Central Mississippi Real Estate News & Market Updates
Stay informed on the latest real estate news, home buying tips, and market updates for Brandon, Flowood, Madison, and all of Central Mississippi from April Smith, REALTOR®.
Earnest Money in Central Mississippi: Can You Get It Back?
Can you get your earnest money back in Central Mississippi? Yes, in most cases, as long as you back out for a reason your contract protects. Earnest money is a good-faith deposit, held in a real estate broker's trust account or by the closing attorney rather than paid to the seller. The amount is ne
How much house can you afford in Central Mississippi?
A solid rule of thumb is to keep your total home payment near 28 percent of your gross monthly income and all your monthly debts under 36 percent. On a Central Mississippi household income of roughly $70,000 to $95,000, that usually points to a home somewhere in the $250,000 to $340,000 range at tod
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in Central Mississippi?
What credit score do you need to buy a house in Central Mississippi? Most Central Mississippi buyers need a minimum credit score somewhere between 580 and 640, and those minimums are set by the loan programs themselves, not by your agent. According to FHA guidelines the floor is 580 (or 500 with a l
Do You Need a Real Estate Attorney to Buy or Sell in Mississippi?
Do you need a real estate attorney to buy or sell a house in Mississippi? In practice, yes. Mississippi treats title examination and deed preparation as the practice of law, so a licensed closing attorney, not an escrow or title company, runs your closing. The attorney certifies the title, prepares
What Is My Home Really Worth in Central Mississippi?
How do you find out what your home is really worth in Central Mississippi? Online estimates like Zillow's Zestimate and the Redfin Estimate are starting points, not answers. In a market like Brandon, Flowood, and Madison, where many neighborhoods have relatively few recent sales, automated tools can
Sell Your House As-Is or Make Repairs in Central Mississippi?
Should you sell your house as-is or make repairs first in Central Mississippi? In most cases, selling as-is nets you less than a repaired home, often 5 to 25 percent less depending on condition, but it is the right call when repairs would cost more than they add, when your timeline is tight, or when
Should You Sell Your House or Rent It Out in Central Mississippi?
Should you sell your house or rent it out in Central Mississippi? In most Central Mississippi situations the decision comes down to three numbers: what your home would actually net if you sold it today, what it would truly cash flow as a rental after taxes, insurance, vacancy, maintenance, and manag
How Much Are Property Taxes in Central Mississippi?
Owner-occupied homes in Mississippi are taxed on just 10 percent of their market value, not the full price. In Rankin County, the combined 2026 rate is about 99 mills, so a $300,000 home is taxed on $30,000 of assessed value, which works out to roughly $2,980 a year before the homestead exemption tr
Is now a good time to sell a house in Central Mississippi?
Yes, for most homeowners, 2026 is still a good time to sell in Central Mississippi. Brandon and the surrounding Rankin and Madison County markets stay tight, with homes selling in roughly 24 days and median prices up close to 5 percent over last year. Inventory is climbing and buyers are pickier tha