Florida Business Leader John Crossman to Launch Weekly Radio Show ~ The Crossman Conversation will Debut in January

ORLANDO -- Well-known influential business leader, real estate executive and author John Crossman, a frequent guest speaker on diversity in business and mental health, will launch his own weekly radio show January 22 across The Shepherd Network.

The Shepherd Radio is available on three stations, each part of the MARC Radio group. The newest station is 1270 AM – WIWA in Orlando. This station is a powerhouse – 25,000 watts daytime, which enables the radio station to cover the entire Central Florida area.

In the Ocala/Villages area, The Shepherd is heard on 103.5 FM and 720 AM, while Gainesville listeners can hear the broadcast on 96.3 FM or 1430 AM.

His new venture, The Crossman Conversation, targets young professionals and executives, college educated men and women age 25-55. The show will air for 30 minutes every Saturday at 1:05 pm when Crossman and a guest will tackle today’s tough topics and offer solutions.

Crossman, who has a long and accomplished history of problem-solving and assisting companies in dealing with difficult topics, is also passionate and relatable, with a natural ability to connect with an audience. He plans to feature experts on the show to provide tips, professional advice and personal experiences.

“I am about locating and collaborating with all kinds of people -- every culture, profession, rank, station in life, vocation or trade -- who can offer some insight and help our listeners,” said Crossman.

The goal of The Crossman Conversation is to find solutions for the tough problems and challenges being faced today by those who need a different perspective outside of his/her family or work circles. “We want to hear from young professionals embarking on a career, as well as business owners or CEOs who need advice on work-life balance or promoting a better work environment that may mitigate any systemic issues and move toward growth,” he explained.

Throughout his 25-year+ commercial real estate career Crossman developed a solid reputation as a highly ethical and entirely professional dealmaker with a desire to give back through philanthropy in education, especially real estate scholarships at HBCUs to open doors for minorities. Over the past two decades Crossman, his family and companies have endowed scholarships at more than a half-dozen universities.

At the same time Crossman became one of the most requested speakers at colleges and universities and his successful book aimed at millennials – Career Killers / Career Builders is based on his most popular speech. The sequel coming out is called If I were 21. He connects with audiences through powerful storytelling, vulnerability and transparency that allows the audience to see him as more approachable and a trustworthy advisor.

"I'm excited to embrace the power of radio to connect every week live with men and women seeking answers, and to help them find a solution," said Crossman. "This is an incredible privilege.”

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M/I Homes Now Selling at the Towns at Lake Monroe Commons in Sanford ~ Construction on Two Models to Begin in January

SANFORD – Prospective homebuyers looking for a carefree lifestyle with beautiful views and a convenient location should look no further than the Towns at Lake Monroe Commons, now open for presales.

The 18-acre parcel – which was purchased earlier this year by M/I Homes – is near Lake Monroe, the Sanford Riverwalk, SunRail and about three miles east of Interstate 4 at West First Street and Marbella Lane in Sanford.

Towns at Lake Monroe Commons will have 150 two-story townhomes featuring three distinct floor plans ranging from 1,379 to 1,700 square feet, according to David Byrnes, M/I Homes’ area president. Prices will start in the $300,000s.

“This gated enclave will offer roomy townhomes that live more like single family homes,” Byrnes said.

Construction on two model homes – The San Jose and The Granada – are scheduled to begin in January, he said, adding that presales currently are being handled by consultants at M/I Homes’ Towns of White Cedar 1½ miles away.

“M/I Homes has developed a collection of three- to-four-bedroom townhomes in a prime Seminole County location,” Byrnes said. “This community will be within walking distance to the Lake Monroe Promenade and Sanford Riverwalk, minutes to historic Downtown Sanford, Orlando Sanford International Airport, and shopping, dining and world-class entertainment.”

Amenities at the Towns at Lake Monroe Commons will include a swimming pool and cabana, a large community pond that many of the townhomes will overlook, and a walking path to one of the largest trail systems in the state.

For more information, visit www.mihomes.com.

Site Construction of High-End DeBary Community’s Last Phase Is Complete and Ready for Buyers

DEBARY – Now in its ninth and final phase, Riviera Bella – The Henin Group’s upscale, single-family home development along the St. Johns River – is preparing to welcome its last group of new families.

According to The Henin Group’s president and CEO Jerome Henin, site construction just off Fort Florida Road near Lake Konomac, was completed by Jon M. Hall Construction of Sanford and the 153 homesites were sold to Dallas-based D.R. Horton.

“The builder has closed on their first 36 homesites and construction is now underway,” Henin said, adding that all of the remaining sites should close by the end of next year.

