DeLois Smith Adam WatkinsLinda Seifert Debra Pace Scott HolmesBrenda Blackwell Wendy Gay Dennis Baum

Elizabeth Liggett Josh Bellew Jennifer Beightol

All Star Team returns from National Association of Realtors Convention

Volume 15, Issue 1 / January 2013

4 Willow Bend Drive, Suite 2AHattiesburg, MS 39402

601.545.3900 • 1.800.DELOIS.Swww.DeLoisHomes.com

www.GoAllStarTeam.comAndrew Bird

The DeLois Smith All Star Team, Realtors® attended the recent National Association of Realtors Convention where 18,054 Realtors were in attendance. Throughout the four days in Orlando, they attended many informative lectures and discussions regarding real estate and the housing industry.

One of the most interesting events attended on opening day was the Economic Forum. Lawrence Yun, PhD; Chief Economist of the NAR and Mark Vitner; Managing Director and Senior Economist of Wells Fargo presided over the meeting. It was generally agreed that inflation would remain low through 2013 and 2014. As inflation plays a major role in determining interest rates, this is great news for anyone looking to buy a home because interest rates will also remain historically very low.

It is generally agreed that housing demand is up, sales are up, and available inventory is being reduced. All of this means that although we have been in a strong buyer’s market, the pendulum is swinging more to the middle between buyers and sellers as inventory declines. Therefore, there’s no time like the present to sell a home. It was also stressed that with a fair amount of continuing market uncertainty, the rental market continues to be an excellent area for investors to concentrate.

The housing recovery will be slow so long as the job market remains weak. Washington remains indecisive, but change is coming. One concern voiced throughout the convention was the pending implementation of the Dodd-Frank legislation and the effect it will have on the mortgage industry. Another major concern is home mortgage

interest deductions and how they will be affected as a part of the overall anticipated revamping of the tax codes.

“The DeLois Smith Team returned from Orlando recharged and with valuable knowledge and insight as to how to better succeed with our clients in 2013. Our investment in sending so many of our team members to Orlando is needed due to the complexity of today’s real estate market,” said Associate Broker Adam Watkins. “Our commitment to our clients and community is for our team members to obtain the highest level of educational enrichment possible.”

Team members attending the convention in Orlando were: Adam Watkins, DeLois Smith, Lavon Smith, Brenda Blackwell, Linda Seifert, Dennis Baum, Wendy Gay, Jerron Carney, Jennifer Beightol, Andrew Bird, Josh Bellew, and our newest team member, Debra Pace.

Jerron Carney

Lia Vallas

Client Quote“I found the All Star Team to be very organized and structured with regard to serving a client.

Materials or requests for information were always addressed promptly. Each member of the team is knowledgeable and pays attention to details.” - Tina McDonald

Star Chat is now digitalWe now offer the ability for you to receive

our monthly newsletter in an email format. We will continue to print and mail the Star Chat to you our valued clients. If you would prefer to receive Star Chat in an electronic format please send an email to info@deloissmith.com.

Well, another Christmas and New Year’s Day is in the books! We hope

your celebrations were filled with happiness and enriched with new memories. Our family enjoyed the additions of several little ones that enjoyed their first celebrations with us. This is a special time in our family, and we’re doing our best to build special traditions and experiences for these new souls. We feel more blessed than ever, even if we are a bit weary. Simultaneously, we think of those who, for the first time, experienced this season without a loved one(s). Most of us have experienced such a loss, and cherish those memories that we were able make. May God bless your home and family in 2013! Your All Star Team spent much of 2012 growing to meet the demands of our present market. We’ve solidified our support staff team to handle client care, marketing, and closing and listing management with increased expertise. And, we’ve also grown our agent base to better serve our growing clients as well as niche markets that we’re developing and exploring. Jerron Carney has joined our team specializing in Marion County properties. As a Marion County native, he’s deeply connected to the area through his work as Associate Pastor of Woodlawn Church. Jerron’s wife, Holly, teaches nursing at PRCC, and they have two children. Please keep our team and Jerron in mind the next time you or someone you know has a property in Marion County to sell or purchase. As Hattiesburg has grown westward, the movement between Columbia and West Hattiesburg has increased. We can now offer our clients in-depth knowledge of the Marion County

