NATCHEZ &045; A real estate company with a different twist is how partners in Miss-Lou Realty describe their new business.

Both experienced in real estate sales but having spent their careers in instructional and administrative posts at Alcorn State University, Leon Crawford and Jesse Harness are eager to make sales but also to make a difference in the Miss-Lou area.

&uot;We want to offer some educational programs,&uot; Harness said. &uot;There’s a huge gulf between what is and what ought to be in the Miss-Lou. We’ll offer seminars and workshops to help people understand real estate.&uot;

The partners said they hope to sell property and make money, but their primary purpose will be to enjoy what they do and help people while doing it. &uot;We plan for everyone in Natchez to learn how to own a house,&uot; Crawford said. &uot;We believe, like Walt Disney says, that all dreams can come true.&uot;

The business, located in Magnolia Mall, will open formally with a ribbon cutting and open house, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Harness said upcoming seminars will include information about establishing and keeping good credit, one of the most important things potential home owners have to know; and about how to maintain a house so that you protect its future value.

Harness, who retired as administrator of the Cooperative Extension Program at Alcorn in 2002, recalls a friendship with Lawrence O’Ferrell, who was selling real estate in Fayette when the two met. &uot;I used to ride around with him. I was infatuated with nice houses and fell in love with real estate,&uot; Harness said.

Crawford also recalls his inspiration. &uot;I took a class from Marty Nathanson,&uot; he said. &uot;He was the most inspiring person, the most knowledgeable person in the field.&uot;

Both men took real estate courses at the branch of the University of Southern Mississippi open in Natchez at the time.

They recall the influence of Bob Gavin. &uot;He gave me my first job,&uot; Crawford said.

Harness went further. &uot;Bob Gavin gave me basic training. I took many courses under him and then worked for Century 21 from 1988 to 2005, until two weeks ago.&uot;

Harness grew up on a dairy farm near McComb and learned a strict work ethic from his father. &uot;I had a very firm father. There were 10 of us, and all of us have been successful.&uot;

Crawford, on the other hand, grew up in a housing project in Canton, found himself floundering as a teen, becoming a father at an early age. He vowed then to make something of his life. &uot;All I needed was the opportunity. I was determined,&uot; he said.

The opportunity came at Alcorn when he demonstrated a proficiency in typing and caught the eye of the chairman of the business department.

Executive Vice President Dr. Rudolph Waters was dean at that time. &uot;The chairman told him how fast I could type, and he gave me a job in his office,&uot; Crawford said. &uot;I was never late and never missed a day. After graduation, they hired me on the spot.&uot;

He moved up within the business department, becoming chairman prior to his retirement in 2001.

Harness began his career in 1967 in Covington County as an assistant county agent and then at Mississippi State University for five years.

His Alcorn career began in 1972, where he worked in numerous positions in the Cooperative Extension Program, becoming administrator in 2001. He retired in 2002.

Both men entered Alcorn in 1963. Although as students they knew of each other, their paths did not cross frequently. Through the years, however, they kept in touch. Coincidentally, they took some real estate classes together in the 1980s. Both worked in real estate as a hobby or sideline for a number of years.

Crawford worked for Leroy Hunt Real Estate in the early 1990s. &uot;He was instrumental in helping me to learn the real estate business,&uot; Crawford said.

A chance meeting between Crawford and Harness only six months ago led to a discussion they have had before about going into business together.

&uot;We had said let’s go ahead and get our brokers licenses and go into business together back in 1986 and 1987,&uot; Crawford said. &uot;About six months ago we saw each other and started talking about it again. We were ready and decided to give it a shot.&uot;

The real estate brokers know the market. &uot;The greatest market for housing now is between $75,000 and $150,000,&uot; Harness said. &uot;There are a limited number of these in Natchez. Right now, if I had 10 really nice houses between $60,000 and $100,000, I could sell them right away.&uot;

The two men knew they could be successful together and they look forward to the association, Crawford said. &uot;I’ve always heard good things about him, and I think he’s heard good things about me. I knew we could work together.&uot;