Stirling Sotheby’s Christopher Cain has a new retirement strategy —buy a second home or vacation property now

 ORLANDO, FlL— Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Second Home and Vacation Property Specialist Christopher S. Cain (top right photo) turned his 16-year experience of owning a seaside villa at Kiawah Island, S.C. (bottom left photo) into two popular self-help books — Maximize Your Resort Property Investment (1984) and Road Map to Your Vacation Property Dream (1998). 

Now Cain presents a new retirement strategy — investing in resort and vacation homes.

“Don’t just think IRAs, investments and savings,” Cain said. “Add some real estate to your retirement plan. Buy a vacation property at today’s low prices for a lifestyle strategy that will add fun, excitement, status and enjoyment as you wind down your career,” he said.

 Cain said resort properties are great for family vacations, and if you rent your property when you’re not vacationing, it will help pay the mortgage.

 “When you retire in five, 10 or 15 years, your retirement home is waiting for you,” Cain advised. “Simply stop renting it out and move in full time,” he said.

 Cain isn’t alone with his strategy. According to a March 2011 National Association of Realtors survey, Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey 2011, 34 percent of vacation homeowners acquired their resort property to use as a principal residence in the future.

 “Eighty percent of owners said now is a good time to invest in real estate,” said Cain. “Prices and interest rates are at record lows and that won’t continue forever,” he said. 

 Visit http://youtu.be/v8g7TPBPz0M to hear more from Cain on his strategy

 

For more information, please contact:

Christopher S. Cain, International Second Home and Vacation Property Specialist, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-719-4912, ccain@stirlingsir.com

Roger Soderstrom, Owner/Founder Stirling Commercial Group, 407-581-7890;

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

  

Arbor Closes Five Fannie Mae Loans Totaling $24.6M from Midwest to Southwest

Uniondale, NY (June 30, 2011) – Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC and a national, direct commercial real estate lender, announced today the recent funding of five loans totaling $24,590,500.

 The loans were funded under the Fannie Mae DUS® Loan, Fannie Mae DUS® Small Loan, Fannie Mae DUS® Coterminous Supplemental Loan (2nd Lien) and Fannie Mae DUS® Multifamily Affordable Housing (MAH) Loan product lines from the Midwest to Southwest.

 Pine Meadows Townhomes, Shawnee, KS (top left photo) – This 102-unit complex received $10,900,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS® Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

Greens at Alvamar, Lawrence, KS (top right photo) –This 152-unit complex received $7,312,500 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS® Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

North Oak Apartments, Irving, TX (middle left photo) – This 132-unit complex received $3,419,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS® Multifamily Affordable Housing (MAH) product line. The 10-year acquisition loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

Hacienda by the Sea, San Clemente, CA (middle right photo) – This 21-unit complex received $1,959,000 funded under the Fannie Mae Fannie Mae DUS® Small Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

Carlisle on the Creek, Dallas, TX – This 176-unit complex received $1,000,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS® Coterminous Supplemental Loan (2nd Lien) product line. The five-year, nine-month refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

 Each of these loans was originated by Anthony Tarter (lower left photo), Director in Arbor’s full-service Plano, TX, office.

 “This group of deals shows Arbor’s increasingly diverse and flexible financing capabilities from a loan product and size perspective as well as a geographic standpoint.

“Wherever our clients’ investments takes them and whatever financing services they need, Arbor prides itself as always being there as not only a top multifamily lender, but a long-term partner,” Tarter said.

 “In the case of these particular refinance deals, our clients took advantage of the continual historically low interest rate environment, which is sure to entice many multifamily owners moving forward.”

Contact:  Christopher Ostrowski, costrowski@arbor.com

These loans include:

Colliers International Launches Government Services Practice Group

SEATTLE and WASHINGTON, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Further expanding its extensive platform, Colliers International announced today that Kurt Stout, Charles Dilks, and Keith Lavey have joined the organization to lead the newly established Government Services Practice Group.

All three professionals hold the title of Executive Vice President. Three associates are also joining the team.

Based in Washington, D.C., the six-member team will provide a full array of consulting and contracting services to government agencies on a national basis. These Colliers professionals represent private sector landlords who lease space to government tenants. They also participate in the sale of government-leased properties.

The Government Services Practice Group also provides a full complement of tenant representation services to government agencies, including leasing, consulting, contracting, project management, facilities management, lease administration and valuation. Colliers International plans to significantly expand the Government Services Practice Group with key professionals throughout the U.S.

