Larry DeGroat, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, GRI in Searcy

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

AGENTS, BUYERS, SELLERS AND LENDERS, are you aware that the President signed into law a stimulus package where a first time home buyer can get up to $7,500 tax credit for buying a house between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009?

This is basically an interest free loan. You can claim the tax credit upon filing your taxes and receive a check back from the Government. You do have to pay it back but you have 15 years to do it, INTEREST FREE! What a deal!

There are some income guidelines and how much the credit will be. Send an e-mail to AR7500TaxCredit@Searcy4Sale.com for your free report! You will learn all of these details here.

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/

Searcy has a city slogan that reads "Where Thousands Live As Millions Wish They Could". We really feel this is the best place to live and totally agree with this slogan. Searcy is a community of a little over 20,000 and has a major trade area of over 60,000 in White County. Searcy has many manufacturers, business and medical industries within it's borders.

The Ozarks is to Searcy's north and west with farm and bottomland of the delta to the south and east. Searcy is located about 50 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas and about 100 miles west of Memphis, Tennessee.

Searcy is the county seat of White County. White county is the second largest county by land mass in the state and contains more county roads then any other county in Arkansas.

Searcy Municipal Airport can accommodate aircraft up to the GII classification. There is a 6,000 ft. lighted runway and an instrument landing approach (ILS) to the airport. A manned intercom system is active during the business day. Jet fuel is available 24 hours a day and tie-downs are provided free at the Searcy Airport. An average of 50 planes use the Searcy Airport daily. The Little Rock National Airport is 50 miles south of Searcy. A four-lane divided highway connects the two cities. Bus service is available in Searcy by Greyhound Lines. Searcy has local taxi service and rental-car agencies. Rail service for goods into and out of Searcy is provided by the shortline Doniphan, Kensett, and Searcy railroads and the mainline Union Pacific Railroad. The city is served by 13 truck lines.