About Pulaski County, AR

I thought I was a pretty "with it" person-- Keeping up with my children as they grow , trying to remain "hip" so as not to embarass them in any way, I have a college degree, before kids was a fundraiser and supervisor. and then...I started to sell real estate. It has been a great adventure. I learn more and more every year. But recently have realized just how out of touch I have been and how much technology is out there to be used. I had my first "bag" cell phone when I graduated college. Oops , did I date myself? Now I have a "smartphone" that can do just about everything for me-keep up with my appointments, call people, determine mortgage payments, open keyboxes, tell me who has entered a listing with their phone number--simply amazing! I set up a facebook account this week and now activerain. Facebook has been quite an adventure reconnecting with people I haven't seen or talked to for that matter in 20 years. I don't know if it will help my real estate business or not like they say, but it sure has been fun to reconnect with old and new friends. I mentioned that I had just set one up at an Open House this past Sunday and the potential buyer said she had one too. The next thing I know she has asked to be my friend on Facebook. Don't know if she and her husband will actually ever purchase a home through me, but it is a way to stay connected. Then, this week I set up this Active rain account. I am not sure how all of this works, or of all of the benefits yet, but I am impressed with all of the information I can gain through other people in the business for free. If anyone has suggestions on how to make the most of all of this fascinating technology, I am ready to read it.

VA Loans - Anywhere in the Nation- great time to purchase on the VA loan program. Darren Stewart OakStar Bank, N.A.

VA Home loans are a great way to purchase a home, having been raised in the military I love working with Veterans all over the country in order to assist them in purchasing a home. We will be assisting a veteran this week in Texas and I have a couple going in my home state of Missouri.

We have the ability to close VA loans in any state in the United States, and are skilled at working remotely with your local closing offices, attorneys office and title companies. We strive to have the best rates and closing costs and I can be contacted to receive a free pre-qualification and good faith estimate provided in order to compare our closing costs and rates.

There are multiple ways to contact us should you need VA financing and I would be glad to answer any questions or if your thinking of using your VA benefit in the future please feel free to call me with any questions you may have about the VA home loan program.

I can be reached at 417 447 7927 directly.

My online application is located at www.oakstarbank.com bottomo right hand corner apply online and forward through the privacy disclosure for a quick app, you will see my name in the loan officer list and that will ring my cell after you submit the quick application this takes less than 5 minutes to get started online and is completely free to get the process started.

Thank you and I look forward to doing all I can to assist you in the purchase of your home.

Darren Stewart

OakStar Bank

417 447 7927

Why did we choose Maumelle?

Several years ago, we had the opportunity to relocate to Arkansas. As we contemplated laying a foundation for our family we had much to consider.

We had many friends in the Little Rock area who were all eager to share an opinion of where they thought we should settle down. Surprisingly, the majority of them advised us to look at the smaller community of Maumelle.

So the exploration began. We traveled across the river bridge, up the boulevard and into the community. Maumelle welcomed us with family friendly neighborhoods, a community center with amazing pool for the kids, athletic center for the adults, two golf courses, two small lakes and just the right amount of shopping. Maumelle was big enough but not too big. The community was criss-crossed with walking paths that led to secret parks in the woods. The kids could roller blade or bike ride without the fear of traffic. It was actually possible to ride a bike to the neighborhood pool mostly by way of bike paths. There were fishing contests at the lake. There were summertime movies in the park. There were golf carts passing on the street on the way to the course. There was a fourth fest with fireworks over the lake where friends could gather over frozen lemonade.

Well, six years have passed and we have enjoyed being Maumelle residents so much. Our children have enjoyed the safety of a small town neighborhood. They have frequented the pool and enjoyed long summer days. They have gathered with friends to practice their soccer skills at the fields. They have often ridden their bikes past the local pizzeria and driven home with a pizza on their hip. In some instances, they have even stopped at the Dollar Store and come home with a sack of candy to enjoy with the neighbor kids. In today's world, where is this possible anymore?

First Impressions are everything!

If you are a Realtor, which first impression would you want? Your sign in front of a stagnant, unattractive vacant listing or your sign in front of a fully staged show-to-sell Showhome?

With the economy the way it is, and the staggering number of homes on the market, a Realtor is really doing everyone and their industry a dis-service by not enlisting a staging company to assist them with a vacant listing. A Realtor has the responsibility to inform the property owners that a staging company is recommended for their vacant home. A Realtor should inform the property owners that the cost to stage a vacant home is usually less then a reduction in the selling price of the home. By enlisting the services of a staging company the property owners remove the label that this vacant home is cold, distressed, run down, and un-inviting.

Tests have shown that vacant homes upon being staged sell faster and for a higher amount. The amount the property owners save when using Showhomes services also increases as we reduce the property owners holding costs as we eleminate higher insurance premiums, utility bills, and yard expense. A staging company sends a positive message to everyone including the neighbors who do not wish to see their property values diminish.

Working together with Realtors in Central Arkansas, Little Rock Metro Area, and West Tennessee, Memphis Metro Area, our two Showhomes franchises have been able to assist property owners in the staging of a lot of vacant homes this year. Many of the homes have sold quickly after we staged them with a home manager.

www.showhomes.com