Pulaski County real estate transactions of $150,000 or more; deeds recorded Jan. 27-Jan. 31:
Fletcher Realty, LLC to QuikTrip Corp., Pt NW 9-1S-13W, $8,500,000.
Buckhead Investments, LLC and The 2012 Fuqua Family Irrevocable Trust to McDonald’s Real Estate Company, Ls1-3 & 10-12 B115, Original City Of Little Rock, $2,440,000.
Starks Property Management, LLC to Mid-South Meredith Court, LLC, 1 Meredith Court, Little Rock, Ls3-4 & 10-12, Meredith Manor, $1,550,000.
Olin F. Wahrmund and The Wahrmund Living Trust to Westview Properties, LLC, Ls161 & 82-83, Meadowcliff; L30, Brookwood; L3 B5, Cherry And Cox; L76, Wakefield Village No.3; Tract 32, Gloeckler Acres; L19, Ouletta’s 1st; L99, Quail Creek; L255, Twin Lakes Section D; L231, Brookwood Section B Plat No.4; L3, Winston Section A; Lot R-10, Winston Section B Replat; L7, Town And Country Estates; L7, Traskwood; L198, Merrivale Section D; L4, Winter Wood; L16 B1, Deer Meadow; Ls16, 107 & 109, Rolling Pines, $952,500.
Ann B. A. Parks to Steve Bauman and Jill Reikes Bauman, L35R, Canal Pointe, $882,500.
Robert L. Cress and The Robert G. Cress Revocable Trust to Edwin K. and Sally D. Riggs, Pt S/2 Section 22-2N-13W, $734,480.
Hartness Construction Company, Inc. and The Billy Hartness Construction Company, Inc. to Dana Lauren and Aldo Rugerio, 202 Clervaux Drive, Little Rock, L26 B71, Chenal Valley, $459,000.
Anthony L. and Jacqueline B. Amadeo to Michael and Melanie Boyd, Pt N/2 SE 24-2N-14W, $418,400.
Schlereth Family, LLC to Quapaw Area Council Incorporated Of The Boy Scouts Of America, Ls3-4, Riverside Commercial Park, $365,320.
Anthony C. and Emily M. Johnson to Brian and Sarah Gray Vandiver, 114 Quapaw Trail, Maumelle, L31, Osage Falls, $350,000.
Menco Construction, LLC to Michael K. and Mary Theresa Wagaman, 1530 Creekview Drive, Sherwood, L7 B12, Creekside, $322,785.
LHI Holdings, LLC to NE Corner 4th & P, LLC, 1230 W. Fourth St., Little Rock, Ls4-6 B302, Original City Of Little Rock, $315,000.
Commissioner In Circuit to Arvest Bank, 128 Alsace Cove, Little Rock, L6 B7, Chenal Valley, $301,665.
Robert M. and Maria Ray to Jeremy and Meghan Bemis, 138 Beaver Creek Lane, Maumelle, L15 B25, Maumelle Valley Estates, $300,000.
Pardo Properties, LLC to Lydia Hunjan, 1911 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, L16 B2, Englewood, $286,500.
Matthew Marshall and Leslie Michelle Powell to Magalene Ingram Hogan, 112 Englewood Road, Cammack Village, L161, Cammack Woods, $278,000.
Laura A. McCalla-Anderson and Joseph A. Anderson to Douglas Edward and Tauna Michelle Billups, 8801 E Woodruff Ave., Sherwood, L4 B6, Creekside, $276,000.
Jay Calhoun and Kimberly Cyr to Andrew Collin Shaddox and Lexus LeAnn Raney, 326 Ash St., Little Rock, L7 B1, Elmhurst, $275,000.
Matthew L. and Morgan L. Brunson to Peng Wang and Li Zhang, L260, Capitol Lakes Estates Phase I-B, $235,000.
John B. VanKleef to Christopher James and Elizabeth Cameron, 6716 Brentwood Road, Cammack Village, L3, Cammack Woods, $228,000.
Heritage Land & Timber, LLC to David and Amy White, 7510 Ark. 300, Little Rock, Pt NW SW 10-2N-14W, $220,000.
Bruce W. Phillips, Cindy Phillips and Logan W. Phillips to Steven and Carrie R. Hesseltine, 104 Bentley Circle, Little Rock, L120, Bentley Court Phase IV, $219,900.
Justin E. and Stephanie D. Pragel to Brian D. Kelton and Meredith J. Wright, 7300 Sequoyah Lane, North Little Rock, L5 B47, Indian Hills, $217,000.
