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Embark Upon Your Home Buying Journey Today

Whether you're shopping for your very first home or your tenth, choose the only Real Estate Company in Conway that is part of the CENTURY 21 System.  It was announced last month that, for the second year in a row, the CENTURY 21 system is the 2015 recipient of the 2015 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Study in all four Real Estate Categories:

1. First-Time Home-Buyer Satisfaction Ranking
2. Repeat Home-Buyer Satisfaction Ranking
3. First-Time Home-Seller Satisfaction Ranking
4. Repeat Home-Seller Satisfaction Ranking

 No other Real Estate Company has ever matched this accomplishment for two consecutive years!

So if you're ready to shop for a home, a Real Estate Professional at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart can help you along your journey to a new home.  Start your home search today! If schools are important to you, a tool on the Century21.com website allows you to search by school.  Use this tool to find homes for sale searching by school.  Please keep in mind school zoning is subject to change and always call the School District before purchasing your home, but this tool is a great start in your home buying search.

To find an agent that can help you in your journey, contact a Real Estate Agent at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. today. Affordability and Mortgage Calculators can be found at our website so you can determine your price range. To look at homes for sale in your neighborhood, check out all the property listings in central Arkansas. You may also call our office at 501-327-2121 to set up a private home or land showing with one of our award winning Real Estate agents today.

Site Work Begins for Lewis Crossing in Conway

From Arkansas Business


The Lewis Crossing shopping center development officially is under construction in Conway.
Collett & Associates, which is developing the 441,871-SF, $65 million project, announced Wednesday that work was underway at the site, located at the southeast corner of Interstate 40 and Dave Ward Drive.
The development, expected to open in the fall of 2016, will anchored by Sam’s Club, Academy Sports, Ross Dress For Less, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michaels Arts and Crafts, Ulta, Petco, Dollar Tree, Aspen Dental, AT&T and David’s Burgers.
Other tenants lined up include an Ulta beauty products store and five clothing boutiques: Altar’d State, Loft, Jos. A. Banks, Chico’s and Carter’s.
Arkansas Business reported in March that the 135,500-SF Sam's Club expects to open early next year. In May, the Conway city council approved site rezoning from industrial to commercial.
Collett & Associates is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Roger Cole of Elrod Real Estate of Little Rock is serving as the local leasing agent for Lewis Crossing, and Garrett Excavating of Hot Springs is performing all site improvements.

Century 21 sweeps the JP Power Awards...Again!

 The CENTURY 21 brand is the only real estate firm in the history of the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Study to rank highest in all four segments for two consecutive years. What an incredible achievement! The entire press release can be read here.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTURY 21 ranks highest in customer satisfaction among real estate brokerages across all home buyer/seller segments, according to the J.D. Power 2015 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study^SM released today.

The study, now in its eighth year, measures customer satisfaction with the nation's largest real estate companies among customers in four segments: first-time buyers, repeat buyers, first-time sellers and repeat sellers. Overall satisfaction is measured across four factors of the home-buying experience: agent/salesperson; real estate office; closing process; and variety of additional services. In the home-selling experience, the same four factors are evaluated plus a fifth factor, marketing. Satisfaction is measured on a 1,000-point scale.

According to the study, satisfaction is significantly higher when real estate companies meet four key performance measures related to communication. These include receiving a timely response to questions and concerns; being informed at all important contact points; receiving follow-up communications after the close of the home; and being shown sales information for comparable properties. Gaps in satisfaction are substantial across all customer segments when these measures are met vs. when they are not met.

Among first-time buyers and sellers, satisfaction is 125 points higher among buyers and 107 points higher among sellers when they are kept informed vs. when they are not (850 vs. 725 and 839 vs. 732, respectively). Among repeat buyers and sellers, satisfaction is 130 points higher among buyers and 217 points higher among sellers when they receive a timely response to questions and concerns vs. when they do not (851 vs. 721 and 835 vs. 618, respectively).

"Knowing how and when to communicate with customers is essential for real estate companies," said Christina Cooley, director in the diversified services industries practice at J.D. Power. "To satisfy first-time customers, it is really about holding their hand by keeping them informed at key points throughout the purchase or selling process to ease their anxiety. For repeat customers, satisfaction hinges more on the timeliness of the response by their real estate agent when questions or concerns arise with the process."

