Martha McBride, Crye-Leike Realtors

09/19/2026

How to Evaluate a Home's Maintenance History
A home can look well cared for during a showing and still leave plenty of questions about how it has been maintained over the years. Fresh paint and an orderly yard are easy to notice. The condition and history of the systems behind the walls aren't always as obvious.
You don't need a complete record...

A home's maintenance history can reveal more than its current appearance. Learn what buyers can look for when reviewing repairs, updates, and major systems.

09/12/2026

What Buyers Should Know About Property Disclosure Forms
When you're buying a house, the disclosure form can be easy to skim past. It often arrives alongside other paperwork, but it can provide useful background on the property before you move further into the transaction.
What sellers must disclose varies by state, so the form isn't the same everywhere....

A property disclosure form can offer useful clues about a home's history and known issues. Buyers should know what the form can tell them, what it may leave out, and where an inspection still matters.

09/05/2026

How to Compare Mortgage Options Like a Pro
Shopping for a mortgage can be difficult, since lenders present the numbers in so many different ways, and it's easy to focus on whichever number stands out first. Knowing what to actually compare is what helps you save money.
Know That the Interest Rate Isn't the Whole Story
The interest rate quoted...

Shopping for a mortgage means comparing more than the interest rate. Here's what buyers should check before picking the right lender and loan for their needs.

08/15/2026

Weekend Projects That Improve Your Home's Function & Appeal
You don't need to wait for the perfect time or hire a professional to make worthwhile improvements around your home. A few hours of work over the weekend can help surfaces, fixtures, and other features last longer while also improving how the property looks. Many projects require only basic tools and...

Small weekend projects can improve both the function and appeal of your home with minimal time and expense. Here are the areas to focus on first.

08/08/2026

Evaluating Storage Space When Touring Homes
Storage is rarely the first priority for buyers touring a home, and it shouldn't be the first thing they consider. Kitchens and floor plans usually command the most attention, while storage receives far less notice. But a home that looks spacious during a showing can feel cramped once the boxes are unpacked.
Inspect...

Storage often gets overlooked during a home tour. Here's what to check in closets, the kitchen, the garage, and other hidden corners before you make an offer.

08/01/2026

Why Commute Times Matter More Than You Think
Commute time is one of those things buyers tend to round down in their heads.
Forty minutes becomes "about half an hour." A route with three bad intersections becomes "not too bad." A home that's farther out starts to feel reasonable after you've seen the kitchen, the yard, or the extra bedroom you...

A commute can seem simple during a home search, but daily routines tell a different story. Here's what buyers may want to test first.

07/25/2026

How to Balance Location, Layout, and Long-Term Needs
Almost every home search eventually hits the same wall. You find a layout you love in a neighborhood you're not totally sold on, or the location is right, but the floor plan needs more work than you expected when you walked in.
There's rarely a house-hunting scenario where all three of these line up...

07/18/2026

What Summer Weather Can Reveal About a Home
Summer tends to be honest. A house can look perfectly fine during a mild spring showing. Then July heat rolls in, the afternoon sun hits the windows, a storm blows through, or the basement starts to feel damp. Suddenly, you're seeing things that weren't obvious a few months earlier.
That doesn't mean...

Summer weather can make a home's strengths and weak spots easier to spot. Here's what buyers should notice during warm-weather showings.

07/18/2026

Recently Sold! Take a look at what I recently sold at 714 Woodland Street , Centerton.

714 Woodland Street , Centerton, AR 72719 See 1 Photos, description and maps; Bedrooms: 3; Full Baths: 2; Square Feet: 1442; Price: $295,000; MLS ID: 1348118

07/11/2026

Small Changes That Help a Home Feel Brighter and More Spacious
Most sellers focus on the big things before listing: the kitchen, the bathrooms, the front landscaping. That makes sense. Those are the updates people talk about, the items that show up in inspection reports, and the parts of the home that feel worth worrying over.
But smaller issues can quietly drag...

Small updates to lighting, mirrors, and color can make your home feel noticeably brighter and more open. No major renovation required, and no big budget either.