Tips to Save UP for a DOWN payment

Buying a home is a major investment. While many homes are financed through a loan, a down payment may be required for the mortgage loan. A down payment can be a little overwhelming as you start your journey into homeownership. As your experienced real estate agents in Sunrise Beach, MO, we want to help give you ideas on ways to save up for this homeowner expense. Take a look below to learn some tips to help you save for a down payment!

Cut Back on Spending

An easy way to save up for a house down payment is to cut back on your current spending. While you still need to spend money on necessities - bills, groceries, gas - you can cut back on extra spending. Consider buying off-brand groceries and not stopping at the clothing store on the way home from work. This can help to set more money aside for your down payment.

Reduce High-Interest Debt

High-interest debt can eat up your money on a monthly basis. Consider transferring your high-interest debt to a lower-interest option. This can help to reduce the money payment required to be paid to your creditor. It's an easy way to reduce your monthly payments!

Access Retirement Funds

Many times your retirement funds have a way you can pull money out early. Although there may be a penalty for taking money before you retire, you can weigh the options for your certain situation. If you do access your retirement funds for a down payment, try to replace the money you have taken out as soon as possible.

Find a Second Job

A second job can quickly up your income. You can put all of this money toward savings for your future home. It's a great way to increase the amount of money you make. If you have extra time and it works for your family, a second job may be right for you.

Skip the Vacation

A vacation is often an expensive trip for many families. From the travel cost to lodging to entertainment, there are a number of costs that add up quickly on vacation. Consider skipping your family vacation this year to save for a down payment. You could take a stay-cation instead of going away with the family.

Minimize Extra Payments

Making more than the minimum payment is very beneficial for your credit situation. While you try to save up for a down payment, consider cutting back on the extra payments you make. Put the money you will put toward your payments into an account to help save up for your future home's down payment.

Now that you know some of these great tips to help you save UP for a DOWN payment, you're ready to get started today. Before you start your home search at the Lake of the Ozarks, it's important to get your financing process started. That starts by saving for a down payment. Once you've started saving for your home loan, Eagle's Nest Realty would be happy to help you find the perfect home to buy at the Lake of the Ozarks! There are a number of properties available and we want to help you find the right one for you and your family!

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

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Easy Changes to Conserve Energy in Your Home this Winter

Are you looking for ways to save money this winter? As the temperatures drop, the electric bill usually rises. Utility bills are typically at the highest during the cold winter months in mid-Missouri. If you are looking for ways to help reduce the negative impact on your bank account, our real estate agents in Sunrise Beach, MO are here for you! We've provided some helpful and easy changes that can be made to reduce the amount of energy used to keep your home warm. Take a look below to learn more!

Layer, Layer, Layer

During the winter months, if you encourage your family to add a few more layers when at home, you can turn the heat down a bit. A few degrees cooler inside your home can be combatted with an additional layer. Instead of wearing jeans and a tee-shirt, consider a sweatshirt and extra socks to keep warm. You will be amazed at how much a few degrees can save on your monthly bill.

Build a Fire

If your home at the Lake of the Ozarks has a fireplace, use it to your advantage. Building a fire can help to keep heat inside your home. Your family can hang out together around the fire and enjoy the beautiful glow that it puts off. Just the sight of the fire may help to warm you up a bit!

Turn the Fan On

This may seem counterproductive but turning it counter-clockwise on low, a fan can help to push the warm air back down into the room. Many times the heat gets trapped at the ceiling and a fan can push it into the lower part of the room, where you and your family can enjoy it!

Invest in a Smart Thermostat

When you aren't home there is no reason to have the temperature as warm as you prefer it when you are at home. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature at your home throughout the day. When you aren't home, you can allow the temps to drop in your home and set it to rise again around the time you get home. At night when you are warm in bed, you can typically turn it down a few degrees too.

Clean the Furnace

Ensure your furnace is running at high capacity by having it cleaned on a regular basis. As a homeowner, try to have regular maintenance done. Over time dust and debris can build up inside your vents and can end up blocking the warm airflow throughout your home.

Add Insulation

Insulation can help to keep the warm air inside your home. Attics are a great place to start when it comes to insulating your home. Heat rises and if you don't have a well-insulated home, it can exit through the roof.

Block Off Unused Rooms

Close off the vents in rooms that are not used on a regular basis. This can help to keep the warm air in the rooms that you and your family use. You may as well be able to enjoy the nice warm air that you are paying for! Keeping the heat confined to a few rooms can help to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home.

