How to Host a Successful Open House

An open house is a great tool to sell your home at the Lake of the Ozarks. From drawing in potential buyers to raising awareness of your property, there are a number of benefits of an open house. If you are ready to sell your home near Lake Ozark, MO, an open house can be beneficial! To learn how to host a successful open house, see the points provided below by your trusted real estate agent in Lake Ozark, Missouri!

Enlist The Help of Your Agent

A real estate agent typically has experience in hosting an open house. They can help with pointers to help prepare your space for a number of potential buyers. Marketing is a major benefit of using a real estate agent, when hosting an open house. It is also important to have a professional present for your open house, that way the homeowner does not have to be there. This can create an awkward environment if the potential buyers know the owners are present.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Although you should always clean your space before any type of home showing, cleaning before an open house is vital to the success. You will have a number of guests looking at your home and you want to ensure it is as clean as possible. If someone finds an unsightly place, in your home, they may be more apt to mention it to others.

Stage Your Space

Staging is an important aspect of selling your home. Try to narrow down your target home buyer and stage to their lifestyle. Whether it is an ideal starter home, where you can stage a play room for a growing family or your space is ideal for retirees, you can stage a quaint reading space. If you are unsure of a potential buyer life stage, your real estate agent can help make staging suggestions for your space.

Hide Your Valuables

While this is somewhat common knowledge, when others are in your home, try to conceal any jewelry and other valuables. Even if these items are secure during your open house, someone may see these items and be tempted to return to your home.

Create a Neutral Theme

When preparing your home for an open house, try to create a gender-neutral space. You don't want to off-put a potential buyer with overly feminine features, or vise-versa. Try to stick with natural color tones that will appeal to the majority of buyers.

Encourage Nosy Neighbors

An open house is the great time to get your nosy neighbors involved! They will likely wonder why their road is busier than normal anyway. Have your neighbors invite friends and family to look at your home. You never know who they know, who is looking to purchase a home. After all, if they are close friends or family, living close may be an added benefit of buying your home!

Now that you know these great tips about hosting an open house, you are ready to set up a time with your real estate agent in Lake Ozark, MO. If you are interested in selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, give me a call! I will be pleased to help you market your home and help you host a successful open house, featuring your space. Contact me at (573) 280-0484 to get started working on your open house plan!

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

Tips for Relocating to the Lake of the Ozarks

Relocating to a new place can be an overwhelming, yet very exciting task. The beautiful Lake of the Ozarks is a popular destination to visit, but many LOVE to call it home. If you have made a decision to relocate to this spectacular area, I would please to help during your transition. To help make your relocation a little easier, your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks has provided some helpful tips for relocating.

Find your Way Around The Lake

The Lake of the Ozarks has a unique dragon tail shape, as it curves through the Ozarks. This creates a bit of a challenge when it comes to navigating the area, don’t worry you will get used to it quickly! The Lake is not set up like a traditional town with square blocks, it is actually a lot of little towns surrounding the entire lake. To help get familiar the area, I recommend taking a drive around to see what each town or city is like. This can help you navigate the roads and find your way around, once you live here.

Get to Know the Home Options

Along with the highway system, the homes in the area are also unique! Where a traditional town has a few housing options available, we have single-family homes, luxury homes, apartments, and condos to choose from. To narrow down your dwelling type to fit the wants and needs of your family, I would be happy to show you around some various options in the area.

Find a Bank

It is important to get your financial presence established in your new location. The Lake of the Ozarks has a number of trustworthy banking options. With easy to access ATM locations, the area banks keep your convenience for money retrieval in mind.

Know the School Districts

If you have children, school districts may pay a role in your home location decision. With a number of districts surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks, you should research what each district has to offer for you and/or your children.

Familiarize yourself with the Area

From knowing where the hospital is to locating a grocery store, it is important to get familiarized with a new area in which you are going to live. Whether you are visiting the Lake before you move or relocating before coming to the area, driving around and locating important store and places can help you feel more comfortable, quicker.

Don’t Forget:

-Update your driver’s license
-Change your address with the Post Office
-Schedule new trash service
-Contact lawn maintenance / snow removal company

Now that you have read these tips for relocating to the Lake, you are ready to start looking for a home. If you are interested in buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, the best real estate agent in Lake Ozark, MO is here for all of your home needs. From narrowing down the right property for you and your family to checking out homes on your behalf, I would be pleased to help you make your transition to the Lake a smooth one. To start your home search at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact me today!

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

15 Real Estate Terms You Need To Know

The home buying and selling process can seem a bit intimidating with all of the specific terms and real estate lingo, especially for first timers. Whether you are new to the real estate market, or just need a quick refresher, your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks has provided a guide to help clarify. Provided below are top terms that are used frequently in the real estate market, and can help you better prepare for selling or buying a home in the near future.

