Dogwood Festival 2016

It's another beautiful spring season here at the Lake of the Ozarks! There's no better way to celebrate this beautiful weather than by getting out and enjoying all that our community has to offer. If you're looking for an excuse to get the family out and about, you'll have to check out one of our community's favorite annual events: The Dogwood Festival. Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc. is here to provide you with all the details.

Photo from FunLake.com

66th Annual Dogwood Festival

With literally hundreds of different things to do see and to do, the Dogwood Festival offers fun for the entire family. Some of the festivities (like the pageants) have already started, the main events begin on Friday, April 15th and continue through Saturday, April 16th. Here is a quick overview of this year's schedule of events:

Friday, April 15th

• St. Anthony's Church Garage Sale: 7a - 4p, N Bus. Hwy 5
• Our Savior Lutheran Church Garage Sale: 8a - 4p, 442 E. Hwy 54
• Fine Art Display: 9a - 4p, First National Bank
• Knights of Columbus Fish Fry: 4p - 8p, 547 W. Hwy 54*
• Spaghetti Dinner: 5:30p, Melodrama: 7p, Camden County Museum*
• Shoe Box Float Display: 5:30p, Middle School, S. Bus Hwy 5
• DECA Craft Show: 5:30p - 8p, Middle School, S. Bus Hwy 5
• Food & Craft Booths: 5:30p - 9p, Middle School, S. Bus Hwy 5
• Baby Contest: 6:30p, Camdenton Middle School Little Theatre
• Carnival: 5p - 10p, Middle School Parking Lot*
• LOZ Dance Performance: 6p - 7p, Middle School Parking Lot
• Live Band: 7p, Middle School Parking Lot

Saturday, April 16th

• Pancake Breakfast: 6:30 - 10a, United Methodist Church, W Hwy 54*
• Fine Art Display: 9a - 3p, First National Bank
• St. Anthony's Church Garage Sale: 8a - 12p, N. Hwy 5
• Our Savior Lutheran Church Garage Sale: 7a - 1p, E. Hwy 54
• DECA Craft Show: 9a - 4p, Middle School
• Food & Crafts: 10a - 6p, Middle School Parking Lot
• Dogwood Festival Parade: 10a, Downtown Camdenton
• Young Eagles Flights: 12p - 3:30p, Camdenton Airport, S. Hwy
• Spaghetti Dinner: 5:30p, Melodrama: 7p, Camden County Museum*
• Carnival: 10a - 10p, Middle School Parking Lot*

* Requires an admission fee. Click here for more details.

Photo Credit: Facebook.com/CamdentonChamber

Live Entertainment Breakdown For Saturday:

Middle School Parking Lot

• 12:00 p - Xanadu Dance
• 1:00 p - Woodie & Cleda Cochran
• 2:00 p - Mitch Shields & Guest
• 3:00 p - Dog Contest (cutest, ugliest, best kisser, best trick, etc)
• 4:30 p - Iron Celtics Balloon Release
• 5:00 p - Britt Small
• 6:00 p - The Ginnings

Happy Weekend from Eagle's Nest Realty!

Regardless of how you decide to spend your weekend, we hope you have a wonderful time. There is always something fun happening at the Lake. If you are interested in moving to the Lake of the Ozarks so you can become a permanent member of our great community, let me know! We would love to help you make that dream a reality.

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4 Things Your REALTOR® Wants You To Know

Your real estate agent in Sunrise Beach MO will be right there by your side for the entire process of buying or selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks. For buyers, we'll be there to help you hunt for the perfect home, extend your offer, negotiate on the final sale price, and walk you through the closing. For sellers, we will be there to help you stage and list your home, aggressively market your property to get it in front of as many buyers as possible, negotiate the sale price, and assist with the closing.

As your advocate, guide, and confidant, it is our job to make the entire process easier. In this vein, here are a few things we want everyone to know about real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks.

1. SELLERS - Your House Might Not Be Ready For Listing Photos

If you have never sold a home (or haven't in several years) you may not be up-to-date on everything that needs to happen before taking listing photos and marketing your home. EVERYTHING needs to be deep-cleaned, and ALL clutter needs to be removed or, at the very least, hidden - all the way down to the magnets and pictures covering your refrigerator. Any work you may have already done to prepare your home for listing photos will be hugely helpful, but be prepared for your agent to prescribe a few other tasks before photos are taken.

