First Green Bank Reports Growth in Assets, Cites the Improving Economy, Greater Small Business Activity

MOUNT DORA, FL– First Green Bank, the Lake County Community Bank with facilities in Mount Dora, Clermont and Ormond Beach, reports assets have grown from $130 million to $160 million during the 12 month period ending Dec. 31, 2011.

Kenneth LaRoe (top right photo), chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank, said the bank added more than 200 new accounts during the 30 days surrounding the official opening of its new Mount Dora headquarters the first week of February and its new Ormond Beach branch the following Monday.

More than 50 of the new accounts are business accounts, LaRoe said.

“We attribute our strong growth rate to improvements in the local economy in Lake and Volusia Counties,” LaRoe said.

“We are beginning to see earmarks of a broader economic recovery, with small business activity and a healthier housing market,” he added.

For more information about this press release, contact:  

Kenneth E. LaRoe, CEO and Chairman, First GREEN Bank, 352-483-9100, ken@firstgreenbank.com

Paul Rountree, President, First GREEN Bank, 352-483-9100, paul@firstgreenbank.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 or 407-461-3780, lvershelco@aol.com   

St. Louis Real Estate Broker Auctioneer Participates in National Real Estate Summit

 St Louis, MO, February 20, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Father Time® Auctions is a full service auction company specializing in real estate auctions, estate and business liquidations, salvage and recycle is proud to announce that Rick Bauer (top right photo) AARE attended the National Auctioneers Association Real Estate Summit in Atlanta to learn the most current techniques and sales strategies in the Real Estate Market available today.

St. Louis Real Estate Auctioneer Rick Bauer, AARE of Father Time® Auctions said “the real estate market going forward will continue to be challenging.

“ The requirement for expert business intelligence, solid marketing strategies and sales techniques are critical to our success in helping our clients achieve their financial goals. Education, information and execution are essential to closing transactions today.”

Contact us at 314-962-4200 www.fathertime.com or rbauer@fathertime.com

Colliers annual retail report reveals nine trends to watch in 2012

SEATTLE, WA and WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Retail is evolving at a dizzying pace. It's a new universe out there, with retailers exploring new ways to reach customers, seeking out new life in their brands, and boldly charting new worlds of real estate properties where no retailer has gone before.

This new retail adventure is outlined in Colliers International's annual U.S. Retail Highlights: 2012 Outlook,an in-depth, 13-page report that chronicles current retail conditions along with the trends that will shape the 2012 retail landscape. The report, which was released today, also contains a summary of metro-area operating metrics and a two-page quarterly Retailer Report Card assessing the dominant brands in every category.

According to Ann Natunewicz, (top right photo) National Manager of U.S. Retail Research for Colliers International's Retail Services Group, the 2012 year is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the industry.

 "2012 is a huge year for retail, and for real estate in general. How landlords and retailers respond to mobile commerce, their ability to partner and innovate, will determine how well they monetize shoppers who are already in their physical space--a huge advantage over earlier e-commerce, which was all transacted somewhere else."

For a complete copy of the report, please contact www.colliers.com/

Berger Commercial Realty Corp. Awarded New Assignments in Miami, FL

  

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Berger Special Assets, a division of Berger Commercial Realty Corp., announced Lloyd Berger has been appointed receiver of a 4,000-square-foot property located at 1730 S.W. 7th St. in Miami.

 The multifamily property built in 1950 consists of 11 units located in two buildings.

 “Our aim is to restore this property’s value through cost-efficient management and by maintaining its occupancy level,” said Lloyd Berger.

 Founded in 2008, Berger Special Assets serves as receiver, management company and leasing agent to enhance the value of distressed commercial and multifamily properties across the state on behalf of lenders and financial institutions.

Contact: 

Marielle Sologuren

Pierson Grant Public Relations

(954) 776-1999, ext. 226

http://www.blogger.com/msologuren@piersongrant.com

Terranova Closes 20,000 SF Lease With Sapient Corp. in Miami Beach, FL

MIAMI BEACH, FL /PRNewswire/ -- Terranova has signed Sapient Corp., Nasdaq-traded software and computing giant, to a new 20,000 sq. ft. lease at 1688 Meridian Ave (top left photo),  Miami Beach, FL 33139. The two floor deal for a new division of the publicly traded firm brings new jobs to Miami Beach.

