Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips

Trick-or-treating can be one of the most fun Halloween events for your kids. However, it can also be potentially dangerous because it happens outside in the dark. Here are some Halloween safety tips to make sure your kids come home safe and happy:

1. Never go into a stranger’s house – Only get candy from houses that give it to you at the door. If someone invites them in, tell them to just say “no, thanks” and leave immediately.
2. Use the buddy system – Kids should never go trick or treating without a sibling, friend, or parent. If they are going out without parents, make sure you know the area where they will be trick-or-treating.
3. Set a curfew – If you aren’t going trick or treating with your kids, set a time that they need to be home by or a time for them to check in with a phone call. That way, you know that they are safe.
4. Eat a snack / dinner before trick or treating – By eating something beforehand, your kids won’t be as tempted to eat their treats before they come home…which leads to the next tip…
5. Always cross streets at interections and walkways – Make sure your child knows how to cross a street and to only cross at designated intersections.
6. Always check candy before giving it to your child – Make sure none of the candy is open or looks like it was tampered with. If you have small children, make sure the candy is not a choking hazard.
7. Go on your local police website and search for sex offenders in your neighborhood - While this may seem overly precautious, you may want to steer clear of these houses or areas.
8. Wear something reflective in your costume and carry a flashlight – It’s going to be dark out by the time you go home, so make sure cars can see you at night. Put reflective tape on the costume and trick or treating bags.
9. Create well fitting costumes – Kids will be running from house to house, so make sure their costume is suitable for running. Make sure face marks still allow your child to see their full range, make sure capes are not too long to trip over, and ensure any swords are not too sharp. Have them wear gym shoes.
10. Choose flame resistant materials for costumes – Since there can be candles and other open flames at houses, choose a fire resistant material for costumes to avoid burn injuries.

After the Shuttle: The Next Space Age

From Senator Roger Wicker

Wicker Says Mississippi Will Continue as Aerospace Leader

The landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center this week closes a remarkable chapter in America’s space program.

President Obama announced early last year that human space flight would be discontinued after the retirement of NASA’s Space Shuttle.

The end of the shuttle era, however, will not be the end of American leadership in space.  According to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, “Our destinations for humans beyond Earth remain ambitious.  They include:  the moon, asteroids, and Mars.  The debate is not if we will explore, but how we’ll do it.”

Our Space Legacy

Space exploration has long been an emblem of America’s courage and can-do spirit.  Just as the Apollo program defined a generation by putting the first man on the moon – a milestone that celebrates its 42^nd anniversary this week – the Space Shuttle program has carried our sense of wonder and adventure for 135 missions.  The International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope are among its many noteworthy achievements.

Mississippians have been at the forefront of aerospace technology since the beginning of the space program and will be essential to future discoveries among the stars.  The NASA Reauthorization Act, which provides funding for NASA through 2013, recognizes the importance of the Stennis Space Center in fulfilling these future endeavors.  As a member of the Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, I will continue to support Stennis and make sure its facilities are utilized to the best of their capabilities.

50 Years of Service

Stennis – which employs more than 5,000 and is home to approximately 30 federal, state, academic, and private organizations – has made a monumental impact on our state.  As the space center celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we must remember the Mississippi families who have helped this country reach its space dreams.

Rocket scientist Wernher von Braun recognized the state’s contributions and ingenuity from the beginning.  “I don’t know yet what method we will use to get to the moon, but I do know that we have to go through Mississippi to get there!” he famously quipped.

Since then, each space shuttle’s main engine has been tested in Hancock County.  Last year alone, the groundbreaking work at Stennis generated an economic impact of $616 million within a 50-mile radius and $875 million across the globe.

Model for the Future

The future of space exploration has already begun in Mississippi.  The A-3 Test Stand, a one-of-a-kind test facility currently being built at Stennis, will provide the rocket propulsion testing and simulated altitudes needed to prepare NASA’s next fleet of rocket engines for deep space travel.

Commercial companies continue to turn to Stennis for upcoming space projects.  Orbital Sciences Corporation partnered with Stennis last year to test its Aerojet AJ26 rocket engines for commercial cargo flights to the International Space Station.  The company has committed to eight of these ISS missions through 2015.

