SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AV Homes, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVHI) (“AV Homes” or the “Company”), a developer and builder of active adult and conventional home communities in Arizona, Florida and North Carolina today announced that it has acquired the home building assets of privately held, Central Florida-based Royal Oak Homes LLC and certain land positions from affiliated land development companies, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $65 million in cash.
Royal Oak Homes is a recognized homebuilding leader in the Greater Orlando and Central Florida market, with a commitment to building exceptional homes in outstanding communities. Focused primarily on the move-up buyer, Royal Oak has experienced strong growth, while earning a reputation for quality and customer service. In 2013, Royal Oak had nine active communities and sold more than 300 homes.
The transaction will establish AV Homes as one of the five largest homebuilders in Central Florida and will complement its well established, existing presence in the Poinciana market. With over 2,500 primary residential lots owned or controlled, Royal Oak enhances AV Homes’ position in a key growth market.
In a statement, AV Homes President and CEO, Roger A. Cregg called the acquisition “an excellent strategic step for both companies. Royal Oak is an excellent fit from a geographic and product offering standpoint giving us a more balanced company with a broader customer segmentation focus. We believe this is a great near-term growth driver, with medium- and long-term expansion opportunities that advances our strategy of growing the business in our core markets.” Mr. Cregg added, “the combination of the talented and well-respected Royal Oak management team and desirable land positions with our larger platform, existing portfolio, and access to capital will accelerate our earnings growth.
Royal Oak Co-Presidents, Matthew Orosz and Stephen Orosz will continue to run the operations for AV Homes under the Royal Oak brand with no immediate changes to the operations. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our company and our employees,” said Stephen Orosz. “We look forward to joining the team at AV Homes and working together as one of the leading homebuilders in Central Florida.”
Michael P. Kahn, LLC represented the buyer and Builder Advisor Group represented the seller.
