Thursday, September 26, 2019

Tips for Winterizing Your Vacation Home

The time has come again, and as quickly as Summer showed up, it moved on and made way for Fall. The Autumn season has many beautiful things to offer, between fun events, cooler temperatures, and those gorgeous changing leaves. However, it can also provide the opportunity to accomplish a few tasks on your to-do list with your vacation home. Here are a few things you need to remember as the months begin to loom, and how you can protect your vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks during the off-season.



Wrap Your Pipes

Wrapping pipes under the sink and in a basement, as well as anywhere else around your home can be a huge help. Look for wraps that are made from fiberglass, foam and foil, foam, or rubber to provide proper insulation to your pipes over the Winter. This can conserve energy and save money, but can also protect against any freezing temperatures that we may experience this Winter.

Unplug Appliances

Now is a great time to clean, protect, and shut off the appliances in your vacation home. This will include fridges, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and ACs. If you are not sure how to Winterize your air conditioner, you can either do some research online or hire a company to take care of it for you.

Turn Off the Water

If you want to prevent water leaks and indoor flooding this Winter, you will want to turn off the water at the mainline. This is an important step and one you will not want to forget. It is not hard to turn it back on if you decide to come back to your vacation home during the Winter months.

Drain the Pipes

This is incredibly important when you will not be in your home for a season. You may even want to hire a professional to come to drain your hot water heater, to clear the pipes of water, and to shut off propane or natural gas.



Clean the Gutters

After the leaves have fallen, it is a great time to clean out the gutters and downspouts. You can install downspout guards, screens, snap-in gutter screens, and mesh gutter guards to help prevent water damage from ice dams and puddles on the roof, and around your foundation.

Winterize Outside, Too!

Do not forget to drain all outside hoses, disconnect them, roll them up and store them. Cover all outdoor faucets with foam or hard plastic covers as well. The foam covers keep outdoor faucets from freezing during the colder temperatures, and the hard plastic covers can provide additional protection from the weather and small curious animals.

Outdoor Appliances

You should also disconnect the outdoor appliances, like fountains, bug zappers, and even the satellite dishes. You can secure them with plastic or store them indoors to protect against the cold weather.

Outdoor Furniture

Storing your outdoor furniture, raised garden beds, plant post, grills, tools, and other outdoor items inside is also a great precaution. If you cannot bring them indoors, you can always cover them with plastic and secure them in a wind-free location.

Find An Exterminator

Finally, this is a great time to schedule an exterminator to continue pest inspections and pest control through the Winter.



Time to Make Your List
As we kick off Fall, now is the perfect time to make sure that your vacation home at the Lake is ready to withstand the upcoming months. Some predictions for the Winter are expecting cooler than normal temps, as well as more snow than we usually get. This means that your vacation property may need to be sealed up more than in the past - and you will want to make plans for any watercraft and docks that you have as well.

If you do not have a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, now is the perfect time to start looking. The market has been doing some great things for home buyers, and off-season is commonly accepted as the best time to buy a home. Ready to get started? Team Lasson can help you get started on your mortgage at the Lake of the Ozarks!

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



Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211





**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, USA

Friday, September 20, 2019

3 Home Improvement Tasks When Selling a Home

If you’re considering putting your home on the market, it will instantly feel like you have a to-do list a mile long. With preparing your home for sale, as well as purchasing another home - the next few weeks and months are going to be busy. Studies regularly show that a home will sell for more when regular maintenance has been performed. Here are a few easy tasks you can do to give your home a fresh look before it hits the market.


Paint The Kitchen Cabinets

Changing up your kitchen cabinets can work wonders if you are trying to make your space look more modern. You can either strip and re-stain wood cabinets or give them a new coat of paint. If you want to do something trendy, blues, whites, and grays are the most popular colors in 2019. Specifically, navy blues seem to be the most common, especially in a two-tone style with one color on the bottom cabinets and another color on the top. Matte textures are still favored over glossy, but the raw wood grain is also gaining popularity as well. Really want to make an impact? Update the fixtures on your cabinets as well! Sometimes those can date a kitchen even more than the color of the cabinets. You may also notice that not using hardware at all is very popular these days. If you will be repainting your cabinets, you may be able to fill in the holes from the hardware and paint over them for a really fresh new look.

Update Light Fixtures

Old light fixtures can really show the years on your home. If you are looking for a fast way to improve your home’s style, brighten things up with new track lighting, recessed lighting, beautiful hanging lamps, and more. Aren’t sure what you should look for? Here are a few styles that are trending right now:

  • Soft gold is a popular finish
  • Retro and industrial styles are coming back
  • Vintage Edison-style bulbs are very in
  • Mid-century modern and art deco styles are favored
  • Clean lines are a must
  • Large statement shades can really catch the attention


Add Fresh Paint to the Walls

A new coat of paint can do wonders for a space. Just be sure that when you choose the paint color that you are choosing something neutral and shaded properly for the space. While you (and even many others) may love red in the kitchen, it could be a huge turn-off for a buyer. Stick to colors like gray, white, and tan when choosing new colors, and opt for lighter colors that brighten a space rather than shades that are too dark.

If you have trouble choosing a color, you can visit your local hardware store and ask someone in the paint department to help. You can also get several samples of shades that you like and paint them on the walls to see how they look. Just be aware that even the samples can be a bit misleading because it is hard to imagine how they will look covering the whole space.


Selling and Buying a Home at the Lake of the Ozarks

If you are considering selling your home, it is also time to start thinking about the home that you are going to move into - if you have not already! Team Lasson is ready to help you buy your next home with mortgages at the Lake of the Ozarks. Buying and selling at the same time can be a little overwhelming, but choosing a team who can help you navigate the purchase of your new home can help make part of the process easier! Visit our website to learn more about our mortgage services at the Lake of the Ozarks or to submit your application. We look forward to assisting you on this next part of your journey!

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



Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211





**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, USA

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Kicking Off Fall at the Lake of the Ozarks

The first day of Fall is September 23rd this year, and if you haven’t been bitten by the Autumn bug - you may be soon! The Summer here at the lake has been rather mild, up until the very end with heatwaves and humidity. This kind of gives Fall an even more appealing nature, and if you haven’t already indulged in your pumpkin spice nostalgia, you may be reaching for it soon. If you’re looking for fun ways to enjoy your vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, here are some great suggestions for spending time soaking in the season!


Fall Fun at the Lake of the Ozarks

The Fall season seems to be all about apples, pumpkins, bonfires, and flannels. If you are ready, here are a few things you’ll want to do this Fall at the Lake!

Go Hiking

In 2018, the Lake of the Ozarks was voted the 2nd best place in the nation to enjoy the Fall colors. We know this to be true, and love getting to appreciate the changing of the seasons through those rustic browns, oranges, reds, and yellows that start to spread across the rolling hills. What better way to soak it in than to get out for a hike? We have two state parks here at the Lake. The Lake of the Ozarks State Park is in Osage Beach and Ha Ha Tonka State Park is in Camdenton. Both parks are beautiful this time of year, and offer breathtaking hiking trails, playground areas for the kids, and are close enough to town that you can get a treat afterward! Which brings us to our next point …

Indulge in Fall Flavors

’Tis the season when all things pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon hit the red carpet. There are many local coffee shops, ice cream parlors, and other places where you can indulge in these fantastic fall flavors. Whether you’re looking for a spicy coffee or a pumpkin pie sundae, this is a great time to get out and enjoy those flavors you look forward to all year long.

Get on the Golf Course

If you enjoy golfing at the Lake of the Ozarks, this is going to be a prime season for getting out there and playing the game. The Lake area is home to 13 golf courses, and many will agree that Autumn is probably one of the best times to get out and play. Between comfortable temperatures and gorgeous scenery, the Fall season is a pristine time to be on the course.

