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Thursday, January 31, 2008

Serenity Cove in Newton Begins Construction for Exclusive Neighborhood

Whether buyers choose floor plans designed by Frank Betz & Associates or bring their own plans, the new home community of Serenity Cove is becoming a showplace in Newton County.

Two builders -- Todd Peppers with BMP Properties and Greg Kerbow with Madison Brook Homes -- have teamed up to create this affordable luxury community, which features home sites from one to nine acres. The 29-home community includes a winding street and plenty of green space.

"The name Serenity Cove aptly applies," said Sandi Austin, sales agent with American Land Mart, exclusive brokers for the community. "The homes are elegant and positioned on these large lots to showcase their styling and design. The community is peaceful and relaxing."

Austin said that home buyers can choose a lot and bring their own plans, working directly with the builders to price out home construction. "These builders are excellent and extremely responsive to home owners," she said. "The goal is to create homes that speak to their owners' style and personality."

Homes in Serenity Cove start at the mid $300,000s. Plans with four and five bedrooms and multiple baths are well suited to families looking for great value in one of the fastest-growing sections of north Georgia. Features include granite countertops, stainless appliances and brushed-nickel fixtures.

"The features in these homes at Serenity Cove would be upgrades in other houses in the same price point," Austin said. "They are truly a great value for the price."
Hardwood floors, detailed vaulted and coffered ceilings and Palladian windows punctuate the styling of the ranch and two-story homes. Some plans offer spacious master suites on the main floor with separate sitting rooms. Tile and granite master baths with oversized tubs and showers and dual vanities have vaulted ceilings, per plan.

"Trim detail, judges' panels and elegant staircases all create an air of luxury," Austin said.
All homes are three and four sides brick and have sod and irrigation on four sides. The exteriors include low-maintenance HardiPlank siding and vinyl soffits to give homeowners the peace of mind to relax and enjoy their homes. They all have full basements.
The community is located close to schools of excellence, shopping and easy access to I-20, I-75 and I-285 on the east side of metropolitan Atlanta.

To reach Serenity Cove, take I-20 east to Exit 82, then turn right onto Ga. 20 headed south. Turn left on Christian Circle and entrance to Serenity Cove is on the left.

Serenity Cove is being marketed by Coldwell Banker American Land Mart Inc. Ann Bell (770-483-8925) and Sandi Austin (770-652-1007) are the listing agents. The sales office is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1 p.m. until dusk. For more information, visit http://www.serenitycove.info/.

Crystal Lake Community Defies The Trend With 72 Luxury Home Sales During 2007

For those thinking that 2007 was a down year for real estate in Henry County, Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club has a different message: "It definitely wasn't a down year for us".

Sharon Patterson, the broker for Crystal Lake Realty LLC, which is handling sales in the community, said that according to data released recently by SmartNumbers, Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club had 72 home sales in 2007, more than twice the number reported for its closest competitor in the $295,000 and up price range.

Developed by Lake Erma LLC, the 750-acre gated, luxury home community, which is located on North Mt. Carmel Road in the Hampton area, offers an 18-hole golf course, 80-acre lake and a swim/tennis/playground amenity area with a covered pavilion for residents' use.

The seven custom builders active in the community have model homes available for prospective buyers and market homes for those buyers who need a home right away. With the current price range from $308,000 to $1,650,000, the selection is there for most prospective buyers looking for a luxury home.

The development's premier custom builder team is composed of Black Hawk Builders, Collins Communities Inc., Hunter Homes & Properties Inc., Loran Conner Inc., Next Generation, Oxford Custom Homes LLC, and RHB Inc.

This family-oriented community has interior, golf and lake homesites, many of which will accommodate a basement. Some of the standard features of the homes include granite counters and vanities, stainless appliances, hardwood floors, security systems, full sprinkler systems, wrought iron railings, and three-car garages. The most popular plans have two master suites.

Crystal Lake is located just two miles west of Exit 221 of I-75 and is less than a mile from the Dutchtown schools. It is a short distance from Henry Towne Center, the area's newest shopping center.

For more information on Crystal Lake call or visit the sales center by the main entrance on North Mt. Carmel Rd. or visit the community's website at http://www.crystallakecommunity.com/. The sales center, where the phone number is 770-957-0080, is open seven days a week.

Kenneth M. Gunn Joins Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty

Kenneth M. Gunn is a new sales associate with the Peachtree City/Fayette County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty.

Gunn, who has been in real estate for three years, completed Coldwell Banker FastStart, and he holds the GRI and CRS designations. He has been named to membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Club.

With an M. S. degree in logistics management, he served in the U. S. Air Force for 27 years. He has also been a communi;ty college instructor, working fulltime in this position for five years and part-time for seven years.

Gunn and his wife, Grace Jewell Blankenship, are Peachtree City residents. They have three children, Angela Egan, Audren Steinberg and Kenneth C. Gunn, and one grandchild, Emily Egan.
The are members of First Baptist Church of Maryville, Il.

Cynthia (Cyndi) Randolph Joins Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty

Cynthia (Cyndi) Randolph has joined Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty as a sales associate.

Raldolph, who has been in real estate for 17 years, comes to the Bullard organization as a result of its recent merger with Coldwell Banker Fulton Realty Associates.

A member of the Fayette County Board of Realtors, she is a new home specialist and has earned the ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) deaignation. She has been a Million Dollar Club member and has completed various real estate seminars during her career.

Randolph, a Fayetteville resident and a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, is married to Jack Randolph. They have one daughter, Whitney, 21

REALTOR JAMES HENKEL EARNS CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST DESIGNATION FROM THE COUNCIL OF RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS

Realtor James Henkel has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

James is a real estate professional with Prudential Georgia Realty and is based out of its Fayetteville office on Glynn Street. Originally from Texas, he is a graduate of Texas Tech University. Now residing locally in Fayetteville, James specializes in residential real estate in the Fayette County and surrounding region. He is a member of the Fayette County Board of Realtors, the Georgia Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.
Realtors who receive the CRS designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate. Only about 39,000 Realtors nationwide have earned this credential out of more than 1 million NAR members. Home buyers and sellers can be assured that CRS designees must subscribe to the strict Realtor code of ethics, have access to the latest technology and are specialists in helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the local real estate market, contact Realtor James Henkel at 770-719-9400 or visit http://www.jameshenkel.prudentialgeorgia.com/ to conduct a complete search of nearly 100,000 available properties in metro Atlanta and the Southern Crescent.

