3 Financial Tips for Selling Your Home

The key to the financial side of home selling is planning. Even if you do not plan to sell your home right away, you can start working toward your financial goals and plans that go along with selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you are in the market to sell your home, your trusted real estate agent in Lake Ozark, Missouri is here for you! I have provided some helpful finance tips to help prepare your home for a successful sale.

1. Price it Right

The price in which you list your home has a major impact on the speed of selling. Of course it is important to get out what you have invested, but the real estate market does change and it is recommended to adapt your pricing strategy to meet the market demand. Deciding on a home price can be a tricky process. An experienced real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you evaluate current market conditions in comparison to your home, in order to come up with the right price to sell your home.

2. Increase Home’s Worth

There are a number of methods to help improve you value of your home. From a bathroom remodel to a kitchen appliance upgrade, try to find the right improvements to make, if any, that could help add to the worth of your house. When investing in your home, especially before selling, you want to ensure it is an upgrade that will likely add to the value. Your trusted real estate agent can help make suggestions in which to improve the appearance and functionality of your home, before selling.

3. Plan Your Next Move

Many times individuals who sell their home plan to purchase another property simultaneously. This can become a financial balancing act, if you end up buying a home before selling your current home. There are a number of options your experienced agent can assist with when selling and buying at the same time. When deciding to sell your house, have a set plan in place of how to handle your home transactions.

For help with the sale of your home, try to make a financial plan in regards to the sale. Through pricing strategy, increasing value, and planning, you can help prepare for your home sale at the Lake of the Ozarks. No matter if you plan to sell in the near future or a few years down the road, you can always make a solid financial plan for your home. Your expert real estate agent in Lake Ozark, MO can help you prepare for the successful sale of your house. Give me a call at (573) 280-0484 if you are ready to sell!

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

Thanksgiving Side Recipe Ideas

Do you know what you are making for your Thanksgiving meal? With the holiday quickly approaching, it is time to plan out your food spread for your family gatherings. Your trusted real estate agent in Lake Ozark, Missouri knows the importance of a tasty meal to bring a family together. To help you prepare, I have provided some recipe ideas below to go along with your turkey or ham this year for Thanksgiving dinner.

Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole

4 cups sweet potato, cubed
½ cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, softened
½ cup milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter, softened
½ cup chopped peacans

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash.
In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In medium bowl, mix the brown sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

Celery Stuffing

½ cup butter
½ cup minced onion
2 cups diced celery, with leaves
3 cups chicken broth
4 quarts bread cubes
3 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black ground pepper
½ teaspoon sage
1 pinch died thyme
1 pinch dried marjoram

Melt butter in saucepan. Saute onion in melted butter until soft, but not brown. Add celery and stir well. Add 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Place bread cubes into large mixing bowl. Add eggs, salt, pepper, sage, thyme, and marjoram. Add onion-celery mixture; combine thoroughly. If still too dry, add more chicken broth. Makes enough to stuff a 10 to 15 pound turkey.

Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ cup onion, diced
1 cup sour cream
3 (14.5 ounce) cans French style green beans, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup crumbled buttery round crackers
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth, and cook for one minute. Stir in the salt, sugar, onion, and sour cream. Add green beans, and stir to coat.
Transfer the mixture to a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Spread shredded cheese over the top. In a small bowl, toss together cracker crumbs and remaining butter, and sprinkle over the cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Holiday Cranberry Sauce

4 cups fresh cranberries
1 ½ cups water
5 whole cloves
5 whole allspice berries
3 cinnamon sticks
2 cups white sugar

Place fresh cranberries and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Wrap cloves, allspice berries and cinnamon sticks in a spice bag. Place in the water with cranberries.
Cook until cranberries begin to burst, about 10 minutes.
Stir in sugar and reduce heat to low. Continue cooking 5 minutes, or until sugar has dissolved.
Remove from heat and allow to cool. Discard spice bag. Chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Butterhorn Rolls

1 cup shortening
1 cup milk
½ cup warm water
 1 ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon whiter sugar
2 eggs
½ cup white sugar
2 teaspoon salt
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup butter, softened

In a small saucepan, combine shortening and milk. Heat until shortening is melted; set aside to cool. Dissolve the yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in the warm water. Beat the eggs, 1/2 cup sugar and salt together. In a large bowl, combine the milk mixture, yeast mixture and egg mixture. Sift the flour and baking powder together, and add to the wet mixture; stir until combined, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
Divide dough into fourths, and roll out on a floured surface. Spread surface with the soft butter. Cut dough into triangles, and roll up from larger to small end. Place rolls on a baking sheet, and allow to rise for 3 to 4 hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C.)
Bake in a preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

For more recipe ideas for your Thanksgiving meal, visit www.allrecipes.com

Whether you are hosting a family get-together and preparing the entire meal or bringing a side to a family member’s home for a gathering, you are ready to prepare your dish with the above recipes. Your experienced real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks wants you to be ready to prepare a meal for Thanksgiving. You are now ready to head to the store with your grocery list to stock up and prepare for your upcoming holiday feast!

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

Sell Your Home – 9 Bathroom Staging Tips

Although a bathroom is typically a smaller room in the home, it can still be a major selling point for the house. If you are considering selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, staging can allow potential buyers to see the best aspects of the house. Showcasing your space for buyers on the market is a major benefit of staging your home. Your experienced real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks has provided tips to help you better stage your bathroom, when selling your home.