First-Time Home-Buyer Satisfaction Ranking

• CENTURY 21 (832) ranks highest for a second consecutive year and performs particularly well in the agent/salesperson and closing process factors.
• RE/MAX (827) ranks second, on par with industry average.
• Overall satisfaction among first-time home buyers is 827.

Repeat Home-Buyer Satisfaction Ranking

• CENTURY 21 (853) ranks highest for a second consecutive year and performs particularly well in all four factors.
• Coldwell Banker (841) ranks second, on par with industry average.
• Overall satisfaction among repeat home buyers is 841.

First-Time Home-Seller Satisfaction Ranking

• CENTURY 21 (841) ranks highest for a second consecutive year and performs particularly well in all five factors.
• Overall satisfaction among first-time home sellers is 827.

Repeat Home-Seller Satisfaction Ranking

• CENTURY 21 (835) ranks highest for a second consecutive year and performs particularly well in all five factors.
• Coldwell Banker (810) ranks second.
• Overall satisfaction among repeat home sellers is 814.

The 2015 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study includes 6,059 evaluations from 5,066 customers who bought and/or sold a home between March 2014 and April 2015. The study was fielded in February through April 2015. For more information about J.D. Power solutions for the home improvement industry, visit http://www.jdpower.com/industry/home-improvement

Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Scores		J.D. Power.com Power Circle Ratings™
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)		For Consumers
First-Time Home Buyers
Century 21	832		5
RE/MAX	827		3
First-Time Home Buyers Average	827		3
Keller Williams	826		3
Coldwell Banker	822		2
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
(formerly Prudential Real Estate)	814		2
Repeat Home Buyers
Century 21	853		5
Coldwell Banker	841		3
Repeat Home Buyers Average	841		3
RE/MAX	840		3
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
(formerly Prudential Real Estate)	833		2
Keller Williams	828		2
First-Time Home Sellers
Century 21	841		5
First-Time Home Sellers Average	827		3
Coldwell Banker	824		3
RE/MAX	819		2
Keller Williams	816		2
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
(formerly Prudential Real Estate)	809		2
Repeat Home Sellers
Century 21	835		5
Repeat Home Sellers Average	814		3
Coldwell Banker	810		3
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
(formerly Prudential Real Estate)	807		2
RE/MAX	805		2
Keller Williams	800		2

 

Power Circle Ratings Legend5 – Among the best4 – Better than most3 – About average2 – The rest

Media Relations ContactsJohn Tews; Troy, Mich.; 248-680-6218; media.relations@jdpa.com

About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules www.jdpower.com/about-us/press-release-info
About McGraw Hill Financial www.mhfi.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130605/LA26502LOGO

 

SOURCE J.D. Power

Home Is...

6 Remodeling Projects That Can Add to Your Resale Value

6 Remodeling Projects That Can Add to Your Resale Value

Home remodeling has become more popular than ever to attract buyers, thanks to an improving economy, strong job growth, higher disposable income, more home sales, low interest rates, and a more competitive housing market. Home owners looking to sell their home this year may want to complete a few upgrades and renovations that will help make their home get noticed among the competition.
The following are the remodeling trends recommended by both PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating as well as Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report:
1. Curb appeal. According to Remodeling Magazine’s report, the key improvements with the highest ROI include the front door and garage door replacements, manufactured stone veneer front steps or foundations, vinyl siding, and replacing windows. Each of these upgrades will boost both buyer interest as well as the value of a home.

2. Deck addition. At a fraction of the price of an indoor addition, a new deck both enhances the landscaping of a yard as well as offers additional living space for al fresco dining, relaxing and entertaining. Most people use their decks for at least six months out of the year so it’s a worthwhile investment.

3. Kitchen remodel. Without having to completely gut the kitchen, replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, new appliances, countertops and flooring continues to rank as one of the top renovations for the last 10 years.

4. Bathroom remodel. Buyers are looking for a bathroom that doesn’t feel outdated. Even the smallest bathrooms can look more attractive with the right finishing touches. The key features that will sell a bathroom are updated vanities, wall color, tile, sink, faucets, toilet, and lighting fixtures.