Prudential Georgia Realty (www.PrudentialGeorgia.com) is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, a full-service residential and commercial real estate network with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Ranked by Real Estate Magazine as one of the top 100 real estate companies in the U.S., the company placed 36th for most 2006 transactions in the trade magazine’s 2007 Power Broker Report.

For the last four years, Prudential Georgia Realty has been honored with a Consumers’ Choice Award as Best in Class for Executive Home Sales in Atlanta. The firm set another sales record in 2006 with nearly $3 billion in gross sales, breaking the 10,000-transaction mark for the second time in its 43-year history. The company has 24 locations in metro Atlanta and 1,500 Realtors ready to assist families with their real estate needs.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Channing Cove in Rockdale Offers $25,000 in Buyer Incentives in Builder Closeout

With classic brick elevations and large estate lots, Channing Cove continues to be one of the most popular communities in Rockdale County. As the 40-home community nears close-out, the builders are offering $25,000 in upgrades and other options on several of the homes that are ready for immediate move-in.

"From electing to finish the basement or home theater to using some of the funds toward closing costs, buyers have a wide choice of ways to take advantage of this extraordinary offer," said Sandi Austin, agent with Coldwell Banker American Land Mart, exclusive broker for Channing Cove. "These homes are an excellent value for the money with many extras that other builders consider to be upgrades."

Homes in Channing Cove start at the mid $300,000s. Plans with four and five bedrooms and multiple baths are well suited to families looking for great value in one of the fastest-growing sections of north Georgia.

"Our incentives are available on seven ready-for-move-in homes," Austin said. "Additionally, we've reduced the pricing by up to $35,000 on two other spec homes that feature our most popular floor plan -- the Jessica. In all, prospective home buyers have a chance to customize their incentive packages."

Two builders -- Todd Peppers with BMP Properties and Greg Kerbow with Madison Brook Homes -- have teamed up to create this affordable luxury community. The builder team in Channing Cove comes with an array of solid experience and qualifications necessary to build a beautiful quality home community. They have a unique feel for what the public wants and are dedicated to producing that type of home.

Granite countertops, stainless appliances and brushed-nickel fixtures showcase the upscale styling of each home. The floor plans are versatile and the details inside and out distinguish these homes from others in similar price ranges. The homes are stick built with pre-engineered open web floor trusses on basement homes. Homes have either two- or three-car garages, depending on the plan.

"All homes are three sides brick and have sod and irrigation on four sides," Austin said. The builders designed them with vinyl soffits and other features that signal low-maintenance and easy-care.

The community is located close to schools of excellence, shopping and easy access to I-20, I-75 and I-285 on the east side of metropolitan Atlanta.

To reach Channing Cove, take I-20 east to Exit 82, then turn right onto Ga. 20 headed south and go approximately 5.7 miles. Take a right onto Oglesby Bridge Road. Turn right onto Old Oglesby Bridge Road. The entrance to Channing Cove is on the left.

Channing Cove is being marketed by Coldwell Banker American Land Mart Inc. Ann Bell (770-483-8925) and Sandi Austin (770-652-1007) are the listing agents. The sales office is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1 p.m. until dusk. For more information, visit http://www.channingcove.info/.

Chambliss Co-Sponsors Isakson Measure to Stimulate the Housing Market

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today co-sponsored legislation authored by colleague U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., that would provide a $15,000 tax credit over a period of three years on single-family homes purchased between March 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009.

“Owning a home is part of the American dream, and when a family or an individual owns a home, they are not only investing in their own financial security but in their community as well,” said Chambliss. “Senator Isakson is a veteran of the real estate industry, and I’m pleased that he has come forward with this legislation that will help stimulate the housing market and give folks a chance to invest in their future.”

Buyers must occupy the homes as their principle residences to be eligible, and purchases of homes from investors or by investors are ineligible. Homes eligible for the tax credit include: 1) new homes where the building permit was issued and construction began on or before September 1, 2007; 2) owner-occupied homes whose first mortgage loan is in default; and 3) a single-family home that has been foreclosed on and is owned by the mortgagor or its agent.

A similar tax credit was invoked by Congress in the mid-1970s, when the housing market was in a similar crisis.

PRUDENTIAL GEORGIA REALTY ADDS REALTOR PAT WHITE

Prudential Georgia Realty continues to expand its Fayette County sales team with the addition of Realtor Pat White. She is based out of the company’s Fayetteville office on Glynn Street.

Pat makes the switch to Prudential from Harry Norman, Realtors. Originally from Connecticut, she now resides locally in Fayetteville. Pat has been an active leader in a local Cub Scout Pack for five years, where she has learned to incorporate Scout values in her business. She also holds a position on the school council in a local elementary school, where her two children attend.

Pat concentrates on residential real estate in the Fayette County and surrounding region. Professionally, she is a member of the Fayette County Board of Realtors, the Georgia Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

To learn more about the local real estate market, call Pat White at 770-719-9400 or visit http://www.patriciawhite.prudentialgeorgia.com/ to conduct a complete search of nearly 100,000 available properties in metro Atlanta and the Southern Crescent.

Prudential Georgia Realty (www.PrudentialGeorgia.com) is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, a full-service residential and commercial real estate network with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is the 11th largest Prudential real estate affiliate in North America. Ranked by Real Estate Magazine as one of the top 100 real estate companies in the U.S., Prudential Georgia Realty placed 36th for most 2006 transactions in the real estate trade magazine’s 2007 Power Broker Report.

For the last four consecutive years, Prudential Georgia Realty has been honored with a Consumers’ Choice Award as Best in Class for Executive Home Sales in metro Atlanta. The firm set another sales record in 2006 with nearly $3 billion in gross sales, breaking the 10,000 transaction mark for the second time in its 43-year history. The company has 24 locations in metro Atlanta and 1,500 Realtors ready to assist families with their real estate needs.

Isakson Introduces Legislation Offering Tax Credit to Homebuyers

Drawing on more than three decades of experience in the real estate industry, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today introduced legislation to provide a $15,000 tax credit spread out over three tax years for anyone purchasing a new home, a foreclosed home or a home where foreclosure is pending. Isakson said he believes such a tax credit would provide an immediate boost to the housing market and to the nation’s economy, just as a similar tax credit did in the mid-1970s.

Co-sponsors of Isakson’s legislation include Senators Judd Gregg, R-N.H., Wayne Allard, R-Colo., Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho.