D.R. Horton is offering three-, four- and five-bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,672 to 2,807 square feet and priced starting in the mid-$300,000s.

With an anticipated sell-out by 2022, Henin said the development – which started in 2004 – is more than two years ahead of projection.

“The opening of phase nine marks the completion of the entire 710-homesite community.”

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About the developer: France native Jerome Henin, the founder and owner of several companies involved in real estate development and sales, has more than 30 years of experience in property development in Europe, Florida and Virginia. His largest Central Florida development – the award-winning Riviera Bella – is divided into villages with production homes’ pricing from the mid $300,000s and custom homes that are priced up to $2 million.

Dream Finders Homes to Open New St. Cloud Community in December

ST. CLOUD – Dream Finders Homes plans to open Prairie Oaks, its newest central Florida single-family home community, in December.

Located in St. Cloud just off Narcoossee Road and east of Lake Tohopekaliga, the development will feature some the company’s most-popular plans, as well as two new ones specific to the community, according to Gerry Boeneman, president of Dream Finders Homes’ Central Florida division.

“Buyers at Prairie Oaks can choose from a handful of floor plans on 50-foot lots,” he said, adding that three to six-bedroom homes there will range in size from 1,856 to nearly 3,000 square feet of living area.

Boeneman said because of its location near major roadways like State Roads 417 and 528, U.S. Highway 192 and the Florida Turnpike, Prairie Oaks is a quick commute to Lake Nona and its many conveniences as well as other Central Florida areas and attractions.

Paired with the community’s fantastic location, the homes’ designer series of floorplans offer open spaces with a natural flow. Modern interior finishes include nine-foot ceilings throughout, 42-inch upper cabinets with crown molding, while partial stone exteriors lend a classic look.

For more information about homes at Prairie Oaks please call 888-354-9924 or visit dreamfindershomes.com for community updates.

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Photo Caption: Dream Finders Homes’ Coastal Marbella -- one of two models designed specifically for Prairie Oaks -- offers from 4 to 6 bedrooms, 3.5 to 4.5 baths, and a 2 or 3-car garage.

About Dream Finders Homes

Dream Finders Homes, founded by Patrick Zalupski in 2008, is routinely honored as one of the nation’s fastest growing companies. Based in Jacksonville, FL, the company has homebuilding operations in Orlando, FL, Savannah, GA, Bluffton, SC, Fayetteville, NC, Austin, TX, Denver, CO and the Washington, DC Metro area. Dream Finders closed over 3,000 homes in 2020 and is currently the 35th largest homebuilder in the nation according to 2020 Professional Builder magazine.

Developer Wants to Grow Brooksville’s Southern Pines Condominium Plan into a Single-Family Home Community

The Company Wants To Rezone the Development and Decrease the Original Number of Condos Planned

BROOKSVILLE – DIX Developments is seeking rezoning of property at Southern Pines to single-family, and has requested an amendment to Hernando County’s master plan that would add 169 single-family homes to the existing 32 condominiums.

The gated 37-acre Southern Pines community currently has 32 completed condominium units in two buildings, and a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, according to James Dicks, president of DIX Development LLC. He said the rezoning would decrease the original plan by 55 dwelling units.

“We’ve spent the past four months reviewing the feasibility of the existing project,” Dicks said. “Brooksville is a great market right now with interest that’s growing every day. We believe that creating a single-family community will generate value for all businesses and residents in the area.”

Dicks, who named CPH as the civil engineering firm in charge of the plan, said the project will create many jobs and subcontractor opportunities while boosting the local economy.

“Now that we own the property, we will ask for an amendment to the existing planned development. We’re excited and look forward to delivering a value-added project to this area.”

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About DIX Developments LLC

DIX Developments – an award-winning firm that focuses on land acquisition, real estate development and investment – has been developing Central Florida real estate for seven generations with creative vision, acquisition strategy, expert due diligence, and superior results.

Developer Receives Zoning Approval for 71 Homesites on 28 Acres at Wekiva Reserve

APOPKA, FL – The Henin Group has received final zoning approval from Orange County to create Wekiva Reserve, a 71-site, single-family home community on 28-acres of land at 1401 and 1433 Votaw Rd. in Apopka  

The plan – according to Jerome Henin, CEO of the Winter Park-based firm is – for 50 and 65-foot-wide homesites that will contain houses from 2,500 to 4,000 square feet of living space. Prices are expected to start in the mid $400,000s.

“We’re excited about the creation of this community and want to keep it consistent with the local, low-density neighborhoods already developed,” he said.

