From choosing the right location to negotiating with agents, find out what you need to know before investing in real estate for sale.

Investing in real estate can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, there are many different factors to consider before purchasing a property for sale, such as location, size and condition. Learn the basics of navigating the real estate market to make sure you find the right property for your needs.


Do your research
Before you start searching for real estate for sale, it’s important to do your research. Figure out what type of real estate market works best for you and identify key factors such as location, budget and the type of property and amenities you want. Research potential properties online with Realtor.com or the likes and read up on current trends in the area to make sure you are making an informed decision.


Utilize local real estate agents
Reaching out to a local real estate agent can be a great way to learn more about the market and find properties that meet your needs. An experienced Realtor will know the area well, have an understand of local regulations, and have contacts with other agents and brokers who might be able to help. Agents may also be able to provide you with helpful resources like tax facts, market information, closing costs, or access to sold data that is not available elsewhere. Reach out for advice early on in the buying process before you approach any offers for sale.


Find a Great local lender
One of the most important steps in buying real estate for sale is finding a great local lender. Look for lenders with competitive rates, which can help you save money when it comes to getting your mortgage loan. It’s also worth talking to some agents who are familiar with the local market to find out more information about available loan options and what specific programs might be suitable for your needs.


Be prepared to negotiate
Negotiation is a key part of buying real estate, so it’s important to spend some time preparing and learning how to approach negotiations. Talk with an experienced real estate agent or attorney who can guide you through the process and help you understand what to expect. Keep in mind that negotiation isn’t just about getting the best price - ensuring the transaction goes smoothly will benefit everyone involved. Be prepared by researching each step in the buying process and understanding the terms laid out in any offers or contracts.


Assess property features and get a home inspection
When considering real estate for sale, closely examine all the features of a potential property and ensure that it fits your needs. Have the property inspected by a professional to make sure that you are getting exactly what you expect and uncover any hidden surprises. Be sure to factor in the costs of repairs or renovations into your budget as well.

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Selling your home in Hattiesburg, MS? Learn how to choose the right agent with our expert advice on important considerations like experience, specialty and more

Finding a real estate agent in Hattiesburg, MS who’s right for you can be a daunting task. Whether in Hattiesburg, Oak Grove or Petal; this guide will provide tips on what matters to consider when selecting an agent, from experience and specialty to cost, customer service, and reputation.


Ask for referrals from past clients and homebuyers.
When selecting a real estate agent, it’s important to get referrals from past clients, who can provide first-hand feedback. Ask if they were satisfied with the results of their home sale, how quickly the agent was able to get offers, and other details you should know before making your decision. You should also be sure to find out if potential agents specialize in any particular types of homes that you might have so you can match them to your needs.


Look for understanding, abilities and commitment in an agent.
Choosing the right real estate agent to sell your home in Hattiesburg, MS means taking an in-depth look at the expertise and qualifications of each potential candidate. You should look for an agent who has a deep understanding of the local market and access to the latest data, as well as strong negotiation skills and above-and-beyond service. Above all, make sure you find someone who is committed to providing you with clear communication and personalized attention throughout the entire process.


Make sure the estate agent is experienced in the Hattiesburg property market.
It's important to ensure that the agent you're considering has a good grasp of the local property market in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Ask them about their experience in selling properties in your specific area. The major local areas include Hattiesburg, Oak Grove and Petal markets.  You'll want to know if they have sold homes with similar features to yours recently and what kind of results they achieved. Also ask how many other buyers they are currently representing and whether they have the capacity to provide personal attention and advice tailored to your particular needs.


Review the agent's skill set including negotiation abilities, marketing plans and local knowledge.
When looking to select a real estate agent, ask them about their negotiation skills. Negotiating is an important part of the home-selling process and your chosen agent should be able to expertly handle any negotiations that may arise throughout the process. Additionally, make sure your agent has formulating good marketing plans for your listing. They should be able to identify potential buyers who are actively searching for a property like yours in the area and provide you with the best possible strategies for attracting those buyers. Lastly, review their local knowledge too. Your Realtor should have a good understanding of market trends in Hattiesburg and know how to identify which neighborhoods are rising or declining in value when advising you on your choices as a seller.

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Answers to common questions for Buyer

Buying a house is a big step when you are in any phase of life. Especially with the current Real Estate market uncertainty, we are here to help you navigate and successfully locate the perfect property for the best pricing. In this post, we will help buyers answer some of the questions they have regarding purchasing a house. Many people fear the home buying process, but hopefully, we can answer some of those questions and take away some of the whole process's anxiety. The questions will include talking about budgets, property risks, and conditions, and neighborhood.

