You are invited to this informative event on April 23, 2009.  Come find out how things are going in Cleburne County, AR.  It is definitely not the same as the things you've been hearing in the national news. 

Heber Springs, AR.....why live here?  

This wonderful town is off the beaten path, located on Greer's Ferry Lake in the foothills of the Ozarks.  It is a great little community offering an awesome place to raise a family, a sweet town to retire to, and a fun place for singles.  The people are beyond friendly and very welcoming.  In Heber Springs you will find superb schools, relevant places of worship, and a sense of community away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

If you love boating, skiing, fishing, sandy beaches or scuba diving you will LOVE the pristine blue-green waters of Greers Ferry Lake.  If you think fishing, canoeing, or kayaking is where it's at, you will LOVE the Little Red River.  It's cold waters are home to world-class trout and many other game fish.  Main Street abounds with quaint shops that are a veritable treasure trove of antiques and gifts.  There is truly so much to do, hiking, camping, golfing, you name it, we have it!!  And with the beautiful scenery, it's a fantastic place to simply kick back and chill out!

If you are looking to relax, come to Heber Springs. Enjoy the world at a slower pace.

PROS:   Friendly people, laid back atmosphere, safe family fun, lots to do, beautiful scenery

CONS:   If you don't live here, you have to leave sometime.

Interested in a home in Heber Springs?  We offer new home communities for buyers who desire new construction at a fair price.  Acreage, waterfront, riverfront and resale homes are other popular choices and are available in all price ranges.  The Heber Springs area also offers a plethora of home choices.  From in-town homes within walking distance to shops and the beach, homes with acreage that allow horses, farm properties, country estates or log cabins, we have what you are looking for! 

General Appearances

• Secure gutters & downspouts
• Be sure all exterior lights are working
• Repair roof defects
• Repair broken windows
• Paint window & door trim
• Check storm windows & screens
• Oil doors for proper usage
• Make sure all hardware works
• Wash windows inside & out

Driveway

• Check quality of the surface
• Seal blacktop
• Clean oil & other stains

Landscaping

• Keep lawns cut & edged
• Keep shrubs & trees trimmed
• Add color with annuals or pansies in water
• Be sure all fencing is in good repair

Bathrooms

• Remove any sink, toilet, grout or tub stains
• Replace shower curtain
• Replace missing tiles
• Store all supplies/toiletries
• Clean off counters
• Check & repair caulking in bathtubs & showers
• Make the room sparkle

Mechanicals

• Replace old furnace filter
• Insure that heating system is working
• Fix all leaky faucets
• Clean fireplace & chimneys

Basements/Storage Areas

• Repair wall cracks
• Clean floor
• Check the sump pump
• Organize storage areas
• Check the handrails
• Insure adequate lighting
• Remove clutter

Kitchens

• Keep sinks free of stains
• Unclutter counter tops
• Store extra pots and pans
• Be sure appliances work
• Clean & touch up cabinets
• Clean oven/range/microwave
• Keep floor clean & waxed
• Clean off refrigerator & remove pictures

General Rooms

• Clean carpets
• Remove & store excess furniture & clutter
• Use warm neutral colors
• Check that all lights work
• Check the doorbell
• Replace ‘burned out' Bulbs
• Clean out closets
• Repair all wall & ceiling cracks
• Inspect the paint & wallpaper
• Clean the woodwork  

Garage

• Clean up storage areas
• Be sure garage is enclosed
• Clean floor
• Be sure garage door functions

Showing Your Home

Let the Sun Shine in....

Open all curtains and draperies to show how cheerful your home can be. (Dark rooms do not appeal)

Can You See The Light?

Illumination is a welcome sign.  Turn on all your lights for an evening showing.  Potential buyers will feel a glowing warmth.

Three's a Crowd...

Avoid having too many people present during showings.  The potential buyer will feel like intruder and hurry  through the house.  It's best to leave during the showing.

Pets Underfoot?

Keep your pets out of the way, preferably, out of the house.

 Silence is Golden...

Be courteous, but don't force conversation with the potential buyer.  They will want to inspect your house, not socialize.

In the Background...

The sales associate knows the buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along. You will be called if needed.

A Word to the Wise...

Let your Realtor discuss price, terms, and all other factors with the customer.  Your Realtor is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

Closing costs are the group of fees that are associated with the purchase or sale of a home. There are certain fees that are automatically assigned to the buyer and others that are assigned to the seller. Some costs are negotiable or dictated by local custom.

Lenders are required to give buyers a good-faith estimate of their closing costs when they apply for a loan. The fees vary according to several factors, including the type of loan applied for and the terms of the purchase agreement. Some of the closing costs are paid in advance, though they are usually the ones associated with the loan application. Below are some of the typical buyer closing costs:

• The down payment
• Loan fees (points, application fee, credit report)
• Prepaid interest
• Inspection fees
• Appraisal
• Mortgage insurance (typically 1 years premium plus an escrow of 2 months)
• Hazard insurance (typically 1 years premium plus an escrow of 2 months)
• Title insurance
• Documentary stamps on the note

Seller closing costs

When a seller hasn't paid their home mortgage in full, their chief closing cost will be paying off the balance on that mortgage. The escrow officer will verify the payoff amount on the mortgage prior to the closing date.  The original loan and any other fees will be paid at closing, with any remaining proceeds going to the seller.  Closing costs for the seller can include:

• Broker's commission
• Transfer taxes
• Documentary Stamps on the Deed
• Title insurance
• Property taxes (prorated)

Negotiating Closing Costs

Closing costs are often included in the negotiations between buyers and sellers.  They can be major or minor fees.  Suppose a buyer is looking at an older home and is especially worried about the plumbing.  The seller might agree to pay for the home inspection.  Or, many times a buyer has a limited amount of upfront cash.  He wants to reserve it for the down payment and any moving costs.  In this case, he might offer the seller their full asking price if they will agree to pay the all allowable closing costs.  When negotiating closing costs, as with all special conditions, be sure all the terms are listed on the purchase agreement.

Prorations

There are certain costs that are regularly prorated between the buyer and seller.  The most common of these is property taxes because property taxes are usually paid at the end of the year they were assessed for.

For instance, if a house is sold in June, the sellers have lived there from January to June, but the tax bill isn't due until the next year!  To make this situation fair, the taxes are prorated.  In this case, the sellers will give a credit to the buyers for the tax amount covering January thru July.