04.25.12
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate buyers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Just because you can buy a Madison MS home for sale does not always mean that you should. It’s important for you to consider if it is better for you to own or rent a home.
Here are five reasons you might want to rent:
- You may be moving within five years. It usually takes five years to break even on your home purchase or investment.
- You don’t want the responsibilities associated with being a homeowner. It can be expensive and time consuming to maintain a home.
- You have a bad credit report. If your score is below 620, you will not get a good interest rate.
- You have a high debt ratio. A high debt ratio means you may not qualify for a loan.
- You have job instability. If your job is not secure, it’s not a good idea to buy.
Here are four reasons you might want to buy:
- You want to build equity. The longer you own your home the more equity it will build. When you pay rent, that money goes down the drain.
- You get a tax break when you deduct mortgage interest.
- You want the emotional satisfaction of owning your own Madison MS home for sale.
- It’s an investment. With low interest rates and home prices, buying investment property is a wise decision.
If you are ready to buy one of the Madison MS homes for sale or purchase investment property, call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate buyers
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04.23.12
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Tips for Madison MS Home Buyers, Tips for Madison MS Home Sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
When considering whether you should purchase a new Madison MS home, you want to take into consideration the five-year rule. That’s the minimum number of years many experts believe you need to own a home in order to break even on it when you sell it. Some experts are now suggesting seven years, but in this article I’ll be talking about the five-year rule.
What happens if you own your Madison MS home for less than five years? Often, you’ll lose money because:
- You pay thousands of dollars in closing costs each time you buy property. That money does not build equity or increase the value of your home in any way.
- In the first five years of your home loan, a much higher percentage of your monthly mortgage payment goes toward interest than toward paying down the principal of the loan balance.
How do you beat the five-year rule?
- Purchase a property you intend to fix up and rent it out at a rate equal to or higher than the mortgage payment.
- Buy towards the lower end of what you can afford, and make extra payments to pay down the principal.
Why own for five years minimum?
- After five years, due to the structure of amortized mortgages, the cost of owning a home equates to the cost of renting.
- The five-year mark is where you typically start to build equity in your Madison MS home.
- Rental prices continue to rise; eventually your mortgage payment could be less than a rent payment.
If you’re interested in learning more about home ownership, call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Tips for Madison MS Home Buyers,
Tips for Madison MS Home Sellers
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04.20.12
Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged tips for brandon ms homeowners at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Is there anything more enchanting than having hummingbirds visit your Brandon MS real estate? These tiny creatures are the size of a large bug. Their lightning speed, amazing hovering abilities and threadlike tongues are a marvel to behold.
Here are some ways to make your Brandon MS real estate attractive to hummingbirds:
- Hang hummingbird feeders. This is the quickest method.
- Make it sweet. Fill your feeder with a simple solution made of one part white sugar to four parts water.
- Don’t use honey. Solutions made with honey will ferment and can kill hummingbirds.
- Keep it clean. Rinse the feeder before every refilling, and wash it periodically. Be sure to rinse the soap out very thoroughly. Once a month, disinfect with hydrogen peroxide and rinse thoroughly before refilling.
- Don’t forget Fluffy. If you have a cat, make sure to place your feeder where she can’t access it or its visitors.
- Plant flowers that attract hummers. If you think you might not be able to maintain feeders and keep them clean, flowers are an excellent choice. Hummingbirds’ favorites include butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), salvia, delphiniums, foxglove, and four o’clocks (Mirabilis), but there are many more. The beauty of planting flowers for hummingbirds is, well, the beauty of flowers! You get to enjoy them, and you’ll be creating habitat for butterflies and other pollinators too. Hummingbirds will benefit from better nutrition provided by nectar. It’s a natural.
Once you attract hummingbirds to your Brandon MS real estate, go out and enjoy them. Hummingbirds are attracted to red. Try wearing a red shirt or a red cap and go outside. You’ll be the main attraction for a few magical moments when they hover in front of you to investigate.
I have lots of tips for making your Brandon MS real estate attractive—to buyers too! Contact me at 601-942-3392 or Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com whether you’re selling or buying.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
tips for brandon ms homeowners
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04.18.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged hiring Ridgeland MS real estate agents at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
You’ve probably heard the terms real estate agent, broker, REALTOR®, listing agent and buyer’s agent. But do you know what they mean and the differences between them?
Here are the definitions of terms you may encounter on your Ridgeland MS real estate agent search:
- Real estate agent: Agents are licensed sales people. They are not real estate brokers. In fact, they must work for an employing broker and cannot work independently. An agent works under the broker’s guidance and legal protection. Real estate agents are required to undergo education pertaining to real estate law and ethics.
- Real estate broker: A real estate broker has more education than an agent, they can work independently, and they can hire other real estate agents. While many of the responsibilities of an agent and a broker are interchangeable when it comes to customers, the role and qualifications for each are incredibly different. Typically, a broker is more of a manager for a real estate company. Brokers have to undergo more extensive education than agents in relation to business management.
- REALTOR®: Not all agents are REALTORS®. A real estate agent becomes a REALTOR® when he or she joins the National Association of REALTORS®. The term “REALTOR®” is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and abides by its strict Code of Ethics.
- Listing agent: They are also known as seller’s agents because they represent the seller. A listing agent can be a real estate broker, a real estate agent and/or a REALTOR®
- Buyer’s agent: Buyer’s agents represent the buyer. They can be a real estate broker, a real estate agent, and/or a REALTOR®
Basically you want to find out which side the Ridgeland MS real estate agent you are talking to is on — the buyer’s or the seller’s. Then you will understand where their loyalty lies. You always want someone on your side that will look out for your best interests.
If you’re looking for a Ridgeland MS real estate agent to help you buy or sell a home, please contact me. I’d love to be considered for the job. You can reach me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
hiring Ridgeland MS real estate agents
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04.16.12
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged hiring madison ms real estate agents at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Whether you’ve decided to purchase a new home or list yours for sale, you’ll need to hire an experienced Madison MS real estate agent. Selling and buying homes can be stressful, so you need to be able to trust and rely on your Madison MS real estate agent to do what’s in your best interest, even if they’re acting as a dual agent.
While ‘dual agent’ might be a confusing term, it’s quite simple — the real estate agent is working for both the buyer and the seller of the home. As both parties will have a lot at stake, this could be perceived as a conflict of interest. Below we’ve outlined some of a dual agent’s obligations.
- An agent should disclose dual agency – As soon as a real estate agent realizes that a buyer is seriously interested in a property on which they have a signed contract, they should immediately be honest with both parties about the possibility of dual agency.
- Dual agents should represent both parties fairly – real estate agents are ethically obligated to treat both the buyer and the seller equally should a dual agency occur.
- Duel agents cannot disclose personal information – A dual agent cannot tell the other party about any personal issues associated with the selling or buying of the house, such as a divorce or financial distress. This is important because one party should not have the upper hand during negotiations.
If two Realtors within the same agency represent the buyer and seller, the transaction is still considered a dual agency.
It’s completely normal to be a little wary of a dual agency when it comes to selling or purchasing a home with a Madison MS real estate agent. However, it is fairly common, and as long as all parties are treated equally, it usually works out quite well.
If you’re getting ready to sell your home or purchase a new one and have questions about working with a dual agent, please call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com for more information.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
hiring madison ms real estate agents
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04.13.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Real Estate tagged tips for ridgeland ms home buyers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Mobile devices have joined desktop computers in helping us search for Ridgeland MS real estate. Below are the top apps for your Android, iPhone or iPad:
- Trulia Real Estate for iPads. Designed specifically for iPad, Trulia HD makes finding your next home easy and fun. Search for Ridgeland MS real estate for sale or rent with full-screen interactive maps, neighborhood-specific details, high-resolution photos, and more.
- Zillow Real Estate. Find home values, Rent Zestimates, homes for sale, homes for rent and more as you walk or drive through neighborhoods using the Zillow iPhone App or Zillow Android app featuring built-in GPS technology, plus a mortgage calculator.
- Realtor.com. It is possible to find your dream home without surprises and heartbreak. Trust the official REALTOR.com® app for your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch – the most accurate and most up-to-date real estate mobile search experience.
