real estate: November 2008 Newsletter - 11/21/08 04:02 AM
This is my November Real Estate Update from Realty Times. If there are topics you'd like more information on, please let me know.
 
(1 comments)

real estate: Are you a Duck or an Eagle? - 11/04/08 10:15 AM
The following message was in my e-mail's in-box this morning. I don't know the origin, but felt it worthy to be reprinted. Hope you enjoy. There is an important message if we take heed.
(Edited 11/11/08 to change the title.)

      No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice.  Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point.      He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport.  When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright … (5 comments)

real estate: Justifying your sales price 3 times - yes, you read that correctly - 10/22/08 05:39 PM
Thanks to Kris Wales for the following post. Pricing your home correctly is the most important step you can take to insure a timely sale. Although this article was written for Kris's market in Michigan, it is equally appropriate for the Jackson Metro market.
Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., Inc.

**What a difference a year makes - or perhaps not so much of a difference.  I wrote this article a year ago and as I re-read it this morning I realized how much the words still hold true in our real estate market.  Perhaps even more so.**
 
Mr. or Ms. … (0 comments)

real estate: Jackson Metro, MS 2008 Fall Parade of Homes - 10/22/08 01:03 AM
 The Fall Parade of Homes began this past weekend in Hinds, Rankin, and Madison Counties. If you missed it, you have one more opportunity to tour approximately 100 new homes throughout the Metro Jackson area. The Parade continues Saturday & Sunday, October 25-26 from 1-5 p.m.
 
The Parade of Homes is presented by Home Builders Association of Jackson. Plaques and Certificates of Merit Awards are given for Craftsmanship, Architectural Design, Kitchens, Interior Design/Décor, and Baths. The awards are prominently displayed throughout the homes on tour.
 
One Green Home received an Award of Excellence for Innovation in Building Practices this year. … (0 comments)

real estate: Let's go Walking, Mississippi! - 10/21/08 06:42 AM
Regardless of where you live, you've likely heard the benefits of walking. Many people walk to lose weight, but there are many advantages to walking; it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, improves your stamina, and elevates your mood. That's a good reason in and of itself. But for each hour spent walking, you add two hours to your life. Now that is an incentive!

The Let's Go Walkin' Mississippi campaign is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, and First Lady Marsha Barbour, wife of Gov. Haley Barbour, is the spokeswoman. Most Mississippians have seen the public service announcements encouraging walking to get … (0 comments)

real estate: Let's go Walking, Mississippi! - 10/21/08 06:21 AM
Regardless of where you live, you've likely heard the benefits of walking. Many people walk to lose weight, but there are many advantages to walking; it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, improves your stamina, and elevates your mood. That's a good reason in and of itself. But for each hour spent walking, you add two hours to your life. Now that is an incentive!
 
The Let's Go Walkin' Mississippi campaign is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, and First Lady Marsha Barbour, wife of Gov. Haley Barbour, is the spokeswoman. Most Mississippians have seen the public service announcements encouraging walking to get people out … (1 comments)

real estate: Pearl MS House for Sale - 3414 Lanell Lane - 10/19/08 04:35 PM
(1 comments)

real estate: Smart Growth in Fondren, Jackson MS - 10/19/08 02:56 PM
Last week I attended an informative presentation about all the growth and renovation throughout the entire downtown Jackson area. I wanted to see for myself what the buzz was about.
There are currently 16 projects, large ones, in "the works", and several already in progress.
A few days later I took a walk through the Historic Fondren District and took the following photos along Duling Avenue.
 
   


 
 
 
 
These two photos depict the newly constructed Fondren Place, set to open in mid-November. The building will house BankPlus and have other office spaces, some retailers, and … (0 comments)

real estate: The Home Seller's Guide To Listing Your Home - 10/17/08 04:22 AM
Dear Sellers: This is a re-post of an article written by fellow Realtor Paul Kaplan. Paul shares 15 tips for homesellers, a timely message for today's market. Hope you enjoy reading this. If you are interested in selling your home in the Greater Jackson MS area, please give me a call.
 
Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., LLC
 
 

Home Seller's  Guide to Listing
15 Home Listing Tips
1. Pricing Your Home Right


Your agent can research comparable sales in your area and advise you
of the appropriate price range for your property.
2. Be Flexible on … (0 comments)

real estate: The Deadly Sins of Selling Your Home - 10/15/08 01:35 AM
The following is an excellent post written by Kristal Kraft and reprinted on my blog with permission. Kristal makes the point that in our current stagnant market where sellers are in direct competition with each other for buyers, it pays to give attention to the details when making your home show worthy and available. Please give as much information as possible, especially lot dimensions, school information, neighborhood assessments, etc.

