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Searcy, AR Real Estate News

By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Homes are like clothing, styles change continually!  Homes used to be built with lots of petitions and very small rooms. Now everything is very open, where the family can watch TV from the kitchen. Most families eat meals in shifts.  Formal dining rooms are not as important.  The baby boomers remember going to grandma's for Sunday dinner and the best china would be set.  Not so now!  Grandma's are not cooking, they are going to exercise, shopping, and trying to stay young.  Times have changed!  Grandma's don't look old!You used to see alot of wallpaper in homes, not anymore!  I guess so many people have had  a bad experience trying to remove it!!  Years ago everyone painted their walls and trim off white, no color.  Now, color is everywhere!  Pretty golds, vivid reds, sage greens, terra...
Comments 10
By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Don't you who get out in the country from time become nostalgic when you drive by a dilapidated old home place?  It will have large trees, outbuildings, animal pens, garden spot, but probably no chicken pen because the chickens roamed free and left nice droppings all over the yard for little kids to step in as they played hide-and-seek (ughhh!).  Shrubs will be overgrown but with Spring coming on little bulbs from so many years ago will be shooting up and starting to bloom.  There will certainly be an old storage shed that held no-telling-what.Well, I listed that place this week.  You can actually buy it for $48,000.  You can fix up the house if you have energy to spare and don't mind walking through two bedrooms to get to the added on bathroom. (Functional obsolescence, you know.)  You...
Comments 10
By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Our town had a little excitement Monday afternoon as one of our branch banks called in to report they'd been robbed.  We have gained a LOT of branch banks in Searcy and some are in quiet areas where a robber would likely not be seen except by the bank employees.  The robber had his head pretty well covered but was captured on cameras.  It showed him entering with his face covered by a yellowish bandana and going directly behind the counter to the teller.  He brandished a gun during the robbery and left out the front door after getting the money, as reported by our Daily Citizen newspaper.Investigating started immediately and by the next day, the robbers, two of them, were apprehended.  The investigation was led by Roger Pearson, the new director of the Criminal Investigation Division wh...
Comments 4
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
They are swimming with the stingrays!!  Several years ago we went on a cruise and the Cayman Islands was one of our ports!  There were about 25 people in our group and some of them, (not me, I consider myself an intelligent person) wanted to swim with the stingrays!So, we scheduled the excursion with Captain Marvin, got on the boat and went out to sea.  The Carribbean is a beautiful turquoise color and the water was shallow where the stingrays were.  I did not get off the boat!  I have no desire to swim with stingrays!  My husband, daughter and grandchildren thought it was so neat!  I thought they were ugly creatures and no way was I getting in that water!  I love to snorkle, but I am constantly watching for sharks and stingrays!We did have a great time, the shopping was great and Seven...
Comments 6
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Why is it so hard for some Realtors to put information in the MLS about their listing?  Does it have a new roof? New Heat and Air?  Is it a split bedroom plan?  Has the kitchen been remodeled?  Why don't you put the answer to these questions in the listing detail?  Maybe your listing will sell!!When I pull up listings to show, I WANT INFORMATION!  I don't just want to know how many bedrooms and baths!  What makes your listing unique?  You do want it to sell, don't you? ] Our residential listing detail covers alot in the feature section, so generally that is not a problem.  But, in the public remarks section alot of Realtors either don't put anything or they give just a little info.  When I put together a group of homes to show, I want to know what makes a property special!  If the infor...
Comments 10
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Advertising takes a big bite out of our real estate budgets!  I have several internet sites where I advertise, and they are expensive!  Realtor.com, Homes.com and  RE/MAX.com are among those where I advertise my listings.  I think that at least 90%, maybe more, of the public uses the web sites to look for homes.  Why then do I still feel the need to advertise in our area newspapers and brochures?I think the internet is the best advertising, but I still do newspaper and real estate guides.  I don't think they are as effective as the internet, but the sellers like to see their homes advertised.  So, I try to make my sellers happy and do both.   At tax time, I think WOW, did I really spend that much in advertising!  You know the public thinks Realtors make a lot of money, but by the time y...
Comments 26
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
I don't know how many times this has happened to me!  Seller calls to let me know that the Realtor who showed the home did not lock the back door!  Folks, we need to be responsible here!  We have liability when we do not lock doors!  Our lockbox will record who showed the home last, so it will be easy to find out who the irresponsible Realtor was!  There is no excuse for this!  It doesn't matter if it is a vacant home, lock it up!!!  If you and your client open a window, close it and lock it!I had one home, new construction, where an intruder came in, spent the night and took a shower.  They did leave $20.00, I guess that was for the "motel" room!  The only thing we could figure was that someone left the window open and they came in!  We are suppose to be professionals!  We need to take...
