More and more people are looking for free activities to fill their free time, especially in today's economy. And, as real estate professionals, new clients often ask us what's going on in Jackson that's fun and free? Well, this month's free event is Arts Alive. Arts Alive is a free two day festival which will be held on March 27 & 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Smith Park in downtown Jackson, Mississippi.
Arts Alive originally started as a church fundraiser, but was so popular, it has now turned into a two-day cultural event. The festival is complete with arts, crafts, food, drinks, music and dance.
Since Jackson, Mississippi is such a religious community, many churches thought downtown Jackson would be the perfect place for the event and, it seems, they were right. The festival has been a huge hit each year. There are many cities across the country that just don't have activities like this for their residents to take advantage of and enjoy. The community started volunteering and sending in donations to keep the festival alive for many more years to come.
Not only does the Arts Alive festival make the residents happy, but it also helps the community. It gives visitors to Jackson a great opportunity to see what Jackson really has to offer as a place to live, work and play.
Just from past Arts Alive events, we have seen some true talent right here from Jackson. It shows just how deep into arts our community really is. Metro Jackson area residents that don't come out to enjoy the festivities are surely missing out on a great event and a chance to learn about the culture of Jackson. So, this is the perfect opportunity for them to see what's going on. It's also a great opportunity for everyone to get together and enjoy each other's friendship and company.
Kids will have the best of both worlds at the festival. The Mississippi Art Museum will be hosting a special booth full of activities just for children.
During the lunch hour on Friday, the Fondren Express Trolley will be giving free rides to and from the Arts Alive festival.
For those who would like to volunteer for the Arts Alive festival, you can visit www.artsalivejackson.com for more information.
We hope you will get to get out and enjoy the free festival and all the fun it has to offer. We may even see you there.
Realtors® Mary & Bill Watkins - Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate
Buyers ask us for advice all the time about buying a new home in the doom and gloom of today's housing market and turbulent economy. And we tell them, if you are in the financial position to take advantage of today's falling home prices and get a loan, then we encourage you to do so. In the long run, you will strengthen your financial portfolio.
However, everyone must keep in mind, the rules for getting a loan have been forever changed. Therefore, being aware of these loan changes and how they can affect you before you find the home of your dreams will help make sure you are actually able to buy it. Today, bidding wars are not practiced as much as they once were. But timing is still everything when it comes to the successful closing of a home.
To keep yourself from buying a property with an upside-down loan, be sure to have an appraisal done first and foremost and make sure it is done so by a professional. The appraisal will determine the fair market value of the home and show any discrepancies, such as false square footage. In today's real estate market, banks are being more careful to use the appraisal to ensure the home appraises at or higher than the requested loan amount. This technique lowers the bank's risk if you default on the loan.
In today's real estate lending market. there are much tighter restrictions. However, each person will be treated differently depending on their credit score. But, it is still a good idea for anyone looking to buy a new home to save, save, save for a down payment. Many banks, but not all, are requiring a 3-10% down payment.
Many people use mortgage brokers to arrange their loans. But some buyers choose to go straight to their own bank. If you choose your own bank, we suggest you choose a more solid bank that is not in financial trouble. If your bank is or becomes in financial trouble, your loan could become sold or taken over by another financial institute. This makes it much more difficult to work with if you ever need to renegotiate your loan. Sometimes, it's next to impossible to renegotiate the loan once its been sold or taken over by another financial institute.
Buying a home is always a learning process, even for those who have purchased multiple homes. Therefore, always go into the buying phase with the desire to learn as much as you can. And, if you need us for more advice, we are always here to help.
Mary & Bill Watkins - Realtor®/Broker
We love what Jackson State University is doing for the environment and want to share it with you in our blog. When you see the new addition to Jackson State University, you will see sleek, silver accents, large glass windows and modern furniture. It looks like something more fitting for an upscale office park, rather than a public college.
The new $21 million addition was actually built with the environment in mind. It is Mississippi's first State-
funded LEED certified project. The new addition of the 90,000-square foot building is just one of many examples of the state university's ways of "going green."
