Lakefront is very popular, but this home has one of the most spectacular views of the lake. Close to the water and walking distance to community dock with slip. As you view this home, you will understand why a Lakefront lot is not that important. This location offers peaceful setting, screened in porch, mature trees w/manicured yard, oversized 2 car garage, wide concrete drive & decorative railing. Inside is all hardwood floors, beatiful kitchen w/custom cabinetry, large windows facing the Lake, main master, full bath & slider to deck. Lower level has laundry room, storage area, 2nd bedroom w/small electric fireplace, & 3rd bedroom w/wood stove. This home at the Lake of the Ozarks is a MUST SEE! Serenity, peaceful park-like setting, clean & well maintained. To view a virtual tour, click here: http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=2674286
205 Rock Hill Drive, Lake of the Ozarks, MO
24949 W. Highway 54, Macks Creek, MO
Offering a 2 bedroom, 2 full bath ranch home with the potential for a 3rd bedroom on 40 +/- acres of recreational paradise just minutes from the Lake of the Ozarks. Open pastures that are fenced and cross fenced with a well stocked pond just steps from your back door. Truly a gentlemen’s paradise with outbuildings that include a barn, equipment shed, detached 1-car garage and separate building that can be used for an office. Located on Highway 54 for fast easy access to shopping. Link for more info: http://www.lakeozarksmls.com/loo/maildoc/grt_1325801537-Jan-05-2012-5_12_17pm.html
158 Bluewater Court, Lake Ozark,MO
Under Contract… If you’re looking for a deal….this is it! Beautiful Four Seasons home on two lots with amazing lake views. Home has been completely remodeled and features granite counter tops, refinished kitchen cabinets, hardwood floors and all new carpet, bathroom fixtures, decking, windows, siding, roof and HVAC. Other features include stone fireplaces in both the living room and master bedroom, plenty of storage, 2-car carport that could easily be enclosed, maintenance free desert landscaping and plenty of extra parking. All of this combined with the privacy of two lots and the commanding lake view make it a unique find in Four Seasons. Call today!
Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Q and A – Remodeling
Q: We would like to do some remodeling and want to spend our time and money wisely. Our objective is to increase the aesthetic value as well as the financial value in one fell swoop. Can you please give us some advice?
A: Your first step should be to assess the current real estate market in your area. You will want to know details about the most popular homes recently on the market such as the square footage and how it is utilized. For instance, how many bedrooms and bathrooms are most buyers looking for, what types of kitchens are most popular and what exterior features do these homes have? A professional realtor can help you to gather this type of information.
Next you will need to look at your home and the surrounding property and assess what you have to work with. If you interest is to add square footage to your home it is important to look at your lot lines. Your home may all ready take up the majority of your lot, making it impossible to expand your outer walls without creating an encroachment issue. To insure that you are looking at the correct information you will want to look at a recent survey and locate the building envelope within your property boundary lines.
If you wish is to simply update your current property you can begin by comparing the current features of your home to those of the more popular homes recently on the market in the immediate area. Currently we are seeing that highly functional kitchens, numerous bathrooms and master suites are interior features in high demand. Likewise, low maintenance siding and landscaping are sought after exterior features.
As with any other substantial purchase you will want to work with an experienced professional. Take the time to find a reputable builder that you trust to come into your home and assist you with this important project. With the help of this professional you should be able to assess the potential of your home and be able to pinpoint one or more projects that will be financially feasible to complete.
An important fact to consider before you begin your project is the average value of the homes in close proximity to your home. In order to realize the full potential of your remodeling dollars caution must be used to prevent pricing yourself out of the realm of possibilities. For example, after your project is completed if your home will easily be worth $400,000 but the homes in your neighborhood average $150,000 you may have created the potential for a negative return on your investment.
You want to get the most out of your remodeling dollars so spend time with your builder as well as an experienced realtor. Go over the different options available to you to update your home and ask the question with each; what will the added value to my home be? If only 50% fo the dollars spent will be realized in increased value to your home when creating a gourmet kitchen, you may want to consider an alternative.
As a general rule you want to stay away from trendy looks that won’t outlast the materials they’re made of. Instead you should consider how durable and functional your choices are in everything from interior flooring to exterior siding. When working to stay within a budget it is usually more beneficial to spend the extra money for quality and durability and consider sacrificing something less important.
Once you have worked through all of the details with your builder you will receive a bid proposal and if accepted, a contract. You should not let the work begin after simply receiving an estimate of costs. An estimate is exactly what it sounds like, an approximation of the total cost. A bid and a formal contract signed by both parties legally bind those parties to their written agreement. This leaves no room for unexpected costs to surprise you upon completion of the project and an experienced professional will usually insist on a contract realizing that it protects both parties.
As with any major purchase you should utilize the professionals in the area the insure your interests are protected.
Updating or remodeling can be of great benefit to a homeowner. If done correctly, you can create a more comfortable home to enjoy and added value when you are ready to sell.
Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Q and A – Appraisals
Q: If our realtor can determine what our home is worth why should we have an appraisal? If we must have an appraisal how and when do we do this?
