Top Executive at Mattamy Homes U.S. Group in Charlotte Elected President of Home Builders Association

CHARLOTTE - Bill Kiselick, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group in the Charlotte region, was recently inducted as president of the Home Builders Association of Charlotte, which represents the interests of more than 1,100 member home builders and suppliers in Mecklenburg County.

Kiselick, who joined Mattamy Homes U.S. Group in 2008, is an eight-year veteran of the Home Builders Association of Charlotte who was elected and served last year as first vice president.
Kiselick said his goals as president are financial responsibility and member services.

“My top priority is to develop programs and activities that will benefit existing members and appeal to new members,” Kiselick said. “The home building industry in Mecklenburg County is recovering, and we are going to see a new, more vital and more active Home Builders Association of Charlotte,” he said.

For more information contact:

Bill Kiselick, Division President Mattamy Homes US Group-Charlotte 704-375-9373 Bill.Kiselick@mattamyhomes.com

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group:

Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, http://www.mattamyhomes.com/ expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Charlotte, Jacksonville, Orlando, Minneapolis and Phoenix. The homebuilder, the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion was ranked among the highest of all homebuilders in the greater Toronto and Ottawa areas in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey conducted by J.D. Power Associates.

Demetree Builders and Ron Schwartz Settle Dispute; Agree to Part Ways

ORLANDO, Fla. - The owners of Demetree Builders have settled a long-standing dispute with Ron Schwartz that involved ownership of substantial real estate holdings and several operating companies throughout the Orlando area.

Business developers and partners Ron Schwartz and Mary Demetree have agreed to part ways, Schwartz said. The settlement resolves seven lawsuits that have been filed over the past year and resolves disputes surrounding more than a dozen entities that included interests in several operating companies, numerous subdivisions, residential units and raw land.

Mary Demetree will retain controlling ownership of Handex Consulting and Remediation, LLC, (HCR) an environmental company operating from Mt Dora, and she obtains controlling interest in Winter Park’s Park Plaza Gardens fine dining restaurant.

Schwartz, who recently opened several new companies, said both parties are pleased with being able to work out a settlement.

Schwartz, who acquired his interest in the fine dining restaurant in 2002, guided the landmark facility through major renovations and repositioning as one of the region’s best-known fine dining restaurants.

And as operating partner and CEO of DB Orlando, Schwartz developed dozens of subdivisions from Vero Beach to Gainesville over the past nine years. The partners also constructed single family homes, townhomes and condominiums throughout Central Florida. And their venture capital fund invested in and/or acquired such companies as HCR.

Schwartz recently launched Ride Green Scooters in Winter Park, which sells and services modestly priced Asian motor scooters for commuters, students, and other cost-conscious/green conscious consumers.

For more information about this press release, please contact:
Ron Schwartz, 407-342-3648
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-461-3780 or 644-4142

NAI Realvest negotiates lease agreement for 22,500 square feet at Monroe CommerCenter South in Sanford

ORLANDO, Fla. -- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the renewal agreement for 22,500 square feet of industrial space at Monroe CommerCenter South in Sanford.

Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord, COP-Monroe, LLC of Maitland and the tenant, Builders Services Group, Inc.

The Sanford-based tenant renewed its current lease at 4140 Flex Court at the center.

For more information, contact:
Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com;
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com;
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.nairealvest.com.

One factor in recession may hit bottom this summer as new home inventories decline, reports Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Cent. FL division

One factor in recession may hit bottom this summer as new home inventories decline, reports Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division

TAMPA, Fla. - At least one part of the housing recession appears to be nearing its end, reports one of Florida’s largest home builders.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds new single-family and town homes priced from the $100s to the $400s in some 35 communities throughout the Central Florida regions of Tampa Bay, Metro Orlando and the Space Coast, reports that it has sold out nearly all of its inventory homes.

“We’re down to the last 25 inventory homes,” said Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division. “That is a sustainable number, and they are spread out over our communities in Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Osceola, Orange, Lake, Seminole and Brevard counties,” he said.

Metheny said new home sales activity is strongest in the active adult sector, and Lennar is planning to expand to accommodate the growing number of active adult and retirement-aged adults moving to Florida.

The home builder announced last week it will expand its active adult communities in Brevard and Lake Counties by some 150 new homes.

In addition, Metheny said, four new communities are planned to start construction before the end of this year.

For more information, contact:
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida,888-317-7489;

Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar, 888-317-7489;

Robert Jesski, Lennar Vice President of Sales-Central Florida, 888-317-7489;

David Parker, VP Sales & Marketing, Lennar-Central Florida 877 205-1102;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142,lvershelco@aol.com

Ashton Woods Homes Unveils Two New Floor Plans Priced from $146,900 at Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel

Ashton Woods Homes Unveils Two New Floor Plans Priced from $146,900 at Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel

TAMPA, Fla. - Ashton Woods Homes has introduced two new floor plans priced from $146,900 at Palm Cove, located S.R. 54 and Boyette Rd. in Wesley Chapel.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said new three, four and five-bedroom single-family homes at Palm Cove range in size from 1,339 square feet of living space to 3,062 square feet.

“With the addition of these new floor plans, buyers now have a wide selection of one-story homes at Palm Cove,” said Roche.