5. Reinventing an existing room. Buyers and home owners want as much space as they can get. Remodeling an attic into a master or guest bedroom or converting a basement into a playroom, home theater, or exercise room are popular and profitable ways to add usable space to an older home as opposed to the bigger expense of an addition.

6. Painting and removing outdated wallpaper. Finally, if you don’t have time or money to invest in a remodel, one of the simplest and most affordable solutions is to remove dated wallpaper and add a trendy wall color. Don’t go too bold, though. Painting walls a neutral color will also bring out the home’s best features. This simple update provides a boost with instant universal appeal to buyers who want to envision living in the space.

13 Tips for Selling your Home

Some Home Selling tips from Reader's Digest: http://www.rd.com/home/improvement/13-tips-for-selling-your-home/#ixzz3XZS3r01B

We’ve all heard about how “bad” the real estate market is. But what’s bad for sellers can be good for buyers, and these days, savvy buyers are out in spades trying to take advantage of the buyer’s market. Here are 13 thing you can do to help sell your house.

1. Audit your agent’s online marketing. 92% of homebuyers start their house hunt online, and they will never even get in the car to come see your home if the online listings aren’t compelling. In real estate, compelling means pictures! A study by Trulia.com shows that listings with more than 6 pictures are twice as likely to be viewed by buyers as listings that had fewer than 6 pictures.
2. Post a video love letter about your home on YouTube. Get a $125 FlipCam and walk through your home AND your neighborhood, telling prospective buyers about the best bits – what your family loved about the house, your favorite bakery or coffee shop that you frequented on Saturday mornings, etc. Buyers like to know that a home was well-loved, and it helps them visualize living a great life there, too.

3. Let your neighbors choose their neighbors. If you belong to neighborhood online message boards or email lists, send a link to your home’s online listing to your neighbors. Also, invite your neighbors to your open house – turn it into a block party. That creates opportunities for your neighbors to sell the neighborhood to prospective buyers and for your neighbors to invite house hunters they know who have always wanted to live in the area.

 

4. Facebook your home’s listing. Facebook is the great connector of people these days. If you have 200 friends and they each have 200 friends, imagine the power of that network in getting the word out about your house!

 

       

5. Leave some good stuff behind. We’ve all heard about closing cost credits, but those are almost so common now that buyers expect them – they don’t really distinguish your house from any of the other homes on the market anymore. What can distinguish your home is leaving behind some of your personal property, ideally items that are above and beyond what the average homebuyer in your home’s price range would be able to afford. That may be stainless steel kitchen appliances or a plasma screen TV, or it might be a golf cart if your home is on a golf course.

6. Beat the competition with condition. In many markets, much of the competition is low-priced foreclosures and short sales. As an individual homeowner, the way you can compete is on condition. Consider having a termite inspection in advance of listing your home, and get as many of the repairs done as you can – it’s a major selling point to be able to advertise a very low or non-existent pest repair bill. Also, make sure that the little nicks and scratches, doorknobs that don’t work, and wonky handles are all repaired before you start showing your home.

7. Stage the exterior of your home too. Stage the exterior with fresh paint, immaculate landscaping and even outdoor furniture to set up a Sunday brunch on the deck vignette. Buyers often fantasize about enjoying their backyards by entertaining and spending time outside.

8. Access is essential. Homes that don’t get shown don’t get sold. And many foreclosures and short sale listings are vacant, so they can be shown anytime. Don’t make it difficult for agents to get their clients into your home – if they have to make appointments way in advance, or can only show it during a very restrictive time frame, they will likely just cross your place off the list and go show the places that are easy to get into.

9. Get real about pricing. Today’s buyers are very educated about the comparable sales in the area, which heavily influence the fair market value of your home. And they also know that they’re in the driver’s seat. To make your home competitive, have your broker or agent get you the sales prices of the three most similar homes that have sold in your area in the last month or so, then try to go 10-15% below that when you set your home’s list price. The homes that look like a great deal are the ones that get the most visits from buyers and, on occasion even receive multiple offers. (Bidding wars do still exist!)

10. Get clued into your competition. Work with your broker or agent to get educated about the price, type of sale and condition of the other homes your home is up against. Attend some open houses in your area and do a real estate reality check: know that buyers that see your home will see those homes, too – make sure the real-time comparison will come out in your home’s favor by ensuring the condition of your home is up to par.

