Real Estate Agent
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Specializing in residential real estate and New Home sales in Flowood, Brandon, Pearl, Ridgeland and Madison MS
Cell: (601) 278-4513
Office: (601) 991-2900
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Real Estate Agent
Stephanie Arnett
Christian. Wife. Mother. Animal Lover. Author. Self Defense. REALTOR.
Cell: 662.769.0721
Office: 662.615.6077
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All About Mississippi Real Estate

By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Three months ago, I checked my renewal status as a licensed Real Estate Agent. I needed to take a couple of CE classes to complete my Continuing Education requirements for the next two years, so I hopped online and promptly ordered the required Agency and Law Classes. I had 90 days to complete the courses; plenty of time, right?As usual, life and work (and procrastination) got in the way. June arrived and I was facing a deadline. In my mind, I had until June 15th to complete the courses. Not ideal, but eleven days was plenty of time to tackle the two 4-hour classes.Except when I found the link for the classes, I discovered I had four days to finish both classes, plus exams to get my certificates for the MS Real Estate Commission.FOUR DAYS! Ouch!Sunday afternoon, I quickly started the fi...
Comments 20
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Excitement has been swirling around the construction and Grand Opening of the new Aldi Supermarket on Lakeland Drive in Flowood.  Since today was Opening Day, I had to see what the buzz was all about. I brought my reusable grocery bags and a quarter for the shopping cart. The parking lot was full when I arrived. I grabbed my cart and immediately was bumper to bumper with other shoppers. It seems everyone got the memo that today was Opening Day. The store was full of friendly, smiling faces, but as I mentioned, shoppers and grocery carts were everywhere. If you couldn't go down the produce line, you went down the center isles, which is where the seasonal goods and "Aldi's Finds" are located. I went a little wild as I found gardening supplies at great prices.Before I knew it, my cart was ...
Comments 6
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
My little plot of land in Brandon MS provides a very small space for a garden. In fact, when I moved here a few years ago, absolutely nothing was planted in the back yard. The front was filled with crepe myrtles, Indian Hawthorn, Lorapetalum,  and a Japanese Maple; all of which I loved, but the back yard is where I spend my time.So before I even moved in, I brought some potted daylilies from my previous home and built a new daylily bed. It gives me such pleasure in May and June. The blooms replenish themselves each year and though the initial planting was labor intensive, I am rewarded with the steady supply of blooms in late spring. As the plants multiply, I have added daylilies around my mailbox and on one side of the house.Because I have such a small yard, and because Central Mississ...
Comments 29
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Today was Realtor Open House Day in my neighborhood. Three homes were on preview, all priced between $399,000 - $420,000.As I was leaving the first home on the tour, a car pulled up and rolled down the window. The driver asked if I was showing the home or if it was open to anyone, as the Realtor Open House signs were posted on the property. I explained it was for Realtors, but she appeared very interested, so I agreed to show her the home.While we toured the home, the prospect told me more about what she was looking for, the number of bedrooms and baths, etc. Coincidentally, the other homes on the schedule fit the criteria, so I offered to show her the other two homes as well.The theme of the Open House was Cinco de Mayo, and a Mexican lunch was served at the last house. Since I picked ...
Comments 14
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Step into the time machine and travel to the mid 70's. Young and in love, my boyfriend and I were engaged to be married. I'm not sure how the topic of buying a house came up; I'm not sure we even discussed it. My parents had always owned a home, so we assumed we would own a home one day, too.My dad worked for the largest employer in town, the local factory, so he knew a lot of people. He came home from work one day and mentioned an older couple wanted to sell their home. He asked if I was interested. It was an incredible opportunity to own a 3 bedroom, one bath home for the AMAZING price of $9,500! We said YES to seeing the home, and YES to the address.What is more incredible than purchasing a home for $9,500 is the seller offered us all their furniture for an additional $1,000. So for ...
Comments 41
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
We closed yesterday on this gorgeous 3 BR/2 Bath home in Rankin County. I'm happy and thankful for my client, but it is a mixed blessing because my friend/seller is moving four hours away.The home sold with multiple offers (yes!) and we accepted the one most favorable to the seller. Price isn't the only consideration when submitting an offer with multiples on the table; terms and conditions play an important role in being the winning bid.My seller was the ultimate client. She knew she needed to make the home as attractive as possible. Honestly, the house showed great before she implemented any staging techniques, but her efforts combined with our marketing and pricing strategy, we received top dollar for my clients' property.A few details about the home:Gorgeous and move-in ready, this ...
Comments 7
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Get to know Sweetbriar Plantation in Madison County, a community off Yandell Road, east of I-55. In addition to the gated entrance, you'll find a neighborhood pool and playground, a scenic lake, and a common area with sidewalks and a grassy area for play, picnics, etc.Phase 2 of Sweetbriar Plantation is under construction; a number of homes are in various stages of completion. Prices range from $356,000 - $405,000. Homes are mostly 4 bedrooms, 3 baths between 2000-2300 heated and cooled square feet. 196 Sweetbriar CircleSweetbriar has an active Homeowners Association with an Architectural Review Committee, which helps owners maintain their property values.Sweetbriar Plantation is located in the Germantown School District. Elementary aged children will attend Madison Crossing Elementary,...
