Christy Robinson

Hi Joann! I would love to help- feel free to contact me at 501-274-3555.

Short answer: usually noaEUR"unless you plan ahead! In Arkansas real estate, the rule comes down to whether the shed is considered real property (a fixture) or personal property. When a shed is considered a fixture (and must stay) A shed is typically treated as part of the property if: It's permanently attached (on a slab, footings, or anchored) Utilities are run to it (electric, water, etc.) It was intended to be a permanent improvement A buyer would reasonably expect it to stay If it checks those boxes, it legally conveys with the property when you sellaEUR"meaning you can't remove it after going under contract. When you can take the shed: You can take it only if one of these applies: The shed is not permanently attached (skids, sitting on blocks, movable) AND you clearly disclose in writing that it does not convey AND it is specifically excluded in the MLS listing and the purchase contract Example exclusion language: " Seller to retain and remove backyard storage shed prior to closing.aEUR? Important timing note: You cannot decide later to take it. Once a contract is signed without an exclusion, removing it could: Breach the contract Delay closing Require compensation or replacement Best practice- If you want to keep it: Decide before listing Exclude it clearly in the listing & contract Consider removing it before showings to avoid confusion

Ways to Save Money on a Mortgage (Big Picture) There are three main levers you can pull: Interest rate Loan structure & fees Timing & strategy Even small changes can save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. 1. How to Get a Lower Interest Rate Shop lenders (this matters more than people realize) Rates and fees vary a lot between lenders. What to say: " Can you send me a Loan Estimate so I can compare?aEUR? Compare: Interest rate APR (this shows total cost) Origination fees Credit pulls within a 14"45 day window for mortgages typically count as one inquiry. Improve your credit (even slightly) Best rates usually start at 740+ Pay credit cards down below 30% utilization Don't open new accounts before applying Ask the lender: " What credit score tier am I pricing into, and what would improve my rate?aEUR? Choose the right loan type Conventional loans often have better rates if you qualify 15-year loans = lower rate, higher payment, huge interest savings ARM loans can be smart if you won't keep the home long-term Ask: " Can you show me 30-year, 15-year, and ARM options side-by-side?aEUR? Buy down the rate (points) You can pay money upfront to lower your rate. Ask: " What would my rate be with zero points vs. buying it down?aEUR? Then ask: " How long would it take to break even?aEUR? If you'll sell or refinance before then aEUR" don't do it. 2. Ways to Lower Your Monthly Payment Increase your down payment (strategically) 20% avoids PMI Even going from 3% a+' 5% can help ButaEUR| sometimes keeping cash is smarter. Ask: " How does my payment change at 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% down?aEUR? Get rid of PMI faster If you have PMI: Ask when it can be removed Extra payments toward principal help Ask: " When can PMI be removed, and what triggers that?aEUR? Negotiate lender fees Some fees are negotiable. Ask directly: " Are any of these fees adjustable or waivable?aEUR? Worst they say is no. 3. Use the Contract to Your Advantage Seller concessions You can sometimes have the seller pay: Closing costs Rate buy-downs This is very market-dependent, but powerful. Ask your agent: " Can we structure the offer to get seller-paid closing costs or a rate buy-down?aEUR? Lock your rate wisely Rates move daily. Ask: " How long is the rate lock, and what happens if rates drop?aEUR? Some lenders offer a float-down option. 4. Long-Term Money-Saving Moves aoe... Make one extra payment per year Apply it to principal Can shave years off your loan Even $100/month extra helps. Refinance (when it makes sense) Refinance if: Rates drop by ~0.75"1% You'll stay in the home long enough to break even Questions You Can Copy & Paste to a Lender Here's a cheat sheet you can literally send: aEURc What rate and APR do I qualify for today? aEURc What loan options should I compare? aEURc What are the total closing costs? aEURc Can I buy down the rate, and what's the break-even point? aEURc How can I remove PMI sooner? aEURc Are any lender fees negotiable? aEURc How long is the rate lock and is there a float-down option?

Technically: You can skip it. Practically: You usually shouldn't. Why inspections matter: Reveals hidden issues (roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing) Helps you: Renegotiate price Ask for repairs Walk away if it's a major problem Inspections often cost $350"$500 One repair found can save you thousands When buyers sometimes skip inspections: New construction (even then, many still inspect) Competitive multiple-offer situations Investor purchases (still a calculated risk) Smarter alternatives if competition is tight: Informational-only inspection Short inspection window Limit repair requests Pre-offer inspection (when possible) Skipping an inspection means: You're accepting the home as-is, even if problems show up later. Most regret stories in real estate start with: " We skipped the inspection because we didn't think we needed one.aEUR?

