Google the word “time” and there will be many links that mean many things.  The first link will be the actual time and date for Harrison, AR.  Strange how the internet knows where my computer is located.

The second will be a link to TIME magazine.  Interesting fact about TIME magazine is that the first edition was published on March 3, 1923.  It was designed as a newsmagazine which summarized and organized the news so that “busy men” could stay informed.  Here 90 years later we are still a culture that needs our news summarized and organized because of limited time but we now view the most summarized source of news coming from the internet AND women are now busy as well.

The balance of page 1 links has to do with the official United States time and the World Clock.  I find it interesting that the world’s nations all use a calendar that measures time based on the birth of Christ.

Our real estate contracts are driven by time.  Notice the number of times “time” is referenced.  Reviewing the “Real Estate Contract (Residential)” alone references time in virtually every section from the number of days to complete a task, to item #29 defining the Arkansas Central time and date, to the actual time the contract was signed by all parties.

As a result of these random thoughts on time I have concluded that the secret of good time management is good time habits.  Quoting William Penn:  “Time is what we want most, but what we use the worst.”

The scripture reference for this blog has to be:   “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1  (NIV)

Did you take the TIME to read this blog?  If so, please let me know:  melissacollins.realtor@gmail.com.  The first five people who respond to me at this email address will receive a gift card from Sonic.

Written by Melissa Collins

In trying to decide on a topic for this month’s President’s Blog, I searched numerous ideas on the web.  I asked several of you what would be a good topic.  I thought of all the usual real estate market by-words, such as location, location, location.  I researched housing data and I read scripture as I searched for something interesting.

The decision was very difficult, but not life changing.  We make decisions every day some that are small, and some that are huge.  It is estimated that the average American adult makes 35,000 decisions a day.

I’ve heard it said that “life is the sum of all your choices.”  For every choice, big or small, there is no easy formula for making the right decision.  What is your decision making style?

Impulsive—you go for the first choice presented to you

Fatalistic—if something is meant to happen it will-fate

Compliant—you go along with the majority’s opinion

Delaying—you need more time or will think about it later

Agonizing—you can’t make up your mind, constantly rethink the options

Balancing—you weigh all the factors and then make a decision

Balancing is obviously the best method.  The tried and true sheet of paper with the pros and cons listed side by side is a good visual way to weigh all the factors.  Reaching a decision and putting it into practice is empowering.

Your Board of Directors makes numerous decisions on behalf of the Harrison District Board of REALTORS.  These decisions are made with consideration of the best for the whole group.

Recently, the MLS committee spent numerous hours collecting information to decide what the best lockbox to serve us was.  This decision was not taken lightly and much balancing was used to weigh all the factors.  This committee is to be commended for their dedication.   The MLS committee and the Board of Directors thank you for voting in favor of this decision.  Advancement of technology is swift and we need to be on the cutting edge to serve our clients in the best way.

As we move through this process next week, please be courteous and patient.  This is a huge process and getting 99 REALTORS educated and 700 plus lockboxes changed out will undoubtedly come with some confusion.  Decisions have been made and planning has been precise to make this as seamless as possible.

In case you are interested in the inspiring scripture that started the decision making process for this month’s blog:  Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV) Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Sources cited:  Linda Sage, blogger.

Happy New Year! One of my favorite phrases during this time of year is “Is it Spring yet?” When all is settled down after the holidays, I am definitely ready for the end of winter even though it has only just begun. Since becoming a Realtor, that phrase has become even more emphasized in my life. Realtors are always looking forward to that “spring time busy season” that we all promise our clients. I don’t know about you but I am certainly hoping for an early spring just like the one we experienced last winter.

I was anxious to see our year-end numbers at the Harrison District Board of Realtors and compare them to the previous year. The market is certainly improving. The total sold volume for 2012 was $71,372,708. Compare that to the 2011 total sold volume of $56,843,274. That is a 26% increase for the HDBR. Another interesting statistic is the average sold price has increase by 9% over the previous year. In 2012 it was $111,519 up from $101,869 in 2011.

Total ARPAC contributions are up this year. Some important issues that are being debated in 2013 are the Mortgage Interest Reduction and the 30 year locked-rate mortgage. Drastic changes to either of these could adversely affect the number of home buyers and sellers.

I must commend you relators for your giving spirit at our Annual Christmas Party and Officer Installation. Because of you, many area homeless families were served in a way that was not being met by other organizations or programs. Shirley Smothers will have supplies, food, gifts, SHOES, and necessities to distribute for many months. She is very appreciative to you.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you this year. I leave you with my favorite verse in the Bible since I believe it applies directly to how we do business: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory…” Galatians 3:20-21.

Written by Melissa Collins

I heard an interview on CNBC that intrigued me. Thought you might be interested. A socioeconomists was espousing about the changing priorities of young people. He announced “that the survey said” home ownership is not as much a priority of young adults as it was for their paarents. So I did what will come as a shock to my co-workers as they are fully aware of my tech challenged mentality, and googled “home ownership.” Sure enough, home ownership rates are falling according to the US Census Bureau. Home ownership for persons over 65 years of age is still over 80%. Even ages 45-54 is 73.5%, but falling. Persons less than 35 years old own homes at the alarmingly small percentage of 39.1%. Why?!?! There are several reasons, some valid, some not.

http://www.danter.com/statistics/homeown.htm
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/charts/files/fig05.pdf

Pure economics is a consideration, not having a down payment, closing costs, etc. Also young people want to be more readily mobile and do not like the poor liquidity of home ownership. Some say they just don’t want the hassle of maintenance, lawn mowing, etc. However, they are passing up the chance to build equity in a home, enjoy the stable lifestyle of home ownership and participate in other beneficial factors. Interest paid on home loans versus rent is tax deductable and other statistics show children raised in homes that the parents own do better in school. Marriages are statistically more successful as well.

http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/buyers-basics/home-buyers-basics.aspx?source=web

Everything considered, I think the younger generation has taken their eye off the ball if they avoid home ownership. Oh well, if that’s the way they want to play it, I will just continue to own and invest in rental property and I suggest you do the same.