2. BUYERS - You Won't Be Able To Afford Every House

Your real estate agent can show you any home you want, but ultimately it is entirely up to your mortgage lender to determine how much house you can afford. Consequently, we strongly encourage our buyers to talk with a lender before they begin searching for homes in earnest. By getting prequalified or pre-approved before seriously beginning the home search, you will be able to have a realistic understanding of the price points will be able to afford. Once you know your price parameters, your agent will be able to help you find homes within that price range.

3. SELLERS - No One Can Actually Predict How Quickly Your Home Will Sell

The market is hot right now and most homes are selling quickly, but it is impossible to truly predict how quickly a buyer will extend an offer that you wish to accept. It will depend on the quality of the offers you receive, how much foot traffic and general visibility your home gets, and how much effort your agent puts into marketing your home. A good agent will go out of his or her way to ensure that your property gets in front of as many buyers as possible, but again - it is impossible to predict exactly how quickly things will happen.

4. BUYERS - Just Because You Can Afford To Buy A House Doesn't Mean That You Should

Your lender will tell you how much house you can afford to purchase based on your debt-to-income ratio. The debt-to-income ratio looks at how much of your monthly income is tied up going to preexisting debts and the new debt you will have once you take out a home loan; typically, lenders will want to make sure that your total debts will not equate to more than 40-42% of your gross income. However, they don't take into account the myriad of other expenses you will have to face as a homeowner, such as repairs, maintenance, upgrades, utilities, etc. Buying a cheaper home with a smaller mortgage payment will leave more room for these other (sometimes unpredictable) expenses.

Eagle's Nest Realty Will Be Here For You Every Step Of The Way!

No matter where you are at in your real estate journey, the team at Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc. would be more than happy to assist you in any way possible! Our goal is to make selling or buying real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks as stress-free and rewarding as possible. Contact us to get started!

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AMAZING Waterfront Home For Sale In Gravois Mills

Your dreams of living at the Lake of the Ozarks are about to come true! Your trusted real estate agents in Sunrise Beach MO are here to introduce you to your dream property - a gorgeous lakefront home for sale in Gravois Mills. With panoramic views of the water and two spacious decks, this home is perfect for a vacation home or a full-time residence at the Lake.

32321 Island View Drive
Gravois Mills MO
MLS #: 3113310
$225,000

Property Quick Facts

• 1,821 square feet
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• 120 feet of lakefront property
• 2 well covered dock with swim platform
• Paved parking area with large 2-car detached garage
• Contemporary 2-story house with walkout lower level

Fabulous Lake Living Awaits

This lakefront property features an expansive lot with plenty of room for all of your visions to take place. What are you dreaming of - a fire pit? playground? private pool? No matter what your vision is, you'll have plenty of room to watch it come to life in this home in Gravois Mills MO. 

The sloping lot concludes at your private dock floating above deep water, so you'll never have to worry about maintaining your dock in shallow water. The covered dock is already equipped with two boat hoists, a dock locker, a dock pump, electricity, and an attached swim platform. All that's left for you to do is jump in and enjoy it!

Enjoy Your Private Waterfront Retreat

The lake access is one of the home's prominent features, but its fantastic attributes don't stop there. The property also offers three bedrooms (the one on the lower level could easily be converted into a spacious man cave), an open kitchen/living area, stunning stone wood-burning fireplace, lots of decking with an additional screened porch, and more. The home is located in an upscale neighborhood only minutes away from great local attractions, including a movie theatre and miniature golf course.

What Are You Waiting For? Contact Us For A Showing Today!

Don't miss out on the chance to call this spectacular home your own. If you are interested in touring this property for sale in Gravois Mills MO, contact Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc,to schedule your private showing. We would be more than happy to help you make this home your own!

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13 Little-Known Easter Facts

How are you planning to celebrate your Easter holiday? If you have kids, your plans probably involve dying Easter eggs, holding exciting Easter egg hunts, and waiting impatiently for the Easter Bunny to arrive with his basket full of goodies. 

While these fun traditions are a great way to celebrate, let's not forget the real reason for Easter - to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No matter how you plan to celebrate, Eagle's Nest Realty is here to help you prepare with these fun facts about the upcoming holiday. Some of them might surprise you!

Fun Facts About Easter

1.  The world's tallest chocolate Easter Egg measured 10.39 meters (31.17 feet) tall and. It was produced in Italy in 2011.

2.  Easter is the oldest Christian holiday.

3.  When enjoying a chocolate bunny, 76% of people eat the ears first.

4.  Peeps are the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy, with over 700 million sold every year.

5.  Easter is a joyous holiday in the Christian faith, because it commemorates the day when Jesus rose from the grave. His resurrection proved that he was indeed the son of God.

