Hold-Thyssen Negotiates Multi-Year Lease Agreement with a Global Luxury Brand Real Estate Firm at Phillips Place

Orlando / Winter Park, Fla. -- Hold-Thyssen, Inc. – a full service commercial real estate services firm headquartered in Winter Park – negotiated a multi-year lease agreement with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.      The global luxury real estate firm that recently expanded its presence in the area leased a 1,000 square foot suite at 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd.   Darby Hold, Senior Director for Hold-Thyssen, Inc. brokered the transactions on behalf of the landlord Financial Way Realty, Inc.    Hold-Thyssen, Inc. is the leasing and management representative for the 56,000 square foot Phillips Place office building.

 

Crossman Career Builders Establishes Endowed Scholarship Fund at Florida State

Scholarship Fund to Honor Life of the Late High School Teacher and Mentor Dr. Les Kozlow

 

ORLANDO/ TALLAHASSEE -- Influential business leader John Crossman CCIM, CRX, founder of the Orlando-based career development organization Crossman Career Builders, along with Barb Kozlow, wife of the late Dr. Les Kozlow, has established a leadership scholarship at Florida State University.

 

The Dr. Les Kozlow Leadership Scholarship at FSU will honor the renowned educator’s impact as a teacher and mentor throughout his career. 

 

Dr. Kozlow of Palm Beach Gardens died tragically last summer in a traffic accident. He taught and inspired Crossman as a student in Forest Hills High School’s class of 1989, a turning point in Crossman’s education and career. 

 

“I decided to create this endowed scholarship not only because it’s what I am passionate about, but I would not be in the FSU Hall of Fame without the inspiration and mentoring of Dr. Kozlow, who saw something in me I couldn’t see myself.  He changed my life forever and he only wanted to be remembered for the positive influence he had on his students.”  

 

Successful North Carolina Attorney Andrew Fine who was one of Dr. Kozlow’s debate students says: “His impact on my life is immeasurable. I still use today things I learned from him over 30 years ago.” 

 

Crossman Career Builders focuses on mentoring and coaching college students and young professionals.  The organization has endowed scholarships at FSU, FAMU, B-CU, UCF and Valencia College.  Crossman plans to continue to help fund scholarships for promising students, especially diverse students.

 

For more information about the Dr. Les Kozlow Leadership Scholarship fund go to: https://one.fsu.edu/foundation/donate/college/business/dr-les-kozlow-leadership-scholarship-fund 

 

Crossman, who wrote a best-selling book: Career Killers / Career Builders, was named CEO of the Year 2018 by the Orlando Business Journal and one of Florida’s top 500 Most Influential Business Leaders by Florida Trend in both 2018 and 2019. 

Dream Finders Homes Offers New Phase with 70-Foot Lots at St. Augustine’s Shearwater Community

ST. AUGUSTINE – Dream Finders Homes recently started building on 70-foot wide lots at Shearwater, a premiere master-planned community off State Road 210 in St. Johns County.

Dream Finders’ homebuyers may choose from 40 lots in a brand new phase of Shearwater and select from seven different floor plans to create their dream home, according to Brad Muston, the company’s division president.

“We’re excited to be building seven of our most popular plans at this beautiful resort-like community,” he said, adding that two professionally decorated models – Boca II and Montauk II – should be ready by early 2021.

Dream Finders Homes’ one- and two-story floor plans at Shearwater are priced from the $400,000s and range in size from 2,754 to 3,688 square feet of living space. The homes there will offer three to five bedrooms, three to five bathrooms plus two- or three-car garages, with some of the latter being tandem parking garages.

Muston said Dream Finders Homes’ professional interior designers work with homebuyers to customize their new homes with state-of-the-art upgrades and options that range from coffered ceilings, bay windows and hidden sliding glass doors to fireplace niches, wet bars and butler’s pantries.

Social and recreational happenings are the hallmark at Shearwater with a spacious clubhouse and café, a high-tech fitness lodge, kids’ playroom, and many other healthy living amenities, he said. The countless outdoor activities take center stage with a trail system and preserved habitat, Har-Tru clay tennis courts, spacious playgrounds and picnic areas.