When buying a home, there are always questions about the budget. One of the best questions is, "what your total cost?" This question will include what you will pay for before or at closing. Typically, these fees include, but are not limited to, appraisal, the property itself, inspection, mortgage interest, mortgage insurance, homeowner's insurance, taxes, and sometimes HOA fees. HOA fees do not include every house, but you will likely end up having some HOA fees if you are looking for something in a distinguished neighborhood. It would be best if you also were asking about time.

You want to ask your realtor, "how long has the house been on the market?" because knowing this will give you some room for negotiating. The longer the duration on the market, the more it signals a problem or issue with the property. Legally, your agent must inform you about certain things they know are wrong with the property. There will be certain things that your agent doesn't know about the property that will appear in the inspection. Often, homes will end up staying on the market because the price is too high for the property. With this knowledge, your agent should help you negotiate an affordable price because the seller would be more inclined to get the property sold.

Another essential question is, "why is the seller leaving?" This question can also help with your negotiating. There are several reasons that a person is choosing to leave their current home- need more space for growing family, downsizing for retirement, job relocation, or a significant family event. Time on the market and the seller's reasons for leaving give the seller motivation to work out a deal and provides the buyer with room for some negotiating. Before working out an agreement with the seller, ask your agent questions about the property risk and condition.

A risk that a buyer tends to take is the appliances and whether they come with the home or not. If they do, you want to ask, "how old are the major appliances?" This question will help determine if you will need to replace these components sooner than you want. This unfortunate e/Pvent is only one significant expense that you may have to come up with after purchasing your new home. Another liability that you are going to want to ask about is the roof.

When thinking of the property, one question that you should ask is, "how old is the roof?" The agent should be able to give you that information. This question is important because if the roof is near the end of its life cycle, the lender can ask that it be changed to get your loan approved. You also want to find this information out because you don't want to be paying for a new roof shortly after moving in. When thinking about the roof, you also need to think about weather conditions.

Buying a home means thinking of everything, and that includes the weather. So, the question you should be asking is, "Is this home in a flood zone?" or "does it risk damage from other natural disasters?".Buyers can search every home on FEMA's flood map. If it does pose a risk to flooding, you will need to investigate purchasing flood insurance separately. A tip for purchasing insurance is to make sure that it covers the cost to rebuild your home if it becomes wrecked. Before purchasing your dream home, you may want to find out about the neighborhood and if that feels like the best fit.

It would be best if you asked, "how is the neighborhood?" to get an idea of who or what you could be living next door. You can get an idea of what a community is like by researching crime statistics, school districts, and community amenities. An excellent way to understand the neighborhood is to ask someone that has lived there. Besides the area, you may want to also ask about the neighbors directly beside and sometimes behind your property.

Buying a house is sometimes considered a stressful and lengthy process. We hope to help answer some of your questions with this blog and give you some guidance on your homebuying process. If you have any other questions about the process or what you might need to qualify, comment down below, and we can help!

Fun Local Activities With Your Kids

Hattiesburg and the surrounding areas dedicate time to teaching the children of the community. These are just a few things to do that are great for kids and the family. They are educational, but they are also great places to create memories that can last a lifetime.

The Hattiesburg Zoo is something that the whole family can enjoy. There are several attractions, including a mining expedition and high ropes course. The Hattiesburg Zoo also focuses on educating people on wildlife and conservation. During the summertime, the splash pad is the best place to cool down. There is also a sloth experience that you can register to get a hands-on encounter with a real sloth! The zoo is continually adding new animals that make for a whole new adventure. They are often creating new additions to the zoo, so there is always something to do for the entire family. Be sure to check out their Facebook page before you go to see the events that are happening. https://hattiesburgzoo.com/

If you are looking for something to do during the summer, there is always Paul B Johnson State Park. There is a campsite that you can bring a camper or even tent camping. There is also a walking trail, several places for a picnic, and a beach with swimming spots on the lake. If you have a boat, it's a great place to go water skiing, wakeboarding, and even tubing. There is also a splash pad and a course for disc golf. Paul B Johnson is guaranteed to be a good time for the whole family. On special occasions, such as the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve, they also do a fireworks display. Another area that is fun for camping is Okatoma.

The Okatoma is not only a campsite that allows primitive camping; they also have canoe and kayak rentals. The rentals are cheap, and you can bring your kayak and use the parking and the bus service they offer to pick up and drop off locations. On the website, they offer three different trips that you can take and pick you up with an estimated time of the trips. I have personally gone down the three hours one and found that it is the most enjoyable. You can go early enough to have a picnic lunch and indulge in the great outdoors. If you are looking for something to do indoors, the trampoline park is one of the best places. https://okatoma.com/

Updown Trampoline Park in Hattiesburg is a great place to take the kids- and even parents- to burn off some energy. It is indoors, so it is one of the best options for a rainy day or just wanting to get out of the house. Whether you are going for a party or just trying to get a play date together, the trampoline park is something that can be enjoyed by all ages. https://updowntrampolinepark.com/

You never know what might pop up around town for you and the family to do. We would love for you to join in on the fun and see what all this beautiful area has to offer. Whether it's something to do inside or out, Hattiesburg has always got you covered on keeping the kids entertained.