“Our country and our economy face a serious challenge in the next 12 months. The number of unsold new homes and foreclosed resale homes will reach unprecedented numbers. Lenders will be forced to liquidate their real estate holdings, which will result in lower home values and less equity for homeowners,” Isakson said. “Today, we need the same bold incentive to restore the housing market and consumer confidence. Just as it did in the mid-1970s, this proposal will reduce inventories, reduce foreclosures and stabilize market values.”

In the mid-1970s, America faced a similar housing crisis when a period of easy credit and loose underwriting flooded the market with new construction. Interest rates rose, the economy slowed and America was left with a three-year supply of vacant homes. Congress responded by passing a $6,000 tax credit spread out over three tax years for anyone purchasing a new home for their principle residence. Isakson believes the results were clear and swift as home values stabilized, housing inventory dropped and the market recovered.

Specifically, Isakson’s legislation, S.2566, will provide a direct tax credit for the purchase of a single-family home in the amount of $5,000 a year for three years on homes purchased between March 1, 2008, and February 28, 2009. Buyers must occupy the homes as their principle residences to be eligible, and purchases of homes from investors or by investors are ineligible.

Homes eligible for the tax credit include:
· New homes where the building permit was issued and construction began on or before September 1, 2007;
· Owner-occupied homes whose first mortgage loan is in default; and
· A single-family home that has been foreclosed on and is owned by the mortgagor or its agent.

Isakson spent more than three decades in the real estate business, beginning his business career in 1967 when he opened the first Cobb County office of a small, family-owned real estate business, Northside Realty. Isakson later served as president of Northside for 20 years, presiding over the company’s growth into the largest independent residential real estate brokerage company in the Southeast and one of the largest in America.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

National Group Helps Wounded Troops Buy Homes

Photo: Through its Wounded Warrior Housing Project, Operation Homefront is helping wounded veterans become homeowners. The group is working with home builders and mortgage lenders to make homes like this one in Glendale, Ariz., affordable through price reductions and lower mortgage rates. Photo courtesy of Operation Homefront

A recent study that estimates nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night has spurred Operation Homefront, a national troop-support group, to action.

The study, titled "Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans," estimated that on any given night in 2006, 195,827 veterans were homeless. The number represents nearly 25 percent of the nation's homeless population.

Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and promotes morale for troops and their families. The organization is connecting wounded veterans, who can face financial trials during recovery, with home builders and mortgage lenders to make home ownership easier.

The group is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

"When the statistics came out about one in four homeless is a veteran, that was when we said, 'That's it,'" said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront. "That's exactly what's going to happen to our guys if we don't have a long-term vision here and implement it now.

"(We are working with) ... home builders to basically sell their excess inventory to wounded warriors," Leyva said, explaining that her organization's role is to make connections and help negotiate the best deals possible. "These are good homes, and (the builders) are dropping the price by $30,000 to $50,000."

The goal is to sell entire swaths of neighborhoods, ideally near Veterans Affairs medical facilities, to wounded warriors, she said. This creates an understanding community.

"It's a community that's going to look out for each other," Leyva said. "And even in the worst of times, they've still got their house."

To sweeten the deal further, Operation Homefront is working with mortgage lenders to negotiate lower interest rates on 30-year home loans.

The group also is asking lenders for a little compassion if a new homeowner should miss mortgage payments because of medical issues, Leyva said. That would require a statement from the doctor and a repayment plan, however, and there is no guarantee that the original lender won't sell the loan to another company who might not be so understanding.

As excited as Operation Homefront is about the program, its officials are realistic about how long it will take to get up a head of steam.

"This is going to take months, because people just can't make a commitment of hundreds of thousands of dollars on either the builders' or the lenders' side without some serious thought as to how they're going to do it," she said. "It'll take a good three to six months to build up some really solid commitments from builders and lenders."

Home builders in Arizona, as well as the Houston Housing Authority in Texas, have given the program a good start by committing a number of homes, Leyva said.


Tuesday, January 22, 2008

TWO DECORATED TOWNHOME MODELS NOW OPEN IN JOHNS CREEK WALK

Two decorated model homes have opened in the townhome area of Johns Creek Walk, a new mixed-use community in North Fulton County.


Professionally decorated by award-winning DEI (Design Environments Inc.), the models are open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. A grand opening agents event is planned for Tuesday, Feb. 26.

The clubhouse in Johns Creek Walk is designed to replicate a 1940s movie theater, with showtimes Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. Through Tuesday, Feb. 12, each visiting agent who previews or shows prospects the townhomes receives a gift of movie theater concessions, such as Raisinettes, Goobers, Hershey bars, Coca-Cola or popcorn and a chance to win a weekly drawing for Regal Cinema gift card passes.

The model homes are Richard Aaronson Signature Homes' Artisan and Craftsman plans. The Artisan is a three-bedroom plus bonus room, three and one-half bath plan, while The Craftsman is a four-bedroom, three and one-half bath plan with the master suite downstairs. The model homes serve as a showcase for the latest color palettes, fabrics and textures, cutting edge design features, layouts, building materials, and other items. The 44 townhomes range in price from the low $300,000s to the low $400,000s.

Johns Creek itself is one of the metro Atlanta newest cities, and in order to help meet the demand for great new neighborhoods there, Atlantic Realty Partners, an Atlanta-based developer of mixed-use communities, is now building Johns Creek Walk. Meg Thompson, broker for Johns Creek Walk Realty, which is handling the residential sales there, pointed out that the community is North Fulton County's first true live, work and play neighborhood, offering a unique blend of sophisticated manor homes, Arts and Crafts-inspired townhomes, luxury rentals and specialty retail.

The 26-acre community will have a mix of housing choices, including the townhomes as well as 17 custom-built single-family manor homes, which are 50 percent sold out, and 210 luxury apartments with condominium-grade finishes when complete. Built by Cliftwood-Johns Creek LLC, the single-family Manor homes are priced starting in the low $500,000s.

The builders in Johns Creek Walk are currently offering purchasers a $10,000 buyer incentive.

Amenities currently in place include a swimming pool with outdoor kitchen and cabana, state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour Wi-Fi equipped cyber cafe', business center, pocket parks, pond with ambient water feature, sidewalks on both sides of the streets, park benches, period streetlights and sign posts.

The on-site agent in the the sales center, where the telephone number is 678-261-7587.
To reach Johns Creek Walk, take Ga. 400 north to Exit 13/Georgia 141, and turn right. Stay straight when the road becomes Medlock Bridge. The community is on the right at the intersection of Medlock Bridge and Bell Road.

Home Building Brings Millions into the Local Economy

Reports from a national level senior economist show that building just 100 new homes in the Midwest region of Georgia generates over $43 million dollars in local income and over $8 million dollars in local taxes over a 10 year period.

