Real Estate Agent
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Specializing in residential real estate and New Home sales in Flowood, Brandon, Pearl, Ridgeland and Madison MS
Cell: (601) 278-4513
Office: (601) 991-2900
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Real Estate Agent
Rick Young
Residential Real Estate specialist serving Rankin, Madison, and Hinds Counties. A proud member of the Crye-Leike team!
Cell: (601) 918-2019
Office: 6019(395) 160-3420
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Rankin County, MS Real Estate News

By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
It doesn't take much to make a good first impression, right? A little effort can go a long way, regardless of the situation. Today my buyer client saw her new home "in person" for the very first time.  We went under contract about five weeks ago. Since the purchaser lived several states away, we did a video conference during my initial showing appointment.The house was stunning. It was obvious the seller took excellent care of this home, and it had a warm, happy feel.Although the home had multiple offers, we were the successful bidders and went under contract.The buyer was naturally nervous to buy a home sight unseen, but when we walked through the front door of her new home today, all fears dissipated. The first thing I noticed was a pleasant clean scent. The hardwood floors were gleam...
Comments 10
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Excitement has been swirling around the construction and Grand Opening of the new Aldi Supermarket on Lakeland Drive in Flowood.  Since today was Opening Day, I had to see what the buzz was all about. I brought my reusable grocery bags and a quarter for the shopping cart. The parking lot was full when I arrived. I grabbed my cart and immediately was bumper to bumper with other shoppers. It seems everyone got the memo that today was Opening Day. The store was full of friendly, smiling faces, but as I mentioned, shoppers and grocery carts were everywhere. If you couldn't go down the produce line, you went down the center isles, which is where the seasonal goods and "Aldi's Finds" are located. I went a little wild as I found gardening supplies at great prices.Before I knew it, my cart was ...
Comments 15
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
My little plot of land in Brandon MS provides a very small space for a garden. In fact, when I moved here a few years ago, absolutely nothing was planted in the back yard. The front was filled with crepe myrtles, Indian Hawthorn, Lorapetalum,  and a Japanese Maple; all of which I loved, but the back yard is where I spend my time.So before I even moved in, I brought some potted daylilies from my previous home and built a new daylily bed. It gives me such pleasure in May and June. The blooms replenish themselves each year and though the initial planting was labor intensive, I am rewarded with the steady supply of blooms in late spring. As the plants multiply, I have added daylilies around my mailbox and on one side of the house.Because I have such a small yard, and because Central Mississ...
Comments 29
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Today was Realtor Open House Day in my neighborhood. Three homes were on preview, all priced between $399,000 - $420,000.As I was leaving the first home on the tour, a car pulled up and rolled down the window. The driver asked if I was showing the home or if it was open to anyone, as the Realtor Open House signs were posted on the property. I explained it was for Realtors, but she appeared very interested, so I agreed to show her the home.While we toured the home, the prospect told me more about what she was looking for, the number of bedrooms and baths, etc. Coincidentally, the other homes on the schedule fit the criteria, so I offered to show her the other two homes as well.The theme of the Open House was Cinco de Mayo, and a Mexican lunch was served at the last house. Since I picked ...
Comments 14
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Step into the time machine and travel to the mid 70's. Young and in love, my boyfriend and I were engaged to be married. I'm not sure how the topic of buying a house came up; I'm not sure we even discussed it. My parents had always owned a home, so we assumed we would own a home one day, too.My dad worked for the largest employer in town, the local factory, so he knew a lot of people. He came home from work one day and mentioned an older couple wanted to sell their home. He asked if I was interested. It was an incredible opportunity to own a 3 bedroom, one bath home for the AMAZING price of $9,500! We said YES to seeing the home, and YES to the address.What is more incredible than purchasing a home for $9,500 is the seller offered us all their furniture for an additional $1,000. So for ...
Comments 42
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
We closed yesterday on this gorgeous 3 BR/2 Bath home in Rankin County. I'm happy and thankful for my client, but it is a mixed blessing because my friend/seller is moving four hours away.The home sold with multiple offers (yes!) and we accepted the one most favorable to the seller. Price isn't the only consideration when submitting an offer with multiples on the table; terms and conditions play an important role in being the winning bid.My seller was the ultimate client. She knew she needed to make the home as attractive as possible. Honestly, the house showed great before she implemented any staging techniques, but her efforts combined with our marketing and pricing strategy, we received top dollar for my clients' property.A few details about the home:Gorgeous and move-in ready, this ...
Comments 7
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Welcome to Serenity Lake Subdivision, one of the newest neighborhoods in Pearl.  Serenity Lake is located on Old Brandon Road, near the new Metroplex Parkway. Residents are minutes from restaurants and shopping at Dogwood Festival Mall, the Jackson International Airport, and medical facilities. Now that the connector road is open, you can travel from Serenity Lake to Dogwood Festival in 5 minutes!Homes in Serenity Lake are 3 and 4 bedroom, 2 bath homes with double garages, spacious laundry rooms, and walk-in primary closets. Prices range between $295,000 - $315,000, with square footage between 1700-1800 square feet. These quality homes feature brick construction, high ceilings, crown molding, stainless appliances, and granite countertops, among other amenities.If you are interested in o...