The building did cost more than the average building. However, that was a one-time cost and was meant to save in the long run. The building was built using recycled building materials and environmentally-friendly paint. The building also features a sloping roof that collects rainwater for irrigation.
Universities across the state are starting campus bike fleets to help focus on being more environmentally friendly with conservation programs like these. Green initiatives will not only help schools, but students, too. Campuses are also beginning to set up long-range recycling programs. Many have signed up for a national program called "Recyclemania." This new program encourages universities to compete at having the best possible recycling program. Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi have both signed up for the "Recyclemania."
Since the addition of the new building, the university has already seen some savings and the savings are expected to be more over time. Energy usage is expected to be cut by 10% or more, also.
We think anything that's going to help Jackson, Mississippi be a better place is worth putting to the test. And, Jackson's universities "going green" is helping our community take a step in the right direction for our future.
Jackson, Mississippi Community Information
Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate
It seems like there is always something going on in Jackson, Mississippi. And February is no exception. There will be several events for the whole family to take advantage of. Therefore, we have compiled this list of what's going on in Jackson this month.
· Dixie National Rodeo & Live Stock Show - February 5th - 11th at the Mississippi State Fairground (1207 Mississippi Street). Come see world champion cowboys ride the best rodeo stock in the largest livestock show east of the Mississippi River. For more information, call (601) 355-5252.
· Grandma's Hands: Celebrating the Underground Railroad Quilt Codes - Now through February 28th at the Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center (528 Bloom Street). The exhibit celebrates the underground railroad quilt codes.
· Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey - Now through April 6th at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 East Pascagoula Street). Step it up with a show that celebrates the global beat and explores the sights and sounds of continents and cultures guided by the Broadway stage show STOMP. Tickets are $6.50 for Adults, $4 for Kids and $5.50 for Seniors. For more information, call (601) 960-1552.
· Sustainable Choices: Today, Tomorrow, Together - Now through May 10th at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Sustainable Choices is a new interactive exhibit that explores the concept of sustainability and the choices that each of us makes every day. Sustainability, or meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, is an increasingly important topic as the world's population and consumption expands. Sustainable Choices will engage visitors with thought-provoking content, interactive exhibits and live animals.
· Story Time Tuesday - Now through December 7th at the Jackson Zoo (2918 West Capitol Street). On the first Tuesday of each month, Story Time will showcase Mississippi children's authors at 9am.
We believe Jackson, Mississippi is a great community to be a part of and these events are just some of the great ways to get out and interact with your fellow Jacksonians and be a part of the Jackson community.
Jackson, Mississippi Community Information
Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate
Homes for Sale in Jackson, Mississippi
It is a buyer's market and many people looking to buy a home aren't just looking for a great home, but that special home, their very own "diamond in the rough". Therefore, we have some tips to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
1. Get preapproved for a home loan. You don't want to waste your time looking at homes you can't afford. Once you know your price range, stay within it.
2. Take note of all the features you want in a new home. How many bedrooms do you want? How many bathrooms or garage spaces do you want? What size yard are you looking for? Only take note of the things you absolutely can't live without.
3. List specific preferences for your dream home. Do you prefer one or two-story homes? Do you like older or newer homes? Also, list what amenities you would like, such as a fireplace or a pool.
4. Neighborhood versus land. Many people prefer to live in a neighborhood while others prefer to live on several acres of land. If looking for a home in a neighborhood, be sure to speak with some of the neighbors. Are they happy with the neighborhood? Is it a quiet area? People who live there will be one of your best resources for finding information. Another great resource is the local police department. They can let you know if the neighborhood is a good or bad area based on its crime rate.
5. Look at many different homes. Yes, it can be time consuming, but to find your "diamond in the rough," you will need to see as many different homes in your price range as you can. You can go on your own or with your real estate agent. Each time you see a home, write down its address and as many features as you can. Use these to compare notes later. Also, jot down any important questions you may have about the home.
6. When you find that perfect home, jump on in and enjoy.
Finding your "diamond in the rough" may take some time. However, it will be worth it when you find exactly what you were looking for.
More Real Estate Tips and Advice
Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate
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