tom-beaty.com views on real estate

Recent news is showing that the economy is taking a turn for the worse. And people who were worrying about their mortgages a few months ago are pulling their hair out from the stress of making payment. Many families are struggling to keep up with their mortgages, and are looking for assistance that doesn’t require them to ruin their credit in the process. Sound familiar? Read on for some tips on renegotiating the terms of your mortgage before you ever miss a payment.

New Bank Policies

Recently, the government announced that, to provide relief to homeowners, mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would offer qualifying homeowners the opportunity to change (that is, improve) the terms of their mortgages if they’re at least 90 days behind on their payments. This was welcome news for those homeowners facing possible foreclosure who had already seen their credit destroyed through late and missed mortgage payments.

But for those homeowners barely keeping their heads above water –that is, still paying their payments on time– this new policy didn’t offer any real assistance. Until recently. Now, banks like Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase are offering mortgage terms adjustments to homeowners even if they’ve missed no payments at all. Before you fall behind on your payments, you can contact your mortgage company to discuss the terms of your loans. This policy has been administered through many banks throughout the country, especially in the areas hit hardest by the housing crisis, Arizona, Florida, and California among them.

Qualifying for Assistance

Sound like a good option for those of you struggling to get your mortgage payments made on time? It is. But only if you qualify. Unfortunately, though the policy of offering assistance to struggling homeowners is spreading, there are many requirements to be met in order to qualify for assistance. The most important of these is that you be hugely strained by your mortgage financially.

The kinds of people who qualify for mortgage term adjustments are people who have seen or are about to see a change in interest rates that will make it impossible for a homeowner to keep their head above water. Or those who have recently lost an income or seen it drastically reduced. The bank will look at whether or not you are truly overburdened by your mortgage payments. And they’ll be strict about what they consider to be an overburden. In essence, if you’re not seeing 40% or more of your monthly income go to your mortgage payment, you won’t be approved for mortgage assistance. And even then, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get help.

How to Get Assistance

Many banks have established special phone lines to deal with clients looking to negotiate new terms for their mortgages. In order to get help with your mortgage, you’ll need to locate the correct department at your bank (if your bank offers this option at all– not all of them do). Ask for a loans modification specialist, or even better, take some time out from surfing internet dating sites and check out your bank’s website. Many banking websites contain information to help distressed homeowners.

When you finally reach the correct department within your bank to adjust the terms of your loan, the hard part will begin. Banks are struggling, too, and they do not want to adjust your loan any more than they have to– and if they don’t feel they have to, they won’t help you at all. So you need to provide a lot of evidence to show that you are in financial distress. In general, banks will request your recent pay stubs, tax returns, and even a letter detailing what has happened in your life or with your finances to necessitate a change in the terms of your mortgage. If they don’t feel you’re having a hard enough time with your mortgage payments, they’ll turn you down flat. So be ready.

Most people requesting help with the terms of their mortgage will be turned down. But those that do qualify for assistance will see a small monthly change in their mortgage payments that may make the difference between being able to make their payments and losing their home. While you shouldn’t expect banks to make any changes to the final principal owed on your home (they want their money, in the end), qualifying homeowners will see adjustments made to their interest rates or temporary adjustments to their principal. And for some homeowners, these small changes can make all the difference.

This article was written by Shawn Wilson, a member of the customer support team at Datepad, where internet dating is always free. Datepad has a massive directory of informative dating articles along with a great list of dating site reviews on their dating blog.

Been thinking of buying a new home? Now is not the time to hesitate. The real estate bubble has burst leaving some with misfortune but creating great opportunities for others.

Now is the time to invest in residential real estate, whether you’re on the market for your first home or are considering expanding your investment portfolio. If you know what to look for, you can find some fantastic deals, get great value for your money, or just find your dream home.

A couple of years ago, it wasn’t unusual for bidding wars to begin on homes in disrepair or located in less-than-desirable areas. Buying a dream home was nearly impossible if you had budget limitations. Now, you’ll not only have a much larger selection, but you won’t feel the pinch to immediately make a high offer.

Sellers aren’t willing to wait around for the highest bidder and are ready to make big negotiations. That means you’ll have the time and opportunity to find exactly what you want with minimal compromise. If one seller isn’t willing to back down on a price, give it a few weeks and you might even find something better for less.

