Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

Atlanta Division President Adam Cornett with David Weekley Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the home builder's unique business approach, affordable housing and more. Cornett joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. Part of the David Weekley Homes team since 2014 and a previous division president for the Dallas market, Cornett is a recent addition to the Atlanta team. David Weekley Homes is the largest privately-held home builder in the country and Cornett relayed the pride he holds in being a part of a team that focuses on customers and team members first and foremost.  The privately-held builder operates in 19 markets across the country and provides a variety of products from smaller entry-level homes and townhomes to $2 million homes. Cornett said, “We’re not just a homebuilding company that’s only intention is to build homes.” David Weekley Homes has a unique ownership structure that creates room to care for its team members and par

New American Funding Branch Manager Anthony Holt joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss lender-borrower communication, developing positive builder relationships and more. Holt joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. A veteran of the mortgage industry with 23 years of experience, Holt has been with New American Funding, the largest privately held and minority-owned mortgage company in the U.S., for four years. The company has many initiatives making great strides for minority homeownership and is a regular advocate for homebuyers. What sets New American Funding apart from its competitors is the vibrant and diverse company culture. The relatable management team and bottom-up business approach promote the success of the company's lenders in a business where relatability and understanding are key. Consumers tend to shop for interest rates when purchasing a home, but Holt advises asking friends and relatives about their homebuying experiences. A pos

National Online Sales Counselor (OSC) Trainer and Founder of Blue Gypsy, Inc., Leah Fellows joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the 2021 Online Homebuyer Mystery Shop results. Fellows joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. With over 16 years of industry experience, Fellows started her career onsite and in 2006, became an online sales counselor. After seeing a lack of education for OSCs and realizing that most builders needed assistance to help successfully adopt an OSC program, Fellows founded Blue Gypsy, Inc., a company dedicated to the training and development of OSCs. “There just weren’t enough trainers out there teaching people how to be online sales counselors,” said Fellows. “Currently as a boutique trainer to builders…I only work with about six to eight builders a year…to focus on personalized assistance.” In partnership with Denim Marketing and Melinda Brody and Company, Blue Gypsy, Inc. organized the second annual Homebuyer Mystery S

Darlene McLendon, president and CEO of the Museum of Aviation Foundation, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the rich history of aviation and the museum’s exhibits. McLendon joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment. In 1987, McLendon served as a radar approach controller with the Federal Aviation Administration. After working in the Chamber of Commerce Industry for nine years, McLendon fell in love with community development and assumed leadership of the Museum of Aviation Foundation two years ago. The museum is attached to the field museum program of the United States Air Force Heritage program. Located south of the main entrance to the Robins Air Force Base, the 50-acre campus is the second-largest air force museum in the United States. Pre-pandemic, the museum was the fourth most visited military museum in the country and in 2019, saw over 600,000 visitors. Free for visitors to explore, the museum features four main hangars across indoor and outd

Byron Carlock, the U.S. real estate practice leader with PwC, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the results from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Emerging Trends Report. Carlock joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. Celebrating 10 years with PwC, Carlock joined the company directly from industry after working for Trammell Crow Company. His previous experience includes serving as Chief Investment Officer with Post Properties and running a series of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) funds. He attended Harding University for his undergraduate program and Yale and Harvard for graduate school. In its 43rd year, PwC partners with ULI to capture the sentiment of industry leaders each fall. The company recently released the ULI Emerging Trend Report to prepare businesses for the coming year. The results from the 2022 ULI Emerging Trends Report reveal an optimistic outlook for the coming year while the industry is in an environment with plenty

Director of Marketing and Communications with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Adrion Bell joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the Georgia Rental Assistance Program. Bell joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is a state agency that manages over 79 programs. From the Georgia Dream Program to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the department offers housing assistance for renters and buyers, as well as historical preservation. Due to the pandemic complications and skyrocketing unemployment rates, the U.S. Treasury released $25 billion for rental assistance across the nation. The state of Georgia received $989 million with strict guidelines from the Treasury on how to administer relief. Candidates must meet certain rental qualifications to ensure funds are directed to those behind on rent or facing eviction. Bell said, “The program is designed to keep people in their homes…and [assist] pe

Co-founder and Owner of The Stitchery in Rome, Stephanie Bradshaw joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss shop services, products and running a small business during a pandemic. Bradshaw joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment. Carrying two brands of sewing machines, Janome and Baby Lock, The Stitchery has been a small business marvel near downtown Rome for nine years. Classes, events and one-on-one training only scratch the surface of what The Stitchery offers customers. The store supports anything and everything sewing-related. “It all comes together, but there’s a lot of wheels in motion,” Bradshaw said. “We offer a lot!” Originally located on Broad Street in downtown Rome, its new location on Central Plaza is still near the hustle and bustle of Rome with more space for classes and an in-house machine repair shop. The purchase of a machine at The Stitchery comes with a complimentary entry-level sewing class. The considerable repertoire of classes incl

