Rayonier (NYSE:RYN) announced today that the company's Board of Directors has declared a second quarter cash dividend of 50 cents per common share. The dividend is payable June 30, 2008, to shareholders of record on June 9, 2008.
The Villages, the largest single-site mixed-use development in the U.S., earned the No.1 ranking as the fastest growing micropolitan area in the nation according to a recently released Census Bureau report. The report adds a new perspective to population estimates the federal agency released in March, which ranked Sumter County as the nation's 11th fastest-growing county in 2007. It is the first time The Villages earned the No. 1 ranking since its designation in 2003 as a micropolitan statistical area. In its definitions, the federal agency classifies a micropolitan area as one or more counties with an urban core of at least 10,000 people but less than 50,000.
The Villages, the largest single-site mixed-use real estate development in the U.S., reports extremely low foreclosure rates amid increasing default activity across the nation. As many markets confront double digit foreclosure rates, The Villages continues to sell homes at a pace that exceeds what developers experienced at the height of development two years ago, while maintaining a foreclosure rate of almost zero percent. National foreclosure activity grew by 4 percent in April, but in Florida it was even worse: a 17 percent jump from March. It's an entirely different story in The Villages.
The Board of Directors of National Retail Properties, Inc. ("Board") (NYSE: NNN), a real estate investment trust, declared a quarterly dividend on its Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of 46.09375 cents per depositary share payable June 13, 2008 to shareholders of record on May 30, 2008. The dividend represents an annualized rate of $1.84375 per depositary share.
Modtech Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: MODT) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.
BlastGard International (OTCBB:BLGA) reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
HRP Myrtle Beach Holdings, LLC ("HRP") announced today that it posted a current report on the company website (www.hrpusa.com). The current report is being furnished pursuant to the Indentures governing the Floating Rate Senior Secured Notes due 2012 (the "Senior Notes"), the 12 1/2% Junior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "Junior Notes") and the 14 1/2% Senior Pay-In-Kind Notes due 2014 (the "PIK Notes"), and the Equity Participation Agreement relating to the Class B shares of HRP PIK Corp. ("PIK Corp."). The current report is available to holders of the Senior Notes, holders of the Junior Notes, holders of the PIK Notes, prospective purchasers of such securities, securities analysts or market makers in such securities, and to Class B shareholders of PIK Corp. The current report is available via a secure link on the company website.
With price declines hurting home sellers and real estate commissions taking another 6% of a home's value, homeowners should consider Fizber.com (http://www.fizber.com) to sell their homes and save a substantial amount of money on commissions. As the real estate market tightens across the U.S., Fizber.com, a for-sale-by-owner website, is now offering free home listings to help home sellers save money in a down real estate market.
Taubman Centers, Inc. (NYSE: TCO) today announced agreements with Southfield, Michigan-based The Forbes Company and Florida-based Benderson Development to jointly develop University Town Center, a regional mall in Sarasota Fla. The 900,000 sq. ft., two-level, regional shopping center is part of a 276-acre mixed-use development anchored by Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Macy's. Projected opening for the center is November 2010.
OpenClose(R), developers of Web-based, end-to-end mortgage software, has agreed to purchase the assets of LION, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: LINN) and will continue to operate its Seattle-based Precision LPX suite of mortgage software and retail Web site services. The transaction is anticipated to close this summer, subject to shareholder approval and regulatory consent.
Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. (Amex: CTO) sent the following letter to Mr. David J. Winters of Wintergreen Advisers, LLC:
Commercial Alliance Group, a Central Florida real estate development and financial services firm, through a managed affiliate, closed May 9, 2008, on the bulk acquisition from Centex Homes of the 31 unsold new condominium units in the 72-unit Waterways South building at the Palm Coast Resort.
Clockwork Home Services, Inc. (Clockwork), a leading provider of home services, today announced its promotion of David Bloom to Vice President of Operations. Bloom, formerly the company's Vice President for Franchise Sales, will oversee Clockwork's retail centers on the West Coast, managing revenues of approximately $40 million.
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE: FIS) announced today that it will host an investor day on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, beginning at 8:15 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the company's corporate offices in Jacksonville, Florida.
Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanotechnology, announced today that the Company will supply its European, Asian, and Middle East customers from the Company's new manufacturing facility in New Brunswick, NJ and will not be opening a manufacturing facility in Europe at this time as previously announced.
GE Security, Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions (NYSE:GE) today announced a new version of its wireless eKEY that will enable full lockbox functionality for BlackBerry(R) smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM; TSX:RIM).
Real Estate website Fizber.com (http://www.fizber.com/) continues to expand its partner network. Fizber.com, an innovative home search site, creates the Fizber partner network to support all Real Estate brokers.
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF), a Fortune 500 provider of products, services and technology solutions to the financial and real estate industries, announced this week that Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions (FNRES) has launched the Cyberhomes Media Group, a new entity led by General Manager Prem Luthra that will help advertisers and publishers reach a huge, highly targeted new real estate audience.
Florida Realtors(R) reported positive signs in their local housing markets during first quarter 2008, noting a slower rate of expansion for inventory levels and an increase in pending home sales (based on contracts signed but not closed) in some areas.
Automated Self Storage Systems, LLC (www.AutomatedSelfStorage.com), a subsidiary of real estate developer The Pugliese Company, announced today plans to develop the first, patent pending, fully automated self storage facility in the world in Coconut Creek, FL.
