*Permission by Suzi Gravenstuk, to copy with attributions and back link.

If you are setting your goal to become a real estate salesperson, please research carefully before you pay for classes. There are certain skills that will help you. Not having them will set you back until you acquire them. There is also the cost. It goes wayyyy beyond the cost of your salesperson class.

In the MS Gulf Coast; If your Broker is a NAR member, you must be one also. You must be a NAR/MAR/GCAR member to have access to MLS membership.

Try doing business without the Gulf Coast MLS. I am sure someone is doing it. If you run into anyone who is actively doing business in residential SF resales without the MLS, please tell him or her I would love to meet up. That person has to be truly exceptional.

There are likely many little expenses we forget to tell you about. For 1 thing your cell phone bill will increase. You can also expect your gas consumptionto increase. We are not even talking Marketing on a shoe string, yet.

BE WARE: New Agents are prime targets for B2B sales pitches. Often the rationale is: "You'll have that paid for in 1 closing." This year it seems like great upgrades are running $19 a month. Well, how many $19 a month can you afford? OK, its supposed to give you a return on your expense. When?

Brokers are different as are salespeople. There are as many different employment agreements as there are Listing agreements. I recommend talking to several real estate agents and brokers before investing in your pre-licensing class.

Spend time reading, not blogging at agent online hang outs such as: Active Rain, Agents On Line, etc

Personally, a few of my must haves are:

Computer Skills+Be able to type and navigate between programs; or be ready to hire someone to do that.

Search+Demonstrate how as a prospective buyer (role play) you will search for your dream home online.

To gauge the depth of your interest I should be able to ask you questions from the Mississippi Association of REALTORS website and from the Mississippi Real Estate Commission website. Anyone with a true interest in real estate should have already found these sites.

Read Mississippi License Law or go to your own state's real estate commission website and be ready to answer some basic questions.

You do not have to be a home owner. I believe it helps.

I drive Hwy 90 (also known as Beach Boulevard) frequently. Each time I drove under the Sky Walk of the Island View Casino, I would think..."I want to go up there and walk across". Well, its not like the Island View charges to walk across Highway 90 using their Sky Walk. It was just one more of those things on my mental list that I wanted to do but seemed to never get around to actually doing it.

Finally, one day when I was working on listing preparation for 3214 12th St, just a couple of blocks away--I decided to take a break and stroll around the neighborhood a bit. I took some of my new listing cards with me to pass out. (Note a significant break through in 2009 for my marketing--focus is on the listing not the REALTOR:-).

The longer I am out on a gorgeous day, the bolder I seem to get. I actually went in the Island View and walked around a bit. Then I noticed a man in a suit whom I correctly assumed to be a casino manager. I gave him a small stack of cards -- just in case anyone mentioned to him that they were looking for a great home near the casino. He took them and said he would put them....

It struck me that this would be the perfect time to take the Sky Walk. This was a very pleasant experience. The Sky Walk is wide, and still has that fresh, recently built back feeling in a surreal climate controlled quiet environment. The Sky Walk is accented with interesting people; some of which coached me on how to take better photos through glass without showing my reflection.

I took time to watch the traffic on both sides. The photo below was looking West.

This photo was shot looking East.

The Island View can accomodate parking for most kinds of vessels (I think. Maybe you should contact them.)

The collage below is unrelated, just some of my favorite shots along HWY 90, the MS Gulf Coast, Harrison County.

Last but not least

Let me put my skills to work for you. Call Now.

Perhaps you did not realize the Mississippi Real Estate Professional Group exists. I apologize for not having promoted it in a stronger fashion. Please include any of your state oriented posts in this group. It will simply help us all to keep up and network more efficiently.

I for one, will post here as well. Please Post to Mississippi Real Estate Professionals.

The most notable local real estate news for the Gulf Coast is: The Gulf Coast MLS is now requiring at least 1 photo within 7 days of listing. A ruling long past due.

I understand from a local lender who is not posting here that ALL of Hancock County qualifies for the USDA loan program and sections of Harrison County.

In preparing a listing for the market, I wish it had been easier to pinpoint resources for home remodeling, cleaning, etc.

If you know anyone involved in real estate care--please invite them in.

• Inspectors
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Painters
• General Handy Men
• Cleaners
• Window Washers
• Landscapers

You get the picture:-)

The sellers agreed that a part of competitively positioning 3214 12th St. for the Jan 2009 market to work on curb appeal.

It may be useful to the future buyers to have Alley access. ESPECIALLY since this property is zoned T4L! Please consult with Gulfport Planning and Zoning. However the broad view is that this is a designated "Live/Work" property. So, you can legally run your business from home AND advertise it!

The last day of 2008 was gorgeous. A couple of things came together for me. The business cards respective to the listing at 3214 12th St in Gulfport, came in. I figured that I could use some exercise. Gee, what a perfect time and place for a "Walk About":-)

I chose 31st St. It doesn't look like much-but from the church to the beach are professional offices in homes and cottages from the early 1900's. It seems rationale to me that someone may know someone that really wants to move to this area. So I get permission from a person at each office to leave several cards. Wouldn't that be a hoot if the buyer came from property business cards and a walk about?

