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PREMIUM PROPERTIES September 2017

Preparing your home for Fall & Winter Do’s & Don’ts of preparing your home for sale

Earth-Friendly Fall tips for your home making your home showready & worthy

September 2017

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GET YOUR HOME FALL AND WINTER READY WITH SI

PR MP OJ LE EC TS

f boots, a warm hat and a tuned-up snow blower are the only items on your winter preparation list, your home maintenance plan may need a makeover. These simple home maintenance projects can help lower your energy bills, prevent more costly repairs and/or increase the lifespan of your home.

Heating & Ventilation — Examine your fireplace and chimney system to ensure that no soot or creosote has collected. Any cracks or voids could potentially cause a fire. Before you turn the furnace or boiler on, replace the air filter and hire a professional to inspect the unit more thoroughly. These steps will improve the efficiency and life of your furnace and

will ensure stable indoor air quality.

age by trimming overgrown trees and shrubs to prevent ice-laden branches from thrashing against electrical wires and your home’s exterior. Drain/shut off any exterior faucets and sprinkler systems to prevent freezing. Ensure rain or snow drains away from the house to avoid foundation problems.

Seal Windows and Doors — If not properly sealed, windows and doors can be a major culprit for heat loss. To keep the warm air inside, inspect the weather-stripping around your home’s windows and doors for leaks, rot or decay. Repair or replace structural framing, and caulk inside and out, if necessary.

Insulate well — One of the easiest and most effective defenses against heat loss is proper insulation. Prevent cold drafts from entering and the loss of heated air through basement headers, which, when left exposed, can make your furnace work harder. Look for a moisture-resistant product offering

high thermal performance, such as Roxul Comfortbatt insulation. This type of mineral wool insulation makes installation simple. All that’s needed is a serrated blade or bread knife. Cut the batt to fit the cavity and press into place. The insulation will help improve energy efficiency as soon as it’s in place and provide savings over the lifetime of your home. Comfortbatt can also be used to top or replace old attic insulation. Aim for an R-50 or a depth of 16 inches.

Backyard Care — Save your property from potential dam-

Roof and Gutters — Inspect your roof for shingles that are warped, damaged or even missing to prevent a future leak. Use roofing cement and a caulking gun to seal joints where water could penetrate, such as around the chimney, skylights or vent pipes. Make sure that your gutters and downspouts are securely fastened. Downspouts should extend at least five feet away from the home to prevent flooding. When it comes to preventative maintenance, a little time and effort can save thousands in energy costs and repair bills over the lifetime of your home.

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September 2017

Let Freedom Ring

TURNING RENTERS INTO HOMEOWNERS

By Sharon Tremor Meyers Realty Hot Springs, Arkansas Renters are an overlooked niche market that I recognize personally, and market to, consistently. If you have a market area with both a need and an influx of lower end “rental” type property, it is viable to convert many of the non-owner occupied homes into owner occupied property that is not subject to the same transitional status. With home-ownership the buyer can have a lower payment than their rental payment, enabling upward mobility in society, and pride in ownership. Neighbors benefit from this as well, by not having to be subject to a greater chance of vacancies and neglect. Over the years, we’ve had calls come in to the Real Estate offices

asking for rental house information, and we consistently reply that we are a ‘Sales Office’ and do not handle rentals. The times I have slowed it down, turned off the robotics, and asked pointed questions, I have often had success in getting the caller qualified to purchase. In some circumstances, the sellers carry the note since the rent is income and taxed as such, and the note payment is treated differently. It can be a win-win for both buyer and seller. Utilizing First Time Buyer loan programs like ADDY, FHA, MCC, and RD, are all great tools, considering a first-time buyer program refers to anyone who has not owned Real Estate in the past three years. Affiliating with lenders who know and use these programs is vital. Most cities offer First Time Buyer seminars where information on these programs can be attained. You

can also contact the Little Rock office directly for both information and to apply for the loan directly if the consumer wishes. Tracking for my own business has shown positive results with my clients remaining in the homes, and/ or reselling and purchasing “moveup” housing. Through this process I have satisfied my own passion for home ownership and being a responsible landlord. I have broadened both my past client contacts as well my sphere of influence and contacts through of the people involved that you meet along the way. Niche Marketing has been around forever and is very effective. This is a segment of the market who are true first-time buyers and those affected by the downturn in the market and just getting past the impact of the housing crash and ready to buy again. Sharing information about our

historically low interest rates gives a starting point to kiss the landlord goodbye!

haron is an associate broker who has been selling homes since 1994. Sharon serves on the Board of Directors for Hot Springs Board of Realtors, the local ARPAC committee, state committee for Risk Reduction and Legislative Committee. She is Vice President of Park Avenue Community Association and on the David F. Watkins Memorial Park committee as founding member where she assisted in getting a grant this year to build a butterfly garden in Uptown Hot Springs, AR. She has her CRS and EPRO designations and combines her love for her community and people with her passion for real estate which provides her the perfect career choice.

