Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

President Stephen Haines with Artisan Built Communities joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss new and upcoming communities and give updates on popular neighborhoods, including Heritage Pointe at The Georgian, Stratford at NatureWalk and Serenity in Hapeville. Haines joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. A familiar face in the homebuilding industry, Haines has been a part of the industry from a very young age and has had the opportunity to work for many big builders throughout his 25-year career. He joined the Artisan Built Communities team four years ago and now leads the organization and its growth efforts.  Founded in 2012, Artisan Built Communities specializes in constructing residences that buyers proudly call home. The builder takes special care to create stunning exteriors, focus on architecture and specialize in a home's finer touches.  Haines said, “While we are a production builder, we like to build things that are a notch above and [Serenity] is no exception.” Serenity at Hapeville is a community located just north of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in a city made famous by General Motors and Chick-fil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy. The independent town extends across two-square miles and is well-known for its vibrant arts scene! A unique feature of the community, the Hapeville entrance is marked by a beautiful mural painted by a locally famous muralist known for his work across the metro area. Haines said, “The mural greets you as you come in and it sets the tone for what you're going to experience once you come inside.” A unique product that is very different from the builder's work in Paulding County, Serenity at Hapeville showcases attached two-story townhomes with only 25 available opportunities. The City of Hapeville influenced the first set of units to take on the look of a warehouse that has been a part of the Hapeville landscape for many years. The building bears the city name on both sides, with an exterior that takes inspiration from old factories and warehouses.  The rest of the community's four buildings, with 21 units, surround a private pocket park to give residents the freedom to leave their homes to take their favorite furry friend for a walk close to home. A fire pit installation, perfect for community gatherings through the seasons, centers the green space. Many units feature a private patio, with a few enjoying an upstairs balcony!  To complement the first set of units, the remaining four buildings embrace a retro-modern exterior detailed by brick siding, black windows and more.  To learn more about Artisan Built Communities, tune into the interview above or visit www.DiscoverArtisan.com.  A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006, podcasting since 2011 and is currently working on strategies for the Google Helpful Content update and ways to incorporate AI into sales and marketing. Contact them when you need quality, original content for social media, public relations, blogging, email marketing and promotions. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum conta...

Gene Eidelman, the co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss founding a 3D home printing company and how the process revolutionizes the home building industry. Eidelman chats with host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. Originally from Ukraine, Eidelman relocated to Atlanta in the mid-1980s and has lived in the eclectic city for over 20 years. With a background in real estate development and construction, Eidelman and his business partner founded Azure Printed Homes three years ago to build more affordable housing with a positive environmental impact at a faster pace. After building homes using traditional measures, the Azure team shifted to 3D printing methods. In the past two years, Azure Printed Homes has worked hard to perfect its 3D printing practices by trying different computer methods, finding the best equipment to print units and much more! Eidelman and his team delivered their first printed home unit last year. Eidelman said, “I love when customers' eyes start to sparkle because they have a vision!” With no luck finding a pre-existing 3D printing system, Eidelman and his business partner decided to develop their own 3D printing technology that features multiple equipment pieces, including a printer and extruder. The printed homes company aimed to use sustainable materials that met seismic requirements and could withstand hurricane winds as well as incorporated roofs strong enough to handle heavy snow loads. After much research and deliberation, Azure Printed Homes settled on sustainable materials such as recycled plastics, fiberglass and carbon fiber. The recycled plastic used by the home building company is derived primarily from recycled water bottles. Working with three different manufacturers, Eidelman and his team provide the manufacturers with a composite formula that consists of at least 60% recycled plastic and a mixture of fiberglass and carbon fiber. Azure Printed Homes began its 3D home printing journey with 10x12 backyard studio units and has gradually expanded its unit sizing. The company's 10x18 AUD units feature 180 square feet of living space, including a bathroom with a shower and a small kitchen. With stackable products, customers can purchase up to eight units together to deliver one large home. Eidelman said, “While our biggest demand is for our backyard studios and small units, our next category is 900 square-foot homes!” 3D home printing is revolutionizing the home building industry. The process replaces the need for trades, such as framing, roofing and waterproofing, when it comes to building a home and is a more cost-effective construction solution. Azure Printed Homes develops one basic unit a day compared to the months it takes to build a traditional 180-square-foot home. Completing the unit, including flooring, cabinetry and finishes, takes approximately one week for a small unit and two to three weeks for the larger units. Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Azure Printed Homes, or visit www.AzurePrintedHomes.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers,

Managing Partner Mike Vahle with Capital Growth StoreGuard joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss his focus on community and the growth within the self-storage industry. On the All About Real Estate segment, Vahle joins host Carol Morgan to share an overview of what Capital Growth StoreGuard offers. With a background in real estate development, Vahle has worked with small businesses and large companies such as Walmart and Publix Storage. In January of 2023, Vahle and his business partner, Eric Buchalter, launched Capital Growth StoreGuard – a real estate development and acquisition company focused on self-storage. Capital Growth StoreGuard is an Atlanta-based company that provides solutions to customers seeking more space to store their valuable goods. After a few months in, Vahle and his team acquired a facility in Georgia where they continue to expand and add amenities to modernize the offering. The company is also working on several development projects in the metro Atlanta area and other large metro areas across the Southeast. One of the many reasons StoreGuard is effective and successful is the Capital Growth Buchalter team. As a vertically integrated and well-established real estate development and acquisition team, Capital Growth Buchalter serves as the parent company for StoreGuard. The Capital Growth platform has over 70 years of experience and has delivered approximately 1,500 projects nationwide. With the Buchalter team providing in-house capabilities such as accounting, legal, project management and design, Capital Growth StoreGuard has the ability to take on any project, no matter the difficulty. Vahle said, “The Buchalter team has been a good advantage for StoreGuard!” Setting the new standard for the self-storage industry, Capital Growth StoreGuard provides customers with top-quality services and delivers desirable features, including additional hours of coverage, redundant security measures, climate-controlled units and modernized design elements. Vahle said, “We try to not only keep up but to get ahead of the curve and offer next-level service.” With self-storage facilities rising in popularity, Vahle explains that the typical demand driver for the storage industry is a disruptive life event such as divorce or sudden relocation. In addition to the typical drivers, the 2020 pandemic sparked an increase in the demand for self-storage, with individuals carving out space for home offices, remote schooling spaces and hobby areas. In today's housing market, individuals are beginning to downsize – creating a new market for the self-storage industry. Vahle said, “When you look from generation to generation, the percentage of usage of self-storages continues to tick up.” Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Capital Growth StoreGuard, or visit www.StoreGuard.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form.

Vice President of Safety and Training Tony Cann with HB Next joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the partnership between the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) and the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. Cann chats with host Carol Morgan about the importance of work force development and what the HBA is doing to help solve the problem. A member of the HB Next team for the past decade, Cann is also a proud member of the HBA for eight years and counting. As a safety environmental compliance company, HB Next works with builders to enhance worker protection through citations, OSHA inspections and environmental compliance. The GAHBA is partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta to pilot a program for the National Association of Home Builders' Workforce Development Initiative in conjunction with sponsors Ford Foundation and Ford Next Generation Learning. Atlanta is one of the 10 pilot cities nationwide with the mission to introduce the next generation to construction and skilled trades careers. The pilot program hosts between 10 to 20 participants each day who can interact, learn and network with industry professionals and volunteers. With 10 meetings total, participants meet every other week in addition to other special activities. Cann said, “It's been amazing to see so much participation!” The program meetings include presentations by skilled trade contractors, hands-on learning activities, blueprint readings and exciting demonstrations. Each visit focuses on a specific stage in the homebuilding process, from land acquisition to closing a home. The pilot program also provides field trips to live job sites to provide students with physical experiences that cannot be offered in a traditional classroom. Cann said, “We are educating students about the entire homebuilding process, from start to finish.” With students ranging from eighth grade to high school seniors, the program hosts a wide variety of young individuals interested in the homebuilding industry. The program's goal is to educate and expose the next generation to construction and trade skills at a young age, with the hopes of encouraging them to seek a career in the field. Cann said, “The earlier we can educate and expose the younger generation to the construction industry and everything it entails, the better off we will be.” To get involved in the pilot program provided by the GAHBA and the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, call 770-938-9900 or email info@ atlantahba.com. Tune into the full interview above to learn more about the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, or visit www.AtlantaHomeBuilders.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Senior Land Development Manager Myles Cardenas with McKinley Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio show to detail his day-to-day as a land development manager, upcoming developments and more! Cardenas joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and shares how young professionals can get involved within the industry. Celebrating his fourth anniversary with the award-winning company in July, Cardenas has previous experience working for CalAtlantic Homes, starting as an intern during his senior year at Kennesaw State University (KSU). Three to four months after celebrating his graduation, the company announced a significant merger with Lennar Homes, where he continued to partner with the company for two-and-a-half years before joining the McKinley Homes team. While at Lennar, Cardenas gained valuable land development experience for a prominent public builder and built two townhome communities in Druid Hills as a construction manager. Cardenas said, “I had the opportunity to get more land development experience for the largest national builder at the time [as well as] construction and development experience that I've carried into my role here at McKinley.” During his time at KSU, Cardenas had the opportunity to participate in a program that resulted from the merger with Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The school featured a construction management program introduced to KSU students as an additional option following the merger. Cardenas wrapped up his time at the university with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. Founded in 2008, McKinley Homes has quickly become a well-known name throughout metro Atlanta in the new construction industry. The company began its journey as an investment company, and after constructing a few homes, the company's team decided to bring land development in-house, resulting in the acquisition of Cardenas. Cardenas said, “We do everything from single-family homes to townhomes and some commercial [projects], including apartments, stacked flats…mixed-use projects [and more].” For young professionals entering the industry, Cardenas shared that he's a huge proponent of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), where he found his start as a part of the National Association of Home Builders chapter at KSU. The organization is one of the biggest supporters at the college level, and Cardenas shared that he highly recommends finding ways to get involved with GAHBA. Cardenas said, “It's one of the biggest and best things that I feel I have been able to nourish that relationship from then to now. I can't believe that relationship started when I was 19 years old…and nine years later it's the strongest it's ever been.” Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about McKinley Homes, or visit www.McKinleyHomes.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form.

Rick Porter, president of Richport Properties and director of the Master of Real Estate Development program at the Georgia Institute of Technology, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast as part of the Legends of Real Estate series. Porter chats with host Carol Morgan to touch on his decades of homebuilding experience, working in the Great Recession and his role in education. A third-generation worker in construction and development, Porter grew up in the industry and was encouraged by his Uncle and mentor to take the architecture path. Gaining a unique way of thinking about design in the real estate realm, Porter earned his degree in Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. With encouragement and support from his family, the architect designed and built his first project fresh out of school – which happened to be a home for his fraternity brother. After working as a sole proprietor for several years, Porter and his wife joined forces in the early 1980s to bring Richport Properties to life. Porter said, “I consider myself one of the lucky ones! I have no memory of not being around something under development of construction.” Porter has experienced many changes within the home building industry over the years. As he began his career in the late 1970s, production home building and cohesiveness within communities were starting to emerge. Spending the first seven years of his career diving deeper into design-build within residential construction, Porter was able to offer custom design and construction, which set him up for decades of success. While Porter loved working in design and architecture, he eventually wanted to move to the development side. In the mid-80s, he bought a 70-lot community that was the initial pivot into smaller builds, higher-density lots and comprehensive grading. In the mid-90s, Richport Properties had the opportunity to work with small cities to promote new development ideas. However, as regulations changed, it became difficult to produce innovative ideas -leading to working with more suburban towns over the years. Porter and his team developed a project in Suwanee that introduced traditional neighborhood development and the first live-work-play development in Gwinnett County. Richport Properties' first Suwanee project won a Development of Excellence Award from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Porter said, “I have always had a passion for new and innovative ideas!” Prioritizing personal and professional relationships with constructors, vendors and municipalities, Porter created an atmosphere that harmoniously combined good business practices, excellent communication and innovative development ideas. Porter said, “In many ways, home building is a relationship business.” During the Great Recession, Porter learned that development and home building are cyclical industriess. Porter's generational background and familial mentorship ultimately got him through the struggles of the 1980 Great Recession. Porter's three tips for getting through any downturn in the real estate industry are: Communicate with lenders! Sell properties that still contain some value. Explore alternative opportunities for projects. Porter said, “You're going to make money and you're going to lose money.” Building his business and getting involved in the homebuilding community, Porter joined the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) early in his career and has been a member for nearly 25 years. For Porter, the GAHBA served as a space for learning and business development while he was growing Richport Properties. He went on to serve as a National Vice President for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Porter said, “Not only was I learning from other people within the industry, but other people were getting to know me as well.” Porter advises young professionals wanting to work in the home building industry to build an outstanding resume,

