05.23.11

Finding the Best Buys in Today’s Brandon MS Real Estate Market

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale, Brandon MS Real Estate Buyers at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

The Brandon MS real estate market is still a buyer’s market which means, as a buyer, you can get a good price on a home.  However, if you know what to look for, there are properties on which you can get a great price.

Here are three areas of the Brandon MS real estate market that generally offer the best prices:

1. Homes that have been on the market for several weeks (or months!) -  Have your real estate agent send you homes that have been on the market for several weeks or months.  These property owners are more motivated to sell than the owners of newly listed homes.  They’re more willing to negotiate for lower prices or even give you extras such as home warranties or paying a portion of your closing costs.
2. Bank owned properties.  Bank owned properties (also known as Real Estate Owned or REOs) are homes that go back to the mortgage company after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction.  Like foreclosures, these properties can take longer to close, but the savings can be well worth the extra time.  Your Brandon MS real estate agent can help you understand the pro’s and con’s with this type of purchase.
3. “As is” properties. A property listed “as is” means the seller is not willing to fix anything and will not negotiate a price reduction based on needed repairs.  However, if you’re willing to put some money and elbow grease into the property, this could be your opportunity to get more home, in a better location and at a price you can afford.  Renovations can be done over time.  The lower mortgage payment could save you more over the years than the renovations will cost.  Your Brandon MS real estate agent can help you indentify the renovations that will have the best return for your investment.

If you’d like help to reduce the stress of finding the best buys in today’s Brandon MS real estate market, give me a call today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
REALTOR® and Broker Associate
443A Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157
601-942-3392
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
www.PaulaRicks.com

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04.12.10

Where Can I Find XYZ On the Brandon MS Real Estate Market?

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

If you’re like me and other real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers and homeowners, you’re always looking for a great resource for information on the Brandon MS real estate market. You have questions and you want answers.

•  What are the mortgages like in this area?
• What are the current selling prices for homes?
• What’s a specific neighborhood like?
• Is there anything besides the economy affecting the Brandon MS real estate market?

For instance, you want to know current market trends. Are they stabilizing? Are things still sliding down hill? Is there a buying trend sellers can take advantage of to market their homes? While a professional real estate agent will help you sell or find a home, it doesn’t hurt for you to do some research on your own to become more knowledgeable. Who knows, you may come up with some ideas we haven’t thought of!

So where can you find reliable information on the real estate market? On the Internet, there are thousands, perhaps millions, of informational sites. Below are just a few of my personal favorites:

CNNMoney.com (real estate) – The information on CNNMoney.com has no bias in terms of convincing you to sell or buy. Where are home prices falling? Where are they strongest? What information do you need to know as a buyer or seller? From mortgages to pricing and market stability, you can find it here.

RISMedia.com – If you can’t find it on CNNMoney, you can most likely find it on RISMedia. Home improvement, financing and foreclosure information are just a few of the topics. As well, because RISMedia is actually involved in real estate, you can find the latest market information.

DQNews.com – DataQuick provides real estate data on a state-by-state basis or on a specific area. While the information can be a little technical for the non-real-estate-professional, if you want to know how the Las Vegas region is doing for home sales, or the average mortgage rates in Missouri, DQ can help. Depending on your area, you may have to pay for the data, but it’s fairly inexpensive and can give you great information.

Learn more about the Brandon MS real estate market and then bookmark this blog and the listed sites for easy reference. The more you know, the better you can prepare for upcoming trends, good or bad!

If you’re trying to sell your home, or are looking for your dream home to buy, I can help. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com now for more information.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com 
Paula@PaulaRicks.com 
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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04.02.10

Taking the Plunge and Buying Brandon MS Real Estate Makes Perfect Sense

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

There has truly never been a better time to think about buying a new home. The current economy has created a buyers’ market like never before. This works to your advantage, and the fact that the real estate market is recovering means that buying Brandon MS real estate as a future investment is a smart move.

