NELSON HOMES REPORTS AN INCREASE IN SALES
Nelson Homes, an Arthur Rutenberg Homes franchise, sold 15 homes in the first quarter of 2013, almost half of all sales reported in 2012, reports company president Derek Nelson.
"We are busier than ever," he said. "We sold 10 homes in March and are on track to have our biggest and best year since we began operations in 2010."
Of course, the new-home market has changed a bit since then. The company reported 12 sales in 2011 and 33 in 2012.
The builder doubled the size of its Lakewood Ranch office space this year and hired seven people near the end of 2012; three more people have been hired this year. Nelson expects to add more jobs over the next few months in all areas.
"We currently have a staff of 20, and, with our increased sales and the re-launch of building in The Concession, we'll hire another salesperson to man our new model and more people in all areas," said Nelson. He will begin construction on three models this summer with new floor plans.
Demand has enabled Nelson to increase prices twice this year. The company's average sales price is $711,253.
SARASOTA FIRM DESIGNS WORLD'S FIRST LEED-CERTIFIED FLOATING BUILDING
Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina, designed by Carlson Studio Architecture (CSA) in Sarasota, is the world's first LEED-certified floating green building, achieving LEED-NC (new construction) "Gold" certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The marina is located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Las Vegas.
Spearheaded by the National Park Service and Forever Resorts LLC, the project serves as the marina's operations office, which floats on Lake Mohave. This is the 12th LEED-certified project CSA firm has led. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
The project's key green features:
-Energy-saving materials and systems, such as high-performance insulated glass.
-High-efficiency HVAC equipment.
-Use of recycled and regionally extracted and/or manufactured materials, such as steel, drywall, metal studs, carpet, etc.
-Finish materials, paints, adhesives caulks and sealants that contain low or no volatile organic compounds to ensure healthy indoor air quality.
-Clerestory windows that provide natural daylight and views.
-Operable high/low windows provide natural ventilation, lowering the dependence on air conditioning.
-Standing-seam metal "cool" roof, which lowers heat gain by reflecting the solar energy, and allows for future installation of PV electrical panels.
ROSEBAY OPENS OFFICE IN ROSEMARY DISTRICT
RoseBay International Inc. of Sarasota and Bradenton has opened an office at 423 Central Ave. in the historic Rosemary district in downtown Sarasota.
RoseBay manages the condominiums on the second and third floors of the building. The residential and commercial real estate and property management company has been open for more than 20 years.
