You ever been looking for that quite place to find a great book?  Check out the Fort Smith Public Libraries!!  For 100 years the Fort Smith Public Library has been a firm foundation within the Fort Smith Community.The Fort Smith Public Libraries are all centrally located throughout the community and they have an entire year of events planned to celebrate. Did you know that the FSPL has youth services?  Yes, they offer internet tips for kid, parents, and teachers.  The also have "Story Time", where specific days and times are designated to reading books to small groups.  They also have homework helpers in the afternoon and a summer reading program.The also offer Basic Computer Skills Class and the Annual Book Sale is a huge event May 3, 2008 where you can get some great deals on books.  ... 02/26/2008

This is a new topic I am going to start implementing into my blogs. I will feature new and unique businesses in and around Fort Smith, Van Buren, Barling, Greenwood, Alma and surrounding areas. My goal here is to showcase these businesses and to help get the word out into the community to help create new awareness and more business. I will not gain from promoting these businesses. This is just my way of sharing gems in our community with others.For my 1st spotlight business I came across this very unique business for expecting parents. It is called Heavenly Images. They take advanced 2D, 3D and 4D images of your child in the womb.I thought this was probably one of the most interesting new twists to an age old tradition of the ultrasound I have ever seen.I checked out their website www.h... 02/24/2008

 We are #1 in Fort Smith Real Estate Sales!  We are #1 in Fort Smith Home Sales!  You see it advertised on billboards, websites, and in magazines.  You WON'T see that from me.You are #1 to me and my business is all about YOU!  The personal and company achievements are great.  But, seeing your real estate dreams become a reality are most important to me.My business principles focus on simple principles.Service:  You will receive exceptional quality service that is not matched in the industry.Knowledge:  Information when you need it, how you need it, and knowledge you can depend on during the purchase or sell of your largest investment.Fort Smith Real Estate is complicated.  It's my privilege to make your real estate dreams your Reality.  No sales pitch.  With me, You are #1 and It's all ... 02/21/2008

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  Trolley Schedule Museum ScheduleSummer (May 1 to October 31)Monday thru Saturday - 10:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.Sunday - 1:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M. Saturdays 10-5, Sundays 1-5Weekday Tours by appointmentWork Night every TuesdayWinter(November 1 - April 30)Saturday - 10:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.... 02/21/2008

The Fort Smith Real Estate Market can be complicated with up and down trends.  It's important to partner with your Real Estate Professional throughout your entire real estate transaction.It's is also very important to use logic in comparison to your emotion.  It's understood you have a great emotional contact with your home.  Your home may be the BEST home in the neighborhood.  BUT, will it sell because you feel that way?Today's Buyer is NOT concerned about the great memories in your home.  Today's Buyer is looking for a deal and in some cases a steal!  In Fort Smith Real Estate; all Seller's Aren't Desperate, but you need to be realistic.  Especially in this market.Here are a few suggestions:Pricing:  The correct pricing of your home can make life good or bad for you.  The old saying, ... 02/17/2008

Fort Smith Real Estate Residential Sales have remained consistant with previous years sales.  I often receive questions about good New Construction Subdivisions.  Southfield Heights is a new subdivision located South Fort Smith with great location, great lot sizes, and quality builders.The following is a list of homes that have Sold in Southfield Heights from 1/1/2008 to 2/17/2008.MLS#AddressList PriceSold $DOMYrBltHeatedSFBedsBathsGarage510154815 HARVARD AVE142,500126,50020920071558322510347809 HARVARD AVE142,500130,00020920071555322523227812 HARVARD AVE149,900146,0009820051660322515341519 TRENTON DR161,388160,000174200717924225099611009 HARVARD AVE142,900139,00023120071525423 The following is a list of homes Currently for Sale in Southfield Heights.MLS#AddressList PriceDOMYrBltHeatedS... 02/17/2008

 Many Americans have found out quickly that "Money isn't growing on trees."  Some area's are seeing many companies downsizing, unemployment on the rise, and we won't talk about Gas Prices!  A home is still your best investment for security and financial growth.What about my down payment and closing costs?  What about my interest rate?  Fortunately, there are programs within the Fort Smith area that's designed to help you with down payment and closing cost.  Yes, that's right!!!  MONEY!Arkansas Development Finance Authoritythe purchaser can borrow up to $6,000 and must fall within the income guidelines. American Dream Down Payment Initiative:• Must be used in conjunction with bond money• 6% of sales price to max of $10,000 grant (soft-second) for down payment and closing costs• No repaym... 02/14/2008

THOUSANDS HAVE DISAPPEARED LIVE ON STAGE!!!  ARE YOU NEXT?  You can enjoy An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion with David Copperfield in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the Fort Smith Convention Center February 25, 2008.  there will be two performances only!!!  5:30 and 8:30 P.M.  Tickets are on sale now, but Disappearing fast!  Call 800-585-3737 or http://www.startickets.com/ for reserved seating.    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               02/09/2008

This is the Perfect Charmer!!!  Open House Sunday, February 10, 2008516 May Ave., Fort Smith, AR $104, 200From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.This spacious home has all of the character and charm that go with an older house, and well maintained.  It offers appr. 1,720 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, Living Room with Fireplace, Formal Dining with Beautiful Hardwood Floors, study, Privacy fenced backyard, and deck!!! Click Here for your Virtual Tour!!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               02/08/2008

