JULY 2019
Real Estate Guide to Pontotoc County & the surrounding area
FEATURING (Page 8)
Patty Turk Properites, LLC Inside the charming home on North Brooks
PONTOTOC HOMES |3
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 5 5 5 6 8 14 15 15 17 18 20 22 24 25 26 29 32
Patty Turk Properties, LLC First Choice Insurance Pickens Pest Control Distinctive Design Mossy Oak Properties North Brooks Street Home feature Container gardening for beginners Matthews Real Estate Washington Holcomb Tractor Company Hamilton Mortgage Make lights sparkle Crye-Leike Realtors, Beth Walker Outdoor improvements that boost home value Dennis Cox, Tommy Morgan, Inc. Create kid-friendly spaces at home How to save on college housing costs Southern Hills Realty & Appraisal, Inc. First Choice Bank
8
22
Advertising Consultant: Angie Quarles • Designer: Chelsea Williams Pontotoc Progress • 13 Jefferson Street • P.O. Box 210 • Pontotoc, MS 38863 • 662-489-3511
4| PONTOTOC HOMES
PONTOTOC HOMES |5
6| PONTOTOC HOMES
PONTOTOC HOMES |7
North Brooks Street Home
offers antique charm and modern amenities
8| PONTOTOC HOMES
24x24 living room perfect for entertaining family and friends.
Story by GALEN HOLLEY Photos by Chelsea Williams
S
outhern charm meets contemporary convenience in a spacious home, with a lived-in feel, on North Brooks Street in Pontotoc. Pine floors, a stained-glass window from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and a gabled front porch, perfect for people-watching and pea-shelling, add Dixieland elegance to the 3,700-squarefoot beauty that sits on a private, shaded acre, within walking distance of downtown. “We’ve lived here for 20 years, raised our son here, and added-on, with work done by my husband and trusted contractors,” said Carrie Stringer, who, along with her husband, Jody, purchased the property in 1997. Realtor Patty Turk, who’s selling the home, said the affordability and quality are indicative of today’s buyer’s market. “The last three years have been healthy,” said Turk, who is also the exclusive relator for the new Tanglefoot Trails development, in Ecru. “The economy is thriving, interest rates are low, and it’s an aggressive market.”
PONTOTOC HOMES |9
Beautiful, spacious kitchen directly looks into the living room.
10| PONTOTOC HOMES
Original living area when entering the home.
The Brooks Street home was built in 1932, and the red-brick foundation, bucolic setting, and regal elegance made the Stringers feel instantly at home. “We wanted a house with character, and we found it,” said Stringer. The focal-point of the home is a 24x24 living room, with a high, vaulted ceiling, capped by a unique, octagonal window, and recessed lighting. It opens onto a roomy kitchen, with handsome, Cherrywood cabinetry, and an island with bottom storage and a grill cooktop. “That’s where we stay, mostly, and entertain, because we can see directly from the kitchen into the living room, so there’s an intimate feel,” said Stringer. On college football Saturdays, while snacks and beverages are served in the den, the gentlemen might go upstairs, up to the game room. “We have a nice pool table, and we’re willing to negotiate,” said Stringer, laughing. A six-foot-long, ball-andclaw bathtub—an old-fashioned, freestanding, porcelain tub, a rarity in any home—with stainless-steel feet, shaped like bird’s claws, clutching orbs, will tempt any bather to forgo the adjoining walk-in shower in the master bathroom. An antique, his-and-hers, Cherrywood vanity, with gooseneck sinks, and a five-by-four mirror, lend an Antebellum feel to the home’s upstairs.
PONTOTOC HOMES |11
Master bedroom connecting to master bathroom.
Master bathroom with a six-foot-long, ball-and-claw bathtub—an old-fashioned, freestanding, porcelain tub.
12| PONTOTOC HOMES
Among the home’s personal touches are the eight-foot bookshelves, made using window frames from the original structure. Of course, there’s the Ryman window, which the Stringers acquired, through a friend, when craftsmen were restoring the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. Jody Stringer took four pieces and seamed them together to make the circular window. Red orbs are geometrically splayed against a backdrop of turquoise, blue, and white, and transected by a cream-colored frame. “The neighborhood is quiet, it’s near a school, and it’s the kind of place a family will feel right at home,” said Stringer. “It’s easy to buy a house, but anyone buying this will buy a home.”
PONTOTOC HOMES |13
Container Gardening G
FOR BEGINNERS
ardening is a rewarding activity that gardening enthusiasts can’t wait to get back to once the weather warms up. Many gardeners find getting their hands dirty while tending to a garden can be a great form of escapism. In addition, growing one’s own fruits and veg-
etables can be great for the environment. Though it’s easy to assume gardening is an activity exclusive to homeowners with their own yards, that’s not the case at all. Container gardening can make it possible for anyone to garden regardless of where they live.
Tips for Container Gardening CONDUCT A LIGHT AUDIT
Walk around your home to determine where your plant can be placed so it gets as much light as it needs to thrive. Some plants need a lot of light, while others can thrive with a lot less. By conducting a light audit before choosing plants, you can determine if your home is most conducive to plants that require a lot of a light or those that need little light to get by.