11. De-personalize. Do this – pretend you’re moving out. Take all the things that make your home “your” personal sanctuary (e.g., family photos, religious décor and kitschy memorabilia), pack them up and put them in storage. Buyers want to visualize your house being their house – and it’s difficult for them to do that with all your personal items marking the territory as yours.

12. De-clutter. Keep the faux-moving in motion. Pack up all your tchotchkes, anything that is sitting on top of a countertop, table or other flat surfaces. Anything that you haven’t used in at least a year? That goes, too. Give away what you can, throw away as much as possible of what remains, and then pack the rest to get it ready to move.

13. Listen to your agent. If you find an experienced real estate agent to list your home, who has a successful track record of selling homes in your area, listen to their recommendations! Find an agent you trust and follow their advice as often as you can.

Conway Builders Enjoying Boom as City Expands

From Arkansas Business: Conway Builders Enjoying Boom as City Expands




Officials at the University of Central Arkansas hope that the work along Donaghey Avenue will provide additional residency options, but also provide community spaces where students and residents of Conway can gather.  (Mike Kemp)

The city of Conway is on the verge — if it hasn’t reached it yet — of a boom in commercial real estate availability.
Just up Interstate 40 from Little Rock, the city has been the host of several recent development projects and is set to begin more in the coming years.
And from the city’s first Sam’s Club to a variety of clothing stores and restaurants, companies are lining up to move into the spaces. News about the developments has trickled out over the past few months, but many people involved in the projects are still holding their cards close as they finish up deals and inch closer to completion.
Brad Lacy, the president and CEO of Conway Development Corp., ticked off the list of projects in a recent interview.
In addition to Lacy’s main project — development of the old Conway Municipal Airport into a shopping destination known as The Shoppes at Central Landing — he said there were at least three other large-scale developments in the works across the city. All of the simultaneous development, at least on the scale in effect now, is something new for the city, Lacy said.
“It’s really historic. We’ve never seen, to my knowledge, this much commercial construction either underway or soon to be underway, and it really redefines the city in a lot of ways,” Lacy said.

Conway Mayor Tab Townsell, who was first elected in 1998, said he has seen “stairstep” commercial development in the city over the years with other projects, such as the Conway Commons shopping center in the mid-2000s. But he said that the redevelopment of the airport and the introduction of new businesses such as Sam’s Club and Dillard’s, is allowing the city to take on a bigger role as a “gateway” to the Little Rock metro area.
“It’s a transition period for us,” Townsell said. “It’s our opportunity to become more of a market town than we already have been.”

Superior Chevrolet
One of the more recent developments in the works in Conway is the transformation of the old Superior Chevrolet at 915 E. Oak St.
Planners behind the project have said they want to divide the 6.2-acre site, which was purchased in September for $3 million, into several plots and anchor the development with a hotel.
T.J. Lefler, a partner at Sage Partners in Fayetteville who is lining up tenants at the development, declined to say which businesses would be moving in. But he said in an email interview that Conway’s growth, boosted by opportunities in higher education and stable businesses, makes it an attractive place to do business.

“They have just reached a point where it fits [in] line with new retailers and large national chains all at the same time,” Lefler said. “They have been ready for this retail for a while, but the available sites were slim. Now that the sites are starting to become available, retailers are heavily focused on getting a location because there are few opportunities available.”
Lacy said the Superior Chevrolet development is one of several along Oak Street. He noted that recent projects along the street have included a CVS Pharmacy and Arvest Bank and a recently opened MedExpress.
All of the development is breathing new life in a part of town that was previously “a little bit tired looking.”
“I think that’s significant too, because it’s really starting to push downtown and the look of downtown a little closer to the Interstate,” Lacy said.

Lewis Crossing
Kitty-corner to the site of what will be a new Baptist Health hospital along Interstate 40, Lewis Crossing has already lined up several tenants to move in.