Dr. Elliot F. Eisenberg, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders, spoke at Fayetteville First Baptist Church last Thursday night at an event on the economic impact home building has on our local economy.

Organized by the Home Builders’ Association of Midwest Georgia and the Fayette County Board of Realtors, Eisenberg’s presentation covered two areas: how monies generated from building new homes flow in the local economy and the costs to the local area to support that growth.

Eisenberg analyzed the impact of new home construction in three phases: the construction phase, the ripple effect and the occupancy phase, and then compared it to the cost of public services like roads, education, fire, police, hospitals and, of special concern, water. Using data supplied by the federal census, the numbers show that new homes in our local region actually pay for themselves in just 7 years.

Eisenberg reports the first year’s impact during the construction phase of 100 new homes generated over $9.2 million in local income, $818,000 in local taxes and created 140 local jobs. But the effect doesn’t stop there. Eisenberg explains that an ongoing economic ripple is created as those who profit from the home building industry spend that money in the local economy.

“The ripple effect lasts for a year following the completion of the home and is approximately 50% of the construction phase,” states Eisenburg. “The occupation phase lasts as long as the house is occupied.”

Eisenburg reports that the first year impact of the ripple phase generates an additional $4.4 million in local income, $499,000 in local taxes and 70 jobs. The occupancy phase produces $3 million in local income, $727,000 in local taxes and creates 52 local jobs.

“These numbers are impressive,” said Lynne Bride of Harry Norman Realtors. “We want people to know that this area is a great place to be and that new growth doesn’t have to cause problems.”

New homes do require fire, police, garbage collection, new parks, roads, schools and they also create new demand for water and other utilities. But findings show that by the end of the 7th year, the cost to support every 100 new homes is fully paid for with an ongoing surplus of $166,946 thereafter. This is the equivalent of municipalities paying off entire sewer systems, schools and more in only 7 years.

Eisenberg asks to contrast that kind of pay off with “car loans lasting 5 years” and asking the question “How fast did you pay off your student loans?”

Eisenburg further explains that without the economic stimulus from new home construction, local economies start to decline pointing to other areas of the country where home construction is stagnant.

“This is an exciting area,” said Eisenberg. “Home ownership is still affordable here and has the ability to pay for itself in seven years.”

BUILDING STANDARDS PROPOSED FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL

The Newnan Planning Commission, along with the City Planning Department, is currently developing proposed building standards for new residential construction in Newnan’s national register historic districts. Under these standards, residential new construction will be required to be compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood within which they are being built.

The Planning Commission is currently seeking public input on the proposed standards. They will hold a public hearing at their next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Newnan City Hall.

“Although the City has existing national register districts, we do not have standards in place to ensure that new construction compliments the existing historic homes,” said Tracy Dunnavant, Planning and Zoning Director for the City of Newnan. “As of right now, types of building materials, scale, and other pertinent decisions are left solely to the discretion of the builder, and the city is considering adopting language to ensure some type of quality control,” continued Dunnavant.

In defining “new construction”, the Commission was quick to limit the standards to structures being built on undeveloped lots or lots where complete demolition has occurred. The regulations would not apply to the expansion of existing structures, improvements to exterior walls, additions to existing structures, accessory structures for existing residences, and general maintenance and repair of existing homes.

With the proposed additions to the zoning ordinance, standards for new residential construction in the area include such requirements as enhancing the overall character of the district, being compatible with the dominant design characteristics of the historic homes, being consistent with adjacent structures, and using building materials such as wood, brick, masonry, and other complimentary materials. The use of vinyl siding in the district will be strongly discouraged.

Dunnavant said the standards are designed to achieve the quality development that the City is seeking, while providing a certain amount of flexibility for the property owner. She added that maintaining that careful balance is crucial when creating a successful design.

Dunnavant said that her department is available to answer questions and has copies of the proposed standards for review. She can be reached at 770-254-2354.

The Mayor and City Council will have to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendations before the ordinance is officially adopted.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Coldwell Banker Bullard Welcomes Tracy Willis

Tracy M. Willis is a new sales associate with the Peachtree City/Fayette County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty.

Willis, who has been in real estate for two years, joined the Bullard organization as a result of its recent merger with Coldwell Banker Fulton Realty Associates. Previously from New Jersey, she has a degree in nursing from Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, N. J., and she worked in nursing prior to entering real estate.

She is married to Steve Willis, and they have three children, Cory, 20, Ryan, 19, and Justin, 9. The two older boys are graduates of Starr’s Mill High School and now attend Jacksonville State University and Auburn University, and the youngest attends Kedron Elementary School.

Willis is a member of the Fayette County Board of Realty, Cultural Diversity, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Highwoods Properties Renews 221,000 Square Foot Lease at Century Center in Atlanta

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE: HIW), the largest owner and operator of suburban office properties in the Southeast, today announced that it has renewed a lease for 221,000 square feet at 2800 Century Center in Atlanta. This lease was set to expire in January 2009 and has been extended through July 2014.

Ed Fritsch, President and CEO of Highwoods stated, “We are pleased to put our largest 2009 lease expiration to bed. Congratulations to our leasing team in Atlanta for their hard work in securing this renewal.”

The Company also announced that it has signed a 25,000 square foot lease at Highwoods Bay Center I in Tampa. This 208,000 square foot, $42 million, Class A office building started as a 100% speculative project in May 2006, and is now 78% pre-leased. Highwoods Bay Center I is slated to reach stabilization by year-end 2008.

“Our Highwoods Bay Center development continues to attract high-quality customers. Highwoods Bay Center is ideally located in the highly desirable Westshore submarket, which was 92% occupied at the end of the third quarter, and continues to demand the highest rents in the overall Tampa market. Including this lease, our $500 million development pipeline is currently 77% pre-leased,” added Mr. Fritsch.

In 2007, the Company delivered $200 million of new development that was 88% pre-leased.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Purchasers of Brannon Oak Farm Villa Like Design, Location of Their Home

Jim and Coco Bailey moved from Ormond Beach, Fla., last November to be near their five grandchildren who live in the North Metro Atlanta area. They chose to purchase a villa, or townhome, in The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm in Forsyth County.

Jim Bailey, noting that they had never previously lived in anything but a single family home, said he and his wife are really pleased with the design of their new villa home, which is the builder's Dogwood plan. This plan has an upstairs loft with a bathroom, and the Baileys use the space as a guest bedroom where visitors can stay. They also like the location of the community, which is only a mile and one-half from Exit 13 of Georgia 400. "This is a quiet community, and we have good neighbors," said Jim Bailey.

