Although I wrote this article several years ago, it is still applicable today. Our local business journal, which is a monthly supplement to the local paper, came out this week and the theme or focus was real estate. Among the many articles written, one article clearly stood out as a simple- minded contradiction to reality. The article was a piece about a brokerage firm in our area and dissussed both the history of the firm and their success in the marketplace. Honorable. But....At a time in our history when our commissions are under attack, this broker's explanation of commission justfication was simply wrong. "People think that we don't earn our money, but we do. We may have an easy house to sell, but we have a lot more harder ones to make up for them"  She stated. When one publicly te... 08/01/2014

I NOW KNOW WHAT LIES AHEAD!While commenting on a particular blog in a different forum, I sided with the blogger's own personal dissatisfaction in generating income with something he really loves doing...Blogging.  As I shared my love of earning an income in something I really enjoyed doing (real estate), I realized something about myself. It's not about an idea that just surfaced, but about a hidden desire that has been burning deep within me for a very long time.The desire for less money? Yes, that's it!  For many years, I only understood the need for more money. It always seemed there was never enough, and when there was, we all needed more. For me, the "more with less' mantra has arrived within and has attached itself to my own fulfillment of life. Over time, I've learned that life i... 08/01/2014

LIFE AFTER REAL ESTATE. After an overall productive 12 years in real estate, I have made the difficult decision to retire - again! During this short but fulfilling second career, I have enjoyed some really good times in real estate and, like many others, have gallently navigated through some tough times in this business in recent years. This time around though, my goal is to pack up and move on from our home in Tupelo, Mississippi - to my paradise which I shall maketh. After entering the business in 2001, I never stood still, and progressed rapidly from rookie agent up through managing broker/owner of a national franchise. My best memories and highlights during these years has truly been helping people achieve the dream of home ownership. There is nothing more enjoyable than handing new... 01/14/2013

   Great location in Saltillo, MS and close to major shopping and dining. Tupelo schools. Custom built home located on large lake at Northridge Crossing offers upscale living and space. From the custom kitchen with S/S appliances and icemaker, to the bigger than large library with built in bookshelving, this home can cater to most lifestyles. Main features include approximately 4,192 square feet with 4BR, 4BA, parlor or music room, large open formal dining room, family room, safe room, and double attached garage with inside workshop. Ammenities include red oak and hand scraped hickory floors, tile, and carpet in upstairs bedrooms. The fourth bedroom is two rooms which could be used as a guest suite or Mother in Law quarters. Finer details include two gas log fireplaces, solid surface co... 07/19/2011

I have recently made a career decision with the move to join the ranks of thousands of independant real estate professionals across North America. After over 10 years of being associated with nationally franchised real estate firms, myself and others are witnessing a continued transformation of change across the real estate industry in the way agents can service the needs of their clients. Technology that once only the great large firms had access to is now available to everybody in the industry. It is not about the size of the real estate firm any longer, but how we as individuals can accomodate and provide a level of service specific to the needs of the consumer. It's not one size fits all anymore. With my decision to become independant, it allows me more freedom and flexibility to wo... 06/22/2011

April 2011 Sales Statistics - Tupelo Area, NE MississippiA quick compilation of residential housing sales numbers for the month of April 2011 are as follows: Total Closed Sales:  114 (slight decrease from 118 one month prior, and down 13% compared to the same month one year ago) Total Foreclosures Sold: 29 (compared to 34 the month prior)Foreclosure/sales Ratio: 25% (Distressed property sales continue to be a significant percentage of total market sales however, trending slightly downward over the last three months. Does not reflect short sales.) Average Sold Price: $116,887 compared to $106,284 one month earlier.Median Sale Price: $105,250  increased from $89,500 one month earlier. NEW!  Listing Sales Breakdown:  NEW!                             $0 to $80,000 - 43         $80,001 to $1... 05/04/2011

Congratulations to Columbus, Mississippi for receiving recognition as a "Tree City USA". I had never heard of this before but apparantly there are many cities in the United States that have acheived this recognition. To qualify as a Tree City USA community, a town or city must meet four standards established by The Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. These standards were established to ensure that every qualifying community would have a viable tree management plan and program. It is important to note that they were also designed so that no community would be excluded because of size. A Tree Board or Department A Tree Care Ordinance A Community Forestry Program With an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation Which... 04/21/2011