"The addition of this highly accomplished Government Services Practice Group reinforces one of Colliers International's core values - providing deep expertise to our clients," said Dylan Taylor (top right photo) CEO of Colliers International in the U.S.

"Kurt, Charles and Keith have a tremendous history of providing best-in-class, government-focused real estate services to a specialized sector. They are another excellent addition to Colliers International and will further assist in accelerating our clients' success."

Stout, Dilks and Lavey previously led Grubb & Ellis' Government Services Group. During their 13 years together in that capacity, they completed more than 400 lease and sale transactions across all 50 states totaling more than eight million square feet.

"Colliers International is a perfect cultural fit for our team. This is a unique opportunity to establish a national business unit that is exclusively devoted to providing real estate services to government agencies as well as investors who serve government tenants," said Stout, a 20-year real estate veteran in the government services sector.

 Contact: Richard Mulieri or Russ Colchamiro of the Marino Organization, +1-212-889-0808, richard@themarino.org

russ@themarino.org

 Web Site: http://www.colliers.com

LongHorn Steakhouse Opens Fifth San Antonio Location

 ORLANDO, FL June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LongHorn Steakhouse has opened its fifth location in San Antonio, Texas.

 The restaurant, best known for its atmosphere and flavor of the American West, is located at 22503 N. U.S. Highway 281. As part of its pre-opening training period, the restaurant recently hosted a Friends and Family night which helped raise more than $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity.

The 6,200-square foot restaurant will employ up to 75 team members and seat more than 240 guests. David Marchlewski, a restaurant industry veteran of 20 years, will serve as managing partner.

"LongHorn Steakhouse has received outstanding support from the San Antonio community since opening our first restaurant here last year, and we're excited to expand our presence in the region with our fifth location in San Antonio,"said Marchlewski.

 "We look forward to helping our guests relax and unwind in an inviting atmosphere while savoring a great steakhouse meal served with genuine Western hospitality. We're also pleased we could help support Habitat for Humanity and look forward to making more contributions to the local community for many years to come."

LongHorn opened its first restaurant in Atlanta 29 years ago and has grown steadily - becoming known for its passion for grilling fresh, never frozen, steaks served in a relaxed, comfortable steakhouse atmosphere

For more information about LongHorn, please visit www.longhornsteakhouse.com

.

 For more information, please visit www.darden.com

Contact:

:Carey Uxa, +1-312-240-3392, carey.uxa@edelman.com

Tara Gray, LongHorn Steakhouse, +1-407-245-4614, tgray@darden.com

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

HFF named to market for sale 1,656-bed mixed-use student housing complex adjacent to USC in Los Angeles

                                                

IRVINE, CA – HFF announced today that it has been named to market for sale University Gateway (top left photo), a 1,656-bed student housing community with ground floor retail space adjacent to the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.

HFF is marketing the property on behalf of the seller, University Gateway Owner, LLC. 

Completed in 2010, University Gateway has 421 units that are 82 percent pre-leased for the 2011-2012 school year.  The eight-story building includes 79,209 square feet of ground floor retail space that is 98 percent leased to tenants including CVS, Chase Bank and a national grocer.

 The property has 770 on-site parking spaces and 440 additional exclusive spaces located in close proximity off-site.  University Gateway is located at 3335 South Figueroa Street across Jefferson Boulevard from USC’s main campus.

The HFF team representing the seller is led by co-head of HFF’s national multi-housing group Sean Deasy (middle right photo) and managing director Mark Petersen.  Also integral to HFF’s team is managing director Brian Kelly (bottom left photo), who oversees HFF’s student housing platform.

“The sale of University Gateway represents not only the largest single student housing project to hit the market both in terms of size/beds and estimated sales price, but it’s also a unique opportunity to acquire a core, urban infill multi-housing property located in coastal Southern California,” said Deasy.

University Gateway Owner, LLC, is a partnership among Urban Partners LLC, Real Estate Capital Partners, Blackstone Real Estate Advisors (BREA, an affiliate of the Blackstone Group), and RCG Longview Equity Fund, L.P.

