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DeLois Smith Adam Watkins Linda Seifert Debra Pace Scott Holmes Brenda Blackwell Wendy Gay Dennis Baum Elizabeth Liggett Josh Bellew Volume 17, Issue 1 / January 2015 4 Willow Bend Drive, Hattiesburg 509 S. Main Street, Petal 601.545.3900 1.800.DELOIS.S DeLoisSmith.com • GoAllStarTeam.com Andrew Bird Dana Quesenberry Antwain Ross Client Quotes “We were very satisfied with our experience. Debra was wonderful! We felt very involved & updated with Debra doing all of the work. We would definitely recommend your team!” -Justin & Felicia Cameron “The All Star Team provides service beyond compare. Who could ask for anything more? Adam Watkins is a superior problem solver, communicator, and all-around peerless realtor. He and Elizabeth were helpful, cheerful, and effective in our dealings! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!” -James Edward McInnis

The DeLois Smith All Star Team, Realtors Star Chat, January 2015

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Page 1: The DeLois Smith All Star Team, Realtors Star Chat, January 2015

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

Elizabeth Liggett Josh Bellew

Volume 17, Issue 1 / January 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

Client Quotes

“We were very satisfied with our experience. Debra was wonderful! We felt very involved & updated with Debra doing all of the work. We would definitely recommend your team!”

-Justin & Felicia Cameron

“The All Star Team provides service beyond compare. Who could ask for anything more? Adam Watkins is a superior problem solver, communicator, and all-around peerless realtor. He and Elizabeth were helpful, cheerful, and effective in our dealings! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!”

-James Edward McInnis

Page 2: The DeLois Smith All Star Team, Realtors Star Chat, January 2015

December 20, 1999. My first official day on the job with DeLois Smith. It was only days before the dawn of the new millennium and a lot of things were occurring in the days of the final December of the 20th century that God would use to chart the course for my life. Things that I had no idea were being set into motion. In addition to my first official day at work, Amelia and I had also begun dating for the first time only weeks prior (as you can imagine there’s a lot to that story as well, but I digress).

My 20th birthday had recently passed, and I was almost half way into my undergraduate degree at William Carey College (it wasn’t renamed a University until 2006). I was looking for business experience, and DeLois had need of someone who could “work on the computer.” Truth be told, I didn’t really have a lot of interest in “computer work,” but figured it was a starting place in as rich a learning environment for real estate and business in the area that could be found. I was accustomed to adapting to whatever job was needed, especially if I perceived the potential for growth was present. And so, I put on my “eager beaver” cap and set out on this new journey.I’ll never forget that day. It was a brisk and cloudy Monday morning when I arrived at 2009 Hardy Street where the office was then located. First item on the agenda was “staff meeting.” It wasn’t long into staff meeting that the sense of being overwhelmed set in.

For years I saved that first meeting agenda. In all of our moves over the years, somehow I’ve misplaced it, but if my memory serves me correctly, I believe we had a total of about 20 to 25 listings at the time. (Incidentally, we must now field between 100 to 150 depending on the season in order to maintain our current operating structure).

I was so concerned that I didn’t know all of the clients names and their associated houses, and I questioned if it was ever possible to learn it. It seemed to be so effortless for the remaining 4 people at the table.

Yes, I said 4 remaining. The “team” as it was loosely defined at the time was a bit smaller as you can imagine. There were only 3 full time members and the rest of us were part time. A few weeks later, the team would close the 1999 production year with a total of 119 sales and total value of $14,544,356.

A lot has changed in the 15 years that have passed since my first Monday morning as a member of The DeLois Smith All-Star Team, Inc., REALTORS. And as I look forward to 2015, I take the time to reflect on the past 15 years and be thankful for the blessing that God has provided to me and my family.

There has been a tremendous amount of satisfaction and fulfillment in serving you and our community over the last 15 years...and a tremendous amount of growth in our business, thanks in large part to the loyal trust of you, our friends, whom we serve. You see, 2014 was a record year for your real estate team! For the first time ever, we exceeded $70 Million in sales volume ($72,105,657 to be exact) and a total of 370 sales! We’re aiming to exceed these benchmarks once more in 2015!

So, in commemoration of 15 years, here’s a list of 15 stats, figures, and changes that I’ve witnessed or have been a part of since December 20, 1999:

And to think that this doesn’t even scratch the surface, considering I didn’t even mention (until now) jumping on the social media bandwagon when I set up a Facebook page in 2008! I am so thankful to a loving, gracious God who pours out blessings in every aspect of our lives; a God who has blessed me with the best life partner in Amelia with whom to experience and share in these blessings - both personally and professionally.

