Atlanta New Homes News

Atlanta Chapter of 50+ Housing Council: Focused and Forward-Thinking

Since its inception in 2005, the Atlanta Chapter of the 50+ Housing Council has grown to one of the nation’s largest 50+ councils. This expert consortium of housing professionals, including builders, construction companies, marketing professionals, financial experts and senior living communities strongly supports the 50+ Housing Council mission: to bring its members the best information, education, and research about the booming 50+ active adult housing market.

The Atlanta 50+ Housing Council focuses on several vital areas of interest to its members and the general GAHBA membership. Some of this year’s new initiatives include:

1. The launch of the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council’s new website and newsletter.
2. The introduction and support of the Georgia-wide ALL Homes Program.
3. Targeted advocacy on behalf of its members, and participation by Atlanta 50+ Housing Council board members in national NAHB events.

New Atlanta 50+ Housing Council website and newsletter:

Steve Hess, Vice President with Atlanta New Homes Directory and member of the 50+ Council and on the 50+ Housing Council’s2014 Board of Directors, designed and built a brand new website that was launched in August 2014. In addition, a new monthly newsletter was also introduced.

“We are the voice of the 50+ housing industry in Atlanta, and we want our voice to be loud and clear,” says Hess. “Our objective is to be a leading source of information and research on the active adult, independent living, service-enriched and assisted-living markets, and an updated and streamlined website is a major and necessary tool for our members.”

The website (50plusatlanta.net) highlights the focus of the 50+ Council and

• elucidates on its mission and that of the Greater Atlanta HBA;
• lists events and upcoming speakers;
• provides information on sponsors, members and active adult and senior communities in the greater Atlanta area, and
• invites interested professionals to join the rapidly growing membership of the 50+ Council.

ALL Home Program

The 50+ Council is a strong supporter of the HBAG ALL Home Program. A Liveable Lifestyle Home is a voluntary certification program where design features built into a new or within a remodeled home promote a liveable and accessible lifestyle – something that is highly desirable for the growing number of clients who make up the 50+ housing market.

“Today’s consumers, including boomers and seniors, are interested in having a home that includes features like an accessible path with no steps into their home, and a home with wider doorways,” notes Bettie Sleeth, Consultant, Regulatory Affairs with the Home Builders Association of Georgia. “The ALL Home program is for builders, remodelers and consumers in all price points and home types.” ALL Homes’ new website provides lots of information about this new initiative that is embraced by the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council.

According to Jim Chapman, Founding Member and Chairman of the ALL Home Program, Board Member of the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of the NAHB 50+ Housing Council: “It is very important for the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council to educate as many builders, as well as consumers, about the ALL Home Program.

“We have designed the ALL Program in such a way that it is easy for builders to incorporate the program’s features, and encourage as many builders in the 50+ housing market to get on board. We are certain that this designation adds real value to a home, and that it will certainly improve the quality of life of the residents who select an ALL Home.”

Getting Involved On behalf of the 50+ Council Membership

Members of the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council maintain a national tie with all other NAHB 50+ Housing Council members by serving on committees focused on Editorial & Articles for the online magazine, National Awards and Events and Educational Programs focused on the 50+ housing market at the annual International Builder Show in Las Vegas. This year’s IBS will be held on January 20 – 22, 2015. To learn more about attending the show and the 50+ Educational Programs, visit http://buildersshow.com/Home/.

“Be sure to attend the 50+ Housing Awards Presentation on Wednesday, Jan 21 [2:30 PM - 4:30 PM],” says Chapman. “Come join your peers for a networking reception, followed by a presentation of the winners of the 2015 Best of 50+ Housing Awards. Enjoy seeing the best homes and communities designed to appeal to the mature buyer, as well as the best marketing campaigns, the best lifestyle programming and examples of state-of-the-art innovation. It’s a complete package: meet, mingle, learn something new and fresh, and wind down after a busy day. Tickets are $35 which includes hors d’oeuvres and open bar.”

At the most recent 2014 NAHB Fall Board Meetings in Phoenix, Betsy Sheppard, president of Gilbert & Sheppard Group and an active member of the NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council’s Board of Trustees, participated in the Board of Trustees meeting which focused on the 50+ Council’s activities across the country. Sheppard notes that “One of the best ways to get involved in the NAHB 50+ Council is to volunteer your time and talent working on a committee. To learn more about joining a NAHB 50+ Housing Council committee, contact [email protected].”