September 2017

HOUSE TO HOUSE

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Is Your Home Interview Ready? By Allison Moore of Warnock Real Estate in Fort Smith, Arkansas - Part 1 of 3

You are sitting in the office of the CEO of a company you would love to work for. You’ve prepared for this moment. Hair in place, crisp suit on, well scripted cover letter and flawless resume in hand. You are ready with your best foot forward. You nail the interview! You are hired on the spot! Congratulations! All of your preparation has paid off! Similarly, when selling your home, making sure your home is interview (market) ready is one of the most important aspects on which to focus. Each potential buyer is interviewing your home. Is it a good fit for their needs? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your property? Essentially, is your home a qualified candidate to meet and exceed expectations to get the job done? A well-presented or poorly presented property can make a tremendous impact on the bottom line. Selling Price. Have you ever looked at on-line photos of a property for sale and all you can

see is an overgrown yard or clutter? Or even photos of a room that contains so much furniture, just looking at it makes you feel claustrophobic? What about the photos of rooms that you can’t even determine what the room is or how it should be used? Those cringe-worthy photos are a seller’s worst nightmare. A buyer will quickly move on to another property with the simple click of a button. A well-presented home AND professional photography is the key to getting potential buyers in your door. A Home Stager, who is familiar with your real estate market can be a great asset in getting your home interview (market) ready. As a Realtor-Stager, my main objective is to help my clients get their property sold as quickly as possible and for top dollar. It is sometimes difficult for sellers to understand the “Whys” of home staging. Here are a few of the points that I discuss with my clients to help them understand why home staging is an integral part of marketing their property:

“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur.” – Red Adair

• FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Living in a home and marketing a home are two very different things. We become accustomed to our spaces and how we live. It’s just a simple fact and we all do it, myself included. We don’t live in “show ready” homes. However, in today’s fast moving real estate climate, you have to spell it out for buyers. They don’t have the time or the patience to look beyond pet beds and trophy collections. When you list your home, you have to emotionally detach yourself from the property. Yes, technically it is your property, but detaching emotionally can be a huge step towards the ultimate goal, a SOLD property! You want Buyer’s to mentally move in. A Home Stager has the professional expertise of how to make a property a “neutral zone” thereby, appealing to the most buyers. A Home Stager creates the narrative of the home that allows the potential buyer to fill in the details. Pro Tip-Remove the family photos, diplomas and anything with your personal information. Some in this industry disagree with this because they believe these items give the property a homey, lived in feeling. I am of the opinion that a personalized home is not a “neutral zone”. Also, when potential buyers tour your home, you want them to see your lovely home, not you family vacation pictures.

• FORM OVER FUNCTION OR FUNCTION OVER FORM?

There are many talented Interior Designers out there and they are fabulous at what they do. Believe me, I spend hours poring over magazines and pinning away on Pinterest to get great design inspiration for my own home. However, there is a difference between a well decorated home and a well-staged home. An Interior Decorator designs for how you live, a Home Stager designs for how to market and sell a home. A Home Stager can quickly determine what needs to be added or edited from a space. They know what areas of your home need to be highlighted for its form and what spaces should be highlighted for its function. For example, perhaps that bedroom you have used as a guest room since you purchased the home, would be better suited as a home gym or office. And maybe those stunning drapes you had custom made, need to be removed to showcase that gorgeous picture window and view. A Home Stager’s job is not to simply make your home look pretty, but to make your home marketable. Pro Tip-Let the light in! Make sure all windows are clean and function property. If you have hazy windows, have them professionally cleaned or have them replaced. Buyers only see dollar signs and more work for themselves when they see old, dirty windows. You also don’t want to give the impression that the home was not well maintained.

