DeLoisSmith
AdamWatkins
LindaSeifert
SharonRome
ScottHolmes
BrendaBlackwell
WendyGay
DennisBaum
ElizabethLiggett
JoshBellew
JenniferBeightol
Get your house ready for winter with these simple projects
Petal 3BD/2BA - $189,900IMMACULATE UPSCALE LIVING IN A LUXURIOUS HOME.
LARGE & OPEN GREAT ROOM/DINING/KITCHEN.
44 Cambrian RoadBelle Terre 3BD/2BA $177,900
WARM AND WELCOMING! GENEROUS KITCHEN CABINETRY AND BUILT-INS THROUGHOUT.
7 Rue BordeauxSandstone 4BD/2.5BA - $339,500
RESTFUL WILDLIFE SETTING IN BEAUTIFUL SANDSTONE. FINE QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP THROUGHOUT.
55 Windstone
Volume 14, Issue 8 / September 2012
www.deloishomes.com • 601.545.3900 • 1.800.DELOIS.S
AndrewBird
With winter just around the corner, fall is the time to get to those home maintenance chores that you put off all summer! The moderate temperatures of fall make it a good time to get chores done without sweltering in the summer’s heat.
Roof: Check for loose or missing shingles. If climb-ing a ladder is not for you, use binoculars to examine the roof. Don’t forget the garage roof. Repair any damage before winter. Clean gutters and downspouts. Be sure downspouts are free of debris and that water flows away from the foundation.
Heating System: Have your heating system cleaned and checked by a professional. Clean ducts and regis-ters. Change filter and have spares on hand.
Doors: Check weather stripping around exterior doors and replace as needed.
Safety First: Dark comes earlier in winter so check outside lighting and change bulbs where needed. Day-light Savings Time is the time to change the batteries in all the smoke alarms in the house.
Dear Friends,
Reflections…have often been the September theme for sharing my personal and team experiences through the years. I am reviewing the first two-thirds of 2012 and projecting the final months of this very significant election year and the lasting impact our political choices will have for us.
Just a few short years ago – late September ’97 - I shared with you the happy news that my three Dixie Elementary School grandchildren, Heather, Robert and Andrew Lewis had just made all A’s on their first report cards. Now, September 2012 – Heather graduated last December from MSU; Robert, Andrew and Sarah are beginning the school term with all three at MSU and Northeast Mississippi Community College. I am so pleased that each shows gratitude for the wonderful opportunities available to them to prepare for fulfilling careers through Mississippi higher education systems.
USM, William Carey, and our junior colleges add so much enrichment to our greater Hattiesburg area. Recently our team enjoyed a wonderful William Carey gala with Governor Phil Bryant as the guest speaker. In recent months, our team has had the pleasure of serving new faculty members from USM and William Carey coming from numerous states including New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Nevada, and Kentucky.
More new talent has just been added to our team. Jennifer Beightol has replaced Dana Quesenbury as Dana moved to be near her coast family. Jennifer brings extensive experience with client relations and paralegal services. She is serving buyers and sellers in document preparation and administration. The Columbia market will now be served by our team through Realtor Jerron Carney. Jerron has an accounting and business background as well as pastoral service at Woodlawn Church in Columbia. A very warm welcome to Jennifer and Jerron!
During Isaac our spirited team seized the opportunity to refocus our talent pool and to evaluate the 180 steps we have developed to get a seller’s property from listed-to-sold. An automated communication system whereby our clients may access their property file at any time is in the creation stages to be rolled out before the end of 2012. Out talented and experienced closing coordinator, Elizabeth Liggett, is leading us through this process.
Our Hattiesburg area residential market year-to-date has outperformed 2011 in number of units sold, but has underperformed 2011 on average price of units sold. Currently there is 7% less inventory; 802 units sold in 2011 versus 885 currently; average price of all sales closed -4% or $149,380 in 2011 and $143,912 in 2012. It is noteworthy that the average sale price in Petal is -10%; Oak Grove is -8%; Southwest Hattiesburg is -5%.
A significant difference in our team marketing VS the average sold price for our team is $186,302, or 22.8% higher than the local market average.
My reflections of the early autumn season could not close without noting that my dear Aunt Lois Tiner born September 2, 1908 just missed her 104th birthday celebration by passing a week earlier. As the oldest child/niece/grandchild in the family, I had the honor of being named for her. I loved her great optimistic spirit and enjoyed many of her Austin, Texas birthdays – especially from 90 – 100. How I will miss her as she was the very last of my parents’ generation who could share all those family treasured memories!
We have loved serving our 2012 buyers and sellers. The challenges have often been very difficult for you and us; we appreciate your efforts. So many of you have written lovely notes of appreciation. Those warm our hearts and encourage us – THANK YOU!