community with the addition of Jerron. Another exciting addition occurred in December when Debra Pace joined our ranks. Debra has developed a proven track record in Greater Hattiesburg real estate since beginning her career here several years ago. Over the years, we’ve had dozens of opportunities to work with Debra as a co-op agent and have felt for some time that she would be an excellent addition to our agent team. Debra joined us in November at the National Association of REALTORS Convention in Orlando where she received additional training and the opportunity to enjoy our team culture. She officially began working as a team member the first of December and will be representing both sellers and buyers on a full-time basis. Her husband, Allen, works in the poultry industry, and they have two Golden Eagles – a son who’s recently graduated and a daughter who is currently a student at USM. Debra is one of our contributors to this month’s Star Chat. I hope you’ll check out her entry to this month’s edition. So together, our team greets 2013 with as much enthusiasm as we can remember. We’re committed to serving you and anyone you know through the best service and marketing plan delivered by the best equipped and prepared team members available. We’re never too busy for your referrals, so please call us, find us online on Facebook and Twitter, or stop us in the grocery store. We’re eager to serve and thankful for your trust!

May 2013 be the best year yet!

Adam & Team

Adam’s Thoughts The 2012 Numbers are in!

276 Transactions and closed about $52 Million in sales volume (an average of $4.38 million in monthly

volume sales, and 23 transactions per month.

We truly hope that you are enjoying the home you purchased in 2012! We also wanted to remind you to file homestead exemption with your respective county by March 31st of this year in order to receive homested credit on your 2013 property tax bill at the end of the year. As always , we would love to assist you or any friends and relatives with all your future real estate needs. Please give us a call if you need any help with filing homestead exemption.

Don’t Forget!

Tour of HomesSunday, January 13, 2013 • 1-5 PM

Chapel Hill 3BD/2BA - $149,500 NEW INTERIOR PAINTING, IDEAL SPLIT BEDROOM

PLAN, OPEN LIVING, BIG FAMILY-FRIENDLY KITCHEN, ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDED!

Directions: From Oak Grove Road, turn onto Steelman Road and follow to Chapel Hill subdivision on left.

6 Montrose Court

Oak Grove

1:00 to 1:30 pm

Timber Ridge 3BD/2BA - $144,900 PRETTY HOME ON A QUIET CUL-DE-SAC, GREAT DECK OVERLOOKING A WOODSY PRIVATE BACK

YARD, SPLIT FLOOR PLAN, GAS FIREPLACE. Directions: Old Hwy 11 towards Purvis, left into Timber Ridge,

stay to the left towards back, left on Brentwood.

25 Brentwood

Oak Grove

1:00 to 1:30 pm

Timber Ridge 3BD/2BA - $149,900 GREAT HOME ON A QUIET CUL-DE-SAC, INCLUDES

POOL , WHIRLPOOL TUB. GREAT BACKYARD! Directions: Old Hwy 11 towards Purvis. Left into Timber Ridge,

stay to the left towards back, left on Brentwood.

27 Brentwood

Oak Grove

1:00 to 1:30 pm

Greenwood Place 3BD/2BA - $164,500 WONDERFUL UPGRADES, NEW FLOORING, FRESH

PAINT, NEW KITCHEN APPLIANCES, SITTING AREA IN MASTER SUITE, HIS & HER WALK IN CLOSETS.

Directions: Old Hwy 24 to Cameron Road, right into Greenwood Place, left onto Crestwick.

3 Crestwick Circle

Oak Grove

1:00 to 1:30 pm

The Trace 4BD/4BA - $289,500BEST DESIGN AWARD COLONIAL, LARGE MASTER

SUITE WITH HIS & HER CUSTOMIZED WALK-IN CLOSETS, FORMAL STUDY, Directions: Hwy 98 W to King Road, turn right into The Trace, Right on Auburn

Place, bear right on Morrell.

