OCTOBER 2026
Real Estate Guide to Pontotoc County & the surrounding area
Southern Hills, Realty & Appraisal PAGE 6
2| PONTOTOC HOMES
PONTOTOC HOMES |3
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Patty Turk Properties, LLC
7
5 What buyers can do to improve chances their offer is accepted
5 First Choice Insurance 6 Southern Hills Realty & Appraisal, Inc. 7 A rundown on kitchen cabinet projects 8 Pontotoc Ridge Realty LTD. 10 Design ideas that can create a peaceful feel
11 Crye-Leike Realtors, Beth Walker
10
12 Dennis Cox, Tommy Morgan, Inc. 13 Great gifts for new homeowners 14 Potential fireplace problems 16 First Choice Bank
14
Real Estate Guide to Pontotoc County & the surrounding area
Advertising Consultant: Angie Quarles | Designer: Chelsea Williams Pontotoc Progress • 13 East Jefferson Street P.O. Box 210 • Pontotoc, MS 38863 • 662-489-3511 4| PONTOTOC HOMES
WHAT BUYERS CAN DO TO IMPROVE CHANCES
Their Offer Is Accepted
T
he real estate market can be highly competitive. When inventory is limited and prices are high, prospective buyers must be ready to pounce and make an offer before the competition kicks up and the home is off the market. The ability to move quickly with an offer can help buyers land a home in a competitive market, but that decisiveness may not be enough to ensure an offer is accepted. Buyers accustomed to the home buying process know there’s no guarantee an offer will be accepted, but they can take steps to improve their chances of standing out in a competitive market where sellers may be fielding multiple offers at once.
USE RECENT SALES DATA TO INFORM YOUR OFFER
Though there are places with non-disclosure laws that do not mandate property sales prices be made public, such data is readily available in many areas. That information can be invaluable to home buyers in competitive real estate markets because it gives them a strong idea of how much homes have been going for in towns and even specific neighborhoods they’re targeting with their search. That data also tends to be relied upon when sellers list their homes. Sellers may see how much a neighbor’s home sold for and use that to set the price of their own homes. With that knowledge in hand, buyers can tailor their offers to reflect recent sales figures.
earnest money, which is akin to a good faith deposit toward the purchase of a home. A typical earnest money deposit may be somewhere between 1 and 3 percent of the purchase price, but an earnest money offer of 5 percent may indicate to sellers that you’re a committed buyer.
SPEAK TO YOUR AGENT OR REALTOR ABOUT INCLUDING AN ESCALATION CLAUSE
It’s always best that buyers work with a real estate agent or realtor when looking for a home. When you find a property that interests you in a competitive market, discuss with your real estate representative if an escalation clause might boost the chances that your offer is accepted. Rocket Mortgage notes that an escalation clause is part of a real estate contract that indicates a buyer is willing to automatically raise their offer on a home if the seller receives a higher offer. The escalation clause indicates the most a buyer is willing to offer.
OBTAIN A MORTGAGE PREAPPROVAL
Bank of America notes that a mortgage pre-qualification estimates what buyers might be able to borrow based on a credit check and information they provide, such as income data. Once that information is provided, prospective buyers may obtain a preapproval if a lender deems them creditworthy. A preapproval is important because it shows sellers that a buyer has the credit and financial backing necessary to follow through on an offer. Many sellers ask if bidders are preapproved because the preapproval facilitates a quicker sale.
INCREASE YOUR EARNEST MONEY OFFER IF YOU’RE TRULY COMMITTED TO BUYING A PARTICULAR HOME
Fulton Bank advises buyers to offer more
PONTOTOC HOMES |5
6| PONTOTOC HOMES
A RUNDOWN ON
Kitchen Cabinet Projects
U
pdated kitchens are in demand, and homeowners are not hesitating to open their wallets when renovating these popular spaces in their homes. According to a 2025 study from Houzz, the median spend on kitchen renovations rose to $60,000 between 2024 and 2025. Homeowners concerned about the high price tag of kitchen renovations should know they have some less expensive means to giving their kitchens a new look. Cabinet projects can dramatically alter how a kitchen looks and feels. Cabinet projects can create a different feel in the kitchen without requiring homeowners to make as sizable a financial investment as a full kitchen overhaul demands.