I’m also thankful to DeLois, my friend and mentor over the past 15 years who provided an opportunity for me to make my way in this business and all of the team members with whom I work along side of every day. It’s fun to break things down by numbers, but I don’t want to lose sight that embedded in each number and experience are people with whom our team and I have had the opportunity to meet over these years and have grown as a result of their influence - your influence. Thank you for being a part of our story; thank God for allowing us the honor of living this story and serving you. What will the next 15 years hold? Only He knows, and I’m glad to know that He wants the best for me. “All things work together for the good of those who love God: those that are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

May I be found guilty of loving Him and being called accordingly.

With gratitude,Adam

A wonderful look back By Adam Watkins

1. Roster of 5 team members in 1999; presently we have 20 team members.2. Welcomed and worked with over 75 different team members throughout

the 15 years.3. Attended over 750 Monday morning staff meetings!4. Moved our main office 3 times and added an office in Petal.5. Have been a part of 3,623 sales at a total value of $702,155,946!6. Went from using a bag phone in my vehicle to a Nokia handheld, then

Motorola flip, a Blackberry, and now an iPhone that’s connected to everything and everyone.

7. Transitioned from missed calls with no identification, to voicemail on my cellphone, to text message, to video messages.

8. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) accessible only from single terminal in the office to going web based and now on every mobile device imaginable.

9. Witnessed the rise and fall of the fax machine.10. Experienced the ramifications and changes of man and nature on the real

estate market: 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, housing bubble, and mortgage reform.

11. Went from signing contracts and offers by hand to using electronic signatures in more than half of my interactions.

12. Chased a wild hair and went back to graduate school and completed my M.B.A.

13. Gained some pounds, lost some pounds, gained them back, and lost them again.

14. Added to my collection of gray hairs. (The collection continues to grow, but at least I do have a collection of hair still - even if I lost the “shag” look. See photo. What was I thinking?)

15. Married my best friend and welcomed two daughters.

Page 3: The DeLois Smith All Star Team, Realtors Star Chat, January 2015

Current real estate market statisticsHattiesburg Area Single Family Median Sold Home Prices (January 01-December 31, 2014)

2013 2014

Hattiesburg $105,000 $113,500

Oak Grove $179,900 $186,000

Petal $137,250 $141,200

Hattiesburg Area Single Family Homes SOLD (January 01-December 31, 2014)

2013 2014

Hattiesburg 298 294

Oak Grove 464 472

Petal 212 212

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!

It’s important to me to be a good neighbor! Not only because I like to practice the “Golden Rule”, but it’s simply the way one should conduct themselves. It is also important to note that that Being A Good Neighbor is the way the DeLois Smith All Star Team “Rolls”. At least we try to always be a good neighbor to our 1000’s of satisfied clients and friends!

A good neighbor might be characterized as someone who’ll look after your home when you’re out of town by picking up your mail and watering your plants. You’d most likely reciprocate for anyone who’d be so generous toward you.

If you’re like most folks, you would consider yourself lucky if you were able to name one of your neighbors who would step up to that level of reciprocal service. Wouldn’t it be nice if more people on your street would be happy to make that offer?

The solution may just start with first being a better neighbor yourself. The following suggestions go a long way to improving your neighborhood and making new friends at the same time.1. Take the time, go out of your way to meet your neighbors and

exchange phone numbers and email addresses. Agree with each other that you’ll let them know if you see something strange going on at their home or in the neighborhood.

2. Slow down when driving through the neighborhood; it will make it safer and everyone will notice and appreciate your efforts. Such actions are contagious.

3. Control your dog; keep it on a leash and pick up after it. Please don’t let it bark too much. Dogs are a problem in my own neighborhood, and Lamar County in particular where homeowner’s love to let their dogs roam free. If you live in a subdivision without specific covenants regarding pets, this can be problematic. It’s often vexing, even if the neighborhood covenants exist!

4. Don’t park your vehicles in front of your neighbor’s home, and instruct your guests to do the same. However, if you are having a get together at your home, call your neighbor(s) explaining your situation, and all will be good. If you don’t know your neighbors, this will provide you an excellent opportunity to meet!

