.....HOW MANY COUNTER'S MAKE A CONTRACT?People are always looking for a DEAL or a SALE .  Seems to be  in our nature.  Look at all the weekend specials at Target or the local furniture store.  Is it any wonder then that potential Shell Knob home buyers think that not only does the sign in the yard of a just listed home mean it is FOR SALE, but that it is ON SALE, like a K-Mart Blue Light Special.   Recent months of hearing daily from the media about the HOUSING CRISIS, has led many to make ridiculously low offers.  This then results in one, two or even three counter-offers, and long about the third counter, sellers start to get testy. There is a saying that All Real Estate Is Local, but it can be a challenge to get a Shell Knob or Table Rock Lake buyer to understand that our local Miss... 03/28/2008

 FLOOD DAMAGE LIGHT IN SHELL KNOBIt seemed almost  biblical as the rain continued coming down on the Ozarks last week. It set a record  in Shell Knob, MO. of 6 to 8 inches in two days. Selling property in Shell Knob on Table Rock Lake, one of the commonest questions is about the "Corps Line".  Never has the reason for that line been more  apparent than now, with Table Rock Lake 15 feet above normal.  Most artificial lakes with a dam, come under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers.  A Corps survey of all land touching the lake, determines the 'take line'.   From that usually invisible, but staked line, to the water, the land is not to be used without Corp permission.       This has been done to protect property from possible flooding, should the dam break.  Most lake front la... 03/27/2008

CHECK OUT THESE 'INTERESTING' PICTURES.             These are MLS pictures, as they appeared on the listings, and these were not cheap houses.  Seems like the homeowners got short changed.  No wonder the listings expired - unsold.  CALL JOAN FOR REAL ESTATE HELP IN SHELL KNOB, MO OR AROUND TABLE ROCK LAKE: 417-858-2209  03/26/2008

TABLE ROCK LAKE A FISHING/RETIREMENT  DESTINATION Spring fishing in Shell Knob, Missouri has started and goes hand in glove with house hunting.  Bass tournaments are underway despite the heavy rains and flooding we've experienced.    Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake are being discovered by anglers and they then start to look for permanent cottages or retirement homes.  As a Shell Knob Realtor, I am seeing the phones ringing more frequently and potential buyers walking in to our office.    The lake is at a record high right now, with the Corps of Engineers  slowly drawing it down from 929' to the normal 915', but it won't get down there until late in April.  Just how the clouded water will affect fishing, has yet to be determined. Debris - downed trees, large foam blocks from boat-docks, l... 03/26/2008

 OZARKS WITH LUXURY The Residences At Stonewater Cove, at Table Rock Lake, Shell Knob, Missouri, will be opening soon.Fractional Ownership is a new concept for this part of the Ozark Mountains, but not for many families who already have Fractional Ownership for skiing Colorado, or who enjoy a family vacation in another resort.Fractional Ownership allows enjoyment of a year-round residence without concern of vacation-home maintenance, but is not to be confused with time-share.The Residences at Stonewater Cove offer resort luxury in every aspect of great dining, sumptuous spa, top-of-the-line watercraft ready for your exclusive use while in residence while enjoying and exploring Table Rock Lake.There will be a full range of water sports, ATV fun, kid-centered activity.   For complete info... 03/19/2008

THORNCROWN  CHAPEL DRAWS BRIDES Thorncrown Chapel,  in Eureka Springs, Arkansas,  is less than an hour's drive from Shell Knob, Missouri.  Placed 4th on The American Institute of Architecture 's list of top ten buildings, it opened it's doors to the public in 1980.   STATELY BEAUTY IN THE MIDST OF TALL TREES AND MASSIVE ROCK       More than five million people have visited this unique structure in the Ozark Mountains.  With a steeple rising 75' into the air above the 425 windows with 6,324 square feet of glass,  it is an awe inspiring sight.  The chapel is a favorite for  brides seeking a romantic wedding site in this striking glass cathedral.  The chapel is located on Highway 62, three miles west of Eureka Springs.  It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.  There is no admission charge. CAL... 03/13/2008

 BASS......WHAT BASS?     Table Rock Lake, Shell Knob, Missouri has been known for being a great lake for bass fishing, but the normal warm-up in March has yet to arrive.  Ice, snow and heavy rains had the lake level up to 917' at one point.  Levels are slowly going down to prepare for spring rains. Current water temperature is still in the low 40's, which means that very few bass are being caught.  The hardy anglers who have been catching fish are using jigs, grubs and tubes in water 20' to 40'. Spring must be coming soon.  The lake is filled with migrating ducks!  CALL  JOAN  FOR AREA AND REAL ESTATE INFO, SHELL KNOB & TABLE ROCK LAKE  417-858-2209     03/10/2008