This is how Henin said he would like to see the community developed if his company is the builder. But, things could change slightly as he also is entertaining offers from numerous national homebuilders.

“If we receive an acceptable offer with a similar vision, the final size and price range could change a little,” he said, adding that the company has prepared a conceptual site plan for presentation to Orange County early next year.

Photo Caption:    Wekiva Reserve Conceptual Site Plan prepared by Steve Young of Civil Design Solutions in Maitland.

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About the Developer: France native Jerome Henin, the founder and owner of several companies involved in real estate development and sales, has more than 30 years of experience in property development in Europe, Florida and Virginia. His largest Central Florida development – the award-winning Riviera Bella – is divided into villages with production homes’ pricing from the mid $200,000s and custom homes that are priced up to $2 million.  

M/I Homes has Plans for 400+ Homes in Master-Planned Winter Garden Community near Disney World

WINTER GARDEN – M/I Homes has purchased the 277-acre lakeside subdivision of Gem Groves and plans to market the proposed 437-home development as Lake Star at Ovation, according to David Byrnes, the company’s Orlando-area president.

The property, at 17606 Flemings Road, is across from M/I’s Encore at Ovation community. Byrnes said the community will consist of 364-single family lots and 73 lots that will accommodate two-car garage townhomes. Lot widths will range from 32 to 70 feet.

“We’re moving through the engineering approvals now and land development should begin in April of 2022,” Byrnes said. He added that sales – for 1,500 to 1,830 square foot townhomes and 1,800 to 4,500 square foot single-family homes – are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2022. Sales will be handled from the Encore at Ovation community and prices have yet to be determined.

“The site’s access to roadways like State Road 417, U.S. Highway 292, Interstate 4 and World Drive were a big draw for M/I Homes, and it also offers quick connectivity via the new Western Way Expansion to hotspots like employment corridors, airports, shopping, dining and Orlando’s attractions,” he said.

Newport model – The 5 bedroom, 4 bath Newport_C can be toured at M/I Homes’ nearby Encore at Ovation Community 12025 Encore At Ovation Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787.

Wekiva model - The 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath Wekiva_C features a rear alley-loaded 2-car garage. Take a virtual tour

Dream Finders Homes Now Building Luxurious Single-Family Homes and Villas – Some Waterfront -- at Beachwalk

ST. JOHNS – In the market for a new home, and want to feel like you’re always on vacation? Then look no further, as Dream Finders Homes can build the house of your dreams in the amazing resort-like community that is Beachwalk.

Located at 57 Topside Drive between Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 in St. Johns Fla., Beachwalk is a sprawling, desirable master-planned development just north of St. Augustine, according to Brad Muston, Dream Finders’ Jacksonville division president.

“We’re excited to be part of this beautiful, healthy-lifestyle community,” he said referring to Beachwalk’s 14-acre lagoon that offers beach-like access for swimming, sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Dream Finders Homes acquired a number of single-family homesites -- with several bordering on nature preserve -- and now they’re also introducing a new product on over 75 newly acquired villa lots at Beachwalk with some of those fronting right on the lagoon.

The homebuilder is offering a total of nine new floor plans for the villas in the community. Several new homes have already been sold during the first week of sales, he added.

Dream Finders Homes’ prices start at $585,990 at Beachwalk for single-family homes ranging from 3,028 to 4,396 square feet of living area with four to six bedrooms and three to four-and-a-half bathrooms.

New villas, priced starting from $419,990, range from 1,912 square feet to 2,515 square feet of living area with three and four bedrooms and two-and-a-half to five bathrooms. The Dream Finders Homes’ villas sales office is located at 117 Rum Runner Way at Beachwalk.

In addition to the popular lagoon with water slides and a swim-up restaurant and bar, the golf-cart friendly community also has a dog splash park, sand volleyball, six HarTru tennis courts, a Tournament Players Club 18-hole putting green, plus a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse that has a 24-hour fitness center, yoga studio, and a children’s activity room.

For more information, please visit www.dreamfindershomes.com or contact a sales consultant at 888-208-7736.

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About Dream Finders Homes

Dream Finders Homes, founded by Patrick Zalupski in 2008, is routinely honored as one of the nation’s fastest growing companies. Based in Jacksonville, FL, the company has homebuilding operations in Orlando, FL, Savannah, GA, Bluffton, SC, Fayetteville, NC, Austin, TX, Denver, CO and the Washington, DC Metro area. Dream Finders closed over 3,000 homes in 2020 and is currently the 35th largest homebuilder in the nation according to 2020 Professional Builder magazine.