Why You May Need to Plan for Renovations to Your Once-in-a-Lifetime Real Estate Deal

Ever heard the saying “You get what you paid for”?

While this sentiment does not always ring true when it comes to foreclosure properties, and many real estate investors are walking away with truly incredible savings these days – some homebuyers are discovering the pitfalls of buying a home out of foreclosure. There are a handful of factors that may play into some rather unpleasant surprises after being handed the keys to your dream home after closing:

1)  If the home was purchased at auction, the original owners may still be living there. This often makes it difficult to next to impossible to get a thorough inspection performed before their departure and your family’s arrival. It’s a gamble, but one many investors are willing to take.

2)  If the home is a “real-estate-owned” (REO) foreclosure, these are often sold “as is” by the original mortgage lender. While foreclosed properties are often better off than the traditional “fixer upper”, certain maintenance issues may have been ignored or postponed while the previous homeowner struggled to simply keep their home.

3)  If the home has been sitting in foreclosure for some time, it may have fallen prey to vandals, thieves (looking for appliances or anything of value left in the home), the elements or all of the above.  Without a dedicated agent watching over the property on a regular basis, any number of things could go wrong.

Still, with savings averaging 30% and more off fair market value for many foreclosure properties – planning for the contingency of the possible need for repairs and renovations may be your best bet. You could still wind up with a significant discount and have an excellent opportunity to make the home all your own. Many times, this contingency can be allotted for with your mortgage lender. Because Highlight Homes, LLC is founded in the residential construction business – our new division, Highlight Home Restoration is well-prepared to help you navigate all areas of home restoration and improvement.  We don’t merely specialize in one area of home repair, such as plumbing, roofing, carpet installation, painting, etc.. – we specialize in them all! We can also aid in bathroom and kitchen renovation, room additions, decks and patios, basement finishing and much more. Additionally, Highlight Home Restoration can help haul away unwanted items that have been left behind, recycle materials and assist with general clean-up of a vacated or foreclosure property. Transform that excellent real estate investment into a HOME by calling the talented team of designers, contractors and foreclosure renovation professionals at Highlight Home Restoration at (678) 873-9234.  To learn more about Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration, we invite you to visit us online at http://www.highlighthomesga.com.

Transforming the Appearance of Your Home

Inside and Out

As the first weeks of the New Year unfold and the holiday decorations are stashed away in storage for the next 10 months, you may find yourself yearning for a new look for your home. First, take a deep breath and give yourself a little time to readjust to the appearance of your home without the garlands, lights, seasonal bric-a-brac and bows. Once you’ve done that, and if you’re still disenchanted and in need of a change – set a budget and write on a sheet of paper the list of projects you’d like to have completed, in order of importance. Are these relatively simple changes that can be accomplished with a new coat of paint, some throw pillows, a rug and artwork – or are you looking at a major overhaul, space renovation or room addition? If the first question fits your needs best, a really good interior designer may be the answer. However – if it’s the latter – your next step should be to give Highlight Home Restoration a phone call!

Highlight Home Restoration will gladly discuss your wishes and needs over the phone, and then schedule an on-site visit to explore the possibilities further. With twenty-five years of experience in architectural design, home construction and renovation – we offer an honest, straightforward approach and expert advice to every potential client we meet. Equally important, we tackle every project we undertake with a high level of enthusiasm blended with solid professionalism and a wealth of skill. We can help you design and implement home renovation projects of various sizes and scopes – from a simple half bathroom renovation to the completion of an unfinished basement to the addition of an entirely new room. We can also alter the look of the exterior of your home with the addition of a new facade, front porch or brand new deck in time for spring! While you may not be able to complete every project all at once, we’re confident that you’ll be so happy with our work that you’ll continue to use our services for years to come (AND tell your friends about us!) To get started, simply fill out online contact form (http://www.highlighthomesga.com/contact-highlighthomes/) or call us TODAY at 678-873-9234. We look forward to meeting you and learning how best we can help you give your home a new look for the new year!

