Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Reasons We Are Thankful for Lake of the Ozarks

 At Team Lasson, we have ingrained ourselves in the Lake of the Ozarks community over the years by living, working, and prioritizing assisting others in realizing their dreams of homeownership in this amazing area. We thought, with Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, that it would be fitting to tell you why we are thankful for the Lake of the Ozarks and the community in which we live and serve.

Community Love

You'd be hard-pressed to find another community that circulates so much love and compassion for their fellow man. The community here is really what makes the biggest difference, with every individual coming together for the betterment of the community and the quality of life here at the Lake. No matter if the need is personal or business-related, the support system the community provides here at the Lake is second to none. We bolster our fellow neighbors and community members here and strive to create greatness for all who live here.

New Innovations

There's no shortage of fresh ideas when it comes to the Lake of the Ozarks community. The residents of the Lake are constantly working to provide new innovations to the Lake area such as new dining options, activities, lodging, and industry. All in efforts to continuously improve upon the great quality of life that we already have. It's an ever-changing market that adapts, overcomes, and creates opportunities for its citizens. Our community consists of people from all walks of life, giving us valuable insights from across the country and generations.

Fun Atmosphere

The vacation destination of the Midwest, Lake of the Ozarks is renowned for its exhilarating summer season, and we're thankful for it. The Lake is THE place to be during the summer months to experience some of the best recreational boating in the country. It's filled with top-notch boating events, live music, fine dining, signature golf courses, and much more! But let's not forget the winter months, just because the tourists leave for the season doesn't mean the fun stops. Lake of the Ozarks has great activities year-round including indoor go-karts, natural caves, and hiking trails, springs, an outdoor ice-skating rink, and many of the amazing restaurants are still open. Lake of the Ozarks is the place to be for year-round activity & scenic beauty.

Upcoming Lake Generation

The upcoming generations have a bright future at Lake of the Ozarks. The community focuses so much effort on providing them the resources and support that they need to thrive. From top-rated school systems and facilities to a multitude of extracurricular activities, there's no shortage of dedication to providing the next generation with the essentials they need to live at the Lake, as well as opportunities to grow and make a great impact in the community. We have several organizations that are dedicated to child advocacy, living resources, special needs, personal and financial support. The upcoming Lake generation has a bright future, and it all starts with the community.

Team Lasson is proud to call Lake of the Ozarks home, so much so that we are passionate about providing that experience to others who seek it. This is why we set out to provide mortgages at the Lake of the Ozarks, assisting others in realizing their goals of becoming a part of this fabulous community. We hope that you have enjoyed your read and found our Lake community to be as charming as we think it is. If you've considered buying a vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks, or even a primary residence, we would be proud to assist you in securing a mortgage here. Here's to all that help to make Lake of the Ozarks the thriving and loving community that it is. Thank you!




Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065






**The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent First State Bank of St Charles’s positions, strategies, or opinions.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

5 Winter Activities you can Experience at the Lake of the Ozarks

As we embrace the off-season at Lake of the Ozarks it can be hard to find something to keep residents and visitors entertained, or so was thought! While Lake of the Ozarks is a renowned vacation destination for the Summer recreation, it's also a wonderful place to live and vacation year-round. The Lake has many off-season activities that are fun for the whole family. If you own a home at Lake of the Ozarks and are seeking some fun during the Winter months, this week's blog has some enticing activities for you to consider.

Cave Spelunking

Caving is a fantastic way to spend some time during the Winter months at Lake of the Ozarks and with four of Missouri's most renowned open-to-the-public caves (three of which are open year-round) you'll have a grand selection. You may be worried about the temperature when considering caving during the Winter. Well, the caves in the Lake area remain near the upper-50s constantly!

Karting (miner mikes) 

Karting is a historical pastime at Lake of the Ozarks. We've had a robust go-kart scene for decades, and while they are fewer indoor kart tracks than previously, 2018 was an exciting year for the karting industry at the Lake. Miner Mikes added an addition called Buster's Garage. This state-of-the-art track boasts all the modern amenities that you could dream of for a go-kart course and has a selection of carts to satisfy adults and kids alike. 