- Real Estate Genie SP. Did you ever wish you had your own Genie to assist you in your real estate decisions? This app from Apple contains a financial calculator designed for real estate; extensive loan amortization, mortgage payment and refinance tools; and balloon payment and capital gain analysis for selling property.
If you prefer to have a professional do the searching for your Ridgeland MS real estate (or at least help with the searches), give me a call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
tips for ridgeland ms home buyers
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04.11.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Homes for Sale tagged lawn tips for ridgeland ms homes, tips for ridgleland ms homeowners at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
April begins gardening season, the time we get physically antsy to start working the soil, thinking about fertilizing the lawn, and planting flowers in our Ridgeland MS home.
Whether you’re preparing your Ridgeland MS home to put it up for sale or just doing general maintenance and upkeep, here is your to-do list:
Annuals and Containers (before the last frost):
- Deadhead flowers to promote more blooms.
- Clean and sanitize summer containers, and plan your design for the summer.
- Plant summer annuals after the last frost. Bring them indoors or cover with a cloth during a late cold snap.
- Start seeds indoors for annual herbs.
- Plant annual herbs such as basil and cilantro after the last frost.
Lawn (before the last frost):
- Raking should be your first task of spring lawn care. This removes dead grass, leaves and thatch.
- Lightly fertilize cool season lawn grasses such as fescue and bluegrass.
- Begin post-emergent weed control. Get rid of weeds as they sprout. Tupersan will not damage germinating grass seed.
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds. These address weeds before the fact.
- Top-dress lawns and patch bare spots. Use compost or an organic mix.
- Resume warm-weather watering schedule once grass begins growing.
- Aerate and de-thatch only if necessary, otherwise do this in the fall.
- Fertilize and plant warm season grasses such as St. Augustine and Bermuda.
- Re-seed grassy areas that winter may have killed off.
Cleanup and Maintenance:
- Clean water features and lawn ornaments.
- Clean out, inspect, and repair bird houses for spring nesting season.
- Put out plenty of fresh food for migrating birds.
- Take care of any drainage problems.
- Give your yard a good spring cleaning to eliminate hiding places for insects and critters.
- Inspect irrigation systems once freezing weather has passed.
- Test soil to determine what nutrients are needed.
- Remove debris from drainage ditches, gutters, and planting beds. Use a rake and lawn bags.
- Get all your lawn tools ready to use. Oil, sharpen and tune-up your lawn tools. Don’t forget to tune-up your lawnmower and sharpen the blades for mowing season.
- Repot houseplants if needed.
Perennials and Bulbs:
- Cut back dead foliage on perennials and ornamental grasses. Be careful not to cut new growth.
- Plant perennials. Color always brightens up the outside of your Ridgeland MS home.
- Gradually remove winter mulch when plants begin to grow.
- Fertilize spring-blooming bulbs after blooming.
- Pot indoors any tender bulbs to give them a head start.
- Plant perennial herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender.
If you’re thinking of selling your home this year, spring the perfect time to get started. Give me a call today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com for more information.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
lawn tips for ridgeland ms homes,
tips for ridgleland ms homeowners
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04.09.12
Posted in Madison MS Homes for Sale tagged Madison MS real estate sellers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
There are many ominous superstitions associated with Friday the 13th. From black cats to broken mirrors, bad luck can stem from almost anywhere and many sellers like to blame it for their Madison MS home sitting on the market for too many months.
Without casting a single spell, you can banish bad luck this month and sell your Madison MS home fast by ensuring you’ve fixed all the pesky problems that inspectors focus on. Below is a list of problems to address to help you turn your bad luck to good.
- Electric shock – Faulty wiring, which is especially common in older houses, might spook some inspectors into suggesting that the entire electrical system needs to be replaced. Have your wiring checked and update what you can before putting your house on the market.
- Structural damage – While damage can be minor and not of immediate concern, you can be sure the inspector will point out potential long-term issues. Repair problems early, so that prospective buyers will feel at ease knowing you’ve taken the necessary precautions.