• FINANCES

No seller wants to get the call from their Realtor that the selling price needs to be decreased. Nor would you want the property to sit on the market with little or no activity. You have to consider the most important factors. Is it suitably priced for the current market? Is it being advertised and marketed effectively? Think of home staging as an equity finder. The small investment in having a property professionally staged can mean more money in your pocket. You will also have the peace of mind that you have done all you can to have your home market ready. It costs a lot less to have your property professionally staged than it does to reduce your list price later. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey found that the longer homes stay on the market, the further their price drops. Once staged, homes spend an average of 73% less time on the market!

ALLISON MOORE

allison@warnockrealestate.com House to House is distributed weekly by the Arkansas REALTORS® Association. For more information on homeownership in Arkansas, visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.

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September 2017

Holly Springs Real Estate Don Brewer 479-234-3530

Inez Hendricks 479-234-2728

Shannon Hunter 479-216-1932

Catherine Miller 479-216-0278

1114A Hwy 71S • Mena, AR 71953 • Toll-Free 888-394-4200 www.hollyspringsrealestate.com

3674-Two-Story Home in Timber Ridge. Lovely 1668 sq ft 3 bdr/2 bath Home w/676 sq ft finished attached garage has been recently remodeled with new Hardwood floors downstairs and new carpet upstairs. There’s a gas log fireplace in the living room and gas range in the kitchen. The huge tree shaded double lot is ideal for entertaining and is completely surrounded by a 6 ft privacy fence. There’s a fantastic 40x40 shop building with walk through door and 2 tall roll up doors! MLS16028120 $159,000 3735-Just east of the CountryClub, great location close to town yet with a country feel. With apprx 1958 sq ft, 3 bdr/2 baths, this home features a breakfast bar and a formal dining area with large windows. The Large Utility/Craft room is off of the kitchen with access to the carport. The basement has inside and outside access with the hot water heater and A/C unit located in basement. The 30 X 40 shop has a bathroom with shower and roll up door. Stock pond in the field behind the house with some fencing. Apprx. 6 acres mostly wooded w/some clearing. MLS16026481 $159,900 also may be purchased as 11.29 acres which also includes a former mobile home site with utilities and septic system. MLS17013671 $185,400

Michelle Hicks 479-216-6717

Hershel Bell 479-243-5613

Mamie Page Office Manager

3764-Ouachita Mountain Views and a Gorgeous Stocked Pond! Within a mile of Mena, this spacious 2,086sq ft home features a beautiful site built fireplace, hardwood floors in LR, custom oak cabinetry w/pull outs & breakfast bar. Lovely Sunroom has high ceilings & opens onto a patio & a deck. The Super Suite on west end of the house includes a great room, kitchen and bedroom w/bamboo flooring plus opens up to a Large Den/4th bedroom with jacuzzi bath. Two more large bedrooms and guest bath. 1.45 acre and 2 Storage Bldgs. MLS17023559 $164,900

3696-Beautiful White Colonial-Style 2 story home sits on a large acre and half lot. 4 bdr/2 baths, plenty of room for entertaining, Bed and Breakfast possibilities. LR has beautiful wood floors and fireplace. Gourmet kitchen has stainless appliances. Lovely separate dining room. Beautiful staircase. 3 BRs and 1Bath up and one BR downstairs. Sun/Craft room. New H&AC down, up in 2009. One car garage or storage. Chain link fenced rear yard. Call to see it! MLS16035690 $169,900

3734-Beautiful, spacious home has so many features to see! Gorgeous hardwood floors in living, dining room, 3 bdr & hallway. Bay window and fireplace in the lovely living room. Sweet kitchen with lots of cabinets. Deep storage cabinets in the hallway, bath has double vanities, tub plus a step in shower. Master w/walk in closet ½ bath. Screened back porch leads to the laundry and 4TH Bdr-studio/w/bath that has bright windows! 2 bay Carport. Fenced DBL lot. Boathouse too! MLS17013677-$129,500 3 7 0 9 - Wo n derful home has Front Porch to enjoy. Great Room w/ vaulted ceiling, dining area and a kitchen with abundant cabinets for the cook of the family! 3 bdr/2 and 1/2 bath split floor plan. Master Suite with walk in closet and bath, laundry w/1/2 bath, large lot w/shade trees in the back yard for you to enjoy. Attached garage. 10’x16’ storage shed.MLS17004554 $129,500 3761-Amazing Renovation and New Construction Creates a Wonderful Home!! 1586 Sq Ft. Spacious rooms, tile floors, new electrical, plumbing, sewer as well as HVAC was completely replaced. Quality lighting fixtures and ceiling fans are throughout the home. Abundance of cabinets in the kitchen, mini-fridge & appliances stay, plus a pantry. 3 beds/2 baths--owner’s suite has large shower& walk-in closet. Dining/Den opens to a very nice covered patio. 1.4 acre lot w/huge fenced yard Shop & a Storm Shelter! MLS17020865 $119,000

