Chris Rix

Just a shout to let everyone know about the 2 new restaurants that have just opened here. My top pick for our local #1- Central Park has officially dropped to #2. While it is a fantastic restaurant with a cool setting and nearly perfect food everytime, after just over 1 year they still don't quite cut the mustard for customer satisfaction. There is still a limited bar, a wine list clearly put together with little thought(and wine knowledge), & lighting that is better, but still wrong for a dining atmosphere. PLEASE understand this is still a top restaurant, and I frequent there, but little touches like this are the difference between a feature in Wine Spectator, and stellar reviews, verses a mention in a local rag and an occasional review. Matts daily specials keep me dealing with these easily corrected issues though!

So--- #1 in the Spa town NOW! Via Roma 1521 Malvern 501-620-6468 Ahh! This is what dining should be. The door is usually opened and one is warmly greeted by an attractive staff. Once inside the restaurant is appropriately lighted and very tastefully designed. Tables are set properly and staff is attentive in a learned fashion without interrupting your experience. I have only been in twice and everything I had was perfect. The menu is diverse and fairly priced. The bar is already stocked nicely and noticeably growing along with the wine list as it should. The place is very tidy and clean. It is cozy enough for a sweet date and relaxed enough for a daily grind! This will be a locals hang. I am very grateful! And to add to your dinners end, have an espresso. Get right in as I'm sure they will become and remain busy. If you don't arrive soon, I would advise calling ahead, although eating at the bar is no less of an eperiance. There is no doubt in my mind this will remain the top restaurant in Hot Springs as long as the owner is hands on.

Also, just opened is Picante's in Spencers Corner downtown on Central behind Subway. I must admit the name threw me and I passed it up a time or 2 before saying gotta try it. I was just expecting a less trendy name to be on a good restaurant! I have been here 5 or 6 times already. There are really only 2 choices for me as far as Mexican cusine is concerned, Picante's or Las Americas. The food is really good at both. While Picante's suits people with more of a Tex-Mex palate, Las Americas is authentic. I have had several things here including one of my favorites Seafood nachos. Everything is freshly prepared and nicely done. You are greeted with a metal bowl of chips, green salsa, and a lovely fire roasted salsa-neither spicy, but good. The staff here is also attractive. The margarita's are a bit over priced, but they actually shake the ingredients, which makes it sooo much better. All the dishes I have seen and tried have been attractive and tasteful. The prices-come on its Meican food-you can afford it. It is such a blessing to be moving away from this tragic truck stop approach to service that has just killed me! These new restaurants that are popping up are going to be the death of the tired norm that we have been stuck with so long for the simple reasons that the staff doesn't scare you away and you have confidence the kitchens are actually clean! The other reasons- all the restaurants I have mentioned today have great price points. They are top restaurants and do not turn you off by price gouging. Cheers and happy dining..

When you want to borrow money, lenders will look at a number of things before agreeing to grant credit to you. First, lenders want to know if you have the financial ability to repay the loan. This is known as capacity. Second, lenders look for any property you have to back the loan-again, this is called collateral. And third, lenders want to know if you will make your payments and how you have handled other loans in the past. This is called character. Capacity, collateral, and character represent the three C's of credit.

The most common types of credit include revolving credit, installment credit, and service credit.

Revolving credit allows you to borrow up to a specific dollar amount. The monthly payment may vary as your balance changes. As you repay the credit, you will be able to borrow it again. Credit cards are revolving lines of credit.

Installment credit allows you to borrow a specific amount, for a specific period of time. The monthly payment usually remains the same. When you have repaid the amount, the loan is closed. Car and mortgage loans are considered installment credit.

Service credit allows you to pay for a service at a later date. If you cannot make the payment in the agreed upon time, there is a penalty. Utility companies offer this kind of credit.

Most types of loans can be categorized as secured or unsecured. Secured loans are backed by property that has value, also called collateral. An example of a secured loan is a car loan, as the car is security or collateral for the loan. In other words, if you don't make the loan payments, the lender can take back or repossess the car.On the other hand, an unsecured loan does not have any property backing the loan. If you, for example, apply for a signature loan at a bank or credit union, this would be considered an unsecured loan. Many credit cards are unsecured; however, not all are. Some credit cards are known as secured credit cards. A secured credit card may be secured by your savings account or by the merchandise you purchase. If you don't make the payment, the lender can and will take the item you pledged as security. Before you sign any credit card agreement, make sure you read and understand all the fine print.

To understand the role a lender plays in the credit-granting process, you might think about what you would want to know if someone wanted to borrow money from you. You certainly would want to know that they have a job and that they have the ability to pay you back. You would want to know how long they have been at their job and that they would make every effort to pay you back. Knowing whether the potential borrower had repaid their other loans on time and in full would also be important to you. Lenders are no different.Lenders are in business to lend you money-that's their job. They have federal and state government regulations, as well as company guidelines they have to follow.

Some people think that lenders look for any reason not to give a loan, but this simply is not true. Lenders want to make loans, though they want to make them to people who will repay the loan. When you want to borrow money from a lender, you need to fill out the application completely and honestly. If you aren't sure how to answer a question on the application, call the lender and ask for help.When you meet with a loan officer, be helpful and polite. Answer their questions to the best of your ability. Again, put yourself in the position of the lender-if you were going to lend money to someone, you would expect to be treated politely, honestly, and with respect.If you are turned down for the loan, ask why. It doesn't do you any good to get upset with the loan officer. You may be turned down for any number of reasons. Ask the loan officer what actions you could take to qualify for the loan in the future. Just because one lender turns you down for a loan, however, doesn't mean another lender will do the same. If you are turned down at one financial institution, make an appointment to see a loan officer at another bank or credit union.

