Photography, Virtual Tours, Graphic & Web Design - Our Passion

Hamilton House Estate - Pamper Yourself with a little bit of History

2011-04-14T01:38:00.000-05:00

A Magnificent old Inn on the National Historical Register in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
A 1931 Villa retreat located on a 3 acre peninsula surrounded by beautiful Lake Hamilton. Their luxurious estate offers the utmost in privacy and seclusion.
Whether having a party, family reunion, wedding, or any social event, Hamilton House Estate can offer luxury suites, full bar, dining facilities, party site and more! Whatever you may need! Perfect for a retreat to relax and renew your spirit! Enjoy the finer way of living! You Deserve It!
Hamilton House Estate's offer in-room massages, manicures, pedicures, special packages, fresh flowers, chocolates and more! If you can dream it, we can do it!

Here is a QR code to take you directly to the tours, or call 501.520.4040 for packages, reservations and a little bit of history.

Click here to view the virtual tour of the Hamilton House: www.HamiltonHouseEstate.info

Click here to visit the virtual gallery of photographs: www.Tour.HamiltonHouseEstate.info

Newly Updated home with view of Lake DeSoto - 34 So. Pego Way

2011-04-13T00:30:00.000-05:00

Updated home with hardwood floors, brand new kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wall oven, smooth cooktop, updated bathrooms and a new lower level with full bath. Could be an office/bonus room/3rd bedroom??
MLS #10281935

Call Jim Bigg with CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty for a private tour at 501-922-2021 ext. 121

Click here to view the virtual tour: http://www.34SoPegoWay.com

New Virtual Tour at 138 Castano Drive, Hot Springs Village, AR

2011-04-13T00:23:00.000-05:00

138 Castano Drive - mountain view home in Hot Springs Village
3 bedroom, 2 bath, newly updated
MLS #10282799 CALL Jim Bigg with CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty 501-922-2021 ext.121

Click here to see the virtual tour: www.138CastanoDrive.com

New Virtual Tour at 14 San Pablo Way, Hot Springs Village, AR

2011-04-04T18:11:00.000-05:00

Wonderful updated home on Coronado Golf Course - you can see the 18th green and fairway from many of the room and the large deck. Click on the link below to view the virtual tour then, Call Jim Bigg at CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty for private tour, 501.922.2021 ext 121.

CLICK HERE TO GO THE VIRTUAL TOUR: http://www.14SanPabloWay.com

2011-03-30T13:44:00.000-05:00

NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT!!! All our Virtual Tours are now MOBILE phone compatible! You can't beat Challenging Designs with RTV virtual tours. QR codes are now available upon request to take your customers to instant access from any smart phone or mobile device!!! Put the QR Code on flyers, website and agent pages. Send the buyers directly to your virutal tours.

Hot Springs St. Patrick's Day Parade

2011-03-22T18:45:00.000-05:00

We went to the Hot Springs St. Patrick's Day Parade, the shortest Parade in History! Hot Springs Village Chamber of Commerce had an entry and was supported by many businesses in the Village. Here are a few photos.

To see more, click here and go to my photography website - Events, Hot Springs St. Patrick's Day Parade.

If this is what you're getting then . . .

2010-12-10T18:36:00.000-06:00

Challenging Designs Inc Wants to be Your Photographer

2010-12-10T18:03:00.000-06:00

Make Challenging Designs your Photographer of Choice. We offer more than "out of the box" photography. Call today 501.922.1551

Here is a Special Deal

2010-12-09T13:30:00.001-06:00

Here is a special deal - scan this with your cell phone and you'll receive a text back with a special deal!

Bookmark

2010-12-09T12:02:00.000-06:00

Here is a qr code to bookmark our blog for your mobile phone.

West End Home with lots of Privacy!

2010-10-12T21:27:00.000-05:00

This home has lots of privacy! Highlights include: natural setting, recessed entertainment area in large Living Room and corner fireplace, storage and built-ins. Call Max Thompson at CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty for a private tour.

Click here to view the tour for:
40 LaGranja Circle
Hot Springs Village
Max Thompson
CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty

Coronado Golf Front Home in Hot Springs Village

2010-10-12T21:05:00.000-05:00

Wonderfully decorated home off Coronado Golf Course. Eat-in Kitchen with breakfast bar, comfortable living room with fireplace and Arkansas Room all with great view of the golf course. Call Nancy Kizer at Hot Springs Village Real Estate for a private tour.

Click here to view the tour for:
3 Cancion Way
Hot Springs Village
Nancy Kizer
Hot Springs Village Real Estate

Large Corner Lot with Lots to Offer in Hot Springs Village

2010-10-12T20:53:00.000-05:00

Come see this one-of-a-kind home in Hot Springs Village. Located on a large corner lot, this home offers lots of built-ins, fireplace, Arkansas Room, breakfast bar, and the Master Suite has "His" and "Hers" walk-in closets. Easy maintenance landscaping and so much more. Call Nancy Kizer at Hot Springs Village Real Estate for a private tour.

Click here to view the tour for:
2 Moratalla Lane
Hot Springs Village, AR

Nancy Kizer
Hot Springs Village Real Estate

Like New Golf Front Home in Hot Springs Village

2010-10-12T20:31:00.000-05:00

This home is almost like new! Crown molding, vaulted ceilings, ceramic tile and carpet floors, and a gorgeous view of Isabella Golf Course's 5th Hole! Too much to mention. Call Randy Bussone at Hot Springs Village Real Estate for your own private tour.

Click here for a tour of:
11 Soldado Lane
Hot Springs Village, AR

Randy Bussone
Hot Springs Village Real Estate

Privacy and Beauty in Hot Springs Village

2010-10-12T20:17:00.000-05:00

This entertainer's home is ready and waiting for large families or lots of friends. 2 levels and loads of space! Formal Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Den/Office, 2nd living area, Unfinished Space currently used for Gameroom, exercise room, storage, workshop, etc. A must see! Call L.D. Livesay at CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty for a private tour.

Click here for the tour of:
20 Badajoz Way
Hot Springs Village

L.D. Livesay
CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty

Golf Neighborhood Home in Hot Springs Village

2010-10-12T20:11:00.000-05:00

This home is a custom one-level, very open floor plan with an enviable Master Suite. Call Miki Garrison, Re/Max of Hot Springs Village for a private tour.

Click to see the tour at:
14 Coraza Circle
Hot Springs Village, AR 71909

Miki Garrison
Re/Max of Hot Springs Village

Another Hot Springs Village Virtual Tour

2010-10-12T18:58:00.000-05:00

If you want a large open floor plan on a great lakefront lot, this home is it! Watch the virtual tour to see what a treasure this home is. Then call Max Thompson at CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty for a private tour.

Click here to see the virtual tour for:
3 Sierra Circle
Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
Max Thompson
CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty

New Virtual Tours!

2010-10-12T18:30:00.000-05:00

These homes are great. New Virtual Tours on Great homes for sale in Hot Springs Village. Contact the agents for private tours.

Click here for the virtual tour:

53 Alicante Rd
Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
Randy Bussone
Hot Springs Village Real Estate

News Teasers & HD Slideshow

2010-07-17T09:53:00.000-05:00

Challenging Designs is proud to introduce new products!

1st is the "News Teaser". This can be created to be inserted (with either url or html) onto your website or facebook page, or emailed to customers.

2nd is our brand new HD Slideshow for our Virtual Tours. Come back and see a list of links to this wonderful new product. This will be FREE for all new tours for the next 2 months!!!

Watch next week for examples and samples!

22 Durango Way - DeSoto Golf Home

2010-07-09T00:57:00.000-05:00

22 Durango Way. Click here for the Virtual tour. Pleasant one-level home on DeSoto Golf Course with expansive view from the window-walled Arkansas Room featuring a cathedral ceiling - Kitchen with pantry, tiled floor and countertops - Wood floors in Dining Room and Arkansas Room – Wood-burning fireplace in Living Room - Sprinkler System - large deck with benches - mature landscaping - Major upgrades completed since 2002 - On 11th fairway of DeSoto Golf Course.
Click here to go to: http://rtvpix.com/RE-7471-AV9KK2-01

2010 Birthdays at Magic Springs

2010-07-06T22:11:00.001-05:00

This free collage generated with Smilebox

12 Cantalejo Lane - Hot Springs Village

2010-02-25T18:03:00.000-06:00

Sandy Carle also offers at the West End of Hot Springs Village, this doll house at 12 Cantalejo Lane. It has upgraded floors, appliances, roof, vinyl siding, baths and much more. Come see this deal before it goes away!