289 Morrell Circle

The Trace

1:00 to 1:30 pm

Canebrake 5BD/3BA - $357,500 ONE OF CANEBRAKE’S BEST ONE-STORY FLOOR PLANS, 4” PLANK FLOORING, SECOND MASTER,

OVER-SIZED CLOSETS.Directions: Hwy 98W, turn into Main entrance of Canebrake.

49 Canebrake Blvd.

Canebrake

1:00 to 1:30 pm

Bridgefield 4BD/4BA - $499,500 ELEGANT, CUSTOM BUILT HOME, BEAUTIFULLY

LANDSCAPED 1.07 ACRE LOT, DELIGHTFUL COURTYARD, RECLAIMED BRICK FENCING.

Directions: Hwy 589 North to Bridgefield. House is on the right after entering the neighborhood gates.

28 Bridgewater Drive

Bridgefield

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Chapel Hill 3BD/2BA - $193,500 TECH$MART FEATURES IN THIS “GREEN” HOME,

STAINLESS STEAL APPLIANCES, GRANITE COUNTER TOPS, GAS FIREPLACE, USDA ELIGIBLE

Directions: From Oak Grove Road, turn onto Steelman Road and follow to Chapel Hill subdivision on left.

20 Chapel Hill Blvd.

Oak Grove

2:00 to 2:30 pm

Legacy 3BD/2BA - $159,000 LOVELY RAISED COTTAGE WITH A WHITE PICKET

FENCE, BRICK FLOORING AND UPSCALE FEATURESDirections: Old Hwy 11 South. Turn left onto Legacy Blvd.

229 Legacy Blvd.

Oak Grove

2:00 to 2:30 pm

Oak Grove 3BD/2BA - $221,000BEAUTIFUL HOME IN DANDRIDGE! QUALITY WORK-MANSHIP THROUGHOUT, HARDWOOD FLOORING,

BUILT-INS, 10’ CEILINGS, GORGEOUS KITCHEN WITH ALL STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES.

Directions: Hwy 589 S to Dandridge Subdivision.

25 Pine Meadow Loop

Dandridge

2:00 to 2:30 pm

Canebrake 4BD/3BA - $414,500 CLASSIC FRENCH COUNTRY ONE STORY. IM-

MACULATE W/ SUPERB DESIGN, 3-WAY SPLIT, PLUS UPSTAIRS BONUS ROOM, LOVELY SCREENED PORCH.Directions: Hwy 98W, turn into Canebrake Golf entrance, left onto W. Canebrake, left on Marais Ridge, left on Landing Way.

36 Landing Way

Canebrake

2:00 to 2:30 pm

Oak Grove - $389,500 SAY HELLO TO THE COUNTRY! 35 ACRES OF

BEAUTIFULLY FENCED AND CROSS FENCED ROLLING LAND, 15’X20’ BARN, POLE SHED, POND, AND NICE COUNTRY HOME. Directions: Hwy 98 West to WPA Road,

turn right onto Bill Dickens Lane!

49 Bill Dickens Lane

Oak Grove

2:00 to 2:30 pm

Canebrake 4BD/3.5BA - $399,500UPSCALE FINISHING DETAILS, 4-WAY SPLIT PLAN WITH

THREE MASTER BATHSDirections: Main Canebrake entrance. Right on Pecan Acres.

24 Pecan Acres

Canebrake

3:30 to 4:00 pm

The Trace 4BD/3BA - $245,900 DISTINCTIVE NEW UPSCALE ONE STORY HOME, OVER-SIZED GARAGE, DOUBLE LOT HOME SITE.Directions: Hwy 98W to King Road, right onto Courtland,

right onto Lynell Loop.

57 Lynell Loop

The Trace

4:00 to 4:30 pm

Oak Grove 3BD/2BA - $162,500 RELAX HERE! BIG 3BD, 2BA ONE-STORY, IMMACULATE CONDITION, MOVE IN NOW!

