TAMPA/ORLANDO/JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The recession has been turning things upside down for the past five years, so this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise: in many areas of Florida it’s getting to be cheaper to own a home than to rent.
That’s the word from John Burns, a real estate consultant and author of the May 2012 John Burns Regional Analysis and Reports for North and Central Florida.
Rent prices have risen for the past two quarters in Central Florida to an average of about $800 for a median-sized home, the report asserts.
That means it costs about $333 a month less to own a home than to rent one of a comparable size in the Tampa Bay area, $322 a month less in the Orlando area and $260 a month less in the Jacksonville area.
When the recession struck a wave of foreclosures hampered the housing industry in Florida, said Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Pulte Homes in the North Florida region.
“Many former home owners were forced into the rental market and rental prices rose considerably,” Strickler explained.
“Meanwhile, housing prices decreased as thousands of foreclosed homes went on the market. Now we’ve seen the two lines cross--- when you factor in historically low interest rates it’s less expensive to own a home than it is to rent one of comparable size,” Strickler said.
And that doesn’t take into consideration lifestyle or amenities offered in new communities or the headaches involved with renting, Strickler said.
Pulte Homes is developing four communities in the Jacksonville region, including Forest Hammock at Oakleaf in Orange Park, Flagler Station and Bartram Park in south Jacksonville and Vizcaya near Jacksonville Beach.
Pulte Homes is developing four communities in the Orlando region, including Berkshire Park and Windermere Terrace in Windermere, Meadow Ridge in Ocoee and VillageWalk at Lake Nona in east Orlando.
Pulte Homes is developing four communities in the Tampa Bay region, including Trillium in Brooksville, Stonebrier Waterbridge in Lutz, Bonvida in Valrico and Harrison Ranch in Parrish.
Pulte Homes builds new single-family homes priced from under $100,000 to the $300s in the Tampa Bay region, from the low $200s in the Orlando region and the mid-$100s in the Jacksonville area.
Centex is developing four communities in the Tampa Bay region, including Starling at Fishhawk Ranch in Lithia, Magnolia Park in Riverview and Stonebrier Sweetgrass in Lutz.
Centex is developing three communities in the Orlando region, including Verde Ridge in Clermont, Sullivan Ranch in Mt. Dora and Legacy Park in Casselberry. Centex builds townhomes and single-family homes priced from the mid-$100s in the Orlando Region.
Centex builds new townhomes and single-family homes priced from the low-$100s in the Tampa Bay region.
Most major home builders---Pulte Homes and Centex included---feature amenities such as security gates, swimming pools, community clubhouses, playgrounds, and nature trails in communities designed for working families as well.
“There may never be a better time in our lifetime to own a new home. Anytime you can invest in your family’s future and give them a better quality of life at a lower monthly cost it makes the decision to buy new very clear,” Strickler said.
About Pulte Homes
Communities built by Pulte Homes are designed to deliver the best quality of life for home owners. By combining innovative Life-Tested® designs, an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail, Pulte Homes is the nation’s premier home brand for upwardly mobile home buyers. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, Pulte Homes has consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies. For more information about Pulte Homes, visit www.pulte.com.
About Centex
Reliably built, smartly designed and affordable, Centex Homes brings the pride of homeownership to value-conscious buyers in 21 states. As the leading brand for first-time homebuyers looking for just the right home, Centex balances affordability with unique form and function leading to better living. Buyers put themselves in a better place by choosing Centex. For more information about Centex, visit www.centex.com.
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in approximately 60 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide home buyers with innovative solutions and new homes designed for the way people actually live today. As the most awarded home builder in customer satisfaction, PulteGroup brands have consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Reliable Systems Solutions Launches CRE4HIRE Program to Provide Certified Reliability Engineering Services on a Project Basis
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Reliable Systems Solutions, a leading U.S. provider of Reliability Engineering Services in the aerospace, aviation, commercial and defense industries, has launched CRE4HIRETM, a unique program that allows technology firms to outsource Certified Reliability Engineering (CRE) services on a per-project basis.
