Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

It is always exciting when someone finds their fit in the residential construction industry! On this week’s All About Real Estate edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick are joined by RedBrick Homes & Development Owner Jim Cheeks to discuss the company’s origin and affordable housing in Atlanta. RedBrick Homes & Development is a developer and builder of single-family homes in the Atlanta area. With a degree in Zoo Animal Management, the company’s owner has certainly had an interesting road to residential real estate. Following his work at Seaworld in Orlando, Jim went back to school for an associate degree in entrepreneurial management and began working in whole-sale diamond sales. From there, Jim worked for the Department of Planning at Atlanta City Hall on the economic development team before the 1996 Olympics with the intention of improving the city areas around Olympic venues, many of which were in transitional neighborhoods. Post Olympics, Jim’s boss invited him to venture out and join him in developing land in the Summerhill neighborhood near the Olympic Stadium (Turner Field), his first taste of working in residential real estate. This last endeavor lead Jim to go out on his own to create RedBrick Homes & Development and build three single-family homes in its first year! Jim’s work throughout the Great Recession focused on affordable housing. “Affordable,” can mean everything from low-income individuals to houses that are priced lower than the average in a higher-priced neighborhood. “To me, that’s what affordability means,” Jim said. In the last few years, RedBrick built 25 homes in the Mechanicsville area just south of downtown. According to Jim, this project was the first low-income housing tax credit used for a single-family project in the state. The turning point in affordable housing in Atlanta was the re-approval of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) about one-and-a-half years ago. Once legal citywide, the new ordinance allows ADUs in R-4, R-4A and R-5 zoning districts. According to TinyHouseAtlanta.com, guest houses are allowed in all zones, but once someone lives there for more than 90 days, a “guest house” is then considered an ADU. There are only so many ways to increase density witin cities: build smaller single-family homes or build apartments. The new ordinance allows for someone to build a duplex home plus one to two ADUs in the backyard, perfect for rentals or multi-family living. “Zoning is ultimately one of the major arrows in the quiver on increasing affordable housing,” Jim said. “Across-the-spectrum affordable, not just low-income affordable housing.” To learn more about the zoning updates, affordable housing in Atlanta, the Missing Middle and RedBrick Homes & Development, click here or listen to the full interview above. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, airs on Wednesdays and highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.

Home builders are continually innovating their products to include the latest trends such as color palettes, pendant lighting, even energy efficiency. Local home builder Almont Homes Vice President Scott White joins a bonus All About Real Estate segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss the company’s 50 years of success and energy-efficient Right Choice home communities. Almont Homes offers a number of home designs to accommodate a variety of homebuyers including ranches, traditional two-stories, main-level owner’s suite options and townhomes. Keeping with innovation and energy-efficient living, Almont Homes partners with Jackson EMC and its exclusive Right Choice home program at a number of its communities. Perfectly located in sought-after Buford, homes at The Fields at Mountain View feature open-concept designs with ranch and traditional two-story options ranging from 2,400 to 3,200 square feet with four-to-five bedrooms. Features include hardwood flooring, trendy hardware and lighting fixtures, gourmet kitchens with decorative backsplashes, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances and two- and three-car garage options. The Fields at Mountain View is also a part of the Right Choice home program from Jackson EMC and include guaranteed energy savings. The stringent certification process ensures that each Right Choice home is, on average, 20 to 30% more energy-efficient than typical new homes.* As an added bonus, each Right Choice resident receives the lowest residential rate from Jackson EMC, saving an additional 5% on average annually. Additionally, Jackson EMC provides two outstanding warranties to Right Choice homeowners: The Energy Usage Warranty and the Comfort Guarantee. The 1-year Comfort Guarantee guarantees that rooms within each part of the home stay within 3 degrees of the thermostat setting, while the 3-year Energy Usage Warranty assures that cooling and heating usage will not exceed a predicted amount. Almont Homes also offers new-home opportunities at Sierra Lake in Cumming. Upon completion, this amenity-rich, gated community will feature 227 homes from the low $400,000s. Residents enjoy a resort-style pool, clubhouse, soccer and play fields, walking trails throughout, creeks, a 15-acre fishing lake with docks and plenty of serene, nature-inspired scenery. Another community by Almont Homes, Sophia Downs is located within the top-ranked North Gwinnett High School district. Comprised of 80 oversized homesites priced from the low $400,000s, this community offers both traditional two-story, ranch and main-level owner’s suite designs. Community amenities will include walking trails that span across 25 acres throughout bocce courts and firepits, creating opportunities for residents to enjoy outdoor recreation and activities close to home. Almont Homes also has two new Right Choice communities coming soon: Mountain Creek near Hamilton Mill in Gwinnett County and Fox Creek near Chateau Elan in Jackson County. Listen to the complete interview above or visit www.AlmontHomes.com to learn more about move-in ready and closeout opportunities. *Ask your Jackson EMC representative for complete warranty terms and conditions. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, airs on Wednesdays and highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans.

