Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Represents Highest and Best Offering for 36.5 Acre Deltona Site

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty announces highest and best offering for a 36.5 acre residential development site in Deltona with a current list price of $300,000.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the prime development site is located between Captain Drive and Haulover Blvd. in Deltona.

The site is zoned to permit six homes per acre, Soderstrom said.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty associate David Warren is representing the property for sale, Soderstrom said.

For more information about the site go to http://www.stirlingsir.com/eflyers/agents/sallyandy/Deltona_eflyer.jpg

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty:

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com

MEGAWATT VENTURES’ INAUGURAL TEN FINALIST TEAMS ANNOUNCED TO COMPETE FOR $100,000 GRAND PRIZE!

Orlando, Fla. – MegaWatt Ventures, an annual University of Central Florida clean energy business competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, selected ten teams to be awarded $10,000 in their inaugural class.

The ten selected teams will now compete for a $100,000 grand prize in September, said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the program.

In addition to the $10,000 award, the ten finalist teams will each be assigned professional mentors and gain access to business workshops which will help to develop a commercially viable technology company, said Dr. O’Neal, who is also associate vice president of UCF’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

Mentorship includes coaching on business plans and strategy, presenting a technical concept to potential investors and education on additional funding sources available, such as federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants. The teams will have access to both high-level executive business and product/technology development mentors. Many of the companies are spin-outs from Florida’s university research labs and all of the companies currently employ students from these universities. The ten companies were selected by a panel of seasoned venture capitalists, technology experts, and industry veterans.

The 2011 MegaWatt Venture’s finalists include: OrgSolar (Melbourne), Cyclocean (Vero Beach), RedOx Fuel Cells (Gainesville), Mud Power (St. Petersburg), Mesdi Systems (Orlando), SenNova Inc. (Orlando), Verdicorp Inc. (Tallahassee), I-RED LLC (Edgewater), Bladeworks (Melbourne) and NCAA Battery Corporation (Winter Park). While some of these companies have been involved in production or research prior to Megawatt Ventures, most were created as a result of the funding provided from becoming a finalist in this competition.

Many of the technologies are being developed in conjunction with Florida university research including programs at Florida Institute of Technology, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida and University of South Florida. These technologies come from several different renewable sources including cost effective photovoltaics (OrgSolar), vertical wind turbines for low wind zones (I-Red), unique wind turbine blade designs (Bladeworks), wave energy turbines (Cyclocean), oceanic microbial fuel cells (Mud Power), solid oxide fuel cells (RedOx), smart grid sensor hardware (SenNova), heat sourced generators (Verdicorp), affordable utility batteries (NCAA), and large scale energy material deposition equipment (Mesdi Systems). Those companies which did not place this year will be eligible to compete next year, and are still welcome to attend some of the workshops and services that are available to the official teams.

“We feel this competition will help not only these companies in their quest to commercialize, but will also raise awareness of the business opportunities in the renewable energy sector to many other entrepreneurs in Florida”, Dr. O’Neal said

These companies will compete at the MegaWatt Ventures’ showcase event, which will be held at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida, on Sept. 8 – 9, 2011. FSEC was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to conduct research, test and certify solar systems and develop education programs across a breadth of renewable energy technologies. Both the rigorous education program and competition the finalists will participate in are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Central Florida, and other energy organizations.

In the months leading up to the event, all teams will be required to attend unique workshops customized to the renewable energy industry. Since most of the companies were founded by technologists, their first workshop will be a “Business Bootcamp” based on the Kauffman Foundation content, focusing on venture capital fundraising and other necessary management skills. Ensuing workshops will include how to effectively produce a return on investment analyses, critical sales techniques for the clean energy industry, as well as a rare peak into the entire customer decision chain in implementing solar solutions for municipalities.

MegaWatt Ventures

MegaWatt Ventures is an annual clean energy business plan competition that is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Central Florida in conjunction with the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Florida State University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and the Florida Institute of Technology. The competition has an over-riding mission of encouraging the commercialization of innovative energy-related technologies from the lab bench into the marketplace. Students, entrepreneurs and faculty are eligible to participate in this exciting annual program that brings innovation, entrepreneurship and the energy industry together to create new ventures that have the potential to create new jobs and help solve today’s global energy issues. For more information, please visit www.megawattventures.com or call 407-882-0594.

Tolaris Realty Group Sees Big Jump in Construction, Sales, Traffic at Lake Forest

LAKE FOREST, Fla. – Tolaris Realty Group reports it is seeing a big jump in construction and sales activity at Lake Forest, the luxury residential community located off SR 46 west of Sanford.

