Cherokee Village / Parlago Lakes (news)

[easyasabc]

Roy and Kenny,

I'm curious. Instead of wallowing in despair and trying to tell the world the little guy just can't seem to get ahead, why didn't you two buy a decent lake parcel or a golf course parcel years ago when they were just sitting there and dirt cheap? You both live there and from what it sounds like, you have lived there for a long time.

Why didn't you? It really wasn't all that much money way back then, and you were there to see how inexpensive it was at that time. That's what I don't understand.

Way back, 5, 10 years ago, you could have purchased one of those nice parcels for a song. What happened? Now it's apparently too much money for you and you're both blaming the govt, the economy, the Sid, the mysterious big developers, etc.

See my point. You both need to stop complaining about life and do something about how to make more money so you can afford the nicer things in life.

Roy, if you want to be one of the movers and shakers of your community, then get involved. Befriend these people. Socialize where they socialize. Learn from them. I live around the Conway area these days, and I've lived in Arkansas my entire life. I know many people like you and I know people who have done something about it and now they are the kind of people you two are jealous of.

Both of you seem like nice people. I just hope this knocks some sense into you and sets you on a better path. Take the glass is half full approach to life, not the destructive path of the glass is half empty.

[Royearl]

I understand your point. I have come to understand many things in this area. I moved to Arkansas several years ago. I was working for a company from my home state still. I made several RE purchases including a lake property, and two lots for a future new home to be built in the future with a 20 mile view of the Ozarks. I got married to a native Arkansan.
One month after my marriage, the corporation that owned our company shut us down do to foriegn competetion, which is an issue that sticks in my craw. We are losing manufacturing jobs by the thousands and the support jobs that those jobs needed. We do have a definate problem with our trade pollicies. I got a six month severance package, no health insurance, and after 31 years employed there, at the age of 51, found myself unemployed for the first time in my life. They refused my attempt at a retirement package. I had a one of a kind job, that disappeared after the closing and have tried endlessly to find something comparable. I have started my own business here to survive, but when you come in from another area, even if you befriend these folks, it is a rough road. The small successes I have had are self made, not anything from folks I have done plenty of business with.
As a result of my unexpected financial dificulties, I have downsized to a modest home in the village and sold off my properties to survive. I love this community very much. I am serving it in a way to improve it. But the "Good Old Boy" system has made it extremely hard to make ends meet, without being on a level playing field. I am sure Kenny will agree this is a monopoly here.
I have never had a huge financial challenge in my life before this, so it does make me angry at times. I believe government needs to make sure there are safe guards in place to protect workers rights. At 51 it is a hard road to try and restart.
I guess my point is that not everyone has the opportunity to be financially successfull for their entire life. Life throws challenges at everyone. This one happens to be one of my challenges. We will be ok. I have a wonderful wife, and am thankful for all our blessings. I am now much more aware of what can happen, and the less fortunate people who are struggling in this area. We all deserve a fair playing field. I am just much more vocal about issues now. I am in no way jealous of these folks. To make money in dishonest dealings is not the road I am trying to take. They too will answer in time to an unexpected challenge.

[easyasabc]

Roy,

That was very interesting. Like I said, you sounded like a decent guy, and I'm sorry it hasn't worked out that well for you there. Whenever I have come up to your area, I guess I just never noticed or knew about the politics and/or obstacles some people probably face.

Being in the Conway area, I have thought about getting a nice lot on one of those lakes you have up there, but not sure I could swing it? It seems like you have been there awhile. What do you think about trying to get one these days? Are they hard to find? If I did, is it a major problem with potentially building a house and trying to find good builders as well as the permit processes. Is it better to try and find an existing house on the lake? My wife would prefer new and we would only use it probably only 6 times a year. I am only interested in the big Tbird lake or the one that is connected to Tbird by that waterway.

Will non-lake people take kindly to newcomers that build a lake home? I don't want to go somewhere where people judge you wrong just because one has a nice lakehouse. What I mean is, do the non-lake people and the lake people socialize? Or is there a seperation between the two? The question seems a little funny, but judging from that post from Kenny, it certainly seems that way, and you could see how I could come to that conclusion by reading his and your earlier posts.

