Lebanon, MO

FREE and Low Cost Events in Lebanon Missouri

* The Lebanon High School Magnetic Theater Company Presents: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, show times are Saturday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, February 15 at 3:00 p.m.

* Donkey Basketball will be held on Thursday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carr Gym at Lebanon High School. Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. All proceeds go to LHS After Prom 2009.

* LHS Project Grad will hold a Snowball Softball Tournament on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Atchely Park in Lebanon MO. Entry fee is $100 per Team. For more information or to register your Team, contact Sam Judy at 417-532-9754 or 417-664-4710.

* Ladies’ Night Out, a FREE, educational and fun evening for women of all ages. February 19th, 2009 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon MO. More than 50 vendor booths, cooking demonstrations, free samples, give-aways, prizes and more!

* Informative luncheon at St. John's Hospital in Lebanon MO. Cost is $5.00 and includes a healthy lunch. Seating is limited; call to register 417-533-6009. Program begins at noon and will be held in the first floor conference room. This Wednesday, February 18th, 2009: "Get behind the scenes look at St. John's Hospital in Lebanon, the Sisters of Mercy and St. John's Health System"

* Missouri Division of Tourism in partnership with the Missouri Travel Council will present, "How to promote your business without spending a Nickel" on March 17th, 2009 from 9 am until 3 pm at the Ramada Oasis & Conference Center in Springfield MO. Continental breakfast begins at 9:00 a.m., with the workshop beginning at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments at breaks and lunch are provided. Space is limited! RSVP to Pat Amick, CMP, Executive Director of the Missouri Travel Council, at pat-amick@socket.net by February 27, 2009.

* SCORE is ready to assist Lebanon area small businesses in evaluating their 2008 results and make recommendations for 2009. As always, SCORE counseling is a free service. Want to set an appointment for a "free" business check-up? Call Tim Blake at 417-532-8251. SCORE will offer appointments on February 20 or 27th, March 6th or 13th at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce offices at 186 N. Adams in Lebanon MO. Remember, cost is FREE!

* The Laclede County Office of Emergency Management will be conducting their annual Weatherspotter Training, in conjunction with the National Weather Service – Springfield and Regional Radio KJEL on Monday, March 2^nd 2009 at 6:30 PM at the Laclede Electric Co-op Facility at 1400 East Route 66 in Lebanon, in the Community Room. This class is free, and registration is not required. The National Weather Service will be presenting the training, and there is no obligation to become a weatherspotter when the course is complete. The general public and anyone with an interest in severe weather are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact OEM at 417-532-6992.

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Debbie DiFonzo, e-PRO, GRI, SRS
United Country VIP Realty
417-532-2031 Lebanon MO office
417-468-5900 Marshfield MO office

Your South West Missouri Real Estate Voice

By Debbie DiFonzo. The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. "February Evenst in Lebanon Missouri - many free!"

US News & World Reports recently released a list of the seven worst states to start a business. While I won't give away which seven states made the list, I will tell you this: Missouri was not one of them.

In fact, Missouri ranked #14 as a top state to start a business. (You can read the full report by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council here: Small Business Survival Index 2008.)

If you're thinking it's time to be your own boss, if you're thinking it's time to Find Your Freedom, take a look at just a few of the opportunities waiting for you in South Central Missouri:




Shop Rite Grocery and Grill, Plato MO

Located a short drive from Fort Wood, one of the largest Army installations in the United States, Shop Rite Grocery and Grill in Plato Missouri is the perfect family operation. Currently, the store offers a full line of grocery items including deli items, milk, bread and soft serve ice cream along with Hunts Brothers Pizza and a grill area with seating for about 40 people. Plenty of room to add lottery tickets, salad bar, fishing items or scrap booking supplies. The property also includes U-Haul rental franchise and a small two bedroom home back behind the store on 1.5 acres. UC #50480 $289,000




Thompson's RV Park, Lebanon MO

Located just down the street from Bennett Springs State Park, one of the most popular trout fishing parks in the Mid-West, Thompson's RV Park offers RV spots by the day, week, month or the year. There are 4 cabins, dining hall, his/her showers and bath rooms plus room to expand. Currently offered on 4+ acres with the business only for $259,900 or with an additional 3 acres, 3 bedroom home and shop building for $459,900. Add more cabins, canoe rentals, a small store and so much more!





Autohaus Schmidt Auto Repair, Phillipsburg MO

Multi use building located on the outer road of Interstate 44 between Lebanon MO and Marshfield MO. Awesome I-44 visibility for a building that could continue with auto and truck repair or be turned into an antique store, restoration of antique cars, warehouse, wood working shop and so much more! The building is on 5 acres more or less and has a whole list of features: on the main level, you'll find a reception area for the public plus a private office area, half bath with washer dryer hook ups, the main repair shop plus a second section which could be used as a paint booth or as a show room. Upstairs, you'll find a one bedroom apartment, complete with kitchen, living room, bedroom and full bath. Lots of choices here! UC# 50485 $180,000

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realtyto sell your property or to buy property in Lebanon, Conway, Marshfield, Buffalo, Bennett Springs and the surrounding areas. I specialize in country homes, hunting land, river front property, dairy farms, large acreage and commercial property in Southwest Missouri.417-532-2031 Lebanon MO office phone or email: debbie@ucvip.com

Copyright © 2009 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. Own your own business: Commercial property in South Central Missouri

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Information subject to change without notice.

The February / March 2009 issue of the Lebanon Missouri area real estate guide is now on-line, live and ready for you!

