6 Tips For Single Homebuyers

Think you have to wait until you have found that special someone to buy a house in Osage Beach MO? Think again! According to the National Association of REALTORS®, single females accounted for 15% of all homebuyers in 2015 and single men accounted for 9%. While this may seem like a relatively small percentage, it means that increasing number of single individuals are taking the homeownership plunge. 

If you are considering buying a house on your own, The Property Shop at the Lake is here to help! Here are a few important suggestions.

1. Don't Stretch Your Budget
As a prospective homeowner, it's essential that you not spend beyond your means. Look at your budget carefully to determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend on a monthly basis. Just because you've been prequalified for a high loan amount does not mean you have to purchase an expensive home. Instead of looking at your prequalification as the number to aim for, simply consider it a starting point and work your way down from there.

2. Bring Someone With You While House Hunting
Choosing which house to buy is a big decision. There are a lot of different factors to consider, and it can be easy to get so caught up the excitement of it all that you overlook some things. As you tour different homes, bring a trusted friend or family member with you to provide their feedback and help you evaluate the pros and cons. The properties will begin to run together after a while, and having another set of eyes may prove incredibly useful.

3. Never Underestimate The Power Of A Smaller Home
If you're planning to live alone, buying a smaller home could be a great idea. Smaller properties require less maintenance, less upkeep, and less cleaning. If you end up finding a partner and wanting children eventually, you can always move up when the time comes. We have plenty of small homes for sale, or you could always consider buying a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks.

4. Keep A Financial Safety Net
It doesn't matter whether you're buying a house by yourself or with a partner; keeping a financial safety net is essential. Most experts recommend keeping enough money in an emergency fund to cover your expenses for three to six months without income. Life is unpredictable, so it's best to always be prepared. When buying a house, don't spend so much money on your down payment that you use up your entire savings.

5. Think Ahead
Buying a home requires a big investment of both your time and your money. Before putting so much into it, we encourage you to carefully imagine where you see yourself in five years and buy a home that fits that image. Obviously your situation may change (you may find a partner, you may begin a new career, etc), so finding a home that could serve multiple different purposes may be your best option. 

6. Consider Resale Value
No matter what your reasons for buying are, considering the future resale value of each potential property is absolutely essential. Great location, a good school district, easy access to shopping and recreational activities are all things that can help a home maintain its value. If you can purchase additional land around the home or perform various upgrades, you may be able to help increase your property value more quickly. 

The Property Shop Agents Are Here For You!
Whether you're buying a house by yourself or with a partner, our buyers' agents at the Lake of the Ozarks would be honored to help you turn your dream home into a reality. Visit our website to learn more about our homebuyer resources at the Lake of the Ozarks!

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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The Truth About Selling Your Home

We're not going to sugarcoat it - selling your house at the Lake of the Ozarks can be a lot of work. You have to evaluate your home with a critical eye and repair any issues that could pose as drawbacks to potential buyers, and you have to be ready to vacate your home at a moment's notice for showings. That being said, there are a lot of ways your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent can help take some of the weight off of your shoulders. Keep reading to learn more about getting your home ready to sell.

Truth #1:
Not Making A Repair Is More Expensive Than Making It
If you're thinking about selling your home, money is probably a big concern - especially if you are simultaneously searching for a new home to purchase. You may be tempted to save a few dollars by opting to leave the worn-out carpeting or the leaky faucet as is, but the truth is that not making these repairs will probably cost more than making them. If your home is in prime condition, you will be more likely to secure a higher sale price.

Truth #2:
If Your Home Is Dirty, It Will Sell For Less
Making the necessary repairs in your home is important, but keeping it clean and uncluttered is critical. Deep-cleaning every square inch of your home is your best bet, but keeping on top of even the simplest tasks (sweeping the floors, wiping down the sinks and countertops, etc) can mean the difference between a high and a low offer. You never know when buyers will want to schedule showings, so you should strive to keep your home pristine at all times.

Truth #3:
You Have To Price Your Home Correctly
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is pricing their home higher than necessary because they are not in a major hurry to sell - they can drop the price at a later date if necessary. However, the truth is that homes typically get the most traffic during their first thirty days on the market. If your home is priced too high in the beginning, you may not be able to get in front of the serious buyers who scratch it off their list simply because it is out of their price range.

Truth #4:
Scents Matter
Some people have more finely tuned senses of smell than others, but the fact remains that if you want your home to smell quickly, it has to smell good. Depending on their source, unpleasant odors can be hard to get out - and buyers may surrender the battle before it even begins by searching for a different home entirely. Before every home showing or open house, bake cookies or burn candles with seasonal scents so that your entire home smells nice.

