The Real State Of Real Estate

NAPSI-Homeownership has been--and continues to be--one of the best investments in your future.

Owning a home offers many social benefits by providing shelter and security to families, instilling pride of ownership and strengthening our nation's communities. While enjoying the benefits of a shelter they can use, improve and sell, homeowners are also accumulating wealth for the future.

In fact, owning a home is still the best way for most families to build a nest egg. According to the most recent Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, the median net wealth of a renter household is $4,000, while the median net wealth of a homeowner household is $184,400.

2007 was the fifth-best year on record for home sales and modest gains are expected for 2008, contrary to media speculation surrounding the real estate market.

"Owning a home is a long-term investment, not a quick-in, quick-out transaction. While it's true that the national median price of an existing single-family home dropped by 1.8 percent from 2006 to 2007, it's important to put this into context," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors. "Over the past six years, which is the typical length of time an owner stays in a home, the median price has risen nearly 40 percent. Giving back about 2 percentage points of that gain still leaves homeowners with a very handsome appreciation rate."

Prices have moderated despite media reports of a faltering real estate market, mortgage rates are near 40-year lows and new FHA and conforming loan limits are giving Americans access to affordable financing in all areas of the country.

"Current market conditions won't last long. Home prices in most markets have stabilized and inventory is abundant, making current conditions ideal for buyers," said Yun.

The bottom line is that all real estate is local and conditions vary from one community to the next. A Realtor can explain local market conditions and help you take advantage of real estate opportunities in the area.

About Sales Adds TLC to Client Roster

Shirley Gary and the About Sales, Inc. team are celebrating the addition of Tilghman Lifestyle Communities to their client roster as of May 1. In less than three months, the innovative new home sales and marketing firm has grown to represent 22 new home communities and more than 850 homes/home sites.

“We are very excited to work with TLC – a company that’s been doing business in Atlanta for over 10 years,” said About Sales Founder Shirley Gary. “They are great people to work with and it is an honor to represent them in the new home marketplace.”

TLC currently has seven active new home communities throughout DeKalb, Henry, Gwinnett and Walton counties. Homes are priced from the low $100,000s to mid $300,000s and prove to be an excellent value for the money with spacious square footage and many standard features for which other builders charge extra.

About Sales will be re-branding TLC in its entirety, providing a fresh look for all signs, collateral, e-marketing and traditional advertising. “The new look will help TLC get noticed in the marketplace,” said Gary, “which, in turn, will drive traffic to the communities.”

Once prospective home buyers arrive at a community, they will be greeted by friendly and helpful agents who have been trained by the About Sales sales management team. The agents are highly trained to help buyers understand the features and benefits of the homes, community, and surrounding neighborhood. The About Sales sales managers will provide guidance in point-of-sale contract negotiation, weekly sales reporting, comprehensive closing coordination, and the use of exclusive software for sales, operations, construction and marketing. “And, this combination of marketing, sales, training and service will sell homes for TLC!” Gary stated.

Every single employee at About Sales has built their career exclusively in the new homebuilder realm. This sets About Sales apart from all other outsourced real estate firms in the Atlanta market. About Sales knows how builders and developers think and operate. They know what works.

For more information about Tilghman Lifestyle Communites’ homes and neighborhoods, visit www.tlc-homes.net or call 770-TLC-2095.

About Sales is a rapidly growing real estate sales and marketing company, based in Atlanta, Ga., that combines strategic and innovative leadership to produce sales results for builders and developers. About Sales streamlines programs for builders, offering staffing, management, closing coordination and marketing services. About Sales offers local expertise based on years of experience with new home building companies. For more information, call
404-213-4299.