The neighborhood is located east of Georgia 400 only about a mile from the upscale new Avenue shopping center at Hwy. 141 and Ronald Reagan Drive.

The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, which has entrances off both Peachtree Parkway and Majors Road, is The Orchards Group's largest and most unique active adult neighborhood thus far. The development will ultimately have 218 homes in three separate villages, each with its own distinct product line. Each of the product lines is designed to be "adult friendly" with the master bedrooms and guest bedrooms on the main level.

There will be a total of 72 villas, which are from The Orchards Group's newest product line the Arbors Collection. Sales have already closed on five of these homes, and four more are under contract. With homes priced from the low $300,000s to the $350,000s, this village has three decorated model homes, The Elm, The Dogwood and The Birch, and five different floor plans are available, all with the master on the main but in an attached configuration. All contain a covered rear porch or optional sunroom, large master retreats with elegant baths, vaulted ceilings, and a two-car garage, and some plans have a secondary bedroom plus a den.

The village of 58 detached single family homes is an updated version of plans which The Orchards Group first featured at Muirfield at Windermere a few year ago. Homebuyers in this village can choose among five plans from The Orchards Group's Gallery Collection, including The Hampton plan used for the model home. Offered are three ranch plans and two master on the main level plans, and the prices of these single family homes range from $290,000 to the low $400,000s. With low maintenance living and landscaping upkeep in a traditional detached home format, these homes include many special features, with the list including covered porches, grand kitchens, formal dining areas, and spacious master retreats. Closings have already taken place on 16 single family homes.

The 88 ranch condominiums, 19 of which are already under contract, are from The Orchards Group's Southern Heritage Collection. These are spacious two and three-bedroom plans, each with an activities suite having an optional full bath above the garage. There are two decorated condominium models, The Asheville and The Charleston, and three different floor plans are offered. The price range of these homes are from $260,000 to $316,000, and there are such features as vaulted ceilings, covered "rocking chair" porches, an abundance of windows, large master retreats, and attached two-car garages. Sunrooms can be added as an option.

Exterior materials used on the homes include brick, stacked stone and Hardiplank. The homes have tree-lined backdrops, and several basement lots are available in the Gallery single family and Arbors villas neighborhoods.

The neighborhood's plans call for two swimming pools, one of which will be located next to the Grand Clubhouse, which will provide a fitness center, two card and games rooms, a hospitality den with a fireplace, a grand room with a fireplace, a large gourmet kitchen, a flat screen television with surround sound, restrooms, and a large covered rear verandah. The second swimming pool will have a cabana.

The neighborhood and its residents are served by an activities director who coordinates social events and planned activities inside and outside the neighborhood.

More information about The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm can be obtained by calling the on-site agents, Deborah Reahm and Roselle Page, at 678-513-8879.

The Orchards Group has been successfully building ranch condominium and low maintenance detached homes in Atlanta for more than 10 years. With more than 1,000 homeowners now living in an Orchards Group community, the firm has gained a reputation for excellence in its product design, amenities planning and attention to customer satisfaction. The company is also selling new homes in The Orchards of Habersham Grove, also in Cumming, and in The Orchards of East Cherokee in Woodstock. For more about the company and its communities, see the company website at http://www.orchardsgroup.com/.


Monday, January 14, 2008

Johns Creek Walk Participates in New City's Founders Day Parade

John Creek Walk Realty represented the Johns Creek Walk community in the first Founders Day Parade for the new city. The event, held Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, was part of a day-long holiday flavored celebration of the first anniversary of the city's incorporation.

Those from Johns Creek Walk riding in their signature 1947, fire engine red, Chevrolet pickup truck were complete with a large representation of children and jingle bells were Jan Daniel, director of development of Atlantic Realty Partners, developer of the community, and his family; and broker Meg Thompson, John Thompson, and on-site agent Brannon Justice and his family from Johns Creek Walk Realty.

"We are excited to participate in this inaugural parade.", said Meg Thompson. "Johns Creek Walk is a focal point in this new city, and we are committed to supporting the community as it continues to grow."

The 1.3-mile long parade took place on State Bridge Road and included a variety of floats, marching bands and other participants. The day's events also included a family-oriented event, highlighted by a visit from Santa Claus, at Newtown Park and a tree-lighting ceremony at City Hall.

Johns Creek Walk, a mixed-use community, is North Fulton County's first true live, work and play neighborhood, offering a unique blend of sophisticated manor homes, Arts and Crafts-inspired townhomes, luxury rentals and specialty retail.

The 26-acre community will have a mix of housing choices, including 17 custom-built single-family homes and 44 three- and four-bedroom townhomes and 210 luxury apartments with condominium- grade finishes when complete. Amenities currently in place include a swimming pool with outdoor kitchen and cabana, state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour Wi-Fi equipped cyber cafe, business center, pocket parks, pond with ambient water feature, sidewalks on both sides of the streets, park benches, period streetlights and sign posts.

More information about Johns Creek Walk is available by calling 678-261-7587.

LEE IS JONESBORO OFFICE INDIVIDUAL AGENT LEADER

Joan Lee has been recognized as December 2007 Individual Agent Leader for the Jonesboro/Clayton County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty.

Patricia Ramsey was the office's No. 2 individual producer for the month, and Charity Pruett was No. 3.

An associate broker, Lee has been in real estate for 11 years. She joined Coldwell Banker Bullard as a result of the company's recent merger with Coldwell Banker Joe T. Lane Realty.
She is a resident of Clayton County.

Daniel Is Individual Agent Leader for Company, Peachtree City

Donna Daniel was announced as December 2007 Individual Agent Leader both companywide and for the Peachtree City/Fayette County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty, the third time in 2007 she received the monthly company honor and the fourth time for the office award.

Michelle Munda from the Griffin/Spalding County office was companywide No. 2 producer, and Dennis Kitchens from the Jackson/Butts County office was No. 3.

Donna Lasseter was the month�s No. 2 producer for the office, and the No. 3 individual producer for the office during the month was Martin Wise.

A 30-year resident of Fayette County, Daniel earned her Georgia real estate training through the Georgia MLS School and became a licensed Realtor in May 2002. Before that, she worked with SunTrust Banks Inc. for 16 years, primarily in the Trust, Human Resources and Retirement Services Departments. She was in various capacities at SunTrust, including executive administrative assistant, assistant vice president/executive compensation manager and assistant vice president/retirement services manager. In addition, she has been an active real estate investor for over 10 years.