5898V

Keith and Sharon Aleshire 479-243-5341 • 479-394-8514

3722-Delightful Home in Mena. 3 bdr/1.5 b a t h B r i c k H o m e w/Hardwood floors in the living room, dining room and 2 of the bedrooms! Custom cabinetry in the kitchen w/pull out shelf drawers, plus laundry/ pantry shelf unit that has hidden storage galore! New Tub unit, new CH/Air plus extra insulation added in the ceiling for energy efficiency. Front porch, back patio, a workshop AND a 12x20 finished craft/workshop. Beautiful Flowers in season, Pecan tree, garden area, plus a new storm shelter.MLS17008519 $118,000

3758-Lovely, Spacious Brick Home in a great location in Mena. There is 2620 sq ft of living space with Formal Living Room, Den, Office/ Study, 3 bdr/3baths, Laundry and Workshop. Wood burning Fireplace. Two Car Carport. Large Lot is 100x300. Big fenced back yard, with fruit trees, nice patio concrete circle driveway, must see! MLS17020301 $172,000

3720- Charming Two Story Home in Hatfield! 2048 sq ft. Downstairs a Great room with high ceilings, kitchen, 2 large bedrooms, laundry and bath. Upstairs, an Expansive bedroom, guest room and spacious bath with a claw foot tub! New storm shelter. New Privacy cross-fencing with garden area, stable, workshop and storage areas plus area for animals. Huge double lot. Check out the possibilities this property offers. MLS17008537 $97,500

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!! CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN THE WONDERFUL OUACHITAS AT WWW.HOLLYSPRINGSREALESTATE.COM

House to House: September 2017

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REALTOR ® W

hether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous and emotional process. If you’ve decided to hire a REALTOR® to assist you with your endeavor, then you’ve made a wise decision. Having a real estate professional in your corner is definitely the way to go to ensure you get the best deal with the least amount of hassle. What you may not realize, however, is that REALTORS® can have specific credentials in a variety of specialized training areas that they have spent time and money to further their education in order to better serve their clients. These REALTORS® are better prepared to assist you with your specific real estate needs. When you’re comparing agents, you may see several acronyms next to their name. To help you find a REALTOR® that is right for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the popular real estate certifications and designations. ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) A designation for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the home-buying process. ALC (Accredited Land Consultant) A designation for land professionals who are the most accomplished, most experienced, highest-performing land experts. CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) This designation is awarded to experienced REALTORS® who complete advanced training in listing and selling.

GREEN A designation providing advanced training in green building and sustainable business practices so that you can seek out, understand, and market properties with green features. ePRO A technology certification specializing in the latest tech-savvy initiatives. GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) A designation with in-depth training in legal and regulatory issues, technology, professional standards and the sales process. This designation is state-specific, too, so you can be assured that your GRI agent is up on all the local issues that may affect your real estate transaction. MRP (Military Relocation Professional) A certification focusing on educating real estate professionals about working with current and former military service members to find housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support. RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert) This certification is for real estate professionals who want to sharpen their negotiation skills. SRES (Senior Real Estate Special-

ist) A designation for agents to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 50+. SRS (Seller Representative Specialist) A designation for the premier credential in seller representation.

When purchasing and/or selling your property, it is important that you not only trust your Realtor® but trust that they are knowledgeable and dedicated to providing you with the best experience possible.

