Joan Snodgrass Tri-Lakes Realtors, Shell Knob, MO

Paddlefish Season Ends

Paddlefish season is looked forward to each year on Table Rock Lake. It runs for six weeks normally, from mid - March to the end of April.

A total of two fish per day is the allowed catch for these unusual creatures that are said to provide a "poor-man's" cavier.

The harvest of paddlefish is strictly regulated by the Missouri Conservation Department to ensure the fish population remains healthy and to give a high quality angling experience for everyone to enjoy.

That quota was totally ignored by some poachers caught by Conservation Agents butchering 61 paddlefish on April 22.

As a result, the Agents issued a total of 12 citations to the poachers, and as one agent said "it was a shame that other sportsment won't get a chance at these fish."

Call Joan For All your Real Estate Needs 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344

Sales trickled in slowly in Shell Knob in April 2009. There were 4 or 5 properties closed, depending on where you look for the statistics, with a grand total of 12 closed for the year. That amounts to 3 sales per month!

If you were one of the lucky sellers, your property was sold for under $229,000 (which was the highest sale). The average sale price for the 4 sales was $128,125.

Prices and number of homes selling are still dropping here in the Ozarks. April of 2008 had 11 sales for an average price of $147,673. The average number of days on the market for current sales was 202. Last year at the same time, homes sold in an average of 104 days.

Have we hit bottom on this downward slide? We hope so. The phones are starting to ring again in REALTORS' offices. People are walking in and asking about lake property. The month of May typically is a busy one in Shell Knob real estate. It would be a good time to consider getting your lake house on the market.

Call Joan to sell your lake home in Shell Knob. 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors 417-858-3344

Shell Knob's main firehouse gets a spring airing out.

Call Joan for your spring shopping for Table Rock Lake property. 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344

Water quality has always been a concern in rural areas and wells are the source of drinking water.

Here in the Ozarks, specifically southwest Missouri, where Shell Knob is located, a large portion of the residences rely on well water for their drinking supply. Many Shell Knob home owners take a sample of their water annually to the Health Department to be tested for contaminents.

Water quality is also a big factor in Table Rock Lake, the reason Shell Knob attracts retirees, as it ranks as one of the cleanest lakes in Missouri. The water is usually quite hard, and water softeners are recommended.

A recent study released by the U.S. Geological Survey, indicated that more than 20% of private domestic wells sampled nationwide have at least one contaminant, which could be at levels to become a health concern.

Private wells are not regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, but in Stone County, we are regulated by the Health Department, which outlines the location of wells to be drilled and requires a 100' separation from the septic fields.

Call Joan for all your area and real estate needs. 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors 417-858-3344

After reading an article on Active Rain regarding one of the most searched words on Google now was the word 'Cheap'. I mentioned to my Shell Knob broker that I might want to try using 'Cheap' in ads I was creating.

The reaction was a shocked face, like I had suggested something pornographic be used! Cheap is NOT a four letter word!

I find nothing wrong with the word. I'm always searching Google for "Cheap TV's" or "Cheap Used Cars". The word cheap covers a multitude of needs. Would my sellers be offended if an ad with the word cheap in it got them needed showings, and resulted in an accepted offer? I think not.

A recent posting of mine when a developer lowered his prices on waterfront lots in Shell Knob, was headed "Prices Slashed". Didn't result in a single call. Nada - Nothing.

So - do I do my sellers an injustice when I use the cheap word?

Call Joan for all your real estate needs - Buying or Selling - 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344