Richard Bavec, president of Tolaris Realty Group, said Taylor Morrison has more than nine homes under construction at Lake Forest priced from the $400s to the $600s and several pre-sold homes priced from the $700s to $1.5 million are also under construction, Bavec said.

“We’re seeing substantially more activity in the sales office and we think all the new construction has something to do with it, Bavec said.

Tolaris Realty Group specializes in sales of luxury homes in Central Florida and focuses on the Lake Forest community.

Henin Realty Group Reports Sales of Seven New Homes at Riviera Bella in DeBary, Construction of New Model Homes Underway

DeBary, Fla. – Henin Group, which is developing Riviera Bella luxury community overlooking the St. Johns River in DeBary, reported it sold seven new homes at Riviera Bella during the first quarter for more than $2 million.

Jerome Henin, who heads the Henin Group as well as the homebuilder Henin Signature Homes, said Riviera Bella will open the two-story Turino model home in May on a waterfront home site at Riviera Bella. By June 1, Riviera Bella will see the construction of six ready-to-move-in luxury homes priced from the $180s to the $280s.

“We have a lot of activity underway at Riviera Bella,” Henin said. “The housing market is recovering, we are seeing a lot of pent up demand for new luxury homes and Riviera Bella is a unique location in Central Florida,” he said.

Henin said Riviera Bella’s “smaller, smarter” luxury homes appeal to cost conscious home buyers.

The Turino model home at Riviera Bella offers 3,057 square feet of living space with five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths priced from $282,400. Its home site offers a spectacular water view, Henin added.

Henin recently started a second Turino model home at Riviera Bella with five bedrooms and three-and-a half-baths in 3,477 square feet of luxury living space with a 300 square foot bonus room.

Henin Signature Homes plans to start construction of a three-story model home at Riviera Bella later this year, priced from under $200,000 with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a two-car garage. The Maranello model will offer 2,244 square feet of living space, Henin said.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Long-Term Lease for 3,800 Square Feet of Office Space at SunTech Commerce Park in Lake Mary

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new long-term lease agreement for 3,800 square feet of office space at 43 Skyline Drive in the SunTech Commerce Park in Lake Mary.

NAI Realvest associates Drew Saphos, CCIM and Paul Vera along with Christie Alexander, principal and George Livingston, chairman emeritus, negotiated the transaction representing the tenant, EDCO Group, Inc. d/b/a ABI Document Support Services of Lake Mary.

Butters Real Estate Funds of Coconut Creek, Fla. is the landlord who was represented in the transaction by Christi Davis CCIM of Morrison Commercial Real Estate.

About NAI Realvest

NAI Realvest, serving 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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.

Osceola Woman Newspaper’s Contagious Confidence Conference for Women Rates High Praise from Kissimmee Official

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Osceola Woman Newspaper’s recent conference for women executives rated high praise from one City of Kissimmee official.

Belinda Ortiz, Economic Development Director for the City of Kissimmee, said the Contagious Confidence Conference for women with speaker Monica Wofford taught women how to quickly identify personality traits so they can apply the correct skills to be more effective in communicating with each respective person.

“Monica is Fabulous – Fabulous –Fabulous! The program taught me how to quickly identify personality traits so that I can apply the right skills to be more efficient in communicating with that respective person. This may not sound like much but when you’re dealing with all different types of people all day long, the skills Monica taught me are priceless,” said Ortiz.

The conference taught and explained to over 100 the importance of balance in their lives. Vendors and sponsors from throughout Central Florida provided attendees with take home educational information.

Osceola Woman Newspaper is an educational bimonthly Newspaper. In 2011 OWN will be celebrating five years of providing women through out Osceola County with educational readings. The newspaper can be picked up at Walgreens in Osceola County may also be read online at www.osceolawoman.com. To be on Osceola Woman’s mailing list for information concerning future Conferences, email info@osceolawoman.com

“That may not seem like much, but when you are dealing with all sorts of people every day, these skills are very valuable,” Ortiz said.

Featuring professional trainer and coach Monica Wofford, MBA, CSP, the Contagious Confidence Conference was presented by Osceola Woman Newspaper and sponsored by the St. Cloud Regional Medical Center, Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department, Smooth Jazz 103.1 Radio, Girl Scouts of Citrus, Osceola Regional Medical Center, Silva Entertainment, the Kissimmee Utility Authority and The Kissimmee Civic Center. Vendors and sponsors provided attendees with take home educational information.

“Osceola County, the City of St. Cloud and the City of Kissimmee, are working hard to rebuild the local economy from the ground up by growing our own entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators,” Bowie said. “Events and opportunities that build skills and develop leadership are invaluable in the long run and we look forward to seeing some of these ideas come to fruition in this area,” Jim Bowie, site manager with the UCF Business Incubation Program.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Mattamy Homes Opens Two New Innovation Series Models in Two Weeks at Two Communities in St. Johns County

Jacksonville, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, recently opened two new model homes within two weeks at two communities in St. Johns County.

