When the Yellowstone Club debuted in 1999 it captured lots of attention and its fair share of big names from business, sports and government. After all, who wouldn’t want to have their own private place to play in Montana’s Big Sky country especially when it comes with a totally private ski resort, Warren Miller as director of skiing and security headed by a former member of the Secret Service?

As idyllic as it sounds, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the club. The much publicized divorce of founders Tom and Edra Blixseth coupled with ambitious expansion plans led to some of its current financial difficulties. In mid-November the club filed for bankruptcy. According to a comment released to The Associated Press, the club has been unable to secure financing with its creditors and bondholders. Read about it here.     

—Camilla McLaughlin

Every year, the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and the Sales and Marketing Council come together to recognize excellence and identify the best built homes in Atlanta. Industry professionals from across the country are brought in to Atlanta to judge all homes in the competition. Bobby Webb of BWC Properties accepted two awards at the 28th Annual OBIE Awards Gala held at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
 
BWC Properties took the first place Gold award for best home in the $2.5 million to $4.99 million price range. BWC also took the Silver award for best home in the category of $5 million and above.  
 
Webb is also partnered with Shane Meder of Black Sheep Interiors who helps Webb with his interior designs.
 
The award-winning homes are located in Tiller Walk subdivision in Sandy Springs on Claire Rose Lane. In addition to the award-winners, Webb has two more homes under construction in Tiller Walk that are set to be entered in next year’s OBIE competition. Authentic European designs are Webb’s specialty. Winners this year were French Chateau and French Country Manor designs. Currently under construction are a Swiss Alpine Villa and an Italian Palazzo.
 
—Robert Burke 

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate recently conducted a survey of more than 2,300 consumers at home shows in 15 cities across the country gauging consumer environmental practices. Among the findings, half of those surveyed admitted to paying more money for an energy efficient product within the past 12 months and 30 percent claim that they would be willing to spend $5,000 or more on green improvements to increase a home’s appeal to potential buyers.

Additional findings conclude that 82 percent of those surveyed think that they are well-informed when it comes to issues pertaining to the environment and more than half of respondents believe that when preparing to buy or sell or a home, it is important to work with a green-certified real estate agent.

—Shari Barbanel