tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2008:/blog//1 2008-01-07T21:21:20Z View The Providence Group's Website | FREE Atlanta Home Search at tpgatlanta.com Movable Type 3.33 tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2008:/blog//1.27 2008-01-07T21:13:51Z 2008-01-07T21:21:20Z

Natural Does Not Mean “Good For You” By: Diana Mirkin, RD., L.D. Smart consumers know that "All Natural" on a food label doesn't mean it's nutritious or healthful. The list of ingredients on just about any processed food is likely...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com Natural Does Not Mean “Good For You” By: Diana Mirkin, RD., L.D. Smart consumers know that "All Natural" on a food label doesn't mean it's nutritious or healthful. The list of ingredients on just about any processed food is likely to include either "natural flavors", "artificial flavors", or both. Many manufacturers try to use only "natural flavors" because critical consumers believe they are more healthful. But Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, shows that the distinction between natural and artificial flavors is arbitrary and absurd. It's based more on how the flavor is made than on what it contains. For example, banana flavor comes from the chemical amyl acetate. If you use amyl acetate that has been distilled from bananas with a solvent, it is a Natural Flavor. If you get it by mixing vinegar with amyl alcohol, it's an Artificial Flavor. Since they are chemically identical, taste and smell the same, it's unreasonable to think that the natural flavor is healthier than the artificial one. If you think apples don't taste the way they used to, it may be because your taste buds are now accustomed to food that tastes more like apples than apples themselves, thanks to the chemical wizards in New Jersey who create the "flavors" of chain restaurant foods and most of the foods you buy in a box or a bag. Flavoring formulae are top secret, and manufacturers are not required to list the contents on food labels. The strawberry flavor used in a fast-food milkshake has 47 ingredients. We're not saying either natural or artificial flavors are bad for you; all of the ingredients are on the "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) list, and anyway, the amounts used are incredibly small. One drop of the chemical that provides the flavor of green pepper is enough to flavor five swimming pools full of water. But if you want food that's close to nature, use your eyes: look for fruits, leaves, flowers, stems or seeds. If someone has to print the word "natural" on a box to persuade you, it's probably not. Tobacco, cocaine, vodka, marijuana and opium are All Natural, but you wouldn't want to feed them to your six-year-old. You may feel the same way about fast food if you read Fast Food Nation. And if you think it's your idea to buy a burger and fries, wait until you read the "Seven Styles of Nagging" your kids learn from their ads. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, Houghton Mifflin, 2001, pp. 125-127. Let’s just take a few simple steps to make 2008 a Happy Healthy New Year. Contributed by Nancy Warner, Wellness Educator 800-942-1260 or www.dnwarner.com]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.24 2007-12-20T20:38:46Z 2007-12-28T15:50:34Z

When those of us who are now parents of teens were teens ourselves, the way we communicated with our parents was either face to face (often at the dinner table), from a pay phone, or from a phone wired to a wall. Now our children are able to "IM" us, text message us, e-mail us, or phone us from the middle of a field three states away. My, how times have changed!

