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Nearly 2 in 3 homeowners (63%) have gone into debt to fund a renovation, according to new research from Clever Real Estate, a St. Louis-based real estate company.

With 94% of homeowners having completed a major renovation in the past five years, about 3 in 4 (78%) went over budget on their last project. Nearly half (44%) exceeded their budget by at least $5,000, while 35% exceeded it by at least $10,000.

More than half of homeowners (53%) plan to spend $5,000 or more on renovations in 2025, while 40% plan to spend a whopping $10,000 or more.

About 1 in 3 homeowners (33%) borrowed $10,000 or more for their most recent home remodel, and 36% struggled to pay their credit card bill afterward.

About 3 in 4 homeowners who remodeled in the past five years (74%) have regrets — including 24% for overspending and 22% for the renovation taking too long. Even more, 47% preferred their home before the remodel.

Gen Z (89%) and millennials (82%) are far more likely to regret renovations compared to boomers (51%), despite being almost three times and twice as likely, respectively, to focus on renovations that increase resale value.

More than half of homeowners (52%) would rather DIY projects to save on costs. Of those who hired contractors, 53% went over budget and 46% experienced significant delays — compared to just 42% and 32% of DIYers. However, those who hired a professional (76%) were slightly more satisfied with the results than DIYers (71%).

An overwhelming 87% of homeowners faced challenges during their most recent renovation. 58% of renovations took longer than anticipated, with nearly one-third (32%) stopping due to unexpected costs and 29% firing contractors mid-project.

Still, 93% of homeowners plan to pursue a major renovation in the future.

Read the full report at: https://listwithclever.com/research/home-renovation-trends/

The Georgia Dental Association is providing relief to Georgia dentists, dental students and the public in response to the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

“We believe in supporting the community in times of need,” said Georgia Dental Association Executive Director Kristen Morgan. “Our association established a hurricane relief fund through the Georgia Dental Association Foundation and the dental community generously responded to our call for help. Within days an initial check was sent to the Dental College of Georgia to assist dental students with basic needs like housing and food,” she said.

GDA relief efforts include:

• Financial Assistance: An initial Georgia Dental Association contribution of $8,500 provided immediate assistance to Dental College of Georgia students for housing and other basic needs.
• Grants: The Georgia Dental Association is providing grants to Georgia dentists most impacted by the hurricane, helping them begin the recovery process for their homes and dental practices.
• Dental Hygiene Kits: In partnership with the Georgia Dental Association Eastern District and through our relationships with Atlanta Dental, Henry Schein and SourceOne Dental, the Georgia Dental Association distributed more than 1,700 dental hygiene kits in areas devasted by Hurricane Helene.

“Organized dentistry’s greatest strength lies in its unified community of support,” said Georgia Dental Association President Dr. Jamie Mitchell. “Alongside the generosity of our members and board, the MDS Foundation, the charitable arm of the Massachusetts Dental Society, contributed $15,000 to our Foundation’s hurricane relief fund. The support of our members, board and state dental associations highlights the power of this community. Together, we’ve provided vital emergency financial assistance to help dentists and dental students during this challenging time.”

The Georgia Dental Association encourages the dental community, partners and the public to contribute to the GDA Hurricane Relief Fund. The Georgia Dental Association Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization.

Denim Marketing, a leader in innovative marketing solutions for new home builders and developers, has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning 10 Gold OBIE Awards at the 44th Annual OBIE Awards ceremony.

Carol Morgan, Founder and President of Denim Marketing, comments, “These 10 OBIE Awards are a testament to our team’s dedication and creativity. Each project reflects the unique needs of our clients, and we are thrilled to see our efforts recognized in such a meaningful way. We are grateful for the partnerships that allow us to do what we love.”

The honors include seven gold OBIEs, showcasing Denim’s expertise in delivering impactful campaigns across various platforms: 

• Best Logo Associate – Denim Marketing’s 25th Anniversary

• Best Social Media Campaign Builder/Developer – Ranch Cottages for Rent for the introduction of Blossom

• Best Social Media Campaign Associate – Denim Marketing’s 25th Anniversary

• Best Social Media Application Builder/Developer – Traton Homes’ Instagram Campaign 

• Best Marketing Campaign/Promotion Builder/Developer under $10,000 – Peachtree Residential’s $20k Your Way

• Best Marketing Campaign/Promotion Associate Budget under $10,000 – Denim Marketing 25th Anniversary

• Best Marketing Campaign/Promotion Associate over $10,000 – Lake Oconee Area Builders Association’s The Big Event