The journey to space will still go through Mississippi long after the retirement of the Space Shuttle.  The historic final flight of Atlantis comes with a look back at what we have done – and what we still hope to do.

Pearl River Central School District (PRC):

All students register at the PRCHS Cafeteria at 7407 Hwy 11, Carriere, MS:

June 27th – Last Names A-Co

June 28th – Last Name Cr-Hi

June 29th – Last Names Ho-Mis

June 30th – Last Names Mit-Sm

July 1st – Last Names Sm – Z

New Students must fill out the following paperwork to bring with them: 2011-2012 Registration Packet – New Students ONLY

Returning Students must fill out the following paperwork to bring with them:2011-2012 Registration Packet – Returning Students ONLY

Picayune School District:

July 18th – District Registration 11:00am – 7:00pm

July 19th – District Registration 8:00am – 3:00pm

Click for a list of schools in the Picayune MS School District

Home sellers have one goal—to sell their home as quickly as possible near or at the listing price. A home in move-in condition makes meeting this ideal easier.

Many of today’s prospective homebuyers have busy lifestyles and are looking for properties that don’t require a lot of work. Homeowners should be proactive by making needed repairs before putting their homes on the market.

Inspect both inside and outside the home. Take inventory of practical and aesthetic repairs. You may want to apply a fresh coat of paint on the walls, doors, and shutters. Clean the carpet and buff and polish wooden floors. Tighten and polish hardware. Repair cracks in sidewalks and driveways, and clean any stains on them. Replace missing or warped roofing. Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms. Repair dripping faucets and drains or plumbing fixtures that aren’t operating.

Fix sticking doors and replace old locks and doorknobs. Replace burned-out bulbs and broken electrical sockets. Replace cracked windows and torn screens. Repair broken fencing and reseal the deck. Clean up stains on the tiles and countertops.

Some experts also recommend hiring a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate the property. (For a list of inspectors in your area, visit the American Society of Home Inspectors website, www.ashi.com, or ask your real estate professional for recommendations.) A standard report will review the condition of the home’s heating system, central air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure.

If the pre-inspection results in a checklist, have a real estate professional look over the report with you to help you prioritize the list of repairs.

Depending on your goals and budget, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to the home, such as a leak. In addition, your local market conditions may dictate how extensive your repairs need to be. Let your budget and your real estate professional guide you.

However, be careful about fixing up too much. Sellers rarely recoup money on major remodeling projects, and you may want to save funds for your new home. Also, obtaining home improvement loans can adversely affect your ability to qualify for your next mortgage.

A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make small repairs to your home can go a long way in making sure that your home is presented to potential buyers in its best possible light. They also just might make the sale.

Even if you’ve bought or sold a home before, this process can still be daunting. Let’s look at the many steps involved in selling a home and see how a real estate professional works to tie them all together.

Step 1: List your property with a real estate professional. Select someone who’s knowledgeable, listens carefully to identify your needs, and with whom you feel comfortable.

Step 2: Discuss how the real estate professional can assist you in finding your new home. If you have not identified a property to purchase, you’ll want to work with someone with an in-depth knowledge of the area to guide you.

Step 3: Establish price and time frame. Your listing agent will prepare a comparable market analysis (CMA), which compares your home with similar homes in the area that are currently listed, in contract or have sold within the last six months. Supply and demand, craftsmanship, amenities, condition and any special circumstances can also impact price. For instance, a relocation might necessitate a quick sale.

Step 4: Develop and implement a marketing strategy. It’s important to develop a plan that will expose your home to as many buyers as possible. This usually includes scheduling open houses, advertising in local newspapers and magazines and on the Internet, preparing property brochures, registering with a multiple listing service, exposing the listing to brokers’ and referral networks and installing a lawn sign.

Step 5: An offer is submitted. A buyer will make an offer through his agent. The buyer’s agent will present the offer to your representative, who will promptly relay it to you and help you evaluate it.

Step 6: The negotiation process begins and eventually an offer is accepted. The process of offer and counter-offer may go on until parties arrive at an acceptable contract. This step can go very quickly or take days, even weeks.

