Admin

Crittenden County, AR Real Estate News

By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
The lender said it is very hard to get a mortgage loan now                                                 First, I am not a mortgage lender, I am a REALTOR®.  I can't precisely explain the mortgage regulation and new changes to you.  I just have enough knowledge to share with my clients and prospects about what the basic requirements are to obtain a home loan. I do know new regulation has applied to getting a home loan since Jan 10th this year.  To sum it up, and to my understanding there will be more paperwork for the borrower to fill out and more verifications needed throughout the process. New rules are added to mortgage industry in the beginning of each year, it is nothing new.  There are good and not so good changes all the time throughout the year, sometimes it may affect some bo...
Comments 4
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Seller please remember to keep an extra key for yourself Hi Seller!                                     Now you decided to put your house on the market, great!  Just one little minor detail that I would like to remind you, I do need a house key from you to put in the lock box on your front door, so agents can have access to go inside the house and sell it.  Don't forget to keep one for yourself, too....I don't want you get locked out of your own home at 20 degrees outside. Of course, you can always call us to come rescue you and let you in, but there may be times we are not available immediately when you call, that will be very inconvenient for you if you don't have an extra house key for yourself. I know this is minor, but I just want to give you a heads up and a friendly reminder  
Comments 4
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
New Homes are still building in Rustling Oaks Marion Ar. 72364  Are you thinking to move into a brand new home in 2014?  Better yet, what about having the Holidays dinner, and welcome the New Year in one of those brand new beautiful homes in Rustling Oaks subdivision? There are 5 brand new homes in Rustling Oaks built by Master Design Builders from Memphis, Tn. right now, a few of them are still under construction, and some of them are ready to go.  All of them feature with a living room, and a dining room in real hardwood floors, a master bedroom with a master bathroom, and 2 bedrooms, all in carpet, a hall full bath and a eat-in kitchen with beautiful tile floors plus granite kitchen counter top.  There is also an unfinished bonus room upstairs for future expansion, or if you like to ...
Comments 2
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Don't Take Closing Date for Granted To all home sellers and home buyers, I know there is one thing you guys have in common, both of you want to have a successful closing on the house that has been under contract for the last 30 - 45 days or maybe even longer.  Believe me, that is everybody's goal in the same transaction; the lender, the title company, the contractors who are waiting to get paid after they did the repairs for the house before closing, etc.  They are all waiting for that closing day to come anxiously! However, there are always things happened unexpectedly last minute, and it is beyond our control.  Many times, "surprises" show up during title search of the house, lender needs more documents from the buyer, delay from insurance company, buyer's job verification from their ...
Comments 72
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Rural Development Loan in Marion Arkansas Beginning October 1 2012, Rural Development loan will not be applied in Marion, Ar. anymore.  Rural Development (RD) is a popular type of home mortgage loan in Marion, Ar., no down payment, lower mortgage insurance than FHA loan, competitive low interest rate...I have a client doing a RD loan right now at 3.25% interest rate, they are so excited!! RD is very popular among first time buyers especially, they can almost move in for nothing if the seller can help with their closing costs and prepaids.  Time is running out, if you are serious about becoming a home owner, no matter you are first time buyer or not, you have less than 2 months time to get pre-approved, look, buy and close.  Don't hesitate to email/text/call me if you have any questions ...
Comments 5
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Bed and Breakfast in Marion Ar - The Cedars of Marion Before I start talking about The Cedars of Marion, I would like to invite you to visit this bed and breakfast at www.thecedarsofmarion.com It is just beautiful, check it out. I have the opportunity to tour and had lunch in this beautiful bed and breakfast, The Cedars of Marion one day this week.  I don't know about you, but I love bed and breakfast, the old style meets the new world, it just can't be replaced by any modern hotels in my opinions.  When I step in The Cedars of Marion, I feel like I am going back to the old days years ago, the old world charm, all the beautiful and unique decors just capture my attention.  The view, the landscapes, the atmosphere is so relaxing and romantic, no wonder so many couples like to have their ...
Comments 9
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
It has been raining since 7 this morning, but it didn't ruin the happy day for my buyer who closed on her first home in West Memphis, Ar.!! She is not just another first time buyer of mine, she is a very hard working single mom first time home buyer who was referred to me from an old client.  I wrote a blog about her 2 months ago A successful story of credit repair to become a home owner at last and we closed this morning at 9 am. She was beyond excited and I am so proud of her to achieve her dream of owning her first house and call it home for her children and herself.  She told me she is going to spend her Thanksgiving Dinner at her new home, it is so heart warming. Helping clients like her is very rewarding.  Frankly, I do want buyers are able to buy when they come to me, who don't? ...