Vice President of Sales & Marketing Amy Kessler with Traton Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss new and upcoming communities and exciting incentives. On the All About Real Estate segment, Kessler chats with host Carol Morgan to provide an overview of where Traton Homes is building in Florida. With 20-plus years of experience within the real estate industry, Kessler has spent many years working with local Atlanta builders. Kessler became the vice president of sales and marketing for Traton Homes in 2019 after starting her career with the building company as a real estate agent. Traton Homes is a homegrown Atlanta builder with 50 years of experience building within the Atlanta housing market. With incredible design opportunities and an impressive design center, Traton Homes is well-known for delivering high-quality homes perfectly personalized to the buyers' wants and needs. Kessler said, “Our neighborhoods stand the test of time.” Only three months into the year, the Traton Homes team is staying busy! Achieving every goal the company set for January, February and March, the builder has helped several homebuyers take the first steps toward starting a new chapter in life. Located in Marietta, Gates at Hamilton Grove is the newest Traton Homes community. Showcasing 43 stunning townhomes, each home features the builder's award-winning Brooks floor plan. Just off Cobb Parkway, the community sits near to I-75 and has access to great shopping, dining and recreation. With the community built in front of a previous Traton Homes community, Gates at Hamilton Grove residents have access to impressive amenities provided by the previous project. Kessler said, “Gates at Hamilton Grove has a little bit of everything!” Traton Homes has two upcoming communities in the works – set to be complete in early to mid-spring of this year! The first community, Avenbrook, will be featured in beautiful Mableton and offer approximately 79 spacious, single-family homes from the Jewel Box series. Residents will enjoy an incredible amenities package, including a pool and cabana. The South Cobb community will also have easy access to the East-West Connector and I-285, as well as The Battery and downtown Atlanta. Kessler said, “Avenbrook is going to be a home run!” Coming soon to Cumming, Courtyards at Traditions will be a 55+ active adult community. Featuring 42 homesites, the lock-and-leave community will offer single-family homes near a varied lineup of local shopping and dining. Each lot will showcase a ranch-style home with fantastic design options, such as a second-floor addition and limited basement opportunities. Focusing on closing costs, Traton Homes is offering buy-down rates and presale incentives at several of its communities. To learn more about incentives offered at a community near you, visit the Traton Homes website today! To check out Kessler's last episode on the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast, click here. Tune into the full episode with the player above to learn more about Traton Homes, or visit www.TratonHomes.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers,

Broker Peggy Slappey with Peggy Slappey Properties, Inc. joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss her decades of real estate and political experience serving the Northeast Georgia and metro Atlanta areas. On the 12th installment of the Legends of Real Estate series, Slappey joins host Carol Morgan to touch on checking in daily with your joy meter and putting a smile on your face in good times and bad. Slappey moved to Atlanta in 1972 with her husband, Tommy, to bring his building company to an area where creative and contemporary housing was embraced. Growing up in the industry, Slappey studied interior design and later gained her real estate license to work with her husband – making her a third-generation Realtor. Slappey said, "Whatever it takes. That has been my motto forever!" After receiving her real estate license, Slappey began working with incredible brokers, such as local broker Buddy Weston and senior broker Johnny Isakson. Wanting to support her husband, Slappey began Peggy Slappey Properties, Inc. to provide a sales center, staff and model homes alongside her husband's successful business. Though Slappey left the brokerages to start her own business, Weston and Isakson never stopped supporting her. Surrounded by a supportive family and powerful, working women, Slappey helped pave the way for women in the 1980s within the Atlanta real estate industry. While there were many bumps in the road and industry struggles to overcome, the female broker remained focused and positive – keeping her on track for great success. Slappey said, "Failure was not an option for me." A lover of new construction, future designs and blossoming trends, Slappey encourages her builders to develop homes desirable to prospective buyers and enjoys forecasting trends and looking to the future for on-the-horizon design choices. Slappey said, "There's nothing like seeing dirt moved and new homes going vertical!" Slappey describes working during the Great Recession as devastating. The tumultuous period caused fellow real estate companies and builders to lose significant projects and supporters of the industry, including paralegals and trade workers, to lose their homes. Taking on the role of purveyor of hope and joy, Slappey committed to exclusively wearing bright colors during this difficult time and became well-known for wearing vibrant yellows and greens. For Slappey, the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) was a space dedicated to education, support and encouragement, providing incredible networking and peer involvement opportunities. Over the years, Slappey gained beneficial knowledge and lasting relationships from the GAHBA she carried with her every step of her career. Slappey said, "There are no words to describe how impactful the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association has been for me." Slappey's advice for women who are, or want to be, in the real estate industry is to be wise, seek counsel from others and get involved. Connect with local Realtor and home builder associations with members that will network, mentor and share experiences to support your journey. Remember to also surround yourself with great people who will encourage you every step of the way. Slappey said, "Watch others who are successful and attach yourself to them!" It takes extensive learning and dedication to understand the buying and home selling processes, making it essential to have a trusted advisor who helps prevent mistakes and understands every possible scenario. While there are several hurdles to jump through within the buying and selling process, there are industry professionals who specialize in specific trades and operations to make closing a home a breeze for both sides. Between her many achievements and career accomplishments, Slappey is most proud of the reputation behind Peggy Slappey Properties, Inc. The broker mentions her pride and respect for her husband,

Government Affairs Director Garrett Wiley with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the growing housing affordability crisis. On the All About Real Estate segment, Wiley joins host Carol Morgan to discuss the increase in moratoriums nationwide, the revised Atlanta tree ordinance and more. With an extensive background in politics, Wiley's first job out of college entailed working for a Georgia state senator, which led to working on several political campaigns, including a United States senate campaign in Louisiana and a mayoral race in Jacksonville. Wiley later served in economic development and government affairs for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and Jackson EMC. After working in business development for a commercial construction firm, Wiley transitioned back to government affairs for the GAHBA and has been there for two years. Wiley said, “It's been a blast! We have a great team and I love working with our members.” As part of the government affairs team, Wiley helps to handle the seven GAHBA chapters and the many events those groups host, as well as tracking local legislation and over 70 municipalities within the greater Atlanta area. Serving nine counties, the government affairs team is tasked with building relationships with local city and county staff members, including code enforcement, planning and development, fire marshals and many more. While Garrett is a registered lobbyist, he is really here to act as a liaison between the GAHBA's many members and the politicians that make up the many local governments around the metro area. Wiley said, “Our goal is relationships…to be the catalyst and liaison between our members and the government departments that we work with.” The government affairs team's top priority is the ongoing litigation between the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and the Henry County government. Two years ago, Henry County presented a nearly 500% increase in impact fees on builders for single-family homes. The GAHBA put together a task force of builders currently working in the county and hired Dr. Chris Nelson, the original architect of the impact fees law in Georgia, to help stop Henry County from passing the impact fee increase. While the attempt was unsuccessful at stopping the increase, it was not the 500% increase originally recommended, and Wiley and his team still work hard to reverse the impact fees. The association is working with attorney Simon Bloom and has filed within the Henry County government to challenge the processes of the impact fees. Wiley and his team also track local government lot-size changes, design standards, code changes and moratoriums. There are several reasons to clarify why moratoriums are increasing within local governments, but the top explanation given by those local governments is infrastructure needs. With many builders starting projects in rural areas within populated counties, governments are placing moratoriums on builders because of increasing infrastructure demands. Many local governments are also changing development codes, especially to address build-to-rent housing, and while the changes are in process, governments are requiring all residential construction to stop. Wiley said, “The unfortunate part of moratoriums is that they happen without a warning.” To learn more about the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, listen to the full interview above, or visit www.AtlantaHomeBuilders.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a pe...

Executive Director Mandy Crater with HomeAid Atlanta joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss volunteer and support opportunities, including the Essentials Drive. Crater joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. Starting her career with HomeAid Atlanta in April 2015, Crater has been with the organization for eight years. HomeAid first appeared in the Atlanta market in 2001 and has made an incredible impact on the community with the mission to build lives for families and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness through construction, education and community outreach. Working with existing non-profits that provide housing for the homeless, HomeAid Atlanta receives discounts and donations from the building industry when non-profit partners have construction needs. With the average age of individuals experiencing homelessness in metro Atlanta being around nine years, several mothers, children and babies are in difficult living situations. Crater said, “It's about $80 per baby for diapers (a month).” For over 20 years, HomeAid Atlanta has hosted the Essentials Drive to help provide essentials for those in need. Throughout April, the organization collects diapers and wipes to distribute to non-profit partners serving mothers and babies experiencing or at risk of homelessness. UPS delivers the essentials to those in need the Friday before Mother's Day. Unlike snap benefits and food stamps, wipes and diapers are not supported by any safety net. On the HomeAid Atlanta website, prospective participants can find a map displaying each drop-off location. The organization offers additional opportunities for others to collect internally with co-workers and options for public-facing intuitions, such as banks, grocery stores and churches, to become public collection sites. The drive ends on May 10 and all donations will be sorted on May 12 for distribution. Crater said, “We are getting back to the way we used to do things before 2020…there is a lot more personal touch involved and more people hosting collection sites that didn't in the past.” For individuals who live out of state or cannot visit a collection site, other ways of contributing include financial donations and purchasing from organization registries. Registries can be found on Amazon and Target under the first name HomeAid and last name Atlanta.  To donate financially, visit the HomeAid Atlanta website, search for the ‘Donate Now' button and specify essentials. The organization can fill donation gaps with monetary donations after the last drop-off day. To learn more about HomeAid Atlanta, tune in to the full interview above or visit www.HomeAidAtlanta.org. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Maurice Lester, vice president of construction with J.W. Collection, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss working alongside John Wieland. Lester joins host Carol Morgan to chat about influencing buyer decisions through branding, current community offerings and his recent appointment as the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association President (GAHBA) on the All About Real Estate segment. Working with his father in South Georgia on building and remodeling projects, Lester began his construction career at a young age. After graduating from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Construction Management, Lester worked in commercial construction at Turner Construction, where he contributed to projects such as the Grady Hospital expansion and the Georgia Institute of Paper Science. Lester has over 30 years of metro Atlanta homebuilding experience dedicated to John Wieland companies. Lester said, “I have worked all over metro Atlanta…I have had a great time and have worked with a lot of great customers!” J.W. Collection is John Wieland's boutique building company. The company concentrates on seven different neighborhoods, including well-known and upcoming projects. The J.W. Collection team is currently working on projects in Canton, Woodstock, Acworth and Dunwoody, as well as a neighborhood in Tucker off Lavista Road and a project on Collier Road in Atlanta. With over 50 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, John Wieland has built over 30,000 homes in the metro Atlanta region. The company portfolio also includes beautifully constructed homes and neighborhoods in surrounding states, such as South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida. Lester expresses deep gratitude towards Wieland and feels humbled to work for an award-winning national builder. Lester said, “Since I have been with John Wieland, I've witnessed what he has done in metro Atlanta – not only building neighborhoods but changing communities and cities!” From first-time buyers to reoccurring customers, the John Wieland brand presents a status that buyers desire. With every John Wieland company, including the J.W. Collection, every aspect, from customer service to home design, is a top priority. From the floorplans to the design features, Lester and his team strive to deliver stunning homes and communities with thoughtful details and design choices. A destination community, South on Main in Woodstock, sits on 82 acres with 255 closed homes. Prospective buyers will be excited to hear that it is zoned for approximately 575 units, so there are more opportunities to buy! Residents have access to unbeatable amenities such as a clubhouse, pool, playground, communal firepit, gathering shed, multiple dog parks and much more! Starting in the $600,000s, the neighborhood showcases townhomes and single-family homes. Lester said, “South on Main is the gem of Woodstock and Cherokee County!” Tune into the full episode above to learn more about the J.W. Collection, or visit www.JWCollectionHomes.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans.

President and CEO Scott Shelar with Construction Ready joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the program's many benefits and the critical growing skills gap. Shelar joins host Carol Morgan to discuss the upcoming Construction Ready CareerExpo on the All About Real Estate segment. Celebrating his 25th anniversary with Construction Ready this year, Shelar and his team want to ensure that people know the incredible opportunities provided within the construction industry and help participants gain the credentials and training needed to pursue successful careers. Shelar said, “I love what I do. It's what keeps me going!” Available to people from all ages and backgrounds, Construction Ready provides youth, adult and four-week programs that allow individuals to kickstart their journey in the construction industry. Starting the conversation with individuals as young as elementary school level, the organization provides hands-on activities and training to anyone and everyone. Shelar said, “We do a little bit of everything.” With the United States facing a significant labor shortage and many industry members retiring, rising workers need to know essential trade skills. Trade jobs such as welders, heating and air techs, electricians and several others are in extremely high demand – resulting in companies raising their wages significantly. Shelar said, “It is a great time to look into a career in the construction industry!” From electricians and plumbers to fire protection professionals and highway construction workers, the construction industry has a vast selection of opportunities. Construction Ready and partnering companies teach individuals, within the programs, without any student loan debt through apprenticeships and formal on-the-job training. Shelar said, “These opportunities allow you to climb the ladder and make as much money as you want to make!” Next week, Construction Ready will host a CareerExpo designed for high school and middle school students to explore careers within the construction industry. Students can access operating equipment, on-site equipment simulators and several hands-on activities. Attendees will also be able to network with industry employees to ask questions and gain additional information about specific opportunities. The organization is expecting over 9,000 students from all over the state! Shelar said, “The CareerExpo is an exciting event, and we are so happy to be bringing it back!” Tune into the full episode above to learn about Construction Ready, or visit www.ConstructionReady.org. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Chief Customer Experience Officer Kimberly Mackey with New Homes Solutions joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss “traction” for builders. Mackey joins host Carol Morgan, Founder and President of Denim Marketing, to chat about the Traction Scorecard strategy, predicting sales paces and more on the All About Real Estate segment. Before starting New Homes Solutions in 2007, Mackey worked with many large regional and national home builders within every aspect of the home building industry, including building homes! In addition to training individuals on the sales process, Mackey works with businesses behind the scenes to ensure that every system, policy and procedure align and support the sales process. Mackey said, “I like to say that I'm the person people call when they want sales to be the engine that drives the train rather than running it off the track.” Created to reduce firefighting within the home building industry, Traction is an Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS) that requires business-owners to break down company operations into bite-sized chunks. With scorecards and measuring accountability, Traction allows business owners to manage their businesses efficiently. Mackey said, “Data doesn't lie!” Focusing on a company's employees, issues and vision, Traction brings everything together by providing essential data. While it is vital for salespeople to spend time on rapport to build and learn the critical path, the numbers within weekly tasks for salespeople can cause predictability in future conversion rates. To achieve a sales pace of 50 homes per year, per salesperson, Mackey's 10-5-2-1 success formula is as follows: Every on-site salesperson should have around 10 prospects every week. Each on-site salesperson needs five first appointments weekly. Every week, each on-site salesperson should have two “be back” appointments. Each on-site salesperson should have at least one sale a week. Assuming 2 weeks vacation per year, that equals one sale, per salesperson, per week. Companies consistently completing these key metrics week-in and week-out will be able to accomplish the even-flow sale, as well as the ability to predict sales. Focusing on building referrals and a Realtor database can boost momentum and make achieving the above metrics an easier task! Mackey said, “An object in motion stays in motion until met with an equal or greater force. So, just stay in motion!” Tune into the full episode above to learn more about New Homes Solutions, or visit www.NewHomesSolutions.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Executive Officer Wendy Daniel with the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to chat about The Big Event and what to expect. Daniel joins host Carol Morgan to discuss the event's incredible community impact on the Around Atlanta segment. Local to the community, Daniel has been with the Lake Oconee Builders Association for 17 years and counting. She has lived on the lake for most of her life and currently resides in the charming community with her husband and their four children. Daniel said, "We love it at Lake Oconee!" Developed in 1989, the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association is a local, nonprofit trade organization dedicated to the betterment of the local construction industry, working to serve its members, consumers and the community through education and public service. As the voice of the construction industry within the community, the association is committed to delivering opportunities for its members to prove their ability to conduct business with integrity. Hosted by the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association, The Big Event first took place in 2003 as a quaint homes and gardens show. Over the years, the celebration continued to grow – transforming the homes and gardens showcase into The Big Event. This free experience hosts a wide variety of builders, associates, local merchants, artists, nonprofit organizations, arts and crafts, a kids' zone, entertainment, food and beverages. Participants can purchase single or multiple 10x10 booths, allowing vendors to display products and services. Over the past 12 years, the event has averaged over 4,500 attendees each year. On Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join the fun at The Big Event located at 1000 Vista Drive, Greensboro, Ga. Hosting over 140 vendors, booths showcase everything from builders and home improvement vendors to local merchants and arts and crafts! The boat show featured at The Big Event also has grown and will now feature recreational vehicles. Daniel said, "There's something for everyone at this event!" Every year, the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association places the spotlight on the local community for the event's entertainment. Each performer will have a booth for attendees to ask questions and learn more information. Back by popular demand, this year's performers will include Saltamacchio Karate and The Arts Barn. The showcase kicks off with the Lake Country Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol presenting the colors. Daniel said, "The Saltamacchio Karate group is a huge addition to our event! We love having them every year." Food and beverages will be available onsite, including Chick-Fil-A, Farmer's Funnel Cakes, Queen Churro, Five Finger Philly, Travelin' Tom's Coffee of Lake Country, Just Loaf'n, Kona Ice and Island Chef Café. An added benefit, all proceeds from beer and wine purchases benefit the Wild Jaeger Veteran Adventures, a nonprofit organization that connects fellow veterans through outdoor activities to heal wounds that are seen and unseen. Sign up to win one of three incredible door prizes at this year's Big Event by scanning the QR code available onsite and registering through the URL. The can't-miss door prizes include a Green Mountain Pellet Grill, AirPods Pro and a Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven. Daniel said, “We have an amazing lineup of door prizes!” For additional information on The Big Event and the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association, call 706-999-1591 or visit www.TheBigEventGA.com. Follow along on social media for regular event updates and organization information. Tune in to the full interview above to learn about Lake Oconee Builders Association, or visit www.LOBALive.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate...

