Pontotoc Homes May 2018

MAY 2018

PONTOTOC HOMES Real Estate Guide to Pontotoc County & the surrounding area A Supplement of the Pontotoc Progress

PATTY TURK PROPERTIES, LLC PAGE 3

FEATURING

Washington Holcomb Tractor Company page 10

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 5 5

Patty Turk Properties, LLC Pickens Pest Control Washington Holcomb Tractor Company

20 20 20 21

5 Distinctive Design 6 Crye-Leike Realtors 21 8 First Choice Insurance 22 8 Service Supply - NAPA 9 Southern Hills Realty & Appraisal 24 10 Washington Holcomb Tractor 25 Company Feature 28 18 Mossy Oak Properties

Cherie Matthews Real Estate Washington Holcomb Tractor Company The Red Door 3 Tips to prepare to sell your home Service Supply - NAPA Tips for buying a home in a seller’s market The basics of mulching Dennis Cox First Choice Bank

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Contact Angie Quarles at 662-489-3511 Published by Pontotoc Progress 13 Jefferson Street • P.O. Box 210 • Pontotoc, MS 38863

Designed by Chelsea Williams of the Pontotoc Progress

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Corral entryway clutter The entryway to a home is the first thing guests experience when coming inside. It also can be the first place residents drop their belongings after long days at school or work. As a result, entryways can quickly be consumed by clutter. Taming such messes takes a mixture of ingenuity and planning.

Homeowners hoping to clear their entryways of clutter must first decide what they want to get out of the space.

Will it simply be a decorative spot with photos and other home decor on display? Or is functionality the primary goal?

Once that decision has been made, take inventory of which items, such as shoes, keys, umbrellas or coats, need to be in the area, which don’t (i.e., old mail). To make things more organized, rearrange the former while removing the latter.

Next it is time to assess storage needs and what’s already available. User-friendly storage items may need to be purchased to make the room as functional as possible. The following ideas also can help bring order to the space.

• Create a command center. Create a central location

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where items are neat, orderly and within reach. Use a bulletin board, dry-erase calendar or something that can house schedules and important notices. Hooks can hold keys, chargers and more.

• Keep it covered. Covered bins can serve as a seating area and also a place to store shoes, hats and scarves.

• Create cabinet space. Store items in cabinets so they are organized but out of sight. This way belongings are not just left on an entryway table.

• Create another drop zone. If the entryway is too small to serve its purpose, outfit another room or area that also can do the job. This can be a laundry room or mudroom area. Install shelves, a bench, cabinets and hooks. Just be sure this space is close enough to the entryway to make it useful.

• Go vertical. An easy way to keep things neater is to remove items from the floor and embrace vertical storage. Shoe racks, hooks for purses and a cabinet for coats may do the trick.

Clutter can accumulate in entryways. But some simple adjustments can quickly revamp the space to make it neater and much more functional.

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“We service any make and model of lawn mower or tractor. If it’s got a key we will work on it. We are a customer driven business. We offer a competitive price with no nonsense honest dealings. I’ve said a number of times I’d rather apologize over the price than the quality of business.”

Joey Holcomb

Managing Partner Washington-Holcomb Tractor Company

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Joey Holcomb prepares for another busy day helping customers at Washington Holcomb.

WASHINGTON-HOLCOMB TRACTOR COMPANY OFFERS SALES AND REPAIR SERVICE

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Story & Photos by Regina Butler Pontotoc Progress

e has come full circle. If you had asked Joey Holcomb back in 2000 if he would be managing partner of the Stegall Ford Tractor company, he would have probably just laughed at you.

Holcomb went to work at the long time established business in 2000, but left in 2005 to go manage another dealership in Tupelo until 2011. From there he went to Oxford and built a dealership of his own, but the desire to come home to his roots never left his heart.

When the opportunity to have a hometown business became available he jumped at the chance. “Last year, I sold my business in Oxford and partnered with Danny and Gerald Washington to buy out Stegall Ford.” He officially took over management of the place on February 1, 2017. And the place is now known as Washington-Holcomb Tractor Company.

Holcomb said he partnered with Washingtons because “they

Shiny red bush hog equipment sits ready for sale.

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have a huge presence in the county.”

So today, his office is just minutes from his home. “I really like that part about it to begin with,” Holcomb said with a wry smile. “And the Stegall’s have a solid reputation.

They’ve had this place since 1980 and J.B. Nanny owned it for 20 years before them.”

In fact, this particular implement company, although the name has changed over the years, has roots that go back to when it was called Turners.

When it was Turners it was in a different location.

“This store had a good customer base. The Stegalls sold all over the country. People still ask where the Ford place is at.”

When Holcomb took over management he began expanding the business. “We have added several new lines of products and added new employees as well.”

In fact he has purchased the old Pontotoc Plumbing Supply blue metal building next to him and is going to move all the recreational outdoor and lawn mower equipment out there.

“That will house our ATVs and our service of the lawn mowers as well as weed eaters and such as that,” Holcomb noted.

Washington-Holcomb carries New Holland, Kioti Bush Hog and tractor implements; and in the lawn mower and ATV lines he carries Can Am and Bad Boy a well as Red Max lawn mower and hand held equipment.

“Our greatest challenge is the weather. In this business if the ground is not dry, people can’t use the equipment.

We are kind of seasonal like a farmer.”

His primary market is to ranchers and “what I call hobby farms. Small land owners who work a few cows and bail hay.”

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If moving dirt on your small farm is in your blood you can get these machines for that.

Front end loaders are ready for the next farmer.

Hay equipment is also available at Washington-Holcomb.

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Zero turn mowers makes quick work of any large yard.

Small implement equipment is also available.

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The tractor supply company reaches as far north as Tippah County and south to Calhoun County, “but I’ll sell a tractor to someone in New York City if they will give me an address that I can ship it to,” he said and chuckled.

He glanced out the window at the large selection of shiny blue and red equipment in the front lot that practically hides the front door.

“The employees here are the greatest asset of this business.

The people that were here 20 years ago when I worked here are still here. We want our employees to enjoy coming to work. If they are happy, then it will reflect to the customers as well. It is a family atmosphere, we all get in here and do the work.”

He began to rattle off the employees and their departments like he was naming his brothers, “Landis Fair works in parts, Shea Priest is the service manager, Billy Howell is our senior technition, and Danny Chumney and Jeremy Criddle are also technitions.” That is the staff at the tractor implement side of the business, “and we just hired two new men to work at the Power Store. Brad Clayton is the parts and serviceman and Rocky Browell is the certified master technician in small engine repair with Briggs and Kohler.”

So that means if your lawnmower breaks down you can carry it to Washington-Holcomb.

“We service any make and model of lawn mower or tractor,” Holcomb said. “If it’s got a key we will work on it. We are a customer driven business. We offer a competitive price with no nonsense honest dealings. I’ve said a number of times I’d rather apologize over the price than the quality of business.”

Holcomb said when he and his partners bought out the business, one of the Stegall’s

These land planes make driveway maintenance easy.

main concerns was that he would take care of the older customers, “and we assured them we would do that. If it wasn’t for the customer we wouldn’t be here, we appreciate every opportunity we have.

We want folks to come back again. They have choices and

they don’t have to buy from us.”

Holcomb said that anybody can sell a tractor, “but we want to be here after the sale. We know that machines are going to break down, they are man made, and we are going to take care of the machine and the

customer behind it.”

He strives every day to live by the golden rule, “we are going to do what we say. We are going to treat others the way we want to be treated.”

Washington-Holcomb Tractor Company is open Monday through Friday from seven in

in the morning until five in the afternoon; and on Saturday from eight in the morning until noon.

They are located at the corner of Highway 15 by-pass and Reynolds Street. The phone number to reach them is 662489-2414.

Travel in fine style on an atv or mow to your hearts content with a zero turn mower.

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“The employees here are the greatest asset of this business. The people that were here 20 years ago when I worked here are still here. We want our employees to enjoy coming to work. If they are happy, then it will reflect to the customers as well. It is a family atmosphere, we all get in here and do the work.�

Joey Holcomb

Managing Partner Washington-Holcomb Tractor Company

Landis Fair finds just the right part.