The 441,871-SF development will be anchored by a 135,500-SF Sam’s Club, which has plans to open in early 2016. The company in charge of that development — Collett & Associates LLC of Charlotte, North Carolina — has also said that Academy Sports, Bed Bath & Beyond, Petco and Ross Dress for Less among others have signed on for sites there.
The company did not return phone messages seeking information about the project.
In a flier describing the development published on the company’s website, Collett & Associates notes Conway’s growth and the benefits of doing business there.
“Conway ... has sustained consistent population growth and has an essentially recession-proof economy, anchored by three higher learning institutions, the burgeoning natural gas industry, a regional health facility and approximately 2,500 government jobs,” the company wrote in the flier.
The flier later adds that the “Conway trade area, which has a population of about 165,000, is one of the most vibrant in the state.”

Old Airport Changes
The Central Landing project is the largest development in the works in Conway, but few details about the project have been released. The estimated 750,000-SF mixed-use development will be laid atop the 151-acre site of the old municipal airport, which closed in January.
The Shoppes at Central Landing — the first 250,000-SF phase at the site — will be home to a 100,000-SF Dillard’s, but its other tenants have not been announced by Jim Wilson & Associates LLC of Montgomery, Alabama, which is working on leasing for the project.
Anita Carter, vice president for Jim Wilson, said the company was not ready to release more tenant names.

Lacy said he also did not have new updates to share, but said Jim Wilson was expected to speak at the annual meeting of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, which was scheduled to be held the evening this edition went to press.
Development at UCA
T.J. Johnston, the director of special university projects and community affairs for the University of Central Arkansas, is overseeing the Donaghey Hall mixed-use development on campus at the corner of Donaghey Avenue and Bruce Street.

He said the university plans to break ground on the project in May and open in the summer of 2016, although some commercial space may be available before then.  The 67,500-SF development will include about 15,000 SF of commercial space on the ground floor. Johnston said that no tenants have been announced but that the university expects to do so in the next 30 days. The development will also double as a residential space with 165 beds designated for sophomores and juniors at the university.  The project is funded through a bond issue that was approved by the UCA board in January. But the project cost came in below estimates at $16.3 million after the interest rate on the bonds came back lower than anticipated, Johnston said.

The Donaghey project is one of several projects in various phases at UCA that are also expected to drive attention to the area. Johnston said he expects the residence hall to also be the beginning of similar developments in the Donaghey District.

“The aim was to create a sense of place for both the UCA community and the citizens at large in Conway,” Johnston said. “In our opinion, this type of development is one of the main ingredients you need in order to better recruit and retain the best students, faculty and staff to this campus.
“To put it simply, we’re officially in the business of place-making now, and Donaghey Hall was our first critical step for that.”

2015 Casino Night

Come spend Friday the thirteenth at the 23rd Annual Pete Hart Memorial Casino Night!  All proceeds  benefit Easter Seals Arkansas. The fun kicks off at 7 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall here in Conway. If you buy your ticket in advance, $20 buys you an entire evening of fun including your food, drinks and casino chips. We'll have blackjack, a craps table, roulette and more. At the end of the night, you can trade in your "winnings" for a voucher you can use to bid on fun prize packages donated from local businesses and individuals. Tickets are $25 at the door and you must be 21 to attend. Come join our event page on Facebook. You can come by our Century 21 Dunaway & Hart office at 575 Harkrider Street to buy tickets in advance. We hope to see you there!

Now is the Time to Get Started

 Let us take you along the path to buying or selling your new home.


To get started on the journey, contact a Real Estate Agent at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. today. Affordability and Mortgage Calculators can be found at our website so you can determine your price range. To look at homes for sale in your neighborhood check out all the property listings in central Arkansas. You may also call our office at 501-327-2121 or 800-490-0021 to set up a private home or land showing with one of our award winning Real Estate agents today.

Five Mistakes That Could Decrease the Value of Your Home

Today's Blog post comes courtesy of the Century 21 Blog.

Renovating or improving something too much sounds like an oxymoron, however when it comes to attracting a buyer and generating a return on investment, it is possible. The decisions you make may be best for you and your family, but it is crucial to consider the mindset of potential buyers.

Here are five common renovation mistakes that may decrease your home value:

1. Over improvement: Your home should be similar to other homes in the neighborhood. If your home costs much more than other homes in the neighborhood, potential buyers may choose that the updates you made do not outweigh the increased cost.