FrontDoor.com Helps Homebuyers Navigate Tumultuous Real Estate Climate with ''Top 10 Red Flags for Homebuyers''

BUSINESS WIRE--The average homebuyer views at least 10 homes over an eight week search so it isn’t practical to get a professional inspection of every house they tour. FrontDoor.com, the new real estate Web site powered by HGTV, comes to the rescue pointing out things to look for in your own pre-inspection that will help identify potential problems before calling in the pros. (http://www.frontdoor.com)

FrontDoor.com’s Top 10 Red Flags for Homebuyers

1) Mass Exodus from the Neighborhood

Don’t let a home’s curb appeal keep you from glancing down the street. Are there several other homes for sale? Are nearby businesses boarded up or vandalized? Get the scoop from the neighbors. If everyone else wants to leave the street, maybe you should, too – before you’re stuck with a bad investment.

2) Mediocre Maintenance

Three layers of roofing and gutters with plants growing in them are signs the owners aren’t big on maintaining their home. What else did they neglect?

3) Foundation Failures

Check out the yard grading. If the yard slopes towards the house, it could cause water to run down the foundation walls or into the basement, which will be costly to repair. Scour the foundation for damage. Bulges or cracks bigger than 1/3 inch can mean the house has serious structural issues.

4) Bad Smells - Inside or Outside

Take a big whiff of the air inside and outside the house. Do you smell anything funky? If you can’t smell anything but the huge baskets of potpourri all over the house, this could be a red flag.

5) Faulty or Old Wiring

While you’re probably not an electrician, make sure all the switches and outlets in the house function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don’t work and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all symptoms of wiring problems.

6) Fresh Paint... on One Wall

New paint can really spruce up drab walls, but it can also hide bigger problems, like water damage, mildew or mold. If the room smells strange or if you see stains or saggy walls or ceilings, have an inspector look for mold and leaks.

7) Locked Doors and Blockades

Ask about any rooms that are “off limits” during your home tour, and arrange to see them later if you’re interested in the house.

8) Foggy or Non-Functioning Windows

Check for water in between double-paned windows and make sure all the windows are functional.

9) Structural Walls or Floors have been Removed

Sure you love the open floor plan, but was the house always open or did the homeowners renovate? If they removed a load-bearing wall without adjusting the framing, it can shift weight to other parts of the house. Hire a structural engineer if you think any renovations are questionable.

10) Bugs!

No one wants a house with a pest problem – be it roaches, mice or worst of all, termites. Be on the lookout for unwelcome creatures as you tour the house. Even if no foes pop out while you’re there, consider a separate termite inspection if you’re thinking of purchasing the property.

The Bottom Line

Always get a professional inspection for the house you choose to buy. It’s a little expensive, but it’s worth every penny; skipping a home inspection is not a good way to cut costs. You’ll end up paying more in the long run when problems arise. FrontDoor.com’s tips make it easy for you to sift through the homes that are definite no-no’s and spend your money efficiently.

FrontDoor.com is like house hunting with an in-the-know friend. Use this helpful guide to be a smart home shopper and look for more advice, insight and assistance at FrontDoor.com, including monthly Top 10 lists of information that homebuyers and sellers need to know. (http://www.frontdoor.com/top10)

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American Society of Appraisers Releases Comments on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Agreement with NY Attorney General

GHRE Note: We thought this was interesting even though it does not pertain to GA at this time.

Yesterday, the American Society of Appraisers and several other leading appraisal organizations issued a joint comment letter about the agreement that was reached in March, 2008, signed by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) strongly supports the intent of the agreement but urges changes to eliminate unintended negative consequences to appraisers and consumers.

“The agreement, if modified, will go a long way toward protecting appraisers from coercion to provide a pre-determined value while providing consumer protection to home buyers,” said Richard Gilmore, an Accredited Senior Appraiser and member of ASA’s Governmental Relations Committee. “It is in the home buyer’s best interest to receive an independent appraisal provided by a well educated and ethical appraiser in order to help ensure that they are making a deal based upon an accurate value.”

The comment letter outlines the following concerns about the agreement.

By banning mortgage broker ordered appraisals, the agreement will destroy well-established business relationships between honest appraisers and reputable mortgage professionals.

