BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Neal Communities clears 100 sales in new communities
Neal Communities, one of the leading home builders in the region, cleared 100 sales in a pair of projects that are less than two years old, according to a release.

Both communities are in Manatee County: Woodbrook in Bradenton, which opened in November 2011, and Belleisle in Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch, which opened in February 2011.

“Buyers have proven this is the perfect opportunity to purchase a new home in Florida,” Neal Communities President Pat Neal said in the release. “The market has steadily recovered since the openings of both Belleisle and Woodbrook, and buyers realize that the value in Florida real estate continues to increase as well.”

Homes at Belleisle range from 1,594 square feet to 2,641 square feet, and prices start in the $220,000s. Woodbrook homes, priced from the $130,000s, range from 1,079 square feet to 2,535 square feet.

+ Realtor honored for sales performance
Beth Barnett, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Lakewood Ranch, was awarded with the ecognition of “Presidents Circle Elite” for her performance. 

In 2012, Barnett’s sales exceeded $10 million in East Manatee County.

+ Michael Rego joins John Neal Homes
Michael Rego has joined John Neal Homes as vice president of home building.  

Rego will lead the company’s growth and expansion in the custom-home market in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“Michael Rego brings a solid community reputation and a wealth of experience to our established team,” said John Neal, president of the Lakewood Ranch-based company. “His stellar reputation and solid building background in the region will help us continue our rapid growth in years to come.”

Rego has more than 30 years of experience in the residential and commercial real-estate industries.

He is a Tampa Bay native and a second-generation builder who began his career as a framing contractor for his family business. 

Rego has worked in the Sarasota real-estate market for the past 10 years and has built 115 homes in Lakewood Ranch. He has worked for other notable builders including Lennar Homes, Pulte Homes, Arthur Rutenberg Homes and, most recently, John Cannon Homes.

+ Kenneth Jarvis PLLC gets new senior tax adviser
Kenneth Jarvis PLLC, Certified Public Accountants, announced that Felton Marans has joined the firm as a senior tax adviser.

Marans has more than 20 years of public accounting experience and specializes in taxation and accounting for individuals and small businesses. 

Marans has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from American University and a Juris Doctorate from the American University-Washington College of Law.