Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

Geoffrey Reid, president of Blue River Development, along with co-CEOs and Managing Principals Brad and Michael Cooper, join host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. This podcast segment delves into Blue River Development’s 2025 goals and how recent financial trends affect the housing market and the land development process. Filling the Gap of Housing Supply Blue River Development plans to close 20 to 25 new land deals this year, including over 20 projects already on schedule to close before the end of 2025. It also has over 60 active deals in the due diligence and negotiation stages. “We're really here to help serve home builders and help them fill their land pipelines,” said Reid. “And while the housing market continues to evolve, one thing that remains is a lack of supply and solving this problem begins with the land.” Reid describes Blue River Development’s approach as “keeping our foot on the pedal” as it drives to source land that transforms into housing for all buyers,

Lynn McKee, director of the Master of Science in Commercial Real Estate Program at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, McKee discusses how the program prepares students to work in Atlanta’s growing commercial real estate industry. “I tell my students that if you're not prepared to go through cycles, you're in the wrong business. You need to go work for the post office or the railroad or something, right?” said McKee. “This is a cyclical business, and you have to understand that you have to prepare for it.” Master of Science in Commercial Real Estate at Georgia State University The Master of Science in Commercial Real Estate program at Georgia State University invites graduate students to learn more about commercial real estate practices and develop the skills to succeed in an evolving industry. The course builds on undergraduate studies and students are expected to come with k

Edie Weintraub, founder and managing director with terra alma, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Weintraub discusses how terra alma is prioritizing retail and recreation in mixed-use development to foster shared experiences among residents. Live-Work-Play Weintraub recently worked on a 600-acre mixed-use project in Austin, Texas. The community is a phased 10-year build, so one of the challenges was finding a way to provide retail to residents who move in early on. Alongside a team of urban planners, landscapers and architects, Weintraub developed a plan to build in retail incrementally. First, a model home and pocket park were put in, then an Airstream that conveniently sells coffee in the mornings and small bites and drinks in the evenings. She emphasizes that this is just the first phase of the community, there are still plans for a town green, a micro food hall and much more. The addition of a local market in mixed-use developments, e

Leslie Appleton-Young, an economist with FMLS, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Appleton-Young discusses the housing market's current state and changes in real estate trends following the 2024 election. Current State of Atlanta’s Housing Market “Georgia is leading the south and the rest of the country in terms of job growth and opportunities and quality of life, and all of those things that kind of feed into the demand for housing,” said Appleton-Young. “The issue is that price appreciation has been extremely robust as well over the last 10 years or so particularly since the pandemic and it's really created an affordability issue.” Appleton-Young emphasizes that higher mortgage rates are also to blame for the housing affordability issues in Atlanta. The rates were close to 2% in 2021 and 2022 but jumped to around 7% last year. In short, the demand for housing is robust; however, the supply of affordable options is somewhat constrained. “

President of Artisan Built Communities, Stephen Haines, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Haines discusses his involvement with the Holly’s House Project, a complete home restoration effort at a local family’s home in Roswell. What is the Holly’s House Project? When Haines discovered that a family had suffered significant water damage, mold infestation and structural issues in their 35-year-old home, he brought together a community initiative to restore it for the holidays. Diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer for a second time, Holly Aarons exemplifies courage and determination. Artisan Built Communities and a generous team of volunteers were pleased to offer her and her husband, Patrick, a sound home for Christmas. The restoration plan went all the way down to the studs, including complete interior demolition, mold remediation, structural repairs, new plumbing and electrical systems, insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, interior fin

Lori Funderwhite, director of economic development with the City of Fayetteville, joins Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio host Carol Morgan for this week’s episode. Funderwhite discusses plans to attract new investment to Fayetteville in this podcast segment. The City of Fayetteville is working to revitalize its downtown district with new businesses and real estate development. By enhancing the commercial tax base, it can take some financial weight off its residents. In addition to bringing in new industry, Funderwhite explains that the City of Fayetteville invests in its existing businesses through support initiatives and community events. Two large-scale developments were recently unveiled in Town at Trilith and the U.S. Soccer National Training Center. What is the U.S. Soccer National Training Center? The United States Soccer Federation announced Fayetteville as its new headquarters and national training center. Slated to open right before Atlanta hosts the 2026 World Cup, this new facility will bring in r

Eric Teusink, managing partner and real estate attorney with Williams Teusink, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. Teusink discusses the legal ramifications of unmarried homebuyers purchasing real estate together in this podcast segment. He explains that it has become common practice in the last 10 to 20 years for people to purchase homes outside of marriage for legal and financial reasons. There is a trend toward delaying marriage and starting families as well, but individuals often don’t want to put off buying their first home with their romantic partner. There are also some homebuyers seeking residences with their friends. Why? Because it makes the significant investment of purchasing a home more affordable for everyone. “I think a lot of different trends are at work here and giving rise to a lot more issues in the back end.” While Teusink mostly runs into homeownership concerns with younger clients (27 to 35 years old), he still receives calls from older clien