Dennis Ginder, president of Mattamy Homes in the Jacksonville region, said the two Innovation Series single-family homes were designed from extensive consumer research in northeast Florida. The homes which feature larger back yards and options such oversized second floor lofts or downstairs master suites opened within the first two weeks of March.

The Rosebury model home opened at Old Sebastian Point on Plaza Del Rio Drive near Woodlawn Road and Lewis Speedway Road west of U.S. 1 in St. Augustine. The Rosebury offers three bedrooms, a generous study, three baths, a formal dining room and family-sized gathering room in 2,117 square feet of living space, plus a large covered lanai and a three-car garage priced from $229,990. There are 78 homesites remaining and four spec homes available to purchase from Mattamy Homes at Old Sebastian Point.

Ginder said the Kaila model opened at Greenleaf Village at Nocatee off U.S. 1 north of Race Track Road in Ponte Vedra offering three bedrooms, a generous study, two-and-a-half baths, chef’s kitchen in 2,483 square feet of living space and a three-car garage. The Kaila boasts a spacious first floor master suite, formal dining room, family-sized gathering room with vaulted ceilings and optional oversized covered lanai. Mattamy is building five new single family homes at Greenleaf Village at Nocatee ranging from 2,100 to 3,200 square feet, priced from $258,990 and has four spec homes available to purchase.

Mattamy Homes recently opened a new model home at Cedar Bay on Jacksonville’s north side and recently started construction of a new model home at Forest Hammock in Clay County, Ginder added.

About Mattamy Homes

Mattamy Homes expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and has divisions in Jacksonville, Orlando, Charlotte, Phoenix and Minneapolis. The homebuilder is the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion.

Westlake Preserve, Plantation Bay’s Newest Neighborhood, Tops Seven Sales in March

ORMOND BEACH, Fla – ICI Homes announced that its newest neighborhood, Westlake Preserve at Plantation Bay, generated seven new home sales for the month of March, and eleven sales for the community as a whole, showing the best sales volume in several quarters.

When asked what prompted the surge in sales, Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes said, “Westlake Preserve is a jewel in the very heart of our community and offers potential buyers ICI’s new energy-efficient Florida series custom homes priced from the low $200s. It’s no wonder we’re off to such a good start.”

Launched just prior to the Volusia and Flagler Parades of Homes, Westlake Preserve is conveniently located a few minutes drive to either of Plantation Bay’s two existing full service clubs, the tennis pavilion, or the spa and fitness center and offers 140 lakefront and conservation home sites with floor plans ranging from 1,660 to 2,750 square feet. Another community entrance, a future park, a third clubhouse and an additional nine holes are planned for the immediate surrounding area.

“Westlake Preserve offers great choices and superior value, especially for northern buyers looking to get out from under those brutal winters once and for all, or for local families who have come to realize all the great activities that are available for families with children,” Messina said.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Office Lease Agreements totaling 2,354 Square feet at 501 S. New York Avenue in Winter Park

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two lease agreements totaling 2,354 square feet at 501 S. New York Ave. in downtown Winter Park.

Jack W. Lynch, senior associate at NAI Realvest and Tom Kelley II CCIM, a principal in the firm, negotiated both transactions on behalf of the landlord, Yoda, Inc. of Winter Park

Moss, Krusnick & Associates, LLC, a full service CPA firm who was already a tenant leasing 4,491 square feet, completed an expansion lease of suite 110 with an additional 1,492 square feet for a total of 5,983 square feet leased.

At the same time Kelley and Lynch leased suite 200 with 862 square feet to the Ward Law Firm, PL of Winter Park.

The 16,000 square foot 501 S. New York Ave. building is now 75 percent leased.

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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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.

Emerson International acquires Turtle Creek Community in Medical City Corridor in Osceola County

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. --- Emerson International in Altamonte Springs recently acquired the remaining 368 developed home sites at Turtle Creek, a planned development in St. Cloud in Osceola County.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said the development includes finished 25, 50 and 70 foot home sites.

Emerson said he plans to sell finished home sites at Turtle Creek to production home builders.

“Turtle Creek represents an excellent investment opportunity for us in the Medical City Corridor, where significant job growth is anticipated over the next several years,” Emerson said.

Emerson International, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Emerson Group, the global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies in the U.K. is the developer of the Eagle Creek Golf Community, located five miles north of Turtle Creek on Narcoossee Road in southeast Orlando.