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Mary & Bill Watkins

Gift Ideas for New Homeowners

Gift Ideas for New Homeowners - Jackson, Mississippi Real EstateIf you have a family member that is a new homeowner this year, you are probably wondering what to buy them for the holidays. Most of the time any housewarming gift will do, but we have some gift ideas that will enhance the experience of being a new homeowner and turn their new home into a sanctuary where peace can reside.

Giving the new homeowner in your family a gift certificate for pre-paid house cleaning services would be wonderful. Many new homeowners get so overwhelmed with the whole moving process that it can be hard to keep up with the cleaning. So they'll be grateful to have someone do it for them.

A must have for any homeowner is the book "The Art and Science of Keeping House." This is a great gift for any age homeowner. This is a delightful and handy book that teaches how to keep up your home in a glorified and romanticized way.

Subscriptions to do-it-yourself magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens, DIY, Elle Décor, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart Living, etc. are also wonderful gift ideas. These magazines will help the new homeowner stay on top of all the latest styles and trends while doing it themselves. It's a great way for homeowners to pick their own living style and show it off in their new home.

The new homeowner in your family is sure to appreciate any of these wonderful gifts for the holidays.

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Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate

Jackson Realtors® Mary and Bill Watkins

Celebrate Your Holiday Season in Jackson , Mississippi

Celebrate Your Holiday Season in Jackson, MississippiThe holiday season is the best time of the year for gift giving and holiday events. Jackson , Mississippi has many holiday events this year for everyone to take advantage of.

· Now - December 21st - New Stage Theater: A Christmas Carol. For times and tickets call 601-948-3531.

· December 19th - December 21st - Ballet Magnificat's A Christmas Dream. One of the nation's foremost ballet companies will present its annual Christmas concert at Thalia Mara Hall. You will experience the true meaning of Christmas with over 150 dancers, stunning sets and beautiful costumes. December 19th and 20th at 7:00 pm. And December 21st at 2:00 pm. For tickets call 601-977-1001.

· Now - December 23rd - Christmas at the Governor's Mansion. Visit a historic section of the Governor's Mansion with traditional Christmas decorations. 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Must make reservations at 601-359-6421.

· Now - December 23rd - Christmas at the Manship House. Enjoy a Victorian-style Christmas at the Manship. Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Must make reservations at 601-961-4724.

· Now - December 30th - 24th Annual Festival of Christmas Trees. Decorate Christmas Trees and win an award. For times call 601-960-1457.

If you already live in the wonderful City of Jackson , Mississippi , just visiting or are planning to relocate to Jackson , try to visit one or more of these great events. They are sure to boost your holiday spirits.

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Jackson, Mississippi Realtors® Bill and Mary Watkins

Rankin County, Mississippi May Be Recession Proof

Many residents from Brandon , Florence , Flowood, and Pearl work throughout Rankin County . And, Rankin County, Mississippi Real Estateunlike many people around the nation, those working in Rankin County don't seem to be worried about losing their jobs.

Unemployment rates in the US were at 6.7 percent in November. While the state of Mississippi 's unemployment rates is slightly lower, Rankin County 's are very low at 4.4%. Out of the state's 82 counties, Rankin County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, making these communities the perfect place to live and own a business.

Rankin County boasts steady housing construction, good schools, low crime, a booming commercial sector and decent roads. There is also an assortment of large employers in Rankin County such as the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Pearl , Ergon Inc., an Asphalt and specialty oil manufacturer in Flowood and Blue Cross & Blue Shield health insurance provider in Flowood. The area also sees an even assortment of retail, manufacturing and distribution employers.

With so many great companies operating in Rankin County, you will find a great diversity of industry. If you are one of the many people around the country looking to start your own business or relocate to a new one, we would advise you to visit Rankin County first.

Some business owners in Rankin County have been in business for 35 years. The average tenure is 15 years. So, it shows that people come to work in Rankin and stay for a very long time.

The County continues to build better roads, keep up the residents' quality of life, have great schools and low crime rates. The County is also a firm believer that Rankin can be the economic engine that Mississippi needs.

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Rankin County, Mississippi Realtors® Mary and Bill Watkins

Tips to Help Winterize Your Home

Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate - Winterizing Your HomeAs colors are changing and leaves are falling, we all know that Old Man Winter is just around the corner. Winter begins on December 21st 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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Mary & Bill Watkins

Avoid Over-Improving Your Investment Property

Investment properties in Jackson, Mississippi real estateMany 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

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