Find your next favorite place to eat

Today we are highlighting some of the best restaurants in the local area. These are ones that we often frequent and love to show support by going and dining. Some of the restaurants in this list are ones that you are more than likely going to run into someone you know.

Keg and Barrel

The 1st location is in the downtown area; they also have one in the West Hattiesburg area and recently opened one on the coast. The restaurant is an old house converted, with three bar areas and a game room attached. People flock here for birthdays, graduations, and the majority of the time just for a good drink and delicious food. It is one of the few places that has ample outdoor seating and plenty of it. The Keg is often full of people, and they usually know somebody that is already there to save a spot. Keg and Barrel is one of the most popular places in town. Stop by, and you might spot a familiar face.

Sully's Tavern

Sully's is a spot that has been open since 2011 and serving up some of the best steaks in town. They have two locations, one on Sullivan Kilrain Rd, and the newest is right off the Evelyn Gandy Parkway in Petal. They are open every day of the week, except Sundays, and some evenings there is live music to enjoy while you dine. If you are not feeling the steak, try one of their fish options. They even have a great lunch menu that will be a little easier on your wallet. Both locations are great for celebrations or just a casual lunch spot.

Murky Waters

Murky Waters is a barbecue joint serving up some of the most outstanding smoked food in town. They have three locations, One across the street from the Zoo in Hattiesburg, one on the thriving Government St in Ocean Springs, and the other on 27th Avenue in Gulfport. They have delicious food and a great atmosphere for live music. It may be new to the Hattiesburg area but is steadily gaining recognition as an excellent spot for a delicious meal and tasty drink.

The Brass Hat

The Brass Hat is a bar and restaurant located in the Indigo Hotel right across from The University of Southern Mississippi. It's chic, classy, fun, and always a great atmosphere. You do not have to be staying at the hotel to see what the fuss is all about. They are consistently serving new drinks with themes for the seasons and delicious food.

Of course any of Robert St. John spots!:

https://crescentcitygrill.net/

https://tabellapronto.com/

http://themidtowner.net/

https://edsburgerjoint.com/

Ed's Burger also has the most awesome milkshakes in town!!

https://mahoganybar.net/

These are just a few of the places that we love to dine. If you are in the area and have the chance, we highly recommend you try one of them out. They are always so welcoming. You will leave with a full stomach and a new memory to share.

Investment property owner questions:

Have you ever thought about trying your hand at investing in real estate? Are you thinking of the property as a rental to make money off, or are you wanting to renovate and then sell? We will be discussing investment properties and going through some questions that may help you decide if it's right for you.

"What's my budget?"

This question is one that you should be asking yourself and going over with a financial advisor. Knowing your budget is crucial because you need to know what you can afford to buy and the cost of renovation of the property if required. Whether you turn it into a rental or flipping the home to sell, you do not want to run out of money and not finish your project. Do not be afraid to reach out to your community to see what they are looking for in a home or rental. Feedback from the people that you are serving is the best way to get information on how to better your business or side project.

"What is the vacancy rate in the neighborhood?"

Being able to understand the vacancy rate is vital. You want to make sure that you will rent your rental, or if you put your renovation on the market that it will sell. Buying and selling tend to have trends, so make sure you are entering the market at the right time. If you are renting your investment project, places with colleges nearby, army bases, and even hospitals are institutions you should contemplate. These institutions have people that are constantly rotating and moving.

"When was the roof, furnace, AC Unit, and water heater replaced?"

These elements are something that can be a considerable expense if they need replacing. It would be best if you asked your agent about the age of these items, and they should be in the property disclosure. Be sure to use your judgment as well when looking at the house and observing these items. You will eventually know what you will have to replace and can allocate these expenses into your budget.

"Is the home in a flood zone or prone to other natural disasters?"

Some houses tend to be in the flood zone, which can be a concern in many cases. Make sure to check the FEMA's flood zone map and see if your agent can find out if the home has ever flooded before. Even if the property is in the flood zone, the owners must be as honest as possible when filling out the Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS). They will be able to let you know if the property has flooded before. This information is super important and can affect if the home is worth buying or not.

"Trends of mortgage and rent rates?"

Understanding and watching the market is something that can benefit you as an investor. You want to make sure that you are purchasing and either selling or renting at the right time. Learning trends before you get into investing will help you once you have started investing.

If you are thinking of investing in real estate, be sure to talk to agents and lenders, and other people who are willing to share their experience in real estate investments. It can be a tricky process to start, but the individuals in real estate investing thrive off taking a risk and facing challenges head-on. Hopefully, with these questions, you can see if you are willing to take on a side project that can eventually become your full-time responsibility.