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

Elizabeth Liggett Josh BellewJennifer Rasberry

Volume 16, Issue 7 / August 2014

4 Willow Bend Drive, Hattiesburg509 S. Main Street, Petal

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

Andrew Bird

Dana Quesenberry

Having been in the real estate business since 1995, it never

gets any easier to relate to a client that the offer we submitted on “THE” house they wanted to purchase wasn’t the one that the seller has accepted. BUMMER!

One of the hardest lessons for today’s buyers to understand is that writing an offer doesn’t always mean that your offer will be accepted; or that the seller will even make you a counter-offer. The current inventory affecting housing in the Pine Belt requires a different strategy in order to give you the best chance to get the home you want. Following are some “tips” that you can implement to increase your chances of ending up in first place and then being the offer with whom the seller accepts to negotiate.

Make your best offer initially; or you may not get a chance to accept a counter offer. Or, if you absolutely have to have the house and know you have competition in the offering process, and will pay whatever it takes; tell the seller that you’ll pay “x” number of dollars more than the highest offer they have received. It takes a lot of guts and will cost you more money, but you may end up with the home you have to have! You might also agree to pay cash and arrange financing after closing. Be prepared to disclose to the seller where you have the cash.

Find out if closing quickly is of interest to the seller and then agree to close quickly.

If you are going to finance the purchase like most buyers, always submit your offer with a letter of pre-approval.

Increase your earnest money deposit beyond what is normal and customary. Agree to use the seller’s agent’s title company for convenience and comfort. Earnest money can be refunded if the offer isn’t accepted.

Eliminate unnecessary contingencies, like having to sell your existing home to close on the one you want to buy. Pay all normal and customary closing costs, and don’t ask for personal property that’s not included in the listing.

Shorten the inspection period. Let the seller know you can act FAST. Buy the home “as is” subject to inspections which still allows you to get your earnest money back if the inspections are unacceptable but doesn’t require the seller to make repairs.

Write the seller a hand-written, personal letter telling them why you want their home; include a picture of your family. This should be “warm and fuzzy” and pull at their heartstrings!

Remember! Making an offer on a home is much like applying for a job; you only have one chance to make a good FIRST impression!

How to Make A Good Offer Better! Client Quotes“Debra was so pleasant and easy to

work with that the entire process seemed

like Sunday in the park. Keep it up!”

-Gwendolyn Doby

“As usual, The DeLois Smith All Star

Team made our move possible! When

something needed to be repaired,

replaced, or removed, they were there

and they knew who to call. We are

so thankful for the whole team, but

especially Brenda, who has always made

it happen. Thank you again for a job

well done.”

-Charles & Rose Mary Honeycutt

“Adam, DeLois, and the entire All Star

Team are extremely professional and

passionate about their careers. We were

nervous to take this next step in our

lives, as we were “upsizing”, but Adam

made it a seamless transaction from

start to finish. Thank you all so much for

your help and guidance!”

-Whitney Southwell

By Dennis Baum

Thank you for your wonderful patriotic spirit as so many of you joined in our 14th Annual July 4th Celebrations! Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan joined together to pay tribute to POW Veteran, the late Colonel George Robert Hall. Other special guests were Pat Hall, Diane Williford, Patty and Sam Hall; Ted Tibbett, our emcee and the area’s Voice for Veterans; Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette and his wife Karen; Brigadier General Larry Harrington and his wife Rosie; Commander William Thomas and his wife Sally; Senator Joey Filligane; and Brandi Downs, a renowned artist whose portrait of Ronald Reagan hangs in the presidential library. We were also inspired by the vocal and instrumental performances of our outstanding USM Music Department….vocalist Dr. Taylor and Kerrin Hightower and the Larry Panela trio. Also special thanks to Judge Charles Greer for the delightful boat tours of Canebrake main lake enjoyed by our guests.

The local yearly market performance demonstrates frequent articles in the Wall Street Journal, Hattiesburg American, and other publications stating that there is not a national real estate market, but rather, a huge combination of very local markets. Mississippi really is very slow in economic recovery; furthermore we are all struggling from federal compliance legislation which tends to choke the life out of financial, medical, manufacturing, and small business.

The better news is that overall our Hattiesburg area sales volume is up +6%, while the number of sales from 2013 to 2014 is 866 verses 843 – which is at -2.7%. Another year-to-date increase that we are experiencing is the number of new listings for sale which is up +2.4% over this time last year - all signs of a slow, but recovering real estate market.

