Upcoming Events at the Crosby Arboretum in Picayune

PINE NEEDLE BASKET WORKSHOP
Saturday, January 24
9:00 a.m. – Noon

Join Judy Breland, Stone County Extension Agent, for this adult workshop to learn the art of pine needle basket-making. Participants can complete a small basket by the end of this workshop, and will learn the methods for continuing with future projects. Wear old clothes. All materials will be provided. Admission is $4 for members and $6 for non-members. Please register by January 22.

FORGE DAY:
BLACKSMITHING & METALWORKING WORKSHOP

Saturday, January 31
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A fun day of demonstrations and a great learning opportunity for those interested in getting started in metalworking! Terrell Pickett, the blacksmith who exhibited at November’s Piney Woods Heritage Festival, will return with Mississippi Forge Council members to showcase various metalsmithing techniques. All are welcome to try their hand at the forge, including children from age 8 and up (with parent or guardian). Safety equipment for participants will be provided. Bring the family! Free for Arboretum members; $4 for non-members. We would appreciate those planning to attend, to please call to sign up by January 29.

Please call the Arboretum office at (601) 799-2311 to sign up for these workshops. The Crosby Arboretum is located in Picayune, MS on Ridge Road (between Wal-Mart and Interstate 59) at Exit 4. Please park in the Visitors Lot and take the main trail 450 feet to the Visitors Center.

2008 In Review

Well, 2008 is finally over, and there are many Realtors, Loan Officers, and other business owners that are not sorry to see it leave. The real estate market in Pearl River County saw its fair share of disappointment. The numbers are in, and it's time to analyze where we've been.

Pearl River County realtors closed $54,716,889 in residential sales volume during 2008. That may sound like a great number, but compared to the $74,927,811 that was closed in 2007, a difference of $20,210,922, the number is bleak. The average residential sales price came out at $148,687, down from $160,102 in 2007.

Currently, there are 432 houses or mobile homes, and 734 parcels of land for sale in Pearl River County, MS. It is certainly a buyer's market.

So where have the buyers been? What factors have played a role in the drop in numbers? I think the biggest thing that we have all dealt with this past year is the enormous hike that took place in gas prices during most of the year. It affected every aspect of our society because of the huge jump in cost to transport products across the country. Granted, the prices have plummeted recently, but there is a great mistrust in the petroleum companies, and many people just aren't comfortable jumping out and spending again. The media has also played a great role in sparking fear in the hearts of all who will listen.

There's also a misconception that banks aren't lending. It's been my professional experience that people with less-than-perfect credit scores (620 and above) have still been able to obtain financing. The interest rates, as quoted by Luann Watkins at The First Bank of Picayune (601-798-2897), ended off the year between 4.8%-5%. Of course, credit scores determine the interest rate offered each individual case.

Many buyers are not aware that there is a government grant program for buyers to assist them with their down payment. It's a bond program in conjunction with the GOZone money grants. Jessica Tebo at Chase Bank in Picayune (601-337-0141) has a wealth of information on that program.

So where do we go from here? 2009 has every opportunity to be a great year. It's all in what we each make of it. Home ownership is still the best investment - the stock market has proven that.

How will you start 2009? Will you let the media's gloom and doom keep you down, or will you look for the blessings that we as Americans benefit from each and every day and move forward to be positive and look for the good in all things? There are opportunities out there; we just need to look for them.

I know that I, personally, am starting 2009 on a positive track. Pinnacle Real Estate Services has a lot to offer buyers and sellers in real estate assistance. Why don't you call me and find out what we can do for your specific real estate needs?