Conway Real Estate FAQ — Ask Ashley, Your Conway AR Realtor®
Thinking about buying or selling in Conway and drowning in questions? This Conway Real Estate FAQ is your fast-track shortcut. I’m Ashley Watters, Conway AR Realtor®, and I’ve answered the questions real buyers and sellers actually ask—about neighborhoods, prices, schools, loans, acreage, new construction, rentals, and what it’s really like to live here.
Conway Basics
Is Conway, Arkansas a good place to live?
Yes—if you want strong schools, multiple colleges, real
jobs, and an easy commute into Little Rock, Conway is one of the most
balanced cities in Central Arkansas. You get a legit small-city downtown,
access to lakes and trails, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a cost of living
that often feels like a cheat code compared to bigger metros.
If you’re in deep research mode, I built a full Living in Conway guide that walks through
lifestyle, neighborhoods, local culture, and how Conway compares to other
Central Arkansas cities.
What neighborhoods in Conway should I be looking at?
It depends on your budget, commute, and lifestyle:
- West Conway if you want newer subdivisions, easy access to schools andshopping, and a “suburban but still local” feel.
- Village at Hendrix if you love walkable, front-porch streets with a college-town vibe.
- Centennial Valley if golf course living and planned communities are your thing.
- Beaverfork Lake / North Conway if you’re dreaming of water access and more of a country-meets-lake lifestyle.
To go deep, start with my Conway neighborhoods and communities guide and the Conway zip code guide so you can match
schools, lifestyle, and budget to the area where you want to live.
How does Conway compare to Little Rock or Greenbrier?
- Choose Conway if you want colleges, more shopping/dining, and a strong blend of city + suburb.
- Choose Greenbrier if you want a smaller-town feel with land, space, and a “know your neighbor” pace—I cover this in detail on the Greenbrier
homes for sale hub. - Choose Little Rock if you want major-city amenities, medical centers, and urban neighborhoods—see my Little Rock homes for sale hub.
Many of my clients tour all three before deciding. I help you compare Conway vs. Greenbrier vs. Little Rock based on schools,
commute, and long-term plans.
Buying a Home in Conway
What is the first step to buying a house in Conway?
Step one: get your financing lined up. I’ll connect you with local lenders who know Conway and understand Arkansas programs, VA
loans, USDA, and first-time buyer options.
From there, we’ll use my Conway homes for sale mega hub to narrow neighborhoods, price points, and
must-have features before we ever step into a showing.
Are there good options for first-time homebuyers in
Conway?
Yes. Conway is one of the best places in Central Arkansas for first-time homebuyers, because you can often find:
- Starter homes close to town
- Newer construction in West Conway
- Townhomes and smaller single-family homes near the colleges
I built a dedicated Conway first-time homebuyer guide that breaks down loan types, down payment strategies, and what to expect from
start to keys in hand.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home in Conway?
Absolutely. Conway is very VA-friendly. Many sellers and listing agents are familiar with VA appraisals and contract terms. If you’re
active duty, Guard/Reserve, or a veteran, my Conway VA homebuyer guide walks you through:
- How to structure your offer with zero-down
- What to look for in VA-friendly properties
- Which neighborhoods and price points tend to work best with VA appraisals
I’m married to a veteran and deeply familiar with VA lending, so this isn’t textbook—it’s real-world strategy.
Prices, Cost of Living & the Market
How expensive is it to live in Conway?
Conway sits in a sweet spot: more affordable than many large metros, but with enough economic growth to support long-term value.
Housing, groceries, and day-to-day expenses are often lower than what buyers are used to from out-of-state markets. Want the full
breakdown? The Conway cost of living guide covers housing, utilities, taxes, lifestyle expenses, and what your money
really buys here.
What is the current real estate market like in
Conway?
Conway tends to stay competitive—especially in the most popular price ranges and neighborhoods—but the exact temperature changes
month-to-month.
Instead of guessing off headlines, I update a real-time Conway market report that tracks:
- Active listings
- Days on market
- Average and median prices
- Price reductions and trends
If you’re serious about timing it right, we’ll use this data to build a strategy—whether you’re buying or selling.