More Reasons to Join the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council

The ‘silver tsunami’ is an apt description of the booming growth of the housing needs of active adults, whose numbers will grow exponentially in the next twelve years.

Building appropriate, liveable housing for this market, and responding to the market’s needs in a thoughtful, educated way will ensure success for members of the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council. Being a part of the 50+ Council will provide the education, training, advocacy, representation, and networking builders and vendors need - now and in the years to come.

“As a member, you will receive excellent exposure throughout the industry. You will enjoy many networking and educational opportunities. You will be part of a focused and forward-thinking group of dedicated professionals who appreciate that education and training are the cornerstone of your continued success,” says Chapman. “I look forward to welcoming you to our next meeting!”

To join the Atlanta 50+ Housing Council, please visit www.50plusatlanta.net/#home.

To learn more about the ALL Home Program, please contact Betty Sleeth at [email protected].

ESSENTIALS FOR YOUNG LIVES® DRIVE HELPS HOMELESS MOMS & BABIES

HomeAid Atlanta’s 13th annual drive shatters prior collection record!

ATLANTA – May 14, 2014 – Metro Atlanta area companies, community organizations and individuals radically increased their support of HomeAid Atlanta’s 13th annual Essentials for Young Lives® Drive, held April 28 – May 6 in honor of Mother’s Day.  Donations gathered through the community-wide drive included diapers, baby wipes, baby food, formula and baby hygiene products, in an effort to provide aid to one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population – women with children.  Combined efforts brought in over 155,000 items, a total of more than double the 2013 record collection, with a value of almost $45,000.  HomeAid distributed everything collected through the drive to local nonprofit organizations serving homeless families.

On Friday, May 9, just in time for Mother’s Day, Atlanta-based UPS teamed up with HomeAid Atlanta for the eighth year to assist with delivering the thousands of items collected to sixteen local nonprofit organizations that provide housing and supportive services to homeless families and young children.  Many of these organizations operate facilities that have been built in partnership with HomeAid Atlanta, including:
Action Ministries (Atlanta), Atlanta Dream Center (Atlanta), Community Advanced Practice Nurses (Atlanta), Decatur Cooperative Ministry (Decatur), Genesis Shelter (Atlanta), HavenATL (Atlanta), HomeStretch (Roswell), My House (Cherokee County), Nicholas House (Atlanta), Our House (Decatur), Out of Darkness (Atlanta), Partnership Against Domestic Violence (Atlanta), Phoenix Pass (Conyers), Rainbow Village (Duluth), Sheltering Arms Early Education & Family Centers (Atlanta), and The Drake House (Roswell).

After deliveries were completed, the first-ever Essentials Celebration was held at Genesis Shelter, which serves homeless babies under six months of age and their families.  Several speakers shared about the positive strides HomeAid is making to help Atlanta’s homeless population.  After the lunch and program, attendees were given an exclusive tour of Genesis Shelter.

Businesses, community organizations and individuals throughout metro Atlanta assisted HomeAid by collecting essential baby items from amongst their employees, associates, friends and families.  Groups hosting collections were Ameris Bank, Atlanta Fine Homes -Sotheby’s International Realty, Atlanta Sales and Marketing Council, Bank of America, Boral Industries, Brock Built, CBRE, Inc., CharterBank, Coldwell Banker NRT Development Advisors, Dal-tile Corporation, Epworth United Methodist Church & Day School, FrontDoor Communities, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Guaranty Mortgage, JEH Homes, John Willis Homes, Kiwanis of Druid Hills, Kiwanis of Northlake-Tucker, Mast Custom Cabinets, Monte Hewett Homes, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, Northwest Exterminating, O’Kelley & Sorohan, Attorneys at Law, Oneida Builders, Professional Women in Building Council, Ryland Homes, Sharp Eye Contracting, Sherwin-Williams Paint, State Bank & Trust Company, SunTrust Bank, Technology Dependent Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite, UBS, Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Georgia, Waterford Homes, and Weissman, Nowack, Curry & Wilco P.C.

These donations provide critical support to the recipient organizations and the families they serve.  Recent Point-in-Time Studies showed that over 60,000 individuals experience homelessness in Georgia each year, with more than 60% of homeless persons in households with children (GA Alliance to End Homelessness).  Atlanta is the poorest city in the U.S. for children - more children in Atlanta live in poverty than in any other city (Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless).  It is clear why the donated baby items were a welcome sight for HomeAid’s service provider partners.  