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com Fast Forward to Now With both parents working outside of the home, and the tendency of teens to have more after school commitments, in many families parents rarely spend more than a few minutes at a time with their teen children. More and more I hear parents say "I spend quality-time with my child in the car, where we have no other distractions." Once teens start driving however, conversations are often limited to a few minutes at a time via cell phone. Our children who drive have much more freedom and much less accountability than we did at their age. All of this means that we as parents have greater challenges when faced with ensuring that we are raising our teens to keep themselves safe when we can't see them. Let's face a few facts about ourselves: We are a busier generation than our parents were. We rely on our teens to drive themselves (and their siblings) more than our parents did. We are less certain about where our children are than our parents were about us, depending more on phone "check-ins" than on our physical presence with them for information. We Used to Watch Them Take "First Steps" When our teens were young children we played in the yard with them, showing them how to play safely. As they grew we let them go outside by themselves, but we stayed near the window watching and ready to intervene in the face of danger, until a time when we felt assured that they were capable of staying safe on their own in this limited environment. Fast forward to teens and driving. We put our children in driver's education classes so that they learn safe driving practices, laws regarding driving, and skills required to drive a car. We sit beside them as they practice supervised driving. They take a test, pass the test, and they're off! The analogous step that is missing in the teen driving process is the "sit by the window and watch" step. Fortunately, technology has provided a device that can be installed in a car that is monitored and can phone parents when the car is being driven at unsafe speeds. It also transmits information about time, locations, starts and stops. FINALLY, we have a way to fill that gap and have that "sit by the window and watch" experience! Monitoring or Spying? To my disappointment, I have heard parents express discomfort about how the use of such devices is "spying" and communicates parental mistrust in their children. In all of our earlier experiences in parenting our children to independence, we have had ample occasion to watch them "test their wings" before we let them fly. When a teen begins to drive, everything changes for them at once. This is a totally new and entirely different experience. This is not an issue of trust or mistrust, nor an issue of spying. This device answers questions about how well our child has learned to keep him or herself safe. In my opinion, allowing our teens to move from completely supervised driving to completely unsupervised driving in one step, is simply withdrawing from the parenting process way too soon. When we choose to monitor our children until we have proof that they have a track record of safety, we choose assurance for ourselves. We also provide our children with a means to buck peer pressure. Now they have excuses to behave well by saying things like; "I can't drive any faster, I'm being watched." "I have to go where I told my parents I would go." "I have to call my parents if our plans change." What the Experts All Agree Upon All of the child rearing experts agree that children grow into healthier and more responsible young adults when 1) their parents stay engaged with them until they leave home, and 2) when parents set and adhere to clear limits for their children. SO...tell your teens that you monitor them. Tell them why it is important for you to be certain that they are keeping themselves safe (because you L-O-V-E them, duh!). Tell them how these services can be useful to them when peer pressure rears its ugly head. Most importantly, stress to your child how monitoring them is not a matter of mistrust, it is an opportunity to create trust in a totally new situation. Dr. Robin Kirby, Ph.D, CCHT, Clinical Psychologist, works with The Safe Teen Driving Club to help parents minimize teen driving deaths and crashes. More information for parents and teens can be found at www.SafeTeenDrivingClub.org. Please call the SafeTeenDrivingClub at 866-930-TEEN (8336) Ext. 201 or email Dave Shavzin. ]]> Fast Forward to Now