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A breath of Springtime just in time for, well… Springtime

Late last year, Pantone – THE global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries – announced their 2011 Color of the Year, the whimsical and romantic 18-2120 (also known as “Honeysuckle”). With the first stirrings of spring alive and well throughout the Atlanta area, we felt this was a perfect time to reveal this hot color trend to our readers. This vivacious, playful pink is a perfect pairing for navy – another HOT color in interior fashion this season, as well as the ever-classic black and tried-and-true white. It can breathe new life into understated tones of brown, or blend with similar spring shades of lime green, lemon yellow, and true turquoise to completely transform a room with bold and happy hues.  Whether you elect to introduce Honeysuckle into your home by painting a few pieces of accent furniture or perhaps an entire accent wall, toss in a few throw pillows and artwork, or add some table linens and flowers to your tabletop – the result will be nothing less than utterly refreshing. Described as a “dynamic reddish pink” by the color geniuses at Pantone LLC – an X-rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT) – Honeysuckle is designed to be both energizing and uplifting. As 2010’s calm and relaxing PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise passes the torch to PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle, we hope that 2011 is every bit as vibrant and exciting as Pantone’s choice of color.

If you wish to breathe new life into YOUR home, we invite you to call upon the talented design-build team at Highlight Homes. Whether you’re interested in introducing new colors, updating the look of your kitchen or bath, completely redefining the layout, or building on a room addition or deck – Highlight Homes’ creative team of designers and craftsman can transform your vision into a wonderful and lasting reality. Call us today at 678.873.9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form and someone will be in touch with you shortly!

Source:  PANTONE Press Release –  December 9, 2010 http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20824&ca=10

Our Fearless Leader Picks Up A Shovel to Break Ground on Multi-Million Dollar Development Project in Birmingham, Alabama

Our favorite Renaissance Man – Tony Pourhassan – is the creative mind and talented craftsman behind Highlight Homes, LLC and sister company Vesmont, Inc. It’s not unusual for Tony to be involved in every aspect of a project his companies oversee – from initial consultation with the client, to design of the site plan, custom home or renovation, to getting right in there with his team to swing a hammer or turn a screw. He’s a highly esteemed entrepreneur who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, and on Saturday, February 19 – Tony found an entirely new reason to fall in LOVE with the prospect of getting his hands dirty.

On that clear, cool morning in Birmingham, Alabama – Tony Pourhassan stood alongside bishops, pastors and congregation members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) to break ground on an innovative concept. In addition to his role as Principal of Highlight Homes and Vesmont, Inc., Tony Pourhassan is President of TyCam Development – the company at the forefront of the site management and construction of a $24 million project in North Birmingham on land that has been in the church’s hands for decades. To the sound of applause before a crowd numbering in the hundreds, Tony and representatives of AMEC turned over the earth at the long-dormant former site of Daniel Payne College in a symbolic first step toward transforming the 153-acre property into an exciting faith-based mixed-use development called Daniel Payne Legacy Village.

Already touting the credo “Built on a foundation of faith, hope and prayer” Daniel Payne Legacy Village will include a community comprised of a beautiful church retreat complete with lodging and conference facilities at the development’s core. Recreational space, more than 50 acres of green space providing beautiful park-like surroundings, and a bungalow residential neighborhood of nearly 120+ single-family homes will encircle the retreat. Handsomely constructed office space and a retail center will serve as the face of the Village along Daniel Payne Road, making this a truly revolutionary “Live, Work, Play, Pray” community.

“This is one of the most awe-inspiring projects I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a part of,” says Tony. “Having designed and constructed award-winning family-centered developments in the past, it is truly inspirational when you consider the impact a development like Daniel Payne Legacy Village could have on the entire North Birmingham community.  While it, too, will be family-centered – by blending a mixed-use concept with an entirely new faith-based model, it brings new meaning to the word ‘ground-breaking.’ Bishop James Levert Davis and the AME Church are leading the way to a better and brighter future for the notion of a neighborhood.”