Branch Manager with New American Funding Oscar Reto joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the lender’s programs for self-employed borrowers, his experience in accounting and the current state of the housing market. Reto joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. Originally from Peru, Reto has called Charlotte, North Carolina home for the past 21 years and will soon celebrate his fifth anniversary as a lender with New American Funding. A military background has taught him valuable life lessons that are essential within the mortgage industry including adaptability, consistency and trust. His successes in the industry include being named one of the top five Latino lenders by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP) and ranking at No. 13 in the Southeast. Reto credits the team around him and the willingness of New American Funding to partner with borrowers for his success.  “We are helping people achieve their dream,” R

Greystar Managing Director John Roberson joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss Ascent Peachtree, downtown Atlanta’s newest unique development. Roberson joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. A global multifamily rental housing firm, Greystar focuses on rental housing, from first-time apartments to active-adult communities and anywhere in between. The company controls its own assets and specializes in property management for existing owners. Roberson primarily focuses on the development and construction side of things and is specifically responsible for locking in opportunities from the ground up on vertical constructions in the metro Atlanta area. Ascent Peachtree is an unforeseen development within the Atlanta area and is also an idea rarely seen across the country. While most projects start by placing the foundation in the earth, Ascent Peachtree begins 100 feet in the air. The existing structure is a nine-and-a-half-story parking deck built

Jill Savitt, CEO for the National Center of Civil and Human Rights, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the center’s exhibits and the importance of advocating for civil and human rights. Savitt joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment. Savitt, involved with the museum for the last 10 years, became the CEO of the center two years ago. Before there was a physical building to house the center, Savitt curated the human rights gallery, an exhibit on the top floor that showcases human rights around the globe. “It’s such a delight to be able to come to Atlanta for this role. I love it. It’s a fantastic city,” said Savitt. "Our museum is really a backbone because [Atlanta] is the birthplace of civil rights and the hometown of Dr. King. We bring all of that storytelling to life in our museum.” The center is both a museum and a civil rights institution that centers around three stories. The first is the story of the U.S. civil rights movement titled “Rolls Down

President of Beacon Management Services Lisa Simmons joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the Atlanta-based management firm as well as her numerous hikes across the world to raise money for BlazeSports. Simmons joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. Beacon Management Services, a 10-year-old real estate management firm based in Atlanta, manages property throughout the state in virtually every county. The company primarily focuses on homeowner’s associations (HOAs), community and condominium associations, mixed-use developments and commercial projects. Currently, outreach from apartments and multi-family developments may soon lead to a new, exciting offering from the company by the end of the year. Atlanta is experiencing a boom in apartment development and Beacon Management Services is incredibly interested in the prospect. The market is great for developers and home builders, and with seasoned managers and services, Beacon Management Services

Partner with Level Craft Construction, Virginia Van Lear joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss operating a female-run business, the pandemic’s effects on the construction industry and building inside the perimeter. Van Lear joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. Level Craft Construction is a premier custom home builder headed by Van Lear and her business partner, Debbie Hollonbeck, with over 20 years of experience building, designing and renovating homes and commercial spaces inside the perimeter area (ITP). The company works primarily in Brookhaven, Buckhead, Decatur, Midtown, Virginia Highland, Morningside, Kirkwood and Scottdale. “You can come to us with your project, and we will help you every step of the way,” said Van Lear. Level Craft partners with homeowners from building, planning, lot selection and funding while remaining close at hand through every step of the process. As well as residential work, the company works with investors to

Rene Iverson, president of Little Creek Farm Conservancy, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the journey of becoming a 501(c)(3) organization, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Iverson joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment. Married for 28 years with three college-aged kids, four cats and one dog, Iverson knows a thing or two about busy schedules and never-ending to-do lists. An Atlanta local long enough to be considered a native, she became aware of Little Creek Farm Conservancy in 2007 when her kids began taking riding lessons. Eventually, she took lessons as well and began volunteering. The rest is history! “I love all animals but being around horses is definitely a grounding experience,” said Iverson. Little Creek Farm Conservancy began informally around 2003 by horse owners at the then-private boarding facility. The group approached Dekalb County with the opportunity to purchase the farm giving the county a unique green space and a p