What do you think?

[gigu59108]

Bramnick,

I liked your post and it gave me a laugh.

The answer to your question is YES. Of course, "lake" people and "nonlake" people socialize. This is a friendly community.

Of course, there are different types of people as anyplace, and I do see what you are asking, to a point. There are some here who are a little jealous of the people who live on the lakes, but you'll find those people anywhere and in every city in every state in our country. Their jealousy is unfounded. Like I said, people in CV are very friendly.

I do not know about the builders and permitting, but I do believe lakefront property is always a good investment.

Two old sayings...

Q: When is the best time to buy real estate?
A: When you have the money.

Q: When was the best time to buy real estate
A: 5 years ago. (The answer is always the same whenever the question is asked)

What is the best property in CV? No question in my mind. It is the lakefront properties, hands down. I, like yourself, enjoy Thunderbird/Sequoyah, and the canal makes it so nice to go into either lake.

I hope to see you on the water!

George

[kennykingquiz]

Yep, I wish I was one of those lake money people. I'd be driving a nice new car and picking up the telephone to have somebody like me come over and cut their grass.

The only time I socialise with any of them is when they need me to fix something, and its not socialising, its called working for the man.

[Royearl]

Hi Bramnick, We are a friendly community. All are welcome here. I am sorry if my last posting was harsh. Things are picking up business-wise for us, but we do still have to do something about the political landscape here. All places have their obstacles. We will get past this one.
My opinion is there are really three major properties to look for. Most say there are two, lake, and golf, but here you also have to add scenic. I had two bluff lots on the river that were spectacular. Lake Thunderbird lots are pretty much taken. Homes on that lake, and Omaha go for the most. You may find some lots on Omaha, but they are a bit costly also. The smaller lakes are by far more peacefull, and you can still find open lots on them relatively reasonable. I also believe now is the time to buy real estate. It will only go up in value. One option is to buy one of the newer homes on Omaha. The construction of homes here has improved greatly, considering the way they were built 30 to 40 years ago. We have a great village building inspector, and homes here have to conform to the southern building codes. Years ago things were a different story. When Cooper designed this community he did make sure that you had to have actual homes here, no trailers. Come on up and check us out. If you let me know, I would be glad to show you around, and help you make an informed decision. If you have any other questions, ask away.

[Royearl]

Hi All, Check out the new ParLago site. They seem to have big plans for Cherokee Village without letting us know about them. Click on the partners tab and download their presentation. Its an interesting situation.

[rexieduffer]

I found these posts on another blog today about Parlago. They are not all in order and come from different topics, but alot of talk on this and it is fairly interesting to read some different points of view. CV is getting ready to change, that's for sure.

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"One more question. Is this Parlago thing going to fundamentally change your village? From what it sounds like, it has the potential ot create a privileged, gated group minus the water, who will consider themselves seperate from the residents of Cherokee Village. Is this your understanding? I'm not sure what to make of it other than it is all west towards the Omaha area. I agree that is where the future growth is, but I still contend the Thunderbird/Sequoyah lakehouse area is poised for renovations/tear downs, and a money influx into those properties around those lakes. Omaha area will have the bigger homes due to more land, but the Thunderbird/Sequoyah area will be where people really want to be."

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"WOW take a look at parlago website. Under investors/partners click and wait. It takes a while to download but wait till you see what they plan on doing. They don't even use the words CHEROKEE VILLAGE. It is called PARLAGO LAKES. I feel sorry for the people who will be scooped up into this project and end up paying more money than they should. But someone is going to make big bucks based on their marketing."

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"I went to the ParLago site and searched as Stan suggested, and was shocked. When they are suggesting ParLago Lakes Resort Community in the city of Cherokee Village, I am not sure how you can call that rehashing. Their site has been updated, and some shocking plans are laid out that we have never seen. They even have two areas marked off as theirs, and I would guesss that they are the ones that indeed purchased these areas for development. As for Stans thoughts about what Daggett and SID are thinking of this, I am sure they are very well aware of these plans, if not involved in them themselves, with ALC and KR. Once again I feel we are being run by folks who are just out for their own greed, without concern for the common folk that keep this area real. I could be wrong, but you have mentioned several times that the folks at ALC are, read only participants in this forum. I think it would be nice if the mayor joined us also, Jim, but I also think it would be nice if we got some answers from members who are read only. I think maybe we should make some adjustments to the forum. I visit also and do not always respond, but there should be a limit to it. If all you are doing is reading, you should be out, as far as I am concerned. They are doing nothing to help our community by not speaking out.

