Ryland Homes Reports Sales of Eight New Homes at GreyHawk Landing in Bradenton in First Month since Grand Opening

TAMPA, Fla. --- It’s been a busy summer for Ryland Homes in the Tampa Bay region. Mike Finley, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes in Tampa, said eight new homes sold in the first month following Ryland’s Grand Opening at GreyHawk Landing, located 3.5 miles east of I-75 off State Road 64 in Bradenton. Finley said he attributes brisk sales to the community’s location and reputation – close to shopping, parks, dining and A-rated schools. “GreyHawk Landing is an established community that offers the rare combination of a peaceful, natural environment with conveniences and recreation. Multiple pools and playgrounds are scattered throughout and many pristine preserve areas span the community’s 950 acres. GreyHawk Landing also boasts a fishing dock on a private lake and a two-mile wilderness trail that is perfect for biking, roller blading and exploring. “You rarely need to leave the neighborhood,” Finley said. Ryland is building one and two-story single-family homes at GreyHawk Landing priced from the mid-$200s with three and four bedrooms and two and three-car garages. Ryland offers homes at GreyHawk Landing ranging in size from 1,853 square feet of living space to 2,840 square feet. Three new homes Ryland started at GreyHawk Landing will be ready for September move-in, Finley said. For more information about Ryland Homes and its communities, visit www.ryland.com.

Ryland Homes Starts Construction of New Models and Ready-To-Move-in Homes at St. David at Windsor Plantation

Myrtle Beach, S.C. -- Ryland Homes has started construction of three distinctive single-family model homes and three move-in ready homes at St. David at Windsor Plantation, the master-planned community located east of the Intracoastal waterway at the south end of Myrtle Beach next to Surfside Beach. Gayle Jinks, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland’s Charleston-Myrtle Beach division, said the three ready-to-move-in homes that will be ready for occupancy in October are: The Ambrose II, a single-story home with 1,998 square feet of living space, offering three bedrooms and two baths priced from $269,000 with a two-car garage. The two-story Virginian II floor plan that offers 2,547 square feet of living space with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The Virginian II is priced from $304,000 with a two-car garage. The Conyers II, with 2,574 square feet, is the largest floor plan Ryland Homes offers at St. David at Windsor Plantation. With four bedrooms and three baths, the Conyers II is priced from $314,000 with a two-car garage. Jinks said three new models–Barrett, Litchfield and Bellhaven–are also underway at Windsor Plantation and will be completed and ready for viewing by mid August Ryland Homes is also building new single-family homes priced from the $170s at Devonshire in Windsor Plantation. Windsor Plantation is a gated resort-style, master-planned community that’s less than a ten-minute drive to the beach and in close proximity to major retail centers. Amenities include a community pool and clubhouse.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Markets Luxury Estate at Historic Mountain Lake in Lake Wales, Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla., -- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named sales and marketing agents for a 2.5 acre estate home in the historic, gated, country club community of Mountain Lake, a little-known, extremely private, resort style community developed a century ago within sight of the famous Bok Tower near Lake Wales. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the luxury estate home is a glittering example of 1920s Florida Mediterranean design that has been modernized and completely renovated. Soderstrom said the property is being represented by Michelle Hochfelder an International Luxury Home Specialist with Stirling Sotheby’s Dr. Phillips Marketing Center. The below market price of $699,000 is sure to attract national and international buyer interest, Hochfelder said. The 6,154 square foot estate features five bedrooms, six full baths and two half-baths, with a huge island kitchen, formal living room with fireplace, private dining room that will seat 12, and a generous family room which opens onto a screen-enclosed sitting area surrounded by park views. A grand covered terrace overlooks the large swimming pool, with heated spa and cabana house. The detached four-car garage has a half bath and covered parking space for a golf cart. Mountain Lake was developed in 1915 by Frederick S. Ruth as an exclusive winter enclave for wealthy northern financiers and industrialists, and designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, one of the nation’s greatest landscape architects whose projects include Central Park in New York City and Yosemite National Park. “The Mountain Lake estate home is the best value we have seen in the Florida luxury home category,” Soderstrom said. To view a video of the property go to http://www.stirlingsir.com/eng/3mountainlake The exclusive community – conveniently located near I-4 and Disney World resort amenities – features a finely manicured rolling terrain golf course designed by Seth Raynor, a lakefront setting with views of the Bok Tower, an elegant clubhouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with tennis and croquet courts.