New Construction, Acreage & Special Property
Types
Is there still new construction in Conway?
Yes, and it’s an important part of the market. You’ll see new homes primarily in West Conway, South Conway, and select pockets near
major corridors.
My Conway new construction guide covers:
- Where the new builds are happening
- How builder contracts differ from resale
- What to watch in inspections, warranties, and upgrades
I can represent you on a new build, even if the builder has an on-site agent—so you have someone in your corner from foundation to final
walkthrough.
Can I buy a home on acreage near Conway?
Yes. If you want some space, we’ll look at the edges of Conway and the nearby rural pockets toward Greenbrier, Vilonia, or north
Faulkner County.
Start with my Conway homes on acreage guide and the broaderland & acreage pageto see how much land you realistically
need (and what that means for wells, septic, and utilities).
Schools, Commute & Lifestyle
How are the schools in Conway?
Conway is widely known for strong schools, programs, and extracurriculars, which is a huge driver of demand. Many families choose
specific neighborhoods based on school zones.
I maintain a full Conway schools guide that walks through:
- School zones and how they map to neighborhoods
- Public, private, and nearby options
- How to research the latest ratings and fit for your student
What’s the commute like from Conway to Little Rock?
Most of my clients who commute from Conway to Little Rock use I-40, and your door-to-door time depends on where in Conway you live. Many
buyers choose Conway for the live here, work there lifestyle.
If you’re deciding between the two, use:
- Living in Conway to understand life here
- Little Rock homes for sale to compare neighborhoods on the Little Rock side
We’ll build a plan around your routine, not just the map.
Is Conway more suburban, rural, or urban?
All three exist in one market:
- Urban-ish: Historic downtown and areas near the colleges
- Suburban: West Conway subdivisions and planned communities
- Rural / acreage: Outskirts and nearby county pockets
Use the Conway neighborhoods and communities overview to see where each vibe lives on the map.
Renting vs. Buying in Conway
Should I rent or buy if I’m moving to Conway?
If you’re relocating and unsure about neighborhood fit or job stability, a short-term rental can be a smart landing pad. If you’re
planning to stay 3+ years, buying often starts to make more sense.
I maintain a Conway rentals and housing options page and pair it with the Conway homes for sale hub so we can look at both paths side-by-side
Working With Ashley
Why should I work with you specifically?
You get a strategist, not just a door opener:
- 20+ years combined experience in real estate and mortgage
- Deep local knowledge of Conway, Greenbrier, Little Rock, and all of Central
Arkansas - Experience with VA, FHA, USDA, first-time buyers, move-up buyers, land, acreage,
and relocation - A communication style that’s clear, honest, and proactive
If you’re serious about buying, selling, or relocating, your
next click should be:
- Conway homes for sale to start shopping
- Moving to Conway guide if you’re relocating
- Ashley Watters, Realtor bio to see my full background
FAQ
-
Is Conway, Arkansas a good place to buy a home right now?
Yes—Conway combines strong employment, schools, and lifestyle with a cost
of living that’s often more affordable than larger metros. The key is
understanding the current data, which I track in my Conway market
report. -
Which Conway neighborhoods are best for families?
Many families gravitate to West Conway subdivisions, Centennial Valley,
and established neighborhoods close to schools. My Conway neighborhoods
and communities guide breaks down options by lifestyle and price
point. -
Can I use a VA loan in Conway?
Yes. VA buyers are active in this market, and many sellers are familiar
with VA terms. Start with the Conway VA homebuyer guide and I’ll
help you target VA-friendly properties. -
Are there new construction homes available in Conway?
Yes—especially in West and South Conway. My Conway new construction
page highlights where builders are active and what to know before
signing a contract. -
Who can help me buy or sell a home in Conway?
I can. I’m Ashley Watters, Conway AR Realtor®, and I help buyers,
sellers, veterans, first-time buyers, and relocation clients every day
across Conway and Central Arkansas. Start with Conway homes for sale or reach out
through my bio and contact page.