I had also volunteered to collect funds for a women's counseling resource (Ok--its an organization that helps women find alternatives to abortion). So, for some reason I combined the two missions.

It seemed perfectly normal to me--but it may have seemed strange to others. A broker carrying a baby bottle, personally promoting a listing on New Year's Eve? My reception was great! Although, I did not collect much change. I probably need to do a specific mission for that.

So, after attending to that section of 31st Street, I decided to spend some time at the beach, It was low tide, so I figured it was time to work on my sandwriting.

Of course I had to get some photos. I decided for once to include some of the angles that we see daily that are not pretty. We still see a lot of construction going one. The Sand Beach department seems to be continually working on the beach. The buildings at the near front right and left are the Island view Casino. The building in the distance I believe is Mississippi Power.

Industry is never nice to look at. But, you know what? How about joining me in being grateful that we have industry and that the Gulfport Port is EXPANDING, and it is expanding South rather than East/West.

West End Pier, Low tide(Obviously:-)

Took a bit of a beating from Gustav and Ike.

My secret hobby. Sandwriting totally relaxes me. Well, I guess it could be the sounds of waves and birds combined with a blue sky day, 60 degree weather...

This is to remind me that when I am ready to stop--just one more call or visit can change things. Just 1 more... the problem with this attitude is: "What if you are already a work a holic?" My answer to that is using the 212 degree concept towards the goal of working smarter in 2009, not necessarily longer and harder.

OK, I admit I need to perfect my sandwriting hobby. Finding the right tool is important. So far I have restricted myself to finding the best stick that has washed up nearby (think about this statement--there is a parable in here somewhere). The beach felt good. Sand writing felt good. Just as I was signing off I received a call from an acquaintance who wanted to see the as yet "unadvertised" listing. So. I travel the approximate .20 mile, roughly 3 blocks back to the listing at 3214 12th Street.

Full Circle. Attracting the buyer is very important. However, I will miss this property a bit when it changes hands. Everytime I visit, I have a new understanding or appreciation of the specific property, the neighborhood, even local government.

The lot has a LOT of concrete. Less upkeep for sure. But, I can't help feeling that someone is really going to appreciate this property, partially for the concrete, the alley backyard gate to parking, the workshop--and the fact that the 3rd bedroom is located at the back of the house, has its own exterior door, 1/2 bath, HUGE walk in closet, and sliding glass doors. This is where I see the "live-Work" zoning concept being used to the fullest extent possible,

If you are relocating to Gulfport, MS --I encourage you to make a pit stop by Gulfport MS City Website .

Today I was reviewing the online zoning manual while coordinating different projects being done at 3214 12th St, Gulfport MS, Harrison County, Zip Code 39501, Area Code 228, Ward 2, Zoned T4L in preparation for the soon to come--Listing Launch.

It struck me that the City of Gulfport website is simply a great source for anything Gulfport.

...You might want to double check the zoning classification and flood rating of your property of interest. Especially with the recently Developed Smart Plans, 1 street can make a difference in the personal value of your property--simply by what you will have the "right" to do with it. For example:

What does T4L mean, and, how does it impact future buyers?

T4L (T4 “Limited”) – General Urban Zone “Limited”
Consists of primarily residential buildings, on lots typically smaller than T3,
with small (1,000 sf) mixed-used neighborhood retail limited to first story of
buildings at corners, not more than two corner stores per block. Buildings
are 2-4 stories max. Additional density is not allowed through transfers.

This zone allows a very limited level of mixed-use.

HMMM...What does that mean? P&Z ran through some scenarios with me...this particular property,for example could be a restaurant if the property complied with other applicable codes. It definitely seems that the Live-Work definition would apply to the T4L Smartcode zoning. Note below that there is an important difference between LIve-Work and Work-Live.

Gulfport Smartcode

Below are some Smartcode defintions that could be important to you:

Work-Live: A fee-simple mixed-use unit with a substantial Commercial component that may accommodate employees and walk-in trade. Work-Live units allow more intensive non-residential usage and are therefore allowed only in Zones T4, T5, and T6, subject to the combined requirements of both the residential and the non-residential uses. In particular this subjects Work-Live units to ADA requirements and parking requirements more stringent than those imposed on Live-Work units. See Live-Work.

Live-Work: A fee-simple dwelling unit that contains a Commercial component in the unit to accommodate a Home Occupation. Live-Work units are permitted in Zones T3, T4, T5, and T6, subject to Home Occupation requirements and to parking requirements in addition to those for the associated dwellings. Live-Work units constitute the only Restricted Office use. (Synonym: Flexhouse.)

In closing, even though your Real Estate Broker or Agent may be confirming zoning issues for you. Please, double clarify yourself, for yourself. This is advisable for every town and county in the MS Gulf Coast. Also, I have noticed that in the MLS subdivisions are sometimes wrong. You can also double check this by reading the legal description of the property.

If I have confused you in any way--feel confident that Gulfport Planning and Zoning has a great customer service attitude. Give them a call. It helps to have the address and/or parcel # available for them.

Coming soon...The Official Listing Launch for 3214 12th St., Gulfport, MS...