Brian R. Tavernier to John W. Elrod, L7 B3, Elmhurst, $216,500.
Gregory and Elizabeth Whitmore to Ashley Lorraine and Cassia Renee Henry-Saorrono, 116 Chambord Drive, Maumelle, L78, The Country Club Of Arkansas, $210,000.
Faith Lynn Taggart Frey to Angela Michelle Bryan, 6408 Ridgecrest Drive, Little Rock, L59, Ridgecrest Manor, $209,900.
Christopher D. and Alyce M. Paegelow to Karl J. and Lindsay D. Heidler, 6401 Countryside Drive, North Little Rock, L7 B1, Countryside, $200,000.
Jonda L. and Eric J. Pieper Jr., to Ashley N. Greer, 502 E. Lee Ave., Sherwood, Pt NW SW 6-2N-11W, $200,000.
Perrone, LLC to Toria Lynn Caleb, 3808 John Harden Drive, Jacksonville, L6 B1, Jaxon Terrace, $192,000.
Kathy D. Kohl to Stanley Wakwe, 312 Barton St., Little Rock, Ls4-5 B10, Capitol View, $190,240.
Janet Broadway and The Estate Of Leon Yielding(dec’d) to Steven R. and Kimberly M. Bracy, 7809 N. Hills Blvd., North Little Rock, L1 B1, Windsor Valley, $190,000.
Bank Of New York Mellon Trust to Bank Of New York Mellon Trust, 6912 Flintrock Road, North Little Rock, L33A B20, Indian Hills, $189,000.
Sherry Lyn Pogue to Sabrina Lynn McMahon, 16 Houston Drive, Sherwood, L30 Tract 1, Little Big Horn Estates, $183,000.
Aaron and Ashley Fiant to Morgan M. Crain and Danny T. Riddle, 7309 Gable Drive, Little Rock, Ls9-10 B4, Sunset Heights, $182,500.
Family Homes By Design, Inc. to Anna Maria Batzos, 9200 Meadow Gardens Circle, Sherwood, L55, Millers Glen, $181,670.
Fannie Mae and The Federal National Mortgage Association to Patrick Dennis, 17 Woodstock Court, Little Rock, L47, Fawnwood, $180,600.
Kathryn Smith to Elizabeth and Gregory Whitmore, 85 Kingsbridge Way, Little Rock, Apt. 85, Kingsbridge Townhomes HPR 8, $180,000.
Progressive Construction Company, Inc. to Gina Harris, 3905 Foster St., Little Rock, L12 B3, West Heights Place, $179,900.
Tina Kay Williams to Gregory Alan and Tami Renee Crowe and The Crowe Family Trust, L19 B4, Sandpiper West, $174,000.
Jarryd Fleming to Meagan Stokley, 6 Westglen Cove, Little Rock, L8, West Glen, $173,500.
Debra K. Davies to Steven and Kathryn Kerr, L5 B2, Woodruff Creek, $172,500.
Christopher and Angela Merriott to Arthur and Lynnette Terry, L167, Marlowe Manor Phase II, $169,000.
Rausch Coleman Mid-Ark, LLC to Dasha Harris, 5741 Cypress Lane, North Little Rock, L810, Trammel Estates Phase VI-A, $168,900.
Carlos and Cynthia Vazquez to Manuel Miranda-Vazquez and Yanira Vazquez-Galvan, 10112 Sibley Hole Road, Mabelvale, Pt SE NW 3-1S-13W, $166,602.
John E. and Lois A. Evans to Richard Lynn and Mischelle Denise Paul, 1207 Coolhurst Ave., Sherwood, L8 B6, Queensbrook, $164,100.
Michael and Angela McGehee to Jody Eric Mullins and Emily Schroeder, 3807 Compton St., Little Rock, L11, Lydia A. Dice, $162,440.
Tracey Diane Schlech to Reginaldo Adrian Salas-Martinez and Katya A. Guardado, 8 Cobblestone Creek Court, Little Rock, L4, Green Diamond, $160,900.
Chenal Storage Center, LLC to Pride Valley, LLC, Pt SW NE 6-1N-13W, $160,000.
MidFirst Bank to MidFirst Bank, 1920 S. Summit St., Little Rock, Ls12-16 B6, Moore & Penzel, $159,933.
Randy A. Reed to David Robert and Peggy A. Price, 309 Indianhead Drive, Sherwood, L30, Indianhead Lake Estates Section A, $158,500.