1) Seller’s & Buyer’s Agent – A buyer’s agent will represent the those looking to purchase a home and a seller’s agent will represent the homeowners who are selling.

2) Listings – A listing refers to a home that is currently for sale on the market.

3) Pre-Approval - A borrower has completed a loan application and provided debt, income, and savings documentation, which an underwriter has reviewed and approved. A pre-approval letter shows the homeowner and their real estate agent a dollar amount in which they are approved to borrow.

4) Down-Payment - The part of the purchase price of a property that the buyer pays in cash and does not finance with a mortgage. The down-payment amount required varies with the type of loan.

5) Appraisal - A written justification of the price paid for a property, primarily based on an analysis of comparable sales of similar homes nearby.

6) Escrow - An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. Putting money into an escrow account shows everyone involved in the transaction, that you are serious about purchasing the home.

7) Inspection - A thorough inspection by a professional that evaluates the structural and mechanical condition of a property. Many times a buyer’s offer will be contingent on an inspection.

8) Contingent - A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding.

9) Closing Cost -  The amount you are required to bring to closing, when you sign the papers to buy or sell your house.

10) Lender - A term which can refer to the institution making the loan or to the individual representing the firm.

11) Home Warranty - A type of insurance often purchased by homebuyers that will cover repairs to certain items, such as heating or air conditioning, should they break down within the coverage period.

12) Title - A legal document evidencing a person's right to or ownership of a property.

13) Principal - The amount borrowed or remaining unpaid. Principal is the part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of a mortgage.

14) Equity - A homeowner's financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on its mortgage and other liens.

15) Homeowner Insurance - An insurance policy that combines personal liability insurance and hazard insurance coverage for a dwelling and its contents. This is typically tied into your mortgage payment.

Now that you have a refresher on these common real estate terms, you are ready to enter the market with confidence. Whether you are buying or selling, the lingo can help you understand what your expert real estate agent in Lake Ozark, MO is referring to. If you are in the market to sell or buy, I would be pleased to help you throughout the entire process. I will be able to walk you through and explain each step and term necessary for your real estate transaction. Give me a call at (573) 280-0484 for all of your real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks needs.

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 Ways to Make Your House a Home: Fall Decorating Tips

Whether you are moving into your first home or looking to make your space a little cozier, decorating your house for fall can help you accomplish a comfortable place to call your own. An exciting time for any homeowner at the Lake of the Ozarks is adding personal touches and décor to your house. The great thing about fall décor is that it can be left up all season long! Halloween and Thanksgiving pieces can be added to your existing fall look in your home. Your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks has provided some tips to decorate your home this fall.

Incorporate a Throw

Many people think of autumn as a time to curl up in front of the fireplace, with a plush blanket draped across them, snuggled in for the evening. Adding a beautiful, fall colored throw blanket to your living room or bedroom can help bring about warmth during the chilly part of the season. The cozy factor in your home with go up a few notches by simply throwing a blanket over the arm of the couch or the foot of the bed.

Light Up the Room

As the daylight hours get shorter and shorter, you may consider adding additional lighting to your home. Incorporate a few lamps in your living room, to help light up the room during the fall months. You can add a fall inspired lamp to the bedroom, for extra illumination in that room as well.

Stock Up on Fire Wood

If you have a fireplace, you may start gathering firewood for the season. You may want to light the fireplace on a cool fall night to keep you and your family warm. Incorporate your stack of firewood into your fall décor efforts. Add a neatly stacked pile to the hearth of the fireplace, or a beautiful fall basket near the fireplace to hold your firewood this season.

Add Autumn Touch to Your Table

A festive way to get in on the fall festivities is to add an autumn inspired centerpiece to your dining table. A wreath laying on the table is a fun way to bring fall touches to your table. A twig wreath with a candle in the middle and little pumpkins around the wreath can bring the freshness of the season into your dining space. Placemats and festive centerpieces are an easy way to bring fall tones into your dining room.

Pumpkins, Gourds, and Pine Cones (Oh My!)

Fall is full of natural options to add to your decorating efforts. Pumpkins are a popular decorating item, especially this time of year. You can add pumpkins to every room in your home for an autumn feel all around. Create a festive display in any room of your home with pumpkins, gourds, and pine cones. Whether you want to create a focal point or a few items spread throughout your home, pumpkins, gourds, and pine cones can be used to easily decorate your home this autumn.

Decorating for fall can help get you and your family into the spirit of the season. While the temperature is usually nice during the day, the evenings can cool off quite a bit in the autumn season. This makes for a perfect time to stay indoors and add some fall decorations to your home. Fall is a beautiful time of year to take advantage of cozy nights inside your home, enjoying your new fall décor. If you are looking for a new place to decorate and call your own, contact a real estate agent in Lake Ozark, MO.