Comments 16
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
New homes are still building in St John's Landing in Marion Ar Not long ago, someone said to me, "I can't believe builders are still building new homes in today's market."  Well, you'd better believe it.  Yes, they are still building new homes in Marion Ar. New homes are only building in a couple of subdivisions in Marion Ar.  St. John's Landing is one of them.  Currently there are 4 houses for sale in St John's Landing, one is a resale home, 3 of them are new homes and one is still under construction.     Why pick St. John's Landing? It is a relatively new subdivision, it is only a few years old It is quiet Smaller lots, less maintenance Still have plenty of lots to choose to build on  Relaxing settings Very affordable homes Conveniently located on Mound City Road, very close to Downto...
Comments 8
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
A truly short SHORT SALE story in West Memphis Ar Short Sale, anyone who did one before knows there is nothing short about it.  I am not claiming to be a short sale specialist, we don't have enough short sales in our market to call it a niche, which is good actually. As economy being unstable as it is, many home owners fall into the same financial crisis; losing their job, make less than before, divorce, health issues, you name it and it is out there.  Even though we are not saturated with short sales in our market, we still have some shares out there. I got a call from a home owner about a month or 2 ago, he wanted to see if I could help him to list his house as a short sale.  He already talked to his bank and that's what they suggested him to do.  We met, we talked, I explained and pr...
Comments 2
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Another happy closing for my relocation buyer moving to Marion Ar It is almost an year since I met this buyer who planed to relocate to Marion, Ar.  It started with a phone call one day about one of our listings, I kept in touch with her and hung in there.  She was not sure if she was going to move at first because of her job, after a few months of keeping in touch, she decided to move to Marion, Ar. She has great credit and got pre-approved immediately, the only thing was she needed to sell her house first.  She lived about 45 minutes away and she got a local real estate agent to list her house.  In the meantime, we went ahead to look at some houses, finally we found one and put an contingency offer on it and worked it out. It took longer to sell her house than anticipated because most...
Comments 4
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Home Insurance - You can't close on your new house without it Buying a house is an exciting thing, really it is.  You can take advantage of the low interest rate right now, it is a buyers market, so many choices out there, you may even find some good foreclosure deals and save more money. If you are working with a good lender, and good real estate agent, you will be guided towards closing in every step of the way.  You will be reminded what you need to do before closing, and there are a few things you need to do.  One of them is you have to have home insurance in place before the closing or you can't close. Even if you are buying the property in cash, it will still be your best interest to get home insurance on the house you are buying before closing.  Things can happen unexpectedly. If...
Comments 8
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
A new group of buyers in West Memphis and Marion Ar - Investor Rental is in high demand in Marion, West Memphis Ar., it helps to push another group of buyers out in the market - investors. Many of them are seasoned investors and have been doing this for a while, some of them are 1st time investor, trying to get a piece of pie while it is still available, and why not?  There are foreclosures coming out often, there are different types of investors, and there is something for everyone. I have a couple of seasoned investors working with me, they know what area they want, they can see the potential of the property despite of the repairs.  Within a short period of time, they will let me know if they decide to put an offer on the property or not, they know time is of the essence.  A good inve...
Comments 13
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Trunk or Treat in Marion and West Memphis Ar 10/30 and 10/31 2011 Ooh, parents and kids, it is the time of the year again!  Have you got the costumes, trick or treat bags ready yet?  Halloween is just around the corner, different churches are hosting their trunk or treat on 10/30 and 10/31.  One church does their fall festival on 10/26. Here is the list of churches where you can go trunk or treat in Marion and West Memphis this year: West Memphis 10/26 First United Methodist Church at 215 N. Missouri is hosting Fall Festival from 5-8 p.m. Tickets to purchase to play games at the festival.  For more details call 870-735-1805 10/30 First Baptist Church at 200 N. Missouri is doing trunk or treat from 4-6 p.m.  For details call 870-735-5241 Marion 10/30 United Methodist Church at 81 Militar...
Comments 2
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
1st Annual Scarecrow Festival in Marion Ar on 10/22/2011 Fall is here and Halloween is around the corner, guess what is the center of the attention in Marion, Ar. lately? Miss and Mr. Scarecrow it is!  Our 1st Annual Scarecrow Festival in Marion, Ar. is coming this Saturday 10/22/2011 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Marion Courthouse Square.  There are games for kids, hayride, pumpkin painting, face painting and of course they are going to announce who the winner is for the 1st Annual Scarecrow Festival in Marion, Ar. Have you seen those scarecrows everywhere in town?  There are many local businesses have entered the scarecrow contest, they are so much fun to look at, and they are so creative. Vendors, if you want to know more information about the 1st Annual Scarecrow Festival in Marion, ...