Directions: Old Hwy 24, turn south on Cameron Road, left on Hidden Acres.

3 Hidden Acres

Oak Grove

4:00 to 4:30 pm

Oak Grove 4BD/3BA - $269,000 ONE OWNER, TWO STORY RESIDENCE ON 3.32

ACRES, PERFECT FOR A HOME BUSINESS, IN THE HEART OF OAK GROVE!

Directions: Old Hwy 11 South, property on the left.

4816 Old Highway 11

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Canebrake 4BD/3BA - $259,500 HARDWOOD FLOORING. IMMACULATE HOME, 2ND LEVEL

BONUS ROOM, GREAT FAMILY FLOOR PLAN!Directions: Hwy 98 to main Canebrake entrance. Right on

Pecan Acres, then Right on Robins Nest.

33 Robin’s Nest

Canebrake

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Canebrake 4BD/3.5BA - $229,500 RAISED 4BD, 3.5 BA CAROLINA COTTAGE, FRONT

AND SCREENED BACK PORCHES Directions: Hwy 98 to main Canebrake entrance. Right on

Pecan Acres, then Right on Robins Nest.

41 Robin’s Nest

Canebrake

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Southwest Hattiesburg 3BD/2BA - $157,000 DISTINCTIVE AND WARM, MOVE-IN CONDITION, UPDATED DECOR INCLUDING FRESH INTERIOR

PAINTING, UPDATED FLOORING, Directions: From Lincoln Road, turn North onto

Sioux Lane.

700 Sioux Lane

Southwest Hattiesburg

3:00 to 3:30 pm

The Trace 4BD/2.5BA - $234,500 SPARKLING NEW HOME WITH LOVELY UPGRADES

AND PRIVACY FENCED YARD! Directions: Hwy 98 West to Kings Road, right onto Courtland, right onto Auburn Place, left onto Greenleaf. Home on right.

51 Greenleaf Drive

The Trace

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Canebrake 4BD/4.5BA - $399,900 PREMIER CANEBRAKE GOLF COMMUNITY HOME

LOCATED IN A QUIET, PRIVATE SETTING. EXCELLENT 3 WAY SPLIT PLAN, HARDWOOD FLOORING

Directions: Hwy 98W, turn into Canebrake Golf entrance, left onto W. Canebrake, left on Marais Ridge, left on Landing Way,

right on Montclaire, left on Montclaire Ct.

9 Monteclaire Court

Canebrake

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Canebrake 4BD/4BA - $459,500 ONE OF CANEBRAKE’S BEST CHOICE NEW PROPER-

TIES! CONVENIENT, UP-FRONT LOCATION, LARGE PRIVATE HOMESITE, SUPERB QUALITY AND DESIGN!Directions: Hwy 98W, turn into Main entrance of Canebrake.

First right on Tidewater. House on left.

119 Tidewater

Canebrake

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Bellepointe 4BD/2BA - $234,500 BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME IN A QUIET COUNTRY

SUBDIVISION, GRANITE COUNTER TOPS, HOME OFFICE, COVERED PATIO, 9’ CEILINGS

Directions: Old Hwy 11 towards Purvis, right on McMahon Road, left onto Bellepointe Circle

78 Bellepointe Circle

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Canebrake - $625,000A HAYES TOWNE CLASSIC, BRICK COURTYARDS,

PANORAMIC VIEWS, BALCONIES, NUMEROUS UPGRADES.

Directions: Hwy 98 West to Canebrake Blvd., right on Pecan Acres, right onto Wild Meadows.

