It's been a strange and wild  weather season for Shell Knob and the Ozarks.  Drought, Floods, Tornados and now Drought again with 100 degree + temps. Even a dip in Table Rock Lake is not refreshing. Lake temperature was 88 earlier this week. Normally our summer concerns are about ticks, chiggers and the occasional snake. Chiggers, you ask? Yes - Chiggers, with a capital 'C' please! Chiggers are a diabolical scourge, straight from you know where, in my humble opinion. They are invisible to the naked eye and you only know of their presence when your skin begins to itch and you scratch a welt on your skin. I have heard residents of the midwest call them 'No-see-ums'. Chiggers are actually larvae that is picked up on shoes, feet or legs while walking in grass or tall weeds. Personally, I ha... 07/10/2011

　Numbers?  What numbers? Whatever happened to my power of positive thinking? I know I had some, but forgot where I put it. I can recall coming into the Shell Knob office with a smile on my face. I remember juggling appointments and trying to keep up with the pace of out-of-town buyers. Getting backed up on my Voice-Mail messages from lenders and title companies, was a normal part of selling real estate. That has been changing in recent years and I miss it. I enjoyed the pace of locating and showing properties for my buyers. Can't say that it changed overnight. It's been more like a gentle downhill slide. Just kept inching down. Although the Ozarks has a much slower pace than any large city, STOPPED is stopped wherever you are. I live in a beautiful Retirement/Recreational market. Sure -... 07/04/2011

Shell Knob, MO has scheduled the annual 4th of July Fireworks for Monday, July 4, 2011. This year's display is being called Fire & Thunder Fireworks. The fireworks are to be fired from the same location used in 2010, east of the Shell Knob bridge. They will being at approximately 9:30 pm. This show is noted for being longer than any others on Table Rock Lake. The fireworks will be shot at lake level, which allows for spectacular special effects. An area will be buoyed off for viewers safety. Best viewing is by boat or along shoreline areas. The annual Shell Knob 4th of July Boat Parade will be at 6:30 pm, starting from Lost Hill Island and motor to the east side of the Shell Knob bridge. Decorations on the boats participating lend a cheerful patriotic pride to the event.   CALL JOAN TO ... 07/04/2011

Is Summer Really here? Will this be the summer of our discontent, or the one with sweet summer breezes?  Here in Shell Knob, MO (The Ozarks) we are happy to see Spring leave. Spring of 2011 started with a drought, which then turned into a flood - or floods two weeks apart.  They knocked out the normal joy of getting on to Table Rock Lake for fishing and boating on Memorial Day.   The boat launch's were under water, as were the access ramps of most boat docks. Table Rock Lake levels finally started to receed, but are still about 10' over normal pool. The Corps of Engineers reports it will stay high until August.  The changes in the lake have had a negative effect on fishing, of  course.  Last week the 13 year Cicada infestation also left.  The noise level of these insects was unbelievabl... 06/22/2011

Homes closed in May this year were double what 2010 produced. Home prices on the closed residences  in Shell Knob, MO were also up an average of 26%.  The average sale price was $199,750 versus $168,800 of 2010 in the same month. Natural disasters, floods, tornados, and recession have greatly diminished current activity.  Table Rock Lake levels are being reduced by the Army Corps of Engineers.  We are hopeing that interest in buying a lake house will increase with the hot summer days.   CALL JOAN FOR ANY OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS     417-846-7128 TRI-LAKES REALTORS   417-858-3344 06/06/2011

                            Driving into the Shell Knob office this morning, I slowed when a young buck crossed the road, and shortly thereafter, a coyote, but what really caught my eye were the box turtles. Every May and June, you have to be alert to these determined creatures. There must be a Turtle.Com or something where they get the alert from,  but it is not unusual to see 5 or 6 turtles on the road at this time of year. Why are they all crossing at the same time? We don't know. It must be determined from above. We are blessed in Shell Knob, MO to have several hundred acres of the Mark Twain National Forest here. The turtles are plentiful and good to have around as they eat insects. They thrive living in the forest. I have one that pays a morning visit to my compost pile. He seems ... 06/03/2011

  Memorial Day is normally the kick-off to summer fun in Shell Knob, MO, especially water fun on Tablerock Lake.  I say 'normally', but due to the excessive rain and storms of the past 3 weeks, boating might be a problem.I say ' normally', because Table Rock Lake has been up to flood stage twice recently.  This means that our beautiful clean lake water is brown from run-off and has hazards floating such as logs which could harm boats or ski-doos.Because the lake is still up and close to flood stage, most of the state parks and many of the boat launches are closed.  Seems like we just went through this 3 years ago.  People were calling it a 100 year flood at that time!  Gosh those 100 years sure went by in a hurry.The local economy of Shell Knob, is in a wait and see mode.  Shell Knob is... 05/30/2011