Daniel has been a consistent top producer since entering real estate in 2002. She earned membership in the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society from 2003 through 2005, the International Sterling Society for 2006, the Million Dollar Club for four consecutive years, and the Bullard President's Relocation Club for the past three years. For her office, she was the No. 2 producer in 2003 and 2005, and was No. 1 producer in 2004. She also was presented the KNOW Magazine Award in 2004 for her work in relocation and was the company's Top Outgoing Referral Agent that same year.

Her husband is Jerry Daniel, and they have on daughter, Jennifer Daniel, one granddaughter, Haylea Beil, and one grandson, Jack Hulse.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

DICKENS TOPS SALES AT NEWNAN OFFICE

For the ninth time in 2007, Steven Dickens was named as Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty's Individual Agent Leader for its Newnan/Coweta County office. The latest recognition was for December 2007.

Sonya Shipley was the No. 2 individual producer for the Newnan office during the month, and Shannon Scott was No. 3.

Dickens started his real estate career with Bullard five years ago, transferring to the Newnan office early in 2006 from the Jonesboro office. He is a specialist in assisting private owners in buying and selling personal and investment properties, as well as serving many nationwide corporate clients in marketing their foreclosure properties.

Before entering real estate, he had a successful 15-year career in corporate management with Edison Bros. Stores Inc., Circuit City and Gateway Computers.

An Active Life Member of the Metro South Association of Realtors' Circle of Excellence, he was a top-selling agent for the Jonesboro office in 2005, being No. 1 in sales volume and No. 3 in generating income. He received Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation International awards the past three years, Sterling Society membership in 2004 and Diamond Society membership in 2005. In 2006, he finished in the top 2 percent of Coldwell Banker agents nationwide and gained membership in the Coldwell Banker International President's Elite, and was the year's top producer both company wide and for the Newnan/Coweta County office.

Married to Vanessa Dickens, he is the father of three children, Austin, Meagan and Nic. The family lives in Newnan.

BULLARD, FULTON REAL ESTATE COMPANIES ANNOUNCE MERGER

Steve Bullard and Jim Fulton have announced the merger of Coldwell Banker Fulton Realty Associates with the Bullard Realty organization.

This is the second merger of companies with Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty in recent weeks. Earlier, it was announced that Jonesboro-based Coldwell Banker Joe T. Lane Realty had merged with the Bullard Realty organization.

Jim Fulton, who is now an associate broker with Bullard’s Peachtree City/Fayette County office, said, “Steve Bullard and I have known each other a long time, and we’ve discussed this possible merger previously. We both felt that now is the right time to do it.”

Bullard noted that merger will result in a much stronger operation serving the real estate needs and providing Coldwell Banker services to the Peachtree City/Fayette County area. The office will be the largest in the Bullard organization and one of the largest real estate offices in Peachtree City. “We’re also extremely pleased to have someone of the caliber of Jim Fulton, who is a longtime community leader in Peachtree City and Fayette County, associated with our company,” he said.

Including Jim Fulton, 25 Realtors previously with Coldwell Banker Fulton Realty Associates are joining Bullard’s Peachtree City/Fayette County office as a result of the merger. They include Minka Fulton, Debbie Lowe, Pete Benson, Bruce Williams, Bruce Cole, Billy Simpson, Tracy Willis, Terry Hoffman, Reggie Johnson, Harrison Miller, Judy Powell, Martin Wise, Dianne Maney, Larry Moseley, Beverly Bryant, Tracey O’Brien, Carol Owen, Darlene Pearson, Jim Qualls, Cyndi Randolph, Marie Rich, Greg Schneider, Stephan Curcio and Cheryl Dunson.
The addition of the agents from Fulton Realty Associates increases the size of the Bullard Peachtree City/Fayette County office at 201 Prime Point to 82 agents. There are also three managers and support staff, headed by Managing Broker George Wiley.

The Fulton family’s activities in real estate go back to 1961, when Miriam Fulton, Jim Fulton’s mother, started selling homes and homesites for the developer of Peachtree City. This was just after the Fulton family had moved into one of the first new homes in Peachtree City.

Miriam Fulton founded Miriam Fulton Realty in 1971,and Jim Fulton joined her in 1972. When Jim Fulton received his broker’s license in 1975, he took over the operations of the company on a day-to-day basis. In January of 1991, the Fultons purchased a Coldwell Banker network-owned office in Peachtree City, merging it with their own office and becoming a Coldwell Banker affiliate. At that same time, the business name was changed from Miriam Fulton Realty to Coldwell Banker Fulton Realty Associates.

Jim Fulton, who plans to concentrate his efforts for Bullard Realty in the commercial real estate area, is a former chairman of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority of Peachtree City. He served as president of the Fayette County Board of Realtors and the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, and he has been named Fayette County Business Person of the Year and Realtor of the Year.

Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty is the oldest and largest real estate company headquartered in the Metro South area of Atlanta and was ranked #194 on RISMedia’s Real Estate 2007 Power Broker Report, which included 500 of the most successful real estate companies from throughout the nation. The company was ranked at No. 13 in the Atlanta Business Chronicle's most recent listing of “Atlanta's Top 25 Residential Real Estate Companies”, and it is the principal Cendant Mobility broker for the South and East Metro Atlanta areas, having the largest Relocation Department on the Southside. The company became a Coldwell Banker franchisee in early 1998 and is the largest Coldwell Banker franchise in Georgia.

The Bullard organization has its corporate headquarters and a local office in Jonesboro, branch offices of Bullard Realty in McDonough, Peachtree City, Jackson, Griffin, Newnan, and Conyers, and an affiliated company, American Land Mart in Conyers, which has a major share of the luxury home market in the Rockdale County area.

Real Estate Course in Griffin Begins on Tuesday, Jan. 22

The Coldwell Banker Bullard Advantage School of Real Estate will conduct the 75-hour real estate salesperson’s course in Griffin beginning Tuesday, Jan. 22.

The eight-week course is required by the Georgia Real Estate Commission for a person to take the state real estate salesperson's licensing exam. Held in conjunction with Griffin Technical College, it will take place at the college at 501 Varsity Rd. in Griffin.

Classes will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 until 9:15 p.m. The instructor will be Joe T. Lane.

The cost of the course is $450.00 plus books, and payment must be made in full upon registration. Those interested in taking the course should call Stephanie Fenton, director of career development for Coldwell Banker Bullard, at 770-477-6400, Ext. 229, for information about registration and materials.