1) Fresh Coat of Paint

While this may not be necessary, many times a new coat of paint can freshen up a space, especially a bathroom. If you do invest in paint, it is recommended to use a neutral color that will appeal to a wider range of potential buyers whom may be looking to purchase your home.

2) Incorporate Luxury Towels

To help create a spa-like environment, consider adding high quality towels to your bathroom. Nice towels can make a space feel luxurious. You can hang the towels from your towel rack, as well as roll towels in a basket or on a shelf for a simple, yet eye catching display.

3) Upgrade Fixtures

If your fixture finishes do not match, ensure they are all the same finish. If you have a gold fixtures in your bathroom, consider upgrading to a nickel, brushed nickel, or bronze tone. Simply replacing outdated fixtures can bring the entire room up-to-date.

4) Create a Relaxing Display

A large jar or bowel can be used to display relaxing bathroom pieces. Sponges, bath bombs, and soaps are nice items to display. This helps add to the spa-feel of the bathroom, along with luxurious towels.

5) Add Light a Light Scent

A bathroom is usually fairly small, especially when it comes to incorporating a scent. Keep in mind that not every potential buyer will fond of a certain scent you select. Try to keep scents light in the bathroom. Also consider opening a bathroom window, if it is nice outside, allowing a nice breeze to enter.

6) Look at the Mirror

Changing out the mirror in a bathroom can give the space a whole new look and feel. Consider adding two smaller mirrors, side by side, for an updated look.  

7) Remove Unsightly Items

When potential buyers are in your bathroom, ensure unsightly items are out of view. Remove any cleaning products, the plunger, and trashcan for an uncluttered room. Consider removing a scale as well, to increase floor space.

8) Showcase Storage Options

Many potential buyers will think about storage when looking to purchase a home. Whether you have shelving or a large vanity, show off the available storage space in your bathroom. Also keep in mind that buyers will be looking in those storage spaces, so keep it organized!

9) Clean, Clean, Clean!

Nothing is more unsightly than a dirty bathroom! Ensure your bathroom is sparkling when you have a showing. Incorporate cleaning the bathroom into your daily routine to keep up with it. This can help alleviate any panic that may set in as you get a call for a last-minute showing.

Now that you have some bathroom staging tips under your belt, you are ready to take action and prepare your house for a showing. Once a homeowner decides to sell their home, they usually want to sell it fast. Staging can help boost the chances for a fast home sale because it shines the best light on the home possible. A bathroom is used a number of times throughout each day, creating a clean and relaxing space can help attract attention from potential buyers. Give me a call at (573) 280-0484, if you are ready to put these bathroom staging efforts to use and sell your house 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

Common Real Estate Myths

There are many myths out there about selling or buying a home. Your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks is here clarify on some of these real estate myths. Both buying and selling a home can be an overwhelming process, but an experienced real estate agent can help with the process.

All Agents Do The Same Thing

This statement is definitely NOT true. Buyers should find an agent who knows the area well and can help them find a home to meet their unique needs. Sellers should list their home with an agent who knows the ins and outs of the area and can successfully market their home. Communication is also a very important piece when selecting a real estate agent. Both buyers and sellers need to find someone who is trustworthy and they are comfortable working with.

Find The Perfect House, Then Get Approved

It can be helpful in the home search process to get pre-approved before even looking at homes. This gives you a good idea of your price range based on your income and your current financial state. Getting pre-approved can also speed up the process once you find your dream home.

“For Sale By Owner” Will Save Money

Real estate agents are professionals; this is what they do for a living. They have the experience required to accurately list and market a home in their specific area.  This process takes a lot of time, which many people who are selling their own homes do not have. Selling your home quickly can often help you secure a much better price; an experienced agent can help promote your home to help it sell faster.

Never Buy The Biggest House On The Block

This myth is one a buyer should not take to heart. Although it may be more difficult for an appraiser to calculate an accurate value of a home, it does not mean a buyer should not consider the biggest home in a neighborhood. A buyer should base their home choice on his or her personal preference and needs.

Open Houses Sell Homes

Having an open house to promote your home is a great opportunity to get more people in the door. The exposure rate is higher for houses that have an open house. It’s important to realize, however, that having multiple prospective buyers in your home does not guarantee an immediate offer. Even if buyers come to an open house and like the home, they will not always decide to make an offer that day.

You Will Earn Back What You Put In Renovations

Having updated features or completed repairs may help you sell your home more quickly. It’s important to realize, however, that there is no guarantee that you’ll get the money you invest in renovations back. If you are thinking of remodeling a feature in your home, it is best to do it for your enjoyment, not based on making more money when the time comes to sell.

Set Home Price Higher Than You Want Out Of It

You want to get as much as possible out of your home, but over-pricing it can be detrimental to the entire selling process. Buyers typically look within their price range, and if your home is priced over that cutoff they may not even see your home as an option. If priced too high, it may sit on the market without anyone looking or making an offer. Homes that are on market for a period of time may give the impression to potential buyers that something is wrong with the house.

I Can Help With All Of Your Real Estate Needs

Now that you have clarity on some of the common myths about real estate, you should have a better feel for the selling and buying process. As your experienced realestate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks, I am pleased to help you with all of your real estate needs. Whether it is buying or selling that you are interested in, I look forward to working with 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