Real Estate at Lake of the Ozarks: March 2015

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

5 Unbeatable Perks of Living on the Water

Let's be honest - there's nothing quite like living on the water at the Lake of the Ozarks! The Lake Area is unique in that it offers many different types of housing opportunities, including waterfront homes, interior homes, rural homes, and homes in densely populated neighborhoods. Each different style of home comes with its own set of perks, but today your local real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to explore the benefits of living on the water.

Spoiler alert: they're hard to beat!

Want to see the rest of this gorgeous waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks?
Call 573-280-0484 to schedule a showing!

#1: You Have Your Own Free Swimming Pool!
Private swimming pools are a blast, but they're expensive to install and expensive to maintain. Public swimming pools are fun, but repeatedly paying for admission (or buying season passes for everyone in your family) can add up quickly. When you live right by the water, though, you and your friends and family get free access to the Lake of the Ozarks all year long! Say goodbye to the days of waiting for the public pools to open and dealing with heavy crowds... You'll be able to swim on your time, every time.

#2: You Have Access To Affordable Boat Storage
You can own a boat even if you don't live on the water, but that typically requires paying for storage somewhere else - all year round. You need somewhere to store in it safely during the winter months, but you also need a place for it to stay in between summer excursions. When you live on the water, you can have your own private dock or a slip in a community dock, so your boat will have a convenient place to live all year long!

#3: "Staycations" Are Better Than Ever
We all need a chance to get away from everything and reset sometimes. Most of us think that we need to do this by traveling, but vacationing at home can be just as therapeutic - especially if you live somewhere as scenic and beautiful as the Lake of the Ozarks! People travel from all over the surrounding states to stay at the Lake... why not stay home and let yourself enjoy it, too? If you live in a waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you won't have to go anywhere else to relax!

#4: Your Family And Friends Will Come To You
Are you tired of always packing up and driving to different cities from family gatherings? If you have a lakefront home, chances are that it will be a favorite among your friends and family and they will come to you instead - especially for summer events!

This view could be yours! Contact Susan Spica to schedule
a showing of this waterfront condo at the Lake of the Ozarks

#5: The View From Your Home Will Be Incredible
Living on the water at the Lake of the Ozarks will mean different things depending on the season, but one thing will remain constant all year long: the outstanding view. Being able to look out over the beautiful water every day will help you relax, and having a great view adds value to your home. If you decide to move, your view will be a great selling point for your home.

Convinced? I can help you find your new waterfront home at the Lake!

I have over twenty-five years of experience in real estate at the Lake, and I would love to use that experience to help you with the search for your next home! If you're interested in viewing waterfront homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks, give me a call and we can get started!

Susan Spica, Professional Realtor

BerkShire Hathaway HomeServices
101 Crossings West, Ste. 202
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Office: (573) 365-6868
Susan's Cell: (573) 280-0484
Gina's Cell: (573) 889-9477

Friday, March 20, 2015

4 Key Questions For Your Mortgage Lender

For most of us, buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks would not be possible without the help of a mortgage lender. Because lenders are such an important part of the home buying process, it's important to find a lender you are confident will be able to best meet the needs of you and your family.

It's important to meet with multiple lenders so you can get competitively priced interest rates, but this will also let you get to know multiple lenders so you can find someone you feel comfortable working with. As you interview different lenders, here are a few key questions to ask.

1. What Types Of Mortgage Loans Do You Offer?
There are about as many different types of mortgage loans as there are different people buying homes. Each type of loan comes with a different set of requirements, a different set of policies, and a different payment structure. Your lender should be able to help you understand the different types of loans available and determine which type will best fit your needs.

2. What Will My Interest Rate Be?
When you get prequalified, your lender will be able to give you an estimate of the interest rate you qualify for. Keep in mind that the rate quoted to you during the prequalification process is not guaranteed; you have to get farther along in the process before your rate will be locked in. Even though it won't be guaranteed yet, though, it's important to ask different lenders what types of rates they will be able to get you so you can compare quotes.

3. Are There Fees For Paying Off My Loan Early?
When you take out a loan to buy property at the Lake of the Ozarks, you will most likely end up paying several thousands of dollars in interest by the time it's all said and done. You can reduce the total amount of interest you pay, however, by putting extra money towards the principle amount on your home loan and paying it off a little early. Some loans charge additional fees if you pay your loan off early, though, so it's important to find out if you will be able to make additional payments or not.

4. How Quickly Will My Loan Be Approved?
There's no definite answer for this, but you will be able to get a general timeline based on your lender's response. Some types of loans usually take more (or less) time to be approved than others, but sometimes you will even receive different timeline quotes from different lenders for the same type of loan. If you have a general timeline for your transaction, it's important to find the lender who will have the best chance of meeting your deadlines.

