DeLois Smith Adam WatkinsLinda Seifert Debra Pace Scott HolmesBrenda Blackwell Wendy Gay Dennis Baum

Elizabeth Liggett Josh Bellew

Volume 17, Issue 4 / April 2015

4 Willow Bend Drive, Hattiesburg509 S. Main Street, Petal

601.545.3900 • 1.800.DELOIS.SDeLoisSmith.com • GoAllStarTeam.com

Andrew Bird

Dana Quesenberry Antwain Ross

My name is Elizabeth Liggett, and I have had the pleasure of being the Closing Coordinator for The DeLois Smith All Star Team for over four years. If you have purchased or sold a home in the past four years, you have probably received multiple emails and calls from me during your transaction. Most of you who have come into the office have also probably received hugs from me.

Several years ago, I made the decision to return to school. This year I will receive my B.S. in Religion-Biblical and Theological Studies from Liberty University – Training Champions for Christ since 1971. I have also applied to the Master’s Program in Theological Studies with an emphasis in theology and hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Theology & Apologetics. I have made these decisions knowing I have a calling in my life for mission work and am relying on the Lord to tell me when and where.

I have three English bulldogs, Bonnie, Clyde, and Bear, that came from the Love At First Sight adoption center run by Lorraine Stevens. She invited me to join the Mayfield Mission Team of Baptist Medical & Dental Mission International (BMDMI) on a mission trip to Honduras this July. BMDMI is much more than a medical mission service. It is a ministry “that exists under the Lordship of Jesus Christ

“Therefore Go and Make Disciples of All Nations” Matthew 28:19

to evangelize the lost, disciple the saved, and minister to the needs of the poor.” The Mayfield Mission Team from Animal Medical Center plans to do just that.

I am responsible for raising the funds for my trip. Danny Anderson, Sales Executive at Mack Grubbs Hyundai, has graciously offered to contribute to my trip with each car sold, and the Mack Grubbs Hyundai dealership will do the same for any buyer that mentions this article. I hope to raise sufficient funds to make the trip this July, but Dr. John Mayfield Jr., leader of the Mayfield Mission Team, says never to worry about funding. He says that the Lord will always find a way.

I do not know what the Lord has in store for me and my future. I do know that my education has been rich with His Word and has opened my heart to obedience of His will for my life. I do not think we all fully understand our journey, but everything that happens in our lives prepares us for something that will give glory to God.

Thank you all so very much for being an important part of my journey. I am so grateful to know each of you and to be of service during your real estate transactions. Feel free to stop by for a hug at any time.

Blessings and peace to all! Elizabeth

Ame Karoly

Belated Easter Greetings!“The beauty in nature is God’s greeting card to us!” This

is a quote I used four years ago to reflect the reassurance and joy I felt during this season. A blessed Easter has just passed with the refocusing of our hope in the risen Saviour! Over the past few days, I have also reflected and celebrated the lives of some very dear people in my own life – Bill Oliver, an entire-lifetime friend from Hot Springs, AR; Bernice Linton, a several decades-long community co-worker; and Debbie Sinopoli, a very dear colleague for over twenty years. They were each dedicated to making a difference in the lives of many. Their memorials truly made a lasting impression on those of us who were touched by their lives.

I wouldn’t have been able to make it to the memorial in Hot Springs without the new Hattiesburg based business, Southern Star Aviation and the talented pilot Charles Gauotte. They made the normally 10-hour trip to Hot Springs a possibility for me since I only had one single day I could be away from my business and responsibilities. If any of you have a need to travel a distance of 400-500 miles on a tight schedule, then you will find Southern Star Aviation to be a delightful and accommodating service. Please consider supporting this new Hattiesburg area business the next time you make travel plans.

The 2015 First Quarter has brought several notable changes in local and national residential real estate.

I. Encouraging Energy Efficiency has long been the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy.

a. New Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards have increased from 13 to 14. There is a grace period of 18 months for SEER 13, as long as the supply lasts for the south (including Mississippi). Of course the replacement cost will be greater, but there will be a substantial cost savings. Check now with your local electric service to determine rebates available.

b. A Second big change involves hot water heater replacements. Effective April 16, 2015, the DOE will require high energy factor ratings. This rule will affect homeowners needing a water heater replacement. It could be minor or rather major if the larger unit requires structural modification.