It was apparent that the feeling of community was already alive and well at the building site on the morning of the ground-breaking ceremony. Aside from elders and members of the church, other prominent community members in attendance included Alabama Senator Linda F. Coleman, Administrative Assistant to Mayor William A. Bell – Charles Long, Birmingham City Council Members Roderick Royal and Steven T. Hoyt, and Neighborhood Association President Ellen Spencer. Along with proponents for the $24 million project, Tony looks forward to beginning construction of Daniel Payne Legacy Village in Spring 2011.

As the sun shines over Georgia and the mercury begins its slow ascent in the coming weeks, thoughts start turning to Spring and all the beneficial changes it brings. The gardens will begin to bloom once more, lawns will shift from shades of gold to hues of green, the happy chirping of birds will begin to fill the air, and magazine covers bearing the latest Spring fashions and organizational tips will begin to line the shelves of grocery and book stores all over town. As you start jotting down items on your wish list of Spring projects to tackle around the house, consider what a relief it would be to incorporate more storage space in your home. The latest fashion trends in home décor have begun to lean toward refreshingly austere, luxuriously simplified spaces marked by splashes of color, bold artwork and uncluttered appearances. If you dream of having a home that could grace the pages of a coffee table book or interior design magazine, but is still practical and livable for your very REAL family – perhaps the provision of ample storage is the best place to start.

Book Cases: Built-in bookcases have long served as a benefit when selling a home, conveying both a sense of luxury and practicality. Perfectly placed throughout your home, built-ins can not only be aesthetically pleasing but can also serve as additional storage space for your books, photo frames and knick-knacks on the shelves above and your less eye-catching items behind closed doors down below. Store items that you wish to be readily accessible (such as board games, coloring books, DVDs, video games, etc…) here – within easy reach but out of sight. They can also help define a space – an unused corner by the stairs – into a charming book nook.

Window Seats: Often chosen for the beautiful view beyond, a large picture window can also serve as a great excuse to add more storage space. The construction of a window seat with storage not only provides an area to store books, toys, linens or whatever you wish – it can also transform a window into a beloved “me time” space where you can curl up with a favorite book or a glass of wine and enjoy the view. When incorporated in a kitchen space, it could actually add more seating around your dining table.

Walk-in Closets: If one of your biggest issues with your home is lack of closet space, you can pretty much guarantee that the same will be said by potential buyers when it comes time to sell your house. Seek the advice of a structural engineer to find out what your options might be – knocking out a non-load-bearing wall may just equate to double your current closet space – for many fashionistas and shopaholics, the closest thing to Heaven on Earth. While you’re doing that, you may want to look into having the contractor install a special closet system for smart storage of everything from your delicates to your ski boots.

Converted Attics: If you find that there’s no way to increase your closet space by knocking out a wall, you may have a last resort – the attic.  Through the addition of drywall, lighting, hanging bars and shelving – you may have the perfect space for a seasonal closet, a place where you store your off-season clothing for part of the year cutting the need for hanging space in your ACTUAL closet in half.  If your attic is easily accessible, you may be able to use it as a daily closet/changing room.  Depending on the size, you could even convert it to an additional guest bedroom – if the “storage” of guests is a concern.

Tech Centers: With more and more people trading the commute for the “tele”commute and working from their homes, the need for dedicated office space in the home is growing. If you’re short on space and don’t have an actual room to devote to a home office – a corner of the kitchen, a loft by the stairs or a large hallway can be converted to a “tech” center complete with electronic wiring, phone jacks, appropriate lighting, and cabinetry/countertops for a stylish homegrown cubicle that flows with the rest of the house rather than sticks out like a sore thumb.  Ample shelving and cabinet space with plenty of doors for hiding unsightly paperwork is KEY to making this addition appear stylish, uncluttered and organized.

Garages: Appropriate storage in the garage can not only help you organize the items you’d rather NOT store indoors, but can add an element of safety to this extension of your home. Toxic and flammable products can be stored behind cabinets out of a child’s reach, and shelves can be SECURELY attached to walls in the event that Jr. decides to play Spider Man and start climbing one afternoon. By choosing to add storage that makes sense in the garage, it’ll be that much easier to find the allen wrench or the garden shears when you need them without having to dig in cob-filled corners. Choose to make your garage an outdoor space that you enjoy rather than viewing as an eye-sore where you happen to park your car.