Atlanta Division President Jonathan White with Meritage Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss reasons to buy new construction now. White joins host Carol Morgan to chat about can't-miss incentives as well as current and upcoming communities on the All About Real Estate segment. With close to 20 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, White has worked in land acquisition and development, roadway design and as division president for multiple companies. White has held the title of division president at Meritage Homes for five years and currently resides in Atlanta with his beautiful wife and their three children. White said, “It's been a long run, but the last 20 years have been awesome! I really enjoy home building.” Founded in 1985, Meritage Homes began in Scottsdale, Arizona - where the company headquarters is still based. As the seventh largest public homebuilder in the United States, Meritage Homes oversees 21 divisions across ten states. In 38 years, the homebuilding company has delivered 155 thousand homes and built a reputation centered around its impressive energy efficiency. In 2022, Meritage Homes was awarded the Energy Star™ Partner of the Year for sustained excellence and superior building practice for the ninth consecutive year. Since 2013, every Meritage Homes project has been energy certified and each home is approximately 40% more efficient than other new homes on the market. As one of the only builders to use spray foam insulation for the entire envelope of the house, homes have a protective barrier that helps with noise reduction, pest management, sealing in the interior's climate and promoting healthy air quality. Other energy-efficient appointments within every Meritage home include high-performance air filters, low-flush toilets, Energy Star™ appliances, LED lighting and much more! White said, “It is really impressive what we do in our homes – it's not just the energy saving, it's also the resale value that it gives you on the backend.” Meritage Homes focuses on three main segments of the buyer profile – first-time buyers (millennials), first-time move-up buyers and move-down buyers. The homebuilding company offers various-sized townhomes and single-family homes in communities across the Greater Atlanta area. SweetWater Green – Club Series by Meritage Homes is a master-planned type community with over 400 lots, four product lines and various price points. The Club Series offers a mixture of 21 and 24-foot townhomes, priced in the low $300,000s, boasting three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and one- to two-car garages across 1,600 to 1,800 square feet. Located in Lawrenceville, the community is just southeast of I-85 and Pleasant Hill Drive off Club Drive. White said, “SweetWater is a very exciting community!” Tune into the full episode above to learn more about Meritage Homes, or visit www.MeritageHomes.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out...

Pam Sessions, president of Hedgewood Homes, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss her professional experience in design, homebuilding and construction. Sessions joins host Carol Morgan as the 11th installment of the Legends of Real Estate series. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Sessions earned a degree in fine arts and moved on to pursue a career in art and photography. With her then-boyfriend (now husband) Don Donnelly being a home builder at Brighton Homes, Sessions became interested in the home building industry. After having no luck trying to help some friends find a home in the area, Sessions decided to use the knowledge she gained from the sidelines to invest in rental property. Sessions built two rental houses and fell in love with the homebuilding process. For three years, Sessions built on her own before joining forces with her husband in 1985 to create Hedgewood Homes – offering development and homebuilding services. Sessions said, “My husband and I have always had an interest in houses!” Still learning the ropes within the industry, Sessions knew she wanted to build strong customer relationships. In a time when buyers had little say in the building process, Sessions began to provide sit-down meetings with customers to learn what they were looking for in their new homes. Sessions said, “I worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week for seven years perfecting and working to learn.” Meeting with customers every weekend, Sessions had back-to-back meetings with several customers to design their dream homes. Sessions built her business to the point where she could not handle it alone. She and her husband decided to create a business together, developing neighborhoods. Donnelly's former employer believed in the duo and funded their first development, Highland Park in Fulton County. Becoming a design-driven company, Hedgewood Homes focused heavily on how neighborhoods work for families. Wanting to provide families with an environment promoting freedom and spontaneity, Sessions and Donnelly took inspiration from Florida's Seaside community.  Sessions said, “When we took our two children to Seaside, the light bulb went off – it was remembering how we grew up. We had so much freedom that brought responsibility and enabled us to grow into adults.” The couple assembled farms on either side of their property to begin land planning for a new development. Hedgewood Homes hired Andres Duany with DPZ CoDesign, who designed several Florida projects, such as Seaside and Rosemary Beach, to start the conceptual plan. Local planners came in the help finish the project that featured a village and YMCA in walkable proximity to the middle and high schools. Starting in the late eighties, Hedgewood Homes has survived multiple recessions, including the Great Recession. Despite losing employees and half of its business, the development company remained afloat through returns, pay-outs and construction permanent loans. Since lending was not available, Sessions and her team used cash to build a limited amount of homes. When the market started to normalize, Hedgewood Homes was in better shape than most competitors because of the construction permanent loans assisting the continuation of the building process. Sessions said, “At that time, we had a company of a hundred employees, 13 neighborhoods, we were building 350 to 400 homes a year and the valve just shut off. Overnight, we went from a hundred employees to three and it was really hard.” Hedgewood Homes changed its business model after coming out of the Great Recession, causing the team to step back and focus on what matters most to the company – design, community and customers. The development company and its team members moved into the city to be closer to the customer and to allow the design aspect to thrive in an urbanized space.  Sessions said, “We intentionally changed after the recession.”

Vice President of Client Services Courtney Stewart with Denim Marketing joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the 2023 NAHB Int'l Builders' Show. Stewart joins host Carol Morgan to chat on the All About Real Estate segment. An Atlanta native, Stewart graduated from the University of Georgia in 2011 with a degree in Public Relations. Celebrating her 10th anniversary with Denim Marketing this upcoming May, Stewart started her career at Denim Marketing managing Atlanta Real Estate Forum! Stewart said, “I love this site and this podcast!” Denim Marketing is a full-service marketing agency with focusing on content creation, such as creating blogs and social media content. The Denim Marketing team also provides public relations, e-mail marketing, website copywriting, marketing and social media campaigns, social media advertising and big-picture strategic marketing. Stewart said, “Denim Marketing is a content powerhouse!” The NAHB Int'l Builders' Show is the perfect place for professionals to connect and develop relationships with other industry members. It is also a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow from experts within the industry. No matter which part of the home building industry you are in, there are many educational opportunities available at the show! Stewart said, “Besides the event being in Las Vegas, I would say my favorite part is meeting new people from all over the country!” Whether early for the pre-show event or just for the three-day show, it is important to plan time to enjoy educational activities and visit the show floor! To help organize all events, shows and activities, download the NAHB Int'l Builders' Show 2023 app. The app features a map of the show floor, a list of exhibitors and more! Presenting alongside Brandon Schmidt with YDOP, Stewart gives her first building knowledge session of the show, How to Avoid the 5 Mistakes Contractors Make with Their Online Reputation, on Wednesday, February 1, at 8:30 a.m. local time. While Schmidt will be focusing on the google side, Stewart will zero in on social media, together discussing how contractors can avoid making five common mistakes with their online reputations. The duo will cover handling negative reviews, the difference between reviews and testimonials, how to increase reviews and much more! Stewart will also present alongside Alex Aitken with M&M Glass Company at the YP enrichment session, Is it Worth the Money? Spending Sales and Marketing Dollars Effectively. This quick chat will take place on Thursday, February 2, at 2 p.m. local time and will be located at the NAHB Headquarters in the grand lobby. The goal of this 30-minute talk is to give young professionals in attendance valuable items they can apply to their sales and marketing strategies to maximize the power of their budget. Stewart said, “I love being a young professional in this industry and I love how our industry has embraced young professionals!” Carol Morgan will be speaking at the building knowledge session, It's Only Words: The Cost of Neglecting Company Content, taking place on Tuesday, January 31 at 4 p.m. local time. Focusing on content and getting back to the basics, Morgan and Rob Krohn with Epcon Communities will discuss the Google Helpful Content Update, why content matters and much more! On Wednesday, February 1 at 11:30 a.m. local time, Morgan will be speaking at the House That She Built Punch List: 18 Ideas for Inspiring the Next Generation. Invited by Mollie Elkman, Morgan will give attendees an overview of the House That She Built Georgia chapter and the opportunities related to getting involved with the project. For more information on the 2023 NAHB Int'l Builders' Show, visit www.BuildersShow.com. Listen to the full interview above to learn more about Denim Marketing, or visit www.DenimMarketing.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here.

Community Manager Jennifer Landers with Kolter Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. Landers and host Carol Morgan chat about homebuyer tips and trends to expect in the new year on the All About Real Estate segment. Starting her career in marketing, Landers has worked within the real estate and homebuilding industry for 24 years! With a focus on master-planned developments, Landers is currently leading the Kolter Homes largest metro Atlanta community, Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. Located in the quaint city of Hoschton, Cresswind Georgia is a stunning 55+ active adult community within the larger master plan of Twin Lakes, just minutes from I-85 and Braselton. Featuring a first-class lifestyle and amenity package, the Cresswind Georgia will host 1,300 single-family homes upon completion. Club Cresswind, the private, residents only amenity with a natatorium and outdoor pool is scheduled to open in the first quarter of the year. Featuring approximately 29,000 square feet of social and recreational space, the community club is the epicenter of the community with incredible indoor and outdoor amenities. Indoor amenities include a smart fit training center, arts and crafts room, lounge areas, multiple event spaces, expansive event kitchen, game room and natatorium. Residents can also enjoy the warmer months outside with several outdoor amenities, including an outdoor poot, 45 acres of beautiful lakes, walking trails, fishing areas with a kayak and canoe launch, a dog park and a community garden. And Cresswind Georgia has one of the largest pickleball complexes in the state. Landers said, “The club is planned around the cornerstones of fitness, relationships, education and entertainment for residents.” The active adult community offers multiple clubs, fitness classes, concerts, educational events and more! The community also provides an onsite and nationally recognized lifestyle director who manages all Kolter Homes communities. With ample impressive offerings, it is no surprise that Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes is the number one active-selling community in Georgia. The 55+ neighborhood has four collections of homes featuring the comfort home design with a wide range of structural and elevation options and hundreds of finishing selections. Home shoppers can visit the onsite design gallery and preview what the community offers. Additional opportunities are available, including loft areas, basements, three-car garages, golf-cart garages and much more! Landers said, “There are so many options to choose from here at Cresswind Georgia!” Listen to the full interview above to learn more about Kolter Homes, or visit www.KolterHomes.com.