While driving through the neighborhoodwhere Elvis Presley's birth home sits, I'm always intrigued by the number of Elvis fans who still travel the world just to visit the King's experience. Elvis' birth home was built by his father and is a two room home that beckons tourists that visit from the world over. Another Busload of tourists visits the Tupelo landmark to visit the home and the Elvis Presely Museum and gift shop where you can by anything "Elvis". You can even get "hitched" at the elvis chapel. 04/18/2011

Taking pictures around the yard seems so much different than taking photos for a home marketing effort. It seems something so simple can be captured so easy while the most important photos are difficult at best. I have never used my phone camera to photo shoot photos of a home but after a photos like this, I may try. The main issue with camera phones seem to be lighting. The white rose shot is rather bright even in the shadow of a cloud. I guess it's just the randomness of it all. Then again, springtime is always beautiful.           The color of flowers reminds me to remind my sellers that a little time invested in plantings will afford a little enjoyment and ehnance curb appeal. Time to add some color to your listings! 04/18/2011

Tupelo, MS. Real Estate. It's termite season again and time for this real consideration when purchasing real estate. I tell my clients that there are TWO types of homes in Mississippi - One that has termites One that will get termites I always get raised eyebrows when I say this and then I explain that these little teeny weeny critters are nothing to worry about....at least until they show up in YOUR wood. Over the course of several years, I have learned that a home that has had a previous infestation and been treated and under a contract or bond, is much more desireable that purchasing a termite free home only to have them show up when you can least afford to tackle the expense of treatment. Treatments can be very expensive to some folks and if put off for a year or two, the damage rep... 04/16/2011

Ever searched through listings during the late summer and notice all the trees in the photos have no leaves, or that the grass is dormant? Ever notice listings that upon a visit, look nothing like the photos? I visited a home recently that has been on the market for nearly two years and upon entering, I wondered where all the tacky looking wallpaper and the clutter went!The owners over time have apparently progressed through making their home more appealing to potential buyers, but buyers searching online have no clue. No wallpaper, all neutral colors, new windows, decluttered, new flooring and newer appliances. This home was not the same home shown on line and it is still on the market because it is NOT GETTING SHOWINGS! Agents who don't update their photos as NEEDED are doing a huge i... 04/13/2011

March 2011 Sales Statistics - Tupelo Area, NE Mississippi  A quick compilation of residential housing sales numbers for the month of March 2011 are as follows: Total Closed Sales:  118 (this is a 42% increase from the month prior but down by 5% compared to the same month one year earlier) Total Foreclosures Sold: 34 (compared to 21 the month prior)Foreclosure/sales Ratio: 27% (down 3% as a percentage of total sales for the month. Distressed property sales continue to be a significant percentage of total sales however, the trend has been decreasing slightly for the last two consecutive months.) Average Sold Price: $106,284 compared to $132,008 one month earlier.Median Sale Price: $89,500, down signifacantly from $113,900 one month earlier. Highest Sold Price: $562,500 Average List/Sell P... 04/06/2011

EXiT Realty Premier Tupelo, MS Real Estate Taking on the job of marketing and selling real estate today is both a monumental and risky proposition. We all know that market dynamics have shifted from prior years when situations were more favorable for sellers - to conditions now that have buyers realizing the increasing power they have over the home buying process.As, such, and with the day-to-day changes in the mortgage industry and the competition from foreclosures, it has never made more sense to seek out the right company to help you get your home to market and sold. Visit www.exitrealty.com Think About ThisWhile other companies continue to spend money on large lavish offices, outdated modes of advertising, and business as usual in general, we have recduced our overhead and re-direct... 03/29/2011

  TUPELO's First ever BBQ Competition. Professional and amateur teams alike will participate in Tupelo's first organized BBQ cook-off competition on Friday April 1st & Saturday April 2nd. There will also be live music, food and craft vendors, and a childrens area. There will be something for everyone!       If you are interested in being a sponsor, entering a team, or becoming a vendor you can go to the website to download applications (www.tupelobbqduel.com). Come On....bring your brag and earn your bragging rights! Location is at the Tupelo Link Centre on West Main Street in Tupelo. Call 662-372-2208 with any questions or for directions. This event is FREE TO THE PUBLIC.                                                    03/19/2011

