Saturday, October 9, 2010

Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes Deadline

Received an email from Arkansas.gov and wanted to share the following information.

The October Personal Property and Real Estate tax deadline is midnight October the 12th. Make your payment now and avoid delinquent fees.

Most Arkansas County Collectors offer Arkansas residents additional methods to pay personal property and real estate taxes
Many collectors offer over-the-counter credit card payments on site. Check the full listing of counties and deadlines available at >http://www.arkansas.gov/

You can now pay your Personal Property and Real Estate tax payments online, mobile or by phone. Currently, 35 Arkansas counties offer secure, convenient payment options using Visa, MasterCard, Discover and eChecks.

26 counties now offer a mobile (Smartphone) solution allowing partial or total tax balance payments when using a credit card. Check to see if your county is providing this service.

To access the online, mobile (Smartphone) or phone payment options, go to our >Tax Center to find your county link and available services.

Information courtesy of Arkansas.gov

Sheila

Friday, October 8, 2010

5 Reasons to Buy a Home TODAY!

"5 Reasons to Buy a Home TODAY!" Below are the top 5 reasons any renter should look at the opportunity of home ownership today in the Jonesboro, AR area:

1. Real Estate is a Great Long Term Investment.

Mike Mandel, former Chief Economist at BusinessWeek said "We've just had the biggest boom and bust in recent history. Nevertheless, real estate has still greatly outperformed the stock market over the past 10 years."


2. A Home is a Better Place to Raise a Family.

When Fannie Mae asked current renters for the major reason to buy a house in their National Housing Survey 2010, these were the answers renters gave (they could pick multiple answers):

•78% said it was a good place to raise children

•75% said because they would feel safe

•70% said because you have control of your own space

3. A Home Creates a Sense of Community

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York just published a paper The Homeownership Gap. The paper explained:
"Because owners have a financial interest in their property, they have incentives to take measures that will maintain or increase the value of that property. Some of these measures-such as fixing a leaky roof-are closely related to the house itself. Others, such as investing resources in the betterment of the neighborhood and the community, have broader beneficial effects on the local area, creating what economists call 'positive externalities'."

4. It is Cheaper to Own Than Rent in Many Parts of the Country (It is in Jonesboro, AR)

Housing Wire just reported on a Credit Suisse study:
"While a segment of the renting population continues to rent, many are looking to dip their toes in the homeownership waters. Credit Suisse said the percentage of median household income needed to pay the mortgage on a median priced home is at a 30-year low... Low mortgage rates and property values makes homeownership more attractive than renting for many. In many markets - including Washington DC, California's Inland Empire, Las Vegas and Phoenix - paying for a mortgage is less expensive than renting."

5. The People Who Do Buy a Home Don't Regret It

Probably the best people to ask if buying a home makes sense are the people who currently own homes. A recent national poll commissioned by Bankrate.com found:
"Ninety percent of homeowners say they don't regret buying their home despite a nationwide tsunami of foreclosures, short sales and loan modifications."

Sheila

Friday, October 1, 2010

Jonesboro Newcomers' Club

As a Realtor, I have sold many homes to families who have transferred to Jonesboro from another area or state. I have found for some women this can be very stressful and a lonely time. They miss their friends back home, involvement in the community, and just miss "girl" companionship.   I have spent many lunches and hours on the phone sympathizing with such women who all became friends of mine.   I just found out and am excited about The Jonesboro Newcomers' Club.  I love the concept! It is to help ease womens transition into Jonesboro. They have a monthly meeting with a short program, snacks and visiting. The group also has activities during the month for members, such as, Bunko, Bridge, Play Group, Lunch Bunch.   They always meet the 1st Thursday of the month at the Jonesboro Library Round Room at 7 pm. You can visit their facebook page for upcoming programs and further information.  In the future, I will suggest this group to every woman who is a newcomer to Jonesboro. 