Comments 4
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
2nd annual Crittenden County Italian Festival coming on 10/15/2011 in Marion Ar Wanting some authentic Italian cooking in Marion Ar?  Here is your opportunity to enjoy some homemade Italian cooking at the 2nd annual Crittenden County Italian Festival in Marion Ar this Saturday, 10/15/2011.  This is also a fundraiser event to benefit St. Michael Catholic School in West Memphis, Ar.  They will be located at the Marion Softball Complex and Park on 3820 Complex Road.  I went to the 1st Italian Festival last year, I truly enjoyed it.  A few local Italian families were serving their homemade goodies, spaghetti, lasagna that I missed out which was sold out in the first half an hour after they opened!!  I got to be there earlier this year to catch some of the good ole lasagna. This year the fes...
Comments 6
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Snap shots of the 5k Run Hometown Festival in Crawfordsville Ar 10/8/2011 It was another succcessful 5k Run Hometown Festival in Crawfordsville Ar, I enjoyed the event a whole lot myself.  There were many new vendors this year, the weather was perfect, I ate and bought quite a few homemade goodies.   This event is a fundraiser for the Fire Department in Crawfordsville and Jonesboro Fire Department was there this year and playing bagpipes for entertainment.  It was really good, too!  We finished up the event with the antique car show, they were such a beauty. If you didn't get a chance to go to the festival this year, I hope you enjoy some of the snap shots I took at the festival, maybe I will see you there next year.                   See you next year at the 5K Run Hometown Festival in...
Comments 8
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Epic Signs is The answer for ordering all your signs, banners, printings and so much more company in West Memphis Ar In 2008 Epic Signs bought the business from former Akins Signs, the same location at 511 S 2nd Street in West Memphis, Ar, same number, too, 870-735-4516.  I ordered my signs from Akins Signs and I continue to do business with the new owner Mary Jo Clark along with her husband Charles and her son Pete.  Oh, I can't forget about Rufus, their cute cute puppy.  Rufus is such a friendly and cutest puppy, he loves to come and greet you as soon as you enter the building. You can order so many different signs related products from Epic Signs, like birthday banners, company promotion banners, real estate signs, flyers, brochures, business cards, business postcards, posters, vehic...
Comments 8
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Come join the fun at the 5K run Hometown Festival in Crawfordsville Ar this Saturday 10/8/2011 It is that time of the year again!  The 5K run Hometown Festival in Crawfordsville, Ar is coming this Saturday on 10/8/2011 starting at 9 am and finishes around 4 pm.  I was told there are at least 70 vendors will be there selling arts and crafts, goodies and food this year. The festival is getting bigger and better as it grows each year, and it also became one of the festivals on my must go list.  It is definitely a family friendly event, there is live music, BBQ, homemade goodies, kids activities and so much more.  I love going to the 5K run Hometown Festival in Crawfordsville Ar, the small town feel, all those neat stuffs that I can find there, perfect weather for it, I can't wait to go thi...
Comments 12
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
Another successful story of building your dream home in Marion Ar Building your dream home is like nuturing your own child, it is.  From the day it is born, you watch it keep growing and changing right in front of your own eyes.  There are days it will bring you so much joy, there are days that it makes you frustrated and stressed, but at the end, you are so excited of the end result that you work so hard for.  Your dream home finally is closed and you can move in!! My client has been wanting to buy since last year, she was approved but couldn't get the amount she wanted to buy a nice home that she visioned.  She decided to wait, she worked hard to eliminate some more debts off from her credit report, improve her score to make it even higher.  She called me this March, we started to loo...
Comments 8
By Rita Fong, Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale
(RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 )
I wrote A successful story of credit repair to become a home owner at last a few days ago, my client is under contract today!!  Got a great deal on a house that was redone, new carpet, new paint, move in ready for a very great price, seller is paying for the closing cost, home warranty, and best of all, her interest rate is only 3.5%!!!  She is using ADDI loan, inspection will be paid and done by ADDI for her, and seller has to fix all the repair items if there is any.  All she needs to pay is her earnest money, she really moves in for nothing. My client is so excited, and so am I.  She got the house which is within her budget, spacious enough for her family, great interest rate; good things are surely coming her way after she worked so hard on her credit and it finally pays off for her...
Comments 16
Explore Crittenden County, AR
View all cities
Crittenden County, AR Real Estate Professionals