Monday, November 27, 2017

Preparing to Apply for a Home Loan

If you’re looking to buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, chances are you are going to need to finance the purchase. Applying for a home loan requires some preparation, and there are several documents that you will want to gather before starting the home loan process. Keep reading to learn how you can start preparing now. As your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent, I'm here to help you every step of the way!

Income & Employment Verification 


In order to be approved for a home loan, you will need to provide information on your employment and income. If you collect a paycheck, you will be required to show your W-2 forms from the previous two years. In addition, you’ll be asked to show your most recent pay stub to show that you are still employed and are making at least the same, if not more, amount of money. If you own your own business, you will need to provide a profit and loss statement or 1099 forms. You will also be asked to provide your most recent federal tax return, and possibly the last two years’ tax returns. The lender needs to make sure you can afford your monthly mortgage payments.

Debt Information 

Another important factor in the loan approval process is the amount of debt you have. A mortgage lender will use your current debt information to determine the risk involved with lending you money. You will be asked to provide a complete list of your debts, such as credit cards, student loans, car loans and child support payments, along with minimum monthly payments and balances. Your debt-to-income ratio, as well as your credit history will be evaluated. These factors will be used to determine not only your risk level, but also what interest rates are available to you personally. The better your credit score, the better your rates will be.

Depending on your unique financial situation, additional documentation may be required for your loan application. Talk to a professional mortgage lender to learn more. As your premier real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks, I can recommended lenders that I've worked with in the past. For all your home buying needs, trust Eagle's Nest Realty!

Call (573) 374-0769 to schedule a showing today!


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Monday, November 20, 2017

Holiday Lights to Admire Around the Lake of the Ozarks

The Lake of the Ozarks is a great place to live! Whether you enjoy all the hustle and bustle of the summer months or long to relax during the less-hectic winter, there are a number of activities to enjoy year-round. This time of year, Christmas lights can help get you and your family into the holiday spirit. As the best real estate agents in Sunrise Beach, MO, we've provided information about area holiday light displays!


Enchanted Village of Lights

Photo Credit: Fun Lake
Located at the Laurie Fairgrounds, this impressive holiday light display takes place from November 17th through January 1st. Open nightly from 5:00-9:00 pm, bring your entire family out to enjoy the beautiful light display throughout the fairgrounds. An at-will donation can be made as you exit the light display.

St. Patrick's Festival of Lights

Head to the Shrine of St. Patrick in Laurie, MO for a breathtaking light display for you to enjoy from November 23rd to January 1st. With over 4,000 strands of lights, it's a spectacular display, free for the community to enjoy nightly from 6:00-10:00 pm.

Versailles Unity Circle of Lights

Visit the Versailles City Park from November 25th to January 1st to enjoy the beautiful drive-through Christmas light display. Bring the entire family out for over 40 light displays. Kick off the holiday season by coming out to view this sparkling light display!

Photo Credit: Fun Lake

Osage Beach Holiday Lights in the Park

Drive through the Osage Beach Park to from November 25th through December 31st for a free light display. Enjoy the sparkling holiday lights that fill the park and can help you and your family get into the holiday spirit. Over 100 holiday light displays can be found and even more can be viewed along Osage Beach Parkway throughout the city. Don't miss out on these great displays to help you get into the Christmas spirit!

Which Christmas light display are you going to visit first? As your trusted real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know how much fun it can be to attend these festive holiday light displays. They are just one of the many perks of living at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you are just visiting the area, you may start to notice what a great place this is for a second home. Contact Eagle's Nest Realty today to start your search for a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Call (573) 374-0769 to schedule a showing today!


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Monday, November 13, 2017

5 Solid Reasons Why You Shouldn't FSBO

When it comes time to sell your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to hire a real estate agent to help you. Some homeowners believe that they can make more money off the sale of their home by selling it on their own. By avoiding the real estate agent’s commission, you’ll be able to keep more money right? Not necessarily. Keep reading for some solid reasons why you shouldn’t FSBO, or “For Sale By Owner.”

1. FSBOs Generally Sell for Less. 

On average, homes sold by a real estate agent sell for more than the FSBOs do. The right agent will be able to price your property to get the most money in the shortest time. That can get you 10-30% more net profit, and you’re only paying the selling agent 3% commission. Therefore, you’re not really getting more money out of the deal by opting out of hiring a professional real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks.

