Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

Broker Peggy Slappey with Peggy Slappey Properties, Inc. joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss her decades of real estate and political experience serving the Northeast Georgia and metro Atlanta areas. On the 12th installment of the Legends of Real Estate series, Slappey joins host Carol Morgan to touch on checking in daily with your joy meter and putting a smile on your face in good times and bad. Slappey moved to Atlanta in 1972 with her husband, Tommy, to bring his building company to an area where creative and contemporary housing was embraced. Growing up in the industry, Slappey studied interior design and later gained her real estate license to work with her husband – making her a third-generation Realtor. Slappey said, "Whatever it takes. That has been my motto forever!" After receiving her real estate license, Slappey began working with incredible brokers, such as local broker Buddy Weston and senior broker Johnny Isakson. Wanting to support her husband, Slappey began Peggy Sla

Government Affairs Director Garrett Wiley with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the growing housing affordability crisis. On the All About Real Estate segment, Wiley joins host Carol Morgan to discuss the increase in moratoriums nationwide, the revised Atlanta tree ordinance and more. With an extensive background in politics, Wiley’s first job out of college entailed working for a Georgia state senator, which led to working on several political campaigns, including a United States senate campaign in Louisiana and a mayoral race in Jacksonville. Wiley later served in economic development and government affairs for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and Jackson EMC. After working in business development for a commercial construction firm, Wiley transitioned back to government affairs for the GAHBA and has been there for two years. Wiley said, “It’s been a blast! We have a great team and I love working with our members.” As part

Executive Director Mandy Crater with HomeAid Atlanta joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss volunteer and support opportunities, including the Essentials Drive. Crater joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment. Starting her career with HomeAid Atlanta in April 2015, Crater has been with the organization for eight years. HomeAid first appeared in the Atlanta market in 2001 and has made an incredible impact on the community with the mission to build lives for families and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness through construction, education and community outreach. Working with existing non-profits that provide housing for the homeless, HomeAid Atlanta receives discounts and donations from the building industry when non-profit partners have construction needs. With the average age of individuals experiencing homelessness in metro Atlanta being around nine years, several mothers, children and babies are in difficult living situations. Crater said, “It’s abo

Maurice Lester, vice president of construction with J.W. Collection, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss working alongside John Wieland. Lester joins host Carol Morgan to chat about influencing buyer decisions through branding, current community offerings and his recent appointment as the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association President (GAHBA) on the All About Real Estate segment. Working with his father in South Georgia on building and remodeling projects, Lester began his construction career at a young age. After graduating from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Construction Management, Lester worked in commercial construction at Turner Construction, where he contributed to projects such as the Grady Hospital expansion and the Georgia Institute of Paper Science. Lester has over 30 years of metro Atlanta homebuilding experience dedicated to John Wieland companies. Lester said, “I have worked all over metro Atlanta…I have had a great time and have worked with a lot of

President and CEO Scott Shelar with Construction Ready joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the program’s many benefits and the critical growing skills gap. Shelar joins host Carol Morgan to discuss the upcoming Construction Ready CareerExpo on the All About Real Estate segment. Celebrating his 25th anniversary with Construction Ready this year, Shelar and his team want to ensure that people know the incredible opportunities provided within the construction industry and help participants gain the credentials and training needed to pursue successful careers. Shelar said, “I love what I do. It’s what keeps me going!” Available to people from all ages and backgrounds, Construction Ready provides youth, adult and four-week programs that allow individuals to kickstart their journey in the construction industry. Starting the conversation with individuals as young as elementary school level, the organization provides hands-on activities and training to anyone and everyone. Shelar said, “We d

Chief Customer Experience Officer Kimberly Mackey with New Homes Solutions joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss “traction” for builders. Mackey joins host Carol Morgan, Founder and President of Denim Marketing, to chat about the Traction Scorecard strategy, predicting sales paces and more on the All About Real Estate segment. Before starting New Homes Solutions in 2007, Mackey worked with many large regional and national home builders within every aspect of the home building industry, including building homes! In addition to training individuals on the sales process, Mackey works with businesses behind the scenes to ensure that every system, policy and procedure align and support the sales process. Mackey said, “I like to say that I’m the person people call when they want sales to be the engine that drives the train rather than running it off the track.” Created to reduce firefighting within the home building industry, Traction is an Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS) that requires b

Executive Officer Wendy Daniel with the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to chat about The Big Event and what to expect. Daniel joins host Carol Morgan to discuss the event's incredible community impact on the Around Atlanta segment. Local to the community, Daniel has been with the Lake Oconee Builders Association for 17 years and counting. She has lived on the lake for most of her life and currently resides in the charming community with her husband and their four children. Daniel said, "We love it at Lake Oconee!" Developed in 1989, the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association is a local, nonprofit trade organization dedicated to the betterment of the local construction industry, working to serve its members, consumers and the community through education and public service. As the voice of the construction industry within the community, the association is committed to delivering opportunities for its members to prove their ability to conduct business with