Sara Schiller, co-founder of Sloomoo Institute, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to chat about starting a sensory entertainment experience centered around slime. Schiller joins host Carol Morgan on the Around Atlanta segment to discuss Atlanta's newest immersive hotspot and how they worked with terra alma to find the perfect location. Schiller is known for her company MEET which reinvented meeting spaces and produced fun and creative places where companies could go to reimagine their products and strategies. With a background working with hotels in real estate marketing and brand strategy, Schiller holds an MBA in general business and considers herself a serial entrepreneur. The Sloomoo Institute is a playground centered around slime! While slime may be the main character, it is not the only #satisfying attraction that the Sloomoo Institute offers. Stations for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) are set up throughout the space to encourage families to leave their phones behind and connect their bodies with their minds. Schiller said, “Sloomoo is truly an experience!” With eight different textures and 60 scents, the Sloomoo Institute has officially reimagined slime. Schiller and her team call the institute's slime “artisanal” because it is handmade in Atlanta within the Sloomoo space. Schiller said, “This space is for the child at heart.” Atlanta was always high on partners Karen Robinovitz and Sara Schiller's list of potential locations, which led them to Edie Weintraub with terra alma. Being an expert in experiences and commercial real estate, Weintraub partnered with the Sloomoo team find the perfect space and bring their immersive experience to life. Schiller said, “Edie was great at identifying the key spaces that would fit our needs!” At the Sloomoo Institute, guests can experience various exciting activities, including walking on 500 gallons of slime, slingshot slime with family and friends and standing under a slime waterfall! The most popular attraction is the DIY bar, which is included with every ticket. The DIY bar allows ticket holders the fun experience of creating a customized slime using different scents, textures and colors. Stay in the know of all things slime by signing up for the Sloomoo newsletter. You can also follow Sloomoo on TikTok and Instagram at @SloomooInstitute for fun videos and additional information! Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about Sloomoo Institute, or visit www.SloomooInstitute.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Chief Marketing Officer John Ryan with Georgia MLS joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss 2023 predictions and 2022 takeaways. Ryan joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and offers agents tips to navigate the current market. Ryan has been with Georgia MLS for almost 30 years and has witnessed many changes in how data is distributed. As Georgia's largest real estate marketplace, Georgia MLS tries to connect its members with clients through the information that the company produces. From the north Georgia mountains to the Georgia coast, you can find Georgia MLS offices throughout the state as well as in the contiguous states across the southeast. For the real estate housing market, 2020 and 2021 were record years. After seeing over $50 billion in sales in 2021, the Georgia MLS team knew that working through 2022, they would experience a lower number of units sold and less sales volume. Even though the 2022 market was highly active, the last quarter of the year showcased an accelerated decline compared to the past two years. With the state of the economy and interest rates, sellers and buyers were hesitant to get involved in the real estate market. Ryan said, “I believe the combination of those market forces (the economy and interest rates) caused people to step back a bit.” With the inventory days-on-market rising from around six to about 22 days, there is tremendous opportunity ahead within the new year for individuals looking to sell their property or move into a new space. With low inventory numbers, stable housing prices and are anticipated for the new year. Ryan said, “I think it will still be a seller's market in the sense of inventory, but I don't think that the hyperactivity we saw in the last few years will be taking place as much.” While the current inventory numbers are low overall, Georgia is up 84% in available single-family homes. While this gives first-time buyers ample opportunity, some may have to adjust to the features and pricing available because interest rates change the buying power. There is also an opportunity for negotiation on new build prices with new construction offering incredible incentives. Ryan said, “Buyers can marry their house, but they can date their mortgage.” While the market is still active, agents must adapt to the slight decline. Georgia MLS focuses on ensuring its members get back to the basics of the tools the real estate service company provides. In the new year, agents should concentrate on the spirit of influence and working with their contacts. With the tools that Georgia MLS provides, agents can overview the performance of listing ads and relay the information back to their clients to help with marketing strategies and plans. Ryan said, “We're just getting back to the fundamentals.” Listen to the full interview above to learn more about Georgia MLS, or visit www.GeorgiaMLS.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta...

Atlanta Division President Adam Cornett with David Weekley Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss what buyers are looking for in the present market. Cornett joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and chats about current communities in closeout and what's in store for the new year. Cornett started his journey with David Weekley Homes in 2014 within the Dallas division and, in 2016, became the division president. In late 2020, Cornett transferred to the Atlanta division and has loved living in Georgia with his wife and three beautiful daughters. As the nation's largest privately held builder, David Weekley Homes was established in 1976 and has grown drastically. From Portland to Texas to Florida, the building company grew exponentially across 19 markets and offers various products. As a prominent private home builder, the company puts its team members and customers first regarding daily operations. One of the unique elements of David Weekley Homes is its ownership structure. The builder prioritizes equality, splitting ownership three ways between the founding families, the company's team members and the Dovetail Impact Foundation. With many prospective buyers wanting a sense of predictability, having a proper time frame and accurate payment forecasting is vital in today's market. With supply chain disruptions, rising interest rates, increased prices and other factors impacting costs, some homebuyers are waiting longer than expected, and paying significantly more than they planned. Cornett said, "One of the biggest things that buyers are looking for is a true time frame." After a great year of strong sales for the home building company, there are still some final opportunities to live in one of its beautiful neighborhoods. Priced in the high $600,000s, Hargrove in Decatur features a mixture of townhomes and high-density products with only one available home left. Starting in the low $500,000s, Woodbury in Smyrna has three Tomkins plan opportunities only one mile from The Battery. With two final Anglewood plan opportunities available, Heritage at Towne Lake is a popular active adult community in Woodstock. Cornett said, "The Anglewood is an award-winning plan of ours, winning an Obie award for Best Floorplan in an Age-Qualified Neighborhood!" Listen to the full interview above to learn more about David Weekley Homes, or visit www.DavidWeekleyHomes.com.

Russell Ausseresses, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder with Utility Connect joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share the benefit of the company's services and how brokers, mortgage companies and others in the industry can become involved. Ausseresses joins host Carol Morgan in the All About Real Estate segment. After much work in technology and graphic design, Ausseresses started Utility Connect in 2012 – diving headfirst into a much-needed service. The service-based company has grown exponentially in the past 10 years, expanding into three other countries. Ausseresses said, "It's been a journey, but we think we've nailed the process and have seen nothing but great responses and growth!" The goal behind the service-based company is to relieve the stress of moving into a new space by bringing the consumer together with available service providers, simplifying the procedure. Turing a four-to-six-hour process into a 15 to 20-minute discussion, the company presents every available option to the customer, including home insurance, city utilities, home security and more! As a business-to-business-to-consumer company, Utility Connect works directly with service providers and consumers to make the process smooth. Ausseresses said, "The best part is it's completely free!" Specializing in patterning and private labeling, the service-based company works with real estate and mortgage companies as well as builders and property managers. When setting up a partnership with Utility Connect, service providers obtain an agent/company-branded micro-site. The micro-site offers the provider a way to submit clients to the company, which performs a deeper integration through API and automated report systems. The process is very versatile and allows the service company to work with any company for any kind of scenario. Ausseressess said, "It's a very easy and quick process to set up." When customers hear that the process is entirely free they often believe it's too good to be true. Cable and internet companies, deregulated energy providers, home security businesses, insurance agencies and others pay Utility Connect to assist consumers at no fee to the consumer. Ausseresses said, "Where there is a choice [in energy providers], we make money." Want to work with Utility Connect? Call its office at 877-587-9566 or visit the company website at www.UtilityConnect.net to schedule a demo! After scheduling a demo, an account manager will reach out to walk through the process and help set up the organization. Make sure to mention the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to get an extra percentage, depending on the business pricing. Listen to the full episode above to learn about Utility Connect, or visit www.UtilityConnect.net. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is the perfect place to enjoy the early bloomings of the upcoming spring season with family and friends. The 2023 festival returns to Blackburn Park in Brookhaven on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The annual Cherry Blossom 5K is Saturday, March 18. Guests will enjoy hundreds of Cherry Blossoms as well as a number of other fun activities. This annual festival features two days of music, over 100 local and regional artists in the Artist Market, the Kidz Zone, Pet World, Classic Car Show, local eats and drinks and FUN for the whole family! Stay tuned for updates on musical performances. Register for the Cherry Blossom 5K at Blackburn Park, benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  Information and registration here: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/67390/brookhaven-cherry-blossom-5k Blackburn Park is an ideal setting for spring thanks to 240 Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees being planted in 2014. Since then, the town has gathered yearly to enjoy the beauty of the trees in bloom.  Set on 49 acres of green space and conveniently located off I-285 at the Ashford Dunwoody Exit, Borden said that guests of the festival could park free at one of several locations, then ride the free shuttle to the park, where admission is free. The price tag alone is reason enough to attend. If the weather cooperates, blooming trees will shade guests while strolling to the Children's Village, newly expanded with rides, face painting, superheroes and more. Along the way, they can stop at one of the many booths where local artisans display their handiwork.   Dogs can even participate in the fun at the Pet Parade or the agility course. Check out the classic car show and relax in the calm of a weekend afternoon. To learn more about all the exciting activities at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival, visit Brookhavenga.gov/festival.  ______________________________________________________ This episode of Atlanta Real Esate Forum Radio was recorded on March 16, 2017. Brian Borden, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Brookhaven, joins the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss the return of an annual event at Blackburn Park with co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick. Please download and subscribe to all of the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcasts on iTunes. If you like this week's show, be sure to rate it. The “Around Atlanta” segment is designed to showcase the best of metro Atlanta – the communities, attractions and special events that make this city great. To submit your event, community or attraction to the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, contact 770-383-3360.  

Marketing Manager Brad Krewson with Davidson Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Radio podcast to discuss navigating today's new construction market. Krewson joins host Carol Morgan for the All About Real Estate segment and discusses home shopping tips and what's on the horizon for the new year. With five years of experience in the homebuilding industry, Krewson began his journey with Davidson Homes in April of 2021 as the Marketing Manager. In 2009, Adam Davidson turned his dream into a reality by starting Davidson Homes in Huntsville, Alabama. From building two homes its first year in business the  new home-building company has grown exponentially and now extends across five states. Davidson Homes was selected as the Builder Magazine 2021 Biggest Mover award winner. Davidson Homes began developing in the metro Atlanta area in late 2020, which became a major growth market for the company. With current interest rates, Krewson explains home buyers should guarantee that what they are spending money on is worth it. Priced from the low $400,000s to over $1,000,000, Davidson Homes offers thoughtfully designed products built with high-quality supplies to form unique and exciting home plans. Krewson said, “I think what home buyers are looking for now is value.” Cooper Place and Manor Estates are two beautiful Davidson Homes communities, both with only one lot remaining. Cooper Place is one of the most desirable golf course communities in the Cumming area and offers the beloved Danbury plan. Located in Marietta, Manor Estates is a tight-knit community that is gated and only features 11 lots throughout the entire neighborhood. Located in Henry County, the Everleigh and  Reverie at East Lake communities also have final opportunities. With only four lots remaining, Everleigh in Locus Grove is a one-acre, intimate community that offers homeowners privacy and room for outdoor recreation. With only two lots remaining, Reverie at East Lake is a beautiful community settled adjacent to Union Grove High School. Krewson said, “Reverie at East Lake is beautiful!” Riverwood in Dallas is a large community divided into two sections – the Cottages and Main Riverwood. Selling out earlier this year, Davidson Homes will be developing 20 to 25 additional cottages with a few available for move-in by the end of the year. Riverwood boasts impressive amenities including a resort-style pool, a large clubhouse, walking trails, basketball courts and more! Krewson said, “We have sold 120 homes this year!” Nestled in Cartersville, Mountainbrook is a stunning community with several homes currently available. Just minutes away from local dining, shopping and other exciting attractions, Mountainbrook features pickle-ball and basketball courts, a junior Olympic-sized pool, a community clubhouse and more! The Village at Town Lakes is a gated community that feels cozy and inviting. A higher-end product, the homes within this community are courtyard-style plans showcasing glass sliding doors that lead to covered patios to expand the living space! These available residences also feature luxurious appointments throughout the space, as well as access to a lard pool and cabana, community clubhouse, fitness center and more! Listen to the full episode above to learn more about Davidson Homes, or visit www.DavidsonHomesLLC.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.

Vice President Harold Cunliffe with The Pacific Group joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to dive into the real estate development business, founding The Pacific Group and more. Cunliffe joins host Carol Morgan on the tenth guest on the Legends of Real Estate series. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Cunliffe earned a degree in civil engineering and went on to work for several construction companies with real estate developer clients. Seeing the wealth of these developers (think Rolex and Mercedes), Cunliffe was inspired to go down the same path. After accruing some savings, he purchased a small piece of property to begin amassing his wealth. During this experience, he became familiar with zoning, development regulations and many other things, and started to realize the real estate business is far from simple. Situated in British Columbia in the 80s, Cunliffe was front row to a commodity boom and a market flooded with cash. Cunliffe said, “It was pretty easy for me to stumble into this particular real estate deal, pull it off and make a bunch of money.” As he was doing this, he worked for a construction company where the boss acted as his mentor, aiding him along the way. During development, Cunliffe was able to get a sewer line attached to his property, allowing him to transfer from one unit per acre to two units per acre. Luckily at the time, lot values were increasing by the thousands. Lots Cunliffe intended on selling for $30,000 became worth $80,000 in value. Seeing the incredible increase in value, Cunliffe's boss congratulated and terminated him, forcing him to complete the real estate transaction and search for another job. At this time, the commodity market crashed, and jobs were scarce. A friend and company partner, Mike Kilgallon, attended the University of British Columbia with Cunliffe and went into business with him. Eventually, the two also went broke together. Kilgallon was able to secure employment with a Canadian developer in the Los Angeles market and ran into some partners in Texas with access to savings and loan (S&L) money by chance. The meeting prompted the partners to ask Kilgallon to open an Atlanta office. Cunliffe said, “At that time, Atlanta had created 100,000 jobs, and I knew that should equate to about 60,000 housing starts. But at that point, Atlanta was only doing 20,000, so there was a big lack of supply and a big demand.” After looking around, Cunliffe secured a 200-acre piece of land in Roswell for $12,000 per acre. Cunliffe quickly secured citizenship and went to work before the S&L crisis. At this time, Kilgallon's Texas partners had gone under while Cunliffe formed The Pacific Group. A big fan of the analogy “you have to keep swimming,” Cunliffe believes it's key to keep your nose above water as a real estate developer. Becoming involved, positioned and furthering your education is a crucial part of the business. Cunliffe said, “There's going to be a low tide. You're going to get down there and be able to pick up all the treasure. All you have to do is pick it up and get to shore as fast as possible. Don't go back in the water when it's high tide again because you'll lose all your treasure. That's what happened to me three times.” After operating in metropolitan Atlanta for a time, a partner in Texas with access to S&L money approached Cunliffe's team with a deal. The partner would front the funds if his team handled the deals, resulting in a 50/50 split. When the S&Ls ran out of money in 1992, the Resolution Trust Corporation searched for people to complete the projects to return as much money as possible to the FDIC. The managers of the Resolution Trust Corporation recognized that Cunliffe and Kilgallon were not discredited borrowers and tasked them with finishing real estate projects. This resulted in the duo entering into a forbearance agreement that stated the two were to pay off the corporation with a certain amount of money o...