The way you handle loans made to you will determine whether you have "good credit." What exactly does it mean to have good credit? You can achieve good credit by making all of your payments, as agreed, in full monthly payments. If you want good credit, you cannot skip payments or pay less than the full amount due. If you have made financial mistakes in the past, it's still possible to build good credit by committing to paying all of your bills on time and in full. Cheers and happy buying!

So I had a little close, you know the kind where the seller is out of state and buyer closes separately. It wasn't enough that my seller was gracious enough to pick up the tab on some closing costs, but later to find that there was actually some closing costs dollars not quite exhausted from agreed amount. Well certainly no harm there for my seller! All is good to close, home inspection complete, agreed no home warranty provided by seller. However, at close, literally, and mind you it was a separate close..docs overnighted to seller, one of those last minute HUD's, the selling agent decides that since there were dollars left from the agreed closing cost/prepaid amount, it would be okay to add a home warranty AND have my seller pick up a portion of the inspectors fee! Needless to say that did not fly with me. We had a new HUD drawn up, and a credit issued to my seller, and new docs overnighted. So, I would recommend that if you have one of those handy little seller to pay blah,blah,blah, it might be a good idea for your fiduciary responsibility to your seller to get a quote/GFE from their lender of what said fees are with that pre-qual letter. Just a thought! Happy selling.

1. Back Porch Grill for sunset any day- food is good and consistent (best suset spot)

2. Central Park- Great downtown locale easy level access nice views, easy parking, great food(best restaurant in Hot Springs) If dining inside after dark you will definitely agree the tacky flood lights they use for lighting are quite blinding and offensive, the food, service, and everything else make up for it. I know my dinner tabs would consist of a bottle wine purchase as opposed to a glass if the lights were dimmer..and that goes for most that imbibe I'm sure!

3. Joses Mexican Food- great Margarita patio. It quickly replaced On the Border for me. Joses is clean as opposed to the latter..

4. Salsa's- Good patio, crappy service and food, GREAT Margarita's(possibly the best in town- Don Juans is over, please do not bother me with "let's go to Don Juans" anymore! We have awesome authentic Mexican food in HS now!

5. Arlington Lanai any day. Also ask for a pool cup and take a stroll up to the 7th floor pool deck-trust me! AND do not forget to ask for a pool cup when ordering your cocktail.

6. One of the neatest patios in all of Hot Springs is currently being hogged by an awful restaurant downtown called..hmm..I had to phone a friend!! Rolondo's- sigh Slip in, head straight to the back of the restaurant to see this awesome area, then humbly bow out and go seek food,drink & service elsewhere. I have actually tried to go 6 times, yes six---they just can't pull it together. It is too hit and miss(mostly miss)

7. Best Sunday patio- Fishermans Wharf- hangover cure or just great Sunday spot, It is always the same- You are greeted by some high school tinnybopper likely texting whom adequately greets you, tells you the patio might be too cold and then carries out your wishes of getting you to the patio! The service is usually prompt and the food most always goodish. The drinks are equally goodish. The staff always has all of their teeth and it is clean & family friendly.

8. Brady Mountain Resort- Memorial day to Labor day, Lake Ouachita-truck stop waitresses, an occasional surprise to the norm, but rare. Country food that varies on quality since Ned Bass sold. Full bar-little wine-likely the same list I wrote 12 years ago when I worked for Glazer Distributors! HEY its lake Ouachita..its a holy spot!

9. Mountain Harbor-Im not even sure they have a patio, but when camping on an island in the middle of Ouachita, you need to know they have a breakfast buffet until 10:30!

10. Hamilton House is hands down the all time best spot in the state, but the new owner is CLUELESS when it comes to any form of restaurant operation, oh yeah, thats why the kitchen is closed and they just do room rentals in the bed & no breakfast! When the Smith's were to old to carry on their legacy of the Hamilton House it saddened me greatly. She was my restaurant inspiration, she just never realized it when I worked for her for a month or so years back.

LEAVING Hot Springs

11. Cafe Klaser.com Heber Springs- One of my favorite places in the state. Just go. Sit outside & just appreciate being. Get a chocolate truffle and a whole coconut creme pie to go. Stay a long time.

12. Pied Piper Eureka Springs- Its special. Fatima the owner is awesome. Her Dad owns Rogues Manor(i've never bothered) but Fatimas place is awesome. Last time I was there, she was on vacay and there was a for sale sign up, OPENED but for sale, I had a great time as always & her Reuben beats the hell out of Oaklawns any day.

13. Little Rock Cajun's Warf--back when she originally opened it in probably the 80's her slogan was "You don't need a yacht if you've got a big deck" She sold it to Landrys and later reconfiscated her great spot and reclaimed it as Cajuns Warf..2000-2001ish. She opened with a sassy billboard on Cantrell Rd. It had several shrimp lined up pointing to the restaurant and verbage "get your tails in here" I have met her once or twice. I love her.

14. Rev Room- It is an awesome hipster spot with all sorts of live music and probably one of the best bartenders in the state(besides me of course) He is short & beefy, blonde hair. Matt I think. A good bartender is RARE. The next one that comes to mind is in Dallas at the Melrose Hotel and her name is Kathleen.

Oh yeah, this is suppose to be a real estate site. I live it, breathe it, list it, sell it, and LOVE it. I am extremely busy. I have 30+ listings. I have done a lot of volume this year already. I'm thrilled. I hope this wave doesn't crash and if it does, I hope I land in sand. I practice very ethicly and appreciate your referrals. I now have a lot of references. Cheers my Real Estate brothers and sisters.

I hope everyone is enjoying the market change as I have. It has been a welcomed blast of business. Here are several new listings from lake to historic to 12 acres with a great house.