Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio Carol Morgan

Jim Chapman, principal of Chapman Design Studio, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast as part of the Legends of Real Estate series. Chapman chats with host Carol Morgan about Chapman Design Studios, his years of experience in the industry and the relationships he’s formed while designing 300 golf clubhouses and related structures.



Becoming an architect was an early and easy decision for Chapman. While other kids were playing with blocks, Chapman and his older brother were building huts and cabins in the woods. Chapman naturally went on the earn an architecture degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology and start his career in the architectural world as an apprentice at an Atlanta firm, Stevens & Wilkinson.

Chapman said, “Stevens and Wilkinson set me up for a really great future!”

Now a legend himself, Chapman reminisces on the many legends he worked for over the years, including Mike Garrett, the developer of Executive Park, and Jim Cowart, the developer of Dunwoody and several other subdivisions near Johns Creek.



In 1969, Chapman and Sid Barrett formed the architecture firm Barrett and Associates. After getting hired to work on high-profile projects, Chapman realized he wanted to go out on his own to form Chapman Coyle Chapman – the precursor of Chapman Design Studio. Chapman Coyle Chapman is still in booming business today, working on quality projects or private schools and designing resorts and hospitality facilities across Europe and South America.

Chapman said, “I am so proud of Chapman Coyle Chapman!”

Chapman mentions that computers affected the architecture world tremendously and he is not a fan of the changes caused by technology within the field. In today’s world, most new construction buildings tend to look similar in design and structure thanks to technology. Chapman Design Studio is known for practicing traditional design efforts that provide a distinctive and unique aesthetic that calls on all ages of history to bring back details that technology cannot produce.

Chapman said, “The human scale is what seems to be missing so much in building and designing.”

Between Chapman Coyle Chapman and Chapman Design Studio, Chapman has experienced a recession or two as an architecture entrepreneur. While Chapman faced challenges such as laying off valuable employees, he states that architecture firms, fortunately, have a longer bounce-back period than other areas of the construction industry. Chapman and his partner at Barrett and Associates were able to keep 13 full-time employees afloat during the Great Recession, and most of those employees still work at the original firm today!



When asked what he is most proud of looking back on his career, Chapman says he is most grateful to still be in business! Chapman has worked on many impressive projects alongside incredible legends in the industry, such as his most recent collaboration with long-term industry friend John Weiland. Chapman also mentions his love for hospitality projects and how much he enjoys designing resorts, clubhouses and hotels, including his involvement in 30 Ritz-Carlton concepts.



Building a legacy, Chapman’s son, Jim Chapman Jr., is also in the construction field. Taking a slightly different path than his father, Chapman Jr. is a well-known build-to-rent developer in the metro Atlanta area under Jim Chapman Communities and Jim Chapman Construction Group.

Chapman said, “Jim is just amazing!”

Chapman’s advice for young professionals looking to start a career in architecture is to build knowledge of the field before you start your education. The legend states working in the field and understanding which areas of the industry you are most passionate about will greatly benefit you in the future.

Chapman said, “It is an amazing and wonderful field…it is the luck of the draw and talent to find quality clients that allow you to ...

Lori Lane, president of Berkshire Hathaway New Homes Division, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss the types of projects the award-winning company represents and many new home communities where home shoppers have options for new homes. Lane chats with host Carol Morgan on the All About Real Estate segment.



From condos and townhomes to master-planned communities and active-adult neighborhoods, Berkshire Hathaway New Homes Division represents a plethora of various projects from respectable builders. Growing a talented team of in-house experts over the years, the company has expanded rapidly since the challenging downturn of 2008 and has become the best in the business of representing new home development. Whether it is a $100,000 project or a $10 million development, Berkshire Hathaway New Homes Division can do it all!

Lane said, “Working with such amazing builder clients, it has become a real joy to go to work!”













 



Redefining suburban living, Trilith is a metro Atlanta community offering a beautiful blend of walkability and sustainability with a vibrant community dynamic. Trilith is the largest geothermal community in the nation with 51 of the development committed to green space, including 15 miles of nature trails, 19 landscaped parks and many more impressive amenities. In addition, Trilith is home to Trilith Studios, one of the largest working movie studios in North America. The community was built around the town of Trilith that offers residents a large array of shopping, dining and office space, as well as a Piedmont Wellness Center and an educational institute. Boasting European-inspired architecture, the homes offered at Trilith are rooted in diversity and interconnectedness.

Lane said, “Trilith is so unique and inspiring…if you haven’t visited Trilith, you need to!”

Recently named the Development of the Year by Atlanta Magazine, The Homestead at Milton is a gorgeous community that features unique, upscale homes. The community is situated on a 180-acre golf course where residents enjoy views of rolling hills and beautiful greenery. Starting at $4 million, these luxurious homes are classically inspired with architecture that perfectly reflects the Milton lifestyle.

Lane said, “The Homestead at Milton is the most graceful and idyllic community.”

With two decades of real estate experience, Lane started her career in 2003 working with the well-known Nancy Carl. Lane went on to be an on-site agent, leading to her working in sales management for new construction and running the New Homes Division at Berkshire Hathaway.



Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Berkshire Hathaway New Homes Division, or visit www.NewHomesDivisionGA.com.

President Dennis McConnell with Healthy House of Georgia joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share an overview of the energy-efficient custom homebuilding company. On the All About Real Estate segment, McConnell sits down with host Carol Morgan to discuss the benefits of living in a conservation community and his latest project, Pendergrast Farm.



Created to help individuals outside the building industry, Healthy House of Georgia recognizes the efforts put into housing that encourage better living. The homebuilding company has worked with many programs, including the EnergyStar Program, Georgia Power’s Good Sense Program, the Energy Watt Count and more! The company was the first in the Southeast to develop the American Lung Association Health House, now known as the EnergyStar IQ Indoor Air Quality Program. Homes constructed by Healthy House of Georgia are designed to provide energy efficiency, high indoor air quality and sustainability.

McConnell said, “We simply build a better house.”

Featuring 8.7 acres designed around conservation, Pendergrast Farms is the newest project of Healthy House of Georgia. The conservation community (or agrihood) boasts a design that allowed the homebuilding company to successfully save more than 400 mature trees on the site. Situated in downtown Atlanta, Pendergrast Farms offers residents incredible resourceful amenities, including a one-and-a-half-acre organic farm.

McConnell said, “All these things tie together into better use of land, better use of resources and sustainability, both for the real estate and the people.”

When asked what inspired him to build a conservation community, McConnell stated, “Serendipity.” Pendergrast Farms is just one example of making better use of resources and using less land as a footprint for the community.



Pendergrast Farms is listed along with Serenbe in Wikipedia as one of two agrihoods in the area. We'd say they are keeping pretty good company!



Healthy House of Georgia takes pride in working around core principles such as climate-consciousness and multi-generational living. All the homes designed by the company are built with concrete for boosted eco-friendliness and durability, and every interior is thoughtfully crafted for multi-generational living with wide doorways and adaptable floorplans. Understanding the importance of multi-generational households, Healthy House homes are designed for comfortable living for all generations, from Gen Z to Boomers.

McConnell said, “Everyone, as they go through life, can live comfortably in our homes.”

Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Healthy House of Georgia and Pendergrast Farms, or visit www.HealthyHouseOfGeorgia.com.



A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006, podcasting since 2011 and is currently working on strategies for the Google Helpful Content update and ways to incorporate AI into sales and marketing. Contact them when you need quality, original content for social media, public relations, blogging, email marketing and promotions. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com.











The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, 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...

Bob Chapin, senior vice president of SouthState Bank, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast as part of the Legends of Real Estate series. Chapin chats with host Carol Morgan about his years in the industry, what sparked his interest in banking and his involvement in the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Home Builders Association of Georgia.



Growing up in Doraville, Chapin has been a rare Georgia native who went to college at Georgia Southern University earning a degree in finance with an emphasis on real estate and banking. With a dad who worked as a company controller, Chapin grew up around spreadsheets and developed a real love for money and people. Chapin was treasurer of every school club and, in his senior year, was introduced to the owner of Peachtree Bank who offered him a summer/holiday position. From working in customer service and collection to the mail room and as a teller, Chapin built a strong foundation in banking at a young age.

Chapin said, “My favorite movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. I fell in love with the character of George Bailey…I thought banking was the perfect fit!”

Right out of college, Chapin joined the training program at Peachtree Bank amid a recession with interest rates between 18 and 19%. While Chapin was involved in the training program, the Head of Real Estate for the bank asked for a volunteer to become the interim Construction Inspector and Chapin eagerly took on the job. Since then, Chapin has fallen in love with the real estate realm of banking and has never looked back!

Chapin said, “When you are out on a job site, you fall in love with the sights, smells and sounds.”

Experiencing four recessions, Chapin has developed a good eye and intuition when it comes to future economic changes. The banking president shared four quotes with the audience that he lives by:



“The housing market never goes to zero.”

“When the worst of my competition is doing well, it’s time to pull back.”

“The housing market is cyclical.”

“Don’t confuse a good market with genius.”



In the first few decades of Chapin’s career, the builders who typically worked with Chapin were all involved in builder’s programs. The banks would try to provide A&D loans to builders under programs while as well as uphold the goal of providing individual small builders with construction loans. With the cost of development being at equal value as the cost of lots in today’s market, builder’s programs are a thing of the past with many disappearing after the Great Recession.

Chapin said, “That was the lending process…there was very little end-user development in building.”

While many aspects of the real estate and banking world have changed over the years, Chapin explains that the one thing that has never shifted is the relationships and connections made within the industry.

Chapin said, “The relationship aspect has not changed and is one of the best parts of this business!”

From the beginning of his career, Chapin has been heavily involved in both the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) and the Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG). As a life director at the GAHBA, Chapin believes showing support for the industry along with networking with fellow industry professionals is extremely important. Chapin encourages his industry partners and employees to get involved in all the associations and organizations, including GAHBA, HBAG, HomeAid Atlanta and more!

Chapin said, “We should support the association that supports the industry that puts food on the table.”

Chapin explains that the best part of his job is walking the raw pieces of dirt and envisioning the possibilities with his clients.