Board the Boat One Last Time

This is probably the activity that will be a bit bittersweet for many this time of year. As the temperatures start to cool down, it’s generally a sign to winterize the boat. Many boaters do choose to keep their boat out for usage all winter long, specifically the fisherman, but many of our vacationers need to get them ready for storage. If you are one of those who will store it, now is a great time to take it out on the water for the last few cruises of the year. Enjoy the scenery from a perspective that many may not get too - the water. While you’re out, it’s also a great time to take a generic inventory of your boat, make sure everything is working properly, and make a list of necessary repairs.

If you are into fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks, Fall is a prime time to get out there and cast your line. Those beautiful Fall temperatures will make for exceptional catching, and if you plan to participate in any of the final fishing tournaments of the year, we wish you the best of luck!


Fall At The Lake of the Ozarks

If you already know that you love the Lake area, and you’ve been considering buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks - now is the time! We can’t emphasize enough how now is such a great time to buy. The market has been doing some really interesting things this year, and so many buyers are getting low rates for their Lake of the Ozarks mortgages. If you are ready to get started, we would love to invite you to visit our website, fill out the application, and start your pre-qualification process. Fall is an excellent time to buy, and 2019 could just be your year to secure a dream vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks!

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



Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211





**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, USA

Friday, September 6, 2019

Steps to Mortgage Approval

It’s the perfect time to buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks! If the change of season has you anticipating new goals, and looking for fun opportunities, then buying a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks may be for you. Buying a home in the Fall is prime time, not just because interest rates are looking better than ever, but also because the busy Summer season is over and it is time to soak in the crisp breeze as everyone prepares for the Winter. If you are ready to purchase a home at the Lake, the first step is getting approved for a mortgage, and that’s where Team Lasson comes in. Here are a few steps about the mortgage process, and how we can assist you with the home buying process.


Submit Your Application

This is the most important step you will take in starting the process. Many house hunters will wait until they have found the perfect home, try to get approval, and then find out that the home is way more than they can afford. By starting with your application, you can get a pre-approval. This will give you a more solid answer as to how much you should be spending on a home right now - plus it can make the mortgage process go smoother when you have a pre-approval in hand.

Avoid Taking On New Debt

While your loan is in process, it’s important to avoid certain actions like opening new credit cards or making other financial changes. New loans will change your debt-to-income ratio and could impede your mortgage approval.

Plan for a Home Inspection

Once you have found a home that you love, it’s time to schedule a home inspection as soon as possible. Many times, your real estate agent will handle this for you, but asking about it and knowing who they recommend is important. This will give you adequate time before your closing date to negotiate with the seller if the inspection proves to be less than what you expected.

Check Your Methods of Contact!

After you applied and are qualified for a mortgage, you’ll receive your conditional approval. Keep your alerts turned on, your phone handy, check emails regularly and be ready to respond promptly for any additional documentation that may be needed or documents that may need your signatures, such as the preliminary Closing Disclosure. This can help keep your application moving forward.

Look Into Homeowner’s Insurance

Proof of insurance is a requirement for the mortgage process. It is a good idea to start this process as soon as you have found a property. Waiting until the last minute could cause a delay in your closing. If you don’t know who you would like to use for your homeowner’s insurance, just ask! We have some incredible referrals.

Review the Documents

You’ve had your loan approved, passed your inspection, the appraisal and title search are complete, and the lender has set a closing date. Take a look at the documents, make sure you have everything, and prepare the money you’ll need for the closing!


Buying a Lake of the Ozarks Home

This is such an incredible time to buy a home, and we aren’t the only ones saying it. A quick search on the web will show that for many buyers, the rates are incredible and the homes are available. If you are looking to purchase a new property, this is an amazing time to do it. Visit our website to learn more about our mortgage company at the Lake of the Ozarks, as well as start your first application. We look forward to helping you achieve your home-owning dreams!