The agreement may unintentionally encourage the use of large companies that manage appraisals and make their profits by turning out appraisals quickly with less emphasis on quality.

It unnecessarily bans appraisals prepared by appraisers working for federally regulated financial institutions and other lenders with independent appraisal operations (those reporting to risk management vs. loan production).

It may unintentionally provide an incentive to some mortgage companies to substitute questionably reliable automated valuation models (AVM’s) for appraisals in order to bypass the requirements contained in the agreement.

The agreement devotes inadequate attention to the necessity of appraiser competency, quality and training when dealing with complex appraisals.

The chairman of ASA’s Governmental Relations Committee, Jay Fishman, a Fellow of the American Society of Appraisers stated that, “We feel that if the proposed comments are adopted, that a revised agreement will be pivotal in the protection of the independence of the appraiser and will help to ensure the reform of the mortgage industry.”

ERNIE CURTIS EARNS INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION

Real estate professional Ernest T. “Ernie” Curtis has been awarded the Transnational Referral Certified (TRC) professional mark from the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA). Curtis is affiliated with ICREA through his membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), one of more than 25 leading national real estate associations that form the global consortium.

He is one of a growing number of professionals in Georgia and Florida to earn the TRC, reflecting the increasingly global nature of the real estate industry. Ernie Curtis is affiliated with Prudential Georgia Realty, based out of its Fayetteville branch on Glynn Street.

The Transnational Referral Certification was developed to help real estate professionals better serve clients and customers who are looking to buy or sell real property outside their own country and who will benefit from working with a Realtor in that foreign market. TRC certified real estate professionals are trained not only in the mechanics of cross-border client referrals, but also in how to work in the client’s best interests in the same manner they would a domestic client. All TRCs adhere to a national professional code of conduct.

“In today’s complex market, where people are increasingly buying and selling internationally, whether for a resort or retirement home or as an investment, it’s important to work with someone who understands the local market and laws - particularly those that apply to foreign ownership,” said Curtis. “The TRC helps me ensure that my clients receive the same level of service and professionalism abroad that I provide them here at home.”

In the U.S., only members of the NAR can earn the TRC. Through ICREA, TRC certified professionals have access to a network of two million real estate agents in more than 25 countries, three million listings, and can easily locate professionals who have received training specifically in handling cross-border client referrals.

The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations represents 26 leading real estate associations located in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela. These organizations represent approximately two million practitioners and their countries collectively represent $25 trillion of GDP.

Ernie Curtis concentrates primarily on commercial and investment real estate and his real estate partner, Kay McInroe, specializes in residential sales. A licensed broker in both Georgia and Florida, Ernie is an award-winning agent, placing in Prudential’s Leading Edge Society for annual sales performance. He also holds the Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) and Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR) designations and is a candidate for the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) commercial designation.

Curtis is an active life member of the Fayette County Board of Realtors’ Circle of Achievement Club for multi-million dollar annual sales. He is also a member of its board of directors and the board’s local Realtor Political Action Committee and Governmental Affairs committees. In addition, Ernie is a member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, the Georgia Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

For information on ICREA, contact ICREA’s Secretariat, 430 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, at 312-329-8327; consortium@realtors.org; http://www.worldproperties.com/.

To learn more about commercial and investment real estate in metro Atlanta, contact Realtor Ernie Curtis at 678-779-2113 or by visiting http://www.equityinatlanta.com/.

Prudential Georgia Realty 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 annually has real estate sales well in excess of $2 billion and is now in its 45th year of serving metro Atlanta. The company now has 24 locations in 14 metro Atlanta counties and nearly 1,500 Realtors ready to assist families with their real estate needs.