http://rtvpix.com/RE-6992-GV6JN1-01

New Virtual Tour - Great Vacation Home

2010-02-25T17:58:00.000-06:00

Sandy Carle offers this wonderful 2 bedroom with hollywood bath, fully furnished at the West End near the West Gate, banks, restaurants, and Wal-mart to name just a few. Click below to see the virtual tour for 4 Dulzura Way in Hot Springs Village.
http://rtvpix.com/RE-4274-RGWQQP-01

YouTube - 21 Reclamo Circle-Hot Springs Village Golf Home

2010-02-17T23:48:00.000-06:00

YouTube - 21 Reclamo Circle-Hot Springs Village Golf Home

Click above to go to the new video tour of 21 Reclamo Circle. A beautiful home overlooking the 12th Green of Balboa Golf Course. Many rooms have wonderful views. Many extras can be found in this home. Call Jim Bigg for your personal tour!

YouTube - 17 Sorpresa Ln-Sandy Carle-Lake Balboa Home

2010-02-17T23:44:00.000-06:00

YouTube - 17 Sorpresa Ln-Sandy Carle-Lake Balboa Home

Newest Video Tour at 17 Sorpresa Lane with Sandy Carle of Hot Springs Village Real Estate! This is a must see. Lake-front luxury Without the Lake-Front Pricetag!

New Video for Golf Home in Hot Springs Village

2010-02-15T11:00:00.001-06:00

Here is the newest video for the beautiful home at 21 Reclamo Circle, Hot Springs Village AR. It is 2 bdrm plus Study (could be converted to guest bedroom), 2.5 bath, screened porch, family room, vaulted ceilings, 2 skylights, open floor plans, gorgeous views of Balboa Golf Course's 12th Green. Too much to list. Call Jim Bigg at CENTURY 21 H.S.V. Realty for your personal tour.

21 Reclamo Circle | Jim Bigg | Hot Springs Village Golf Home @ Yahoo! Video

Go to www.21ReclamoCircle.com to see the full virtual tour.

2009-12-14T22:42:00.001-06:00

Here is our latest photo shoot. Seniors - 2010! Congratulations!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2009-12-01T16:07:00.000-06:00

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!

New, improved and coming soon! Please check back. New deals, opportunities and photo gallery.

2009-11-28T09:35:00.000-06:00

Investigating new tools to help promote virtual tours! Love the "Interactive Floorplans" available NOW. This will work for REALTORS, Builders, Interior Designers, Homeowners, Insurance, commercial, and the list goes on! Thank you Jason at Real Tour Vision - RTV - for finding greater and better products for us all the time!

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving! Here are a couple of photos of mine. Enjoy our antics.

Bookmark & Share

New Virtual Tour - 64 Marinero Way

2009-11-18T18:07:00.000-06:00

Great new home on Lake Balboa. This is definately a must see!

Click here for the virtual tour! http://rtvpix.com/RE-6496-N2JET6-01

Today's Laughter

2009-11-18T17:21:00.001-06:00

Received this today from my sister. Everyone deserves a laugh. Read on . . .

Random Thoughts for the Day:
1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is a great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this-- ever.
15. I hate it when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Darn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
18. My 4-year old grandson asked me in the car the other day "Grandpa, what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How do I respond to that?
19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Bud Light or a Margarita than Kay.

2009-11-11T22:12:00.000-06:00

Join my facebook as a fan (click on link on right) and you can see the latest virtual tours, a portfolio of 1) Real Estate photographs, adding soon: 2) Nature photographs, 3) candid/people photographs and more.

2009-11-11T21:41:00.000-06:00

2 New products now offered by Challenging Designs Inc. First is a brand new interactive floor plan. The agent can sketch and fax the floor plan to us, or we can measure and draw the floor plan, which includes links to photographs of the rooms and a link to the virtual tour. One of the great things about this product is the buyer can move and size furniture to see how their furniture will fit in the home! GREAT BENEFIT to your sellers! Be one of the first.

The 2nd product is called CDIbuzz - Text Connect Lead Generator. Realtors and business owners can attach a "TXT" address with information, office data and photographs. Realtors, wouldn't you like to have a 5 digit txt address on your signs and information sheets and prospective buyers can txt from their cell phones and automatically receive pre-recorded information. If they have smart phones they can continue and request photographs. All from the comfort of their seat. You will then get this information txt to you, so you can call them back and ask if you can assist them any further. Almost instant gratification of information. Business owners can have their hours of business, website and telephone numbers txt back to consumers 24-hours a day, even when you're gone. Wouldn't you like to not miss a customer, ever again.

