Celebrate the Beginning of a New Year at Lake of the Ozarks

With Christmas finished, it's time to start thinking about the new year!  Do you have plans for New Year's Eve yet?  The Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect place to celebrate!  Check out these great events going on all around the Lake area.  Grab your spouse, friends, family and come on out to grab a glass of champagne and bring in the new year!

"Ring in the Noon Year" - Family Event at Old Kinderhook

Join us on The Ice at Old Kinderhook with your family for New Year's Eve. Admission is $12 and includes skate rental, session fee, S'mores and Hot Cocoa, with a Cookies & Milk toast at Noon!

New Year's Eve Bash at Old Kinderhook 

Celebrate with us at Old Kinderhook and enjoy an Elivis Impersonator from 9 PM to 12:30 AM. Dinner and Drink features will be available. Room features are $99 per bedroom, with additional nights priced at $79 per night. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Contact 573-317-3560 for reservations.

New Year's Party at the Lodge 

Join us at the Lodge of Four Seasons for a New Year's Celebration. The event will include a Live Band, Dancing, Cocktails, and Dinner, with an "Around the World" theme. Tickets are $249 per couple. Please call 800-843-5253 for reservations.

New Year's Eve at H. Toad's

Bring in the New Year at Camden on the Lake & H. Toad's with free party favors and live entertainment. Special room packages are offered to include dinner on New Year's Eve and breakfast the next morning. Special after bar party with a DJ for registered guests from 1-3 AM. Make New Year's Eve a night to remember!

New Year's Eve Dinner at Seven Springs Winery

Join us for a delightful New Year's Eve dinner, music and fireworks! Seating begins at 5 PM and only 100 reservations are available. Music by Sax on the Beach from 5-10:30 PM, with Fireworks Display at 10:30 PM. Cost is $99 per couple and dinner includes: Salad, KC Strip, Lobster Tail, Asparagus, Baked Potato, Dinner Roll and Sweet Potato Maple Layered Cheesecake. Call 573-317-0100 for reservations.

New Year's Eve Gala - Swing Dance Club 

Celebrate the New Year at the Country Club Hotel and Spa with the Lake Ozarks Swing Dance Club. Two drinks, party favors and champagne at midnight are included with admission. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members.  Bring a snack to share and there will be a cash bar. Couples and singles are welcome. Special dinner and room options are available through the Country Club Hotel.

Your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender wishes you a Happy New Year!  If you're in the market for a new home for the new year, contact me for all  your Lake of the Ozarks home loan needs. When it comes to your financing needs, I'm committed to working with you every step of the way. I'll discuss financing options, offer competitive interest rates and back it up with the first class service you deserve and I guarantee!

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

  

First State Bank Mortgage Voted Affiliate of the Year

First State Bank Mortgage was named the "2014 Affiliate of the Year" by the Bagnell Dam Association of Realtors during their annual Installation Banquet last week. This distinction comes to us for the second time in five years.  We were selected as the Affiliate of the Year out of a pool of sixty affiliates who work with the Bagnell Dam Association of Realtors. We are very excited about receiving the Affiliate of the Year award. The award is a great honor and signifies to us that we are trusted and well-respected by our peers in this community.

Bagnell Dam Association of Realtors

The mission of the Bagnell Dam Association of Realtors is to provide education, services and tools which allow members to better serve their industry and the community both professionally and ethically. They promote and protect the right to own, transfer and use real property.

First State Bank Mortgage

First State Bank Mortgage, a division of First State Bank of St. Charles, offers conventional loans, VA, FHA and USDA loans, condominium and second-home loans, jumbo loans, and other mortgage products. First State Bank Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender.

If you're interested in buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, stop by and see me, your favorite Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender!  When it comes to your financing needs, I'm committed to working with you every step of the way. I'll discuss financing options, offer competitive interest rates and back it up with the first class service you deserve and I guarantee!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

Home Buyers Can Now Qualify for 3% Down Payments

The largest obstacle for most home buyers is the amount of money they need for a down payment. In hopes of broadening the pool of home buyers and boosting the real estate market, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have both announced new home loan options that require as little as 3% down. These new options make it easier for first-time home buyers, as well as low-income home buyers to purchase a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks!