Richard Coronado, founder and CEO of Reliable Systems Solutions, said CRE4HIRETM provides Certified Reliability Engineering Services to companies whose projects require System Reliability Block Diagrams, Models and Predictions for MTBF, and performance of a FMECA at the component, SRA, or WRA Level.
“Companies whose projects require that they establish a Reliability Growth Program, perform HALT/HASS Testing on products or establish a FRACAS Program can identify, recruit, hire and employ a Certified Reliability Engineer or they can outsource the requirements to our engineers on a per-project basis and fulfill their contract or RFP requirements much faster and at significantly lower cost,” Coronado said.
For more information about Reliable Systems Solutions, visit www.reliablessystemsolution.com
Reliable Systems Solutions is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, located in the Central Florida Research Park in east Orlando.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
Richard Coronado, founder and CEO of Reliable Systems Solutions, said CRE4HIRETM provides Certified Reliability Engineering Services to companies whose projects require System Reliability Block Diagrams, Models and Predictions for MTBF, and performance of a FMECA at the component, SRA, or WRA Level.
“Companies whose projects require that they establish a Reliability Growth Program, perform HALT/HASS Testing on products or establish a FRACAS Program can identify, recruit, hire and employ a Certified Reliability Engineer or they can outsource the requirements to our engineers on a per-project basis and fulfill their contract or RFP requirements much faster and at significantly lower cost,” Coronado said.
For more information about Reliable Systems Solutions, visit www.reliablessystemsolution.com
Reliable Systems Solutions is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, located in the Central Florida Research Park in east Orlando.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
Lennar acquires 172 home sites at Triple Creek in Riverview, to start construction of single family homes priced from the $170s
TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division recently acquired 172 home sites at Triple Creek, located off Balm Riverview Road just south of Big Bend Road in Riverview.
Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Lennar will start construction of new single family homes in the first phase at Triple Creek on 40, 50 and 60 foot home sites.
New three, four, five, six and seven bedroom designs will range from 1,900 square feet of living space to 4,054 square feet, Metheny said.
Lennar’s new homes at Triple Creek – priced from the $170s to the $200s – will feature two, three and four baths and come with two and three-car garages, he said.
Metheny said construction of model homes at Triple Creek will start in July.
Triple Creek is adjacent to the “Triple Creek Greenway” a 1,200 acre preserve and protected habitat owned and managed by Hillsborough County with 3.5 miles of hiking trails, over 18 miles of mountain bike trails and more than a dozen man-made, stocked lakes open for fishing.
For more information, visit www.Lennar.com or call 888-317-7489.
Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Lennar will start construction of new single family homes in the first phase at Triple Creek on 40, 50 and 60 foot home sites.
New three, four, five, six and seven bedroom designs will range from 1,900 square feet of living space to 4,054 square feet, Metheny said.
Lennar’s new homes at Triple Creek – priced from the $170s to the $200s – will feature two, three and four baths and come with two and three-car garages, he said.
Metheny said construction of model homes at Triple Creek will start in July.
Triple Creek is adjacent to the “Triple Creek Greenway” a 1,200 acre preserve and protected habitat owned and managed by Hillsborough County with 3.5 miles of hiking trails, over 18 miles of mountain bike trails and more than a dozen man-made, stocked lakes open for fishing.
For more information, visit www.Lennar.com or call 888-317-7489.
Tolaris Homes to Start Construction of Luxury “Move Down” Home at Lake Forest
LAKE FOREST, Fla. – Tolaris Homes, which builds luxury custom homes throughout Central Florida, will start construction of a 3,000 square foot luxury home at Lake Forest, located off SR 46 in north Seminole County in August.
Rick Bavec, president of Tolaris Homes, said the three bedroom luxury home features a den and a great room.
The home, which has already been sold, is a special focus of Tolaris Homes: a “move down” home.
“Many active adult home owners have their kids move out and want to live in a smaller, more manageable luxury homes that offer more energy-efficient features and design elements they have always wanted,” Bavec said.
Rick Bavec, president of Tolaris Homes, said the three bedroom luxury home features a den and a great room.
The home, which has already been sold, is a special focus of Tolaris Homes: a “move down” home.