Call Challenging Designs Inc at 501.781.5431, or email Designs@Challenging.Us for a price list.

Keeping up with technology to make your life easier!

New Virtual Tour - 30 Santistaban Way, HSV

2009-10-29T18:00:00.001-05:00

Come see this wonderful lake home situation on a corner of a cove leading to the main body of Lake Cortez. Beautiful 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 2,403 sq.ft., 3 living areas and much more. Click below to visit this wonderful home at 30 Santistaban Way, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.

Click here to go to the virtual tour.

2009-09-17T03:40:00.000-05:00

Challenging Designs Inc. is proud to announce “CDI’s S.E.E. Results Package”. S.E.E. stands for “Swift Exposure Engine”. Because that is what it is. I was very excited when I attended our bi-weekly seminar online with Jason LaVanture of Real Tour VisionsTM last night. After 2 hours packed with information and 7 pages of notes, I was ready to start putting his teaching to work. I have heard about Exposure Engines and I knew I was going to offer it, but I really wasn’t sure what it was or how I was going to accomplish it. Well, I am a total believer in Jason once again.

First he gives us a wonderful and free software to make the videos then takes us through the process – twice. Now, I know I made mistakes, but after a couple of hours figuring out the quickest way of choosing the photos, making a title page for one client (my guinea pig), and a finale’ page for my company, then going through the all the options, I was hooked! I made the video, uploaded it to YouTube, went into Postlets, etc. Well, at the end, I emailed my client the e-flyer, pdf version of the flyer, the link to YouTube and let him know it was posted to Craigslist, Google, etc. I checked the numbers on his RTV Tour and then I went to bed.

This morning, first thing, I get an email from my client telling me how much he LOVED the video and the e-flyer. So I gave it a day and this evening I checked the numbers through his report. I was bowled over! I am definitely making a “checklist” so I can do this as quickly as Jason (I can only hope). Take a look at the video here.

CDI's S.E.E.TM Results Package brought almost 20% as many hits in one night just doing the standard (with a few special tweaks) has done in 2 months! The client is thrilled, the seller will be thrilled and so are we.

Jason, thank you. You did it again. You gave me a wonderful product that can help all the Realtors here, if they come to me, of course. Everyone needs to learn how to do this. We just took a giant LEAP in our climb to be the VERY BEST!

Working on Photos

2009-09-14T02:09:00.000-05:00

Currently working on our new website. Here is a small photo of what the home page will look like. We're very excited to get it up and running. The newest software we've added to our offerings - will allow us to make personalized Tour CDs or Resume CDs for Real Estate Agents and Professionals alike.

New Slideshow Program

2009-08-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

I'm working on my website. I found Picasa Slideshow. Here is a slideshow with their program.

Which do you like better? The SmileBox slideshow or Picasa?

Please let me know.

Loaded Photograph Demonstration

2009-08-05T00:53:00.001-05:00

Click here to review a small sampling of our photography projects.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Photography Journal

2009-08-04T22:43:00.000-05:00

Click here and watch a demonstration of Photography in Design.

Make a Smilebox postcard

More Equipment

2009-08-04T12:50:00.000-05:00

Just finished one website, working on brochure and attending Webinars. Life is busy and fun! Just purchased more equipment to expand my offerings, 12-24mm for wide angle interior shots, 70mm-300mm telephoto lens, Twilight star lens for night shots, and additional SDHC cards. I have also just ordered both CD's and mini-cd's for owner's gifts and promotional business cards.

I will start back to working on my own website tomorrow. Anyone with ideas, are welcome to email me. I will be having lots of buttons and links, and featuring one client a month.

This photo is one taken with my new 12-24mm lens of Lake DeSoto. Hot Springs Village is beautiful all year around.

Look forward to hearing from you all!

Working on Projects

2009-07-23T18:07:00.000-05:00

Excitement continues with Real Tour Vision. Created a demo tour which I will submit to agents and businesses alike as an example of what we can provide. Nice option available is the ability to change and add floorplan and a Starlight Night Photo, etc. We have to replace two photos since the owners have moved out, to compliment what has already been posted. Here is the link: http://www.68meseroway.com/.