Hiking

When it comes to hiking in the Winter months at Lake of the Ozarks, there are two fabulous options that come to mind. The first being Ha Ha Tonka State Park, located in Camdenton. Ha Ha Tonka offers a slew of beautiful trails that range in difficulty and length, 316 wooden stairs that ascend to the historical castle ruins, and a gorgeous blue spring below. The Second being, Lake of the Ozarks State Park, located in Osage Beach and Kiser. Lake of the Ozarks State park also has a variety of trails ranging in length and difficulty. One great thing about hiking this time of year is that you don't have to worry about ticks or chiggers, the only downside is that it gets a little soggy this time of year, so a light jacket and boots are advised for any hiking excursions. 

Ice Skating

The premier hotel and resort, Old Kinderhook boasts an elaborate outdoor ice-skating rink during the Winter season. It's $13 to skate to your heart's desire, and that includes the skate rental! If you get cold or hungry while out on the ice there is a nearby snack shack for warm (or cold) drinks and treats, right next to some cozy firepits. 

Fishing

The Winter months at Lake of the Ozarks are well-known for fishing, long as you can stand the cold that is. Bass and Catfish are biting and can provide plenty of excitement and a good fishing challenge during the offseason. In January, you can chase Blue Cats through deep channels. February is good for Bass fishing. And for those seeking a more unique fishing experience, the ancient Paddlefish season is mid-March. Then it's back to good ol' Crappie fishing in April. 

We hope that you have enjoyed your read and found some useful ideas for keeping entertained during the off-season. If you don't yet own a home at Lake of the Ozarks, now is a great time to consider buying. The real estate market is currently booming, there are motivated sellers, as well as phenomenal interest rates. Team Lasson would be proud to represent you and assist in securing your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage. For all your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage needs, there's Team Lasson!





Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065






**The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent First State Bank of St Charles’s positions, strategies, or opinions.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

A Few Essentials When Hosting Thanksgiving at Your Lake Home

Turkey Day is quickly approaching, which means it's time to get together to give thanks, eat some delicious food, and create memories with family and friends. If you haven't hosted a Thanksgiving holiday yet it's one of the best ways to experience Thanksgiving celebrations, even more so if you own a second home at Lake of the Ozarks! Turn your Thanksgiving celebration into a family getaway to your lake retreat this holiday season for a seriously festive and immersible experience they won't soon forget! Now that you have the idea, here are a few tips to help ease the process of hosting thanksgiving from your Lake home.

Lake Home Atmosphere

Lake of the Ozarks is renowned for the beautiful Fall foliage, where vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange take over the pristine hardwood forests, making it the perfect Thanksgiving setting, and you can expand this sense even further by using natural seasonal decor when decorating the interior and exterior of your vacation home. Using items such as pumpkins, wheat stalks, gourds, acorns, autumn leaves, and branches are just some examples of natural decor that enhance the Fall atmosphere. This will help you create a wonderful experience for your guests as they celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. 

"Stuffing" the Kitchen

You'll likely have an entire spreadsheet filled with things that need to be done before the Thanksgiving celebrations can begin. It's a lot for anyone to remember, so while your "stuffing" the turkey, don't forget to "stuff" the kitchen as well. Here are a few essentials that you'll want to ensure you have around the kitchen:
  • Turkey baster
  • Meat thermometer
  • Varying sizes of pots & pans
  • Ladles, whisks, & spatulas
  • Sharp knives
  • Pie Tins
  • Baking Sheets
  • Roasting pans

We'll leave the food list to you, but some essential cooking items that are often overlooked are cooking oil, milk, butter, spices, and flour. Just in case they missed the first list.

