Highlight Homes

Take Advantage of the Lowest Mortgage Rates in History to Refinance or Build the Home of Your Dreams

In early October 2011, mortgage agency Freddie Mac announced that mortgage rates had fallen to a new historical low – 3.9% for 30-year and 3.6% for 15-year fixed rate mortgages.  While it may still be difficult for some to qualify for a loan during these challenging economic times, those who CAN would be wise to take advantage of such a momentous occasion. In the event that you love the location and basic “bone structure” of your home, but feel some upgrades or enhancements may be in order – talk to your lender about refinancing the loan on your home and building in financing for home improvements. If you have always wanted to build the home of your dreams, there is an abundance of incredible home sites available on the market – many at bargain basement prices.

Once you’ve secured lending and know just how much home/home improvement you can afford, reach out to my talented team at Highlight Homes about transforming those dreams of a house that could grace the pages of any home design magazine into a reality. Because we are a “design-build” firm, we can take your project from initial concept to its beautiful completion. And since we’re a local, family-owned-and-operated company, you can be as involved in each step along the way as you like – or just sit back, relax and wait for some stunning results. Highlight Homes will take care of securing all of the necessary permits, and we’ll do our level best to disrupt your family’s life as little as possible. We’ve built a solid reputation for completing every project – no matter the size or scope – on time, on budget, and far beyond expectations.  We’ll even clean up our mess before we go by contracting with a team of local professionals so you and your family can begin enjoying your new home from the moment we leave.

Excited?  We are, too! When you’re ready to get started, contact us for an initial walk-through and consultation.  The professional team of builders and renovators at Highlight Homes can be reached by calling 678-873-9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes and view some of our previous work, visit our website at www.highlighthomes.com. To stay up to date on the latest news and hottest trends, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and/or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Highlight Homes Herald.

With an inordinate number of distressed properties and foreclosures on the market today, mortgage lenders and renovation professionals have begun forming strategic alliances across the nation. One such alliance was recently established between Georgia-based Brand Mortgage and Atlanta custom home builder and remodeler, Highlight Homes. Brand Mortgage – a subsidiary of the highly respected, century old Brand Banking Company – is focused on being the best and strongest lender in the Southeast, making it an excellent fit for Highlight Homes in their similar quest to be the best and strongest design-build firm in the Southeast.

“We’re very excited about this new relationship,” explains Highlight Homes’ Principal, Tony Pourhassan. “Both Brand Mortgage and Highlight Homes believe in putting the customer first, and that’s a rare thing to find in this day and age. We also share a common bond in our desire to not only achieve, but to provide excellence in our respective industries. I look forward to a long and rewarding partnership between my company and Brand Mortgage.”

Built upon a foundation of respect, trust, and integrity, Brand Mortgage is a full-service lender offering a wide variety of mortgage finance products. They strive to help each and every one of their clients choose the best options to fit their budget and meet their individual needs. A fine example of how they help meet their clients’ needs is by referring special repair partners to buyers of foreclosed and distressed properties. Each repair and remodel partner is carefully screened before being selected.

“When doing repair escrow accounts, we need to be sure to have contractors waiting in the wings who will treat our borrowers with the utmost professionalism,” explains Sandi Flagg, SVP, Production Manager for Brand Mortgage. “A house is one of the biggest investments our borrowers will ever make.  We need to ensure they have a great experience and are very well informed. That’s why all references are called and only those contractors with high reviews are chosen.”

Highlight Homes will prove a strong partner for the lender. With roots in the home-building industry, the talented team of designers, builders and remodelers can tackle any sort of issue or improvement – from basic home maintenance and repair, to custom renovations and room additions – allowing the new homeowner the opportunity to make their home uniquely their own.

“Highlight Homes came highly recommended,” insists Flagg.  “We called all of their references and everyone endorsed them because of their timeliness and professionalism.  We love partners that take care of our borrowers during the repair process.”

