Things To Do In SW Florida

Hospitality

Mitch Less was appointed chief operating officer at Westgate Resorts, Orlando.

John Willman was appointed chief financial officer at Westgate Resorts, Orlando.

Jared Saft was appointed chief business and strategy officer at Westgate Resorts, Orlando.

Law

Michele Rodon-Carver has joined ShuffieldLowman as a senior associate in the firm’s Orlando office.

Lindy Keown was appointed as a partner at BakerHostetler, Orlando.

Brandon Marcus was appointed as a partner at BakerHostetler, Orlando.

Real estate

Mackenzie McGuire was promoted to lead senior regional marketing director at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.

By SALLY HO

SEATTLE (AP) — It’s one thing to fix your home after something basic has gone wrong, but it’s a different beast to rebuild and recover after a major natural disaster has destroyed multiple properties on your street, in your neighborhood or across the region.

A bill filed in the Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday could make it more difficult for Wall Street-backed landlords to buy homes in the Sunshine State.

“When you have corporations buying up single family homes meant to be residential, it takes away from the supply and therefore has an impact on cost,” said Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, the representative who introduced HB401.

A first-of-its-kind analysis from the Tampa Bay Times found that large corporations own more than 117,000 single family homes across Florida, including around 27,000 in the Tampa Bay area.

Proponents of the growing single family rental industry say it’s creating more options for those who can’t afford to buy.

But the Times found these landlords neglected ongoing maintenance issues, evicted tenants at higher rates and accelerated gentrification in Black neighborhoods. Disproportionate concentration of ownership among a handful of companies is linked by researchers to rising rent and sales costs, and experts said the companies’ tactics can shut out individuals buyers in the housing market. read more

Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Azevedo’s Backyards LLC, 3852 LB McLeod Road, Orlando. Filed: Jan. 28. Assets: $16,550. Liabilities: $306,508. Major creditors: Chase Cardmember Services, Charlotte, N.C., $121,216; U.S. Small Business Administration, Miami, $100,000; Mary Bermudez, Orlando, $12,495. Creditors meeting: Feb. 28.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Cork Capital LLC, 8810 Boggy Creek Road, Suite 100, Orlando. Filed: Jan. 21. Assets: $312,267. Liabilities: $1,419,232. Major creditors: Dynamic Investment, Frederick, Md., $275,000; Perrymoore Wine Inc., Richmond, Va., $88,977; L.D. Vins, France, $72,288. Creditors meeting: Feb. 24.

Trucking Dynamics Corp., 860 Carambola Drive, Merritt Island. Filed: Jan. 23. Assets: $197,431. Liabilities: $770,764. Major creditors: Forward Financing, Boston, $96,900; First Citizens Bank, Raleigh, N.C., $86,229; On Deck Capital, Arlington, Va., $67,431. Creditors meeting: Feb. 24. read more

By MATT OTT

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the third week in a row, a smidgen of relief for prospective home shoppers getting into the market before the busy spring homebuying season starts.