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PREMIUM PROPERTIES NOVEMBER2017•PREMIUMPROPERTIES
Inside this issue: • The importance of surveys Page 2 • Avoiding renovation nightmares Page 4 • Home improvement trends Page 6 • Have a Successful Garage Sale page 7 A Special Supplement to The Mena Star, The De Queen Bee and The Waldron News
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PREMIUM PROPERTIES • MARCH 2018
Survey Says:
Real Estate Commissioner recommends surveys By Gary Isom, Executive Director of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission By far one of the biggest mistakes buyers make when purchasing real estate is choosing not to have a new survey completed. Several complaints have been filed through the years with the Real Estate Commission about property lines, driveways, access to property and other issues of confusion as to whether a certain strip of property was or wasn’t included in their purchase of land. Of course, for the Real Estate Commission to have jurisdiction over the issue, the complaint has to be filed against a person licensed by this agency, usually a Realtor®. All too often in these situations, a buyer will decide that he doesn’t need to obtain a survey of the property. Sometimes the buyer will ask for a copy of the latest survey done on the property, usually done for a current or previous owner when that individual purchased the property. This is not advisable, however, as the property may have been affected by various events since the latest survey. Other times, a buyer may see no reason to assume the property lines are anywhere other than where they appear to be and choose to save money by not ordering a survey. It’s understandable why a buyer may decide this. After all, if the property is in a subdivision, shouldn’t property lines have been clearly sorted during the development phase? And what of fences? It’s perfectly logical to assume that a fence at the edge of a property was positioned on the property line, or that a driveway that is shared with the next door neighbor has a property line running down the middle. Another presumably safe assumption would See SURVEYS Page 5
be that a fairly new storage building was built within the property lines. When purchasing real estate, however, assumptions, logical or otherwise, are never safe. The only way to determine for sure what you are buying is to have a survey completed. In any of the situations listed above, the buyer will almost always be left holding the bag. Simply put, it’s difficult to hold anyone else at fault when the buyer learns after closing that there’s a problem with some element of the physical location of the property, rights of access to the property or usage of the property. The real estate licensee cannot vouch for all the geographical aspects of the property. Sometimes, even the seller may be confused. The Real Estate Commission once had a complaint where the seller
Holly Springs Real Estate Keith Aleshire Principal Broker 479-243-5341
Sharon Aleshire Office Manager
Don Brewer 479-234-3530
Inez Hendricks 479-234-2728
Shannon Hunter 479-216-1932
1114A Hwy 71S • Mena, AR 71953 • Toll-Free 888-394-4200 www.hollyspringsrealestate.com
3667-Raised Southern Living Farm House Design! Lovely Foyer opens up to the Office and to a Great room with fireplace and French doors to the back porch. A Formal Dining Room has an exquisite Butler’s Pantry nearby. Wonderful kitchen has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops, an island w/prep sink and beverage center, gas cook top and double wall ovens. Laundry room is a must see! It has a pull down stairway that gives you access to th e huge attic which is divided into rooms for storage or studio usage. Beautiful Master and Guest suite are a dream w/walnut cabinetry and Soaker Tubs. A safe room is included in the home. Back yard has been landscaped with an in-ground pool w/ Pergola and a pool house. Detached garage includes a workroom and Guest Bedroom and Bath, with separate entry. This home is situated on 5 acres in the country. MLS15007693 $350,000
3805-Close to the National Forest & Ouachita River! This 2.68 acre property offers you an ideal location for your needs either as a recreational get away or a homeplace for you to live your country dream. The home’s great room has a fantastic rock wood burning fireplace, w/blower that is connected to the vent system to the home. Recent updates include a Heat pump and inside unit, electrical system and generator, interior painted and new vinyl plank flooring & carpeting! 2 Bdr/2 Baths. Two 2Car Carports, Storm cellar. MLS18003546 $77,500
3806- Majestic Mountain Views from this Home on 160 acres that is completely surrounded by National Forest! Imagine the great times you can enjoy with the opportunities this property offers....your own ATV parkway, hunting and wildlife galore or the absolute peace of the forest--you decide! The spacious 2484 sq ft brick home includes foyer, living area with fireplace, kitchen and dining area, 3 large bedrooms, 2 baths, & a huge great room w/scenic windows and storage closets. Detached 2 car garage. Stocked pond.Secluded yet is only 9 miles from Mount Ida. MLS18003563 $475,000