Coney & Channell Custom Homes, Inc. to Keith and Laura Johnson, 2204 Nichols Road, Little Rock, L22 B3, Hick’s Interurban, $157,000.
Donna I. Morey to Gene G. Remley, 7800 Evergreen Drive, Little Rock, Ls1-2, Leawood Manor 1st, $156,000.
Gaylon L. and Rashenda L. Branch to LaToya Marks, 3 Westfield Circle, Little Rock, L149, Westfield Phase I, $155,900.
Haynie-McGee Investments, Inc. to Fred Golden, 1020 McCain Blvd., North Little Rock, L102 B202, Park Hill NLR, $155,500.
Jeremy and Elizabeth Spann to Rachel Suzanne Barker, 205 Kings Row Drive, Little Rock, L73, Queen Manor, $155,500.
US Bank, NA to R&S Gilson Properties, LLC, 12805 Faulkner Lake Road, North Little Rock, L8 B1, Stone Links, $155,000.
Diann R. Brumback to Chunhua Luo, 7504 Evergreen Drive, Little Rock, L27, Glenwood Heights, $155,000.
Nationstar Mortgage, LLC and Mr.Cooper to Nationstar Mortgage, LLC and Mr.Cooper, 512 E. Justice Road, Cabot, L5, Ben R. Rice Trust Unrecorded, $151,022.
MONTREAL – Two Quebec real estate brokers are facing fines and years-long suspensions for submitting bogus offers on homes to drive up prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christine Girouard has been suspended for 14 years and her business partner, Jonathan Dauphinais-Fortin, has been suspended for nine years after Quebec’s authority of real estate brokerage found they used fake bids to get buyers to raise their offers.
Girouard is a well-known broker who previously starred on a Quebec reality show that follows top real estate agents in the province.
She is facing a fine of $50,000, while Dauphinais-Fortin has been fined $10,000.
The two brokers were suspended in May 2023 after La Presse published an article about their practices.
One buyer ended up paying $40,000 more than his initial offer in 2022 after Girouard and Dauphinais-Fortin concocted a second bid on the house he wanted to buy.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
MONTREAL – The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers says Montreal-area home sales rose 9.3 per cent in August compared with the same month last year, with levels slightly higher than the historical average for this time of year.
The association says home sales in the region totalled 2,991 for the month, up from 2,737 in August 2023.
The median price for all housing types was up year-over-year, led by a six per cent increase for the price of a plex at $763,000 last month.
The median price for a single-family home rose 5.2 per cent to $590,000 and the median price for a condominium rose 4.4 per cent to $407,100.
QPAREB market analysis director Charles Brant says the strength of the Montreal resale market contrasts with declines in many other Canadian cities struggling with higher levels of household debt, lower savings and diminishing purchasing power.
Active listings for August jumped 18 per cent compared with a year earlier to 17,200, while new listings rose 1.7 per cent to 4,840.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.
In the quest to find cities where renters can enjoy the best of all worlds, a recent study analyzed 24 metrics across three key categories—Housing & Economy, Quality of Life, and Community. The study ranked the 100 largest cities in Canada to determine which ones offer the most to their renters.
Here are the top 10 cities that emerged as the best for renters in 2024:
St. John’s, NL
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, stand out as the top city for renters in Canada for 2024. Known for its vibrant cultural scene, stunning natural beauty, and welcoming community, St. John’s offers an exceptional quality of life. The city boasts affordable housing, a robust economy, and low unemployment rates, making it an attractive option for those seeking a balanced and enriching living experience. Its rich history, picturesque harbour, and dynamic arts scene further enhance its appeal, ensuring that renters can enjoy both comfort and excitement in this charming coastal city.
Sherbrooke, QC
Sherbrooke, Quebec, emerges as a leading city for renters in Canada for 2024, offering a blend of affordability and quality of life. Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Townships, Sherbrooke is known for its picturesque landscapes, vibrant cultural scene, and strong community spirit. The city provides affordable rental options, low living costs, and a thriving local economy, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both comfort and economic stability. With its rich history, numerous parks, and dynamic arts and education sectors, Sherbrooke presents an inviting environment for renters looking for a well-rounded lifestyle.
Québec City, QC
Québec City, the capital of Quebec, stands out as a premier destination for renters in Canada for 2024. Known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural heritage, this city offers an exceptional quality of life. Renters benefit from affordable housing, excellent public services, and a robust economy. The city’s charming streets, historic sites, and diverse culinary scene provide a unique living experience. With top-notch education institutions, numerous parks, and a strong sense of community, Québec City is an ideal choice for those seeking a dynamic and fulfilling lifestyle.
