Barbara Duncan's blog

Original and today in Searcy Arkansas. Nicely maintained home then and now.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:27:31 -0600

Having inherited a few old pictures of Searcy Arkansas houses that a widow was throwing away, I have posted a few on these blogs to see if Searcy residents recognize them. The designer of the houses had taken photos and saved the photos and the floor plans. Once he died the widow wasn't keeping them. I kept them from being lost forever.

Here's another picture of a newly built house.....or at least one that wasn't very old.

And here is the same house today. It appears largely unchanged, doesn't it. Those little trees really grew!!!

Barbara Duncan, superstar real estate agent, meets Robert Wadlow, the gentle giant

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:57:11 -0600

On a trip to St. Augustine Florida last week, which took me away from activerain for a few days, decisions had to be made on what to visit. We decided to visit the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum even though I had doubts about its interest to me.

Was I wrong!!

The trip through the museum was so much fun! Here I'm staring up at the likeness of Robert Wadlow, the now celebrated "gentle giant."

He was 8' 11" and wore a size 37 shoe and was once billed as the world's tallest man. I think there may be taller ones since his time.

He grew too fast for his own safety, however, and died at the age of 22. Google him for more about his life.

In the same room was this other fellow. He must be the widest man or something similar. However, with obesity becoming more and more common, he may not be the world's heaviest man.

I also loved this guy taking a picture of his wife. They have put every mole or discoloration possible on him. When a person walks by, between him and his wife (girl friend?), the camera snaps.

If you're in a place with a Ripley's museum, visit it. I don't think they'd all be the same but if they were all like this one, you'll have a great time. The one in St. Augustine was possibly the first one and it may be the most entertaining one.

I recommend them!

I can't do it. #$!@$%#$ I have tried and I just can't give them away. Ladies only, please.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:35:08 -0600

It's another year of Winter weather.

Drag out the old Winter clothes and put up the Summer ones.

I have done that.

Now eliminate the ones that you no longer wear!! OK, I can handle that.....

How about this nice green pant suit. Man, I look good in that! (Well, perhaps I "looked" good in it.) It is tailored. Pleated pants that go to the waist. The jacket is long enough to cover any widened hip flaws. I'll think about giving this away because it is lined and hot and my office is TOO hot.

Okay, here's another lovely suit. The jacket is a little shorter but it still covers most hip problems. Pants also go to the waist and have belt loops for me to hang my phone. But it is very old and perhaps should go? Here's a gray suit. I liked it too but it was sans belt loop pants.

Looky!! My favorite Liz jacket, covers the hips, long sleeves with definite tailored look. And here's my Jones New York one!! You know, even though they were on sale I paid quite a bit for them. With this global warming and my heightened body temperature I may not get to wear them again so should they go?

What about this one? Skirt and weskit! Weskit? Is that a word anymore? Used to be. Oh, I loved this outfit. What? Size 10? 10? When was I a 10? I'll lose weight and wear it again possibly.

My Liz shiny sweater!!! It had to be worn at Christmas or parties back before everyone wore glitter every day of the week. Hey!! I may be able to wear it now as an everyday sweater!

#$%#&$$#!!! That's it. I cannot part with any of these things this year! I'll just go sneak some of my husband's old clothes out and get rid of them and I'll have room to keep these outfits for a few more years. He'll never miss them because he has too many and never gives anthing away.

Great solution, Mrs. Duncan!!!!

My very favorite coat of all times is>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. WAS.....: (

Gosh, I wish I had not given that away. It was lightweight, had a faux fur collar so that when I wore it to New York to NAR convention, no one spit on me. Wait! That may have been before fur brought out nasty comments and expressions........Anyway, that was a good lesson. Don't give away your favorite things!

Very good solution, Ms. Barbara!!

Time for Searcy Arkansas history again. Old house as it is today.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:40:46 -0600

A friend of mine, eons ago, was preparing to move and had a lot of things to throw away. Being a scavenger, I claimed some of it. One thing she had was several pictures and floorplans of houses in Searcy that had been designed and built by her husband. I guess they were built probably in the 40's and 50's. The houses were not fancy. I kept the pictures in my car for a long time and tried to find which ones they were because they were not addressed.

Here's one of the old pictures.

And here's the way it looks today. Anyone remember it? Interesting to compare, isn't it?