BRAYSON SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN PUBLICATION’S ‘BOOK OF LISTS’

Brayson Homes is once again ranked among "Atlanta's Top 25 Home Builders" in the Atlanta Business Chronicle's special “Book of Lists” publication that was distributed on Dec. 28, 2007.

The company is No. 13 on the publication's list of top home builders, which is based on the number of homes closed.

Gwinnett-based Brayson Homes, which was founded in 1977, has sold over 8,500 new homes during its more than 30-year history.

The company is active in 10 different counties in the Atlanta Metro region. Current communities and neighborhoods include The Enclave at Diamond Ridge in Cherokee County; Neal Pointe in Clayton County; Cedar Walk in DeKalb County; Clearwater Pointe and Pinehurst at Heron Bay in Henry County; Southwoods and Northwoods at Mirror Lake in Douglas County; Crescent Landing and Blackburn Ridge in Forsyth County, SouthWind in South Fulton County; Bramlett Station, Brookside Crossing, Victoria Highlands, The Reserve at Lakeside and Summerlake in Gwinnett County, Stonewood Creek in Paulding County, and Saddlebrook and The Meadows in Newton County. Coming soon is Oakdale Ridge in Cobb County. Outside the Metro Atlanta area, the company is now building communities in Augusta, Ga., and Greenville and Anderson, S. C.

More information about Brayson Homes and its communities can be found at http://www.braysonhomes.com/.

COLDWELL BANKER BULLARD IN ANNUAL ‘BOOK OF LISTS’

Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty has once again been included in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual “Book of Lists” publication. Bullard continues to occupy the No. 13 position in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual listing of “Atlanta’s Top 25 Residential Real Estate Companies”.

The ranking, which was based on gross residential sales volume in the Atlanta area, appeared in the special publication which was distributed on Dec. 28, 2007. Coldwell Banker Bullard is once again the highest-ranked real estate firm headquartered in the Metro South area.

The oldest real estate company headquartered in the Metro South area of Atlanta, Coldwell Banker Bullard has its headquarters in Jonesboro. The organization now has other offices in Griffin, McDonough, Jackson, Peachtree City, Newnan, and Conyers, and a separate but affiliated company, Coldwell Banker American Land Mart in Conyers.

The Bullard organization, founded in 1956 by the late Cliff Bullard, worked out a franchise agreement with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation a few years ago and is the largest Coldwell Banker franchise in Georgia. Current Owner and President Steve Bullard has been with the company for 35 years.

Wieland to Present Second Peachtree City Planning Charrette on 1/23

John Wieland Homes will present a second planning charrette on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 7:00 pm at City Hall in Peachtree City.

The first charette was held on December 4, 2007, and the public was invited to share their vision via a visual preference survey for residential imagery, residential streetscape imagery, mixed-use streetscape imagery, commercial imagery and landscape imagery. The purpose of this charrette is for Wieland Homes to present a new concept plan, taken from public comment, and likes/dislikes, from the last meeting.

In this second presentation, Wieland will also include the area north of the 89-acre tract. As discussed in past task force meetings, the area to the north of the 89 acres is being looked at as an office/institutional development area.

The public is invited to attend and voice their opinions and concerns. The 89 acres are located in the West Village, along GA Highway 74, near south Kedron Drive.

REALTOR ROSE DAVIS EARNS PRUDENTIAL CERTIFIED MARKETING SPECIALIST DESIGNATION

Prudential Georgia Realty real estate professional Rose Davis has recently earned her Certified Marketing Specialist (CMS) designation to better serve her clients. This designation is exclusive to Prudential Georgia Realty in the metro Atlanta region.

Several components are required including a home marketing proposal course, a negotiations skill building course, advanced critique of an agent’s marketing presentation materials, how to employ the latest marketing skills in presentations and collateral materials, knowledge and usage of the latest technology available such as PDA phone or a Smartphone, and numerous other marketing and role-playing techniques.

Rose Davis is a Realtor in Prudential Georgia Realty’s Peachtree City office, located in The Avenue shopping plaza at the corner of Hwy. 54 and Hwy. 74. A Georgia native, she is a graduate of Briarwood High School and the Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. Residing in Peachtree City, Rose specializes in residential real estate, corporate relocation, military and airline transfers, first-time home buyers, land and investment properties in Fayette and Coweta counties.

In addition to the CMS, Rose already holds the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), the Certified Skilled Negotiator (CSN) and the Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) designations as well as earning her Associate Broker’s license.
“I want to be full service for my clients and part of doing that is staying up on the latest training, technology and education,” said Rose Davis, who was the only agent in her office to complete the CMS designation to date.

Professionally, Rose is a member of the Fayette County Board of Realtors, the Georgia Association of Realtors, the Women’s Council of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors and the Real Estate Buyers Agency Council (REBAC). Because of her high annual sales production, Rose is also an active member of the Fayette County Board’s Million Dollar Club. She has been selling real estate for nearly a decade and has helped dozens of families achieve the dream of home ownership.

To reach her for more information on the local real estate market, contact Rose Davis at 770-487-8300 or visit http://www.rosedavis.org/ to conduct a complete search of more than 100,000 available metro Atlanta properties.

Prudential Georgia Realty (www.PrudentialGeorgia.com) is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, a full-service residential and commercial real estate network with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Ranked by Real Estate Magazine as one of the top 100 real estate companies in the U.S., the company placed 36th for most 2006 transactions in the real estate trade magazine’s 2007 Power Broker Report.

For the last four consecutive years, Prudential Georgia Realty has been honored with a Consumers’ Choice Award as Best in Class for Executive Home Sales in metro Atlanta. The firm set another sales record in 2006 with nearly $3 billion in gross sales, breaking the 10,000-transaction mark for the second time in its 43-year history. The company has 24 locations in metro Atlanta and 1,500 Realtors ready to assist families with their real estate needs.

Orchards of East Cherokee Has First Two New Home Closings

The Orchards of East Cherokee, The Orchards Group's 140-home 55 and older active adult age preferred community neighborhood near Woodstock, has recorded its first two new home closings. In addition, the development in the historic Hickory Flat area of Cherokee County has 10 homes under contract.

Both of the closed sales involved ranch condominiums, and Sandra Hicks, one of the new homeowners, pointed out that she based her decision to purchase on both the location of the neighborhood, the product being offered, and her confidence in the builder.

Ms. Hicks, who previously lived at Lake Allatoona, said she became interested in living in the neighborhood when the units were first coming out of the ground. She liked the location in the Hickory Flat area, and she was impressed with the product being built, noting that it's an ideal home for anyone who doesn't want yard work but who still wants to live in a lovely neighborhood. She also described The Orchard Group as a company which does what they say they're going to do and which looks out for the needs of the customer.