Brad Clayton looks to see if there is a part in inventory.

Danny Chumney and Shea Priest search for the closest place to order a replacement part.

Jeremy Criddle works on a bush hog.

Certified technition Billy Howell is on duty.

Rocky Browell prepares parts to fix an ATV.

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3 tips to prepare to sell your home

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ccording to Realtor. com, spring is the busiest and best season to sell a home.

While a good home can find a buyer any time of year, homeowners might find the buyers’ pool is strongest in spring and into summer. The reasons for that are many, ranging from parents wanting to move when their children are not in school to buyers wanting to move when the weather is most accommodating.

Because spring is such a popular time to sell a home, homeowners who want to put their homes on the market should use winter as an opportunity to prepare their homes for the prying eyes of prospective buyers. The following tips can help homeowners during the pre-selling preparation process.

Address the exterior of the home

Winter can be harsh on a home’s exterior, so as winter winds down, homeowners who want to sell their homes should make an effort to address anything that might

negatively affect their homes’ curb appeal. A study of homes in Greenville, S.C., from researchers at Clemson University found that the value of homes with landscapes that were upgraded from “good” to “excellent” increased by 6 to 7 percent. If it’s in the budget, hire professional landscapers to fix any problematic landscaping or address any issues that arose during the winter. Homeowners with green thumbs can tackle such projects on their own, but hiring professionals is akin to staging inside the home.

Conquer interior clutter

Clutter has a way of accumulating over the winter, when people tend to spend more time indoors than they do throughout the rest of the year. Homeowners who want to put their homes on the market in spring won’t have the luxury of waiting until spring to do their “spring” cleaning, so start clearing any clutter out in winter, even resolving to make an effort to prevent its accumulation throughout

winter. Just like buyers are impressed by curb appeal, they are turned off by clutter.

The Appraisal Institute suggests homeowners clear clutter out of their homes before appraisers visit, and the same approach can be applied to open houses. Buyers, like appraisers, see cluttered homes as less valuable. In addition, a home full of clutter might give buyers the impression, true or not, that the home was not well maintained.

Eliminate odors

A home’s inhabitants grow accustomed to odors that might be circulating throughout the house. Pet odor, for instance, might not be as strong to a home’s residents as it is to guests and prospective buyers.

Because windows tend to stay closed throughout the winter, interior odors can be even stronger come late-winter than they are during the rest of the year. A thorough cleaning of the house, including vacuuming and removal of any pet hair that accumulated over the winter, can help to remove odor. In the weeks leading up to the open house, bathe pets more frequently, using a shampoo that promotes healthy skin so pet dander is not as prevalent. Open windows when the weather allows so more fresh air comes into the home.

Spring is a popular and potentially lucrative time to sell a home, and homeowners who spend winter preparing their homes for the market may reap even greater rewards.

Did you know?

Real estate agents help buyers and sellers through the often complicated process of navigating the real estate market. Individuals not only want to find an agent with expertise, but also one with whom they have a strong rapport. By asking agents certain questions up front, prospective home buyers and sellers can find the right real estate agent for their needs and save time and money in the process. The following tips can help buyers and sellers find the right agent.

Find out how long the agent has been in the business, including how many homes he or she turns over on average. Think about using an agent who is a full-time real estate professional, rather than one who only dabbles part-time.

Consider which geographic areas the agent handles. It’s best to find an agent who is familiar with a particular town, city or even subdivision.

Assess the agent’s personality and ability to remain calm under pressure. He or she can then extend that placid demeanor on to buyers or sellers who may be feeling stressed by the prospect of home ownership

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Tips for buying a home in a seller’s market

he real estate market can be difficult to navigate for both buyers and sellers.

First-time buyers can easily become overwhelmed as they search for homes, while sellers hoping to get the best price for their homes might be frustrated if offers are slow to come in or fall short of their asking prices.

If met with an underwhelming market, many sellers can pull their homes off the market and wait until it becomes more advantageous to sell.

But buyers, particularly those shopping in a seller’s market, may not have that flexibility.