Step 7: Buyers submit a loan application and home inspections are scheduled. Most often, the loan approval is contingent upon a satisfactory appraisal and various inspections.

Step 8: The loan is approved. All parties breathe a sigh of relief and begin preparations for moving.

Step 9: The listing agent coordinates all activities required for closing. Your agent will funnel all the closing documents to the escrow agent. Papers include the deed, mortgage, numerous tax receipts, a Certificate of Occupancy and other documents. A final walk-through will also be scheduled.

Step 10: Finalize and close transaction. What you call this final real estate transaction depends on where you live and if the parties gather for the proceedings. The term settlement applies when a meeting takes place. In colloquial terms, many people refer to this as the closing. On the other hand, closing of escrow occurs without a meeting. When the escrow agent receives the paperwork and the funds pertaining to the sale of the property, the escrow is closed.

Step 11: Time to move!

If you are ready to sell your home, call Michelle Fradella-Barfuss with Pinnacle Real Estate Services – 601-569-0075 – and find out how Pinnacle’s “Strategic Marketing” can put your home in front of MORE buyers!

Use the interactive window from Google’s Street View to see City Hall in Picayune, MS.

Most rentals in Picayune, Carriere and other areas of Pearl River County, are at least $800/month or more (depending on condition, age, and location).  To purchase your own home would be a savings!  There are currently over 108 homes for sale in the $50,000-$120,000 price range in Pearl River and Hancock County.

Interest rates are still low, but they are starting to creep up.  Now is the time to find that home you need, at an affordable price, before the market heats up again!  Call Michelle Fradella at 601-569-0075 to find out what homes are available!

The homebuying process can be overwhelming, but if you go into it prepared, your first purchase can be a good experience. Here are some things to consider before making the plunge.

• Getting a mortgage-Fear of being rejected for a home loan is one of the main concerns for first-time homebuyers. To lessen the stress, you may want to get pre-approved for a loan before looking at prospective homes. This will not only help you feel more confident, it will also give you an advantage when there are multiple offers for a specific home. The fact that your loan has already been approved is of great value to the seller: because it shortens the purchase process and there is less of a chance that the buyer will back out of the sale.

• Mortgage Payments-The costs involved in the purchase of a home can be overwhelming to first-time buyers. However, with the help of a real estate professional, you can calculate out how much they you be able to pay each month in mortgage payments, and from there, what prospective homes offer a feasible payment plan.

• Down-Payment-The down-payment amount varies depending on the value of the home you choose and your mortgage lender. And in some cases, first-time home buyers can purchase a home with no money down. Although it varies from state to state, most offer government-funded programs for first-time buyers that help people buy a home with no down-payment. Your real estate professional will be able to explain the different options available to you.

• Closing Costs- First-time buyers often forget to consider the closing costs when making an offer on a home. Paying closing fees of up to 10 percent of the home sale amount is not unusual. Add that to the down-payment and you’ll have quite a sum to raise before the final papers can be signed. However, a smart first-time buyer takes this into account before making an offer, and with some professional help, the costs can be estimated in advance.

• Making offers- Don’t feel pressured into making an offer on the first home you see. This is a common mistake of many first-time homebuyers. Make sure you view different homes to get a feel for the marketplace. When you do decide on a home to make a bid on, work with your real estate professional to get all of your questions answered first before making an offer. But don’t wait too long to make an offer. The longer you wait, the greater the chance other prospective buyers may place offers, making it harder for you to negotiate a good deal.

• Condition of the Home- Buying a “problem” home is another fear of first-timers. A home that needs major repairs can become a costly venture. And, unless the asking price is adjusted to reflect the hidden repairs needed, chances are the home is not worth as much as the seller is asking for it. To avoid unfortunate surprises, your real estate professional may advise you to hire a home inspector before making a serious offer. That way, you know what you are getting into.

Above all, remember that there are no silly questions. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with every aspect of the transaction. Your real estate professional can be an invaluable asset in helping you make educated decisions so that your first-home purchase is a rewarding experience.

Michelle Fradella has extensive experience in working with First-Time Homebuyers.  Call Michelle, with Pinnacle Real Estate Services, to start the home buying process.  601-569-0075