When it comes to building new homes, knowledge and experience go a long way! Craftmark Towns President Brad Smith joins this week’s All About Real Estate segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss its new Canton and White homes with co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick. A North Georgia native, Brad has been in the building industry for more than 15 years, building a strong homebuilding reputation throughout the area. Brad and his team offer 40 years of combined experience, striving to build affordable, custom home options for the average family. Currently, Craftmark Towns is building 29 standalone cottage homes at The Spires at Berry College, a new low-maintenance retirement community located at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Set to open in 2020, this innovative development will feature townhomes and cottage homes, elegant dining options with chef-made cuisine, wellness and fitness centers and onsite healthcare services. The cottage homes will feature ranch designs with 1,500 to 2,300 square feet of living space on slab homesites. Craftmark Towns is also building its quality new homes in White, Georgia along the Cherokee and Bartow County lines at Willow Ridge. Priced from the mid-$300,000s to low $400,000s, homes offer 1,800 to 2,200 square feet of living space in a quiet, rural setting. The builder is also offering new Canton home opportunities at Little Bear and Hidden Springs. Priced from the $400,000s, homes at Little Bear offer 2,800 to 2,900 square feet of living space and sit on 1-acre+ homesites with basements available. Comprised of 50 total homes, only 18 opportunities remain at this conservation community with its many greenspaces and walking trails. Hidden Springs, perfectly located in sought-after Holly Springs, is a new townhome community priced from the $180,000s to $200,000s. Townhomes at this entry-level community offer 1,500 to 1,600 square feet of living space with upgrade and basement options available. To learn more about Craftmark Towns or Brad’s involvement with the Greater Atlanta Home Builder Association’s as the Cobb/Cherokee Chapter President, listen to the full interview above or visit www.CraftmarkTowns.com. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, airs on Wednesdays and highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.

As co-living continues to grow in popularity, we are thrilled to see the trend increasing throughout Atlanta! Domos Co-Living Principals and Co-Founders Derrick Barker and Daniel Alexander join co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick on this week’s Around Atlanta segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss the powerful feeling of home and community co-living provides. “Domos is a company that was started to create a market-rate solution to the affordable housing crisis,” Barker said. “Ultimately, in this country, and really world-wide and definitely in the City of Atlanta, we are losing more affordable units than we are gaining.” The company was created so that regular people can live in the places where the economic and social opportunities and excitement exist in the city, and to address the way that urban communities are actually organized today. According to Barker, about 1/3 of Atlanta renters live with roommates. They are getting married and having children later in life and they are moving to the suburbs for lower rates. Alexander explains that co-living is individuals living in micro-communal spaces. The “living” takes place in what would normally be a common living area. In the typical DOMOS co-living environment, you would have a three- or four- or five-bedroom unit with ensuite bathrooms and closets, and then the common living areas, such as the living room and kitchen, are considered shared spaces. Co-living environments also offer curated community space such as communal working spaces and the typical things you would see in a Class A apartment. The biggest difference of a co-living building is that you only pay for the space that you use versus paying for the entire space. Domos is building communities that are a cross between student housing and dorms and luxury resort living. DOMOS Co-Living spaces feature the best of both worlds with housekeeping, included utilities, popular amenities and even shared common goods such as paper towels, detergent, etc. Currently, Domos offers co-living opportunities in Atlanta at Englewood and Memorial. Englewood, in the early design and pre-construction phase, is perfectly located along the Atlanta BeltLine between Boulevard Crossing Park and Chosewood Park off Englewood Avenue. Comprised of 130,000+ square feet, Englewood will feature 270+ beds. Memorial, also in the design and pre-construction phase, is coming to Reynoldstown. This project will feature 88,000+ square feet with 200+ bedroom opportunities. To learn more about Domos Co-Living and its housing options in Atlanta, listen to the full interview above or visit www.DOMOSCoLiving.com. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. Please subscribe to Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio on iTunes. If you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it. The “Around Atlanta” segment, sponsored by Denim Marketing, airs on Thursdays and is designed to showcase the best of metro Atlanta – the communities, attractions and special events that make this city great. To submit your event, community or attraction to the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form here.