Tips for Winterizing Your Home During One of the Coldest Seasons in Recent Memory

All across the nation, meteorologists are predicting record-breaking low temperatures this winter – or at the very least, colder weather than many of us can remember. As word spreads that Florida’s citrus crops will be threatened by repeated Arctic blasts and we all suffer through the teeth-chattering and bone-chilling side effects of this frigid season , our homes are at great risk of falling victim to the glacial temperatures, as well. Homes in the South are often particularly at risk, as water pipes are sometimes located in unprotected areas of the home and homeowners are not as well prepared as some of our Yankee counterparts. Because major freezes only occur one to two times a year here in Georgia – if at all – we may forget to do the simple things to protect our homes against unnecessary winter damage and expense.

While fall is very often the best time to plan ahead and protect your home for the cold season, there are still a handful of ways you can safeguard your house and your family against winter’s chill:

• Water pipes often burst because of a buildup of ice in the line and the consequent increase in water pressure between the water source and the freeze.  A VERY SIMPLE way to safeguard against this during winter’s coldest nights is to set your faucets to drip – no need for a steady stream but a drip – particularly on days/nights when the temperatures dip below 20 degrees F and there is a cold, blustery wind blowing outdoors. Keep in mind – it is not outside the realm of possibility for pipes to burst in temperatures over 20Ëš F, as well. While this is not an ironclad defense against freezing, it will relieve some of the water pressure buildup in your pipes. For those who are environmentally conscious, you may only wish to set the faucets to drip where you know the pipes are unprotected/at higher risk. You may also want to open your cabinet doors under sinks to let the warm air flow through as an added precaution.
• When you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out, chances are your pipe is frozen. You only have a couple of options – search for the exposed area of the pipe and try heating it with a handheld hairdryer or CALL A PROFESSIONAL. The second option is very often the best – you really don’t want to take any chances on your pipes possibly bursting, ultimately leading to the need for a plumber anyway. Highlight Homes/Highlight Home Restoration is highly skilled in many areas of home design and renovation – including plumbing – and we serve the entire Metro Atlanta area and surrounding region.  Keep our phone number handy – (678) 873-9234. If you choose to tackle this problem with hairdryer in hand, first make sure you are not standing in any water – then heat the pipe slowly, with the spigot open, from the faucet end of the pipe to the coldest area. GOOD LUCK!
• If you are headed out of town and suspect that cold weather may be approaching, you may want to reconsider turning off the heat to save money. You can still cut it down, but leave it around 55 degrees F to be safe. A better solution may be to turn off the water while you’re away.  Locate the main valve, shut it off and then drain the remaining water in the system by running your faucets. It’s also a good idea to know where your main valve is located in the event that your pipes actually DO burst and you need to turn the water off right away!
• Outdoor spigots should be drained of water and protected, as well. Remove any garden hoses, shut off the main water valve and then run the spigot until all the water is out of that particular pipe. Purchase faucet covers for added protection – often found at your local hardware or home improvement store. Take additional special precautions for sprinkler systems by purging them of all water, as well.
• Unfinished basements are sometimes riddled with exposed pipes – and since heat rises, your basement is often the coldest part of your home. All exposed pipes should be covered in insulation – but for a quick fix, you can also use newspapers and duct tape. It might be a great time to finish that basement! Highlight Homes/Highlight Home Restorations can help! Call us TODAY at 678-873-9234.
• Other ways to prepare your home for frigid weather include:
  • Have your furnace inspected by an HVAC professional ASAP.
  • Prep your fireplace for a toasty fire by calling a chimney sweep to check for creosote and soot (if you don’t have gas logs – make sure you have plenty of firewood on hand).
  • Inspect the exterior of your home for openings – use weather stripping around doors and caulk around windows to prevent cold air from seeping in.
  • Check your gutters – if they are full of debris, clean them out. Ice buildup in your gutters could lead to costly roof damage.
  • Check all of your smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly.
  • Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand (if it’s older than 10 years, you should replace it).
  • Place a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and/or water heater.
  • Trim back trees if branches hang too close to the home or near power lines.
  • Prepare an emergency kit, just in case the power goes out.  Make sure it includes flashlights, candles, matches/lighter, and phone numbers for your utility companies. It’s wise to have plenty of blankets, water and non-perishable food on hand, as well.