II. Home Warranties – a Beneficial Asset among Homeowners, Especially New Homeowners: Locally, I recommend First American Home Warranty because of the wonderful service they provide for the Hattiesburg area. Go online to https://homewarranty.firstam.com/ to check out this service, even if you have owned your present home for many years.

III. The New Hot Housing Market – Vacation Homes: As vacation homes soared to comprise 21% of all transactions in 2014, investment property has declined for four consecutive years. This is a national trend, but the local market shows a reduction in investment property with the reduction of foreclosure inventory. The average vacation home buyer last year has a household income of $94,380, and property was a median distance of 200 miles away from the primary residence.

IV. Home Sizes Trending Down: Economists and housing experts attribute this contraction to the return of the first time buyers. Locally, however, I see the “trend downward” very often in the 50+ home buyer. Additionally, many of our current clients are more cautious and practical. They consider mortgage payments, utility bills, and job stability. This is also an interest in the so-called tiny homes or properties that range from 100 to 400 square feet. The tiny house movement is picking up steam nationally with a cable television series called Tiny House Nation that spotlights these homes and the people who live in them. V. Youth of the Nation: The 13 million young adults (YAs) currently 18-34, often referred to as Millennials, comprise the largest and most diverse population in the last three decades. The percentage of YAs today who are foreign-born has more than doubled since 1980 (15% versus 6%), with many speaking a language other than English at home. Twenty-two percent of YAs have college degrees, and only three in ten have ever been married. The median age of millennial home buyers is 29 with a median income of $76,900, and they typically buy 1,720 square foot homes costing on average $189,900.

VI. Team Production increased in the number of units closed during the first quarter from 70 in 2014 to 76 in 2015. Average closed sale price is down from $194,880 in 2014 to $183,734 in 2015.

Rates are still very favorable, and quality inventory is available! Interest rates at closing are usually 3.5% -4%, depending on several factors. Mortgage rates and terms are very favorable. NOW TRULY IS THE TIME TO PURCHASE!!!

Thank you “again and again” for your continued support as we endeavor to create extra value for the wonderful clients we serve!

Happy Spring!

DeLois & Team

Star Chat with DeLois

Current real estate market statisticsHattiesburg Area Single Family Median Sold Home Prices (January 1-April 7)

2014 2015

Hattiesburg $115,500 $110,000

Oak Grove $181,000 $203,600

Petal $134,300 $129,600

Hattiesburg Area Single Family Homes SOLD (January 1-April 7)

2014 2015

Hattiesburg 46 59

Oak Grove 87 84

Petal 52 60

Call us at 601-545-3900 for your no obligation home price consultation.

Looking for a new home? Visit DeLoisSmith.com to view all of the latest listings!

Tour of Homes Sunday, April 12, 2015, 1:30-5 PM

Castle Manor 4BD/2.5BA - $275,000WELCOME TO THIS HIDDEN GEM OF A STREET WHERE

NEIGHBORS ARE FAMILY! SPRAWLING MAIN HOUSE PLUS COMPLETE APARTMENT. Directions: Hwy 42 to

Dogwood. Take Oak @ end of Dogwood. House on left.

107 Oak Drive

Petal

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Longleaf Acres 4BD/3.5BA - $349,000BREATHTAKING WATERFRONT LOT IN LONGLEAF ACRES! VERSATILE HOME W/ MOTHER-IN-LAW

QUARTERS. Directions: Hwy 11 north to Eastabuchie Road. Turn right on Longleaf Drive, follow around lake.

406 Longleaf Drive

Petal

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Tanglewood 3BD/2BA - $154,500IMMACULETLY KEPT, ONE-OWNER HOME WITH NU-MEROUS IMPROVEMENTS. FRESHLY PAINTED INTE-RIOR, 1ST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY INCLUDED!

Directions: From Lincoln Road, turn north onto Lynnwood Circle.