3782-Relax on the porch and watch the planes fly by! Lovely 3 bedroom 2.5 bath brick home on 2.5 beautiful level acres. Living room with fireplace. Original hardwood floors brought back to life again! Office/ computer area. Recently added deck. Storage, and carport. This property has a large yard with lots of room for gardening or an animal or other buildings. It is vacant and you can move right in, so call us or your agent to arrange a viewing. This is the time to buy. MLS17033669 $98,000 3807- Pretty rock home with chain link fenced yard and a super nice magnolia tree in the front yard. This home is 2 bedrooms and 1 bath but could easily be a 3 bedroom. Some new flooring and new windows and a nice den/family room off of the living room. Lots of cabinets in the nice sized kitchen with a small deck out the kitchen door. There is a storm shelter with shed and a 1 car detached carport. MLS 18003979 $85,000
3772- Brick Home with over 1800 sq ft in a Great Neighborhood! A Vaulted ceiling in the great room, dining and kitchen creates an inviting and spacious place for you to enjoy. There are 3 bedrooms with crown molding, 2 full bathrooms, a laundry, 2 car attached garage, and a fenced back yard. This house is located close to the Mena Middle School and High School making it great for families. MLS17030261 $149,900
Catherine Miller 479-216-0278
Michelle Hicks 479-216-6717 3802-Beautiful Custom Built Home, in great neighborhood. 3 Bedrooms and 2 Baths in a split design. His and her closets in MBR plus double sinks. Crown molding in most rooms, tile, carpet, and laminate flooring. Formal dining area. Roomy master bedroom with trey ceiling. Large deck with spa hookups. Huge 10’x30’ patio that could be easily enclosed. Nice fenced in back yard. MLS18002997 $189,000
Hershel Bell 479-243-5613
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3810-Come check out this well built, brick home in a great neighborhood! 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths. Comfortable living and the perfect place to make all your dreams come true. MLS18005750 $89,500
3809- Wonderful Mountain view on this Country Estate. Beautiful, see-thru design with an abundance of natural lighting in this spacious home that has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths in approx. 2062 square feet. Large kitchen has a conventional/ convection range and plenty of cabinets. Large master bedroom with outside exit. Newer CH&A system. Outside is a detached guest house, a nice storage building. There is also has an equipment and vehicle storage building, with shop, and storage shed. All on 8+ gorgeous acres in an end of the road location! MLS18005450 $215,000
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!! CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN THE WONDERFUL OUACHITAS AT WWW.HOLLYSPRINGSREALESTATE.COM
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PREMIUM PROPERTIES • MARCH 2018
How to Avoid Home Renovation Nightmares Renovating your home is not something you do too often. Sometimes, it takes a few months or years before you realize that yeah – your home needs some improvement. This is why like many homeowners, you are also prone to committing mistakes. Not only are these mistakes tedious and stressful, they could be very costly as well. The good news is it doesn’t always have to be that way! Whether it’s your first time renovating your house or you’ve done it a couple of times in the past, there are surefire ways to avoid some of the most common home renovation nightmares. By following these tips and suggestions, your next home renovation project will surely be a success!
Choose the right contractor It all starts with hiring only the best home renovation contractor. Remember that you will have to rely on their knowledge and expertise. Thus, choosing the right one is a top priority. If you couldn’t get referrals from friends or relatives, take time comparing contractors. The key is checking everything – from their credentials, experience, specialization, certifications and training. Make sure that the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. You can always check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area to see if there have been complaints filed against the contractors you’ve shortlisted.
Set a budget and stick to it Home renovation can be costly and you can even go overboard if you don’t set a budget and stick to it. This is the hardest part and most homeowners have troubles dealing with. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to calculate for the cost of your home renovation project. Just follow these simple steps: CMYK
• Ballpark the cost – major upgrades such as bathroom remodeling or room addition normally ranges from $100-$200 per square foot. Do get quotes from at least three legitimate home renovation contractors to get a more precise figure for the cost. • Establish a spending limit – the extent of your home renovation project will depend on the budget you allocated. Establish a minimum and maximum budget and stick to it. • Set your priorities. You can greatly reduce the cost of renovating your home by knowing what to prioritize. If you’re after functionality over high-end design, you’re likely to spend less. Enlist your contractor for suggestions to reduce the cost.
