MARCH 2026
Real Estate Guide to Pontotoc County & the surrounding area
Patty Turk Properties, LLC PAGE 2 & 3
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Patty Turk Properties, LLC
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5 Is a sunroom right for you? 5 First Choice Insurance 6 Southern Hills Realty & Appraisal, Inc. 7 Cost-effective curb appeal boosters 8 Pontotoc Ridge Realty LTD. 9 5 ideas to repurpose a formal dining room
10 Consider these popular kitchen flooring materials
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11 Dennis Cox, Tommy Morgan, Inc. 12 Crye-Leike Realtors, Beth Walker 13 How to decide between a deck or paver in an outdoor remodel
14 The benefits of neutral colors 16 First Choice Bank
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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
Is a sunroom right for you?
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here is no denying the appeal of a sunroom. Sunrooms bring more of the outdoors inside by bridging the gap between home and yard. Demand is shifting, with more than 61 percent of homeowners now preferring four-season insulated rooms for year-round use, according to Market Reports World. A sunroom has the potential to offer a roughly 50 percent return on investment and can cost anywhere from $22,000 to $72,000 on average. A sunroom addition is a significant investment and a decision not to take lightly, as it changes both the interior floor plan and backyard space. To decide if a sunroom really is a worthwhile endeavor, it’s important for homeowners to consider the footprint of their homes/yards, how they plan to use the space, and the amount of sun the home receives.
HOME FOOTPRINT
Professionals with the National Association of Realtors say that a sunroom should not consume more than 30 percent of the remaining backyard and urge homeowners to avoid over-developing a lot. If installing a sunroom will leave a homeowner with only a small patch of yard afterwards, the result can feel heavy and unbalanced. It also won’t match the neighborhood. Another consideration is the local zoning ordinances where a person lives. The City of Los Angeles, for example, warns that most towns require a setback between the sunroom structure and the property line. It’s also important to look at the home’s roof and whether or not the sunroom will fall right under the eaves or if it will require an expensive tie-in to the existing roof.
tirely on which way the room faces. North-facing sunrooms have soft light with minimal heat or glare that likely can be used all day. Morning people can appreciate an east-facing sunroom while drinking coffee or reading, and the space will cool down in the afternoon. South-facing rooms will be bright most of the day and may need high-end HVAC hookups or shades to stay comfortable, even in cooler months. West-facing sunrooms are great for watching sunsets, but the hot afternoon sun must be considered. UV-rated glass to prevent floor fading and even sunburn likely will be needed. It is important to work with a company that specializes in sunrooms. Such firms are experienced in helping homeowners design and ultimately build these spaces to avoid common pitfalls, advises Champion, a window, sunroom and home exterior company. In general, a sunroom is not a DIY project since it typically involves a major structural change. It can be a viable addition to a home when built correctly to remain durable through every season.
UTILITY
It is vital that homeowners determine how they will use the space and when. This will dictate the type of sunroom that should be built. A three-season room is typically uninsulated with only single-pane glass. This is ideal if someone is looking for a screened-in retreat without all of the bugs and a little weather protection. Four-season rooms are fully insulated and tie into a home’s HVAC system. This space will be functional all year long, but it is a more expensive undertaking as well.
LIGHT EVALUATION
The purpose of a sunroom is to benefit from the sun. The value of the space will depend en-
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COST-EFFECTIVE
Curb Appeal Boosters
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ne shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. However, that often is hard to do, particularly when it comes to homes. Curb appeal bears significant influence regarding how a property is perceived. A property that is neat and aesthetically appealing probably will be preferable to one that looks like the homeowners did not maintain it. Boosting curb appeal is a common focus of sellers before listing a property. But what can those who don’t have big budgets for major overhauls do to improve their curb appeal? Plenty of projects can offer maximum output with minimal investment. Improving curb appeal doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. A few easy touches can boost the look of any property.
Cost-effective ways to add curb appeal REFRESH THE FRONT DOOR
Painting the front door can add brightness and improve the look of a home’s entryway. Most exterior paint costs between $30 and $40 per gallon, so this is undeniably a budget-friendly improvement. If money allows, replacing the door altogether will generate bang for your buck.
IMPROVE OR ADD LANDSCAPING ELEMENTS
Landscaping should be designed to highlight the home’s best features. It should look symmetrical and feel manicured. If it’s not possible to plant new flowers or bushes, simply cleaning up debris and weeds, and trimming existing greenery can make it feel neater and more polished.
CLEAN UP
Power-washing the siding, cement walkways and garage door can create instant impact. It’s
amazing how much dirt and mildew can reduce the luster of a home. Cleaning off years of grime can be a fast and inexpensive refresh.
