If the brochure box is empty….they notice.   If their brochures still shows the original price after two reductions….they notice.   If their agent hasn’t done an Open House in six months (or ever)…..they notice.   If no feedback cometh after showings….they notice.   If there haven’t been any showings in a month…..they notice.   If their Craigslist ad hasn’t been refreshed…..they notice.   If their agent hasn’t updated them on market activity…..they notice.   If the only time they hear from their agent is when he calls to ask for a price reduction…..they notice.   Just because a seller doesn’t complain doesn’t means he happy.  And just because he’s not complaining to his agent doesn’t mean he’s keeping quiet elsewhere.  If his agent doesn’t seem to care about selling his home…..the sell... 09/12/2011

Winter Hours in Effect Now Through February 28    Once again this year I had forgotten that the Premium Outlet Mall has shortened hours during the months of January and February.  I pass this reminder on in hopes of saving someone else a couple gallons of gas! (This post originally appeared at www.PostcardsFromTheLake.com) 01/13/2010

Short Sale Expert Offers Alternatives Melody Anderson of  Lakewide Realty in Camdenton  has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by "distressed" homes in the foreclosure process. Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures. At the Lake of the Ozarks, many homes are in danger of... 11/01/2009

Wonderful Place for a Quiet and Relaxing Meal One word describes my experience at lunch today:  LOVELY! That word come to mind often as I was taken to my seat - lovely decor,  atmosphere,  service and music!   So even before my food was served,  I decided I would return - if only for the refreshingly quiet and peaceful atmosphere. And then the waiter brought the nicest  ‘box lunch'  I'd ever had: egg roll with hot mustard glaze, tempura vegetables, and kung pao chicken.  It was not only lovely,  but delicious.   See more of my restaurant reviews at  "Lake Area Restaurants" .  It's a new and developing category here, so recommendations or review requests are appreciated. (This post originally appeared at www.PostcardsFromTheLake.com) 08/08/2009

TV clip from the Today show about the Lake of the Ozarks As reported earlier, Health.com has ranked Osage Beach the 4th healthiest beach in the US - alongside Monterrey Beach and others.  Here's  the link to NBC's Today Show segment about it,  broadcast earlier this week on NBC.    (This post originally appeared at www.PostcardsFromTheLake.com) 08/08/2009

Health.com ranks Osage Beach #4 in Top Ten list Lake of the Ozarks at Osage Beach CNN has recently reported the news that Health.com has ranked Osage Beach as one of America's Top Ten Beach and Lake Getaways.  Health.com cites the lake's 1150 miles of shoreline, it's beautiful public beach, and the rolling hills and other natural landscapes as reasons for the high ranking. One of the judges from Health.com remarked about the views from the State Park, "The view is so spectacular, you won't want to leave." I remember feeling that way myself on my last visit to the park, just weeks ago. (this article originally appeared at http://PostcardsFromTheLake.com) 07/11/2009

You just never know who you’ll run into! I stopped by the State Park in Osage Beach the other day to eat my lunch and to enjoy the sun - which had been more than a little elusive these past few weeks.  Pulling up to one of the picnic tables I heard something rumbling around inside a trash bin.   Curious,  I softly honked my horn, hoping to stir the animal’s curiosity as well.    Immediately this little character popped up. He  took a quick look, and then dropped back down into the can to continue his business.    I was so tickled at this encounter  I just sat quietly in the car for a while and readied my camera.   A few more minutes passed and I gave another little honk.   Again he popped up, perhaps a little disgruntled this time,  because after giving me a good long stare he scurried ... 06/12/2009

As a person who has always supported and often been involved with the Special Olympics Program, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to let you know how a local fund raiser for the program fared. The Lake Sun reported on Tuesday that even with the tough economy, the annual "Cops on Top" event raised more than $5000! The event has officers from the Osage Beach Department of Public Safety stranded on the roof of the local HyVee Gas Station and Convenience Store for 12 hours. This event is the annual kick off to the "Polar Bear Plunge" which is going to be held tomorrow, February 28th. The Lake Sun also reports that the "Polar Bear Plunge" takes "freezin' for a reason" to a whole new level. Participants will take a dip in the VERY cold Lake of the Ozarks to raise money for Special Olympic... 02/26/2009