Contacts:

Sean P. Deasy, Ca. Lic. # 00914616, HFF Co-Head, National Multi-Housing, (949) 253-8800, sdeasy@hfflp.com

 Mark A. Petersen, Ca. Lic. #01886631HFF Managing Director, (949) 253-8800, mpetersen@hfflp.com

Brian J. Kelly, HFF Managing Director, (317) 630-3191, bkelly@hfflp.com

Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 8523500                                          krmurphy@hfflp.com

                                              

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Long Term Lease with Exotic Auto Center for 6,400 SF in Longwood, FL

 ORLANDO, FL– NAI Realvest recently negotiated a five-year lease agreement with Exotic Auto Center, Inc. for 6,400 square feet in suite 101 at 1205 Sarah St in Longwood.

 Michael Heidrich (top right photo), principal at NAI Realvest negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Coral Springs, Fla.-based Industrial Property Partners, Inc.   Robin Weeks of R.J. Weeks Inc. represented the new tenant.

 Heidrich also negotiated a two-year renewal agreement for 2,191 square feet of industrial space at suite 320 of the Goldenrod CommerCenter, 1476 N. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando.  Heidrich represented the landlord COP-Goldenrod LLC of Maitland and the tenant Islamic Society of Central Florida, Inc.

For more information, contact

Michael Heidrich, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 or mheidrich@realvest.com

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

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

Grubb & Ellis Landauer Valuation Advisory Services Opens for Business in Colorado Springs, CO.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO– Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, today announced that Grubb & Ellis Landauer Valuation Advisory Services opened for business in Colorado Springs with the hire of Cherie P. Santi as  appraiser. 

 The Colorado Springs office is one of more than 30 now serving the valuation needs of commercial real estate owners and users as part of Grubb & Ellis’ entry into the valuation advisory business on a national scale.  Santi reports to Jaimee Keene (top right photo), managing director, Rocky Mountain Region.   

 “Cherie’s long-standing relationships and knowledge of the Colorado Springs area will be highly beneficial for Grubb & Ellis Landauer as we expand our presence in the market,” said Keene.  “I am very pleased to have her as part of our team.”

 Santi brings 28 years of commercial real estate experience to Grubb & Ellis Landauer.  Most recently, she spent 10 years as owner of Santi Real Estate & Appraisal Services, a firm she founded to assist clients in appraising a variety of property types, including retail, office, industrial, hotels, restaurants, special use and multi housing.

 Previously, Santi spent 18 years as a commercial broker and leasing specialist in the Colorado Springs area, with companies such as Grubb & Ellis|Quantum Commercial Group Inc., Bank One Real Estate Group and Hoff & Leigh Commercial Real Estate. 

Clients she has represented during her career include the Bank of Colorado, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Farmers State Bank, Five Star Bank, Adams Bank & Trust, GE Capital Business Asset Financial Corporation and the U.S. Forest Service.

 Santi holds the Colorado Certified General Appraiser and Colorado Real Estate Broker licenses and is an associate member of the Appraisal Institute.  She is a ramrod volunteer for the Pike’s Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs. 

 For more information, contact Santi at 719.228.3609.

Contact: Julia McCartney, Phone: 714.975.2230

Email: julia.mccartney@grubb-ellis.com

Supertel Hospitality Appoints Krista Arkfeld Director Corporate Communications

NORFOLK, Neb., June 29, 2011—Supertel Hospitality, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPPR), a real estate investment trust (REIT) which owns 103 hotels in 23 states, today announced that it has appointed Krista Arkfeld to the newly created position of director of corporate communications.

 Arkfeld is responsible for managing the company’s internal and external communications and media relations functions.

“Going forward, as we continue to execute our business strategy, we plan to also ramp up our communications with our investors and other constituents,” said Kelly Walters, president and CEO.  “Krista will work closely with David Walter, our senior vice president and treasurer, to establish a more formal investor relations outreach.  David will continue to be the primary investor contact.”

A 15-year hotel industry veteran, Arkfeld joins the company from Royco Hotels Inc., the former primary operator of Supertel’s hotel portfolio, where she served as marketing manager responsible for the strategic marketing of 93 select service hotels encompassing 13 hotel brands and aggregating 7,871 rooms in 22 states. 

For more information or to make a hotel reservation, visit www.supertelinc.com

Contact:

Jerry Daly, Carol McCune, 703.435.6293, Daly Gray, (Media Contact)

jerry@dalygray.com

Mr. Kelly A. Walters, kwalters@supertelinc.com, 402.371.2520                                                                                                      

Ms. Connie Scarpello, cscarpello@supertelinc.com

WeinPlus to provide Risk Mitigation Services for 300,000-SF Gallery at Westbury Plaza in Westbury, NY

 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL--- WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg has been awarded a contract to provide risk mitigation services for Equity One’s Gallery at Westbury Plaza currently under development in Long Island.