2. Over personalization: You may love bright paint, built-ins, and elaborate tiles but the potential buyer may see changing it as too much of a hassle. You want buyers to be able to picture themselves living in the home so it is helpful to have a neutral design aesthetic when you show your home.

3. Inconsistency: It is better to spend smaller amounts on many projects than spend a large amount of money on one project while neglecting other parts of the home. Instead of spending upwards of $30,000 installing a pool while keeping old and outdated appliances, it is a wiser decision to update the appliances.

4. Removing a wall: It may seem as though knocking down a wall between two small rooms to make one larger room is a no brainer but having more rooms is almost always better when it comes to increasing the value of your home. Your family may be smaller than the potential buyers and, for them, it may be better to have more rooms regardless of their size. Removing bedrooms can also decrease the value of your home. Turn an extra bedroom into an office or gym while you are living there, but switch it back to a bedroom when you are getting ready to sell.

5. Functional Obsolescence: Make sure that your renovations make sense. For example, potential buyers will probably not want to have the only way to enter one bedroom be to go through another bedroom. Another example would be turning a garage into a guest house. Although having a guest house might be better for your family, many families would prioritize having a garage. Remember these mistakes when you are choosing renovation projects around your home. What seems like a good idea might not actually lead to a return on investment or, worse, may detract someone from buying your home.


To get started on the journey of selling your home, contact a Real Estate Agent at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. today. Affordability and Mortgage Calculators can be found at our website so you can determine your price range. To look at homes for sale in your neighborhood check out all the property listings in central Arkansas. You may also call our office at 501-327-2121 or 800-490-0021 to set up a private home or land showing with one of our award winning Real Estate agents today.

Thank You!

We at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. offer our sincere appreciation to the entire community of Conway and Faulkner County for voting us as One of the Best Real Estate Offices in Faulkner Country.  For 39 years, the agents at Dunaway & Hart has worked tirelessly to achieve a high ethical standard in Real Estate and to offer our customers excellent service.  As we approach our 40th anniversary in 2015, we will continue to strive in our efforts to connect people and homes in Faulkner County.

Do This, Not That: Tips for Staging Your Home

Today's blog entry comes courtesy of the CENTURY 21 System: 

You never get a second chance at a first impression. It is important that potential buyers get a great first impression when they come to your home for an open house or see your listing online. Factors like cleanliness, brightness, and furniture placement all make a big impact on the home’s overall appearance. Making buyers feel comfortable in a new space is key to selling a home. We asked our Facebook friends for their best tips for staging a home to sell.

Here are five tips for staging your home:

• “Make sure all furniture is about one and a half inches from the wall, this creates the illusion of more space. Clear all personal pictures. If the front door is worn, paint it an interesting color that is inviting and make sure the path to the home is welcoming.” – Michael L.

• “You hope that you will have a lot of people in short period of time, freedom of movement is essential.” - CENTURY 21 Ilford

• “Good photos get action. Make sure the lights are on and that you are using a good camera. Don’t use your cell phone!” – Kristy W.

• “Everything off the counters! Toilet seats down. Blinds all the way up to show off recently cleaned windows.” – Wayne F.

• “Stage with smaller furniture to make rooms bigger and go with light colored furnishings unless the area dictates darker classy designs.” – Peter C. 

To get started on the journey of selling your home, contact a Real Estate Agent at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. today. Affordability and Mortgage Calculators can be found at our website so you can determine your price range. To look at homes for sale in your neighborhood check out all the property listings in central Arkansas. You may also call our office at 501-327-2121 or 800-490-0021 to set up a private home or land showing with one of our award winning Real Estate agents today.

5 Tips for First Time Homebuyers

Today's blog entry comes courtesy of the CENTURY 21 System:

Congratulations! You are ready to buy a home. Purchasing a home is an exciting life milestone and is a huge decision with so many factors to consider. Finding the right property can be a challenge for growing families. What may seem like a good fit now may not be the best choice for your family in the long run.

Here are our 5 best tips when buying a home for your growing family:

Neighborhood - Do your research before looking at homes in neighborhoods that aren’t convenient for young families. Look into school districts, local parks, neighbors and proximity to doctors and hospitals. Consider the length of your commute to work so that you can maximize the amount of time you have to spend with your family.