At the close of this year’s drive, Laura Rappold, Director of Case Management and Community Relations at Action Ministries Atlanta said, “Thank you so much for the incredibly generous donation you made to Action Ministries Housing.  The diapers, wipes, baby food and crib will make a huge difference to our families as they work their way toward self-sufficiency.  We are so honored that you included our organization in this fantastic project.  We put everything on the shelves on Friday afternoon, and when I walked in this morning, more than half of it had already gone out to families in our programs.  Thank you again for all you do - you make a huge difference!”

The Essentials for Young Lives Drive was first launched in Atlanta in 2002 and since then more than 589,000 essential baby items have been distributed to homeless mothers and their babies.
Visit www.facebook.com/homeaidatlanta to see photos from the collection, or click here to see more photos from the drive.


About HomeAid Atlanta:
Founded in 2001, HomeAid Atlanta is a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, and is a local chapter of HomeAid America, a leading national provider of transitional housing for the temporarily homeless. HomeAid builds new lives for homeless families and individuals through housing and community outreach.  HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between homeless service providers, builders, trade partners and community donors and volunteers.  To date, HomeAid Atlanta has completed 18 housing developments that serve the temporarily homeless, including victims of domestic violence, teen mothers, abused and abandoned children, and homeless families.  For more information about HomeAid Atlanta, visit www.homeaidatlanta.org.

Professional Women in Building Atlanta Chapter Present: The View Part II

Differences and Similarities, creating Homes and Neighborhoods for 50+ Boomers and Millennials.

Panelists:
Lita Dirks - Interior Designer; CEO Denver-based Lita Dirks & Co.
Jackie Benson - Marketing; J Benson Marketing
Kevin Aycock - Builder; Aycock Properties, Inc.

Moderator: Irene Hall - Pulte Homes

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16th
Registration & Networking: 11:15am | Lunch & Program Begins: 11:45am

VILLA CHRISTINA- 4000 Summit Blvd. | Atlanta, GA 30319

Registration Information
PWB & 50+ Members: $30
Non PWB/50+ Members: $40
Non HBA Members: $50
Please pre-register to avoid the $15 walk-in fee.

To Register: www.atlantahomebuilders.com/classes-events/?event_id=49883

Questions? [email protected] | Fax: 770-934-8363

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL FLYER FOR MORE DETAILS >>

Tech Trends in Marketing

The Top 6 Mobile Trends in Sales & Marketing
Trending Now, 6 things you should know.
6 Major Trends to follow in Marketing
Majoring on the top 6 trends to follow in New Home Marketing
    
1. Mobile! Mobile! Mobile! just about sums up the marketing trends this year. It has finally hit the mainstream. So we are all familiar with the terms and even many of the gadgets associated with it. What we’re looking for now is how is it changing and how can we best utilize it in it’s current growing state.
    
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Mobile Traffic is growing at a rate of 1.5x per year and is likely to maintain that speed or accelerate. In Dec. of 2008 we were in a growth spurt of .9 percent; fast forward to Dec. 2013 and we were at 15 percent. In charting the steady steep incline year by year, the trajectory grid maps out that by Dec. 2014 we will be at or over 30 percent growth of Global Internet Traffic. In addition, the shared digital information has grown 9 times as fast in the last five years. Part of the reason behind this is mobile in general is getting easier by demand. We want apps and programs that intuitively read our minds, do our work for us, and keep it all in the same logical place. A back up system for our brain, if you will.

2. QR codes are more prevalent now than ever before. Scan and be scanned seems to be the phrase used for everything from prices, coupons, payments, notifications and even boarding passes. There are those who say the QR code is going away, but the data just doesn't support that statement. According to ScannLife the 2nd Quarter of 2013 saw 4 million new QR code scanners worldwide showing that as in the previous years, usage continues to go up! Users tend to scan QR codes 3 times per month, which is up 22% from the previous quarter. Tablets using scanning apps have increased by a whopping 1300% from just 1 year ago. Clearly, the use of QR codes used in marketing is not going away anytime soon.
    
Although print is not dead, it certainly is not the main way we do business, or research, or even share our knowledge anymore, that is especially true for the New Homes Market. As marketers and consumers we want to find the quickest, easiest, most reliable and cost-effective ways to market and purchase our goods, whether it’s a new home or just getting a pizza delivered. We want our information out there, fast and available for everyone to see and share instantly with anyone anywhere!  
    