Peachtree Hills Place Named Finalist for NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing Awards

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently named the clubhouse at Peachtree Hills Place as a finalist in the 2008 Best of 50+ Housing Awards competition. Peachtree Hills Place, a luxurious residential community for adults 55 and older, is one of three finalists in the ‘Active Adult Housing: Clubhouse Interior Design “On the Boards” Large’ category. The Best of 50+ Housing Awards recognizes excellence in design and marketing in the 50+ housing market. Finalists were chosen by a jury of 12 industry experts who spent two days evaluating close to 300 entries. Winners will be announced during NAHB's Boomers and Beyond Conference next month in New Orleans.

“It is quite an honor to be recognized for our work by experts in this industry from across the nation ,” said Bill Foley of Foley Design, clubhouse designer. “The finalists represent a group of the best in 50+ housing throughout the United States, and we are very proud to be a part of that group.”

The clubhouse at Peachtree Hills Place is designed in the English Arts and Crafts style to create a sense of permanence, familiarity and security and although new, the atmosphere is one of history and tradition. The clubhouse is comprised of two levels of community activities, services, and support functions, and three levels of residential apartments. The clubhouse includes elegant ballrooms, community meeting space, a chapel, spa, member conference room and billiard and poker rooms.

The clubhouse also houses the four primary dining rooms for the community. Two of the dining rooms feature vaulted ceilings and cast stone, while the other two feature beam-and-coffered ceilings, and intimate dining nooks that create a cozy atmosphere. All four dining rooms have been designed with beautiful stone fireplaces.

“For the clubhouse to be ranked among the best in the nation is very exciting for Peachtree Hills Place,” said E. Andrew (Andy) Isakson, founder of Isakson-Barnhart Properties, Inc., and Managing Partner of Isakson-Barnhart Co., LLC, developer of Peachtree Hills Place. “We are very appreciative to Foley Design for all of their hard work and dedication.”

When completed, Peachtree Hills Place, located in Buckhead in the heart of metro Atlanta, will include 274 independent residences – consisting of 266 villas and eight single-family homes – and 36 skilled nursing and memory care suites. Assisted living care will also be offered on site. All Peachtree Hills Place members will enjoy a full slate of amenities, on-site retail establishments, dining, full service spa, and fitness center.

Isakson Barnhart is Georgia’s developer of nationally recognized, award-winning residential communities for those age 55 and over. The company’s vision to provide amenity-rich, independent living for discerning adults was born out of the personal experiences of the family of Ed and Julia Isakson after their difficult search for a community that would provide an active lifestyle combined with on-site health care. This mission manifested itself in Park Springs, the company’s flagship property in Stone Mountain. Park Springs was nationally recognized by the 50+ Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as the recipient of the 2005 Platinum Award for best large CCRC as well as the Gold Award for interior design. Now, Isakson Barnhart introduces another award-winning residential community in Peachtree Hills Place, named the best “On the Boards” large CCRC by the same group in 2006. Isakson Barnhart has carefully selected Life Care Services, LLC, the leading management company of senior communities in the nation, to partner in the planning and management of Peachtree Hills Place and Park Springs. For more information, visit www.peachtreehillsplace.com or call 404-467-4900.

LOG HOME INDUSTRY VETERAN: 34 YEARS IN TEXAS, 14 YEARS IN UTAH, NOW EXPANDING TO THE EAST

Satterwhite Log Homes, builder and supplier of log homes for over three decades, has built an Eastern Division Office in North Georgia. The company will host a Grand Opening Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the newly constructed, 3-story model home and office, located four miles north of Ellijay.

The event will be open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the company owners, learn about log home building, and tour the new facility.

The building is unique in that the basement serves as the sales office with a display lobby, while the main floor and second floor serve as a model home. The structure is a showcase in itself, and was constructed so that it displays a variety of unique wood applications, using many of the different wood products Satterwhite Log Homes has to offer.

The three bedroom, 3 bath model home is fully furnished and decorated, and features granite countertops, hickory and walnut cabinets, solid oak floors, ceramic tile in the kitchen and utility room, and carpet throughout the bedrooms. The floor plan emphasizes an open layout with an abundance of space, and gable glass windows offering fantastic views.

