Real Estate Wire/Green Trends News Wire

MIAMI, Fla. (March 24, 2015)– The Richman Group’s trio of affordable senior housing developments that now grace Miami’s reborn West Brickell area is proving the old saying that good things in life come in threes. The apartments, for adults 55+, leased up in just four weeks after each receiving its certificate of occupancy. “We did anticipate a quick lease up because there is enormous demand for high quality affordable housing in Miami,” noted Todd Fabbri, Executive Vice President for The Richman Group of Florida, Inc. “The product that we delivered was of the highest quality in a location that has seen very little supply in past years.” One of the most expensive cities for renters is Miami, where rents, on average, consume 43 percent of the typical household income, up from a historical average of just over a quarter. Richman Property Services, the management company for the buildings, has received very favorable comments on the location and design.   Residents ...

By Lindsay Machak As the baby boomer generation ages, the seniors housing market will become increasingly important in America, experts say. The number of Americans who were over the age of 65 increased by about five million people from 2000 to 2010, according to a Bipartisan Policy Center report. Meanwhile, about 14.2 million more baby boomers will become seniors by 2020, according to the report. As the economy improves and many down-sizing baby boomers begin to sell their homes, the need for more units will continue to grow. This momentum will lead to more investors finding additional interest in the market, according to a Marcus & Millichap report focused on senior housing. The report estimates that 11,600 units of independent living are under construction this year. This number is well-above the 3,000 independent-living units added to the nation’s stock last year. Meanwhile, the report also says there are about 18,900 units of assisted living and 6,800 skilled nursing un...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 22, 2015) – The First Coast Apartment Association (FCAA) spotlighted local property maintenance technicians in the Maintenance Mania® annual nationwide competition at the University of North Florida (UNF) University Center. Jimmy Garcia of The Lakes of Ponte Vedra was crowned local champion for the second year in a row. Top winners included Brandon Gay, Fieldstone Village, in second and Kyle Slagle, Avesta Mandarin, in third. The top five was rounded out by Matt Metz, Avesta Mandarin, in fourth and Lee Caudill, WRH Realty Services, in fifth. “It was a very exciting night. The room was packed with spectators and competitors. Congratulations to all the winners,” said Laura Hulsey of Carroll Management, president of FCAA. Racing against the clock, over 100 participants competed in eight maintenance-focused challenges. Representing local apartment communities, they tested their maintenance skills and knowledge of the industry as they competed to earn the ...

JACKSONVILLE- March 20, 2015 - EverBank and the Jacksonville Jaguars are teaming up again with HabiJax to provide volunteers and funding for the construction of a home this spring. “Our associates look forward to this every year,” said Rob Clements, EverBank’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We are excited to team up with HabiJax and the Jaguars for the fourth straight year to build a home for this deserving family in our community.” Construction begins on March 20 and has a tentative completion date of May 8. EverBank associates, Jaguars players, coaches, staff and members of The ROAR Cheerleaders will work on the house throughout the building process. The family who will live in this home has completed over 300 hours of “sweat equity,” or volunteer service, participated in financial literacy workshops, and provided a down payment to meet HabiJax guidelines and qualify to purchase a home. “Our partnership with EverBank and HabiJax is a truly rewarding experience,” said...

PALM COAST, Fla. (March 20, 2015) -- Generation Homes’ entry in the 2015 Flagler Parade of Homes continues to set the standard for Oceanside neighborhood living at Beach Haven in Northeast Flagler County, just eight miles south of St. Augustine. The Parade runs through Sunday, March 29, 2015. In the Anna Maria, Generation Homes has created an airy 2,400 square foot two-story home at 16 Beach Haven Parkway in Palm Coast that truly enhances peaceful beach living.  The Anna Maria maximizes cool blue ocean views and natural light through the use of large windows, open space, breezy porches and decks, bringing the outdoors in. “The home exemplifies our unwavering commitment to meet the expectations of new homeowners today, tomorrow and for generations to come,” said Donna Sadowski, Generation Homes’ vice president of sales and marketing. Classic beach colors such as aqua, coral, and sky, are paired with bright walls, glimmering transom window accents, cottage trim and edgy coasta...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – Mayor Alvin Brown hosted the 23rd Annual Mayor’s Environmental Awards Luncheon, which highlighted the accomplishments of local organizations, companies and individuals in environmental awareness and advocacy.  Each award was presented by the mayor and leaders of local organizations. “Everyone has a responsibility to be a steward of our environment,” said Mayor Brown. “The individuals and organizations we’re honoring today not only accept this responsibility, they embrace it. Jacksonville is fortunate to have great people who care so deeply and passionately about protecting our great natural resources.” Fourteen local environmental organizations presented awards to individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions in preserving the local environment. The award recipients and categories include: City Beautiful Jax: ·         Beauty is Good for Jacksonville Award – Scenic Jacksonville and William D. Brinton ·     ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With historic growth in renter demand since the Great Recession, and millions more renter households forming over the next decade, the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and National Apartment Association (NAA) released their 2015 priorities for the 114 th Congress. These key priorities are focused on ensuring that the $1.1 trillion apartment industry can meet the needs of today's 37 million renters who live in an apartment home. NMHC and NAA emphasized that the significant and growing U.S. rental housing demands are the driving force behind their joint policy and legislative priorities. "For the fourth time in the past five years, 2014 saw an increase of more than 1 million new renters. Additionally, over the past decade, 8 million rental households were created, which is the highest number on record," said NAA President and CEO Douglas S. Culkin, CAE.  "The surge in apartment demand has outstripped supply. As a result, we need to b...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.   - LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville, Fla. based general contractor specializing in multifamily and senior housing, has started construction on The Loree Apartments, a $28 million luxury apartment community in Jacksonville, Fla. The gated, garden style, upscale suburban apartments are located at 8649 AC Skinner Parkway in the southwest quadrant of J. Turner Butler and Southside Boulevards. The Loree Apartments will offer residents a unique combination of social gathering areas, upscale resort style amenities, and oversized homes buoyed by a convenient location. The project is immediately next to Lost Lake Apartments, the development with one of the highest occupancy rates in Jacksonville that LandSouth completed last year.  The developer is AC Packer, LLC of Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Charlan Brock & Associates of Maitland, Fla. is designing the community. Completion is scheduled for the summer, 2016. “The Loree Apartments will solidify t...