Plan Fun Activities Around the Lake

Everyone has their own way of celebrating Thanksgiving, whether it's playing football outside, watching the game inside, or chatting up friends and family, it's important to have activities planned so that everyone can enjoy Thanksgiving in their own way. If some of the guests are ready to see what Lake of the Ozarks has to offer this time of year, check out  FunLake for a calendar full of events and holiday activities. So whether it's crashing on the sofa after the meal or hitting the town for horseback riding, pumpkin picking, hiking, or fishing, there's something for everyone here at Lake of the Ozarks.

Buy a Lake Home

If you're in love with the idea of celebrating Thanksgiving at a vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks but don't own a lake home yet, don't worry! Now is an excellent time of year to purchase a home at the Lake, the interest rates are phenomenal, the housing market is booming, and there are motivated sellers looking to begin their new chapter while you begin yours. If you're ready to start the processing of becoming a homeowner at the Lake, Team Lasson would be honored to assist you in securing your mortgage at Lake of the Ozarks




Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065






**The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent First State Bank of St Charles’s positions, strategies, or opinions.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Vacation Home Winterization Tips

 It's clear that the cooler temperatures are here to stay, indicating that we are on the cusp of Winter. If you own a vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks that means it's time to start thinking about winterizing your home. In this week's blog, we will feature a few considerations to keep in mind when preparing to winterize your property.

If you don't have a second home at Lake of the Ozarks now is a wonderful time to buy. The housing market is solid, the mortgage rates are stellar, and Team Lasson is just a call or click away!

An Occupied Look

This is a very effective way to deter trespassers and potential criminals from your property. You can ensure that your home appears to be lived in year-round by keeping motion sensor lights running, setting timed lights at varying times throughout the day and evening, as well as keeping the exterior clear of snow. Everything but the snow clearance can be done completely remotely using modern technology, and local businesses would be more than happy to service your home while you're away for a small fee.

Home Security

Lake of the Ozarks is a generally safe area to live, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take some extra precautions to secure your home during long absences. While the occupied look is effective for deterring any potential criminal actions against your home, ensuring you have securely locked any entrances to the home and set alarm systems provides that added layer of protection should the occupied look fail. Before heading out for the season, double-check all entryways, doors, windows, and chimneys, ensuring they're tightly secure from entry or will notify you of suspicious activity. If you are leaving any sort of valuables in the home during the offseason, be sure that they are unable to been seen from the outside.

Protecting Your Pipes

This is critical during the Winter season here at Lake of the Ozarks. When pipes freeze, they expand and can burst, potentially causing some serious damages to your vacation home. Turning the water off and draining the water from pipes is hands down the best way to minimize the risk of freezing pipes. To drain your pipes, you can flush toilets and open faucets after the water is off. Another added precaution is to pour antifreeze into toilet bowls and tanks to further reduce the chances of freezing. If you aren't comfortable doing this yourself or have questions contacting a local plumber can ensure that this step is 100% complete.

Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance prior to leaving for the season helps ensure that your vacation home is good to go upon your return. A few key maintenance items to take care of before leaving include service to your heating system and filling fuel tanks, if needed. If you're leaving the electricity on for the security measures listed above, consider hiring an electrician to inspect the outlets, wiring, and electrical panel to ensure all are functioning properly. Inspection of your home's roof to make sure it's clear of any debris or materials that could cause ice to build up, damaging the roofing system. And while the roof is being inspected, verify any risky overhanging limbs from trees that could be potentially damaging to your property should it fall. If so, having them removed should be a priority to reduce the risk of coming home to unexpected tree damage. Lastly, unplug all unnecessary appliances before you leave, this eliminates any potential electrical issues related to the appliances having a power surge while unattended.

Owning a vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks is an absolute joy and we hope that you have found our winterization tips beneficial for helping to protect your home during the Winter season. If you don't have a second home at Lake of the Ozarks, Team Lasson would be proud to assist you in financing it. To learn more about how we can help make your dreams of homeownership at the Lake come true give us a call at (573) 746-7211 or visit our website below. 




Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065






**The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent First State Bank of St Charles’s positions, strategies, or opinions.