RESEAL THE DRIVEWAY
Make sure the driveway is clean and tidy. If it has cracks or discoloration, filling in cracks and applying a new coat of sealer will make a big difference. Homeowners can hire someone to reseal the driveway or do the work on their own.
ADD MORE LIGHTING
Updating front porch lights and accent lights around the property will cast a more positive glow on a home, both literally and figuratively.
ADD A SEATING AREA
If space by the front door allows, add a bench or some chairs to create a welcoming seating area. A potted plant or two nearby will help the area seem intentional.
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5 IDEAS TO REPURPOSE A
Formal Dining Room
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raditional formal dining rooms are not as necessary as they were a generation or two ago. A recent study by Realtor.com found formal dining rooms are often the most underutilized square footage in homes, and a significant percentage of Millennial and Gen Z homeowners prefer flexible “lifestyle rooms” over dining spaces. So what can homeowners whose dining room tables are covered in mail or the kids’ homework do to repurpose the space into something they will actually use? Dining spaces may be going the way of the dinosaur, reflecting modern homeowners’ preferences for more flexible and useful spaces.
Ideas to repurpose your formal dining room LOUNGE
Those who enjoy hosting friends or family without sitting down to formal dinners might appreciate transforming the dining space into a cocktail lounge. Swapping the dining room table and chairs for low swivel chairs around a coffee table or high-backed bar stools around bar tables easily converts the seating space. A built-in wet bar or a bar cart helps complete this social hub for intimate conversation. Paint the room in darker colors or use textured wallpaper to simulate an after-hours feel that separates the space from the rest of the house.
LIBRARY
Homeowners can create a digital detox zone by way of a cozy library. A timeless choice, a library can feature floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or built-ins and comfortable reading chairs stationed by a window.
MUSIC SPACE
Homeowners who play an instrument may appreciate a designated space for jam sessions. Dining rooms with high ceilings and bare floors
often provide excellent acoustics for music. Complement the space with a high-tech audio system and sound baffling panels for those who plan to record.
HOME OFFICE
Hybrid work is a permanent fixture in today’s career landscape. A dining room located near the front of the home presents a prime location for a professional workspace. Replace a table with a sleek executive desk. An existing buffet or sideboard can be repurposed as printer storage or for filing. Consider adding French doors or partitions to provide privacy without compromising on light flow.
HOMEWORK ZONE
Active families may need to transform the dining room into a homework lab that offers a quiet space for educational pursuits. Organized cabinetry can house school materials, craft supplies, and much more, confining it all to one room. Locating the computer in the space creates a centralized “safe” spot for internet browsing and monitoring young children in the process.
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CONSIDER THESE POPULAR KITCHEN
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Flooring Materials
t’s well-documented that kitchens are popular gathering spaces in homes. Perhaps that’s one reason why homeowners looking to sell their homes direct so much attention to the kitchen before listing their properties. The real estate experts at Trulia note that emphasis is well worth it, as buyers inspect kitchens and primary bathrooms more than any other spaces in a home. Cabinets and countertops garner considerable attention when pondering kitchen renovations, but it’s equally important that homeowners pay attention to flooring when planning a remodel. These are some of the options homeowners can consider as they ponder which material to install on their kitchen floors as they remodel these popular rooms.
Flooring materials to consider for a remodel CERAMIC TILE
Ceramic tile is a popular kitchen flooring material. The flooring experts at Avalon Flooring note that ceramic tile boasts an elegant and clean feel. Ceramic tile also is durable and easy to maintain. That simple maintenance includes ease of cleaning, as ceramic tile can be quickly cleared of spills and dirt tracked into a kitchen from outside. Ceramic tile also comes in a wide variety of colors, a versatility that undoubtedly adds to its popularity.
PORCELAIN TILE
Porcelain tile is another versatile option that can add instant aesthetic appeal to a kitchen. Porcelain tile is waterproof, which appeals to many homeowners looking to renovate their kitchens. Porcelain also is easily cleaned and durable, as flooring experts estimate that porcelain tiles can last anywhere from 15 to 50 years. Porcelain tile also requires minimal maintenance, which appeals to busy homeowners.
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ENGINEERED HARDWOOD
Engineered hardwood is a popular choice that many homeowners appreciate due to its strength and aesthetic appeal. This flooring material is made with real wood that’s reinforced to make it even more durable and water-resistant. The result is an easily maintained product that also can last as long as solid wood flooring so long as it’s well-maintained. Various shades, designs and textures are available, which makes this a versatile option.