3. We must realize the need to measure cost verses outcome. What is mobile costing us, and what are the returns on that dollar? The need to stretch the marketing dollar, has never been more competitive, so much so that we are pulling from our in house resources and consolidating our cost.
We need one system, in place of our previous 3 or 4 systems, to keep it simple, saving time and resources.
    
4. Pre-visualization, think of where your goals are now, verses where they are going, or should be going. There are companies out there with large teams dedicated to just that. So even if you are a small company, don’t overlook the need for vision. Get a plan to keep you on track to achieve overall growth. Always be thinking, what comes next, and where do go from here? Only you can answer those questions for your business and yourself.
    
5. Use social media, it’s a resource that allows smaller companies to leverage the playing field with their larger competitors. How do you communicate with your customers? How do you get them your content, and how do they know about your new products and services? Social Media, should be at least part of the answer to those questions.

Blogging is and will remain one of the best ways to generate new business. Have great content, and keep it updated. This will drive traffic back to your site and generate new leads.
    
6. Last but far from least, avoid the pitfalls of technology,  as good as it all is, we still need the personal touch, we need good customer service, and we need capable people on our teams, to best utilize, study and keep up the technology out there. People who take the knowledge and hand it to our customers and clients, in neat well thought out packages, making it easy for them to use.
    
This article is sponsored by one of the leading New Home marketers, Atlanta New Homes Directory, who realized early on the importance of mobile in selling new homes. They were the first to launch QR codes and mobile websites for individual new home communities. This has enabled anyone to walk up to a yard sign, or ad whether it’s at a physical location, or on their computer, scan the code or key in URL and get instant information on the home or even presale information. It provides a wealth of knowledge to the clients, such as, prices, photos, contacts, schools, community information, builder information, and much more. In addition, all the information can be linked to other sources such as a CRM system which can then generate reports for marketing directors and builders!
 
They also have had over 5,000 posts to their blog in the last 6 years, and utilize YouTube and Facebook as well.
Atlanta New Homes Directory has implemented all the above trends and speaks from experience that these trends are tried and true. For more information visit us on line at AtlantaNewHomesDirectory.com
    
    Written by Doris James
    Creative Director
    AtlantaNewHomesDirectory.com

HOMEAID ATLANTA AND OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF ATLANTA MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AT HOME SERVING YOUNG HOMELESS MOTHERS

Fairburn, GA – HomeAid Atlanta, in partnership Overhead Door Company of Atlanta, completed a HomeAid Care Day at Tapestry Youth Ministries’ Second Chance home in Fairburn on Saturday, September 28.
 
Thirteen employees of Overhead Door Company of Atlanta volunteered for the event.  Overhead Door Co. put forth a tremendous effort throughout the day to assist with repairs for Tapestry, a group serving homeless teenage mothers and their babies/toddlers. HomeAid Atlanta completed an addition to this home in 2005 with builder captains Mayfield Homes and The Knight Group.

“Overhead Door Company of Atlanta has partnered with HomeAid Atlanta for three projects.  Each time we work with this group we are amazed at their abilities.  These men and women bring a true desire to help others who are working to rebuild their lives.  In 2012, Overhead Door Company was named the HomeAid Volunteer Group of the Year.  The amount of work they accomplish in one day is unbelievable, and every person who attends is a pleasure to work with.  We look forward to a long relationship with this outstanding company,” said Jean Hilyard, Program Manager for HomeAid Atlanta.

The Overhead Door Co. crew fixed the wooden fence around the property, rebuilt a gate, replaced all the screens on the patio, replaced rotten wood on the shed, built new shed doors, pressure washed around the house, fixed an interior door, and helped with a ton of landscape work.  The improvements and repairs were made at no cost to Tapestry Youth Ministries and are valued at $4,000.

“HomeAid Atlanta builds and maintains dignified housing where transitionally homeless can rebuild their lives. We assist our partners by helping by performing needed improvements, renovation or new construction projects.  This allows them to put their money into the programs that transform lives instead of fixing fences and other maintenance work.  The cost to run programs like Tapestry’s is very high.  However, this cost is completely worth it when lives are saved,” stated Ms. Hilyard.

Other individuals and companies who helped with this project include HomeAid Board member, Carl Riden of Redmont Homes, Oz Pizza in Fairburn, and Rutha Greene from Tapestry Youth Ministries.