CEO Charles Sheron with The Sheron Group joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share details about his entrance into the Atlanta market, the ups and downs of the real estate industry, as well as his diverse domestic and international experience. Sheron joins host Carol Morgan as the ninth guest on the Legends of Real Estate segment. During his formative years, Sheron excelled at mechanical drawing. During a fated architectural school project, he won the prize, setting the stage for a successful career and lifetime surrounding architecture. Soon, Sheron attended The University of Georgia and took pre-architecture and landscape courses. Along the way, his professor pulled Sheron into his office and gave him life-changing advice. Sheron said, “[He] said you know you're just not going to make it here. You don't have your whole heart in it… You're always trying to sell something. You need to go over to the real estate school!” Following this conversation, Sheron took the Georgia Real Estate Sales  License course at 19 years old. For many years, he was the youngest real estate salesman in Georgia. This course of events steered Sheron towards a career in the real estate industry, but he was still unsure which aspect of the multi-faceted industry he would enter. A family friend of Sheron's recently sold their company in the public space, and he went to work them in their family office for a time, marking his official entrance into the real estate industry. After graduating, Sheron found himself with a wealth of knowledge and not many individuals willing to listen to his advice. In the late 1960s, he decided to go into business independently. Sheron approached a Savings and Loans Association with a request for a loan to secure five construction lots. After following some much-needed advice from a loan professional, Sheron secured a single construction lot and entered the luxury home sphere. Sheron said, “It's amazing how many people took a listing on my houses…very well-known people. We grew up at a very interesting time.” For a time, Sheron built homes in Sandy Springs. When prices began to escalate, he noticed a shift in interest in favor of Cobb County. Following this shift in the market, Sheron moved his company to Buckhead and began constructing large mansions, which acted as the focus of his business for many years. Sheron said, “The building industry here locally was made up of mom-and-pop operators. We didn't have the big companies that had landed in Atlanta yet… Those were the days when you knew everybody. I can't say that today.” Once upon a time, Sheron decided to construct the largest spec home in the country. When Sheron embarked on this adventure, he viewed it as a fantastic way to enter the market. After clearing the plans with the bank, Sheron began constructing a home on a one-acre lot in a neighborhood off West Paces Ferry Road. Sheron shared that he purchased the one-acre lot in 1974 for $25,000, a figure unheard of in the current market. Today, the same lot would be valued at well over $1 million. Priced from around $325,000, the home sprawled across 8,000 square feet and incorporated Greek revival elements. The residence has since experienced add-ons but originally contained nine bathrooms, a freestanding hand-built circular staircase, his and her bathrooms, European concepts and more! Sheron said, “That was the largest spec house built in Atlanta to that date.” The project garnered quite a bit of public attention, including the eye of newspaper outlets, television stations and more which quickly led to the sale of the home. After completing the 8,000-square-foot home, Sheron set his sights on larger horizons, which included even bigger constructions. Soon after, his company constructed a 12,000-square-foot home priced at $500,000, which would easily surpass $4 million in value in today's market. At this point, Sheron and his company were gaining attention across the coun...

Vice President of Sales and Marketing Amy Kessler with Traton Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss upcoming communities. Kessler joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and shares what is on the books for 2023 and how listeners can get involved with Cobb Christmas. With over 20 years of experience within the real estate industry, Kessler has always worked in the specialty market of homegrown Atlanta builders. Beginning her journey with Traton Homes as a real estate agent, she has been the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for three years. Recently winning Atlanta's Best Builder by Cobb Life Magazine, Traton Homes has been around for 51 years as one of the top home builders in the region. With its headquarters in Marietta, the company mainly develops in Cobb Country and is beginning to expand across the metro Atlanta area. Located in the Kennesaw, Haven at Stanley is one of Traton Homes newer communities featuring stylish townhomes. These gorgeous townhomes boast open floor plans that provide a single-family home feel. Additionally, two of the three-story floor plans offer the option of a main-level owner's suite. Kessler said, “Haven at Stanley is such a wonderful place.” Just off Lower Union Hill Road in Canton, Courtyards at Hickory Flat is a new active adult community featuring spacious homes with 1,800 square feet of living space. Select homes available that offer a basement ideal for storage, enjoying hobbies or as a space for visiting grandchildren. The Traton Homes community features incredible amenities and is in walking distance of local dining and shopping. Featuring the popular Brooke plan, East Park Village in Kennesaw also provides 1,800 square feet of living space. With a prime location, this community is less than two-miles from I-75 and is in proximity to Kennesaw State University and downtown Kennesaw. Excited for what's in store for Traton Homes in the new year, Kessler gives a sneak peek into some of the new communities coming soon! Coming in the early months of 2023, South Cobb's Avenbrook will feature larger, single-family homes. Priced in the $400,000s, these jewel box homes will include 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of living space! Kessler said, “It's hard to find single-family homes right now in the $400,000s. We are so excited about this community!” Also opening in the Spring of 2023, Courtyards at Tradition is an upcoming Traton Homes active adult community. The South Forsyth neighborhood will include several popular floor plans boasting around 1,800 square feet and up of living space. With options of a second floor, multiple main-level bedrooms, an office space, multiple-car garages and more, these future homes highlight personalization options fit all the homeowner's needs. Prized in the $500,000s to $600,000s, this 55+ community is ideal for prospective buyers looking to downsize while staying close to family. With the holiday season approaching, Traton Homes has partnered with Cobb Christmas for the 17th year! Cobb Christmas is a wonderful organization that collects toys for disadvantaged kids in Cobb County each year. Traton Homes receives donations from suppliers and homeowners to fill baskets and baskets of toys for Cobb Christmas. Local residents are encouraged to drop off toy and money donations at the Traton Homes corporate office at 720 Kennesaw Avenue in Marietta or visit any Traton homes community donation drop box! Listen to the full episode below to learn more about Traton Homes, or visit www.TratonHomes.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not on...

President Jim Jacobi with Parkland Communities and Parkland Residential joins the Atlanta Real Estate Radio podcast to discuss recent land development successes. Jacobi joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and shares updates about build-to-rent refinancing and upcoming projects. Before starting his first land and development company in 2005, Jacobi gained experience in land planning and engineering by working with local companies. In 2007, his company, JEH Homes, transitioned into home building and never turned back. In 2015, JEH Homes became one of the top 10 largest home builders locally. After taking some time off, Jacobi started Alliance Planning and Engineering, handling engineering projects across Georgia. He also owns Parkland Communities and its two branches, Parkland Homes and Parkland Residential. Parkland Homes operates the for-sale properties and communities, while Parkland Residential oversees the rental communities. Jacobi and his team have worked diligently over the past 18 months to two years developing and creating new products, including 15 new communities coming soon. Jacobi said, “We're excited about our future and look forward to 2023!” Embracing the build-to-rent approach, Parkland Communities has nine build-to-rent developments currently in the works – totaling approximately 1,000 units. With a plan to break ground before the end of the year, Sugarloaf Landing is a Parkland Residential build-to-rent community coming soon to Sugarloaf Parkway. Other Parkland Residential future projects include Sugarloaf Crest off Sugarloaf Parkway and Rainwater Park in Gwinnett County. Jacobi said, “Build-to-rent is here to stay!” In addition to the build-to-rent projects, Parkland Homes has six for-sale communities under development. Located in Gwinnett County, Windance Lake is off Beaver Road and South Gwinnett surrounded by beautiful land and picturesque horse farms. Windance Lake will feature a four-acre fishing lake for residents to enjoy. Another for-sale community in the works, Bennett Farm is located off Loganville Highway and Hoke O'Kelly Road. Jacobi said, “Bringing obtainable housing, whether for sale or build-to-rent, is the number one mission for the company.” Parkland Residential recently refinanced its Sweetwater Springs community to a ten-year Fannie Mae loan. This community becomes a permanent fixture in company's portfolio. Jacobi and the Parkland Communities team continue to serve communities to create many beautiful projects to accompany Sweetwater Springs and others moving forward. Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Parkland Communities, or visit www.ParklandCo.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Director of Investment Sales and Strategic Partner Bobby Stamps and Managing Principal Brad Cooper with Blue River Development join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the build-to-rent market and rising interest rates. Stamps and Cooper join host Carol Morgan in the All About Real Estate segment. Cooper has been with Blue River Development for 22 years with his partner and brother, Michael Cooper. After working in the Atlanta music industry for several years, Stamps decided to transition into residential sales and joined Cooper at Blue River Development four years ago. Cooper said, “I have been doing this for 22 years and plan on doing it for another 22 years!” Blue River Development provides land origination, development and banking for national home builders, regional builders and single-family rental funds and operators in nine markets across five states. Although the past few years saw agreeable interest rates and a booming market, the economy is changing fast, causing many home builders to halt or slow production. Blue River Development assesses supply and demand imbalances differently now compared to the 2008 recession. With an influence on several aspects of the home-building industry, rising interest rates have a particular effect on the build-to-rent market. Directly clashing with the finished product price, individuals are starting to see the return on cost change from the typical 4 to 5% to more than 6% in most cases. Many builders unable to take a big hit provoked a more creative deal structure approach. In order to adapt to today's fiscal environment, builders are beginning to hop on the bandwagon of becoming fee builders. Cooper said, “Builders have little to no financial risks in this scenario, and it has become an important revenue stream.” Build-to-rent groups are more selective on products and pricing, offering fewer deals in tertiary markets. In the past, Blue River Development has sold deals and lots to American Homes for Rent and other build-to-rent groups that handle their own vertical construction. After sparking up a deal between Haven Realty Capital and Davidson Homes, Stamps prioritized immersing himself within the build-to-rent space. As land developers, the company is well-versed in deals, builders, products, lot sizes, zoning, surrounding schools and more, making Blue River Development perfect for pairing home builders with build-to-rent groups creating successful deals! Stamps said, “We did all we could to network and stay ahead of the curve to gather the intel from all the main players in the build-to-rent game.” Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Blue River Development or visit www.BlueRiverDevelopment.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Co-Founder and Partner Virginia Van Lear with Level Craft Construction joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the story behind the 100% female-owned business, the company's exciting expansion into building new home communities, as well as what's on the books for the new year. Van Lear joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. As one of Atlanta's favorite female builders and remodelers, Van Lear worked independently in the home building industry for 23 years before starting Level Craft Construction with her partner, Debbie Hollonbeck. Level Craft Construction is an in-town home-building company that develops custom homes and renovates large-scale projects. Prioritizing transparency and a positive environment with homeowners, Van Lear and her team are look forward to the expansion and growth of Level Craft Construction while offering beautiful products across Atlanta. Van Lear said, “We love working with our clients! We love to make the process super seamless.” Beginning in Decatur and Midtown within well-known neighborhoods like Morningside and Virginia Highlands, Level Craft Construction recently expanded to Buckhead, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs. The female-led company is currently building out a 58-home neighborhood in Hapeville and 12 townhomes in Grant Park near Zoo Atlanta. Van Lear said, “We were awarded Best Remodeler in Buckhead Magazine last month!” This is notable because the builder just started building in Buckhead in 2022! Priced from the low $400,000s, the Hapeville neighborhood features detached townhomes ideal for single-family living. Named Stillwood Homes, the community includes impressive amenities such as a pool and cabana. With each group of townhomes showcasing a different exterior elevation including Mediterranean, Southern and Tuscan the community's landscaping and hardscaping will also be themed to give the neighborhood a wide range of stylistic feels. Each group of townhomes will have access to a seating area featuring a fire pit. A community garden with edible plants will be available for all homeowners to enjoy. This Level Craft Construction project is conveniently located just off the Hapeville exit with close proximity to the airport. Just steps away from the BeltLine, Level Craft is working on 12 townhomes located at 816 Berne Street in Grant Park. Pricing isn't finalized yet but will most likely be from the $700,000s to the $800,000s for these four-floor townhomes. These homes will feature modern design elements and panoramic doors on the top roof leading to an expansive deck that overlooks the beautiful city of Atlanta. Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Level Craft Construction, or visit www.LevelCraftAtlanta.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Sales Uncomplicated President David Hagan joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the Uncomplicated Sales Training Method, the evolution of sales and the benefit of “The Customer Experience Equation.” Hagan joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. Originally from Savannah, Hagan moved to Atlanta five years ago with his wife of almost 30 years, Rebecca, and their three daughters. Sharing a passion for homebuilding, all three of Hagan's daughters work within the industry. Earlier this year, Hagan took a bittersweet leave from his job of four years at Smith Douglas Communities to pursue his own company. After much prayer, consideration and planning, Hagan started Sales Uncomplicated – a full-service sales training, coaching and consulting company. Always seeing himself working exclusively with home builders, Hagan noticed a call to also work with mortgage lenders, real estate brokers and attorneys within the homebuilding space. Hagan said, “I see uncomplicated as a verb. We come in and uncomplicate things.” According to Hagan, there are four essential factors in helping simplify efforts for sales teams: Companies must have a sales process that the team believes in and can execute properly. Sales teams should have a prospecting process that works efficiently and promptly. Teams should easily manage backlog using a follow-up process. Companies should have a sales culture that sets their sales team apart from the competition. Hagan said, “I have found that the most successful sales teams have a sales culture that is part of their company culture.” With customers often showing up already knowing as much information about the model home as the salesperson, it can throw the sales process off course. An adaptive sales process that allows the salesperson to customize their presentation according to the customer, the Uncomplicated Method created by Hagan decreases the stress of following the traditional sales process. This unique method allows salespeople to start their sales process at any stage without having to abandon specific steps or their customers! From working with mortgage lenders to real estate brokers to attorneys, Sales Uncomplicated is prepared to help anyone who depends on sales within the real estate industry. Hagan trains sales teams, as well as support teams, on how to be the best partner for a builder. Hagan said, “Homebuilding is my first love and I'm excited to work with builder partners!” Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about Sales Uncomplicated, or visit www.SalesUncomplicated.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Head of Sales Mark Schlosser with Landis joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to talk about the market's impact on the company, its partnership with agents and brokers, as well as the questionable reputation of the traditional rent-to-own process. Schlosser joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. A father of two beautiful babies, Schlosser loves to spend time with his children and always puts his family first. After working six years in cyber security for various industries and companies, Schlosser began his job as Head of Sales at Landis. He leads a team that operates markets with brokerages and agents to ensure partners are set up for success while working with Landis. Landis is a homeownership company that transitions renters into homeowners. The company provides programs to clients, ranging from one to two years, that offer coaching and mortgage preparation after purchasing a home from Landis. The design of these programs prepare clients for the responsibility of homeownership. Landis partners with agents who receive full MLS commission to help convert their clients into homeowners through its program. The homeownership company empowers its agents and partners with technology, such as a complete CRM and a Landis U system full of courses and curriculum to make agents and partners as autonomous as possible. Landis also has feet on the ground to incorporate human touch. Schlosser said, “For our agents and partners, it's not just about the commission aspect. It's about so much more. It's about creating a great experience.” Preferring the phrase “homeownership company” over “rent-to-own,” Landis is a modern-day twist on the traditional concept. The main difference of the company process being the true alignment of creating homeownership. The company's criteria, financial coaching and taking clients within its program seriously are just a few reasons why 80% of its clients transition to homeownership. Schlosser said, “We have investors such as NAR, Sequoia, Will Smith and Jay-Z.” With his cyber security background, Schlosser believes that the technology aspect within the real estate industry has much room for improvement. While human touch will always be necessary for the industry, there are several ways to accelerate areas in enhancing standards, guidelines and technologies. Schlosser said, “The one thing I absolutely know about the real estate industry is it can and should be disrupted.” The uncertainty surrounding today's market has lined Landis and its clients up for short- and long-term success. With thoughts of “I don't know” floating within the market, the program available through Landis provides its clients with predictability. Landis also provides clients with all-cash offers, making offers more attractive to sellers. Recently, Landis announced its Series B funding of $40 million from investors such as GV, NAR, Jay-Z's Roc Nation fund Arrive, Sequoia and more! The company will use the additional funding to grow its team, improve its program and add new markets. Providing support and coaching to clients, $2 million of the fund will be exclusively for the advancement of the company's program to help its clients become homeowners. Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Landis or visit www.Landis.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com.