Cabinet project rundown to help revitalize your kitchen REFACING AND REPLACING EACH MERIT CONSIDERATION
Homeowners unfamiliar with cabinet projects may not realize they have two very different options to consider. Refacing allows homeowners to transform the look and feel of a kitchen while keeping the existing cabinet structure in place. When refacing cabinets, new doors, drawer fronts and typically hardware are installed to replace the existing ones. When replacing cabinets, the existing cabinet structure is torn out and completely new units are installed. Replacing might be done when the structural integrity of the existing cabinets is questionable or when homeowners are not fond of the existing cabinet layout and decide to change it completely.
CABINET REFACING OR REPLACING PROJECTS WILL NOT COST NEARLY AS MUCH AS A COMPLETE KITCHEN OVERHAUL
The cost of any home renovation project is unique to each home. No two homes are the same, and variables like layout and square footage will affect the price of most projects, including cabinet renovations. But homeowners should know that the average cost of cabinet refacing projects and replacement projects
falls far short of the $60,000 price tag of kitchen renovations noted by Houzz. According to Angi. com, refacing cabinets costs between $900 and $6000 on average, while cabinet replacement projects can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000. The wide ranges reflect the variables unique to each home. Homeowners are urged to contact a professional who specializes in cabinet refacing and replacement to get an accurate estimate of how much these projects will cost in their homes.
CABINETS ALSO CAN BE REPAINTED
If refacing or replacing cabinets also threatens to bust the budget, homeowners can consider repainting or re-staining existing cabinets. This is a particularly cost-effective project because it gives the kitchen a new look but does not require homeowners to purchase new doors, drawers or hardware. This is a potentially good option for homeowners whose existing cabinets are structurally sound and painted but started to fade in regard to their color. It’s also a potentially sound temporary option for homeowners who are hoping to do a full kitchen renovation at some point in the near future but looking for a less costly and temporary means to give their kitchens a fresh look.
PONTOTOC HOMES |7
8| PONTOTOC HOMES
PONTOTOC HOMES |9
DESIGN IDEAS THAT CAN CREATE
H
A Peaceful Feel
omes are often characterized as sanctuaries for their residents. A calm place to come home to after a busy day at work or school is often just what people need to unwind. Certain design components can help individuals turn their homes into relaxing respites from the daily grind. With that goal in mind, individuals can consider these ideas to create a peaceful feel inside their homes. A peaceful home makes for the perfect respite at the end of a busy day. Various design choices can help individuals establish a serene vibe throughout their homes.
Ideas to create a peaceful feel in your home PAINT WITH NEUTRAL COLORS
Wall colors can define the mood in a given room, and neutral colors have long been linked to a calming effect. Subtle shades like beige, taupe and light gray are known to create a relaxed vibe in a room, so these colors can be a go-to choice. Some people consider neutral colors a tad boring, so individuals concerned by that impression can limit neutral colors to rooms designated as sanctuaries, like a reading room, a spa bathroom or a bedroom.
EMPLOY NATURAL LIGHT
Natural light also can help to establish a serene setting at home. Large windows that let daylight in can improve anyone’s mood. A 2022 study from researchers at the University of Chile in Santiago found that the more natural light that entered a home, the happier people said they felt. Study authors even noted that the largest uptick in well-being was found among participants who lived in homes in which windows covered at least 40 percent of the dwelling’s wall space. Opening blinds or curtains and, if possible, installing larger windows in a home can help to establish the relaxing, happy vibe individuals are aiming for.
10| PONTOTOC HOMES
UTILIZE PLANTS TO SET A PEACEFUL TONE
The United Kingdom-based Royal Horticultural Society notes that research has found that indoor plants can benefit psychological well-being. The RHS notes that improved mood and reduced stress levels are two benefits that indoor plants can provide. A good mood and less stress can help individuals establish the peaceful feel they’re aiming for at home.
KEEP DEVICES OUT OF BEDROOMS
Watching television while lying in bed, scanning a smartphone before turning off a nightstand light and retiring for the night, or reading an e-reader instead of a print book at night can transform a bedroom from a serene setting into one that’s overrun with stimuli. According to the Sleep Foundation, technology stimulates the mind, which can make it harder to fall asleep. In addition, blue light emitted by devices disrupts the natural production of melatonin, a hormone that makes it easier to fall asleep. That can negate any efforts individuals have undertaken to make their bedrooms as peaceful as possible. Designate bedrooms in the house as technology-free zones to ensure the peaceful vibe continues uninterrupted until everyone goes to bed.