5. Notify your immediate neighbors when you’re having remodeling done, so that your contractors won’t create suspicion as to what’s going on at your house. Also, ask them to contact you if any damage is caused to their property.

6. Maintain your home and yard. Contribute positively to the beauty of your neighborhood.

7. Put your garbage out for collection on the correct day and bring the containers back in promptly.

It’s all about the Golden Rule and fairly obvious. Be friendly, don’t be noisy, offer a helping hand, and respect each other’s boundaries. You already have a sense of community, knowing you all share the same neighborhood. Let this underlying principal guide your behavior!

Being a Good Neighbor by Dennis Baum

Page 4: The DeLois Smith All Star Team, Realtors Star Chat, January 2015

Tour of HomesSunday, January 11, 2014, 1:30-4:30 PM

Bent Creek West 4BD/2.5BA - $219,900MOTIVATED SELLER SAYS ‘SELL’! 4BD 2.5 BA. YOUR 2015 OPPORTUNITY! Directions: Old Hwy 24 to Bent Creek entrance, left on Bent Creek Loop, right on Crystal Creek, left on

Cambrooke, left onto Cottage Park.

16 Cottage Park

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Canebrake 4BD/3.5BA - $435,000 EXQUISITE PROPERTY W/ EVERY IMAGINABLE

UPGRADE. IMPECCABLE DECOR THROUGHOUT. Directions: Hwy 98 West, take 2nd Canebrake Entrance, house on left.

61 Bienville Trace

Canebrake

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Willows of Trailwood 3BD/2BA - $199,500IMMACULATE, EXCELLENT DESIGN-AWARDED, 3 BD, 2 BA

W/OFFICE/SUNROOM. BIG BACK YARD TOO! Directions: Hwy 42 past Petal High School and Trailwood West entrance. Next right into

The Willows onto Redfern Tr, left onto Backwood Tr.

32 Backwoods Trail

Petal

1:30 to 2:00 pm

610 South 19th Avenue

Hattiesburg

1:30 to 2:00 pm

101 Sweet Bay Trail

Petal

2:30 to 3:00 pm

216 Morrell Circle

Oak Grove

4:00 to 4:30 pm

Hattiesburg 3BD/2BA - $129,900A+ LOCATION! CONDITION! PRICE! REVITALIZED

CHARMING 3/2 W/PICKET FENCE! Directions: Hardy Street to South 19th Avenue.

Trailwood 4BD/2.5BA - $295,000 MAGNIFICENT SOUTHERN COLONIAL, TOTALLY UPDATED AND MOVE-IN READY! 1.3 ACRE LEVEL LOT. Directions: Hwy 42 past Petal High School, right on Wildwood Trail, at first stop sign turn

left on Sweet Bay Trail, then right at next stop. House on right.

The Trace 5BD/3BA - $299,900BEST 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.

Dixie 4BD/2.5BA - $299,500ALMOST 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

3:00 to 3:30 pm

102 Sunline Drive

Petal

3:30 to 4:00 pm

161 Wildwood Trail

Petal

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Pecan Lakes 4BD/2BA - $210,650 LOADED WITH UPGRADED FEATURES! LARGE

KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM AREA WITH GRANITE SLAB COUNTERS Directions: Sunrise Rd to Pecan Lakes. left onto

Sunline Drive after passing over first lake.

Canebrake 5BD/4.5BA - $590,000 “WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO”, COME HOME TO THIS CLASSIC OLD WORLD 2014 MODEL! REALLY

EXCEPTIONAL HOME! Directions: Hwy 98 to Canebrake Golf Entrance, left on W. Canebrake Blvd., left on Marais Ridge, left on

Landing Way, left on Oak Landing.

6 Oak Landing

Canebrake

2:00 to 2:30 pm

201 Balboa Drive

Oak Grove

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Trailwood 5BD/3BA - $299,500 VALUE-PACKED, 3200 SQ. FT, 5 BD, 3 BA ON BIG

BEAUTIFUL ACRE + LOT - $299,500. COME HOME TODAY! Directions: Evelyn Gandy Parkway east past Petal High School. Right

into Trailwood. Home on left about 1 mile from entrance.

Lake Serene 4BD/3.5BA - $329,900UP-SCALE ONE-STORY - 3247 SQ. FT. PLUS 18’X20’ SHOP ON BIG ACRE SPREAD. READY NOW FOR YOUR

FAMILY! Directions: Hwy 98 West to West Lake Drive, turn left onto Balboa, follow

across lake.

