The Beeler Group

Did you know that people search for Remax Lake of the Ozarks on Google hundreds of times each month? RE/MAX has been around since 1973 and tops lists for best real estate agency every year. Not only that, but we spend thousands of dollars every month advertising our services and thus have become a brand people seek out when buying and selling homes.

Wikipedia reports we have over 100,000 agents worldwide now – that’s an enormous network of talent and experiences that we all grow from. The ability to learn from each other about what’s working and what isn’t in our business enables us to stay ahead of the competition and to deliver speed and good service to our clients.

Our RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks office is dedicated to making sure your home transaction goes smoothly. Our continuing education opportunities show us new trends in home marketing, what to do when selling and where to look when buying.

If you’re trying to buy a home here at the lake, your ultimate goal is to find a house you love and pay just under what you think it’s worth. We understand, because as homeowners, we have the same goal. For some homebuyers, speed is critical but most of the time the right price brings the smile.

In today’s economy home sellers are more apt to be content getting exactly what the house is worth (if not a few dollars more), but more importantly want that process to happen quickly and efficiently.  When you sell your home, you’re often in that Catch-22 situation where you don’t want to look till you have an offer – and then it’s a scramble to make all the dates line up.

After buying and selling hundreds of homes here at the Lake, we understand what’s common. Our RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks goal is to determine what your goals are and use our extensive lake knowledge to meet those needs. Our goal is to help you achieve yours.

Call us today and let us help you take the next step. 573-302-3660

Have you ever checked Craigslist Lake of the Ozarks for homes? Other than Realtor.com or Homes.com, it really has been a great place to get up to date listings. One of the great things about using Craigslist for Lake of the Ozarks home searches is its timeliness.

Because there isn’t a way to automate using Craigslist, everything you see on there has been manually uploaded in the last few days. And since it is so easy, homes that go on the market are often there first. We list our clients’ homes on Craigslist every day to make sure they’re always there for buyers to find.

And once the house is sold we stop uploading it so you can be assured that you’re actually viewing homes that are not already sold.

Another way we keep our clients’ homes in the public eye is through our YouTube sites. We actually build websites that host YouTube videos of a certain variety. For instance, if you visit our Lake of the Ozarks Foreclosures website, you’ll see videos of only Foreclosure properties. And we also have a 3 bedroom 2 bath homessite dedicated to keeping you up to date with new homes that fit that category.

To help buyers find those sites, we also post houses on Craigslist Lake of the Ozarks that specifically link to those two web pages. There’s nothing better than finding what you’re looking for. For both buyers and sellers, finding the house of your dreams brings smiles to faces.

I just came across this book called “Where to Retire” that speaks highly of retiring at the Lake of the Ozarks. Besides being a beautiful place with great weather year round, there are several “tax” related reasons to move to the Lake of the Ozarks for retirement.

Did you know that retired military income is not taxed in Missouri? If you’re looking for a great place to go and keep a majority of your military retirement pay, Missouri looks great.

Social Security is taxed as income in most states, but Missouri has only taxed it as income once a certain minimum income floor has been reached. Not only that, but this year (2010) is the last year that will happen. After that social security taxes will have been phased out.

Another great reason is your federal income tax. Missouri allows you to deduct your federal income tax from your state income on your tax returns? That’s just putting a little more money in your pocket.

If that’s not enough reasons to retire at the Lake of the Ozarks, then you really need to come visit. Our fall foliage, wonderful weather patterns, low traffic, low sales tax and great history of home real estate values should be all you need.

But if you do come, don’t tell all your friends. That low traffic thing is pretty nice.

What’s great about a down economy is that it’s “down” for everyone. While real estate in the Lake of the Ozarks hasn’t seen declines like Detroit, Dayton or Phoenix – home prices haven’t risen much either.

Sometimes you’ll see news footage of people protesting new developments citing lower property values as the base for their protest. But a global recession is different than things that affect one area. When everyone loses or gains value equally, the buying and selling of homes isn’t negative.

For instance, if you’re waiting to sell your home until property prices rebound, you’ll find that the prices of the homes you’re looking to buy will also have rebounded. Thus, there will have been no monetary reason for the delay.

Life is short. Don’t let the rumors of lower home prices prevent you from living where you would be happiest. If you’re curious to see what your home might sell for now – and perhaps the value of the home you’re looking to buy – call us. We can show you how you won’t lose money by exchanging real estate here in the Lake of the Ozarks.

And more importantly, you can again begin to love where you’re living.

With the Lake of the Ozarks mile marker map, it’s really easy to find your way around whether you’re on land or water. Though to help you understand how the lake is laid out, we thought we’d divide the lake into sections (as you can see on the map)

Getting around by car is not so hard since there are only 3 main thoroughfares through town. US highway 54, State Highway 5 and State Highway 52 traverse the landscape. Part of Highway 54 is now called the Osage Beach Parkway and another part is referred to as Business Highway 54).

