Livin' The Lake Lifestyle: Bridal Cave

Several weeks ago, I introduced a new blog series that I've decided to call "Livin' The Lake Lifestyle." As your real estate expert at the Lake of the Ozarks, I have made it my mission to help educate you on all of the wonderful things our community has to offer. In this series, I'm featuring some of the unique features and attractions our beautiful area has to offer. This week, I'm continuing this effort by featuring one of our area's most spectacular natural attractions: Bridal Cave.

*Photos taken from www.facebook.com/bridal.cave.3

Bridal Cave Lake of the Ozarks

Nestled along the shoreline of the Lake of the Ozarks, Bridal Cave offers some of the most scenic vistas in our area - both above and below the ground. Above ground, they offer a gift shop, souvenir shop, hiking trail, picnic areas, and a dock. Below ground, the cave features one phenomenal feature after another - soda straws, giant columns, draperies, and more. Rated as one of the most scenic caves in America, the cave hosts thousands of visitors every year.

About Bridal Cave

Bridal Cave was first discovered by pioneering settlers. It was officially protected in 1948 and opened to the public for tours shortly thereafter. Today, guided tours leave every few minutes and last approximately one hour. The cave holds a steady temperature of 60° F, so it is pleasant to visit all year-round.

The cave originally got its name from the local folklore of a Native American wedding ceremony held within the cave sometime during the early 1800s. The cave's romantic origins hold true today, as over 3,000 couples have exchanged vows in the stunning Bridal Chapel. Countless additional couples have renewed their vows at the free event offered by Bridal Cave every Valentine's Day.

Mystery Lake

One of the cave's most famous features is shrouded in mystery and (aptly) named Mystery Lake. The Lake is 20 feet deep, and the waters are stunningly clear. The Lake gets its name from the slowly decomposing wooden ladder that is laying on the bottom of the Lake. No one knows how the ladder got there; there is no known record of a expedition that made it back far into the cave prior to the date the ladder was found. Not only that, but no one has been able to find a natural entrance to the cave leading to Mystery Lake that is large enough to fit wooden beams as long as the ones found in the cave. Experts are still researching and exploring in an attempt to find out the origins of the wooden ladder, but they have been searching for years already without any success.

Ready To Make The Lake Lifestyle YOUR Lifestyle? Call Me!

Though it's arguably the most famous cave at the Lake of the Ozarks, Bridal Cave is only one of several caves in the area. If you're a cave enthusiast, you'll have to also check out Ozark Caverns, Jacob's Cave, and Fantasy World Caverns. The countless natural attractions in our area make it an ideal location for any and all "outdoorsy types." To learn more about Bridal Cave, visit www.BridalCave.com

Interested in making the lake lifestyle a part of YOUR lifestyle? I would love to help you make that dream come true! Give me a call at 573-280-0484 to schedule showings of some of the homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks. I would be honored to assist in any way possible!

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

Beautiful Family Home For Sale In Four Seasons

This house for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks has it all - quality construction, superior location, stellar neighborhood, enticing community amenities, beautiful features, and an affordable price. If you've been searching for the perfect family home for sale in Lake Ozark MO, congratulations - you've found it!

Home For Sale:
280 Palmer Drive
Four Seasons, MO 65049
MLS #: 3114507

• Square Footage: 2,454
• Garage Spaces: 3
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2.5
• Listing Price: $269,900

Surrounded by full-time neighbors, this home is comfortable, quiet, and safe. The kitchen is perfect for entertaining, with spacious granite countertops and an island. The dining room is located just off the kitchen, so hosting friends and family for dinner couldn't be easier.

The spacious master suite features a large walk-in closet and an adjoining bath with a double-sink vanity, shower, and separate tub. With so much space to stretch out, you and your spouse (and the rest of your family) will live like royalty in this gorgeous house for sale in Four Seasons MO.

The Home's Best Features:

• Fireplace
• Outdoor Patio
• New Paint
• New Flooring
• Three Seasons Sun Room
• Bonus Room
• Four Seasons POA Amenities
• $3,500 Closing Credit From Sellers

The POA's Best Features

• Basketball Courts
• Swimming Pools
• Tennis Courts
• Playgrounds
• Exercise Facilities
• Boat Ramps
• Boat Trailer Parking
• Campground
• Club House

Call Me Today To Book Your Showing!

This home is ideal for families looking for a great place to raise their kids or for retired couples looking for a place to settle down. With so many wonderful features, I don't this property will stay on the market for much longer! Don't miss out on your chance to call this home your own - call me today to book your showing: 573-280-0484.

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

Spring In-Water Boat Show at Dog Days

Flowers are blooming, leaves are budding, and spring is in full swing here at the Lake - which means that the warm months of summer are just around the corner! If you are the proud owner of a waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you are probably gearing up for another much-needed summer season on the water. It's shaping up to be another fantastic year!

