BJ Conner's Monthly Newsletter
April 2018  

 

Temperatures are warming up! It's the perfect time of year to play golf, tennis, pickleball, or fish, hike, or bike. Whatever your passion may be you are sure to find it in Hot Springs Village. Plan a visit soon!

Need lodging? I can help you get luxury accommodations at HUGE discounts.

Just give me a call at 501-915-2297 or email me at  bjconner@remax.net.

BJ






Common Buyer Pitfalls to Avoid

Finding a home can be a long process for both first-time and seasoned home buyers. While it may seem like a dating game, with many different suitors before finding 'the one,' some people can get distracted by individual properties, preventing them from realizing they've found their perfect home. If you're on the hunt for your first or even fourth home, heed the advice below and avoid these common buyer pitfalls.

Not Seeing the Potential
For many house hunters, finding a dream home is the ultimate goal. Most of us have a list of wants and needs for our new home, and we can be pretty particular when it comes to finding a home that checks off all those items. A common pitfall encountered by buyers is not being able to see the potential in a home, especially when it comes to the small things. Some buyers can be turned off by a home because of the color of the carpet or paint, even when the property meets all their requirements. Don't immediately write off a house just because of simple cosmetic details - it could be your true diamond in the rough.

Choosing to Skip the Inspection
Perhaps you've found the perfect home - perfect size, perfect area, perfect price - and want it as soon as possible. You decide to skip the home inspection because of a competitive market. Bad idea, and a buyer pitfall quite a few people fall victim to. While skipping an inspection might seem like a good idea, especially in a hot real estate market, the inspection is essentially a 'health check' of a property, and the last thing you want is to spend a lot of money on a sick home. Avoid this pitfall by always insisting on a home inspection - it will only benefit you in the long run.

Not Thinking of the Future
When it comes to finding a home, it can be very tempting to find one that fulfills one's needs at the moment. If it's just you and your significant other, finding a home with four bedrooms might seem like a ridiculous idea. But, for those individuals or couples thinking of the future, it's not such an outrageous idea. When buying a home, especially in a very competitive real estate market, thinking about the future might be beneficial. If you don't intend on moving within the next five years, finding a home that fits your needs now and five years from now is a great idea. Many of us have the tendency to think in the moment, and while that can be very exciting for certain things when it comes to finding your home, it could possibly mean needing to find a different home in a year or two.

Forgetting Your Needs
It's all too common for some buyers to fall in love with a home and compromise on something. While compromising on whether or not a home has a garage that will fit two or three cars may seem like a simple compromise, falling in love with a modern downtown studio apartment when you need a three-bedroom house is not. When you begin your real estate search, avoid forgetting your actual needs. There's a reason why you're looking for a home with 3 bedrooms or a two-car garage: it's because you need those features in a home. And while you'll likely fall in love with a home that doesn't quite fit your must-have list, don't compromise on those vital items - you'll only end up disappointed in the end.

Avoiding Using an Agent
While it may seem like a great idea to go it alone, a common buyer pitfall is choosing to not use an experienced agent. Sure, you can look at listings online or check out your local newspaper's real estate listings, but do you have the inside scoop on recently listed homes or homes that haven't even hit the market? Not likely. Real estate agents are incredibly valuable to the home buying process, especially when it comes to finding properties that suit your wants and needs. They communicate with other agents; they have access to different MLSs, and they provide an incredible service to you. Choosing to go it alone on your home purchase might seem like a good idea, but for many, it's not. Avoid this pitfall by employing the services of your talented and professional agent - we have your best interests at heart!
Boomerang Buyers: Most Qualify for Financing in 2-3 Years

 
According to a new study from Lending Tree, Americans who have filed for bankruptcy may be able to rebuild enough credit to qualify for a home loan in as little as 2-3 years.
 
This is in stark contrast to the belief that many have that they need to wait 7-10 years for their bankruptcies to clear from their credit reports before attempting to apply for either a mortgage or a personal or auto loan.
 