225 Lynnwood Circle

Hattiesburg

1:30 to 2:00 pm

4 Crowns Pointe

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

42 Woodlands Trace

Oak Grove

4:30 to 5:00 pm

Crowns Pointe 3BD/2BA - $139,900100% USDA FINANCING FOR THIS PERFECTLY LO-

CATED, OAK GROVE STARTER HOME NEIGHBORHOOD. SPARKLING NEW, READY-TO-MOVE-IN. Directions: Hwy

98 West Hegwood Drive, go through 4-way stop, turn into Crowns Pointe on the left.

Woodlands South 4BD/3BA - $398,500COUNTRY FRENCH, CUSTOM BUILT HOME ON

SPRAWLING 1.59 ACRE, CORNER LOT. CLASSIC OLD WORLD MOLDINGS, DOORS, CABINETRY, & LIGHTING.

Directions: Hwy 98, south on Cole Road, right into Woodlands South.

Outlying NE 3BD/2.5BA - $109,500SO MUCH ROOM BOTH INSIDE & OUT! A SUNROOM

PLUS GAME ROOM THAT COULD BE A 4TH BEDROOM. A SHOP IS UNDER ROOF BESIDE THE 2-CAR GARAGE.

Directions: Off I-59 @ Exit 69. At EGP take left back across I-59. Take Eatonville Rd. Homes is 1st on right past school.

716 Eatonville Road

2:00 to 2:30 pm

216 Morrell Circle

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

103 Crystal Creek

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

The Trace 5BD/3BA - $289,999BEST FIND AROUND! IMMACULATELY KEPT WITH

NEW CARPET. FANTASTIC FLOOR PLAN W/ STORAGE GALORE, LARGE CORNER LOT, LARGE DECK.

Directions: King Rd to Courtland Dr., RT on Auburn Pl, LT on Waverly, RT on Collinwood, LT on Morrell.

Dandridge 4BD/2.5BA - $198,975OUTSTANDING FLOOR PLAN & DESIGN IN THIS

ONE-OWNER, DANDRIDGE PROPERTY. HARDWOOD FLOORING THROUGHOUT, NUMEROUS CLOSETS.

Directions: Hwy 589 S to Dandridge subdivision. right on Travertine Dr., left on Pine Meadow Loop.

14 Pine Meadow Loop

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

100 S. 22nd Ave.

Hattiesburg

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Bent Creek 4BD/4BA - $349,900 WELCOME TO THE BEST QUALITY BUILT HOME WITH

THE FINEST FLOOR PLAN IN THIS PRICE RANGE. Directions: Hwy 24 to Bent Creek, right on Bent Creek, right on Crystal

Creek, home on the left.

SE Hattiesburg 3BD/2BA - $169,500 WELCOME HOME TO THIS 1910 WHITE STUCCO

CASTLE! SO MANY LOVELY WINDOWS, SIDE COURTYARD, HARD SURFACED FLOORING! Directions:

Hardy Street, turn right onto S. 22nd Avenue.

Dixie 4BD/2.5BA - $284,900ALMOST 8 ACRE SPREAD ON ELKS LAKE ROAD!

MOVE-IN READY WITH FRESH PAINT. Directions: Take Elks Lake Road from Hwy 49 South @ Beverly

Drive-In. 2nd house on left after bridge.

38 Elks Lake Road

Dixie

3:00 to 4:00 pm

832 River Road

Hattiesburg

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Outlying NE 3BD/2BA - $176,000 PICTURE PERFECT SETTING WITH PONDS AT EVERY ANGLE.

5 BEAUTIFUL ACRES WITH A LARGE POND, BACK YARD MANICURED TO PERFECTION. Directions: Hwy 49, right @ Peps

Point Rd., right @ River Rd. Home on left across from Mack’s.

Audubon Hills 4BD/2 BA - $218,900ONE-STORY BRICK HOME W/ SPLIT PLAN & STORAGE

GALORE! 5 WALK-IN CLOSETS PLUS NUMEROUS BUILT-INS. GAS COOKTOP, BIG LEVEL PLAY YARD, 1ST AMERICAN

HOME WARRANTY INCLUDED! Directions: W 4th Street to Madison Place.

149 Madison Place

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Glendale

1100 Crestwood Drive

Hattiesburg

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Woodhaven 3BD/2BA - $195,000IT’S ALL ABOUT SPACE! SPRAWLING COLONIAL WITH WRAP-

AROUND PORCH, LARGE MASTER SUITE W/ ATTACHED OFFICE. Directions: Richburg Rd. to Nellwood. Home on corner of

Nellwood and Crestwood.