Another reason why now is the time to buy is to take advantage of potential investment opportunities. Investing in real estate is more secure than the unpredictable stock market and spreading your investments in different areas will give you more financial stability.

If you’ve ever considered buying residential real estate to rent out for extra income, it would be wise to take the plunge soon. Few people are buying property, which means that there is a much higher demand for rental units.

The value of a home or apartment building in a great location will continue to rise (so will the rent rates). Whether or not you end up keeping the property, you’re assured a reasonable profit and the peace of mind that all of your money isn’t tied to more risky stocks.

Since sellers are finding it difficult to move their property, one way they have been luring in buyers is through expensive renovations. Older houses are getting a modern upgrade in order to compete with new buildings. This raises the value and appeal.

Beautiful historical homes are being restored and have added modern touches such as stainless steel kitchen appliances, preserving the charm while being move-in-ready. If you’re looking for an even better bargain, buying a fixer-upper and renovating it to your taste can save you thousands; however, poor decisions and a lack of renovation experience can also cost you more than you’ll save.

The price of current real estate is no longer artificially inflated, which means most properties will rise in value over time, and the financial risks are considerably lower. But the deals won’t last forever. Starting your search for a residential property early can help ensure that you find what you want. If you’re not ready to begin negotiations, consider taking the aid of a realtor to help you with the difficult decisions.

Looking for a dream home in Western North Carolina? Hendersonville real estate firm will help you save time spent browsing through classified ads, driving all over town, and viewing dozens of unsuitable properties. Find a professional realtor at www.preferredrealestatecenter.com/.

Historically speaking, the answer to the rent or buy question is that usually it’s smarter to buy a house. These are not usual times. The true answer to that question, of course, depends on the individual situation. There are some factors to consider when making this important decision.

Some of the normal reasons to choose renting over buying a home include plans to relocate in the next couple of years or a low rent payment. But in the current economy, renting could make sense for a number of reasons. Renting gives financial flexibility, allowing people to save or invest. Other than deposits and the monthly rental payments, there is no large initial outlay of money. There are no maintenance costs and time does not need to be set aside for upkeep.

It is important to consider the costs inherent to buying a home, such as down payments, closing costs, interest, insurance, and upkeep. Suze Orman, a financial analyst for CNBC, points out that the American dream of home ownership can turn into a nightmare for those buyers that get in over their heads. The wave of foreclosures across the nation can attest to that reality.

The pitfalls of home ownership now include buying a home that may lose value, as well as the difficulty of getting a loan in the first place. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales fell 8.6 percent in November. The median sales price fell 13.2 percent in November to $181,300, from $208,000 a year ago. That was the lowest national median price since February 2004. Which could mean it’s a great time to buy, or it could mean home values will continue to fall.

Home ownership is more than about just a place to live, it is an investment. The portion of your monthly payment that goes toward principle ideally raises the equity in your home each month. These days the return on the investment all has to do with long-term plans and the economic outlook. But look at it this way, the rent money goes totally into someone else’s pocket each month. There is a strong possibility that your home value will increase with time, especially if you plan to stay put for a number of years.

There are other benefits to buying a home, such as knowing your exact payment for the next 15 to 30 years, which can help with planning and budgets. Rent payments are likely to increase on an annual basis. There is also the potential to pay off the loan and have no monthly mortgage payment. There are the intangible benefits to consider as well, like pride in ownership and belonging to a community through being part of a neighborhood.

There is certainly no reason to rush into buying a home. In these uncertain economic times there may be good reason to be cautious. But there are also good reasons to be a buyer, such as historically low interest rates and lower home prices. Bankrate.com has a good calculator that can help crunch the numbers. If renting is what ends up being the best option, be sure to invest and save each month as well.

Ki’s real estate business is based in Austin, Texas. His website provides future home buyers with a free search of the Austin MLS. It gives comprehensive information on Austin real estate a few free mortgage calculators for visitors.

Buying a home is a major commitment and you want to have the right real estate agent on the job to make sure you get just what you want. Regardless of where you are buying, there are some basic things he should know. But, if you are shopping for Baton Rouge real estate, there are some specific things you want him to know about that area.

