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

Sell Your Home – 7 Master Bedroom Staging Tips

A master bedroom is an important part of a home to showcase, when selling. This is typically the room in which the homeowners will stay, therefore it is imperative to make a positive impression. Your trusted real estate agent in Lake Ozark, Missouri is here to help you improve your staging efforts, when it comes to selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Today, the master bedroom is the featured room for staging your home before selling.

1) Remove Clutter

Ensure your bedroom is ready for potential buyers at all times. Remove any clothes in piles and other clutter that naturally accumulates on the dresser and bedside tables. Also, keep an eye on the clothes basket and avoid it overflowing. Focus on keeping your closets tidy, especially when your home is for sale. To make it easy when selling your home and avoid a last-minute showing panic, pick up after yourself each day.

2) Eliminate Unnecessary Furniture

If you have unused furniture in your master bedroom, remove it to create more space. Keep your bedroom to the bear minimum when it comes to furniture – dresser, bed, and bedside table. This can help open up your room, creating the illusion of a larger master bedroom.

3) Stage to Your Space

Stage your bedroom to your unique space. If you have a larger room, create a reading or relaxing space with a chair or small couch with table and lamp. You want to show off the versatility of your master bedroom, if space allows.

4) Dress up Your Bed

The bed should be the focal point of the master bedroom. Dress up that space with a headboard and a nice bedcover with accent pillows. This helps to create a statement piece for potential buyers to easily picture themselves in the home.

5) Focus on Window Treatments

The window treatments are an important piece, when it comes to selling your home. You want to allow natural light can get into your bedroom, which can be accomplished with open blinds and/or a sheer curtain. Also, try to coordinate your curtain color to the color theme in the bedroom for a uniform look.

6) Coordinate Colors

For a coordinating look, try to keep a color theme for your master bedroom. Try to keep the color tones gender neutral when your home is for sale as well. You want the room to appeal to both male and female preferences, since you cannot predict who will be looking at your home.

7) Keep it Clean

The most important part of selling your home is keeping it clean. Each day ensure your master bedroom is picked up and tidy. Remove dust and vacuum on a regular basis, when your home is for sale. If you get a call for a showing, you can rest assured that your home is show ready.

To attract potential buyers to your home, ensure your master bedroom is up to par. Help your home stand out by offering an inviting space for the homeowners to imaging themselves relaxing each and every day. Once you get the potential owners hooked on the master bedroom, you have a better chance at selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you are in the market to sell this winter, contact me at (573) 280-0484 for more staging tips for the successful sale of your home!

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

Home Maintenance Checklist for Winter

With winter officially upon us, it is time to ensure your home is ready to make it through the cooler months and weather that we will soon experience. Although the weather has not been too bad thus far into the year, snow storms and frigid temperatures will soon be upon us. To take care of your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, it is important to take a few steps to maintain it for the winter months. Below you can find a winter maintenance checklist, provided by your trusted real estate agent in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

Remove Roof & Gutter Debris

Take time to clean out your gutters and any other nuts, twigs, or leaves from your roof. Removing debris can improve draining as snow gathers on your roof and melts.

Look at the Trees

Look up around your home for signs of damaged trees or limbs near your home. An ice or snow storm can put additional weight on these branches, causing them to break. If you home is under one of these limbs, your roof can be damaged by it falling. If you notice a potential tree issue around your home, have a professional cut down the limb or tree.

Clean the Fireplace

Before lighting your fireplace, ensure the chimney is clear of all debris and cleaned out for the winter. Debris build up can become flammable and cause a fire inside your home.

Unhook Garden Hoses

If you have not already done so, ensure your outdoor garden hoses are removed from the faucets. This can help prevent a pipe from freezing, causing major water damage to your home.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans should rotate clockwise during the winter months. This helps to disperse warm air from the furnace throughout the room. A reverse switch can be found on the fan motor for an easy switch in the direction the fan turns.

Prepare the Entryway

With snow, dirt, and salt being tracked into your home, it is a good idea to protect your entryway before a big snow storm hits the area. The grime tracked in on shoes can damage the tile, wood, or carpet in your doorway. If you have a hard surface in your entryway, it is a good idea to keep plenty of rugs down for optimum traction for wet and slick shoes.

Scoop the Snow

Even if there is no snow in the immediate forecast, prepare your home by purchasing ice melt and having your snow shovel handy. Often times, the weather in Missouri is unpredictable and a storm can show up with little to no warning. Be prepared to keep your driveway and/or sidewalk scooped off this winter.

Inspect Windows & Doors

Take a look at the doors and windows around your home for any air leaks. If cold air is entering your home, the openings need weather stripping or calk added to seal the opening. This can help keep the inside of your home warm this winter, by keeping the cold air outside.

Now that you have the winter maintenance check list for your home, you are ready to mark these tasks off your list! From snow storms to ice, winter brings about cold temperature and freezing precipitation. Take some time to protect and prevent your home from experiencing damage during the winter months. You will be thankful you took some of these precautionary measures to get your home ready for the winter weather. Whether you plan to stay in your home for years to come or wish to sell your home at the Lake of the Ozarks soon, it is important to maintain your house, especially during the winter months.