Gratefully serving as your Realtor,
DeLois and Team
Client Quote“Adam Watkins was a dream to work with - and
his wife Amelia was wonderful as well. Adam was honest and forthright about the state of the real estate market in our area and what we could reasonably expect with the sale of our home. At the same time, however, he was unafraid of creative solutions and motivated to address every challenge with a positive spirit and a “can-do” attitude”
- Dr. Linda Allen
Star Chat from DeLois
Star Chat is going digitalStarting in the October issue
of Star Chat, we will now offer the ability for you to receive our monthly newsletter in an email format. We will continue to print and mail the Star Chat to our wonderful clients, but if you would prefer to receive Star Chat in an electronic format please send us an email to [email protected]. You may also go to GoAllStarTeam.com and sign up for our e-newsletter version. We are very excited about all of the opportunities this will present in the future. Be sure to also check out the new features coming to GoAllStarTeam.com over the next few months!
Woodstone 5BD/3.5BA - $297,500DISTINCTIVE ENGLISH MANOR ON A BEAUTIFUL
SHADY CORNER LOT, CUSTOM BUILT, NUMEROUS SPECIAL DETAILS, RELAXING BACK PORCH AND
EXTRA SIDE REAR DECKING.
95 Woodstone Drive
Lake Serene 4BD/2BA - $205,900 TWO-ACRE LAKESIDE SPREAD WITH BOAT AND
FISHING ACCESS! APPLES, PEACHES, PEARS, FIGS AND BLUEBERRIES GROWING IN THE BACK YARD
ALONG WITH YOUR OWN VEGGIE GARDEN!
50 Dolphin Circle
Dandridge 3BD/2BA - $169,500 WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO CALL HOME!
PRIVATE SETTING W/ AWESOME DECK, WIDE OPEN GREAT ROOM W/ HARDWOOD FLOORING, WALK-IN
CLOSETS IN EACH BEDROOM. AND OFFICE.
17 Ranger Ridge
High Pointe 4BD/4.5BA - $369,500CUSTOM, EXECUTIVE BRICK HOME THAT IS EL-
EGANTLY APPOINTED FOR ENTERTAINING. 4 BR, 3.5 BA ON 1ST FLOOR WITH 2ND FLOOR BONUS AND
BATH. PREMIER LOCATION AND PROPERTY!
63 Brookline Drive
Chapel Hill 3BD/2BA - $186,500 NEW HGTV DESIGNER ‘’BLUE STORM’’ DECOR, ALL THE BEST FEATURES BY AAA HOMES INCLUDING FOAM INSULATED WALLS THAT SAVE “GREEN’’ IN UTILITY COSTS, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES.
20 Chapel Hill
Pecan Lakes 3BD/2BA - $199,900 FRENCH COUNTRY STYLE, ENVIRO FRIENDLY WITH
LOWER UTILITY COSTS, GRANITE COUTERS IN KITCHEN, CUSTOM CABINETRY, LUXURIOUS MASTER BATH WITH FULLY TILED SHOWER AND WHIRLPOOL.
152 Sunline Drive
Shadow Ridge 4BD/3.5BA - $311,900 BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND GREAT ENTERTAINING HOME, CUSTOM BUILT BY LARRY
JOHNSON ON GOLF COURSE, PRIVATE COURTYARD AND EXTERIOR STORAGE BUILDING/SHOP.
108 Wedgewood Trace
Kensington 4BD/3BA - $149,900 PERFECT MOTHER-IN LAW SUITE! TOP CONDITION
TRADITIONAL PLUS WELL DESIGNED, PRIVATE MOTHER-IN LAW SUITE, MOVE-IN READY.
100 Leeds Place
Canebrake 4BD/3.5BA - $439,500 WOW! BEAUTIFUL HOME WITH AMAZING UPGRADES
THROUGHOUT, 8’ DOORS ON THE 1ST FLOOR, HAND-SCRAPED BRAZILIAN CHERRY SOLID WOOD
FLOORING, BEAUTIFUL CHANDELIERS!
24 Pecan Acres
Canebrake 4BD/3BA - $229,500 CUSTOM BUILT ACADIAN COURTYARD GARDEN HOME, VERSATILE 3-WAY SPLIT FLOOR PLAN,
SITTING AREA IN THE MASTER AS WELL AS A SMALL SEPARATE OFFICE, HARDWOOD FLOORING.
38 Acadian Circle
Columbia 5BD/4.5BA - $549,500ONE OF COLUMBIA’S FINEST, CUSTOM FRENCH
COUNTRY HOME, OLD HEART PINE THROUGHOUT, 8’’ BASEBOARDS, 10’’ CROWN, ST. LOUIS BRICK
EXTERIOR, BRICK FLOORING IN KITCHEN
53 Sandalwood Drive
Canebrake 4BD/4.5BA - $479,500 ONE OF CANEBRAKE’S ‘’BEST CHOICE’’ NEW
PROPERTIES! CONVENIENT, UP-FRONT LOCATION, BIG PRIVATE HOMESITE, CIRCULAR DRIVE, ANTIQUE
PINE AND OLD CHARLESTON BRICK FLOORING.