"> Visit their facebook page by clicking here

Sheila

Friday, September 17, 2010

KAIT8 HOME HUNTERS WEEKEND

Make plans to attend KAIT8's "Home Hunters Weekend".  Friday, Sept. 24th, Saturday, Sept. 25th, and Sunday, Sept. 26th.   I will be holding open the following:


Amesley Manor - Jonesboro's Only Gated Community
DATE:  Fri-Sun, Sept. 24th-26th
TIME:   1:30 - 4:30
Hwy 351 past Sage Meadows on the left.  Turn into the grand entrance of Amesley Manor.



3100 Southern Hill Lane - The Estates Section of Sage Meadows
DATE:  Fri-Sun, Sept. 24th-26th
TIME:     2:00 - 4:00
Hwy 351 to Sage Meadows, turn right on Sage Meadows Blvd., right on Clubhouse, right on Southern Hills.



See you there!

Sheila

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

AMESLEY MANOR...

I know I recently posted about Amesley Manor, but wanted to update all the exciting things going on recently in this prestigious gated community.
There are 13 three acre lots with only 6 left.  These lots are selling fast due to the security amenities, the exclusiveness,  location, beauty, and the style and caliber of homes being offered in Amesley Manor.  Once the remaining six lots are gone, there are no additional phases planned.  You don't want to miss out on this wonderful opportunity for the few who will enjoy living at Amesley Manor.


Amesley Manor - Jonesboro's First and Only Gated Community



Amesley Manor Boasts An Impressive and Grand  Entrance

Adorned With Beautiful Landscaping and Stately Brick Columned Walls
Secure Entry Options with Intercom Capabilities From Home To Gate Key Pad
14 Ft High Iron Entry Gates, Video Security System at Guard Shack & Paved Streets

Amesley Manor at night...absolutely stunning!

To see what all this fabulous gated community has to offer and to view the available homes click here.



You won't be disappointed!

Sheila




Sunday, August 29, 2010

Why Does Sheila Conkling Use Social Networking?

There is a fundamental shift taking place in the way people communicate and I work diligently to stay abreast of the changes.

10 years ago were you on Myspace?
5 years ago were you on Facebook?
2 years ago were you on Twitter?

Think back over your lifetime at the changes that have occured in electronics, medical advancements, and communication. Change is scary...BUT necessary, and that is the reason I constantly work to be ahead of the pack in real estate.

When it comes to change, there are 3 kinds of people:
1. People that make it happen.
2. People that watch it happen.
3. People that say "when did that happen?"




Here are just a handful of the ways I promote my client's homes through social media:

Facebook profiles
•Facebook fanpages
•Targeted Facebook ads
•Twitter - coming soon
•Blogging
•Custom designed website of each listing & linked to all the above

Of course I do all the "normal" things too like MLS, flyers, yard signs, website tours, open houses, realtor tours, and more. These marketing systems for social media are just a few ways I will market your property differently from most agents, to the widest possible audience.

For more information on how I can market your home and get you the highest price in the shortest amount of time, call me today at 870-219-0652.

Sheila

Saturday, August 28, 2010

QUICK STATS FOR JULY 2010

Quick stats from the Jonesboro MLS for July, 2010
Average Days on Market:
July 2009: 115
July 2010: 126
Average Price of Active Listings:
July 2009: $155,674
July 2010: $126,745
Number of Active Listings:
July 2009: 866
July 2010: 975
Number of Listings Sold:
July 2009: 151
July 2010: 121
Average Price of Sold Listings:
July 2009: $135,647
July 2010: $135,613
MLS Sold Volume (YTD):
January 1, 2009—July 31, 2009
$117,136,686
January 1, 2010—July 31, 2010
$135,038,569


Top 5 MLS Producers (July 2010):
Sheila Conkling, Fred Dacus Assoc.
Brenda Dacus, Fred Dacus Assoc.
Kent Arnold, Arnold Group
Rick McKenzie, Crye-Leike
Kevin Kercheval, Coldwell Banker

Sheila