This year, our office held a TYKE BIKE DERBY to generate money and gifts for needy families in our community. Pat, on his Hannah Montana bike, competed against Mike, on his Barbie bike. There were 3 nail-biting legs to the race...Pat easily won the first one, Mike narrowly won the second, and due to a lot of technical interference from a member of the crowd, Mike won the third leg making him the overall winner. The great news was that our RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks office raised almost $900 for the families we were supporting!          01/02/2009

Chateau Lake of the Ozarks is apt to bring national exposure to the lake area  John Q Hammons, one of the nation's premier developers of luxury hotels and resorts, expects to break ground on his $90 million dollar lakefront resort project this summer.   The Chateau Lake of the Ozarks will be a 15-story, 320 room/suite development  on 30 acres of lakefrontage  in the heart of Osage Beach (at Hwy 54 and Passover Rd.).  With more than 100,000 square foot of meeting space planned, this resort is expected to draw upscale visitors and conventions from not only metropolitan Missouri cities, but from expanded markets throughout the U.S. Should the project complete as planned, the resort could be open by Spring 2011, and should provide a significant boost to the lake area economy. [This post ori... 12/09/2008

Thru October of 2008, the median sales price of a single family residence at the Lake of the Ozarks has declined,  while the median price of a condo unit at the Lake increased.  Looking closely at the sales numbers, however, the apparent median price increase is easily explained:  a substantially less number of 2 bedroom units have been sold in 2008.   In 2008, buyers were more apt to choose a pricier 3 bedroom condo unit.   For anyone undecided as to whether to purchase a 2 or 3 bedroom unit, this may be an interesting trend to monitor - if you're considering resale values and ease of sale. (This article originally published at my Lake of the Ozarks blog and real estate site : October Real Estate Report: Lake of the Ozarks.)   11/05/2008

Unfortunately, my first blog is coming to fruition on a very dismal day in my life.  Upon receiving a call from my best friend yesterday and spending the day in the hospital with him and his family, his father passed away.  Which could only remind me, as tough as times may seem in our industry, it could always be worse.  While we walk around complaining about the market and the economy, there are others in this world fighting battles we can't begin to comprehend.  With such negativity in the media regarding the state of our country, it is a wonder we haven't completely lost sight of our goals.  At this time it is obvious the media outlets are not going to be our advocates and we must take the responsibility upon ourselves to educate our buyers and sellers with data they need to make sma... 10/13/2008

The Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest's premier lake resort Vacation Destination, offering world-class boating, golf, shopping and fishing, as well as a wide variety of lodging, restaurants, state parks, and other recreational activities to suit any budget or taste. Lake of the Ozarks Vacations are defined by the Lake and its many waterfront condo and residential developments, restaurants, and recreational and entertainment venues. Lake of the Ozarks' hotels and resorts offer a wide variety of lodging choices (over 7000 units) which ensures every traveler will find the right Lake of the Ozarks lodging accommodations at the right price: plush, full service lake resorts (spas, indoor water parks); friendly, family-oriented resorts at the water's edge; reliable, well known hotel chains, ho... 02/12/2007

Record Setting Year 2006 Lake of the Ozarks Missouri It's official.  2006 turns out to be record year for real estate sales at Lake of the Ozarks.  In excess of $725,000,000 according to Lake of the Ozarks MLS.     The number one resort area in the midwest again shows it is the best place to live, play and invest.   With interest rates still low, waterfront homes and condos make a great investment. Low taxes and reasonable prices make Lake of the Ozarks an investor friendly area. Now is your chance to play at the lake and invest your money wisely.     I can help you find the place you are looking for at a price you will love.  Email me, call me today or just come see me at the lake.  I can help you with all your real estate needs.   Brandon Thornton Gaslight Properties GMAC Real Estate ... 02/12/2007