5 Simple Tools To Make Your Home STAND OUT

When you're selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you're competing against hundreds of other homeowners. Repainting your rooms, upgrading your appliances, and fixing any obvious repairs are important tasks, but if you want your home to sell quickly, it's important to pay attention to the little details. The Property Shop at the Lake is here to help you succeed with these simple reminders.

Details Matter

When it's time to sell your home, paying close attention to every little detail is crucial. Your goal should be to create a welcoming environment that every buyer is drawn to and feels at home in. Pay close attention to the current season and strive to make your home staging efforts reflect the time of year. If you're trying to sell your home now, for example, display extra blankets, warm colors, and anything else you think will make your buyers feel comfortable and cozy. If you plan to try to sell you home in the summer, on the other hand, your decor strategies should be cool, breezy, and summery.

5 Year-Round Staging Tools

No matter what time of year you plan to sell your house in Osage Beach, there are a few timeless strategies you can use to make your home stand out above the rest. Here are a few tricks to keep up your sleeve.

1.  Window Treatments
Nothing dresses up a room quite like window treatments. Whether you opt for blinds, curtains, or a combination of the two, dressing up your window can be a great way to give your home a little extra appeal. If you have outdated and/or flimsy blinds, consider upgrading to nicer treatments. 

2.  Lighting
When it comes to selling your home, using the proper lighting is so important that we recently dedicated a whole blog to it (if you missed it, you can view it here). As a quick summary, it's important to use as much lighting as possible. Turn on all the overhead lights and lamps, and open all the blinds to let natural light in before every showing.

3.  Fresh Flowers
Flowers are a wonderful way to add a little life to your home, no matter what time of year it is. To bring your home staging techniques to the next level, we recommend placing fresh flowers in every room. You can vary your floral displays depending on the season, such as using dark red and/or white flowers during the winter and gentle pastels in the springtime.

4.  Pleasant Smells
The sense of smell is more closely linked to memory and emotions than almost any other sense. If your home has an unpleasant smell, selling it will most likely be a challenge. If your home has a pleasant smell, on the other hand, buyers will be subconsciously drawn to it. Bake cookies, burn a few candles, or turn on the Scentsy before a home showing.

5.  Towels, Pillows, and Blankets
Buyers are looking for environments that make them feel comfortable, cozy, and relaxed. Increase your home's appeal by tossing an extra throw over the back of the couch, adding a few accent pillows to your oversized armchair, and displaying plush, clean towels in the bathroom. 

Best Seller's Agents at the Lake!

If you're thinking about selling at the Lake, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our experienced real estate agents in Lake Ozark, MO! We have a great deal of experience representing buyers all across the Lake Area, and we would be honored to help you sell your home for the best possible price. For more information about our services for home sellers at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit our website: www.propertyshopatthelake.com/sellers

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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4 Kitchen Safety Tips For Thanksgiving

It's almost Thanksgiving, which means your kitchen will probably get a bigger workout today and tomorrow than it's gotten in the last several weeks combined! By the time you're finished preparing the turkey, stuffing, casserole, and pies, you will be more than ready to sit down and enjoy the feast you have prepared.

While you're thinking about what to prepare for this Thanksgiving, it's important to also spend some time thinking about how you're going to be safe in the kitchen. According to the NFPA, more kitchen fires happen on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. Our real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you and your family stay safe this Thanksgiving with these kitchen safety tips.

Tip #1 - Stay In The Kitchen
Unattended cooking is often recognized as the leading cause of kitchen fires. If you have food on the stove top, it's very important that you stay in the kitchen. If you have a turkey in the oven, stay in your home and check on the turkey frequently to make sure everything is as it should be. By keeping a close eye on things, you will be able to react quickly if something should happen.

Tip #2 - Keep The Kitchen Floor Clear
Tripping over pets, young children, bags, and toys can be hazardous even on the safest of days - but tripping over them while you're carrying knives or hot pans can be downright dangerous. Keep everyone safe by making sure the kitchen floor is clear from potential tripping hazards. When you're carrying knives or hot plates, be sure to move slowly and carefully - you never know when a small child or pet may cross your path!

Tip #3 - Don't Leave Children Unattended
Keeping young children out of the kitchen entirely may be the safest option, but many kids like to help out with the Thanksgiving preparations as much as they can. Hot pans and liquids can cause serious burns, though, and children can get underfoot easily. If you are going to have children in the kitchen while you're cooking, make sure you designate a responsible adult or teenager to keep an eye on the kids and make sure they aren't putting themselves or others in danger.

Tip #4 - Keep Knives And Electrical Cords Away From The Counter's Edge
It's no secret that children like to get their hands on things. If you have knives or electrical cords near the edge of the counter, they may pique the interest of a passing child. For everyone's safety, it is best to keep dangerous objects at the back of the counter, out of reach. This will also make them less likely to be accidentally knocked onto the floor.

Happy Thanksgiving!
From The Property Shop At The Lake's family to yours, we hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! If you are interested in touring some of the homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks while you're here visiting family, let us know! Our team of Lake of the Ozarks REALTORS® would be honored to show you around.

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 Rhonda Lettow!

We are proud to have the best real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks! Our agents work very hard to help people find the perfect new homes and sell their existing homes for the best possible prices. This week, we'd like to introduce you to one of our newer team members, Ms. Rhonda Lettow. Rhonda is an outstanding real estate professional at the Lake of the Ozarks and she would love the chance to get to know you better!

Q:  How long have you lived at the Lake of the Ozarks?
A:  After being a "weekender" for years, my husband and I decided to take the plunge and move full time at the beginning of 2015.

Q:  Where did you go to school?
A:  I grew up in Southwest Missouri and attended Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.

Q:  How did you first get started in real estate?
A:  I have always been interested in real estate and got my license for the first time when I was in my early twenties. I've been through the building process, flipped houses, and owned vacation properties. After raising my family and running other businesses, I decided to come back to real estate in 2013.

Q:  What is your role at The Property Shop?
A:  I love our close-knit team of agents. I see my role as one of support and service to my teammates and clients.

Q:  What do you love the most about your job?
A:  I love meeting new people and exploring new properties. I love the challenge of matching the two up and getting everyone through the process.

Q:  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A:  I love to travel and still have some places on my bucket list. My daughter is moving to New Zealand this year, so that is where I want to go next.

Q:  Who is your family?
A:  My husband and I have four grown children and eight beautiful grand children. We are also close to our parents and our siblings. We are quite a large clan when we gather.

Q:  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A:  (Other than travel and my grandchildren) I love life at the Lake... trying out a new restaurant or listening to a great band... a sunset cruise, or just sitting on the deck watching the boats.

Rhonda's 8 beautiful grandchildren

Contact Rhonda To Help You Buy Or Sell Your Next Home!
Next time you find yourself ready to buy or sell your house at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact Rhonda Lettow! She would be more than happy to help you fulfill your real estate dreams. Feel free to stop by our office and introduce yourself any 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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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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