Real Estate Wire/Green Trends News Wire

 By Carole Hawkins, Real Estate Wire When Ike Grayer Jr. was 13, a tragic accident forced him to give up on his dream of becoming a professional football player. But there’s a second dream he’s held on to.  “Since I was a kid, I always wanted to work in construction,” he said. “One day I want to build my own house. It’s a dream I still have.”  Grayer is a carpenter with the St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP). Every day he learns something new or gets to practice something he already knows. “Ike is a key member of our team. His energy and dedication to our mission enables us to make homeowners safer and more comfortable in a healthier environment,” noted SJHP Rehab Manager Susan Giddens. Grayer was offered his job two years ago, while he was delivering materials for White’s Lumber. An SJHP worker said Grayer looked like the kind of guy who would enjoy working with them. He does. “Sometimes our clients are in rough situations,” Grayer said “I like remodeling everything th...

 By Mike Bonts, Real Estate Wire ST. AUGUSTINE – The St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) shared some good news. The St. Johns Housing Partnership received a generous “Property Preservation” grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund through the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida to prepare for the acquisition of two long-time USDA apartment communities this year. Pinewood Apartments, Green Cove Springs — 54 homes serving seniors Crescent Lakes Apartments, Crescent City — 30 homes for working families and individuals “The Weaver grant allows us to leverage property maintenance funds, which are never adequate on older properties. It’s a great start to show the residents a positive change is coming,” noted SJHP Executive Director Bill Lazar. “This grant prepares us to better tackle immediate maintenance and small repairs.” The properties are more than 40 years old, and this funding gives SJHP the opportunity to make visible improvements right away without pressure to incr...

  ST. PETERSBURG (January 12, 2026)- The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the state’s leading certifier of green residential and commercial construction, land developments and local governments, has announced their roster of senior officers and board of directors for 2026. Daniel Denis , RunBrook, West Palm Beach, was elected President ; Bill Kachman , Retired Major, U.S Army, Deland, President-Elect; Dustin Stephany , University of Florida, Gainesville, Treasurer and Ralph Locke , EC&C, Deland, Past-President. The 2026 board includes: Steve Armstrong, Ekocentric, LLC , Tampa; Jim Barnes , Village of Wellington, Wellington; Denise Bas , GreenPath FL, LLC, West Palm Beach ; Jason Biondi (Miami Beach) ECSG Energy Cost Solutions Group, LLC, Miami Beach; Mike Bonts , Mike Bonts Public Relations, Jacksonville; Peggy Christ , Bee Green Realty LLC, Bradenton; Chris Combs (Middleburg) Assist2Build, Julie C. Christesen , ES Green & Co., Tallahassee;   C.J. Dav...