Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Considering a Mortgage at the Lake in 2021?

If you hadn't heard, 2020 was a record-breaking year for real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you weren't able to get in on the real estate action last year, don't worry! 2021 is still looking to be an advantageous year to buy a home at  Lake of the Ozarks. With the low-interest rates and motivated sellers, this could be the year to obtain your mortgage at Lake of the Ozarks, and Team Lasson would be thrilled to assist! Continue reading to find out a few ways to make 2021 the year you move to the Lake!

Interest Rates

If you've been considering buying a home at the Lake, we're sure you've likely heard about the low-interest rates last year. Well, the good news is that they are still fantastic! The market is subject to change at any point in time, and without a crystal ball, it is hard to predict when or how they will change exactly. However, they are low now, so jumping on the opportunity could save you from paying higher rates in the future. 

The Housing Market

With record sales last year, the housing inventory is looking a little slim right now. However, that means even more incentive to begin getting prequalified for a mortgage so that when the right home does become available on the market - you're ready to put in a confident offer. It's also advised to contact a local realtor to help you identify any potential prospects as soon as they are listed. Getting these two items lined out now can greatly benefit your home purchase at the Lake. 

Start Now

If you're not quite ready to be prequalified (or not sure if you are) you can begin preparing by tracking your spending, saving for the down payment and closing costs, and compiling some documentation for your lenders such as financials, and any known liabilities that you may have outstanding. This can provide you with faster prequalification's with your local lender. Plus, it's tax season - so you'll likely be receiving some of these documents in the mail as we speak, if not already. 

An Advantageous Time to Buy

Although the housing inventory is low right now, the low-interest rates, motivated sellers, and slower season at the Lake this time of year make for an advantageous setting to buy real estate at Lake of the Ozarks. There is the potential to snag a great deal on your new dream home, and at a low-interest rate. This means more bang for your buck! Plus, there's time to get the home secured and just how you like it before the Summer season hits. So, you'll be able to enjoy all the excitement from your new home at Lake of the Ozarks. Ready to get started? Contact us today with any questions or to begin your prequalification process and be one step closer to homeownership at the Lake!




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.


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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

Friday, January 22, 2021

A Few Home Improvements That Can Help Sell Your Home

When it comes to listing your home on the market to sell, there's a good chance that you'll have a rather large to-do list. When preparing your home for sale (and purchasing another) it's important to ensure that you perform regular maintenance as needed to help it sell. Studies show that homes sell faster and at a higher price when they look fresh and well kept. As the best mortgage lender at Lake of the Ozarks, Team Lasson understands the wants of the buyer and sellers in these types of situations. So, we're here today to give you a few relatively easy tasks that can enhance the selling experience of your Lake home.

A Fresh Coat of Paint/Stain

Over the years a home's paint can become faded, nicked, scuffed and more. By restoring them to their glory with a fresh coat of paint or stain you can really impact the visual appeal of your home. Consider redoing the cabinets, walls, decks/patios for the best, blended results. Many people love the idea of a turnkey home and doing these simple and cost-effective renovations can really go a long way in drawing their attention and making them feel good about the home.

Updated Light Fixtures

Since you've now got a fresh coat of paint/stain throughout the home, showcase it with some great lighting fixtures! Having old and outdated lighting can really spotlight the years on your home. You'll want to ensure that you have clear, bright lights that highlight the great features around your home and make it feel vibrant and inviting. Here are a few styles of lighting fixtures to consider:

  • Mid-century modern
  • Vintage Edison-style bulbs
  • Soft gold finishing's
  • Large shades
  • Retro & industrial 

Landscaping

Curb appeal is essential when selling in today's home market. While adding a roof may not be within your immediate budget for sale, a little landscaping can go a long way to enhance the appearance of your home from the road. Plus, it will make the photos of your home even more enticing, making potential buyers stop and want to check out your home. Consider mulching flowerbeds, adding rock or stones, trimming shrubs, and ensuring that the yard is well manicured. 

Updated Flooring

Flooring gets a lot of wear and tear over the years. Replacing your flooring can be a great way to finish out your home renovations. It will go great with the fresh paint/stain and the new lighting will really make it shine. The labor required in this also gives you the opportunity to really identify any other maintenances that may be beneficial such as trim, baseboards, etc.

These typically inexpensive upgrades can be a great way to instantly increase the appearance of your home and therefore its appeal to potential buyers. So, now that you're more prepared to sell your current home, it's time to consider where you'll be living next - if you haven't already. Team Lasson is ready to help you finance your next home purchase with a mortgage at Lake of the Ozarks. There are many beautiful lake homes to choose from, and with the best mortgage lender at Lake of the Ozarks backing you, you can't lose! Contact us today to see how we can help make your dreams of owning a lake home a reality!




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.


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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

5 Considerations When Buying a Vacation Home at Lake of the Ozarks

While you dream of the warm Summer months on the distant horizon, you'll want to begin making preparations for your Summer vacation at Lake of the Ozarks. The resorts are immaculate, and Lake of the Ozarks hospitality is second-to-none. However, have you considered owning your own vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks? It may be more attainable than you think, and Team Lasson is here to help you every step of the way. Continue reading our blog for 5 things to consider when buying a vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks.