2. Marketing Opportunities are Limited for FSBOs. 

As an individual seller, you’re going to have more limited avenues of marketing. Sure, you can put a sign in your yard and post some pictures on Craigslist and Facebook, but that’s about it. FSBOs don’t get added to the MLS, which is where most buyers go to find a home, and other real estate agents go to find their buyers a home. They also don’t get printed in real estate magazines.

3. FSBOs Typically Sit On The Market Longer. 

Due to the lack of marketing, FSBOs will likely sit on the market longer. Sellers often don’t have the knowledge to price their home properly either, which can result in longer time on the market. Pricing it too high will keep buyers at bay, but pricing it too low conveys that there’s something wrong with the property. In addition, the longer it sits on the market, the less money you’ll get upon final sale.

4. Time Costs the Seller Money. 

Selling a home is a lot of work. Those that choose not to hire a real estate agent need to be prepared to sacrifice a lot of time. From staging and marketing to showing the home and negotiating terms, FSBOs require hard work if you actually want to get it sold. Leave it up to the professionals to do that work and you’ll save time and be a lot less stressed.

5. Sellers Don’t Have the Market Knowledge.  

Real estate agents sell homes for a living; they went to school for it. They are constantly involved in the market and keep up on new trends, etc. When you sell your home without an agent, you’re risking liability issues. Any mistakes you make can cost you greatly. Agents have something called E&O (Errors & Omissions) Insurance that protects them when mistakes are made in contracts.

Avoiding the hassle and hiring an agent to help you is the best route to go! If you’re in need of a qualified Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent to sell your home, trust none other than Eagle’s Nest Realty! We have served the Lake of the Ozarks area for 15+ years, and have the experience needed to get your home sold at a great price! Give us a call at 573-374-0769 to discuss selling your home today.


Call (573) 374-0769 to schedule a showing today!


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Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

One of the best things about the holidays is being able to invite friends and family over to share it with. Opening your home to others creates a sense of connection and community, but preparing for your guests can take a bit of preparation. Don't be overwhelmed as you prepare your home for the holidays. Your trusted real estate agents in Sunrise Beach, MO are here to help! We've provided a list of things to do as you get your home ready for upcoming holiday gatherings.


Stock Up

Consider stocking up on paper goods and other products you may go through quickly with guests around. From paper towels to toilet paper and everything in between, buy plenty of these items ahead of time to avoid an unnecessary last minute dash to the store. Having plenty of these products on hand can help guests feel more welcome, and not like they have run you out of your paper goods!

Add Simple Decorations

Whether you're entertaining for Thanksgiving or Christmas, add decorations around your space to get into the spirit. From a simple acorn display in a jar topped with a candle to a classy Christmas tree displayed in the corner, there are a number of ways to help your home feel warm and cozy this holiday season. When you are decorating your home, be sure to keep safety in mind. Keep all decorations away from an open flame and avoid a blown fuse by ensuring you don't overload your outlets with Christmas lights.

Clean, Clean, Clean

As you welcome guests into your home, it's important to provide a clean space for them to gather. You don't want to be enjoying a holiday meal and look over at the coffee table to notice a layer of dust. If your guests are staying overnight, be sure to clean the guest room and any bathrooms that they may be using, as well. The holidays are a great time to showcase your home for your friends and family, therefore it's important to leave a good impression by giving it a good cleaning!

Grocery Shop Ahead 

As the host, you will likely prepare some of the food for your holiday feast. Plan out your meal ahead of time and complete your grocery shopping in plenty of time. This can help you focus on your home and actually cooking the meal, before guests arrive. It's a nice gesture to have the food ready when planned. Many people have various stops to make during the holiday season and it may put a damper on their plans if the meal at your home is running off schedule.

De-clutter Your Entry

Your entry way will be a high-traffic spot as your guests come and go. Try to keep this space as clean and clutter-free as possible. Also consider placing a bench in the entryway so your guests can easily take off and put on their shoes. This can also help reduce a tripping hazard if shoes are spread out around the entry way. Keep this space tidy for the safety of all of your guests!

If you are at the Lake of the Ozarks for the holidays, you may notice various properties for sale. Whether you're looking to upgrade or downgrade your home, relocate to the Lake of the Ozarks or simply want to invest in a second-home in the area, Eagle's Nest Realty can help. Give us a call at 573-374-0769 - we look forward to helping you find your dream home at the Lake of the Ozarks this holiday season!

Call (573) 374-0769 to schedule a showing today!


Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc.                                               Like Us On Facebook
Bill & Sky Johnson                                                            Follow Us On Twitter
33431 Evanston Road                                                       Find Us On LinkedIn
Sunrise Beach, MO  65079                                                +1 Us On Google+