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ICI Homes Named Builder of the Year by NEFBA

January 19th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Don Wilford, president, ICI Homes North Florida Division

The Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) has named ICI Homes its 2014 Builder of the Year. Don Wilford, president of the company’s North Florida Division, accepted the award at the annual NEFBA, Sales & Marketing Council (SMC) and Remodelers Board of Directors Installation.

“To be recognized as Builder of the Year by our industry peers at NEFBA is a true honor for everyone at ICI Homes,” said Wilford. “Our company enjoyed an exceptional year in 2014 and we look forward to an outstanding year ahead as we continue to design and build unique, custom homes throughout all of Florida.”

ICI Homes communities in Northeast Florida include Amelia National, Julington Creek, North Hampton, Palermo, Tamaya and Nocatee.

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HabiJax COO Receives Annual Affordable Housing Award from NEFBA

January 16th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville, Inc. (HabiJax) is pleased to announce Roger Cortie, Chief Operating Officer (COO), has been honored with the Bill Soforenko Affordable Housing Award this morning by the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA). The announcement was made at the annual NEFBA, Sales & Marketing Council (SMC) and Remodelers Board of Directors Installation.

Cortie joined HabiJax in 2003 as a senior builder and was later promoted to Director of Construction. In 2014 Cortie was named COO and oversees HabiJax’s day-to-day operations and ensures that HabiJax is well positioned to be an agent for ongoing organizational change in a rapidly evolving and competitive environment. Prior to joining HabiJax, Cortie held supervisory positions with national homebuilding companies after serving in the United States Navy.

“Roger is a valued employee and we are grateful for his dedication and the knowledge he brings to the HabiJax organization,” said HabiJax President and CEO Mary Kay O’Rourke. “Roger is committed to the bettering of our community and sincerely has the best interest of those HabiJax serves at heart as he promotes our mission.”

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Don’t Miss the NEFBA Installation Breakfast this Friday!

January 15th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

It’s time to join the best of the builder community at the 2015 Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) Installation Meeting! The event is this Friday, Jan. 16, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the UNF University Center.

Hundreds of homebuilders, developers, remodelers and other industry professionals will gather to induct 2015 NEFBA President Rick Morales along with the NEFBA, SMC and Remodelers Board of Directors.

The cost is $15 to attend. To make a reservation, contact Corey Hacker at [email protected].

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ICI Homes to Celebrate Siena at Town Center Grand Opening on Thursday, Jan. 15

January 14th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Be among the first to see ICI Homes’ three new, beautiful, fully furnished model homes at Siena at Town Center during the Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, Jan. 15.

The event will be held at Nocatee at ICI Homes’ Capri model from 3 to 7 p.m. The model is located at 69 Rinaldo Way in Ponte Vedra.

Guests will be among the first to see ICI’s new Capri, Seville and Lucca model homes, which range in size from 1,743 square feet to 2,877 square feet. They may also select their preferred homesite and enjoy refreshments and entertainment while touring each of the new model homes.

Want to learn more about the models? Follow ICI Homes at Nocatee on Facebook for the latest community news.

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ponte Vedra to Expand to New Storefront in Sawgrass Village

January 13th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

The Ponte Vedra Beach branch office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is on the move. The Northeast Florida real estate firm has announced it will relocate its Ponte Vedra Beach office, currently located at 1000 Sawgrass Village Drive, Suite 101, to a more prominent storefront in the shopping center’s new Main Street shops. The new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office will be located at 333 Village Main St., Suite 670, in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Christy Budnick and Linda Sherrer

“Our Ponte Vedra Beach office continues to grow, and we are excited about our upcoming move to a vibrant new space,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Broker/Executive Vice President Christy Budnick. “We are the market leaders in Ponte Vedra Beach, and our new office will provide an exceptional client experience and a more open, collaborative space for our outstanding team of Realtors.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty has operated a full service real estate office in Ponte Vedra Beach for the past 24 years. The Ponte Vedra Beach branch office is under the direction of Managing Broker Kevin Waugaman and is home to some of the area’s most experienced, productive and results-oriented agents.

Sawgrass Village is located in the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach and adjacent to the entrance of the renowned TPC Sawgrass Stadium golf course. The first phase of the Sawgrass Village redevelopment is complete and includes a new Publix and CVS.

Construction of the new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices location in Ponte Vedra Beach is underway. The company expects to move into the new branch office in Spring 2015.

