Erin and Ben Napier have showcased their love for their small town of Laurel, Mississippi, for HGTV’s “Home Town” since 2016, finding historical homes and redecorating them with modern and affordable updates.
With the show’s fifth season recent premiere on Jan. 3, the couple are still inspiring viewers to have more love and excitement for small town America. As of 2021, fans can take their admiration one step further with the purchase of a home straight from the show, currently on the market for under $200,000.
This split-level three-bedroom, two-bath home was listed by Red Fox Realty listing agent Courtney Edwards in October 2020, and has so many charming aspects that will make it a perfect place for a new family to rest their heads.
- Looking for a fixer upper? Check out our renovations advice first.
The details
Address: 3812 Baldwin Dr., Laurel, MS
Price: $187,000
Home Size: 2,436 square feet
Lot Size: 150X140
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
“My favorite features about this house are all of the living spaces,” Edwards shared. As the house stands currently, it hosts a great deal of space, including an open kitchen, two living rooms, and a formal dining room.
Based in Rural Jones County of Laurel, the home offers a lot of modern amenities. Built in 1968, the home was featured in the ninth episode of the first season of “Home Town” in 2017, with updates including a redesigned entryway, remodeled kitchen, and renovations to the lower-level living space. Additionally, the Napiers added a pergola-style outdoor area, window boxes, and general upkeep to the home’s exterior.
Five years after its renovation from the Napiers, the home offers prospective homebuyers a great deal. Upon entering, interested parties will find updated hardwood floors spanning throughout the 2,436 square feet — and that’s just accounting for the home size!
Making your way through the home, you see highlights including granite countertops and subway tile backsplash in the open kitchen, alongside a wood-burning pot belly stove and new appliances.
For people WFH, there are many spots to spread out your wares and get comfortable, as well as areas for younger family members to enjoy (currently, couple Dawn and Michael have made use of their backyard with a huge trampoline for their two children).
As Ben said in one of the show’s original trailers, “we just want to give all the old houses some love,” with Erin reiterating, “We’re saving this town, because it’s worth it.”
In 2021 — after nearly a year of the COVID-19 pandemic — many Americans have transformed their understanding and desire for home themselves. Based on a January report from My Move, over 15.9 million people moved during the pandemic months, between March and July, according to USPS data. Additionally, real estate agents have seen upticks in urbanites from major metropolitan areas — primarily New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area — moving to less densely populated areas, making smaller towns like Laurel all the more attractive.
Laurel has a host of positive attributes for prospective buyers. With a population of just 18,338 residents, Laurel is the principal city of a “micropolitan” area, with approximately 83,000 residents between the Jasper and Jones counties. Major employers in the area include Sanderson Farms, Masonite International, and Thermo-Kool.
While the town itself has a smaller population than some neighborhoods in larger cities, it also offers new residents and visitors thought-provoking art exhibitions at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, a yearly springtime Day in the Park festival and 5K Run, and exciting finds at Southern Antiques. Further, fans of the Napiers should explore the famed Laurel Central Historic District, with some of the most intact homes of early 20th century architecture in the state — many of which have been admired and restored on the show.
Edwards has lived in Laurel her entire life, and confirms that it is as special a place to call home as shown on “Home Town.”
“The community and the people link arms with you and do life along beside you,” she said. “There’s just really a sense of taking care of each other.”
The house is currently listed for $187,000. Private viewings can be scheduled via phone or email with Red Fox Realty.