Have a plan and stick to it Just as you want to stick to a budget you’ve initially identified, you also want to stick to your renovation plans. Changing your plan in the middle of the renovation work is never a good idea and could lead to unnecessary spending. Review your plan and discuss it with your contractor. This way, you get to avoid surprise changes and added costs along the way.
Avoid DIYing if you’re not 100% sure on what to do Doing it yourself sounds a great idea especially if you’re looking to reduce costs and practice your artistic and technical skills. But if you haven’t had a first-hand experience with renovating a house, it might be something that’s worth letting the pros handle. Some mistakes might be difficult to undo and might even require more money to repair or reverse. If you accidentally damaged your roof or floor, you may temporarily cover it with tarps or any other waterproof material to
prevent further damage until such time that the professional contractors arrive.
Keep an open communication with your contractor The success of your home renovation project depends on how well you and your contractor communicate. If you have questions or clarifications about certain aspects of the project, regardless if it’s about the materials, timeframe, or any other issue – don’t hesitate to bring it up. Communication is the key.
Avoid unsafe work practices
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SURVEYS
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actually believed a portion of property nonadjacent to her property belonged to her. She had tended the area as though it was hers. Unfortunately, the person who bought the property from that seller would later learn that the seller was wrong and did not own the additional strip. Another buyer who filed a complaint against their real estate agent was satisfied at the time of purchase to have the seller just “mark the corners”. That didn’t work out well either. Even though there are a myriad of professionals working to bring a real estate transaction to pass, the only professional truly capable of establishing property lines, rights and access is a surveyor. A title insurance company will prepare a title insurance policy to cover the property described in the legal description; however, while that policy may include recorded disputes over property boundaries, the title insurance company doesn’t define where the property lines run. An appraisal report may include some information taken from the legal description about property boundaries but will not likely include information about access to the
RENOVATION
property or rights of usage. Neither can a home inspection be counted on to address the layout of the land. The property insurer is focused on the improvements to the property, not where the lines run. And unless the lender requires the buyer to obtain a survey, they do not establish where the property lines run. So what exactly is a survey? Surveys show property lines, right-of-way easements, utility
easements and they detect encroachments upon adjacent properties. These are all issues that often become central to a property owner’s dissatisfaction and discontent with their new purchase. Surveys may also help a buyer determine before closing the transaction whether the property can be used for what they intend. For example, if the buyer plans to put a double wide mobile home on the property, a survey will reveal setbacks and utility easements that could prohibit placement of the mobile home on the lot. The bottom line is that buyers of real estate should consider two facts when deciding whether to obtain a survey. First, only a survey will determine with any degree of certainty what is being purchased. Second, if the buyer decides not to obtain a survey, they need to be prepared to “own” that decision and its consequences because no other party other than a surveyor will likely be held responsible for those things that only a survey will reveal. House to House is distributed weekly by the Arkansas REALTORS® Association. For more information on homeownership in Arkansas, readers may visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.
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Unless you’re living alone and you’re not bothered by the mess, you have to be clear about establishing clean work practices in your home. Some contractors think it’s okay to leave the worksite messy overnight or until the renovation is done. But this could spell ‘injury’ and ‘disaster’ especially if you have kids or pets. Be clear on your house rules and inform your contractor that they should observe cleanliness in the worksite before leaving each day. Don’t turn your home renovation dream into a nightmare. Take time to research on the best contractor to work with, set a budget and stick to it, make a plan and discuss it with your contractor before the project starts, and avoid DIYing unless you’re confident about doing it right. Lastly, always communicate with your contractor and ask them to implement clean and organized work practices at all times. With these steps, you’re one step closer to making your home a better and more beautiful place to live in.
CMYK
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PREMIUM PROPERTIES • MARCH 2018
5 Home Improvement Trends Worth Your Time By Paul Kazlov
Oh, that sinking feeling of looking around the house and realizing that everything could use an upgrade. Where do you even start? There are countless ways to improve your home not just for the curb appeal, but for its overall durability, safety, and energy efficiency as well. To help you plan out your next home improvement projects, listed below are the top 5 upgrades that are definitely worth your time, and can even help save you money.
