Real estate briefs: Nov. 30, 2003

Robert Hensley of Grosse Pointe Construction Group will present an overview of Southwest Florida market trends and real estate development opportunities at the Real Estate Investment Society's (REIS) luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Hensley will report on the success of upscale community projects in Southwest Florida and the market outlook for luxury residential properties. He is also expected to discuss the challenges facing community development and the international markets for local real estate. The meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. at Lexington Country Club on Summerlin Road in south Fort Myers. Admission is $25 for members and $30 for guests, which includes lunch. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Marlene Knoll at Old Florida Bank, 239-415-5069, or visiting the REIS Web site at www.reis-swfl.org.

Course offered

A free course on regulation of residential condominium and cooperative associations in Florida will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Seven Lakes Condominium Association, 1965 Seven Lakes Blvd., Fort Myers. The course will be taught by Community Associations Institute (CAI), the designated condominium and cooperative educational provider of the State of Florida's Department of Professional and Business Regulation, Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes. The course focuses on how federal and state statutes and regulations impact associations. Participants will review guiding documents such as Florida statutes and legislation including the Condominium Act and Cooperative Act, the Fire Safety Act and the Florida Administrative Code. The course will also touch on federal laws such as the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This course does not count for CEUs. Registration is not required, but space is limited. To reserve a space, call Laura Hagan at 727-525-0962 or e-mail FLeducation@caionline.org.

Company hired

The U.S. Tower Division of Taylor Woodrow has named Boran, Craig, Barber and Engel Construction of Naples to construct its health and fitness center at Meridian Towers at The Oaks Preserve in Osprey near Sarasota. Project Manager Frank Cirillo said the 1,320-square-foot fitness center is under way will be completed in early spring.

Contract awarded

Bay Communities has selected The Prince Group to provide marketing and on-site sales for The Gardens at Beachwalk, a new neighborhood of 320 condominium units off Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers. Formed in 1999, The Prince Group is a Bonita Springs-based real estate marketing, sales and consulting firm. The Gardens at Beachwalk on-site sales center is at 15575 Ocean Walk Circle, off of San Carlos and Gladiolus Drive.