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Pending home sales and construction spending both increased in March.
Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle
Pending home sales rose 3.2 percent in March, due in large part to first-time buyers taking advantage of affordable home prices, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Construction spending increased 0.3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Public construction (1.1 percent) and private construction (0.1 percent) both increased.
The Pending Home Sales Index published by the National Association of Realtors increased to 84.6 in March, up from February’s level of 82.0. March’s figure is also 1.1 percent higher than the same period in 2008, when it was 83.7.
Lawrence Yun, the group’s chief economist, said in a statement it would probably take “a few months” for the market to gain momentum.
“We need several months of sustained growth to demonstrate a recovery in housing, which is necessary for the overall economy to turn around,” Yun said.
The index was 8.5 percent in the South and 3.9 percent in the West. It fell 5.7 percent in the Northeast and 1 percent in the Midwest.
The Pending Home Sales Index is a forward-looking indicator based on home sales contracts signed in March, basically the number of home sales in progress.
Bonnie Wolf (left) and Pam Hughes (right) are recognized by Becky Evans, Druid Hills Tour Revenue Co-Chair at the Sponsor Gala.
Druid Hills celebrated its 101st year in 2009 with another fabulous Home and Garden Tour & Artist Market . The theme, “The Palette of Druid Hills, The Homes, The Arts, The Gardens,” was an excellent choice to showcase all that is special about Druid Hills. Jenny Pruitt and Associates and Harry Norman, REALTORS, with two of their Druid Hills specialists from the company’s Sandy Springs office, Pam Hughes and Bonnie Wolf were proud to be gold sponsors of “Villa Veneziana” on South Ponce de Leon, owned by Dr. Marian Kuntz.
Dan Parmer, CEO of Harry Norman, REALTORS, receives a sponsor plaque presented by Bonnie Wolf during the opening reception of the Druid Hills Artist Market.
As reported by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, April 20, 2009
Georgia added one Fortune 500 company last year — a car dealership firm — to park a total of 13 companies on the magazine’s annual list. And Atlanta tied for fourth place among cities with the most Fortune 500s with nine. Fortune magazine compiles its list of the biggest and best businesses based on 2008 fiscal and calendar year financial performance, focusing on revenue.
• The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) dropped from 22 to 25 on the list, but remains Georgia’s highest ranked company. Fortune magazine noted CEO Frank Blake “has refocused the home-improvement chain on its core retail business, closing 15 underperforming U.S. locations in 2008, and halting plans for 50 new stores.” Home Depot also shuttered its Expo chain and specialty outlets. Painful changes, yet they’re paying off,” Fortune noted. “Home Depot won’t come roaring back until the housing market does, but the effect on sales (and HD’s share price) then could be substantial.”
Home Depot had $71.3 billion in revenue in 2008.
• Moving up from 46 to 43 is United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE: UPS), which “suffered in 2008 as a drop in consumer spending hurt shipping volumes everywhere,” Fortune noted. “… In order to deal with the slowdown, the company has cut or reduced some operations, frozen executive salaries and is suspending its 401(k) match.”
UPS pulled in $51.5 billion in revenue last year.
• Beverage giant The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) climbed 10 spots to No. 73, with $31.9 billion in revenue.
• Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: CCE) had $21.8 billion in revenue for 2008, helping it move up two spots to 118 on the Fortune 500 list.
• Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) landed at 111, up from 129. Its revenue grew in 2008 to $22.7 billion.
• Southern Co. (NYSE: SO) jumped to 149 from 166, posting $17.1 billion in revenue.
• Columbus, Ga.-based insurer Aflac Inc. (NYSE: AFL) improved to 152 from 165. It had $16.6 billion in revenue.
• SunTrust Banks Inc. (NYSE: STI) weathered a tough year last year and dropped to 211 with $12.8 billion in revenue. The bank holding and financial services company placed 193 last year.
• Genuine Parts Co. (NYSE: GPC) lost four spots to get No. 243 on the list with $11 billion in revenue.
• AGCO Corp. (NYSE: AG) generated $8.4 billion in revenue and made a big improvement to a ranking of 306. The Duluth, Ga.-based agricultural equipment maker garnered a ranking of 359 in the 2008 list.
• Calhoun, Ga.-based flooring products company Mohawk Industries Inc. (NYSE: MHK) placed 367 with $6.8 billion in revenue. It was at 328 in the 2008 list.
• Consumer products company Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL) is ranked 387 with $6.5 billion in revenue. It was 378 last year.
• Making its first appearance as a Georgia company is Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE: ABG). In the 2008 list, it was based in New York and ranked 421. It moved headquarters to Atlanta and is now ranked 486 with $4.8 billion in revenue.
You can read the entier Fortune 500 list HERE
Painting is a quick and easy way to liven up your home. But some smart prep work can make a huge difference in the quality of the results.
Source: The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute and Realtor Magazine
You want the paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean before you start painting. Remove any handprints, dirt, or scuff marks. Lightly sand any glossy spots to avoid streaks.
2. Select a paint sheen and color.
Ah, the choices! Many paint stores are making it easier to narrow down your choices by offering small trial sizes so that you can test the color at home and look for any variations in daylight and night. Lighting has a big effect on the way color appears. Remember: Higher sheen paints tend to offer more durability than flat paints, so use them in high-traffic areas. Stain or low-lustre finishes offer more warmth and depth than a flat paint. Consider a high sheen paint on the ceiling, which offers good reflection in the room.
3. Don’t go cheap on the paint.
It’s always tempting to save a buck, but it might not be worth it on paint. Painting is a big job, so you want the expense and quality to show. The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, a national painting education group, recommends purchasing top-quality acrylic latex interior paint, which will go on smoothly and allow for easy soap and water cleanups.
4. Choose the right paint tools.
If you’re using a roller to paint, select the right length of roller nap cover for proper paint coverage. The smoother your painting surface, the shorter the nap should be. Use synthetic materials, which are made from nylon or polyester, when applying latex or water-based paints.
Sandy Springs
Paula Heer - Units Closed
Sylvia Reynolds – Volume Closed
Allan Minter – Pending Sales
Kelly Boudreau - Volume & Units Listed
Robbie Turner – Runner-Up Units Listed
Buckhead
Margie Stockton – Volume Pending, Units Pending, Volume Closed, Units Closed
Diane Barnwell – Runner Up Volume Pending, Runner Up Units Pending
Vennie Owen – Runner Up Volume Closed
Virginia Bondurant - Volume Listed
Jane Freeman – Units Listed
Cobb
Simone Hoffman – Volume Listed
Sherry Corey – Units Listed
Melissa Gerace Hemans – Volume Closed
Todd Banister – Units Closed
Doranne Strama – Volume Pending
North Fulton
Michele Collins – Units & Volume Closed
The Kloster Group – Units Listed & Runner Up Volume Listed
The Lyons Team – Volume Listed
Alex McGraw – Volume Pending
Jane O’Connor – Runner Up Units Listed