Brand Mortgage provides loans in 10 states in the Southeast. If you are interested in learning more about Brand Mortgage and their services, please visit www.brandmortgage.com. Once there, go to the locations page to find the location nearest you.  You can even visit the location page closest to you to learn more about your future Mortgage Banker. With such a large inventory of foreclosure properties on the market and historically low interest rates for buyers, this could be the perfect time to buy a new home.

Whether you are a new homeowner of a distressed or foreclosed property, or simply wish to make some changes or repairs to your current home, we encourage you to consider Highlight Homes as YOUR remodel and repair partner.  We are happy to come to your home for a walk-through, at which time we will listen carefully to your needs and wishes, and provide some initial thoughts before developing a proposal to fit your budget. We have built a solid reputation in the Atlanta area for meeting deadlines and budgetary constraints, while exceeding expectations. Our long list of services includes kitchen and bath remodels, basement finishing, room additions, decks and patios, water features and landscape design, window and door replacement, roof and siding replacement, whole home renovations, and much, much more. We can be reached by calling 678.873.9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes, view our online portfolio, or see our full list of services, we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com. To stay up-to-date on the latest Highlight Homes news, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and/or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Highlight Homes Herald.

With the recent arrival of Fall, many of us are all too aware that the holidays are just around the corner. At households all over the South, plans are already underway for who will host Thanksgiving this year, who will throw the holiday party of the season, and who will set the table for the time-honored tradition of Christmas dinner. As your eye sweeps room after room in hopes of unlocking the secret to how to comfortably fit all of those people in your home or how to update the look of your home so it makes a beautiful backdrop to a new collection of holiday memories, you may not have the slightest clue as to how to get started. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of five tips to finding a great remodeling company to help you get started. Once you have a professional, reputable, and creative remodeling company in place, the rest should be easy and FUN!

1)      Ask Your Friends and Neighbors: Word of mouth is perhaps one of the best ways to find a great remodeling company. Many friends and neighbors will welcome the chance to discuss all of the pros and cons of the remodeling company they chose for their renovation project.  Bear in mind that some renovation companies excel in some areas, and not in others.  So while you may love the outdoor living room at the Smith’s house down the street, but you’re in the market for a kitchen renovation – that may not be that particular company’s forte. Ask around and compile as many notes as you can. Be sure to ask if the company your friend or family member used DESIGNED the project, as well as built it.  If not, you may need to plan on hiring an interior designer or architect, in addition to the renovation company. Some companies offer their clients incentive programs for referring new customers, so in the end – you may wind up with a beautiful renovation, and your friend or family member many wind up with a little extra cash in their pocket. If – in the end – you are truly happy with your remodel, be sure to pay it forward to other folks who may be looking for a good renovation company.

2)      Ask a Real Estate Professional: If you have a friend or an acquaintance who sells real estate, ask them if they can recommend anyone. After all, these folks often have their finger on the pulse of the latest trends and best return on investment for most remodeling projects, and frequently have a direct line to a skilled contractor or design-build firm.  They are often accustomed to referring homeowners to renovation companies in order to get their homes “show ready” before putting a FOR SALE sign in the yard due to the competitive nature of the housing market these days. With all of the foreclosure and distressed properties out there, some have built solid relationships with qualified renovation companies due to much-needed repairs before the sale and aesthetic enhancements after the sale. Depending on their relationship with the company, they might even be able to get you a great deal with their referral.