Atlanta Division President Jonathan White with Meritage Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss reasons to buy new construction now. White joins host Carol Morgan to chat about can’t-miss incentives as well as current and upcoming communities on the All About Real Estate segment. With close to 20 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, White has worked in land acquisition and development, roadway design and as division president for multiple companies. White has held the title of division president at Meritage Homes for five years and currently resides in Atlanta with his beautiful wife and their three children. White said, “It’s been a long run, but the last 20 years have been awesome! I really enjoy home building.” Founded in 1985, Meritage Homes began in Scottsdale, Arizona - where the company headquarters is still based. As the seventh largest public homebuilder in the United States, Meritage Homes oversees 21 divisions across ten states. In 38 years, the homebuilding

Pam Sessions, president of Hedgewood Homes, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss her professional experience in design, homebuilding and construction. Sessions joins host Carol Morgan as the 11th installment of the Legends of Real Estate series. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Sessions earned a degree in fine arts and moved on to pursue a career in art and photography. With her then-boyfriend (now husband) Don Donnelly being a home builder at Brighton Homes, Sessions became interested in the home building industry. After having no luck trying to help some friends find a home in the area, Sessions decided to use the knowledge she gained from the sidelines to invest in rental property. Sessions built two rental houses and fell in love with the homebuilding process. For three years, Sessions built on her own before joining forces with her husband in 1985 to create Hedgewood Homes – offering development and homebuilding services. Sessions said, “My husband and I have always had

Vice President of Client Services Courtney Stewart with Denim Marketing joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the 2023 NAHB Int'l Builders’ Show. Stewart joins host Carol Morgan to chat on the All About Real Estate segment. An Atlanta native, Stewart graduated from the University of Georgia in 2011 with a degree in Public Relations. Celebrating her 10th anniversary with Denim Marketing this upcoming May, Stewart started her career at Denim Marketing managing Atlanta Real Estate Forum! Stewart said, “I love this site and this podcast!” Denim Marketing is a full-service marketing agency with focusing on content creation, such as creating blogs and social media content. The Denim Marketing team also provides public relations, e-mail marketing, website copywriting, marketing and social media campaigns, social media advertising and big-picture strategic marketing. Stewart said, “Denim Marketing is a content powerhouse!” The NAHB Int'l Builders’ Show is the perfect place for professionals to

Community Manager Jennifer Landers with Kolter Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. Landers and host Carol Morgan chat about homebuyer tips and trends to expect in the new year on the All About Real Estate segment. Starting her career in marketing, Landers has worked within the real estate and homebuilding industry for 24 years! With a focus on master-planned developments, Landers is currently leading the Kolter Homes largest metro Atlanta community, Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. Located in the quaint city of Hoschton, Cresswind Georgia is a stunning 55+ active adult community within the larger master plan of Twin Lakes, just minutes from I-85 and Braselton. Featuring a first-class lifestyle and amenity package, the Cresswind Georgia will host 1,300 single-family homes upon completion. Club Cresswind, the private, residents only amenity with a natatorium and outdoor pool is scheduled to open in the first quarter of the year. Featuring approxi

Sara Schiller, co-founder of Sloomoo Institute, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to chat about starting a sensory entertainment experience centered around slime. Schiller joins host Carol Morgan on the Around Atlanta segment to discuss Atlanta’s newest immersive hotspot and how they worked with terra alma to find the perfect location. Schiller is known for her company MEET which reinvented meeting spaces and produced fun and creative places where companies could go to reimagine their products and strategies. With a background working with hotels in real estate marketing and brand strategy, Schiller holds an MBA in general business and considers herself a serial entrepreneur. The Sloomoo Institute is a playground centered around slime! While slime may be the main character, it is not the only #satisfying attraction that the Sloomoo Institute offers. Stations for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) are set up throughout the space to encourage families to leave their phones behind and

Chief Marketing Officer John Ryan with Georgia MLS joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss 2023 predictions and 2022 takeaways. Ryan joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and offers agents tips to navigate the current market. Ryan has been with Georgia MLS for almost 30 years and has witnessed many changes in how data is distributed. As Georgia’s largest real estate marketplace, Georgia MLS tries to connect its members with clients through the information that the company produces. From the north Georgia mountains to the Georgia coast, you can find Georgia MLS offices throughout the state as well as in the contiguous states across the southeast. For the real estate housing market, 2020 and 2021 were record years. After seeing over $50 billion in sales in 2021, the Georgia MLS team knew that working through 2022, they would experience a lower number of units sold and less sales volume. Even though the 2022 market was highly active, the last quarter of the year show

Atlanta Division President Adam Cornett with David Weekley Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss what buyers are looking for in the present market. Cornett joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and chats about current communities in closeout and what's in store for the new year. Cornett started his journey with David Weekley Homes in 2014 within the Dallas division and, in 2016, became the division president. In late 2020, Cornett transferred to the Atlanta division and has loved living in Georgia with his wife and three beautiful daughters. As the nation's largest privately held builder, David Weekley Homes was established in 1976 and has grown drastically. From Portland to Texas to Florida, the building company grew exponentially across 19 markets and offers various products. As a prominent private home builder, the company puts its team members and customers first regarding daily operations. One of the unique elements of David Weekley Homes is its owne

Russell Ausseresses, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder with Utility Connect joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share the benefit of the company's services and how brokers, mortgage companies and others in the industry can become involved. Ausseresses joins host Carol Morgan in the All About Real Estate segment. After much work in technology and graphic design, Ausseresses started Utility Connect in 2012 – diving headfirst into a much-needed service. The service-based company has grown exponentially in the past 10 years, expanding into three other countries. Ausseresses said, "It's been a journey, but we think we've nailed the process and have seen nothing but great responses and growth!" The goal behind the service-based company is to relieve the stress of moving into a new space by bringing the consumer together with available service providers, simplifying the procedure. Turing a four-to-six-hour process into a 15 to 20-minute discussion, the company presents every available option to

The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is the perfect place to enjoy the early bloomings of the upcoming spring season with family and friends. The 2023 festival returns to Blackburn Park in Brookhaven on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The annual Cherry Blossom 5K is Saturday, March 18. Guests will enjoy hundreds of Cherry Blossoms as well as a number of other fun activities. This annual festival features two days of music, over 100 local and regional artists in the Artist Market, the Kidz Zone, Pet World, Classic Car Show, local eats and drinks and FUN for the whole family! Stay tuned for updates on musical performances. Register for the Cherry Blossom 5K at Blackburn Park, benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  Information and registration here: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/67390/brookhaven-cherry-blossom-5k Blackburn Park is an ideal setting for spring thanks to 240 Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees being planted in 2014. Since then, the town has gathered year

Marketing Manager Brad Krewson with Davidson Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Radio podcast to discuss navigating today’s new construction market. Krewson joins host Carol Morgan for the All About Real Estate segment and discusses home shopping tips and what’s on the horizon for the new year. With five years of experience in the homebuilding industry, Krewson began his journey with Davidson Homes in April of 2021 as the Marketing Manager. In 2009, Adam Davidson turned his dream into a reality by starting Davidson Homes in Huntsville, Alabama. From building two homes its first year in business the  new home-building company has grown exponentially and now extends across five states. Davidson Homes was selected as the Builder Magazine 2021 Biggest Mover award winner. Davidson Homes began developing in the metro Atlanta area in late 2020, which became a major growth market for the company. With current interest rates, Krewson explains home buyers should guarantee that what they are spending money on is wor

Vice President Harold Cunliffe with The Pacific Group joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to dive into the real estate development business, founding The Pacific Group and more. Cunliffe joins host Carol Morgan on the tenth guest on the Legends of Real Estate series. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Cunliffe earned a degree in civil engineering and went on to work for several construction companies with real estate developer clients. Seeing the wealth of these developers (think Rolex and Mercedes), Cunliffe was inspired to go down the same path. After accruing some savings, he purchased a small piece of property to begin amassing his wealth. During this experience, he became familiar with zoning, development regulations and many other things, and started to realize the real estate business is far from simple. Situated in British Columbia in the 80s, Cunliffe was front row to a commodity boom and a market flooded with cash. Cunliffe said, “It was pretty easy for me to stumble i

CEO Charles Sheron with The Sheron Group joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share details about his entrance into the Atlanta market, the ups and downs of the real estate industry, as well as his diverse domestic and international experience. Sheron joins host Carol Morgan as the ninth guest on the Legends of Real Estate segment. During his formative years, Sheron excelled at mechanical drawing. During a fated architectural school project, he won the prize, setting the stage for a successful career and lifetime surrounding architecture. Soon, Sheron attended The University of Georgia and took pre-architecture and landscape courses. Along the way, his professor pulled Sheron into his office and gave him life-changing advice. Sheron said, “[He] said you know you’re just not going to make it here. You don’t have your whole heart in it… You’re always trying to sell something. You need to go over to the real estate school!” Following this conversation, Sheron took the Georgia Real Estate Sales 

Vice President of Sales and Marketing Amy Kessler with Traton Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss upcoming communities. Kessler joins host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment and shares what is on the books for 2023 and how listeners can get involved with Cobb Christmas. With over 20 years of experience within the real estate industry, Kessler has always worked in the specialty market of homegrown Atlanta builders. Beginning her journey with Traton Homes as a real estate agent, she has been the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for three years. Recently winning Atlanta’s Best Builder by Cobb Life Magazine, Traton Homes has been around for 51 years as one of the top home builders in the region. With its headquarters in Marietta, the company mainly develops in Cobb Country and is beginning to expand across the metro Atlanta area. Located in the Kennesaw, Haven at Stanley is one of Traton Homes newer communities featuring stylish townhomes. These gorgeous townh