"We look forward to growing this relationship and Sapient's occupancy over the coming years, bringing more jobs and creative leadership to our community," said Michael Nathanson (lower left photo), Terranova commercial associate.

1688 Meridian is a prime Miami Beach location with onsite parking and banking, and panoramic views of South Beach and downtown Miami.

 The building was designed by renowned architect Morris Lapidus, who also designed Lincoln Road, Eden Roc and Fontainebleau Hotels.

Terranova Corporation, South Florida's leading commercial real estate advisory firm, currently is involved with commercial real estate assets for its clients and its own portfolio valued at over $1 billion.

The company offers complete commercial real estate services, including asset and property management, leasing, tenant representation, acquisitions dispositions, financing, construction management and development services.

Contact:

Valerie Andrade, PR & Marketing

Terranova Corporation

305-779-8929

vandrade@terranovacorp.com

Web Site: http://www.terranovacorp.com

Winston-James Development Reports Two Leases at Aloma Business Center in Winter Park, FL

Winter Park, FL --- Winston James Development, based in South Daytona Beach, recently negotiated two new long term lease agreements that total 1,880 square feet of commercial space at Aloma Business Center (top left photo) located on Aloma Ave. in Winter Park.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., said new lease agreements at Aloma Business Center include Beat the Heat, a window-tenting company and Jess Less, LLC, a computer technology company headquartered in Virginia.   Both firms leased 940 square feet.

For more information, contact:

Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, LLC 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555;

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142,  lvershelco@aol.com

NAI Global Names Kevin O’Connor of NAI Realvest to Global Elite Group

MAITLAND, FL – Kevin O’Connor (top right photo), a principal of NAI Realvest in Maitland, was recently named to the NAI Global Elite, a group comprised of the organization’s top producers.

 O’Connor qualified as a Top Producer at the Silver Elite level based on production in 2011, which placed him in the top 35 among his peer commercial brokers worldwide.    The award was presented recently in a ceremony at the NAI Global 2012 Convention in Las Vegas. 

 Based in Princeton, N.J., NAI Global manages a network of 5,000 commercial real estate professionals and 350 offices in 55 countries. NAI professionals complete over $45 billion in transactions annually.

 Contacts:

 Kevin O’Connor, NAI Realvest 407-857-9989,  koconnor@realvest.com

Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications,  407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

NAI Realvest Negotiates Acquisition of 10-Acre Maitland Parcel for Planned $1.15 Million, Mixed Use Development

MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the acquisition of a 10-acre parcel at 8900 Albemarle Rd. near the intersection of Maitland Blvd. and SR 434 in Maitland for $1.15 million.

NAI Realvest Principals Kevin O’Connor (top right photo) and Matt Cichocki (lower left photo)negotiated the acquisition representing the buyer, Orlando-based Maitland Blvd. Apts. Assoc LLP.

“This transaction culminated a five year assembly of adjacent properties the new owner plans to develop as a mixed use project that will include office, retail and multi-family residential,” Cichocki explained. Maitland Blvd. Apts. Assoc LLP acquired the site.

Cornell Huggins of Orlando was the seller.

For more information, please contact:

 Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki, NAI Realvest 407-857-9989 koconnor@realvest.com or mcichocki@realvest.com.

Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

John Crossman Featured Speaker at SMPS Client Roundtable Forum Feb. 28 in Orlando, FL

ORLANDO, FL. --- John Crossman (top right photo), president of Crossman & Company, which ranks as one of the most active retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast, will be a featured speaker at the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Client Roundtable Forum from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Dubsdread Country Club in College Park.

SMPS is the premier professional organization for the architecture, engineering and construction industries.

Crossman will join fellow speakers Glenn Pressimone of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and Annette Brennan, PE, of the Florida Department of Transportation District 5 in a roundtable discussion at the event.

The event will cover an inside look at upcoming architectural, engineering and construction opportunities, sector-specific consultant selection criteria, preferred delivery of services, how to leverage the value your team offers, and best approaches and follow-through to earn contracts.

Cost to attend the Forum is $35 for SMPS members and $50 for non-members.

Participants should register before Feb. 24 at www.smpscentralflorida.org to avoid late fees.

For more information, contact:

John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com