Plan Around Your Vacation Style

One of the first things to keep in mind is what kind of vacation you'd enjoy having the most. An energetic, on-the-move atmosphere, one more private and secluded or something in-between? The great thing about the Lake is that you can have it all. From cabins and ranch-style retreats with acreage to million-dollar lakefront homes with docks and cruisers. Lake of the Ozarks can be anything you make of it!

Your Lake Location

After you decide what type of vacation you'll be having at Lake of the Ozarks, you'll want to check out several of the cities around the Lake. All offer different advantages depending on what your priorities are. Here are a few of the cities around the Lake for you to choose from:

  • Lake Ozark
  • Osage Beach
  • Camdenton
  • Sunrise Beach
  • Gravois Mills
  • Laurie
  • Eldon
  • Versailles

Think of the Amenities

There are many Homeowners Associations around Lake of the Ozarks that offer amenities to make your time in the community more relaxing and enjoyable. From pools, gyms, and playgrounds to country club memberships, spas, and signature golf courses. Some of the amenities even include maintenance as an added or low-cost benefit. Amenities like this are great for vacation homes, so be sure to check them out when looking in each community.

Floor Plans & Room Sizes

This will depend a lot on the type of vacation you're planning on having. Will it be a private getaway as a couple or an elaborate hangout for friends and family? When house shopping, try to envision just how your vacationing lifestyle is going to play out in the home. This will have an impact on the style, size, and location of the home you want to buy.

Yard Functionality

Don't forget to keep the functionality of your yard in mind. You'll want to be sure that it fits with your vacation style as well. If you have any large future plans for the grounds, such as an in-ground pool. You'll need to consider that up front when looking for the perfect vacation home as expanding or changing these features later can take time.

If you've been vacationing here for years and are interested in buying a vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks, we'd love to help! Contact us today to get started getting pre-qualified for your mortgage at Lake of the Ozarks. Having this letter in hand will allow you to shop with confidence, plus it can give you an advantage when it comes to negotiations and being taken seriously as a buyer. Have any additional questions? Give us a call! Team Lasson is always here to help!

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.

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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA
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Thursday, January 7, 2021

Expert Advice for First-time Home Buyers

When it comes to buying your first home at Lake of the Ozarks, you likely won't be in a position to do it with cash this time around. Therefore, you're going to need to secure a mortgage loan in order to make that first home purchase. Obtaining your first mortgage is exciting, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges if you're not prepared. As such, the best mortgage lender at Lake of the Ozarks, Team Lasson is here with a little expert advice to help set you up for success.

Manage Debts Diligently

Efficiently handling your debts by making continued payments over the years or paying down a lump sum of debt can help keep your debt-to-income ratio low. Your lender will be looking at this ratio during the mortgage qualification process to determine qualifying ability. Ensuring you're handling debts such as student loans, car payments, credit cards, etc., will help you maintain a lower debt-to-income ratio.

Practice Good Credit Habits

Your credit score is a large determining factor in your mortgage qualification process. When you miss payments on debt obligations that you owe, you're negatively impacting your credit score. A good practice for maintaining good credit is to create a ledger for monthly debt obligations and ensure that they are met each month. This will allow you to qualify for better mortgage loan programs and rates.

Consider Refinancing/Consolidating Student Loans

One loan that may be near impossible to pay off before you're ready to purchase your first home comes from student loans. These large balances and payments combined with the commonly lower income of first-time homebuyers/fresh college graduates make it difficult to manage in a short amount of time. Refinancing or consolidating your student loans can be an effective way to reduce the payment amount, thus lowering your debt-to-income ratio. However, you'll have to decide whether you want to extend the length of time you're paying those debts vs. securing a mortgage loan.

Keep Good Records

There is a lot of documentation required during the mortgage loan process. So, keeping solid records of your financials such as tax returns, bank statements, brokerage accounts can help give you an advantage when it comes to document collection. You'll also find the documents useful when you're first meeting with your mortgage lender - and they'll be thankful you have them upfront too!

Save Cash for Upfront Costs

While there are loan options to finance a vast majority of a home purchase, you will still be liable to cover closing costs and applicable down payment at the closing table to finalize your mortgage loan. Closing costs can include but are not limited to, appraisals, home inspections, surveys, county/state transfer taxes, property taxes, and even homeowner's insurance premiums. So, while you're making that expense ledger for your debt obligations, be sure to allocate a little money aside to help save for these costs.

As a first-time homebuyer, you'll likely have many questions about the mortgage process. As your premier mortgage lender at Lake of the Ozarks, Team Lasson is here to assist you with your home financing needs. We will work with you every step of the way to get you the best financing options to suit your home buying need. So, if you're considering buying your first home at Lake of the Ozarks, we would be happy to provide you the first-class service you deserve!




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.

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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA
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