With both parents working outside of the home, and the tendency of teens to have more after school commitments, in many families parents rarely spend more than a few minutes at a time with their teen children. More and more I hear parents say "I spend quality-time with my child in the car, where we have no other distractions." Once teens start driving however, conversations are often limited to a few minutes at a time via cell phone. Our children who drive have much more freedom and much less accountability than we did at their age. All of this means that we as parents have greater challenges when faced with ensuring that we are raising our teens to keep themselves safe when we can't see them. Let's face a few facts about ourselves: We are a busier generation than our parents were. We rely on our teens to drive themselves (and their siblings) more than our parents did. We are less certain about where our children are than our parents were about us, depending more on phone "check-ins" than on our physical presence with them for information. We Used to Watch Them Take "First Steps" When our teens were young children we played in the yard with them, showing them how to play safely. As they grew we let them go outside by themselves, but we stayed near the window watching and ready to intervene in the face of danger, until a time when we felt assured that they were capable of staying safe on their own in this limited environment. Fast forward to teens and driving. We put our children in driver's education classes so that they learn safe driving practices, laws regarding driving, and skills required to drive a car. We sit beside them as they practice supervised driving. They take a test, pass the test, and they're off! The analogous step that is missing in the teen driving process is the "sit by the window and watch" step. Fortunately, technology has provided a device that can be installed in a car that is monitored and can phone parents when the car is being driven at unsafe speeds. It also transmits information about time, locations, starts and stops. FINALLY, we have a way to fill that gap and have that "sit by the window and watch" experience! Monitoring or Spying? To my disappointment, I have heard parents express discomfort about how the use of such devices is "spying" and communicates parental mistrust in their children. In all of our earlier experiences in parenting our children to independence, we have had ample occasion to watch them "test their wings" before we let them fly. When a teen begins to drive, everything changes for them at once. This is a totally new and entirely different experience. This is not an issue of trust or mistrust, nor an issue of spying. This device answers questions about how well our child has learned to keep him or herself safe. In my opinion, allowing our teens to move from completely supervised driving to completely unsupervised driving in one step, is simply withdrawing from the parenting process way too soon. When we choose to monitor our children until we have proof that they have a track record of safety, we choose assurance for ourselves. We also provide our children with a means to buck peer pressure. Now they have excuses to behave well by saying things like; "I can't drive any faster, I'm being watched." "I have to go where I told my parents I would go." "I have to call my parents if our plans change." What the Experts All Agree Upon All of the child rearing experts agree that children grow into healthier and more responsible young adults when 1) their parents stay engaged with them until they leave home, and 2) when parents set and adhere to clear limits for their children. SO...tell your teens that you monitor them. Tell them why it is important for you to be certain that they are keeping themselves safe (because you L-O-V-E them, duh!). Tell them how these services can be useful to them when peer pressure rears its ugly head. Most importantly, stress to your child how monitoring them is not a matter of mistrust, it is an opportunity to create trust in a totally new situation. Dr. Robin Kirby, Ph.D, CCHT, Clinical Psychologist, works with The Safe Teen Driving Club to help parents minimize teen driving deaths and crashes. More information for parents and teens can be found at www.SafeTeenDrivingClub.org. Please call the SafeTeenDrivingClub at 866-930-TEEN (8336) Ext. 201 or email Dave Shavzin. ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.26 2007-12-20T19:07:46Z 2007-12-21T15:28:06Z

