Extremely large home has 6 bedrooms upstairs and a full guest house at ground level, with it’s own kitchen, bedroom, and family room. Huge master bedroom with cathedral ceiling, whirlpool tub and two walkin closets. Granite counters in upstairs kitchen. Very open floorplan. Above ground swimming pool partially submerged. Large decks around the house with a great view of pond next door.  For more information, or to see this home, be sure to contact Michelle Fradella at Pinnacle Real Estate Services – 601-569-0075.

Picayune School District – School starts for students on August 9th.

Pearl River Central School District (PRC) – School for students starts August 4th.

While the school year is in full swing, you may have children working on projects.  Here is a great FREE resource for clipart and templates for everything from chores to reports: Back to School with Office Clipart and Media.

Currently, the interest rate on a Conventional Loan is hanging at 4.35% on a 30 year term, and 4.75% for a 15 year term.  FHA and RD (Rural Development) is at 4.25% with 95% LTV (Loan-to-Value).   If your current mortage is at 5.3% or higher, this might possibly be the best time to do a re-finance!

If you are interested in knowing more about current interest rates (in relation to your credit score**), give Luann Watkins a call at 601-798-2987.  And if you’re pre-approved and ready to find your next home, call Michelle Fradella at 601-569-0075!

All rates are subject to change.  All rates quoted are for purchase loans only with 1% origination.  *Conventional rates are based on a loan with a credit score of 700 at a 95% loan-to-value.  **FHA, VA, and RD rates are based on a purchase price of $120,000 with a credit score of 700 at maximum LTV.

Items discussed were the increase in membership dues, insurance quotes for the new pavilion and walking trail in Phase V, committee volunteers for the ARC (Architectural Review Committee), and committee volunteers to help maintain the front entrance until the end of the year.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for the ARC or the front entrance maintenance, please call Michelle Fradella at 601-569-0075.

We were also priviledged to have in attendance our District 5 County Supervisor, Sandy Kane Smith, who spoke to us about the road maintenance and repair that will be going on at the front of the subdivision where there has been some road deterioration which has become an emergency situation. Funding from a State Project grant will be used to fix the culverts and roadway. Mr. Smith also handed out his business cards and encouraged any property owners to call if they have questions. His office number is 601-403-2300 and his cell phone number is 601-916-2317.

BUT . . . let’s put this all into perspective. How is OUR MARKET today? The national media has grouped all areas of our fine Country into one big database, allowing the overinflated numbers of the decline in value that California and Florida have experienced, to set the stage. But what if we focused on just our neck of the woods? The North Hill Subdivision, in Carriere, MS, is a well established neighborhood, which continues to thrive, even in today’s market.

Let’s turn back the clock, and look at the market we were experiencing before Hurricane Katrina blew in and altered our world. During the year 2005, from January 1st to August 15th (and I use August 15th because Katrina hit on August 29th), the average price per square foot for a home in the North Hill community was $92.13. This is the calculated price of the heated and cooled area of the home, based on the sales that took place during that time frame.

Now let’s look at the numbers for what has been deemed the “worst real estate market in over 50 years”. Currently (based on sales from January 1st to today, 2009), the average price per square foot is $104.40 (based on sales of homes with 2200-2500 sq ft living area). This is almost a 13% increase in value over the 2005 figures.

I feel it’s important to look at these numbers, removing the over-inflated numbers that Hurricane Katrina caused in our area because of the demand for homes for those that lost their properties in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast regions. Most people’s perceptions are that the property values in our area have tumbled. When looking at what property values were in 2005, and what they are today, we can see that we continue to appreciate at a normal rate.

If you would like to know more information about the value of your home, please call me, Michelle Fradella, at Pinnacle Real Estate Services – 601-799-1848 – for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis.

It’s almost time for our 2009 NHPOA Board elections. The Board will have three (3) openings this election season, so come out and run for a position! The procedures for this will be exactly as described by our by-laws. Please go to www.nhpoa.com for details.

• Nomination Meetings will be held on January 24th, 2009 and February 21st, 2009, and the elections will be held in March.
• The meeting will be held a the Coast Electric building on Hwy 11 North at 10:00am until 11:00am.

Anyone interested in becoming a Board member must attend the meeting on Saturday, January 24th or Saturday, February 21st, 2009. Confirmed candidates may campaign from January 24th to the deadline on March 21, 2009, at 12:00 noon.

The meeting on Saturday, January 24th will also be our General Membership Meeting (10:00am). General information will be discussed and Board member nominations can be made at this meeting.

The North Hill Property Owner’s Association Picnic was a great success this year! Thanks to our sponsors we had great BBQ from FatBoys in Picayune, a 24′ dry slide from Fun Jumpers, live entertainment by the BayouSelf Band, and a wonderful property to hold it on, provided by Ron and Diane Kent at 41 Briar Cliff Drive.

The weather was extraordinary, and we had a wonderful time. Thanks for all those who came out to enjoy the day with us!!

This beautiful home, at 41 Briar Cliff – in Phase 1 of North Hill, offers a wonderful space for entertaining friends and family.

You will love the tall ceilings, large great room with wood-burning fireplace, and spacious kitchen with granite countertops and custom cabinetry.
There are 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and over 3000 sq ft of heated and cooled area in this fine home, all on 1.56 Acres of land.

The master suite offers a corner fireplace, and a master bath with whirlpool tub, ceramic tile, walkin closet, and an extraordinary tiled shower with dual shower heads and sprayers.

The back yard is the magnificent focal point of this home, with beautiful decking, underground lighting, a salt-water pool with fountain, outdoor kitchen, guest house, greenhouse and hookups for 2 RVs. Also included with the home is a 20kw whole house generator that can sustain everything (including the pool) for 7 days.

If you would be interested in seeing this fine home, call Michelle Fradella at 601-569-0075. Buyers must be pre-approved.