In addition to the gold wins, Denim Marketing secured Silver OBIEs for:

• Best Social Media Application Builder/Developer for Jim Chapman Construction Group

• Best Social Media Application Associate – Denim Marketing’s Day in the Life series 

• Best Marketing Campaign/Promotion Builder/Developer over $10,000 – Traton Homes’ Talk of the Townhome

Courtney Stewart, Vice President of Client Services, adds, “This year has been all about creating engaging and memorable campaigns. From celebrating Denim’s 25th anniversary to bringing brands like Ranch Cottages for Rent to life, we’ve had the chance to push boundaries and deliver real results. Winning these awards is an exciting validation of the hard work and collaboration behind each project.”

Organized by the Atlanta Sales and Marketing Council and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, the prestigious OBIE Awards celebrate sales and marketing excellence within the Atlanta new home construction industry. 

Denim Marketing creates award-winning work for build-to-rent developers, custom home builders, trade associations, spec home builders, master-planned developers, active adult developers, condos, real estate podcasts, real estate technology, private lenders, and others. 

Why it Matters
Georgia has a labor participation rate of 61.4%, but rural Georgia lags behind with a rate of 56.7%.¹ This indicates the need for strategic initiatives to increase workforce engagement in rural areas, which should begin within the K-12 education system. Communities often encounter challenges with building work-based and experiential learning opportunities, yet these are integral to developing deeper awareness of career opportunities. Working together to close gaps in workforce preparedness opportunities and services is vital to best prepare Georgia’s students, regardless of ZIP code.

The Research

Developing rural Georgia’s talent pipeline begins early in a student’s academic career. Third grade reading proficiency is a key measure of literacy, with significant long-term implications. Students who fall behind at this stage are more likely to drop out of school, become incarcerated, and require social assistance programs throughout their lives. Currently, only 30% of rural Georgian students are at or above a third grade reading level. Educational attainment is an indicator of the proportion of skilled workers in the state. At present, 42% of Georgians 25 years old and older have an associate’s degree or higher, while only 29% of rural Georgians possess these credentials.² Many career pathways do not require a four-year degree but do require some type of post-secondary education. Georgia’s 22 technical colleges, many of which are rural communities, offer programs aligned with local career opportunities.

Access to childcare and early learning opportunities also influences life-long career success. While rural Georgia is home to 30% of the state’s Quality-Rated Pre-K programs, these programs can accommodate fewer children on average compared to those in other parts of the state. As a result, rural areas account for only 22% of the available Pre-K spots statewide. Additionally, rural areas have fewer Quality-Rated programs that accept infants compared to metro Atlanta, further limiting early childcare options for families, and creating an additional challenge for rural working parents.³ Access to high-quality, affordable programs removes one of the largest barriers to working parents, making it crucial in addressing participation gaps for rural parents.

Why it Matters to Your Business

Georgia ranks 42nd nationally in labor force participation rate growth over the past five years, indicating a lag at the national level.⁴ With even lower labor force participation rates in rural Georgia than at the state level, more support is needed to ensure the state can meet its growing workforce needs and mitigate talent shortages.

 What You Can Do

• Engage with your local school system to ensure they understand career opportunities your business offers to their students. Participate in college and career fairs.

• Connect with untapped talent, especially second chance hires, veterans, people with disabilities, and other often overlooked segments of the workforce.

• Advocate with lawmakers to support legislation that promotes access to affordable, high-quality childcare.  

What Georgia Can Do

• Invest in early literacy initiatives, including efforts supported by the Georgia Council on Literacy.

• Prioritize investments in experiential learning programs, work-based learning, and other college and career preparedness programs.

• Invest in college and career counselors to assist students in making more informed decisions about their long-term career opportunities.   

The Big Picture

Rural Georgia is benefitting from a significant number of business expansions and relocations. To fully capitalize on these opportunities, further investments are needed to bolster the skilled workforce talent pipeline in rural Georgia to prepare our students from our earliest learners to our graduates and beyond.

AT&T is contributing $25,000 to Golden Harvest Food Bank to assist Georgia communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

Founded in 1982, Golden Harvest Food Bank works to create a safety net of partner agencies, programs, and direct services to meet the needs of neighbors who struggle with hunger across a 24-county service area to get to nutritious meals directly into the hands of those in need through agencies embedded in their communities. 

Following Hurricane Helene, Golden Harvest has supported communities impacted by the storm by hosting food distributions and providing access to food and resources for those in need.  