MAKE SURE CONTAINERS HAVE AMPLE DRAINAGE
The gardening experts at Good Housekeeping note that drainage holes are essential when choosing containers. Waterlogged soil can be fatal for plants, so there must be ample drainage in the container. Don’t focus too much on the size of the holes, just make sure that they allow excess water to drain out from the pot.
14| PONTOTOC HOMES
DON’T FORGET TO FEED YOUR PLANTS
Potting soil won’t necessarily have nutrients that plants can access, so many container gardeners must fertilize the soil so plants can thrive. Good Housekeeping notes that watering with diluted fish emulsion, seaweed extract or compost tea can help plants thrive. Feed once every two weeks to start, adjusting the schedule thereafter depending on how the plants respond.
SEEK ADVICE
Local gardening centers can be great resources for novice container gardeners. Such centers can recommend plants with a history of thriving in the area as well as plants that might be more compatible when containers are placed next to one another.
The benefits of container gardening go beyond making gardening accessible to everyone. Many plants grown in containers are less susceptible to disease than plants grown in the soil, which can reduce reliance on potentially harmful pesticides. Container gardens also tend to be easier to main-
tain than traditional gardens, making gardening more doable for people with especially hectic schedules. Container gardening can be simple, and can bring gardening to any home, whether it’s a light-filled private home or an apartment where sunlight is sparse.
PONTOTOC HOMES |15
16| PONTOTOC HOMES
PONTOTOC HOMES |17
18| PONTOTOC HOMES
MAKE LIGHTS
Sparkle
A
s days get shorter and natural light is less abundant, interior lighting becomes ever more important. Chandeliers, pendant lamps, recessed lighting, and tableside lamps are most effective when they are clean. HGTV experts say dirty lights can give off up to 20 percent less light than clean ones. Dirty fixtures also waste energy. Lighting fixtures that are within reach are easy to tackle, but what about those fixtures that hang or have multiple crystals, globes or bulbs? These tips can cut down on the time needed to give lights a thorough cleaning. If you cannot remove a fixture for cleaning, use a sturdy stool, a spray bottle with your cleaning mixture and a soft cloth to wipe away the dirt. Remember to place something absorbent beneath the light to catch any drips. Do not spray liquids directly onto light bulbs; otherwise, you can damage the bulb and the electrical components. It’s best to exercise caution when cleaning lighting fixtures. Turn off the light itself and shut off the circuit breaker to avoid the risk of shock or burns from hot bulbs.
Tips for cleaning lights around the home STOCK UP ON THE RIGHT CLEANING SUPPLIES
Microfiber dusting cloths are smart choices because they can help trap grime and tend to be machine-washable and reusable. Extendable static-charged dusters are another handy item to have around, particularly for fixtures that are hard to reach.
DUST REGULARLY
Dusting regularly can prevent the buildup of grime that’s difficult to wash off. Try to dust light fixtures weekly or biweekly. The more frequent the fixtures are dusted, the less time each cleaning session will take. Soft cloths can remove the dust from most bulbs and exterior surfaces. Lamp shades may need more attention. Use a lamb’s-wool duster to attract dirt so it doesn’t leave a residue on the lampshade.
DEEP-CLEAN AT TABLE LEVEL
Deep-cleaning at table level is more manageable. Remove any glass accents and set them out on a cushioned surface so they do not break. Soft cloths dampened with a vinegar solution should remove most of the dirt on chandelier crystals and the globes or outer glass coverings of other types of fixtures. Take a photo of the lighting fixture prior to cleaning so you’ll know how to replace removed parts correctly once everything is clean and dry. PONTOTOC HOMES |19
20| PONTOTOC HOMES
PONTOTOC HOMES |21
Outdoor Improvements THAT BOOST HOME VALUE 22| PONTOTOC HOMES
Outdoor renovations to add value FIRE PIT
A fire pit is a great place to gather most months of the year. Bob Vila and CBS news report that a fire pit realizes a 78 percent return on investment, or ROI.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Many buyers are looking to utilize their yards as an extension of interior living areas. Cooking, dining and even watching TV outdoors is increasingly popular. Outdoor living areas can be custom designed and built. In addition, prefabricated modular units that require a much smaller commitment of time and money are available.
PATIO
Homeowners who do not already have a patio will find that adding one can increase a home’s value. Patios help a home look neat, add useable space and may help a home to sell quickly. The experts at Space Wise, a division of Extra Space Storage, say that refinishing, repairing and building a new patio offers strong ROI.
DECK
W
hether home improvement projects are design to improve the interior or exterior of a house, focusing on renovations that make the most financial sense can benefit homeowners in the long run. The right renovations can be assets if and when homeowners decide to sell their homes. So how does one get started? First and foremost, speak to a local real estate agent who is knowledgeable about trends in the community. While a swimming pool may be something coveted in one area, it may impede sales in another. It also helps to study generalized trends and data from various home improvement industry analysts to guide upcoming projects. Many different outdoor projects can add value to a home.