3)      Look to Professional Organizations: There is a wealth of resources out there with regard to professional organizations that can help point you in the right direction. It is always wise to dig a little deeper in order to discover if the general contractor or design-build firm you are considering for your next home renovation or improvement project is above board and will not leave you standing in the midst of a half-finished home while they take off with your deposit. Some companies may take your project to completion, but their craftsmanship is shoddy, they may not have filed for all of the necessary permits, or they are not properly insured and licensed and your project may end up costing you far more than you originally planned in the long run.  One way to guard against any of these scenarios from happening is to look into the company’s/contractor’s professional affiliations. If they have none, that’s probably not a good sign. Many of the professional builders’ organizations in Georgia and the United States require a membership fee to join as well as a review of business practices – in other words, they’ve already done a lot of the research for you. Be on the lookout for Better Business Bureau-accreditation and National Association of the Remodeling Industry, in particular. You can also place a call to your local Chamber of Commerce to see if they can recommend anyone – chances are, it will be one of their members.

4)      Sweep the Internet: Whether you use Google, Yahoo, or Bing to begin your search, it’s a good practice to read everything you can about a company before you spend the time, energy and money to meet with them. Perform a simple internet search of the company name and look at their company website, as well as any reviews that people may have posted about them – good and bad.  If any of them raises a question in your mind, you may want to scratch that company off your list. In the event that you know the company owner/principal’s name, perform an internet search on them, as well.  Sometimes, company owners will close a business after too much bad press or to hide from creditors, only to reopen under a different name.  Long story short, do your homework.

5)      Request a Face-to-Face Meeting: All of the research in the world doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t click with your renovation company.  You are about to let these people take a sledgehammer to one of your most prized possessions – your family’s home.  It’s vital that you two are on the same page with regard to the direction of the project. The initial meeting should be jovial and light. You should be able to feel a charge of excitement as you share your needs and they share their visions. If there’s no spark or the meeting is strained in anyway, you can bet that will serve as a sneak preview into how this renovation is going to play out. Keep in mind, many renovation companies do charge for an on-site consultation – that’s why it’s important to narrow the list down BEFORE you get to this stage.  Ask for bid proposals, but don’t take the cheapest price as your only consideration. The relationship between you and your renovator is key to the overall success of the project.

We at Highlight Homes hope we make your list of renovation companies to consider. We serve the entire Metro Atlanta area and surrounding suburbs, and – because we got our start in the home building industry – boast a broad array of specialties.  We offer kitchen and bath remodels, basement finishing, room additions, decks and patios, water features and landscape design, window and door replacement, roof and siding replacement, whole home renovations, and much, much more.  Because we are a design-build firm, there is no need to hire an architect or interior designer – we do it all in-house! We are also members of the National Home Builders Association, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), Certified Professional Home Builders of Georgia, the GAHBA’s Remodelers Council, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Highlight Homes is the proud recipient of the 28th annual Obie Award – a great honor in the highly revered Atlanta Home Market, in addition to being a certified Earth Craft House Builder, Energy Star Partner, and LEED Certified Home Builder – fully committed to protecting the environment by promoting green initiatives in both design and construction of the homes and home additions we create. We are also extremely thrilled with our recent 2010 distinction as a Better Business Bureau accredited business. We are honored to have built solid relationships with the clients we serve as well as a number of Atlanta’s finest real estate professionals and mortgage companies.  If you would like to jump ahead to number 5 on our list of Five Tips to Finding a Great Remodeling Company, look no further than Highlight Homes. Contact us TODAY to schedule an on-site consultation. We can be reached by calling 678.873.9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes, view our online portfolio, or see our full list of services, we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com. To stay up-to-date on the latest Highlight Homes news, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and/or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Highlight Homes Herald.

Maintenance Tips for Your Heating Unit

While temperatures are still holding steady in the 70’s and 80’s, with the recent arrival of Fall – a perpetual chill will be in the air before we know it. Now is the perfect time to schedule a service call with your HVAC technician to make certain there are no surprises once the mercury dips – leaving you out in the cold.  Before and after your service call, there are a handful of ways you can stay on top of the maintenance of your heating unit:

• If you turn your heater on and sense that there may be a problem, run through the following checklist before calling a service technician:
  • Is your thermostat is set in the “heat” position?
  • Is the temperature setting on the thermostat is set above the indoor temperature? If nothing happens after a few minutes, bump the temperature up another degree or two.
  • Is there power to the furnace?
    • Turn the fan to “ON” to test for power to furnace. If that doesn’t work…
    • Check the circuit breakers at the electrical panel to make sure they are in the “On” position…
    • Check the switch next to the furnace to be sure it is in the “ON” position.
  • When is the last time you replaced your furnace filter?
    • Most furnace filters should be replaced monthly.
    • A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of problems in HVAC units.
  • Check all air returns to make sure they are not blocked by furniture.
  • Check all air vents to make sure they are open and blowing warm air.
  • Check your outdoor unit to make sure that no leaves, debris, or weeds may be impeding its performance.
• Even if your heater turns on and is blowing warm air, you may want to pay close attention to:
  • Unusual smells emanating from the vents.
  • Abnormal sounds when the unit starts up and is running.
• In the event that you do need to call in reinforcements, make sure you’re prepped and ready for your service technician before he/she arrives to ensure a smooth visit:
  • Know where indoor and outdoor units are located.
  • Write down the model number(s) from your heating unit(s) and give them to the service company over the phone when you schedule your appointment. If you require replacement parts, they may be able to have them on hand during the initial visit rather than having to schedule a follow-up appointment.
  • Check your air filter(s). If they need to be replaced, this is a quick and easy task you can complete yourself. Otherwise, you’ll just be paying your technician for this simple service.
  • Be ready to clearly describe the symptoms or problems you’ve been experiencing – strange sounds or odors, unit not running, unit not heating, etc.
  • Do you know how long ago your problem started?
  • Make sure the system is easy to get to.  If your system is located in an attic or crawl space, move any boxes, old furniture or other obstructions that may be blocking your unit.  It behooves you to make sure your indoor and outdoor units are easily accessible for when the technician arrives.
  • Keep pets and small children away from where the technician will be working to ensure their safety.
  • Make sure to answer the phone before your appointment in the event that the technician calls to confirm the time and verify directions. An adult should be home to grant the technician entry to your home.
  • If you have a file containing information on prior services performed on your system, make it available to the technician.
  • Have your checkbook ready and be prepared to make a payment to the technician once the service has been completed.
• Regardless of whether you sense trouble or not, it’s a wise practice to schedule preventative maintenance on your heating unit once a year. During a preventative maintenance check, you can expect your technician to perform the following tasks as they look for wear or damage to both your indoor and outdoor units:
  • Inspect blower, burner, flue, ignition, fan motor and fan belt on indoor unit.
  • Check for gas leaks from indoor unit.
  • Check airflow from each of the register vents inside house.
  • Clean dirt, leaves and debris from outside unit.
  • Inspect compressor, tubing, coil, cabinet, fan motor and fan blades of outside unit.
  • Check electrical parts such as controls, wiring, and connections on both inside and outside units.
  • Clean, lubricate, replace or repair, as needed.
  • Measure overall system performance.

The friendly folks at Highlight Homes can help you come up with additional ways to keep your family warm and toasty during the Fall and Winter months with anything from an outdoor hearth on your custom-designed porch, patio, or deck or a showcase-worthy stacked stone fireplace in your newly remodeled Great Room. If you’re ready to make your home really HOT heading into the cold season, contact Highlight Homes for a no-obligation consultation by calling 678.873.9234, e-mailing your request to info@highlighthomesga.com, or filling out our convenient online contact form.

Have a Happy and Warm Fall Season!

The Change of Seasons is a Great Time to Stir up a Little Change of Your Own at Home with the Hottest New Fall Colors

While the mercury in our temperature gauges may not have received word yet that Fall is on the way, believe it or not – Summer officially gives way to Autumn on Friday, September 23. Take a spin through your favorite mega store, and don’t be surprised to see Halloween candy lining the shelves and Halloween costumes hanging from the racks. Before we know it, it will be time to pull those sweaters out of storage and FINALLY turn off the air conditioning. Within the next month, the leaves will begin changing in the trees, perhaps inspiring a little change at home, as well. Fall is a terrific time to look to Mother Nature and the fashion industry for inspiration, and Highlight Homes is a terrific resource to help you implement that change.