“This contribution will play a critical role in supporting our Hurricane Helene relief efforts. It enables us to deliver much-needed food, water, and shelf-stable meals to communities facing prolonged shortages of basic necessities. AT&T’s partnership will help us extend our reach and make a lasting impact on the families most affected during this difficult recovery period.” Amy Breitmann, President & CEO, Golden Harvest Food Bank

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, AT&T’s heart goes out to the affected communities. We are proud to support the Golden Harvest Food Bank as they serve communities impacted by the storm with food and essential resources,” said Stan Shepherd, Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T Georgia. “We have thousands of team members across Helene’s path working to restore services in the communities where we live and work, and we are proud to support and work alongside these community organizations making a difference.” 

AT&T is fully committed to continuing to aid the response and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Our network teams continue to make progress on our recovery efforts in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

We understand how important it is for our customers to stay connected, and we know this need is even greater before, during and after any natural disaster. 

AT&T is waiving several fees, including overage charges for wireless customers in affected areas from September 27, 2024, through October 27, 2024.

Customers currently experiencing issues with their AT&T service can reach us at att.com, on the myAT&T app or over the phone at 800-288-2020. Many of our retail store locations in impacted areas are open and ready to serve our customers. You can check store locations and hours here.

We will work diligently and safely to re-establish critical communication services. For detailed information of our restoration efforts, visit: AT&T Supports Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene (att.com)

As the Director of Investments and Business Development at Parkland Communities, Michael Paul oversees all growth strategies and financing for the company. He focuses on the capitalization and investment management of Parkland’s expanding portfolio of Build-to-Rent (BTR) and For-Sale Communities, as well as the newly formed Fee Building division.

“Jim Jacobi, the Parkland team, and I are aligned in our growth strategy,” said Paul. “Over the past few years, Parkland has quietly built a platform to ensure best-in-class execution in the home building and Build-to-Rent sectors. We believe now is the perfect time to leverage these capabilities to secure land, develop, and build at scale, delivering high-quality homes to our residents and assisting other firms in doing the same.

“We also believe the homebuilding sector, including both Build-to-Rent and For-Sale, is on the verge of institutionalization from an investment perspective. We are laser-focused on perfecting an institutional-level experience for all stakeholders.”

As Director of Investments, Michael will collaborate with outside investors and lenders to capitalize Parkland’s existing pipeline of 1,800 lots. In alignment with the broader Parkland team, Michael also leads the disposition of entitled land and Build-for-Rent communities and assists with new land acquisition opportunities.

With a fully integrated business model that combines land acquisition, development, construction, and property management, Parkland Communities positions itself as the only “all-in-one” platform for housing investment opportunities in Georgia. By building strong relationships with external investors for both debt and equity financing, the company aims to deliver best-in-class service across all business aspects.

“Michael is uniquely positioned to make an immediate impact at Parkland,” said Jim Jacobi, President of Parkland Communities. “He gained valuable experience at one of the top development groups in the southeast, followed by several years with a leading brokerage team focused solely on the BTR space. His close relationships with builders, lenders, and institutional investors allow us to move quickly and efficiently as we scale.”

DeKalb County Public Library announced today that it is asking DeKalb residents to take a survey or join a focus group as part of its strategic planning process. The Library will use the feedback and suggestions to help inform its direction and services over the next few years. 

Survey

To take the brief survey, go to dekalblibrary.org/survey. Responses will be accepted through Oct. 31, 2024. 

Focus Groups

Residents have the opportunity to participate in a focus group on either Oct. 22 or Oct. 29. Each focus group session will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will last around 90 minutes. A moderator will facilitate the sessions. 

Registration is required for participation, and the maximum number of participants will be limited based on meeting room space. To register, go to dekalblibrary.org/focusgroup and select a focus group date.

Dates and locations:

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024               Chamblee Library

          Time: 6:30-8 p.m.                                 4115 Clairmont Rd.

                                                                      Chamblee, GA  30341

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024               Stonecrest Library

           Time: 6:30-8 p.m.                                 3123 Klondike Rd.

                                                                     Stonecrest, GA  30038

For more information, visit dekalblibrary.org/news/strategicplan. 

Gwinnett County has once again earned the highest possible bond ratings, securing triple AAA/Aaaratings from Moody’s Investors Services, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings.

The excellent credit ratings allow Gwinnett County to issue bonds at favorable rates, reducing long-term borrowing costs and generating savings for taxpayers. Analysts from the three agencies commended the county government for its robust economic foundation, low debt levels and proactive financial planning.