Comments 6
By Beth Scharwath, I'd love to be your agent
(The Cd Group KW Elite)
Starting a home search can feel like an adventure. There are many places to consider and beautiful homes awaiting ownership. We can all agree that daydreaming is enjoyable and exciting. Once you are serious about buying a home, you must make some decisions. The home-searching process can be tricky. With so many dreamy homes, deciding on the best few options can be overwhelming. My name is Beth Scharwath. I will be your guide to discovering more about the homes for sale in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.I have been selling real estate since 1996. I live and breathe Hattiesburg real estate! I know a thing or two about the current homes for sale in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.How to Start Your Hattiesburg, Mississippi Home Search: Hattiesburg has a 38.2% homeownership rate. It ranked third among th...
Comments 2
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Welcome to Serenity Lake Subdivision, one of the newest neighborhoods in Pearl.  Serenity Lake is located on Old Brandon Road, near the new Metroplex Parkway. Residents are minutes from restaurants and shopping at Dogwood Festival Mall, the Jackson International Airport, and medical facilities. Now that the connector road is open, you can travel from Serenity Lake to Dogwood Festival in 5 minutes!Homes in Serenity Lake are 3 and 4 bedroom, 2 bath homes with double garages, spacious laundry rooms, and walk-in primary closets. Prices range between $295,000 - $315,000, with square footage between 1700-1800 square feet. These quality homes feature brick construction, high ceilings, crown molding, stainless appliances, and granite countertops, among other amenities.If you are interested in o...
Comments 6
By Beth Scharwath, I'd love to be your agent
(The Cd Group KW Elite)
Are you a first-time home buyer in Hattiesburg, MS? Or are you planning to downsize and sell your Hattiesburg, MS, property? You'll need the help of a reputable REALTOR® to get the best deal possible. Don't just pick the first one you see on Google. There are many aspects to consider while looking for an agent in Hattiesburg, MS.The best REALTOR® in Hattiesburg, MS will make you feel as if you're their only client. As your REALTOR® I can guarantee that I will always be there for you. I will always have your back and strive to get you the best possible price for your home. I have a wealth of knowledge about the Hattiesburg, MS area and I strived to become a top-producing realtor who has closed on numerous deals in the Hattiesburg, MS area.Some of the most crucial qualities to look for in...
Comments 1
By Beth Scharwath, I'd love to be your agent
(The Cd Group KW Elite)
If you are a homebuyer, you may be wondering what factors go into pricing a home. Or, if you are a homeowner thinking of selling, you may be curious about how much your house would sell on the market. No matter which side of the equation you are on, it's important to understand Hattiesburg's home values. In April 2022, the median listing property price in Hattiesburg, MS was $225K, up by 14.5 percent year over year, according to Realtor.com. The typical property price per square foot on the market was $123. Hattiesburg is a Mississippi city with 16 distinct neighborhoods. There are 467 houses for sale, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $5.5 million.Hattiesburg has reasonably priced multi-family housing. It is situated between Jackson, Gulfport, Mobile, and New Orleans in southern Missi...
Comments 0
By Beth Scharwath, I'd love to be your agent
(The Cd Group KW Elite)
Are you a millennial first-time home buyer?Purvis, Mississippi is the perfect place to buy your first home. Millennials are buying homes in the area for several reasons, one of which is because homes are unique, reflecting their personalities.The CD Group KW ELITE Keller Williams Realty has several affordable houses for sale.If you are considering buying a home, we'll explore some factors that will help you decide. Keep reading to learn more! What Millennials Want in a Home1. Homes that are Unique and Reflect your PersonalityPrevious generations prioritized square footage and location.For millennials, the home is more than a place to live; it's an extension of your identity. You want a space that reflects your taste and style.This shift has raised the demand for custom-built homes and s...
Comments 0
By Lori Benson, Live Mississippi!
(EXP REALTY HATTIESBURG)
We all want a nice house - right ? !  If you are anything like most of my buyers, you've likely had your eye on your ideal neighborhood for some time now.  Maybe you've taken drives through it, walked down the streets or maybe even toured a few houses and are still waiting to buy YOUR dream home..... But Guess What? Sometimes that dream house isn't the best investment. Here's the thing about houses...Sure they are where we build our families, but they are also massive investments.  For most of us, buying a house is the biggest financial investment we will ever make.  While we want to feel all warm and fuzzy about the idea of our picture perfect home, it is still important to consider the resale value.  Here are 3 things to consider before you buy that dream home in your dream neighborho...
Comments 0
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
I'm working with several buyers looking for their next home, so every day I scour the Multiple Listing Service and hotsheet to see what was listed overnight. I'll check several times daily, and set up searches based on clients preferences to be automatically emailed to both them and me. I network with other Realtors to see what they have coming soon to stay ahead of the fast paced market.Lately I've seen a fair number of sales fall through, as the house shows back up on the market as "active" or available. Invariably, the comments read "buyers financing fell through" as the reason the home is back on the market. (Buyers want to know if something was wrong with the house but that is rarely the reason).It happened today. I received a notification that a house I showed to a buyer a month a...