For Sale: 50-Acre in town Site near Avalon Park, Econlockhatchee River in East Orlando, Asking Price $3.6 Million

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents for a 50-acre in town site adjacent to Avalon Park in east Orlando and less than 1,000 feet from the Econlockhatchee River, designated an Outstanding Florida Water by the Department of Environmental Protection. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the site, located on Sunflower Trail, is being offered for $3,595,000. “For its size, location, beauty, and proximity to the Econ River, this is a great price,” Soderstrom said. Benjiman Hillman, International Marketing Specialist with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in the firm’s Dr. Phillips Marketing Center, is representing the property. Soderstrom said the site would be perfect for a private estate, equestrian facility or investment and is minutes from the Lake Nona Medical City and downtown Orlando. “The site is beautiful with big stands of oaks, open areas, a pond and an abundance of wildlife,” Soderstrom said. “In the future – as the area continues to grow – this could be a prime development site.

Lennar to Expand its Revolutionary NextGen ‘Home within a Home’ Program to 11 Communities in Southwest Florida

Fort Myers, Fla. --- Lennar Homes plans to roll out its innovative NextGenTM ‘Home within a home’ program for multi-generational families in 11 communities in southwest Florida. NextGen homes are designed to accommodate multi-generational families. “For thousands of American families today, the family unit includes grandparents, in-laws or adult children, sometimes with children of their own,” said Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division. NextGen homes are designed to provide private living space within the family home. That means a private entry, a bedroom and bath, an eat-in kitchenette and a living room, and some floor plans offer a private garage, Devereaux said. Several factors helped to bring about the nationwide shift toward multi-generational families. Given the realities of today’s economy, adult children often live under their parents’ roof. And in many immigrant cultures, three and even four generations living under one roof is common. “It wasn’t long ago that multi-generational families were the norm in the U.S. Think of the Waltons,” Devereaux said. Devereaux said Lennar will build new NextGen model homes at Emerson Park at Ave Maria, The Forum and Reflection Isles in Fort Myers, Copper Cove, Reflection Lakes and Orange Blossom Ranch in Naples, River Strand in Bradenton, Bella Vida in Cape Coral, Bella Terra and the Preserve at Corkscrew in Estero, and Stoneybrook at Venice. Lennar tested NextGen homes in several Florida communities last year and they proved very popular, Devereaux explained. Lennar is introducing two new NextGen model homes in southwest Florida. The Independence offers 2,518 square feet of living space in the principal living area with five bedrooms, three full baths and a half-bath. The ‘home within a home’ area totals an additional 839 square feet with a bedroom, bath, kitchenette, dining nook and living room, all with its own private entrance. The Independence features a three-car tandem garage. The Liberation floor plan offers six bedrooms with four full baths and a half-bath in the 3,029 square foot main living area with an additional 838 square foot home within a home. “NextGen homes are the future of housing for many American families, and Lennar is proud to be among the first home builders in the U.S. to accommodate this trend,” Devereaux said.

Lennar Has Three-Bedroom Home Ready for Move-in at Twin Eagles Golf Course Community in Naples

Naples, Fla. --- Lennar Homes has a spectacular three-bedroom luxury home ready-to-move-in at Twin Eagles, the award-winning golf course community located five miles east of I-75 off Immokalee Rd. in Naples. Matt Devereaux, director of sales and marketing for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the 2,246 square foot home---Lennar’s popular Isabella floor plan---is a striking example of Lennar’s Florida-inspired open floor plans evident in all its Executive Series model homes at Twin Eagles. “Twin Eagles boasts more than 1,115 acres of preserves, lakes, open space and miles of biking, jogging and walking paths, with gorgeous preserve and golf course views,” Devereaux said. “The Isabella floor plan is spectacular and the ultimate reflection of the Twin Eagles environment,” he said. Under construction at 12509 Fenhurst Way in Naples, the new luxury home offers a sweeping flow from the covered entry through a wide formal foyer and into a massive open family living area that includes an island kitchen, formal dining area and huge family room that itself opens onto a 24-foot screened lanai. Priced from $472,480, the Isabella’s master suite is large, with walk-in closets and a luxurious master bath. Lennar’s Executive Series homes at Twin Eagles offer four distinctive single-family floor plans including the two-bedroom, 1,850 square foot Victoria, and the three-bedroom Nina and four-bedroom Sophia, each with three full baths. New homes at Twin Eagles range in size from 1,649 square feet of living space to 2,246 square feet priced from the mid $300,000s. And each new Lennar-built home at Twin Eagles comes with Lennar’s Everything’s Included pledge: Granite countertops, GE stainless steel appliances, brick pavers, crown molding, designer interior and exterior light fixtures, tile floors in wet areas, tile roofing and hurricane impact glass windows---all included for one Lennar Homes price. And that price also includes a golf course membership. “That’s a very special value,” Devereaux explained. “Twin Eagles offers 36 holes of Championship golf and a glamorous 47,000 square foot clubhouse with casual and fine dining,” he said. The master-planned community also offers Har-Tru tennis courts and a state-of-the art exercise and aerobics area.

