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Showing posts from December, 2017

Investing in Real Estate: Fixer Uppers

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Investing in a fixer-upper property can have big potential, and can be a great starter home. Not only does buying a fixer-upper give you the ability to use your creativity when remodeling, but if you decide to move, you may be able to either use this home as a rental investment property or you can sell it for more than you purchased it for! As such, buying any property should be approached as any significant investment, requiring focus, diligence and careful research into local property, economic and demographic trends. Let's learn a little about what investing in this type of property entails: Is it smart to even consider a fixer-upper? It depends. Distressed properties or fixer-uppers can be found anywhere, even in wealthier neighborhoods. Such properties are poorly maintained and have a lower market value than other houses in the neighborhood. Many experts recommend that before you make such an investment, first find the least desirable house in the best neighborhood. The

Christmas Games to Keep the Kids Busy this Christmas Break

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Christmas is a special time of year for everyone, but it is especially magical for young children. Their eyes practically glow with the wonder of Santa Claus, Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer, the Elf on the Shelf, and all of the other Christmas mysteries! Of course, daydreaming about Santa can only keep the little ones entertained for so long. If you're trying to come up with ideas to keep the kids entertained over Christmas break, it would probably be a good idea to have some kids' Christmas games up your sleeve!  Fran Campbell Team  is here to help you out with some of our favorite holiday games for children. Enjoy! Candy Cane Search Have you ever played "Hide the Thimble"? Put a Christmas twist on this classic children's game by using a candy cane instead. All you have to do is take turns hiding the candy cane around the house or one specified room and seeing who can find it first. For older children, use a miniature candy cane. Pin the Nose on Rud

Organize and Maximize Your Home's Storage Space

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When selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks , one of the main things that buyers are going to be looking for when viewing your home is the amount of storage and closet space is available. Your home may provide an ample amount of closet space, but if you're not utilizing it correctly and your closets are packed to the brim with stuff, buyers aren't going to be able to see the maximum use. Because of this, it's essential to take time to clean out your closets and maximize all of the storage space in your home. This week, the best real estate team at the Lake of the Ozarks wants to share with you some tips to organize your home's storage space. Declutter Start by emptying EVERYTHING out of your closet. The general rule of thumb is to keep items you've worn or used in the past year and toss or donate everything else. Separate everything into piles by category: seasonal, keep, repair, donate and toss. This exercise is going to introduce you to storage space you

6 Mortgage Options for the First Time Homebuyer

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As a first time homebuyer, buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks is a very exciting time. It can also be a very stressful time - especially when you're trying to figure out your financing options. For those who don't have the best credit or a lot of money saved back to put toward a down payment, buying a home can seem impossible. Fortunately, there are several programs available to first time buyers that provide them with great mortgage opportunities . This week, we'll look at 6 common lender programs that help first time homebuyers get into their first home: 1. FHA loan In an FHA loan, the Federal Housing Administration, an agency within the U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development, insures the mortgage. The FHA’s backing offers lenders a layer of protection, meaning that your lender won’t experience a loss if you default on the mortgage. FHA loans typically come with competitive interest rates, smaller down payments and lower closing costs than conventional l