14 Most Expensive Home Sales of 2014 in Pulaski County

Seven-figure home sales in Pulaski County remained flat in 2014.

During the year, 14 homes sold for $1 million or more, the same figure as in 2013.

But 2015 could see more $1 million homes sold.

“We’ve definitely seen an upswing in the number of sales along with the number of active buyers,” said Casey Jones, who sells high-end and other homes for The Janet Jones Co. of Little Rock. “On the good properties, I’m actually having multiple offers” on the seven-figure homes.

Still, these numbers don’t compare to 2004 when 29 homes sold for $1 million or more in Pulaski County.

Financing a $1 million home isn’t an issue — if the buyer is qualified, Jones said.

Jon Underhill told Arkansas Business in an email that lenders are competing to get the loans for the higher-end homes. Underhill sells upscale homes through his agency, Jon Underhill Real Estate in Little Rock.

“Often a jumbo loan can be secured at rates only slightly higher than a conventional loan,” Underhill said in the email.

Underhill said that in addition to the location, potential homebuyers want high-end kitchens and large bathrooms with “big” showers and soaking tubs in their dream homes. “Some buyers are asking for customized rooms, such as media rooms, exercise rooms, wine rooms, his/her offices and kids’ rooms,” Underhill wrote. “Many request outdoor living spaces with a kitchen, swimming pool … or guest house.”

And buyers also want the home to have a three-plus-car garage, he wrote.

Jones said the square footage of a home isn’t a top selling point for buyers these days. Instead, they will focus on the “overall livability and overall quality” of the home, he said.

In 2014, only one home was 7,000 SF or more. A year earlier, four of the 14 most expensive homes sold in Pulaski County were larger than 7,000 SF.

Jones said buyers are looking for living space that is “conducive to a family lifestyle.”

As of last week, 49 homes priced at $1 million or more were listed for sale in Pulaski County, and most of those were in the Little Rock area. The supply is increasing; in April 2014, 35 homes in that price range were for sale.

For those who have wondered who bought these exclusive homes in Pulaski County, Arkansas Business, using interviews and public real estate records, has provided a brief description of the homes and of the owners.

Arkansas Business also compiled a companion look at the most expensive homes sold last year in Benton and Washington counties in northwest Arkansas in this issue.

1. $1.75 Million

Dr. Diane Wilder and Barnett “Porter” Briggs Jr. bought this two-story home in Little Rock’s Edgehill neighborhood for $1.75 million. Wilder’s primary specialty is medical oncology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1996. She joined the medical staff at CARTI in 2002. Barnett “Porter” Briggs Jr. owned and was the president of A. Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors of Little Rock, which worked to get passports and travel visas for international travelers. Last year, A. Briggs sold to CIBT Inc., a global travel visa and passport services company, for a price that wasn’t publically disclosed.

2. $1.64 Million

Greg and Anna Hendrix acquired this high-rise condo in downtown Little Rock. The 19th-floor location features views of the Arkansas River and the River Market, according to the real estate website Zillow. The space also has hardwood floors in living areas, granite countertops and KitchenAid stainless steel appliances. Anna Catherine (Ellis) Hendrix was the general manager at Ellis Infiniti in Little Rock. In 2014, an affiliate of Fenton Motors of Tyler, Texas, bought Ellis Infiniti. The real estate, 2.82 acres and improvements, was bought by Security Holdings Inc. for $6 million. The seller was ACE-H LLC, led by Anna C. Ellis.

3. $1.6 Million

Dr. Syed and Ayesha Samad bought this home in west Little Rock’s Hickory Creek neighborhood because their adult son, Ahmed Samad, wanted it. Ahmed Samad said he had had his eye on the house for years.“My balcony in my current house overlooks that house,” said Ahmed Samad, whose father is the owner of the Arkansas Surgery & Endoscopy Center in Pine Bluff and Little Rock. “It’s been known as the flagship home in the neighborhood.” Ahmed Samad said that since the home was purchased in May 2014, it has been in a state of renovation. Samad said there isn’t a set date when the project will be competed.

4. $1.425 Million

The Linda LaFrance Revocable Trust purchased the home on March 17 for $1.4 million. The home boasts a “handsome stone and stucco exterior with pre-cast accents,” according to Zillow’s website. It also features a custom slate roof and “exquisite gourmet kitchen with the best of appliances and hardware.” The master suite has heated floors and a steam shower. Linda LaFrance is the widow of Stephen LaFrance Sr., who built the USA Drug pharmacy chain and then sold it in 2012 to Walgreen Co. of Deerfield, Ill., for $438 million. He died in 2013.