For more information, contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando, 407-647-3700
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About Ashton Woods Homes:
Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

Melrose Sovereign Companies Awarded Contracts to Manage two Residential Communities in Sarasota-Bradenton Area

Melrose Sovereign Companies Awarded Contracts to Manage two Residential Communities in Sarasota-Bradenton Area

ORLANDO, Fla. - Melrose Sovereign Companies, the property management firm that specializes in residential communities and multi-family properties throughout Florida, was recently awarded contracts to manage Crystal Lakes and Bradford Manor residential communities in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

Ellen Lumpkin and Jack Hanson, co-founders and owners, said Taylor Morrison, one of Florida’s largest home builders, awarded both contracts.

Crystal Lakes, a community of 199 single-family homes, is located just east of I-75 off Buffalo Rd. at 5101 72nd St. East in Palmetto.

Bradford Manor, a gated community where Taylor Morrison is building 173 town homes with attached garages, is located near U.S. 301 and I-75 off Tuttle Ave. at 1502 Grantham Dr. in Sarasota.

Melrose Sovereign Companies, formed in 2008 with the merger of Melrose Management Group and Sovereign Residential Services in Orlando, currently employs more than 100 property management specialists at offices in Jacksonville, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Palm Harbor, Bradenton/Sarasota, Port Charlotte and Fort Myers.

For more information, contact:

Ellen G. Lumpkin, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, elumpkin@melrose-sovereign.com

Jack B. Hanson, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, jhanson@melrose-sovereign.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

More Than 400 Residents at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Participate In Annual Music in The Park

More Than 400 Residents at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Participate In Annual Music in The Park

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - More than 400 residents turned out for the annual Music in the Park event recently at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach.

Greg Brousse, managing director of Plantation Bay, said the turnout was the highest on record.

“Residents enjoyed the sounds of RiverDan Band and Ormond Beach’s Hershey’s Ice Cream Company and Papa’s Kettle Korn,” Brousse said.

Snickers the Clown was on hand to entertain the children, Brousse added.

For more information, please contact:
Lisa A. Egle, Marketing Manager ICI Homes-Daytona Beach, 386-236-4273
Rosemary Messina, VP Sales & Marketing ICI Homes, 386-236-4231
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About ICI Homes:
ICI homes, ranks among the top 100 Builders by Builder magazine and is one of the largest privately owned homebuilder in the US. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as Northeast Florida, Orlando and Tampa.

ABD Development Company opens new model luxury home at Wyndham Lakes Estates in South Orlando

ABD Development Company opens new model luxury home at Wyndham Lakes Estates in South Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. - ABD Development Company, which ranks as one of Central Florida’s most active custom home builders and one of the region’s largest community developers, recently opened a new model luxury home at Windsor Landing at Wyndham Lakes Estates, located off Town Center and Landstar Blvds. in southeast Orlando.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the Riviera model home offers four bedrooms in 3,100 square feet of living space priced at $499,000.

Only 20 home sites remain for sale at Windsor Landing, Kohn said.

New three, four and five bedroom luxury homes at Windsor Landing at Wyndham Lakes Estates are priced from $349,000.

For more information contact:
David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company, 407-370-6400
Sofi Coffey, Marketing Manager ABD Development Company, 407-370-6400
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Builders, Developers Can Solicit Financial Support from Owners of Self-Directed IRAs

Builders, Developers Can Solicit Financial Support from Owners of Self-Directed IRAs

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Builders and developers who are finding it difficult to secure financing from traditional lenders can solicit owners of self-directed retirement accounts, says a leading funds administrator.

Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administrative Services, which administers more than 2,000 retirement accounts that total more than $200 million from offices in Lake Mary, Boca Raton and Jacksonville, told the Latin Builders Association in Miami recently that they should go directly to the source to seek alternative funding for worthy projects.

“It’s not just homes, it’s commercial too,” Mather told the more than 70 builders in the audience. “Builders and developers can gain access to finance through individual IRAs if they take the time to learn the correct approach,” he said.

Mather said IRAs can lend to companies, limited partnerships and individual ventures and serve as a stockholder.

Mather said one representative in the group was raising funds to finance individuals who wanted to buy mortgages.

“They are pooling resources to provide financing for distressed properties at a very low price so that individuals can acquire and remodel properties for resale or rental,” Mather said. “The IRAs would then become the lien holders---in effect, the bank---to make these transactions happen.

For more information contact:
Glen Mather, President Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472 gmather@entrustfl.com;

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Randall-Paulson Architects awarded design of renovations for office buildings in Cumming and Sandy Springs

Randall-Paulson Architects awarded design of renovations for office buildings in Cumming and Sandy Springs

ROSWELL, Ga. — Randall-Paulson Architects, the award winning Roswell-based planning, design and architectural firm, was awarded contracts to design interiors for an oral surgery center in Cumming and renovations for the office headquarters of Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia (ABC) in Sandy Springs.

Randall-Paulson recently completed design for 3,380 square feet of interior space at North Atlanta Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Center in Cumming. Construction is underway on the new design including custom millwork and custom-designed reception desk. The new design achieved desired maximum natural daylighting by creating a plan that locates offices, reception, waiting and treatment areas on exterior windows and by providing interior windows to allow light to flow through the rest of the space.

Construction recently started on the Randall-Paulson designed renovations to the 8,200 square foot ABC office headquarters located on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. Renovations include new office spaces, a training center, restrooms and exterior finishes.

For more information, contact
Alex S. Paulson, AIA, Co-Founder/Principal, Randall-Paulson Architects 770-650-7558; apaulson@randallpaulson.com;
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com

About Randall-Paulson Architects
Headquartered in Roswell, Ga., Randall-Paulson Architects is a 15-year old commercial architectural design firm that specializes in the design of industrial, office, retail, mixed-use, education, religious, childcare, hospitality facilities and sustainable design.