Special offer

Springdale, AR Real Estate News

By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
Mom's Story Tuesday, October 10, 2006 we were looking forward to some much needed rain.  It had been a very dry summer.  In fact we had been in a drought for a couple of years.  Brittaney had gone to Madison County to have dinner with Jake, her other half, and his grandparents.  As Jake works third shift, it was a little after 10 pm when she started home.  I (Mom) had a habit of checking in with Britt every night starting around 10 pm.  Britt had a very busy personal calendar and work schedule.  We were very proud of all the organizations Britt was involved in but, it also made it hard to keep track of where she was.  So, at 10:03 pm I left my first message, "Britt its time to check in".  I usually left those about every 15 minutes or so until she called.  It wasn't uncommon for Britt t...
Comments 4
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
 OK, it has been on my mind for the last several weeks, something just keeps tugging at me, DO SOMETHING, SAY something, ASK and it will be given to you. A young man in the Real Estate world needs YOUR help and he needs it now. This is the FIRST time I have ever tried raising money for anyone, so please bare with me.I posted this a couple of months back:While Shawn was new to the Real Estate business, he took the bull by the horns and was awarded the 2006 "ROOKIE" of the year for our office.I just want to remind everyone to keep Shawn Barnes in your thoughts and prayers daily. Shawn has a LONG road ahead of him in his recovery process, and will need the help of those around him to assist in his recovery process. For those of you that have not heard, Shawn Barnes is the real estate agent...
Comments 5
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
Watch Mortgage Rates. Studies such as the 2006 Coldwell Banker® Homeownership in America Index revealed that that majority of people move based on lifestyle changes such as new job, marriage, divorce or family expansion. Pay attention to the mortgage rates and recognize that buying a new house will likely result in a change in mortgage rates. How much? A monthly payment of a 30-year fixed 5.875 mortgage rate on a 300,000 loan is $1,774.61. The monthly payment at today's 6.381 rate is $1,872.79, representing a $98.18 increase. Don't Try to Time the Market. When home prices are lower, it is very tempting for potential buyers to try to wait as long as possible in the hopes that prices will decline even further. This strategy can be detrimental because when there is high inventory, smart se...
Comments 1
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
Home Evaluation WorksheetIn your search for the perfect home, some features will be more important than others. How close is it to schools? Is there a fireplace? What is the condition of the roof? With so many different factors to consider, it can be difficult to evaluate a home. Keeping track of the different homes you like could also be a daunting task. This worksheet can help you get organized. It works like a score sheet to help you evaluate properties. Click the link below and print one sheet for each house you are interested in calling home. HOME EVALUATION WORKSHEET We KNOW the REAL ESTATE MARKET.Shop Around. But Don't Wait Too Long. The National Association of REALTORS reports that, on average, homes stay on the market for 7.5 months. The increased inventory gives homebuyers a g...
Comments 0
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
 First let me state there are a MULTITUDE of places to apply for a loan. I HIGHLY recommend that you RESEARCH and VISIT with whom you are going to be dealing with. SHOP and COMPARE!!! When your looking for a home, that's what we do, take you to the houses that fit your guidelines. ONLY after doing that, do you make your choice or decision which home you will buy. Why should your loan process be any differant?After stating this, did you KNOW that Coldwell Banker Faucette and our other COLDWELL BANKER OFFICES even had a MORTGAGE Company? Yes, I kid you not. Did you also know that Coldwell Banker also GUARANTEES: * We'll BEAT any lenders price, or Coldwell Banker will pay you $500.00 * We'll make a loan decision the very same day you contact us or Coldwell Banker will pay you $250.00 * We'...
Comments 0
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
Renting: * Fail to invest your money into something that does not grow your $$. Markets loose value.Buying: * Even though it's hard to mess up this investment, it's EASY to NOT MAXIMIZE it! Even before you finish paying off your loan  you OWN a SUBSTANTIAL portion of YOUR house, but that value is locked into the house so it's not cash in your pocket. To convert your investment into cash, you must either sell the home (and start over with another one) or borrow against your existing home and invest the cash into something else.The PRO's:Renting: * SIMPLE             * Start investing right away, without having to save for a down payment.             * Easier to Relocate             * No cost or effort spent on maintenance*Buying:              * PRIDE and COMFORT in OWNING your OWN HOME !...