The study analyzed over one million loan applications for mortgages, personal, and auto loans and compared borrowers who had a bankruptcy on their credit report vs. those who did not to find out the "Cost of Bankruptcy."
 
The study found that 43.2% of Americans who filed bankruptcy were able to repair their credit back to a 640 FICO® Score in less than a year. The percentage of those who achieved a 640 FICO® Score increased to nearly 75% after 5 years. The full breakdown of the findings was used to create the chart below.


RE /MAX of Hot Springs Village 
presents...

Hot Springs Village. It's a great place to live.

"Escape to the Ouachitas" is a resource to learn more about all that Hot Springs Village and the Ouachita Region have to offer. From our nine world-class golf courses and more than 30 miles of trails, to 11 beautiful lakes and various sporting clubs, we think you'll find something that appeals to you. Our residents are an eclectic bunch, hailing from across the country and around the world.

Visit Hot Springs Village once and we think you'll want to stay for a lifetime.

Click on the image above to begin your Ouachita Adventure. Stop by our office to pick up a copy today.
Community Events

Friends and neighbors get together throughout the year for community events and holiday celebrations including dances, karaoke, Rock Porch sessions, Farm-to-Table events, and more. The Woodlands Auditorium is the performing arts center and has musicals, dramas, and dance, vocal and choral presentations. Way Point at DeSoto Marina is home to Basecamp and the setting for events such as Rock Porch sessions, Crawfish boils and more. Grove Park is an outdoor venue and home to the farmers' market, artisan market, live outdoor concerts, holiday celebrations and community events. 
 
Check out the event calendar or buy tickets by clicking the image. 
Apr/May 2018
Hot Springs Village Homes Magazine The RE /MAX Collection

Click the magazine picture to view the latest Hot Springs Village Homes Magazine.
 
The Ouachita Mountain area's natural beauty: Breathtaking vistas, blossoming forest and gleaming lakes, combined with its mild climate, reasonable property taxes and low cost of living make it the perfect place to call home. 
 
Available real estate spans from very affordable to affluent, with homes priced from under $100,000 to over $1 million. The variety of homes ranges from golf-front to lake-front, mountain-view or wooded. RE/MAX offers an assortment of quality property lots for sale, commercial real estate and long-term rental properties too. 
 

Check out my
Featured Listings for this month below
Email to schedule a private tour or learn more about these great properties.
MLS # 16005621

 4 Bd., 3Ba.,  4,464 Sq. ft.

   $448,000
194 Empinado Way

French country dream home! Professionally designed colors & window treatments, beautiful exposed beams in living & kitchen areas, 4 fireplaces, master suite on main level, guest suite & office upstairs, guest suite, wet bar, game room, downstairs! Custom features throughout! Gourmet kitchen with upscale appliance package, new roof, Bennett bros. Landscape, underground fence, lovely wooded area with fall and winter mountain/lake view! 

Link to Listing
MLS # 17029165

3 Bd., 2.5 Ba.,  3,086 Sq. ft.

$284,000
27 Loyola Drive

Enjoy wonderful outdoor space & unlimited golf with this 3086 sf home located on #11 Fairway of Diamante Golf Course-covered & uncovered patio & hottub for those cool nights. Volume Ceilings, Split Bedrooms, skylight, kitchen island, built-in cabinets & two built-in desks with pullouts, huge master bedroom plus a bonus room upstairs, 3-car garage,with common property on both sides for added privacy. Zoned heat, workshop, new roof-2009, new HVAC-2013 & new leaf guards in 2017 makes this a perfect retreat.