Here are some medium-sized cities or regions with lower housing and living costs aEUR" often attractive for remote workers (I'm located in Arkansas): dY?(TM)i,? Affordable & Livable Cities Based on recent cost-of-living data: dY"? Detroit, Michigan One of the most affordable cities in the U.S. Costs ~20"25% below national average. Forbes dY"? Cleveland & Akron, Ohio Low monthly costs and housing values. Forbes dY"? Toledo, Ohio Known for very low home prices. Nasdaq dY"? El Paso, Texas Affordable cost with a warm climate. Forbes dY"? Oklahoma City, OK Low cost of living with metro amenities. Visual Capitalist dY"? Little Rock, Arkansas Urban amenities and lower housing costs aEUR" good option for remote workers. Cost Living Explorer dY"? Fort Wayne, IN / Wichita, KS / Davenport, IA Smaller mid-sized cities with very affordable housing. Cost Living Explorer dY"? Huntsville, AL Growing tech jobs + affordable living. Cost Living Explorer dY"? Rochester, NY Lower cost rent & housing compared to many cities. Forbes dY?! Smaller, Ultra-Affordable Places If you're okay with smaller cities/towns: Tupelo, MS aEUR" consistently low cost of living. Visual Capitalist Harlingen / McAllen, TX aEUR" very affordable monthly costs. Move.org Salina, KS / Muskogee, OK / Ponca City, OK aEUR" among the lowest cost indexes. Reddit dY'! Tips for Choosing When weighing affordability + quality of life, consider: Job opportunities Internet reliability (if remote work depends on it) Healthcare access Climate and personal lifestyle Taxes (income, property, sales) Final Quick Summary aoe" Shed: Likely stays unless detached and specified in contract. aoe" Mortgage savings: Shop lenders, improve credit, buy points wisely, refinance options. aoe" Home inspection: Highly recommended unless very low-risk situation. aoe" Affordable cities: Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, El Paso, OKC, Little Rock, Fort Wayne, Huntsville, and others offer good value for remote workers.

How to Get the Most Money When Selling Your House Price it right from the start " Overpricing can cause your home to sit and sell for less later. Make it look clean & move-in ready " Declutter, deep clean, and handle small repairs. Boost curb appeal " First impressions matter (lawn, front door, exterior). Use professional photos " Better photos = more interest and higher offers. List at the right time " Spring and early summer often bring more buyers. Don't over-upgrade " Focus on low-cost, high-impact updates. Hire a strong local agent " Marketing, pricing strategy, and negotiation matter. Be flexible with showings " More access = more buyers = better offers. Bottom line: Clean it up, price it correctly, market it well, and negotiate smart.

NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America) is a nonprofit program that helps people buy homes with very affordable loans. Key benefits: No down payment No closing costs No PMI (private mortgage insurance) Below-market interest rates Available to low- and moderate-income buyers What's required: Attend NACA workshops Work with a NACA counselor Show stable income and on-time rent history The process can be long and paperwork-heavy Good to know: You must buy a primary residence There are price limits based on area Not ideal if you need to buy quickly NACA can save you thousands of dollars, but it requires patience and strict guidelines. Great option if you qualify and aren't in a rush.

dY'? How much does a home appraisal usually cost? Most home appraisals cost $400"$700. Typical ranges: Small or average home: $400"$500 Larger, luxury, or rural homes: $600"$1,000+ What affects the price: Home size & value Location (rural usually costs more) Property type (single-family vs. acreage, multi-unit, etc.) Who pays? Usually the buyer, as part of closing costs Sometimes the seller (mainly for pre-listing appraisals)

Focus on the basics that bring the most value: Declutter & depersonalize " less stuff makes rooms look bigger Deep clean " floors, windows, kitchens, bathrooms Make small repairs " fix leaks, squeaks, loose handles, chipped paint Freshen up paint " light, neutral colors work best Boost curb appeal " mow, trim, clean the entry, add simple landscaping Remove odors " pets, smoke, strong food smells Stage lightly (if possible) " clean, open, and inviting Goal: Make the home feel clean, well-maintained, and move-in ready.

Short answer: Sometimes aEUR" but not always. Pros: Can increase appeal to buyers who want outdoor living Helps most in higher-end homes/neighborhoods An outdoor kitchen + pool can be a lifestyle upgrade Cons (especially in WI): Limited use due to climate Higher maintenance, insurance, and repair costs Some buyers see it as extra work, not extra value Rarely adds dollar-for-dollar value to the sale price Bottom line: A pool may help your home sell faster to the right buyer It usually does not significantly increase appraised value in Wisconsin It can narrow your buyer pool Best advice: Build the pool if you'll enjoy it aEUR" don't rely on it as an investment return.

Yes aEUR" dropping the price too often can be a problem. Multiple small price drops over time can signal to buyers that something is wrong or that the seller is chasing the market. Buyers often wait, assuming another drop is coming. The biggest impact usually comes from one strategic price reduction, not many small ones. General advice: If there's little to no activity after ~2"3 weeks, the price is likely the issue. It's usually better to make one meaningful adjustment that puts the home into a new buyer search bracket. After several drops, it's smart to reassess: Pricing vs. recent sold comps Condition or updates Marketing/photos/showing feedback Bottom line: Frequent price drops aren't ideal. A well-planned adjustment based on market data works better than gradual reductions.

Short answer: Yes aEUR" it's often a smart move, even if you're paying cash. Why it can be worth it: aoe... Confirms you're not overpaying aoe... Gives leverage if the value comes in lower than the price aoe... Helpful for future resale, insurance, or tax purposes aoe... Provides an objective opinion vs. emotions or bidding pressure When you might skip it: a?OE You're getting a great deal a?OE You plan to renovate heavily a?OE You're comfortable with the price regardless of value Cost: Usually $400"$700, depending on location and property type. Bottom line: Even without a lender requiring it, an appraisal can be cheap insurance on a large purchase.