We would like to express our warm wishes to all of our clients, their friends and family. We are looking forward to another successful year and thank you all for your support and referrals....

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com We would like to express our warm wishes to all of our clients, their friends and family. We are looking forward to another successful year and thank you all for your support and referrals. tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.23 2007-12-17T18:54:28Z 2008-01-07T21:22:14Z

by Steve Friedman, Vice President of Sunshine Mortgage Corporation By now, everyone in America is familiar with the subprime mortgage meltdown and its after-effects on the housing market. As discussions arise, there is a tendency to point the finger at...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com First, many of these creative loan products were created by large Wall Street Brokerage firms who gained tremendously by supplying the funds and then packaging the loans for resale to pension funds, mutual funds and others who believed they were buying safe, guaranteed mortgage products. The same firms buried risky loans with good loans to sell the products for the highest prices. Second, the rating agencies we all rely on to grade products for safety and risk failed to accurately assess these products or assign risk and gave out many AAA ratings. The ratings agencies and brokerage firms will face litigation for years to come for their part in the subprime story. Third, we have to acknowledge the consumer who created the demand for more and more products which ignored the basics of sound lending practice. Fifty years ago, the consumer who wanted to buy a home worked hard to save funds for a down payment and build a solid credit history. This consumer sought to purchase a house that he or she could truly afford. Banks scrutinized the creditworthiness of an applicant who would be borrowing funds from the bank’s deposits. Banks understood that homeownership required a commitment to be responsible, and that homeownership involved years of payments, home repairs, and unexpected expenses which go beyond the excitement of closing day. Fast forward to 2004, and we have an environment where buyers with sketchy jobs, poor credit histories, and no savings are lining up to buy $200,000 homes with nothing down and fill these homes with electronics and appliances, all due to easy credit. Although some blame can be assigned to mortgage companies who provided the loans, the evolution of this easy credit could not have occurred without the help of the Federal Reserve who kept rates artificially low, Wall Street firms and others who provided the funding and creative products, and rating agencies who failed to assess the quality of these mortgage products. Ultimately, the consumer has to accept final responsibility for applying for and accepting loans for their purchases. The question which has been poorly addressed is: where does the mortgage meltdown leave us now? Does it affect the average borrower with good credit? What are the effects on housing? First, much of the funding for subprime products has disappeared. Many mortgage companies who focused on poorly qualified buyers found themselves suddenly broke as their Wall Street funding disappeared. These companies were asked to buy back their bad loans which led to companies going bankrupt in unbelievably rapid succession. The Wall Street firms stopped loaning funds as it became apparent that they couldn’t package and resell these products to anyone. Almost overnight, the funding for subprime products was gone. Then the funding for other mortgage products suffered as the risk in making each kind of loan was re-evaluated. It became apparent that adequate risk had not been priced in the interest rate of many products and for a short time, jumbo interest rates soared. In time, the interest rates have returned to more normal levels BUT the interest rate a borrower pays will be affected by his credit history. Current borrowers will probably find themselves asked for more information, and will discover that good credit results in obtaining the best interest rates. Conversely, borrowers with poor credit histories will be asked to pay higher rates for their loans. The first time home buyers of today will still find programs with no money down, if they are qualified; but higher risk clients asked to pay higher rates will not be able to qualify. The effects on homebuilders has been evident for some time, as sales have dropped dramatically. Many of these builders grossly overestimated demand and have since cut back. The resulting foreclosures of consumers who could not afford their mortgages has resulted in more homes being added to the inventory of unsold homes. As a lender, I am frequently asked why we can’t help the many people facing pressure due to repriced ARMS. Unfortunately, many of these borrowers have no equity (and their home may even be worth less than the purchase price) so they can’t qualify for new loans. Some large servicers have agreed to move these buyers to fixed affordable products. Some consumers are hoping for a government bailout. The effects on the housing market will take time to resolve. For the consumer, I cannot stress enough the importance of dealing with a loan originator who will assess your needs on an individual basis. Many consumers have been empowered by the internet to learn about available products and pricing; and they prefer to make their own choices. Many consumers view mortgage products as commodities, and have not consulted with a mortgage professional. However, a home purchase is the largest item you can buy. There may be many options available to the homeowner which have never been explored. I have talked with borrowers who spent extra money to refinance when they could have achieved the same goal by making extra principal payments. Consumers who buy off the internet may acquire their intended purchase, but be uninformed about other choices. Myth #1 Consumers can often find internet banks with no overhead who make great deals. Even internet banks have overhead and may not have the best rates. Customer service reps may have little mortgage experience and training to help you with your specific issues. You may get the loan you are shopping for, but is it the best loan for you? And, if a loan sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Myth #2 Consumers can go to sites where many banks list their rates on different products. You can shop price yourself or submit information and have lenders contact you. The best rates are on the internet. These sites are not impartial informational sites. Each bank you see listed has paid a large monthly sum to be listed. These lenders all pay a fee to be seen or receive your name as a lead. There is no guarantee you are hearing from the 4 best priced companies. Often, lenders list rates that few buyers actually receive, usually the best rate on a conventional fixed mortgage with an excellent credit rating. Once a consumer calls a listed company, it is not unusual to find that the rate is actually higher due to credit quality, price of the home, etc, but you have been teased with the lower rate. And, a majority of these firms are brick and mortar firms who are simply using the mortgage sites for internet advertising. Myth #3 I hear these ads on the radio telling me I can refinance with no closing costs and save money.When a lender doesn’t charge you closing costs, the costs are still there but in a different form. The lender can charge you a higher rate than he is paying. But somewhere, the costs are paid for. How long would your business last if you worked for free? Always compare quotes carefully between lenders. Do business with someone who can adequately assess your needs and not just sell you a loan. Myth #4 I can save money getting an ARM product or doing an interest-only loan. There are times when different products can provide significant benefits. These past few years, the rates on ARM products have been slightly better than fixed rates and offered an alternative for buyers who were planning to live in their homes for a limited number of years. Buyers who used ARMS to buy more house than they could afford are now being squeezed as their ARM loans adjust. Shopping rate at the expense of product can be costly in the long run. As you work your way through the home purchase process, know the qualifications of your lender and his company. Take the time to discuss all of your options and take the best choice for the long-term. Although the current problems with lending may require a stricter application process, it will hopefully prevent headaches for buyers in the future. For more information, please contact Steve Friedman, Vice President of Sunshine Mortgage Corporation. ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.25 2007-12-14T20:49:20Z 2007-12-17T16:29:53Z

The Providence Group with Jeff Hart of SunTrust Mortgage have joined forces in Helping Our Clients Buy a New Home