Timber Ridge 3BD/2BA - $174,900 EASY USDA FINANCING! SPARKLING NEW 3BD, 2BA OPEN FLOOR PLAN! COME HOME TODAY! Directions: Old Hwy 11 to Timber Ridge subdivision. Left on Park Ridge, home

on the left.

5 Park Ridge

Oak Grove

4:00 to 4:30 pm

40 Troon Circle

Hattiesburg

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Timberton 3BD/2.5BA - $229,500ENCHANTING TIMBERTON WATERFRONT WITH THREE ELEVATED PORCHES FOR RESTING AND DREAMING! MOVE IN NEXT WEEK! Directions: Veterans Memorial Drive to Timberton Subdivision, follow Timberton Drive around curve, turn

left on Troon Circle.

Barton Park 3BD/2BA - $129,900BUILT BY CRAIG FLANAGAN. BRIGHT AND AIRY WITH NEW PAINT AND CARPET! LOTS OF EXTRAS Directions:

Hwy 98 to Jackson Road, cross over W 4th Street, turn right into Barton Park subdivision.

18 Hawthorne Drive

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Dixie

187 Balboa Drive

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Lake Serene 4BD/5BA - $629,000MASSIVE 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.

Canebrake 6BD/4.5BA - $689,500THE MOST COMFORTABLE & BEAUTIFUL, MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOME ON OUR MARKET. HEATED

WORKSHOP & 3-CAR GARAGE. Directions: Hwy 98 to main Canebrake entrance, right on Acadian Cr, right on Grand Bayou.

4 Grand Bayou

Canebrake

4:00 to 4:30 pm

18 Cottage Park

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Bent Creek West 3BD/2BA - $215,900THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOME FOR ITS PRICE!

MARVELOUS DECORATOR TOUCHES, GOURMET KITCHEN, IMPRESSIVELY FINISHED! Directions: Old Hwy

24 to Bent Creek entrance, left on Bent Creek Loop, right on Crystal Creek, left on Cambrooke, left onto Cottage Park.

25 Honors Lane

Hattiesburg

2:00 to 2:30 pm

The Village 3BD/2.5BA - $399,500CLASSIC COUNTRY FRENCH, 1.5 STORY BRICK DESIGN BY

STEPHEN MATHIS. SUPERB TASTE IN DECOR & CONSTRUC-TION QUALITY THROUGHOUT. Directions: Hwy 49 N to Classic

Drive, drive into The Village, turn left on Honors Lane.

Timberton 3BD/2.5BA - $209,500ONE STORY, TIMBERTON WATERFRONT W/ NEW CARPETING AND FRESH PAINT! Directions: Hwy 11 to

Timberton subdivision. Follow entrance around curve and through the first stop sign.

194 Timberton Drive

Hattiesburg

3:00 to 3:30 pm

123 Timberton Drive

Hattiesburg

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Timberton 4BD/3.5BA - $319,500TWO STORY, EXECUTIVE COLONIAL IN TIMBERTON WITH

PRIVACY FENCED BACK YARD & A BIG BEAUTIFUL IN-GROUND POOL! Directions: Hwy 11 to Timberton subdivision. Follow entrance

around curve and through the first stop sign.

9 Courtland Drive

Oak Grove

3:00 to 3:30 pm

The Trace 4BD/3BA - $269,000 SPARKLING NEW, STATELY, ONE-STORY COLONIAL

ON 2 LARGE LOTS! EXCELLENT DESIGN & UPSCALE DETAILS. Directions: Hwy 98 W to King Road, right onto Courtland.

Canebrake 4BD/3.5BA - $429,500DISTINCTIVE, SOUTHERN COLONIAL, TWO-STORY.

PERFECT FOR YOUNG, GROWING FAMILY. 4 BIG BED-ROOMS, 3/12 BATHS, PLUS BONUS ROOMS. Directions:

Hwy 98 to Canebrake Golf entrance. Turn left on W. Canebrake Blvd.

124 W. Canebrake Blvd.

Canebrake

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Serene Hills 3BD/2BA - $185,000CHARMING AND OPEN SPLIT PLAN, LOCATED ON A

BIG CORNER LOT. MOTIVATED SELLER. VACANT AND READY. Directions: Hwy 98 to King Road. Turn right into Serene Hills

subdivision.

201 Serene Hills

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

For more information on

these homes visit DeLoisSmith.com