Ann and Allen Richardson with Richardson Housing Group join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio show on the eighth Legends of Real Estate segment to talk about the company's large footprint across the metro Atlanta housing market. The couple chats with Carol Morgan in the studio about founding the homebuilding company in 1973 and Allen's involvement with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Feeling entrepreneurial, Allen partnered with his dad to start Richardson Homes almost 50 years ago. The builder is now known as the Richardson Housing Group. The family ties of the company extended beyond Allen and his father to several uncles who had experience in construction, residential real estate and general contracting. Through his college years, Allen gained valuable experience directly from these familial role models that would set him up for great success in the following decades. Allen said, “I just always had a fascination for the housing industry and that's where I am today.” Today, the Richardson Housing Group stands as a third-generation company. In Allen's words, the company had basic beginnings with a strong emphasis on building sturdy relationships within the industry, from subcontractors and trade partners to bankers, employees and more. This resulted in decades-long relationships with subcontractors and employees who remain loyal to the company. In the beginning, the Richardson Housing Group typically constructed single-family homes that were a mix of split-level, two-story and ranch plans. Allen shared that they were still learning how to target the market during this period. Allen said, “We learned early on that the young people were buying the split levels and middle-aged people were buying the ranch plans. So, we did learn a little about what we needed to do to target the market.” In the 70s and 80s, it was common for a builder to make every decision surrounding interior and exterior design. The Richardson Housing Group was no exception. Later, the builder opened a design center and turned away from producing ready-made homes for prospective buyers. Ann said, “Homes back then were more functional than they are now. If it didn't have a function, it didn't go in the house.” The homes the company produced were smaller homes for atomic families. Amenities did not come onto the scene until it became apparent that families were shopping in communities with popular amenities. Although Ann officially joined the company in 1982, she was there with Allen at the beginning assisting with administrative tasks and familiarizing herself with company operations. Two short years after the founding of the Richardson Housing Group, the world economy underwent a significant crash that forced many builders to halt. Allen shared that while the company managed to get itself on its feet, no one predicted rising interest rates of around 9% and a lack of mortgage funds entering the state. Allen said, “One thing that I do recall is that we had construction loans with that filed [for] bankruptcy…It made for some interesting times.” Forced to find creative ways to navigate the volatile market, Richardson Housing Group developed relationships with banks in Florida and Maryland. This allowed the company to finish a few houses and bring them to the closing table while other builders struggled to complete the same task. Taking advantage of the positive relationships built during the crash, Richardson Housing Group began venturing into investment and land development. The company established development on foreclosed land to prepare for the healing market. Before technology took over the industry, there was zero communication from the office to the field. Adding machines and typewriters were in place long before the computer. The lack of technology presented a problem for industry workers and time-sensitive projects. Now, technology enhances the housing industry.

Founder and Chief Community Builder Edie Weintraub with terra alma joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the process behind creating energizing spaces, improving office environments and the company's exciting South End Norcross project. Weintraub chats with host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. With 20 years of experience, Weintraub specializes in retail within the commercial real estate industry, working with restaurants, boutiques and entertainment spaces where people enjoy gathering and having a good time. Working in local and big firms, Weintraub decided a year-and-a-half ago to start her firm, terra alma. Inspired by multiple countries, terra alma means bringing together the best of land and experience. As a woman-owned boutique real estate advisory firm, terra alma delivers intentionality, engaging with local communities to ensure the fulfillment of what consumers and neighborhoods want to see. Weintraub said, “We make sure to offer a holistic picture of what we provide.” The all-female terra alma team loves working on adaptive reuse projects by taking something already established and converting it into something new, like Ponce City Market. With several metro Atlanta communities hitting a growth spurt because of the rail lines throughout the state, terra alma also enjoys working on the downtown resurgence of restaurants and shops. Weintraub said, “We love working in urban environments where people are walking and congregating.” A consultant on multiple single-use projects, terra alma knows how to position assets that help the local community and drive the next wave of tenants and employers moving into the building. The goal for terra alma is to remove any errands that need finishing on the weekends. Offering services used during the ordinary course of life on the property, including doggy/kid daycare, on-site restaurants and drycleaning, allows people to regain their leisure time on the weekends. Weintraub said, “I find more and more, we are going to start transitioning into a 15-minute city where all of your needs can be taken care of within a 15-minute transportation time.” On the South End Norcross project, terra alma is partnering with three local owners who collectively have 80 years of experience within the real estate industry. The project is an opportunity to supply the community with essential missing elements. Regarding the marketing and leasing strategy, terra alma is finding and supporting the right partners that speak to the community. The South End Norcross project and terra alma have partnered with The Rose and Hemp, a boutique-style shop started by a husband-and-wife duo in Stone Mountain. Terra alma has also partnered with two women-owned businesses opening soon – Butter & Cream from Decatur and Refuge Coffee Co. from Clarkston. Norcross residents can also look forward to a brewery/distillery, micro food hall and entertainment stage announcement coming soon. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about terra alma or visit www.terraalma.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers,

SVP of Sales and Marketing Caroline Simmel with Empire Communities joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share 2022 milestones, new products and current Atlanta BeltLine developments. Simmel joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. Recently an empty nester and a new owner of two adorable Golden Retriever puppies, Simmel has 20-plus years of experience within the industry and is currently in her 16th year with Empire Communities. The company is a Toronto-based new home building company that takes pride in creating inspiring places to live. Expanding its United States footprint, Empire Communities has developments not only in southern Ontario but also in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Charlotte. With significant success this year, Empire Communities opened and closed several of its communities. The company is using this in-between stage to ramp up a large pipeline of new communities as a chance to reset and pay attention to market dynamics. Simmel said, “We've had a lot of success this year, as most home builders have. We rode a ride for almost two years post-pandemic.” The method behind Empire Communities is to build purposeful and lifestyle-driven neighborhoods, given that its consumer audience is very lifestyle oriented. The builder anticipates many mixed-use communities from the pipeline to land in Atlanta and Chattanooga. Located in West Midtown, the Empire Communities Homebase experience is a centrally located, state-of-the-art sales center created for homebuyers. Sales assistance, lending support, design expertise,  customer care and closing are all located at this streamlined one-stop-shop.  Homebase is located about a mile from Longreen, one of Empire's newest communities. Residing a block away from the Atlanta BeltLine, Longreen offers well-designed stacked condos and townhomes. The product price range extends from the low $300,000s to the $600,000s, with the option of one, two or three-bedroom homes, anywhere from 650 to 2,000 square feet. Simmel said, "We're very BeltLine driven in terms of our land positions." Located on six acres of land right on the Atlanta Beltline, Stein Steel offers stacked condos and townhomes in Reynoldstown. These homes will boast old-world industrial designs, including brick lots, large windows and loft-inspired designs. Stein Steel also features an on-site restaurant called Breaker Breaker, built by the Meritt Lancaster group, the developer of Krog Street. On 34 acres settled in Chosewood Park, Zephyr delivers 359 townhomes and stacked condos priced from the high $200s for condos and $500s for townhomes. Different districts, including the Groove, the Grove and the Grow, each offer unique features like retail components and community gardens. This community conveniently sits across the street from the future Atlanta BeltLine Park. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about Empire Communities or visit www.EmpireCommunities.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured...

Founder and CEO of HDMK Kiel Harton and Co-Owner of HDMK Atlanta Franchise Toussaint Hill join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the company's use of technology for home inspections, the importance of same-day reports and the training HDMK provides. Harton and Hill chat with host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. It all began in February of 2022 when Hill and his brother Thaddaeus opened the doors to the HDMK Atlanta franchise. Real estate industry members for multiple years, Hill and his brother decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and start a business together. Wanting to find a company that remained a key player in the real estate industry while also offering diversity, Hill and his brother felt that HDMK was the perfect fit. Hill said, “We've been making a lot of connections, meeting agents and trying to serve our clients the best we can.” A member of the home inspection industry for over 10 years, Harton founded HDMK in 2015 with hopes of making a positive change within the industry.  He built a company that expanded upon innovation within an industry that remained stagnant for years while also forging an environment that team members are proud to be a part of. HDMK holds steadfast to standards of evolving technology, same-day reports and transparent branding, which are three reasons the Hill brothers were attracted to the franchise. Harton said, “I didn't like what I saw in the industry and thought I could build something big, change the industry and become a benchmark.” In a digital world, home inspection businesses underutilizing technology are losing momentum. HDMK transformed the home industry by building customized in-house software technology that digitizes and streamlines the booking and reporting process to minimize human error within paperwork and onboarding. While technology is a pillar for HDMK, human interaction is still in play through requirements such as calling clients before and after inspections. Harton said, “Even in a digital world, everybody still seeks human interaction.” The perfect client for HDMK is anyone who owns or is buying a home, including a first-time buyer purchasing a house on the market through a Realtor, investors acquiring a home to renovate and resell, or landlords with rental properties. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about HDMK or visit www.HDMK.net. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to HDMK for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. At HDMK their motto is “if we can, we will”. Meaning they will go above and beyond to meet the needs of clients and referral partners. They achieve this through a focus on training, implementing innovative technology and setting a high level of professionalism for all inspectors. If you are looking for a home inspector, call HDMK at 888-401-4365. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

President George McClure with The McClure Company joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast as the seventh Legends of Real Estate guest to discuss the company's founding. He looks at the building industry in the 70s and 80s and his involvement with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. McClure joins host Carol Morgan on the Legends of Real Estate series. McClure is a native of Cherokee County with the humble origins of growing up on a chicken farm. In high school, he got a summer job working for his uncle's framing crew as a carpenter and found that he enjoyed the work. McClure said, “I loved it a lot. It's physical, and when you face the end of the day, you have something to show for your work.” After working in the building industry for a few years and following a sports injury, McClure had the tough decision of figuring out what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. After reading up about the career in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he decided to attend college to become an accountant. In his first role, his supervisors discovered he had experience in carpentry and handed him all the construction clients. After developing his accounting skills and industry knowledge for a few years, McClure went into business for himself in 1974, achieving a goal he made during his high school years. In 1978, he bought out his business partner, taking full ownership of the company. While running his own company, McClure, like many other builders, ran into the issue of lot shortages and decided to develop a subdivision to counter the growing problem. McClure said, “As they say, the rest is history!” At a time when many of Atlanta's current builders were not in business, the 70s proved to be a crazy decade for many construction and homebuilding businesses. Interest rates sat at 17 and 18%, ordinary numbers for the time, and the Atlanta market was saturated with smaller builders. At this time, it was typical for builders to build only five to 10 houses each year. During this time of growth, smaller banks also took the opportunity to finance builders and developers. This trend continued well into the mid-80s until the Great Recession. Now, big builders comprise the market with a noticeable absence of modest bankers to stand up for smaller businesses and a lack of capital. McClure said, “I believe the way to succeed is to find a niche.” While discovering his niche, McClure received advice from another industry member who produced upscale first-time buyer homes targeted at middle-class Americans. This is the market that McClure continued to target throughout his company's history. In almost every home he produced, McClure consciously decided to conserve the environment by delivering basement floorplans, providing his buyers with expandable, lasting space. McClure said, “I'm a big believer in the land tells you what to do. I don't like [developments] that all look alike and feel alike.” True to his beliefs, McClure shared that he was recently a part of a project in Louisiana that required moving trees rather than cutting them down. Each tree cost about $25,000 to 50,000 to transfer and greatly improved the property value. In the late 80s, McClure and three other builders co-developed a subdivision due to their experience with low lot inventory. The team decided to combine their lot-buying capabilities into a trust to buy out a project facing trouble and bring on a fourth builder to run the business side of the venture. McClure went on to produce larger and larger subdivisions, including Summerchase at Towne Lake, which contains 110 lots. To date, his company to date has constructed developments in Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth and Henry County, providing inventory to a large portion of the state. McClure said, “I try to stay in that move-up first-time buyer or that middle income [bracket].” During his start with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association,