Here are some things your potential Baton Rouge real estate agent should be able to tell you:

1. Community Life - Baton Rouge is, like much of Louisiana, a unique community. It is a multi-cultural city. The person you hire should know the demographics of each neighborhood so that you can buy into the right fit. You don’t want to buy into a retirement neighborhood if you are just starting out. Or, maybe you want to live in a neighborhood with ethnic similarities. He should be able to point you in the right direction.

2. Schools - If you have kids, this is an important part of the buying process because you want to make sure they go to the right school for them. Your agent should know all about each school district- what the demographics are, school performance record and excellent teaching staffs.

3. Economic Development and Industry - Another aspect your real estate agent should know about is how the city is growing and improvement. You want to know if the city has all the amenities you are looking for and maybe even want information on opening your own business. Your broker should be able to fill you in on the economic health of the community and advise you on whether your business venture will thrive in this particular area. Of course, he will not need specifics, but he should have enough general knowledge to give you an idea of what to expect.

4. Night Life and Family Life - Everyone wants to get out and enjoy the night. Baton Rouge has a little bit of everything for everyone. Singles and couples can find something to do. Families also want kid friendly activities that are safe and fun. And food, oh the food in Baton Rouge is as diverse as the population is. A great real estate agent should be able to recommend and advise you on nighttime and family activities in the area. There are music, theater, nightclubs and festivals to enjoy.

5. Safety - It is very important to know about how safe the city is as well as the neighborhoods. Your real estate agent should be well-versed in the rate of crime occurring in the area you are interested in living.

6. Market Condition - As a result of the various hurricanes that have ripped through the area in recent years, homes and buildings sustained water and wind damage. The person you hire should know what areas were hit the hardest and be able to recognize the obvious signs of damage.

Other than those specific details about Baton Rouge, there are also some basic things to consider when choosing the right real estate agent. Do you get along with him? Does he listen to you and understand what you are looking for in a home? You also want to make sure that he has experience in the area. You want the person you’ve hired to know what Baton Rouge can add to your life and what you can contribute to the community.

Real estate in Louisiana , Baton Rouge is a great place to live with lots of things like community life, schools, economic development, entertainment and safety. It’s very important that your estate agent should know all these things. Visit www.realestatelouisiana.com.

One of Austin’s most elite neighborhoods lies just west of Mopac, in the heart of Austin. Bordered by Lake Austin to the west, Mopac to the east, Lake Austin Boulevard to the south and 35th street to the north, the Tarrytown neighborhood holds some of the most desirable homes in the Austin real estate market.

Tarrytown has a more eclectic mix of homes than the prestigious Pemberton Heights directly across Mopac. They range from small cottages to grand estates, with a mix of mid century modern homes and brand new modern dwellings. The one uniting factor in the area is the perfectly kept landscaping and impeccable yards, and giant shade trees that cover the entire neighborhood. Tarrytown is very family oriented, possibly because of the exemplary school accountability rating Casis Elementary receives year after year.

Tarrytown is often recognized for the actual neighbors inhabiting the neighborhood. It’s from this area Matthew McConaughey’s famous bongo playing took place. Lance Armstrong, George W. Bush, Rick Perry and an assorted number of politicos have inhabited Tarrytown through recent years. River Oaks Farms at 2105 Scenic Drive, was built in 1906 by Judge Robert Lynn Batts, a law professor at UT (and after which Batts Hall is named on the campus).

The beautiful walled estate borders Lake Austin, and has 3 cottages on the land that have been rented out to many TV and film stars during shoots in Austin, such as Luke Wilson. Jim Eno, drummer for local-turned-nationally popular band Spoon, has converted his garage on Bowman Avenue into a top notch recording studio called Public Hi-Fi, where Spoon now records their albums.

There are a slew of local eateries in Tarrytown, with many located on Lake Austin Boulevard, such as the Hula Hut, Magnolia Cafe, and the Kitchen Door. In 2003, the popular hamburger restaurant Holiday House, located in the Tarrytown Courtyard on Exposition, was forced to move elsewhere when the owner of the shopping center, a member of PETA, banned meat from being sold. Nu Age Cafe moved in, selling all vegetarian dishes, but also recently closed. However, further down Exposition, the Tarrytown Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday morning.