Comments 13
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Earlier this year, I bought a four bedroom fixer upper in my neighborhood that needed love and attention, and I was determined to make it shine again.The owner was referred to me by a past client. When I saw the house, I knew it had potential. The owner didn't want to make any improvements and wanted to sell the house "as is". We discussed the possibility of me buying the house. After a few days, we reached an agreement and I closed on the property.I documented a lot of "Before and After" photos on my Facebook page, but never got around to posting them here... until now.One of the biggest projects my contractor and I had to deal with was the foyer. It should have been a stunning entrance; instead the walls were lined with brown paper grocery bags, torn randomly into smaller bits and dec...
Comments 19
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
What a crazy Sunday it turned out to be.The day was going to be lazy, catch up on rest and watch a little mindless TV. Everything changed around 2:00 pm when I received a text from a past client, cryptically saying "Call me please".After the usual pleasantries, my client expressed interest in a home she found online. It was already in a multiple offer situation, and the deadline for "highest and best" was in 2 hours. I quickly called the agent and begged for an appointment so I could Face Time my client. Once I had permission, I raced drove across town to view the house.Fortunately, my client is familiar with the current real estate situation, as they sold and moved a year ago. They understood what was needed to make a favorable offer in this hot sellers' market (and listened when I adv...
Comments 10
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
We all know it is a strong sellers market. Rates are great, homes are selling like hotcakes, and buyers are throwing money at sellers hand over fist. Inventory nationwide is low, and that is true in Central MS as well. I reviewed our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) this morning and was inspired to share this data.Let's talk statistics. Rankin County, MS includes the cities of Brandon, Flowood, Pearl, Richland, Florence, Pelahatchie and Puckett. 158 homes are currently available for sale and priced between $98,000 to $4 million. The median price for sale is $388,000. The number of homes priced below $500,000 is 120. Homes priced between $500k to $700k is 32. Homes priced under $250,000? 29 properties for the entire county. 312 properties are "pending closing", while 496 homes have c...
Comments 5
By Robert J. Russell, IRES, ICREA, REBS, GMA, LAS, LUTCF
(Robert J Russell Companies)
Looking for a REALTOR in Mississippi? Here is where you want to start -Mississippi Preferred REALTORS
Comments 0
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our blessings, and November has become a time to "give back" to show appreciation and gratefulness to family, friends, and clients. The last Tuesday in November is designated Giving Tuesday, which is a global movement to show generosity to those around us.Typically speaking, our real estate business slows down in the fall and we have more time to devote to our favorite charities. There are plenty to choose from! So I challenge you to look around your community, see who you can reach out to, and give someone a blessing today. Don't wait for a designated date to share the love.A group from my office recently visited two local fire departments. We carried homemade Jambalaya and in return, were given a tour of the newest Flowood Fire Department. It was i...
Comments 11
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
My pumpkin carving talents are limited, and let's be honest; scooping the "brains" out of a Jack-o-lantern can get pretty messy.The secret for carving pumpkins has eluded me, but I admire the looks of painted pumpkins. Since painting and creativity appeal to me, the idea of a pumpkin painting contest was born.The contest ran for a couple of weeks on Facebook. I created videos and encouraged adults as well as children to get involved. The goal was fun, fun, fun! And I wanted to increase my Facebook followers on my business page. The rules were simple: Like my Facebook page, tag a friend, and take a selfie with your painted pumplin. Carving was discouraged.The entries were all good, but at the last minute a client's 12 year old submitted a pumpkin design I could not resist. It was 3 stack...
Comments 8
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
When you think of Fall Festivities, visions of pumpkin patches, hay bales, and children frolicking through fields come to mind. But why limit the activities to children? Adults want to have fun, too.Last week, Castlewoods Place, a senior assisted-living facility in Brandon, hosted their Fall Festival. Several vendors participated in the event. I attended as a neighborhood volunteer and Realtor. Pre-pandemic, I visited regularly to call Bingo, play games, etc., but visiting was forbidden during the height of the pandemic. I missed my senior friends and they missed us. Fortunately, we slowly have been invited to select events over the last few weeks.The Activities Director planned a wonderful event for the active Seniors; corn hole games, bobbing for apples, guessing games, music by the f...
Comments 11
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Do you go the extra mile to get your listings sold? I'm sure most of us do.Recently a slow moving property needed an extra push to find the right buyer. The seller took much of my advice to heart; we cleaned, decluttered, put things in storage and made pre-listing repairs to the home. We had professional photos, a social media campaign, and a fair amount of interest during the first two weeks of showings. Then interest fizzled. We attributed the lack of showings to Labor Day, the back-to-school rush, etc.Meanwhile, the sellers packed up and moved out of state. They left several checks, written 10 days apart, to pay their yard man, so the grounds would always be presentable for showings.One Saturday, an agent called to schedule a second showing to an interested party. As luck would have ...
Comments 19
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