Category Archives: Arkansas

Greater – Movie Review

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Have you seen the movie Greater? We came upon it when we were looking for something to watch over the weekend. I just wanted a fun entertaining movie that we could laugh at. I saw Greater and thought, “I love a good football movie. Let’s watch that.”

Greater is  the inspiring true story of Brandon Burlsworth, a college football player. From the time he was 12, he wanted nothing more than to play football for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. We learned early on that the story takes place in Harrison, a place we spend a lot of time because it’s the nearest big city to us. He works and works and works and gets the opportunity to walk on to the Razorback football team.

His catch phrase for motivation because “How bad do you want it?” I now have that hanging on my wall so I can see it every day when I’m thinking about the goals I sent for myself.

The movie beautifully captures his remarkable journey, starting as an undersized walk-on player and ultimately achieving the prestigious title of All-American offensive lineman at the University of Arkansas.

Driving through Harrison yesterday, I saw signs on the street corners for the upcoming Brandon Burlsworth football camps. I wonder if I would’ve noticed them if I hadn’t watch the movie?

The movie is truly uplifting and you will find yourself cheering Brandon on through the whole film. Watching his perseverance, faith, and determination are truly amazing. My short review: What a story, what a legacy!

New YouTube Channel!

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It’s no secret that my favorite part of real estate was my YouTube channel where 98% of my clients came from. I decided to temporarily deactivate the account because it was still bringing me leads that would take me time to farm out and I really just needed some time away.

Today, I decided it was time to bring it back with a bit of a new direction. But it’s gone. Gone, gone. I can’t get it back. I’m a little upset but I’m going to look at it as a blessing in disguise.

I’ve started a new channel and I hope it will attract my correct tribe instead of trying to morph my audience from the other channel into something they didn’t sign up for.

Refined Country Wife will be a fun YouTube channel that chronicles the exciting journey of a city girl, Me!, turned rural dweller in the stunning Ozarks region of Arkansas. Join me as I embrace the charm of country living, immersing myself in the beauty of nature and the captivating rural lifestyle. From our idyllic farmstead, I share the joys and challenges of raising chickens, cows, and dogs, offering a glimpse into the daily adventures and heartwarming moments that pop up.

As an advocate of healthy living, I am passionate about growing up without growing old. Fitness and well-being are at the forefront of my lifestyle. Join me as I explore various fitness routines, share workout tips, and inspire viewers to embrace an active lifestyle that keeps them energized and vibrant.

In addition to nourishing our bodies, I believe in nurturing our minds and souls. Through thoughtful discussions and personal anecdotes, I delve into topics like personal growth, mindfulness, and finding fulfillment in everyday life.

As a dedicated carnivore diet enthusiast, I also delve into the world of meat-based nutrition, sharing delicious recipes, helpful tips, and personal experiences on this unique dietary approach.

Furthermore, I’ll take you along as we explore the hidden gems, local attractions, and exciting events in the scenic North Central Arkansas area. From breathtaking nature hikes to charming local festivals, there’s always something new to discover.

I invite you to join me on my new channel where I’ll be celebrating the beauty of rural life, indulging in mouthwatering meals, pursuing an active lifestyle, and discovering the wonders of an extraordinary region.

Maximize the Proceeds of Your House Sale

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I help sellers maximize their proceeds!

Here’s the problem with the real estate industry:

Agents are often treated like a fluffy extra when selling your home rather than an asset who can help you make the most money possible from your home sale.

We tend to be the first to go when you think about cutting expenses or netting more money.


I’ve always felt frustrated (and saddened on those seller’s behalf) by the lack of knowledge about what it is a GOOD agent actually does for you.

I see the comments floating around in Facebook group threads and on Instagram – “I knew you could get the price you wanted! We are going to try selling on our own this Summer too. Why not when there is so much demand?”