The River rises and she just sits and draws in Columbus Georgia

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:18:16 -0600

I made a trip to Columbus Georgia over the past few days and missed out on a lot of Activerain, I'm sure. Withdrawal pain was pretty severe but I made it.

Making a tour of the city which is alongside the Chattahoochee River, my daughter pointed out this sculpture as her favorite and is now my favorite also.

I love the sculpture because she's a young artist just sitting and drawing on her sketch pad. Her purse has just been laid down beside her, her socks are wrinkled and her sweater is oversized. She appears to be so natural.

Below her we saw this. Notice the water has risen above the walking and seating area. It's raging while our artist keeps her cool.

Spouse is on title but not on mortgage. What ultimately happens or might happen?

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:15:14 -0600

I wrote this blog on 1-23-2008 and it is still bringing in comments. It proves that the blogs live on. A search pulls them up and another questioning comment may come in. I'm redoing it to see if any new answers might develop. If you wish to read comments from almost two years ago, they're there.

I went to two closes last year where the spouse was left off the mortgage. We sat there and the couple signed all the papers.

The spouses had to sign the mortgage giving up their dowrer rights but they were not held responsible for the loan by signing a note for the amount of money.

Then the deed was brought out and the left-out spouse was on the deed. The mortgage companies were actually letting the person be part owner but not responsible.

The first time it happened the man spouse was shaking his head and acting offended that he was left out. Seems the lady was able to get a lower interest rate without him!

The second time it happened the man-spouse was self-employed and the lady had a salaried position. Naturally they like the salary person and the loan becomes easier with less paperwork. Once again he was not responsible for the loan but he was put on the deed.

Today a spouse was telling me that because his wife had so many debts, bills, etc., they were going to leave her off the note but put her on the title! There it is again!! What is going on!? If some of you mortgage people can explain this, I'd appreciate it. My question is this......if the spouses get divorced, are they both responsible for the mortgage? If one spouse gets into financial trouble or legal trouble does it attach to the house?

Are the four bedroom sets included in the sale of the house?

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:11:46 -0600

Looking through the new listings today on our MLS hotsheet I saw this house that looked interesting. It was around $220000 in a great area.

What do we do first?

We look through the 15 pictures. Right? That's what I did.

That's what a buyer is going to do when it goes out into the wild blue yonder called the internet.

I saw two pictures of the front, with photographer moved over about 10' before snapping the second shot.

I saw about 4 pictures of bedroom sets that might be for sale. (Well, why else would they be featured?) I saw the bathrooms, the entry about 3 times BUT I never saw a swimming pool or the back of the house where the pool might be!

The only reason I discovered it might have a pool was reading below when the features are pushed in comments. I couldn't believe it! A pool! Some folks would jump-up-and-down-and-scream for a pool. I would pass on if it had a pool because I don't want one.

But either way, a pool is a BIG feature.

My head is getting weary from being shaken in dismay so often while looking at MLS pictures. That may be the reason my neck hurts.

Veteran's Day. Here's a tribute to my dad when he was a Vet.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:33:25 -0600

His name was Elco. He came from a family that was so large they ran out of names. His only name was Elco.

Where Elco as a name came from, I don't know. At least it was better than some brothers who were just named initials like J. B. or O. B.

My dad was called for duty during WWII. I can barely remember it but I do remember my mother being sorta scared in those old houses in the country with his being gone.

Once he came home on what is called a furlough and he drove up to the house and put on this gas mask that was handed out in service. That mask scared me to death. I can still remember the fright. Everyone thought it was funny except me.

Mainly I remember how he was saved from going overseas because the war ended. It was one happy bunch of people when that news came over the radio. He was at a base near the water waiting to be shipped out.

I also remember how he treasured this photo of himself. It is a posed one in uniform with hand tinting. That was pretty darned fancy in those days. He always wanted to make sure no one destroyed this picture.

There were so many GI's who had these pictures made and sent back to family. I now treasure it just as he did. It hangs on my wall, framed, and in this quick shot as a memorial blog, there are glass reflections. God bless our country today and every day.

What did all the little chimneys on these buildings contribute? Help wanted.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:48:19 -0600

Driving through old Searcy Arkansas, which is being restored and revived, I notice the tall old buildings with the little chimneys on the side. Nearly always the building is taller in the front and slants down toward the back and these little chimneys are at intervals.