One of the easiest and most cost-effective changes you can make to your home’s interior or exterior is your paint color. Taking a cue from New York Fashion Week earlier this year when some of the nation’s brightest designers unveiled their hottest fashion trends for Fall 2011, Pantone – THE authority in color – released its Fashion Color Report. Since fashion trends often bleed over into interior design, we thought you might like to use some of their suggestions as the source for a possible decoration revelation. Titled “The Art of Color – Sensible and Spirited”, the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2011 suggests a standout yellow with green undertones in its Bamboo (Pantone 14-0740), a radiant fiery orange in its Emberglow (Pantone 17-1547), the color of the year – a playful reddish pink called Honeysuckle (Pantone 18-2120), a deep rich purple in its Phlox (Pantone 19-2820), a soft soothing green in its Cedar (Pantone 16-0526), and an oceanic blue-green in its Deep Teal (Pantone 19-4914) paired with striking neutrals such as Coffee Liquer (Pantone 18-0930) or Nougat (Pantone 16-1320) or grays like Orchid Hush (Pantone 13-3805) or Quarry (Pantone 15-4305). For more of a masculine feel, the warm orange glow of Burnt Sienna (Pantone 17-1544), the luxuriant pink hue of Raspberry Wine (Pantone 18-1741), or the delicate co-mingling of blue and gray in Cadet (Pantone 18-3812) will surely fit the bill. Any of these colors can be used as decorative accents in throw pillows, décor, accent walls, or entire rooms for a striking fall statement that will continue to please year-round.

Whether you choose to limit yourself to just a touch of Fall color here and there with a weekend do-it-yourself painting party or have exciting bigger changes in mind and wish to leave the work to the professionals at Highlight Homes, we hope this blog has helped motivate you to put a little Fall on your wall. To schedule a color consultation, the talented team of professionals at Highlight Homes can be reached at 678-873-9234, via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, or via our convenient online contact form.  We look forward to your call!

Happy (almost) Fall, y’all!

So many homeowners today feel trapped in their current situation – they can’t sell their home, and therefore can’t purchase what they want. By partnering with a really great renovation company like Highlight Homes – it’s easy to make lemonade from lemons and simply CREATE the home you want. Unfortunately, the number one issue we’ve run across in recent years as a result of the nation’s tough economy is that although a homeowner may have a major need or overwhelming desire to renovate their existing home, they often hit a major roadblock when attempting to acquire a loan in order to have the work completed. It’s happened time and time again, and is frustrating for both the homeowner and my team at Highlight Homes. We get all primed and ready to launch an exciting new project, and the banks throw up a big, ugly, thick wall. Well, thanks to some very good news I received during a meeting of the Atlanta Remodelers Council and the Atlanta Home Builders Association recently, relief may very well be in sight!

Aside from using cash on hand, money from investments, unsecured loans, or second mortgage home equity lines of credit to finance a renovation, clients can turn to banks like SunTrust who are now offering special construction-permanent financing that may prove a more viable option for many clients interested in renovating their homes. While the individual perks and benefits could vary depending on your lender, for the most part lenders will use the FUTURE equity of the job to establish a loan amount (sometimes as much as 75 to 80% of the estimated value), and some lenders may even allow a customer to lock in their permanent rate upfront – GREAT news given the fact that interest rates are at historically low levels. By using construction-permanent financing, a client may not have to dip into his investment or savings at all. The best part is, this allows the customer to remodel and refinance all in one transaction – meaning one closing, which saves the client both time and money.