After building in the Atlanta area for more than a decade, private home builder Edward Andrews Homes (EA Homes) is excited to announce its new strategic partnership with Empire Communities out of Canada. EA Homes Marketing Director Jenny NeSmith joins co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for this week’s All About Real Estate segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss the builder’s new venture and coming soon communities including much-anticipated Halcyon in Alpharetta. Previously, EA Homes has built its quality-construction homes throughout the metro Atlanta suburbs, but recent data research has pointed the builder to shift its focus to more intown projects. As of March 2019, EA Homes joined with Empire Communities based out of Canada to better serve the Atlanta market. Thanks to shared visions, family-oriented values and strong community-building strategies, EA Homes and Empire Communities are stronger together. “[This new partnership] allows Edward Andrews to continue growing in this Atlanta market,” NeSmith said. “We have a fantastic partner in Empire and we’re looking forward to expanding our growth in these urban [markets].” Some examples of this intown growth are Westside in West Midtown and another property in Old Fourth Ward, both expected in early 2020. The Old Fourth Ward development, in particular, will be walkable to Ponce City Market and offer a product in a location that EA Homes, and now Empire, have never offered before! One exciting project opening soon is Halycon in Alpharetta. Empire Communities will make its Atlanta debut at Halcyon with new townhomes from the $400,000s and single-family homes from the mid-$500,000s. Expected to open for sales in early October, Halycon offers an innovative alternative to a mixed-use development with 135-acres of gathering space, wonderfully-curated shops and chef-driven restaurants – all at the doorsteps of its residents. New home opportunities priced from the low $400,000s are also coming soon to Albright in Smyrna. Comprised of only 29 homesites, Albright is an exclusive opportunity to live near The Battery Atlanta and Vinings Jubilee, easily accessible via the Silver Comet Trail. Shopping, dining and entertainment are all just a short bike trip, share ride or quick drive away! In addition to Halcyon in Alpharetta and Albright in Smyrna, EA Homes has several new home communities coming soon to Atlanta and the surrounding area. To learn more, visit www.EAHomes.com. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, airs on Wednesdays and highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.

Hazardous and recyclable materials tend to stack up in households over time – and Live Thrive Atlanta offers a sustainable solution. Live Thrive Atlanta Executive Director and Founder Peggy Ratcliffe joins co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick on this week’s Around Atlanta segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss its Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) initiative and upcoming fundraiser. Founded in 2009, Live Thrive Atlanta is a nonprofit organization working to create a community that cares about a healthy and sustainable environment. CHaRM is a permanent drop-off facility striving to improve overall environmental health by inspiring reuse and diverting thousands of household hazardous waste, bulky trash and other hard-to-recycle items from Metro-Atlanta landfills and water systems. CHaRM benefits the community in many ways: Easily accessible, convenient location Accepts a broader range of items than typical curbside recycling Offers educational sessions about the importance of properly disposing of hard-to-recycle items Keeps hazardous materials out of our air, water and soil Common materials that should be handled or disposed of properly include: Paint Tires Hazardous Chemicals Electronics Styrofoam Metal Mattresses Textiles Single Stream Cooking Grease Glass The permanent CHaRM facility, located at 1110 Hill Street SE in Atlanta, is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live Thrive Atlanta also hosts a monthly popup collection site known as Buckhead CHaRM Day at Peachtree Church at 3434 Roswell Road in Atlanta. Remaining Buckhead CHaRM dates for the year include August 31, September 28, October 26 and December 7. As a nonprofit organization, Live Thrive Atlanta and its CHaRM initiative prosper under donated funds. The upcoming CHaRM’ing Evening at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center will feature live music provided by Yacht Rock Revue. For $40 attendees will enjoy live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets. On August 16, price will increase to $50 and on September 17 the price will increase to $60. Sponsored by Global Imports, attendees will also have the opportunity to enter into the raffle for a 3-year lease on a 2019 BMW i3 for a $100 per entry. To learn more about the CHaRM’ing Evening with Live Thrive Atlanta, visit www.CharmBMW.org. For complete details regarding Live Thrive Atlanta and CHaRM, listen to the above interview or visit www.LiveThrive.org. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. Please subscribe to Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio on iTunes. If you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it. The “Around Atlanta” segment, sponsored by Denim Marketing, airs on Thursdays and is designed to showcase the best of metro Atlanta – the communities, attractions and special events that make this city great. To submit your event, community or attraction to the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form here.