Comments 16
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
I had a house listed in the country and I got this phone call from a potential buyer from Louisiana.   She inquired about the home and the ammenities it had.  She inquired  if it was close to a cemetary and if I knew the sellers.   Then she said, "Would it be possible if I could come and live in the home for three days to see if it has evil spirits in it?"  I replied, "I'll ask the seller and if it possible I will call you back."  Needless to say the seller said no.The most common thing is, "Can I rent this to own?"  We hear alot of this in our area. This question makes  me think of the furniture "rent to own" stores.  I generally say, "No, the seller needs their money so they can buy another home." Have you ever had a situation where the seller did not want to claim the dogs?  I was wo...
Comments 12
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
My husband is a building contractor, and I work with several other builders.  In Arkansas builders are licensed with the state and they are required to have Workmen's Compensation.  If you are working with builders you need to be knowledgable about construction.  My builders bring me their plans before construction.  I look them over and we discuss ways to make the plan work better.  Also, if it is a small breakfast area I suggest installing can lighting.  You are very  limited with pendant lighting on where to place the table.  During construction I will offer suggestions.  Sometimes moving a wall 6" will do wonders, or deciding what brick to use, or paint colors.  Whatever I see that will help the house sell, I let my builders know.  Sometimes bathrooms need to be reworked on the plan...
Comments 5
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Accordingto the Searcy Sun/White County Record, a group of old rock and rollers from the 50's are trying to get a name change for Highway 67 in Arkansas.  This stretch of highway runs from the edge of White County at Bald Knob and Bradford on through Newport, Tuckerman, Swifton, Walnut Ridge, Pocahontas and on into Missouri.  Back in the 50,'s, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and many more would perform at the Silver Moon in Newport.  There was also other clubs, the Wagon Wheel in Bald Knob, Porky's Rooftop in Newport, The Cotton Club in Searcy, Charley's Place and Bob King's at Swifton.  Elvis performed alot in this area, along with the other musicians.I think it's a great idea, would probally bring tourist in.  The senior consultant on the designation project  is the leg...
Comments 2
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
While on tour this morning I was riding with some Realtor friends and we started talking about giving to others.  My friend, Beverly, said, "Mary, I know you are giving, Perrin told me."  I replied, "Yes, I am and I raised Mitzi, my daughter, to be giving.  Then I told them this story.When Mitzi was in about the 5th grade, I picked her up from school.  It was in the winter and a very cold and rainy day.  I saw this little girl waiting for the bus.  She had on a clear plastic rain coat and the coat was just stiff from the cold and rain.  I asked Mitzi if she knew her.  She said she was in her class and she was poor. I can't remember the little girl's name, so I'll call her Susan.On the way home Mitzi said, "I want to give Susan a coat and some of my clothesl"  I thought, that is a good i...
Comments 8
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Have you ever met someone that you just couldn't forget?  I don't even know his name, but I can see him clearly in my mind!Last July we flew to San Juan, PR, to spend a few days before boarding the Carnival cruise ship, Destiny. We try to take a vacation each year with our daughter's family.  We only have one child, a son-in-law, and two granchildren, Gabby and Adrian.  Gabby has a friend, Jessica, and she usually goes too.  While we were waiting to board the ship, Mitzi, Gabby, Jessica and I took another tour of Old San Juan.  Old San Juan is one square mile of restored buildings, cafe's, and little shops.  It has old world charm, cobblestone streets and lots of diverse cultures.  We walked to the city square and it was so pretty, statues, fountains and lots of tourist. Then we saw the...
Comments 6
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Pass the popcorn!  Home theater rooms are the newest trend in upscale homes. No need to get dressed, you can watch the movie in your pajamas!  What a great way to relax!  My husband builds upscale homes and theater rooms are a great selling feature.  The rooms must be painted a dark color, on walls and ceiling.  Our house has a theater room and our wall color is called "Java" from Sherwin Williams, it is a very dark brown.  Our ceiling is a little lighter shade.Alot of theater rooms have theater seats, we looked at them, but I like having a comfy sofa, love seat and big chair!  I have my office in the theater room and while my husband is watching a movie, I can work on real estate. My office is kinda in a little alcove, so I don't bother him. If you are thinking of buying or remodeling ...
