The DeLois Smith All Star Team

Selling Tip #1 - Start Outside

A home that shows exceptionally well arouses the prospect's emotional desire to buy more quickly at a better price. Over the next few days, we will posting some of our market tested tips to help set the stage for a profitable and early sale.

Tip #1: Getting Ready...Start Outside!

Stand across the street and take a look at your home from a potential buyer's viewpoint.

• Are there too many cars parked out front?
• Is the lawn trimmed and edged?
• Is the flower bed cultivated? Is the mulch fresh?
• Is there refuse, leaves or clutter on the yard, sidewalks, and porches?
• Is the street clean for a home in each direction?
• Is the fencing straight? Does it need stain/paint?
• Does the gate open and close easily? Do the hinges need oiling?
• Is the front door fresh, clean, and scrubbed looking? This is extremely important!!!
• Are the windows and screens clean? If not, wash them.
• Are there cobwebs and dust around the outside of your home?
• Does the home need repainting?

If you are considering selling, these tips are a starting point for preparing your house. Even if you are not putting your house on the market for a few months, start now and save yourself the hassle! First impressions matter when selling a home, and you don't want yours to leave a bad impression.

One of Our Newest Listings: 108 Red Roan Road

Every now and then we would like to let you know about one of our newest listings. This week we are featuring 108 Red Roan Road, located in the Dandridge subdivision in Oak Grove.

A fashionable, French Country one-story brick home, 108 Red Roan Road is a Dandridge, high quality home with privacy. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath split plan is currently being offered for $239,900.

With expansive 12' 6" ceilings in the foyer, dining, and great room, the home also has stained/scored concrete floors throughout the living area and carpeting in the three bedrooms.  There are 2" Hunter Douglas custom blinds throughout. The inviting and distinctive front entry features a Stucco accent, a bricked wide staircase, and a 9' arched Mahogany double French doorway.

The foyer, dining, and great room are open, but delineated by ceiling treatment. The dining room (13' x 11'8") features a distinctive chandelier and a Palladian arched front window with custom window treatments. The spacious great room (20'4" x 13'1/2") features an impressive gas log ventless fireplace with custom mantle, six recessed lights, a ceiling fan, and custom window treatments enhancing the tall window which flanks the fireplace.

The kitchen (11'6" x 12'2") has quality white cabinetry with ceramic countertops, G.E. stainless stell appliances including the G.E. profile microwave oven and G.E. refrigerator. A handy pantry is adjacent to the cabinetry. A raised eating bar separates the kitchen and breakfast area. The breakfast area has coordinated hanging light fixture, double windows, and a French door opening to the rear porch. Off the kitchen is a separate laundry with built-in storage.

The master bedroom (16'6" x 15') features a tiered ceiling to 10', neutral carpeting, and double French doors opening to the rear porch. The adjacent master bath has his and her vanities, 6' Whirlpool tub, separate walk-in shower, private toilet area, and spacious walk-in closet. Privately located, bedrooms #2 and #3 are on the west wing. Bedroom #2 (11' x 13'6") features a 4'1/2" x 11'8" sitting area, three attractive windows with custom window treatments, recessed spot light over the sitting area, and a ceiling fan/light. A large walk-in closet makes this a very comfortable second bedroom. Bedroom #3 (11'6" x 12'1/2") has a double window, ceiling fan/light, and walk-in closet. A hall bath is located convieniently to serve bedrooms #2 and #3.

General Features include:

• Comfort Advantage (PRVEPA) all electric home heat pump heating and cooling system
• 35-year Architectural roofing system
• Quality building materials including fiber-cement siding trim, mortar treatment on the brick which simulates aged brick, and Mayfair insulated vinyl windows
• 120' x 175' lot with wooded area in rear and east side for more privacy
• Landscaping by Eric Wood also include centipede lawn
• ADT security/fire system with motion detection and glass breakage
• 470 square foot, 2-car side entry garage with pull down stairway to the attic which includes flooring over the garage area
• 7' x 4'2" outside storage on the west side
• Attractive back porch (28'2" x 7'3") including beaded wood ceiling
• Lamar County taxes $1,388.77
• Bent Creek Property Owner Association fees are $223.00 annually. Amenities include a community pool, two playgrounds for children, and attractively landscaped entrances
• Utilities include Pearl River Valley Electic Power Association, West Lamar Water, Comcast Cable, Dennis Pierce Sewage System, and Lamar Sanitation System "free"

Welcome home to this delightful Dandridge home where neighbors care and friendships flourish! To schedule a personal tour of 108 Red Roan Road, please call the office at (601) 545-3900 and speak with one of our highly trained Buyer Specialists!

Thank you for previewing this special home. While this information is considered reliable, it is not guaranteed. It is gathered from the best available sources: the owners, document files, and city records.

Our Pick for the Most Romantic Story

Back in December we asked the readers of Star Chat, our bi-monthly newsletter, to submit their most romantic story. Congratulations to Gaye Winter of Hattiesburg, whose romantic story won her and her husband a gift certificate for two to Olive Garden. Here's what Gaye wrote:

My husband and I used to live on the coast in Biloxi. He told me that he had a surprise for Valentine's Day dinner and to dress warm (although in Mississippi it is never super cold). So, we began a drive on the beach along the coast when I saw a table for two in the middle of nowhere with candles and globes and lanterns surrounding the table. He pulled up, and the caterer was just finishing setting up the food at the table on the beach. It was beautiful with the sound of the waves and dinner was a little windy, but it was so fun. There was even a boom box with soft music. How romantic! We have been married 21 years. - Gaye Winter

The Market: February 2007

Can you believe it is already February? Even now 2007 has presented new opportunities to: (1) Expand our geographical marketing areas; (2) Add REALTOR® Associate Sharon Rome as a full-time Buyer Specialist; (3) Add multi-talented REALTOR® Associate Amelia Watkins to our team as Closing Coordinator/Business Administrator; (4) Include the specialized marketing talents of our Communication Specialist, Dana Grubb, to focus on corporate marketing; and (5) Expand the role of team personnel managment to our Gen-Xer, "top performer" Adam Watkins, who became a Broker Associate in 2005.

Here are some current facts which we would like you, our past clients and friends, to know. According to David Lereah, National Association of REALTORS® chief economist: "The current interest rate environment and housing inventory levels present a window of opportunity for potential buyers."

The chart below demonstrates our Hattiesburg area average price against the average for the total U.S. and the South as a region.

Year	U.S.	South	Hattiesburg
2003	$222,200	$195,800	$121,595
2004	$244,400	$215,600	$125,577
2005	$266,600	$231,700	$138,271
2006	$268,900	$230,500	$156,201

A major factor is the remaining open window of historically low, low interest rates (which is becoming shorter). A second even greater factor is our long-term modest appreciation of approximately 3% annually until teh Katrina-boost of approximately 10%.

The total number of homes sold in the Hattiesburg area actually decreased the past year, from 2,020 in 2005 to 1,794 in 2006. My prediction for the Hattiesburg area is the second highest year ever for 2007 with closer to the 2005 number. Nationally, home sales are predicted to be the third highest year in 2007.

Now is the time to make your move if your primary home does not meet your current family needs. Our mission still remains clear as we forge ahead into 2007 - to bring added value to you, our past, present, and future clients. Again, we say Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! for allowing us to serve you.

With every good wish,

DeLois Smith