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com $250K in income or >$500k in liquid assets to finance up to 100% of the purchase with one mortgage with no PMI. 6) Doctors: Allows physicians to finance up to 100% of the purchase with one loan and no PMI up to $1,500,000 7) Construction to Perm: financing for renovation or new home construction. For a primary residence or second home, the value is based on “after construction appraised value” enabling the customer to finance 100% of the purchase and remaining cost of construction up to 95% of the completed (after construction) appraised value 8) Debt to Income Ratio up to 64.9%: on Full Documentation loans up to $650,000 9) Reduced Documentation: No Income Verification, Stated Income Stated Asset, No Ratio, and No Doc Programs are all available 10) FHA/VA approval with credit scores down to 550 or no credit at all on an exception basis. Georgia DCA (Bond Loans) and City of Atlanta Grants up to $10,000 available This list is meant solely for the real estate professionals representing The Providence Group for Reg. Z purposes and is neither inclusive nor exclusive. Not all features are available on all loan programs. This is not a commitment to lend. Clients are underwritten and approved per guidelines. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis depending on other compensating factors. Rates and program guidelines and availability are subject to change without notice. Adjustments in interest rate or discount points may apply for features or exceptions. ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.21 2007-12-14T17:52:28Z 2008-01-09T15:46:07Z

The Real Estate and Mortgage Banking Industries have dominated the headlines in recent months. With so much information on TV, in the print media, and on the Internet, sometimes it’s hard to make much sense of it, and people tend to give way to a “Paralysis of Analysis”. Homes stay on the Market and many Qualified Buyers continue to “Kick Tires”…

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com ]]> "Is this a good time to buy a house?” I’m asked that question a lot… Obviously, depending on the buyer, one must consider a number of different factors. However, for most people out there who are considering buying a home, now is an excellent time to make a move. Just take a moment to consider the following facts: 1. There are currently more homes on the market in the Atlanta area than at any time in the recent past… 2. Right now money is cheap... 30 year fixed rates are in the low to mid 6’s. Just ask any of our Real Estate Professionals who were in business in the early 80’s, when rates were at 18%, and they will tell you about a “tough market” (and people were still buying and selling Real Estate then)... 3. Historically, Atlanta continues to be a strong Housing Market. We’re not “land-locked” geographically, and Metro Atlanta continues to “Sprawl”. The job market is strong, the economy is solid, and the standard of living is high-- not to mention our beautiful Southern weather (people are flocking to the “Sunbelt”)… 4. Sellers are more motivated than they have been in years. There’s a lot more competition, and Sellers tend to be more willing to contribute toward closing costs than they might have been just a few months ago. In addition, Builders are marketing their new homes very aggressively, needing to move their standing inventory… 5. Qualified Buyers have a wide variety of Mortgage Products and flexible Lending Options to choose from (the programs that have gone away, needed to)… What does all of this add up to? Plenty of inventory, low interest rates, a vibrant city, and solid Mortgage options: An outstanding time and place to invest in Real Estate-- a “Buyer’s Market”. Too many people get caught up in watching the national media and their “Doomsday” forecasts. Unlike many other cities around the Country, Atlanta has not “Overheated” in the past when the Housing Market “Boomed”, and in turn hasn’t “Crashed” when the Market corrected. We are currently in the middle of one of those necessary “Market Corrections”. Don’t over react-- “This too shall pass”. I encourage my clients to pay more attention to local/regional economic reports and trends, and to plan accordingly. Much like many Wall Street Investors tend to “attack” when the Market is down (seizing upon great deals), now is a great time to employ the same strategy. Much has been reported recently about the “Credit Crash” in the Lending Industry. The truth is that ever since the Refi Boom, some Loan Products were being originated and sold that never should have been offered in the first place (hindsight is always 20/20). Investors have tightened guidelines in response to delinquencies, foreclosures and credit risks, in the same way that any Industry would. Credit-challenged, 100% Stated Income, Interest Only, Short-Term ARM’s were a “disaster waiting to happen”. Values came down, ARM’s adjusted, and with no money or equity in the deal, many people chose to simply “walk away”. More responsible Lending is the order of the day, and a good credit history, with money down will never go away. However, there are still viable options for credit-challenged buyers, and 100% financing programs currently available-- but buyers and Lenders are working together now in a more conservative environment. It will take some time to clear out the current inventory, and forecasts predict that interest rates should continue to stay reasonable. However, there is still no time like the present: If you are considering buying Real Estate, and especially if you don’t have a property to sell, now is a great time to purchase… If you do have a home on the Market, you might consider more creative Marketing and Financing Strategies for your potential buyers. Why not offer a “Free 2-1 Buydown” for all prospective buyers? (You pay 2% of the Loan Amount to buy their rate down for the first 2 years on a 30 year fixed: 4.375% the first year, 5.375% the second, and 6.375% for years 3 through 30). On a $300,000 loan, you will have contributed $6000 to save your buyer almost $7000 in the first 2 years of their Mortgage. Don’t you think that will make your house “stand out” a little more than the one “listed” right down the street? (AND it will cost you less than lowering the sales price another $10,000). Builders have been doing this for years; why not use financing alternatives to sell your home? In a Market like this, you just need to get a little more creative, to differentiate yourself from your “competition” (all the other comparable homes for sale in your area). As always, who you choose to do business with is a very important decision. Building the right “Team” around you can make all the difference. Find a competent Realtor with a great reputation for professionalism and integrity. Find a Lender that you can trust, that has the resources, programs and products to get you what you need (Lenders are going out of business weekly-- stick with the companies that are liquid, diversified, and well-capitalized. Stability and longevity are very important in today’s ever-changing market). “Shopping” merely for the best rate, can prove costly if you wind up with the wrong Company…Make sure that your Realtor and Lender have a good “Team” around them as well: Attorneys, Inspectors, Appraisers, Insurance Agents, etc… All of us will need to work together, so that your whole transaction is smooth, hassle-free, and that you close on time-- with no “surprises”. It’s a very interesting time in our Industry. Gradually, the Market will turn as it always does, and the cycle will continue. In the current situation we find ourselves in, some unique opportunities present themselves-- be prepared. Align yourself with the right professionals, do your homework and you might just find the “Deal of a Lifetime”. Now is a great time to buy, and Atlanta is a great place to live… Good luck out there! ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.12 2007-12-06T22:01:08Z 2007-12-13T22:25:51Z