Guess what?  We had MORE storms last night in Shell Knob, with knock you out of bed thunder and lightning! 22 years living in the Ozarks and I cannot recall ever having hour after hour after hour of booming and rolling thunder.  I can only liken it to the sounds of heavy artillery fire that I heard in movies about London in WWII. I find myself reading news alerts about Joplin and wanting to learn that they found more residents alive in the destroyed center of Walmart or Home Depot.  Several The record  flood levels on Table Rock  two weeks ago, have returned and the Corps of Engineers, which regulates the flood gates, says the flood level will peak tomorrow at 935'.  Summer pool is normally 915'.  It will take longer this year to go down to that level.  The Corps anticipates it will be ... 05/25/2011

Enough Already  I spoke a little too early on the lack of rain in April.  May has made up for the lack - many times over.  All of the resevoirs in the Ozarks have been at flood stage twice this month. Unfortunately, to relieve the extrordinary amount of rainwater, Beaver Lake in NW Arkansas, has to open it's flood gates flowing into Tablerock, which in turn, the Army Corps of Engineers, opens into Lake Taneycomo in Branson.  This is where alot of damage has been done to stores, restaurants and several high end homes. Bull Shoals Resevoir receives the flood waters from Taneycomo.  Eventually this water will wind it's way down to the Mississippi and add to the flooding already hurting the southern states. More storms are predicted for tonight.  We have already set record flood levels, so ... 05/24/2011

Shell Knob is waiting for spring rains.   April Showers, and all that good stuff.   Winter precipitation was not up to normal expectations and lake levels went down to 906 feet in February.Boat dock owners have had to stay alert to adjust the docks and maintain a safe level to protect the floats.  Table Rock Lake is now up to 912 feet, but for mid-April, a time when the fish make nests and spawn, this is not normal pool.  Table Rock Lake is noted for excellent fishing.  Fishermen watch the levels closely as heavy rains coming at this time can disturb the spawning season.  This in turn can hurt the spring fishing season and catch.Normal pool in mid-April would be 915'.   CALL JOAN TO FIND YOUR LAKE DREAMS FULFILLED    417-846-7128 TRI-LAKES REALTORS    417-858-3344     04/14/2011

March 2011 Sales Droop In Shell Knob Residential sales in Shell Knob, MO were down 62.5% compared to March of 2010.  The 3 homes closed were a result of the extremely slow buyers' interest in January and February.  The average sale price was down by 9.2% The hope on the horizon are the 14 pending transactions in houses and  3 pending lot sales.  Maybe Spring has sprung for Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake. First Quarter Statistics Going Up For Shell Knob Due to the slow winter numbers, the first quarter for Shell Knob sales, is quite similar due to most of the sales coming in in March.  The entire quarter had only 5 residences close, which compared to the same quarter in 2010, is 64.28% down.  The average sale price was $215,750   04/08/2011

What is the first thing a potential buyer sees when driving by your house?   The front of the house, of course, but more specifically, the Front Door.     We've all been told in the BHG magazines and TV shows, to wash the porch, the steps and front door.  That goes without saying, right?  Maybe place some colorful potted plants there.   I have come to realize the importance of that door since replacing outer doors in my own home in Shell Knob.  Our home was 'snugger' this past winter.  I didn't hear any whistles on windy nights, the heating bill was reduced, but best of all was the satisfaction of closing the front door. Our new door, besides the attractive design, was of higher quality than the old one.  And when I close it, it feels heavy - sturdy - substantial.  It feels good!  "Feel... 03/23/2011

There was a refreshing sound in my Shell Knob office this past week....... telephones ringing!  It's a good sound, and one that I haven't heard enough of this past year, as the following report for February  will show. In our Tri-Lakes Multiple Listing Board, there were 67 homes sold and closed at an average price of $147,652.  The sales showed an average list to sell price difference of 8%.Shell Knob had only two of that 67 total.  I NEED SHELL KNOB HOMES TO SELL THIS SPRING.   CALL JOAN FOR YOUR MARKET ANALYSIS  846-7128 TRI-LAKES OFFICE: 417-858-3344       03/09/2011