Lauren Tolley, owner of Talulah Bleu Tarrytown Florist, also runs the farmer’s market. Tolley took over the Tarrytown Florist from the R.A. Lewis family who started owned the business since 1946. She also inherited the oldest nursery/agricultural license in the state, which was granted to R.A. Lewis’s father around the turn of the century. There is a plot of wooded land behind the florist where Tolley hosts the Tarrytown Farmer’s Market each Saturday from 9am until 1pm. Vendors vary from organic fruit and vegetable merchants to those selling vintage belt buckles, candles, and hand-stitched clothing.

At the north end of Tarrytown lies the beautiful Mayfield Nature Preserve and the Laguna Gloria Museum. Though the park itself is only 22 acres, it’s peaceful, serene and chocked full of walking trails, gardens, stone walls and peacocks which hover around the 1870s cottage located in the park (which can also be rented out for special occasions). The Laguna Gloria art museum is an indoor/outdoor venue with a stretch along the Lake Austin shoreline. There are gigantic works of art along the shoreline, and more to see inside the 1916 Mediterranean-style villa built by Clara Driscoll in 1916.

One of the more pristine neighborhoods in the city, movers and shakers of Austin can always be found in Tarrytown, right next door to families-of-four, and musicians as well.

There is comprehensive information on Austin real estate on Ki’s website. He lives and works in Austin Texas. His website also has search of the Austin MLS and information and statistics on central Austin real estate

The way most homes are bought include getting a mortgage from a bank, loan company, building society or mutual. However in these very heady credit crunch days, this has become almost impossible to do without either a very large deposit and an impeccable credit history.

As bank repossession of homes increase month on month, home owners who wish to sell a home, can be heard faintly crying on the wind, when will someone buy my home?If their bank is trying to foreclose on the property, homeowners may find that they are able to stop eviction if they get a quick house sale.

Though some investor buyers may prefer to wait and buy repossessed houses, others are willing to buy pre foreclosure, and can offer you cash for your house, thus allowing you to pay back the chasing financial institution all the mortgage money that you owe. In actual fact, the cash will go first to the mortgage company as they are the one who usually have first charge over the house. Once they have retrieved their money, the balance will be paid to you. The main fact is that foreclosure will be halted (in most cases) once you have secured a buyer and exchanged contracts on the deal. Once completion is made on the deal you will have the money from the sale usually in your bank the very same day.

Buying foreclosure homes is not for everyone mind, and not everyone is in a pre foreclosure place either. There are many reasons why you may want someone to buy your home for cash, but the primary reason is for speed. Whatever the need, if you want to sell a home fast, then a great tip for selling your house to a cash buyer, is to make sure your home is in 100% tip top shape. If a cash buyer can go through foreclosed home lists and pick up a bargain property for less than yours, they may overlook it in favour of yours if you have kept your home in good condition.

If it’s in bad condition but you’re trying to sell it fast for cash money they won’t bother if they can get a cheaper property further down the road in the same condition. You have to make it a better proposition for them in order for the investor or cash buyer to consider your home over another.

Cheap properties for sale in your neighbourhood won’t necessarily kill your chances of getting a quick house sale. If you are able to present your property in such a way as to make it more appealing for buyers, then you can overcome the price barrier and can hopefully sell your home before you lose it.

If you find that no one wants to buy your home, you have to examine the reasons why. Go around your neighbourhood and see what your competition is, like all financial transactions, and especially now when things are tight, people are shopping around for the absolute best deal they can. You have to make your home the best deal on the market. Once you do that, you will find you will be able to sell your house for cash and walk away hopefully in a better place than you are now.

Ashley Lawrence writes about investment property and offers property finder services to buyers and sellers in the UK who want to sell a home fast

New Jersey, the Garden state, is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. If you’re looking for New Jersey housing you will find a broad array of homes available for you to choose from.

You will find subsidized housing and apartments, as well as beautiful homes for the average American and mansions for those who want to go all out. Finding the home of your dreams in New Jersey shouldn’t and won’t be an agonizing experience, if you do your homework.

Before choosing your home, decide on the neighborhood you want to move into. If you prefer privacy and a little extra peace of mind, you may want to consider a gated community. If you would rather a comfortable neighborhood with a family-friendly feel, some of the older neighborhoods may be the better choice.