The area markets can be broken down into four main categories: Hattiesburg, Oak Grove, Petal, and Purvis/Sumrall. Looking at each area’s year-to-date numbers demonstrates the variances in the local markets. These numbers are derived from local HAAR MLS data.

Area Number of Sales Sales Volume

Hattiesburg -2.4% +2.6%

Oak Grove -15.4% -10%

Petal +14.9% +19.2%

Purvis/Sumrall -11.6% +13.5%

The DeLois Smith All Star Team’s volume is up year-to-date by +13.35% and the number of units is up +5.13%. Thanks to many of you!!

Despite any sluggishness in the economy, buying a home is still the single best, long-term investment you can make. Consider these recent statistics released by real estate guru Pat Zaby who compared the value of a down payment verses a standard certificate of deposit (CD) and the stock market.

A 3.5% down payment on a $175,000 home is $6,125.00. If you invested that amount in a CD that would earn 2%, you would have $6,372.00 in two years. The earnings would be taxed at ordinary income tax rates. It would be safe, but it wouldn’t earn much.

The same amount would grow to $7,013.00 in the stock market IF you picked the right stock or fund and it yielded 7%. The earnings would be taxed at the long term capital gains rate. The return would be greater but so would the risk.

If you were to purchase a home today that appreciated at 2% in value over the next two years, the equity in the home would grow to $18,769 due to value going up and unpaid balance going down.

More money has been lost to indecision than was lost to making the wrong decision. The economy and the housing market have caused some people to take a “wait and see” position that will likely cost lost opportunity. Our highly trained and dedicated home buying specialists are waiting for the opportunity to serve you and your family and friends. Rates are still very low; inventory is outstanding; and now is a great time to make a home buying or selling move!

Thank you again and again for your continued loyal support.

Your Grateful Realtors,

DeLois & Team

Star Chat with DeLois

Current real estate market statisticsHattiesburg Area Single Family Median Sold Home Prices (Jan 01-July 25)

2013 2014

Hattiesburg $107,000 $106,000

Oak Grove $180,000 $184,000

Petal $146,500 $152,500

Hattiesburg Area Single Family Homes SOLD (Jan 01-July 25)

2013 2014

Hattiesburg 170 166

Oak Grove 267 231

Petal 116 134

Call us at 601-545-3900 for your no obligation home price consultation.

Tour of Homes Sunday, August 3, 2014, 1-5 PM

Canebrake 5BD/4.5BA - $599,900 IT IS A CASTLE! HEAVY IRON FRONT DOORS, GOURMET KITCHEN, DISTINCTIVE DETAILS

THROUGHOUT. Directions: Hwy 98 to Canebrake Golf Entrance, right on Marais Ridge, right on Landing Way, right on Oak Landing.

6 Oak Landing

Canebrake

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Epley Trace 4BD/3BA - $419,000 SPARKLING NEW STONE & CYPRESS TRIMMED, BRICK 1.5 STORY HOME. ACCESS TO RAILS TO TRAIL. Directions: Hwy 98

West, north on Hwy 589, right into Epley Trace Subdivision.

17 Iron Horse Lane

Sumrall

1:30 to 2:00 pm

The Woods 4BD/3BA - $329,000YOUR OWN PRIVATE POOL! PLUS HIGH QUALITY CON-

STRUCTION AND A RELAXING BACK PORCH!Directions: Old Hwy 11 to Richburg Road, Turn right onto Bayberry

Loop.

53 Bayberry Loop

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

6 Carnaby Street

Petal

1:00 to 2:00 pm

55 East Lake Road

Oak Grove

2:00 to 2:30 pm

151 Tallulah Ridge

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Reese Creek 3BD/2BA - $169,000 GRAND ENTRY OPENING TO THE SPACIOUS GREAT

ROOM. SPLIT PLAN W/ LARGE KITCHEN. Directions: Hwy 42 to Sunrise Rd., left on Goodluck Rd., left into Reese Creek, left

on Carnaby.

Lake Serene 5BD/3 Full BA/2 Half BA - $749,500 PREMIER 1.1 ACRE MAIN LAKE SERENE PROPERTY W/ 144’ OF BULK-HEADED WATER FRONTAGE. Directions: Hwy 98 W take East entrance to Lake Serene. Turn right on Magellan, left on

East Lake Road.