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

Pumpkin Patches Near Lake of the Ozarks

Fall brings about a number of fun, outdoor activities for many Lake of the Ozarks residents. Top among activities to partake in, are pumpkin patches. This is a fun way to enjoy time with the entire family. Take in the crisp fall air at a pumpkin patch this month. Your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks has provided a list of area pumpkin patches for you and yours to enjoy this fall.

MECCA Pumpkin Patch

MECCA is located at 425 Delmar Road in Roach, Missouri for a day of hands-on fall activities. There is something at the 180 acre farm for all members of your family to enjoy every weekend in October from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  A hay ride, petting zoo, and corn crib are available for you and your family to enjoy. Also, face painting, a corn maze, a big slide, and the corn cannon give the kids fun options in which they can participate. Don’t miss out on the concession stand, with famous fall food and drink options to make your time at MECCA even better. Admission to the pumpkin patch is $5.00 per person.

The Cave Pumpkin Patch

Opened every Saturday and Sunday in October, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., bring your family out for a day of fall fun in Brumley, Missouri. Located at 123 Swinging Bridges Road, the pumpkin patch is just a short drive from Osage Beach. A number of attractions are available for entertainment of adults and kids alike. Corn crib, mini golf, duck races, water balloon sling shot, pumpkin painting, a sand box, and barrel train are just a few of the activities offered at The Cave. Also available at the pumpkin patch is a hay ride, bridges, hay bale maze, and the cave. There are a number of activities to keep you and your family busy for a day of fun. Water, soda, candy, and chips will be for sale, to help you make an entire day of your pumpkin patch visit. The cost is $6.00 per person (over the age of 2) and includes admission to The Cave.

Pumpkin Patch at Hy-Vee Hollow

From 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m., Hy-Vee Hollow is open for entertainment of the entire family. Every Saturday and Sunday from September 19 until October 25, a number of activities are available at Hy-Vee. From a straw bale maze to an old fashioned water pump duck race, bring the kids out to get involved in the fall festivities. A corn pit, seesaws, and hay mountain are also available at Hy-Vee this autumn for your enjoyment. Don’t miss out on the free hayride as well!

Pumpkins are a staple when it comes to fall. With Hall-O-Ween soon approaching, your family can pick out their pumpkins to carve this year at one of the area pumpkin patches. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful foliage as the leaves start to change in the area, while spending time with your family and friends. There are a number of fun fall events at the Lake of the Ozarks for your enjoyment. While you are spending time with your family, you may start thinking about a new place for all of you to call home. If you are in the market for a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks this autumn season, call (573) 280-0484 to start your home search today!

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

Featured Listing – 40 Lighthouse Landing

Buying a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks offers the opportunity to take advantage of lake living, typically with a lower price tag. Enjoy the benefits of a beautiful lake view and recreational activities when you live in a condo in the area. Whether you are looking for a second home, maintenance free residence, or an investment property, purchasing a condo may be the right option for you and your family. If you wish to enjoy the lake, without paying a hefty price tag for a waterfront home, 40 Lighthouse Landing may be the perfect option for you. Further information is provided below about this great condo for sale in Lake Ozark, MO.

Inside the Unit-

This spacious two bedroom, two bath condo has plenty of room for entertaining. The space comes fully furnished and is all ready for you and your family to move in, with beds in each room. With fresh paint, this condo has a clean and crisp feel. The kitchen in this unit has a full sized fridge, stove, microwave, and dishwasher. A washer and dryer is also tucked away in a closet, to free up floor space. This condo offers a spacious screened deck that boasts a beautiful view of the Lake. With room to entertain and bbq, the deck is the perfect place to spend time socializing with friends and family.

Property Amenities-

There are a number of amenities that come along with owning a unit in this condo complex. Yard maintenance is included, as well as snow removal in the winter months. Cable television hookups are included in each condominium unit at Lighthouse Landing. Another great feature that comes with the purchase of this condo is that the sewer, water, and trash is included. A tram is also available to help get your belongings from the parking level of the property down to the dock.

Enjoy the Water-

A community pool is located on the property for owners and their guests to enjoy. Kick back and relax in the sun, while cooling off with a dip in the well maintained pool and patio area. There is also a 12x28 boat slip included in the purchase of this condo. The community dock is located in a quiet cove, to keep your boat or PWC investments safe from the potential damage of rough water. A large storage closet is located on the dock to keep your boat and swim necessities safe. To help keep an eye on things, a huge plus is that you can actually see your slip and storage box from the deck of the condo unit. 

If you are ready to start living the Lake life, 40 Lighthouse Landing is a great opportunity for you and your family. You do not have to spend a fortune to enjoy living on the water in Lake Ozark, MO. Your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks would be happy to help you through the condo buying process. To schedule a showing of this exceptional condo, call (573) 280-0484 today!

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