  February 2011 Sales Statistics - Tupelo Area, NE Mississippi  A quick compilation of residential housing sales numbers for the month of February 2011 are as follows: Total Closed Sales:  69 (this is a 15.9% decrease from Feb 2010 and a decline from 73 the month prior) Total Foreclosures Sold: 21 (compared to 24 the month prior)Foreclosure/sales Ratio: 30%  (Distressed property sales continue to trend as an average of nearly 1/3 of total sales, month-over-month.) Average Sold Price: $132,008 ($102,516 Jan)Median Sale Price: $113,900 ($85,250 Jan) Lowest Sold Price: $9,900Highest Sold Price: $490,000 Average List/Sell Price Ratio87.64% (from 92% prior month) Average Days on Market 165 (solds) (increase from 123 one month earlier) Total Homes on Market as of 1/1/2011 1,220   This is a sl... 03/03/2011

January 2011 Sales Statistics - Tupelo Area, NE Mississippi (edit/delete) January 2011 Sales Statistics - Tupelo Area, NE Mississippi   A quick compilation of housing numbers for the month of January 2011 are as follows:  Total Closed Sales:  72 (decrease from 80 in Dec) Total Foreclosures Sold: 25 (compared to 27 the month prior)Foreclosure/sales Ratio: 35%  (Increase from Dec) Average Sold Price: $102,516 ($118,193 Dec)Median Sale Price: $85,250  (down from $94,900 last month) Lowest Sold Price: $5,500Highest Sold Price: $282,500  Average List/Sell Price Ratio  92% (decrease from 93.66% prior month) Average Days on Market 123 (solds) (great improvement from 142 one month earlier) Total Homes on Market as of 1/1/2011 1,239   This is an increase in available inventory by approximately 4... 02/12/2011

The goal of the ACRE program is about growing trained real estate consultantswho can offer quality, transparent choices to the consumer, both in the services that they can receive and how those services can be paid for.  We know and communicate to the consumer that their highest value is that of a fiduciary: providing guidance, judgment and representation, not a funtionary that simply completes tasks. Taking listings, placing signs and lockboxes on properties, taking photos, and making MLS entries are examples of functionary tasks that many real estate agents take for granted as the scope of their job. Our goal is to elevate the awareness of the consumer and to be the symbol for excellence in real estate consulting in Tupelo, Mississippi. Professional real estate agents are at a crossro... 01/07/2011

December 2010 Sales Statistics - Tupelo Area, NE Mississippi   A quick compilation of housing numbers for the month of December 2010 are as follows:  Total Closed Sales:  80 (decrease from 83 in Nov) Total Foreclosures Sold: 27 (compared to 28 the month prior)Foreclosure/sales Ratio: 34%  (No change from Nov) Average Sold Price: $118,193 ($117,293 Nov)Median Price: $94,900  (up slightly from last month) Lowest Sold Price: $19,900Highest Sold Price: $599  (list-to-sale price ratio of 93% and 855 Days on Market) Average List/Sell Price Ratio  93.66% (improved from 91% prior) Average Days on Market 142 (solds) (an increase of 13 days from previous month) Total Homes on Market as of 12/31/2010 1,193   This is a decrease in available inventory by approximately 70 homes (compared to Nov) and... 01/06/2011

What Do Those Letters Mean After an Agent's Name? (edit/delete) The consumer surely must wonder what all the characters following real estate agents name mean, so here is a blog re-post that may shed some light on deciphering those letters that may lead to choosing a REALTOR that's up to the task.  Via Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD): Most people don't give a second thought to initials following the names of medical doctors (MD), accountants (CPA), professors (Ph.D.), and nurses (RN) because we're accustomed to seeing them used.  Initials indicating membership in professional organizations and advanced training for real estate agents are less familiar, however, so consumers are not always sure what they in... 01/05/2011

While at friends house last night for dinner, we discovered this very humorous and creative video of the Nativity event as seen through the use of technology. Produced in a very respectful manner, it is also rather comical the way the chain of events are chronicled.  This video depicts how social media, web and mobile tell the story of the Nativity. This is the Christmas story told through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Wikipedia, Google Maps, GMail, Foursquare, Amazon. Times change but the feeling remains the same. Enjoy and Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Digital Story of the Nativity 12/25/2010