Satterwhite Log Homes intends to better serve its customers in the eastern United States through its new office in Ellijay, where consumers may purchase a variety of shapes, sizes and species of house logs to construct their log home or log building. In addition to house logs, the company offers a vast array of unique specialty wood finishing materials from log siding to custom sawn timber, mantels, decking and beams.

Additional products available include tongue and groove lumber paneling, round stock, log staircase and railing components, custom log and timber mantels, log posts, rafters, ridge beams, tongue and groove decking, and one-inch lumber. Satterwhite Log Homes also offers a variety of species to choose from including aspen, Scandinavian spruce, blue ponderosa pine, eastern white pine, western red cedar, spruce Douglas fir, and cypress.

Satterwhite Log Homes prides itself on its quality of products. Satterwhite logs are exclusively cut from dead standing timber found at almost inaccessible, 10,000-foot elevations in the Rocky Mountains. Spruce beetle epidemics kill most of the timber, but the wood’s structural integrity remains intact.

As the trees die, the dry climate naturally cures and thoroughly dries the trees for years, sometimes decades, as they become strong and energy efficient. This process is not only environmentally friendly, but it provides stable, dry wood products, and completes the circle of sustainable forestry.

Satterwhite Log Homes, founded in 1974 in Longview, Texas, is an independent, family-owned business involved in every facet of the log home industry. Satterwhite crews harvest the dead standing timber, manufacture house logs, and market the homes. The company contributes its success to its business philosophy, quality of products, and commitment to customers.

The company’s main headquarters is located in Longview, Texas, with its primary mill and Western Sales Office located in Gunnison, Utah. For more information about Satterwhite Log Homes call 800-918-6881 or visit the Web site at www.SLH.net.
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COLDWELL BANKER BULLARD ADVANCES IN PUBLICATION’S ANNUAL RANKINGS

Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty has moved upward one step to the No. 12 position in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual listing of “Atlanta’s Top 25 Residential Real Estate Companies”. In addition, the company was ranked No 10 in the publication’s listing of “Atlanta’s Top 10 Residential of Real Estate Organizations.”

The rankings, which were based on 2007 gross residential sales volume in the Atlanta area, appeared in the publication’s March 21-27, 2008 edition. Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty,
which was included in the listing of real estate organizations for the first time, is once again the highest-ranked real estate firm headquartered in the Metro South area.

The Bullard organization, founded in 1956 by the late Cliff Bullard, worked out a franchise agreement with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation in early 1998 and is the largest Coldwell Banker franchise in Georgia. Current Owner and President Steve Bullard has been with the company for more than 35 years.

The oldest and largest 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.
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JERRY TEDDER ELECTED A SENIOR LIFE DIRECTOR OF NAHB

Jerry Tedder was elected a Senior Life Director of the National Association of Home Builders at the association’s recent International Builders Show Board of Directors’ Meeting in Orlando. Bob Jones, NAHB Vice President and Secretary, thanked Jerry for his dedication and loyalty to NAHB. “I know the commitment it requires to attain and participate at NAHB Board meetings for the ten years required to achieve the Life Director status,” said Jones. “Then to attain Senior Life status through an additional ten consecutive years of service is a great testimony to your dedication to NAHB and the building industry. As a Senior Life Director, Jerry has attained a permanent seat on the NAHB Board with no continuing attendance requirement.

Jerry Tedder has been a member of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia since 1974 and served as the associations’ president in 1975. The association, with a membership of 675, boasts one other Senior Life Director, Gene Barber with Gene Barber Contracting and three Life National Directors; Randy Hayes with Hayes Development Corp, Kenny Johnson with Kenny Johnson Homes and Jerry Neese with Builders Insurance Group.

ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more that 235,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as “the voice” of the housing industry, “NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB’s builder members will construct 80 percent of the more that 1.08 million new housing units projected for 2008.
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Williams Joins Cornerstone Realty

Carleton Williams has been a resident of 120 Lakeview Lane, Fayetteville, Ga. 30214, Fayette Co. since 1977. He received his real-estate license April 6, 2005, and joined Cornerstone Realty Jackson, Ga, in 2007.