By Vanessa Lowry, Profits in Progress How many marketing messages do you see or hear in one day? How about 300? Maybe as many as 5000? You may be one of the folks who receive over 300 emails a day...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com iBusinessChannel.com for more ideas on using handwritten notes to cut through the marketing clutter. Vanessa Lowry is a connection expert and owner of Profits in Progress, helping businesses integrate the dynamic tool of handwritten notes into their marketing strategies and connections solutions. Her vision is to connect people, communicate appreciation and change the world using handwritten notes. She can be contacted at vlowry@profitsinprogress.com ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.11 2007-09-19T13:00:00Z 2007-09-25T17:34:53Z

Sara Fisher is the owner of A Simple Space, a professional organizing business working with individuals to de-clutter and simplify their homes, whether it is a home-office space, closet, garage or bedroom. Beyond “cleaning up clutter”, A Simple Space helps...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.10 2007-09-18T20:06:11Z 2007-09-18T20:24:54Z

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a New Home in Atlanta • Home ownership is the first step to building wealth • Home ownership qualifies you for tax deductions • Interest rates remain low • It is a Buyer’s Market! Builders...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com Top 10 Reasons to Buy a New Home in Atlanta • Home ownership is the first step to building wealth • Home ownership qualifies you for tax deductions • Interest rates remain low • It is a Buyer’s Market! Builders are offering a host of value-added incentives, but hurry they won’t last long • Return on Investment – the rate of appreciation in Atlanta is above the national average • By owning your own home, you can live the American Dream • Location…Location….Location - homes are available in a variety of price ranges throughout the entire greater Atlanta region • Housing Choice – home buyers have more choices than ever before – from traditional single family homes to mixed use developments, today’s homes feature flexible designs, innovative technology & the latest products and finishes. • Energy efficient construction techniques and products translate into savings • Atlanta remains a hot market, ranking 4th nationally in home sales Get Home Atlanta! sends the message that now is the time to buy a new home in Atlanta. A collaboration of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, numerous new home builders and allied organizations, the campaign was launched with the support of the National Association of Home Builders to improve consumer perceptions about the state of the economy and housing market. To learn more about Get Home Atlanta! and why now is a great time to buy a home, visit www.GetHomeAtl.com. ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.9 2007-08-29T20:05:11Z 2007-08-29T20:38:28Z

