The DeLois Smith All Star Team

The Starlight Nesting Swan

The DeLois Smith All Star Team, REALTORS  is proud to unveil our addition to the ADP Festival of Swans. An art/cultural project for the Greater Hattiesburg area, the Festival of Swans will attract children, adults, students, tourists, and other visitors to our area. Each swan sponsor was asked to have an artist of their choice paint the swan.

Thanks to Kim Howell Cox for providing us with her services and talents. Our swan, "Starlight Nesting Swan" is symbolic of what our team provides for this area. We provide you with more than just a house...we provide you with a home. We help you find somewhere to start your family, raise your children, and relax in your later years. It is a fact that swans mate for life; well, we help you find your "home" for life...somewhere you've pictured all these years in your mind as the place you want to nest.

At the bottom of our swan is an artistic interpretation of a nest. Our swan is in our signature colors: blue and gold. Look closely, and you'll see that this swan has lots of stars in her design. She's our "Starlight."

Read more about the Festival of Swans, on the ADP website: http://www.theadp.com/SWANS/SwanPage.htm.

Wise Words from Lavon Smith

Here's something Lavon posted to our team bulletin board. Such wise words must be shared with everyone.

Six Secrets of Old Age:

1. Smile
2. Own a dog
3. Sleep (worry free)
4. Read a book
5. Read labels (eat healthy)
6. Practice tai-chi or yoga (be able to completely relax)

If six isn't enough, then add a seventh - Stay busy.

Our Affiliation with Keller Williams

Our goal at The DeLois Smith All Star Team, REALTORS® has been to provide the best for our clients, our community, and our co-workers. Through the loyal support of all three of these entities we have continued to grow and provide unparalleled service and opportunities within the Greater Hattiesburg Market.

After weeks of careful consideration, DeLois, Adam, and Lavon elected to affiliate our team with the national brokerage of Keller-Williams. We did this for several reasons: (1) It is the only national company that is focused on enhancing the "team approach" to real estate sales; (2) It provides retirement and long term financial options for all the team members who work hard and remain loyal to our team; (3) It benefits our sellers by providing larger exposure in our local market as well as on a national level; and (4) Most importantly, the entire company culture - from the top down - subscribes to the Christian values that we hold important on our team. In summation: God first, family second, career third.

Consequently, as of April 1st, we remain The DeLois Smith All Star Team, REALTORS® - providing the same service from the same address with the same team and answering the same phone numbers; we will simply be doing so as an affiliate of Keller Williams of Hattiesburg. What will change is the quality of training for our team members and the affiliation with an organization that we believe will represent the largest and most dynamic real estate brokerage in Greater Hattiesburg within the next 18  months, if not sooner.

You will continue to see our moving van on the streets of Hattiesburg and our properties will remain boldly and professionally displayed on www.DeLoisSmith.com. We encourage you to call with any questions and we remain committed to the absolute best service - we're simply raising the bar for what we expect of our team and our Keller Williams associates.

Hattiesburg American recently printed an article on our affiliation with Keller Williams. You can read the entire article from the April 9th edition of Hattiesburg American here:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070409/BUSINESS/704090320/1046

Bringing You Home...Again and Again!™

One of Our Newest Listings: 8 Montebello

Every week we feature one of our newest listings. This week we are featuring 8 Montebello, located in the Bent Creek West subdivision in Oak Grove.

A stunning 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home in pristine condition, 8 Montebello includes an extra home office with high ceiling and Palladian window; the office could be used as a music room or formal living area. This immaculately kept, one-story brick home by Dennis Pierce is currently being offered for $275,000.

Built in 1999, this home has 2,563 square feet of very liveable space and includes a double garage with storage room, pull down attic storage, and rear deck. The unique floor plan includes a formal study in addition to four bedrooms. It features 10' ceilings throughout (with the exception of 12' ceilings in the formal dining), wide crown moldings with extra cap molding over each door, and custom blind treatments and window treatments. The dramatic entrance has a mahogany front door, overhead transom, and side glass panels opening into the impressive foyer, formal dining, and great room. The foyer and formal dining are delineated by columns and cherry finish hardwood flooring; a Palladian window and dramatic oversized brass chandelier add interest to this area.

The great room is an expansive, relaxing area with a corner gas fireplace, attractive built-in entertainment center to the right, and windows across the back overlooking the rear deck. A home office/study is to the right through double doors form the foyer. The kitchen features raised-panel oak cabinets with attractive and functional pull-out shelving. Along with the ceramic countertops, this created a very efficient workspace. Double built-in ovens, self-venting microwave above the ceramic cooktop, built-in dishwasher, and disposal complete the appliance package. An attractive breakfast nook is open to the great room with ceramic tiled flooring and windows across the back wall. A separate, spacious laundry with deep sink and cabinet also has additional space for a freezer and other items.

The master suite is privately located on the west wing. The dramatic luxury master bath includes separate his and her vanities, private water closet, Jacuzzi tub, separate shower, and large walk-in closet that is very functional with built-in chest of drawers. Bedroom #2 is located on teh east wing (along with bedrooms 3 and 4). It has an adjoining full bath and double wardrobe closet. Bath #2 also provides an easy access guest bath. Bedroom #3 has a walk-in closet and ceiling light/fan. Bath #3 is adjoining to bedroom 3 and 4 and has double vanities. It is compartmentalized for maximum efficiency. Bedroom #4 has a closet and ceiling fan/light.

General Features:

• Heat pump heating and cooling systems
• Architectural 30-year roof installed post-Katrina in 2006; gutter added in 2005
• Secruity system by Audio Visual with remotes; glass breakage monitored by ADT ($30/month)
• Utilities include Pearl River Valley Electric, West Lamar Water, Community sewage treatment plan (currently $18/month maintenance fee for pump and holding tank)
• Lamar county taxes are $1,823.53 with regular homestead
• Benk Creek Association fee is $223.00
• Bent Creek amenities include a community pool, attractive lit and landscaped entrance, and two playground areas

Check Out Our Team Members' Blogs!

Have you checked out some of our team members' blogs? We've given each of our team members an opportunity to have their own blog where they can write about their own lives, hobbies, and interests. Two of our team members have taken up the offer!

Adam Watkins is a Listing Partner with the Team. You'll enjoy reading Adam's insights on selling your home, developing his new subdivision (Selah Falls), watching the Nascar races, and drinking sweet tea.

Christy Robinson is our Marketing Specialist. Those of you who enjoy crafting will love to read her blog. She shares scrapbooking tips, ideas and thoughts about her upcoming nuptials, and light hearted stories.

Both blogs are worth reading! You can find them listed under "Team Member Blogs" on the column to the right. Be sure to leave your comment on any of our blogs. If you read something in a post that you want to comment on, just click on the comments link directly under the post. Leave us your name and your comment! Comments will be approved first, and then they will appear on the blog. We want to hear your thoughts!