This old building has been restored with an architectural firm and a law firm having done the makeover. The brick squares above the store fronts look almost like they could have been ventilation. Then we have the two rounded filled-in brick spots on the side. Explain away if you can.

The one on the right has been restored nicely and it also has the slanted roof and chimneys. The building that says auction has also, I think, now got a new front which I need to photograph.

Here's a closeup of the brick architecture on the front of the two buldings. Nice, isn't it?

Only the older ones of you will know what this is. Check it out.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:58:45 -0600

Advertising was big when this thing was published just as it is today. We might even pass these things out as ad gifts if times hadn't changed.

Hotels were featured here. In Little Rock, Arkansas check out the Grady Manning, The Marion, The Albert Pike and The Lafayette.

You youngsters give up? I found this in a stack of old stuff and it brought back memories. On the back of this advertisement, which is slick and attractive on the front, there is a very porous paper which was used to blot ink!!

I hate to admit that I can remember when ball point pens were "discovered." Before that you either used a pencil or an ink pen. The ink pen could be the kind you dipped in an ink bottle or it could be a fountain pen. Either way it had to be blotted. These little conveniences were found everywhere. Not too many are found today so perhaps this is a collectible!

This house is NOT for sale in Searcy Arkansas.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:26:26 -0600

Pioneer Village, a part of the White County Historical Society, held an open house today. I attended. It was delightful and brought back so many memories. Here's the main house that is NOT for sale.

And here are few shots of the rooms inside it.

An amazing thing about this house was how many bed spaces it found. There must have been enough bedspaces (can't call them rooms) for 5 or more kids to have a sleeping spot. Here's a picture of one of the least favorable things from yesteryear....the out-house. But who ever heard of a log out-house?

Pioneer Village is located on Higginson Street in Searcy Arkansas. It contains a post office, general store, school house, blacksmith shop, a depot, smokehouse, barn and an old jailhouse in addition to this period house that is called the Gordon House. It is an on-going project with members of the Master Gardeners taking care of the grounds.

Today costumed members were greeting visitors and demonstrating crafts, arts, and everyday life from the past. One lady had a fire going with a pot of stew cooking. Walking through it, entering the buildings and visiting with the hosts made for a very enjoyable afternoon outing.

For those who long for the "good ole days" here's the way it was....

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:06:33 -0600

Sobering old photos! These pictures are sorta continuing the story we started a few days ago regarding the house on Arch Street in Searcy Arkansas that has been changed so much.

These are what we need when we are feeling as if times are awfully tough. Blogging buddy Anita supplied these photos of possibly some of her relatives, definitely at her home on Arch Street in Searcy.

The question is whether this man is absolutely worn out from working, whether the car hit the tree, or whether he is just doing what he usually does everyday. If he'd had air-conditioning and TVs as we have today, he'd not be doing the nap at this place!

Another question here. Is she exasperated because of the man's behavior under the tree? Is she just showing off her legs?

I can remember hanging clothes on a clothes line. If you had children and diapers it took a lot of hanging. Once we got a clothes dryer and my husband made the observation that he sure missed the smell of sheets hung outside to dry and perhaps it would be nice to use a clothes line again I didn't speak to him for days! And I said dirty words under my breath.

New restaurant in Searcy Arkansas. The Whistlestop Barbeque is like a museum...

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:04:24 -0600

A new restaurant has opened at 2315 W Beebe Capps Expressway on the West side of Searcy Arkansas. Lots of vehicles have been parked around it saying that Searcy is trying it out. Searcy is great about going to a new restaurant and giving it a try. Usually ONE try! If the food is not excellent, that's it! It's not going to be around very long.

I gave it a try the other day. Here's what I liked best of all. The decor will bowl you over when you walk in the door. There are boats hanging from the ceiling, bicycles perched on dividers, old uniforms hanging from the ceiling. It is like visiting a museum and stepping back in time. You can feast your eyes on all the old stuff.

And the one who provided the old stuff, free of charge and doing the work himself, is our very loved builder Steve Ghent who moves old houses and restores them, who respects and loves history. He has collected these items throughout the years and used them to give atmosphere to this restaurant.

My friend and I had a very pleasant meal so the food is good at this new restaurant. I hope it is here for a long time. And if you see Steve Ghent tell him how much you enjoy his decorating this building.