6.  Eggs are a traditional Easter symbol because they symbolize new life and rebirth.

7.  The date for Easter changes every year. It is always held on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.

8.  Every Easter, Americans consume an average of 16 million jellybeans. (That's enough jelly beans to circle the globe three full times!)

9.  The crucifixion, the day when Jesus died for our sins, serves as a symbol of faith and hope for all Christians to this day.

10.  Chocolate accounts for 70% of all Eater candy.

11.  Good Friday is recognized as a holiday in 12 states.

12.  The largest Easter Egg Hunt on record was held in Florida, where 9,753 children hunted for 501,000 eggs.

13.  Easter lilies are often associated with Easter because their petals face downward, honoring Jesus.

Happy Easter from Eagle's Nest Realty!

No matter how you decide to celebrate this weekend, we hope you have a wonderful time. Don't forget to set aside a few hours to relax and reconnect with the people who mean the most to you! From our family of real estate professionals at the Lake of the Ozarks to your family at home, we wish you a truly happy Easter.

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7 Safety Reminders For New Homeowners

When you buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, protecting your family should be a top priority - even if you only have a family of one. Safety for new homeowners encompasses several different facets, such as protecting yourself from burglary and reducing your risk of fire. Installing a home security system can be great, but there are other easy, cost-effective strategies you can use as well. Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc. is here to help you protect your family with these simple safety reminders.

PROTECTION FROM BURGLARY

1. Change Your Locks
The previous owners will have turned over their two house keys to you at closing, but you can never be sure who else they gave a key to while the house was theirs, nor can you be sure what happened to those extra copies. Just to be safe, we recommend changing the locks on the doors of your new home so you can be confident that the only people with access to your home are the ones whom you give keys to directly.

2. Introduce Yourself To Your Neighbors
When you're traveling, having someone close by to inspect your home if necessary can be a great asset. Shortly after moving in, make it a point to walk down your street and introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Exchange phone numbers and make sure they know that they can always feel free to contact you if they need something. Extending this offer will encourage them to do the same.

3. Lock Your Windows And Doors
This may sound like an obvious tip, but you might be surprised how often burglars access homes simply because the doors or windows weren't locked. A percentage of the population never lock their doors. While it is more common for these people to live in rural areas, some urban and city dwellers also neglect to lock their doors. Because there are so many people who leave their houses unlocked, many burglars will pass by a locked home in search of an easier target. Don't let that target be your property!

4. Don't Announce Your Absence
In today's increasingly digital age, more and more people are posting updates about their impending vacation on social media or sharing pictures from their trip while they are still away. Unfortunately, these types of news blasts are practically an open invitation to anyone of nefarious intent to break into your home while you're away. Keep your home safe by waiting to post about your travels until after you have returned. It's also a good idea to ask the post office to hold your mail and newspaper deliveries until you return.

5. Get A Dog
Good news for pet-lovers! Dogs offer a great level of protection for your home while you're away at work. If your dog barks when a stranger approaches the home, the stranger will probably leave to look for a quiet, unoccupied home. They don't want to risk the dogs giving away their position or - worse - biting and injuring them. If you are willing to consider sharing your home with a dog, your property may be much more protected.

PROTECTION FROM FIRE

6. Check The Batteries In Your Smoke Detectors Regularly
House fires are one of the leading causes for property loss/damage, personal injury, and deaths that occur in the household. Your smoke detectors are your first line of defense against these hazards, as they can provide you with the early warning you need in order to escape. Check your smoke detectors every few months to ensure that all batteries are installed and working properly. If the battery is beginning to weaken, replace it immediately.

7. Keep Fire Extinguishers On Hand
In the event of a fire, having a fire extinguisher easily accessible can mean the difference between a small episode and a devastating house fire. Safety experts recommend keeping a fire extinguisher on every floor of your home. They also recommend keeping an extra one in both the kitchen and the garage, as these are the two primary locations for the start of house fires.

Stay Safe, Everyone!
As your trusted real estate agent in Sunrise Beach MO, your safety is one of our top priorities as well. We will do everything we can to help you find a property that will keep you and your family safe. If you are moving to the Lake of the Ozarks and in search of a new property, contact Eagle's Nest Realty! We would love to help you find your dream home.

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Don't Miss The St. Patrick's Parade This Weekend!