Comments 6
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Earlier this year, I bought a four bedroom fixer upper in my neighborhood that needed love and attention, and I was determined to make it shine again.The owner was referred to me by a past client. When I saw the house, I knew it had potential. The owner didn't want to make any improvements and wanted to sell the house "as is". We discussed the possibility of me buying the house. After a few days, we reached an agreement and I closed on the property.I documented a lot of "Before and After" photos on my Facebook page, but never got around to posting them here... until now.One of the biggest projects my contractor and I had to deal with was the foyer. It should have been a stunning entrance; instead the walls were lined with brown paper grocery bags, torn randomly into smaller bits and dec...
Comments 19
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
We all know it is a strong sellers market. Rates are great, homes are selling like hotcakes, and buyers are throwing money at sellers hand over fist. Inventory nationwide is low, and that is true in Central MS as well. I reviewed our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) this morning and was inspired to share this data.Let's talk statistics. Rankin County, MS includes the cities of Brandon, Flowood, Pearl, Richland, Florence, Pelahatchie and Puckett. 158 homes are currently available for sale and priced between $98,000 to $4 million. The median price for sale is $388,000. The number of homes priced below $500,000 is 120. Homes priced between $500k to $700k is 32. Homes priced under $250,000? 29 properties for the entire county. 312 properties are "pending closing", while 496 homes have c...
Comments 5
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our blessings, and November has become a time to "give back" to show appreciation and gratefulness to family, friends, and clients. The last Tuesday in November is designated Giving Tuesday, which is a global movement to show generosity to those around us.Typically speaking, our real estate business slows down in the fall and we have more time to devote to our favorite charities. There are plenty to choose from! So I challenge you to look around your community, see who you can reach out to, and give someone a blessing today. Don't wait for a designated date to share the love.A group from my office recently visited two local fire departments. We carried homemade Jambalaya and in return, were given a tour of the newest Flowood Fire Department. It was i...
Comments 11
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
My pumpkin carving talents are limited, and let's be honest; scooping the "brains" out of a Jack-o-lantern can get pretty messy.The secret for carving pumpkins has eluded me, but I admire the looks of painted pumpkins. Since painting and creativity appeal to me, the idea of a pumpkin painting contest was born.The contest ran for a couple of weeks on Facebook. I created videos and encouraged adults as well as children to get involved. The goal was fun, fun, fun! And I wanted to increase my Facebook followers on my business page. The rules were simple: Like my Facebook page, tag a friend, and take a selfie with your painted pumplin. Carving was discouraged.The entries were all good, but at the last minute a client's 12 year old submitted a pumpkin design I could not resist. It was 3 stack...
Comments 8
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
When you think of Fall Festivities, visions of pumpkin patches, hay bales, and children frolicking through fields come to mind. But why limit the activities to children? Adults want to have fun, too.Last week, Castlewoods Place, a senior assisted-living facility in Brandon, hosted their Fall Festival. Several vendors participated in the event. I attended as a neighborhood volunteer and Realtor. Pre-pandemic, I visited regularly to call Bingo, play games, etc., but visiting was forbidden during the height of the pandemic. I missed my senior friends and they missed us. Fortunately, we slowly have been invited to select events over the last few weeks.The Activities Director planned a wonderful event for the active Seniors; corn hole games, bobbing for apples, guessing games, music by the f...
Comments 11
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Do you go the extra mile to get your listings sold? I'm sure most of us do.Recently a slow moving property needed an extra push to find the right buyer. The seller took much of my advice to heart; we cleaned, decluttered, put things in storage and made pre-listing repairs to the home. We had professional photos, a social media campaign, and a fair amount of interest during the first two weeks of showings. Then interest fizzled. We attributed the lack of showings to Labor Day, the back-to-school rush, etc.Meanwhile, the sellers packed up and moved out of state. They left several checks, written 10 days apart, to pay their yard man, so the grounds would always be presentable for showings.One Saturday, an agent called to schedule a second showing to an interested party. As luck would have ...
Comments 19
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
In the heart of Flowood, a row of quiet, unassuming townhomes sit tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life. You might have driven past this community numerous times but never noticed the gated entrance. Behind the gate are 16 townhomes built in 2008. The units feature 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a single car garage, laundry room, family room with fireplace, and a fully equipped, stainless and granite kitchen. Each unit has a private fenced patio and small yard.The HOA maintains the front yards and pays for neighborhood lighting and gate maintenance. The setting is secluded and peaceful, yet minutes from shopping, dining, schools, and churches. You'll find Braeburn Court on Luckney Road, directly across the street from The Ivy Venue. A unit is currently for sale at Braeburn Cou...