Affordable housing in Atlanta has been a hot topic of conversation since real estate took an upward turn following the Great Recession. PadSplit Founder and CEO Atticus LeBlanc joins co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick on this week’s All About Real Estate edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss the Atlanta-based company’s mission and purpose. Dedicated to providing attractive, reasonably priced and accountable housing for residents and workers throughout the region, PadSplit offers fully furnished housing options that include utilities, internet and laundry service for one fixed affordable rate. "Our mission is leveraging housing as a tool to create financial independence," LeBlanc said. "It's not looking at housing just in a vacuum – it’s looking at housing expenses, transportation expenses, utility expenses.” Beginning with one of LeBlanc’s own properties, PadSplit takes existing single-family homes and apartments and divides them into individual bedrooms that share common living areas such as the kitchen, living room and washer/dryer. To enjoy PadSplit amenities, residents, referred to as “members,” must apply and submit to a background check. Weekly dues average $137 a week and cover internet, utilities and laundry. While many co-living options cater more toward millennial and technology professionals, PadSplit is envisioned for people living paycheck to paycheck looking to save up to buy a home, further their career or achieve another life goal. Since its inception in 2017, LeBlanc has united with other real estate investors and expanded into six Atlanta-area communities. Comprised of 60 total houses and apartments, PadSplit now has about 330 units. The company aligns incentives between property owners seeking socially accountable investments, workers seeking affordable housing in Atlanta and community leaders looking to reduce traffic congestion and provide more reasonably priced housing. To learn more or to apply with PadSplit, visit www.PadSplit.com. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, airs on Wednesdays and highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.

Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) are a well-established model in metro Atlanta to design and fund improvements to sidewalks, traffic intersections, signage and landscaping. On today’s Around Atlanta segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, Chamblee Doraville CID Chairman and Jim Ellis Automotive Group President Jimmy Ellis discusses the goal of developing transportation projects that improve mobility, access and safety to patrons and area residents. The Chamblee Doraville CID is a self-taxing district comprised of commercial property owners of its respective cities. The CID assumes planning and taking action to improve the overall community. In general, CIDs enhance property values and allow commercial business and property owners to determine how funds are allocated within the district, leveraging their resources to attract public funding. Beginning in 2018, Chamblee and Doraville commercial property owners came together with the intent of forming a CID to provide leadership and support, ensuring long-term positive outcomes benefiting all area owners, businesses and residents, specifically related to mobility in the area. Two MARTA rail stations, Peachtree-DeKalb Airport and a decent roadway system anchor the surrounding commercial districts to include Peachtree Boulevard, Buford Highway, Downtown Chamblee and Downtown Doraville. Chamblee Doraville CID projects will include: Sidewalk and safety improvements along Peachtree Blvd and Buford Highway Multi-Use Trails Gateway beautification projects Intersection improvements Advance Chamblee and Doraville Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Plans Engage MARTA and influence the DeKalb Transit Plan in 2018 Undertake planning with Georgia DOT regarding Interstate 285 projects The Chamblee Doraville CIDs will work with the cities and commercial business owners to implement plans that best benefit the district. Residents and employees will enjoy improvements to auto and pedestrian safety, expanded transit options and less bottleneck traffic congestion. In fact, a plan to connect Chamblee and Doraville’s commercial areas with communities, schools, parks and other attractions is already underway! Currently, the Chamblee Doraville CID is supported by: Jimmy Ellis, Ellis Automotive Larry Callahan, Pattillo Industrial Real Estate Vince Riggio, Trinity Development Matt Oppenheimer, Halpern Enterprises Valerie Voyles, Ed Voyles Automotive Allan Gutierrez, Urbana Realty Bob Voyles, Seven Oaks Gary Matthews, Parkside Partners Carter Sechrest, Tripoli Management Inc. The Chamblee Doraville CID will serve as a voice for commercial property owners throughout the community. To learn more about joining, contact Dan Reuter at 404-229-3734 or [email protected]. To learn more, listen to the complete interview above or click here. For more information regarding CIDs throughout the metro Atlanta area, visit www.PeachtreeGatewayPartnership.com. https://youtu.be/RPSlvrdpoM8 A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. Please subscribe to Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio on iTunes. If you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it. The “Around Atlanta” segment, sponsored by Denim Marketing, airs on Thursdays and is designed to showcase the best of metro Atlanta – the communities, attractions and special events that make this city great. To submit your event, community or attraction to the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact fo...