He married Shawnee in 1972. They are the proud parents of 3 sons, C.Lee, Jr., Peter Mark, and Thomas Andrew; grand parents of Richard Lee Williams, 16, Emily Brianne Williams, 5, and Caden Andrew Williams, 2 years.

He served in Viet Nam in 1968-69 and works to help other veterans receive their much-deserved benefits, by sharing information found at www.va.gov. After he was hit while riding a bicycle in 1998, and learned he was eligible for veterans benefits, he shares the above url and information to veterans who are not aware of the benefits of which they may be eligible.

Owning a new house doesn't guarantee you a good home, but a good home with love deserves a new house. To answer questions and learn how easy it is for your good home to own a new house, call him at 678/776-7412. Please visit http://www.opendoorhomes.com/vtour.da?ad_id=9353&type=mls for a virtual tour.

Earth Day Green Building Seminar to Launch EcoLumina – 2008 Southern Building Showcase House

EcoLumina, the 2008 Southern Building Showcase House, will host an Earth Day green building lunch and learn for area builders. The day will include a networking expo and green building seminar highlighting how to build a greener home using today’s most advanced eco-friendly methods and sustainable resources. The lunch and learn will begin at 11:00 am.

This event will serve as a preview of EcoLumina to the building community and give builders the opportunity to see green building in action. The house is being built to LEED for Homes specifications and it the first one of its kind in Sandy Springs and among the first few to be built in Georgia. LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes.

EcoLumina is the featured house for the Southern Building Show scheduled for June 11 – 13, 2008 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. The upcoming show for building professionals is cosponsored by Greater Atlanta HBA and Naylor CMG productions. Tours will run from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm each day for show attendees by bus from the show.

EcoLumina features the combined efforts of the following building professionals: Builder – Matt Hoots, The Hoots Group, Architect – Caldwell Cline, Designer – DesSyn, and Project Coordinator – Seville Consulting.

Event sponsors include: DOW BUILDING SOLUTIONS, Kohler, Icynene, Superior Walls, Timber Mountain Cabinetry, Insidesign, Olympic Exterior Stains, Cosella-Dorken Products, Ecoshel, Stock Building Supply, AprilAire, Rinnai, Water Furnace, Harry Norman, Realtors and The Hoots Group.

For more information about EcoLumina or the Southern Building Show, log on to www.ecolumina.org or www.southernbuildingshow.com.

About EcoLumina
EcoLumina is a landmark residence being developed in Atlanta, Georgia using the latest technology to create an environmentally friendly home that will be a source of inspiration and information to home builders and home owners everywhere.

BULLARD OFFICES, AGENTS PLACE IN COLDWELL BANKER RANKINGS

The Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty organization had several offices and agents with high placements in 4th Quarter 2007 rankings released by Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation.
Coldwell Banker American Land Mart, a Bullard affiliate company, was No. 8 in Adjusted Gross Commission Income and No. 10 in Listing Units in the Southern Region in the categories for offices with 21 to 35 sales associates.

In state of Georgia rankings, the results for Bullard were as follows:

Total Units - Bullard McDonough/Henry County office, No. 4.

Listing Units - Bullard Jonesboro/Clayton County office, No. 4; Bullard McDonough/Henry County office, No. 5.

Adjusted Gross Commission Income - American Land Mart, No. 5.

Bullard organization representatives placing in the Top 10 in state of Georgia rankings for agents were as follows:

Adjusted Gross Commission Income - Betty Denio, American Land Mart, No. 2; Linda Lindsey, American Land Mart, No. 3; Michelle Munda, Bullard Griffin/Spalding County office, No. 10.
Selling Units - Michelle Munda, Bullard Griffin/Spalding County office, No. 2.
Total Units - Michelle Munda, Bullard Griffin/Spalding County office, No. 1; Phil Wagner, Bullard McDonough/Henry County office, No. 5; Steven Dickens, Bullard Newnan/Coweta County office, No. 6.

