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

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 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?

Spring Forward!

DST: March 13

With spring just around the corner, now is a good time to make a game plan of how to have your home ready for the upcoming beautiful weather.

The past few months have been filled with holidays and winter weather which make it difficult to maintain the exterior and sometimes interior of our homes. With warmer weather nearing, now is the perfect time to address any maintenance concerns or simple spring cleaning tasks around your house. Addressing these issues now, is sure to get you ahead of the game, especially if you plan on putting your home on the market. Buyers are more likely to make an offer on a home that has been well maintained over the years and requires little to no repairs.

These helpful early-bird spring cleaning tips will have you ready to relax and enjoy the weather!

 And one more thought:
“I don't mind going back to daylight saving time. With inflation, the hour will be the only thing I've saved all year.” –Victor Borge

Katie Nelson is a REALTOR with Prudential Gateway Real Estate. She also hosts her own blog: Bungalow Jax: Real Estate, Design, and Southern Charm!

Judging by Face Value?

"Don't judge a book by it's cover."

"Beauty is only skin deep."

"It's what's on the inside that counts, not the outside."

In most respects, all these statements are very true but when it comes to selling your home, the outward appearance is extremely important! In real estate terms it's referred to as "curb appeal" and the psychology surrounding it is pretty definitive. Most buyers will turn down the opportunity to view a home that looks "unloved." It's so important that HGTV even has a show that centers on this topic simply named Curb Appeal.

The good news is that nice curb appeal doesn't have to cost a fortune! Take a peek at this article for 12 great ideas.

Carlene Noone is a Realtor with Prudential Gateway Real Estate.

Home Inspection Q & A

Knowing both buyers and sellers benefit from home inspections, Su Morris introduces us to Home Inspector Charlie Sessums of Alpha Inspections.


"Should I attend the inspection?" What if the home inspector misses something?" "Must my brand, new construction be inspected?" This and more!



Excellent questions from Su and clear,straight-forward answers from Charlie will put your mind at ease BEFORE you begin the process!

Window Shopping is a Time-Honored Tradition

It may not seem like it right now, but spring is just around the corner! And, for those of you who are entertaining the idea of selling your property, it’s time to start thinking about what you need to do to get it ready for the market. Historically, spring and summer months are when real estate sales increase. So, don’t be left out in the cold—get your property in tip-top shape before the market “heats up”!

I like to use the analogy of window shopping when I talk with a Seller about preparing their property for the market. Some of New York City’s most famous and popular retail merchants spend a fortune on elaborate window displays during the Christmas season to draw shoppers into their department stores. Now, I’m not suggesting that you have to go to that extreme or expense to get a buyer into your property, but the concept is the same. You want to capture a buyer’s attention and make a great first impression. And, once a buyer is inside your front door, you want that great first impression to continue throughout their tour!

Check out these great tips for getting your property market and show ready!

Good luck, and remember with Jo Ann Dossett as your Realtor, every path leads home!

When Selling Your Home Think "First Date"!

REALTOR, Bethany Foote makes an excellent point: Putting your house on the market is like preparing for a first date.

Would you meet your potential life-mate without your hair being brushed or sweet smelling breath?  What about no makeup, shirt un-tucked and in your “comfy” pajamas?  I didn’t think so, so why is it that we do not put our best foot forward when preparing to show our homes to potential “life-mates’ for our homes.

Here is a check-list of items that need to be done before you put the sign in the yard & the lockbox out…

1. Clean until it shines!  Give your house the “white glove” treatment at least once and then you should be able to maintain everything through the showing process.  Don’t neglect baseboards, blinds, fan blades, etc., they probably haven’t been touched in months, yuck.
2. Clean out your cupboards & closets.  You can tell a lot about the home by seeing how well the homeowner tends to their personal items.   If you can’t see the floor of their closet, chances are they haven’t changed the air filters very often.
3. De-clutter surfaces in your baths, kitchens, & laundry rooms.  You don’t need to showcase every piece of pottery you own.  Also purge pictures and books from bookshelves, go with the less is more thinking process.  If people only see you and your family in the home, they won’t see themselves there.
4. Put out fresh flowers inside & out.  It is always a nice touch to have some FRESH flowers in your home in the kitchen & baths.  If weather permits put out a fresh potted plant on your porch as well.  If it is too cold for plants make sure you put out fresh pine straw and trim bushes and trees appropriately and for heaven’s sake remove any leftover Christmas decorations! 
5. Before leaving to allow a REALTOR to show your home, turn on some nice music, turn on your lamps and lights as if you were having a party, no one likes to enter a dark home.  Burn a clean-scented candle while you are straightening up, but don’t forget to blow it out! Close all toilet lids, straighten the beds and make sure all laundry and trash is put away and no dishes in the sink. 
6. You might even want to leave some chocolates or cookies in the kitchen with a note to thank them for visiting the house. Think of this touch as a sweet good night kiss.

Remember they always say you never get a 2^nd chance to make the 1st impression!

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words...

(or at least a thousand dollars!)

Are you getting ready to sell your home, but you don’t know where to start? It is important that your home is clean, staged properly, and the pictures are fantastic! It doesn’t matter whether you provide a potential buyer with two photos or twenty-two, if the pictures are bad you risk losing money. How can the pictures determine what you sell your home for? Simple. If the pictures you use to market your home does not bring out the best, you will get less traffic, which means you will eventually take less money. If you use pictures that excite the buyer and pulls their attention to your home, it means more traffic, which may lead to more money.

So when you or your Realtor gets ready to market your home, remember the pictures. Good photos may be good money.

Learn more about Prudential Gateway's Reid Guy and pick up more great information on his blog.