patel, founder and chief executive officer of Freshorize, said he recently appointed Michael Joseph, business development manager. Joseph, 22, earned his degree in economics from Vanderbilt University. Patel said Joseph’s expertise in social media, finance, and entrepreneurship bring a unique, young and energetic perspective to the growing company. Joseph’s hard work is paying off as he is already in advanced talks with prospective clients in the automobile, trains and hospitality market. Patel said he also appointed Cody Swain, director of business strategy and growth. Swain, 28, who earned a degree in anthropology and another in international relations from the University of Central Florida, has worked with the UCF Venture Lab’s business development department for the past five years consulting with hundreds of diverse startup companies and incubator clients. He also designed and ran a local Orange County funded business accelerator named Startup Orange County. “Cody Swain’s experience with startup companies will give Freshorize the edge that it needs to build operations in the United States in addition to its headquarters in the United Kingdom,” Patel said. Swain is fully engaged with the top five airlines in the U.S. and medium to small airlines in other parts of the world, according to Patel. Swain took part in a successful exhibition at an APEX Airlines Expo in Anaheim, Calif. in September. All top five U.S. airlines are now eager to work with Freshorize. “New custom solutions to their soap dispenser problems that have been a concern for years are finally in sight,” Swain said. Freshorize is an innovative leader in the airline soap and air freshener supply market. The firm’s proprietary aerospace technology has captured 90 percent of the U.K. market for these products and has made substantial inroads throughout Europe. Freshorize has come up with a new approach in the supply of toiletry amenities to reduce environmental waste and lower costs with its unique line of products. Freshorize is driven by innovation and its products have been very well received by top hotels in Florida. Patel said Freshorize is developing several new products and is expanding. “We expect to add a third individual to the team with web and design experience,” Patel said. “Our growth has been much faster than expected,” he added. The UCF Business Incubation Program’s unique “soft landing” program enables companies to gain faster access to market its products and services in Florida and the U.S. “The program’s available resources and infrastructure dedicated to achieving growth are invaluable,” Patel said.

Henin Homes Names Tony Marrillia Construction Manager in Custom Homes Division, Raymond Venditti New Home Sales Specialist

WINTER PARK Fla. – Henin Homes has appointed Tony Marrillia as construction manager to oversee the management and construction of the homebuilder’s custom homes. Jerome Henin, president of Henin Homes, said Marrillia has more than 20 years of experience as a home building professional. Marrillia formerly was president of construction for Bel-Aire Homes and most recently was a managing member of Marlin Homes. The UCF graduate holds an active general contractor’s license. Henin said he also appointed Raymond Venditti as new home sales specialist at Henin Homes. Venditti, a licensed real estate broker, has more than 25 years of experience in residential real estate sales, specializing in marketing and launching new home communities as well as REOs and short sales. Venditti also enhanced his career by becoming a licensed mortgage broker who has worked for the Orange County Property Appraiser’s office assessing and defending property values. The Henin Group, parent company of Henin Homes, was recently ranked 37th on the Golden 100 list of Central Florida’s top privately-held firms.

Royal Oak Homes opens new phase at popular Hammock Trails in Kissimmee

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Royal Oak Homes has opened a second phase at popular Hammock Trails in Kissimmee. Matt Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said the home builder hosted a grand opening at Hammock Trails on Oct. 19 with a community picnic. New homes at Hammock Trails range in size from 1,670 square feet of living space to 3,200 square feet and are priced from the $160’s. “Hammock Trails is one of the best-selling communities in Central Florida,” Orosz said. 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 opens 33 homes sites at Lago Katrina in Groveland with new single-family homes priced from the $150s

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Royal Oak Homes recently opened a new community in Groveland where it plans to build 33 new single-family homes priced from the $150s. Matt Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said the Emerson model home will be open for viewing in January at Lago Katrina. “We are very excited to be offering such an amazing community, with 85' wide, lake-view lots at such an affordable price point,” said Orosz. New three, four and five bedroom homes by Royal Oak at Lago Katrina range in size from 1,676 square feet of living space to over 3,200 square feet. 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.