 THE LAST LISTING I WANTED Need listings?  I certainly do.  I haven't listed a Shell Knob house in TWO YEARS!  Honest.  Had a bunch of lake lots and sold them, but you know you need to list homes to have prospects find you and to have a decent income.I thank God daily for a sound mind and a strong and healthy body.  Thank Him for providing our daily bread, and occasionally ask him to bless my business.  Send me some good clients.  I believe that we are made in the 'likeness of God", so that must mean HE also has a sense of humor.  I specifically asked in prayer that I be sent some good house listings.  I have six lakefront lots for sale.  How about a house, God?  BOOM!  In a call yesterday I received an invitation to come give a market analysis on a beautiful home on the water with a bo... 03/08/2008

Brave enough to be honest with your sellers?Seems like most of us tippy-toe around our sellers.  We want to list their house.  I NEED a Shell Knob listing.  So we smile and nod our heads as they proudly show us through the property.  Maybe note what a nice large bath they have, or compliment the gal on her choice of colors in the kitchen.In today's market, the correct price for the home (if there is such a  critter) is critical - even sellers are starting to recognize that.  It still requires us professionals to bring them gently down on their profit expectations, but anyone who turns on a tv knows house sales are down - along with prices for these homes.  The elephant in the room is getting them to put away their treasures without insulting them.  Pack up the plaster hand-prints , the ... 03/08/2008

Everyone I talk to is so ready for Spring weather.  It's been a rough winter in and around Table Rock Lake.  Roaring River's opening day brought almost 3,000 anglers to the Park and the weather was beautiful.  Alot of changes in and around Shell Knob - Bibb's Small Engine shop recently opened - for all the barbeque lovers B&J Smokehouse is now open after suffering a fire last Spring - Cart N' Go has moved to a new location North of town on Hwy 39 and Table Rock Materials is working hard to get their new location up and running.  Sad news this week that Jill Trimble at Sawtooth Mill has decided not to re-open her gift gallery.  The Shell Knob school has some exciting events planned for our local youth - a 50's Sock Hop is scheduled for next Friday and the annual Easter Egg Hunt is schedu... 03/07/2008

 SHOWING UNAVAILABLE HOMES Showed 4 Shell Knob  houses to a nice young couple last week - first home buyers.  We had 3 more lined up to see the following day, but they emailed me that they loved the 4th home we looked at, so let's make an offer.  The other 3 did not interest them. I should have known, when I had to call the listing real estate office to get the taxes and average electric bill (not filled out on the listing form plus there were no photos of the interior of this property)  that  I might encounter additional problems. My intuition was right - the listing agent informed me that there was an accepted offer on this house.  They have some question about the buyers getting financing. WHAT!!  Why was this not disclosed before we spent time , gas money and got a family's hopes an... 03/03/2008

LOW NUMBERS CONTINUEThe winter lull continues for Shell Knob, the 'Quiet Side' of Table Rock Lake, and surrounding areas of Eagle Rock and Golden.  There were 8 single family homes closed, which is one more than the 7 closed in January.  Average sale price was $101,548.  Inventory of properties for sale was increased by 16 homes, plus 3 lots and one large parcel of acreage.  These 16 houses, added to the 22 listed in January, are welcome additions for Shell Knob"s  prospective buyers, where the inventory had been stagnant.March typically kicks off the spring buying season, especially for lakeside properties.  When Bass Tournaments start, it turns winter weary  minds  to thoughts of balmy days on the water.   CALL JOAN FOR REAL ESTATE AND AREA INFORMATION:  417-858-2209   03/01/2008

300 OR MORE PARTICIPANTS   Bargain hunters around Shell Knob can mark their calendars for the 20th Annual Missouri's Largest Garage Sale, scheduled for April 5th in the near-by town of Neosho.   Sponsored by the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce, the one-day event will be held all over town, rain or shine.According to the Chamber, more than 300 families will hold individual garage sales. It is considered the 'grandaddy' of city wide garage sales and has earned the title because thousands of people flock to Neosho each year to treasure hunt.There are so many visitors that the size of the town about doubles for a day.  A couple of main residential streets are designated one way that day to control the traffic.  Maps which include the garage sale listings, will be available by 5 a.m. the mor... 03/01/2008