It doesn't matter whether you have Irish roots or not - the St. Patrick's Day Parade is returning to the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend, and you're not going to want to miss out on any of the fun festivities! Even if you aren't participating in the parade, you are still welcome (and encouraged) to dress your whole family in your brightest green clothes to join in the fun.

Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Photo Credit: FunLake.com

When: Saturday, March 12, 2016
Where: Bagnell Dam Strip
What Time: 1:00 PM

Elaborate floats, motorcycles, cars, marching bands, and even boats will be decked out in St. Patrick's Day finery and making their way across the Bagnell Dam Strip to celebrate the upcoming holiday. As always, the parade's participants will be tossing out candy to all of the lucky attendees. Don't miss out on your favorite sweet treats.

Make A Day Of It!

Every year, the entire Strip takes advantage of the parade day by offering several Irish favorites - corned beef, cabbage, and more. Come early or stick around after the parade so you can enjoy delicious food, fun shopping, and more family fun. 

Note: be aware that road traffic will be limited during parade time. Bagnell Dam Boulevard will be shut down 12:45 PM and is expected to reopen at approximately 3:00 PM. If drivers need to enter or exit HH, they can do so via Highway 242. Traffic will be let through in between gaps in the parade.

Photo Credit: LakeWestChamber.com

Itching To Get Back On The Water? Try The Water Parade Instead!

If you've been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to get back out on the water, skip the land parade and join the one on the water instead. Starting at 8:00 AM, participants will gather at Captain Ron's Bar & Grill (34.5 MM) for an optional buffet breakfast. Boats are expected to depart at 10:00 and travel to several other participating lake restaurants before concluding around 4:00 PM. 

Kick Off Your Season With A Private Lake Home

The Lake has been peaceful and relaxing all winter, and now things are definitely picking up as we roll into spring and summer draws ever closer. If you have been toying with the idea of relocating to the Lake of the Ozarks or buying a vacation home in Sunrise Beach MO, we would love to talk to you! Visit our website to learn more about the resources we offer for homebuyers at the Lake of the Ozarks.

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Sell Your Home FASTER With Buyer Incentives

Competing against the other homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks is possibly the most challenging part of selling your Lake of the Ozarks home. There is always another property that could call your buyer's name, so it's important that you do everything you can to make your home stand out. We have talked before about some of the things you should do before listing your home (such as deep cleaning, decluttering, and boosting curb appeal), but this week we're here to look specifically another powerful selling tool: buyer incentives.

Buyers Want Great Deals. Why Not Give Them One?

What do major outlet stores, hiring companies, and the world's best sellers have in common? They all offer incentives that make their offers much more attractive to buyers. Real estate is no different. The homes that sell quickly are the ones that include extra incentives to make their homes seem like better deals. 

Buyers Will Accept Almost Any Incentive. Use Your Imagination!

Depending on your budget and your belongings, there are several different types of incentives you can include. Here are a few of the most effective ones we have seen over our years as real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Help With Closing Costs
Closing costs are a looming unknown that can overwhelm buyers. While closing costs can be estimated, it's impossible to know exactly how much they will be until you are farther along in the negotiation process. Offering to cover partial or full closing costs can be a huge benefit to your buyers.

1-Year Home Warranty Program
Buyers often face a great deal of uncertainty when buying a home. They've been told how old each of the appliances are, but they can't really know the condition of everything. A home warranty program is a form of supplemental insurance that will pay for the repair or replacement of all major appliances, such as the dishwasher, refrigerator, and HVAC system. Offering to pay for this warranty may be a great incentive for your buyers.

Furniture
The rules of real estate dictate that anything that is "affixed" to your property must be included in the sale, such as light fixtures, ceiling fans, and built-in shelves. Anything that can be removed is yours to take, but there's no rule that says you have to take it! If your table, bar stools, or certain pieces of artwork look perfect in your old home but won't be easy to move, consider offering to include them in the sale.

The First Mortgage Payment
Looking for a unique incentive to extend to your buyers? Way not offer to pay for their very first mortgage payment? Getting some assistance on their first payment can be a huge help as they juggle moving expenses and closing costs. If you have extra room in your budget, offering to cover the first mortgage payment can be a great way to set your home apart.

Our Agents Can Help You Design Your Incentives.

When you're selling your house at the Lake of the Ozarks, anything you can do to set your home apart is sure to be helpful. Our real estate agents in Sunrise Beach MO can help you select which buyer incentives will be best for your unique situation. Give us a call at 877-452-5338 or stop by our office to visit with us in person. We look forward to talking with you!

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