Kevin Waugaman

“The move to this highly visible location in Sawgrass Village is a win for our clients and our Realtors,” Waugaman said. “For sellers, it will provide access to an even larger pool of buyers that walk through our front door looking to purchase real estate. For buyers, it will be a comfortable meeting space for real estate consultation with our top-tier Realtors who access the latest technology. And for our Realtors, it is a win mainly because it makes for such a superb client experience, which translates to more repeat and referral business. This is an exciting time as we expand upon our serious momentum across the First Coast and beyond.”

For more information about Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Ponte Vedra Beach branch office, call (904) 285-1800 or visit www.FloridaNetworkRealty.com.

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GreenPointe Homes Building Green in Cedar Bay

January 12th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Green has become a way of life. Homeowners expect and want their residences to be built as efficiently and smartly as possible. GreenPointe Homes, just like its name implies, has taken these wants and expectations and translated them into energy savings for all their buyers.

In the North Jacksonville community of Cedar Bay, each GreenPointe Homes residence includes a number of energy-efficient features that are not always standard in other new homes, including radiant barriers and low-E, or low-emissivity, windows. These features are recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy to not only reduce the gain and loss of hot and cold air in homes, but also to significantly reduce energy costs for the life of a home.

“The prices of our homes in Cedar Bay, especially the remaining ones with views of the Broward River, are unparalleled – and we actually help the homeowner save even more money in the long run through our practice of installing energy-efficient features,” said Margaret Jennesse, president of GreenPointe Homes’ East Florida Division. “Radiant barriers and low-E windows are two of the smartest building techniques available, and they are a part of every GreenPointe Homes residence that we build.”

A radiant barrier is a foil-backed roof sheathing product, installed on a roof deck, that inhibits around 95 percent of radiant energy (from the sun) from entering an attic. This results in a significant reduction in heat in an attic space – which results in less heat entering the entire home.

“On a typical Florida day, an attic without a radiant barrier can reach 140 degrees, while an attic with a radiant barrier is around 20 to 25 degrees cooler,” said Richard Woodward, the National Director of Construction Science and Innovation for Builders FirstSource. “Not only does a radiant barrier reduce the thermal load on a house, but it also reduces the heat on the ductwork so the air conditioning system has less heat to pull out of the house. Using the same principles, a radiant barrier prevents heat loss through the roof deck in the winter, keeping a home warmer.”

Low-E windows are another significant heat deterrent, especially important here in sunny Florida. Microscopic, metallic particles are added to glass which reflects radiant, or solar, energy – thus preventing it from coming into a home.

“The result is similar to a tinted window in a car, but unlike a tinted window, low-E glass has very little impact on visible light. It reduces what you feel, but not what you see,” said Woodward. “The point of features such as radiant barrier and low-E glass is to create a thermal envelope that allows the least amount of thermal energy to get into the house. Using smart technology can reduce the size of an AC system, thereby further reducing energy costs.”

Energy-efficient GreenPointe Homes’ residences are now available in Cedar Bay, with stunning view of the Broward River. There are currently three showcase homes available for immediate move-in, as well as home sites on which homeowners can select and build from a number of floorplans. Homes begin in the low $200,000s, making them the best value in the area for riverfront property.

Cedar Bay has convenient access to the River City Marketplace, the Jacksonville International Airport and nearby military bases. It is a short drive to many shopping and dining opportunities, as well as downtown Jacksonville and the area’s many entertainment venues.

For more information about GreenPointe Homes and Cedar Bay, call (904) 619-1928 or visit www.cedarbayjax.com.

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Luncheon to Highlight the Vision of “Healthy Town”

January 9th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Developer Peter Rummell will share the vision for “Healthy Town” at CREW Jacksonville and NAIOP’s first 2015 luncheon meeting. The event is Thursday, Jan. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at The River Club in Jacksonville.

Healthy Town is a proposed health-oriented housing and mixed-used project on almost 29 acres of the former JEA Southside Generating Station riverfront site. The “Healthy Town” concept includes condos, apartments, commercial space, boutique retail, public parks and open access to the St. Johns River. When finished, the development value is estimated at approximately $400 million with more than 1,000 construction jobs, more than 2,500 permanent, full-time jobs tied to the businesses and more than $8 million in City of Jacksonville property taxes.

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Judith Sisler Johnston Joins HabiJax Design Committee

January 7th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Judith Sisler Johnston, allied member, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and president of Sisler Johnston Interior Design, recently joined the Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (HabiJax) Design Committee. Sisler Johnston has completed the interior design of two fully furnished model homes for HabiJax in the historic neighborhood of New Town.

