4 Amazing Things About Homeownership

There really is nothing like the incredible pride, satisfaction, and joy that comes from owning your own home! Homeownership offers emotional and financial benefits that cannot be found anywhere else. As your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks, I am honoring National Homeownership Month by dedicating today's blog to some of the incredible things owning your own home has to offer. You might be surprised by some of them!

1. YOU (And Only You) Get To Call The Shots
As soon as you sign your name at the closing, you can officially wave goodbye to your days of having to check with your landlord before making any decisions about your living space. You and your family will get to be the ones who decide what color to paint the walls, what pets you wish to have, what upgrades you want to make, etc. Trust me - after months or years of renting, this will be a very welcome change!

2. You Build Equity
"Equity" is the dollar value of your home that you actually own. It can be determined by subtracting your outstanding loan balance from your home's current market value. Every time you lower your outstanding balance by making a mortgage payment or increase your home's value by performing upgrades, you build equity. This equity becomes a major financial asset - in fact, it is the sole reason that homeowners' net worth often far outweighs that of renters.

3. You Create A Better Environment For Your Children
If you have kids, ensuring that you provide a safe, nurturing environment for them to grow up in is probably at the top of your priorities list. Did you know that children of homeowners often perform better in school, have fewer instances of teenage pregnancies, and tend to grow up to be more financially successful adults than children of renters? Most people attribute these extra successes to the stable, consistent environment they get to grow up in. 

4. You Will Be More Engaged In Your Community
Studies show that people who stay actively involved in their communities tend to lead happier, longer, more fulfilled lives. Studies also show that people who own their homes tend to be more actively involved and invested in their communities than those who rent. By owning your home, you will probably increase your connection to your local community - and possibly extend your life in the process!

Celebrate National Homeownership Month:
Buy Your First Home At The Lake!
While these things certainly provide great examples of some of the benefits of homeownership, the list doesn't stop there. Owning your own home also provides an opportunity for a sort of "forced savings" - when you make your monthly mortgage payment every month, a portion of that comes back to you in the form of equity. Homeowners also get to enjoy the added social and emotional benefits that come from knowing their space is truly their own. 

If you have been thinking about buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, now is the perfect time to turn that dream into a reality. Contact me to schedule private showings of some of the homes for sale in Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, Camdenton, Lake Ozark, Linn Creek, Eldon, or any of the surrounding areas. I would be thrilled to help you buy your first home at the Lake of the Ozarks!

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

What Is NOT Covered In A Home Inspection?

The home inspection is a critical part of buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks (or anywhere else, for that matter). Before your close on your new house, a certified inspector should thoroughly evaluate the condition of the property and provide you with a complete written assessment of which aspects are in good condition, which are in fair condition, and which ones are in need of immediate repair. Based on the information revealed in the inspection report, you will typically be able to choose from one of four options:

• Proceed with the sale as normal
• Request that the seller perform any necessary repairs before closing
• Request that the seller assist with the cost of the repairs by contributing to the closing costs or lowering the sale price
• Back out of the agreement entirely

While the inspection is hugely helpful, there are a few aspects of a property that are not included in a standard inspection. It is important to be aware of these as you go into the process so that you can hire someone to inspect these elements separately.

Items Typically NOT Covered In A Standard Home Inspection Include...

• Fire and smoke detectors and suppression systems
• Swimming pools
• Termite and pest infestations
• Well systems
• Code compliance
• Central vacuum systems
• Hot tubs
• Lawn sprinkler systems
• Environmental hazards (lead, asbestos, radon, etc)
• Kitchen appliances
• Television antenna and satellite dishes
• Detached structures (shed, garage, etc)
• Alarm / security system
• Mold
• Septic systems

What Can You Do About It?

Even if a certain element is not included in a standard inspection, it may be in your best interests to purchase a separate inspection to evaluate that specific element. Your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent will be able to help coach you on which inspections make the most sense for the property in question and your unique area.

Remember Me As Your Trusted Real Estate Resource!

There is a lot that goes into buying real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks, but with the right REALTOR® on your side, the process doesn't have to be daunting. I will be there to guide you through every step of the process, from tracking down potential properties to submitting an offer to finalizing the negotiations and the sale.

If you are thinking about buying a home in Osage Beach MO, Sunrise Beach, Camdenton, Macks Creek, Lake Ozark, Greenview, Eldon, Linn Creek, or any of the surrounding areas, I would love to talk to you. Visit my website at www.RealEstateLakeOzark.com to learn more about how I may be able to help you!

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

5 Benefits Of Living Full-Time At The Lake

Think the Lake of the Ozarks is only for summer fun? It's time to think again. While the Lake is famous as a summer vacation destination, it's also a wonderful place to live all year long. Here are a few of the reasons why buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks could be one of the best decisions you'll ever make.

1. You Get To Enjoy The Water All Year
The Lake is beautiful all year long, but most vacationers and second homeowners only get to enjoy it for three months of the year. As a full-time Lake resident, however, you get to enjoy the water whenever you want. From early spring to late autumn, you can be out on the water enjoying yourself. You can even get the boat out in the middle of winter on a nicer day. Why limit your lake time to just a few weekends in the summer when you don't have to?

2. You Can Enjoy Living In A Bustling Vacation Destination AND A Cozy Community
During the winter, the population at the Lake of the Ozarks hovers around 100,000. On holiday weekends in the summer, the population increases to around 500,000 people. This drastically fluctuating population means that during the summer, you get to be part of a busy, bustling destination filled with people from all over the Midwest. In the off-season, you get to enjoy being a part of a close-knit community. In other words, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds!

3. Your Children Can Have Access To Outstanding Schools
The Lake Area is sometimes stereotyped as a retirement community, but the truth is that an increasing number of young adults are choosing to raise their families at the Lake. The educational opportunities available here are a big factor in this decision. There are several different schools located throughout the Lake Area, each offering outstanding educational programs and excellent extra-curricular opportunities. Your child will thrive here.

4. You Will Have Easy Access To Quality Healthcare
Lake Regional Health System offers outstanding care to both locals and vacationers. Patients have access to a wide variety of different health services, including primary care, urgent care, cardiac catheterization, open-heart surgery, and rehab therapy clinics, as well as chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Long ago Lake residents struggled to get to the services they needed in time, but nowadays quality healthcare is readily accessible.

5. The Recreational Opportunities Are Endless
Full-time residents get to enjoy any number of different recreational opportunities. Water-related activities include boating, fishing, swimming, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, and more - but there are plenty of opportunities that don't have anything to do with the Lake. The Lake of the Ozarks also boasts caves, water parks, bowling alleys, movie theaters, state parks, hiking trails, horseback trail rides, golf courses, and so much more.

Contact Me To Find Your Dream Home At The Lake!
Convinced? If you would like to learn more about living at the Lake of the Ozarks, or if you are ready to start shopping homes for sale in Osage Beach MO or any of the surrounding areas, I would love to talk to you! I have been selling real estate at the Lake for over twenty-five years, and I can help you find your dream home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Visit my website or give me a call at 573-280-0484 for more information.

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