ONE SQUEAKY WHEEL IN SHELL KNOB Whatever happened to Majority Rules?  This is a fundamental American concept that has seemed to work well for many years, but  Incidents in recent times have given me great concern about how the opposite seems to be happening even here in Shell Knob. There was the atheist father who threatened his daughter's school board with a lawsuit because of a Christian club at her school(one man).   How about Madalyn Murray O'Hair who managed to get prayer in school thrown out (one woman).   It seems more and more that individuals can threaten suing and business or other groups just lay down without a fight.I got to thinking about this because of a simple incident close to home.  Our UPS driver is a really nice guy who has befriended our dog.  He not only befriende... 06/07/2007

1031  IN SHELL KNOB?There are Shell Knob residents  growing their nest egg by use of an IRS Ruling known as a 1031 , but can it be applied to a vacation home on Table Rock Lake? Normally when you sell property, you receive either a gain or a loss in the transaction.  If it is a gain, you pay tax on it.  Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), however provides an exception to that rule.Instead of selling property, paying taxes on it, and then using the reduced after-tax proceeds to buy other real estate, IRC & 1031 allows the deferment of capital gains tax which would normally be owed on the sale of that property.This allows the full reinvestment of your sale proceeds.  The amount not paid in capital gains tax to federal and state governments creates more equity in your investme... 06/04/2007

 SHELL KNOB  DRIVER'S ALERT  It's that time of year again.  Two weeks ago I warned about being alert for 3 Toed Turtles crossing the road around Shell Knob, but today my Missouri Conservationist Calendar reads: Look For Tarantulas Crossing Road. The first time I saw one of those huge furry creatures, I freaked out.  I had no idea that they resided in these hills.  The variety that lives here is harmless and really fascinating to watch -  from a distance  - for this city girl.    This hairy species is Missouri's largest spider.  Body and legs are uniformly dark chocolate-brown, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.The tarantula's large size and shaggy appearance is frightening to many people, leading them to believe it has a ferocious nature. It actually is a shy creature... 06/02/2007

ENJOYING THE GOOD LIFE   What does "The Good Life" mean to you?This question came to me as I was enjoying a boat ride on Table Rock Lake last night.  The sun wasn't too hot at 7 pm.  The water was smooth as glass, and we were the only boat I could see on the water in any direction!  We finally saw a couple of boats fishing in coves , but not a ripple on the water, until we created it in passing.  Now this IS a huge lake, depending upon whose measurement you use, between 857 and 745 miles of shoreline, but it is not unusual to have this quiet time on the lake to occur.  Holiday week-ends are the busiest times for lake traffic, but even then, if we wait to take our coffee on the boat after dinner, it is not crowded.My husband asked me if I had ever thought that I would be selling property... 06/01/2007

FREE SOIL MAP    Soil, or lack of it, can be a very real problem for residents of the Ozarks,  especially around Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake.  By it's very name, Table ROCK,  says it all.  ROCK.  There is a dominance of limestone and flintstone, with very little soil. Gardeners and landscapers can face a real challenge, and often resort to buying topsoil, creating raised beds or do container gardening. Composting is very popular for do-it-yourself soil improvement.  On the plus side, there is an ample supply of large decorative rock available.Now, there is a source of information available, FREE from the Department of Agriculture on their web site.  Residents are able to get an analysis of the soil in their area from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  David Harkness brought... 05/31/2007

TROUT HATCHERYJust 20 miles east of Shell Knob and 7 miles south of Cassville,  is Roaring River State Park.  Noted for it's premier trout fishing and hatchery, it sits in a narrow valley with rugged, mountainlike terrain and a deep blue spring. Roaring River Spring emerges from the base of a shady limestone bluff and produces an average of over 20,000,000 gallons of water each day.The two and a half mile spring branch is separated into three fishing zones.  No wading is permitted, except in the catch-and-release zone 2 area.  The Park covrs 3,358 acres and includes a new lodge, swimming pool, cabins, motel , campground, restaurant, nature center,  seven hiking trails totaling over 10 miles.  Campers have 187 campsites, ranging from basic to electric hookup.  The elegant Inn and Confere... 05/31/2007

 TABLE ROCK PLEASURES Would you like to have a summer home at a lake where you didn't need to swat mosquitos?  Then let me show you around some Shell Knob real estate on Table Rock Lake.  Yes, you read correctly - I said NO Mosquitos on the lake. How can this be?  The typical lakefront cottage has to have a screened in porch for residents to be able to enjoy swat-free meals,  while  lighting  citronella candles. The lack of this annoying insect occurs at Table Rock due to the type of terrain that makes up the lake.  The hills in the Ozarks have a large percentage of limestone and flintstone.The Army Corps of Engineers built a dam near Branson, MO and flooded the lake.  As a power generating lake, the water level will fluctuate.  The rocky shoreline, with deep water always moving, does n... 05/28/2007