Spring In-Water Boat Show 2016

Get ahead of the boating curve this season by heading out to the Spring In-Water Boat Show this weekend. Sponsored by the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association, this year's event will feature more vendors, more dealers, more brands, and more boats than ever before.

This year's show is scheduled for Friday-Sunday, April 15-17. Exact show times are:

• Friday, April 15: 1 PM - 7 PM
• Saturday, April 16: 10 AM - 7 PM
• Sunday, April 17: 10 AM - 4 PM

Admission is $6.00 for adults and free for children ages twelve and under. The event will be held at Dog Days Bar & Grill, located on the 19th mile marker. Their street address is 1232 Jeffries Road, Osage Beach, MO 65065.

About Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers

The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association (LOMDA) is a group comprised of over forty of the Lake Area's best marine dealers. Collectively, they offer a huge variety of lakefront necessities, including:

• Boats
• Docks
• Personal Watercraft
• Marine Accessories

You can learn more about the Marine Dealers Association and see a current list of all their members on their website: www.LakeOzarkBoatDealers.com

Contact Me To Make Your Lake Dreams A Reality!

If you are still on the hunt for your very own lakefront property at the Lake of the Ozarks, I would love to talk to you. With over twenty-five years of experience here at the Lake, I am intimately acquainted with the inner workings of our local real estate market and I would be honored to help you relocate to the Lake of the Ozarks. Whether you're looking for a luxurious waterfront property, a cozy interior home, or anything in between, don't hesitate to give me a call!

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 A Housing Bubble?

As with any industry, the world of real estate is home to its unique terms and phrases. If you are unfamiliar with them, they may be confusing and hard to understand. As your trusted real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks, it is my job to help you better understand the world of real estate so you may navigate it more easily. This week, I'm here to take a closer look at a term you may not have heard in a while, but is currently getting tossed around with increasing frequency: housing bubble.

What Is A Housing Bubble?

Simply put, a housing bubble forms when a rapidly increased interest in the housing market causes the number of interested buyers to outweigh supply of available homes. This imbalance can cause prices to rise unusually (and unrealistically) high as buyers vie for the few homes currently on the market. If this process is not reversed, the "bubble" can continue to increase in size until it eventually (and inevitably) bursts.

Depending on the size of the bubble, the aftermath caused by its burst can be minimal or severe. In extreme situations (such as the economic crash of 2008), the housing market can be set back significantly after the bubble bursts. Home prices plummet, and the number of homes on the market far outweigh the number of interested buyers.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Housing Bubble

The advantages and disadvantages of housing bubbles are pretty obvious. For sellers, housing bubbles offer a significant advantage in that they will probably be able to sell their home for a higher amount. The sale will also probably go through much more quickly. For buyers, housing bubbles offer a distinct disadvantage in that they will likely end up paying significantly more for a property than they would in other (more normal) conditions.

Are We In A Housing Bubble Currently?

As buyers flock to the Lake of the Ozarks with increasing speed and the number of available homes on the market continues to dwindle, it is easy to see why some people think we might be headed for another housing bubble. However, Keeping Current Matters recently released two blog posts explaining why we are currently not at risk for another housing bubble forming. Here are their main points:

Lending Standards Are High
Before the housing market crash in 2008, the housing bubble was "artificially boosted" because lending standards became incredibly lenient. Almost anyone could get approved for a mortgage loan. Interest rates were high at the time, which meant that lots of unqualified buyers took on large mortgage payments that they ultimately could not afford, which contributed to the crash. Today's buyers, on the other hand, must be able to clearly demonstrate their ability to pay back their mortgage loans. Sales are increasing because buyers have a legitimate interest in the housing market; it's not being artificially inflated by the banks.

Interest Rates Are Still Low
As I just mentioned, one of the factors that contributed to the crash in 2008 was the sheer height of the interest rates at the time. In 2006, the average monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home in the U.S. was $1,305. In 2015, the average monthly payments on the same types of homes was only $858. Lower interest rates mean lower monthly payments, which in turn mean that buyers are actually able to afford they payments they take on. Because buyers are not over-extending themselves financially, we are simply in the midst of a strong housing market - not a housing bubble that will ultimately lead to a crash.

Remember Me For All Your Real Estate Needs At The Lake!
We are not in a housing bubble currently, but the market is continuing to strengthen. If you have been thinking about selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, now is an excellent time to list it. I would be happy to help in any way I can! If you are interested in buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, on the other hand, I can help you find homes that will be well within your price range in spite of the aggressive market. Either way, I truly 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

Livin' The Lake Lifestyle: Ha Ha Tonka State Park

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - the Lake of the Ozarks is an AMAZING place to live! This week I'm introducing a brand new blog series that I hope to contribute to about once every month or so: Livin' The Lake Lifestyle. Each of these blogs will feature a great attraction or activity available right here at the Lake, some seasonally and some year-round. 