Director – Research & Communications Katie Fidler with St. Bourke joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to talk about land development post-COVID, popular community amenities and build-to-rent. Fidler joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. A native Atlantan, Fidler has lived in the Peach State her entire life and has been actively participating in the Atlanta real estate market for over 10 years. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2011 and has held various positions throughout her career, from commercial and office leasing to investment and development. An asset management and development company, St. Bourke is headquartered in Atlanta and serves as a one-stop shop for all asset management and development needs. The company's services cover the full gamut, starting with the project's funding, due diligence and acquisition to planning and development to the very end with ongoing place management. Fidler said, “We really complete that full cycle. We are experts in value engineering, unlocking hidden value, problem-solving, troublesome sites [and much more!] We like to come in and reinvigorate them and breathe new life into them.” Founded in 2005, St. Bourke is associated with an international investment firm that entered the United States market shortly after the Great Recession. The firm acquired a considerable property portfolio and ran across issues coordinating multiple teams in various markets to manage those assets. Those teams were brought in-house to form what would eventually become St. Bourke. Click here to learn more about the founding of St. Bourke! The company has unique origins and views each project through an investment lens, forging a niche for St. Bourke in a market undergoing incredible change. How the company approaches development paired with it suite of services sets it apart from the competition in the eyes of its clients. Fidler said, “We do have a lot of investor clients, homebuilders, banks, private property owners – we serve many different segments of the market but certainly investment firms and homebuilders are our top two.” Following the slowdown of the pandemic, costs and the importance of keeping costs down is more prevalent than ever before. St. Bourke has always set about planning and value engineering every site. With increasing land prices and tighter builder margins, the company is searching for ways to thoughtfully and creatively bring prices down to deliver affordable homes. Another change Fidler noted is the noticeable ramp-up of construction and residential development further from the urban core. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about St. Bourke or visit www.StBourke.com.  Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Vice President of Economic Development Kelvin Collins with Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to talk economic development, job creation and more. Collins joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and touches on future affordable commercial space initiatives. Kicking off the episode with a notable statement, Collins shared that “if it's happening in Atlanta, it's happening on the BeltLine.” Currently serving as the vice president of economic development for ABI, Collins has been a team member for the past 18 months. His previous experience includes government work across two administrations in New York and a 15 years-long commitment to community service. Collins shared that his career centers around implementing economic development to solve community-centric challenges. Collins said, “The BeltLine is one of the most exciting projects that I've been [a part of]. I'm really excited to be here and share more of it with you.” Years ago, the idea of repurposing the abandoned railroad and using it to connect a historically disconnected city seemed like a brilliant and obvious next step. The Atlanta BeltLine is a massive redevelopment and infrastructure project that leverages abandoned railroads to unite significant parts of the City of Atlanta. When completed, the green space will encompass 22 miles of transit and 33 miles of multi-use trails.  Collins said, “There are so many components to this project, whether or not you're talking job creation [or] green space [or] affordable housing. The Atlanta BeltLine touches a significant part of what makes Atlanta special.” Through the phases of its development, the metro Atlanta green space has transformed into a destination and popular amenity. According to Collins, it will be a global beacon for equitable, inclusive and sustainable city life when completed.  The developers' goal is to create an easy-to-access space no matter where visitors or residents are in the city. The Atlanta BeltLine will be easily accessible, whether one is traveling to work, walking to school or simply looking for a way to unwind outdoors, from the north side to the south side of the city. The development sits cattycorner to several schools and development projects, naturally increasing its accessibility as well as usage. Several developers are integrating access to the Atlanta BeltLine into their project plans, allowing visionary developers to imagine the value of the Atlanta BeltLine from a spatial dimension standpoint. According to Collins, this is only one component of the transformative nature of the project. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. or visit https://BeltLine.org. 

Chief Lead Converter Rick Storlie with Builder Lead Converter joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss industry predictions as well as the importance of sales and marketing in the homebuilding industry. Storlie joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and touches on the evolution of lead conversion. Since 1998, Storlie has been making a name for himself in the homebuilding industry. He began as a job site laborer, picking up garbage on construction sites, and worked his way up to sales and general management. In 2006, he founded New Homes Sales Coach offering coaching and marketing services for sales and sales management professionals.  In 2010, Storlie took on a software partner to fill the CRM gap for custom builders, designers and remodelers. The project spent 10 years in development and in 2020, Storlie compiled the valuable knowledge he accrued over the decades to form Builder Lead Converter. Storlie said, “We focus now more on a done-for-you platform where we support salespeople versus being a CRM.” Builder Lead Converter captures and converts leads to allow builders to focus on building revenue and margins. Early on, Storlie learned that if you have a community with two sales representatives present versus a community with one salesperson and a sales assistant, the second community typically outperforms the first. From a management standpoint, it is much easier to manage one salesperson with an assistant. In an operating cost view, it decreases overhead dollars.  Storlie said, “Instead of acting like a CRM that takes effort from a salesperson, how can I support that salesperson and essentially be their sales assistant and help them increase their revenue?”  Storlie also shared that it is a company goal to double the productivity of salespeople. Loved across the board by clients, Builder Lead Converter allows clients to outsource  services without taking on the overhead, loss of time and more. With clients across the United States, Storlie has front-row insight into what is happening in the country's top markets. A noticeable trend Storlie sees across in-migration markets, such as Florida and Texas, is a high demand and strong money flow from high-end markets on the east and west coasts. Out-migration markets, such as those in the Midwest that present as one-for-one markets, are experiencing slowdowns in new construction and remodeling. Storlie expects many builders to enter Q4 and notice a significant market difference compared to Q3. Tune in to the interview above to learn more about Builder Lead Converter or visit www.BuilderLeadConverter.com.  Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Director of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Debbie Frank with Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to chat about new projects and developments, the transit company's biggest challenges and more. Responsible for TOD planning and implementation around stations, Frank assists in the development of mixed-use communities for MARTA users. During Frank's six-and-a-half years with the organization, MARTA has experienced an economic impact of nearly $1 billion in new real estate at or near one-third of the 38 stations in its network. A considerable aid to the transit system's efforts, Frank's resume highlights include 25 years of planning, development, real estate and redevelopment initiative experience for non-profits, for-profits and quasi-governmental agencies in Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio and now Georgia.  Before working with MARTA, Frank was a managing partner for Urban Blueprint, a real estate development and planning consulting firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her previous experience also includes serving as the executive director of the North Nashville Community Development Corporation, an affiliate organization of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.  Frank said, “We pride ourselves on being an option for folks. The convenience of MARTA is definitely one that more people should experience.” MARTA is the ninth largest transit system in the United States, servicing the city of Atlanta and Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties. The organization has 38 rail stations, 570 buses and 338 rail cars, with upcoming plans for new rail cars in the works. A truly accessible way of travel through the metro area, the MARTA network also features a mobility service with 211 vehicles set aside to support the program.  Frank said, “Prior to the pandemic, we had a daily ridership of about 450,000 people and annually that amounted to about 7.9 million riders…We saw a decrease…but we are pleased to say we are seeing an uptick in our ridership.” The MARTA ridership has also increased with the current rise in gas prices. The team at MARTA was fortunate enough to host the grand opening of the King Memorial TOD, a mixed-use development boasting 11,000 square feet of retail and office space and apartments adjacent to Oakland Cemetery and the King Memorial Station. The apartment sector of the project, Marchon, features 305 apartments available for rent, 32% categorized as affordable housing. Creating jobs and income for the surrounding neighborhood, Frank shared that the King Memorial TOD was a $63 million investment for the community. The developer worked closely with InvestAtlanta to ensure the creation of affordable housing units. Frank said, “We try to create as many opportunities [as possible] to work closely with our local jurisdiction where the opportunity presents itself. It did here at King Memorial.” Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about MARTA or visit www.ItsMARTA.com.  Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans.

President and CEO DeAnn Golden and President and Executive Luxury Strategist Lori Lane with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to chat about the company's brokerage and new home services, navigating the real estate industry as women and upcoming projects. Golden and Lane join host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. Both recently promoted, Lane now heads the New Homes Division and CITY HAUS Luxury Collection, with Golden taking over the Georgia Properties division of the residential real estate services company. Click here to learn more about Golden's impressive promotion! Golden shared that her relationship with Lane first started when she relocated to Atlanta and Lane sold her a house. This impactful moment in Golden's life led to a professional relationship spanning 18 years, morphing from client to friend. Golden is celebrating 26 years in the industry, with 18 spent at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. Golden said, “That's how we began collaborating, getting to know one another and working to open doors for people. She opened mine here in Atlanta.” Lane shared that the two became neighbors after she decided to move into the same neighborhood, allowing the two to watch each other's kids grow up while they each grew within the industry. Entering its 60th year in the Atlanta and metro markets, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties expands across 29 offices and is home to nearly 16,000 sales professionals. With a considerable roster of offices and services, residents relocating anywhere in the state of Georgia have access to the unprecedented resources of the full corporation spanning three continents and 12 countries with over 1,500 offices and 50,000 sales professionals around the world. Running the New Homes Division since 2006, Lane had the opportunity to focus on the branch as if it were a separate company under the well-known banner of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. This allowed Lane to bring in new initiatives and tools exclusive to new construction with the added benefit of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services company resources. Lane said, “We're just continuing to grow…We have incredible clients and new projects!” Assisting with the growth of the popular Trilith development, Lane touched on the exciting developments happening at Trilith Studios and the Town at Trilith with the expansion of the Georgia film industry. Another noteworthy project, the town of Senoia recently ramped up construction on new home opportunities, with several ready to sell and close. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about Berkshire Hathaway Home Services or visit www.BHHSGeorgia.com. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it.

Founder and President Kay Cantrell with Cantrell Properties joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast as the sixth Legends of Real Estate guest to shar her vibrant history in the homebuilding industry. Cantrell joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and touches on her role as the second female president of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and first female president of the Home Builders Association of Georgia. Growing up under the shadow of Williams Brothers Lumber Company, Cantrell begged her father at 12 years old for a summer job at the successful lumber business. Firmly believing in hard work, her father gave her a position. Throughout several summers, Cantrell developed a love for the homebuilding industry and was fascinated by all the moving parts of the business. Every afternoon on the way home from work, her father would pass through subdivisions to speak with clients, this allowed Cantrell to learn how the housing market functions. Cantrell said, “It really interested me – what goes together to make a house and how much it impacts a family or an individual in their whole life.” A force in the Atlanta market, Williams Brothers Lumber Company eventually started Williams Brothers Concrete, where Cantrell held a bookkeeping role. Cantrell's first-hand experience and education allowed her to develop a deeper understanding of the homebuilding industry. A natural person of business, her father used his intelligence and work ethic as his driving force, providing her with a stellar example on which to base her career. Cantrell said, “I appreciate his contribution to my success.” While working at Williams Brothers, Cantrell held several positions. One role Cantrell particularly noted was her task of photocopying every invoice the company received in the company's basement. Recognizing the stark contrast between the industry then and now, Cantrell commented on how much the homebuilding sector and her career have evolved in comparison to her humble beginnings and her previous role as a builder. When Cantrell took her first steps as a home builder, her husband Jack worked in the field while she took care of the bookkeeping and planning side of the company. As the recession approached, her husband searched for another job to accommodate the unsettling times. As her husband stepped away from the company, Cantrell took on his previous role in the field. Cantrell said, “After that experience, I came back and said I'm not going back…It was so interesting getting to know my subs…developing relationships of quality. [I] treated them with respect which many builders I watched did not.” During the transition, the internet took the industry by storm, allowing her husband to take over her previous administrative role while she embarked on her exhilarating journey in homebuilding. Realizing that Cobb County had a shortage in lots, Cantrell was in a bind as her company was in the process of developing a subdivision. Her father came across an opportunity to learn the inner workings of the development business and proposed entering this venture to share his expertise with Cantrell to benefit her company. By spending time on the 50-lot site and working closely on the project, Cantrell learned how to develop land. Following this, she purchased land and began the development of a project that consisted of multiple phases. At this point, Jack Cantrell acquired a few wallpaper-lining stores. While Jack ran the stores and managed the bookkeeping responsibilities of the company, Cantrell was out in the field building and developing. Founded in 1984, Cantrell Properties saw many changes during its impressive tenure in the Atlanta market. Cantrell remarked that in the beginning, the company produced homes priced between $80,000 to $150,000 to accommodate the move-up buyer market. The company's most recent product presents a collection of homes priced $500,000 to $700,000,