Trois-Rivières, QC
Trois-Rivières, nestled between Montreal and Quebec City, emerges as a top choice for renters in Canada. This historic city, known for its picturesque riverside views and rich cultural scene, offers an appealing blend of affordability and quality of life. Renters in Trois-Rivières enjoy reasonable housing costs, a low unemployment rate, and a vibrant community atmosphere. The city’s well-preserved historic sites, bustling arts community, and excellent educational institutions make it an attractive destination for those seeking a balanced and enriching lifestyle.
Saguenay, QC
Saguenay, located in the stunning Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, is a prime destination for renters seeking affordable living amidst breathtaking natural beauty. Known for its picturesque fjords and vibrant cultural scene, Saguenay offers residents a high quality of life with lower housing costs compared to major urban centers. The city boasts a strong sense of community, excellent recreational opportunities, and a growing economy. For those looking to combine affordability with a rich cultural and natural environment, Saguenay stands out as an ideal choice.
Granby, QC
Granby, nestled in the heart of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, offers renters a delightful blend of small-town charm and ample opportunities. Known for its beautiful parks, vibrant cultural scene, and family-friendly environment, Granby provides an exceptional quality of life. The city’s affordable housing market and strong sense of community make it an attractive option for those seeking a peaceful yet dynamic place to live. With its renowned zoo, bustling downtown, and numerous outdoor activities, Granby is a hidden gem that caters to a diverse range of lifestyles.
Fredericton, NB
Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, offers renters a harmonious blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Known for its vibrant arts scene, beautiful riverfront, and welcoming community, Fredericton provides an excellent quality of life. The city boasts affordable housing options, scenic parks, and a strong educational presence with institutions like the University of New Brunswick. Its rich cultural heritage, coupled with a thriving local economy, makes Fredericton an attractive destination for those seeking a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
Saint John, NB
Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest city, is a coastal gem known for its stunning waterfront and rich heritage. Nestled on the Bay of Fundy, it offers renters an affordable cost of living with a unique blend of historic architecture and modern conveniences. The city’s vibrant uptown area is bustling with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, while its scenic parks and outdoor spaces provide ample opportunities for recreation. Saint John’s strong sense of community and economic growth make it an inviting place for those looking to enjoy both urban and natural beauty.
Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Saint-Hyacinthe, located in the Montérégie region of Quebec, is a vibrant city known for its strong agricultural roots and innovative spirit. Often referred to as the “Agricultural Technopolis,” it is home to numerous research centers and educational institutions. Renters in Saint-Hyacinthe benefit from a high quality of life with access to excellent local amenities, including parks, cultural events, and a thriving local food scene. The city’s affordable housing and close-knit community atmosphere make it an attractive option for those seeking a balanced and enriching lifestyle.
Lévis, QC
Lévis, located on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Quebec City, offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern conveniences. Known for its picturesque views and well-preserved heritage sites, Lévis is a city where history meets contemporary living. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with excellent public services, green spaces, and cultural activities. The city’s affordable housing options and strong sense of community make it a desirable place for renters looking for both tranquility and easy access to urban amenities.
This category looked at factors such as average rent, housing costs, rental availability, and unemployment rates. Québec stood out with 10 cities ranking at the top, demonstrating strong economic stability and affordable housing options, which are critical for renters looking for cost-effective living conditions.
Québec again led the pack in this category, with five cities in the top 10. Ontario followed closely with three cities. British Columbia excelled in walkability, with four cities achieving the highest walk scores, while Caledon topped the list for its extensive green spaces. These factors contribute significantly to the overall quality of life, making these cities attractive for renters.
Victoria, BC, emerged as the leader in this category due to its rich array of restaurants, museums, and educational institutions, offering a vibrant community life. St. John’s, NL, and Vancouver, BC, also ranked highly. Québec City, QC, and Lévis, QC, scored the highest in life satisfaction, reflecting a strong sense of community and well-being. Additionally, Saskatoon, SK, and Oshawa, ON, were noted for having residents with lower stress levels.
For a comprehensive view of the rankings and detailed interactive visuals, you can visit the full study by Point2Homes.
While no city can provide a perfect living experience for every renter, the cities highlighted in this study come remarkably close by excelling in key areas such as housing affordability, quality of life, and community engagement. These findings offer valuable insights for renters seeking the best places to live in Canada in 2024.