Room Additions: In the event that you find that you have utilized every nook and cranny of your home to their fullest potential, it may be time to consider a room addition. This is another area where both a structural engineer and a good design-build firm come in super handy. It just so happens that we offer it ALL at Highlight Homes!  Our structural engineer can take a look at your home to evaluate the best and most efficient placement of a room addition plus work out the logistics behind it, while our design-build team can create the space on paper then bring it to life for you and your family to enjoy to the fullest.  You simply need to decide the best use of that space – freeing up another room in the house for storage. OR, if you wish to incorporate a sunroom filled with beautiful picture windows, covering the majority of the space under them with window seats offering storage could be beautiful AND practical!

Highlight Homes, Atlanta’s premier custom builder and renovator is a design-build firm that welcomes the opportunity to help you utilize your home to its maximum benefit.  With families of our own, we are well aware that life can get messy – but with proper storage, no one need ever know JUST how messy it can get. We invite you to contact us TODAY to discuss possible storage solutions in your own home. Call our talented team of designers and builders at 678.873.9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form and someone will be in touch with you shortly.

Highlight Homes is proud to announce the debut of our NEW virtual portfolio featuring projects that span the gamut from a custom estate in Buckhead to new construction cottages in Newnan to whole home renovations all over the metro Atlanta area. This valuable online tool is designed to illustrate the wide range of expertise Highlight Homes’ offers to each and every one of our clients and serves as a visual showcase of our skilled craftsmanship and unswerving attention to detail. Several of our construction and renovation endeavors have gleaned the attention of respected local publications such as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Remodel Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine and The Newnan Times-Herald. Whether lauded by the media or not, each project serves as a shining example of our commitment to providing excellent customer service in addition to unmatched luxury and quality to every client we collaborate with. In nearly every instance, the end-results not only fit the clients’ vision and budget – but exceeded their wildest dreams. We look forward to adding new projects to our portfolio regularly, and invite you to check back often.  Who knows? The next entry could be YOUR HOME!

“In time, we hope to provide more of a real-time renovation and construction experience for our online visitors and clients,” explains Highlight Homes’ Principal Tony Pourhassan. “By providing before and during photos of a work-in-progress, it will make it all the more exciting when we are able to reveal the finished product upon project completion. It’s a great way to be a fly on the wall and see what we’re up to.”

If you or someone you know is considering a home renovation or home maintenance project in the Atlanta area or surrounding suburbs, we encourage you to contact the design-build team at Highlight Homes. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your project, and we offer an attractive referral program when recommending us to others. To learn more about our family-owned-and-operated company that offers more than a quarter of a century of experience in architecture, construction and remodeling – we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com. Aside from custom home construction, we also offer whole home renovations, kitchen and bath remodels, basement finishing, decks and patios, room additions, and much, much more. Our talented team of designers and builders can be reached by calling 678.873.9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our online contact form.  We look forward to learning how best Highlight Homes can serve you and your family!

At Highlight Homes, we don’t just construct homes and renovate rooms…

We create unique living spaces that you and your family will enjoy for years to come!

While famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has declared an early Spring this year, several weeks of Winter 2011 – one of the harshest is recent memory – remain in the forecast. Even in the Southern states, Winter can be particularly tough on a home. Cooler temperatures, high winds and damp air all combine to wreak havoc on both the exterior and interior of your home. Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is particularly true when it comes to your home’s maintenance and upkeep. By taking a handful of simple steps toward safeguarding your home against the harmful effects of Winter, you could be saving yourself from expensive repairs down the road.  Wouldn’t you rather spend that money on exciting, elective home renovations during the first few weeks of Spring rather than costly, necessary home repairs? To help you avoid the latter, Highlight Homes has compiled the following Winter Home Maintenance Checklist:

1. Walk around the exterior of your home to check your roof for missing shingles or obvious damage, then head up to the attic to check from the interior.  Do you see discoloration, holes, or noticeable water damage?  If so, it’s time to call in a professional! This step is usually most helpful during or immediately following a rain storm. Pay close attention to your gutters at this time, as well.  If the water is not flowing freely through your gutters, then there could be a blockage which may lead to expensive water damage over time. While you’re up in the attic, check the vents and insulation for signs of critters and make sure that no insulation that has fallen over into the eaves where it might restrict the air flow.
2. Check your basement for leaks during or immediately after a rainstorm. If your basement is finished, a leak may not be as easy to see – so check for moist carpeting around the baseboards indicating seepage. Even if you find no evidence of a leak, if you notice a musty smell – it may be time to invest in a good dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air. If your home features crawl spaces, be sure to check those as well for moisture and water damage. Take a peek at the HVAC ducts to make sure they have not separated, the insulation is in good shape, and no critters have made a home there for the winter. Check the insulation around the water pipes to make sure there are no gaps that can lead to frozen pipes.
3. Check around door and window frames for possible water damage.  If you see an indication of wood rot, you’ll want to get that taken care of ASAP.  Wood rot can actually be an indication of living mold spores or the dreaded termite infestation – both of which will continue to multiply and spread.  A professional can quickly determine the cause of the wood rot – be it water damage, termites or otherwise – and come up with the best solution BEFORE it gets any further out of hand. While you’re there, be sure to take a close look at your weather stripping for holes and gaps – may be time to replace it.
4. Test all of your outlets – particularly those with ground-fault circuit interrupters – this is best done following an electrical storm. If you believe you may have an issue – your cords become overheated or you notice a discoloration around the outlets – it’s time to call in a professional.  Older homes are at a much greater risk – so if your home is more than a decade old, you may want to invest in a voltage tester from your local home supply store. According to the US Fire Administration, electrical problems in the home cause 485 deaths and $868 million in property losses annually – and are more common during the Winter months.
5. If you haven’t already done so for the year, check all of your smoke alarms and replace batteries if necessary. Do you own a fire extinguisher?  Do you know where it is?  After locating it, check the meter near the handle to make sure the pressure is still good. If not, it’s time to invest in a new one. Talk to your family about what to do in the event of a fire, and even run practice drills – in the hopes that you will never have to use them.
6. Remove hair and debris from all sinks, tubs and shower drains. Pour baking soda or another safe drain cleaner down the drain, if needed and flush with cool water to make sure your pipes are running smoothly.
7. If you hear reports of sub-freezing temperatures, set your faucets to drip to encourage flow and DIScourage frozen pipes.  If you are planning to head out of town and fear the temperatures may head south while you are away, open the doors to the cabinets under your sinks so the heat can circulate around the pipes.  You may turn the heat down, but don’t shut it completely off.
8. Check your refrigerator and/or whole home water filtration systems – may be time to install a new filter!
9. Keep tabs on you HVAC filters & overflow pans. If the filter appears to be full, replace it, and make sure your over flow pans are clear of insulation & debris so that they function properly.

If you find yourself in need of a home repair – whether it be roof replacement, basement waterproofing, water damage repair, pipe replacement, electrical wiring repair or general home maintenance – Highlight Homes can help. As custom home builders and skilled remodelers, we offer a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of your home. Simply give us a call at 678.873.9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our online contact form TODAY! While we’re in your home, we can also discuss your wish list of possible remodeling changes you’d like to make in the near future.

Hang in there!  Winter’s almost at an end and Spring is just around the corner!!!

Why it’s so Important to do Your Homework Before Hiring a Renovator

It’s sad, but true. There are some renovators and general contractors out there who specialize in dishonest business practices. From projects abandoned before the work is complete to contractors getting in over their heads by tackling projects far above their pay grade, they serve to cause heartaches for homeowners who have worked and saved to finally launch that home improvement project they’ve been dreaming of. They also supply more than their fair share of headaches for honest renovators who must then come in and clean up their mess. While many people may feel as though they’ve done their homework by shopping around for a number of bids before deciding which renovator to use, unfortunately some of them will base this all-important decision on price alone. Everybody loves a good deal, but when it comes to something as significant as the home you share with your family – this is definitely an area where you won’t want to cut corners.