Now, I told you about the Fort Smith Chili Cookoff today and I said I would bring the pictures!!!  I only had time to take a few pictures because I constantly had a spoon in my hand and was eating up a southern storm.  My boys Smiley Died were there to provide some Rock N Roll!!!!  There were over 50 cooks from all over the area.  I have never seen so many bowls of Chili in my life!!!  I loved it and can't wait until the next one here in June.    02/02/2008

Location, Location, & Location!!!  That's all you've heard.  That is all you know and believe, right?  You've finally found the "Perfect Home", you are delighted, and so is your agent!  That's great, but don't get so caught up with the 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and living room with fireplace that you forget about several other important issues.Do your research!  Yes, YOU need to find about the area that you are purchasing or thinking of purchasing your new home.  Are you concerned with Crime?  Are you concerned about the schools?  Are you concerned about drug activity within the neighborhood?  The list could go on and on.If your are purchasing a home in the Ft. Smith, Arkansas area.  There are some key websites that you can get some quick answers to your questions.  ***Remember, when in doub... 01/31/2008

Tuesday morning is set for Sales Meeting and Property Tour.  This Tuesday was very different because we were about to go by our beautifully history Fort Chaffee and notice blazing fires.Approximately 160 plus buildings were destroyed because of the fires.  Some of the buildings held offices, storages, and were vacant.  Because of the age of the buildings and them having Lead Based Paint and Asbestos.  People in the community were understandably concerned for any health hazards.  The wind had bursts of up to 50 mph.  All of the local officials deserve a huge pat on the back for helping to maintain the fire.  01/30/2008

The Fort Smith Board of Realtors prides itself on giving back to the community and helping others.  Another way is to give great support to the Special Olympics.  Saturday, February 23, 2008 the FSBOR will host Trivia Night Team Competition.  All of the proceeds go to benefit Special Olympics Arkansas.  There will also be a Silent Auction.  Last year this benefit raised over $11,000 for Special Olympics!!!  We look forward to a better event this year.   01/29/2008

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!!! 01/27/2008

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 co... 01/27/2008

                                               Ray, what's going on with this market?  Ray, are houses not selling?  Ray, you want me to buy you lunch because of this slow market??? LOL  I've heard the all the questions whether I am at a social function, supercenter, or gas station.  My reply remains consistent.  We are down, but not down drastically.  We are in a different market that is depicted from the national media.Ft. Smith has an up and down market, but a steady market nonetheless.  Houses are still moving.  Although, not as fast as our seller or we would like for them to move.  Yes, our numbers are down in Residential Sales in Ft. Smith in 2007 in comparison to 2006.  They are NOT down drastically.  So yes, I decided to give you the numbers for yourself.     2007 2006Units Sold... 01/25/2008

There are times to work and there are times to relax.  I had the great opportunity to relax last night and enjoy an Awesome performance by Smiley Died!!  I'm not a music critic, but I do know good music and good entertainment when I see it.  Smiley Died performed last night at Old Town, which is located in the historic downtown of Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  It's great to see local entertainment return to the area and give us their best!!  With the lead vocals being kicked off by my man Matt Burris, Jim McCoy banging the drums and vocals, and Jay Jenkins picking the guitar and added vocals; they blew the roof off of Old Town last night.  Their new CD has just been released and if you have the opportunity to see these guys live; go do it and tell them that they come highly recommended by "To B... 01/20/2008

January 16, 2008 Wal-Mart opened a new Wal-Mart Supercenter at 2100 N. 62nd Street in Ft. Smith by Kelley Hwy.  This Supercenter replaces the Wal-Mart that was located on Midland Blvd. and was open for 25 years.  The new relocation added approximately 137,032 square feet to the store and several new additional services and products.  The new store also brought an additional 255 New Jobs to the area.  "Wal-Mart brings in a significant amount of traffic and customers, and they are all captured in that location, so everyone wants to get a piece of that action." Fort Smith Planning spokesman Wally Bailey said.  McDonald's has already committed to additions in the area.  It's a very convenient location and the city has started work on the expansion of the Kelley Hwy bridge.  Please expect so... 01/20/2008

Lionel Riley, the President of Future Solutions Now will be the Keynote Speaker at a Leadership Seminar in Ft. Smith, AR.  Lionel is a powerful motivational speaker that believes in You being the Best You, NOW!  The Leadership Seminar Series is a half day event.  It is scheduled for Thursday, February 28, 2008 at Elm Grove Community Center, 1815 North Greenwood Road, Ft. Smith, AR  72901.  The sessions will being at 8:30 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m. (noon).  Session topics include Diversity in the Workplace & Leadership.The registration fee is $50.00 and seating is limited.  The registration deadline is February 15, 2008 and you can make checks payable to Future Solutions Now, 1401 S. Walton Blvd., Suite 9, Box 163, Bentonville, AR 72712 or contact him via his website:  http://www.lionelr... 01/18/2008

On November 27, 2007, NAR and the U.S. Conference of Mayors named Ft. Smith, AR a 2007 Ambassador City for it's homebuyers assistance program.  2008 NAR President Elect, Charles McMillian and Mayor Dan Coodyfrom Fayetteville, AR were available to present Mayor Ray Baker and FSBOR President Janet Matlock with the award."Realtors® are leading advocates for expanding homeownership opportunities, and the Fort Smith Board of Realtors® has helped advance this cause by joining with the city and the Crawford-Sebastian Homeownership Center," said McMillan. "This partnership has positively impacted homeownership opportunities in the area and has made a difference in the lives of local families. The great work underway in Fort Smith gives us all a reason to smile."Crawford-Sebastian County Communi... 12/30/2007