“I am very proud to support HabiJax, which is helping many people realize the dream of homeownership,” Sisler Johnston said. “Design elements help to improve a home’s function and flow, and all home buyers benefit from the latest innovations in house planning and interior space planning for every area of the home.”

The committee meets monthly to design and review the housing product and floor plans being developed and offered by HabiJax. With its mission to make a greater impact on the revitalization of Jacksonville neighborhoods, HabiJax has an in-house designer who is proficient in the latest building design software. He works with the plans to ensure they are affordable to build and sell. Sisler Johnston analytically reviews the floor plans to make sure interior spaces can accommodate the furnishings that most homeowners will want to use and to ensure that lighting fixtures and cable and electrical outlets are placed in convenient locations. Sisler Johnston believes beautiful and functional environments inspire and create a renewed sense of emotional well-being.

Philanthropic involvement has been a guiding principle of the company, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2014. Sisler Johnston Interior Design provides ongoing charitable support in the form of cash contributions, donations of furnishings and home décor and volunteer support to numerous organizations including Builders Care, the charitable arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, Angelwood, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center, Rodeheaver Boy’s Ranch, World Challenge, Go To Nations, NothingButTheTruth.org, and The Monique Burr Foundation for Children, among others. The company has been recognized as one of Northeast Florida’s top Companies That Care, an honor presented by Jacksonville Magazine.

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Seamless Rebranding Success for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty

January 5th, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Executive Vice President Christy Budnick, left, and Founder, President and CEO Linda Sherrer

Rebranding is a hot topic among companies these days. Often rebranding is undertaken to reposition an organization, communicate a new message about a particular brand or lead a company in a new direction.

This is not the case for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty – the new brand for the former Prudential Network Realty. With a 25-year history as the most dynamic and successful Northeast Florida real estate firm, the company has transitioned seamlessly into its parallel identity as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty.

“We were presented with a rare opportunity to align ourselves with the Berkshire Hathaway family, and it has been a wonderful move for our entire company,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda H. Sherrer. “We are known for our exceptional strength, stability, quality and innovation in the Northeast Florida real estate market, and those same characteristics are what made Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices the ‘Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year’ for 2014. The match has been perfect.”

Independently owned and operated, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty continues to provide superior services to the Northeast Florida community as it has for the last 25 years, under the same leadership. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2014.

“I am excited about the transition because of the opportunity to continue to grow over the next 25 years,” said Tom Petway, who sits on the board of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. “Berkshire Hathaway is a brand that people identify with, and we look forward to our clients benefitting from this new partnership.”

The quality and strength of the brand is synonymous with the highest standards of reliability, trust and results. With Warren Buffet at the helm, Berkshire Hathaway has gained so much respect that Barron’s listed Berkshire Hathaway as the world’s most respected company.

 “The affiliation with Berkshire Hathaway will significantly make the company more recognizable both nationally and internationally, especially since Berkshire Hathaway is known for investing in and having perspective in many different industries,” said Nelson Bradshaw, Jacksonville City President of BBVA Compass.

Since the company’s unveiling of the new brand in January 2014, listings and home sales have been overwhelmingly positive. Additionally, more than 40 experienced sales professionals have joined the firm and the company’s strong commitment to Northeast Florida has continued.

 “To me, they are the same wonderful people with a different name,” said Sheri Criswell, executive director of Dreams Come True – an organization long supported by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty that fulfills dreams for local children battling life-threatening illnesses. “During the company’s 25th anniversary celebration year from August 2013 to August 2014, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty surpassed its goal of $25,000 by raising a total of $30,500 for Dreams Come True by making a donation for every closed listing and sale. Their contribution allowed many of our dreams to come true, and deeply touched the individual lives of several children and their families.”

Additionally, the company has extended its campaign to support Dreams Come True for another year until July 31, 2015.

With the backing of an exceptional family of companies, enhanced real estate resources and tools and a renewed commitment to being the best Northeast Florida real estate firm, the future of the firm looks exceptionally bright.

“Our strong company legacy coupled with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand is a powerful combination,” said Christy Budnick, Broker/ executive vice president. “We are positioned for unprecedented growth and continued success.”

Connect with the best by visiting www.BerkshireHathwayHSFNR.com.

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Happy New Year from Whats Up Jacksonville!!!

January 1st, 2015 · Leave a Comment

 

Happy New Year from Whats Up Jacksonville!!!

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