LAMINATE FLOORING
Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly option that’s available in a wide range of styles, colors and patterns. The smooth surface of laminate flooring makes it easy to clean, and it’s resistance to water is another characteristic that appeals to homeowners. But spills on laminate floors are best cleaned up quickly, and the material is vulnerable to warping and staining if exposed to moisture for extended periods of time.
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HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN A DECK OR PAVER
In An Outdoor Remodel
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utdoor living spaces have become sought-after commodities among homeowners. A 2022 survey of homeowners conducted by the New Home Trends Institute found that open yards are less appealing to home buyers than they once were. The survey noted that just 28 percent of respondents chose open yards, while 65 percent preferred patios and 55 percent chose decks. Green spaces remain popular, but the survey indicates that many would-be home buyers also want an outdoor living area to make the most of their home exteriors. Homeowners aspiring to transform their home exterior spaces typically must decide between a deck or pavers when the time comes to plan such areas. Homeowners planning outdoor living space projects may find themselves choosing between a deck and pavers. Each option can work, and homeowners may even want to combine the two.
Tips to decide between deck or pavers DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET
Budget is a notable variable with any home renovation project, and the addition of an outdoor living space is no exception. The materials homeowners choose will ultimately determine the cost of each project. For example, composite decking materials tend to cost significantly more than wood decks, but that higher price tag also comes with less maintenance and typically a longer life span. Pavers may prove less expensive than composite decking, but those cost savings may be negligible if a yard requires extensive excavation to prepare an area for a new patio. It requires patience, but gathering estimates of the various materials can serve as a good starting point when planning an outdoor living space. In addition, homeowners must recognize that material costs can fluctuate considerably over time, as such prices are often contingent on a range of variables, including supply chain issues. So it’s best to gather estimates in a short period of time to make the most accurate price comparisons.
IDENTIFY YOUR VISION FOR THE SPACE
Homeowners who have a vision for their out-
door living space, even if they are not sure about which material they prefer, may find the process goes more quickly and even more smoothly than those who are unsure about what they want. Those who prefer a flexible multi-use space may be best going with pavers, as the spaces can be easily converted and areas simply designated as one might differentiate between rooms inside the home. For example, an outdoor living room can be separated with the installation of a pavillion and fireplace, while kitchen and dining areas can be separate spaces on the same patio. Decks tend to be less flexible, which might make them ideal for homeowners who prefer an outdoor dining area but don’t need a more expansive entertaining space. Of course, decks can be as big as homeowners choose, which can make the spaces more multi-functional.
RECOGNIZE BOTH MAY BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST
Homeowners also should know that many outdoor living spaces feature both a deck and a paver patio. Homeowners may like an elevated deck that steps down to a patio, which can easily distinguish between the spaces and establish the area as a multifunctional space.
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THE BENEFITS OF
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Neutral Colors omeowners make many notable decisions when designing their home interiors, with some choices proving more bold than
others. The decision to decorate with neutral colors might not be the boldest move homeown-
ers can make, but there are numerous reasons to stay neutral with a color scheme. Neutral colors are not bold, but the benefits they provide open doors to an array of design styles and decor choices that enable homeowners to go in various directions with the interior spaces in their homes.
Reasons to stay with a neutral color scheme VERSATILITY
Neutral colors afford homeowners endless opportunities to play around with textures, patterns, furnishings, and more. For example, a neutral color on a living room wall can ensure a boldly colored couch or chair won’t contrast with its surroundings. In fact, there’s no end to the options homeowners have to customize the look of a room with bold features or furnishings when neutral colors featurely prominently in the space.
FLEXIBILITY
Neutral colors are more flexible than bolder alternatives because they likely won’t require a complete overhaul of a room when homeowners want to spice things up with new features and furnishings. That flexibility will be appreciated by homeowners who every so often like to experiment with a new vibe or look in their homes.
TRENDY
Neutral colors are not as vulnerable to trends
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as other design choices. In fact, neutral colors are effectively their own trend and won’t get in the way of homeowners who want to change things up. But unlike other trends that must be replaced when homeowners grow tired of them, neutral colors can remain thanks to their compatability with so many styles.
TRANQUILITY
Homes are often characterized as their owners’ private sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle that goes on outside those walls, and neutral colors are often lauded for the tranquil vibe they help to create in a space. Neutral colors are soft, and that can lend a serene and calming atmosphere to the interior spaces of a home.
BRIGHTNESS
Neutral colors are lighter in tone and thus pair well with natural light. That mixture can amplify brightness within a home and give it an uplifting vibe that residents and guests alike will appreciate.