Space – How many kids do you want to have? Simple things like sharing a bathroom or closet space can become a hassle in the long run. Families with small children might want to look into an open-concept floor plan for safety reasons. A designated playroom might be a smart idea for your family, or maybe you’d prefer two levels instead of three. List out what your priorities before making the move.

Affordability - Now that you know what you’re looking for, the next step is figuring out what type of home you can afford. A review of your income, savings, monthly expenses and debt will be necessary. Use our Affordability Calculator!

Offer - Once you’ve found your ideal house, it’s time to get started with the financial and contractual side of the purchase. Let your CENTURY 21® real estate professional guide you through this process. Purchase contracts vary in length and terms from state to state, and sometimes within a state. Multiple offers on the same home are not uncommon, so you may only get one chance to make an offer that the seller will consider. That’s why it’s important to think carefully about your strategy. In most cases it is better to have your real estate professional present the offer. Learn more here!

Inspection – Once you’ve made an offer, hire a professional home inspector to give the house a standard inspection and make sure that it is a safe home for your family. Agents affiliated with the CENTURY 21 System are ready to make a commitment to help you capitalize on current market opportunities and assist you in making an informed decision. A CENTURY 21 Agent can help ensure you make the right choice for the long term, get a better understanding of different neighborhoods, schools, and market conditions, find a mortgage specialist, and more.

To get started on the journey to find you perfect home, contact a Real Estate Agent at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. today. Affordability and Mortgage Calculators can be found at our website so you can determine your price range. To look at homes for sale in your neighborhood check out all the property listings in central Arkansas. You may also call our office at 501-327-2121 or 800-490-0021 to set up a private home or land showing with one of our award winning Real Estate agents today.

Joyce Patterson Earns Masters Award for 2014 Sales Production

CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. is pleased to announce that Century 21 Real Estate LLC recently recognized Joyce Patterson, sales associate with the office, as one of the System’s top-producers nationwide when it honored her with the coveted Masters level CENTURY 21 Masters Award. Emerald level status is awarded to an agent who has met minimum sales production of $135,000 or 38 closed transaction sides within a calendar year. A gold-plated lapel pin with emerald accent is awarded to the agent during the Awards Ceremony, in addition to a trophy and a personal invitation to attend a CENTURY 21 Top Agent Retreat. Additionally, Joyce was recognized among the Top 21 Realtors in the CENTURY 21 System’s Greater Arkansas Region ranking #8 by units and #4 by commissions. “It is with great dedication, knowledge and commitment to quality service that Joyce has so duly earned this recognition. She is a leader and innovator in the real estate industry and an asset to homebuyers and sellers in the Conway community,” said Mitch Hart, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. "It is truly an honor to receive the Masters Emerald Award and be recognized among such talented and dedicated group of real estate sales professionals," said Patterson who has served the Conway Community as a Realtor since 2000. CENTURY 21 Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. is a full-service brokerage located at 575 Harkrider, Conway and specializing in Residential & Commercial properties. Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. has been a locally owned and operated real estate company for almost four decades.

Donna Marie Cason is Awarded with 2013 Sapphire Award

Donna Marie Cason, a sales associate with CENTURY 21 Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, was recently awarded the Sapphire Award by the CENTURY 21 System. Sapphire level status is awarded to an agent who has met minimum sales production of $60,000 or 20-27 closed transaction sides within a calendar year. “It is with great dedication, knowledge and commitment to quality service that Donna Marie has so duly earned this recognition. Donna Marie is a leader and innovator in the real estate industry and an asset to homebuyers and sellers in the Conway community,” said broker/owner Mitch Hart. Cason has eight years in the real estate industry and has been with the CENTURY 21 System for almost three years. Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. has been a locally owned and operated real estate company for almost four decades.

