Susan Breding

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes is reporting net sales of 91 new homes in five communities in the Tampa Bay region in 2008.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the average sales price in the Tampa Bay region in 2008 was $244,000.

Roche said sales in 2008 are up more than 120 percent over 2007 when net sales totaled only 38 new homes in the Tampa Bay region.

Roche said he expects to see strong sales growth in 2009.

“The housing market cycle is bottoming out and the economic stimulus package is good news for everyone,” said Roche.

“We anticipate new home sales will increase throughout 2009, with more growth coming in the second half of the year,” he said.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

For more information contact:

Michael Roche, VP Sales/Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando, 407-647-3700;

John Reny, President Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando, 407-647-3700;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142.

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes, which reported 2008 net sales are up more than 40 percent over 2007, is nearing completion of 30 new condominiums at Lakeside at The Lakes of Windermere located off S.R. 535 in Windermere.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said 10 of the two and three-bedroom condominiums have already sold at prices starting from $129,900.

Condominiums in the new building that will be completed in early March, range in size from 1,161 square feet of living space to 1,455 square feet, Roche said.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Roche, VP Sales/Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa, 407-647-3700;

John Reny, President Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa, 407-647-3700;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142.

NEWS RELEASE Construction Starts on Northpark Baptist Church in Baldwin Park designed by Cuhaci & Peterson Architects ORLANDO, Fla. --- Construction has started on the $4 million Northpark Baptist Church on Prospect Avenue in Baldwin Park in Orlando. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Baldwin Park, designed the church, which includes a worship center and educational facility. For more information, contact Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC 407-661-9100 Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC 407-661-9100 Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

NEWS RELEASE Only 10 Home Sites Remain for Sale at Sagamore Trace, Where New Homes are Priced from the $180s TAMPA, Fla. --- Only 10 home sites remain for sale at Sagamore Trace, a new home community Ashton Woods homes is developing on S. Kingsway Rd. between I-4 and I-75 in North Brandon. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in Tampa, said new three, four and five bedroom homes at Sagamore Trace range in size from 1,712 square feet of living space to 3,435 square feet. New homes at Sagamore Trace are priced from $189,900 to $289,900. One furnished model home, with 3,063 square feet of living space, is open to the public at Sagamore Trace, Roche said. Three of the 10 remaining home sites are oversized. Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando. For more information, please contact: Michael Roche, VP Sales/Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando, 407-647-3700; John Reny, President Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando, 407-647-3700; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142.

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Heidi Keith, who has been with Ashton Woods Homes as a sales counselor for less than one year, posted record sales recently. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said Keith sold eight new condominiums at Lakeside Condominiums at an average sale price of $160,000 in a four week period. Lakeside Condominiums are located off S.R. 535 in Windermere “We have a remarkable combination of location, pricing and design at Lakeside Condominiums, which have proved very popular,” said Roche. Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando. For more information, please contact: Michael Roche, VP Sales/Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa, 407-647-3700; John Reny, President Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa, 407-647-3700; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142.