Page 148 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2018

TOP PRODUCERS sold
TIME TO BUY
he real estate market on According to Multiple Listing
the Mississippi Gulf Coast Service statistics, the average home is on the cusp of turning sale price has increased 5.91 percent, from a buyer’s market to a and there is a 15 percent decrease in seller’s market. the number of days a home stays on
“There are more home the market compared to last year’s sales with fewer days on the market numbers.
such as “Fixer Upper,” Lee said. “They’ve had a huge influence on what people look for in a home these days. They are drawn to wood floors, exposed brick, shiplap walls, spacious porches and just charming features in general,” he said.
In addition, Clark has found people are inquiring about the construction of the home in withstanding strong storms, a necessity on the Coast.
Each client is unique in looking for a home, Clark said. She has walked into a house to be taken aback at how out- of-date it is only to have the client fall in love with it because it reminds him of his grandparents’ home.
“Buying a house is not just a business transaction. There is an emotional aspect, and falling in love with a place is different for each person,” Clark said.
that is resulting in less inventory available,” said Danny Lee, president of the Gulf Coast Association of Realtors. “More home sales with fewer days on the market result in less inventory available.” Lee is an associate with Ashman-Moller Realty Inc. in Waveland.
Angelia Clark agreed. “It’s been a buyer’s market for so long and sellers were desperate. But it’s changing.
I’ve seen multiple offers on properties even,” Clark said. She is the office manager and broker associate with Re/max Results in Gulfport.
“The sales prices of homes on
the Coast definitely varies from community to community, but the average overall price for our market is about $157,000,” Lee said.
While Lee sees the Mississippi Gulf Coast overall as being a “hot” market, certain communities are in more demand. These include Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Biloxi and Ocean Springs. Clark said that long-standing neighborhoods, such as Bayou View in Gulfport, are desirable locations, too.
The popular HGTV channel has influenced home buyers with shows
story by Susan Ruddiman
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