A: A certified property appraisal is required when there is a financial transaction taking place through a lending institution in connection with real property. It is good business for any lending institution to have evidence that the loan they are about to close is based on accurate loan to value ratio.
A certified appraisal goes much deeper than the market analysis that your realtor will provide. Although some of the same steps are taken to get the end result, a certified appraiser has the resources to determine what the current value is based on square footage, age, condition and location of the home.
Like your realtor the appraiser will also take into consideration the same information contained in a market analysis. Information regarding homes recently sold in your area will be gathered. The size, age and condition will be compared and the selling price of the homes most like yours will be considered when determining the value of your home.
Typically the lender involved in the trasaction will order the appraisal after a contract has been fully executed. In this case you have very little to concern yourself with except for opening the home for the appraiser at the predetermined time.
A second option you have is to order an appraisal while you and your realtor are determining the price of your home. While this is not the typical avenue sellers take, it can be very attractive to buyers and increase the opportunity to a quick sale. If this is the route you choose, you should be aware that is it very important to use a certified property appraiser. You should also note that this does not fully remove the possibility of the buyer’s lending institution ordering an appraisal of his or her own.
Having the certified appraised value of your home is important to you and the buyer. This is a good solid basis for the pricing of your home and peace of mind for the buyer, knowing that their money has been well spent. Under pricing, over pricing and over spending are all negatives for the sellers and buyers. A certified appraisal helps to provide for a positive experience in a real estate transaction.
Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Q and A – Holiday Market
Q: We finally have our home ready to sell and the holiday season is here. Should we wait until after the first of the year to put our home up for sale?
A: No, waiting until after the holidays is not necessary. There are plenty of buyers in the market during the holiday season and through the winter months. This time of year usually involves some extra home decorating and an increase in entertaining. With your home on the market it is important to plan ahead and follow a few simple guidelines.
The National Association of Realtors has published several articles suggesting that buyers are more comfortable in a home where they do not feel they are intruding into your personal space. For this reason it is recommended that you pack away any excess personal photos, allowing the buyer to feel at home in your home. Most homeowners have several personal holiday photos and other items that are added to the decor this time of year. If your home is on the market it would be wise for you to forego some of these items this season.
In addition to the personal items, there is usually a tree and other favorites added to the decor of your home. In the interest of keeping a spacious look and atmosphere in your home, you may want to consider a smaller tree this season. Consider choosing a few items from among your holiday favorites. Large items that make a room look and feel smaller should be left in storage.
Candles and simmering potpourri with scents traditional of the holiday season, along with a few understated items throughout your home should be your holiday decorating choice this year. One of the first rules of readying your home for the market is to remove all of the clutter. Excessive holiday decorations will be counter productive.
Stay in touch with your realtor to coordinate showings around your plans for entertaining guests, keep decorating simple, rooms spacious and you can’t go wrong. With some simple planning you will be able to have your home on the market and enjoy the holiday season at the same time.
Please contact the Tonia Grein Team 800-348-6642 with any further questions.
Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Q and A – Title Insurance
Q: We just bought a new home and we were told by the mortgage company that we had to purchase title insurance. No one has been able to explain what it is exactly. Can you help?
A: Most lenders do require that you purchase title insurance to verify the exact piece of property that will be named in the Deed of Trust between you and your lender. It also insures that there are no other liens on the property that will supersede their Deed of Trust. Title insurance provides for a detailed research of the property you intend to purchase and serves to protect you as well as your lender.
To understand what title insurance is it is helpful to have some insight into the steps taken before issuing the final policy. Once you have an accepted contract between the buyer and seller and have agreed on a closing date your realtor will contact the title company and submit your contract and any other documentation pertinent to this purchase. From this point the title company, which consists of a team of licensed professionals, will begin the process that will eventually lead to the closing table and the buyer taking posession of the property.
A person referred to as an abstractor will research past and present documents pertaining specifically to the piece of property in question that have been filed with the recorder’s office of the county in which the property lies. The abstractor’s job is to assemble the documents representing the history of the property.
Conveyance documents, such as Warranty Deeds, represent the legal transfer of ownership from seller to buyer and are required to be filed with the county recorder’s office. Each one of these documents filed within the designated time frame for the search is carefully read to insure that all persons who posessed right of ownership have relinquished that right through legal means and that the specific parcel of property that you are asking to have insured is included in these documents. All documents such as utility easements, right of way easements, water rights, mineral rights and the like that affect the tract of land specified are also verified and documented.
Past Deeds of Trust are researched and matched with a corresponding release to guarantee that no past deeds encumber the property. All liens, such as mechanics liens or tax liens are also searched for. If any such liens have been filed a release should be filed once the debt is satisfied. The abstractor also checks real estate tax records, any taxes asessed against the property, as with any other outstanding debt is verified and documented.
The next step for the title company is to review the documents and compile a comprehensive report on the property including any outstanding debts. Any and all debts filed against the property prior to this transaction must be satisfied or otherwise noted as an exemption before title insurance will be issued. The final policy insures that the specifically named documents affecting the legally described property exist at the time of being legally conveyed to the buyer with no other encumberances or rights to ownership.