Pecan Lakes 4BD/2BA - $210,650LOCATED ON A QUIET CUL-DE-SAC IN PECAN LAKES,

THIS HOME IS LOADED W/ NEW FEATURES AND ENLARGED BEDROOMS. Directions: Sunrise Road to Pecan

Lakes, left onto Sunline Drive after passing over first lake.

102 Sunline Drive

Petal

3:30 to 4:00 pm

10 Lafite Cove

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Villages of Oak Grove 4BD/2BA - $193,900SPARKLING NEW HOME AT THE VILLAGES! USDA

FINANCING AVAILABLE. FAMILY FRIENDLY FLOOR PLAN WITH A 2ND LEVEL BONUS ROOM. QUIET CUL-DE-SAC

LOCATION. Directions: Old Hwy 24, turn onto Leaf Lane, turn into The Villages of Oak Grove.

Canebrake 4BD/3.5BA - $399,500AMAZING VALUE OFFERED IN THIS HIGH QUALITY

PECAN ACRES GARDEN HOME. VERY UPSCALE LIGHTING, 8’ DOORS, HAND SCRAPED BRAZILLIAN

CHERRY SOLID WOOD FLOORING. Directions: Hwy 98, turn into main Canebrake entrance, follow Canebrake Blvd around lake, turn

right on Pecan Acres.

24 Pecan Acres

Canebrake

2:30 to 3:00 pm

19 Parker Ridge

Petal

3:30 to 4:00 pm

North Fork 4BD/3BA - $259,500LOVINGLY MAINTAINED, SPACIOUS, 1.5 STORY HOME WITH VERSATILE AND VALUE-PACKED FLOOR PLAN. HANDSOME KITCHEN W/ GRANITE SLAB COUNTERS.Directions: Eastabuchie Road to North Fork. Parker Ridge is 1st road

on the left.

11 Clipper Drive

Oak Grove

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Rolling Hills 3BD/2BA - $255,000WHAT A FIND! BEAUTIFUL ACADIAN ON 2 ACRES AND A QUIET LAKE. WORKSHOP & STORAGE OFF GARAGE, LOTS OF PRIVACY. Directions: Hwy 98 to Barracude. Home on

corner of Barracuda and Clipper.

Hattiesburg 3BD/2BA - $124,900TOTALLY RENOVATED HOME CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO USM W/ BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF CHURCH & CAMPUS ACROSS THE STREET. CHARMING HOME, LARGE LOT.Directions: Hardy to North 24th Avenue. Home across from church.

111 N. 24th Ave.

Hattiesburg

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Lake Serene 4BD/5BA - $595,000MASSIVE AND PALATIAL, TWO-STORY COLONIAL WITH

PRIVATE IN-GROUND POOL - 6234 SQ. FT. ON 1.6 ACRE LOT AND 3 CAR GARAGE. Directions: Hwy 98 West to

West Lake Road, turn right on Balboa and cross over the lake.

187 Balboa Drive

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

For more information and photos of these homes visit DeLoisSmith.com/Tour-of-Homes

36 Melissa Loop

Petal

4:30 to 5:00 pm

Clayton Place 3BD/2BA - $155,000OWNERS SAY THEY FEEL SO MUCH PRIVACY ON

THIS CUL-DE-SAC STREET WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE FRIENDS! Directions: Take EGP to Hwy 42 past Petal High, left on

Twin Lakes, right on Melissa Loop.

Shadow Ridge 4BD/2.5BA - $269,900PRIME, GOLF COURSE PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE

11TH GREEN. SKILLFULLY CONSTRUCTED, ONE-STORY SPLIT PLAN. BRICK FLOORED KITCHEN.

Directions: Hwy 98 to Jackson Road, turn into Shadow Ridge, turn right onto Wedgewood Trace.

113 Wedgewood Trace

Oak Grove

4:30 to 5:00 pm

1716 Adeline St.

Hattiesburg

4:30 to 5:00 pm

Forrest Park 2BD/1BA - $64,900CHARMING RAISED COTTAGE W/ 480 SQ. FT. STUDIO PLUS COVERED PORCH AREA. FENCED BACK YARD.Directions: Hardy Street to S. 16th Ave., turn right on Adeline St.