Another difficult reality is that the fix may end up costing homeowners far more than if they had originally elected to go with one the renovators who came in with a higher bid. An inexperienced or unscrupulous contractor may also skip steps with regard to acquiring the proper paperwork from the city or county to complete the work, and the ensuing fines may leave the homeowners with a costly subpar project. If a contractor is not properly insured, in the event that one of his subcontractors is injured on a job working on a homeowner’s property – that homeowner may wind up holding the bag with regard to the medical expenses. This doesn’t have to happen to you if you do the research before you sign on the dotted line, and if you use the following tips when selecting the RIGHT renovator for your home improvement project.

• Request bids, but don’t base your decision solely on price alone.  You often get what you paid for.
• Schedule face-to-face meetings with project supervisors from each company to make sure you have a good rapport and that they seem to be attentive to your wants, needs, and concerns.
• Do a little digging – once you’ve started narrowing the list down, look beyond the company website and collateral materials that are designed to make the company look good. Look into their professional affiliations, peek around on internet search sites to see if any complaints have been lodged against them on public forums or with the Better Business Bureau. You may even uncover a lawsuit or two.  If you find NOTHING about their organization – that may be a warning sign, as well.  It’s not unusual for contractors to change their company names to dodge a bad reputation.
• Ask for testimonials from other clients, as well as photos from some of their other jobs.
• Make sure the company you go with is fully licensed, registered and insured.
• Don’t fall under the assumption that you can’t trust anyone. For every shoddy renovator out there, there are just as many hard-working, skilled builders and craftsman who would be honored to be chosen to complete your work.
• Consider Highlight Homes, LLC among the list of companies to design and complete your home improvement project for you.  With 20 years in the architectural, construction and renovation industries under our workbelts – we may not come in on the low-end of a bidding war, but we’re worth every penny and have an outstanding record of overall customer satisfaction. Most importantly, we get it right the FIRST time.

If you’d like to contact Highlight Homes to begin discussing your upcoming renovation or room addition (or clean up the mess that the last renovator left behind), we welcome the opportunity to speak with you! Our professional staff can be reached by calling 678.873.9234, e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com or filling out our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes, visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

This Valentine’s Day, Give the Gift of a Home Renovation by Highlight Home Restoration

On February 14^th, give that special someone in your life something lasting… something they’ll enjoy for years to come… something they REALLY want – their ideal “Home Sweet Home”. The best part is, your gift could be something that can be enjoyed by the entire family, as well as the guests who visit your home. Rather than watching your sweetheart open another jewelry box, heart-shaped container filled with chocolates, or gift bag of lingerie – imagine the look on their face when they unwrap the blueprints to the home renovation they’ve been dying to complete.  (Have a box of tissue handy!)

Give him the Man Cave he’s always dreamed of – from full bar and game room to in-home theater complete with stadium seating and flat screen TV for watching the Big Game with friends.  Give her the sunroom or outdoor oasis she’s always wanted – a place where she can relax with a good book or enjoy entertaining al fresco, surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds. The only limit to the possibilities is your imagination.  Have an aspiring chef in your midst? Can you imagine the reaction to the promise of the gourmet kitchen of their wildest dreams?

At Highlight Home Restoration, we understand the importance of any home renovation project – this is your home, a treasured part of your family’s life – and we deeply appreciate the fact that you entrust us with such an awesome task. Not only do we have a solid track record of customer satisfaction, but – because we are a design/build firm – we’re with you from start to finish and every step along the way, from initial consultation to design to project completion. We are proud to serve the entire Metro Atlanta area as well as the surrounding region. To help you prepare for what could be the BEST Valentine’s Day gift EVER, Highlight Home Restoration is currently offering a FREE ACAD concept design (valued at $800 to $1,000) with the purchase of a home improvement project of $10,000 or more. Our services include:

• Whole Home Renovations
• Room Additions
• Architectural and Design Services
• Kitchen & Bath Remodeling
• Landscaping & Ponds
• Decks & Porches
• Sunrooms
• Basement Finishing
• and Much, Much More

Shopping for this year’s gift is as easy as picking up the phone, sending us an e-mail or filling out our convenient online contact form. Our talented team of designers and builders can be reached by calling 678.873.9234 or by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com.  We look forward to hearing from you and learning how we can make your “Home Sweet Home” even sweeter!

As most of the nation wades through a flurry of cold, gray days and afternoons spent shoveling the snow off the driveway, it’s easy to feel bogged down and develop a nasty case of cabin fever. While some may dream of trips to distant shores and warmer weather, the talented folks at Highlight Home Restoration suggest you also take advantage of this time to begin planning for a Spring remodel. Spend the next couple of months envisioning your ideal home, then start making steps to see that your dreams become a beautiful reality in time for Spring.

• Take Advantage of Cold Days Spent Indoors and DREAM BIG – Begin poring through home décor websites and magazines to see what looks really appeal to you, then start printing out pages and/or clipping pictures to start your very own “Dream Book”. Dream big and tackle all of the living spaces of your home – both inside and out. While you may not be able to complete all of these projects at once, you may be surprised to learn that some of them can be handled as simply as applying a fresh coat of paint, adding some new artwork, tossing in a few throw pillows for a touch of color, or updating your furniture with the latest looks – all items you could take care of on your own. As for the bigger jobs, such as finishing a basement, adding a sunroom or extending a deck – it’s best to leave those to a professional.  Your Dream Book will serve as a great resource for them as well, so you can make sure everyone is on the same page with regard to YOUR vision.
• Make a List of Projects in Order of Importance – This is perhaps one of the most difficult steps.  In a perfect world, you could place a #1 in front of each item on your project list.  Unfortunately, given tougher restrictions to lending – you may be forced to pick and choose.  Once you’ve put your list together – go back through and decide which items you and your family can complete yourselves and which will require the help of a qualified professional.
• Begin Researching Your Lending Options – In the event that you don’t have a secret stash under your mattress or a money tree growing in the backyard, chances are you will have to apply for a loan.  To learn more about this increasingly vital step in the home renovation process, read our blog “Helpful Tips to Securing Financing in 2011 for Home Improvement Projects”.
• Begin Researching Home Improvement Specialists – If you are considering projects outside the realm of general home maintenance such as exterior painting or gutter cleaning, you may want to look beyond general contractors to someone who specializes in any or all of the aspects of your chosen home improvement project. By selecting a design/build firm (like Highlight Homes Restoration), you are able to cut out a step by involving a company who can not only build your project for you but can also design the project to fit your vision and specifications. To learn more about finding a specialist to spearhead your project, read our blog “Three Surefire Ways to Find a Qualified Professional Renovator for Your Home Improvement Project”.
• Set a Meeting and Establish a Calendar – Once you’ve whittled down your list of both projects to complete and professionals to complete them for you (both may be based on the figures your loan officer is able to come up with), set a meeting and establish a calendar for job start and completion.  This is when the project begins to take shape and become real for you.  Keep in mind that just about any home renovation project can be somewhat obtrusive, as subcontractors march in and out of your home on a daily basis until the project is complete –so try to select a time that is most convenient for you and your family, while working within the specialist’s calendar. Remember that weather will sometimes play a role, so be prepared to be a little flexible on the job completion date.  Highlight Home Restoration is proud of our reputation for completing projects on time, on budget and above expectation. Once you have a date on your calendar, you will have so much to look forward to – essentially helping ease the pain of the coming weeks of Winter. Time it just right, and you and your family could be enjoying your new living space in time for a Spring unveiling!

Highlight Home Restoration welcomes the opportunity to aid you with your home renovation project. We are highly skilled designers and craftsmen who serve the Metro Atlanta area and surrounding region. We have a proven track record of excellence in building and remodeling everything from kitchens, bathrooms, basements, patios, decks, room additions and so much more. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting our website at www.highlighthomesga.com. When you’re ready to set a meeting to discuss your home improvement project, call us at 678.873.9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our helpful online contact form. We look forward to adding a ray or two of sunshine to your Winter!  Stay warm, Atlanta!!

In this brave new world of ours in 2011, many of us are finding the need to become braver and smarter in light of current economic conditions. While some folks worry over possible job layoffs, health care and home foreclosures, life goes on for others. For those seeking general home maintenance or possible home improvements in an effort to protect one of the largest investments in their lives, they may find a more difficult row to hoe than in years past in order to securing financing. It’s easy to get excited when planning any renovation to your home, but it may be wise to have a solid budget set in advance of your project’s start date and make sure your loan officer is on board before going to the next step of hiring a contractor to complete the work for you.  While it’s difficult to know how much a project will cost you without speaking to a contractor first, in this day and age – it’s better to know what you can afford first and then ask the contractor to work within your budget.

According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, new government regulations, tighter restrictions and higher mortgage rates are dampening the optimism for many would-be home buyers.  Therefore, more and more homeowners are continuing to make the choice to stay put and make do with what they have.  However, there are certain steps you can take to help ensure the likelihood of securing a loan for your next home improvement or maintenance project:

• Choose wisely – Lenders are more likely to look favorably upon projects that have a historically high return on investment. In a “Cost vs. Value” study conducted by Remodeling Magazine in 80 metropolitan markets across the nation, the projects with the largest return on investment included:
  • Deck Addition
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • Bathroom Remodel
  • New Roof
  • Family Room Addition
  • Master Suite Addition
• Space it out – While it’s wonderful to imagine tackling all of your dream projects at once and coming away with an entirely “good as new” home, it may not be practical from a financial standpoint. For the time being, homes are not the assets they once were and (hopefully) will be again. Consider taking on just one or two projects at a time.  List them in order of importance from a personal standpoint as well as a return on investment perspective. What do you and your family need RIGHT NOW, and what can you live without for a little while longer? By paying off your loan seamlessly, chances are your lender will be likely to extend another loan your way in the future so you can take on the next project on your wish list.
• Do Your Homework – Research all of the different lending institutions such as banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, and private lenders – as well as different loan possibilities – like conventional home equity loans, equity lines of credit and personal lines of credit. Dig around to make sure you don’t fall victim to fraudulent lending practices. The Federal Trade Commission suggests that you DON’T:
  • Sign on to a home equity loan if you don’t have enough income to make the monthly payments.
  • Sign anything you haven’t read thoroughly.
  • Feel pressured to sign anything before you’ve had a chance to read it.
  • Agree to a loan that includes credit insurance or other “add-ons” that you don’t want.
• Know The Score – The Federal Trade Commission also indicates that it’s wise to know your credit score before sitting down in front of a lender so there are no less than pleasant surprises. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. A credit report includes information such as where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you have been sued, served jail time, or have filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies then sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, renting an apartment, or securing a home loan. To order, simply visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
• Don’t Become Discouraged – History has shown that time has an amazing way of healing all things. If you are unable to secure a loan for a home improvement project at this time, be sure to do what it takes to clean up your credit score in the meantime and start saving your pennies for the future. All is not lost – you’ve done the research necessary to find a good lender and contractor, you know exactly what you want to do, and when the time comes – you’ll be prepared to make your dreams a reality.  In the event that you are able to secure a loan, be sure to work with a reputable contractor who gets the work done on time and on budget.

When you’re ready to begin on your general maintenance or home improvement project, we hope you will contact Highlight Home Restoration to discuss your design and building plans with you.  We will do our level best to work within your budget while exceeding your expectations. To reach us, simply call 678-873-9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com or fill out our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about us and all of our services, we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com. We wish you the very best of luck in securing your loan and eagerly await your call!