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg, said the 300,000 square foot Gallery at Westbury Plaza is located between Westbury Plaza, which is also owned by Equity One, and the Roosevelt Mall, one of the highest grossing malls in the country.

Developers of the Gallery at Westbury Plaza are currently negotiating leases with high-end retailers. The mall is designed to meet LEED certification standards, Wein said.

The team at WeinPlus will be working with executive leadership on construction and development risk management.

For more information, contact

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, Founder / Principal, WeinPlus, 727-386-9346, www.weinplusassociates.com

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

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NAI Realvest Negotiates $475,000 Sale of former Long John Silver’s Restaurant Building in Orlando

MAITLAND, FL – NAI Realvest recently completed the sale of the 1,772 square foot former Long John Silver’s restaurant and its .84 acre site at 2259 S. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando. 

 The NAI Realvest team of Matt Cichocki and Kevin O’Connor, principals, negotiated the transaction representing the seller, CNL APF Partners, LP of Orlando.

 Cichocki said the local buyer, Angali Management LLC, paid $475,000 for the property and plans to convert the building for medical office use.  

For more information, contact:

Matt Cichocki, Principal NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, mcichocki@realvest.com

Kevin O’Connor, Principal NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, koconnor@realvest.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two Leases at Industrial Facilities in Winter Park, FL

  RLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently completed two new lease agreements at industrial centers in Winter Park.  

 Tom Kelley, II CCIM, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered a lease transaction for 3,000 square feet at 667-669 Cherry St. representing the local landlord, John J. Sharp Trust.   The new tenant is Lajur Inc. of Winter Park.   

 Kelley also negotiated an industrial lease at 700 Clay St. in Winter Park representing the landlord Sharp Properties of Orlando.   The new tenant JMC Lawn Services Inc. leases 750 square feet.    

For more information, contact:

Tom Kelley, CCIM, Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, tkelley@realvest.com

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

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

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Belfry Restaurant at Eagle Creek Golf Club Hosts Popular Burger Night Tuesdays from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

  

ORLANDO, FL – The Belfry Restaurant at Eagle Creek Golf Club (top left photo) has scored a hole-in-one with East Orlando golfers and residents at Eagle Creek, the luxury golf community off Narcoossee Road near Lake Nona in southeast Orlando. 

 The Belfry’s new “Burger Night” on Tuesdays from 5 to 8:30 p.m. is an epicurean tribute to one of America’s favorite foods.

David A. Evangelista, general manager at Eagle Creek Golf Club, said Eagle Creek Executive Chef Jennifer Cappello  created the Belfry’s signature Black Angus Burger, topped with shredded lettuce, vine ripe tomatoes and red onions on a toasted buttery brioche bun and served with sides such as French fries, tater tots, homemade chips, creamy coleslaw or a house salad for $5.

 “Chef Cappello also serves an extensive menu of extra toppings and cheeses for only $1,” Evangelista said.

A specialty burger menu offers choices such as the “Mac Daddy” a Black Angus burger with melted American cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, beer-battered onion rings and the Belfry’s own bistro sauce, served with choice of side for $7.

Evangelista said the $2 kids only menu includes such items as mac and cheese and chicken fingers. The new menu has proved very popular.

“We are fast becoming the most popular local dining establishment for family meals,” Evangelista said.

The Belfry, open to the public, overlooks the Eagle Creek golf course at Eagle Creek.

For media information, contact:

Gene Garrote, President, Celebration Golf Management, 407-566-1045

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Marcus & Millichap Sells 23,400-SF Self-Storage Facility in Port Charlotte, FL for $625,000

 PORT CHARLOTTE, FL, June 28, 2011 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has announced the sale of Charlotte County Self Storage (top left photo), a 23,400 net rentable square foot self-storage facility located in Port Charlotte, Fla, according to Bryn D. Merrey, Regional Manager of the firm’s Tampa office.

The asset commanded a sales price of $625,000 or $26.71 per net rentable square foot.

Michael A. Mele (middle right photo), first vice president investments, and senior director of the National Self-Storage Group and Adam Wides (lower left photo), associate in Marcus & Millichap’s Tampa office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the Florida-based seller, a private investor.  The buyer, a limited liability company, was secured and represented by Mele and Wides. 