The experienced team of professionals at Highlight Homes/Highlight Home Restoration is here to help you prepare your home in any way we can. We will carefully inspect your home and point out the areas at greatest risk. In the unfortunate event that your pipes burst or a tree falls on your roof, we can also assist you in restoring your home to its original beauty (or even add on a little something special in the meantime!) For more tips and solutions to safeguarding your home this winter, we invite you to call us at (678) 873-9234. To learn more about Highlight Homes/ Highlight Home Restoration, please visit our website at http://www.highlighthomesga.com.

We wish you and your family a Warm and Happy Winter Season!

Special thanks to our friends at weather.com for providing many of the tips and suggestions above!

Tony Pourhassan and the Highlight Homes’ Family Wish You and Your Family

All the Best In The New Year!

Family-owned and operated Highlight Homes, LLC and Highlight Home Restoration would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday Season and All the Best for 2010.  We realize that 2009 was a difficult year for so many in Georgia, and we look forward to a steady improvement in both the job and housing markets in the coming months. This has been a year of many changes for our company – the greatest of which being the launch of our new website and the debut of our renovation division, Highlight Home Restoration.  We feel blessed to have met so many incredible families – many of whom have become our wonderful new clients. We are thankful to each and every one of them for choosing Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration to complete their home improvement project.

Highlight Homes’ Principal, Tony Pourhassan and the rest of the HLH family look forward to meeting and serving an entirely new collection of families in the coming year. In the event that YOU are considering a home renovation project in 2010, we invite you to call on us at 678.873.9234 or fill out our online contact form at www.highlighthomesga.com.  We are accustomed to working on projects of varying scopes and sizes, and can happily design a “living space” to fit both your vision AND your budget.  We would love to have the opportunity to help make your New Year HAPPY!

May your 2010 be filled with MANY highlights!!!!

“Your Family is the Highlight of Your Life.

At Highlight Homes – We Believe Your Home Should Be, Too!”

Quality is our Hallmark at Highlight Homes & Highlight Home Restoration

Have you ever heard the expression “You get what you pay for”? The reason that particular phrase has had such staying power is that it is very often true. Have you ever bought something or hired someone simply because of the price? Chances are – if you have – you’ve learned your lesson. Don’t feel bad – we’ve all done it!

The unfortunate truth about price-shopping is that you may appear to be getting a very good deal from the start, but when the item in question breaks, stops working or falls apart long before the so-called warranty runs out – you may have a difficult time getting it repaired and might just have to start at square one. When you try to return it or contact someone at the original company to help with the problem, there often seems to be a reason they cannot help you (without charging you an additional fee.) The same holds true for home construction and renovations. As experts in the construction field, the folks at Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration are well aware that there are unscrupulous individuals and companies in our industry who are willing to cut prices just to get the job – but what does that really mean for you, the customer? Sometimes the customer lucks out and their project goes off without a hitch, but more often than not – their project ends up being nowhere near their original vision or is merely a disaster waiting to happen.

Builder, developer and architect, Anthony F. Pourhassan, established Highlight Homes, LLC in 2005. The Atlanta-based company is founded on the core belief in the significance of what we are creating, firmly based in our lasting dedication to the clients we serve, and continually growing as word spreads of our unswerving commitment to quality. Because Highlight Homes, LLC is family-owned and operated – we truly care about our clients and their families. We listen carefully to our clients’ wants and needs, then design and implement plans to fit both their vision and their budget. As a luxury builder and renovator, Highlight Homes takes great care in assembling our team of professionals – there’s no room for shoddy craftsmanship when dedicated to providing the very best quality to our customers. Each Highlight Home contractor is fully licensed and registered, and is well prepared to tackle projects of varying size and scope – from a luxury custom estate in one of Atlanta’s trendiest neighborhoods to a cozy, bungalow-inspired home in the sprawling suburbs. Our NEW division – Highlight Home Restoration – specializes in basement finishing, room additions, kitchen & bath renovations, outdoor living spaces, decks & patios, sunrooms, landscaping & ponds, architectural design services, whole home restorations and much more. All restorations adhere to the same strict guidelines, structural integrity, and environmentally friendly practices of a Highlight Home. Home additions are carefully designed to reduce energy consumption and material waste, and all construction debris is disposed of through recycling.

