Atlanta Real Estate Forum

A buyer can love the house, like the neighborhood and still walk away without making an offer. That is the reality agents are seeing more often in today’s new-home market, where financing, incentives and the sheer number of choices can make the final decision harder than finding the house itself. That uncertainty has changed the way builders sell homes, too. Casey Wood, partner and broker wi...

A home builder cannot build on a piece of land just because it is for sale. Before a single foundation is poured, someone must determine whether the property can support a community, secure the necessary approvals, solve its infrastructure challenges and make the numbers work.   Eric Masaschi knows that process well.   Known as the “Landman,” Masaschi is East Region president of Forestar , where h...

The price and square footage may look right on paper, but will the home actually work for your life? That is one of the questions Atlanta homebuyers should be asking before they make an offer.   Adam Cornett, division president at David Weekley Homes, joins Host Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to share what homebuyers often overlook when shopping for a new home. From floor plan des...

What does a family-owned Atlanta home builder do when buyers are cautious, interest rates remain elevated and national builders have significant scale? One answer is to compete where scale is not the only advantage.   That idea runs through Kittle Homes’ approach to development, from communities planned around suburban downtowns to homes that can be customized beyond a standard menu of options.  ...

What do video games and homebuilding have in common? More than you might think! Thomas Holt spent years creating visuals for major video games before turning his attention to residential construction. Today, he helps companies rethink the way they design, sell and build homes through artificial intelligence (AI). Holt, co-founder and vice president of visualization at Higharc , joined host Carol M...

Housing affordability often gets reduced to a few familiar factors: home prices, mortgage rates, construction costs and household income. But Jay Knight believes the conversation needs to start much earlier, with the rules that determine what developers can build in the first place.   Jay Knight, a housing advocate and developer, joined host Carol Morgan on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio  to dis...

Metro Atlanta is growing quickly, adding more jobs and new development, but delivering housing in step with that growth is increasingly complex. Builders and developers must balance limited land availability, infrastructure constraints, rising costs and evolving buyer expectations while creating communities that work for both residents and local governments.   Myles Cardenas, senior land planning...

As lifestyles evolve, so does home design. Homeowners want flexible spaces, more privacy, stronger connections to the outdoors and finishes that reflect their personal style. The result is a shift toward homes that aren’t just attractive but also work for the way people actually live.   Kelley Collins, design studio manager with Ashton Woods, recently joined Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Esta...

The Atlanta housing market enters the second half of 2026 on relatively solid footing but buying and selling dynamics continue to shift. Inventory rises, buyers gain more options and sellers negotiate more often on price and concessions.   John Ryan, chief marketing officer at Georgia MLS (GAMLS) , joins Host Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss what recent housing data shows...

The traditional path to homeownership was once straightforward: rent an apartment, save for a down payment, buy a home and settle in. Today, that journey looks very different. Rising costs, shifting priorities and a growing demand for flexibility have created new opportunities for residents who want the space and lifestyle of a home without the immediate commitment of ownership.   Brett Forney, ma...

For years, luxury homes were defined by square footage and ornate details. Today, buyers are looking for something different: personalized design, flexible floor plans and communities that reflect the way they live.   This week on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio , Chris and Clif Poston, principals at  Traton Homes , join Host Carol Morgan to discuss how the company is responding to those changing...

Before a builder pours a foundation or frames a home, residential developers spend years navigating zoning, land development and permitting approvals. These early steps in the residential development process play a major role in determining housing costs and availability.   Jay Knight, chairman and co-founder of the  Georgia Residential Land Development Council  (GRLDC) joins Host Carol Morgan on ...

Housing markets are constantly evolving, and success often comes down to adapting to changing conditions. While today’s environment looks different than it did just a few years ago, builders who understand local demand and make strategic decisions continue to find ways to grow.   On this week’s episode of  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio , Host Carol Morgan welcomes Geoff Deckelbaum, p...

As the real estate industry becomes increasingly specialized, many brokerages focus on a single segment of the market. However, a growing number of firms are embracing a more comprehensive approach, creating strategic partnerships that allow them to serve clients throughout the real estate lifecycle.   This week on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio , Michelle Hewell, owner and broker of  Foundation...

As housing preferences evolve, more buyers look beyond traditional subdivisions in search of greater privacy, flexibility and personalization. For many, that means building a custom home on land they already own or plan to purchase.   This week on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio , Dean Cowart, principal of Cowart Residential , joins Host Carol Morgan to discuss the growing appeal of build-on-your-...

The housing market in 2026 is defined by contradictions. Demand remains strong, yet affordability challenges persist. Builders continue to innovate, even as uncertainty clouds the economic outlook. Meanwhile, demographic shifts and changing consumer preferences are reshaping what Georgians want from their homes.    In part two of  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio ‘s mid-year market update, Ji...

While much of the housing conversation in 2026 has focused on slower sales, elevated mortgage rates and affordability challenges, industry leaders say a bigger issue is emerging behind the scenes: a future housing supply shortage.   Tim Arnold of D.R. Horton, Cara Lavender of John Burns Research and Consulting and Jim Jacobi of Parkland Communities , join host Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Estate F...

Many property owners never expect to deal with squatters or deed fraud. However, when these situations occur, they can result in costly legal disputes, damaged property and significant financial losses.   George McCleary, president of  McCleary Realty & Development , joins Host Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio  to discuss how squatters exploit vacant properties, why deed fraud i...

Flooring trends may come and go, but durability, longevity and resale value continue to drive homeowner decisions across metro Atlanta. Alex Veit, owner of  Oakerds Hardwood Floor Refinishing ,  joins Host Carol Morgan on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio  to discuss  best practices for refinishing and installing floors in your home.   From historic bungalows with hidden hardwoods to modern homes f...

The  Atlanta Beltline  continues its steady progression toward full completion of its 22-mile corridor, with major milestones approaching for trail development, long-term housing and transit objectives.   Dennis Richards, vice president of housing policy and development with the Atlanta Beltline, joins Host Carol Morgan on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio  to discuss the Atlanta Beltline’s current...

Homeowners association (HOA) management is playing a larger role in new community development across metro Atlanta than many homebuyers realize. As builders navigate affordability challenges, rising operating costs and shifting buyer expectations, early HOA planning has become increasingly important for protecting long-term community value and financial stability.    Lisa Simmons, chairperson of ...

Luxury homebuyers in metro Atlanta are shifting their priorities. Square footage and prestige addresses are no longer the primary drivers. Instead, buyers are focusing on livability, location and long-term functionality. Drew Clough, chief operating officer of  Waterford Homes , joins Host Carol Morgan on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio  to discuss why that shift is reshaping the high-end custom...

What if your home is holding you back instead of moving you forward? For many homeowners, spaces are designed for who they were, not who they are becoming.   Vera Blouin, founder of  BLOU INK , joins Host Carol Morgan on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum  to explain how intentional home design rooted in spatial psychology and identity-based design can reshape not only a space but also daily habits, minds...

Lori Lane, founder and president of   LLANE & Co. , is taking a hands-on, strategy-first approach to new home sales with the launch of her boutique brokerage focused exclusively on new construction.   Lane joins host Carol Morgan on  Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio  to discuss her new venture, decades of industry experience and why builders need more than fragmented marketing and sales support...

What does 55+ living look like today? The profile of the 55+ homebuyer has shifted significantly in recent years. No longer defined by slowing down, today’s buyers are more active, connected and intentional in how they live. Jaime Godwin, director of marketing at Kolter Homes , joins Host Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss how Kolter’s Cresswind brand is reshaping 55+ commu...