Leveraging these top ratings, the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the issuance of $17.2 million in revenue bonds through the Urban Redevelopment Agency for Phase II of the Gwinnett Place Mall redevelopment project. The 20-year bonds, priced at an interest rate of 4.7%, will finance the acquisition of the Macy’s and Macy’s Furniture Store sites at the mall. The purchase of these key properties will further the County’s efforts to redevelop the mall and transform it into a vibrant economic hub.

“Receiving the highest rating once again is a testament to our commitment to sound financial management and dedication to serving residents effectively,” said Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “Our team has worked tirelessly to keep Gwinnett County financially resilient, even as we navigate new growth and development opportunities. This rating affirms our promise to manage taxpayer dollars wisely, allowing us to continue delivering top-notch services and infrastructure improvements that enhance the quality of life in our community.”

The recent evaluations by the rating agencies underscore Gwinnett’s budget flexibility, low debt burden and conservative fiscal policies, which position the county to handle future challenges effectively. Notably, Moody’s cited the county’s strong economic standing within the growing Atlanta metro area and its prudent use of property and sales tax revenues to fund capital projects.

Gwinnett is one of only 53 counties nationwide to hold this elite AAA/Aaa rating from all three major credit rating agencies, a distinction achieved by less than 2% of counties across the U.S.

 As many as two-thirds of Americans have no estate plan. The results of a new national survey of 280 financial advisors from leading online estate platform Trust & Will may explain why: almost half of those not affiliated with Trust & Will don’t offer estate planning services to their clients, and 25% of those don’t have estate plans themselves. Yet, 98% of all those surveyed said they believe financial advisors should encourage people to create estate plans.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows there are over 330,000 financial advisors in the U.S. who help clients manage their finances. While many focus on growing wealth during the boom years and maximizing savings during retirement, Trust & Will’s findings show that there is an opportunity for financial advisors to discuss and help clients navigate estate planning needs. Not doing so may result in protracted probate battles, high fees, and general confusion when it comes to bequests and the deceased’s final wishes as demonstrated in Trust & Will’s probate study.

Doug Luftman, Chief Legal Counsel at Trust & Will, emphasized the disconnect: “Financial advisors may prioritize investments, insurance, and retirement, often deferring estate planning to attorneys or until later. However, estate planning is essential for ensuring that both advisors and their clients are protected in unforeseen situations. This is an opportunity for advisors to add value by integrating estate planning into their services—not only for their clients but for themselves.”

Why Estate Planning Matters

The Trust & Will survey was administered to two distinct respondent groups: financial advisors who are affiliated with Trust & Will, and those who are not. Of those who are not, 97% reported that estate planning is essential, even for those individuals with modest assets. A majority of advisors (59%) believe estate planning should start at a net worth of $250,000 or less, challenging the notion that estate planning is only for the wealthy.

Data showed that Baby Boomers dominate estate planning: 72% of advisors say they’re the primary client base: As the “Great Wealth Transfer” looms, Baby Boomers are at the forefront, making estate planning a critical service.

Luftman added, “Advisors often face the same obstacles their clients do—time, uncertainty, or the belief that estate planning can wait. But life is unpredictable. By taking steps to secure their own estate plans, advisors set an example and can better advocate for their clients to do the same, ensuring that families avoid unnecessary financial stress in difficult times.”

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is officially delivering $1.3 billion through the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand high-speed internet across Georgia.

Today, Sen. Ossoff announced the official delivery of $1,302,214,376.65 through the bipartisan infrastructure law’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to expand broadband internet across Georgia, helping more Georgia families access reliable internet service for education, health care, jobs, agriculture, and more.

The $1.3 billion investment will be administered and deployed through the State of Georgia with a particular goal of bringing broadband internet to rural and underserved communities that are lacking this essential connectivity.

The State of Georgia’s Broadband Program will soon open applications for local governments, internet service providers, and nonprofit organizations, among others, to apply for the Federal funding.

“Our historic bipartisan infrastructure law continues to deliver for Georgia. Last year, we announced this $1.3 billion in Federal funding to surge broadband connectivity across our state, and today’s announcement is a major next step toward ensuring every Georgia family and business has high-speed Internet,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Raimondo, and Assistant Secretary Davidson for supporting our efforts to expand high-speed internet in Georgia.”

In 2022, Sens. Ossoff and Warnock also delivered an additional $250 million expansion of high-speed internet for businesses and families across Georgia through the American Rescue Plan.