Tuesday, November 29, 2016

What Can I Do to Improve My Rentals?

PhotoCredit: FunLake.com
It's that time of year when the rentals have slowed down and you can take a moment and reflect on the past rental season. Thanks to the marketing campaign of the Tri-County Lodging Association and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with the entire Lake of the Ozarks, many of us here at the Lake enjoyed one of the best summers and rental seasons of all time! Our Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company had the best year in our 30 year history! Using the "Best Recreational Lake in the United States" has been awesome for business here at the Lake of the Ozarks and we should continue to mine that for all its worth!

Using the Slow Season to Your Advantage 


Over the next six months, we only bring in 6% of our annual income; however, in that same time period, we will book about 60% of all our business for the 2017 season! We try to use this slower time to our advantage. This is the time when we can take a look at our properties and see if there is anything that can be improved. We take a look at properties that need painting, new furnishings or if they need to get a flat screen TV, WiFi or other amenity that will help them rent their property.

The Importance of WiFi in Your Rental


One of the biggest factors that we can see from this past season is that people want and need to be connected. Looking at our rentals from this past season our properties that have WiFi available averaged 45.58 paid nights, while the properties that didn't have WiFi (six of them) averaged 26.17 paid nights. Even within the same complex, we had two units with WiFi which averaged 50.5 nights and two units without WiFi (which otherwise are just as nice) averaging 20 nights.

Some of our owners don't want to pay for the extra expense. the cost is around $600 per year for WiFi, but they are giving up about $2,500 in income. So you have to ask yourself, do I want to save $600 or make an extra $1,900? To me, it is a no brainer, but for some it seems to be a tough choice.

The Importance of Keyless Entry 


A few years ago, when we were switching our properties over to keyless entry, I had a few owners that didn't want to pay for the new locks. So I told one owner that didn't really want the lock that I would charge him for the lock, but at the end of the summer if he didn't like it, I would refund all of his money and put his old lock back on. But if he liked it, he would buy me lunch. Even before the summer was over, I received a gift card in the mail for $25! So take stock of what you are doing and use this slower time to your advantage!

Property Management at Lake of the Ozarks


Your Lake Vacation is your premier property management company at the Lake of the Ozarks! We've been serving guests and owners since 1986. If you would like a vacation rental market analysis or more information on renting your Lake of the Ozarks home or condo as a vacation rental, please give us a call at 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  

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

How to Carve Your Thanksgiving Turkey

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, many of you are preparing to gather with family and friends for a delicious feast. Whether you're traveling to visit others or hosting Thanksgiving at your house, turkey is sure to be on the table. In today's blog, Your Lake Vacation offers several tips and tricks for when you're ready to carve that turkey.

How to Carve a Turkey


If you've never carved a turkey before or you just need a quick refresher, check out this video from Food Network:



Turkey Carving Tips


1. Let the Turkey Rest. Once the turkey is done cooking, you want to let it sit for at least 15 minutes before you start carving it. This allows time for the juices to redistribute and make the entire turkey more tender. You'll also be less likely to burn yourself by letting it cool a little before cutting it apart.

2. Place the Turkey on a Carving Board. One of the first mistakes that many people make is trying to carve the turkey in the pan that it was cooked in. To keep the turkey from sliding around and to keep the pan from getting in your way, take the turkey out and place it on a kitchen towel on a cutting board. 

3. Use a Knife and Some Tongs. Turkeys can be difficult to carve, so grab a trusty pair of tongs to use in conjunction with a large, sharp knife. The tongs will help you keep the turkey in place as you are cutting with the knife. You can also use a carving fork instead of tongs if you prefer. As for the knife, sharp 10-inch slicing knife would be a good choice, as a serrated blade will tear the meat.

4. Cut Across the Grain. For maximum tenderness, you want to cut the turkey across the grain. You also want to follow the shape of the muscle to avoid wasting any meat.

Happy Thanksgiving from your premier vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks! We hope these tips help you easily carve that turkey for everyone to enjoy tomorrow. For those of you that are planning to travel for Christmas, don't forget we have great rental options for any size family or group. Book your holiday rental in one of our waterfront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks today by calling 877-284-0267!