 It is hard to imagine just what the point of this picture is.  Stockade fence?  Neighbors' roof?  Maybe the tree?Perhaps the house had as little appeal as this picture does?  It is doubtful that this picture would inspire buyers to place the listing first on their list of "Must See's".     CALL JOAN FOR INFORMATION ON SHELL KNOB REAL ESTATE:  417-858-2209      02/28/2008

 WILL BUYERS RUSH TO BUY THESE  OZARK HOMES?The answer is no.  Buyers did not get turned-on by the listings that these pictures were in.  The listings expired.  Homes unsold.  You have to wonder if the sellers ever looked at how their house was portrayed in the MLS. Bathrooms are not the most important room on a buyer's list, but they do rank high, along with kitchen's, large bedrooms, etc. and of course, price in my area of Shell Knob, MO.               Call Joan for information about Shell Knob, Table Rock Lake real estate.  888-823-4125     02/22/2008

 ZIPSKINNY - A NEAT WEBSITE Thought I'd pass along this website.  Check it out and get the demographics in your area.  http://zipskinny.com/ Here are the statistics on Shell Knob, MO - my territory in the Ozarks.       Social Indicators Educational Achievement: Marital Status:(among people 25 years or older)(among people 15 years or older)Less than 9th grade: 5.1%Never married: 9.8%9th-12th grade (nongrad): 14.2%Married: 71.5%High school graduate: 38%Separated: 0.5%Some college: 25.7%Widowed: 8%Associate degree: 4.1%Divorced: 10.1%Bachelors degree: 10.3%Stability/Newcomer Appeal:Graduate/Professional: 2.6%Same home 5+ years: 59.3%High school or higher: 80.7%Social and economic indicatorsbased on 2000 Census sample data.Bachelors or higher: 12.9%Green = Above U.S. Avg Red = Below U.S. Av... 02/20/2008

Schedule  listing photos around the weather.  This may sound simplistic, but it is not unusual in winter to have gloomy, gray days.    Sunshine, or the lack there of, can play a large part in how potential buyers perceive a home.In Shell Knob's Multiple Listing Service, we receive a list daily of new properties as they come on the market.  THIS IS THE OPENING SHOT FOR A NEW LISTING TO ATTRACT POTENTIAL BUYERS.  A market savvy agent  knows that in this initial exposure  you want this home to impress.  You do it by showing it's best features with PICTURES.   Seeing a blah, dull house , might get the listing written off as overpriced and not to be considered worth showing to a potential buyer.If it is less than ideal weather-wise, make an appointment to return to get improved lighting.  No... 02/19/2008

  Do you have to wonder why this house didn't sell last year?  If a picture is worth a thousand words, I think this listing photo tells the seller that his agent was either inexperienced or didn't care enough to rotate it.Hallmark's slogan: When you care enough to send the very best, might apply to doing our best to our clients by checking the pictures we offer the public.                Call Joan for real estate information on Shell Knob, MO or Table Rock Lake.  Toll Free: 888-823-4125  02/12/2008

JANUARY BELOW BUDGETED DOLLARS Missouri's tax revenues were down over 4% for January 2008, the Missouri School of Journalism reported last week.  If this becomes a trend, it will have a strong negative effect on state coffers and result in some programs being pulled back with possible lay-offs of state employees.  The first week of February has shown an upward trend, back to 2007 norms. How does this affect Real Estate?  It may have  both potential Buyers and Sellers getting in a holding pattern, waiting for the economy to perk up.                           Second home and retirement areas like Shell Knob, MO can have area residents staying out of the selling of their lake homes.  Buyers likewise may delay shopping for a house on Table Rock Lake.   CALL JOAN FOR ADDITIONAL SHELL KNOB RE... 02/11/2008

OZARK  JOKES?As a Realtor in Shell Knob, MO, I've been sent all the usual hillbilly jokes from my Yankee friends, but seeing some of these MLS pictures makes me start to wonder if the jokes are true.  No wonder these homes aren't sold!  LEANING A LITTLE  OR ARE WE IN THE FUNHOUSE WITH THE SLANTING FLOORS?           THIS IS EXACTLY HOW IT WAS IN THE MLS!!        FOR REAL ESTATE INFORMATION IN SHELL KNOB, MOCALL JOAN AT : 888-823-4125  02/09/2008