“Many active adult home owners have their kids move out and want to live in a smaller, more manageable luxury homes that offer more energy-efficient features and design elements they have always wanted,” Bavec said.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Ashton Woods Homes Only has Three Homes remaining for sale at Ridge Crest in Valrico
TAMPA, Fla. --- Only three single family homes remain for sale at Ridge Crest, the Ashton Woods Homes community located on Rowantree Drive south of Wheeler Rd. in Valrico.
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay area, said new three, four, and five bedroom homes at Ridge Crest range in size from 1,769 square feet of living space to 3,321 square feet and are priced from $179,990 to $249,990.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com.
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay area, said new three, four, and five bedroom homes at Ridge Crest range in size from 1,769 square feet of living space to 3,321 square feet and are priced from $179,990 to $249,990.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com.
Ashton Woods Homes Unveils three bedroom Milan model home at Fountain Parke in Lake Mary
LAKE MARY, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has opened the three bedroom Milan single family model home at Fountain Parke, located off Rinehart Road in Lake Mary.
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said the Milan model home offers a study, two full baths and two half baths as standard, 2,170 square feet of living space and a two-car garage.
Priced from $224,990, the Milan model home is the third model home Ashton Woods has opened at Fountain Parke and all three are professionally decorated and furnished for viewing.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com .
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said the Milan model home offers a study, two full baths and two half baths as standard, 2,170 square feet of living space and a two-car garage.
Priced from $224,990, the Milan model home is the third model home Ashton Woods has opened at Fountain Parke and all three are professionally decorated and furnished for viewing.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com .
NAI Realvest Negotiates Three Lease Agreements Totaling 6,206 Square Feet at Hanging Moss and Goldenrod CommerCenters in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated three lease agreements with local tenants totaling 6,206 square feet of industrial space at Hanging Moss CommerCenter and Goldenrod CommerCenter in Orlando.
Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transactions on behalf of the landlords.
Heidrich negotiated a new lease agreement with EC Events, LLC for 2,000 square feet at 6112 Hanging Moss Rd. and a lease renewal agreement with Paramount Drywall for 2,000 square feet at 6100 Hanging Moss Rd. Maitland-based COP-Hanging Moss, LLC is the landlord.
At Goldenrod CommerCenter Heidrich negotiated a renewal agreement with Black Forge, LLC for 2,206 square feet at 1468 N. Goldenrod Rd. COP-Goldenrod, LLC of Maitland is the landlord.
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.
Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transactions on behalf of the landlords.
Heidrich negotiated a new lease agreement with EC Events, LLC for 2,000 square feet at 6112 Hanging Moss Rd. and a lease renewal agreement with Paramount Drywall for 2,000 square feet at 6100 Hanging Moss Rd. Maitland-based COP-Hanging Moss, LLC is the landlord.
At Goldenrod CommerCenter Heidrich negotiated a renewal agreement with Black Forge, LLC for 2,206 square feet at 1468 N. Goldenrod Rd. COP-Goldenrod, LLC of Maitland is the landlord.
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.
Sustainable Banking’s Influence Grows
A Network of leading sustainable banks announces three new members, signaling the increasing importance of values-based banks
Mount Dora, Fla. / Minneapolis, Minn/ Canada --The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an independent network of the world's leading values-based banks welcomes three new members, all from North America today; Canada’s Affinity Credit Union, Florida’s environmental pioneers, First Green Bank, and community-development focused and Minneapolis-based, Sunrise Community Banks. The network believes the success of its growing membership highlights how a brand of banking that balances people, planet and prosperity is becoming increasingly relevant to the future of the financial industry.
“It is a great pleasure to announce that these three groundbreaking financial institutions are joining the GABV,” said Peter Blom, GABV chairman and chief executive officer of European sustainable bank, Triodos Bank. “First Green, Affinity and Sunrise banks are the latest progressive financial institutions to join our expanding network of independent banks. The success of banks like these is increasingly at the heart of the urgent debate about how to build a resilient financial industry capable of serving all of our long-term interests.”
The GABV believes that sustainable banks have built a compelling business in recent years. The GABV recently released a report comparing the financial performance of sustainable banks, like these, and the world’s Globally Systemically Important Financial Institutions between 2007 and 2010. The results showed values-based banks outperformed some of the biggest names in banking, in almost every measure.