Truth #5:
Timeliness Is Critical
If you receive an offer on your home, we strongly recommend that you respond as quickly as possible. Buyers will typically give you 24-48 hours to respond to their offer; if you miss this deadline, their offer will be voided. If buyers have questions or need information, it's important that you be readily available to answer them. If your responses are continually delayed, buyers may become frustrated and begin looking for other options.

The Property Shop Agents Can Help You Sell Your Home!

If you are thinking about selling your condo at the Lake of the Ozarks or your home, we hope you will reach out to one of our experienced real estate agents in Lake Ozark, MO. We would be happy to help you sell your home in Osage Beach, Camdenton, Lake Ozark, Sunrise Beach, or any of the surrounding towns, and we promise to do everything we can to simplify the process for you. For more information, give us a call or check out our website: PropertyShopAtTheLake.com

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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What Is A Short Sale?

If you're looking for a new house at the Lake of the Ozarks, you're probably looking for a great deal. After all, every homebuyer wants to secure a good house at an even better price. However, The Property Shop at the Lake wants you to be aware that if you have found a home that seems to good to be true... it very well could be.

Short Sale Properties

In a short sale, homes are sold for less than the amount that the original homeowners currently owe on their outstanding mortgage, which means that the lender will not be paid back all that is owed to them. Most lenders are (understandably) hesitant to agree to short sales, but they can be attractive options for buyers because the sale prices are typically much lower than that of other properties. However, buying a short sale property can come with its fair share of risks and potential pitfalls. This week, our team of experienced real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help make you aware of some of these potential dangers.

Things To Know About Buying A Short Sale Property

The Deal May Not Go Through.

Short sale properties are infamous for taking a long, long time for the negotiations to be completed - and sometimes for falling through altogether. With so many different factors demanding attention and so many lengthy negotiations taking place, short sales often take a long time from start to finish. If you are anxious to move into your new home in Osage Beach MO, buying a short sale property may not right for you.

The Property May Not Be In Great Condition.

Short sale properties are, essentially, one step up from foreclosure properties. While the current homeowners have not gone all the way into foreclosure, they must be in a dire financial situation in order for their lender to agree to a short sale. As a result, they probably do not have the funds required to keep their home in good condition. As the new owner of such a property, you may be required to pay for expensive repairs or renovations after moving in.

The Home Inspection Will Be Even More Important

Because the home may not be in great condition, the home inspection will be an even more critical part of the transaction process. We encourage you to book your inspection for a time when you will be able to attend. Your inspector should be able to explain all of the important details and point out any potential problem areas that will need careful attention in the future. It's important to go into the transaction with your eyes open!

You Will Need The Help Of An Experienced Agent

With so many important factors and details to consider when buying a short sale home, navigating the process by yourself may be a dangerous proposition. If you are considering a short sale property, we strongly encourage you to talk to one of our Lake of the Ozarks real estate agents. Our team members can help you carefully navigate the process from start to finish. Give us a call at (573) 693-1100 or visit our website to learn more about how our team can help you with your negotiations!

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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What We Love About Real Estate

Real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks is a wild ride! Whether you're buying or selling, real estate is an exciting adventure with its fair share of ups and downs. The Property Shop at the Lake has been helping our clients fulfill their real estate dreams for many years, and we couldn't be happier. This week, we thought we'd share with you some of the things we love most about real estate.

Buying Real Estate at the Lake

There are a lot of excitements and joys that come with buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, but there are a few that rise above the rest. Specifically...

Helping Our Clients With The Home Search
Searching for your new home is absolutely thrilling. There's something magical about walking through each potential home, imagining yourself waking up there every morning and falling asleep there every night. As an added benefit, walking through lots of different homes is a great way to get some home decor ideas! We love seeing all of the different homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks along with our clients.

That Moment When Our Clients Find "The One"
Our clients often ask us how they will know when they find the right home, and we always give them same answer: when you just know. As cliché as it sounds, it's so true. There's nothing like the moment when you walk into a home and are hit by the realization that you've just found your dream home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Even after working with hundreds of clients, the moment is still just as exciting!

Helping Our Clients Secure Their Dream Homes
Finding "the one" is only half of the process - there is still a lot to do after our clients find the homes they want to buy. We have to negotiate with the sellers, arrange for appraisals and inspections, and coordinate with the lender and the title company. We always stick by our clients through every step of the process, helping them out in any way we can. 

Selling Real Estate at the Lake

Selling homes at the Lake of the Ozarks comes with an entirely unique set of challenges and thrills. There are several different aspects that we especially love helping our clients with, such as...

Getting Their Homes Ready To Sell
If you want your home to sell quickly, you can't simply stick a "for sale" sign in your front yard and hope for the best. You have to make any necessary repairs or upgrades, stage your home, and aggressively market it so that you can get it in front of as many prospective buyers as possible. We love watching our clients transform their homes into stunning properties for the market.

