Thursday, October 29, 2015

8 Cool Weather Energy Savings Tips

With the chilly temperatures and the leaves swirling around the roads, it's impossible to ignore that autumn is upon us. Many of us have already turned on our heaters and lit fires in our fireplaces, excited for the comfort, coziness, and warmth that this new season brings.

What happens, though, when the dropping exterior temperatures cause your energy bill to rise? If you're like those of us at The Property Shop At The Lake, you're not a big fan of steep energy bills. Fortunately, you may be able to avoid high energy costs this fall with these simple but effective energy saving techniques!


1. Check The Insulation In Your Attic
Your attic is probably responsible for at least 15% of your home's total heat loss. Heat rises, so ensuring that you have proper insulation in your ceiling and attic is crucial if you want to keep your heating costs down!

2. Seal Around Windows And Doors
Cracks around windows and doors are other prime spots for heat loss. One way to test for cracks is to hold a candle in front of the window/door; if the flame flickers, it's a good sign that there are cracks that need to be sealed up.

3. Use Space Heaters
You'll still have to burn electricity to run your space heaters, but these small, portable heaters use significantly less energy than your overall heating system. The space heaters allow you to focus the heat on the rooms you're in, rather than heating your entire house.

4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
During the summer months, you probably had your ceiling fans set to pull warm air upwards. Now that fall is here, you should reverse your fans so that they push the warm air back down to where you are. Make sure your fans are rotating in a clockwise direction until summer returns.

5. Turn Down Your Hot Water Heater
There's no point in paying to heat water hotter than you need! Most experts recommend setting your hot water heater to 120°. If it's hotter than this, you risk scalding yourself. Lowering the temperature protects both you and your electric bill.

6. Replace Your Air Filter Every 2-3 Months
Your HVAC system works by recycling the air in your home to warm it back up (or cool it down, as the case may be). As it does this, all of the air must pass through the filter. If the filter is clogged or dirty, your system has to work harder to pass the air through it - thus increasing your electric bill. Don't make your heater work harder than it needs to!

7. Lower The Thermostat When You Sleep Or Leave Town
Why should you spend lots of money on heat when you're not there to enjoy it? If you go out of town, we recommend dropping your thermostat to around 55-58°. When you sleep, consider setting it between 60-65°. It will make a big difference.

8. Open Curtains During The Day And Close Them At Night
Take advantage of the sunlight by opening all your curtains and blinds during the day to let the sun naturally heat your home. When night falls, close them to add an extra layer of insulation over your windows.

What Did We Miss?
If you have another tried-and-true energy saving tip, leave us a comment and let us know! We always love hearing new ideas.

Contact The Property Shop For All Your Real Estate Needs!

If you're in the market to sell or buy a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact our team of experienced Missouri real estate agents. We would be honored to help you in any way we can! We look forward to working with you in the near future.


The Property Shop at the Lake
2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 693-1100
(573) 480-7760

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Cave Tours at the Lake of the Ozarks

Another summer may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean that the Lake of the Ozarks isn't still a great destination for families and friends of all ages! There's always something to do at the best recreational lake in the country. Touring the local caves is always a great family-friendly activity, no matter what the weather is like. Here is a quick look at some of the caves located near the Lake Area, courtesy of your friends at The Property Shop At The Lake.

Photo Credit: Facebook.com/Bridal.Cave.3

Bridal Cave

Perhaps one of the most famous caves in the area, Bridal Cave owes its names to the hundreds of weddings held in its caverns every single year. This cave holds steady at a comfortable 60° year-round, which makes it a perfect destination any time of year. With guided tours that leave every few minutes, you and your family are sure to have a great time at Bridal Cave.

573-346-2676

Photo Source: MO State Parks

Ozark Caverns

For those seeking a less commercialized caving experience, Ozark Caverns is a great destination. Visitors are given lanterns to carry throughout the tour; there is no built-in lighting in the cave. Ozark Caverns is also home to Angel Showers, a uniquely spectacular underground formation. Everyone in your group will surely be in awe!

573-346-2500

Photo Source: JacobsCave.com

Jacob's Cave

The largest cave in the Lake Area, Jacob's Cave features a completely handicap-accessible tour that measures about a mile long (round trip). This cave features an incredible variety of different cave formations, including one of the world's largest geodes and evidence of six different ice ages and three earthquakes. You have to see it to believe it!

573-378-4374

Photo Source: FantasyWorldCaverns.com

Fantasy World Caverns

Fantasy World Caverns has a long and rich history. Before being opened to the public for tours, the cave was used for shelter by animals and Native Americans, as a place to store goods and produce moonshine by settlers, and even a ballroom/speakeasy during prohibition. Your whole family will be able to feel the history as soon as you step inside the cave. There's nothing quite like it!