1. Windows Poorly-made windows can warp and crack, which leads air leaking out of your home — and money leaking out of your wallet as you spend more on heating and cooling. Fiberglass windows are one of the smartest investments you can make because they’re extremely resistant to expanding and contracting in even the most extreme weather. This prevents seal failures from forming and ensures your home will stay wellinsulated (and your energy bills stay low) no matter what mother nature has in store.
2. Metal Roof Metal roofs are gaining popularity for all of their eco-friendly and energy-saving benefits, along with their stunning good looks. In addition to being made from recycled material and being recyclable at the end of their lives, metal roofs keep your home cooler, are virtually impervious to water and pests, and can withstand extreme weather. Oh, and they can also last for over 70
years with little to no maintenance. A no-worry roof? If that’s not a worthwhile upgrade, I don’t know what is.
3. Energy Star Appliances Swapping out your existing appliances for those with an Energy Star rating is another fantastic way to save money on your bills. Because they require less electricity, you can end up cutting your costs by as much as 50% — not to mention you can often get a tax break on qualifying purchases. Energy-efficient hot water heaters, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers also use less water, which reduces both your own water consumption and your water bill as well.
4. LED Lightbulbs These bright lights have gained a lot of attention in the past few years for their long life and energy-saving properties. LED bulbs can last for over 20 years and convert far more energy to light than traditional bulbs, which helps cut down on the amount of power they need to operate and the amount of money you spend on energy. Although the price is a major deterrent for many homeowners since individual bulbs can cost as much as $100, this is one home improvement you can do in increments. Consider buying just a few bulbs per year for the lights you use the most, and continue adding more throughout your house over time.
5. Insulation It’s important to check your insulation levels every so often to make sure you’re not losing energy through your walls. All you need to do is take the temperature of your walls with an inexpensive infrared thermometer to figure out where the problem spots are, and don’t forget to check your attic to make sure you still have 10” of material insulating your home from above. If you need to re-insulate, there are lots of eco-friendly options available that are made from natural fibers, cellulose, recycled plastic, and other materials that don’t come with the same harmful health effects that fiberglass insulation does. Although these are just a few of the ways you can improve your home, remember to consider the benefits other than aesthetic appeal you’ll receive from any given upgrade. If the project will help you save money in the long term and if it increases the integrity of your home, it’s well worth considering and taking priority over improvements that may not have as many benefits. What was the last upgrade you made to your home? Paul Kazlov is a “green” home remodeling enthusiast and an industry pioneer for innovation in home renovation. Paul writes for the Global Home Improvement blog and strives to educate people about “green” products such as metal roofing and solar. Follow him on Twitter @ PaulKazlov House to House is distributed weekly by the Arkansas REALTORS® Association. For more information on homeownership in Arkansas, readers may visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.
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8 Tips for a Successful Garage Sale By Juli Gates, Director of Communication/Arkansas Realtors®
• Get Supplies: Save up some of those grocery bags for your customers to store their smaller items in. Those customers are likely to buy more if they have more space other than what is in their hands already. Be sure to have some tissue paper or newspaper to wrap any breakable items in.
As Spring begins to make its way in and Winter moves out, I always have a sense to purge. I guess I feel I have to change with the seasons as well. One of my favorite things to do is host a garage sale. I can earn a little extra cash and clean out what I no longer want or need! Where can you go wrong with that? Listed below are a few of my tips that have helped me to host a successful a garage sale. • Ask Your Neighbors to Join: You may not be the only one who might want to purge. Take a moment and reach out to your neighbors to see if they may want to get in on the fun. However, be sure to get in touch with your local government to be sure you do not need a permit. • Schedule your sale for the weekend: Many garage sales receive the highest traffic during the weekend. It is also important to note that mornings from 8:00-10:00AM show the highest amount of traffic. The early bird gets the worm! • Advertise: There are so many avenues for advertising now. Take to social media to advertise by posting on your Facebook account. Also, nothing works more than the “throwback” of creating a personal sign and placing it at the local intersection with a lot of traffic flowing through. • Price all of your items: Save yourself some time by pricing all of your items. You can
• If it’s junk, donate it: Please do not be “that” person and try to sell any items that are broken. There are plenty of places where you can donate your items that can be repaired and donated. purchase any round color-coordinated stickers at your local Wal-Mart. Be sure that you are choosing a sticker that will come off of the item without creating any need for “goo-gone”! • Organize: I just mentioned getting colorcoordinated stickers for good reason. I have a confession ladies and gentleman. I love to organize. Nothing is more chaotic at a garage sale than disorganization. Price your items based on color. Organize your items by category. You will save yourself both time and stress by doing so.