Helping Them Negotiate The Sale
People choose to sell their homes for any number of different reasons, but the end goal is always the same: they want to get as much money for their home as possible. Whether our clients plan to use the money from the sale to put towards a new home or to fund their retirement, securing top dollar for their properties is always a big priority. We love helping our clients negotiate with their buyers so they can get the best possible price.

Closing Day
The real estate market is infamous for being unpredictable. Even in a seller's market, some homes take several months to sell. Even if they have only been on the market for a short while, our clients experience a huge wave of relief when their homes sell. Closing day is such an exciting time (for both the sellers and the buyers); we absolutely love getting to share this experience with our clients.

Remember The Property Shop at the Lake For All Your Real Estate Needs!

We absolutely love our jobs; even if we won the lottery, we would continue to work in real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you are thinking about buying or selling in the near future, we hope you will keep our team in mind! We would love to help you through this exciting time.

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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Introducing Shaunna Gordy!

The Property Shop at the Lake is growing! We are excited to have recently welcomed two new outstanding members to our team of real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks - Rhonda Lettow (who we introduced you to last month) and Shaunna Gordy! With a great personality and a work ethic to match, Shaunna is fantastic agent and we are thrilled to have her on the team. This week, we're taking the opportunity to help you get to know Shaunna a little bit better!

Q:  How long have you lived at the Lake of the Ozarks?
A:  I have lived at the Lake for twelve years.

Q:  Where did you go to school?
A:  I was born and raised on the west coast, which is where I graduated high school. I then moved to the Midwest (KC area) twenty-five years ago with my husband. I went to college in Kansas City.

Q:  How did you first get started in real estate?
A:  I got started in real estate when we invested in a construction company nine years ago and I wanted to list the properties we built. 

Q:  What is your role at The Property Shop?
A:  I am a Real Estate Agent / Sales Closing Coordinator here at the Property Shop.

Q:  What do you love most about your job?
A:  The best part about my job is making people happy. Whether it's finding my clients their perfect fit in a property or helping out with closings, I get the most enjoyment knowing I've done the best I can assist in the process.

Q:  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A:  If I could travel anywhere in the world, it would be Italy. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to visit there.

Q:  Who is your family?
A:  I have been married to my husband, Curt, for twenty-five years. We have three beautiful daughters, one adorable son, one handsome son-in-law, one precious granddaughter, and two adorable grandsons.

Q:  What is your favorite childhood memory?
A:  My favorite childhood memory is camping in the Pacific Northwest with my family. I was actually camping when Mt. St. Helens erupted I got ash in my eyes!

Q:  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A:  In my free time, you will find me relaxing and hanging out with my family. We enjoy dock time, boat rides, and many water sports.

Q:  If you won the lottery, what would you do?
A:  If I won the lottery, I would first set aside college funding for my children and grandchildren. Then I would take the entire family on a fabulous vacation!

Contact Shaunna For All Your Real Estate Needs!
If you're thinking about selling or buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, don't hesitate to reach out to Shaunna! Her energetic and willing attitude will be exactly what you need to get your home search off and running. Stop by our office or give us a call to get started.

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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Get To Know Bruce Phillips!

Get to know the Property Shop team! We work hard to be the best real estate team at the Lake of the Ozarks, but we believe that quality legal transactions require a two-way street: in order to help our clients find their dream homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, we want to give our clients the opportunity to get to know us a little bit better. 

Last month, we had a blog dedicated to helping our clients get to know Tina Stotler, broker / owner of The Property Shop at the Lake. This month, we invite you to get to know one of our valued team members, Mr. Bruce Phillips!

Bruce and his wife, Karen

Q:  How long have you lived at the Lake of the Ozarks?
A:  I have lived here at the Lake my entire life. It has everything I look for, so why move?

Q:  Where did you go to school?
A:  I went to Missouri Southern on a golf scholarship and received a degree in Business Administration.

Q:  How did you first get started in real estate?
A:  I was a golf pro for over twenty years, and I wanted a career change. A good friend gave me the opportunity for this and I love it.

Q:  What do you love the most about your job?
A:  One of my passions is helping people. When I was a golf pro I helped people enjoy golf, now I get to help people find their perfect home.

Q:  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A:  I really want to travel to Australia. I love the remoteness and beauty of it.

Q:  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A:  My free time is very busy. I am a gym rat, and I also love being outside. Golf will always be a passion. From October through December, my wife hardly sees me because I'm deer hunting!

Q:  Who is your family?
A:  I have the best family any man could ask for. My wife of twenty-nine years, Karen, is the Director of Applications at Lake Regional Health System. I have a twenty-three year old son, Cory, who is almost done with pharmacy school. I also have a beautiful daughter, Jordan, who is in her second year at UMC getting a Masters in Psychology.

Q:  If you won the lottery, what would you do?
A:  If I could do anything, it would be to explore every unexplored place on Earth!

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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