Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Who Do You Want Managing Your Property?

Professional vs. Amateur


In life there are times when amateurs are equal to or greater than their professional counterparts. For years, the U.S.A. only allowed amateurs to compete in the Olympics - until we finally got beat in basketball. Then we created the "Dream Team" to take back our Olympic pride demolishing every other team in our path.

A young Tiger Woods, as an amateur, was obviously better than most, if not all, of the professional golfers and proved it before and after turning pro. In most sports, you will find that there are those amateurs who are better than their professional counterparts. The same goes for other areas of life.

In many professions, there are good reasons why the government does not allow amateurs to practice in their field without a license or degree. Would you rather visit a licensed doctor or an amateur? Would you rather have a licensed airline pilot or an amateur fly you across the ocean? How about a licensed real estate agent who knows the real estate laws and the market or your neighbor who once sold his own home? 

In most cases, people want a professional who knows what they are doing to help them in an area of expertise. The same is true when it comes to vacation rentals. I have come into contact over the years with amateurs who are able to lure away clients by offering them a lower commission rate for managing their home or condo. Part of the reason that they can offer lower rates is that they don't have a city or county business license, don't have liability insurance or pay workers compensation, they don't have a real estate license or continuing education and usually it is a one or two person team with very low overhead.

While I am all for competition, which I believe makes for a healthy economy and a wider variety of choice, please remember the old saying "buyer beware." What happens when there is damage to your property that is the result of the property manager who doesn't have insurance? Who is collecting and paying your state and lodging taxes? What if there is an injury to an employee of the property manager at your property and they don't carry workers compensation or liability insurance? For these and many other reasons, it is usually wise to seek out a professional vacation rental manager who really knows the market, the laws and has the expertise to properly manage your asset.

A friend of mine once got a job working in the cafeteria at the hospital and when I told my young son that Dave got a job at the hospital, he replied, "What did he get, Doctor?" Soon after we stated calling my friend "Doctor Dave." Think about it - who do you want managing your property?

Russell Burdette is the owner/broker of Your Lake Vacation, a professional vacation rental management company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986. If you would like more info on renting your Lake of the Ozarks waterfront home or condo as a vacation rental, please call 573-365-3367.

For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076  

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

3 Bedroom Condo in the Heart of Lake of the Ozarks

Indian Pointe 622 - 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath


Recently renovated in Spring of 2015, Indian Pointe 622 offers the perfect location for anything you could want to do here at the Lake. This 3 bedroom 3 bath waterfront condo in Osage Beach features a living room with a 42" flat screen TV and DVD player, a wall of floor to ceiling lakeside windows, laminate wood floors and deck access.

The dining room features a 4-top table, with seating for 4 more at the bar, laminate wood floors, and deck access which includes a 4-top table and gas grill. The kitchen features all the amenities of home, including pots and pans. Save money while on vacation by cooking a few meals in your Lake of the Ozarks rental condo instead of eating out every meal!

Downstairs you will find the 2 master suites. Lakeside suite one features a queen bed, sink area and private bath with deck access. Lakeside suite 2 features a king bed, private bathroom, 32" flatscreen TV with DVD player and deck access.

Although this condo does not come with a boat slip, ask about renting one on property, as we can set that up for you! Indian Pointe is conveniently located near shopping, dining, the Bagnell Dam Strip, the Osage Beach Outlet Mall and plenty of waterfront restaurants, making it the perfect location for your Lake of the Ozarks vacation.

To book your reservations at this unit or any of our other waterfront condos or homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 877-284-0267 today! Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a big family reunion, Your Lake Vacation has your accommodations covered. It's never too early to start booking for Summer 2016!

For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076  

Friday, February 12, 2016

The History Behind Valentine's Day

When we think of Valentine's Day, we picture flowers, chocolates and romance. Each year on February 14th we spend time appreciating our loved ones and showing them how much we care. Do you ever think of how these traditions came about though? How did this holiday get the name "Valentine's" Day? Your Lake Vacation brings you some of the history behind this love-filled holiday!


Who was Saint Valentine? 


The Catholic Church recognizes at least 3 different saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred. One legend states that Valentine was a priest who served during 3rd Century Rome. When the Emporer outlawed marriage because single men were more suited for war, Saint Valentine continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered the Emperor ordered him to death.