Jim Jacobi, President of Parkland Communities Inc. and Parkland Residential, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss new build-to-rent properties and the goal to satisfy the industry’s “missing middle.” Jacobi joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment and hints at exciting 2022 projects. Jacobi runs a number of companies in the new home space including Parkland Communities, a multi-faceted real estate development firm:  Parkland Communities, a build to rent company and Alliance Engineering + Planning that focuses on engineering and surveying. Jacobi is a titan within the Atlanta real estate industry and with his recent expansion into build to rent has become an industry pioneer. This year has already been a bountiful year for both Jacobi and Parkland Communities Inc. with the incredible success of Sweetwater Springs and 1,900 lots currently in the works including almost 1,000 lots in active process and 917 attached to future communities. “We are rea

Eric Glick, regional sales manager with New American Funding, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio show to discuss the new FICO score program, updated FHA regulations and millennial homebuyers. Glick joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. New American Funding is a home loan and mortgage assistance company founded in 2002 that offers a variety of products and services to meet the needs of all clients, serve the community and partner with homebuyers to achieve homeownership. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently updated its guidelines regarding student loans, reducing monthly payments by 50 percent. For example, if a potential homebuyer pays a 1% monthly payment on a $100,000 loan, the $1,000 payment is reduced to $500 per month. This change is an enormous benefit to millennial homebuyers because, depending on student loan statuses, by increasing opportunities for homeownership and housing opportunities, the needs of a homebuyer and their families are

Bruce Deel, founder and CEO of City of Refuge, Andy Litvak, partner and Abe Kannof, associate with Nelson Mullins, join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the 1300 development. They discuss the importance of affordable housing in metro Atlanta with hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment. Founded 24 years ago, City of Refuge has serviced the west side of Atlanta for the past 19 years. The organization provides wrap-around services for those who find themselves in difficult situations. A one-stop-shop, services include housing, medical, dental, mental health, vision, parenting classes, financial literacy, vocational training, homeownership and job placement. With workforce training and an innovation hub, the organization provides a rich roster of classes focusing on auto technician training, culinary arts, personal fitness training, hospitality, customer service, security personnel and recently, the cybersecurity and coding academy. The goal is to equip the 500

Rob Halverson, CEO of Portman Architects, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss adaptive reuse as well as changing and restoring the architectural face of Atlanta. Halverson joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. Halverson, originally from New York, relocated to Atlanta after working for the largely influential architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. He has been a resident of Atlanta for the past 15 years with wife and daughter. Originally a designer with Portman Architects, Halverson recently celebrated two years as CEO of the company. Portman Architects designs spaces to positively impact and affect the creativity, productivity and well-being of the occupants. Based in Atlanta with an additional office in Shanghai, Portman Architects services several markets across the country. By prioritizing clients of the firm and developer partners, Portman Architects sets itself apart from other firms in the metro Atlanta area. The company prides

Karen Kelly, director of exhibits and education at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss educating children on the power of play and upcoming exciting displays. Kelly joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment. The mission of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is to inspire and educate children on the power of play -- something Kelly feels is very important for today’s generations of children. Focusing on children from zero to third grade, the museum offers children the freedom and initiative to learn and play in tandem with parents and adult caregivers. Exhibits throughout the museum allow children to participate in hands-on activities and stimulate their brains while learning new skills in a fun and interactive environment. For example, “Step Up to Science,” a program courtesy of The Cognizant Foundation teaches children cause and effect. The current exhibit, “Force in Motion,” focuses on how things happen, what pushes th

Chris and Clif Poston, principals with Traton Homes, a family-owned premier Atlanta home builder, join the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to celebrate 50 years in business, upcoming developments in and around metro Atlanta and recent accolades. They join hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. Established in 1971 by brothers Bill and Milburn Poston, Traton Homes builds award-winning homes in Cobb County, a thriving metro Atlanta region. Steadily approaching its 13,000th home, the company recently won the Best Builder in Cobb County Award from Cobb Life and celebrated its eighth Guildmaster Award for quality. Another exciting company venture is the recent reunion with HomeAid Atlanta, an exciting and meaningful partnership in the metro area. The company has a great track record with its homeowners and its staff.  Although the company recently made several new hires, at the beginning of 2021, the average employee had a history of 17 years with the company. “We have

Russ Belin, vice president of the Southeast region for Broadway Across America, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum podcast to discuss the pandemic's effects on the theater industry and this year’s exciting season at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Belin joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment. Celebrating 40 years in the peach state, Broadway Across America is back in our beautiful city for a highly anticipated season of shows. Broadway Across America has 47 markets in the U.S. and presents the best of Broadway direct from New York. Acting as a middleman, Belin and his team handle subscriptions, marketing and present shows featured at the Fox Theatre. Broadway Across America works with producers to build out incredible displays for patrons to enjoy, typically bringing 10 to 12 shows per season. According to Belin, the past 18 months were tough for performers and patrons alike as the theater industry largely depends on the revenue from live shows. “It’s been 550 days since we pres