Realtors In Amory Form Task Force To Attract More Residential Development And Combat Blighted Properties

AMORY, MISS. (WCBI) – Realtors in Amory are sharing their expertise and advice with city leaders on ways to clean up run down properties and also attract new residential development.

Stacy Forbus and Penny Leech like to promote Amory to potential clients.  But the realtors say finding residential listings at a certain price point is a big challenge.

“We’re having challenges right now with middle range, priced homes, in the 125,000 to 200,000 dollar price range and we’re trying to improve that,” Forbus said.

Forbus, Leech and other realtors have formed a task force that will partner with the city to address the need for more residential housing.  The task force will also look at building codes for rental properties.  While a majority of landlords abide by the codes, some properties are in disrepair and negatively impact surrounding homes. Properties that are up to code have a positive impact on everyone. The task force also wants to offer free educational seminars for landlords and tenants.

“The tenants have better properties to live in, the landlords can ask for more rent, there’s government assistance that allow low income residents to live in nicer homes, there’s an education gap there, not only that, as property owners, houses around you, when they improve, your property improves,” Leech said.

The task force is in its early stages but eventually the city, with the help of realtors, could partner with developers, who are interested in buying property, for rehabilitation or new construction.

“They are already on track with several investors in developing property that may be vacant at this time , so we’re seeing, in the next several months, the possibility of several new housing developments taking place in areas of town we have not had developed before or we see development possibilities take place in areas of town where blight has taken over and those houses may be removed,” Amory Mayor Brad Blalock said.

Mayor Blalock and realtors know that an adequate housing supply will attract more homeowners, businesses and industries.

“People are going to shop in town more, they will spend their money here, children will go to school here, it’s an advantage, a win win for everybody,” Forbus said.

Realtors will also make recommendations on updates to the building codes for rental properties.

The city of Amory has a code enforcement officer who checks on rental properties to make sure landlords are in compliance with the codes.