At Highlight Homes, LLC/Highlight Home Restoration – there are several very good reasons we price things the way we do. No matter the state of the nation’s economy, we will never compromise the high standards on which our company was founded. Highlight Homes uses only quality materials and the most talented, insured contractors we can find. We are always readily accessible to discuss the overall vision of any project and to address any issues that our customers might have. While we truly love the work we do, we cannot survive on love alone. We are in business to stay in business and to continue to promote only the finest quality craftsmanship in every home and project we complete. Like you, we have bills to pay and families to feed – we never “price gouge”, but merely quote a project based on the work and materials a project demands. If you are concerned with quality over price, you will find Highlight Homes/Highlight Home Restoration to be worth every penny! To begin construction on your one-of-a-kind custom home or transform a room of your home into a “living space” where your family can make memories together for years to come, contact Highlight Homes/Highlight Home Restoration today at (678) 873-9234 or via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com. To learn more about Highlight Homes and all of our services, visit our NEW website at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Highlight Homes, LLC is delighted to have been chosen from dozens of candidates to have a recent renovation project “highlighted” in the latest issue of Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine.  With the debut of their new division – Highlight Home Restoration – earlier this year, it is a pleasant surprise and a great honor to gain attention from such a trusted and well-recognized resource for Metro Atlanta homeowners.  “We are always proud of the work we do,” insists company principal – Tony Pourhassan. “We give 110% to every project and every client we serve.  Still, it’s really great to be recognized for our work, and we truly appreciate AHI Magazine for shining the light on our new division.”

The Highlight Home Restoration project selected for the December 2009 issue of Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine was a combination kitchen-living room-dining room renovation.  Joe and Renee Guerrisi began the journey to renovate their home with Highlight Home Restorations in late 2008. The couple had been working with another builder for nearly a year, but were never able to see eye-to-eye on a project to fit their budget or a design to fit their vision. They wished to update the interior of their 1950’s ranch home by creating stylish, open, and intelligent living spaces. They hoped to incorporate the latest appliances, decorative accents and all wood cabinetry – particularly in the kitchen, dining room and living room. Thanks to a referral from a local realtor – architect and owner of Highlight Home Restorations, Tony Pourhassan redesigned the project to take the Guerrisi’s vision to entirely new heights. His original design called for the addition of two wings to the home and the conversion of their current carport to a three-car garage.

Unfortunately, there were a few obstacles to overcome along the way. The Guerrisi’s were on another journey, as well. Their career took them abroad to live in Singapore the majority of the year – only to return to the States for a few days every other month. This made it necessary for many design/materials approvals and communications to be made via internet. In addition, due to the timing of the project in relation to the volatility of the banking and housing industries – the couple hit a roadblock in securing a loan for an addition to their existing home. This led the designer-builder and homeowners back to the drawing board to find innovative ways to maximize the space they already had. Once the new design was approved, time was of the essence. The couple was moving back to the United States permanently, and wished to have their home complete in time for their arrival. Highlight Home Restoration now had less than two months to gut, rewire, install new plumbing, reconfigure HVAC, and completely alter certain structural components of the home.

Highlight’s experienced team worked swiftly to transform the Guerrisi’s home by knocking out walls, removing windows, and eliminating a door – which they then creatively resealed by matching the old brick on the exterior of home. They added trays to the dining and living rooms, and installed new insulation and drywall throughout. With the kitchen at the heart of the home, special care was given to the selection and installation of Dynasty Omega coffee-glazed cabinetry, Atlanta Kitchens’ Granite countertops, and finally Kitchen Aid Stainless Steel appliances paired with a Samsung Stainless Steel Refrigerator. The crowning touch to make the room seem even more warm and inviting was the addition of Benjamin Moore’s “Clay Pot” satin paint to the walls. The project was completed on time and within budget, and the Guerrisi’s had their “Home Sweet Home” with state-of-the-art kitchen ready in time for their return in early September 2009. They couldn’t have been happier with the results! Both Joe and Renee declare, “Tony made our visions come to life, and [Highlight Home Restoration] exceeded our extremely high expectations.”

Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine is available all over the Metro Atlanta area.  To find the location of an Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine rack nearest you, visit their website at www.homeimprovementmag.com.  To learn more about Highlight Home Restoration or schedule your own exciting renovation project, visit us online at www.highlighthomega.com, contact us by phone at 678.873-9234 or send us an e-mail to info@highlighthomesga.com.

With the holidays approaching, you may have it in mind to dress up your home for the holidays beyond the annual ritual of stringing lights and hanging garlands.  Perhaps you’ve been inspired by an exciting home improvement show and want to tackle a renovation project yourself.  However, measuring one’s enthusiasm against one’s skills set can be a difficult task.  While it’s important to believe in oneself and one’s abilities, it’s equally important not to “bite off more than you can chew”.  If considering a do-it-yourself (DIY) project in an effort to save money, keep in mind that many a well-intentioned weekend warrior has ended up having to pay a professional to fix their mistakes AND complete the project for them.

At Highlight Home Restoration, we understand the urge to get your hands dirty and the pride that comes when you can stand back and say, “I built that!”  We also understand that a homeowner can achieve that same sense of pride by working closely with their contractor to build something entirely unique to fit their family’s distinctive needs and personalities.  As designer-builders, we are happy to work with you every step along the way from initial meeting to project completion.  You can be as involved as you like in the design phase, and can consult with our interior design professionals to put the finishing touches on your project.  You may even be able to talk us into letting you swing a sledgehammer and hammer in a nail or two – so you can still look upon your project with pride and the feeling of “I built that!”

Highlight Homes/Highlight Home Restoration can help you with just about any size and scope of home renovation project including:  Whole Home Renovations; Room Additions; Architectural and Design Services; Kitchen & Bath Remodeling; Landscaping & Ponds; Decks, Patios & Porches; Sunrooms; Basement Finishing; Roofing; Home Maintenance and Repair; and Much, Much More!

If you’re still gung-ho about going it alone, keep the following things in mind:

• A good contractor will know all the permits required to begin construction on your project.  Do you?
• It might be a good idea to bring in a designer or architect to lay the groundwork for you, tell you about the permits you will need, warn against any possible wiring/pipes you may encounter, and give you a good idea as to the cost of materials.
• A professional will be able to get materials at a contractor’s rate, where you – most likely – will not. In addition, they will often be able to complete the project much faster – so if you’re hoping to save time and money, you may be unpleasantly surprised.
• A professional fully understands the importance of using quality materials. Quality materials are essential to the continued success and longevity of any given project. One common mistake made by DIY’s is in thinking that by buying the cheapest products, it will help reduce project costs. In the long run, they can actually end up costing more. Unfortunately, cheaper often means inferior. There is truth in the statement “you get what you paid for”.
• It is vital to know how products effect the environment, your property and – most importantly – your family’s health. A professional contractor will remain up-to-date and understand how to meet the terms of ever-changing environmental compliance issues currently facing the construction industry.
• Buyer Beware! If you decide to take the lead on your project with the aid of a number of inexpensive subcontractors following behind, be very careful. Professional builders and contractors have already gone through the trials and tribulations of how to identify reliable sub contractors. Many professionals have taken the time and expense of putting their subcontractors through rigorous background checks, allowing them to cull through any unscrupulous & unreliable candidates before the job even begins.
• A good contractor will be fully licensed, registered and insured – in the event that they are injured or a portion of your home is damaged somehow, it’s covered.  You might want to take a closer look at your home and personal insurance policies to make sure you can say the same. Before you have anyone work on your property, it’s wise to insist that they provide you with General Liability & Workman’s comp insurance certificates – adding you as additionally insured.  It’s also a good idea to require that when you make a payment to them that they sign a release of lien rights for that amount of money relating to your home.
• Consult a professional or structural engineer if you plan to remove any walls, posts, roof framing, concrete or any other supports in your home. It may appear from the outside that any one particular piece isn’t doing much until it is too late, and things can go from a great idea to a great tragedy in an instant.
• It’s always a good idea to check with a professional on your heating & air systems. The original system was chosen to accommodate your existing space. If you alter the space or add any additional space, the system may need to be reconfigured to adjust to your changes.
• Electricity and plumbing can make for a dangerous combination – exercise extreme caution while maintaining your enthusiasm for the work.
• We wish you the best of luck!  In the event that you find the project is bigger than you anticipated, the Highlight Home Restoration team is here to help you!  Call us at 678-873-9234 or visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com!

