Simply Cruisers 1st Annual Poker Run

Swim Up Bars, Beaches, & Water Rides at Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks is becoming a vacation destination with water activities reminiscent of what you might see in a popular beach resort.  Coconuts Carribean Beach Bar & Grill at the 6MM on the Gravois Arm, was the lake’s first restaurant to construct the beloved swim up pool bar (573-372-6500).  Shady Gator’s added Lazy Gators on the lakeside of the restaurant, also featuring a swim up pool bar.  Cabanas, hammacks & custom- made daybeds surround the pool (573-365-6464). Bear Bottom Resort, formerly Hooligan Bay, on the 38MM of the Osage is a 58 acre resort with a swim up bar, 2 waterslides & much more (573-374-6905). Franky & Louie’s at the 10 MM recently overhauled their sandy beach with tons of white sand brought from the Gulf of Florida (573-374-5277).  Another beachfront favorite, Captain Ron’s, has a couple of sandy beaches with weekly beach activities, parasailing & vacation rentals.  Downhill Ruckus, a ride originally made popular in New Zealand, just opened at the lake this Memorial weekend. 1-3 people go down a hill inside of a “human-sized” ball with 5 gallons of water.  Riders will bounce, flip & slide inside the ball as it travels down the hill (573-489-0933). The Sea Rocket is the fastest 12 person excursion boat offering tours of Lake of the Ozarks, with the excitement of offshore racing (573-286-4306).

AquaPalooza 2009 – Largest On-Water Party!

Join us at Aquapalooza 2009 on July 18th, from 12-6pm!  This is an on-water party sponsored by Sea Ray and MarineMax in Lake Ozark. All boaters welcome!  There will be live music performances by The Phins, Disco Dick, Outlaw Junkies, Change of Heart and Candy Coburn.  The party will be located at Dog Days at the 19MM of the Osage just west of the Grand Glaize Bridge.  For more information,
call 573-365-5382. We hope to see you there!

MODOT Celebrates New Route 5 Section

Motorists were able to travel the new 7 mile section of Route 5 from South of the Niangua Bridge to South of Camdenton on June 29.  Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of this $53 million project, which will eliminate the need to drive through the Camdenton square for those heading North & South.  By this time, 2011, the Osage Beach Expressway project is expected to be completed.

CNN Ranks Osage Beach #4 in the US!

CNN ranked Osage Beach #4 on their “America’s healthiest beach and lake getaways” report.  To view the full article: 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/getaways/07/03/healthy.beaches.lakes/index.html

To search for properties in Osage Beach at Lake of the Ozarks, log in to www.krantzproperties.com/blog

2nd Quarter Lake Real Estate Update

Our agents are asked on a daily basis two questions.  “How’s the market?” and “When do you expect things to improve?”   

Our market has improved from the first quarter.  Farms and waterfront homes are the strongest markets, with commercial and condos seeing the biggest impact from a weak economy.

The sky is NOT falling.  We are seeing some positive events that continue to shape our transitional market.

For the first time in more than 2 years, we had a substantial improvement in the number of showings versus the previous year.  June 2009 had 30% more showings, than June of 2008.  Is the market changing or was this a one month abnormality?  It is hard to say at this point.  If showings continue to improve, then so will the market.

Our team continues to see a decline in the number of buyer’s leads who are beginning their search for lake property.  This decline is directly related to the overall economy in our opinion.

The strongest market continues to be homes priced under $250,000.  The weakest market is homes selling for $ 1 million or more.  There have only been 5 homes that sold in excess of $1 million in 2009.  One of those was a lease purchase. There has never been a better time to explore trade options.

To date, financing has not been an issue for buyers.  That might change with new regulations in the pipeline, as to how a dock is valued in an appraisal.

Our Buyer’s Agents have been able to find some excellent properties for their clients in this market.  If you have an interest in upgrading, now is a wonderful time to pursue those objectives.  Our Team continues to have more of our listings sell than any other agent at the lake.

New Lake of the Ozarks Visitor Information Center

 A new “Lake of the Ozarks Visitor Information Center” will be opening on June 29th. The visitor center will be located at 4681 Hwy 54 in Osage Beach across from the Outlet Mall & Happy Fisherman next to Randy’s Frozen Custard. Hours of operation will be 9 am – 7 pm and will be open 7 days a week.

Don’t Wait Any Longer – Avoid Foreclosure!

Krantz & Associates have agents that are Certified Distressed Property Experts!  Click here to find out how we work with lenders to assist sellers with short sales to avoid home foreclosure.  http://krantzproperties.com/foreclosure.aspx

Krantz Earns Prestigious Designation to Help Homeowners in Danger of Foreclosure

Melissa Krantz of Krantz & Associates RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.  This is an invaluable expertise to offer at a time when we have seen more “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at a 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.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Krantz.  “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Krantz with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating.  These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training on-site and online.  The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors® helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales.

“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible,” Charfen said.

For more information on the CDPE designation, contact Melissa Krantz at 888-322-1802 or email melissa@krantzproperties.com.  Visit Krantz & Associates’ website at www.krantzproperties.com/blog

Lake of the Ozarks Condo Market Update 2009

The condo market is off to a slower start in 2009 as compared to 2008, however “slower” does not mean “dead”.  The facts about the condo market are that more than 100 condominium units have already sold this year, that’s almost 1 per day!    The number of units on the market have stabilized and may even be on the decline.  Buyers interested in condominiums still have great opportunities in both new and resale units.  Interest rates are at an all time low and favorable loan terms are available.  Condo’s have maintained a stable track record over the last 10 years here at the lake.  They provide the perfect solution for second home owners and primary buyers in favor of maintenance-free living at the lake.  Condo Buyers and Sellers can call us at (888)322-1802 to receive a list of condo’s currently available, or to get assistance on selling your condo.  You may also view all active condos in the lake area on our website at www.krantzproperties.com/blog