You no longer have to wait until the first Friday of the even numbered months for your print copy of the real estate guide!

Don't forget, all the links in the book are HOT - web addresses and emails alike.
Don't forget, United Country VIP Realty can assist you with any listing in the MLS.
Don't forget, my office serves Laclede, Dallas, Wright and Webster Counties in Missouri.
Don't forget, United Country VIP Realty can assit you if you're buying or selling property in Missouri.

Yesterday, I wrote a post talking about 5 tips when considering the short sale of your home. The post was written after a local home owner, wanting to move back to their old home state, considered a short sale or even allowing their home to go back to the bank via foreclosure.

This homeowner never mentioned hardship or an inability to re-pay his loan. He merely wanted *out* of his current home.

I've given this some thought over the last few days - I'm not sure why this home owner thinks a short sale or a foreclosure is an easy answer. Perhaps the media hasn't done a good job of talking about the ramifications of these acts. Perhaps real estate agents haven't done a good job; perhaps mortgage brokers and loan officers haven't talked enough about the years to come after a short sale or a foreclosure.

The rules of buying a home and obtaining a mortgage have changed greatly over the last six months and I predict we'll see other changes as well.

In July of 2008 Fannie Mae issued an announcement, Announcement 08-16, specifically addressing bankruptcy and foreclosure policy changes. These changes were effective August 1st, 2008. In all, Fannie Mae issued thirty-eight (38) Lender Announcements in 2008! Rules are changing!

I encourage you to talk to your Lender, talk to your Attorney, talk to your Tax Adviser and talk to your local Real Estate Agent before making any decisions on the status of your home and your mortgage. The decisions you make today can have an impact for years to come - up to even seven (7) years!

More on Short Sales: 5 tips to consider when thinking of a short sale
Writing a Hardship Letter: Short Sales: What should my Hardship Letter say?

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty to sell your property or to buy property in Lebanon, Conway, Marshfield, Buffalo, Bennett Springs and the surrounding areas. I specialize in country homes, hunting land, river front property, dairy farms, large acreage and commercial property in Southwest Missouri. 417-532-2031 Lebanon MO office phone or email: missouriagent@msn.com

Copyright © 2009 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. Five Tips to remember when thinking about a short sale.

A day doesn't go by that I don't see a media report, hear a radio clip or read an Internet story regarding foreclosures and short sales. So far, in Laclede, Webster, Wright and Dallas County in Missouri (four main counties that I serve), foreclosure properties, bank owned homes and short sales are not driving our market. Real estate agents, Sellers and Buyers in the area know that could change any day.

Needless to say, I hope our market does not see the day when we are listing and selling more foreclosures and short sales than we are traditional transactions. But that doesn't relieve me of my concern: there is a ton of mis-information floating around out there.

Today I received a call from a homeowner in the area. We had helped him and his family relocate to Missouri from a warm weather state. Our winter has been pretty mild, but yesterday we had our first real accumulation of the winter season. Spoiler here: Missouri does have four seasons - I love that about Missouri, but not everyone does. (I have no idea if the weather prompted this call but I am *assuming* it did.)

So... This homeowner has decided he should sell his home "as a short sale" or maybe he'll even "let it go back." The family has plans to move back to their warm weather state.

I suggested we meet (when the weather breaks) later in the week to discuss his options. He said he'd call but I'll bet a crinkled dollar bill - I won't hear from him again. He'll call another agent in the area.

But, Deb, why won't he call you back?

Easy. He doesn't want to hear what I have to say. I truly believe the media leads people to believe a short sale can take place on a whim.

But...

There are guidelines in place for short sales.

There, I said it!


Based on the guidelines, here are Five things to consider when trying to decide if a short sale is right for you and for your family:

1. Lenders are NOT required to negotiate a short sale. If you read your mortgage papers you'll see verbiage to this effect. Listing your home the traditional way may be your only option.

If the lender is willing to discuss a short sale:

2. The Lender will want to determine the fair market value of your home.
a. They will want to order a Broker Price Opinion or an Appraisal.
b. They may want the Seller to contribute to the cost of the BPO or the Appraisal

3. The property/home will need to be worth LESS than what the market will support. A Seller cannot make a profit on a short sale!

4. The Seller will probably be required to write a letter of hardship.
a. Hardship includes divorce, medical conditions, unemployment, death
b. Hardship does not include: not liking the home or area in which you live, bad spending habits, starting a family

5. The Seller will have to provide financial information.
a. The Seller should be prepared to fill out a financial statement
b. The Seller should be prepared to provide tax returns, bank statements and proof of income or unemployment benefits

Bonus: Most lenders now require the loan to be in default or very near default. However, short sales are not necessarily quick -the home could still go into foreclosure during this process. Please watch your time frames - work with your Lender and your real estate professional.

If you don't like the home you own or the area in which you live, please visit with a local real estate profession about marketing and SELLING your home.

If you are facing hardship. please visit with your Lender about your options, including a short sale.

Based on your situation, your motivation, and the guidelines, a short sale may be the very best option for you - Please let your Lender help you decide.

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty to sell your property or to buy property in Lebanon, Conway, Marshfield, Buffalo, Bennett Springs and the surrounding areas. I specialize in country homes, hunting land, river front property, dairy farms, large acreage and commercial property in Southwest Missouri. 417-532-2031 Lebanon MO office phone or email: missouriagent@msn.com

Copyright © 2009 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. Five Tips to remember when thinking about a short sale.