Beautiful New Luxury Home on 3 Acres!

Looking for a new luxury home on 3 acres for under $300,000?  Look no further...this is it!!!  This home is loaded up with luxury upgrades, such as, granite and copper sinks throughout, beamed vaulted ceilings, two story stone fireplace, iron railings, built-ins and beautiful light fixtures.  The main floor, garage, driveway, sidewalk, front porch and patio are all acid stained.  Wonderful open floor plan with oversized master suite.

Take a look at what all this home has to offer by watching the video below.




Give me a call at 870-219-0652 for further information or to schedule a private showing appointment.  Don't wait, this home will not be on the market long!

New Trends For New Homes

The new trend for buyers purchasing a new luxury home is to downsize. That doesn't mean they're skipping the features that are most important.  A lot of buyers are wanting less square footage but still want the luxury features with all the quality and attention to detail one would expect to find only in a larger custom home.  Listed below are 5 top features buyers are wanting to see in new homes.

1. Large Kitchens with a center island.

As we all know, the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. Homeowners want the space to gather friends and family and what better place than in a large kitchen with the perfect island that provides ample space for entertaining.  Other desired features for the kitchen are granite counters, double ovens and upgraded appliances.

2. Home Office/Study.

Due to today's technology, more and more homeowners are opting to use what is normally referred to the "formal dining area" as a home office instead. It's a great place for children to do their homework, mom and dad to surf the net or work from home.

3. Master suite on the main floor.

Every buyer I have worked with in the last two years have requested a main floor master. They want to be in this home for years to come, and if not, want it for resale purposes. Once the children move out there is really no reason for the master upstairs so they tend to be more inclined towards the master on the main floor. Main floor master suites are also perfect for empty nesters and older couples.

4. Stone and Brick exteriors.
Remember the days of Stucco and Vinyl?? Those days are definitely behind us. Homeowners are opting for stone, brick, and with some wood features on the exterior of their homes. These materials give a more cozy feel to the home.

5. Outdoor Living Spaces

This trend has become increasingly popular.  What better way to relax than enjoying time in your screened in living area or covered porch. Include the outdoor cooking area and it's practically an entirely different home within your existing one.

Another popular feature is to have an upstairs bonus room to use for recreation, such as, a media room, man cave, or kid's play room.  What's not hot on the list are formal living areas.

Looking to build your new home?  Give me a call! I specialize in selling new homes and work daily with several luxury builders who build in all price ranges and sizes.  From a million dollar showplace to a cozy cottage, together we'll select the right builder and that "perfect plan" for your needs and desires.

Another Family Has Chose To Make Amesley Manor HOME!

Lot's of exciting activity this week in Jonesboro's first and only gated community, Amesley Manor.  Several people have already purchased lots for custom homes, but the first new home built by Sugg Homes and offered for sale has sold before completion. 

It doesn't surprise me at all this development has been so successful.  One only has to enter through the impressive and grand entrance boasting stately brick walls, beautiful landscaping and 14 ft. iron gates to know that Amesley Manor is a very upscale development.  A gated community is new to Jonesboro and people are loving the video security system, the multiple secure entry options and the worry-free feeling and comfort of a gated community.  You can view the website for Amesley Manor here.

Other exciting news this week in Amesley Manor is another new home by Sugg Homes is coming soon.  I just listed the future home and it's going to be fabulous!  Projected completion date is 09/30/2011.

Please feel free to contact me anytime for further information about this home or available lots in Amesley Manor. 
Sheila Conkling @   870-219-0652.

Check Out These Nurseries and Kids' Rooms...

HGTV's 10 Favorite Nurseries From Rate My Space

Bringing up baby? Click through pics of chic nursery rooms and get baby room decorating ideas from HGTV.com fans.  Check them out here.

Kids' Rooms on a Budget: HGTV's 10 Favorites From Rate My Space

Ready to transform your kids' rooms, but don't want to spend a fortune? Check out these stylish, yet inexpensive spaces from members of Rate My Space.  Check them out here.

Hope this inspires you!



Move Over Man Cave: Introducing the Mom Cave

New York designer Elaine Griffin embraces the Mom Cave concept and recently partnered with Homegoods in Manhattan to show some decor and space suggestions. She says, "A Mom Cave is where the woman who nurtures everyone goes to nurture herself." It's different from the quintessential "man cave," where men do manly, messy and sporty things, often involving a recliner. Griffin notes, "Mom Caves are fun, frankly feminine spaces and they're personalized." Here's what you need for your Mom Cave: a place to sit, storage space, an area to do what you want to do and room for occasional visitors. "Organizing your stuff makes your space feel bigger. I love bookcases - you can hide in plain sight," says Griffin. Colorful boxes and file folders work well; group an array of favorite photos in fun frames on the shelves.