First Green Bank Appoints Lauren Maxwell Assistant Marketing Manager

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- First Green Bank, the fast-growing, award-winning community bank based in Mount Dora with branch facilities in Clermont, Ormond Beach, downtown Orlando and (soon) Winter Park, has appointed Lauren Maxwell assistant marketing manager. Kenneth LaRoe, chairman of First Green Bank, said Maxwell earned her B.A. Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida and an M.B.A. Degree from the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. LaRoe said Maxwell has two years of marketing experience. She was with Walt Disney World for six years in various positions in operations and most recently held a marketing strategy professional internship there.

Hendricks-Berkadia Negotiates sale of 185-unit Ravenwood Apartments in Kissimmee for $8.5 million

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hendricks-Berkadia, among the nation’s largest and most active multi-family investment banking and research firms, recently negotiated the sale of Ravenwood Apartments off N. John Young Parkway in Kissimmee. Cole Whitaker, partner who heads Hendricks-Berkadia in the southeast region and associate partner Hal Warren negotiated the sale. Sale of the property, built in 1993 with 185 apartment units on 16 acres, qualified for low housing tax credits (LHTC) financing. The average rents are $632.00. Ravenwood Partners LLC paid $8.5 million to acquire the property from Ravenwood Partners of Kissimmee.

Forman Capital Provides $26 Million First Mortgage for 280-unit Condominium Inventory in Panama City Beach

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Forman Capital, a direct lender for commercial real estate nationwide, recently funded a $26 million first mortgage secured by 280 units in the 709 unit community known as Shores of Panama located in Panama City Beach. Brett Forman, founder and president, said the loan was utilized to refinance the existing bridge debt, and provide greater flexibility for the sponsor’s business plan. Forman Capital took an entrepreneurial approach to the transaction, provided flexible terms, and closed in less than 30 days. Forman Capital’s platform combines real estate underwriting and analysis of traditional credit metrics, with integrity and speed. Since 2004 Forman Capital has provided creative and reliable capital solutions to its middle market clients across a diverse range of real estate asset classes and transaction types.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents for Palermo Vista in Longwood

LAKE MARY, Fla. -- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing representatives at Palermo Vista, an intimate community of luxury villas located off Longwood Hills Road in the Lake Mary / Longwood area. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said construction of 16 two-story luxury Italian villas at Palermo Vista is already underway and the first villas will open for occupancy by the end of the year. Each villa offers 3,269 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, three full baths and a half bath, a family room, a private 450-square foot verandah patio on the second floor, plus an optional fourth bedroom or den. The gourmet kitchen includes designer solid wood 42-inch cabinets, solid surface granite countertops and stainless appliances, with custom finishes throughout. The spacious owner's suite features a luxurious bath with tub, separate shower, a double vanity, an oversized walk-in closet and private balcony. The main living area opens onto an 18' x 25' verandah patio through large glass pocketing doors and homebuyers have the option to include a gas fireplace and summer kitchen with gas grill. Each villa also includes a two-car garage. Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has opened a model center at its Heathrow Marketing Center, located on International Parkway, and Luxury Home Specialists Sally Andy and David Warren are representing the property. Soderstrom said Palermo Vista ranks as one of the first communities of new luxury villa homes to come onto the market since the start of the U.S. recession six years ago. Luxury villas at Palermo Vista’s pre-opening prices start from the mid-$300s.