Letona Arkansas depot with our favorite Corrine Hart waiting there.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:41:13 -0600

The White County Historical Society has a collection of pictures on its website and they've said we can share them. Here's a great one of the train depot in Letona, Arkansas.

Letona is about 15 miles from Searcy and has 215 residents at this time.

We're exploring how the trains went to every little town and below is a picture of the Letona depot. But first we we found this picture of a young woman named Corrine Harrison Hart at about 1924 sitting at the depot. Corrine is Anita's mother. Anita is a contributor to this blog. Anita, do you think the man in the background is ogling your mother?

I love the depot picture because of the houses in the background. Letona, if you visit, still has a lot of houses with large lots. I'd have to go back to see if any of these are still standing.

One very interesting thing I discovered about Letona this year is that if you live in city limits you have to go to the post office to get your mail. I sold a house in Letona and the people were surprised, as was I, that the mail didn't run to the houses in the city. That would be good exercise if you walked to the post office each day.

The butler probably did it.......Halloween fun in Searcy Arkansas......

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:34:36 -0600

Halloween parties are fun! The elaborate costumes that some folks buy or rent are amazing to see. We attended one last night and the star of the show could be this butler. He talks, he growls, his eyes shift and he makes you feels as if he is alive!! Or could come alive!! Or may be alive! After all, it was Halloween when spooks run free. Those eyes followed me all night long.

The guy on the left owns this spook and that guy on the right is the owner's twin!

And the couple on the right************************

*******************we were underdressed!

Formal gardens in Searcy Arkansas? It's a treat to drive by and see this yard.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:52:49 -0500

Formal gardens still exist in parts of the world, I'm sure. But in Searcy Arkansas I see only one example of what I think of as formal. This house is on the Historic Register and has a vast history. One of the stories that I heard was that the lovely wood shades which show on the windows here had been thrown away once. The neighbors hauled them out of the trash and saved them until a person bought the house who would appreciate them and then they gave them back.

The yard, let's say garden, is always perfectly maintained just as you see in these pictures. This is not new landscaping. The little shrubs have been small for years. I assume that they are a type plant that does not grow large. The owner seems to maintain the garden himself because I see him out in the garden a lot. I hope he does not mind that I'm featuring his historic home and garden on this blog.

This house also was featured in a book published in 1993 called "Millicent, the Millicent Collinsworth Story" by Millicent Collinsworth and Jan Winebrenner. I looked on Amazon.com and didn't find it available so perhaps my copy is a collectible!!

A depot found in New Augusta, Arkansas. Is that Augusta Arkansas?

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:50:47 -0500

My blog on West Point Arkansas aroused a little interest in old depots in the tiniest towns. I found a couple more photos of trains and depots.

Here's the Augusta depot, or so it was labeled. It looks as if it is saying New Augusta. Now was that a name for Augusta? Augusta is actually in Woodruff County and was once a thriving town. Was it called New Augusta.

I did a Google search for New Augusta AR and it pulled up what we know as Augusta. We may have another mystery here. I have never ever heard Augusta called that. Maybe it's a name similar to Little Rock and North Little Rock?

And while speaking of depots, here's a view of a train that reportedly traveled Doniphan Kensett and Searcy Railroad.

Sometimes I just can't keep my big mouth shut.....especially if there is danger involved.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:30:08 -0500

Today was tour day, or caravan day, or get-in-your-car-and-fill-it-with-your-friends-and-go-see-houses day.

I feel that touring is a must when you are a beginning agent. Not only do you get to know the inventory but you get to learn the streets. After 30 years I still feel guilty if I don't tour.

Today, while leaving one of the houses, I noticed there was an all-glass storm door right there on that front door. The main door was open so it was so hard to see the storm. No, I didn't walk into it but I very well could have. Or a client could have. And a client might! It is very simple to stick one of those little papers up about eye height for safety.

The listing agent was there being nice and acting as hostess. I yelled out to her that I'd advise her to put a sticky note on that storm door. I like her a whole lot and wouldn't want her to have an injured party on the premises. I hope she appreciated it instead of thinking that old Barbara Duncan was being bossy again. But sometimes I do think I should keep my mouth shut.

Arguments are just no fun but some of my readers are SO stubborn!!

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:13:37 -0500

Anita grew up in Searcy, Arkansas and I didn't. I've just been here for the past 40 years while she's been gone. She contributes to this blog with photos and comments. She shared this picture and others of old Searcy with me.

I knew I'd seen that house somewhere so I took off to find it, sat in front of several country houses while people honked and stared and I finally had to call her and ask her where the house was. The one with the little kid on the porch, I said.

She said it was this house that you'll below. It was the house below before her mother did a remodel on it in the 50's. And she even had the audacity to say she was the charming little kid on the porch.

Ha! I yelled back that that could not be the same house. It was absolutely not....she was wrong....her memory was bad.....and the kid didn't even look like her!!

She fought back with (she's really stubborn) a definite yes, yes, it is!!

"YES, YES, YES. That is my l008 W. Arch St. house, in it's original state..That precious little child, sitting in a very graceful pose, is ME.....You're going to have to trust me on this one....." that's what she said!

So I parked in front of this blue house again today with the same honks and funny looks as people drove by. I tried to see the front porch, the steps, the little kid. And I can almost see it.

"What she did to the porch is.....she just torn it down and made a little (very little) foyer, with a coat closet....She made a picture window for the living room.....There she would display her "flocked" Christmas trees. Later she added a bedroom on at the back of the house, plus a bathroom.
Originally off the kitchen was a small screened porch, with steps.
I'm telling you, she took a little basic house and made it much larger, more rooms. She also added a screened in porch off the dining room....I have pictures of it. Later, she enclosed this porch with the paneling that I think is still there, and made a fireplace. Also have pictures.
After I was in college, she added the present carport off of my bedroom. Before the carport was added, I would put a couple of pillows in my bed (as if a body was asleep) and crawl out the window and go riding with my girlfriend from Griffithville. Never did get caught." that's what she said!

She how stubborn she is!! How can you argue with her. BUT, Miss Anita, what happened to that giant tree that shows on the right side of the old version?

He loved this woman and this child! A Searcy love story.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:09:24 -0500

This man lost his mother when he was very young and started supporting himself at the age of 15 or 16. His education was limited but he was gifted with street-smarts.

He fell in love and talked this girl into marrying him. He had to break up a courtship that she already had going on but he was a born salesman.

Here she is with a classic beauty that is timeless. Look at her slim figure and flat tummy. He looks like a gospel singer with natural waves allowed to grow long on the top and plastered with Vitalis.

And look at the baby that they're so proud of. The time is 1939 in Meridian Mississippi.

He has traveled to Mississippi to try to sell magazines door-to-door. He had to put cardboard in the soles of his shoes and paint it with shoe-polish to disguise the holes in the shoe. He couldn't afford more.

The baby got hungry and he had to trade the old spare tire off his vehicle for milk for the baby. From here he went to Pennsylvania, worked on pipe lines, saved his money and came back to Searcy Arkansas.

He started in the car business and built his business from scratch. He was one charming gentleman who could sell with skill and gain trust and repeat business.

The business grew from a used car dealership to a Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep dealership.

She was thrilled every time he brought home another car for her to drive.

If we all worked as hard in real estate as he did in selling vehicles, we'd prosper too. But most of us are not born salesmen. We just do the best we can. He died a few years back. All of Searcy was sad to see him go.

The baby? He's still hungry and I have to feed him everyday.

The evolution of a charming house into a thriving business in Searcy Arkansas.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:39:13 -0500

This picture of 916 E Race shows it as it was when Race Street was a quiet little street with residential properties still on it. The builder/draftsman who drew it up had saved pictures and floorplans of some of his creations. His wife was throwing them away and I, being a saver, kept them. I had to do a lot of driving around to find some of them.

The house was added onto and turned into a business by Helen Holder who had a drapery business. Back when folks loved heavy window treatments, she did a fantastic business.

Then it changed hands and became a frame shop. Seems it has changed hands again. Here it is now.

Notice the lovely fence in the front, which is across the street and on land owned by Harding University. Harding bought all the houses in front of this one and took them down.

Georgetown, Arkansas. You've gotta be going there because you can't drive by!

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:15:45 -0500

Georgetown Arkansas in White County is the oldest continuously settled area in Arkansas, according to Wikipedia. It was settled in 1789 and overlooks the White River. As of the census in 2000 there were 126 folks who lived there. There were 55 households and 33 families.

Now, more down to earth into.....when I taught school I had a few West Point kids in class and they rode a bus to school. When we had flood weather, the road to Georgetown became completely covered in water. If the kids got to school they had to come on a boat or get outa town before the road was flooded and stay with relatives across the flood waters.