Real estate, whether it is residential or commercial, is a hot topic in Atlanta, and Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB) recently opened its newest headquarters at Assembly Yards in Doraville. Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick are joined by SSB Vice President of Corporate Communications Noreen Pratscher on this week’s All About Real Estate segment to discuss its new metro Atlanta location. Recognized as the largest manufacturer and distributor of mattresses in North America, SSB is best known for its two best-selling brands: Beautyrest and recently merged Tuft & Needle. The new 210,000 square-foot facility was selected because of its convenience to public transportation and the opportunity to house both the corporate headquarters and research and innovation facility under one roof. Before the new site, the SSB team was split up between three different locations in Atlanta, one location outside of Chicago, one location in Phoenix and one location in Canada. This new locale puts everyone together in one, cohesive space. Though typically an item purchased in-person at a retail storefront, consumer shopping for mattresses has even changed over the years. Thanks to the Tuft & Needle merger, Serta and Beautyrest products will soon be available online for purchase, similar to the way Tuft & Needle products currently are. Consumers can purchase a mattress online and have it delivered to their home within a matter of days. Previously the site of the General Motors Plant, Assembly Yards is a 165-acre mixed-use development featuring a film studio, workspaces, dining options and residential units. From individual, civic or corporate, this one-of-a-kind hub is designed to specifically meet the needs and desires of its residents and neighbors. To learn more about Serta Simmons Bedding and its brand offerings, visit www.SertaSimmons.com. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, airs on Wednesdays and highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.

Intended to spotlight the best of metro Atlanta including communities, events and more, this week’s Around Atlanta segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio certainly does that! Beacon Management Services President Lisa Simmons and BlazeSports America Board of Directors Chairman Andy McNeil join co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick to discuss Lisa’s upcoming Mount Kilimanjaro climb benefitting nonprofit BlazeSports America. In 2018, Lisa completed the 25-mile, Rim-to-Rim trail at the Grand Canyon in support of BlazeSports America, returning this year to climb the highest African mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Beginning August 12, 2019, Lisa’s 8-day trek will raise awareness of BlazeSports America as well as funds to support athletic programs for disabled athletes and new wheelchair and track equipment. In the midst of Lisa’s training to hike the Grand Canyon, she began to entertain doing something positive in conjunction with the hike and raise money for a nonprofit. “When I started researching all the different nonprofits out there, then it suddenly came to me, wouldn’t it be interesting if I could hike for someone who couldn’t?” Lisa said. “One thing led to another…and I found BlazeSports America.” Formed after the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, BlazeSports America focuses on changing the lives of children and veterans with physical disabilities through adaptive sports. Since its inception, the group has worked with nearly 1 million participants. Committed to changing lives through sports and recreation, education and training, BlazeSports America helps to create an equal playing field for all. The organization sees firsthand the incredibly positive impact adaptive sports can have on people with physical limitations on and off the field. BlazeSports America is supported in a variety of ways including monetary donations, corporate partners and customized license plates. A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. For more information on Right Choice new homes and Jackson EMC, visit https://RightChoice.JacksonEMC.com. Please subscribe to Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio on iTunes. If you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it. The “Around Atlanta” segment, sponsored by Denim Marketing, airs on Thursdays and is designed to showcase the best of metro Atlanta – the communities, attractions and special events that make this city great. To submit your event, community or attraction to the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form here.