Founder Bill Jones with the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (STPAL) joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to talk about the organization's mission, community involvement and the upcoming anniversary event. Jones joins Carol Morgan on the Around Atlanta segment. A 10-year venture for Jones, the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Atlanta. The organization's original broad mission was to build more parks in convenient locations for larger groups of people. Today, STPAL specializes in passive-recreation parks that provide an outdoor space for people to show up at their convenience to hike, mountain bike, bird watch and more. The Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land owns 36 pieces of land across the state of Georgia that average at a few hundred acres each, with a few in North Carolina and Tennessee. Each piece of land has a management plan based on the property's capabilities, environmental status and more. With access to green space playing a vital role in his early years, Jones shared that the organization did not start long after he was born. It all began with the founding of the Chattahoochee Recreation Area in 1978 with the support of President Jimmy Carter. As an adult, Jones lived catty-corner to the green space and regularly took advantage of the large outdoor area for biking, walking, hiking and more. The Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land took off 10 years ago when Jones wished for more meaningful work. Jones said, “Parks and this type of park were important to me. That's why I started this…to create the opportunities I had to get the peace of nature near home." While a land trust focuses solely on the conservation and preservation of the land, STPAL focuses on acquiring land privately to deliver community spaces with specific purposes. At first, the organization mainly focused on land acquisition to create more parks. Over the years, the mission of Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land transformed to revolve around three words – conservation, recreation and community. On the conservation side, STPAL preserves all its properties to not only further conservation efforts but to provide public, outdoor sanctuaries indefinitely. The most significant conservation project in recent years consisted of planting longleaf pines seedlings, placing 50,000 in 2021 and on course to plant 150,000 more this year. Jones said, “The [original] dominant tree type in Georgia…these trees take 30 years to get a substantial size, 100 years to mature and can live to be 1,000 years old!” For recreation, the organization creates ideal green spaces for mountain biking, hiking and more to improve the lives of individuals and nearby communities. On the community side, STPAL brings people together through volunteer efforts at the parks. Tune in to the full interview above or visit https://STPAL.org to learn more about the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest,

Vice President of Construction Lending Eugene James with Quantum National Bank joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to talk about the economic health of our country, current market concerns and the controversy surrounding the build-to-rent market. James joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. A highly qualified and respected member of the industry,  James has over 30 years of experience working in the real estate and home building industries. Twenty of those years are as a real estate appraiser and consultant. James also has experience working directly with builders, in real estate brokerage and as a building advisor. James said, “Now, the best gig of all is I'm in banking! I literally get to give money away to people.” James joined the Quantum National Bank team in May of this year. Prior to that he worked in land acquisition for a premier Atlanta home builder. Quantum National Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank that has been a fundamental player in the Atlanta market for the past 27 years. Click here to learn more about his switch to the Quantum National Bank team! Offering most of the same services as larger banks, the customer service delivered by the smaller banking institution is unsurpassed, treating clients with love and respect. The bank offers its clientele several custom services for small businesses and merchants as well as individuals through its branches in North Fulton, Gwinnett and Buckhead.  Quantum National Bank also serves as a top SBA lender in Georgia with a talented commercial construction lending team. James' unit, the residential real estate construction division, serves as one of the top 10 residential construction lenders in the state of Georgia. Despite being a smaller bank, the company does quite a bit of construction financing! James said, “[My favorite part of the job] is being able to help a lot of builders succeed. I love working with builders and giving them points, tips, suggestions and advice as well as giving them the funding they need so they can build houses and new subdivisions.” A trend that market watchers have grown used to, national new construction and resale housing inventories continue to be alarmingly low. This market condition presents an opportunity for builders to construct more housing to meet the present demand. According to James, even with rising interest rates and inflation, the housing market still stands strong despite what national media headlines portray. After experiencing historically low rates for the last decade, James believes it is safe to say that the days of 3% mortgage rates are gone. Before the current market shift, it was typical for listings to sell 20% above the asking price. Now, sales agents often see offers matching the listed price. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about Quantum National Bank or visit www.QuantumBank.com.  Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com. Quantum National Bank and Denim Marketing are not affiliated. (August 2022) The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans.

Brad and Michael Cooper with Blue River Development, LLC  join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to chat about the development of 1,000 lots in Henry County, including Symphony Park, the company's brokerage service and what's next! The Cooper brothers join host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. An industry member for over 20 years, Brad started his career working for President of Touchstone Homes Bryan Cohen in land acquisition. After leaving his first position, he co-founded Capital Partners Development Company and forged partnerships with Marty Kennedy and other industry groups. After unwinding Capital Partners Development Company and working for NAI Brannen Goddard, Brad co-founded Blue River Capital Development nine years ago. Michael Cooper said, “We grew up in Gwinnett County, and we've been native to Atlanta for our entire growth of entrepreneurship.” A former member of the United States Navy, Michael Cooper completed a tour at Top Gun Naval Airstrike Warfare Center and gained valuable insight into the importance of systems-based operations in a high-stress environment. After leaving the Navy, Michael started an accounts receivable management firm where he applied his knowledge of systems-based processes to the finance industry. His long history in finance provided him with a wealth of knowledge to lean on as he progressed throughout his career, forging innovative developments and evolution. In 2013, Michael joined his brother and combined his passion for systems-based operations with Brad's passion for the homebuilding and development industry. The result? A Top Gun approach to developing land that is highly systemized.  “It's been great because Michael and I are the perfect marriage. Not only are we brothers and best friends, but our skill sets are very different but also very aligned,” Brad said. “Very few people in this industry are systemized at their approach to acquiring land.” Blue River Development, LLC is a nationally recognized Atlanta-based firm that is an industry leader in land sales and development. Led by the talented Cooper Brothers team, the company contains more than 20 years of valuable experience and directly impacts the communities it serves through development, acquisition and philanthropic contributions. With 1,000 lots in progress in Henry County, the company is currently developing Symphony Park. The community consists of 499 residential units, which include a mix of multi-family apartments, single-family attached and detached townhomes. The mixed-residential community uniquely includes built-in retail with proximity to a local Publix supermarket. In addition, the company has entered the Charlotte, North Carolina market where they are developing two communities.  Tune in to the full interview above for more information about Blue River Development, LLC or visit www.BlueRiverDevelopment.com.  Stay up to date on Blue River Development, LLC projects, news and upcoming communities by visiting the company's Atlanta Real Estate Forum author profile.

James Marlow, the new President of  Southface Institute joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to talk about Southface, the importance of the EarthCraft program, sustainable development and upcoming 2022 news. Marlow joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. A Georgia native, Marlow grew up in the little town of Lincolnton, settled between Athens and Augusta. An Atlanta resident since 1986, Marlow possesses an extensive travel background to support his career in technology, working with big names such as IBM, Yahoo and Lotus Development. A Co-Founder of Radiance Solar, Marlow conducted solar installations across the Southeast and beyond during his time as CEO. While possessing a colorful resume that spans several decades, Southface Institute was a part of Marlow's life long before became president. While still a resident in Lincolnton, Marlow wrote the company requesting additional information about solar energy to feed his growing interest in sustainability. Following his move to Atlanta and through his relationship with Southface, Marlow received his first exposure to LED lightbulbs, electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, advanced recycling and more. Southface Institute also hosted the very first Atlanta BeltLine public meeting. Marlow said, “Southface Institute is a thought-leader and an innovator, a convener and a connector of new technologies and ways to save money and also reduce your environmental impact, energy and water consumption and your waste.” EarthCraft is a building standard to help builders improve the air quality, energy use and energy conservation in a home, business or multi-family facility. The program was created and developed through a partnership with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association to ensure EarthCraft was grounded in sciences and economics while positively working for both environmentalists and home builders. The program's ultimate goal is to produce healthy, happy and high-performance constructions while keeping in mind life-cycle costs, potential energy requirements and more. The investments made on the front end will save owners money over course of the construction's life while also significantly reducing potential energy and environmental costs. Marlow said, “EarthCraft builders are people who really know what they're doing. They go to training and send their staff to train and are always keeping abreast of new technologies and ways of doing things.” While a popular buzzword with many people, sustainability has been a part of the Southface Institute business practice for over 40 years. Treating it as a core value and a part of the company ethos, the systems thinkers at Southface Institute consistently consider how the complex systems of a home, building or affordable housing unit work together. This spans the mechanics, lighting and electricity of a construction. When constructed to EarthCraft standards, added aspects such as double-paned windows, LED lighting and water-conserving appliances lead to slight premiums during the initial home purchase but result in monumental savings throughout the construction's lifetime.  Tune in to the full interview above for more information about the EarthCraft program and Southface Institute or visit www.Southface.org.  Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, License #22564. NMLS ID #6606. Subject to borrower and property qualifications. Not all applicants will qualify. New American Funding and Southface Institute are not associated. Click here to view the terms and conditions of products mentioned during the show. Corporate office 14511 Myford Rd., Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (800) 450-2010. (July/2022) New American Funding is a family-owned mortgage lender with a servicin...

Terry Morris, President of Morris & Fellows Real Estate Services, Inc. joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to dive into the rich company history and remark on notable career milestones. Morris joins host Carol Morgan as the fifth Legends of Real Estate series guest. A 1970 graduate of Florida State University, Morris took his first professional leap by starting his career in retail management. After several years and a closer look at his financial goals, Morris began searching for new opportunities when a friend suggested commercial mortgage banking. In 1974, he accepted a position at The Commonwealth Corporation in Tallahassee, Florida as a commercial loan officer, a move that soon coincided with the first recession Morris would weather in his career. The company asked him to obtain his Florida real estate license and formally trained him in appraisals. When not working on a commercial project, Morris assisted the residential lending division of the company with residential appraisals, his first introduction to the residential side of real estate. The recession hit the southeast particularly hard, prompting Morris and his wife, Cheri, to look for greener pastures to better support their family of four. Morris said, “We studied the national economy by region and city and determined that the best opportunities at the time were in either Austin, Texas or Wichita, Kansas. For a young, dual-career couple raised in the south, this looked like an adventure and an opportunity to see another part of the country outside our comfort zone." Morris and his family packed up and moved to Kansas, Cheri working for Melvin Simon and Associates and Morris for J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc., a residential and commercial brokerage firm founded in 1902.  He opened a new office for the company and eventually took over relocation services as well. Brokerage is conducted somewhat differently in every state based on state laws and customs developed over decades.  During this time, it was common for brokers to not only list and sell real estate but to also close loans in the broker's office, which led to some interesting situations. Morris said, “I'll never forget the day when a buyer showed up for an all-cash residential closing and put stacks of one-hundred-dollar bills on my desk. I couldn't get that closing done quick enough and get to the bank!” While they loved their life in Wichita, they felt far from home. Both Morris and his wife grew up in the southeast and knew it was time to pull out the map again and choose where their next and hopefully permanent stop would be. Atlanta seemed an attractive option with its opportunity for growth in both of their separate career paths. Cheri joined up with Tom Cousins as Vice President of marketing in the spring of 1978, and Morris joined Northside Realty, run at that time by Johnny Isakson. While working for Isakson, Morris first managed the North Sandy Springs office and then the Smyrna office, familiarizing himself with nuances of the Atlanta real estate market, Georgia laws, and customs. This was a wonderful opportunity to dig into the largest real estate market in the southeast working with a premier real estate brokerage firm. As Morris grew in his position with Northside, the second recession of his career loomed large. In the early 1980s, Morris found himself responsible for expanding a profit center while the market experienced interest rates of 18% and higher. Morris said, “That didn't stop us. We developed all sorts of creative ways to sell and finance homes. In our small office in West Cobb County, we sold one house a day on average in 1982 at 18% interest rates.” Morris and his team took advantage of the rent versus sell pros and cons and developed other innovative solutions to satisfy customer needs. Aided by Morris' financial background, he and his team became proficient problem solvers in challenging times. While in Smyrna,

Managing Partner Dean de Freitas with Macallan Construction and Executive Director Trisha Gross with Chastain Horse Park join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share Chastain Horse Park's history, renovation updates, sponsorship opportunities and more. De Freitas and Gross join host Carol Morgan on the Around Atlanta segment. One of the last remaining urban horse parks in the United States, Chastain Horse Park has been a part of the Atlanta community and metro landscape for almost 90 years. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is used for various equestrian-related purposes, serving children, teens and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. The organization also provides able-bodied programming in the form of boarding and educational opportunities. Gross said, “Our therapeutic program is our north star. It is our purpose and our mission. Within our program, we provide therapy services [including physical, occupational and speech therapy] all using the horses!” The organization also offers adaptive horsemanship programming and works with organizations such as Wellspring Living, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Outpatient Rehabilitation program, the Wounded Warrior Project and more! Part of the Macallan Group, Macallan Construction is a midsized commercial contractor with 20 years of experience and a diverse portfolio, including work with municipal projects, historic restorations, adaptive reuse, higher education constructions, senior living development, interior renovations and more. Focused on the needs of the client to ensue the project successfully meets those needs, Macallan Construction provides a full range of services to bring sophisticated management and development to smaller clients that regularly escape the radar of larger builders and contractors. De Freitas said, “We believe they ought to be served just as well as the bigger clients.” Operating on property owned by the City of Atlanta, Chastain Horse Park serves a broad range of individuals throughout Georgia. The organization's barns are nearing 25 years in age and no longer benefit Chastain Horse Park and its mission as it lacks the structure needed to conduct the various programs. Other problems include regular barn flooding, an absence of office space and more. The 15-acre property will experience the removal and replacement of all three existing barn structures, starting with the construction of a brand-new barn to kickstart the transition into the new age! With many animals to consider and the inability to suspend programming, Macallan Construction, fortunately, has experience in the horse world and understands the delicate nature of this project. The updated facility will include clinical spaces, vocational areas, a volunteer center with heating and air conditioning, a locker zone, office space as well a brand-new boarding barn and practice arena. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about Macallan Construction and Chastain Horse Park or visit www.ChastainHorsePark.org. Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above! Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, License #22564. NMLS ID #6606. Subject to borrower and property qualifications. Not all applicants will qualify. New American Funding and Chastain Horse Park are not associated. Click here to view the terms and conditions of products mentioned during the show. Corporate office 14511 Myford Rd., Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (800) 450-2010. (July/2022) New American Funding is a family-owned mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 216,000+ loans for $56.8 billion, 171 branches and about 4,500+ employees. The company offers several niche loan products and has made Inc. 5000's list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America seven times. For more information,