Millions of American families are struggling to keep their homes and not sure where to go for help. The Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of REALTORS® (NAMAR) wants to help those homeowners learn how to avoid foreclosure and keep their home, and have launched www.UnnecessaryForeclosure.com to do so.

“The prospect of losing one's home can be overwhelming and stressful for homeowners,” says Tom O’Rourke, NAMAR's chief executive officer and executive vice president. “From predatory lending to topics like forbearance and reinstatement to short sales and where to find help that one can trust, foreclosure is a confusing and complicated process. UnnecessaryForeclosure.com provides honest, practical tips and advice in plain, easy-to-understand language.”

The Web site offers a list of nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping consumers avoid foreclosure, warning signs of predatory lenders and information on mortgages that could lead to trouble for homeowners. Detailed information on short sales and the short sale process and the tax implications of foreclosure is also available. Among the most useful pieces of information on the site is a list of common solutions that can be reached with a lender, such as repayment or loan modification. The site also offers references for consumers, which includes a series of informational brochures to educate homeowners and consumers on today's mortgage options. Lastly, the site provides information on how a REALTOR® can help. REALTORS® are in the business of homeownership, and can offer invaluable guidance and options for a homeowner in need.

“If a homeowner is behind on mortgage payments for any reason, or expecting to have problems in the near future, they should be proactive and work with experts and their lenders to find a solution now to avoid losing their home,” continues O’Rourke.

NAMAR has produced a series of videocasts to help consumers understand their options and give tips on how to avoid losing one's home. These videos can also be found at www.UnnecessaryForeclosure.com.

Established in 1969, the Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of REALTORS® (NAMAR) is the primary provider of services and resources to area REALTORS®. NAMAR is the second largest REALTOR® board in the state of Georgia. They provide value to their members by offering the programs, products and services that increase productivity and profitability. Visit www.NAMAR.org to learn more.

PAWS Atlanta recently gave Atlanta Real Estate Forum some some tips on keeping your pet safe during Halloween activities.

Should you keep your pet inside on Halloween?

Maybe it is best to dress your dog up and incorporate him into your halloween costume?

My dog likes chocolate. . . can't I let him have a few pieces?

I plan to have lots of candles at my party, why shouldn't my dot run around?

For all the answers to these questionsa and more, visit Atlanta Real Estate Forum and read about Pet Safety on Halloween.

Don't risk a trip to your emergency veterinary clinic on Halloween, make sure you take the proper precautions to keep your pets safe.  For more pet safety tips or information, visit PAWS Atlanta.

Greenhaven, Atlanta’s first Eco-Decorators’ Show House is now open for FREE tours through August 9. Gather together a group of friends or fellow agents and come tour the home. It is a great way to get ideas on how today's homeowners can "live" green.

Located in Chelsea Landing, the first eco-friendly neighborhood community in East Cobb, Greenhaven will carry the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Earthcraft House, Energy Star, Health House, and NAHB green building certifications and showcase the latest in green building techniques, sustainable design, state-of-art technology and energy efficiency.

Builder Pace Homebuilders combined the talents of 20 of Atlanta’s top decorators to transform the 7,000 square foot house into a eco-friendly model keeping within the LEED guidelines.

Pace Homebuilders plans to document the development of Greenhaven with an educational Hard Hat Tour series. This video series, located on the Greenhaven website, will highlight the different environmental components, sustainable building practices, and green technologies implemented into the design of the home. The Hard Hat Series will conclude with the Grand Opening in November 2008 when Greenhaven will be open for public tours with proceeds benefiting the Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper’s Fund.

For more information about Greenhaven, visit www.greenhavenhome.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GreenhavenShowHome

Construction Resources, Inc. is hosting a clearance sale event on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at their showroom located at 224 Rio Circle, Decatur, Ga. 30030. Don’t wait any longer to remodel your kitchen or bath, the Kitchen & Bath Showroom and Indoor Slab Gallery at Construction Resources is a one-stop-shop for premium countertops and specialty products for your home.

Featured products include custom countertops, bath tubs, vanity tops, shower pans, tub decks, shower doors, bath hardware and other products for your home from name brands such as Cambria, Artisan, Kohler, Caesarstone, Silestone, Corian and International Bath. The sale is open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

Bring the whole family to the Carnival on Saturday, June 20 for hot dogs, live music, pony rides, inflatables and a petting zoo. Special giveaways and incentives will be available throughout the day. The first 25 purchasing customers will receive two free Braves tickets or a free Cambria cutting board. 

Some of the fantastic deals being offered include granite remnants from $19/ sq foot (Ready to Install), Whirlpool tubs from $195, vanity tops from $49 and a free kitchen sink with the purchase of a countertop 40 square feet or larger.

The new Indoor Slab Gallery and Slab Yard features more than 3,000 granite slabs with hundreds of colors, styles and sizes in inventory to choose from. Best of all, financing packages are available.