Consider New Construction
Builders are faced with unsold homes in developments and are willing to make deals. They are interested in all reasonable offers, and, especially if you have pre-approved financing, will negotiate with your real estate agent to give you better price and terms. It is in their best interest to get their existing homes sold.

Best Mortgage Rates in Current History
You can take advantage of the low mortgage rates to get fantastic payments on your new Brandon MS real estate. These low rates won’t last forever, so if you have good credit and solid employment, buy now to make your new home truly affordable.

Tax Credits
If you or your spouse has never owned a home, or if neither of you have owned a home as a principle residence in the past 3 years, buying a home now makes financial sense. You will get a large tax rebate at the end of the year for making a home purchase now.  However, you must act immediately because you have to have a binding contract signed no later than April 30, 2010, and close on the home no later than June 30, 2010, in order to qualify for this first-time home buyer tax credit. 

If you’re a repeat home buyer, you too might qualify for a tax credit.  Again, you must act fast.  The same dates apply for this repeat home buyer tax credit as for the first-time home buyer tax credit. 

Affordability and Availability
The market is wide open for buyers now, and finding the perfect home at a reasonable price is easier than ever before. Waiting too long can prove to be a very costly decision. The market is getting stronger and tax credits are coming to an end. Over the course of the next year, it will become increasingly more difficult to buy Brandon MS real estate at prices and rates now available.

If you would like more information on the intelligence of buying a new home now, please call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com. I look forward to talking with you!

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com 
Paula@PaulaRicks.com 
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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02.18.10

2010 Trends for Homes and Brandon MS Real Estate

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

Even though it may sometimes seem like it, home building and design trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball.  They are the result of surveys, observations, lifestyles, socioeconomic issues, entertainment, technology, and most importantly, the needs and desires of buyers looking for Brandon MS real estate.

Here are some of the national and local trends to expect in 2010.

Green is growing.
A study conducted by Burst Media in late December, 2009, found that 90 percent of Web users surveyed have incorporated some aspect of going green into their lives, and overall, they are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products.

Homes are getting smaller.
For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced and smaller homes. More than 95 percent of home builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in January said that was the way they saw their businesses evolving.

Single-story homes are in.
Because of the rise in Brandon MS real estate homebuyers who are 55 years of age and older, more single-story homes are being purchased.  According to NAHB, barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more. Two-story homes peaked at about 55 percent of the market in 2006.

Lower cost, more practical homes are being purchased.
In an attempt to respond to consumer demands for practicality, as well as hold the line on prices, home builders surveyed by NAHB are most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

• Walk-in closets in the master bedroom
• Laundry rooms
• Insulated front doors
• Great rooms
• Energy-efficient windows
• Linen closets
• Programmable thermostats
• Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
• Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms
• Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor

Here are the features builders said they are least likely to add to houses in 2010.  You’ll notice a lot of the items being eliminated are luxury features, as builders try to lower costs.

• Outdoor kitchens
• Outdoor fireplaces
• Sunrooms
• Butler’s pantries
• Media rooms
• Desks in kitchens
• Two-story foyers
• Multiple shower heads in the master bath
• Smaller kitchens

Thinking about buying Brandon MS real estate and want to purchase one of the new homes in 2010?  Call me today at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com to get started.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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10.22.09

3 Ways to Improve the Indoor Air Quality of Your Brandon MS Real Estate

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

When people think of environmental concerns, very seldom do they think of their home environment. Mold spores, carcinogens, allergens and more can fill up your Brandon MS real estate and create a bad environment. Here are a few ways to make sure your indoor air quality is as good as it can be:

1) Check for mold. Mold has a distinctive odor; somehow, it manages to smell both wet and dry, as well as musty. It can grow around windows, in the bathroom and in your air ducts. For windows, bathrooms and small areas within your home, you can clean the mold yourself wearing protective gear and using the right mold cleanup methods.