Just back from the trenches after a few days of trying to find the perfect house for my buyers, I've got to speak my mind! We spend so much time trying … (1 comments)

real estate: Prevent the Embarrassment of Putting a Home on the Market that Isn’t Show Ready - 10/05/08 02:25 AM
The following article is a reprint written by Emma Vargas. If you are a seller, please consider taking the necessary steps to show your home in it's best light. Realtors, we need to step up to the plate on this topic. Enjoy!
 

This post was inspired by a recent house that I viewed during open house weekend.  The home was full of clutter, the rooms hadn't been properly picked-up and the house was just plain dirty.  When I politely recommended to the listing agent that he might want to consider giving his sellers an education on preparing the home … (1 comments)

real estate: Who's Scamming Your Listing? Find Out By Googling Your Own Listings. - 09/30/08 08:28 AM
This is the second time I have heard of this scenario, and the details are identical! Be aware that this has happened in Mississippi, so we should all be careful.
Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Associates

The Today Show for September 9th featured a Craigslist listing for a rental.  The price was well below what comparable neighborhood rentals would go for, and the photos showed a beautiful home, both inside and out.  The adress and photos are accurate.
The problem?  Although this home is listed with a Real Estate Brokerage, it is not for rent.  The photos were picked up off … (8 comments)

real estate: Go with what you know!!! Stocks? NO WAY! - 09/23/08 12:21 PM
The following article, compliments of Jimmy Cooper, expresses my sentiments and those I'm sure of many others across the country. I've invested in real estate since I was 17 years old (yes, true statement) and only recall one property that failed to return a profit. How many can make that statement about the stock market?
While the housing market may be soft, the stock market is extremely volatile. Buy real estate; it's a smarter investment.
Pat Starnes, Broker Associate
I want you to know what a University of Tennessee professor taught us long ago.  He preached "Go with what you know!"  Now … (0 comments)

real estate: Brandon, MS Home for Sale: 216 Tucker Drive - 09/18/08 09:53 AM
Home for Sale at 216 Tucker Drive 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Side Entry Garage Marketed by Pat Starnes and priced at $175,000
This property is located off Highway 18 in Towne Station, one of Brandon's Best Kept Secrets! Homes are situated on spacious lots and are in the Brandon School District. This home is value and amenities all wrapped up in one package. Features of the home are listed below, and the seller is willing to pay $2500 toward buyer's closing cost to expedite the sale. . All brick exterior with side entry double garage . Scored and stained concrete floors in … (0 comments)

real estate: Waterfront Living at Windward Bluff - 08/18/08 10:42 AM
 
Discover waterfront living on the Ross Barnett Reservoir! Windward Bluff features townhomes and carriage homes priced between $200,000-$300,000.  
The community is gated and features a clubhouse with exercise room, meeting room, and a pool overlooking the fantastic "big" water of the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Windward Bluff is located on the Rankin County side of the reservoir.
 Photos show the community better than words. Here are some of the properties available. Homes feature high ceilings, crown mouldings, private balconies, wrought iron fencing, fireplaces, and double garages.
 

Windward Bluff is located at the corner of Spillway Road and … (0 comments)

real estate: Filming for House Hunters - 07/18/08 09:32 AM
This is my first post! I want to share my experience in working on HGTV's House Hunters. While I can't give away any trade secrets. I can say the experience was fun and rewarding. Other agents were envious when they heard I was on national television, clients were impressed: "My agent is famous!", and I promoted the episode through the local media to maximize my exposure.
I wasn't selected for the show because I was the most successful Realtor in my area. I was given the opportunity because of my quality website and the internet presence I have in my marketplace. Yes, … (6 comments)

 
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell (Front Gate Real Estate)

Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Brandon, MS

More about me…

Front Gate Real Estate

Address: 6700 Old Canton Road, Suite C, Ridgeland, MS, 39157

Office: (601) 991-2900

Mobile: (601) 278-4513

Pat Starnes, Realtor in Brandon, MS, shares real estate news and other items of interest in and around Brandon, Flowood and the Reservoir area.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog