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

Elizabeth Liggett Josh Bellew Jennifer Beightol

Volume 15, Issue 4 / May 2013

4 Willow Bend Drive, Suite 2AHattiesburg, MS 39402

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

Andrew Bird

Over the past year that I have been with The All Star Team, I have been asked numerous times about the best way to search for homes using a mobile device. In today’s market, there are many different options for the home buyer looking for that perfect home, including mobile versions of agent’s websites and truly dedicated apps from national search companies. You can spend more time searching for a search tool than actually searching for a home. So after a year of trying out all of the options, I am ready to give my stamp of approval.

After experimenting with countless mobile websites and popular mobile apps on both Apple and Android devices, I have found myself always reverting back to the Realtor.com app. The Realtor.com app, in my opinion, was the easiest to navigate and worked consistently across all platforms. It also gives you the ability to communicate with your Buyer’s Agent in a convenient format. Here are several of the features that keep me going back to the Realtor.com app while searching for houses.

The most up to date home information. Realtor.com is linked directly with the Hattiesburg MLS, the listing service used by all Realtors in the Hattiesburg area. When we list a home, change a price, or update a status, Realtor.com receives this information in about 15 minutes and makes the appropriate changes. Other apps like Zillow and Trulia can take up to 2 or 3 days to update.

Location based home searches – This is one of my favorite features of the Realtor.com. It

can detect the general area you are in and show you homes that are within a certain radius. This is incredibly useful if you like to search for homes by driving in the areas you like. Sometimes you may not know there is an excellent neighborhood tucked away in the woods off the major highways, but now you will be able to scout out the area without wasting time.

Full screen photo slide show. The Realtor.com app offers a great way to view the home photos. Once you are looking at the listing, just touch the photo of the home and a full screen slide show pops up that allows you to easily swipe through the photos.

Open House list – We all like an open house. It’s a great way to quickly view a house you’re interested in, especially when you are just starting your search. Realtor.com gives the agents in our area the ability to list our Open Houses. Curious if there are any Open Houses while you’re searching? Just go to the app’s home screen and click Open Houses. If any are scheduled, you will see a list of addresses and times. (Be sure to check it out before our Tour Of Homes each month.)

Collabrative Search – One of the most useful features of the Realtor.com app is the ability to connect with our Buyer Agents while you are searching for a home. The app allows you to

sync your login with the agent you are working with. You can then easily let the agent know which houses you are interested in and request a showing of a specific house. Once connected, your agent will be able to recommend houses that you may be interested in, allowing you to easily view the home and let your agent know your thoughts. If you would like to connect with your agent on the Realtor.com app, just ask and they will email you an invitation to connect.

These are just a few of the many features that make this my “go-to” app when searching for homes. As always, if you ever have a question about searching for homes online, feel free to give me a call or, better yet, stop by the office and say hello.

- Josh Bellew, Marketing Director

Jerron Carney

Realtor.com app provides quality home search

Dear Friends,

This really is my 40th year to serve in the intense and ever-changing role as a Residential Realtor in the greater Hattiesburg Area. I have loved the opportunity to be closely connected with families of the area who were buying and selling their homes. Frequently, I have had the joy of working with first, second and even third generations and sometimes it has been the estate homes of friends that I have had close personal relationship for many years. Those are the sad times of reflecting on the brevity of life.

My passion for helping families buy or sell their homes is as intense as it was in August 1973 when I first convinced a young family that 910 Quinn Street should be their “home sweet home” at $16,500.00. Adam says, “Selling a family home to DeLois is like a dose of Vim and Vigor!”

In 1977, when we first opened Hattiesburg’s first franchised office, Hattiesburg Gallery of Homes, our very first clients were Dr. John and Cathy Dudley as they sold their first home on Prince George and purchased their current home in SW Hattiesburg.

My 40 years of local experience has taken me through two major recessions; no financing in the early 70’s except owner financing or FHA or VA Assumption; interest rates from 16-21% in the 80’s; a steady annual appreciation of 3% from 1990-2005; Katrina and recent tornadoes with a loss or severe damage to 560 local homes; and now New Hope!

“The most significant differences between 2012 and 2013 is in single word: Con-fidence – consumer confidence is at its highest level in almost five years. Consum-ers believe that real estate is a safe investment. They are also feeling a need to get in the market before it’s too late.” RIS Media Real Estate.

Market strategy, negotiating skills and trend spotting have never been more criti-cal to buyers and sellers than right now. If you have needed or wanted to make a move in the past five year, Now is the time! Here are some important facts for your consideration:

• Cheaper to Buy than rent – Today it is 44% cheaper to buy versus rent.• Mortgage Rates Moving Forward- The MBA projects 30 year mortgage

rates will be 4.3% by the end of the year.• Cumulative appreciation by 2017 – Locally I expect to be in the 15% range

over the next five years.• Move-up Buyer Savings – Currently a young family can move from a home

in the $150,000 range with higher rate financing to $200,000 without an increase in payment. In the $300,000 - $400,000 with a $100,000 increase in value, there is likely to be money left over!

Our team of cutting edge professionals has never been better equipped to help you move smoothly through the process of marketing your current home and help-ing you and your family get well positioned to meet your present and future home ownership needs.

In my 40 years of service to home buyers and sellers, I’ve not seen a better op-portunity! Call us to help you, your friends, or family move!

DeLois

Star Chat from DeLois

Client Quotes“This was a great experience for the both

of us. We really enjoyed working with Mrs. Debra Pace. She was extremely nice and was always there for us whenever we needed her. We definatelly recommend you guys to anyone! We are greatly thankful for you all! You are the BEST! We love working with you all!! “

- Kyle & Carley Gills

“Thought you all did an amazing job. I can’t thank you enough for all your help. ”

-Debbie Kennedy

Captain William H. Hardy was a pioneer lumberman and

civil engineer. He founded Hattiesburg, the “Hub City,” in

1882 and presented it as a gift to his wife. It was Hattie’s burg and

named in her honor.

“Adam, Debra, Elizabeth, DeLois, and Andrew were a pleasure to work with. Although the closing of our house presented problems, these individuals were always friendly, knowledgeable and inspired confidence in your team. We thank you and wish you well. “

- Jeff & Helen Barlow

Tour of HomesSunday, May 5, 2013 • 1-5 PM

49 St. Andrew’s

Timberton1:30 to 2:00 pm

Timberton 3BD/2BA - $229,500GORGEOUS HOME ON THE GOLF COURSE,

HARDWOOD FLOORING, LARGE DECKDirections: Turn into Timberton, take 1st left on St. Andrews,

home on the left.

49 Canebrake

Canebrake1:30 to 2:00 pm

Canebrake 5BD/3BA - $357,500ONE OF CANEBRAKE’S BEST ONE-STORY FLOOR PLANS, 4” PLANK FLOORING, SECOND MASTER,

OVER-SIZED CLOSETS.Directions: Hwy 98W, turn into Main entrance of Canebrake.

228 Pine Lane

Oak Grove1:30 to 2:00 pm

Forest Hills 3BD/2BA - $179,500 IMPRESSIVE HOME W/ DRAMATIC CEILING HEIGHTS,

SPACIOUS DINING ROOMDirections: Lincoln Road, turn onto Sandy Run Road, turn right onto

Yellow Pine, turn right onto Somerset, turn left onto Pine lane.

208 Beverly Lane

Southwest Hattiesburg2:00 to 2:30 pm

Southwest Hattiesburg 3BD/2BA - $129,900 FANTASTIC HOME CONVENIENT TO SOUTHERN MISS

AND FORREST GENERAL! LIVING/DINING COMBO WITH HARDWOOD FLOORING

Directions: Hardy Street, Turn south on S 34th, turn left onto Beverly Lane.

223 Lynnwood Drive

Southwest Hattiesburg2:30 to 3:00 pm

Southwest Hattiesburg 4BD/2.5BA - $210,000 GREAT HOME IN A DESIRABLE LOCATION. VAULTED

CEILINGS, FORMAL LIVING ROOM, LAMINATE FLOORING, GREAT STORAGE.

Directions: Lincoln Road, turn north onto Lynnwood Drive.

218 Buccaneer Drive

Lake Serene2:30 to 3:00 pm

Lake Serene 3BD/2.5BA - $199,500 LAKE SERENE RETREAT ON 3.5 ACRES, FLAGSTONE

AND CEDAR TRI-LEVEL LOADED WITH CHARM! Directions: Hwy 98 West to West Lake Serene, left on

Balboa past clubhouse, right on Buccaneer.

131 Wild Meadows

Canebrake2:30 to 3:00 pm

Canebrake 4BD/4.5BA - $625,000 EXQUISITE HAYES TOWNE TWO STORY, EXCLUSIVE

CANEBRAKE GOLF COMMUNITY. Directions: Turn into Canebrake Golf entrance, R on Bienville Trace, L

on W. Canebrake Blvd, L on Pecan Acres, R on Wild Meadows.

2600 Clayton Place

Southwest Hattiesburg3:00 to 3:30 pm

Southwest Hattiesburg 4BD/2BA - $144,900IMMACULATE, FORMAL PLANNED, ONE STORY BRICK

HOME, BIG COVERED PATIO & FENCED YARD.Directions: Hardy Street, Turn south on S 28th Ave., turn left onto Julienne Place, right on Longue Vue, then left on Clayton Place.

84 Fair Lake Drive

Hattiesburg Country Club3:30 to 4:00 pm

Hattiesburg Country Club 3BD/3.5BA - $275,000 TONS OF STORAGE! EXTENSIVE UPDATES,

SALTWATER POOL, GOURMET KITCHENDirections: Hwy 49N, LT of Classic Dr., RT on Pine Tree Dr., LT on Lake

Estates Dr, LT on Fair Lake Dr.

201 Balboa

Lake Serene3:30 to 4:00 pm

Lake Serene 4BD/3.5BA - $309,500UPSCALE ONE-STORY, GOURMET KITCHEN, LUXURY MASTER SUITE, PLUS A SEPARATE

WORKSHOP OR OFFICEDirections: Main Canebrake entrance. Right on Pecan Acres.Hwy 98, turn on West Lake Road, then right on Balboa Drive.

24 Pecan Acres

Canebrake3:30 to 4:00 pm

Canebrake 4BD/3.5BA - $399,500 UPSCALE FINISHING DETAILS, CRYSTAL AND

WROUGHT IRON CHANDELIERS, 4-WAY SPLIT PLAN WITH THREE MASTER BATHS

Directions: Main Canebrake entrance. Right on Pecan Acres.

32 Crowns Pointe

Oak Grove4:00 to 4:30 pm

Oak Grove 3BD/2BA - $137,900 THE PERFECT STARTER HOME! CONVENIENTLY

LOCATED, LOW MAINTENANCE TOO!Directions: HWY 98 W to Hegwood Road, Crowns Pointe S/D is

located off of Hegwood Road

18 South of Fields

Bellegrass4:00 to 5:00 pm

Bellegrass 4BD/2.5BA - $239,500 NEW CONSTRUCTION WITH DOWNSTAIRS MASTER

AND OFFICE, STAINLESS APPLIANCES, GRANITE Directions: Hwy 589 S, turn right into Bellgrass, follow to T, continue

right on Bellgrass Blvd, then turn left on S. of Fields.

17 Zachary Drive

Oak Grove4:30 to 5:00 pm

Audubon Hills 3BD/2BA - $227,500GREAT CURB APPEAL WITH THIS FANTASTIC SPLIT PLAN WITH FORMAL DINING & STUDY. HARDWOOD

FLOORING, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCESDirections: Take Joshua Drive off West 4th Ext., Turn right

onto Zachary.

1 Woodside

Oak Grove4:30 to 5:00 pm

Oak Grove 3BD/2BA - $197,500 WOW! GORGEOUS 3/2 PLUS OFFICE ON A CORNER LOT,

RANAI WATER HEATER, MANY UPGRADES!Directions: Hwy 98 to Cole Road. Turn left on Old Hwy 24.

Turn left into Clear Creek Subdivision. Turn right on Woodside.

9 Montclaire

Canebrake4:30 to 5:00 pm

Canebrake 4BD/4.5BA - $397,500 PREMIER CANEBRAKE GOLF HOME, PRIVATE SETTING, MANICURED LAWN, EXCELLENT 3-WAY SPLIT PLAN.Directions: Turn into Canebrake Golf entrance, LT onto W. Canebrake, LT on Marais Ridge, RT on Montclaire, LT on

Montclaire Court.

DeLoisSmith.com • GoAllStarTeam.com • 601.545.3900 • 1.800.DELOIS.S

Celebrating Linda!The team recently took a little time out of our busy schedules

to celebrate Linda Siefert’s Birthday. Fun was had by all!

In 2007 A $250K house would have been financed at 6.5% for 30 years resulting in a monthly principal and interest payment of $1580.

That same house might be bought today for 15% less (easily), or $212,500. Today’s 30 year interest rate would be 3.5% resulting in a monthly principal and interest payment of $954. That is savings of $626 or 40%/month!

CONSIDER THIS

2007 2013

$1580P&I at 6.5% for 30 years

$954P&I at 3.5% for 30 years