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



Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211





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

Posted by at 1 comment:
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Location: Osage Beach, MO, USA

Thursday, August 29, 2019

FAQs About Your Debt to Income Ratio When Buying a Home

When buying a home, several factors can play a role in the type of loan you qualify for, the interest rate you receive, and if you are approved for the loan, to begin with. Debt-to-income ratios are one of the factors that can play a huge role in your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage, so we’re going to cover a few frequently asked questions about them for you.


FAQs About DTI

Q: Why is debt-to-income important?
A: Your lender will use the debt-to-income ratio as a way to measure your ability to manage the payments you make each month, and repay the money you have borrowed.

Q: What sources of income are considered?
A: Typically these are considered:

  • Wages
  • Salaries
  • Commissions & Bonuses
  • Pension
  • Social Security
  • Child Support & Alimony
  • Any other additional income


Q: What monthly payments are included in the debt-to-income ratio?
A:

  • Mortgage payments
  • Real estate taxes
  • Home owner’s insurance
  • Home Owner Association Dues
  • Student loan payments
  • Minimum monthly credit card payments
  • Timeshare payments
  • Loan payments
  • Child support payment
  • Alimony payment
  • Any co-signed loan payments


Q: What payment is used for my credit card debts, the minimum payment required or what I actually pay monthly?
A: Typically, your lender will use the minimum monthly payment that is reported on your credit report.

Q: What is considered a good debt-to-income ratio?
A: Each lender is going to consider a different ratio based on the size, purpose, and type of loan that you are applying for. As a general rule, most lenders like to see a DTI below 45%.

Q: What is the formula for calculating my debt-to-income ratio?
A: It is calculated by dividing your total recurring monthly debt by your gross monthly income.

Q: How does my debt-to-income ratio affect my ability to get a loan?
A: Lenders will calculate your DTI to ensure you can afford to take on an additional payment. A low debt-to-income ratio reflects a good balance between your income and debt.


Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

As we move out of the summer season and into the fall season, we can’t affirm enough what a wonderful time it is to buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you have been dreaming about buying a home, it’s time to apply. Interest rates are statistically lower than they have been, and Team Lasson is ready to assist. Visit our website to submit your application and get started!

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



Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211





**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, USA

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Buying vs. Renting - Which is Right for You?

When looking for real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks, there are several options to choose from. This includes large luxury homes, fishing cabins, condos, and more. In addition to the styles, there are also a few ways to stay in these homes. You can either buy one or you can rent one. Both are popular options, but there are definitely some advantages to buying a property at the Lake of the Ozarks vs renting one. Here are a few things to remember when trying to decide which is best for you!


Why Buy?

It can feel like a hard decision, but there are actually many advantages to buying a property that you will not experience by just renting one. Curious what these are, keep reading?

Rent Rise
Rent costs are continuing to rise across the country. Buying a property at the Lake of the Ozarks with a fixed loan can freeze the housing costs, so to speak. Not to mention, interest rates are incredible right now, so it is THE time to buy!

Tax Breaks
Many times, homeowners can take advantage of tax breaks that renters will not get to utilize. This can be a huge advantage, especially as we get closer to the end of the year.

Forced Savings
Owning a home will typically increase your wealth significantly with “forced savings” which is not available when renting.

It Pays to Buy

Condos or a small home are a great first investment if you are just getting started, especially when you do not need a huge place yet. In addition, because properties at Lake of the Ozarks are located at a vacation destination, you can rent it out when you are not using it. This can provide extra income, as well as provide the flexibility you like to still come and visit and make use of the amenities.

What Do You Need to Know?

There are so many pros to buying a home or condo, but there are always a few things that you may want to know before taking the plunge

HOA Fees
While these are very beneficial, it is important to know that many condos and some neighborhoods require this. It will help cover the maintenance of the condo building and common areas, as well as the amenities you love. Your HOA may have strict rules, so you will want to look into those before making your purchase.