Backwater 4BD/4BA - $329,500WONDERFUL HOME W/ 3 CAR GARAGE, COURTYARD, JENN-AIRE GRILL, NEW NEIGHBORHOOD POOL, MOVE-IN READY.

Directions: Hwy 98 to Woodstone Subdivision, follow Woodstone Drive around to Tallulah Ridge.

Longleaf Acres 4BD/3.5BA - $344,500WOW! COME SEE THIS WELL-BUILT, CUSTOM HOME W/ A HUGE KITCHEN AND A ON THE WATER. Directions: Eastabuchie

Rd to Longleaf Drive. Go past spillway and bear to the left onto Pine Ridge.

205 Pine Ridge Dr.

2:30 to 3:00 pm

61 Bienville Trace

Canebrake

3:30 to 4:00 pm

8 Carnaby Street

Petal

1:30 to 2:00 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.

Chapel Hill 4BD/2BA - $195,900FANTASTIC NEW CONSTRUCTION PERFECT FOR

ENTERTAINING. WALK-IN CLOSETS, DUAL VANITIES IN BOTH BATHS, 100% USDA FINANCING Directions: Oak Grove Road to

Steelman. Right into Chapel Hill subdivision.

28 Chapel Hill Blvd.

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

174 Woodstone

Oak Grove

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Reese Creek 3BD/2BA - $167,500EASY LIVING W/ A SPLIT PLAN & OPEN LIVING, DINING,

AND KITCHEN AREA. NEW CARPET. Directions: Hwy 42 to Sunrise Rd., left on Goodluck Rd., left into Reese Creek, left on

Carnaby.

Woodstone 5BD/4.5BA - $429,900 LARGE HOME ON A HUGE, PRETTY WATERFRONT LOT. SOUTHERN STYLE PORCH, SCREENED BACK PORCH.

Directions: Hwy 98 to Woodstone Subdivision. Turn RT on Woodstone.

Brookstone 3BD/2BA - $129,900WONDERFUL NEW CONSTRUCTION BY AAA HOMES! SPACIOUS GREAT ROOM W/ VAULTED CEILING. Direc-

tions: Oak Grove Road, turn south on Friend Road, left on Ansley.

17 Ansley

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

107 Oak Drive

Petal

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Castle Manor 4BD/2.5BA - $275,000 WELCOME TO THIS HIDDEN GEM WHERE NEIGHBORS

ARE FAMILY! MULTIPLE LIVING AREAS PLUS A COMPLETE APARTMENT W/ ADDITIONAL KITCHEN Directions: HWY 42 to

Dogwood, turn on Oak Drive.

Kingsmill 4BD/2.5BA - $249,500MOVE-IN READY IN KINGSMILL! FRESHLY PAINTED INTERIOR, EXCELLENT SPLIT PLAN, Directions: West 4th Street, turn right into Kingsmill Subdivision, right on Buckingham.

33 Buckingham St.

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Petal

14 Colton Drive

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Deerfield 4BD/3BA - $207,500 EXCEPTIONAL WORKMANSHIP, IMMACULATE, MOVE-IN

CONDITION W/ 3-WAY SPLIT PLAN ON ONE LEVEL. Directions: Old Hwy 11 South to Deerfield Subdivision.

Chapel Hill 3BD/2BA - $129,900MOVE-IN READY! SPLIT PLAN, UPDATED FLOORING, FENCED BACK YARD, OUTSIDE STORAGE SHED. Directions: Oak Grove

Road to Steelman. Right into Chapel Hill subdivision.

5 Clear Springs Court

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

28 Jubilee Point

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

The Trace 4BD/2.5BA - $234,900 FRESHLY PAINTED & MOVE-IN READY. TWO LIVING AREAS,

FRONT & BACK COLUMNED PORCHES, MANY EXTRAS THROUGHOUT. Directions: West 4th Street to Lake Thoreau Road,

left on Jubilee Point.

15 Hartford Court

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Chapel Hill 3BD/2BA - $172,900 SELLER SAYS HER NEIGHBORS ARE THE BEST! MOVE-IN READY, OPTIONAL ROOM FOR OFFICE OR FORMAL

DINING. Directions: Oak Grove Road to Steelman. Right into Chapel Hill subdivision. Turn on Hartford Court.

Chapel Hill 3BD/2BA - $174,500MOST ATTRACTIVE LOT & NICE BACK YARD! SEMI-

OPEN FLOOR PLAN, FORMAL DINING, OFFICE. Directions: Chapel Hill Blvd to Stratfor Court.