2) Check the ductwork. Mold, dust, insect parts and other small to microscopic pollutants settle in ductwork and then, when the air is turned on, flow out into the various units. I recommend leaving this job to professionals with the proper equipment.  Research green janitorial services in your area that specialize in environmentally safe cleaning practices and provide good indoor air quality through the practices.

3) Check your carpet. Carpets can be a big cause of bad indoor air quality. Some carpets contain a high level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are emitted into the air as gases. Exposure to VOCs can cause nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and skin rashes. If you’re having any of these issues, you may want to replace your carpet with an eco-friendly carpet.

If you’re looking for eco-friendly Brandon MS real estate, I can help. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me now at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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10.15.09

Brandon MS Real Estate – 3 Reasons to Have Your Home Built With Sustainable Design

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

Some potential Brandon MS real estate homeowners just don’t want a pre-lived in home. They’d rather have their house built to their own specifications. They want a home that fits their needs exactly. If this is you, I understand and would like to help by giving you a glimpse into the future of home design.

The Future of Design
Thinking of the future might bring ideas of fantastic scientific miracles like smart houses that vacuum themselves. If you own Brandon MS real estate and are ready to build your home, having it wired as a smart home may be a good idea, think, also, about sustainable design. Here are just a few reasons why sustainable design is a great idea:

1) Government mandates and incentives – Under the current administration, sustainable design is a big thing. In fact, many cities are passing mandates and offering incentives that encourage green building. In places such as Austin, Houston, Seattle and Portland, sustainable design is no longer a trend; it’s standard practice. Before having your home built, check into the homeowners’ incentives for green building.

2) Cost of sustainable design – While sustainable design may be a little more costly than standard home building, don’t just assume that it is. Check with green building contractors as well as standard contractors and compare pricing. Also, keep in mind that the cost of the design is well repaid down the line. As well, remember that it may be easier and cheaper to build a sustainable home, rather than remodel one to be green later.

3) Resale value – Although you may not ever want to move from your home once it’s built, you never know what will happen in the future. A sustainable design can up the resale value of the home by as much as 15%.

Between the government incentives, the cost savings and the resale value of your Brandon MS real estate, sustainable design may end up being the best investment you ever made!

If you’re looking for a green home or a contractor to build one, I can help. Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com now for more information.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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10.05.09

3 Must-Have Kitchen Appliances for Trendy Brandon MS Real Estate

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale at 7:00 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

If you have some Brandon MS real estate to sell or you just want to raise the property value, keeping hip to the market trends is paramount.  Kitchens are one of the biggest selling points of any residential property.  Energy efficient and cost effective are the catchwords of the day, and recycled is the way to go.  Here are a few of the newest eco-friendly kitchen products that can find you buyers and up your property value.

1. EverHot – Made by Water, Inc, the EverHot is an excellent addition to trendy kitchens.  No more boiling water, which makes it energy efficient and timesaving, EverHot is an under counter instant hot water heater.  It uses less electricity than a 40-watt bulb, but produces up to 60 cups of steaming water an hour.

2. Whirlpool GS5VHAXWA – A refrigerator of amazing proportions, the Whirlpool is considered the most energy efficient of its type.  All sleek metal and beautiful lines, this Whirlpool model does everything other fridges do (including providing purified water and making ice) on less than 550 kilowatts a year.  Besides being energy efficient, it has the benefit of Whirlpools long history of excellent customer care.

3. Bosch Dishwashers – Energy Star rated and highly rated by Consumer Reports on a regular basis, Bosch dishwashers are the cleaning appliances to have in your Brandon MS real estate.  Critics rave about how quiet they are, and the company is the only manufacturer that uses EcoSense technology.  Push a button and the dishwasher is preprogrammed for optimum time, energy and water efficiency.  You can’t get better than that.

When you’re planning to sell or renovate your Brandon MS real estate, catch up with the trends, first.  Remember – green is the way to go!