- Water and air infiltration – This is probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to avoid scaring off a buyer. Just replace the caulking around windows and doors.
- Hazards to health – If you live in an older house that contains asbestos or lead-based paint, before you put your house on the market, determine if these are a direct health hazard. If so, check with your insurance provider to see if any of the renovation costs will be covered.
Be proactive and banish bad sales luck this Friday the 13th. Fix the little issues that spook property inspectors. You’ll sell your house quickly and take good luck with you to your new Madison MS home.
If you could use more information on problems inspectors love to hate, please call 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com. Ask about how you can receive a Verbal Staging Consultation to help sell your home for Top Dollar!
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
Madison MS real estate sellers
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04.06.12
Posted in Madison MS real estate tagged investing in Madison MS homes at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Your home is usually the most important and sizable investment you will ever make. Whether you’re buying a starter home or the home of your dreams, you can’t afford to invest in Madison MS real estate that won’t steadily increase in value over time.
In order to assess a home’s potential and maximize your profit when it comes time to sell, we’ve compiled a list of five helpful questions to ask when choosing a property.
- Are businesses investing locally? Ask your potential neighbors about new businesses in the area and check the local papers. If businesses are investing, it’s a good sign that the neighborhood will continue to enjoy financial stability.
- What amenities are in the area? Buyers will pay a premium to be near amenities such as parks, civic centers and swimming pools. If current amenities are lacking, ask if there are any plans for future development. If not, it might be better to consider a neighborhood with more to offer.
- Does the neighborhood look like it’s being maintained? It’ll be tough to ask top dollar for your home, no matter how well you maintain it, if the neighborhood looks like it’s in decline.
- Are there a lot of foreclosures and rental properties? Be wary of neighborhoods seemingly devoid of homeowners. If other buyers aren’t actively investing in the community, home values are likely to decrease.
- Is there an active homeowner association or neighborhood organization? Communities with active residents tend to have the most growth potential and therefore the most stable home values.
Whether you plan to stay in the home for just a few years or for the rest of your life, don’t jeopardize your financial future by investing in Madison MS real estate that has little prospect of improving in value. If you’re getting ready to buy a home and want to make sure it’s a solid investment, please call 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com for more information.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
investing in Madison MS homes
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04.04.12
Posted in Ridgeland MS Homes for Sale tagged ridgeland ms real estate selling tips at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent
Selling a Ridgeland MS home in this economy can be challenging. There’s a lot of fixing up, cleaning and planning that goes into putting a house on the market. So when sellers get a bite, they might jump on an offer a little too quickly.
If you’re about to put your house on the market, you should be prepared to counter lowball offers and outrageous contingencies. On the other hand, you need to be ready to accept an offer that meets your demands. Take into consideration the following tips so that you’re prepared when a buyer strikes.
- Offer contingent on sale of buyer’s home – Even if the offer is good and you accept it, don’t hang all your hopes on it. Most of the time the contingency is that buyers are waiting to sell their current property. In this economy that could take two months or two years.
- Closing date extension – This will cost you more money. You’ll have to continue with the upkeep of the house and fix any unexpected disasters in between. Sometimes it’s better to just say no and hope that the buyer agrees with your initial date. However, if the extension isn’t very long or if this is the only offer you’ve had in years, you may be better off accepting it.
- Multiple offers – If you’re lucky enough to have this situation on your hands, just remember that the highest offer isn’t necessarily the best. Be sure to read through the fine print and consult your real estate agent before making a decision. Also remember that you can always counter on the lower offer to see how much they’ll increase their bid.
In such an unpredictable real estate market, there’s a need to weigh your options and talk through offer scenarios with your real estate agent in order to be as prepared as possible to make the best decision.
If you own one of the Ridgeland MS homes and are thinking of selling, I can help! As a full time professional real estate agent, I’m ready to assist you with achieving all your real estate goals. For more information about my marketing plan that will help you sell for top dollar, please call 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@KeyTrustProperties.com.
Paula Ricks Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
220 W Jackson St, Suite 200, Ridgeland MS 39157
601-942-3392
www.PaulaRicks.com
Tags:
ridgeland ms real estate selling tips
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