Comments 15
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
I could not do without Quicken!  I use it in my business, my builder husband's business, my storage units, my investment property and my personal business.  At year's end I can click on last year, and instantly have a printout of my expenses and income.  How convenient!  I can also view, anytime, how much I have spent on advertisement for the year.  Quicken is a great tracking tool, and sooooo easy to use.  If you are not using Quicken, you don't  know what you are missing!  Try it!!My builder husband is always asking, "How much have I spent on materials on Job 10?"  I can tell him in two seconds.  I can also tell him how much labor he has paid and any other check that he has writtten.  When he gets his yearly audit with Workmen's Comp, I can have that ready immediately.  This program i...
Comments 19
By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
We are supposed to change our clocks tonight so that we lose an hour and many people will show up late for chruch in the morning.  I always like the longer days and hate it in the winter when I drive home in the dark at 5:00 pm.  I can't remember a time, however, that the weather outside on this day in Searcy AR has looked as these pictures show.  There was no one on the golf course yesterday and even though the roads were clear, Arkansans tend to hide out, as I did, and stay home when the weather looks this way.
Comments 26
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
My daughter, Mitzi, and I were shopping in Lowe's a few weeks ago.  All of a sudden I heard dogs barking and barking and barking.  You could hardly hear yourself think!  I turned to Mitzi and asked, "Does Lowe's allow dogs in the store?"  She replies, "I guess so, but don't say anything!"  She knows me, I always say what I think!!When I rounded the corner, I saw them.  Two little dogs, not working dogs, barking at everyone!  I couldn't believe it!  When I go to Lowe's I am generally purchasing things for my builder husband, and I need total concentration!  You cannot think when dogs are barking!  I love dogs, but I do not think they should be allowed in retail stores, unless they are working dogs.When I got in line to check out, guess who got behind me???  You're right, the lady with th...
Comments 25
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Realtors! If you are building, remodeling, or just working with builders, consider installing a pot filler in the kitchen!  They will save you many steps!I have one in my home, and my builder husband has started installing them in spec homes.  They come in oil rubbed bronze, brass, copper, stainless, what ever you desire.  The price is from around $250.00 to as high as $2000.00.  View pictures of mine below.I personally think Dantz is a good one, very well made.  You can search the web and find many suppliers, be sure to get the one that is wall hung, not countertop mounted!They are great for filling a pasta pot, or filling your morning coffee pot!  They extend out across your cooktop and they fold back.  Pot fillers have been popular in Europe for many years.I just think they are an ad...
Comments 8
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Fear is something we all face, at one time or another!  Well, thanks to my grandchildren, Gabby and Adrian, I have conquered my fear of flying and heights!!In the early 70's I had  a very bad experience on my first plane ride!  I did not fly again until Thanksgiving week 2006.  Our daughter's family decided to spend Thanksgiving week in Maui and the grandchildren wanted us to go.  At first I hesitated, but you will do anything for your grandchildren!So I boarded the big silver bird and flew for ten hours, I prayed from the time I boarded until we landed!  When we landed at the Maui airport, I told my husband, "I want to parasail, if I can fly for ten hours, I can parasail!We booked the excursion, and as you can see by the picture, Grandma is parasailing!Maui is a beautiful island, the w...
Comments 12
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
Five years ago I showed property to buyers, very nice couple, but they ended up buying a FSBO.  Did I get mad?  No, I told them I enjoyed showing them property, enjoyed their company, and if I could ever help again, please call me.  They did and I closed with them today.  She said, "You know you were so nice to us, even though we found a FSBO, that we wanted to come back to you to sell it."  What goes around, comes around.This has happened to me three times in the past year.  One couple bought a FSBO about 8 years ago, I listed  that  house, sold them a new house. They got transfered before that house closed, but did not back out, he said he made a deal and would not back out, very good people. I sold that house on their last move.  They live out of state now and I still keep in touch. ...
Comments 2
By Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
(RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR)
When we represent buyers and sellers it is so important that we have a good working relationship with other Realtors.  If you are arrogrant, hard to get along with, hateful, rude,  it has to be my way person, guess what? You are hurting your buyers and sellers.  How?If you have a home listed and other agents don't like you, will your listing get the attention it should? I don't think so, your listing will only be shown if there is nothing else out there.  If any of the above describes you, do you think another Realtor wants to work with you???  I doubt it, only if they have to!If you have buyers that make an offer on a home, listed by another agent, and there is another offer that is almost identical that comes in from another  "nice" agent.  Guess which offer will be accepted?  Again, ...
Comments 89