Looking for the Lake of the Ozarks Mile Marker Map? Let me send it to you!

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You’ll see on the map that there are mile markers written all over the Lake of the Ozarks.  These help boaters navigate the 92 mile lake.  They’re all designated with the “mm” – meaning mile marker. For instance Public Beach #1 within the Lake of the Ozarks State Park is located at 12MM on the Grand Glaize arm of the lake.

EAST SIDE

The east side of the Lake is where you’ll find Osage Beach and the Lake of the Ozarks state park.  Lodging is quite easy to find on the east side as are dining and entertaining option. The east side also houses much of the mini-golf, bowling alleys, water parks and shopping.

NORTH SIDE

The North side is where you’ll find Bagnell Dam and the Willmore Lodge. Grandly, the Lodge is actually listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. You’ll also find numerous “mom-and-pop” waterfront resorts on the north side. Like the east, there’s plenty of mini-golf, go-karts and boat rentals.
SOUTH SIDE

Ha Ha Tonka State Park anchors the south side of teh lake. this 3,600 acre park features a great castle on a huge bluff. The area is great for history buffs as well. You won’t find the historic sites on the Lake of the Ozarks Mile Marker Map – so you may want to do your own research there. There is a science museum, Space Adventure Fun park, and several caves.

WEST SIDE

The “West Side” has always been known as the quiet side. The historic town of Versailles and its Morgan County Museum, Old Tyme Apple Festival and nostalgic downtown attracts visitors from all over. St. Patrick’s Church is located on the west along with Climax Springs, Stover, Sunrise Beach, Hurricane Deck and Greenview.

Community Guide Information:

• Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Map
• Fall Foliage at the Lake
• Best restaurants at the Lake

We saw this great article on FunLake.com detailing a self-guided tour of the Lake of the Ozarks Top Fall Foliage. They did a real good job navigating you to the most beautiful views. Print this out, pack a lunch and take it with you for a great 3 hour trip to see some of the top fall foliage the Lake of the Ozarks has to offer.

• Start at Historic Willmore Lodge on Business Highway 54 (now known as Osage Beach Parkway) in Lake Ozark for a spectacular six-mile view of Bagnell Dam and the Lake of the Ozarks. Take Upper Power Plant Road, across from Willmore Lodge, a short distance south to the AmerenUE Overlook for a sweeping panorama of the Lake and the Osage River, and a birds-eye view of Bagnell Dam.
• Then, travel Business Highway 54 south over the dam to the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip. After this commercial shopping area, turn left on Route HH and cross the Community Bridge ($2.50 toll).
• You’re now on MM; turn onto Route TT south and travel to Route F north. Then take Highway 5 over the Hurricane Deck Bridge and the Niangua Bridge, and stop at the parking lot at the south end of the Niangua Bridge for great photo opportunities.
• Continue south on Highway 5 and turn right onto Lake Road 5-88 to the Thunder Mountain Conservation Area in Camdenton. Climb the tower’s first 80 feet (a total of 90 steps) to a viewing area for a unique Lake panorama.
• Return to Highway 5 south through Camdenton and turn south on Route D to Ha Ha Tonka State Park, recently named one of the best state parks in Missouri by readers of AAA Midwest Traveler.  Explore the park’s intriguing castle ruins and enjoy the breathtaking view from high atop a 250-foot bluff.
• Return to Highway 54 and travel north to Lake Road 54-85, to the Casa de Loco Winery.  This unique winery, located in the restored Urbauer Fishing Lodge Historic District, was built as a sporting retreat in 1930 by a St. Louis industrialist. It offers an awesome view from a bluff overlooking the Big Niangua River

The Urbauer Fishing Lodge is a wonderful place to end the self-guided tour. If you make this trip anytime between October 15th and November 15th, you’re sure to see the Lake of the Ozarks’ best fall foliage.

Related Posts

• Fall Fishing Report
• Lake of the Ozarks Map

As part of our Selling Home Checklist, here are some more cheap and fast tips that will really pay off when buyers come to your house.

Curb Appeal, with a twist.

You know that house down the street, the one with the great lawn? If it went on the market, how likely would you be to take a peek? Now compare your feeling about that to the one up the street that’s never been well maintained? It’s different, eh?

Regardless of whether or not you’re planning on selling your home, taking steps to improve the curb appeal now will pay dividends later. When you’re getting ready for the holidays, consider re-painting the front door and trim. That will look great when company visits. Consider a great door knob, cool hinges and a door mat that kills. Easy stuff impresses.