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 Tips for a Safe Holiday Gathering

With Christmas less than a week away, it is time to start preparing your house for upcoming get togethers with family and friends. Whether your guests frequent your home often or only a few times a year, it is important to create a safe environment for your holiday gathering. Your trusted real estate agent in Lake Ozark, Missouri is here to help you get ready for your upcoming event. Provided below are some helpful tips for keeping safety in mind with a number of guests in your house this holiday season.

1) Lighten it up

Whether you guests know their way to your front door or not, try to keep the pathway lit up this holiday season. With the sun setting earlier, landscape lights along your walkway can help your guests find their way to and from your entryway safely. In addition to adequate lighting, try to remove any tripping hazards from your pathway and front doorway.

2) Child Proof

If you do not have a young child, you may not be prepared to make your home a safe place for your guests’ kids. Ask parents to bring any safety devices to help keep their child safe, such as baby gates or cabinet locks. Also keep doors to unused rooms closed, such as a utility closet or a door leading to stairs, that could create a dangerous situation for a small child.

3) Fire Precautions

With meal prep and candles lit in your home, try to reduce the chance of a fire. Keep open flames away from flammable materials, such as Christmas decorations, and always ensure someone is in the kitchen when food is being cooked. Before your guests arrive, double check the smoke detectors in your house to make sure they are in proper working order. As guests arrive, it is a good idea to brief them on a fire escape plan, if the event should occur.

4) Shoe Organization

As guests enter your home, many will leave their shoes near the entryway. While this is considerate to help keep your floors clean, it can create a tripping hazard for others entering or exiting your house. Have a designated spot, out of the doorway, for guests to safely leave their shoes. It can also be helpful to provide a chair or bench in which guests can take off and put on shoes.

5) Cautiously Open Gifts

While exchanging presents is one of the most exciting things about the holiday season, especially for children, it also presents a few dangers. If a box needs opened, have a designated adult with scissors or a knife to assist in safely opening gifts. Make sure this sharp device is kept track of, it can be easy to accidently set down a knife, which could lead to a dangerous situation.

With increased foot traffic through your doors, it is important to ensure everyone spending time in your house is safe. While you may not be used to being extra aware of your guests’ safety, there are a few easy precautionary steps to take to help create a safe environment for your upcoming gathering. For a safe holiday party, put the above tips into action in your home. Your expert real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks wishes you and yours a SAFE and Happy Holiday!

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

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

Holiday Festivities at the Lake

While the holiday season offers a number of unique events at the Lake of the Ozarks, it can be hard to attend them all! Your trusted real estate agent in Lake Ozark, Missouri has provided some of the upcoming event details below, for your enjoyment. Whether you choose to attend them all or select a few, you will be in for a Christmas treat!

Area Christmas Events: 

CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS
On Saturday, December 10, 2016, help underprivileged children in the area by attending the Christmas for Kids event at the Lodge of Four Seasons. Starting at 5:30, enjoy an evening filled with h’oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction, and live entertainment. Admission is $20 person, as well as a new, unwrapped toy donation.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT TAN-TAR-A
Bring the kids to Tan-Tar-A on December 11, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Breakfast with Santa! Breakfast and all activities are included in the $5 admission fee. Your child will even receive a special gift from Santa!

CANDLELIGHT & CAROLS
At 2:00 p.m. on December 11th, the Greater Lake Area Chorale presents their 2016 fall concert, Candlelight and Carols at New Life Nazarene in Camdenton, Missouri. Take advantage of this unique entertainment opportunity while you sit back and enjoy some traditional and Christmas tunes.

LAKE AREA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA AT LAKE OZARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Come out to Lake Ozark Christian Church on December 13th for the Lake Area Community Orchestra’s Winter Concert Series. Admission is free, while donations are always welcome. At 7:00 p.m., enjoy a variety of Christmas music, along with other selections.

OLD TYME CHRISTMAS IN LINN CREEK
The Camden County Museum is hosting the Old Tyme Christmas event in Linn Creek on December 17, 2016.

Bonus Ongoing Events:

Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook

Bring the entire family out for a day full of holiday festivities. Open every weekend from Thanksgiving through Christmas, the entire family can enjoy Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook. From Christmas carols to ice skating, take advantage of this unique entertainment opportunity at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Deck the Docks

Enjoy the sixth annual Deck the Docks festival of lights from November 25th through December 30th. Take advantage of this cruise on the Lake of the Ozarks and take in all of the light up docks and waterfront homes. $25.00 tickets can be reserved through the Celebration Cruises.

For more information about holiday events at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit www.FunLake.com

If you are visiting the area, you may fall in love with the Christmas spirit or the charm of the Lake of the Ozarks. To make it your permanent destination, I would be pleased to help you find and purchase a second home at the Lake of the Ozarks. With a number of local contacts and experience with Lake of the Ozarks real estate, I could help you from start to finish of your home buying transaction. Give me a call today at (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

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