Searcy, AR

Dear Mother Nature,

This is Arkansas. A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S. You know. We're the state that you usually give a sprinkling of snow once a year and maybe a little ice occasionally just to keep us on our toes. You probably even chuckle when one of us slips on the ice and takes a spill.

But this is January. The roads were clear and I looked outside my window and found these icicles on the shrubs. So, Mother Nature, you surely dropped these things mistakenly in our fair state when you were on your way to New York or Illinois or Montana or any of those states that love seeing you come.

I can understand your mistake but please don't leave us anymore and if possible pick up the ones you left us by noon. Christmas is over.....icicles are no longer fashionable.

Sincerely,

Barbara S Duncan

ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO, friend of Nutsy.

WOW! Were you watching football yesterday? I don't call myself a must see footbal fan but I do enjoy watching it when I'm not doing anything else. I like to keep busy and rarely like to sit around. Anyway, that's enough about me.

General Motors stated that they will not do any advertising during the Super Bowl because of their current economic condition. I was really shocked by a car commercial while watching this football game yesterday. It was not General Motors, though they did have some commercals. This commercial was done by Hyundai. Because of the current economic condition throughout this Country, they just introduced a new program called Hyundai Assurance. What they advertised is if you buy a new Hyandai and you lose your income within the first year, you can return the vehicle. Is that not a WOW!? I am sure there are conditions but is this not a great program? A lot of Americans are unsure of what to do. They may have a secure job but do not want to take a risk of buying a new car because they don't know what the future will hold. I thought to myself though, "man, if I needed a new car I might want to look into this." I feel this was a huge move on Hyundai's part. It will either be a great move or could have an adverse effect on them, either way it impressed me.

Just another thought. What if we as Realtors stood behind what we do, like Hyandai is doing? I know we can't buy their houses back but what are some things that we can do to boost peoples perception of the real estate industry. Personally, I feel the real estate industry is the backbone of our country and has been carrying the economic load for years.

Do you think ther is anything we can do to improve it?

I am a Realtor in Searcy, Arkansas and I sell new homes, existing homes, commercial property, farms and land as well as manage and own rental properties. If you are looking for real estate for an investment or a home, I will be glad to assist you! You can call my personal cell number at 501-278-7659 or e-mail me at Larry@Searcy4Sale.com. Visit my website at http://www.searcy4sale.com

With the endless negativity of the news media, I was curious on how the interest rates really did fair for the past several years. The media goes on and on about how bad the real estate market is and that is why the interest rates are so low. I was giving this some thought and remembered that I was closing deals several years ago with low interest rates.

In my market, the local lenders e-mail me the interest rates daily. Well I have these going to it's own folder in my e-mail program. The other day I thought I would do a little fact finding and see how the rates are really playing out. Below, I have attched my spreadsheet showing what the rates were being quoted on the reference date since December 1, 2003. As you can see, we had rates at 5.75% in 2003 and they were 5.5% on December 1, 2008. In my book, this is not the indicator of bad news.

I want buyers and sellers to know this is not an indicator and that the sky is not falling. If the reporters will do their homework they would have found out that during the real estate "BOOM" as they call it, the interest rates were low at that time. Yes, we are having trouble in the economy across the country but lets report the whole truth.

I hope this has been helpful. I have posted this on my website in a pdf file, you can look at it at http://www.searcy4sale.com/pdf/Interest_Rates_pdf.PDF I want to look at my cup being half full than half empty. Believe it or not, our thoughts will effect our actions. It's 2009! Let's get out there and be motivated!

I am a Realtor in Searcy, Arkansas and I sell new homes, existing homes, commercial property, farms and land as well as manage and own rental properties. If you are looking for real estate for an investment or a home, I will be glad to assist you! You can call my personal cell number at 501-278-7659 or e-mail me at Larry@Searcy4Sale.com. Visit my website at http://www.searcy4sale.com

Driving around Searcy and admiring some of the old buildings, you're apt to come upon this one. It is located near downtown at 308 E Market and is one active business location today.

It's known now as Strother-Wilbourn Land Title Company but previously was known as the Lattimer House. I'll have to call on my Searcy history experts to tell me who the Lattimers were.

The Strothers did most of the title searches in White County for years. Several years ago Jim Wilbourn became the owner and he still does the majority of title searches in our area. He also bought the great old house and has kept it in pristine condition, preserving our history.

How will you celebrate the New Year tonight?

We will all be welcoming the 2009 year with great anticipation and hoping we don't revert to an older less affluent time.

Isn't this picture wonderful. This child has had his hair slicked for the photograph and has had to sit through a haircut at a young age.

He has on Buster Brown's, you can be sure. All children wore Buster Brown outfits 60 years ago.

And he has on shoes that are sensible with solid soles for walking. The shoes have probably been polished with white shoe polish and may have been through several children's wear.

The family radios, a big one and apparently a small one are on the table. And the table had to have a floral skirt to dress it up.

Relative's photos are on the table. The chair is an old one but new for then! I may still have that chair with a new cover. I need to go check my furniture. I do have some that are similar.

For celebrating the New Year 60 years ago, this radio would probably have been on!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our Activerainers!!