18 Stratford Court

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

38 Montebello

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Bent Creek 5BD/4BA - $339,500 STATELY, FRESHLY PAINTED, NEW CARPETING AND EXQUISITE HARDWOOD FLOORING, WITH A POOL.

Directions: Old Hwy 24 to Bent Creek West entrance, right on Gettysburg Way, left on Montebello.

3 Mossy Oak Point

Petal

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Trailwood West 4BD/2.5BA - $242,500BRAND NEW, GOURMET, DREAM KITCHEN, 4TH

BEDROOM HAS ATTACHED HALF BATH, LARGE MASTER SUITE. Directions: Hwy 42, right into TWW, house on corner of Broken

Arrow and Mossy Oak.

180 Cherry Oak Trail

Petal

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Trailwood 4BD/3BA - $385,000 PARADISE FOUND! 2.5 PRIME ACRES ON MAIN LAKE W/ 500’ OF WATER FRONTAGE. PLUS WORKSHOP & TONS

OF STORAGE. Directions: HWY 42 to Trailwood Entrance, right on Cherry Oak.

93 Madison Place

Oak Grove

4:30 to 5:00 pm

Audubon HIlls 3BD/2BA - $209,000WARM & WELCOMING W/ IMMACULATE NEW CARPETING & FRESHLY PAINTED INTERIOR. LARGE ROOMS, HOME OFFICE.

Directions: West 4th Street, turn right onto Madison Place.

The Trace 4BD/2BA - $207,500GRACEFUL ONE-STORY IN PRISTINE CONDITION W/

DRAMATIC TOUCHES THROUGHOUT. Directions: Hwy 98 to King Road. Turn right onto Courtland.

137 Courtland Drive

Oak Grove

4:30 to 5:00 pm

Chapel Hill 3BD/2BA - $190,900 WONDERFUL NEW CONSTRUCTION IN CHAPEL HILL

W/ DUAL VANITIES, LARGE GREAT ROOM. Directions: Oak Grove Road to Steelman Road. Follow to Chapel Hill subdivision.

30 Chapel Court

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Shadow Ridge 4BD/2BA - $309,500 PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE 10TH FAIRWAY, SPACIOUS ROOMS, WALK-IN CLOSETS. Directions: Take Gravel Pit Road to new Shadow Lake entrance, follow around to Shadow Lake Drive.

110 Shadow Lake Drive

Oak Grove

4:00 to 4:30 pm

The Trace 4BD/3.5BA - $279,500 SPARKLING NEW HOME, 4/3.5 ONE-STORY

COLUMNED COLONIAL WITH AWESOME LAKE VIEWS. Directions: Take West 4th Street to Lake Thoreau Road.

71 Lake Thoreau Rd.

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

187 Morrell Circle

Oak Grove

4:30 to 5:00 pm

The Trace 4BD/2.5BA - $249,500 SPACIOUS, QUALITY-BUILT & CAREFULLY

MAINTAINED. AWESOME, PRIVATE, RESTFUL SETTING. Directions: King Rd to Courtland Dr., RT on Auburn Pl, LT on Waverly, RT

on Collinwood, LT on Morrell.

9 Courtland Drive

Oak Grove

4:30 to 5:00 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.

Bent Creek 3BD/2.5BA - $249,900PRISTINE & SPACIOUS. LOCATED ON A BIG, WOODSY

CORNER LOT W/ SEPARATE WORKSHOP.Directions: Old Hwy 24. Take Bent Creek entrance, turn right onto

Bent Creek.

4 Bent Creek

Oak Grove

4:30 to 5:00 pm

Woodland Hills 4BD/2.5BA - $169,500 SPACIOUS HOME WITH SEVERAL LIVING AREAS,

PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING.Directions: Hardy Street to S. 34th, turn onto Jeff Davis Circle.

104 Jeff Davis Circle

SW Hattiesburg4:30 to

5:00 pm126 Sunline Drive

Petal

4:30 to 5:00 pm

Pecan Lakes 4BD/2BA - $192,900WOWZA! NEW CONSTRUCTION IN PECAN LAKES! DUAL

VANITIES, WALK-IN CLOSETS, OPEN LIVING PLAN. Directions: Sunrise Road to Pecan Lakes, go through four-way stop, left at 2nd 4-way stop, turn right, home is on the right after corner.