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September 2017

Vicki Agee Sales Associate 234-3626

Eudell Head Sales Associate 216-3544

Norma Trammell Executive Broker 216-4313

Tiffany Lane, CRB Principal Broker/ Owner

www.century21perry.com • www.century21.com

8978 ONE OF A KIND! Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath, brick house on a dead end street. Sit on the sun porch and enjoy all the landscaping and woods in this oversized yard. A rare find in town - see today!! MLS#17022606 $199,900. 8980 THE SHOP IS WHERE IT IS AT! Home needs TLC, but the shop and land is where it's at on this one!! 30x60 shop (with a 1 bedroom apartment) with 11foot ceilings. No corners cut when building this! 20x30 concrete pad w/12 foot high RV cover and a lean-to. Too many extras to mention, call today to see this! MLS#17024867 $129,900. 8983 SO CLOSE TO MENA – 10 wooded acres close to Mena. Several building sites on this place! $35,000. 8985 HILLTOP SETTING WITH POND! New vinyl siding and new vinyl windows w/lifetime warranty are just part of the remodeling touches on this 1900 sf home with CH/A and an unfinished basement. New appliances 2 years ago, original hardwood floors, new tile floors in the den/potential bedroom area. Beautiful deck with hot tub overlooks your own private pond. Plus, view of a huge lake across the street. Hurry before this one is gone! Located near the Wolfpen Gap Trails. MLS#17027186 $124,900. 8986 DO YOUR THING!! Excellent potential in this older 2 bedroom, 1 bath home, nice neighborhood in the heart of Mena. See this one today - it won't last long! MLS#17026853 $24,900.

8987 MINI-RANCH – Beautiful mountain and wooded views from the decks and windows. Easy access to Highway 71 - 3/4 mile from the highway. Mini-ranch sits on 10.27 acres, open floor plan, bay window in dining, large bathroom, multiple walk-in closets. Carport, large laundry with pantry, wrap-around porch, CH/A, wood-burning stove, large shop with upstairs, horse barn with tack room, stalls and room for hay. Septic, water and electric for 2nd dwelling. Chicken coop stays. MLS#17027008 $269,000. 8976 JUST LISTED!! Want to work for yourself? How about this breeder farm in Watson, Oklahoma? Pristine breeder operation! This chicken farm features two 510x40 breeder houses, a remodeled 28x61 Fleetwood mobile home, mountain views in any direction, 3 wells, 2 generators, 92x40 litter shed/shop and other outbuildings, a green house, 400 gallon diesel tank and storm shelter. Currently under Tyson contract. MLS#17022425 $745,000. 8925 61 ACRES & HOME! Beautiful 61 ac farm featuring unique custom built, 1940 sq ft house, pastures fenced and cross fenced. Two ponds, two barns (with horse stalls and views). MLS#16031881 $265,000. 8908 QUIET, PEACEFUL & READY TO MOVE RIGHT IN!! Large open spaces greet you in this 3 br, 2 ba treasure on 3 beautifully landscaped acres in Hatfield. Huge master Suite with Jacuzzi tub, large walk-in closets, CH/A, nice covered breeze way, patio, 24x36 two car garage, 24x36 shop, 36x20 pole barn, pond, located on a paved road. MLS#16024945 $159,000. 8970 HOME W/MTN VIEW Beautiful mountain views are the setting for this home in the perfect location just outside the city limits of Mena! Large rooms, formal dining, eat-in kitchen, pantry, large living room, screened in porch, and light colors throughout. New vinyl siding, nice outbuilding, additional shop, well house, lots of garden space and landscaping opportunities on this 3.83 acre hilltop setting. Priced to sell!! MLS#17016787 $139,900.

5896V

1118 Highway 71 S. • Mena, AR 71953 (479)394-6500

Amanda Warrington Executive Broker 234-8114

8862 COX LAKE AREA - Nice home in established neighborhood, 3 br, 2 ba, 1376 sf, original hardwood floors in living room, new windows. MLS#16004440 $68,000. 8942 HOUSE AND GUEST HOUSE - 3.3 acres, imagine the view of the mountain range from the front porch. Beautiful log home, outbuildings, 3 br, 1 ba, detached garage and shop. Separate little cottage, 1 br, 1 ba, separate utilities. Trees and pond on property. open, country close to town! MLS#17000995 $74,900. 8961 CUTE HOME Neat, low maintenance, well-maintained house on city lot in Mena. Some recent updates on this 3 br, 1 ba home on quiet street. MLS#17010106 $79,900. 8965 DUPLEX - Live in one side, and rent the other. Very nice duplex, 2 bedroom 1 bath, each side, inside laundry, pantry, all electric, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Central heat and cool, located on large 100x130 lot. Each duplex is 720 sq ft, 1440 total for duplex. Owner is a licensed real estate broker in Arkansas. MLS#17013207 $110,000. 8945 COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL! Great land opportunity!!! Highway frontage and located near the East/West runway of the Mena Airport, with the added amenities of underground electric already run to the east side of the property, as well as a city water line to the center of the land. Nice, level land - cleared and ready for you to take advantage of this location!! Thinking of an airport related business? Many options here! MLS#17002544 $48,000.