Families relocating to the Ozark Mountain region can feel confident in the high quality of the educational opportunities afforded by the school districts of Boone County.  Each district competitively achieves at a high level both academically and athletically.  A wide range of extracurricular activities provide students the opportunity to find their own unique niche to enhance their educational experience.

Harrison School District— Harrison.k12.ar.us

Harrison is the largest school district is the area.  With an enrollment of approximately 2,800 students, Harrison students continue to achieve above state and national averages as measured by state benchmarks, national assessments, and ACT composite scores.  Offering a broad curriculum that includes gifted and talented programs, preschool, alternative education, advanced placement courses, fine arts, athletics, career/technical education, special education, and as well as student interest clubs, makes a relocation to Harrison an easier transition for families.  Athletic teams compete in the competitive 5A West Conference of the Arkansas Activities Association.   Sports that are offered include football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, tennis, and track.  The choirs and bands year after year receive superior rankings at numerous festivals throughout the year.  Elementary and middle schools have received national achievement awards, the most recent being awarded to Forest Heights Elementary as a Blue Ribbon School.

Bergman School District—Bergman.k12.ar.us

Bergman School is conveniently located between Harrison and the resort community of Diamond City on the Bull Shoals Lake.  This 3A size school has an enrollment just over 1,000 students.  Academic and athletic teams regularly represent the community in state level competitions.

Valley Spring School District—Valley.k12.ar.us

This school has a rich history of tradition in excellence in both the academic and athletic fields.  Numerous state championships have been awarded in boys’ and girls’ athletics as well as recognition as a Golden Apple School for Benchmark achievement.  Their students have scored above average for literacy in grades 3-11 and continue to exceed the state averages in other subjects as well.  The school has continued to improve on facilities over the years and is currently developing a new PE building, additional elementary classrooms, and sports complex.

Alpena School District—Alpenaschools.k12.ar.us

With an enrollment of about 550, Alpena School District can taut “small school with BIG success.”  The school district has won the Class A Championship of the State Science and Engineering Fair for 9 consecutive years.  Because in part of these awards, they were also selected as one of America’s Top High Schools by the 2011 US News and World Report.  The Alpena Leopards year after year compete far into the state basketball tournaments for girls and boys.

Omaha School District—www.edline.net/pages/Omaha_SD

A small school close to the Arkansas/Missouri border has many things to offer their students.  One significant accomplishment for Omaha was winning the ACT Outstanding GT Program for Arkansas for 1A size schools.  Faculty members work hard to ensure student success as one of their teachers was awarded the Arkansas History Teacher of the Year for 2011.

Lead Hill School District—Leadhill.ar.schoolwebpages.com

Community pride would certainly describe this school district.  Residents of this community as well as parents support this school to the fullest.  With a new gym and agriculture center the school emphasizes technology and vocational education as well as their GT program for Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Source:  Harrison, AR 2012 Relocation & Visitors Guide—www.harrison-chamber.com

Written by Melissa Collins

To quote Edgar Allen Poe “It was the worst of times, It was the best of Times”. The worst of times is painfully apparent. An economic downturn fueled by the housing crisis has resulted in historically low interest rates and declines in home values. However this has made it the best of times as far as real estate income competeing with Certificate of Deposits or other fixed rate investments.

http://www.dohardmoney.com/blog/real-estate-investing-101/

The old rule of thumb for residential investing was to search for property that would rent for one per cent of the purchase price per month. In other words, a home purchased for $70,000 would need to rent for $700 per month. Rarely do these numbers come together these days. However, with interest rates so low, that formula can be modified and stll achieve a healthy return on investment. For instasnce a house purchased for $65,000 rented for $550 per month would give a gross return of 10%.

Allowing for maintainence, taxes, and insurance one should still be able to achieve a 7% net return. There are also tax advantages to consider http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/top-ten-tax-deductions-landlords-29497.html and should you decide to leverage (use some borrowed money) results could be even better. There is no guarantee of course and management is required. We do have a property management service if you want to only be an investor. To avoid costly surprises I recommend a maintainence fund be set up and funded each month. This fund is used to cover repairs and protect against a month when the property is vacant.

We are always glad to visit with potential clients about rentals and investing.

Written by Jim Harp

A Real Estate Professional worth their commission will put a lot of effort into marketing your home.  There are more things to consider than just taking a few photos and sending it to the local MLS.  (MLS-Multiple List Service-a marketing database set up by a group of cooperating real estate brokers.)

Our local Harrison MLS is syndicated to all nationally recognized listing websites.  Realtor.com, Trulia.com, and Zillow.com are three of the more recognizable websites.  A listing at Harp and Associates will also be a listing on these websites and others.  Your listing with Harp and Associates will be enhanced on these websites.