Joan Snodgrass Tri-Lakes Realtors, Shell Knob, MO

ELECTRICITY COSTS TO JUMP

In our march to save our planet, will our energy costs rise too high to afford our homes?

Here in Shell Knob, Missouri - the heart of the Ozarks, we rely strongly on electric co-ops for our power. Congress has begun debating national energy, and I can't help but recall what Candidate OBama said about making coal too expensive so as to shut down coal producers.

That is all well and good for clean air, but the reality is that coal provides 62% of our Co-op Power. As prices go up on coal, the cost will be passed on to the consumer. The average price nationwide, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, is currently 10.65 cents per kwh. In a recent Rural Arkansas magazine, they predicted rates to climb to 30, 40 or 50 percent.

I wonder what type of power our buyers will prefer in their home purchase. Shell Knob is a strong retirement community. People have fixed incomes when they retire, which is why we draw many to our low cost of living here. Solar and Wind power would provide only a small percentage of the need. Energy costs could become a big plus for the newer "Green" homes.

The Shell Knob Table Rock Lake market is still stagnant. April normally signals the start of our real estate season on Table Rock Lake. It will be interesting to see how we fare in this current Buyer's Market.

Only 2 homes were sold last month, which is a big drop from the 13 in the same month last year.

Average sale price actually went UP 12% in March to $172,500. Sales are down and prices go up? Go figure, as my kids would say.

Days on the market for these solds were an average of 187 days.

There were 22 new listings and 87 homes and lots expired.

CALL JOAN FOR ALL YOUR LAKE INFORMATION 417-846-7128

TRI-LAKES REALTORS 417-858-3344

Working from home and having a Home Office is part of our society now, but Jeff and Beth Harp have taken it a step further. They have a Home Shop in Shell Knob residence, where they create very unique Candle Lights.

In this shop they design Flowerlights using live flowers from special life events, including wedding flowers, anniversary, funerals and other occasions, preserving them for permanent visual memories.

Flower heads sent to them end up beautifully preserved in candles of many shapes and sizes, depending upon the buyer's choice.

The candles are not meant to be burned. They do not have a wick. These Flowerlights have the option of being lit by use of an electric light and set on wooden bases (some with lite dimmers).

These Flowerlights can be lit, says Beth Harp, but like the memories that inspired them, they will never burn away.

Additional information can be found on the Harp's web site: www.DesignFinds.net.

CALL JOAN for all your real estate needs. 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344

American Caviar

Paddlefish snagging season opens Sunday March 15th and runs through the end of April in Missouri. Often sought illegally for the fish eggs, this is the legal season to catch them. Not rated as highly as the expensive Beluga Caviar, Paddlefish eggs are still an acceptable substitute and quite sought after.

Adventurous and Hardy Fishermen Required

According to the Missouri Consevation Department, Snagging this primitive fish is dependent on weather conditions, primarily water temperature and flow. When water temperatures are 50‑55ºF and there is an increase in flow, paddlefish make spawning migrations upstream

Early in the season, harvest is primarily made up of the smaller male paddlefish. As water temperature and flow increase the fish will move upstream in the lake or river and the number of larger females will increase. A dry spring will make the fish remain lower in the reservoirs.

Water temperatures are in the mid 40's so it seems that we are in for a cold opening again this year! Snagging season will probably get off to a slow start! As water temperatures and flow increase snagging should improve.

Snaggers need to possess a valid fishing permit if they are snagging or driving the boat being snagged from.

Many snaggers use gaffs to assist with landing big fish. In the southwest corner of Missouri, Table Rock Lake offers some good fishing, but there is a 34 inch length limit (eye to fork-of-tail) and a limit of two paddlefish.

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On Table Rock Lake, most of the snagging occurs in the upper reaches of the James River Arm within 3 miles of Flat Creek around Point 15, in the Cape Fair area. During high water years fish and snaggers can go further up the James River.

SELLING TABLE ROCK LAKE. CALL JOAN FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS 417-846-7128

TRI-LAKES REALTORS 417-858-3344

Love Your Listings?

Do you fall in love with your listings? I mean, are you so impressed and elated with marketing this jewel, that you can hardly contain your excitement?

Let's be honest. They aren't all featured on the cover of the Home and Garden magazine. There are some sellers we can't convince to clean or paint. Houses that smell from cigarettes or animals, etc

I know an amazing agent who continually puts her heart in her listings, and to listen to her describe a property is a real treat.

She has a rich melodious voice that builds in excitement as she brings a property to life. She draws a potential client into her web, describing the lush environment they can have in Shell Knob,Missouri - the hills - the sunsets - the days of sunshine and water fun. They can't resist her descriptions of a relaxed way of life!

This way of selling is not an act. She sees her listings not just as they are now, but as they can be. Rose colored glasses? Sometimes, but she routinely is Agent of the Month in sales and listings.

It's a rare talent, but she has heart and her clients feel it.

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

Tri-Lakes REALTORS 417-858-3344