I have also been working on a logo for a wonderful group, Teapots and Treasures and will be building their website soon, www.TeapotsAndTreasures.com. This is the week to work on 10 pages (this month) for the Parade of Homes. We already uploaded the cover and inside back cover. In between all this I am working on a brochure for a really interesting health food store, Village Nutrition. I am going to offer them a virtual tour, which should really help with all the products they offer.

Here are just a few Magic Springs photos. The possibilities are endless with how this virtual tour can bring people to our area and help local businesses.

I am hoping to start back working on my own website next week. I am going to be working on using Pinnacle Studio Ultimate to make my virtual tours YouTube compatible. I have been taking webinars and working on my craft whenever I'm not out taking photographs or working on projects. Just added more software to my system. Life is exciting!

2009-06-28T21:02:00.001-05:00

We setup the camera with the new rotator from Real Tour Visions. I am very excited about all the opportunities this will offer both businesses and individuals alike.

Virtual tours and what they can offer:

Real Estate - a virtual tour is not just a slide show and it is not just a few panoramas thrown together. At Challenging Designs Inc., we go beyond the mundane and offer true virtual tours which include multiple panorama views as well as still photos, flyers, descriptions, links, information and a way to contact the Realtor to request additional information. Additional options available are also CDI Living PhotosTM, personalized website, personalized highlight sheet master, virtual tours can be added to a business card CD's and much more. Challenging Designs also offers graphic design and web design as well to show off your property.

Companies - virtual tours are a great way for the public to see your business from their home. JD Powers has found that over 80% of consumers begin their search on the internet. Showing your facilities off makes a longer "memory" and increases your chances that they will chose to visit your business over someone who just has a phone number and address. It can create a personal connection before they even visit.

Individuals - "Vital Records AlbumTM" is great to have around in case of theft or disaster in your home. We take individual photographs of your valuables, then a virtual tour of the room where they are housed. We can assist you or do it all and take a written inventory log as we go. Then all the photos and the scanned inventory list is put on a CD or DVD, and you get the original disk as well as the written inventory list. We can also scan other important documents to be added to the disc. We recommend you store these in a fireproof box, or in your safe deposit box. Call us when you update your art collection, or want to update your "Vital Records AlbumTM.

Challenging Designs Inc. is your full-service design firm, from Virtual Tours, Photography, Graphic Design and Web Design. We take your Challenge and Manage It!
Designs for any Challenge!

Donna Haagenson
Challenging Designs Inc.
www.ChallengingDesigns.com (a work in progress)
Designs@Challenging.Us

Projects Completed - Projects Awarded

2009-06-25T17:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we came back from Missouri. Family is always wonderful about being guinea pigs for my newest equipment. This new equipment from Real Tour Visions is awesome! The new diffuser we purchased optimized the light for some wonderful interior photographs of the group. Missouri is wonderful, so outside shots are very beautiful! I am excited to make them into a collage and slide show.

Just finished this month's issue of the Parade of Homes magazine for Hot Springs Village. It should be wonderful. A lot of new advertising. We also added the 4th of July calendar this year, thanks to the assistance of Stacy at the POA. Thank you Stacy! We created 9 new ads for this months' issue as well as the front cover (outside & inside).

Teapots 'n Treasures just awarded us the project of creating a logo & website. Look for it within 2 weeks (creation, photographs, editing, posting & training).

Just Joined Real Tour Visions Team

2009-06-17T19:56:00.000-05:00

We are so excited about the prospect of offering fantastic opportunities to real estate agents, businesses, home builders, golf courses, property owners associations, insurance companies, individuals and more. We just became the local distributor of Real Tour VisionsTM in Hot Springs Village, AR. This partnership should profit everyone, especially our customers.

Challenging Designs Inc. just upgraded our photograph equipment, added a diffuser for unparalleled interior and group photographs, and now that we are paired with Real Tour VisionTM , http://www.realtourvision.com/, we will be able to offer virtual tours, slide shows, property & memory websites. With 360 degree virtual tours, their equipment and software, advertising and promotion just got considerably better and easier. We now believe we will be unstoppable. Come back for a list of the latest way we can assist businesses, individuals and communities.

We are rebuilding our website to showcase all the services we can now offer. Please check back soon for more information. http://www.challengingdesigns.com/