Managing Real Estate Broker
James Dray
Call me for your real estate needs. 479-381-0550
Cell: (479) 381-0550
Office: (479) 381-0550
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Real Estate Agent
Barbara S. Duncan
By constantly working in the real estate market in Searcy AR and White County for over 35 years, I have become known as one of the most professional and knowledgeable brokers in the city and county.
Cell: (501) 278-6817
Office: (501) 268-1115
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All About Arkansas Real Estate

By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
 FOUND IN MY ATTIC!  HUGE SIGNS!Signs are 24" x 48".......pretty big and very old.  Reading the signs will bring back Searcy AR memories for sure.  There is no date but read through them and see how many of the sponsoring new car dealers are still owned by the same folks.  Then go to the ones who gave donations and see if they are still around.  Things changed greatly as these big signs slept in our attic.And they provide great Searcy memories.
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By Nicky Dou, The BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT in Northwest Arkansas
(Collier & Associates)
Bentonville, Arkansas School District (Read My Blog about Bentonville Here)School info/finder - type in address to find which school your child will attend. Elementary SchoolsApple Glen ElementaryCenterton Gamble ElementaryCentral Park ElementaryCooper ElementaryElm Tree ElementaryEvening Star ElementaryMary Mae Jones ElementaryOsage Creek ElementaryR. E. Baker ElementarySugar Creek ElementaryThomas Jefferson ElementaryVaughn ElementaryWillowbrook Elementary Middle SchoolsArdis Ann MiddleBright Field MiddleCreekside MiddleOld High MiddleRuth Barker Middle Junior High SchoolsFulbright Junior HighGrimsley Junior HighLincoln Junior HighWashington Junior High High SchoolsBentonville HighBentonville West High Other SchoolsThaden SchoolHaas Hall AcademyBentonville Schools VirtualBuilding Bri...
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By Nicky Dou, The BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT in Northwest Arkansas
(Collier & Associates)
According to U.S. News & World Report, Northwest Arkansas is home to eight public high schools that rank in the top 10% in the nation! I am a top real estate agent in Northwest Arkansas and have helped hundreds of people relocate to our amazing area. I was born and raised in Springdale, Arkansas and graduated top of my class from Springdale High School in 1996. I have lived in Springdale, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Cave Springs and currently reside in Rogers, Arkansas. I know Northwest Arkansas very well and some of the main questions I receive from people relocating to NWA is about the schools. I decided to write this blog post so that you can compare the schools and have all of the info at your fingertips in one place. This should help in making your decision of where your children m...
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By Nicky Dou, The BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT in Northwest Arkansas
(Collier & Associates)
Check out this craftsman style home in Hyde Park Subdivision in Cave Springs, AR located at 1220 Chancery Ln. Hyde Park has a community pool/park/trails and even a community garden! 1220 Chancery Ln. has 3 spacious bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a formal dining room, 2 bedrooms are up (primary and guest) and 1 on main level. Hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances and a large fenced backyard! Corner Lot/side load garage. Contact Nicky Dou for your private tour of this great home479-236-3457Collier & Associates     
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By Nicky Dou, The BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT in Northwest Arkansas
(Collier & Associates)
Should I Move For My Job? The question of moving for a new job is not uncommon. In the past few years, more and more companies are moving their entire operations out of high-tax states to those more business-friendly. Possible work-from-home options further complicate the decision to move with your company. So, should you move when your company does? Things to Consider Before You Move for Your Company · Career Growth – One of the biggest reasons to stay with your job through a move is career growth and advancement. Speak with your manager or HR professional about what kind of career path is available before you decide. · Better Location – Companies moving out-of-state often move to a more desirable location. If the new area appeals to you, then using a corporate relocation package can b...
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
 Do you have relatives in this picture?  It was loaned to me by Betty Mote, who knows a lot about Searcy history.  I like seeing again how hair styles change and how girls seemingly have always wanted to have matching hair styles.I assume the girls were cheer leaders but I don't know for sure.  And what's that man doing back there?  Here are the names written on the back of the picture.  Left to right:  Floy Elliott, Era Greer, Mary Elliott, Helen Gerbert, Evamae Caraker, Ludie Allen, and Wesley Gilliland.  If you have information, we'd love for you to share.
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
My daughter and I were on our way to Des Arc to visit the Guess & Co Christmas Warehouse display.  You have to see it and you still will not believe it!  Plan to visit!  And on our way we found something else that was unbelievable.....pink wrapped cotton bales!   How lovely!  We couldn't keep our eyes on the road when we saw something else!!  Yellow wrapped cotton bales!!So, friends, let us in on what's going on!  Who decided to make those thing so attractive?  We hope they are there when you drive to Des Arc!!