Chapin said, “After visiting lots and financing loans, you drive through the developments to see kids playing in yards and residents walking their dogs,

Bill Benzur, executive director of Georgia Ready Mix Concrete Association (GRMCA), joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to touch on the relationship between concrete and residential housing. On the All About Real Estate segment, Benzur sits down with host Carol Morgan to discuss the areas of Georgia that are growing the fastest.



Founded in 1968, the GRMCA is a non-profit organization with a membership comprised of ready-mix producers and companies that supply materials such as cement, stone, trucks and mixers. The organization and its members work together to tackle safety concerns, environmental issues and operational challenges to improve the industry. The association also plays a significant role in advocacy for the industry through involvement in the legislative process.

Benzur said, “Trade associations can accomplish so much more than the individual can do alone.”

With many wondering what the difference is between cement and concrete, Benzur explains the individual roles of the two materials. Cement is the glue that binds materials like sand and stone to form a remarkable building material called concrete. As the second most used substance in the world after water, concrete has been a vital material for thousands of years, with the use going back to approximately 1400 B.C. in Greece.

Benzur said, “Cement is to concrete as flour is to cake!”

Before the Great Recession, the residential market and the concrete industry relied heavily on one another. Over the past decade, commercial and Department of Transportation (DOT) development continues to grow tremendously in the ready-mix concrete realm. Even with the incredible increase in concrete consumption in commercial and DOT, residential remains an important market for the concrete industry.

Benzur said, “For the overall health of ready-mix producers, residential is still attached at the hip with the concrete industry…just not quite as intensely as before the Great Recession.”

A rare Atlanta native, Benzur went to the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in engineering and worked in the paper industry for many years before becoming a general manager for a ready-mix concrete company in metro Atlanta. In early 2017, Benzur left the concrete industry and retired in the Lake Oconee area. Just five years into retirement, Benzur was selected in 2022 as the Executive Director of GRMCA.

Benzur said, “After a five-year hiatus, I am back in the concrete industry and boy, has it been exciting!”

Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Georgia Ready Mix Concrete Association, or visit www.GAConcrete.org.



A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006, podcasting since 2011 and is currently working on strategies for the Google Helpful Content update and ways to incorporate AI into sales and marketing. Contact them when you need quality, original content for social media, public relations, blogging, email marketing and promotions. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com.



 











The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing, 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 ...

Marketing Manager Carrie Rogiers with Fischer Homes joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share what today’s buyers are looking for in a home. On the All About Real Estate segment, Rogiers sits down with host Carol Morgan to discuss new Fischer Homes communities coming to metro Atlanta.



Recently celebrating her 10th anniversary with Fischer Homes, Rogiers started her career with the homebuilder in 2013 – the same year the builder unveiled its Atlanta division.



Known as the 30th largest builder overall and the 10th largest privately-owned builder in the United States, Fisher Homes was founded in Kentucky in 1980 with the philosophy to be the best total new home solution. Since then, the company expanded across the country, extending to Georgia where the Atlanta division has thriving communities and upcoming developments in various counties in the metro area.

Rogiers said, “We have so many exciting new things going on in the Atlanta market!”

Fischer Homes offers homebuyers a wide variety of home collections to choose from, including the Patio, Designer and Maple Street Collections. The Patio Collection offers lower-maintenance, single-family homes ideal for 55+ active adult buyers looking to downsize. Currently available at Sweetbay Farm in Lawrenceville, the Designer Collection showcases stunning homes geared toward move-up buyers. Designed with first-time home shoppers in mind, the Maple Street Collection features affordable ranch-style homes that are currently available in multiple Fischer Homes communities. All residences can be personalized at the Lifestyle Design Center.



Conveniently located in gorgeous Gwinnett County, Sweetbay Farm is the newest single-family community by Fischer Homes situated in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Priced in the mid $400,000s to $600,000s, homes in this exciting community boast desirable flexibility, spacious owner’s suites, lower-level recreation rooms and more!

Rogiers said, “Our floorplans are all designed with flexibility in mind.”

Following the success of the homebuilding company’s first active adult community, Popular Place, Laurel Farms is an upcoming 55+ community located in the charming town of Dallas, Georgia. Opening for sale very soon, Laurel Farms will offer ranch-style homes showcasing open-concept living and a future-planned amenity center with a spacious clubhouse. Join the Laurel Farms VIP List today to gain priority access!



Also coming soon to Dallas, Sage Woods is a single-family community featuring floorplans from the Maple Street Collection on spacious home lots. Each home will showcase flexible living, expansive owner’s suites and more! Join the VIP List to gain priority access to Sage Woods!

Rogiers said, “We’re excited to get Sage Woods kickstarted!”

Tune into the full interview above to learn more about Fischer Homes, or visit www.FischerHomes.com.



A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006, podcasting since 2011 and is currently working on strategies for the Google Helpful Content update and ways to incorporate AI into sales and marketing. Contact them when you need quality, original content for social media, public relations, blogging, email marketing and promotions. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will adhere to your specific needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com.



 











The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate" segment, presented by Denim Marketing,