Michelle Nabholz Earns the 2013 Masters Emerald Award

CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. announced today that Michelle Nabholz, sales associate with the office, was honored with the CENTURY 21 Masters Emerald Award. Emerald level status is awarded to an agent who has met minimum sales production of $135,000 or 38 closed transaction sides within a calendar year. A gold-plated lapel pin with emerald accent is awarded to the agent during the Awards Ceremony, in addition to a trophy and a personal invitation to attend a CENTURY 21 Top Agent Retreat. Additionally, Michelle was recognized among the Top 21 Realtors in the CENTURY 21 System’s Greater Arkansas Region. Nabholz was ranked #2 among the region’s top producers by unites and #5 by commissions. Nabholz has served as a Realtor with Dunaway & Hart for about a decade. "These awards further reinforce to my clients that my commitment and dedication to their satisfaction and peace of mind during the real estate transaction is real and taken very seriously," said Nabholz. CENTURY 21 Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. is a full-service brokerage located at 575 Harkrider, Conway, specializing in Residential & Commercial properties. Dunaway & Hart, Inc. has been a locally owned and operated real estate company for almost four decades.

Paul Nahlen Earns Masters Award for 2013 Sales Production

CENTURY 21 Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. is pleased to announce that Century 21 Real Estate, LLC recently recognized Paul Nahlen, sales associate with the office, as one of the System’s top-producers nationwide when it honored him with the coveted ruby level CENTURY 21 Masters Award. Ruby level status is awarded to an agent who has met minimum sales production of $98,000 or 28 closed transaction sides within a calendar year. A gold-plated lapel pin with ruby accent is awarded to the agent during the Awards Ceremony, in addition to a trophy and a personal invitation to a CENTURY 21 Top Agent Retreat. Additionally, Paul was recognized among the Top 21 Realtors in the CENTURY 21 System’s Greater Arkansas Region. Nahlen was ranked #13 among the region’s top producers. “Paul is quite dedicated to his clients, and works tirelessly to make every real estate transaction run as smoothly as possible. He is a leader and innovator in delivering powerful home buying and selling choices to his clients because he knows the community," said Mitch Hart, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. Paul has been serving our community as a Realtor for about a decade. "It is an honor to receive the Masters Award and be recognized among such talented and dedicated group of real estate sales professionals," said Paul. CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. is a full-service brokerage located at 575 Harkrider, Conway and specializing in Residential & Commercial properties. It has been a locally owned and operated real estate company for almost four decades.

The CENTURY 21 System Recognizes CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. among Top Offices of The Year

The CENTURY 21 System recently recognized Century 21 Dunaway & Hart with multiple honors at the Greater Arkansas Broker Council ceremony on March 1st. Most notably, Century 21 Dunaway and Hart was recognized as the #3 Century 21 Office in the Greater Arkansas region and was named as fourth among all Century 21 Companies in the region. The designation among the top CENTURY 21 offices recognizes Dunaway & Hart’s outstanding commitment to professionalism and performance within the local real estate community. The CENTURY 21 System recently presented the awards during a special ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas. “ The agents at Century 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. possess a tireless dedication to helping home buyers and sellers make informed real estate decisions and that is what this honor is all about,” said Mitch Hart, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. “They truly understand what it means to be a real estate professional and they are examples within our community. It is a great honor to be among such a talented and dedicated group of real estate professionals.” CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart, Inc. was also honored among the Top Easter Seals fundraisers in the CENTURY 21 System’s Greater Arkansas Region. "CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart is proud of its affiliation with Easter Seals and takes great pride in helping so many deserving people with disabilities gain greater independence," said Mitch Hart, broker/owner, CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart. In addition to receiving a personalized trophy during the annual regional year-end awards banquet, Century 21 Real Estate LLC recognized CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart before its peers at the CENTURY 21 International Convention in March. The CENTURY 21 System has been affiliated with Easter Seals since 1979 and raised more than $100 million to help children and adults with disabilities lead fuller, more independent lives. CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart offers full-service real estate capabilities, specializing in Residential, Commercial and property sales in Faulkner County and the surrounding area.

Casino Night

Come join us at the 22nd Annual Pete Hart Memorial Casino Night benefitting Easter Seals Arkansas. The fun kicks off at 7 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall here in Conway. If you buy your ticket in advance, $20 buys you an entire evening of fun including your food, drinks and casino chips. We'll have blackjack, a craps table, roulette and more. At the end of the night, you can trade in your "winnings" for a voucher you can use to bid on fun prize packages donated from local businesses and individuals. Tickets are $25 at the door and you must be 21 to attend. Come join our event page on Facebook. You can come by our Century 21 Dunaway & Hart office at 575 Harkrider Street to buy tickets in advance. We hope to see you there!