Greening Your Lifestyle!

Living a “green” lifestyle is a simpler, healthier, and more eco-friendly way to live! It takes patience and sacrifice to adapt a green lifestyle because you have to change the way you do things! And, change takes time!!!

I have done a lot of reading and research in my quest for a green lifestyle; and although I have made great strides in my efforts, I still have several changes I want to incorporate into my everyday living!

Here are a few things you can do to make your life simpler, healthier and more eco-friendly:

1. Cancel newspaper and magazine subscriptions that you don’t have time to read.
2. Cut down on the amount of disposable products you use such as coffee filters and bottled water. Using a washable coffee filter and a filtered water pitcher reduces waste and is better for the planet! For water on the go, fill a recycled water bottle with water from your filtered pitcher.
3. Load your dishwasher to capacity; you won’t have to run it as much. And, run the dishwasher (and washing machine) in the evenings or at night! It reduces the amount of energy you use.
4. Dry two loads of clothes at once rather than a single load! Energy savings!
5. Don’t wash linens as often! Bath towels, wash cloths, sheets, etc. don’t have to be changed every day!
6. Keep your air/heat on a consistent temperature! Keep blinds/shutters closed in the summer to keep heat and sunlight out; open in the winter to let the sunlight in!
7. Use table lamps rather than overhead lighting! Less energy used, and the bulbs are easier to change!
8. Keep toxins and chemicals out of your home and out of your body! Eat more veggies, fruits and whole grains, and less processed foods!
9. Take control of your health—read and research as much as you can about a “health” issue, i.e. allergies, sinus, etc.
10. Recycle, recycle, and recycle!
11. Make use of the “stuff” in your home, or get rid of it!

I practice what I preach! See how I slowly transitioned to a greener lifestyle:



For more information and tips on “green” living, put these books on your reading list:

Simplify Your Life, Elaine St. James; Clean, Green & Lean, Dr. Walter Crinnion; Green Cleaning, Publications International, Ltd.; The Sinus Cure, Debra Fulghum Bruce, Ph.D. and Murray Grossan, M.D.

And, remember, with Jo Ann Dossett as your REALTOR, every path leads home!
Prudential Gateway Real Estate
jadossett@comcast.net
601-613-2481

How's the Market?

We, as REALTORS, hear this question all the time and, of course, the answer varies depending on what specifically you're interested in. But our Jackson MLS has provided us with a wonderful overview of our Metro Jackson Market for June 2011 that may be of interest to our sellers, buyers and investors. Click the link, check out the info and give me a call with any questions you may have!

Natalie Savelle, REALTOR
nsavell@yahoo.com
Prudential Gateway Real Estate
601-668-7685

Congratulations, Kathy Bryan!

Prudential Gateway Real Estate is proud to congratulate Kathy Bryan on her outstanding performance as our Top Producer for the month of June! Contact Kathy for all your real estate needs:

Kathy Bryan
kathyb@prudentialgateway.com
601.853.0414 office
601.540.8899 cell

What is Title Insurance?

Buying and/or selling a home is no simple matter and some of the frequently asked questions I get are:

• What IS title insurance?
• Do I really need it?
• Am I required to buy it?

So... here you go! All the answers wrapped up in a quick video!

Thinking of buying or selling? Please contact me for any of your real estate needs.

Allan Summerlin, REALTOR
Prudential Gateway Real Estate
601-940-2126

2 Sellers Will Trade

Two of my sellers will happily consider a trade!

MLS #228353
Click here for Details
101 RIDGE ST, MADISON, MS - $599,500 (Reduced by $69,500!)



Owners are willing to trade for property in Bridgewater, Reunion or Silas Meadow in Dinsmor!

LOST RABBIT of Madison. This beautiful custom-built home features a great floor plan with covered porches on 2 levels plus a separate screened porch! Awesome streamlined kitchen with custom cabinets, top-of-the-line appliances, SubZero fridge with cabinet panels. Each bedroom boasts walk-in closets. Large bedroom and bath over garage is perfect for guests or a mother-in-law suite. Fenced backyard. 5 bdr/4.5
baths.

MLS #211629
Click Here for Details
575 JOHNSTONE DR, MADISON, MS - $1,195,000



 Owners are willing to trade for a large home in Northeast Jackson in proximity to First Pres or Jackson Prep.

JOHNSTONE of Madison. Gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, custom home! Situated on the large lake, this 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath home has it all. Wonderful floor plan designed with 2 bedrooms down and 2 bedrooms up and a large bonus room over the garage that could be an additional bedroom with bath. Grand kitchen is sure to please any cook plus an outdoor kitchen and fireplace on the screened porch makes this home perfect for entertaining year round! 4+ acre lot.

Contact me for information or to discuss options!

Rosemary Stovall, Owner/Broker
Prudential Gateway Real Estate
601.955.1522

5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:

1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.

2. How much you owe.  If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.

3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.

4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.

5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit — installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.

For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit www.myfico.com.

5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin. 

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?

Featured Property: Huge Price Reduction and/or Trade

101 Ridge Street in Lost Rabbit of Madison

HUGE price reduction to $599,500 (that's $69,500 lower)! And another thing to consider is: the owners are willing to trade for property in Bridgewater, Reunion or Silas Meadow in Dinsmor!

This beautiful custom-built home features a great floor plan with covered porches on 2 levels plus a separate screened porch! Awesome streamlined kitchen with custom cabinets, top-of-the-line appliances, SubZero fridge with cabinet panels. Each bedroom boasts walk-in closets. Large bedroom and bath over garage is perfect for guests or a mother-in-law suite. Fenced backyard. 5 bdr/4.5 baths.

Click here for more pictures and details about this property.

On your phone? Click here for the mobile-friendly link.

View the Virtual Tour below!

Give me a call to answer any questions you may have about this great home! I'd love to arrange a personal tour for you.

Rosemary Stovall, Owner/Broker
Prudential Gateway Real Estate
601.955.1522

5 Property Tax Questions You Need to Ask

There are some great deals to be had out there right now but as always, we all need to be informed consumers. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you know the answers to these property tax questions.

1. What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller’s tax bill to help you determine this information.

2. How often are properties reassessed, and when was the last reassessment done? In general, taxes jump most significantly when a property is reassessed.

3. Will the sale of the property trigger a tax increase? The assessed value of the property may increase based on the amount you pay for the property. And in some areas, such as California, taxes may be frozen until resale.

4. Is the amount of taxes paid comparable to other properties in the area? If not, it might be possible to appeal the tax assessment and lower the rate.

5. Does the current tax bill reflect any special exemptions that I might not qualify for? For example, many tax districts offer reductions to those 65 or over.

There is much to think about in real estate and I'd love to help guide you through the process! Give me a call.

Rosemary Stovall

Prudential Gateway Real Estate

601-955-1522