While none of its members are immune from the economic downturn, the GABV’s new members are typical of these success stories. Florida’s First Green Bank, for example, has pioneered a positive environmental and social approach in a traditional community bank. “There is a real and urgent need for a values-based banking model that finances entrepreneurs who build their enterprises, create job growth and support communities. It’s inspiring to know that there is a growing movement of banks heading in the same direction and offering a genuine alternative to today’s dominant banking models,” said Ken LaRoe, chief executive officer at First Green.
Affinity Credit Union, who become the GABV’s third Canadian member, provide financial services to over 95,000 members through a network of 46 branches in 37 communities across the province of Saskatchewan and share this wider agenda. “We work with our members in their communities to create positive economic and social changes,” said Affinity Credit Union CEO George Keter. “We look forward to contributing to the growth of the worldwide sustainable banking movement in Canada and around the world.”
Family-owned, and comprising three locally managed banks, Sunrise Community Banks aims to be a leader in improving the urban community. CEO David Reiling, believes the bank’s local focus has important implications for global banking. “While we serve communities in the neglected inner cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, our colleagues in many countries around the world are doing much the same thing. The context in Bangladesh, Vancouver or Germany may be very different, but the values that underpin our work are much the same. This is a hugely important movement for a world in need of credible new approach to finance.”
For more information on the GABV, visit www.gabv.org.
BACKGROUNDER: Global Alliance for Banking on Values
• The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a membership organization, made up of nineteen of the world's leading sustainable banks, from Asia and Latin America, to the US, Canada and Europe.
• The organization began when ten of the world’s banks came together in 2009 to commit to supporting the growth of sustainable banking and its impact worldwide.
• Members believe that we must improve the quality of life for everyone on the planet, recognizing that we are economically interdependent and responsible to current and future generations.
• Across the world, GABV members play a crucial role in providing the money entrepreneurs and their enterprises need to transform lives and deliver sustainable development for unserved people, communities and the environment.
• Members are bound by a shared commitment to find global solutions to international problems, and to promote a positive, viable alternative to the current financial system and mainstream banking business models.
• GABV banks have combined assets of over $26 billion, and operate in 24 countries.
• To qualify for membership, each institution must: be an independent and licensed bank or financial institution with a focus on retail customers; have a minimum balance sheet of $50 million; and be committed to responsible financing and the triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity.
• In 2009: GABV committed to raising $250 million (USD) in capital over three years to support expansion of nearly $2 billion in lending to unserved communities and individuals, and green projects, at the Clinton Global Initiative. They raised $400 million in just one year.
• In 2010, Global Alliance for Banking on Values pledged to touch the lives of a billion people by 2020 by expanding its network of banks, further increasing the capital it raises and training a new generation of sustainable bankers to use that money to make a lasting difference, and help meet the biggest challenges of our time.
• Most banking institutions base their business decisions primarily or exclusively on profitability. GABV banks start by identifying a human need to be met and then determine how to meet that need on a financially sustainable basis.
Mount Dora, Fla. / Minneapolis, Minn/ Canada --The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an independent network of the world's leading values-based banks welcomes three new members, all from North America today; Canada’s Affinity Credit Union, Florida’s environmental pioneers, First Green Bank, and community-development focused and Minneapolis-based, Sunrise Community Banks. The network believes the success of its growing membership highlights how a brand of banking that balances people, planet and prosperity is becoming increasingly relevant to the future of the financial industry.
“It is a great pleasure to announce that these three groundbreaking financial institutions are joining the GABV,” said Peter Blom, GABV chairman and chief executive officer of European sustainable bank, Triodos Bank. “First Green, Affinity and Sunrise banks are the latest progressive financial institutions to join our expanding network of independent banks. The success of banks like these is increasingly at the heart of the urgent debate about how to build a resilient financial industry capable of serving all of our long-term interests.”
The GABV believes that sustainable banks have built a compelling business in recent years. The GABV recently released a report comparing the financial performance of sustainable banks, like these, and the world’s Globally Systemically Important Financial Institutions between 2007 and 2010. The results showed values-based banks outperformed some of the biggest names in banking, in almost every measure.