Fannie Mae 

Fannie Mae's goal is to help additional qualified buyers gain access to mortgages. The 97 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ration option will expand access to credit for qualified first-time home buyers that may not have the resources for a larger down payment. These loans will still meet Fannie Mae's usual eligibility requirements, including underwriting, income documentation and risk management standards. These loans will also require private mortgage insurance, as is required on any loans above 80 percent LTV.

Fannie Mae states that this option alone won't solve all the challenges around access to credit. However, this is simply one way they are working to remove barriers for creditworthy borrowers to get a mortgage. They are confident that these new loan options will be good business for lenders, safe and sound for Fannie Mae and an affordable, responsible option for qualified borrowers.  For more information on Fannie Mae's plans for this new loan program, visit: http://www.fanniemae.com/

Freddie Mac

Freddie Mac's Home Possible Advantage mortgage program is for low and moderate-income borrowers with limited savings, including first-time buyers. Generally, you will need to meet minimum credit requirements, earn no more than 100% of your area median income and have the funds to meet the down payment requirements and closing costs. First-time home buyers must also participate in an acceptable borrower education program, like the CreditSmart program by Freddie Mac.

Home Possible Advantage mortgages can also be used for a "no cash out" refinance of an existing mortgage and is available in 15, 20 and 30 year fixed-rate terms.  Freddie Mac says that the keys to responsible lending are responsible underwriting and product design.  They designed Home Possible Advantage with the appropriate credit underwriting requirements for today's market. The program has tougher credit standards than low down payment mortgages of the past, including lower DTI ratios, fixed-rate terms and requires full documentation, owner-occupation and housing counseling.  For more information on the program, visit: www.freddiemac.mwnewsroom.com

Both companies say that as long as their underwriting standards stay the same, and the total volume of loans is relatively small, the low down payment loans don't add too much risk to their business. To learn more about how this could affect your options for a new home loan at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact me at 573-746-7211. As your Lake of the Ozark mortgage lender, I am dedicated to working with you every step of the way!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

5 Tips to Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster

Your home is typically the most valuable asset you have, while your mortgage at the Lake of the Ozarks is often your largest debt. Depending on the terms of your loan, you are adding thousands of dollars more to the price of your home. The faster you can pay off your Lake of the Ozarks home loan, the more money you're going to save. Not only will you no longer have the burden of that huge monthly payment, but you'll have security in owning your own home. Here are several great tips to help you pay off your mortgage faster!

1. Pay a Little Extra Each Month. 

Try to add a little extra to each payment you make. Whether it be $10 or $100, choose what you can comfortably afford because every little bit helps. Use a mortgage calculator to see how adding just a little to your payments can save you money in the long run. When you pay extra, make sure that it is being applied to your principal and not set aside for the next month's payment. By paying down the principal, the amount that your interest is calculated on decreases. You should also check your contract before making extra payments, as some have prepayment penalties.    

2. Pay Every Two Weeks. 

Rather than making one payment a month, consider paying biweekly. This method of payment takes advantage of the fact that there are 52 weeks in a year and only 12 months. When the year is over, you will have made 26 half payments, which is the equivalent of 13 full monthly payments. Check to see if your bank will set up a biweekly payment plan. Some will do it for free and some will charge you for it. Be sure to have the bank credit the extra payments toward the principal so you save more on interest; some banks will hold the extra payments until the end of the year and therefore, your still paying interest on that amount.

3. Apply Any Extra Cash You Get.

Tax season is a great time to reduce the principal on your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage. Consider applying your next tax return towards your mortgage principal. If you receive any other larger sums of money throughout the year, maybe as a Holiday bonus at work or a commission check, consider applying those amounts to your mortgage principal as well. The more you can pay upfront, the more you'll save in the long haul and the faster you'll be able to pay your home off.

4. Refinance Your Home. 

Refinancing your home at the Lake of the Ozarks to either lower your interest rate or shorten the term of your loan is another great way to get your home loan paid off faster and save money. If you have an adjustable rate loan, you can refinance to get the comfort of the stability that a fixed rate loan offers. Depending on what interest rates are available, you may be able to get a 15 year loan for a little more than what you currently pay for a 30 year loan.

5. Downsize Your Home. 

If you are struggling to pay off your mortgage, one of the simplest solutions is to downsize. Do you really need 2 spare bedrooms or that extra office space? While having a nice big spacious house is something you've dreamed of, think about how much more enjoyable life could be without all that debt hanging over your head. If your near retirement age or approaching an "empty nest," downsizing makes the most sense. In this economy, it's great knowing that your home belongs to you instead of the bank.

