Realtor Thursday

A conversation with Stephanie Atkins-Arnett, Seller Representative Specialist with Coldwell Banker S.R.E. Realtors, Located in Starkville, Mississippi.

Starkville is just simply not like the rest of Mississippi.  From the quirky characters, to maroon-clad Mississippi State University students, rabbits to white-tail deer, fine dining to down-home barbeque joints, CEO’s to struggling musicians, Starkville stands apart from the rest.  Whether you are watching the ballgame or shopping Downtown, you’ll notice that Starkville is an entirely unique kind of Mississippi.  It is spirited and natural, rugged and eclectic, and rocking and rolling.  Here’s your opportunity to survey the scene and make sure you experience the heart of Starkville.

 

Starkville is located in Northeast Mississippi’s Golden Triangle, 30 miles west of the Alabama state line and 115 miles south of the Tennessee state line. It is accessible by U.S. Highway 82 and State Highways 12, 25, and 389, which pass through Oktibbeha County and provide four-lane, limited access routes to Memphis, Birmingham, Jackson (MS), Atlanta, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. U.S. Highway 45 is just 10 miles away, Interstate 55 (North-South) is 60 miles west of Starkville via Hwy 82, and Interstate 20 (East-West) is 90 miles south of Starkville via Hwy 45 or Hwy 82.

 

The People

A diverse blend of cultures and lifestyles, along with a richly creative environment and reputation for being an open and tolerant city contribute greatly to Starkville’s overall quality of life. The influences of minority communities permeate all aspects of everyday routines, from music and dining, to architecture and art.

In addition to the overall ethnic mix of the city, Mississippi State University’s students hail from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, thus adding to Starkville’s cultural crossroads.

Our Town

Starkville is hip and trendy in a vintage sort of way.  It’s high-tech and laid-back and politically charged and culturally rich.  It is also quite eclectic by nature, and creative by design.  Most of all, it’s a place where people like to have a good time.

Our town also has it’s fair share of the “rich and famous” including the bandBlind Melon, Hartley Peavey of Peavey Electronics, country music singer Del Rendon, Ray Mabus (Former Governor and Secretary of the Navy), Cool Papa Bell (Baseball Hall of Fame 1974), Jeff Brantley (ESPN analyst), Antuan Edwards (Green Bay Packers), Freddie Milons (Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals), Jerry Rice (Hall of Fame, football), Coach Sylvester Croom (first African American head football coach in SEC), Rafael Palmeiro (Major League Baseball) and Coach Dan Mullen (SEC head coach).

Going Green

There are a number of green movements going on.  Starkville has implemented curb-side recycling, numerous recycling drop offs around town, and a community market that offers a variety of goods from local vendors.  Starkville even has it’s first green neighborhood!

The Future

Starkville is growing by leaps and bounds, along with Mississippi State University, who has increased their enrollment for the seventh consecutive year.  We are seeing an increase in large businesses coming to the area (Newks, Buffalo Wild Wings, U.S. Lawns, The Links, SemiSouth), along with a steady growth in entrepreneurs and small businesses. By 2014, Starkville will be able to host over 200 entrepreneur incubator spaces!

Words of Wisdom

Get educated.  If you are a buyer, seller, open house fanatic, or just a local yocal, learn about real estate.  Find out the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent, a buyer’s representative and a seller’s representative, what dual agency means, who a mortgage officer is, why your interest rate is important, and what your local real estate market is doing.

Realtors & Technology

Times are certainly changing!  Not only do I have to have a desktop, fax machine, scanner, copier and clock radio, I’m now required to carry a BlackBerry, laptop and iPad2 with me everywhere.  From blogging to posting on Facebook, StarkvilleLife.com to Twitter, I’m constantly on the go to update buyers, sellers and the general public on Starkville’s real estate market.  I’m pretty sure I texted a client in my sleep!

Preparing to Buy

There’s no doubt about it, home and garden shows have done wonderful things. With that being said, I am seeing a few issues with buyers.  When a buyer walks into a home, they want the picture perfect home that these shows feature.  They are no longer willing to put in a little “elbow grease”.  They want the perfect landscaping, the perfect colors, the perfect flooring, the perfect countertops, blah, blah, blah.  As a buyer, either be prepared to pay a pretty penny for the ideal home, or roll up your sleeves to make it your perfect house!

Personal Experience

Brick…check.  Carpet…check.  Three bedrooms…check.  Two bathrooms…check.  Price range…check.  “Search complete.  Please move the customized home to your shopping cart and proceed with checkout.”  I know it may not come as a shock to some of you, but I had a buyer purchase a home over the internet, sight unseen.  Aside from my hesitancy, this buyer was comfortable enough with the pictures, videos and Google Earth™ to buy a home online.

About Stephanie

Stephanie Atkins-Arnett was born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi.  Growing up with a loving and understanding family enabled her to “try out” life and several professions.  Stephanie has gone from vet tech to rodeo hopper, banker to property manager, and animal rescuer to REALTOR® (she still runs a pit bull rescue).  She is a Christian, wife, and mother to three and an avid animal collector.  When you work with Stephanie, you become part of her family.  Be prepared for Christmas cards, move-in happys and a lifelong friend!

Contact Stephanie:

Stephanie Atkins-Arnett, SRS
Seller Representative Specialist

Broker Associate, REALTOR®

Phone: 662-769-0721

E-mail: Stephanie@StarkvilleLife.com

Website: www.StarkvilleLife.com

ActiveRain: www.ActiveRain.com/blogs/ih8meat

Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/stephanieatkinsarnett

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ih8meat

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This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com

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