Listing Units - Michelle Munda, Bullard Griffin/Spalding County office, No. 2; Phil Wagner, Bullard McDonough/Henry County office, No. 3; Steven Dickens, Bullard Newnan/Coweta County office, No. 5; and Tammi Lamb, Bullard McDonough/Henry County office, No. 9.

The Bullard organization, founded in 1956 by the late Cliff Bullard, worked out a franchise agreement with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation in early 1998 and is the largest Coldwell Banker franchise in Georgia. Current Owner and President Steve Bullard has been with the company for more than 35 years.

The oldest and largest 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 the separate but affiliated company, Coldwell Banker American Land Mart in Conyers.

American Land Mart was founded by Alton Housworth Jr. in 1986 and was sold to the Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty organization in January of 2004.

ERNIE CURTIS EARNS INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION

Real estate professional Ernest T. “Ernie” Curtis has been awarded the Transnational Referral Certified (TRC) professional mark from the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA). Curtis is affiliated with ICREA through his membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), one of more than 25 leading national real estate associations that form the global consortium.

He is one of a growing number of professionals in Georgia and Florida to earn the TRC, reflecting the increasingly global nature of the real estate industry. Ernie Curtis is affiliated with Prudential Georgia Realty, based out of its Fayetteville branch on Glynn Street.

The Transnational Referral Certification was developed to help real estate professionals better serve clients and customers who are looking to buy or sell real property outside their own country and who will benefit from working with a Realtor in that foreign market. TRC certified real estate professionals are trained not only in the mechanics of cross-border client referrals, but also in how to work in the client’s best interests in the same manner they would a domestic client. All TRCs adhere to a national professional code of conduct.

“In today’s complex market, where people are increasingly buying and selling internationally, whether for a resort or retirement home or as an investment, it’s important to work with someone who understands the local market and laws - particularly those that apply to foreign ownership,” said Curtis. “The TRC helps me ensure that my clients receive the same level of service and professionalism abroad that I provide them here at home.”

In the U.S., only members of the NAR can earn the TRC. Through ICREA, TRC certified professionals have access to a network of two million real estate agents in more than 25 countries, three million listings, and can easily locate professionals who have received training specifically in handling cross-border client referrals.

The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations represents 26 leading real estate associations located in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela. These organizations represent approximately two million practitioners and their countries collectively represent $25 trillion of GDP.

Ernie Curtis concentrates primarily on commercial and investment real estate and his real estate partner, Kay McInroe, specializes in residential sales. A licensed broker in both Georgia and Florida, Ernie is an award-winning agent, placing in Prudential’s Leading Edge Society for annual sales performance. He also holds the Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) and Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR) designations and is a candidate for the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) commercial designation.

Curtis is an active life member of the Fayette County Board of Realtors’ Circle of Achievement Club for multi-million dollar annual sales. He is also a member of its board of directors and the board’s local Realtor Political Action Committee and Governmental Affairs committees. In addition, Ernie is a member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, the Georgia Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

For information on ICREA, contact ICREA’s Secretariat, 430 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, at 312-329-8327; consortium@realtors.org; www.WorldProperties.com.

To learn more about commercial and investment real estate in metro Atlanta, contact Realtor Ernie Curtis at 678-779-2113 or by visiting www.EquityInAtlanta.com.

Prudential Georgia Realty 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 annually has real estate sales well in excess of $2 billion and is now in its 45th year of serving metro Atlanta. The company now has 24 locations in 14 metro Atlanta counties and nearly 1,500 Realtors ready to assist families with their real estate needs.

CARL SEVILLE WILL GIVE KEYNOTE SPEECH AT WASHINGTON REMODELING CONFERENCE

Carl Seville, owner of Seville Consulting, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker on green remodeling at the Remodeling Leadership Conference on May 4-6 in Washington, D.C.