 BEWARE OF THE BEAR Can you imagine waking up from a three month nap?  No coffee.  You are hungry and  the fridge is empty!   That is how bears feel in June.    So they go on the prowl for food, and nothing else.  No nonsense.   Last November I had a rare sighting on the edge of Shell Knob, of a black bear and her two cubs.  It was Thanksgiving, but unusually warm.  The bears were probably stoking up for the winter hibernation.  I was thrilled to have my first view of them outside of a zoo.  Unfortunately I didn't have a camera, and I would probably have been too excited to take the picture in time.  Mama bear really hustled down a path in the Mark Twain National Forest when she saw my car.   According to the June issue of the Missouri Conservationist magazine, in southern Missouri - th... 05/25/2007

   MAY MARKET REPORT NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS The first 25 days of May, 2007 for Stone and Barry County  real estate sales do not reflect any vigorous activity.  Stone County, which includes Kimberling City, Reeds Spring, Lampe and portions of Shell Knob, had 754  home listings, including 207 condominiums.  There are 83 pending sales.Barry County in the Shell Knob area had 870 total  residential listings with 7 pending sales.This is not the strong spring market the area had hoped for in the lake/resort location. There is concern that the increased gas prices may affect not only travel, but the leisure use of boats and other water toys.  Memorial Day vacationers may indicate what the rest of the summer will bring sale wise. Real Estate agents are watching this market closely.   For area ... 05/25/2007

HAY BALES TO THE RESCUE  Transplants to Shell Knob quickly learn that the extended gardening season here still has it's challenges.  It is difficult to grow much in rocky soil.  The rocks that filter the lake water and keep it so clear and clean, do not lend to aiding the gardener.For many people, the solution is making raised beds, and filling those beds with topsoil, mulch and compost.  And this is a fine solution, but not everything can be put into containers or raised beds.  Some things need more room.There is another way  I learned, after watching a neighbor starting to landscape their new home.  I have to admit, I was puzzled when I saw the row of hay bales set out, and then noted there was soil over the bales, with several bushes growing out of them.  At the time, I didn't know t... 05/24/2007

 SHELL KNOB'S BEST KEPT SECRET                                                                   It's not located where most of Shell Knob's stores are, and is almost a secret, but  Sawtooth Mill Gift Gallery is a terrific addition to Shell Knob shops.  It is a unique store filled with a diverse variety of unusual, one of a kind gifts.  Owners, Jill and Howard Trimble  proudly offer only products made in the USA or UK.I can hardly go in the store without being drawn to some new item Jill has recently stocked.  Today I had to keep my eyes off the tempting jewelery, until I spotted a really neat coffee cup designed for southpaws.  I think I know what my left-handed son is getting for his birthday. Visitors will need to spend time exploring pottery, pictures, wind chimes, beautiful gourd b... 05/24/2007

  REAL ESTATE SIGNS MISSINGIt might be a good song title "Where Have All the Sale Signs Gone",  or a new marketing plan, but  it was a problem last week.  I had clients from out-of-town who were trying to get familiar with the Ozarks.  They had been shopping on line, and found this Shell Knob agent  from  AR blog. I stepped out of my normal territory to give them a tour of  property in a near-by area they wanted to see.  So I was at the mercy of  1)listing sheet directions, 2) my map and  3) For Sale signsSigns, I presumed, would be on the vacant land to assist in locating each lot.  I wanted to have my clients compare these properties with ones closer to Table Rock Lake to be able make an informed decision.Forget that!  In a newer development with paved roads and  a couple of houses co... 05/15/2007

Waterfront Boundary Work on Table Rock  The Army Corps of Engineers has contracted with survey crews to conduct maintenance along portions of the public boundary line that surrounds Table Rock Lake.  This line is commonly called the TAKE LINE by  residents, as the Corps literally 'takes' the land from the predetermined survey, and from that line to the water's edge, the land is not usable by the landowners.  It belongs to the Corps of Engineers.       Crews are working on the northeast bank north of The Chateau On The Lake, continuing northwest to Stormy Point.  Work will also be starting on the east shore of Indian Creek, continuing to the west side of Little Indian Creek Arm, covering both Indian Creeks in Indian Point area.  Areas off JJ Peninsula both east and west sides will also ... 05/14/2007