If you’re trying to get your real estate ready to sell, I can help.  Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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08.27.09

Brandon MS Real Estate: 9 Questions to Ask Your Potential Condo Association

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale at 6:36 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

Are you considering purchasing Brandon MS real estate? If you’re looking at buying a condo, you need to be aware that there are condominium associations that oversee condo developments just like there are homeowner’s associations that oversee subdivisions.  However, they may not work the same and can vary widely from condo to condo.  Here are a few things you need to ask the association before signing that contract:

1. What’s the ratio of owner-occupied to tenant-occupied units?  More owner-occupied units means better marketability if you want to resell.

2. Do the assessments rise with inflation?  This doesn’t sound like a good thing, but matching assessments with the rate of inflation means the ability to build reserves for any future repairs.

3. What does the assessment cover (trash collection, condo maintenance, etc.) in the Brandon condo?  Some association assessments may not cover recreational facilities, for instance, while other condos’ assessments may cover a broad range of areas.

4. What is the turnover in the building?  If it’s high, that’s an indication of issues you may not be familiar with.

5. How much of the assessments do they keep in reserve and for what?  How do they invest the money?  If you’re paying fees and assessments, you want to make sure they aren’t spent frivolously.

6. Are they involved in a lawsuit?  If the condo is in litigation, those reserves can disappear quickly.

7. How reputable is the builder?  If you can, visit other projects and ask the residents how they feel about their place.  Get an engineer’s report to find out if the building is in good shape.  Any problems that are there when you buy are yours once you sign the contract.

8. What are the condominium’s bylaws, restrictions, covenants and grandfather clauses?  You want to make sure you can live with them.  In addition, you’ll want an attorney to look over the Brandon MS real estate documents with you.

9. Is more than one association involved?  The larger the development, the more likely that there are umbrella associations.  Several associations can mean several assessments.

A Brandon condo can be a dream come true if you choose well.  Make sure you do your homework!

If you’re looking for a condo that perfectly fits your lifestyle and needs, I can help.  Call me at 601-942-3392 or email me at Paula@PaulaRicks.com for more information.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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04.27.09

Consequences of Buyer’s Remorse When Purchasing Brandon MS Real Estate

Posted in Brandon MS Real Estate tagged Brandon MS homes for sale, Brandon MS real estate agents at 7:51 am by Mississippi Real Estate Agent

Buyer’s remorse happens to most people. The fear of signing a long term deal with a mortgage company at the closing of a Brandon MS real estate deal, whether it is for a family home or investment property can be frightening. It’s important to not let that fear get the best of you for several reasons. Not only will you lose out on that perfect piece of property you’ve looked so long for, you can lose a lot more than that.

Walking away from a deal before signing can mean losing any earnest money you have put down when you bid on the property. Unless you made a bid with no money to back your offer, which is highly unusual, you will lose it by deciding not to go through with the closing.

There are a few contingencies that may allow you to get all or some of the earnest money back when you walk away but only if you have listed those possibilities in the offer such as:

• Not getting the financing you’d hoped for. If you don’t list that possibility as a contingency for buying a home, even if you can’t get financed, you will lose your earnest money deposit.
• Not selling existing Brandon MS real estate.  Again, this only works if you included the sale of your existing real estate before final closing on the new home as a contingency.
• Appraisal, title, or inspection contingencies are also good clauses to have in your offer to protect you in case you want to back out of the deal. These allow you to change your mind if the appraisal value of the Brandon MS real estate doesn’t come back matching the price you are paying, inspections turn up problem areas, or the title has issues.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can back out of a signed contract bid because of those items if you do not list them as contingencies.

Are you ready to buy one of the Brandon MS homes for sale?  Let me help you prepare a proper Brandon MS real estate contract, including all contingencies.  Contact me today at 601-942-3392 or email Paula@PaulaRicks.com and I’ll get back to you right away.

Paula Ricks
Coldwell Banker Nell Wyatt, Inc.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
www.PaulaRicks.com
Paula@PaulaRicks.com
Call direct:  601-942-3392

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