Comments 7
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Looking for a home with a golf course view? This 5 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath home is located on the 14th green of Castlewoods in NW Rankin County. With over 3100 square feet, this home has room to spread out. The family room is spacious and features a brick fireplace with gas logs, and has lots of built-in cabinetry for storage. You'll notice quality, solid wood cabinets in the kitchen with granite countertops, stainless appliances, and a built-in computer desk.Along with the main bedroom and bath, new tiled shower, whirlpool tub, double sinks, and walk-in closets, there are 4 additional bedrooms, and a total of 3.5 baths. The 2-year old roof has a transferrable warranty! The feature you may love the most could be the multi-purpose game room. If you are an outdoor person, you're sure to love th...
Comments 6
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
I hosted an Open House today (Sunday) in my neighborhood. You might wonder why I'd have an open house, since the market is hot and homes sell quickly. Here's why:1. The house is in my neighborhood. I am one of several Realtors in my neighborhood, all of whom have good reputations, but I want to be recognized as one of the TOP Realtors in my neighborhood.  If an opportunity presents itself, it gives me the chance to be visible, active, and be seen as the neighborhood professional.2. Open Houses are a good way to attract buyers. I posted in advance on the neighborhood Facebook page, and invited neighbors and prospective clients. I put my Open House signs out the day before to get extra exposure, and gathered marketing materials, flyers, disclosures, etc to be ready for Open House day.3. F...
Comments 13
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
The statistics are in for the 3rd week of July, 2021. You may wonder how this data affects you if you are looking to buy or sell a home in Central MS. Let's see what the numbers mean.Our primary market area is Hinds, Rankin, and Madison County. You can review the stats for the particular area you are interested in. While I'm not a math wiz (and you may not be either), the numbers are revealing.Compare the number of closings vs the number of new listings. In each case, the weekly closings exceed the number of new listings. This tells me homes are selling as fast as they hit the market.Look at the supply of homes. There is less than one months inventory. This equates to a strong sellers market with low inventory, homes that sell fast with multiple offers, at list price or above.I must str...
Comments 6
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Here's a glance at Central MS real estate statistics for last week. Inventory remains low as the sellers market continues. Sales prices ticked up from last week and homes are selling at 98-100% of list price.Inventory (overall supply) is up slightly but we are a long way from reaching a neutral market.What constitutes a sellers market? A sellers market is defined as a shortage of available homes, thus prices remain high and homes sell quickly. You'll see a buyers market when homes are plentiful. It's the basic law of supply and demand.WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?If you are a seller, it means more buyers are competing for your home, which can drive the price up through multiple offers and a shorter time on the market.If you are a buyer, interest rates are phenominally low, but you'll need a sa...
Comments 3
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
The statistics are in for the last week of June, 2021. You'll notice a higher number of closings in Central MS for the end of June compared to the previous weeks statistics.  More homes close at the end of the month so it makes sense the numbers reflect that data.This snapshot is provided by Central MS Realtors and reflects the closings from June 25 - July 1.In this graphic, Hinds County (Jackson, Byram, Terry, Clinton) had 67 closed sales with a median sales price of $178,500 (up from 47 closings last week). Madison County (Madison, Ridgeland, Canton, etc) had 55 closings (up from 39 last week) with a median sales price of $288,000. Rankin County, which includes Pearl, Brandon, Flowood, Florence, and others, came in strong with 84 closed sales (vs 57 the week before) and a median sales...
Comments 4
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
Most of you know we are in a strong sellers market. You hear it on the news and from your friends, but what does it mean if you are a homebuyer or seller in the Central MS marketplace?Let's talk numbers.The statistics are provided by Central MS Realtors on a weekly basis. We will discuss the sales, active listings, etc., for June 18-24, 2021. In this graphic, Hinds County (Jackson, Byram, Terry, Clinton) had 47 closed sales with a median sales price of $215,000. Madison County (Madison, Ridgeland, Canton, etc) had 39 closings with a median sales price of $285,000. Rankin County, which includes Pearl, Brandon, Flowood, Florence, and others, came in strong with 57 closed sales and a median sales price of $217,500.Now look at the list to sales price ratios. Hinds County homes sold at a 99....
Comments 1
By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
The 2021 real estate market has been HOT across the country, and Central Mississippi is no exception. This 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath home located in Castlewoods Subdivision surely won't last long.Welcome to 850 Willow Grande Circle. This home has been lovingly maintained by the original owners since 2007. The home has many custom features, including high ceilings, corner fireplace with gas logs, crown molding, and side entry garage. The primary bathroom has double sinks, a separate tiled shower, whirlpool tub, and glass block window. Engineered hardwood runs throughout the family room, kitchen, breakfast area and master bedroom.You will love the large fenced yard with a covered patio, extended brick pavers, and swing with arbor.Castlewoods is a golf course community. Separate membership is avai...
Comments 8
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