Other legends suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. One story says that while imprisoned, he actually sent the first "valentine" greeting to a young girl he fell in love with that visited him. Before his death, he wrote a letter to her and signed it with "From your Valentine." The expression is still used today! While the truth behind the Valentine legends may still be a mystery, all the stories emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, he had become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Valentine's Day History Facts


The actual holiday revolving around St. Valentine began in England and has since spread to Canada, Mexico, the United States, France and Australia. Here are few history facts about this romantic date:
  • Many claim that Valentine's Day was celebrated in February in an effort to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture. 
  • During Lupercalia, young women would place their names in a big urn. The bachelors would then choose a name and become paired with that woman for the year. This tradition often ended in marriage. 
  • During the Middle Ages, February 14th was commonly believed in England and France to be the beginning of birds' mating season. This added to the idea that the middle of February should be a day for romance. 
  • The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans,t o his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. 
  • By the middle of the 18th century, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. 
  • By 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their feelings in a time when direct expression was discouraged. 
  • In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Known as the "Mother of Valentine," she made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures. 

Happy Valentine's Day from Your Lake Vacation! Whether it's for Valentine's Day, a birthday or anniversary, a Lake of the Ozarks vacation getaway is a great way to spend time with that special someone. Book your reservations with us today by calling 877-284-0267. From one bedroom condos to 5 bedroom waterfront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, we have all your accommodation needs covered!

For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076  

Friday, February 5, 2016

5 Reasons to Invest in Property at the Lake of the Ozarks

Do you like to travel and vacation? How often do you come to the Lake of the Ozarks? If the answers to those questions are "a lot," have you ever thought about purchasing a waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks? There are many reasons that investing in real estate at the Lake might be a good option for you. Your Lake Vacation has come up with a few reasons why investing in property at the Lake of the Ozarks might be a good idea.

1. Home Away From Home.


While vacationing can be fun, hotels aren't always the most comfortable places to stay. Owning a second home at the Lake of the Ozarks offers you plenty of space to enjoy your vacation. The family can spread out and you can save money on meals by cooking at your place instead of dining out for every meal. (However, you will still want to check out some of the great waterfront dining we have here.) You also don't have to worry about finding availability on the weekends you want - if you own the property, you can use it whenever you want. You can also leave stuff there that you use on a regular basis, cutting down on the amount of packing you need to do before heading to the Lake for a fun-filled weekend.

2. BEST Recreational Lake in the Country. 


The Lake of the Ozarks was recently voted the BEST recreational lake in the country. What better place to own a second home than at the Lake of the Ozarks? With more shoreline than the state of California, the Lake provides a boating experience you'll never forget. Whether you want to fish, ski, tube or just cruise, the Lake of the Ozarks is the place to do it - and if you had a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can come down anytime you want!

3. Local Activities and Events All Year Round.


From golf to shopping, dining to nightlife, not to mention the great annual activities and holiday festivities, the Lake of the Ozarks always has something fun for you to do. In addition to the Lake, both golf and shopping bring thousands of people to the Lake area each year. The Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail offers more than a dozen golf courses, for both amateurs and professionals. The 110 outlet mall, as well as the shops along the Bagnell Dam Strip, offer a unique shopping experience. Annual events such as Lake Race, Shootout, Canine Cannonball and Aquapalooza offer even more family fun throughout the summer season!

4. More Affordable Than Oceanfront.


When choosing to invest in a second home, price is important. Let's face it, you're already paying one mortgage and to add a second one to that can be challenging. The Lake of the Ozarks area offers very affordable real estate when you compare it to other vacation destinations such as the Gulf Coast, Lake Tahoe, Lake Okaboji, or the Great Lakes. Just check out the prices of real estate in those other locations and you'll find what great value and opportunity the Lake of the Ozarks area has to offer.

5. Location, Location, Location.


The Lake of the Ozarks is right in the middle of the country, making it the perfect meeting place for family spread out among the states. It's also an easy drive from both Kansas City and St. Louis. Getting to the Lake is easy with great road systems and 6 nearby airports. If you live in the Midwest, the Lake of the Ozarks area makes the perfect weekend getaway destination. Location is everything when it comes to owning a home and you can't get any more central than the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri!

You can offset your investment costs by putting your property on our Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental program. If you're thinking about purchasing an investment property at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 573-365-3367. We'll give you all the details you need to find the perfect property that will be great for not only your personal use, but also to rent out when you're away!

For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076