Buying in a seller’s market can be competitive and frustrating, but buyers can employ various strategies to survive such markets and land the homes of their dreams.

• Get mortgage preapproval.

Sellers’ markets typically feature low inventory, which can make the buying process very competitive. Prospective buyers who do not have a mortgage preapproval letter in hand when making offers may find themselves losing out on their dream homes to fellow buyers who have gotten preapproval from a lending institution.

Sellers may be impatient with buyers who have not yet been preapproved for a mortgage, even accepting a lesser offer from buyers who are ready to begin transactions immediately. The preapproval process is relatively quick and simple, so buyers should not hesitate to apply.

• Stick to your budget. Lenders will indicate to prospective buyers how much they’re willing to lend them, and that figure is typically considerably

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more than buyers are willing to borrow. In a seller’s market, bidding wars can quickly drive up prices, but buyers should stick to their budgets so they are not house poor after buying. Sticking to a budget can be difficult in a seller’s market, but such patience will likely pay off in the long run.

• Be ready to compromise.

Unless they have unlimited budgets, buyers often must compromise when purchasing a home. That’s especially true in a seller’s market with limit-

ed inventory. Buyers who need to buy a home must identify their needs versus their wants and recognize the likelihood that they will have to compromise.

• Work with real estate agents. Some buyers may be tempted to go it alone, searching for and ultimately buying homes without the help of real estate agents. That can be a foolish move in a seller’s market where competition is high and inventory quickly disappears from the market. Veteran

real estate agents have worked in buyers’ and sellers’ markets, and buyers can use that experience to their advantage.

In addition, real estate agents likely have access to inventory before homes appear on popular real estate websites, giving buyers working with them a leg up in competitive markets.

Buying a home in a seller’s market can be fast-moving and very competitive. But various strategies can ensure buyers still find great homes at great prices in such markets.

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The basics of mulching

ulch is available in various forms.

Like other land and garden products, mulch can go a long way toward helping plants thrive.

Mulch comprises just about any material that is spread over the surface of soil. Its purpose is primarily to help soil retain moisture. In addition, mulch can staunch weed growth, keep soil cool, improve the aesthetics of garden beds, and even improve soil nutrient composition. When the right mulch is chosen, it can reduce the amount of time homeowners spend watering and weeding their gardens and insulate plants from dramatic changes in weather.

Gardeners may not realize that mulch also can prevent garden soil from becoming overly compacted, according to HGTV. This can mean beneficial earthworms can move easily through the soil, creating channels for water and depositing their nutrient-rich waste products.

Gardeners can choose organic or inorganic mulch.

Organic mulches are derived from natural materials that will decompose over time, lending organic matter as well as various nutrients to the soil. Organic mulches also may contain beneficial microorganisms that can fight against plant diseases. Inorganic mulches may be made of stones, landscape fabrics and plastic. Both types will need to be amended or replaced as they degrade. Those who want the most environmentally-friendly mulching materials can choose all-natural mulches instead of synthetic alternatives.

To work effectively, mulch should be applied in a two- to three-inch layer of material,

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state the experts at Old World Garden Farms. This is the ideal amount to retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth without choking plants. Also, mulch that is too thick may make it impossible for water to penetrate, or it may prevent the soil from airing out, causing continuously wet conditions that lead to root and stem rot.

The University of Connecticut Home & Garden Education Center says mulch should not be placed directly against plant crowns or tree bases, as this can promote the develop-

ment of disease. It may also serve as a habitat for barkand stem-eating rodents. The center also suggests watering newly installed bark or wood mulches to prevent fungi from colonizing in dry mulch and causing problems like a water-repellent surface on the mulch.

Home landscapers considering mulch types may find that compost, manure and grass clippings (from nonpesticide-treated lawns) can be inexpensive and versatile in garden beds. The home

advice site The Spruce notes that newspaper may also be effective. Many newspapers have switched over to organic dyes, especially for their black and white sections. Newspapers are an inexpensive way to suppress weeds and act like organic mulch in beds. They can be covered with other organic mulch, like shredded bark, for more visual appeal.

Mulch can be a versatile asset when doing gardening projects around home landscapes. And the benefits are more than just aesthetic.

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