During a time of year when many people consider changes in their lives – both large and small – the big question most often seems to be how best to go about implementing that change. They may seek the best diet to help them shed a few pounds, the best doctor to help ensure their good health, or the best method to help them quit smoking. However, change doesn’t always have to refer to the self. Some people will seek to change the world around them – from a global aspect such as becoming more eco-conscious and doing their part to save the world, to a “closer to home” perspective such as altering their home environment to mold it to the needs and desires of their own unique family. While we can’t help you with the best diet for 2011 or the latest methods to quit smoking, the friendly folks at Highlight Home Restoration of Atlanta have compiled three surefire ways to find a qualified professional renovator to help you implement change within your own home.

1)      Word of Mouth – According to a recent article in McKinsey Quarterly, the business journal for McKinsey & Company – a highly esteemed global management consulting firm  – word of mouth represents the primary factor for up to 50% of consumer purchasing decisions. While companies may spend thousands to millions of dollars on flashy advertising and marketing campaigns, those who focus on delivering excellent customer service, quality and results will always come out on top. Word of mouth is a free and valuable resource, and – for Highlight Home Restoration – is representative of up to 75% of our business through referrals. When planning something as significant as a modification to your home, it’s wise to look to friends, family, neighbors, and business associates for advice regarding general contractors and professional renovators they have used in the past or have heard good things about. Take word of mouth one step further and visit the company website to see if their methods and philosophy fits with your own, examine the work they’ve done, and read all of the reviews and testimonials you can get your hands on. Perform a web search and look for any negative feedback, as well.

2)      Professional Organizations – 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.  Highlight Homes and our renovation division Highlight Home Restoration are pleased to announce that we are members of the National Home Builders Association, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), Certified Professional Home Builders of Georgia and the GAHBA’s Remodelers Council . Highlight Homes is also 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.

3)      Check With a Local Real Estate Professional – Very rarely will you find a resource as valued as a local realtor or broker when searching for a qualified remodeler. 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. Highly revered Atlanta real estate agent and broker, Zana Dillard of the award-winning Dillard & Company Realty Group, suggests that a real estate professional can be a terrific resource for finding a skilled remodeler for both home buyers and sellers alike.  “When a buyer purchases a resale property, they usually want to update the kitchen and bathrooms throughout the home. Also, they tend to want to open up the living space by removing walls and/ or finishing out the terrace level,” explains Dillard. “(On the other hand) Prior to placing their home on the market, we inform our Sellers that they need to devote their energy on getting their home ‘show ready’. That means their home needs to be up to today’s standards in order to compete competitively in this market. For example: adding granite countertops, tile to the bathrooms and kitchen, painting the interior/ exterior of home, replacing the fixtures, repair and maintenance work, etc. A real estate professional is able to assist their clients with finding a qualified remodeler to complete the specified work.”

At Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration, we are pleased to offer a wealth of “word of mouth” resources thanks in large part to our 25 years in the architectural design, remodeling and building industries, as well as our unswerving commitment to delivering quality craftsmanship and an incomparable client experience. We have worked hard to build a solid reputation in the Atlanta market through our professional affiliations and relationships with local real estate professionals, just like Zana Dillard of Dillard & Company Realty Group. We encourage you to do some research of your own when seeking a professional remodeler for your personal home improvement project, and we invite you to call on us when you’re ready to pare down the list for the right company to complete the job. We will be happy to discuss your project with you, and submit a bid for your consideration.  The talented team at Highlight Home Restoration can be contacted by calling 678.873.9234, e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or filling out our convenient online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Zana Dillard – Operating Partner/Associate Broker of Dillard & Company Realty Group in Atlanta has personally closed more than $100 million in residential sales since 1998. In addition to being a Georgia Realtor Institute Certified Agent, Licensed Associate Broker, and Senior Marketing Specialist, Dillard is the President of Homes of Distinction, a luxury program presented by Keller Williams. She is also an International Real Estate Specialist, a Multi-Million Dollar Producer, a Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Club since 1998, a Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Guild and has received the distinction of being listed in the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate. More than 30 Fortune 500 companies entrust their corporate relocations to the award-winning real estate group she founded, Dillard & Company. An Accredited Relocation Specialist and Certified Luxury Home Specialist, Dillard is an expert at easing a client’s transition into or out of the Atlanta metro area.