Your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Lender: winter at the lake of the ozarks

Owning a vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks is a privilege. You've got a prime destination to vacation to during the Spring/Summer months. However, if you leave your Lake home unattended during the Winter, it's wise to ensure it's prepared to handle the frigid elements. In this week's blog, the best mortgage lender at Lake of the Ozarks, Michel Lasson, is here to give you a few tips to keep your home protected during the offseason.

Winterizing Your Home: Pipes & Indoor Maintenance

You'll want to ensure that your home is well insulated. Checking for any drafts and sealing holes or cracks with some form of insulation (foam works wonderfully), weather stripping, or caulk. You should also add insulation or a source of heat around areas of the home with piping. You can utilize heat tape, or even blankets to help insulate these areas to prevent pipes from freezing. To go a step further, keep a small trickle of water running from faucets; this allows water to continue to flow. Be sure to check the thermostat before you head out, keeping it set between 55 - 60 degrees. You could also consider installing a water leak detection system to notify you in the event of a leak.

Outside Maintenance

Clear your gutters of any debris to prevent ice dams on your roof. Installing gutter screens or "helmets" can prevent leaves and other items from clogging your gutters while your away. It's also advised to trim overhanging limbs from trees in case they fall under the weight of snow or ice. Damage sustained from large branches falling on your home is a costly and unpleasant ordeal. Doing preventative maintenance now could save you a lot of headaches later on. To help prevent your outdoor plumbing fixtures from freezing, we recommend disconnecting and storing any hoses, as well as shutting off the water to these sources. Be sure to drain the lines and hoses as well to prevent any existing water from freezing within them.

Warding Off Pests

Discard any food that is not in an airtight glass or metal container. Empty, clean, and defrost your refrigerator/freezer to prevent mold or other bacteria from forming while your away. Inspect the foundation of your home to ensure there are no openings for animals seeking shelter from the cold to enter into. Trimming overhanging branches also helps mitigate any pest problems. Animals aren't the only things that could be lurking to get inside your vacation home. Asking a local home service company or neighbor in the area to keep an eye on your vacation home is also a proactive way to stay ahead of any non-animal pests seeking shelter or a quick buck. Of course, installing a security system and displaying signs of surveillance on your property are also good deterrents.

Photo Credit: FunLake

As we mentioned, owning a second home at Lake of the Ozarks is a privilege, but it also comes with some extra requirements to ensure that it is safe during the colder months when you're not around as much. We hope that these tips have provided you with additional insights to keep your home safe while you're away. Having peace of mind that your home is safe and will be ready for use once the Spring/Summer season rolls around is a wonderful feeling.

If you don't yet own a home at the Lake but are interested in making 2021 that year, give Team Lasson a call! We'd be happy to help you secure a mortgage at Lake of the Ozarks with our award-winning service and great financing options!

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Michael Lasson

Senior Loan Officer

NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway

Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

e-Fax: (866) 397-0318

Email: mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

Website: www.YourLakeLoan.com

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

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!