Deck can be as valuable as patios. A deck is another outdoor space that can be used for entertaining, dining and more. Remodeling magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report indicates that an $11,000 deck can add about $9,000 in resale value to the home, recouping around 82 percent of the project’s costs.
DOOR UPDATE
Improve curb appeal with a new, high-end front door and garage doors. If that’s too expensive, a good cleaning and new coat of paint can make an old door look brand new. These easy fixes can improve a home’s look instantly.
NEW LANDSCAPING
The National Association of Realtors says an outdoor makeover that includes well-thought out landscaping can net 105 percent ROI. Installing a walkway, adding stone planters, mulching, and planting shrubs are ideas to consider. PONTOTOC HOMES |23
24| PONTOTOC HOMES
CREATE
Kid-Friendly Spaces
AT HOME
M
aintaining a home that is welcoming and kid-friendly can be challenging. Kids are full of energy and oftentimes put fun ahead of tidiness. But no matter how energetic their youngsters are, parents can still employ several strategies to ensure their homes are both sophisticated and child-friendly.
CONSIDER AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN
Rooms that flow into one another make it easier to keep tabs on children. Such rooms also allow residents and guests to mingle in separate rooms but not be too far away from one another.
CREATE A CATCH-ALL SPOT
Special bins or other organizational tools in the entryway can help to cull clutter when children come in the house from school or play. Be sure the keep cubbies, containers and coat hooks at a child-friendly height.
CHOOSE WASHABLE FABRICS
Upholstery will need to stand up to the abuse kids can dish out. Sofas and chairs with slipcovers can be advantageous because many slipcovers can be easily removed and laundered. Patterned fabrics will hide some stains, while treated fabrics may resist liquid spills for easier cleanup.
LOOK FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC RUGS
Rugs designed for high-traffic areas will be more forgiving when children march across them several times per day. There are no rules that say you can’t bring an outdoor rug inside, and these rugs tend to be easier to clean.
ENSURE THERE IS PLENTY OF SEATING
Sectionals give children ample room to spread out. And ample seating ensures there is enough room for kids to invite their friends over to hang out.
THINK OUTSIDE PINK AND BLUE
For children’s rooms, make sure they’re colorful, but consider other hues to give the rooms some personality. Focus on a hobby or activity and borrow the color scheme from the accessories used for decorating.
HANG WHIMSICAL ARTWORK
Employ framing and lighting to make kids’ artwork look like professional pieces. Routinely change the pictures when a new look is desired.
DESIGNATE A PLACE FOR PLAY
Devote an entire room or a nook in a house for imaginative play. Store toys here so these items will not create clutter in individual bedrooms. Creating child-friendly spaces while ensuring a home maintains a sophisticated feel is easier than parents might think.
PONTOTOC HOMES |25
HOW TO SAVE ON
College Housing Costs 26| PONTOTOC HOMES
Tips to reduce college housing cost EXAMINE YOUR DORMITORY OPTIONS
Many schools assign students to dormitories for their freshman years, giving students little say with regard to where they will live. However, students might have more input in their housing come their sophomore, junior and senior years. Some dorms might be more attractive and offer more amenities than others, but students and families looking to save money on housing costs should opt to live in the most budget-friendly dorms available to them. In addition, choose to live with a roommate rather than in a single room, as singles tend to cost substantially more than double rooms.
SIGN UP TO BE A RESIDENT ADVISOR
Resident advisors, or RAs, often receive free housing in exchange for living in dormitories when they are upperclassmen or graduate students. RAs help newly enrolled or younger students adjust to campus life while also ensuring nothing untoward happens on the floors they’re tasked with looking after. Students who may want to apply for RA positions should first confirm if serving as an RA will affect their overall financial aid package and how great that impact might be.
C
ollege is expensive, and the costs are only rising. Scholarships and grants can help mitigate the costs of higher education, but even students who receive such aid could find themselves scrambling for ways to make college more affordable. Housing is one of the more expensive costs for college students and their families. According to the College Board, the average cost for room and board during the 20162017 school year was $10,440 at four-year public schools and $11,890 at private colleges and universities. And those costs typically cover housing for just the school year, which may last anywhere from six to eight months. However, there are ways for students and their families to reduce those costs. College housing costs can be considerable. But budget-conscious students and families can save on such costs in various ways.
LIVE WITH ROOMMATES EVEN AFTER LEAVING THE DORMS
Due to limited space, many colleges insist dorm residents live with roommates. Upperclassmen who are moving out of the dorms and into university or off-campus apartments can save money by continuing to live with roommates. This can be especially beneficial to students who will be living in off-campus housing where amenities such as electricity, cable television and water are unlikely to be included in the cost of the rent.
COMMUTE TO SCHOOL
While it might not be ideal, commuting to school can save college students and their families substantial amounts of money. Public university students who did so during the 2016-2017 school year might have saved nearly $11,000, or $44,000 in four years. That’s money that can be used to pay tuition or finance postgraduate educations. PONTOTOC HOMES |27
28| PONTOTOC HOMES
PONTOTOC HOMES |29
30| PONTOTOC HOMES