Jackson, MS

As colors are changing and leaves are falling, we all know that Old Man Winter is just around the corner. Winter begins on December 21^st this year. If you live in Jackson , Mississippi , now is a good time to start preparing your home for the rain, sleet, snow and ice that come with it. And I thought I would share some useful tips for winterizing your home.

Winterizing your home before winter arrives is very important. Winterizing your home at the right time will help prevent the damage that a harsh winter can cause.

Winterizing your home tips:

~ Seal Doors and Windows - Check your weather stripping around your doors and windows. If there is damage to the stripping, replace it with new stripping. Also, caulk any areas around doors and windows to prevent heat from escaping. This will also save you money on your energy bill.

~ Insulate Your Home - If your home has a basement or attic, check the insulation in those areas. Proper insulation will keep heat from escaping, thus saving you money on your energy bill.

~ Insulate Your Pipes - Exposed pipes are accidents waiting to happen. A burst pipe can be a nightmare. So protect your pipes by wrapping them in insulation and heating tape. Also, check for leaks and have them repaired before winter sets in.

~ Clean Out Furnaces, Heaters, Chimneys and Boilers - It is very important to have all these items checked before winter arrives. Having them serviced at least once a year can prevent all kinds of damage to your home.

~ Cut Tree Branches - Many areas around the country experience strong winter storms. So this is a good time to check for weak trees around your home. Also, trim any branches that hang over or near your home. A tree service can get any branches you are unable to reach.

~ Clean Gutters - If you don't have gutter covers on your gutters, you will definitely need to clean out your gutters. During the fall, thousands of leaves will fall to the ground and many will get stuck in your gutters. To clean your gutters, just scoop out loose debris and flush out the downspouts. Installing gutter covers will save you a lot of hassle.

I hope you find these tips helpful with getting your home prepared for winter. Also, subscribe to my free reports for more great tips and advice.

Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate

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Mississippi Homes for Sale

Mary & Bill Watkins

Many Investors in Jackson, Mississippi will be looking to find good deals on rehab properties for quick re-sales. But many real estate investors will find that today's market rules are really different from those rules of a few years ago. So, I want to give all investors a heads-up. There is one thing you need to be cautious about on today's real estate market and that is over-improving the property. Several real estate investors have recently found that over-improving the property has caused them to lose money because the property takes a longer time to sell.

So, gone are the days of fancy fix-ups. Investors should look to spend less on kitchens and bathrooms. It was just a few years ago that investors were spending an extra $35,000 or more to install granite counters and cherry cabinets. But, now the optimal price is only $4,000 or a little more. Look at the properties in the area and try to stay in that price range. No investor can afford to have the only house in the neighborhood with granite counter tops anymore. Plus there are many affordable trendy items on the market to upgrade a home.

Since short sales and foreclosures are competing with every property that comes on the market, you will have to be the one with the lowest asking price in that area. Usually a 10 to 15 percent lower asking price will sell much faster.

Just keep in mind, to be able to get the price you want in the time you want, you need to buy low and improve the property at a cost-efficient price.

Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate

Jackson, Mississippi Homes for Sale

Many buyers will ask me which is better: buying a new home or an older home, buying in the city or in the suburb, what's the latest real estate trends? Well, not everyone is the same. What might work for one family may not be as great for another family.

I can tell you that any property in the city will cost you more. The question is: "Are you willing to pay more to be close to work, nightlife, shopping and hundreds of restaurants?" Up until last month, many buyers were looking to buy in the city because of high gas prices, but even those are falling. Now people are buying in the city because it's trendy and convenient.

Property prices vary in Jackson, Mississippi, but you can find condos or town homes that top off around $300,000. Some buyers may think this is a hefty price to pay for a condominium or town home, but these properties are all convenient to shopping centers, businesses, museums, parks, restaurants, trendy bars and so much more. Many residents in Jackson like the convenience and don't even own a car.

Because it's trendy to live in the city, builders are creating designs from the 1960s modern styles with a bit of an edgy twist. Designs are simple lines and imaginative lighting, such as hidden lights or crafted balls. Some architects are getting really creative and adding built-ins that do double work. With these creative designs, a large flat-screen television can swivel between rooms.