Charlotte County Self Storage was built around 1996 and is located at 4201 Whidden Boulevard.  This investment has 305 self-storage units, of which 43 are RV and boat parking spaces. 

The units range from 25 to 250 square feet.  The facility consists of one two-story climate controlled and non-climate controlled metal building.  Amenities include drive-up units, security cameras, computerized gate entrance, roll-up doors, manager’s office and an on-site apartment.

“This transaction was a good example of the increased activity in the market place, as the seller was able to choose from multiple offers. It was a smooth transaction and the deal was closed in just over a month” said Wides.

 Press Contact: Bryn D. Merrey, Regional Manager, Tampa, (813) 387-4700

$14.15 Million buys Central Florida Apartment Complex

  

LAKELAND, FL – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has brokered the sale of Willowbrooke Apartments (top left photo), a 300-unit apartment complex in Lakeland. The property sold for $14,150,000, which represents $47,167 per unit and $50 per square foot.

Casey Babb (middle right photo), a senior associate in the firm’s Tampa office, represented the seller, Willowbrooke Apartments LLC, an affiliate of the Birmingham, Alabama-based Drummond Company Inc. The buyer, a Toronto, Canada-based investor, was represented internally.

“Prior to the sale, Willowbrooke Apartments was owned and meticulously operated by the original developer for more than 20 years,” says Babb.

  “The property received $3,200,000-plus in renovations between 2004 and 2007 and yet upside potential remains through the strategic renovation of original unit interiors. As a result, the offering commanded significant interest and 16 written offers,” adds Babb.

The 283,000-square foot property is located at 1100 Oakbridge Pkwy. on the south side of Lakeland, just north of  Polk Parkway along Harden Boulevard within Oakridge, one of the premier master-planned communities in Central Florida.

Willowbrooke Apartments was constructed in 1988 on a 23.38-acre site that features lush, mature Florida landscaping, private lakes and access to a two-mile walking, jogging and biking trail. Other community amenities include a large on-site leasing office and a clubhouse that opens onto a resort-style swimming pool, sundeck, fitness center and tennis and basketball courts.

The complex consists of 21 three-story, garden apartment buildings with breezeways and pitched shingle roofs. The unit mix features one-bedroom/one-bath, two-bedroom/two-bath and three-bedroom/two-bath floor plans averaging 943 square feet. Units feature semi-private entries, private patios/balconies, fully appointed kitchens and baths, full-size washer/dryer connections and fireplaces and vaulted ceilings in some units.

 Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

Jones Lang LaSalle Continues Phoenix Expansion; Names Pat Williams as Head of Tenant Representation Team

  

  

 PHOENIX, AZ– Highlighting its notable growth in Phoenix, Jones Lang LaSalle has expanded its local office space by 35 percent and named Pat Williams (top right photo) as head of the firm’s established tenant representation broker team.

The company’s new office occupies 11,934 square feet on the fourth floor of 3131 E. Camelback Rd., at 32nd Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s Phoenix headquarters expansion consists of consolidating two offices and growing by more than 5,000 square feet of space.  This move expands the firm’s local presence and consolidates its capital markets, tenant and landlord representation, project development and research services into one space.

Enhancing the move, Jones Lang LaSalle has named 11-year real estate industry veteran Pat Williams to Managing Director, responsible for leading the established Jones Lang LaSalle Phoenix tenant representation team.

Williams has exclusively represented tenants since 2000, when he joined the Staubach Company. In 2008, Staubach was purchased by Jones Lang LaSalle to provide comprehensive, global commercial real estate services.

“Over the last decade, I have watched this office grow in numbers, expertise and services, and ultimately become part of a global platform through Jones Lang LaSalle,” said Williams. “Our new space strengthens that platform, and furthers the benefits and uncompromised trust we provide to our clients.”

 Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Arizona and is involved in the Phoenix Boys and Girls Club. He now directs the Phoenix office alongside Senior Managing Director Dennis Desmond, a 32-year industry veteran and top broker who leads Jones Lang LaSalle’s local operations.  Desmond has managed the acquisition and disposition of more than 12 million square feet of commercial properties valued at $1.5 billion.

Contact: Stacey Hershauer, focusAZ, Marketing & Public Relations

(480) 600-0195, www.focusaz.com