Now that you've read about the easy ways to conserve energy this winter, you're ready to start making these easy changes around your home. As a homeowner at the Lake of the Ozarks, you may be eager to start reducing your energy consumption. As the cold weather has most of the area's residents inside, you may be taking a look at your space. If you don't love what you see like you once did... it may be time for a new home. When you are ready to start your home search at the Lake of the Ozarks, give Eagle's Nest Realty a call! We look forward to helping you find a fresh, new space for your family to enjoy.

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

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Where to Purchase at the Lake

If you're relocating to the Lake of the Ozarks, there are a few things you will want to consider, when deciding where to buy your home. A school district is a major factor in which you will want to be aware, when looking to buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you need a little help deciding which district is best for you and your family, the best real estate agent in Sunrise Beach, MO is here for you! For more information about the school districts around the area, see the information below.

Morgan County R-II

One of the smaller districts at the Lake of the Ozarks, Morgan County R-II offers low class sizes, providing the optimum learning experience for your child. If you're looking for a smaller district in which your child can thrive, Morgan Co. may be the right option for your family.

Eldon R-I

As a fine educational establishment, Eldon schools offer a wide range of activities and educational opportunities for it's students. To get involved in a small community with the benefits of a larger school, Eldon may be the right place for you and your family to spread your roots.

School of the Osage R-II

One of the highest ranked district in our area, School of the Osage provides the ideal learning environment, as well as extra curricular activities to keep students involved. If you want a close-knit community with the opportunities of a larger school, this district may be your choice for your kids.

Camdenton R-III

The largest district at the Lake of the Ozarks, Camdenton R-III offers a wide range of educational and special activities for it's students. To experience a large community with a small-town feel, Camdenton may be the right place for you and your family.

No matter which district you decide on, you are sure to find a great educational opportunity for your child. Even the larger districts provide a small-town atmosphere, with a personalized learning experience. You can't go wrong, when choosing the right school for your children, at the Lake of the Ozarks. All districts have exceptional staff and provide a high level of learning, as well as extra curricular activities!

Now that you are more familiar with local school districts at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can decide which area in which you would like to live at the Lake of the Ozarks. Your trusted real estate agent in Sunrise Beach, MO is here to help you find the right home for you and your family, in the school district you desire. This is the perfect time of year to relocate your family to the Lake. You and your kids can get settled in and acquainted with the area, before school starts back up in the fall. If you're ready to start your home search at the Lake of the Ozarks, give Eagle's Nest Realty a call today!

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

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Trick-Or-Treat Events at the Lake of the Ozarks

Halloween is such an exciting time for little ones as they get dressed up and prepare to go trick-or-treating at the Lake of the Ozarks. There are a number of trick or treat event options for your kids to participate in this year. Your trusted real estate agents in Sunrise Beach, MO know you and your kids are excited to get out there and show off your costumes and collect candy (of course!). Eagle’s Nest Realty has provided a list of locations in which your children can safely trick-or-treat.

Hy-Vee Hallow Trick-Or-Treat Maze

On October 27^th, located in the Hy-Vee parking lot, this safe trick-or-treating experience is ideal for the entire family. Maze through a number of local businesses and vendors as they hand out treats for your little ones. From 4:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m., bring the kids out for an evening of Halloween fun for only $2.00 per child.

Halloween Bash Trick-Or-Treat on the Strip

On October 29^th, from 1:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m., come out to the Bagnell Dam Strip for a unique trick-or-treating experience your kids can enjoy. The businesses along The Strip will hand out candy to little ones as they pass by, all dressed up in their costumes. There will be games and a costume contest available for your children to partake in as well!

Kid’s Halloween Spooktacular at Captain Ron’s

On October 30^th, join in the festivities at Captain Ron’s, where several local businesses will be handing out treats for the youngsters. Bring your kids out from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. for a safe and fun place to trick-or-treat!

Spooktacular Trick-Or-Treat at Save-A-Lot

On October 31^st, the Save-A-Lot in Camdenton, MO is hosting a safe and family-friendly trick-or-treat experience for the entire family. From 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.,  there will be music, contests, and games for the kids to enjoy as they get in some trick-or-treating as well.

For more information on Trick-Or-Treat events in the area, visit www.FunLake.com

Many memories are made around the Halloween holiday as family and friends come together to take their kids trick-or-treating. For some ideas of safe places you can take the kids this year, check out the locations and times provided above. The best real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks know how much your children LOVE this time of year! We want them to have a great time collecting candy for Halloween and spending time with friends and family.

While the bags full of candy puts a sparkle in your child’s eye, Eagle’s Nest Realty likes to put a similar shine in the eye of our customers. Whether you are ready to purchase your first home or wanting to move to a bigger house to suit the needs of your growing family, we would be pleased to help you in the home search at the Lake of the Ozarks. Give us a call at (573) 280-0769 and let us help find the right home for your family. 

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

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