While none of its members are immune from the economic downturn, the GABV’s new members are typical of these success stories. Florida’s First Green Bank, for example, has pioneered a positive environmental and social approach in a traditional community bank. “There is a real and urgent need for a values-based banking model that finances entrepreneurs who build their enterprises, create job growth and support communities. It’s inspiring to know that there is a growing movement of banks heading in the same direction and offering a genuine alternative to today’s dominant banking models,” said Ken LaRoe, chief executive officer at First Green.
Affinity Credit Union, who become the GABV’s third Canadian member, provide financial services to over 95,000 members through a network of 46 branches in 37 communities across the province of Saskatchewan and share this wider agenda. “We work with our members in their communities to create positive economic and social changes,” said Affinity Credit Union CEO George Keter. “We look forward to contributing to the growth of the worldwide sustainable banking movement in Canada and around the world.”
Family-owned, and comprising three locally managed banks, Sunrise Community Banks aims to be a leader in improving the urban community. CEO David Reiling, believes the bank’s local focus has important implications for global banking. “While we serve communities in the neglected inner cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, our colleagues in many countries around the world are doing much the same thing. The context in Bangladesh, Vancouver or Germany may be very different, but the values that underpin our work are much the same. This is a hugely important movement for a world in need of credible new approach to finance.”
For more information on the GABV, visit www.gabv.org.
BACKGROUNDER: Global Alliance for Banking on Values
• The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a membership organization, made up of nineteen of the world's leading sustainable banks, from Asia and Latin America, to the US, Canada and Europe.
• The organization began when ten of the world’s banks came together in 2009 to commit to supporting the growth of sustainable banking and its impact worldwide.
• Members believe that we must improve the quality of life for everyone on the planet, recognizing that we are economically interdependent and responsible to current and future generations.
• Across the world, GABV members play a crucial role in providing the money entrepreneurs and their enterprises need to transform lives and deliver sustainable development for unserved people, communities and the environment.
• Members are bound by a shared commitment to find global solutions to international problems, and to promote a positive, viable alternative to the current financial system and mainstream banking business models.
• GABV banks have combined assets of over $26 billion, and operate in 24 countries.
• To qualify for membership, each institution must: be an independent and licensed bank or financial institution with a focus on retail customers; have a minimum balance sheet of $50 million; and be committed to responsible financing and the triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity.
• In 2009: GABV committed to raising $250 million (USD) in capital over three years to support expansion of nearly $2 billion in lending to unserved communities and individuals, and green projects, at the Clinton Global Initiative. They raised $400 million in just one year.
• In 2010, Global Alliance for Banking on Values pledged to touch the lives of a billion people by 2020 by expanding its network of banks, further increasing the capital it raises and training a new generation of sustainable bankers to use that money to make a lasting difference, and help meet the biggest challenges of our time.
• Most banking institutions base their business decisions primarily or exclusively on profitability. GABV banks start by identifying a human need to be met and then determine how to meet that need on a financially sustainable basis.
Seminole County based Tolaris to expand to South Orlando and South Florida
LAKE FOREST, Fla. --- Tolaris Homes and Tolaris Realty Group are looking at sites for new branch offices in South Orlando and South Florida.
Rick Bavec, president and principal at Tolaris Realty Group and Tolaris Homes, based at Lake Forest in Seminole County, is looking at sites in South Orlando and South Florida.
Bavec said Tolaris plans to open offices in Boca Raton in South Florida by the end of the year.
Rick Bavec, president and principal at Tolaris Realty Group and Tolaris Homes, based at Lake Forest in Seminole County, is looking at sites in South Orlando and South Florida.
Bavec said Tolaris plans to open offices in Boca Raton in South Florida by the end of the year.
Longtime Del Webb Southshore Falls Resident Keeps Neighbors Active with Pickleball Club
APOLLO BEACH – As a former coach, sporting official and physical education teacher in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Dick Dykeman was used to getting people motivated and into shape.
That’s why organizing and promoting the Pickleball Club at Del Webb’s Southshore Falls community in Apollo Beach is a natural fit for him.