 PLAN YOUR PERFECT SHELL KNOB LAKE HOME So you've finally found that perfect lot on Table Rock Lake, now what?  Before you get your mind locked in on a house plan, there are several steps you might consider.  BUDGET - can you really afford that dream vacation home?  Is this going to be a profitable investment for you down the road?STYLE OF HOME - Are there covenants or restrictions for the development your lot is in, or a county planning commission that restricts the style or square footage of the house?  If you are building in an area that requires a committee of current residents to approve your plans, it is of great importance that you get a list of requirements before your search for blueprints.CHOOSE A HOUSE PLAN - There are literally thousands of pre-drawn house plans available on... 05/12/2007

 CRAWL SPACE MOISTURE KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY   Opps, that should have been keep your crawl space dry in your Shell Knob lake home. A crawl space under a house can trap moisture and then the moisture can eventually cause structural damage to the house.  This would be doubly bad if this is a summer or vacation home, where you don't live on a daily basis to notice tell-tale signs.You can see signs of excessive moisture if you spot mold on a foundation wall, floor joists or the soil surface.  It also is noticable if there is a musty odor in the crawl space itself or worse, in the living area of the home with excessive condensation on windows or standing water under the house.    "Water that drains toward the house, and has no means of being diverted away, has to go somewhere  and that's usual... 05/12/2007

Point Debonaire, approximately 2-3 miles south of the Shell Knob bridge, is a  small, quiet community of quality homes.Residents have a community dock, chip and seal roads, convenient to Road 39.                                               House prices range from $250,000 to over $600,000 for waterfront homes.  Currently, there are several non-water front lots available with prices between 29,303 to 22,900 plus costs for a boat slip in the second community dock.                                                                                05/10/2007

EYE OPENERS IN SHELL KNOB COUNTRYOn my way into the office today I was looking at the lush new growth of spring and thanking God for giving me such a marvelous feast for my eyes.  We've had a nice week of gentle rain and after a rain it seems that the greens are greener. The bright red Indian Paintbrush flowers just pop out in the pastures. They shared space with the wild daisies that seem to be the roadside flower of choice this week.The feast for my nose are the honeysuckle vines, which are in full bloom on the roadsides.I paid only slight attention to birds when I lived up north.  Robins, starlings, blue jays were the normal birds, plus a few sparrows.  That changed quickly once we settled in Shell Knob.  Went out and bought a bird identification book so I could give the proper names... 05/08/2007

 WHY I ENJOY SMALL TOWN SHELL KNOB LIVING  1.  The peacefulness2.  Friendly people3.  Low Cost  of Living                                            4.  Privacy5.  Sense of Security6.  No Traffic7.  Low Taxes8.  Abundant Wildlife9.  Large Variety of Birds 10. Moderate Climate                                                                                                                                                                                      SUNRISE AT  TABLE ROCK LAKEHaving grown up in a large city, adjusting to life in the Ozarks took a little time.  I wouldn't call it a cultural shock, but each day brought something new - ticks, chiggers, poison ivy..... you get the idea.  Along with the bad came seeing my first Road Runner zipping down our driveway, and amazement at the ... 05/07/2007

 SALES DOWN.....LAND PRICE UP?  If we in the real estate business are supposed to be in such a death spin,  why are prices on land going up?  Almost daily the media is reporting our supposed loses's and solemnly (do you notice the commentator's voice dropping to an almost  funeral directors  tone )declare the newest bad news.I am in the midst of searching for land/lots for a Maryland buyer coming in next week (an AR lead by the way).  They think their eastern home will be selling for about $600,00, I'm told, so they are looking at upscale real estate in the Ozarks.  Our cost of living and taxes  around Table Rock Lake are modest compared to many locations around the country, which is why we are now drawing potential residents here as they plan for retirement and fixed incomes.  In my to... 05/05/2007

SHELL KNOB AND BARRY COUNTY DONE     The reassessment for Barry County is almost complete, according to June Smith, Barry County Assessor.Missouri State law requires a reappraisal be conducted each odd-numbered year.A complete review of all property from the field has been completed and that includes verifying all previously recorded data, evaluating the condition and improvements, measuring new additions or buildings.Gathering and updating information about the property, studies of recent sales as well as construction costs in the county.  This information is used to establish local market values.  If property values do not reflect market value, state funding to schools could be impacted.  All property owners who will experience an increase in property value, will be notified.  The inc... 05/04/2007