Good luck!
Ultimately, the choice of your lender is entirely your own. Asking these questions will get you started in the right direction, but eventually it is up to you to find someone you trust.

Please keep me in mind when you are ready to start touring homes! I would love to serve as your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is on Saturday!

Calling all Lake of the Ozarks residents AND visitors! The 31st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade returns to the Lake on Saturday, May 14th. This wonderful family-friendly event is always a huge hit among vacationers and residents alike, and this year should be no exception!

Photo Credit: www.FunLake.com

St. Patrick's Day Parade at the Lake of the Ozarks

Businesses from all around the Lake Area are busily decking out their cars, motorcycles, trucks, and even boats in the brightest greens they can find in preparation for the parade this weekend. Up to 5,000 people will line the Strip and watch the parade go by - so why not be one of them?

Saturday, March 14th, 2015
Bagnell Dam Strip
1:00 PM

We think of parades as a great attraction for family's with young children, but the truth is that parades are appealing to people of all ages. Grab your kiddos, your wife, your husband, your friend, your parents, or your grandparents and head out for an afternoon filled with fun for everyone.

Photo Credit: www.FunLake.com

Thinking About Relocating To The Lake of the Ozarks?

As an experienced Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent, I am well-equipped to help you find your dream home at the Lake. If you're thinking about buying a home, feel free to stop by my office so we can discuss your options. I'm in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Building located on Crossings West in Lake Ozark, right next to the Break Time gas station. Give me a call to set up your appointment!

Monday, March 2, 2015

Top 7 Tips To Sell Your Home FASTER

People decide to sell their homes for any number of reasons, but there is one thing that all sellers have in common - they all want to sell their homes as quickly as they possibly can. Selling your home quickly requires dedicated effort and a successful strategy, but it can definitely be done. With 25+ years of experience in real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks, I have put together a list of the top seven tricks to sell your home quickly.

1. Hire A Professional To Photograph Your Home
In real estate, pictures are truly worth thousands of words. If you want to sell your home quickly, it is absolutely critical that your listing be accompanied by high-quality, professional photographs - and lots of them. At the very least, you should have pictures of all major areas (bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms) and any unique selling features your home may have (such as a spectacular view or a large outdoor patio).

2. Ask For The Right Price
Pricing your home correctly can be a challenge, but it is very important. If you price it too high, you will eliminate potential buyers who are working with a specific price range. If you price it too low, you may scare off potential buyers who assume that something is wrong with your home. I can provide you with a free market analysis to help you price your home right - the first time. Check out my website to learn more: http://realestatelakeozark.com/selling-your-home.html

3. Devise An Exit Strategy
When potential buyers come to visit your home, it is imperative that you give them the space they need to envision the home as their own. This means that you, your family, and your pets must not be present. Being able to vacate the premises on short notice will make it easier for real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks to show your home to potential buyers - and, consequently, to sell your home faster.

4. Give Every Room A Purpose
Do you have an extra room downstairs that you've been using as storage? It's time to clean it out and give it a specific purpose. Part of successfully staging your home is showing potential buyers how they could use the space in the home to its fullest potential. For example, set up your extra rooms as offices, reading nooks, crafting rooms, or workout rooms. The goal is to show potential buyers the limitless possibilities of the home.

5. Kick Up Your Curb Appeal
With springtime finally upon us, it is a great time to work on boosting your home's curb appeal. Plant some flowers, give your front door that fresh coat of paint you've been putting off, and power wash your driveway and your siding. Not only will this ensure your home makes a great first impression with the people who come to tour your home - it may also help you attract more interested buyers who just happen to drive past your home!

6. Advertise, Advertise, Advertise
Potential buyers won't come tour your home if they don't know it is for sale! It is important to market your home both locally and on all major real estate websites. Posting about your home being for sale and any upcoming open house events on your personal Facebook page or other social media accounts and buying ads in the newspaper can be great ways to get the word out. If you sell your home with Susan Spica, your home will also be listed on our website and our social media channels. We can help you ensure that your home is marketed aggressively and effectively.

7. Time Your Listing Effectively
The time of year (and even the day of the week) you choose to list your home can actually have a significant impact on how quickly it sells. Spring is historically the best season to list your home, because this is when most home buyers begin actively searching for homes. Homes typically receive the most visibility during their first few months on the market, so it's important to time your listing correctly.

Contact Sue Spica To Sell Your Home Today!
With springtime upon us and the housing market is on the climb, NOW is the perfect time to sell your Lake of the Ozarks home. Contact my team to get started!