Three ready-to-move-in homes available at Ashton Woods’ Fountain Parke in Lake Mary

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has three move-in ready homes priced from the mid-$200s at its community of Fountain Parke located off Rinehart Road north of Lake Mary Blvd. in Lake Mary. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the move-in ready homes all offer four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, plus a two-car garage and range from 2,070 square feet of living area to 2,504 square feet. The homes are priced from the mid $200s, Roche said.

Ashton Woods Homes has new model home at Independence in Winter Garden

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has a new model home at its community of Independence off New Independence Parkway and Tiny Road in Winter Garden. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the Michigan model offers four bedrooms, a game room, three-and-a-half baths with a three-car garage and a boat dock right on Lake Speer. Independence has 26 home sites available with homes priced from the high $400s and ranging from 2,544 square feet of living area to over 4,000 square feet. The community features resort style amenities along with lakes, acres of parks, recreation and conservation areas.

Four ready-to-move-in homes available by Ashton Woods Homes at Rosedale in Bradenton

BRADENTON, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has four ready-to-move-in homes in its first phase at Rosedale County Club located off Lakewood Ranch Blvd. and 44th Ave. West in Bradenton. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes said the ready-to-move-in homes are priced from the high $300s and range in size from 2,107 square feet of living area to 2,414 square feet. Forty-three home sites are available in the first phase at Rosedale Country Club, Roche said. Ashton Woods Homes has three furnished models open for viewing at Rosedale.

Ashton Woods Homes opens new phase at the Preserve at FishHawk Ranch in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes started sales in a new phase of homesites at the Preserve at FishHawk Ranch its new neighborhood within 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 the three, four and five bedroom homes in the new phase are priced from the high $400s. Ashton Woods Homes has 12 home sites available in the new phase at the Preserve at FishHawk Ranch for new homes ranging from 2,833 square feet of living area to over 4,000 square feet. Visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com.

Meritage Homes Has 66 Move-In-Ready Homes in 16 Communities in Orlando Area

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Meritage Homes now has 66 ready-to-move-in homes available in 16 communities across the Orlando region in Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties. Brian Kittle, division vice president for Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said the homes, with from four to seven bedrooms, range from 1,900 square feet of living area to 5,200 square feet. Prices of the homes range from the low $200s to the mid $600s. For more information, visit www.meritagehomes.com

Five of 2013’s Florida Companies to Watch got their start at the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program, which ranks as one of the best in the nation according to Entrepreneur Magazine, will earn yet another accolade at the third annual “Florida Companies to Watch” awards on Oct. 24 at Hard Rock Live in Orlando. Five of the 50 winners of the 2013 Florida Companies to Watch awards got their start in the UCF Business Incubation Program. The UCF Incubator graduate companies named “Florida Companies to Watch” this year are 21st Century Learning Solutions Inc.; AVT Simulation; Snapt Inc.; Solodev; and Therigy LLC. Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubator Program, said the university-based effort to support and encourage startup businesses is paying off in Central Florida. “UCF Business Incubation Program graduate companies have claimed five awards in the first two years of the Florida Companies to Watch program and this year we have five more,” O’Neal said. “Our graduate companies are making a big mark on the Central Florida economic growth and employment picture,” he said. Entrepreneur Magazine called the 11-year old UCF Business Incubation Program one of “America’s Best Under the Radar Business Incubators” for helping to create 1,500 new jobs and generate revenues in excess of $60 million. And that was for just over a two-year period. The Florida Companies to Watch Awards gala---individual tickets are priced at $150---will fete “second stage” companies that show the strongest potential to break out as major employers in the region. Sponsored by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida and the Edward Lowe Foundation, the gala awards event will showcase companies that range from First Green Bank, the Lake County-based bank that opened its first Orlando location earlier this year, to Snapt Inc., which sells software that helps companies track their online advertising efforts.