The title company takes on a very important role during the final phase of you real estate purchase making it essential that choose a reputable company. An experienced realtor will be able to answer your questions and help you to choose a reputable title company.
As always please call us 800-348-6642 or send an email with any questions on Title Insurance or Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate in general.
Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Q and A – Advantages of Using a Realtor
Q: We have made the decision to sell our home but we are still weighing our options of exaclty how to go about it. A friend suggested we handle the sale ourselves to save the money paid to a realtor in commission fees. As a realtor, what are your thoughts on this?
A: Selling your home without the help of a realtor is an option but one that should be examined very carefully before making the decision. While it is quite possible for a homeowner to sell his own property, once you have considered everything that is involved you may come to the conclusion that the assistance of a realtor is well worth the commission fees.
How to price your home is one of the first steps. Your goal is to get top dollar for your home without pricing yourself out of the market. In order to do this you will need to know what the market will bear which will require some information gathering and for this you’ll need a realtor. A realtor will have access to all of the data available in your area regarding the recent home sales. Without this information pricing your home can be a guessing game that can cost you time and money.
Once you have your home ready to sell and have determined a price you can begin to promote the sale of your home. You need to know how to reach your potential buyers through print media, direct mail, internet and other forms of marketing in order to optimize your advertising dollars. Advertising is another strong argument for hiring a realtor. A professional realtor can lend you the added benefit of aggresively marketing your home at no additional expense to you.
The next step to conquer will be that of showing your home to prospective buyers. To keep this task manageable you should encourage potential buyers to make an appointment. Drop-ins can become difficult to manage and will make if harder to screen for serious qualified buyers. Again, a realtor can be very helpful in this area. Knowing that a professional has gathered information on the people touring your home should afford you some additional peace of mind. In addition your realtor may all ready know people interested in a home like yours.
The final stages of the sale of your home include negotiation with a serious buyer, a contract for the sale and the final closing. Once the price has been negotiated a qualified professional should draw up a contract for the sale of your home. Whether it is an attorney or another professional this person should be able to manage the proceedings through to the closing date and final signing of the documents. An experienced realtor can assist you through the negotiations and represent you at the closing table.
When working with an experienced realtor these details are taken care of for you. From assessing the look and condition of your home to representing your interests at the closing table, the burden of overseeing the particulars falls to your realtor. If it is the realtor’s commission that you are concerned about, consider the fees you will have to pay to newspapers and magazines to advertise your property, legal fees to draw up contracts and the value of your time overseeing these details and showing your property. Once put into perspective, a professional realtor not only saves you time and aggravation but can also save you money in the long run.
Four Seasons Golf Course Home – A MUST SEE! 186 Hogan Drive
Beautiful, high end home sitting on the 16th fairway of the world class Robert Trent Jones designed Cove Golf Course. High end features include granite counters, cherry wood cabinets, cherry wood floating staircase, triple trayed ceiling in kitchen, living and dining area, bull nose corners, cherry wood walls and ceiling in hearth room, 650 sq. ft. screened deck on upper level, 650 sq. ft. 3 seasons room on lower level with hot tub (included), whole house stereo system and a view that will put you in awe. This home must be seen to be appreciated so call today for your private tour.
Call Lora Elliott – 573-280-2953 – www.LoraElliott.com
Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Q and A – Taking the First Step Toward a New Home
Q: We would like to buy a home but we’re not sure what price home we can afford?
A: The key to being a successful buyer is to arm yourself with knowledge. Ask yourself questions such as; “Have all my payments been made in full and on time during the past year?” “Do we have sufficient income to take on the responsibility of a mortgage?” If you have answered yes to those questions you should then begin the process of choosing a professional realtor. Do some research and meet with more than one realtor to find an experienced professional who you feel you can work with comfortably.
Once you have selected a realtor they should be able to assist you by recommending one or more lenders in your area. The initial step to be taken is that of obtaining loan pre-approval. Your realtor can be a great help to you in preparing for this by giving you a list of all the information that you will be expected to provide to a lender.
You will need to compile financial documents that will be used to verify your financial holdings, continued income and debt. All of this information will enable your lender to create a financial profile including a debt to income ratio. This information will be used to determine the maximum amount that you will be able to borrow. Add this amount to the amount of money you intend to use for your down payment and you will have pinpointed your real estate price bracket.
There are many different programs available to allow lenders to tailor a mortgage to fit your needs and financial resources. The types of loans available may vary from very low interest loans which may require a larger down payment to first time home buyer loans that may require very little or no down payment. One of the most important facts to understand is that your credit history is the determining factor in deciding the type of loan program for which you will qualify.
Having been pre-approved for a mortgage may make the time taken to look at homes and negotiating the sale far more productive. Knowing the real estate price bracket for which you qualify can dramatically narrow your search by eliminating those homes that do not fit the financial profile you have established. When you do find the right property the seller should be more inclined to seriously consider an offer being presented on behalf of a client that has been preapproved.
Shop for your mortgage like you would shop for anything else, looking for the lowest cost and the best terms. By beginning the loan process early you will be more prepared to negotiate with the seller for the best price possible on your new home.