D. Scott Murphy, CEO and founder of D.S. Murphy and Associates, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. Murphy discusses the residential appraisal process in this podcast segment and how it factors into today’s housing climate. How is the current state of the housing market affecting appraisals? When the volume of homes for sale dropped in recent years, appraisers took a hit. Appraisers build their opinions off recent sales, meaning they look at data from comparable properties sold in the last few months. The drop in sales has left them struggling to get that data for homebuyers. “There is no rule as to how far back I go, but the rule of thumb is three to six months,” said Murphy. “So, if I don't have good recent comparable properties, it makes my job a lot more challenging.” Increasing interest rates also factor in the sales cost of properties, sometimes creating a price tag higher than the appraised value. Since the early 2000s, the volume of homes sold has steadily

Chris and Clif Poston, principals with Traton Homes, join host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, they discuss the growth of townhome development and what is available in the Atlanta market. What makes townhomes so appealing in today’s home market? The demand for townhomes has increased as homebuyers desire smaller homes near community centers and local attractions. With home prices consistently rising, affordability is a driving force for buyers and the perk of landscaping and exterior maintenance being included in their monthly HOA fees is enticing. Clif Poston said, “We've got townhouses near a lot of different smaller municipalities, but I think it's a lifestyle allowing people to choose a smaller home and kind of giving up a little bit of space and maybe some yard space to be able to have accessibility to the local areas that they want to be in.” Traton Homes also utilizes amenities, such as dog parks, pools, cabanas and pickleball courts, to br

Dennis McConnell, president of Healthy House of Georgia, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, McConnell discusses steps to creating a conservation community, including balancing environmental preservation with residential needs and how the planning process differs from conventional developments. What defines a conservation community? Conservation communities take special care to preserve natural areas like forests, wetlands and watersheds and create housing that complements the landscape. It’s the idea that “you don’t need to take everything to have a good life.” These communities use the natural landscape to create distinctive neighborhoods instead of pursuing the maximum developed area. What are some goals when designing a conservation community, and what are some challenges? Land is the most significant consideration. In Atlanta, finding larger sections of land is achievable but expensive due to zoning. McConnell weighs the economic and p

Luis Menendez, director of construction at Tunnel to Towers Homeless Veterans Program, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Menendez discusses the upcoming Atlanta Veteran Village. Tunnel to Towers founded its Homeless Veterans Program in 2022 with the goal of ending Veteran homelessness nationwide. The foundation recently broke ground in Mableton and looks forward to providing permanent housing for Veterans across the metro Atlanta area. What is the Atlanta Veteran Village, and how does it benefit Atlanta’s Veterans? Tunnel to Towers recently acquired an abandoned hotel and began renovations this year to transform it into the Atlanta Veteran Village, a permanent housing opportunity for Veterans in need. The hotel is situated in a prime location near local transportation and VA services. “Our projects focus on providing that core foundation, which is a dignified home they can call their own,” said Menendez. “They make a choice to come into

Michael Paul, director of investments at Parkland Communities, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Paul discusses the rise of built-to-rent (BTR) communities in Atlanta. The build-to-rent sector has seen enormous growth in the last few years, especially in the Atlanta market. Higher-income individuals increasingly seek living opportunities that feel like home without the maintenance and upkeep of owning. As there is more demand for luxury rentals, investors have begun to take notice and invest in BTR communities across the state. “I've always just been a believer that if consumers want it, investors will follow,” said Paul. “I think we've seen that in a big way.” What does it mean to be “renters by choice”? These individuals want somewhere to spread out and put down roots without the hassle of upkeep and maintenance. From young couples just starting to grow their families to empty-nesters looking for a change of scenery, the BTR sector ser

Jeremy Crawford, president and CEO of FMLS, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Crawford discusses what the NAR settlement means for homebuyers. What is the NAR Settlement? According to the recent NAR settlement, Realtors, brokerages and other members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) owned or affiliated MLSs must establish a clear buyer agency agreement before the buyer agency can show a home to a consumer. This practice has been present in the state of Georgia since 1991. However, nationwide it’s a large part of the settlement. As responsibilities shift to Realtor-owned MLSs, the pressure is on to enforce compliance as the housing market continues to grow. Considering these changes, FMLS has taken a position of consumer transparency. Its fields remain available and serve as offers of compensation from the seller to the buyer agency. These fields are optional, putting the decision to accept or pass at agents’ fingertips. “FMLS