But, according to Muston, the best of Shearwater’s outdoor activities is the four distinct water features that should meet everyone’s needs: a relaxing resort-style lagoon, a multi-lane lap pool, a winding lazy river and a three-story water slide tower.

For more information, please visit www.dreamfindershomes.com or call 888-214-1164.

Orlando Real Estate Entrepreneur Establishes Scholarship at Valencia College Preference Given to Hispanic Students

ORLANDO – Central Florida real estate entrepreneur and career coach John Crossman has donated $25,000 to the Valencia Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship at Valencia College. Crossman, a former trustee at Valencia College, has requested that preference be given to a Hispanic student preparing for a career related to real estate.

The first scholarship will be awarded to a student in fall 2021.

Crossman, former president of Orlando-based Crossman & Co., one of the Southeast’s leading commercial real estate firms, is now CEO of Crossman Career Builders.

“My family has a deep love and appreciation for Valencia College and we are honored to be in the position to create this scholarship. We share a passion with Valencia College on seeing greatness in marginalized people in our community. The focus of this scholarship is real estate education in the Hispanic community as we believe that the ownership of property is key to the prosperity of all people,” said Crossman.

Leaders in the local Hispanic community applauded the announcement. "As a young college student paying my own way at Orlando Junior College, I had only lived in the U.S. for three years and my parents had not joined me here. I was out of money and about to drop out, but I had the help of a scholarship to see me through the most difficult time,” said Mel Martinez, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. “The Crossman family is doing the same thing today for another fortunate young Hispanic working their way through college. This is worthy of a big thank you from me and our entire community.”

“The Crossman Career Builders Scholarship creates educational accessibility opportunities that, in the long run, will fuel prosperity and economic development of our Hispanic community,” said Oscar Cristancho Mercado, Valencia’s assistant vice president for budgets and analysis, who also serves on the executive board of directors for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Metro Orlando.

“Encouraging our Hispanic youth to continue their academic goals, this scholarship will help students achieve their career goals,” said Guillermo Hansen, publisher of the El Osceola Star newspaper, the founder of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando and a trustee at Valencia College. “We very much appreciate this generous contribution.”

"As someone with Cuban heritage, I am pleased to see John Crossman endowing a scholarship in real estate at Valencia College,” said Francisco Gonzalez, host of the “Agents of Innovation” podcast. “One of the main reasons my father and grandparents left Cuba was because private property rights were taken away from the people. Those rights are the foundation of liberty and self-reliance.  Part of the American dream is being able to freely own and operate private property here. The Crossman Career Builders scholarship will provide those of Hispanic heritage the opportunity to build their American dream by learning the foundations of real estate at Valencia College here in the greater Orlando area."

Crossman says his goal is to inspire, motivate and coach a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders in one of the most challenging times in American history.

Son of the late pastor and noted civil rights advocate, Rev. Kenneth Crossman, Crossman and his family have created endowed scholarships at colleges and universities across Florida, including Crossman Career Builder Scholarships at Florida State University, University of Central Florida, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and Bethune-Cookman University.

For more information on the scholarship or the Valencia Foundation, please visit www.valencia.org

Dream Finders Homes Opens Seaside Vista, Its New Oceanside Community in St. Johns County

Vilano Beach, FL  –Dream Finders Homes started sales of homesites at its newest luxury residential community for new single-family home construction along the ocean, south of Guana State Park, and just north of Vilano Beach in St. Johns County.   

Division President Brad Muston says the homebuilder has only 26 available 70-foot homesites for two-story homes in the intimate community.  New homes ranging from 2,013 to 3,338 square feet of living area with three to six bedrooms and three to four bathrooms plus two-car garages, are priced from the low $500,000s.

 “We are excited to offer single-family homes with luxurious upgrades and personalized features at this highly desirable St. Johns County oceanfront location,” Muston said.

Residents of the quaint community with low HOA fees have their own private boardwalk to the beach, along with convenient access to Florida A1A providing quick access to Vilano Town Center, St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra beaches, shopping and dining in historic downtown St. Augustine, Nocatee and Jacksonville.  