If you’re considering making some changes to your existing home, I suggest you discuss the possibility of utilizing construction-permanent financing with your lender. If this is a product your lender does not currently offer, you might want to approach the friendly folks at SunTrust Bank. Once you’ve had an opportunity to learn what that program might offer you, you can begin dreaming and the Highlight Homes team can begin designing. For more information or to get started on these important first steps, I invite you to call me at 678.873.9234, e-mail me at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our helpful online contact form. Can’t wait to begin helping you realize your “dream home”!

A bevy of benefits to finally finishing that basement

The subject of many a horror film, the boogy man shouldn’t be the one living in your basement – it should be YOU instead. A basement doesn’t have to be some dank, dark place where moving boxes, broken tools, and old toys go to die. It should be a vibrant and well-used living space where laughter bounces off the walls and memories are made.  Instead of avoiding the task of descending the stairs only to be overwhelmed by the dust, spiderwebs and ugliness of its void, take a good look around with fresh new eyes and imagine the possibilities. If you’ve EVER entertained the idea of finishing your basement, here are a few beautiful benefits that may help push you in the right direction:

Paying it Forward: According to a recent study by Remodeling Magazine, basement remodeling boasts a really nice return on investment – a reported 70% cost to value.  A finished basement is something you and your family can enjoy for years to come, and when it comes time to move – will serve as a very nice selling point to potential buyers, giving you an edge over the competition.

Room to Grow: One of the most obvious benefits of finishing a basement can be found in the added square footage to your living spaces. Your needs – and even the size of your family – may have changed slightly since you first purchased the home. A basement offers a pre-existing space that – thanks to some drywall, flooring and lighting – can give your family more room to grow.

Blank Canvas: A basement represents the ideal “flex space” – it can be virtually anything you want it to be and serve nearly any purpose you need it to serve. From the ultimate man-cave or home theater, to an in-home gym or recreation space – sit down with your family to determine the best use of this space. Make a list of possibilities and take a vote. Once you decide, that will help shape the rest of the project.

Go With the Flow: Your basement remodel doesn’t have to stop at the backdoor!  You could flow your transformation right out the door and onto the terrace. If you have a lovely backyard (or have the potential for a lovely backyard) and plan to entertain regularly – you can continue certain design elements from your basement into outdoor living space. Imagine a room with a bar and overstuffed seating that flows out onto the terrace featuring an outdoor hearth and even more comfortable seating.

Home “Suite” Home: As the Baby Boomer Generation ages, more and more adult children are finding the need to determine how this next phase in their parents’ lives will play out. Faced with expensive alternatives such as a retirement community or supervised care “old folks home” – it’s nice to know one has a relatively cost-effective solution. A basement can be transformed into an in-law suite for aging parents. One that provides a kitchen, private entrance, full bathroom, living space and sleeping quarters – giving the parents we love a continued sense of independence – while keeping them close.

For even MORE Bottom’s Up inspiration, check out the Highlight Homes’ story “Dust Away the Cobwebs: Five Great Reasons to Finish Your Basement”. Once you’re ready to roll forward on that basement remodel, reach out to the talented team of designers and builders at Highlight Homes. We’ll come out to your home, walk through the space, and listen to your ideas, wants and needs. Then, we’ll take what we learn to draw up the ideal plans to make your dream basement a reality. The construction process can be complete in a matter of weeks, not months – and you can begin enjoying your new basement right away. Getting started is easy!  Call me and my team at 678.873.9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our helpful online contact form TODAY!  To learn more about Highlight Homes, our commitment to quality craftsmanship, and our dedication to green construction practices – we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Over the course of the past few weeks, the U.S. stock market has taken investors on a mind-numbing roller coaster ride. Pundits point to world-wide events such as the economic aftershocks still being felt from the Japanese earthquake in March 2011, the on-going European debt crises, and the recent downgrade in the United States’ credit rating by Standard and Poor from a AAA to a AA+ as a handful of the major causes for the stock market’s less-than-stellar performance. Regardless of the reasons, uncertainty reigns supreme and folks have begun circling their wagons. Faced with the fear of the unknown, more and more American families and businesses are sitting on their money – rather than spending it.