Here’s the truth: The demand for houses right now, would not exist without real estate agents. We are the ones driving up that demand, getting you 37 showings you wouldn’t have without us, analyzing the offers (that are truly a foreign language to read through if you’re not a professional).

You wouldn’t have someone taking that accepted offer and making sure you’re not leaving any money on the table from that point until closing.

We are not just here to give you some advice and see what happens.. Do you think our only job as an expert is to tell you to paint your walls white, take down the ugly drapes and rearrange your furniture – not even close. We didn’t flip or decorate one house and decide we were qualified to help you buy or sell your home. We dedicate our lives to this.

If you decide to forgo hiring a professional to help you sell your largest asset and you come out on the other side feeling successful – even that is subjective because you have no idea how much money you could be leaving on the table from your lack of expertise.

Moral of the story – before you write off a real estate agent as a shiny extra, find a damn good one and see how they can help you. Smart people hire experts to handle their largest assets, not themselves.

How Do I Get An Accepted Offer In A Competitive Market? 5 Steps to Buying Your Dream Home

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If you are trying to buy a home right now you KNOW how competitive the market is. It’s not fun losing out on every home you want to purchase. So how do you get your offer aceepted?

STEP 1

You’ll want to start the process earlier than you think. It’s so important to make sure you have in depth knowledge of the current market and a good grasp on what you can realistically afford (monthly) so you can start the process confidently and on the right foot.

STEP 2

Schedule a buyer consultation before you think you’re ready. There’s a lot to learn and you’ll want to be prepared so you’re ready to go instead of being overwhelmed once you begin the process.

STEP 3

Be patient! I know this is a hard one, it sure is for me. But you have to have patience. Expecting an agent to find you a house and get you under contract quickly might not be possible or realistic in this market although I will do everything in my abilities to get you there. Set your expectations accordingly and talk to your agent about what is realistic.

STEP 4

Be strategic when writing your offer. The highest price doesn’t necessarily equate to the winning offer. Position yourself in the best place possible to have that competitive edge (i.e. work with a reputable local lender and an agent who is easy to work with. Follow their advice!)

STEP 5

Have all your ducks in a row and be ready to write a competitive offer. This isn’t a market where you can low ball an offer, see what the seller will do, take your time, and have multiple showings. You need to move quickly and be confident in your decisions!

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling, don’t hesitate to reach out to you. I’d love to help you find your dream property!

Rockansas

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Say what? How do you even pronounce Rockansas? Rock-An-Saw. This is what my broker calls Arkansas because it’s just so rocky here. One of my colleagues said when he was little, he would have to pick up rocks as punishment. When I put up a sign on a listing, I often have trouble getting it in the ground because of the rock. David’s contractors at NATCO struggle to bury fiber because of the rocks.

I tell you all of this for background. Back during my first couple of weeks as a REALTOR, I got a call from a man. He was so upset because a listing that was just perfect for him got away. Hot market, you know?

So I asked him if I could help him find something similar. He proceeded to give me a wish list: I want acreage, bluffs, I want to be close to the Buffalo River, I want a cave, waterfall, and rocks. Rocks, lol. I replied that rocks were really easy to come by in Arkansas and laughed. There was dead silence on the other end of the line. I’m not sure where this man was from, only that he had a heavy southern accent and didn’t find the fact, that rocks are really easy to come by in Arkansas funny. Oops.

Pretty rocks in Arkansas near Bull Shoals Lake

It IS funny to me, though. Now, every time I’m walking around a piece of land here, either previewing it or showing it to a client, and I see rocks, I can’t help but think about the conversation I had with that man because it IS funny. There are just so many rocks here.

Rocks in Arkansas near the lake with some driftwood

We are getting ready to close on our new place in Lead Hill tomorrow. After we made our offer on it, we took a side by side and drove around the 53 acres. I was absolutely thrilled to find beautiful rock shelves in the back acreage and I know I’ll be spending some quality time on my portion of Rockansas.