The conference, which will be held at the Ritz Carlton in the Pentagon City area of Washington, will focus on the theme of “The Color of Money - Green and the Future of Remodeling.” The conference website (www.remodelingconf.com) notes that “remodeling companies that hope to thrive in the next decade need to adapt -- and quickly” as the concept of sustainability gains momentum in the building and remodeling industries.

Seville, who has both his home and his office in Decatur, is an Atlanta area-based green builder, educator and consultant on sustainability in America’s home building industry. More information about his company, Seville Consulting, is available at www.sevilleconsulting.com.

Considered one of the nation’s leading experts on green building and remodeling, Seville was recipient of the 2005 and 2007 Green Remodeling Advocate of the Year and the 2004 and 2006 National Green Building Awards for Residential Remodeling from the National Association of Home Builders.

He was recently named Residential Green Building Advocate for the Atlanta chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. In this role, Seville will work closely with local homebuilders’ associations and other green homes organizations, as well as within his own USGBC chapter, to explain and promote residential green building.

Over the years, Seville has earned five Excellence in Design Awards from Environmental Design and Construction Magazine, the Southface Energy Institute Award of Excellence for Environmental Stewardship, and the 2006 EarthCraft House Leadership Award. He has been featured in and writes for numerous publications, including Georgia Trend magazine, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Green Builder, HGTVPRO.com, Professional Remodeling, Qualified Remodeler, Remodeling Magazine, Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine, Smart Homeowner, and Environmental Design and Construction Magazine.

Seville has over 30 years of experience in renovation and home construction. He was the founder and vice president of SawHorse Inc., an Atlanta design/build firm for 25 years before starting his current business.

Guidebooks Now Available For The 2008 Regional Parade of Homes

The 2008 Atlanta Regional Parade of Homes will run April 19-20 and April 26 –27 from11am-5pm on Saturday and 1-5pam on Sunday. Guidebooks are now available for planning a Parade route and are free for pick up at a variety of locations. This is a unique opportunity for prospective homebuyers to tour more than 100 homes across 11 regional counties featuring builders from four different local homebuilders associations.

“The 2008 Regional Parade of Homes is the best way for homeowners to shop for a builder and get ideas for a new home,” said Sandy Boda, Executive Officer of the HBA of Midwest Georgia. “Instead of looking at photos on the Internet or in a real estate book, they can actually see first-hand the work of over 100 of the best builders in the region.”

For local area residents, Guidebooks can be picked up at the Newnan & Peachtree City offices of Keller Williams, the Re/Max Around Atlanta Results office in Peachtree City, the Jan Trammell Real Estate office in Fayetteville, the Dora Cox Realty in Barnesville and the Bank of Georgia branches in Fayette and Coweta County. Guidebooks are also available in the Coweta County Visitor’s Center, the SunTrust branches in Publix Supermarkets, Summit Family YMCA in Newnan, the HBA office as well as in the individual homes on the Parade.

The 2008 Parade of Homes Guidebooks feature information on all of the 100+ homes on the tour including descriptions and photos or illustrations of each project, the name of the development and pricing information. Also in each Guidebook are directions to aid Parade goers with planning their route. Of special interest are the five builders showcasing homes or developments in Fayette and Coweta County. Area residents can find these builders in the Guidebook as well and plan their route accordingly.

Forestar Real Estate Group will be showcasing a development in Fox Hall in Senoia and will serve refreshments along with presenting renderings and plans. J&E Builders will feature a craftsman-style home in Hammock Ridge in Newnan. Martin Homes will have a home in The Estates at Persimmon Creek in Sharpsburg. Mike Kruse Contractors, Inc will feature a home in Heron’s Landing in Fayetteville and Trademark Builders, Inc will showcase a home in Brasch Park in Grantville.

The Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia serves over 700 businesses in the building industry in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. For information about the association, call Executive Officer Sandy Boda at 770-716-7109.