As your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender, I will work with you to figure out the best way to pay your mortgage off faster. For all your home loan and refinancing needs, contact Lake Lender Michael Lasson at 573-746-7211.

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

Happy Thanksgiving from Your Lakelender!

Tomorrow is a day to celebrate and give thanks for everything we've been blessed with throughout the year.  It's a time to spend with family and enjoy a delicious feast. Each of you has your own traditions that you celebrate each year, but do you ever think back to the first Thanksgiving.  Why do we celebrate this day of giving thanks?  Your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender is here to share some Thanksgiving history with you.

A New World

In September of 1620, the Mayflower ship left Plymouth, England in search of a new land.  The 102 passengers hoped for a new home where they could practice their religion freely and own their own land.  After 66 days of rough sailing, they anchored near Cape Cod and a month later crossed Massachusetts Bay, where they began to establish the village at Plymouth.  Winter was brutal and only half of the original passengers and crew lived to see the first New England Spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore and were greeted by an Abenaki Indian.  Several days later he returned with another Native American named Squanto.  Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants.  He also helped them forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe.

The First Thanksgiving 

In November of 1621, after the Pilgrims had their first successful corn harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a feast to celebrate their accomplishment and invited their Native American allies.  This first "Thanksgiving" festival lasted 3 days.  While no records exist of the exact menu, a journal suggests that fowl and deer were served.  Due to having no ovens at the time and the lack of sugar, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts that we celebrate with now.

An Official Holiday 

Days of fasting and thanksgiving on an annual or occasional basis became a common practice in other New England settlements. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving a year and in 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States.  In 1817, New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday.  In 1827, writer Sarah Josepha Hale, known for the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" launches a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday.  In 1863, Abraham Lincoln finally scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November.  It was celebrated every year on that day until 1939 when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression.  It wasn't until 1941, however that a bill was signed making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.

For more information on the Thanksgiving Holiday, visit: www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving.

I would like to personally thank all of my clients, for all the refinancing and home loans at the Lake of the Ozarks that I had the privilege of helping you with this year.  Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

Enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast at Lake of the Ozarks this Year!

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and all you can think about is the delicious food that comes with the holiday. Owning a home at the Lake of the Ozarks allows you to take advantage of the amazing Thanksgiving Day feasts at some of the best restaurants in the area.  No more slaving away all day preparing an extravagant dinner, you can take the family out for an amazing buffet at one of these local places!

Thanksgiving Grand Buffet at Old Kinderhook

• Time: 11 AM - 4 PM
• Price: Adults - $31, Seniors $27, Kids 5 to 10 - $12, 4 and under - Free
• Reservations: 573-317-3560
• Menu: includes Turkey, Prime Rib, Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie and more! 

Thanksgiving Buffet at the Inn at Grand Glaize 

• Time: 11 AM - 3 PM
• Price: Adults - $16.95, Seniors $15.95, Kids 3 to 12 - $9.95, Kids 3 & under - Free
• Reservations: 573-348-4731
• Menu: All-You-Can-Eat Thanksgiving Experience

Thanksgiving Day Feast at HK's at the Lodge of Four Seasons

• Time: 11 AM - 3:30 PM
• Price: Adults - $39.95, Children 6 to 12 - $14.95, Children 5 & under - Free
• Reservations: 800-843-5253

Thanksgiving Buffet at Tan-Tar-A in the Grand Ballroom

• Price: Adults - $27.95, Seniors 55 and up - $18.95, Children 4 to 12 - $14.95, Children 3 and under - Free
• Reservations: 800-826-8272
• Menu: Turkey, Ham, London Broil, Salmon & Shrimp

Thanksgiving Dinner at Camden on the Lake

• Time: 11 AM - 3 PM
• Reservations: 573-964-2064
• Menu: Slow Roasted Turkey, Peppercorn Crusted Roasted Strip Loin, Green Bean Cassserole, Smoked Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and much more! 

Thanksgiving Feast at Country Club Hotel

• Time: 11 AM - 3 PM
• Price: Adults - $21.95, Seniors 65+ - $19.95, Children 6 to 14 - $14.95, Children 5 and under - Free
• Reservations: 573-964-2200
• Menu: Tender Roasted Turkey, Honey Glazed Ham, Pot Roast, Cornbread, Stuffing and more!

