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

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On November 30th, 2010, I closed on two houses that will be beneficial in improving the market here in Picayune and Pearl River County, MS:

This home, located at 17 Laurel Grove Drive, is in the North Hill Subdivision in Carriere. It is a 4 bedroom home on an acre of land with an inground swimming pool, and it sold for full price, cash (and it never even had a “for sale” sign in the yard):

This home, located at 29 West Robin Drive, is in the Eagle Heights Subdivision in Picayune, MS, and features 3 bedrooms, an open floorplan, and a beautiful covered back patio for entertaining. It sold for $220,000:

In the 12 years that I have lived in Pearl River County, I can tell you that Halloween has always been moved to the evening prior, when the event falls on Sunday on the calendar, showing respect for the Sabbath Day and Christian Worship.

BUT according to the Hide-A-Way Lake Lodge, they will be holding trick-or-treating on Sunday.

If you are looking for last minute ideas on treats to make for your Halloween guests, FamilyFun.com has some really cute ideas: http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-recipes/

FoodNetwork.com also has some great recipes for treats for your spooks:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/halloween/package/index.html

Both of these sites also have great ideas for Costumes, Crafts, and Party Games.

I hope you have a  howling good time in however you choose to celebrate this Halloween!!

2322 Hwy 43 South – Picayune MS  39466

601-799-5909

Kellie’s is finally re-opened, and I have to tell you, I’m stuffed on one of the best Shrimp Po-Boys around!  If you are looking for New Orleans style cooking, you need to visit Kellie and her team.  I promise you, you won’t be disappointed!

Homes For Sale in Pearl River County –

(PDF file is 8 MB, so it might take a minute to load)

When you’re ready to find a great deal in the Picayune and Pearl River County Mississippi area, call Michelle Fradella at Pinnacle Real Estate Services at 601-569-0075.

House Hunting Tips when searching for a home in Picayune Mississippi.  What you should know when you are wanting to buy a home in Pearl River County, MS.

Click here to see the conceptual drawings and layout for the new Highland Community Hospital

Some things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect property for your family:

1. Make your first step the step of locating and hiring a Real Estate Consultant that you are confident has your needs, desires, and best interests at heart.  Your Real Estate Consultant can prove to be a lifesaver when you’ve reached the final hours before closing and the sky looks as though it’s going to fall.  They will also be there to search out the home that fits your needs, negotiate your deal, and advise you on anything that comes up during inspections and the loan process.
2. Next, if you need to get financing for your next home, you will need to talk to a lender to get “pre-approved” for a loan.  There is a difference between being “pre-qualified” and “pre-approved”.  You will be a better-positioned Buyer when you have a pre-approval letter from a lender, stating that it has already been determined that you can get a loan for the amount you are offering.
3. Meet with your Real Estate Consultant to identify the things that are absolute necessities in your search.  Discuss a list of “needs”, and then add to the list the “wants”.  It’s important to realize that not every item on your list is going to exist in one house.  Know what you can’t live without (amount of bedrooms, amount of bathrooms, size of yard, etc), and then add to that the things that you’d like to have, also, if available in the price range you are looking in.
4. Another important factor that must be considered when purchasing a home for your family is the neighborhood. This is more important than many people may realize. It is well worth having a smaller home in a neighborhood that is poised for growth rather than a larger home in a neighborhood that is in the state of decline or on the verge of the state of decline. Crime rates in the neighborhood and the school district are other things that need to be considered as well before deciding to view a potential home.
5. It’s important to look at more than one property before making a decision.  Keep in mind, however, that if you have sat down with your Real Estate Consultant and gone over your needs and wants, then they will have a good idea of what you are looking for.  Your Consultant will pull the properties that meet those needs.  If you are not comfortable with the properties that you are viewing, it’s important to go back to the list and adjust.  Many Buyers tend to start out looking for one thing, and then realize that their expectations may be different than what was discussed.  I’ve had many Buyers tell me that they absolutely have to have one item, and then go in the opposite direction once we start looking.  Keep your Consultant in the loop on your thoughts, and they will be able to tailor the homes they show you to coincide with your list.
6. Rely on the expertise of your Real Estate Consultant to give you advice on making an offer.  There are many more contributing factors to a contract than just price.  How quickly you are able to close, whether or not you have your financing in place, the amount of money you are putting down as earnest money, any request for seller assistance in closing costs, etc, will all be contributing factors.  The truth is, it doesn’t matter how much you offer, it’s the underlying items on a contract that can make or break negotiations.  When you’ve hired an experienced Real Estate Consultant, you will have someone with experience in negotiations to work at getting you the best deal.

You will find many houses along the way but few will reach out and impress themselves upon you as home. Those are the ones you should consider long and hard. Weigh the options, the prices, and your likes and dislikes, and depend on a seasoned Real Estate Consultant to guide you through the process.  If you do all of this you should be well on your way to the home of your dreams.