Real Estate Lake of the Ozarks

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 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...

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 ...

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...

Missouri winters can be unpredictable and many Lake of the Ozarks homeowners plan a vacation during our coldest months. If you’re hoping to relax and escape the Ozark chill, a winter getaway should do the trick - and when you’re miles from home, the last thing we want you to worry about is the safety of your home. Fran Campbell Team knows homes, condos and everything in between – let us share some simple tips to prepare your home for a vacation. Hold the News You don’t want to worry about a pile of newspapers in the driveway, it’s a sure sign of being absent from your home. If your mail is delivered to your home, contact your newspaper delivery company and stop service while you’re gone. Furthermore, contact your local post office and have them hold your mail. Light It Up A dark house stands out, especially in a neighborhood when all the other homes are lit up with activity. Before you leave, consider purchasing a timer and install it on a lamp in your home. It’s not a bad i...

As we approach the Holiday season, many people ask if they should keep their home listed during the Holidays. There are definitely pros and cons to your decision. The biggest "con" is the increased stress of maintaining your home during a very demanding time of the year. However, we think you should consider a few of the "pros" before you make your decision. Here are several good reasons to sell your Lake of the Ozarks Home during the Holiday Season . There are fewer "tire kickers." If a buyer is looking during the Holiday, they're probably a SERIOUS buyer. Perhaps they are buying a home for tax reasons or are relocating to start a new job in the new year. Maybe they’ve been looking for months and just haven’t found that perfect home yet. Whatever their reason, make it easy for these folks to get a good look at your home by staying flexible with your showing times and be open to negotiating contract terms that work with their schedules. Fewer h...

Investing in a condo, apartment, or single family home  can have big potential, and can be a great way to plan for your future. 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 these types of properties entails: What are the differences between condos and single-family homes? Using appreciation as a measure, condominiums in some areas have been as profitable an investment as single-family homes in the past five years. And in some markets, condos appreciated even more, according to some experts. While single-family homes have been the preferred investment by homebuyers, changing demographics are helping make condos more popular, especially among single homebuyers, empty nesters and first-time buyers in high-priced markets. Also, the condominium community has worked hard in the last few years to overco...