Comments 1
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
Renting: * Take the money you would have spent on a down payment for a house and on monthly mortgage payments, and invest in something else instead, such as a Mutual Fund.Buying: * YOUR house is YOUR investment !! When you buy a house, your stake in the house is equal to your down payment. (If you put 10% down, you own 10% of the house when you start.) As you make monthly mortgage payments for 15-30 years, you'll gradually own more and more of YOUR home. Also, The house will get more valuable over time. Appreciation rates vary widely, but 6% is a good rule of thumb.            * Once you have your home paid off, you no longer have to make a monthly mortgage payment. All you'll have to pay is taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Besides that, you live for free.            * It's hard to me...
Comments 3
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
 Renting: What you pay for: RENT (and Possibly Renter's insurance)Owning: Once: Down payment. Closing Costs              For 15-30 years: Mortgage payment             As long as you own the home: Taxes/Insurance/MaintenanceWhat you can deduct on taxes:Renting: NOTHING (unless you run a business from your rented property. MAYBE part of your rent/utilites)Owning: * Interest on Mortgage, and property taxes (only if you itemize)            * If it's YOUR rental property, you can also deduct insurance and maintenance, whether or not you itemize. If it's a duplex and you live on 1 side and rent the other half, you can deduct half these costs.            * When you sell your home, you DON"T have to pay ANY TAXES on the gain, in most cases. WHOA !!! NEXT...... How you can build an investment......
Comments 4
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
  In MOST cases, it's better to buy a home than to rent. But not in every case. Comparing buying to renting is actually a fairly complex endeavor. I can give you some quick rules of thumb. You should usually buy instead of rent except when:* You intend to move within a few years (Lees than 5 years)*Your rent is VERY low (2/3 or less of what your total monthly payments would be for buying a house)* You don't expect to live more than another 15 yearsBUILDING equity vs. " THROWING your money away"A big myth is that it's better to buy because by owning you're not " throwing your money away on rent". but when you buy a home you will still throw money away on things that don't build any equity. These include:* Closing costs* Interest on your mortgage ( DOES have TAX ADVANTAGES )* Property tax...
Comments 0
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
  I feel like this would be the PERFECT oppurtunity to post another post for the ALLEN FOUNDATION. For those that haven't had the chance to read my blog on a PROUD FATHER, part 1, 2, 3 , i encourage you to do so. I feel this would be a perfect time to do so.The Memorial Day holiday is rapidly approaching and a lot of you will be hitting the roads to see family, visit loved one's at gravesites throughout this great nation. I want to ensure that everyone makes it to thier destination and BACK ALIVE. The single MOST EFFECTIVE way to do so is to BUCKLE UP FOR BRITTANEY !!For those parents with young adult drivers, share this story with them, if they don't want to listen, have them go to the following website " Buckle up for Brittaney",  http://www.brittaneyann.org/ and read for themselves t...
Comments 0
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
 While others may talk about customer service, we ask, LISTEN, and TAKE ACTION ! Listening to our customers, IT"S WHAT WE DO ! We continually survey our customers to find out what is important to them. For us, the listening and learning never stops.Guaranteed service standards:We develop service standards based on what we hear from our customers, and we put our service standards in writing with the COLDWELL BANKER Seller Services Guarantee.Customized marketing plan:We carry out our promises with a Marketing Action Plan specifically designed to meet the needs of each seller. We DELIVER consistant, predictable, reliable performance- Guaranteed!Give me or Deborah a call today and let us SELL your home in Northwest Arkansas today !!!
Comments 0
By Andrew "Andy" Cross
(Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate)
 Go to the following link to review market data for Northwest Arkansas 1st quarter data through March 2007.http://mountdata.com/Don't forget this is Coldwell Banker Realtor OPEN HOUSE month. Get out there and preview some of the most beautiful homes in the country. You also have a chance to win FREE Furniture...go to www.ColdwellBanker.com for details !!!!If you have any questions , please don't hesitate to call me anytime. MAKE it a GREAT DAY !!!!!! Andy
Comments 0
By Judy Luna, Technology with a Personal Touch
(Keller Williams Market Pro Realty)
Lots of Hispanics have been moving to Northwest Arkansas (and other areas of the state as well) during the past 10 years or so. According to newspaper estimates, the Hispanic population of Washington County increased 73% from 2000 to 2005, bringing the total to more than 22,000 people. During the same time frame Benton County's Hispanic population increased 78%, to approximately 24,000 people. With those figures in mind, it is good news that a bilingual (English/Spanish) U.S. Post Office is now open in Springdale. It's located in the southeast section of the city, in a tiny strip mall at the intersection of Hwy. 265 and Electric Avenue.The increased Hispanic presence shows on the streets too--many more signs in Spanish for not just restaurants, but for other services as well. Every kind...
Comments 2