Seaside Vista was developed without CDD bonds meaning there are no additional CDD expenses, and it is zoned for the top-rated St. Johns County Schools.

“This is the one of the last opportunities for new home construction along the beach in St. Johns County, with outstanding value and low interest financing available,” Muston said.

For more information about building your dream home at Seaside Vista please visit www.dreamfindershomes.com or call 888-214-1164. 

Professionally Decorated Model Ready for Tours at M/I Homes' Estuary at St. Johns Community in Sanford

SANFORD – M/I Homes’ Halifax model is open and ready to welcome prospective home buyers at The Estuary at St. Johns off East Lake Mary Boulevard and State Road 46 in East Seminole County. The two-story, 2,954-square-foot model – which has four bedrooms, four baths and a two-car garage – features an over-sized great room, a chef’s kitchen, a flex room, upstairs laundry room and walk-in closets. Pricing for the Halifax starts at $391,990. While the spacious model already has nearly 3,000 square feet of living area, David Byrnes, M/I Homes’ area president, said the flexibility of the Halifax’s open-concept floor plan can create an even greater sense of space. “Our homes are customized to fit individual needs,” he said. “Some buyers may choose to extend the owner’s suite with tray ceilings and upgrade the bathroom to create a spa-like retreat, while others might want to extend their lanai for more fun outdoors. In addition to the Halifax model, The Estuary at St. Johns also offers four other single- and two-story floor plans ranging from 1,610 to nearly 3,000 square feet with prices from $330,990 to more than $400,000, Byrnes said, adding that multiple elevations are available for each plan. Located in the Markham Woods corridor, just minutes from I-4 and 417, Estuary at St. Johns is conveniently situated in the Lake Mary High Tech Corridor and easily accessible to historic downtown Sanford, the University of Central Florida, two international airports and downtown Orlando. For more information, visit www.mihomes.com. * * *

Hold-Thyssen Relocates MicroImaging Source to Newly Remodeled Counsel Square Office Park

Clearwater, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, LLC, a full service commercial real estate services firm with offices in Clearwater and Winter Park, completed a multi-year lease agreement at Counsel Square Office Park, 7623 Little Road in New Port Richey.

 

The office fits the needs of new tenant MicroImaging Source, a secure document imaging and storage firm relocating from Pinellas County to one of the newly remodeled suites with 2,516 square feet.

 

Carol L. Kinnard, transaction specialist at Hold-Thyssen, negotiated the transactions representing the Landlord.

 

The 112,000 square foot office/flex campus was upgraded and remodeled by the new investor/owner.

 

Hold-Thyssen provides commercial property brokerage and leasing and management services to institutional and private investor clients nationwide.  The 40-year old firm’s current portfolio includes more than100 commercial properties throughout the United States.

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Photo I.D.:  Counsel Square consists of the large blue and white building plus the two small buildings that front on Little Road.

 

M/I Homes’ Popular Sonoma Model is Ready for Touring at Cadence Park - Gated, Nature-Rich Community

SANFORD – M/I Homes’ has completed and decorated its popular Sonoma model – inspired by the Southern styling of HGTV series host Joanna Gaines – at Cadence Park, its newest gated community in Seminole County near SR 427 and US 17-92. 

The five-bedroom, four bath home priced from $440,990 is one of M/I Homes’ most versatile plans.  With nearly 3,600 square feet of living space plus a three-car tandem garage, the Sonoma boasts a blend of updated rustic and farmhouse styles with a touch of vintage.   The optional owner’s suite on the first floor along with the owner’s suite on the second level is ideal for multi-generational living, according to David Byrnes, M/I Homes’ Area President.

Cadence Park is an assemblage of former suburban estates used as horse farms that have been transformed into a park-like neighborhood with a natural rolling topography and mature trees along the perimeter.  The community concept is further enhanced with split rail equestrian-style fencing and an entrance that’s removed from the main road for privacy.

“Sales at Cadence Park are well underway and homebuyers in every stage of life are finding a 50-foot or 75-foot home site – oversized, corner, wetland or wooded – for the home of their dreams,” Byrnes said, adding that all new homes are Energy Star® certified and come with M/I Homes’15-year structural warranty.