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Interest rate booklet from 1980's.So we REALTORS are worried about what's coming!  Interest rates are around 7% right now and we are hurting.  Those of us who go back to the 1980s remember living through awful times.  This book was found in a deceased real estate agent's estate sale and brought back many memories for me.  We did lots of owner-financing!  We were also fortunate in having some assumable loans that didn't require credit checks or permission.  FHA loans, VA loans, and ADFA (called bond money loans) were assumable.  This book was published in 1980 and had the owner's name and his date was 1989.Let's see what happens!  We made it through it then but it was no fun!! 
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
 Another one bites the dust?Clicking the address   here    will take you to a fantastic picture of the above house and a great article about it.  The house definitely appears to be going down.    The ones above showed it about two days ago.  It may be gone now.  It is located at 702 West Center St in Searcy AR. It was built in 1925 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.You might want to jump in your car and go say your good-bye to a once lovely home that housed great families and was always a beauty to drive by.  Wouldn't I love a call from someone telling me they have bought it and are restoring it!!   Also be sure to go read the article that was in The Daily Citizen a few weeks ago when you click the address above. 
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By Nicky Dou, The BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT in Northwest Arkansas
(Collier & Associates)
As a top selling REALTOR® in Northwest Arkansas I am always wanting to keep my sphere updated as well as be available for those who are relocating to our beautiful area. If you are going to be moving to Springdale (or our surrounding area of NWA) for Tyson Foods I can help! I have helped hundreds of families relocate to NWA and I have lived here my entire life. I have 20+ years of experience as a TOP REALTOR® and know the area very well. Visit My Website @ www.NorthwestArkansasLuxuryHomes.comor give me a call to discuss your relocation needs @479-236-3457Nicky DouSr. Vice President and Executive BrokerCollier & Associates______________________________________________________________________________________Tyson Foods moving all corporate workers to Springdale headquartersCorporate emplo...
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Who made frying pans?While digging around in old stuff in my garage I came across this interesting frying pan (my folks would have said skillet).  It was different, kinda pale and not heavy at all.  But most interesting was the still-attached ticket saying "Home made for Dewey Wright."  I remember Dewey.  He passed away in January 2005 and he may have been a camping type.But who, in Searcy Arkansas, would have been able to make him a frying pan?  If any of our Searcy Sleuths can remember, share it with us.  And if there is a relative of his who might know, give us a "holler" and let us know.
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By Nicky Dou, The BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT in Northwest Arkansas
(Collier & Associates)
As a top local Northwest Arkansas Realtor® I am thrilled to have this new amazing community in Bentonville, Arkansas available now to sell to some lucky buyers! Brought to you by NWA Leadership Properties who have done some other amazing neighborhoods in Northwest Arkansas including Oak Tree Subdivision and the Scissortail Community. Aurora is conveniently located in Bentonville at the corner of Morning Star Rd. and Windmill Rd. Homes start at $435,000 and go up over $750,000If you are looking to find out more about this amazing opportunity I would be honored to be your Realtor®. Reach out to me anytime at 479.236.3457 (call or text) and I can send you the available homes for sale in Aurora. There are 3 "neighborhoods" within the Aurora community. Harmony, Horizon and Halo:Harmony has 2...
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Look at this ad from 1970!  The Pit Drive-In was located in Searcy AR on East Race.  It was greatly loved and look at the price of a tub of chicken......$1.49.  Compare that with today and cry.  Many folks went there to get their fried chicken instead of trying to cook it at home.  I wrote a blog about it several years ago.  Let's review it.  Click here to go to that blog.  Be sure to read all the comments while you are there.
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
I know.  It is not Valentine's day or even close but this old blog that I did several years ago talking about a Valentine Queen for Searcy was fun then and is still fun now.  This cutie in the photo and what she replied is meaningful today because it shows that history repeats itself.  The picture of a girl on a boy's bike was a bit of a scandal back in the 1940's when it was taken.  Please go now to this old blog and read it.Are you back?  Now if you did not take time to read the many comments, I will show you what the no-longer-little-girl said.  ""To answer the comments about the boys bike:  I got this bike for Christmas, one Christmas during "the war"  (WWII).....there were no new bicycles to be bought  in Searcy and no girl's bike could my parents find.  This was a used bike.   I, ...
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
 1957 White County 4-H Club WinnersFound!  Treasure from 1957 with pictures of two winners at the fair.  I'm guessing but I think she may have won a sewing machine and he won for having a great steer.  The style of the day is obvious.  She was wearing a dress and I loved the way he had those jeans rolled up.  She was Jo Ann Swain and he was Leslie Scarborough.  Prizes were evidently given by The Searcy Bank which is now First Security Bank.  Searcy Sleuths, tell us what you can about those old times and the folks if you knew them!
