Pat Starnes' Snippets

The Historic King Edward Hotel, a landmark to many local Jacksonians, is open once again after a major rehabilitation that began in 2008 and was completed in 2009.

Now known as the Hilton Garden Inn, the hotel has 186 hotel rooms and 64 luxury apartments, in addition to a coffee shop, restaurant, and lounge.

The King Edward Hotel is rich in history. The original structure was built in 1861 but was destroyed two years later during the Civil War. A second structure, built on the same site a few years later, became a popular meeting place for social and political affairs in the late 1880s to early 1920s.

In 1923, the second structure was demolished to make room for the 12-story building that occupies the space today. Although the King Edward Hotel was a meeting place for many political events, the hotel closed in 1967, and sat vacant for over 40 years.

The Hilton Garden Inn sits at the corner of Capitol and Mill Streets, across from the Amtrak Station in Downtown Jackson. Why not take a trip downtown and tour this facility or book a weekend stay?

Photos by Pat Starnes

203 St. Charles Place, Vicksburg, MS

Savannah Hills Subdivision

Welcome to Savannah Hills, a distinguished Vicksburg neighborhood convenient to all this historic southern city offers. This 5 year old home, professionally landscaped, is in pristine condition.

• 3 large bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
• Master Suite Downstairs
• Glamour master bath with separate shower, jetted tub, huge walk-in closet
• Spacious family room with built-ins surrounding the fireplace
• Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel double ovens and smooth electric cooktop
• Granite countertops, Eat-in Kitchen
• Formal Dining Room
• No association fees
• Warren County School District
• Close to Historic Military Park

Remember the real estate commercial where the prospective buyer couldn't get his Realtor to understand he didn't want a ranch-style home? Every home the poor Realtor drove up to was a ranch. Each house looked the same as the one next door.

The commercial inferred the Realtor wasn't listening, so the buyer should choose "XYZ Realty", because they would listen and respond to the buyers needs.

But perhaps the Realtor WAS listening. Maybe there were limited choices on the MLS input program under "Architectural Style". If you've been in the business a number of years, does this look familiar?

Architectural Style (Circle ONLY One)

1. Ranch
2. Traditional
3. Contemporary
4. Saltbox
5. Bungalow
6. Cottage
7. Victorian

Nine out of ten listings were submitted as "Ranch"!

We've become a little more sophisticated since then, but sometimes it's difficult to get it right when selecting the architechural style of your new listing.

The Jackson MS MLS has added a chart to aid in the selection of the proper housing style, and I thought you might like to review it. The chart is courtesy of our Realtor Magazine. View Residential Styles here.

Finding foreclosures in the Metro Jackson MS area isn't difficult. You just need to look in the right place. Some people erroneously think they need to buy a "list" or sign up for a FREE 7-day trial (then have your credit card billed after the seven days are up!) This is not necessary.

In the metro Jackson area, which includes Ridgeland, Madison, Brandon, Flowood, and Pearl, you only need to visit ONE website to find available foreclosures. And while you're there, you can check out important area information, learn what each city has to offer, research local schools, and search the Jackson MS MLS.

Once you locate a property that interests you, you'll want to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. What is available today may be SOLD tomorrow! Of course, if you prefer, tell me what you want and let my years of experience do the searching for you!

Search Jackson MS HUD foreclosures

Search Jackson MS Conventional (Fannie Mae) foreclosures

Search Jackson MS VA foreclosures

Search Jackson MS Freddie Mac foreclosures

Note: The MS Home Corp still has money available to assist qualified homebuyers with a one-time down payment assistance grant (up to $40,000) when buying a foreclosure. Please contact me for more information.

Enjoy these twelve tips for reducing mold. And while you're at it, remember that some of these same tips will help deter mosquitoe infestations this summer.