It's a long drive down there, about 21 miles, but right now there is a cat fish place that people rave about and flock down there to visit. The cat fish are fresh out of the river and can't be topped. I can't speak from experience yet.

But look here. Pictures of a depot in Georgetown and a railroad bridge!! Aren't they fantastic. Seems every little town had a depot, including this one.

This is Arkansas. It is a good picture of country enjoyment.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:12:31 -0500

I used to drive my kids to a place called Slippery Rock Ford and they'd wade in the water on the slippery rocks. This little bridge was a favorite. It gets underwater at times but evidently it holds up pretty darned good. In fact, the water looks a bit high for wading at the time of this picture.

A friend sent me these pictures of his little Volks at the bridge. He and his wife had gone for a drive and ended up here. They are great pictures showing some of the beauty of our state. The Volks, however, shows a little reluctance to get on that bridge!

Ya'all come!

Introducing my selected Heir Apparent (HA) but I'm not gone by a long shot!!

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:07:22 -0500

A few months ago I asked what we should look for if we select an heir apparent. My blog was sorta high-jacked by two friends named Nutsy and Raven but I had some feedback. My requirements were.....

Honesty......this certainly would be a must.
Energy......if I get tired, they shouldn't!
Intelligence......street smarts wouldn't hurt.
Education.....must know proper communication in writing and in person.
Computer literate......know their way around for emailing, scanning and actually be better at this than I am!
Personable.....get along well with people.
Ambitious.....aims for success but not by stepping on people.

After careful thought, I called up this gentleman who'd done lots of work for me as a contractor or handyman while he was working to become a Nutritionist. He already had a degree in Engineering but was not practicing.

I stunned him by saying, "Mark, I think you should become a real estate agent. I've got lots of foreclosure properties and you've helped me with a lot of them by making repairs for me. You could probably serve in two capacities." He even bought one of the foreclosures, fixed it up and flipped it.

Then I gave him the sales talk.

I know that you are honest and anyone who works with me or for me has to be honest.
You have energy that is never-ending and my HA (heir apparent) has to have more energy than I have.
Intelligence is a requirement and you have a university degree plus that nutritionist award.
Computer literacy is a requirement and you understand the computer. (Later on I learned he has a son who is an expert!)
I know you're personable because every time I recommended you for a job, they called you back to do more and more so you have repeat business.
You're wife has a great job that supplies you with the all-important health insurance needed to survive.

He was absolutely surprised. He'd never thought of real estate as a career. He talked it over with his wife and they decided I'd made good points. He then started with all the training that was required. Within weeks he WAS a real estate agent.

I fought to get him an office right across the hall from mine. He bought his computer equipment, traded vehicles, and started working immediately. It has now been about 4 or 5 months since he began and he works diligently and learns so fast! He promptly masters whatever I put out for him.

He has also closed several transactions already. His eagerness and ambition are apparent. For a while he made my work load harder because of working and training at the same time. But I feel confident that he is competent as my backup if I want to go on vacation.

So, drum-roll please!!

HERE HE IS!! Mark Lercher, new RE/MAX Advantage agent from Searcy Arkansas.

P. S. He does have one bad flaw. He does not read my blogs so he may not even know he's here.

And another one bites the dust. International Shoe Factory building in Searcy AR goes down.

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:54:54 -0500

It gets to be shocking. Drive by and notice the building is either gone or half way down. That's the way it was with me on Main Street. The old International Shoe Factory building is a goner. I did another double-take because it was already half gone. I snapped pictures. The International Shoe Factory was one of the first factories in Searcy Arkansas.

After World War II Searcy leaders got the Searcians to agree to raise $100,000 to erect a building to house the factory. The International Shoe Company would least the building for five years with a 30 year renewal option. Approximately 450 people were to be employed in the factory. Dr. Raymond Muncy's history of Searcy Arkansas, written in 1976 gives the background of the factory, which I'll let you read at your will. I got this bit of information from the book.

Being a real estate agent makes you question things and the second picture above may illustrate something that we agents hear all the time. I call a brick house a brick house. An appraiser will call it "brick veneer." I think the wall above illustrates what a real brick house might have walls like. It is a solid wall of brick with several layers. Our brick veneer houses have a single thin layer of brick. Interesting?