Home Lighting

Lighting is expensive. Like framing and glasses, there’s just no getting around that. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find some great pieces at Goodwill, your local Habitat for Humanity overstock store or even garage sales. Keep your eye for great pieces. They not only make your home feel homier, but you’ll be much more confident when it comes time to sell your home.

Wash the exterior of your house

Washing is so much cheaper than paint, but most of the time you’ll get the same result. Power washing (or Pressure washing) sidewalks and driveways will clear away years of dirt, mildew, grime and dust. Don’t go power washing your house until you test it out on the paint first. No sense in creating a new problem.

Re-Caulk Plumbing Fixtures

Ever taken a shower in a hotel where all the caulk was old and cracking? You immediately thought “this place is old” didn’t you? For some reason, caulk can really make someone feel like the place has been left unkempt. With all the crazy color of caulk these days, you can really give plumbing fixtures a brand new look. And think about what your tile shower will look like with new caulk color?

Those are just a few more selling home checklist ideas for you.

Related Posts:

• Lake of the Ozarks Homepage
• 4 Home Selling Tips
• Home Prices at the Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks fishing is still a bit slow with the water temperatures still in the mid 70’s. Crappie are biting early on main lake bluffs, but you’d better be there by daybreak.

Bass are slow as well, which is evident by the small 15 pounder that won this weekend’s tournament. Front of docks with jigs and shaky heads seem to be the best patterns.

Once the water cools down some more look for the white bass activity to really pick up. In the meantime, make sure you get in your boat and check out the beautiful fall foliage that surrounds the lake.

We caught a nice blue catfish last week off my dock, mid-afternoon while watching the Bears Game. Similar to the tournament winnder, it was likely in the 15# range. Caught it on shad cut bait.  Still waiting for one of these to bite again. I caught this one last fall on a jig while bass fishing. That’s all for today will keep you posted.

Thanks Dennis Oelschlager
RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks

Related Posts

• Living in the Ozarks
• Lake of the Ozarks Map

What is a real estate trade? I think the best way to put it is “the real estate I have for the real estate I want”.

In many cases a seller who is interested in moving up to a different home or condo is not in a position to do so until they sell the existing property they have due to the strict underwriting guidelines of lenders today.

So, lets assume I am interested in moving from my condo to a single family home, but I need to sell my condo first before I can qualify with my lender to purchase my new home. This is where trades can work magnificently well……..we will advertise that we have a condo seller interested in trading for a single family home, price not to exceed $XXXXXX and about 2100 square feet, 3 bedrooms/2baths.

We then are looking for a seller that is interested in selling his single family home and buying a condo. Assuming then we find willing and able buyers/sellers we negotiate the selling price of the respective properties and enter into a real estate purchase contract.

Because the seller of property 1 will be selling and buying simultaneously the lender will approve the loan for property 2, thus we have a property exchange. Each property owner is responsible for securing their own financing and paying their respective closing costs.

If I didn’t answer  “What is a Real Estate Trade”, please comment with your questions.

Related Posts

• More reasons to hire a Realtor
• Home Buying Tips
• Trading Real Estate Podcast

Again, we’re pleased to present a summary of the Lake of the Ozarks MLS real estate transactions for the quarter ending 9/30/2010.  This report shows how the market performed compared to 2009 and a chart showing YTD transactions by price range and real estate category.

There have been 3 predictions we have made that appear to be taking place … 1) A decline in lakefront home inventory  2) A decline in condo inventory  3) An increase in lakefront lot sales.  The inventory of LF homes has declined by 136 homes or 11% since June 30, 2010 and condo inventory has declined by 124 or 11.5%.

We believe that lakefront lots will soon start to move for 3 reasons … 1) There have been a very limited amount of new homes built the last 3.5 years 2) In some cases, it will be cheaper to build than buy what is currently on the market 3) As the inventory of lakefront homes declines, prices will firm up and make building a more attractive alternative.

When you review the luxury home market stats (price ranges from $1,000,000 and up) the inventory has increased since June by 7 homes, and the number of $1,000,000 + homes that have sold this year are only 7.  So the luxury home market is not recovering as quickly as the other market segments.

The handwritten numbers to the right of the LF and Condo stat sheets show sales by price category, represents the decline in inventory for that price range.  Although the active numbers by area and price range appear to be high, keep in mind those numbers represent 1,200 miles of LF shoreline, so the supply may not be as abundant as one may first think.

I will look forward to your email or calls with questions about the mls lake of the ozarks real estate statistics (linked to in this sentence).  We are in an interesting time and I firmly believe that we will see a continued decline in inventory that will result in a sellers market within 6 to 12 months.

One last thing…the jump in LF home sales in September 2010 compared to 09 is a 41% jump!!!

Related Posts:

• Lake of the Ozarks Podcast
• Home Buying Tips
• Pricing Your Home to Sell