Located on Hickory Road convenient to Interstate 575 and Georgia Highways 400 and 92, The Orchards of East Cherokee is The Orchard Group's first venture into the Cherokee County housing market. The homes are priced from the $220,000s to the $320,000s.

Two distinct villages, one with single family homes and the other with ranch condominiums, are being offered in the neighborhood.

The Single Family Village will include 48 Detached Single Family homes, both in traditional format as well as courtyard plans. The traditional Gallery Homes offer three ranch plans and two master on the main level plans, with these two to four-bedroom homes providing low maintenance living with landscaping upkeep in a traditional detached home format, as well as many special features, such as covered porches, grand kitchens, formal dining areas, and spacious master retreats. Construction is under way on the first courtyard homes.

The Southern Heritage Village will consist of 92 ranch condominiums. These are roomy two and three-bedroom plans, each with an activities suite with optional full bath above the garage and contain such special features as vaulted ceilings, covered "rocking chair" porches, an abundance of windows, large master retreats, and attached two-car garages. Sunrooms can be added as an option.

Amenities within The Orchards of East Cherokee neighborhood include a grand clubhouse with a fitness room, a card and games room, a large gathering room with a fireplace, a surround sound TV entertainment center, a gourmet kitchen, a barbecue grill and a community swimming pool. Serving the neighborhood and its homeowners is an activities director who coordinates social events and planned activities inside and outside the neighborhood.

The neighborhood is convenient to extensive shopping, entertainment, healthcare, and recreational facilities. Additionally, qualified homeowners can take advantage of significant property tax exemptions available from Cherokee County.

There are three model homes in the neighborhood, including one single family home and two ranch condominiums. More information about The Orchards of East Cherokee can be obtained by calling Geri Beckmann, the on-site agent, at 770-345-5409.

The Orchards Group has been successfully building ranch condominium and low maintenance detached homes in Atlanta for more than 10 years. With�more than 1,000 homeowners now living in an Orchards Group community, the firm has gained a reputation for excellence in its product design, amenities�planning and attention to customer satisfaction. The company is also selling�new homes in The Orchards of Habersham Grove and The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, both in Forsyth County. For more about the company and its communities, see the company website at http://www.orchardsgroup.com/.

TIDWELL'S TEAM LEADS COMPANY, McDONOUGH OFFICE IN PRODUCTION

Donna Tidwell and TeamTidwell were the Team Agent Leader award recipients both companywide and for the McDonough/Henry County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty, The latest honor is for December 2007 and was the eighth time the team had received the company award and the ninth time for the office honor in 2007.

Tidwell entered the real estate field 15 years ago, and she joined Coldwell Banker Bullard early in 1999. She received her real estate training through Clayton College & State University and the Georgia Realtor Institute, and she has earned the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified New Homes Sales Professional (CSP), and GRI designations.

A member of the Metro South Association of Realtors' Zenith Circle of Excellence, Tidwell has been selected for membership in Coldwell Banker's International President's Elite six consecutive years, then was named to the President's Premier for 2001 through 2006, an honor received by fewer than one percent of the Coldwell Banker sales associates worldwide. Team Tidwell was honored by Coldwell Banker as the Top Producing Team in Georgia in 2002, 2003 and 2006.

From 2002 through 2006, she was the Top Team Producer for both the company and her office. In both 2000 and 2001, she was the No. 2 producer companywide, as well as the top producer for the Henry County office. She has been recognized as a member of the President's Relocation Club for the past seven years, and Bullard's Relocation Department saluted her as the top agent for outgoing referrals during 2002, 2005, and 2006. She also received Cendant/PHH Mortgage's Top Outstanding Agent Award for 2006. In addition, she continues to be included as a member of Communities magazine's "Communities 100" listing of top agents in the Atlanta metro area.

The Metro South Women's Council of Realtors honored Tidwell as the Business Woman of the Year for 2007.

TeamTidwell is currently marketing Carriage Gate Cottages in Locust Grove, and Indian Creek Overlook, Waverly and Chamlee Estates in McDonough.

Before entering real estate, Tidwell was an engineer with BellSouth. A McDonough resident, she is married to Jim Tidwell. They have six grown children and 18 grandchildren.

Daniel Is Individual Agent Leader for Company, Peachtree City

Donna Daniel was announced as December 2007 Individual Agent Leader both companywide and for the Peachtree City/Fayette County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty, the third time in 2007 she received the monthly company honor and the fourth time for the office award.

Michelle Munda from the Griffin/Spalding County office was companywide No. 2 producer, and Dennis Kitchens from the Jackson/Butts County office was No. 3.

Donna Lasseter was the month�s No. 2 producer for the office, and the No. 3 individual producer for the office during the month was Martin Wise.

A 30-year resident of Fayette County, Daniel earned her Georgia real estate training through the Georgia MLS School and became a licensed Realtor in May 2002. Before that, she worked with SunTrust Banks Inc. for 16 years, primarily in the Trust, Human Resources and Retirement Services Departments. She was in various capacities at SunTrust, including executive administrative assistant, assistant vice president/executive compensation manager and assistant vice president/retirement services manager. In addition, she has been an active real estate investor for over 10 years.

Daniel has been a consistent top producer since entering real estate in 2002. She earned membership in the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society from 2003 through 2005, the International Sterling Society for 2006, the Million Dollar Club for four consecutive years, and the Bullard President�s Relocation Club for the past three years. For her office, she was the No. 2 producer in 2003 and 2005, and was No. 1 producer in 2004.

She also was presented the KNOW Magazine Award in 2004 for her work in relocation and was the company's Top Outgoing Referral Agent that same year.

Her husband is Jerry Daniel, and they have on daughter, Jennifer Daniel, one granddaughter, Haylea Beil, and one grandson, Jack Hulse.

LAMB LEADS INDIVIDUAL AGENTS FOR BULLARD McDONOUGH OFFICE

Tammi Lamb has been named December 2007 Individual Agent Leader for Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty's McDonough/Henry County office.

Brian O'Neal was the month's No. 2 individual producer for the office, and Sandra Stephens was No. 3.

Lamb, who has been in real estate for four years, joined Coldwell Banker Bullard two years ago. A specialist in the marketing foreclosure area, she holds the RePro and CREO designations, and she received the Bullard Certificate of Merit in 2005 and 2006.

�A Henry County resident since 1978, she is married with three children.