PONTOTOC HOMES |11
12| PONTOTOC HOMES
GREAT GIFTS FOR
New Homeowners
H
omeownership is a goal that many people aspire to. However, a complicated housing market in the United States, marked by high prices and high interest rates, has led the homeownership rate to dip to 65.1 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This decline marked a five-year low, and younger homeowners, particularly those under age 35, have found buying a home particularly challenging, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Federal Reserve Economic Data.
Those who have been successful with their homeownership endeavors can benefit from all the help they can get to offset rising costs. The excitement of a new space often comes with a long list of home needs, making housewarming gifts practical and appealing this holiday season. New homeowners have much on their plates, so well-intentioned holiday gifts can fill in the gaps as they begin life in their new abodes.
Gifts that can benefit any new homeowner PRACTICAL ESSENTIALS
New homeowners will need to outfit their homes with basic household items. As repairs and remodeling might be the first tasks to tackle, a high-quality tool kit and some key power tools will be invaluable. Additional practical gifts include a fire extinguisher, smart home devices, a sturdy step stool, and painting equipment.
KITCHEN GADGETS
Plenty of action takes place in the kitchen, and this room often is referred to as the heart of a home. Upgrading the space with an arsenal of culinary tools is often slow-going for new homeowners. That’s when gifts of a durable coffee maker, a set of mixing bowls, a cutlery set, cast-iron cookware, or stylish serving platters can help get homeowners established.
COZY CORNERS
A new home may seem stark at the outset. Gifts of creature comforts like throw blankets, lush bedding, luxurious soaps, scented candles, accent lighting, low-maintenance houseplants, or a Bluetooth smart speaker can create a welcoming retreat.
HELPING HANDS
New homeowners likely will appreciate a little help by way of services that can take some of the work off of their shoulders. A gift of lawn care or cleaning services will get the property and home looking its best. For the security-minded, gifting security cameras or access to a remote security monitoring service will be thoughtful. Homeowners who have pools or spas may appreciate a maintenance service that helps with cleaning and water balancing.
PONTOTOC HOMES |13
Potential Fireplace PROBLEMS
F
ireplaces are often a centerpiece of an interior living space. Homeowners often laud the ambiance a fireplace can provide, and the supplemental heat a fireplace can provide can be just what people need to stay warm on a cold day. The Northeast Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association says an estimated 57 percent of homeowners in the United States own some type of fireplace, freestanding stove or hearth product. However, fireplaces are not without their potential for problems. Issues that can affect a fireplace will depend on the type of system, as problems that affect wood-burning fireplaces will differ from those that can affect gas units. The following are some potential issues homeowners can look out for when using their fireplaces. Oftentimes homeowners should leave fireplace troubleshooting to a professional. Annual inspections of units can head off potential problems to ensure safer operation.
Potential fireplace issues for homeowners to look for SMOKE SPILLAGE
Fireplaces are supposed to vent up and out through a chimney or exhaust pipe. But if a damper is closed or blocked, if the chimney is dirty, or if there is negative air pressure in a tightly sealed home, smoke cannot escape and will enter the living space.
CREOSOTE FORMATION
Creosote is a flammable, tar-like substance that is the result of burning wood. Creosote significantly increases the risk of a chimney fire. Creosote can build up in the flue over time if it is not remediated.
DRAFTS
Cold air coming through the fireplace may indicate a damaged or missing damper.
ODORS
A dirty chimney from creosote or moisture damage can result in a foul odor emanating from
14| PONTOTOC HOMES
the fireplace. This also may occur if a bird or rodent nests in the chimney.
IGNITION FAILURE
Gas units may not always light properly. Doctor Flue says it could be the result of a malfunctioning pilot light or an improperly placed log set. In addition, if the pilot light goes out as soon as the button is released, it may indicate a dirty or faulty thermocouple or thermopile, which are sensors that keep the gas valve open.
CRACKED MASONRY
Any cracks in the mortar, firebricks or chimney crown are major hazards. Cracks in such components increase the risk of a house fire and should be immediately addressed.
CARBON MONOXIDE
Grill Parts Replacement says poorly vented fireplaces can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide inside the home, which is a health hazard.