The Knight Group, based in Jonesboro, earned three top awards, including one Gold Award, at the 2005 Professionalism Awards Banquet to recognize the most outstanding professionals in Atlanta’s home building industry.

Gramm & Associates, Inc., a full-service real estate development and marketing company specializing in new home communities, is excited about the upcoming moves for its Georgia and North Carolina offices.

The cottages at Christian City Children’s Home got to make their own wish lists this year. Realtors at Century 21 Scarbrough Properties donated many gifts to the children’s cottages after inquiring about any special needs they may have.

The Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia's fourth annual "Project Santa" raised a total of $6,010 from its members in December that went to making Christmas a more joyful season for children, families and senior citizens in the 10-county region served by the Association.

Gramm & Associates, Inc., a full-service real estate development and marketing company specializing in new home communities, received awards at the 2005 Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association Professionalism Awards banquet.

The Knight Group, Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty and Brayson Homes have once again been included in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual “Book of Lists”, which was published Dec. 23.

Just as a medical professional recommends a routine physical examination each year in order to help keep you healthy, some real estate professionals recommend that homeowners routinely examine their homes to keep them in good operating condition.

Thousands of professionals in the title insurance industry work hard every day to protect the single largest investment most Americans ever make — their homes.

The combination of historically low interest rates and creative new mortgage products has pushed homeownership in America to a record high of 69 percent. Many recent home buyers have opted for new or "exotic" mortgages — adjustable rate mortgages, interest only loans or option ARMs — that require as little as zero down payment and feature ultra-low monthly payments. But as interest rates rise and the real estate market cools, economists and government officials warn that these "exotic" loans may have created a looming nightmare.

One of Coweta County’s best-selling communities has kept the tradition alive with another year of fantastic sales. In fact, in 2004, Avery Park tallied nearly 70 home sales and has registered 380 sales since its inception.

SummerGrove is proof that Newnan is quickly becoming a preferred destination for new homebuyers. In 2005, the community had over 270 home sales for the year and surpassed 1,700 sales since the community’s inception in 1998.

Keller Williams Realty, the third largest residential real estate firm in country with more than 615 offices and 54,792 associates, announced recently it has expanded its growing network to the Newnan area by the opening of Keller Williams Realty Connections.

Keller Williams Realty Connections recently announced their 2006 Agent Leadership Council. The Agent Leadership Council is a model for all associates in the Market Center as to how they should operate their own businesses.

Only seven custom homesites remain

Considered by many to be one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the history of Peachtree City, The Peninsula only has seven homesites remaining for those searching for a custom home in a unique Lake Kedron setting.

Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty representatives from the Newnan/Coweta County office recently participated in an all day training event at Clayton State College and University’s Continuing Education Building.

“We at Brayson Homes are extremely proud to be a part of the builder team at Heron Bay, which was named Community of the Year at the 2005 Professionalism Awards held recently at the World Congress Center in Atlanta,” said John Kamin, vice president of sales and marketing for Brayson Homes.

Hire a landscape architect to add value to your home

Any time of year can be the right time for a homeowner to consider hiring a landscape architect. Enhancements to a property made under the direction of this kind of professional can not only improve the look of your home, but increase its value by up to 20 percent.

Excessive household noise isn’t music to the ears of homeowners. According to Owens Corning, 78 percent of homeowners say normal household activities are disrupted by superfluous noise, and nearly half admit the daily din elevates stress and tension levels. Eight in 10 respondents say their home has no form of noise control.

Q: We just put in a new heat pump earlier this year. Can I count this as a credit on my taxes next year?

A: The new energy bill’s wording is very specific: the incentives apply to improvements and equipment placed in service during 2006-2007. If you’ve taken some of these steps already, it looks like you won’t be able to claim the tax credits. The good news, though, is that you’ve already started saving energy and reaping the benefits of your home improvements.

Q: I have dry rot underneath my vinyl floor, next to the shower in the bathroom. There is a “bubble” formed. What kind of repair is involved and what is the estimated cost? Also, is this a do-it-yourself project?

Ever pick up a ring of keys and wonder where they all go and what they open? Or worse yet, spend five minutes trying to open a lock, in the dark, late at night, during a downpour?

The company that makes OXO Good Grip kitchen tools is expanding into hardware.

OXO International recently introduced a line of hand tools with the same kind of ergonomic design that made its kitchen implements so popular. The tools are designed to be comfortable for any user, regardless of hand size, grip strength or experience.

This is not your grandmother’s laundry room. It’s not hidden in the basement, it’s not dark and dingy, and it’s not tiny. Rather, today’s laundry room is a reward to spend time in, not a punishment.

Q: I need a new garage door. My husband and I think a sectional door would be nice, but they are almost twice as expensive than the fixed kind. Any suggestions?

Your steel porch railings are under attack from rust every hour of every day, but you can rescue them.

Use a wire brush or wire wheel on a drill to get down to bare metal. Be sure to get it all.

Carolyne Roehm is a wrap artist.

Roehm, a former fashion designer, left that career to concentrate on teaching others about flowers, decorating and entertaining. Now she’s putting her tasteful touch on gift wrapping in her latest book, “Presentations: A Passion for Gift Wrapping.”

Q: Do you know how to get Gorilla Glue out of fabric?

A: According to the company, no solvent will remove it. You have to try to crack the glue by bending the fabric, and then pick if off.

As spring approaches, many homeowners are getting ready to sell their homes. Perhaps they’re being relocated, want a larger house, or are downsizing – whatever the reason, the closer it gets to March and April, the more realtor signs will be popping up all over town. As the competition heats up, it is important for the home seller to make sure that as many prospective buyers as possible feel as though they could move right in. One way to accomplish this is through home staging, the art and science of making a home more inviting and appealing to potential buyers.

The 2006 Officers and Directors of the Fayette County Board of Realtors were installed Dec. 7 at the Board’s December Holiday Reception at Flat Creek Country Club.

The Fayette County Board of Realtors thanked all 33 of its 2005 Partners for their support and participation in helping the Board meet its vision this year. All Partners were recognized at the FCBR’s recent Holiday Reception Dec. 7 at Flat Creek Country Club in Peachtree City. The Partners include: