September's Numbers

I've just posted the numbers for September. Considering everything that is going on in the world right now the sales in our area look pretty good. We've had two months with positive increases in one category or another.

This may be the bottom or not. But tomorrow will come and I'll be smiling. I feel a whole lot better when I smile than when I frown.

August Sales Numbers for Harrison, Arkansas

I've just posted the numbers for August and they certainly give me hope! Although the total number of homes sold is down a little more than ten percent, total dollar-wise we were only two houses away from being completely even.

Here's an even more interesting morsel to chew on - the average sale price for the year is only down 1.9 %. But move your eyes up just a bit - for the past two months the average house price has increased from last year!

So what does that mean. Maybe nothing, maybe something. It could mean that the time to buy a house at the lowest price was three months ago. But then again we could see a drop in that figure next month. Me personally, I think it means that for the savvy buyer you can find a house for the right price now! Why? Because the market (really that just means the buying and selling public - you and me) typically takes a few months to adjust and to be able to see where we are or were.

In the end my suggestion is don't rush in to anything. Get your financing squared away first so that you know what you can afford. Then decide how much you should afford. What I mean by that is what happens if your work stops giving you overtime? What happens if you get injured and aren't able to work as many hours? Can and should are two different things and you should always be comfortable with your decision - even if it's comfortably uncomfortable!

Once you've got that figured out then you can find the home that best suits your needs and budget.

Blog ya' later!

Fall Colors are Poised to Explode

Maplewood Cemetery 2007

My own neighborhood 2007

With the unusually heavy rainfall we've been receiving around Harrison and the rest of Northern Arkansas it will be an amazingly beautiful year for the fall foliage. From what I've read and heard we can expect the leaves to start changing sometime at the end of September to early October. The prime-time will occur two to three weeks after the color change begins.

The state website www.arkansas.com/calendar/fall_foliage_pg1.aspx has up-to-date information on the changing colors starting September 25th.

The fall is one of my favorite times of year. Where I was born and raised the leaves on the trees pretty much just shriveled up and died with little to no fanfare. Around here it's absolutely amazing to just take a drive or hike and see the abundance of colors. Some of the more popular places are Maplewood Cemetery, The Buffalo River (any of the trails, campgrounds, etc.), and our own downtown square.

I hope you can join us this year in taking in what I'm sure will be the best colors ever! Of course I say that every year (at least to myself).

I just wanted to post an update (September 5, 2008). I was out showing property last Friday and started looking harder at my own surroundings. There are already some signs of fall. Some of the underbrush has turned bright red and some of the leaves on the trees are starting to yellow (be it ever so slightly). I think it's going to be an early Fall!

Sailing the Seize of Change

A little play on words to help me grasp the gravity of the market we're in. I've just posted the numbers for July. I think that the next few months we will start to see a few of the real estate agents in town fall overboard - or off the board. Just last month there was a total net expansion in agents of zero. We had two join and two walk the plank.

From the looks of things we have several who are hanging their heads over the railings and are looking mighty green and pale.

Even Sarah and I are not immune. We've had to give up our best asset and employee - Diane. She was an important and very able part of the plan we were putting together to serve the Harrison, AR area with verve and aplomb, with honesty and integrity, and with hard work and diligence. Thank you Diane and hopefully in the near future we can set sail again with you on the dream we worked so hard for.

Looking at the numbers it looks as though 2008's numbers are close to the numbers from 2003 in total sales (dollars). Total sales (sheer numbers) we're still down 21 this year compared to 2003. Over the next few months it will be interesting to see what the median price of homes does. Will the ride rise or fall? It will mainly depend on the resolve of sellers and what they would like to get for their homes.

Until then we'll have all hands on deck manning the... I have absolutely no experience sailing and this post is going to devolve quickly into babbling if I don't just end it. As you can see July's numbers are posted and ready for your review. Until next time...

June's Numbers Have Been Posted

I've just finished posting the numbers for residential sales in Harrison, Arkansas for June. It's been a tough first six months. I keep hoping for an upturn in the numbers but it's probably going to be a bit longer before that happens. The thing that we all have to keep in mind is that there are plenty of opportunities out there. I've seen some pretty fairly priced homes as well as some fire sales come along.

There is still a good bit of overpricing occurring with some listings - perhaps out of hope for the big one to come along and take the bait or it's just what they've got to have. Who knows... The thing to remember is that life and business go on regardless. Blog ya' soon!

Colorful Coloquialisms Affect a Change in My Outlook

I need a bit of a boost today. All the talk about the economy has me down but not out and I want to raise my attitude. So what should I do? I'm going to talk about colorful colloquialisms that I've heard.

Fried my fritters. Shake the dew off my lilly. Y'uns gonna go? Come an evenin'. Gato bebe leche (Spanish that sounds like curse words but isn't)!

Throw your cares to the wind and throw me a colloquialism to raise my spirits. Tell me your favorites.

Rental List is Now On-line!

I'm excited to say that we now have a constantly up-to-date rental list for Harrison, AR and the surrounding areas on-line. There's a link on the side of this blog which will take you right there. If you're in need of a rental or want an idea of what things are renting for just come here and click there.