Many people choose the neighborhoods based on the schools that their children will be going into. The best thing for you to do is to look around. If you have to, walk through the community that you are considering and talk to the neighbors. Not only will you get the chance to know your neighbors before you choose them as your permanent neighbors, you will also be able to get all the information necessary for you to make an informed decision.

For some people the neighborhood matters less than the home itself. If this is the case for you, than make a list of what you want in the home and shop around until you find one that is closest to your dream.

A real estate agent will be perfect in helping you find this house. The agent will be able to search for homes using your criteria, and will set up the appointments for you to tour potential houses. Real estate agents take a lot of the headache out of house hunting.

Finding your perfect house can be a rewarding experience. If you do your homework and delve into your search knowing exactly what you want, the job will be a lot easier. You will already know all of the questions that you need to ask.

You will know where you want to look and where you don’t. You can save yourself a lot of time simply by knowing that. Don’t forget that it’s okay to be a little bit picky. You have to live at this home after all. Find an agent who loves what he does and is excited to get you into a house, and you will find a home that will be perfect for you.

RE/MAX of New Jersey (http://www.remax-nj.com) is a real estate brokerage that specializes in New Jersey housing. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

A “subject-to” offer simply means that the buyer is willing to purchase a piece of property “subject-to” some specific circumstance. Usually that circumstance will be the sellers existing mortgage. It can also be a variety of other things.

One of the most common “subject-to” clauses in real estate contracts is “subject-to” buyers inspection. But for real estate investors, the most common use of the term “subject-to” is in relation to purchasing a property “subject-to” the sellers existing mortgage. This means that at closing, the property is titled in the buyers name, but the loan is still in the sellers name. Therefore, you are buying the property “subject-to” the sellers existing mortgage payments.

What are the advantages of “subject-to”?

The most common advantage is the can buy without the need to qualify for a new loan. When you purchase a property subject-to the existing mortgage, the seller is basically agreeing to allow a buyer to take possession of their property, and pay their existing mortgage payments. Since the buyer is not qualifying for a new loan, and the existing loan is in the sellers name, it is the sellers credit that is at risk. This means that a buyer does not need to worry about having good credit.

Why would a seller agree to allow you to take over a loan that is in their name?

There is definitely some risk involved for a seller who agrees to sell a property subject-to the existing mortgage. For one thing, if the buyer decides to walk away from the deal, or fails to make those mortgage payments, the seller is the one who will suffer. A sellers credit rating could be ruined by a buyer who fails to make the mortgage payments on time. So the buyer should consider the commitment being made, and do proper due diligence to insure that the deal makes sense.

This is also an excellent way for today’s credit challenged home buyers to buy a home to live in.
With the housing meltdown and the resulting credit crunch, sellers must look at creative ways to sell that will allow for a win-win transaction. So subject-to transactions can be used to
solve problems for both buyers and sellers.

I once did a “subject-to” deal with a seller who was getting married and moving out of state. She had been trying to sell her property for several months, with no takers. It was in a great area, in a nicer neighborhood, but the house needed some
general updating of colors and carpet.

For the seller, time was running out. The wedding was only weeks away, and the she was planning to take up residence with her new husband in his house. Because of this she was motivated to sell the property any way she could.

She accepted an offer to buy her property subject-to the existing mortgage, for two years. That meant that we had two years to get new financing and pay her off. She understood the risk to her credit and was concerned, but we were able to produce references and other documentation that made her feel comfortable doing this deal with us.

Had she not been in the position she was in, she likely would never have agreed to accept a sale that would leave the mortgage in her name, so motivation was the primary factor in this deal. But, that being said, it was still a great way for the seller to solve her problem, and create a win-win for both parties.

We updated the house, and sold it a few months later to a buyer who was able to qualify for a new mortgage. The seller got her money about a year and a half earlier than expected. The seller discounted the property about 20% from her asking price.

The buyer made good on the promise to renovate and resell the property. Compromise and Commitment were the two key components to this deal getting done right.

The subject-to arrangement allowed the seller to solve her immediate problem. It also allowed us to buy the property without having to qualify for a new loan. Everyone was happy.

Donna Robinson is a licensed agent, real estate investor and real estate consultant, located in metro Atlanta, GA. She is a respected authority on the subject of real estate investing and property evaluation. Get Donna’s free newsletter for real estate investors at
http://www.REIUonline.com

You’ve finally decided that it’s time to sell your house. You may be selling for any number of reasons, but more than likely you don’t have the time to wait for months while it sits on the market.

