Dan Sells the Lake

There's a lot involved in the purchase of a house from finding the best mortgage to getting the down payment squared away. If you are thinking of purchasing a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks , here are a few things you should consider before you begin the home buying process.  1. Check Your Credit Your credit history is one of the biggest factors lenders use to determine whether you're a good borrower. When you get ready to apply for a mortgage, check your credit report, and if needed, file written disputes to eliminate errors. If you have credit cards with high balances, try to pay them down to show that you're not using all of your available credit, which could send up a red flag for some lenders.  2. Evaluate Assets & Liabilities It's important to know how you're spending your money. Do you have enough to save at the end of the money or do you go from pay check to pay check? If you understand where your money is being spent, you may be able to chan...

"Flipping houses" refers to the practice of buying a home, fixing it up, and selling it for a profit. In theory, it sounds like a relatively easy way to bring in some extra income. In reality, flipping houses can be a lucrative venture, but there are several important factors that should be closely considered. Here are a few tips for any of you thinking about flipping houses at the Lake of the Ozarks . Tip #1:  Know Your Budget Before you even begin shopping for potential homes, take a close look at your financial situation. What is the total amount you can afford to spend out of pocket? This total amount should cover both the cost of the home itself and ensuing repairs. Once you have this number, you can begin breaking it down into how much you want to dedicate towards repairs and how much you want to allocate towards the down payment and closing costs for the property itself. This will help you find homes that are actually in your price range. Tip #2:  Know The Mark...

Too many people let misunderstandings and fear about buying a home scare them away from doing it. It's actually a lot easier than you would expect. Most of the concerns that are brought up to many Lake of the Ozarks real estate agents are myths rather than truths. I am here to help you learn fact from fiction and get you into that home of your dreams. Here are few of those misconceptions straightened out. It's too hard to get approved for a loan.   You will have to fill out the paperwork and meet qualifications, but many of them are not as stringent as you might assume.  This Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent is here to help you through all of that.   According to the latest statistics, 71% of loan applications were approved in the Fall of 2015.  That puts the odds greatly in your favor.    My credit score isn't high enough to get a loan.   You don't have to have what is considered an "excellent" credit score in order to qualify...

Summer is the busy season for the Lake area, but people don't disappear completely in the Fall.  Autumn is a great time to sell a home at the Lake of the Ozarks .  All of those people that had the time of their life playing here over the Summer are ready to find a place of their own in the area.  Here are a couple of reasons from this Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent that you shouldn't wait until next Spring to list your home.  Let me get it on the market for you now.  Demand is strong. Reports show that the amount of people physically out looking for homes right now is significantly higher than it was at this time last year.  They are searching from their homes, too.  In the past, many buyers got busy with work and kids in school after the Summer season, leaving less time to search for a home.  Today, the internet allows buyers to look anytime, anywhere, at their convenience.  If they are looking, they are not too far...

You may think that a real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks is a luxury, not a necessity.  While you may accomplish buying or selling a home on your own, numerous problems can be avoided and the entire process will go much quicker and smoother with the help of a trained real estate agent.  Here are 7 reasons that you should use a Lake of the Ozarks realtor to make the entire experience easier on yourself.     They know the area. This is especially helpful if you are moving to a new town.  Your real estate agent can zero in on areas that match your needs without you having to do a lot of homework on your own.  Even if you are just moving across town, they may know the back-story of an area that you have never heard about, and only would if you were around real estate all of the time.  Just like if you don't have a baby you probably aren't aware of a stroller recall, if you haven't lived in a particular spot, you may not have heard certain d...

Staging your home is a very important part of the home-selling process.  I have picked up some really great tips through my experience as a realtor at the Lake of the Ozarks .  Doing these 9 things will make your house much more appealing to the eye and entice buyers to want to live there.  This can get you a higher price and make the place sell more quickly.   Curb Appeal You only have one chance to make a first impression, and the first thing that potential buyers will see is your yard and front door.  Make sure the grass is well manicured, and the walkway is clean and clear.  Flowers always add beauty to the front of a home.  If you don't have any planted, add some flowerpots near the entrance.  Powerwash the siding of your home so that it is bright and clean.  Make sure trash bins are out of site and garden hoses are put away. Clean and Spotless You don't want your house to just be cleaned up.  You want it to be immaculate. M...