This week, we're kicking things off with one of the most beautiful natural attractions in all of Missouri: Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

Photo from FunLake.com

Ha Ha Tonka State Park - Natural Features

With over fifteen miles of hiking trails, Ha Ha Tonka boasts a huge variety of vistas and trails suitable for people of all ages and skill levels. From the paved, wheelchair-accessible Spring Trail to the 7-mile backpack camping Turkey Pen Hollow Trail, there is something for everyone at Ha Ha Tonka.

Ha Ha Tonka's breathtaking landscape features a huge variety of natural phenomena, including...

• Sink holes
• Caves
• Towering bluffs
• Natural spring
• Castle ruins
• Natural bridge
• Open savanna 

Ha Ha Tonka State Park - Park History

Photo from FunLake.com

Ha Ha Tonka's history is as unique as its landscape is. The land (2,500 acres) was originally purchased by Robert Snyder, a wealthy Kansas City businessman back in 1904, who fell in love the natural beauty of the landscape and decided to use is as his personal resort. He hired Scottish stonemasons and a European supervisor to oversee the project, and together they began to build a massive estate with a stone stable, nine greenhouses, 3.5 story castle, and an 80-ft water tower. All the buildings were constructed with stone and timber they acquired locally.

Tragically, Snyder was killed in 1906 in one of the very first car accidents in Missouri. His sons took over the project and the castle was completed in 1922, but tragedy struck again twenty years later when the castle caught fire and burned in 1942. The fire was large enough that it spread to the stables, carriage house, and water tower. The only thing that remains are the stone walls and foundations.

After the fire, the area was neglected for many years. Finally, in 1978, the area was converted into a state park and preserved for the enjoyment of both locals and travelers alike. 

Make Ha Ha Tonka A Part Of Your Lake Lifestyle!

Though it has only been a state park for less than forty years, Ha Ha Tonka has gained national recognition for its unique history and landscape. In fact, a nation-wide survey by USA Today in 2015 ranked Ha Ha Tonka as the fourth best state park in the country. Whether you call the Lake your full- or part-time home, you'll have to check out Ha Ha Tonka State Park so you can see for yourself all of the great things it has to offer.

Want to make the Lake Area are bigger part of your life? I would love to help you find your primary residence or vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Contact me to schedule showings of condos or homes for sale in Osage Beach MO, Camdenton, Sunrise Beach, or any of the surrounding areas!

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

Live The Dream In Your Lakefront Condo!

If you are longing for a place of your own but not quite ready to take the homeownership plunge, compromise with a waterfront condo at the Lake of the Ozarks. Condominiums offer all the benefits of having your private space without the many added responsibilities that often come with a house.

Because of their spectacular waterfront location and fantastic amenities, condos also serve as perfect second homes at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you are interested in buying a condo in Osage Beach MO, you've come to the right place!

1481 Ledges Drive, Unit: 1035 (Osage Beach MO)
$189,900

Prepared to be wowed by the phenomenal view - and everything else! This updated condo has everything you need to set up your perfect vacation destination at the Lake. This condo's true advantages can be found in the details; every inch of this unit has been meticulously maintained and carefully crafted to ensure that its owners enjoy being there to the fullest possible extent.

Here are just a few examples of the great things waiting for you at this lakefront condo in Osage Beach MO.

The Kitchen

• Glass Tile Backsplash
• Granite Countertops 
• Custom Cabinets
• LED Lighting Above and Below the Cabinets
• Vinyl Wood Panel Flooring

Everywhere Else

• Huge Screened, Covered Deck
• Crown Molding
• New Commercial Vinyl Tile Bath
• Spacious Bedrooms
• Walk-In Closet
• Incredible View of the Main Channel
• Gas Fireplace

Outstanding Condominium

This wonderful unit is located in one of the most highly sought-after condominiums at the Lake. Subdivision amenities include:

• Community Pool
• Playground
• Beach
• Sewer
• Trash

You'll find that living in this condo is also incredibly affordable, as your assessment dues cover:

• Cable
• Dock
• Dock Reserve
• Sewer
• Trash
• Water
• Yard Maintenance
• Amenities

This condo also provides an opportunity to earn supplemental income by renting it out visitors on a nightly, weekly, biweekly, monthly, biannual, or annual basis - though you may not want to part with it!

Call Me To Schedule Your Private Showing!

If you are interested in seeing all that this property has to offer with your own eyes, contact me at 573-280-0484. As an experienced real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks, I have the skills and the expertise you need to secure this condo at a fantastic price. 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