PEP talk
Lennar in acquisition mode, eyes big growth in new home sales
CLERMONT -- Lennar, which ranks as Florida's largest home builder, plans to open six new communities in the Orlando region by mid-year and hopes to acquire more home sites in the area.
Mark Metheny, president of Lennar's Central Florida Division, mark.metheny@lennar.com, said Lennar has sold more than 400 new homes in the Orlando area this year and expects to eclipse that in 2010.
"We expect big growth in new home sales in the Orlando region in 2010," Metheny said. "We are actively seeking new acquisitions of well-situated home sites and neighborhood development sites," he said.
Lennar builds new single-family homes and town homes priced from the $100s to the $400s in 17 Orlando-area communities.
Metheny has built a strong team in the Orlando region. He relocated Lennar's Orlando-area headquarters from Maitland Center to Clermont and installed David Parker, david.parker@lennar.com, as vice president of sales and marketing for the region.
"David Parker has more than 10 years of exceptionally solid experience," Metheny said. "He is an innovative and highly disciplined executive and he is playing an increasingly important role in our growth in the Orlando area."
Metheny also promoted Anthony DeSimone, anthony.desimone@lennar.com, to vice president of construction in Orlando. DeSimone has more than 15 years of home building experience.
Jim Bavouset, jim.bavouset@lennar.com, a longtime regional acquisition and development executive was appointed to assist in Lennar's site selection process.
In addition, Lennar is seeking a full time, director of acquisitions for the Orlando market, a senior level executive with strong ties to the Orlando market.
Lennar expects to hire as many as 12 new sales associates over the next nine months to meet growing demand.
"We anticipate substantial growth in the Orlando area in 2010 as the economy improves," Metheny said. "We will probably see the most growth in newly acquired communities, as well as our active adult communities, as the recession delayed retirement for many Americans is creating substantial pent-up demand for new retirement homes in Florida," he explained.
But it's not just retirement-aged adults that want to move to Florida, or move up to better homes.
"We expect to see some improvement in the job market in 2010, which will spur improvement in new home sales across the board," Metheny said.
For more information call 727 479-1700.
ABD Development Company to start design of smaller, smarter homes
ORLANDO -- ABD Development Company, which is developing the master-planned 2,200 acre Providence Golf & Country Club Community off U.S. Hwy. 17-92 in the Loughman-Davenport area of Polk County, has started design work on four new smaller, smarter homes with increased energy efficiency at Heritage Green at Providence.
David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said four homes are in the design stage now that range from 2,433 square feet of living space to 3,510 square feet.
The new homes will be priced from $354,900 to $459,900.
ABD's new smaller, smarter homes include:
-- A four bedroom, three bath home with 2,433 square feet of living space and a lanai;
-- The Portfolio home, with four bedrooms, three baths and a lanai in 2,673 square feet of space;
-- The Courtyard II home, with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a loft and a lanai in 2,684 square feet;
-- The Manchester II home, with 3,510 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, four baths, a lanai and a bonus room.
At Windsor Landing at Wyndham Lakes Estates, located off Town Center and Landstar Blvds. in southeast Orlando, ABD Development Company plans to introduce two new designs that range from 2,500 square feet of space to 3,000 square feet priced from the $350s.
For more information, call 407-370-6400.
Worldwide Auction Realty Services to conduct bulk offering of home sites
ORLANDO -- Worldwide Auction Realty Services has launched a bank authorized pre-foreclosure highest and best bulk sale of 25 home sites and three partially completed luxury homes at Reunion Resort, located at 7593 Gathering Drive in Reunion, off I-4 at S.R. 429 six miles from Walt Disney World.
Lori Chipps, auctioneer with Worldwide Auction Realty Services, said the 35 foot home sites in Patriot Landing at Reunion Resort will accommodate homes that range from 1,800 square feet of living space to 3,600 square feet.
New homes at Patriot's Landing at Reunion Resort previously sold at prices ranging from $449,000 to $649,000, Chipps said.
Most of the available home sites and all three partially completed luxury homes overlook water, parkways and conservation areas, she said.
Reunion features three world-class golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus
"We anticipate receiving strong interest from area and national home builders as well as investors from around the world, said Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby's International Realty, the firm representing the property.
Parties interested in submitting offers should contact Lori or Jon Chipps, directors of auction services for Worldwide Auction Realty Services. All offers will be submitted to the lender.
"We think the property will sell relatively quickly at a very attractive price," Chipps said.
For more information about the auction or to register to bid live or online, telephone 800-327-1048 or www.WWAuctionServices.com.
For more information contact: Jon & Lori Chipps, Worldwide Auction Realty Services at 800 327-1048.
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby's International Realty at 407 588-1260.
Friday, November 27, 2009 - www.dailycommercial.com/1127PEP