573-369-3306

Relocating to the Lake of the Ozarks? Contact The Property Shop!
There's absolutely no doubt about it - the Lake is a GREAT place to live all year-round! If you would like to look at some of the waterfront homes or condos for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact one of our Lake of the Ozarks REALTORS®. We would be thrilled to help you find your new dream home!


The Property Shop at the Lake
2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 693-1100
(573) 480-7760

Monday, October 12, 2015

Interest Rates: How They Impact Your Purchase

If you're new to the real estate market, you have a lot to learn before your buy your first house at the Lake of the Ozarks. With so many different aspects and all of their accompanying details, it can be a lot to take in all at once. At The Property Shop at the Lake, we make it a point to help our clients get all of the information they need to make educated decisions. This week, we're here to help you to learn more about interest rates and how they impact your home purchase.

Why Interest?

When you purchase real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks, you are not the only one who is making an investment - your mortgage lender is making an investment, too. When you buy a house, your lender is the one who pays the seller outright (by loaning you the money). Your mortgage payments over the next fifteen, twenty, or thirty years go towards paying back that loan.

This process allows you to reap several rewards, such as having a place to live and accumulating the "forced savings" that come from building equity in your home. By charging interest, your lender gets a reward, too - they make money off of their investment. It's a symbiotic relationship; by working together, both parties benefit.

What Are Interest Rates?

Interest is the money the bank makes off your mortgage loan, and interest rates are the factors that dictate how much money that is. Interest rates are a percentage of the total purchase. Currently, rates range anywhere from approximately 2.98% to around 4.16%. The exact rate you can get will depend upon several different factors, such as the type of loan you get, the duration of the loan, your credit history, and more.

How Much Will Interest Rates Really Affect My Purchase?

Your interest rate will have likely have a huge impact on the affordability of your home, as it will impact how high your monthly payment is and the total dollar amount you will end up spending on the home. Consider this graph:

Source: KeepingCurrentMatters.com
NOW Is A Great Time To Buy!

As you can see from the graph, interest rates are currently at an all-time low, which means it's easier to afford more expensive houses. While it is impossible to predict whether the rates will lower or raise in the future, our Lake of the Ozarks real estate agents believe that it is always better to be safe than sorry! If you are thinking about purchasing one of the homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks, let us help you get the process started. You don't want to risk the interest rates rising before you get the chance to buy!

The Property Shop at the Lake
2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 693-1100
(573) 480-7760

Friday, October 9, 2015

Lake Ozark Home Still Available - But Not For Long!

Some people only thinking about buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks during the spring or the early summer months, but what they may not realize is that in doing so, they are losing out one of the Lake's best kept secrets: autumn.

Fall is without a doubt one of the most beautiful times of the year at the Lake of the Ozarks. The cooler temperatures bring with them the beautiful autumn leaves, and the lack of boats allows the water to level out into a smooth, serene surface that reflects the beauty of the surrounding shores.


Don't miss out on all our beautiful area has to offer this season! It's not too late to buy a new house at the Lake of the Ozarks and get to experience the joy of local lake living for yourself. If you're looking for homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks, look no further! The team at the Property Shop at the Lake is here to introduce you to an incredible home that's still on the market - but probably won't be for much longer!

245 Ginger Road ~ Lake Ozark, Missouri

We have featured this property before, but it has so many new attractive features that we wanted to feature it again. First, though, here is a quick recap of some of the great things this property has to offer:
  • 1,419 Square Feet
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 117 Feet of Waterfront
  • 2-Well Dock
  • Martini Deck
  • Updated Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances
  • Stunning View of the Cove (with the main channel in the distance)
  • 2 Gas Fireplaces
  • Large Master Suite
  • Hardwood Floors

DRASTICALLY Reduced Price!
Last time we featured this property, it was listed at $369,900. Today, the sellers are only asking $294,900! Considering the amazing views and the level of care with which this home has been maintained, the new asking price makes this home an absolute steal. 

LARGE Lot For Sale Next Door!
Having lots of waterfront property is not only a great way to increase your enjoyment of the Lake - it's also a valuable financial asset. The large lot next to this home for sale in Lake Ozark is also for sale, so you can expand you living space and live like a king! Here's some quick info on the lot:
  • 86 Feet of Waterfront
  • 0.25 Acres
  • Seawall & Retaining Walls Already In Place
  • $149,900

Call Us To Schedule Your Private Showing!

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity - if you are interested in viewing this property for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 573-693-1100. We would love to help you turn your dream of having a Lake home into a reality!

The Property Shop at the Lake
2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 693-1100
(573) 480-7760