Construction Resources, Inc. is a 39-year-old company that provides residential and commercial builders/remodelers, as well as homeowners with a one-stop shop for their kitchen and bath needs. The staff at Construction Resources, Inc. has the ability to provide products from several sister companies including Atlanta Marble Mfg., Atlanta Kitchen, Inc., Atlanta Glass & Mirror, Inc. and Atlanta Garage Doors & Fireplaces, LLC. By offering a diverse selection, Construction Resources, Inc. allows customers to simplify their ordering, scheduling and vendor process by dealing with just one salesperson and company rather than multiple salespersons and companies. Constructions Resources, Inc. has four showroom locations throughout the surrounding Atlanta area including Acworth, Alpharetta, Decatur and Lake Oconee. For more information on Construction Resources, Inc., call 404-419-1259 or visit www.constructionresourcesusa.com.

Two Condo auctions were recently held in Atlanta and they seem to be a great way to jump start the sell out process.  Atlanta Real Estate blog, Atlanta Real Estate Forum interview Accelerated Marketing Partners about the auctions at Aqua and Cosmo.  Additionally, the site did a follow up story on the success of the Cosmo auction.

Are you seeing auctions in your city? We were thrilled with the turn out at both of these. Seems things are turning around in Atlanta!

Atlanta Real Estate Forum was just recognized by AcreScout as a Top 75 Real Estate blog nationally. It is the ONLY Atlanta blog on the list and the only blog on the list dedicated to promoting new home communities, builders and developers!

Agents, Builders and others in the industry can sign up for the daily email feed to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information http://feeds.feedburner.com/AtlantaRealEstateForum Of course, we encourage those of you in Atlanta to submit your news stories as well.

We are happy to answer your blogging questions. The mRELEVANCE team speaks nationally on blogging and has built many optimized blogs for home builders, developers and others in the industry -  visit Top Builder Blogs for our portfolio. We will be speaking about Social Media at the Southern Building Show in June, EOC conference in August and the International Builders Show in 2010! :)

Truly there are some amazing bargains avaialable on Atlanta real estate. There are beautiful new condos in Atlanta that are available at foreclosure prices. These are new homes that have never been lived in. You can find out about bargains such as these at Atlanta Real Estate Forum!

mRELEVANCE is pleased to announce that Austin custom home builder, Sterling Custom Homes has launched a blog, www.SterlingCustomHomesBlog.com.

Mitch Levinson, MIRM, CSP, MBA, managing partner of mRELEVANCE, LLC states, “In addition to creating an optimized custom-themed blog for the builder, mRELEVANCE will be creating a comprehensive online presence for Sterling Custom Homes. This includes search engine optimization and social media optimization. Look for Sterling Custom Homes on various social networking sites including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Trulia.

The Sterling Custom Homes blog will serve as the focal point for the builder’s social media marketing. The blog will include information on awards, home features, communities and events, as well as other news. It will be the perfect place for potential buyers to get the latest news from this Austin custom builder.

Carol Flammer MIRM, CSP, CAPS, managing partner of mRELEVANCE, LLC comments, “Internet marketing and social media marketing are the two hottest components of home builder marketing programs this year. Savvy builders, such as Sterling Custom Homes, understand the value of utilizing a team with proven results to create their strategy and build their online presence. We look forward to working with them as we build their online reputation.”

About mRELEVANCE: mRELEVANCE, LLC, is an Internet marketing, social media and public relations firm designed to meet client needs in a changing marketplace by building online and off line relationships that are relevant to client success. Combining the talents and resources of public relations and social media firm Flammer Relations with the power of Internet marketing services at MLC New Home Marketing, mRELEVANCE implements a combination of traditional PR services and up-to-date Web 2.0 tools (e-mail marketing, search engine optimization, social media and others) to create relevant results for clients.

With offices in Atlanta and Chicago, we can connect your company with buyers and build relevant relationships nationwide. For more information, visit www.mRELEVANCE.com or call 770-383-3360 or 847-259-7312.

Bowen Family Homes embraces social media with the launch of its blog, www.BowenFamilyHomesBlog.com. Please check it out and sign up for their RSS feed.

We ared thrilled to announce that the regional home builder recently named mRELEVANCE, LLC as its social media agency of record.  We will develop a comprehensive social media presence online for the builder.

Kelly Kenton Fink, Regional Marketing and Internet Director for Bowen Family Homes states, “We chose mRELEVANCE due to their longstanding track record of successful social media marketing for home builders, developers and others in the industry. We look forward to working with them to enhance our Internet marketing efforts with the addition of an effective social media program.”

Bowen Family Homes’ blog will serve as the centerpiece for all of the builder’s social media marketing. The blog will include information on activities and events at communities, as well as other news. It will be the perfect place for potential buyers to get the latest news and incentives.

Mitch Levinson, MIRM, CSP, MBA, managing partner of mRELEVANCE, LLC comments, “According to recent research by Cone, 60% of Americans engage in Social Media, and of those 85% believe that companies should interact with them online. Savvy builders, such as Bowen Family Homes, have entered the conversation, utilizing social media to reach relevant buyers.” He continues, “Effective social media programs use RSS feeds and syndicated content, video and photos to extend the reach of messages exponentially. With these tools, it is no longer each one reach one; the conversation is greatly expanded. It is important for builders to reach buyers where they are looking – online.”

How are builders, developers and manufacturers using the Internet to reach buyers? Builder Homesite's InSight InBox just published "Each one reach one - one to one million that is" discussing the newest trends and tactics in Internet marketing. Social media is how brand is built, how reputations are managed and much more.

Major corporations have entered the conversation, have you?