• Money, Money: It is always a wise idea to have a cashbox and one person designated to take care of all of the purchasing. That way you have one person who will be keeping track of everything. I would suggest having a calculator in hand, unless you’re a math whiz!
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Bobbie Himel
PREMIUM PROPERTIES • MARCH 2018
Select Realty It’s the sign of success!
Owner / Principal Broker, GRI (479) 437-9348
1161 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953
Le-Ann Holmes Realtor/Owner (479) 234-7310
Office: (479) 394-7676 • Fax: (479) 394-7677 • Toll Free: (877) 394-7676
Jan Atchley
OSE, MA, ABR, CRS, GRI, CRB Executive Broker (479) 243-6475
Sandra Thomas Realtor (479) 234-3952
Deana Dixon Realtor (479) 234-7572
Michael Looney Brianna Cook Realtor (479) 234-5582
Realtor (479) 216-6415
Misty Miller Administrator (479) 394-7676
Helping your dreams become a reality Visit us online at www.menaselectrealty.com
#2076 • 4 Bedrooms-2 Bath-1/2 Bath! MLS#17030443 $199,000 • Living room has surround sound! • Walk in closet that is a safe room with steel walls! • Covered back deck that overlooks year round creek!
#2025 • Rock & Cedar Home! 3 Bed - 2 bath - 1/2 bath! MLS#17001440 $89,000 • Fireplace with insert & open wood beams! • Master suite has double sinks & closets! • Guest house could be rental - 2 bed, full kitchen, bath! Call Brianna Cook
Call Bobbie Himel
#2093 • 2 Bed-1 Bath-1/2 Bath! Approx. 65 Acres! MLS#18001674 $495,000 • Chicken houses in excellent • Doublewide needs TLC. condition! • 3 Wells, 3 septic’s, • Houses have 14,000 birds! generator, 2 ponds! • 100 year old house is cozy & has wood stove!
7.48 acres! MLS#18005095 $265,000
• River front 2 story cabin! • Carport with metal roof & storage! • Covered deck wraps around 3 sides! • Cook shack with complete kitchen! • Living room has gas fireplace! • 30x40 shop! Call Jan Atchley
Call Le-Ann Holmes
#2066 • 3 Bed-2 Bath! MLS#17033357 $95,000
• Spiral staircase leads to the upper level! • Private balcony off the upstairs master bedroom! • Large patio areas, featuring roses, crepe myrtles and hydrangeas! • 20x24 garage/shop Call Michael Looney • Large tree house & 5 ton HVAC!
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Call Jan Atchley
#2098 • 2 Bed-2 Bath! Approx.
#1796 • 2 Beds, 2 Baths, ½ Bath! Approx. 5 Acres! MLS# 15031127 $249,000 • Wrap around deck! • Log home! • Additional acreages • Living room with fireplace! available! • Breakfast bar & prep sink! • Dining area with bay window! • Two master suites with jetted tub!
#2073 • 3 Bed-2 Bath! Approx. 1.96 Acres! MLS#17030044 $229,999
2082 • 3 Bed-2 Bath! Approx. 4 Acres! MLS#17032944 $89,900
• Beautiful fireplace made from local • 2 back patios with rock work! rock! • Fruit trees & Garden! • 3 headed master shower or 6ft • Surveillance cameras! jacuzzi tub & heated floor! • Back porch has speakers!
• New exterior siding, flooring, and other updates! • Deck off master suite! • Private adjoining 2 acres is ready for second dwelling, has septic, well, and electricity! • Close to National Forest hunting, ATV trails, anc camping!
Call Deana Dixon
Call Sandra Thomas
#3000 • TWO homes! • 3 Bed-2 bath •1 Bed-1 bath • Approx. 20 Acres! MLS#18005424 $432,000
• Property on Caddo River! • Open floor plan has lots of windows & gorgeous views! • Luxurious master bedroom has large master bath with Jacuzzi tub & walk-in shower! • Living room has gas log fireplace & vaulted ceilings! • Laundry room, office space, central vacuum! * 30x50 shop & much more! Call Michael Looney