As Mel Brooks once said, and I am sure Daggett would agree, "It's Good To Be King"."

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"I am not all that aware of this Parlago development, but I don't see the big deal here. It looks as though to me it is a developer who bought a bunch of land in the middle of nowhere in Cherokee Village. The few times I have been there looking at property, we drove out west there, and west and southwest of Omaha Lake area if I remember correctly was nothing but roads going to nowhere and no houses, except some old dilapitated ones, so who wants it? They call one phase a lake community, yet not one lot is anywhere near a lake, and the other a golf community that appears to have no lots directly on the golf course.

These lots will be bought by people who don't do their homework and they will probably overpay. It looks to be heavily marketed, that means overpriced, and the people who will buy in there will be people who buy into a good sales pitch. This looks like the potential for a collosal failure if the prices aren't reasonable.

Smart people who has some sense of real estate know that by going to a local real estate office, you can buy many, many lots right now in the midddle of nowhere in Cherokee Village for nowhere near what prices they are suggesting this Parlago will be priced at. I have been in a few local offices in the last few months and there are lots for sale everywhere, but very few quality lakefront or golf course front. Unless it is gated and has many amenities that are only for the Parlago buyer, then I just do not see the draw. I don't see what they are offering except maybe a builder that offers them a few cutesy blueprints after they've overpaid for their lot, and the use of an equestrian area, you all say is going to be there. Big deal. Are they going to get a discount off of the already reasonanly priced golf fees? Probably not. Can you use the lake in a special way that any other resident cannot? I doubt it. See what I mean. What do they have to offer? From what I see, not much.

The map on the site was too small to read. What did it say for those with good eyesite?

I read some really good information on the city-data forum site that has a post title Cherokee Village/Parlago Lakes. They have been talking about it for months and there seems to be people who know what they're talking about it on the subject.

Again, I'm not all that familiar, but that is my initial impression of all of this, and I think I was right the other day to concentrate on the Thunderbird/Sequoyah lakefrom area. A few of you agreed, so I think that is my desired area if we buy in your village.

Personally, I wouldn't consider Parlago because what it is offering is not lakefront or golf course frontage parcels, so who wants it. Not me."

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end of part 1

[rexieduffer]

Part 2 ( a few more)

"This development is why Ed McMahon is coming to the Village for 2 weeks, to push for Parlago. Money talks and there are folks in the Village that are out to make that regardless of what the outcome is for the Village and whether Villagers like it or not. As the old saying goes, lump it or leave it."

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"Parlago's new fact sheet is nice. But they still call the area Parlago Lakes which by the way has the South Fork and Spring Rivers running through it. They also have a hospital and emergency clinics. Sure hope people check everything out before they decide to make an investment and then find out to late."

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"I still, for the life of me, cannot figure out why most of you are terrified of this Parlago nonsense? It would seem it would benefit the area with new construction and more residents adding to the tax and SID base, how can that be bad? I would like to know what I am missing. If it is a population explosion, I doubt that. It doesn't look like it's going to double the size of the village or anything like that.

Is it that maybe some of you think it will bring a set of people with a little more money and that makes some uncomfortable? I'm not sure what it is, but it doesn't make any sense to me.

Like I said before, I think the heavy marketing is just going to mean people paying higher prices than they really need to for the same amenities, but that is their problem, not yours.

I only think it can help those already there, but it is not something I would ever buy. Thoughts?"

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"We don't want CV to become another Bella Vista, AR. That is what it boils down to."

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"Even if Parlgo is everything it says it will, and it probably won't, Cherokee Village could never be another Bella Vista. Too many variables and too many differences in the areas to make that happen. I've been there many times, and I don't see it happening here.