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  

Monday, November 14, 2016

Spend Thanksgiving at the Lake of the Ozarks

Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away! If you're planning to get together with family for a nice Thanksgiving feast, there's no better place to be than the Lake of the Ozarks. Take advantage of local dinner buffets, cater a meal in the comfort of your private rental home at the Lake of the Ozarks or cook your own meal in one the fully stocked kitchen available in our homes! Keep reading to learn more about spending Thanksgiving at the Lake of the Ozarks this year!

Thanksgiving Buffets at Lake of the Ozarks


When you choose to spend Thanksgiving at the Lake of the Ozarks, there are a variety of buffets you can enjoy. Rather than spending all morning in the kitchen cooking, you can spend more time with your family and you don't have all the mess to clean up. Check out these great Thanksgiving Dinner options available on November 24th:

1. Thanksgiving Buffet at H. Toads 
Head over to H. Toads for a delicious and varied buffet of Thanksgiving fare! The buffet will be available from 11am - 3pm. Prices are $26 for adults, $20 for seniors, $12 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. 

2. Thanksgiving Buffet at The Lodge of Four Seasons
Enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner buffet at HK’s Restaurant & Bar from 11am - 3pm. Advanced reservations are required - call 573-365-3000. Prices are $39.95 per adult, plus tax and service fee. Children under 12 are half price, and children under 5 eat free. Price includes coffee, tea, and ice tea.

3. Thanksgiving Buffet at the Inn at Grand Glaize 
Bring your family and friends to the Inn at Grand Glaize for a Thanksgiving feast! Dinner will be served from 11am - 3pm and reservations are requested - call 573-348-4731.

4. Thanksgiving Dinner at Old Kinderhook 

Come enjoy a Thanksgiving Buffet from 11am - 4pm at The Trophy Room. Make reservations by calling 573-317-3560. Prices are $35 for adults, $27 for seniors, $12 for children 5-10, and free for children 4 and under.

5. Thanksgiving Buffet at Tan-Tar-A 
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving buffet with all the trimmings - without stepping foot in the kitchen! Prices are $28.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors (55+), $14.95 for children ages 4-12, and free for children 3 and under. Prices do not include taxes or gratuities. Dinner buffet will be available from 11am - 5pm. Call 573-348-3131 for reservations. 

6. Thanksgiving at J. Bruner's 
Savor the traditional flavors of turkey and all your holiday favorites for just $29 per person. The restaurant will open at 3pm and reservations are recommended - call 573-348-2966.

Places to Stay for Thanksgiving 


Your Lake Vacation has a variety of vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks available for Thanksgiving! If you choose to cook your own meal, our rentals features fully-stocked kitchens for you to easily do so. However, if you don't want to spend all day cooking and you don't want to go to a restaurant, pick up a Thanksgiving Dinner to take back to the house. Several places are offering great deals on Thanksgiving Dinners, including Bob Evans and Hy-Vee. Here are just a few of the homes perfect for entertaining family and friends this Thanksgiving:

 1. Allure of the Lake 
This lovely 5 bedroom home sits in the heart of Osage Beach, near dining, shopping and other attractions. The large kitchen offers everything you will need to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal:  stainless steel 3 door refrigerator with ice maker, double ovens, cook top and double dishwasher! Also featured in the kitchen are the granite countertops and a Keurig coffee station. There's also an additional refrigerator in the garage for extra drinks! 


2. Dogwood 1
This 4 bedroom home is perfect for your family or group to enjoy during the Thanksgiving holiday! The dining areas features a 3 top lakeside pub table and 6 top island table. The full sized kitchen offers everything you would need for your large group! Downstairs in the family room you will find a 6 top table perfect for card playing, fireplace, wetbar and second refrigerator with ice maker. 


3. Hook Lane
You will love this incredible 6 bedroom home located just West of Camdenton about 20 minutes from Osage Beach! The Chef's kitchen includes a Viking gas stove, stainless steel appliances and plenty of counter space to make a great Thanksgiving meal for the entire family. The dining area and breakfast bar has seating for 10-12 guests.
 

4. Wye Knot
This quaint cabin-type 3 bedroom waterfront home has many great features! Nestled in the trees at the end of the road, you will have plenty of parking in front of the home for 4-5 cars. The dining room offers a table for 6, and room for 4 more at the breakfast bar. The open concept kitchen has everything you would need for a great Thanksgiving at the Lake of the Ozarks!