This Thanksgiving, Tony Pourhassan and the rest of the team at Highlight Homes have much to be thankful for. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with so many talented subcontractors, forward thinking developers and creative designers. We are thankful to work in one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the nation – the city of Atlanta. We are thankful that this year has brought many positive changes to our company – a new website and blog – plus the addition of a new division, Highlight Home Restoration. Most of all, we are thankful for each and every one of our wonderful clients. We look forward to the coming year, more exciting changes and the chance to make dreams come true for people we haven’t even met yet.

Happy Thanksgiving – may you and your family have much to be thankful for!

Highlight Homes of Georgia is pleased to announce the recent launch of their new website at http://www.highlighthomesga.com and blog at http://highlighthomesga.com/blog/.  The sleeker, more sophisticated look of the website paired with increased user-friendly navigation and more detailed information about the company’s many offerings is in response to recent signals that the housing market in Georgia may be slowly trending upward after many months of lagging sales due to an ailing national economy. Company principal, Tony Pourhassan, also wished to debut a new blog in conjunction with the website’s launch as an extension of the company’s commitment to providing excellent customer service by supplying helpful articles, information and tips for homeowners and homebuyers.

“Highlight Homes has undergone some changes this past year – and we wanted to put on a new face,” explains Pourhassan. “With the expansion of our company to include a branch focused solely on home renovations and restorations, we felt it the ideal time to do some renovations of our own. The website was the perfect place to start.”

The new website includes pages about Highlight Homes’ dedication to Green Building, the debut of their newest division – Highlight Home Restoration, and the company’s architectural and interior design services.  There is also a downloadable brochure and a simple contact form where the user can provide information pertaining to their home buying/home renovation needs making their initial introduction to Highlight Homes virtually seamless. The blog will contain articles about home buying, building a home, renovating a home, the latest trends in design and architecture, company news and much, much more. “We hope the new website and blog serve as an introduction of our company to many current and future homeowners in the Atlanta market and surrounding areas. Although I’ve been building and renovating homes in the Southeast for more than 25 years, people are still finding out about me and Highlight Homes,” says Pourhassan. “I hope our website and blog will give them a good first impression, and signal to our visitors that we are dedicated to providing the best in quality craftsmanship and customer service.”

For more information about Highlight Homes, LLC, visit http://www.highlighthomesga.com.  To begin building your one-of-a-kind custom home or start renovating the home you already own, fill out the online contact form at the company’s website, call Tony Pourhassan at 678-873-9234 or e-mail him at info@highlighthomesga.com.

“Your family is the Highlight of your life.

At Highlight Homes, we believe your home should be, too.”

Welcome to The Highlight Homes Blog! Highlight Homes is a premier custom and new construction home builder, offering architectural design and home renovation services.

We invite you to check back to our blog regularly to view helpful articles about home buying, green building, renovations and interior design.  You can also learn the latest Highlight Homes news through our “Spotlight on Highlight”, read about our newest homes and renovation projects, view terrific before and after photos, and much, much more. For more information about Highlight Homes or to suggest your own blog ideas, visit our website at http://www.highlighthomesga.com, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com or call us TODAY at 678-873-9234.

Thanks for visiting!