About HomeAid Atlanta:
Founded in 2001, HomeAid Atlanta is a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, and is a local chapter of HomeAid America, a leading national provider of transitional housing for the temporarily homeless. The HomeAid mission is to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between homeless service providers, builders, trade partners and community donors and volunteers.  To date, HomeAid Atlanta has completed 16 housing developments that serve the temporarily homeless, including victims of domestic violence, teen mothers, abused and abandoned children, and homeless families.  Additionally, over 20 community service projects have been completed through our HomeAid Cares program, assisting ten local agencies with free repairs and upgrades valued at over $200,000 for their facilities that serve the homeless.  For more information about HomeAid Atlanta, visit www.homeaidatlanta.org. 

About Tapestry Youth Ministries:
Tapestry Youth Ministries (Tapestry) was established to provide a safe home to young girls living in either unsafe or unstable environments.  Many of these girls had babies, but refused to enter state custody for fear of being separated from their children. There were residential care facilities for young mothers aged 17 and older, but nothing was in place for mothers under the age of 17 years.  In 1999, Tapestry opened its first home to provide a safe, structured, nurturing environment where teen moms can experience quality home life and positive development.  Tapestry’s homes are in College Park and Fairburn, Georgia.  Tapestry provides its residents with housing, case management, parenting skills training, continued education, mentoring and coaching, childcare services, and independent living skills.  Read more: www.tapestryyouth.org

About Overhead Door Company of Atlanta:
The leader in residential garage doors, Overhead Door Company of Atlanta has a large selection in colors and styles from which to choose.  Traditional Steel doors, custom wood Signature Carriage Collection, and more, Overhead Door has a door to match your budget.  Weekend garage door repair service and free in-home replacement estimates mean that a safe and properly performing garage door is only a phone call away.  Overhead Door Company of Atlanta has been awarded the prestigious 2012 Angie's List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately five percent of all the companies rated on the nation's leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.  Angie's List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie's List operational guidelines.  Learn more at www.overheaddooratlanta.com.

NFL Former Players and Atlanta Home Builders Help Decatur Cooperative Ministry

  Atlanta-area home builders and former NFL players are teaming together during a HomeAid Care Day to provide upgrades and repairs at a home serving homeless just in time for the holiday season. Volunteers from the Atlanta NFL Players Association Former Players Chapter, the Greater Atlanta HBA (www.atlantahomebuilders.com), and HomeAid Atlanta (www.homeaidatlanta.org), will spend the day working on the residence run by Decatur Cooperative Ministry (www.decaturcooperativeministry.org), a nonprofit organization that offers comprehensive services to help families prevent, endure, and overcome homelessness.  

During the HomeAid Care Day, volunteers will be repairing and renovating the residence, by installing new bathtubs, new flooring, new cabinet faces, painting, and yard improvements. The project is part of Touchdown for Homes (www.touchdownforhomes.com), a nationwide charitable outreach program of the National Association of Home Builders and the NFLPA that works to strengthen communities by building or renovating homes for children or families in need and veterans.  

 

Two Opportunities for You to Support Suddenly Homeless Infants, Youth and Families with HomeAid Atlanta

If you are looking for a way to give back to the community – look no further. HomeAid Atlanta is hosting two events this Spring providing you with an opportunity to help the region’s homeless population and have fun. Get involved today and make a difference!

 

HomeAid Atlanta’s 12th annual Essentials for Young Lives® Drive

 

HomeAid Atlanta’s 12th annual Essentials for Young Lives® Drive will be held April 29 – May 6 in honor of Mother’s Day.  Businesses, community organizations and individuals may participate in the drive by collecting and donating essential baby items such as diapers, baby wipes, baby food and formula.  All items collected will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations serving homeless mothers and their infants.  Get involved!  Just put out bins for collection and spread the word.  Simple bins are just fine, or get creative with your collection display.  Multiple location companies can compete with each other for best display or most donations to make the drive more fun.  This is your chance to help homeless infants and toddlers!

 

Housing the Homeless Golf Tournament

 

HomeAid Atlanta will hold their tenth annual Housing the Homeless Golf Tournament at Peachtree Golf Club on Monday, June 17, 2013.  Make plans to join Home Aid Atlanta at this prestigious golf course and help house the homeless! Sponsorships available.

 

For more information, visit HomeAid’s website at www.homeaidatlanta.org or contact Jean Hilyard at 678-775-1401 or via email at [email protected]