I just found a great website from HGTV:  FrontDoor.com.

This website is one of the best I have seen for home buyers, sellers, owners, and even renters.  It is well organized and very easy to navigate, too.


For buyers, it has a listings search function for homes for sale.  All it needs is the ZIP code, and it will show you what is listed in Conway (or anywhere else).  There are links for first-time buyers and experienced buyers.  For sellers (including FSBO's), there are links giving you information on how to think like a salesman, market your home, and close the deal.  The site also has videos for everything from moving tips to staging your property.

How's the market?

Real estate agents (like me!) get asked one particular question on a semi-daily basis, "How's the real estate market?"  Most of us will give you a pat answer:  Great! or Fantastic! or Couldn't be better!  Other agents will say that it is just horrible.  Still others say that it is just ok.  I personally try to back up my answer with some actual data.

In January 2008, single-family, residential  house sales were a little over $330,000,000.  In January of this year, the figure jumped to almost $370,000,000.  That's $40,000,000 in additional sales.  An increase of over 9% since a year ago!  Conway real estate is (compared to the rest of the nation) simply booming.

When people ask me about the market, I'm ready with a response...."The market is going great!"

A lockbox holds the key!

When you list your property for sale, an agent will usually put a lockbox on your door that holds the one thing keeping criminals out:  the key to the locks.  Now, I ask you, which of the following lockboxes would you choose to have on your front door?

The combination lockbox (left) has three major drawbacks.  First, it can be left unlocked.  Yeah!  If the last agent doesn't spin those little wheels, the key is available to anyone who walks up!  Second, the box doesn't care who knows the code. When the correct four-digit code is used, anyone can access the house key.  Third, the plastic door holding the key inside is about 1/6 of an inch thick. How secure do you feel now?

The lockbox on the right is the GE Supra Lockbox.  It requires an infrared 'key' that resembles a cell phone to open.  These electronic keys are issued only to individuals who should have access to listed houses and require the user to enter a PIN code to work.  The lockbox records the showing agent and the time it was accessed and transmits that information to the listing agent.  The house key, which is stored in a metal container encased by the box, is then released to the agent.

The one I'd choose? The one that can't be opened without another key.  My suggestion to anyone listing their property with an agent is to ask what type of lockbox will be used for key storage.  If it's not the Supra lockbox, talk to another agent.