Other new trends coming about are rain shower heads installed into the ceiling instead of the wall. Sinks that are large and built into the vanity are also making a come back, as many buyers are finding that while vessel sinks may look neat, they are just not practical for daily use.

Lofts are becoming more popular, too. Lofts provide working and living space. They are usually multi-level, with the first floor completely open for business or commercial use. The upper level usually contains floor to ceiling glass instead of solid walls, giving the upper level a more open look, even with several rooms.

Of course, green homes are also becoming very popular and trendy. Green homes feature solar energy, eco-friendly floor covering, energy efficient appliances and fluorescent lighting. Some green homes even have a plug in the garage designed just for electric cars.

So, here you have it: 2008's latest trends. We hope they help you in your next home buying experience.

Jackson, Mississippi real estate

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Mistletoe Marketplace 2008 DON'T MISS THIS SHOPPING EVENT OF THE YEAR

November 6-8, 2008

It's that time of year again and The Junior League of Jackson, MS is looking forward to Mistletoe Marketplace 2008!! Mark your calendars for November 6-8, 2008. The three-day marketplace includes an array of special events, dining opportunities, live entertainment and cooking demonstrations from the Junior League's nationally recognized cookbooks. Over 35,000 shoppers from across the Southeast enjoy more than 165 merchants from across the United States offering unique gifts and holiday trends in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. Proceeds from Mistletoe Marketplace support the Junior League's many community projects. Mistletoe Marketplace has been chosen by the American Bus Association as one of the 2007 Top 100 Events.

Mistletoe Marketplace is the largest fundraiser in Mississippi! You'll enjoy the excitement of this three-day holiday shopping extravagana featuring more than 100 merchants from across the nation. Each day is filled with special events designed to fuel the excitement of the approaching holiday season. This festive events is being held at the Mississippi Trade Mart on the fair grounds in Jackson, MS. Mistletoe Marketplace tickets are on sale now. Call 1-888-324-0027 to purchase your tickets.

Mistletoe Marketplace Live Auction items are available now.
Click here to see the items available for purchase prior to Mistletoe.

The Junior League of Jackson, MS is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For more information about the Junior League of Jackson, MS click here.

The Junior League of Jackson, MS is a member organization of the Association of Junior Leagues International. To learn more about AJLI, visit their website at www.ajli.com

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING EVENTS IN JACKSON, MS

Ready to make your next move? We have several Homes for Sale in Madison MS, Brandon MS, and Ridgeland MS. Search the local MLS for 1000's of homes in the Jackson, MS Metro area.

If you're Relocating to Brandon MS or live in this area and would like to view some of the homes currently listed on the market call Herrington Realty Co. today at 601.502.4693.

Looking for a home on the Reservoir? You will find everything you want in the Brandon MS area. The City of Brandon MS is a great place to live and is served by the Rankin County School District.

The Legacy of Timbuktu : Wonders of the Written Word art collection has been brought to Jackson , Mississippi to the International Museum of Muslim Cultures Mississippi Museum, and will be here until October 31^st.

Within the last millennium a very important world legacy was discovered - the literate culture of Africa . It symbolizes unique riches and historical manuscripts that have survived for centuries. The found manuscripts are evidence that beginning in the 14^th century, a very sophisticated culture once lived and flourished in the city of Timbuktu on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert . The manuscripts show that Timbuktu was a crossroads for international commerce and book trade. It was also a well known center for learning, bringing in thousands of teachers, students and scholars from around the world.

The museum will showcase the exhibit of this awesome legacy and the many tragic events that ended Timbuktu . The feature exhibit will be a display of African manuscripts that show the prominence of learning and literacy that made Timbuktu what it was for over 700 years. The leather bound manuscripts are just some of the estimated one million documents that have been found in the country of Mali of West Africa. There will be videos that will display the African artifacts through listening stations, touch-screen kiosks, interactive maps and more.

This is a great attraction to Jackson residents and visitors. It gives the chance to explore the history of African trade, great civilizations, tent life, and French colonialism in Mali . There will also be a display of Malian musical instruments and a demonstration of the similarity between the music played on these instruments and today's blues.

If you're looking for a fun and affordable activity to enjoy while in Jackson , Mississippi , then stop by the museum. You will have fun while you learn.