Eight distinct floor plans priced from the $400s ranging from 2,121 to 4,900 square feet of living area with two, three or four-car tandem garages are offered for the 75-foot homesites.   Eight plans priced from the mid-$300s are offered for the 50-foot homesites. They range in size from 1,758 to 3.742 square feet with a variety of exterior elevations and two or three-car tandem garages.

Cadence Park is just three miles from the Cross Seminole Trail, which connects to three other trails for bikers, runners and walkers.  The community is minutes from Sanford International Airport and access to the 417 and Interstate 4.

For more information about this community and to set a time to visit Cadence Park,  please go to www.mihomes.com.

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H20 Church will hold their first live church service since the Covid-19 shutdown.

 H20 Church will hold their first live church service since the Covid-19 shutdown. This Sunday, Sept. 20 starting at 10:15 a.m. service will be held outside on the grounds of the former First United Methodist Church ‒ ( or inside if weather doesn’t hold up) ‒ at 2113 E. South St.  The property was a gift to the congregation earlier this year from church members.  Pastor Jim Poorman says, “This will be a very low key, relaxing time outside with all proper CDC guidelines in place and everyone has been asked to arrive at least 30 minutes early to be screened and have their temperature taken. Our building still has renovation to do but we’re excited to just see each other in person again at our new location…even if it’s without hugs.”

NEWS RELEASE  - With Photo

ORLANDO – After nearly two decades of leasing worship space in downtown Orlando, the H2O Church finally has a home of its own.  Built in the mid-1950s, the former First United Methodist Church at 2113 E. South St. sat empty the past three years. But it has been undergoing a $250,000 transformation to be the new home of the non-denominational church, as well as a community gathering place for residents and others in the neighborhood known as Orlando’s Milk District. “We love downtown and we’re very excited to be able to stay here,” said Rev. Jim Poorman, one of the Pastors of H2O Church.

The congregation’s good fortune came earlier this year in the form of a “gift” from a group of church members -- Marisol Santiago Soderstrom, John Kurtz and Roger Soderstrom, Jr., after their firm coordinated the purchase of nearly five acres that included the property the former Methodist church was built upon.  H2O Church has held services the last two decades at The Abbey in the Sanctuary condominium at 100 S. Eola.    Improvements to the church – which may all be completed in early 2021 – include a new roof, painting, exterior stucco repairs, new floors, lighting, sound system and building a lobby with coffee bar that can double as a meeting and work space for the neighborhood, Poorman said. “We want the lobby to be a place to serve the residents of our downtown community.”  

Dream Finders Homes Now Selling at Seminole Crossing in Winter Springs

Two Furnished Townhome Models are scheduled for a Year End Opening

WINTER SPRINGS – Luxurious, maintenance-free living soon will be available at Dream Finders Homes’ new Seminole Crossing townhome community just off State Road 434.    The development is underway and two furnished and decorated models are planned to open in late 2020.

Currently, sales for the new community are being handled from its sister neighborhood of Northern Oaks at 956 Talon Place, Winter Springs, according to Gerry Boeneman, President of Dream Finders Homes’ Central Florida division.

“We’re excited to offer four beautiful two- and three-story floor plans at Seminole Crossing,” he said. “With between 1,757 and 2,359 square feet, these spacious townhomes will have three bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms and two-car garages.”

Prices start in the high $200,000s.

Boeneman said the new homes – a blend of modern and traditional architecture – will have 9-foot, 4-inch ceilings on lower levels and 9-foot ceilings on upper levers. The interiors will have open layouts with numerous upgraded additions and designer fixtures.

Two models that will be showcased early next year are the 3-story Seminole with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths in 2,354 square feet of living area and Aloma, a 2-story townhome with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths in 1,757 square feet. 

The community, near Winter Springs Town Center and just a short drive to Oviedo, will have an amenity center and resort-style pool and is connected to the 23-mile Cross Seminole Trail.

For more information about homes at Seminole Crossing, please call 888-214-1164.