Click here to find out more about Mom Caves.  After checking it all out, I want a Mom Cave too!

Hope this inspires any woman needing her own space to create her very own Mom Cave.

Inspiring Makeover

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know how I love "before" and "afters".  Here is a good one done by I.O. Metro, which is one of my favorite places to shop.

This before and after is of an Entry.  "Your Entryway needs to Make A Statement. Don't just leave it bare or clutter it up. Purposefully arrange items so it becomes a preview for the rest of your space. This Entryway was Dull and Choppy." (by I.O. Metro)

See here how I.O. Metro Spruced It Up...

If you would like to share your "before" and "after, please email me.  I would love to see and share them on my blog!

Do's and Don'ts Of Setting Your Sales Price

We've all heard location is everything and I agree, but the single most important factor in selling your property is price. At the right price, almost anything will sell, no matter where it is.  Let's look at how to find the "right price".

Here are three ways NOT to set the price:

1) Predetermined Return on Investment (ROI).

For example, you decide that you must get a 20% ROI -the house you bought for $400,000 must go for $480,000 plus commission and other expenses. However, real estate sales in your neighborhood may not support your price.  If other comparable homes in your area are selling in the $440's, buyers are not going to overpay for your house.  The truth, buyers simply don't care about your investment (initial investment, equity and return strategies).  So real estate sales are not made based upon a Seller's ROI.

2) Return on Improvements.

For example, you put on a new roof ($10,000) and installed a new HVAC unit ($5,000) so you want $15,000 above what other properties have been selling for in your neighborhood. Buyers don't care what you paid for maintenance and improvements, only that they don't have to do it. All that matters to the buyer is that the property is in good shape. Again real estate sales are not made based upon a Seller's Return on Improvements or Maintenance, but will make your home more desirable over the competition.

3) Return plus coverage of your outstanding mortgage and/or the Real Estate fees.

For example, you owe $100,000 on your home and the real estate fees are going to be $12,000. You want your home to sell $120,000 above what you paid.  I hear this a lot!  The truth is, no buyer cares what your mortgage is or how much you are paying in real estate commission. Sorry, they just do not care!  Many are paying off mortgages and most everyone is paying commissions.  If you're not paying a commission and going the FSBO route, typically the buyer will want you to reduce your sales price and carry the savings onto them anyway.  So again, real estate sales are not made on the basis of what a Seller owes or pays in real estate fees.

What determines the market value of a home is not an Appraiser, Realtor or a Seller, but what a willing and able buyer will pay.  The best way to establish your price is by looking at comparisons of what is on the market now and what has sold and at what price.  Any Realtor will gladly provide what is called a Comparative Market Analysis for your property.  Click to request one here. Below is the information a CMA provides.

1)  Solds - Find the best three comparative homes in your neighborhood or area that have sold within the last six months.  The comparable homes should be within 250 sq. ft. +/- of your home, within 5 years of the same age and have similar features and upgrades.  Divide the sales price by the square footage of each home which will provide you a low end and high end.  Inex:  Comp 1 sold for $90. per foot, Comp 2 sold for $92 per foot and Comp 3 sold for $91.50 per foot.  Based upon comps, your home should sell between $90 - $92 a foot.  If your home has 2,000 sq. ft. (living space) multiply 2,000 x $90 and then again by $92.  Your sales price range is $180,000 - $184,000 based upon comparable sales.

2)  Competition - It is also important to see what other homes are offered on the market.  This is your competition.  You do the same steps as above and list your price competitively.  If they're all priced within $92 - $95 a foot, you don't want to price yours at $98.  You'll just help sell your competitors homes.

3)  Pendings - These are homes that are on the market and have a pending contract to close.  Even though you will not know the sales price on the contract, you will know the asking price and how many days on the market.

4)  Expireds - You do not want to be in this catagory.  These are homes that have been placed on the market and did not sell.  Usually there are three reasons a home does not sale; location, condition and price.  Since your home is in the same location, you'll want to pay attention to the condition and the price.  Usually it was over priced or did not adjust down in price for bad condition.

By following the above steps, you should have a good indication of the state of the market and how much your home should sell for in such market.  If you are not willing or unable to sell at the market value maybe you should wait to sell.  Either price to meet the market or wait for the market to come up to you.

In conclusion, listen to the advice of your Realtor. Look at comparisons, what is on the market now and what has sold and at what price. This is an indication of the state of the market.

Hope this helps!