Many homeowners put their houses up for sale hoping to sell them quickly, only to realize six months down the road that their house isn’t going anywhere. There may be a very simple reason why the home isn’t selling. Here is an example.

A man owns some Branson real estate and has decided it’s time to sale. He puts it on the market without making it look homey and appealing, and is surprised when it is snubbed by potential buyers. They walk in with a pasted smile on their faces, and they walk out. If the homeowner had taken the time to make it cheerful and inviting, he make have experienced different results.

Potential buyers want to feel comfortable with a home from the moment they step onto the sidewalk. First impressions are extremely important. Make sure the front yard looks clean and well kept. Mow the lawn, plant some flowers, or sweep the sidewalk. You just need to make it look inviting.

The inside of the home is just as important, if not more so. If it is clean it will look more appealing to the buyer, so tidy up before they come. If you notice scuffs on the wood or marked paint on the walls, you may want to touch them up. Tighten any leaky faucets and change burnt out light bulbs. These small details will improve the overall appeal of the house.

You will also want to spend a little extra time on the bathrooms. Bathrooms are a major selling point for buyers. The cleaner and shinier it looks, the more apt they are to like it. Remember, they are buying this house from strangers. They will want to know that the strangers took good care of it and kept it clean.

Potential buyers look at a home for the space, both living and storage. If you have potential storage space in an attic or garage, make sure it is organized to show its full potential. The same goes for closets. Organizing the closets gives off the impression that they are bigger and can hold more.

You may also want to consider finding an experienced real estate agent. Real estate agents are trained to sell your home. They know what to do to increase the appeal. They know what to say when showing the house, and they will know the best selling points of the house. A trustworthy real estate agent can be a great ally when it comes time to sell your home.

The more you can increase the appeal when selling your house, the better off you will be. Try to look at it from the buyer’s point of view. What will he see when walking through the home? Which points will be the most unappealing? Keep that in mind and you will put yourself leaps and bounds ahead of many homeowners trying to sell their homes.

RE/MAX of Missouri (http://www.remax-missouri.com/branson-real-estate.aspx) is a real estate brokerage that specializes in Branson real estate. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Buying your first home is a truly rewarding experience. There’s something amazing about signing your name to the title, making the home absolutely yours; it brings with it a feeling of pride in ownership.

For many, moving into their first home deserves a celebration because it is such a great accomplishment. Of course, choosing your home can be quite a thought and time consuming process. Once you are able to buy a home, you won’t want to jump into the first thing you see. It’s okay to shop around for a home. While you’re house hunting keep in mind a few important factors that will determine your choice of home.

The first and most important factor is the area where the home will be located. You may prefer some real estate in the busy city of LA, or you may prefer a more rural type, such as Hattiesburg real estate. Either way, you won’t want to buy a home in an area you detest. You won’t be able to truly love your life there unless you love the area.

If you have children remember to check out the local schools and areas where your kids will be playing. Many neighborhoods are extremely family oriented. If you feel comfortable enough, talk to the neighbors and see what they have to say, especially if they have children as well. They’ve had the experience of living in your potential new neighborhood, and they will know any and all of the pros and cons. They will also be able to give you their opinion on the safety of the neighborhood.

Once you decide to buy a house, you will want to get pre-qualified for a loan. Pre-qualifying will let you know how much money you will be able to take out for a loan. This amount will absolutely be a determining factor when choosing your home and area since the price for homes fluctuates so drastically between neighborhoods. You don’t want to fall in love with a four hundred thousand dollar home when you will only qualify for a three hundred and fifty thousand dollar loan.

While you are house hunting, make a list of the homes features that you love. Likewise, make a list of the features you don’t like. These lists will help you make sure you get as many of the amenities and comforts that you are seeking as possible. You want to be happy and comfortable in your home.

Of course, these are just a few of the things to take into consideration when choosing your home. Most of all, make sure you find a neighborhood and home where you can live happily for as long as is necessary.

RE/MAX of Mississippi (http://www.remax-mississippi.com/hattiesburg-real-estate.aspx) is a real estate brokerage that specializes in Hattiesburg real estate. Art Gib is a freelance writer.