Eldon Community Thanksgiving Dinner

• Time: 11 AM - 2 PM
• Price: Free, if you do not have a place to go on Thanksgiving please plan to attend. 
• Reservations: No reservations needed, everyone in the community is welcome! 
• Home Delivery: available by calling Sarah Merriman at 573-280-2453.
• Help Wanted: Anyone interested in helping with the event, contact Janet Graham at 573-964-0121.

As your residential mortgage lender here at the Lake, I would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

Enjoy a Stress-Free Holiday Season with these 5 Budgeting Tips

The Holidays can be a stressful time of year. You're trying to balance the extra expense of extravagant foods and Christmas gifts with your monthly expenses such as car payments and your mortgage at the Lake of the Ozarks. These tips from the Mortgage Market Guide will help you budget for a stress-free holiday season!

1. Examine Last Year's Spending. 

Before you start this year's holiday shopping, review what you spent last year.  Take out your old credit card receipts or bank statements and add up the extra holiday expenses.  Be sure to include everything from gift wrap and cards to entertainment and food, in addition to the actual presents you purchased for others.

2. Evaluate Those Past Purchases. 

Of those purchases last year, how many of them could you try to avoid this year?  Can you reduce your gift buying list or reduce the amount you spent on each of those gifts?  Being less extravagant with your purchases and hunting for the best bargains can help you avoid debt this holiday season.

3. Create a Budget for This Year. 

Once you have an idea of what you spent last year and what you're going to need to buy this year, start setting up a budget.  Your budget should be based on money you currently have, not on how much you can borrow.  If your income or expenses have changed in the last year, be sure to account for that as you're budgeting.  You don't want be struggling to make payment on your home loan at the Lake of the Ozarks come January.

4. Create a Detailed Shopping List. 

Once you have your budget, use it to create a detailed shopping list.  You'll need a list of recipients along with columns for the gifts you intend to buy and how much you can spend on each.  As you shop, keep track of your spending by marking it on the list.  If you overspend on one gift, be sure to make up the difference on another so you don't end up over budget.

5. Avoid Impulse Buying. 

Watch out for impulse shopping; it can easily ruin your good intentions.  Don't do anything "last minute," as that is always more expensive.  You need time to shop around for the best deals.  It's tempting to look at a budget as a restriction, but honestly its there for your own protection.

By planning in advance, you can give yourself the gift of a financially stress free holiday!  As your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender, I understand the importance of finances.  If I can help you in any way with a home loan or refinancing, please don't hesitate to call me at 573-746-7211.  I'll discuss financing options, offer competitive interest rates and back it up with the first class service you deserve!  

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

Veterans Day Parade Comes to Lake of the Ozarks

The Lake of the Ozarks Elks Lodge is helping to ensure that we don't forget the meaning and importance of Veterans Day.  They are sponsoring the first-ever Veterans Day Parade in Osage Beach this Saturday, November 8.  The parade will begin at the Osage Beach City Hall at 10:30 am and conclude near the Elks Lodge.  The parade is intended to honor and salute the living and deceased veterans, as well as pump some life into the West side of the parkway!

The History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day started as a celebration of the end of World War I.  The war officially ended on June 28, 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed, but the fighting actually ended seven months earlier when a temporary cessation of hostilities between the allied nations and Germany went into effect on November 11, 1918.  This date is generally regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars."  In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with this quote: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations..."

The original concept of the holiday was to be observed with parades and public meetings, with a brief suspension of business.  On May 13, 1938, an act was passed to make November 11 of each year a legal holiday, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day."  Originally the say was set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954 it was expanded to honor American veterans of all wars.  In 1968 the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed to ensure 3-day weekends for Federal empoyees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day.  The holiday has since been changed back to November 11 to preserve the historical significance of the date, as well as help focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.    

Join  us this weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks for the 1st Annual Veterans Day Parade! Whether you participate in the parade with a float of your own or just cheer on the entrants as they go by, the parade is a way for each of us to say thank you to all those who have served.  As your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender, I would love the opportunity to help those veterans with a VA Loan.  If you or someone you know could benefit from a VA Loan at the Lake of the Ozarks, please give me a call at 573-746-7211 or send an email to mlasson@fsbfinancial.com.

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

NMLS #: 493712

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com