When it comes to your Lake of the Ozarks accommodations needs, Your Lake Vacation has you covered! From one bedroom condos up to 6 bedroom homes, we've got the perfect place for any size group to stay this Thanksgiving. Give us a call at 877-284-0267 to make your reservations today!

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  

Monday, November 7, 2016

4 Bedroom Home on the Northshore of Lake of the Ozarks

See View Estates - 4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath


Enjoy a tremendous view from the large deck of this waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks. It's located off W-12 by land and in a large cove just off the main channel at the five mile marker by water. 


Main Level - Bedrooms 


Amenities include two master bedrooms, each with a king bed. One is a suite with a private bath and walk-in closet. The third bedroom features a queen bed, and the fourth bedroom features two bunk beds, twin over full. All bedrooms are located on the main level and have windows on the lake side. 

Lower Level - Common Areas 


On the lower level, you will find the kitchen and dining area, a living room, family room with queen air mattress and a four season room with plenty of windows to enjoy the beautiful views of the Ozarks. This home has four TV's, two DVD/VCR's, Wi-Fi high speed internet, a gas grill and more! 


Exterior of the Home 


The large split deck seats up to 24 people and offers a fabulous view of the lake. The large dock features one 12x32 slip for guest use, one pwc slip and room to tie up a second boat on the side (up to 36'), plus a swim platform. The dock is just 20 steps from the deck. 


This home also features a two car garage and plenty of parking for up to four cars and two boat trailers. It is conveniently located 15-20 minutes from all the attractions, shopping, golfing and fine dining that make for a great vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks. 

Book your reservations for this Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental by calling 877-284-0267. Your Lake Vacation is your source for all accommodations needs at the Lake! From one bedroom condos up to 7 bedroom homes, we've got something for any size group. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or a week, bringing the kids or having a couples weekend, we've got you 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  

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

4 Reasons to Spend the Holidays at the Lake of the Ozarks

November is here already and with Halloween behind us, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas! Have you decided how you're spending the holidays this year? Are you meeting up with family members you haven't seen in awhile? The Lake of the Ozarks area is a great place to do so! Keep reading for 4 reasons to spend the holidays with us this year!

Photo Credit: www.FunLake.com
1. The Lake is a Central Meeting Place for Traveling Family Members. 


One of the great things about the Lake of the Ozarks is that it is located smack-dab in the middle of Missouri, and the middle of the country! No matter where your family is traveling from, its easy to meet up at the Lake of the Ozarks. Several major roads run through the Lake area including Highway 52, Highway 54 and Highway 5. These roads easily connect the Lake area to the entire state via Highway 65 and Interstate 70. We're also an equal distance from Kansas City and St. Louis airports, making flying in from out of state also an option.

2. Enjoy Holiday Activities for All Ages Around the Lake Area. 


While many may argue that summer is the best season for visiting the Lake of the Ozarks, the winter season has its charm. Not only do the Ozark hills create beautiful scenery, but there's plenty of holiday cheer to go around. Community activities for people of all ages are happening all winter long. To stay up-to-date on all the fun there is to be had at the Lake this holiday season, visit www.FunLake.com.

3. The Lake is a Great Place to Relax. 


The holiday season is our off-season at the Lake of the Ozarks, which means there's less people here. Take this opportunity to visit our beautiful area, and just sit back and relax. There's nothing better than curling up by the fireplace, sipping a cup of coffee and enjoying some downtime with your loved ones. Escape the busyness of your life at home and spend the holidays at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks!

4. Take Advantage of Off-Season Lodging Rates. 


With less people visiting the Lake area during the winter months, you can get a great deal on accommodations at the Lake of the Ozarks. When you join us for the holiday season, you can take advantage of our winter rates, which are significantly discounted from our regular rates. Whether you're looking for a large waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks or a small condo in the heart of Osage Beach, we've got a great deal to fit your needs!

We have a variety of large homes, perfect for entertaining, still available during the holidays! However, if you're looking for an intimate holiday setting, we also have Lake of the Ozarks condos available. To book your holiday reservations today, give us a call at 877-284-0267 or visit our website at www.YourLakeVacation.com.

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