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Searcy AR RevisitThe lady on the right above is Betty Mason Martin and she lived in Searcy way back in about 1947.  Her memories of Searcy are quite favorable except for one so she just paid us a visit.  She now lives in Virginia, drove to Arkansas, and had a visit with old friends from her childhood.  Mary Kay VanPatten James is shown with her in the above picture.The bad memory is of her father's death.  Her father, Lester Mason, was superintendent of Searcy Public Schools.  Her mother, Alice, was a teacher of music and was choir director at a local church.  Mr. Mason was driving home from Bald Knob on what is now Hwy 13 By-Pass.  There was a big bridge across the river (it has now been replaced) that he had to cross and for some reason he did not make it across and he died in the acc...
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Anyone recognize the Searcy girl in the picture of Maud Crawford serving tea at Arkansas Girls State?  My friend and great Searcy Sleuth has found this picture in the newspaper or on line and knew the girl.  Here's what Anita wrote about it."Arkansan and author, Beth Brickell, has published another book "Solving the Puzzle of the Disappearance of Maud Crawford" - and recently the Arkansas Democrat Gazette  published excerpts.  Searcy Sleuth, Anita Fuller, who attended Girl's State in l953, recognized a Searcy classmate in the photo, and Jo Ann Cooper verified:  Dorothy Anderson Maple.  JoAnn attended Girls State with Dorothy in l956, but doesn't remember Mrs. Crawford."Dorothy is the girl on the right, says Anita.  Anyone remember her?
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Searcy Beethoven Club.  A friend of mine loaned me some interesting folders that she had found at an estate sale.  The folders were all about Searcy Beethoven Club history.  The club operated in Searcy AR and articles date back to at the least the 1950's and possibly earlier.  Lots of pictures showed that it met in member homes or churches or various places.  Assuming you know the husband's name, you may recognize some ladies because if I remember "way back then" we ladies had no identity except for the husband's name.  Seems as if I wrote a blog about that one time. (Click to see the interesting photo)The club also put on shows and did interesting brochures to pass out at the meetings.  The first picture above shows very young participants in a program and the second picture shows some...
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
 Because it is so hot these old pictures are interesting.Wonder what the temperature was?  This old picture dates back to about 1950's and shows how things used to be.  If you wanted a suntan, this is the way you got it.....out in the hot sun showing your bodies.  Later on, there was the electric suntan booth which could be used inside.  Still later on, and probably most popular right now is the spray-on tan.  I was always so envious of girls who tanned well because I didn't.   And here's another picture of how it used to be.  Possibly the same girls in the swim suits of the day.....one piece suits....no bikinis.  These pictures were found in an old photo album that Super Sleuth Anita Hart Fuller loaned me.  She may be able to identify the ladies.  Written on the back of one of the pict...
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Interesting Democrat Gazette ArticleToday's Arkansas Democrat Gazette had this interesting "Remember...?" article written by Celia Storey about the history of Yarnell's Ice Cream that operated in Searcy for about 80 years.  We have a tendency to forget how many years have passed as we remember the past.  It is nice that we can still buy Yarnell's ice cream and this humorous article spells out why we are able to do that.  Read it and smile.....as I did!  And I really like that cow that has come to Searcy, lives outside the factory, and belongs to Turkey Hill Dairy!
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Beautiful old doors!Some interesting Searcy AR history has just surfaced and there are beautiful antique doors for sale.  At the corner of Market and Gum in Searcy stands Bliss Salon in an old building that the court house says was built in 1884 and was renovated a few years ago by Bliss Salon owners.  I did a blog about it and you have to stop now and go back to read the blog.  Click here, Those buyers loved the old doors that were either in or around it and saved them.  They are scaling down and will part with them at their estate sale this weekend.  Check here for the information about the sale.  It is worth attending the sale just to see the doors!  The sale is fantastic and full of wonderful things.  You will be impressed.Lots of pictures of sale items are at estatesales.net.    
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Spring Street, Looking North, Searcy ARKTo really appreciate this old card and this blog you need to enlarge the picture and see the small details.  Ads on the buildings told me something I didn't know.  The barber shop had baths!  Go to the barber shop and get yourself a shave, haircut AND a bath!!  In Searcy Arkansas!One is for an optician and I can't tell what else is on that wall. Then there is something about "car."  Car dealer?  Street car?  Coke sign is there for sure.Then there are the vehicles parked on the sides of the street with one looking as if it might have a flat and is leaning.  The card is from 1933 so you have the possible age of the vehicles.  I like seeing two of them meeting each other in the street.  Note also how many gents are probably visiting on the sidewalks....
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Another sad photo of Judsonia AR tornadoI can't remember where I got this picture but it brings back sad memories of the 1952 tornado that practically wiped out the Arkansas town of Judsonia and did damage to other towns nearby.  Perhaps someone can tell us the location of this destruction.  It is amazing to see the two story house still standing.  I did another blog that shows the famous Judsonia mansion before the tornado.  Click here to see it.  The mansion survived and is still standing.    
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