Let One Of Our Professionals Show You The Beauty Of The Ouachitas!

September 2017

Y L D RIEN

F N H M T U R T A U E A R O IPS F

utumn is upon us, and with the change of seasons comes the fall to-do list that must be completed before the arrival of winter weather. Many outdoor jobs are best completed before temperatures drop, while others can be tackled indoors to help save energy and prepare for increased time spent inside the home.

OUTDOOR CLEANUP

Autumn means leaves are falling from trees and littering landscapes. Cleaning up leaves can be a time-consuming task, but it’s necessary to promote the health of lawns and other plants. Grass that is completely matted down with leaves can become starved for light and moisture, and lawns may

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even rot when forced to spend winter beneath fallen leaves. One eco-friendly timesaver is to shred leaves with a mower (a manual mower is preferable) and leave them as topdressing for the lawn. As long as the grass blades can be seen within the leaves, the lawn should be fine. Shredded leaves will decompose and add necessary nutrients and organic matter to the soil naturally. Leaves also can be used in annual flower and vegetable gardens to improve the soil. Mulch made from shredded leaves can be placed on the soil around trees and shrubs. This helps to reduce weed problems and protects root systems from harsh temperature fluctuations.

CLOTHING DONATIONS

It’s time to pack away summer clothing and once again fill closets and drawers with sweaters and jeans. Before packing away your summer wardrobe, conduct an inventory to determine if there are any items you no longer use. Donate these items or use them as rags when cleaning. Keep some short-sleeved shirts accessible so you can layer them under sweatshirts and sweaters. The heat from layering will be trapped against your body and keep you cozier, reducing your reliance on HVAC systems to stay warm.

HOME REPAIRS

Check the roof for any missing shingles. In addition, look for spots where animals or insects may be able to gain entry into your home. Seal these areas and repair any leaks. This will make your home more efficient later on when winter hits its stride. Remove window air conditioners for the winter. If they can’t be removed, seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket. If you have forced-air systems, move furniture away from the vents so that air can flow better around the home and keep it comfortable. Check weatherstripping around windows and doors and make the necessary adjustments. Installing additional insulation also can help reduce energy consumption.

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September 2017

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS

SEE HOMEOWNERSHIP AS GOOD INVESTMENT

ighty-four percent of Americans believe that purchasing a home is a good financial decision, the highest number in 10 years. Yet six in 10 said that they are concerned about affordability and the rising cost of buying a home or renting in their area. This is according to NAR’s 2017 National Housing Pulse Survey, which measures consumers’ attitudes and concerns about housing issues in the nation’s 25 largest metropolitan statistical areas. “This survey makes it clear that most American’s still believe in homeownership and aspire to own a home of their own. Building equity, wanting a stable and safe environment, and having the freedom to choose their neighborhood remain the top reasons to own a home. Yet, Americans consider the lack of af-

fordability as a big obstacle to ownership,” said Maurice Taylor, 2017 Arkansas Realtors® Association President. Concerns over housing affordability show clear demographic divides, especially among unmarried and nonwhite Americans. More than 50 percent of unmarried and non-white Americans view the lack of available affordable housing as a big problem, compared to only four in ten of married and white Americans.

Nationally, 44 percent of respondents categorized the lack of available affordable housing as a very big or big problem. In the top 25 densest markets, more than half see the lack of affordable housing as a big problem, an increase of 11 percentage points since 2015. Arkansas REALTORS® Association states that lower income Americans, renters and young women most acutely feel the housing pinch. There is also greater concern about affordable housing among the working class

“It’s important that younger Americans also have access to affordable and sustainable homeownership.”

BE PART OF PREMIUM PROPERTIES! CALL 479-394-1900

(65 percent) than for public servants such as teachers, firefighters or police (55 percent). The survey found that over half of respondents strongly agree that homeownership helps build safe and secure neighborhoods and provides a stable and safe environment for children and family members. “There are many benefits of homeownership, and they resonate more strongly as age increases. Over half of Americans between the age of 50 and 64 believe that home ownership is associated with a stable home environment, which also leads to greater educational success for children,” said Maurice Taylor, 2017 Arkansas Realtors® Association President. “It’s important that younger Americans also have access to affordable and sustainable homeownership.”