Have you been to ICY Mae's and ever left hungry?Summer patrons of Shell Knob's favorite breakfast and lunch eatery, will be pleased to see some subtle changes when they return this season. Owners, Mike and Vicki Merton are making changes to improve your visit. Walls have been removed, furniture changed and  decor updated.  The end result is enlarging seating capacity from 40 to 60 seats. More seating means less waiting for lunch. It will also enable them to have more servers. The menu has been enlarged from a single halfpage sheet  to double sided, with even more of the humorous names created for their specialties. You will still be able to find your favorites, so no need to panic.  Mike moved the kitchen across the hall where he now does all the cooking and has room for an extra cook s... 02/11/2011

Shell Knob's 2011 Vacation GuideThe Shell Knob, Missouri, Chamber of Commerce has the 2011 Vacation and Relocation Guide on the stands.  This booklet supplies answers to most questions about the "Quiet End of Table Rock Lake".  It includes area information on marinas, camping, fishing, and lodging/resorts, as well as a list of Real Estate companies and restaurants.  In other words, just about everything you might want to know to plan a trip down here in the Ozarks.It even includes a list of the State Record fish caught on Table Rock.  How about a 139# Paddlefish; or a 7# spotted Bass?  Or want to catch a 5 lb Meanmouth Bass whatever that is - doesn't sound too friendly.Call or email me and I will send you a copy of the 2011 Shell Knob Vacation Guide.   Call Joan For All Your Real Estate... 02/08/2011

　 Wish my out of town buyer hadn't had weather problems yesterday. Would have loved to smile while showing lake homes and say that 71 degrees and sunny was our normal winter day in the village that is Shell Knob, MO!! Unfortunately, they had snow to contend with up north - like who hasn't? Well, actually, we've only had two inches of snow here this winter. Most of the huge volumne of winter precip has gone around us on Table Rock Lake. Unfortunately, too - 71 is not our normal winter temp in Shell Knob - but is also is not unheard of, and we enjoy the pleasant breezes while we have them. Bass boats that enjoyed fishing in warm temps Saturday are gone today as temps return to norms in the 40's. Table Rock Lake levels will vary, as it is a man made lake, with the dam in Branson. The lake ... 01/30/2011

Really Want To Sell Your House Now?You've heard that homes need to have an inviting exterior, so potential buyers  are pleased  with what they see and want to come in and see more. If your house in Shell Knob has been on the market since Fall, your front yard  has turned into a brown or tan blah color.  So you resign yourself to it being blucky until April or May, but do you really need to wait that long? So Paint It!You can get a nice green appearance immediately by making a trip to one of the big box stores or on-line to Amazon.com and buy some LAWN PAINT!  Yes - I said LAWN PAINT!!  A quart runs about $30 and is then diluted with water.  This is absolutely true.  Using a weed sprayer, It can be applied any time of year and will not wash out  or fade from rain.  The tone or color can ... 01/22/2011

Prime Time To Buy Lake Property OR .......  4 reasons to shop Shell Knob Lake homes in the winter 1. Less competition      Winter is the least enjoyable time to be evaluating lake property.  Everything looks more inviting when springtime blossoms, or lakes invite you to cool down in summer heat.  Even the best homes can feel cold on a snowy day.  It is the astute individual who views property when winter winds blow.2. Sellers More Cooperative    A homeowner who hasn't experienced a showing on their property for two or more months is usually eager to accommodate a buyer's needs.3. Prices Flexible     There has not been a big drop in prices in Shell Knob, around the quiet end of Table Rock Lake, however,  a serious buyer can often negotiate and buy more house for his money than would have... 01/21/2011

As a resident of Shell Knob on Table Rock Lake, I've noticed a distinct corollary  between the start of the winter boat shows and  area residents getting Bass Fever. Boat Shows are a terrific way to get out of the house and avoid thinking about the two inches of snow that dropped in.  And this is the start of Boat Show season for the Midwest.  St Joe, MO has theirs starting this week end; as does northwest  Arkansas in Rogers.The following week end Oklahoma City, followed closely by Tulsa and Overland Park, KS hosts shows.  February's list includes Topeka, KS, St. Louis, MO, Kansas City and Omaha, NBThe avid fisherman or woman will attempt to get to a near by boat show and start  dreaming of the big lunker bass he expects to catch.  Fishing & tournaments will resume in the spring.  The ... 01/20/2011

Boaters on Table Rock Lake and other Missouri lakes, will be seeing changes this spring in  the Water Patrol.   January 1, 2011  the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Water Patrol merged.  The Water Patrol will now be wearing the blue patrol uniforms of the Highway Patrol and receiving the same training.  The officers are also receiving in-car training to familiarize the troopers with highway enforcement and procedures.All Water Patrol vessels will be marked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol emblem.   Call Joan for Selling or Buying Real Estate on Table Rock Lake - 417-846-7128 Tri-Lakes Realtors   417-858-3344                                                                                                    01/19/2011