As a small business owner with a fairly tight grasp on the concept of Economics, this is a truly daunting scenario. No matter your feelings regarding the current administration and Congress’ handling of the nation’s economic state, as individuals – the ONE way we can help move toward recovery as individual consumers is to SPEND.  And not just SPEND, but spend wisely. While some may deem a home remodel as a unnecessary indulgence, a house is often a family’s most important asset – making a home remodel a wise investment. To that end, I’ve compiled the following list of five great reasons to remodel despite the stock market’s sorry state:

1. Economics 101: Whether you aced your Econ 101 course or failed it, most people can recall that Economics at its core is a cycle based upon two elements: supply and demand. If there is no demand on the part of consumers, it knocks the cycle completely out of whack. Companies are forced to cut back their supply levels, and eventually their work forces. With people out of work, that compounds the demand issue even further. Although it may not feel like it, YOU – as the consumer – are in the so-called “driver’s seat”. If we all begin spending again (wisely) – companies can begin increasing their supply levels and eventually begin growing their staffs, meaning less people in the unemployment lines and more people in the checkout lines at the local store. By hiring a renovation company like Highlight Homes, you wouldn’t just be beautifying your home – you would be putting money back into the economic cycle. You demand a kitchen remodel, we supply the kitchen of your dreams – it really is that simple.
2. Support your Local Economy: Different parts of the country are faring better than others. While many states in the Midwest are keeping their heads well above water, parts of the West Coast are in major need of life preservers. In order to keep our heads above water, it is vital that we support our local economies. By hiring a service company like Highlight Homes to complete a home improvement job, it has a resonating effect. I will in turn be able to use those funds from your job to pay my talented staff to complete the work necessary, hire an additional staff of skilled subcontractors, and purchase the supplies required to achieve your home’s transformation from local vendors and suppliers. Together, we will not only be working toward your home’s renovation – we will also be joining forces to support our local economy.
3. Don’t Use the Stock Market as Your Guide: It’s a false idol! While it can give certain key indicators to economists – if you listen closely, not even the most skilled economic experts can always agree on what those indicators, well… indicate. For folks who base financial decisions on things like the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) from one day to the next, it’s no wonder we’re in the mess we’re in. Just take a peek at the index on nearly any given day lately and you’ll see a colorful trail of peaks and valleys from the opening bell to the market’s close. Invest in something solid – your family’s home. Because the housing market in Georgia remains somewhat bleak, more and more people are making the decision to stay put. Take this time to renovate your home into something you can love for years to come, that fits your family’s needs, and will increase your market value once the housing market comes back online.
4. Make Wise Investments: On the subject of investing in your house with a home remodel, you need to make sure it’s a WISE investment. While you may have always wanted lime green flooring with countertops to match in your kitchen, chances are – when it comes time to sell – potential buyers may be put off by that particular color selection. It’s always a good idea to keep the concept of trends to items that can be easily changed – such as accessories and wall paint – and utilize classic, timeless elements at the core of every home improvement project. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report 2010-2011 for the Atlanta area, the projects that often provide the greatest return on investment include entry door replacements, garage door replacements, window replacements, deck additions, basement remodels, attic bedroom conversions, kitchen remodels, and siding replacements.
5. Be an Agent for Change: We can’t just expect change to happen. The economy stinks – on that we all agree, but Albert Einstein has been credited with defining insanity as the belief in doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. We can sit idly by, waiting for the folks in Washington to duke things out, or we can go about the business of jump-starting the economy in all of the ways outlined above. Don’t worry about dividing things neatly into a column of wants vs. needs. We NEED to get the economy going again. By being an agent for change within your own home, you could actually be an agent for change on a local, regional and national level.