119 Tidewater Road
Dixie and I Never Planned On Moving To Hattiesburg!As the newest member of the Delois Smith AllStar Team, my wife of
34 years and I were relatively happy living in Big D! However, with the introduction of Dawson, our first grandchild, into the “Family Mix”, our attitude towards Dallas and separation changed over time. When Dawson was born, we were naturally happy and excited for our son, David, and lovely Daughter-in-Law, Sarah. David works in IT for the Pearl River Electric Coop and Sarah is a dental hygienist for Dr. Guess in Hattiesburg.
We visited occasionally in Hattiesburg and they visited in Dallas. It was a long drive, but the arrangement was OK until Dawson was about 3 and we were able to keep him by ourselves in Hattiesburg while his folks went on vacation. At that point “things” for me changed! Dawson suddenly evolved from a tiresome “wa-wa” baby always wanting his momma and grandma to hold him, while at the same time not wanting much to do with me unless one of the afore mentioned was too busy go give “his royal highness” the attention he felt he deserved. Overnight he had developed an attitude and opinion about everything, and of which he wasn’t the least bit hesitant to share. Like magic, being around Dawson became a lot of fun!
On the long drive back to Dallas after that particular visit to Hattiesburg we made the decision. We were moving to Hattiesburg! We vacillated; but never for very long. We were sad at the prospect of moving away from our friends, but we stuck to our guns. Of course we would miss Dallas and the tremendous cultural opportunities, entertainment, restaurants, and shopping. Despite all of this and a successful 15 years in the real estate biz, city life had become tiresome. We wouldn’t miss the pollution, congestion, expense, and 24 hr intense traffic congestion that was with us constantly. Ugh!
I sold our house in 30 days for a great price. Obviously, I had a great Realtor; ME! In truth, we had a lovely home, impeccably maintained and updated. In short order we found a home to buy in Hattiesburg that we love. Located off Cameron Road in Greenwood Place on .8 acre with towering pines and beautiful landscaping, this home is 2300 sq ft with 1.5 stories, 4 bedrooms, and 2 baths. What is particularly exciting is that the
cost was 40% less than our somewhat comparable home in Dallas.
We have solitude, peace and quiet, the fresh smell of clean air, and only a fraction of the traffic compared to life in the big city. Oh yes, and did I mention hurricanes? We just got introduced to Mr. Isaac! Driving is so pleasant here that when I relate the local driving experience to my Dallas friends, I do so in terms of Chevy commercials in days gone by. Remember when those commercials featured a harried and frustrated driver stuck in traffic, dissolving into a bucolic driving scene of country roads with no traffic? The driver in those commercials is thoroughly enjoying himself as he tools along the roadway in peaceful contentment. I tell my friends that I’m living contentedly in that Chevy commercial! I expect they’re all jealous and wish I would quit reminding them of how cool it is to live in a small city enjoying a semi-rural environment. That’s how
life is in Oak Grove. It’s great to be alive, God is in his heaven, and all is right with the world! I think we’re gonna’ like it here.
Dennis’ World
www.deloishomes.com • 601.545.3900 • 1.800. DELOIS.S
My family and I enjoy camping, more specifically tent camping. Over the years we have worked to perfect
the process of enjoyably camping with 3 young children and a dog. This process has had its good moments and its not so good moments, but in the end has been a worthwhile journey.
Luckily we live in a great state that provides wonderful camping facilities inside of their state parks. We have made it a goal to visit all of the 25 state parks over the next few years. Each park has its own unique features that offer both educational and recreational activities. I’d like to share with you some of our favorites so far.Paul B. Johnson State Park
This wonderful park is just south of Hattiesburg off of Hwy 49. It includes a great fishing and skiing lake, campsites in the middle of large long-leaf and loblolly pines, and a great disc golf course. The
newest feature is the new splash pad, perfect for the kids to cool off during the day. If you are in the Hattiesburg area, this is great for testing out over-night camping without being too far away from home in case something goes horribly wrong.Roosevelt State Park
This park is our sons’ favorite. It is located in Morton, MS, a short drive from Jackson. Roosevelt offers great hiking trails for those that are new to the activity, a 160 acre fishing lake, and even an on-site hotel for those that do not prefer to rough it. Be sure to check out the lookout tower that offers gorgeous views of the Bienville National Forest. And just in case your son touches the hot end of the marshmallow roasting hanger, you are only 20 minutes to some of the states best medical centers (there’s a great story there, I promise).Tishomingo State Park
I promise, this park is in Mississippi. You will have a hard time believing it though once you
set foot onto this park that is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Tishomingo offers some of the best hiking trails in the state with the same timeless natural beauty that the Paleo and Chickasaw Indians enjoyed centuries ago. Be sure to take a day to drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway. You will come across many caverns, Indian Mounds, and refreshing creeks during your drive.
If you would like more information on these and the other parks offered around our great state, visit www.mdwfp.com. Maybe we’ll see you out there.
the josh chronicle
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