“I like to stay active and I try to encourage other people to get healthy and stay fit,” says Dykeman, a 73-year-old divorcee with two daughters and a four-year-old granddaughter.
After 30 years of teaching and coaching at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, and 47 years of officiating basketball and soccer, he set his sights on sunny Florida, landing first in Bradenton in 1995 and then later in Sarasota.
“I saw a TV commercial for Del Webb Southshore Falls and thought it sounded too good to be true; but it actually was true,” he said. “I’m a country boy at heart and was attracted by the rural setting around the community, and I really liked the pools and the clubhouse area.”
So, he loaded up his truck and moved to Del Webb Southshore Falls that is…swimming pools... and eventually, Pickleball courts!
Del Webb Southshore Falls’ Pickleball Club didn’t happen overnight. The two courts – which are similar to tennis courts – were installed in September of last year. But, eager players had to wait another six weeks to begin playing because of possible interference with some hatchlings in a nearby eagle’s nest.
Since the games began, Dykeman, who first played Pickleball in New York, has enjoyed teaching his friends and neighbors about the sport that began as a backyard pastime. It’s part tennis, part badminton and part ping pong. Played with paddles and a whiffle-type ball, the 47-year-old sport uses only about one-third the space of a tennis court, making it easy for anyone from children to active adults to play.
According to the United States Pickleball Association, there are 100,000 active Pickleball players in the U.S. and more than 5,000 players in Canada.
The Del Webb Southshore Falls Pickleball club currently has 40 members with between 18-20 members playing three times a week, Dykeman said.
“My intent is to get them to expand the courts or put lines on the tennis courts so they can double as Pickleball courts,” he said. “We also want to challenge other communities to matches, so we really need more playing space.”
Dykeman says he’s always talking to friends and residents about a healthy lifestyle.
“There are more than 4,800 prescription drugs on market and I don’t take any of them; only supplements,” he said. “I try to encourage others to do the same. But, for some people, when they get to be 60, they just turn their lives over to doctors.”
Dykeman would rather be on the courts playing Pickleball.
That’s why organizing and promoting the Pickleball Club at Del Webb’s Southshore Falls community in Apollo Beach is a natural fit for him.
“I like to stay active and I try to encourage other people to get healthy and stay fit,” says Dykeman, a 73-year-old divorcee with two daughters and a four-year-old granddaughter.
After 30 years of teaching and coaching at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, and 47 years of officiating basketball and soccer, he set his sights on sunny Florida, landing first in Bradenton in 1995 and then later in Sarasota.
“I saw a TV commercial for Del Webb Southshore Falls and thought it sounded too good to be true; but it actually was true,” he said. “I’m a country boy at heart and was attracted by the rural setting around the community, and I really liked the pools and the clubhouse area.”
So, he loaded up his truck and moved to Del Webb Southshore Falls that is…swimming pools... and eventually, Pickleball courts!
Del Webb Southshore Falls’ Pickleball Club didn’t happen overnight. The two courts – which are similar to tennis courts – were installed in September of last year. But, eager players had to wait another six weeks to begin playing because of possible interference with some hatchlings in a nearby eagle’s nest.
Since the games began, Dykeman, who first played Pickleball in New York, has enjoyed teaching his friends and neighbors about the sport that began as a backyard pastime. It’s part tennis, part badminton and part ping pong. Played with paddles and a whiffle-type ball, the 47-year-old sport uses only about one-third the space of a tennis court, making it easy for anyone from children to active adults to play.
According to the United States Pickleball Association, there are 100,000 active Pickleball players in the U.S. and more than 5,000 players in Canada.
The Del Webb Southshore Falls Pickleball club currently has 40 members with between 18-20 members playing three times a week, Dykeman said.
“My intent is to get them to expand the courts or put lines on the tennis courts so they can double as Pickleball courts,” he said. “We also want to challenge other communities to matches, so we really need more playing space.”
Dykeman says he’s always talking to friends and residents about a healthy lifestyle.
“There are more than 4,800 prescription drugs on market and I don’t take any of them; only supplements,” he said. “I try to encourage others to do the same. But, for some people, when they get to be 60, they just turn their lives over to doctors.”
Dykeman would rather be on the courts playing Pickleball.
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