Shell Knob, MO

I've seen it happen before.... couldn't explain it then - can't explain it now.

I have a Spec house for sale in a new development. I listed it in February 2009. I have showed it and showed it and showed it.

Showed it when the spring rains left it so muddy I lost a shoe and almost single handedly kept the local carwash in business getting rid of all the mud on my car. Had 3 offers over the past year - no accepted contract.

2010 listing renewed. Showings start to pick up and go from zero to 3 and 4 a week. Had an inquiry from a Trulia ad with a family coming from Nebraska down to the Ozarks to see just this house.

While we are there, another agent comes with potential buyers, and after we conclude our discussion, my buyers return for a drive-by and see more people looking!

Is there a magnetic field around a house that gets activated - kind of like sharks smelling blood - when a buyer knows that he might not be able to buy this house he's been thinking about for the past two months?

The day we write an offer on the house, there are 3 more showings. During the negotiating process two agents ask if we will take back-up offers?

What happened? I don't know, but I'd sure like to bottle it. I know a few agents who might buy a gallon or two! Your explanations would be gratefully received.

CALL JOAN FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344

Shell Knob, MO saw a slight increase in sales in February 2010, and any increase is a big plus considering the dismal numbers of the last two years.

There were 9 sold listings last month. The average residential sale was $233,500.

This is an 18% drop in local market values from 2009, which had $275,000 for a single family home's average.

Lots and land averaged $34,375.

March would normally be the start of spring sales around Table Rock Lake

Hopes are high for the spring Bass Tournaments to attract buyers to the Quiet Side of Table Rock Lake and Shell Knob.

CALL JOAN FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS ON TABLE ROCK LAKE OR IN SHELL KNOB

417-846-7128 Cell Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344

Springtime is a seven letter word in Shell Knob. It is spelled FISHING!!

It can be Fly Fishing at Roaring River State Park, or Bass Fishing on Table Rock Lake with the FLW Tour.

I've noticed boat traffic on Table Rock this week, which is nice after a long cold winter. Evidentally some of the FLW tournament participants are checking out the lake to find the most likely spots to catch lunkers during the 4 day tournament set for March 3-6.

BUT..... my big question of what do the initials "FLW " stand for, remains unanswered. Google didn't know and ASK.Com didn't know. The best I found was FLW standing for " Four Letter Word", so maybe that is what an angler says when a lunker escapes ? FLW??

The FLW was scheduled for the Red River in Louisiana, but weather and bad conditions on the river had them seeking other locations for this opener in their schedule. Hosted by the Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, there may be as many as 300 top bass anglers casting for the awards which can go up to $125,000 in the Pro Division and $25,000 cash in the Co-angler Division.

Tomorrow, March 1st, is also the kick-off for the opening of Rainbow Trout Season at the near-by Roaring River State Park Hatchery. It is taken so seriously around Cassville, MO, that it is a school holiday! Anticipation is always high and participants will start arriving Sunday evening to save their place along the river bank when the horn is sounded Monday morning.

Call Joan for all your housing needs and check me out on Google at

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=Joan+Snodgrass%2C+REALTOR

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-846-7128

NO EXCUSES

Searching the Multiple Listing in Shell Knob, MO this week, I was again amazed at the just plain awful pictures that are posted! Why would any seller not object to their home being marketed as a dark pit? When more than 85% of today's buyers check the internet before contacting an agent, why wouldn't you expose the best features of your listing?

Why would the listing agent not try to give his listing the edge in this tough market? Digital cameras are such a great improvement over the old poloroids. You can see immediately if you need to retake the kitchen view, or try for a brighter family room photo.

Here are some samples of what I saw on the MLS, and you can be sure I did not send any of these listings to my clients.

The first photo is probably an above ground pool, but you have to wonder what is wrong with the rest of the pool area - it isn't shown. The other interior shots are basically too dark, but with a digital camera it would be known immediately. It just boils down to NO EXCUSES. The seller deserves our best efforts. That's what we get paid for!

What is your home in Shell Knob worth ?

Looking back to when you bought your home ....has it increased in value from what you paid for it? Have you remodeled or added on? Maybe you've updated the bath or the kitchen appliances? How has this added to the total worth of your property?

Homeowners have taken a big hit in many areas of the country. We've all heard the horror stories of a house being worth half of what the residents owe on it.

That has not happened in Shell Knob.

2009 saw homes in the 65747 zip code come down 9%. Many high end homes did not sell.

Prices HAVE dropped in Shell Knob.

This area has a large retiree population, along with summer lake homes, which gives us a more stable foundation than many metro areas.

There was a 26% drop in the number of homes sold in Shell Knob last year. So what is your Shell Knob lake house worth? I know the value of your home. Call me.

Call Joan 417-846-7128 Check me out on Google:

joansnodgrass@centurytel.net

Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344