Joan Snodgrass Tri-Lakes Realtors, Shell Knob, MO

JANUARY UP FOR SHELL KNOB

January was a good month for listing homes in the Shell Knob, Eagle Rock and Golden areas around Table Rock Lake. There were 22 much welcomed new homes added to the inventory, doubling what was listed in December.

Sales are normally slow in the off-season of lakeside properties, with January being the slowest. That being said, there were still 7 homes closed and 6 lots. Average sales price of these homes was $252,271. There were 5 homes sold the previous month.

Activity would appear to be increasing as spring and lake life gets into the buying public's mind.

CALL JOAN FOR INFORMATION ON TABLE ROCK LAKE AND SHELL KNOB: 417-858-2209,

EMAIL NOTICES

Emailing has become a way of life, but I was surprised to receive an email this morning from the Shell Knob library. This is a first. It caught my attention, but I didn't recall any books being past due.

Not to fear! Our little branch of the Barry County Library system has gone high tech. This email was to give me advance notice that I would have a book due in three days. Did I want to renew it on line? How did we manage to remember when books come due without an electronic reminder?

Shell Knob is blessed with a great library that continues to stay updated with many services available to the reading public, while still maintaining friendly, personal service.

CALL JOAN FOR REAL ESTATE INFORMATION ON TABLE ROCK LAKE - 417-888-823-4125

DO THE PICTURES IN YOUR LISTINGS ENTICE BUYERS?

Home owners are often too busy getting ready to move to a new location to notice the pictures that are taken to support the listing of their house in the Multiple Listing Service. These photos can have a huge impact on the sale of the property.

Location, price and condition are extremely important to a successful sale, but pictures are what a potential buyer looks at closely. With over 80% of buyers today shopping on the web before calling a REALTOR, pictures accompanying the property information sheet can make the difference between exciting a buyer's interest or passing it by.

My favorite gripe as a Shell Knob, MO agent, is a listing for a waterfront property with no picture supporting this information. SHOW ME THE WATER VIEW!

Another aggravation is an inviting front view of a new builders' spec home - but no interior shots?

I came across another school of thought yesterday, while searching the MLS - leave all the closet doors open in bedrooms and baths! Those pictures were disconcerting and did nothing to the appeal of the rooms.

Or how about the fireplace pictures - up close and personal. Yes, that is a fireplace, but where does it sit in the scheme of the room it is in?

Here are a few samples of shots that don't do the property seller any favors. None of these homes sold last year.

FLASHLIGHTS ANYONE? THE FIREPLACE IS HERE SOMEWHERE

NICE LAMP EVERYTHINGS ROSEY

CALL JOAN TO LIST YOUR SHELL KNOB HOME 417-846-2209

PICTURES SELL

Are you ready to sell your house? You want to get top price for it, and you've heard all the bad news about the real estate market, so you've cleaned and painted and polished anything that didn't move.

And, if you watch any of the shows on Home and Garden channel, you know that you must depersonalize your home. Pack up most of the adorable grandchildren's pictures. Remove notes and magnets from the refrigerator door. Clean off the kitchen counter clutter . Pack the knick-knacks in the dining room.

Interview and pick a Shell Knob real estate agent you feel comfortable with; who helps you establish the sales price. As you do some necessary paperwork, the agent measures your rooms, notes the amenities and takes pictures.

PICTURES

These pictures, which will go with your listing into the Multiple Listing System, are what may entice potential buyers to come see your home - OR they can be the reason the house gets overlooked by other agents and their clients.

Here are a couple of photos that explain partially why these homes did not sell.

I THINK THERE IS A BATHTUB HERE SOMEWHERE

WHERE IS THE HOUSE?

WINDOWS - MUST BE A ROOM HERE

Multiples Listing Services do much to sell houses, but the pictures buyers see when they browse the internet, speak louder than words. By the way, these pictures were all from homes over $270,000.

Call Joan for help in your real estate needs. 417-858-2209

GOD'S CLEAN-UP CREW

How do you feel about vultures? Seriously now - what kind of pictures get into your head when you hear about them? I had never even thought about these formidable looking creatures before moving to Shell Knob in the Ozarks

In my mind they were the dreaded birds circling dead bodies in western movies or cartoons. All that has changed after living here a few years. Now I regard them as God's garbage collectors, cleaning up the armadillos that get killed on the roads in summer.

Be that as it may, conservationists are focusing on them February 16 in Branson at the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery for their 12th annual Vulture Venture program. They promise an interesting afternoon as they focus on one of Missouri's most often misunderstood and highly beneficial birds.

There will be a live vulture from the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield. Outside visitors will be able to view one of Missouri's largest vulture wintering roosts.

Participants will be able to see an up-close view of vulture 'kettling' - a circling swarm of birds swooping in to roost for the night. The Vulture Venture is free and requires no reservations.

Call or write Joan for further information about the Table Rock Lake area 417-858-2209