Pam Conner, city manager of the City of Powder Springs, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Conner discusses methods for developing one of Atlanta’s fastest-growing cities. Events + Gatherings Events and gatherings are a driving force for city growth, according to Conner. The City of Powder Springs works diligently with residents to host diverse events that represent its larger population. The city plans yearly holiday celebrations, including Independence Day fireworks, Veteran’s Day celebrations, chili cook-offs, and Hispanic Heritage Month activities in October. Other community events include the Brown Bag concert series, 5K running events, Bookfest, health and wellness workshops and meet-and-greets with local law enforcement. Listening to Residents Listening to residents' concerns and suggestions is another essential element of city planning. Whether it is a dog park or better roads, it is crucial for city planners to give residents a pl

John Ryan, chief marketing officer of Georgia MLS, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Ryan discusses the current state of the housing market and his outlook for the future. Due to its rich business and employment opportunities, Atlanta maintains an active, dynamic marketplace that ebbs and flows with new industry. There were 75,000 homes that have sold this year so far, a 2.1% decrease from 2023. However, the “hot” market is fading away as Atlanta months of supply (MOS) is currently 3.8 months, according to Georgia MLS listings. Its listings have also increased to 17,800, a dramatic shift from 7,000 to 8,000 listings in past years. This is still a far cry from 6 months of inventory which has long been the normal in Atlanta. Interest rates continue to hover at 6.4%, which could be a confidence boost for buyers and sellers in today’s marketplace after years of higher rates. The first-time homebuyer demographic is still challenged by these

Alex Miller, director of land acquisition at Century Communities, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Miller discusses land acquisition from a national builder’s perspective. Miller attended Indiana University and graduated with a degree in secondary education. When he discovered that teaching wasn’t the best career choice for him, he went back to school, obtaining an MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Science with a focus on Finance from Georgia Southern University. His first job in real estate was as a financial analyst at Stanley Martin Homes in Atlanta. He did underwritings for land acquisition, new deals and general corporate finance. After a couple of years, he moved to Century Communities and now serves as the face of land acquisition. “Land acquisition, which is one of the reasons I love it, it's kind of the heartbeat of the company,” said Miller. “I like to think of myself on the front lines out there, battling fo

Kimberly Mackey, sales and marketing management consultant and trainer at New Homes Solutions Consulting, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Mackey discusses working with home builders, Realtors and brokers across the country to develop better procedures and practices that translate into predictable cash flow. New Homes Solutions Consulting primarily offers sales and marketing management consulting services to home builders. One of the most important aspects of new home sales is lead generation. Builders and other real estate professionals must generate leads and establish contacts to sell homes. The four goals of lead generation include getting appointments for business, obtaining referrals, building relationships for future business and establishing a repertoire. “Lead generation is like bathing. Hopefully, you do it early and often, and you’ve got to do it every day,” said Mackey. “If you do it every day over time, then you are going t

Erik Martinez, executive VP and co-owner of Blue Tangerine joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Martinez discusses real estate e-commerce and everything home builders should know to be successful in a technology-driven world. How does e-commerce work in the real estate sector? Martinez explains that there are two objectives to consider: branding and accessibility. Home builders invest in websites with tight branding and stunning imagery because it draws home shoppers in. However, many shoppers seek easy-access information that can be seen from the homepage. Blue Tangerine assists home builders by transforming their sites with quick, easy links that connect buyers with the necessary information to take further steps toward purchasing a home. “I need to know: ‘Do you build where I want to buy?’, ‘Do you have a price point that's in my budget?’ and ‘Do you have a style that resonates with me?” said Martinez. “And if I could address those three

Jessica Griggs, CEO and founder of LaRuche Photo, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Griggs discusses her transition to real estate photography and shares a few tips and tricks. Starting in her early 20s, Griggs established a successful wedding and videography business that allowed her to cultivate her passion professionally. When life brought her to Georgia, she transitioned into real estate photography and created LaRuche Photo. The business started with just Griggs herself and now features a team of nine photographers. What does real estate photography encompass? LaRuche serves real estate professionals from many sectors, including Realtors, home builders, interior designers and stagers. Whether your home is a short-term rental, new build or for-sale property, Griggs and her team provide home shoppers with a personal look. While real estate makes up almost 70% of its clientele, LaRuche also offers other photography services such as he

Mandy Crater, executive director of HomeAid® Atlanta, and Ronnie Cline, vice president of construction with Taylor Morrison, join host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Crater and Cline discuss what it means to be a Builder Captain for HomeAid® Atlanta and volunteering as a home builder. Since 2001, HomeAid® Atlanta has worked to build new lives for individuals experiencing homelessness. The organization has completed over 200 construction projects and continues to make a difference through construction, community engagement and education. In partnership with local homebuilders like Taylor Morrison and nonprofit housing providers, HomeAid® Atlanta provides stable places for individuals or families to stay. “We get discounts and donations from our friends in the building industry and help our friends that are in the housing industry use those discounted donations to improve their facilities, to expand, to maybe just do some maintenance,” said Crater