Home Staging

for Every

Budget By Allison Moore of Warnock Real Estate in Fort Smith, Arkansas - Part 2 of 3

reparing your home for the market can be an overwhelming task. What to do first? What is most important? Who do I look to for advice? Is the current real estate market a buyer’s market or is it a seller’s market? First and foremost, consult a Realtor who is familiar with your market and ask if they use the services of or can recommend a Professional Home Stager. Knowing what the market demands is key to getting the most money possible for your property and not overspending in the preparation process. As a Realtor-Stager, I consult with clients who have million-dollar properties to sell as well as clients that are selling their starter home. The selling prices and the budgets available to get their home market ready are as varied and diverse as the clients themselves. Whatever your budget may be, there are steps that can be taken to get your property market ready. If you have the means to do whatever is necessary to get your home market ready and budget is not a primary concern, now may be the time do some renovations. In some cases, I find that a seller’s timeline takes priority over budget. Updating kitchens and bathrooms may seem like major undertaking but can yield tremendous returns from your reno investment. As with anything, consult a professional. As I discussed in my last article, Is Your Home Interview Ready? we grow accustomed to our surroundings and have certain ideas regarding improvements. We can’t always see or know what needs to be done. The real estate industry professionals (Realtors, Stagers and Realtor-Stagers) will know exactly what the current real estate market demands and how your budget will best be spent.

September 2017 For example, perhaps your current market is a seller’s market and your property is in a high demand area. Most likely, renovations may not be necessary. If it is a buyer’s market and buyer’s must have at least 2 or more full bathrooms, it may be the time to convert that half bath into a full bathroom. If your budget doesn’t allow for renovations, but you can do some updating or improving, the following suggestions will help stretch your budget: • PAINT! Paint is one of the easiest and most cost- effective improvements a seller can make. I recommend visiting model homes in your area to see what colors are being used. If possible, hire a professional painter to do the work. Make sure the color or colors chosen work with your existing cabinets, flooring and finishes. This is not the time to try the season’s trendy colors. Every home is different but choosing one color to use throughout the home can create a fresh and cohesive feel. Walls aren’t the only thing that paint can update. A dated brass chandelier or door knobs can be transformed with paints made for metal. Definitely hire a pro to tackle this job, unless you are a handy DIYer. • LIGHTING. If you have the means to update lighting, use your money here. There are five areas that I suggest updating lighting: the entry, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom and master bathroom. Some wonderful fixtures can be found in the clearance section of your local home improvement stores. Try to find fixtures that work with the other fixtures and finishes in the room(s). • DON’T OVERLOOK THE OUTDOOR SPACES. Make sure potential buyers can easily access the front entrance. Mow the yard and trim hedges. If your home’s exterior is looking a little tired, power washing can do wonders. Freshly painted trim, garage and front door can also bring new life to the exterior. If the budget allows, opt for a new front door. A new front is an easy update with a big impact. Consider new house numbers or a new mailbox. Remove the decorative yard ornaments. Curb appeal matters to buyers and can set your property apart from the competition. *Consult with a Home Stager and based on their recommendations, decide which items you are willing to take on yourself and which items you need to hire them to do for you. Even if you have little to no money to spend on preparing your home for the market there are

Premium Properties three very important items that every seller can and should do: • DE-PERSONALIZE! Take down all the family photos and items with personal information. I recommend this for two reasons. The first being a personalized space is not a neutral space. Neutral spaces appeal to the most buyers. The second reason is that I am of the opinion that potential buyers shouldn’t be given any more personal information about the sellers than necessary. Yes, certain information is public knowledge. However, let’s not give any additional information that could give any advantages in the negotiating process. My job is to protect sellers who list with me and trust me to help them get their home SOLD for top dollar. Less information is better. Remove diplomas, trophies, mail, and appointment reminders. De-personalize as much as possible. • PRE-PACK! Most buyers are looking for square footage and ample storage. Start packing away all those personal items as well as collectables and out of season clothing. Anything that takes up valuable storage space in your home should be pre-packed. If your closets and drawers and crammed packed with items, edit to 25 % of what they currently contain. Pre-packing also makes moving so much easier. Before I became a Realtor-Stager, I did this with a home we had listed. Although we didn’t yet have an offer, pre-packing made me feel like I was one step closer to closing day. Another controllable item! Check with local stores to see when they receive shipments and ask for the discarded boxes. Most are happy to do so at no cost. If possible, store your pre-packed boxes off site. It that is not an option, use attic or garage space. If you use the garage, try to stack neatly in a corner. *If you have a little money to spend, hire a Professional Home Stager to do a brief consult, not a full room by room consultation. Ask for their top three to five recommendations for your home. Professional Home Stagers have levels of services they provide based on all budgets. Take those recommendations, enlist the help of a few friends, roll up your sleeves and you are on your way to a SOLD property!

