Fort Smith Arkansas is an area that is rich with history, and people that love living in the area.  Many that visit the area find themselves not wanting to leave.

Don't miss the opportunity to take a ride on the Historic Fort Smith Trolley!!!  Street Cars were very popular in the 1920's and 1930's, and The Fort Smith Trolley Museum has a fully restored 1926 electric car that tours the very nice Fort Smith Downtown!!!

The Fort Smith Museum is located:  100 SOUTH FOURTH STREET, Fort Smith(479) 783-0205 or (479) 783-1237 

Ride tokens cost $2 per adult and $1 per child; available at the Fort Smith Museum of History and at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum.  Discount group tours by appointment, and the Trolley is Wheelchair accessible. 

When looking for a Realtor in this market; you need to be assured that your Realtor knows YOUR market!!!  Looking for Real Estate in the Ft. Smith, AR and River Valley Area.  Remember, "To Buy or Sell'um, Call Ray Nellum!"  479-414-1895

**** Information herein is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

I've been a Full-time Realtor for several years and there are few things that now shock or surprise me.  I've seen and heard almost everything.  Hearing from my clients what friends and family have to say about a property is almost a daily occurrence.  It's just part of the business.

I've found the client a property in the price range that they wanted and with the criteria that meets their needs.  I've showed them the comparable properties in the area.  I've completed their market analysis for them and given them the numbers so they can make a justifiable decision.  Then enters Max.

Conversation with Client:

Max says, "Offer them $25,000 less than listed price, and see what they say."

Ok, I will submit the offer. 

The following day.  They sellers rejected the offer.

What they didn't even counter?

No, I am sorry they didn't.  The agent said their sellers were insulted by the offer.

Insulted!  In this market they should be happy to get anything.

I understand where you are coming from, but houses in the area have sold for considerable more than what you offered.

My friend Max said that house isn't worth that.

I am sorry.  What does Max do for a living?

Max is retired and he has bought and sold a lot of properties in his day.

Is Max a Licensed Realtor?

No

Is Max a Licensed Appraiser?

No, but he knows what he's talking about.

Did Max give you some data that helped him come to his conclusion?

No, but Max has been my friend for years and he wouldn't lie to me.

I assure you.  As your Agent.  I have nothing, but Your best interest in mind.

Well, we will just let it sit on the market forever then.

Ok, I will inform the other agent.  Thank you for your business.

I work with Buyers and Sellers on a daily basis.  I stay up to date on the current Market Conditions.  This may be a difficult market now, but all Sellers are not desperate.  It's great to get feedback from family and friends, but remember to let your Professional do his or her job. 

Don't put the largest investment in your life in the hands of anyone. 

When looking for a Realtor in this market; you need to be assured that your Realtor knows YOUR market!!!  Looking for Real Estate in the Ft. Smith, AR and River Valley Area.  Remember, "To Buy or Sell'um, Call Ray Nellum!"  479-414-1895

Saturday, Feb 2, 2008 the Belch Amateur Chili Cookoff begins and your's truly will be there as one of the judges.  You got that right!  Come out and see for yourself and hear great tunes from my friends "Smiley Died".  The Chili Cookoff will be held at The Oaks, 5400 Massard Rd., Ft. Smith, AR from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

I will be there tasting all the great food, taking pictures, and rockin with "Smiley Died."  They will probably have to roll my little round belly out of there in a cart!!!

As children we are all taught a few simple principles:  Don't talk to strangers, If you can't say nothing good; don't say anything at all, Please, and Thank You.  Of course, we are taught much more, but these are some of the basic things that impact us and our business on a daily basis.

You ever go to the store or restaurant and purchase something and the cashier not greet you, and then when receiving your receipt or change they say, "Here ya go!" "There ya go!", and some even say nothing and wait for you to say Thank You.  What is up with that?

Thank you should be a part of our daily best practices!  Life is busy in general and too often we forget about the little things that could in fact brighten someones day.  For those of you like myself with a religious focal point we give thanks on a consistent basis to the Lord above.  We should, as professionals, thank our counterparts, assistants, brokers, agents, office staff, and clients daily. 

I've called clients and at the end of the conversation I say, "Thank you for the call".  One said to me, "Ray you called me and I should be thanking you."  Well, my reply was, "If it wasn't for YOU.  I wouldn't be in business!  So thank you for your business!"

Thank you is such a powerful phrase that some of us miss.  Try sending out Thank You cards and letters and see the response you receive.  Try ending every phone conversation with a simple Thank You.  Try telling that person thank you for opening the door.  You will begin to see more and more people appreciate you even more.  Those two words can go so far.  Implement, the power of "Thank You" into your best practices today!!!

I will end on this short note.  THANK YOU for reading this post!!!

Looking for Real Estate in the Ft. Smith, AR and River Valley Area.  Remember, "To Buy or Sell'um, Call Ray Nellum!"  479-414-1895