Vanessa Lowry is a connection expert and owner of Profits in Progress, connecting people, communicating appreciation and changing the world using handwritten notes. Their unique Note-Working Success System is designed to help you write 3 notes a day in less...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com Profits in Progress, connecting people, communicating appreciation and changing the world using handwritten notes. Their unique Note-Working Success System is designed to help you write 3 notes a day in less than 10 minutes. She can be contacted at vlowry@profitsinprogress.com or 678-521-8820. Personal Connection is Key to Leadership Success Effective leadership is derived from a relationship based on trust, communication, understanding and connection. Increasing one-on-one personal connections and building lasting relationships is the way an effective leader can increase success and transition into inspirational leadership. The opportunity to establish a connection with another individual presents itself every day in places such as face-to-face meetings, individual phone calls, e-mail, personal letters and handwritten notes. Great leaders know that as opportunities are seized and a professional, lasting impression is made, a personal connection can be the beginning of a life-long relationship. Handwritten notes have been proven to trigger an emotional connection between the writer and recipient. The act of taking the time to write a personalized note places this "small thing" into the "high return" category. All great leaders take the time to recognize individuals for even the smallest achievement, progress or contribution. The act of communicating through handwritten notes ranks high on the list of habits identified by successful leaders and communicators. Read on to see how a few words in a personal handwritten note can increase your one-on-one connections, build your relationships and benefit your company's environment. ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.8 2007-08-23T19:58:43Z 2007-08-23T20:16:29Z

To All our clients: Please check out our new community websites: 1. Brookfield Country Club 2. Chimney Springs These are websites that we sponsor in our local subdivisions. If you would like to contribute to the content of these or...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com Brookfield Country Club 2. Chimney Springs These are websites that we sponsor in our local subdivisions. If you would like to contribute to the content of these or advertise please feel free to email either Clax or John at: 1. John Damiano 2. Clax Underwood Best regards, John]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.7 2007-03-16T22:13:20Z 2007-03-16T23:28:28Z

The support of our clients and friends made our second annual Client Appreciation Party a huge success and we thank all of you for a wonderful evening. Congratulations to all who won prizes and a special thank you to our...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com The support of our clients and friends made our second annual Client Appreciation Party a huge success and we thank all of you for a wonderful evening. Congratulations to all who won prizes and a special thank you to our vendors who supplied the gifts. Pictures from the party will be posted soon! tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2007:/blog//1.6 2007-01-26T20:24:21Z 2007-01-26T22:52:32Z

The Providence Group wishes to provide a platform in which our best resources and our clients can exchange information and learn more about a specific topic. We have provided this blog for our community and we hope it will become...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com Intelligent Marketing Solutions, customize their marketing process to each individual client. Three Things Every Business Owner Should Know About Marketing ]]> tag:www.tpgatlanta.com,2006:/blog//1.5 2006-12-13T17:14:27Z 2006-12-13T18:31:51Z

The Providence Group welcomes you to their new website and blog. The website features: 1. News and Events in the Real Estate world and within The Providence Group 2. Free Home Searches 3. Resources for Buying and Selling a Home...

The Providence Group http://www.tpgatlanta.com The Providence Group welcomes you to their new website and blog. The website features: 1. News and Events in the Real Estate world and within The Providence Group 2. Free Home Searches 3. Resources for Buying and Selling a Home 4. Resources for Relocation to the Atlanta Metro Area 5. Featured Properties listed through The Providence Group Regular updates to the blog will begin in January 2007. We hope our site will prove to be a resource to all of our clients and friends and family. We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.