Among one of the most important reasons for a home remodel that did not make the list is the joy it can bring to your family. I have been so honored and touched by the reactions of the families I serve once their home remodels are complete. Smiles, hugs, and tears of happiness are always in large supply. Changes to your house can dramatically increase your family’s enjoyment of some of the most commonly used areas of your home OR even portions of the home that you rarely used before. If you’re ready to do your part to kick-start the economy by supporting a local small business while augmenting the beauty and value of your home, contact me and my team at Highlight Homes TODAY! We can be reached by calling 678.873.9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

To learn more about Highlight Homes and all of the ways we can help you, visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Atlanta Builder and Developer Seeks Partners to Aid Victims of North Dakota Floods

I’ve become somewhat of an expert in recent years in helping homeowners recover from natural disasters. Following destructive hail storms in early 2009 and damaging floods later that same year, Highlight Homes’ helped Atlanta families recover from damage to their homes and prompted the establishment of Help Atlanta – a charitable affiliate of our residential construction company. Feeling the need to extend the size and scope of that charity beyond Atlanta city limits, we recently changed Help Atlanta’s name to The Georgia Redevelopment Foundation and its designation as a 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt corporation is currently in the pipeline. We answered the plea to help once again following the devastating tornadoes in Georgia and Alabama earlier this year – spending many long weekends working in the hard-hit Lake Martin, AL area. Most recently, the call came from further away when I received a request from my friend, Realtor® Staci Mordew to help in the recovery efforts following the historic floods in Minot, North Dakota.

She contacted me after watching the flood waters destroy her hometown of Minot in June. She explained that Minot was already experiencing a housing shortage due to the influx of people working in the oil fields, and the flooding made a difficult situation worse by destroying and damaging over 4,000 homes. Staci, a Realtor® with Fickling & Company Real Estate Services in Warner Robins, Georgia feels that Minot needs contractors and builders who have experience in natural disaster clean up and rebuilding, and believes our involvement will be beneficial to Minot and the surrounding area.

Once I saw footage of the swelling of the Souris River and learned that it had forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and the subsequent devastating destruction of homes and businesses – I felt a familiar overwhelming urge to bring my company’s skills to the aid of those in need. Since many of the homeowners in Minot have suffered complete losses, my talents as a community developer through Highlight Homes’ sister company, Vesmont LC will prove most helpful. I am currently in the process of putting together a crew of local trades in Minot and have been in touch with the Minot Association of Builders. It is our hope that we can partner with a number of investors and supply vendors both here in Atlanta and in North Dakota to help us return that community to its former glory through home restorations and new housing developments. Once there, we can team up with talented local contractors and builders to rebuild Minot as quickly as possible.  It’s my understanding that because the last flood in that area was over 40 years ago – prompting the incorporation of a major dike and overflow channel system, most of these homeowners did not have flood insurance. The situation is simply heartbreaking. If we can raise the funds necessary, we hope to begin building there soon.

When we arrive in Minot, as in times past Highlight Homes can also help homeowners assess structural damage and assist in general clean-up. Additionally, my team can offer valuable expertise regarding further repair and maintenance, as well as provide advice on how to steer clear of unlicensed and unqualified contractors. After all, these folks have been through enough. Anything we can do to lessen their stress, my team and I will happily do. If possible, their homes will either be lovingly and thoughtfully restored or rebuilt. While Minot is located more than 1,600 miles away from Atlanta, these are our neighbors and their need is so great. We have the skill and the tools to help them, but lack the necessary funding.

That’s where you come in! We need your help to spread the word of this overwhelming need in Minot. Individual investors, construction vendors, and corporations who wish to partner with Highlight Homes to assist in restoring homes and developing new communities in Minot, North Dakota are invited to call 678.873.9234 or e-mail me at info@highlighthomesga.com. To learn more about Highlight Homes, please visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com. On behalf of myself, my family, and the Highlight Homes’ Team, our thoughts, prayers and best hopes go out to the citizens of Minot.