131 Wild Meadows

Canebrake

2:00 to 2:30 pm

Hello, or as we say in Texas….Howdy! I am Debra K. Pace,

the new kid with The All Star Team. I would describe myself as a hard working country girl who is down to earth and approachable by everyone. I left a great career with The Federal Bureau of Prisons to follow my husband to Hattiesburg. At the Bureau, you were considered to be Federal Law Enforcement with a mandatory retirement at 57! YES, I walked away from that wonderful benefit for the love of my husband! There was not a facility close by for me to transfer to, so it forced me to step out of my comfort zone. In Bryan/College Station, Texas, I had met a Realtor named Cherry Ruffino who had a very motivating story of working her way out of a Safeway Cashier job to the largest producing Real Estate Agent in that area. I remember telling my friend Nancy Jo that I wanted to do that. Although she encouraged me, there was no way I could walk away from a solid career for such an uncertain sales job. Shortly after moving to Hattiesburg, Sharon Register hired me as her Assistant. After a few months, I could see that I could go out on my own and took the leap of faith. I was an Independent agent with Realty Executives for four years, surrounded by great people. I’ll talk more about my decision to move later, but for now, let me introduce my family.

My husband is Alan Pace, we have been married since 1985, and I love him to the moon and back. We both grew up in Nacogdoches, Texas, attending the same school. His grandfather was one of the first chicken growers in the area and his dad

followed in his footsteps, they always told Alan to get on the other side of the desk, not to be a chicken grower. He came home one day to say he joined the Army and of course, his first duty station was in Schweinfurt Germany. After 5 years, he realized that furthering his education would enable him to provide for his family more than the Army. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Stephen F. Austin, then onto University of Arkansas for his Master’s Degree course work. He began his poultry career with Sanderson Farms and worked for them for 14 years. He is now with Tyson Foods with the same position, but unfortunately, it took him to North Carolina. Our motto is “we will do what we have to do to get our kids out of college debt free”. Seeing my husband every two weeks is not what I had envisioned for myself at this age, but hopefully the kids will appreciate it one day. God blessed us with two wonderful children who are transitioning to the adult world as we speak.

Kaleb Pace is known as a humble and great guy. He graduated this year from USM. Some of you may know him from Anatomies Fitness Center; he has worked there for six years, currently the Director of the Youth Center. I love going places with him to watch kids run up to him for big hugs in stores or restaurants. He doesn’t realize it, but I think his calling is to be a Youth Minister or something kid related. I’m looking forward for him to be out on his own to gain that independence.

Our beautiful daughter is Lauren Pace, and she is currently a junior at USM, and I say currently a junior, because it seems that she changes her major every semester. The kids put too much pressure

on themselves, thinking they have to have a career path right now. I feel they should concentrate on enjoying the college experience and know the career path will come later and probably change a few times. If Lauren had it her way, she would be a Socialite. A few months ago, she was hired by Mugshots as a waitress and she absolutely loves it because she gets to meet so many people. She is the girl that is full of life on campus, loving her sorority sisters at Chi Omega with all of her heart, and all the new friends that she has met along the way. We are so proud of both of our children.

Now that you have met my family, you may be yawning by now because we do not live an exciting lifestyle. Let me close by saying that I am so thankful to Adam and Delois for not giving up on me for the past couple of years and for believing in my abilities to contribute to her incredible team. We have talked about me joining them for awhile, but I was so intimidated by their success, I was afraid that I would not fit in, and worried what my peers would think. I made the decision to join them right before the National Realtors Convention held in November, and when I left them in Orlando to drive home by myself; I had the clarity that I had been praying for. All of their clients and all of our peers need to know that behind the hustle and bustle of the business scene, they really are like family. They put God first, always starting the meetings with prayer request and giving HIM the praise that only HE is worthy of receiving. They run a well-oiled machine; each person has their place in the mechanics of making this model work. They make me want to be a better person and better agent. I do not regret making the move to this team; my only regret is not doing it sooner.

My clients need to know that I will still provide the same great service they are accustomed to receiving from me, and any new clients that I receive need to be prepared to be blown away by my attention to their needs, and work ethic. My close clients refer to me as “passionate about this business”, so call me, let’s buy or sell something together!

Meet Debra!

www.deloishomes.com • 601.545.3900 • 1.800.DELOIS.S

2012 Team Christmas Party