Location, Location, Location
As you make plans to buy a house or condo, you will want to think about what is around you. How far do you have to drive to your favorite restaurant or grocery stores? Are you looking for a place in the center of all of the fun, or do you prefer a quiet hide-a-way? These are all things that your real estate agent will help you navigate through, but there is no harm in thinking about it now.


Ready to Get Started?

It may be the end of the Summer season, but it is never too late to buy a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you have been thinking about it, Team Lasson highly suggests getting the process started. This is a wonderful time to buy a home, and we would love to assist you through the process. The first step is to start the pre-approval, which you can do on our website. After that, we can help you determine the best price point to shop for, and then it is time to start shopping. We cannot wait to have you vacationing at the Lake even more in your very own house or condo!

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



Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211





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

Posted by at No comments:
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Location: Osage Beach, MO, USA

Friday, August 16, 2019

How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home?

As vacation season comes to a close at the Lake of the Ozarks, home buying season is still going full swing. We’ll be busier than ever over the next few months as we help clients secure their mortgage and take steps to own a home at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you’ve been considering buying a vacation home, NOW is the time to get started. We’re working our way towards a very good buyer’s market, interest rates are doing well, and it’s going to be an incredible time to jump in and secure the home of your dreams.

Whether you are a seasoned home buyer, or still just learning the ropes, it can be helpful to become more familiar with the process. Here is a quick overview of how long it takes to buy a home, and how Team Lasson will do what we can to make this a quick and seamless process.


The Home Buying Process

To map out your home-buying timeline, here is a closer look at the steps along the way.

Getting Pre-approved for a Mortgage

Completing your pre-approval first can show that you are a serious homebuyer. It can also show how much you are approved to borrow. Your lenders at the Lake of the Ozarks will typically ask for documentation to verify your assets, income, and credit history. During the process you’ll want to do a few things, like preparing a down payment, avoid taking out new loans, do not switch jobs, continue managing your monthly payments, and gathering the documents that you’ll need to submit.

Finding a Home

After you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can start looking for the home of your dreams. It is time to find your real estate agent who can assist you in the search for the perfect home in your price range. The house-hunting process can go quickly or it can take some time, just depending on your tastes, the location, season, the buying competition, and available homes for sale.

Negotiating a Contract

After you’ve found the home that you are ready to purchase, your real estate agent will help you put in an offer. Negotiations with the seller could be quick or could take some time to reach a point where are parties are in agreement. Your agent will help guide you down this path.

After your contract is accepted, it will be time to schedule a home inspection, termite inspection and any other inspections you and your real estate agent deem necessary. Check with your lender as well on inspections as some government loans may require certain inspections for that program. If anything shows up during the inspection, this could add additional time to the timeline.

The Closing Process

Once the inspections have been completed, your Lake of the Ozarks lender will then move the loan into underwriting. It may be necessary to submit additional paperwork during this process, and an appraisal will also need to be checked off of the list.

After your mortgage has been approved, your lender will give you a copy of your closing disclosure at least three business days before the closing date. The will include loan details, fees, and terms, as well as what you’ll need to pay in closing costs to finalize the purchase.


The Timeline is Indefinite

As you can see, many different moving pieces make up the completion of a home purchase. In general, it can be done in as little as a month, but with other purchases, it could take a few months. If you are hoping to buy a home before the end of 2019, now is the time to get started. You can start the process to get pre-approved with Team Lasson by visiting our website (www.YourLakeLoan.com), and from there we can help you move towards the next step. This is going to be an amazing time to buy a home, so we look forward to hearing from you and helping you purchase your dream home!

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



Michael Lasson
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #: 493712

4655 B Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Direct: (573) 746-7211





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

Posted by at No comments:
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Location: Osage Beach, MO, USA
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