I just think you are worrying about nothing. Obviously, as time goes on with or without Parlago, the area is going to grow as more and more people find you. You can't stop that, but to say it will be another Bella Vista is a stretch."

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"...you are right, BV and Hot Springs just have to many things in the general area that have helped them grow. CV is much more rural and is lacking in all the commerical amenities that the others have. Just look over the past 10 years census and you see that Sharp county had an increase of just 400 people and the 2005 mid census showed CV and Sharp lost population and Fulton County gained. Parlago has shown where they plan to develop and it is Fulton side of CV. So that should help Fulton County tax base. Also the hospital is in Fulton county though they make it seem like it is in CV. Like you said only time will tell. I just don't want to see the SID/City spend our money on making improvements on roads or other items for Parlago until they have proven themselves. I just don't want us to get caught holding an empty bag."

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"I am not all that aware of this Parlago development, but I don't see the big deal here. It looks as though to me it is a developer who bought a bunch of land in the middle of nowhere in Cherokee Village. The few times I have been there looking at property, we drove out west there, and west and southwest of Omaha Lake area if I remember correctly was nothing but roads going to nowhere and no houses, except some old dilapitated ones, so who wants it? They call one phase a lake community, yet not one lot is anywhere near a lake, and the other a golf community that appears to have no lots directly on the golf course.

These lots will be bought by people who don't do their homework and they will probably overpay. It looks to be heavily marketed, that means overpriced, and the people who will buy in there will be people who buy into a good sales pitch. This looks like the potential for a collosal failure if the prices aren't reasonable.

Smart people who has some sense of real estate know that by going to a local real estate office, you can buy many, many lots right now in the midddle of nowhere in Cherokee Village for nowhere near what prices they are suggesting this Parlago will be priced at. I have been in a few local offices in the last few months and there are lots for sale everywhere, but very few quality lakefront or golf course front. Unless it is gated and has many amenities that are only for the Parlago buyer, then I just do not see the draw. I don't see what they are offering except maybe a builder that offers them a few cutesy blueprints after they've overpaid for their lot, and the use of an equestrian area, you all say is going to be there. Big deal. Are they going to get a discount off of the already reasonanly priced golf fees? Probably not. Can you use the lake in a special way that any other resident cannot? I doubt it. See what I mean. What do they have to offer? From what I see, not much.

The map on the site was too small to read. What did it say for those with good eyesite?

I read some really good information on the city-data forum site that has a post title Cherokee Village/Parlago Lakes. They have been talking about it for months and there seems to be people who know what they're talking about it on the subject.

Again, I'm not all that familiar, but that is my initial impression of all of this, and I think I was right the other day to concentrate on the Thunderbird/Sequoyah lakefrom area. A few of you agreed, so I think that is my desired area if we buy in your village.

Personally, I wouldn't consider Parlago because what it is offering is not lakefront or golf course frontage parcels, so who wants it. Not me."

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"I picked up a bit of information today that I found interesting. The person who is ParLago bought 1500 lots off the the delinquent tax roles for over a million dollars and paid cash. ALC is bringing in at least 100 people from Califoria in June to play golf at the south course and of course buy property. From this information I would further assume that means the south course will be closed to homowners during certain times of day and days of the week all so ALC and Parlago can do their development thing. If this takes place as I was told it would, the prices will skyrocket for lots and builders. If you're a builder, plumber, electrician, etc. get prepared to make money, the buyers from California have no idea of AR prices and everything they touch will jump in price. Hang on to your tax hat folks!"

[gigu59108]

I just found out the south golf course is going to be closed to property owners one day in June, so that the Parlogo salespeople can put the squeeze on the people who are coming in to look at Parlago lots to maybe buy.

They are talking them out for a day on the golf course. I wouldn't want to be stuck in a golf cart with a high pressure sales babe squawking out the virtues of Cherokee Village. I think I would rather have a triple bypass than put up with that crapola.

Someone should tell these people if they want to buy a run of the mill lot, then just mosey on over to any real estate office in the area. They'll find you plenty for much less money.

Hahahahahaha!

What is not so funny is that if I feel like playing golf on the golf course on that day, this owner is going to get on, and that is that. Any problem with that, sales babe? Just try and keep me off.