Arvest Bank has published the latest Skyline Reports on residential and multifamily real estate in Northwest Arkansas for the latter half of 2023. The bank sponsors the biannual reports completed by the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.
In the residential sector, home sales saw a 2.1% decline in the final six months compared to the same period in 2022 and a significant drop of 22.5% compared to the latter half of 2021. Notably, new construction homes accounted for 39.9% of all homes sold, the highest percentage since the inception of the Skyline Report in 2004.
“The increasingly high percentage of new builds indicates a couple of market trends,” said CBER Director Mervin Jebaraj, the lead researcher for the Skyline Report. “One is that current homeowners are less likely to make an in-market move because of higher interest rates, as most people don’t want to replace a 3.5% mortgage with one at 7.0% or higher.
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“Secondly, many new home developers offer assistance by paying points that reduce a loan’s interest rate. Some homebuilders might also be helping buyers with other incentives like including appliance packages with new homes.”
A result of that trend is that inventories of existing homes for sale have risen. Two years ago, at the end of 2021, there were 584 homes for sale in the MLS database. That number increased to 1,618 at the end of 2022 and 2,119 at the end of last year, representing a 263% increase.
Jebaraj also discussed the need for regional coordination regarding rezoning along the U.S. Highway 71B corridor.
“With all four major cities in the region having mayoral elections later this year, I hope we use the opportunity to seek public support for re-imagining the 71B corridor to allow transit-oriented denser housing growth closer to the city centers,” he said. ‘As the region continues to grow population, a coordinated approach to redevelopment among the four big cities would go a long way towards solving many of the housing issues and disruptions from unplanned growth we are experiencing.”
MULTIFAMILY In the multifamily market, the region’s overall vacancy rate rose from 2.2% a year ago to 3.1% due to 10 new apartment complexes with almost 1,700 new units entering the market. Even with the influx of new rental units, the cost of renting continued to climb, with the average lease rate moving above $1,000 per month for the first time.
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“While the multifamily vacancy rate increased, it is still very low nationally,” Jebaraj said. “And with so many new complexes entering the rental market toward the end of the year, it takes some time for new properties to get leased up. I suspect that the vacancy rate today is lower than it was at the end of the year.”
“It is obvious that higher mortgage interest rates are having an impact on the housing market in Northwest Arkansas,” said Gene Gates, executive vice president and loan manager with Arvest Bank in Fayetteville. “At the same time, the region continues to grow in population, and we continue to see a healthy market to help customers with mortgages. We are also working with apartment developers to secure the funding they need.”
The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
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CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
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JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.
The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.
Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.
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Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.
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The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.
At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.
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Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class
Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.
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Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.
In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.
Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.
Hogs continue roster building
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The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.
Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.
Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.
While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.
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Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
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As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.
Key takeaways
Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.
John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.
He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.
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In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.
He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.