Link to Listing
MLS # 18009496

3 Bd., 2.5 Ba.,  2,400 Sq. ft.


$239,900
107 Alba Lane 

You can soak up plenty of lake views with this charming, well maintained Lake Desoto Home with 151' of lake frontage & it includes a swimming dock, screened porch, open deck, sprinkler system & wood burning fireplace. Updates include new Rudd HVAC & Roof in 2005, Water Heater in 2011, Carpet in 2017, Stove in 2015, Dishwasher in 2000. Other features are cathedral ceilings with wood beams, built-in book shelves, & pot belly stove. Come see this meticulously cared for Lake Desoto Home.

Link to Listing
MLS #  18004740
 
4 Bd., 3  Ba., 2,538  Sq. ft.

$224,900
126 Santistaban Way

Come See this Immaculate Cream Puff - just waiting for you. Built in 1999, this one owner home offers beautiful low maintenance landscaping with inviting water feature, & lots of privacy with common property on one side & vacant lot next door available for purchase. Other features include safe room, craft room, crown molding throughout, wood floors, granite counter tops, pull out cabinets, walk-in shower, split bedrooms, two master suites, inviting sunroom, and site built
storage building.

MLS # 15026231

3 Bd., 2 Ba.,  2,061 Sq. ft.

$209,900
33 Illescas Way

Beautiful brick and Vinyl home located in a great area on the Ponce De Leon golf course, overlooking hole #14. Great kitchen with over/under cabinet lighting with Lazy Susan. The refrigerator, washer & dryer all convey at closing. This home has a formal dining room, breakfast bar and breakfast room, & the master bath has a tile shower & jetted tub. Two walk- in closets are also included here. Split Bedrooms, Volume Ceilings, New Carpet Landscaping.


Link to Listing
Community Calendar

Check out the Hot Springs Village Community Calendar (click on the image)  
Outdoor Adventure

Hot Springs Village Basecamp is your launching point to outdoor adventure. 
 
If you enjoy life outside, you'll want to be part of Basecamp. Keep an eye on the calendar and Facebook announcing upcoming events, local activities and road trips. Then, grab your gear and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors!

Sporting Traditions

The Ouachita Rod & Gun Club is focused on bringing folks together to celebrate sporting traditions. We believe in good fun, food and fellowship in the great outdoors. It doesn't matter if you are seasoned by years in the outdoors or just want to meet some new friends. There is a place for you in the Ouachita Rod & Gun Club.
Mortgage Calculator

There are two types of mortgages popular in Arkansas. Fixed-rate mortgages, or FRMs, are those that include principle and interest in the monthly payment amount and are stable throughout the life of the loan, and adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are loans that include principle and interest that change periodically throughout the life of the loan. Both FRMs and ARMs are available in 10, 15, 20, 30, and even some 40 year increments, and can be either first mortgages, second mortgages, or refinance options.
 
Click on the image above to connect to the Mortgage Calculator and learn more about mortgages in Arkansas.
State Weeks

The Hot Springs Village State Weeks promotion allows guests from across the country to enjoy our amenities at reduced rates during their state week. 

While here, discover all that Hot Springs Village has to offer; schedule a community tour with me!

Check out the State Week calendar by clicking the USA image.

remax

Visit our RE/MAX of Hot Springs Village office conveniently located at
1400 DeSoto Boulevard
on the corner of Desoto Blvd. & Ponce de Leon Drive.
 
***FREE***
Village Information
 Cup of STARBUCKS!  


Recipe of the Month
 
Blackened Ahi with Pineapple Mango Relish
Instructions
2 pieces Ahi Block 4" x 2" x ¾"
Ounce Salad Oil
Cajun Spice
Directions
  1. Season Ahi with Cajun spice.
  2. Sear in very hot iron skillet on both sides.
  3. Slice ahi neatly and serve with relish.
Relish
Combine following ingredients and mix well. Serve with Ahi.
1 cup Chopped pineapple
1 tsp. Minced garlic
2 tsp. finely chopped red bell pepper
½ tsp jalapeno pepper, minced
2 tsp. finely chopped parsley
Salt to taste
BJ Conner Associate Broker GRI, RCC |  RE/MAX of Hot Springs Village
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