“Whatever your budget may be, there are steps that can be taken to get your property market ready.”

House to House is distributed weekly by the Arkansas REALTORS® Association. For more information on homeownership in Arkansas, visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.

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September 2017

HOME STAGING - MARKET READY W By Allison Moore of Warnock Real Estate in Fort Smith, Arkansas - Part 3 of 3

hen getting your home market ready, staging your home can make help get your home SOLD more quickly and for Top Dollar. Here are my Top Ten Tips I implement when working with my clients:

• CLEAN, CLEAN AND CLEAN!

Buyers want to know the home they are viewing has been well maintained and cared for. A dirty space can send the wrong message. You cannot change the location of your property or what the current market demands. You can however control how clean your property is when it is listed and for all showings. Give special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. These rooms help sell properties and they also can be the grimiest. If your budget allows, hire a professional cleaning service to do the job. If you tackle the work yourself, have a friend or neighbor come over to make sure something wasn’t overlooked. Don’t forget to clean the tops of appliances like refrigerators and range hoods, clean ceiling fan blades and clean the windows!

• REMOVE BULKY FURNITURE

The way we live in a home and the way we market a home are very different. You may have two recliners that you love and are your absolute favorite but if they are taking up valuable space, remove one or both. When buyers enter a room, they immediately question if their furniture and belongings will fit in the space. Think about what

truly makes sense in the room and what allows for an easy traffic flow.

• BE MINDFUL OF ODORS

If a home smells like pets or smoke, buyers may not get much further than the front door. Make sure there are no odors lingering in your home. It may be necessary to have rugs, drapes and furniture professionally cleaned. You can also rent odor neutralizing machines if necessary. Do not use perfumed air fresheners, outlet plugs or scented candles. Many of those irritate allergies. Open doors and windows and let the fresh air in to help neutralize any smells.

• NEUTRAL COLOR PALETTE

The objective when preparing your home for the market is to make it as appealing to potential buyers as possible. Neutral paint colors throughout helps make a home appear spacious and creates an easy flow for the eye. The eye stops when it sees color. While a pop of color for accent is good, it should be only used with accessories or art. If possible, paint walls a neutral color throughout.

• CONSISTENT LIGHTING

Regardless if you use Incandescent, LED or Halogen bulbs to light your home, make sure to use the same type of bulbs throughout. This doesn’t matter for everyday living but can impact the outcome of the photos of your home. You want to avoid a mix of cool and warm tones in the same room. If you cannot use the same throughout, use one type in each room. For instance, if you have incandescent lighting under your kitchen cabinets, make sure to have incandescent in the other kitchen light fixtures.

• CURB APPEAL

Curb appeal is like the bow on the birthday gift. It doesn’t tell you what is inside but it makes you excited to open the box! You want to draw buyers to your property. A freshly painted front door or new mailbox can make a big difference. Potted plants or new house numbers can as well. Make sure the lawn and shrubs are tidy. If the exterior

of your home looks a little tired, consider power washing or painting the trim.

• DEFINE ALL SPACES

Make sure each room and space in your home has a defined purpose. Buyers can be confused with what they would do with a space if it lacks definition. Highlight built in desks, alcoves, window seats and breakfast nooks for their intended purpose. Did you use the bonus room for storage? Now is the time to turn it into a home office or home gym. Don’t forget the outdoor spaces as well. If you have a sunporch or covered patio, show buyers how they can utilize those spaces.

• PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

According to Realtor.org, 92% of buyers begin their search on the internet. The use of a professional real estate photographer is critical. It may be the most important factor in selling your home. You know what they say about first impressions. You don’t get a second chance to impress potential buyers. You want to wow them at first look! Spend some time on-line looking at the homes listed that impress you and the ones that don’t. It is obvious to spot the ones snapped quickly from a Smart Phone. Even if you or your agent has the best camera phone available, it does not replace professional photographs. Good quality photos help to sell homes!

September 2017

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