5. $1.26 Million

This 6,419-SF home near the Country Club of Little Rock was purchased for $1.26 million. The Tanner Ward Revocable Trust bought the house on July 23. Zillow describes it as a European-style home with two master suites on the first level and four bedrooms on the second floor. It also has a covered back patio with a fireplace, the website said.

6. $1.25 Million

Martha and Dr. Vent Murphy acquired this manor in Little Rock’s Country Club Heights neighborhood. Vent Murphy is a dentist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic, which is a hospital-based pediatric dental clinic that provides comprehensive care for infants, children and adolescents. He graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry in 1986. The four-bedroom and four-and-a-half bath home features a “gorgeous formal garden plus children’s play yard,” according to Zillow.

7. $1.2 Million

Beverly and Dr. Michael Israel bought the 6,442-SF home in west Little Rock’s gated Hickory Creek neighborhood for $1.2 million. Michael Israel is a pediatrician who practices at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He graduated from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in 2010 and completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2013. The house has “incredible details throughout in wood moldings, custom-made Alder wood doors” and two staircases, according to Zillow. The property sits on more than a half-acre lot with a lighted sports court and an in-ground trampoline.

8. $1.15 Million

The Gene Graves Revocable Trust acquired a 3,678-SF home in Little Rock’s Riverview Manor neighborhood for $1.15 million. Gene Graves is the founder and CEO of SCA Pharmaceuticals of Little Rock, which specializes in providing sterile admixture services and prefilled oral syringes to hospital pharmacies nationwide, according to the company’s website. “Graves is nationally and internationally recognized as a ‘pioneer of home intravenous therapy’ and has been involved in sterile compounding since 1975.”

9. $1.1 Million

On March 24, 2014, James Campbell and Dr. Cynthia “Cindy” Hubach bought this 4,304-SF home in the Edgehill neighborhood for $1.1 million. Hubach is an OB-GYN and works at the Central Clinic for Women in Little Rock. She received her medical license from the Arkansas State Medical Board in 1992. The home features a “den overlooking spacious rear yard and inviting swimming pool,” according to Zillow. It also has a guest bedroom on the main level, and the house is “perfect for entertaining either inside or outside,” Zillow said.

10. $1.1 Million

The Dwight Hobbs Curry Trust purchased this 4,729-SF home near the Country Club of Little Rock for $1.1 million. Dwight Curry is a Fort Smith businessman who has a number of business interests. One of those is the MovieLounge of Fort Smith, which features movies and chef-prepared food that customers can eat while watching a show. He also is the owner of Tribute Hospitality, which is in the hotel industry. The home features a “sensational gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and slab granite,” according to Zillow. It also features a vaulted ceiling in the family room with an “amazing” stone fireplace, Zillow said.

11. $1.1 Million

Karen and Dr. Kevin Heath bought this 6,000-SF home in the Germay Court neighborhood of west Little Rock’s Chenal Valley development. The purchase price was $1.1 million.

Dr. Kevin Heath is a gastroenterologist and practices at the Conway Gastroenterology & Conway Endoscopy Center. He graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1985. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. The home features four fireplaces, a wine room and a three-car garage.

12. $1.1 Million

Stan and Catherine Payne acquired this home in west Little Rock’s Hickory Creek neighborhood for $1.1 million. He is an executive vice president and the director of property & casualty at Stephens Insurance LLC of Little Rock. Stephens Insurance, the largest insurance agency in Arkansas, is an affiliate of Stephens Inc. of Little Rock. Payne joined Stephens Insurance in 2009 in its risk management division. He also leads a team that provides risk management and insurance services to large public and private companies.

13. $1.05 Million

The location of the 6,600-SF home in the Germay Court neighborhood of west Little Rock’s Chenal Valley development is one of the features that attracted Kevin and Victoria Kordsmeier to it. It sits on the fifth hole of the Bear Den Course at the Chenal Country Club, said Kevin Kordsmeier, who is a financial adviser at an Edward Jones office in Little Rock. He also said the hardwood floors in the five-bedroom home were another feature that he liked about the house. “There’s not one specific thing” that attracted him to the home, Kordsmeier said.

14. $1.05 Million

The Trident Trust, led by Dr. Tobias and Teresa Vancil and Scott Daniel, purchased the 4,480-SF home in Little Rock’s Overlook Park neighborhood for $1.05 million. Dr. Tobias Vancil practices internal medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He graduated from UAMS in 2004. The two-story home was built in 1986.