Friday, May 26, 2017

The Real Reason We Celebrate Memorial Day

While many people know that Memorial Day is supposed to celebrate and honor those who have died at war for our country, others focus on the fact that it's a long weekend to start the summer season. Having some fun is great, but it's important that we also remember those who fought for us to have those freedoms. Today's blog from Your Lake Vacation sheds some light on the history of the Memorial Day holiday:

Memorial Day History


Observed on the last Monday in May each year, Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It was originally called "Decoration Day" when it originated in the years following the Civil War, due to the fact that people would decorate the graves of those fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. On May 30, 1868, General John A. Logan organized a nationwide day of remembrance. By 1890, each of the Northern states had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Those in the South, however, continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. Learn more in this video from History.com:  


Memorial Day Today 


Today, cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades, incorporating military personnel and members of veterans' organizations. Americans also observe this solemn holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. In addition to honoring those who've died for our freedoms, the long weekend is the unofficial kick off to summer and many people throw parties and host BBQs.

Your Lake Vacation hopes you have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend! If you're looking for a last-minute vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks or if you need accommodations for another weekend this summer, give us a call at 877-284-0267. We have a variety of condos and waterfront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks to accommodate any size group. We hope to see you soon!

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  

Thursday, May 18, 2017

6 Considerations When Choosing a Vacation Rental Manager

Do you have a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks and you aren't using it as much as you thought you originally thought you would? Maybe you want to find a way to off-set some of the expenses associated with owning a second home. How do you go about renting out your home to bring in a little more cash? Finding the right property management company at the Lake of the Ozarks is the first step!

Vacation Rental Management


Finding the right company to manage your Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental property can make a big difference in your overall experience. Consider your goals: are you just looking for a little extra income or do you want to make as much profit as possible? Whatever your personal situation, you'll need to make your expectations clear to your prospective rental managers.

Experience Counts

Obviously, you want a manager that has experience in the industry, someone who understands the rental season and everything involved with nightly rentals at the Lake. Find out how long your vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks has been in business and how successful they have been in renting properties similar to yours. Beware of any company that promises a certain number of rental nights or a certain amount of income - how can they guarantee something like that? A good company will be able to give you  a potential number of rental nights based on their past history with similar properties, but be realistic when it comes to your expectations. There are a lot of factors that go into a successful vacation rental season that are out of our control, including weather patterns, the economy, etc. With the way the vacation rental market can vary each season, you can't "guarantee" anything.

Added Services Add Value 

What types of support services does the company offer? Do they provide housekeeping, maintenance, home watch, interior design, HVAC & appliance repair or landscaping and yard work? Are they available 24/7? If your primary residence is thousands of miles away from the Lake of the Ozarks, you want peace of mind that your property is being looked after properly. You'll want more than just a company that finds renters, you want someone you can trust to keep your property in tip-top shape. Find out what value added services are available, and use that information to help you compare prospective rental management companies.

Marketing is Important 

Next you will want to ask how the company markets their rental properties. Do they provide high quality pictures, virtual tours, videos and information about each property to make it look like a desirable place to stay? Do they utilize social media, digital marketing and e-newsletters? Is the company's website easy to navigate and is the presentation professional? Do they have online booking capabilities? In addition to their website, how do they advertise their vacation homes and condos at the Lake of the Ozarks? Find out what they are doing differently; what are they doing that you can't do on your own?

Handling Property Damage 

Since damage is always a possibility when dealing with short-term rentals, how does the company screen their potential guests? Are there age limits for renting? Do they ask what brings the guests to the Lake of the Ozarks? Bachelor and Bachelorette parties always raise a red flag? Pets are also something to consider. If you allow pets in your home, is there a pet fee and/or a pet deposit? How does the company handle damages? Do they offer any damage protection? Have the company you're thinking about going with give you examples of past damages and how they handled the situation.

Rental Procedures 

Some property management companies rent their properties on a rotating basis. If you have a nice property or a great location, you'll want to avoid companies that use this procedure. Your hard work, decor, amenities and location should be allowed to work in your favor. A company that represents all of their properties in the same manner and allows your features to sell your property to potential renters is your best bet. If you were a guest vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks, wouldn't you want to be able to choose what property you stay in and not have to take the next unit in line?

Reputation is Key

Your potential manager should also have good ethics and be truthful about the potential for your property. Does the company have a good reputation in the community? Do they belong to any professional organizations? You should be able to get references from current owners, as well as from other professionals within the Lake of the Ozarks community. Finally, you should feel at ease and be comfortable with your prospective property manager at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Your Lake Vacation is your premier vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks, since 1986! If you have a second home at the Lake and are interested in our rental program, give us a call at 573-365-3367. If you would like a market analysis or help choosing a property to purchase for the purpose of renting it out to vacationers, we can help you with that as well.

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, May 12, 2017

12 Mother's Day Fun Facts

Mother's Day is this weekend! How are you celebrating and showing your mother how much you appreciate and love her. Many people choose to give their mother flowers or other gifts, take her out to eat or do something else special for her. In today's blog, your favorite Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company offers a list of several fun facts about this holiday revolving around the amazing mothers we have!

Mother's Day Fun Facts


1. About 1/4 of all flowers bought throughout the year are purchased on Mother's Day.

2. In the vast majority of languages around the world, the word for "Mother" starts with the letter "M."

3. Just in the United States, around 122 million phone calls are made to moms on Mother’s Day. According to AT&T more calls are made on Mother's Day than any other day of the year.

4. Approximately $14 billion dollars is spent on Mother’s Day in the United States.

5. The first Mother's Day in the United States was celebrated in 1908, but didn't become a recognized holiday until 1914.

6.  The most common flower given on Mother's Day is the carnation. Pink and red carnations are for mother's still with us, while white carnations are for those who have passed on.

7. Mother's Day is celebrated in close to 50 different countries around the world.

8. More people purchase fresh flowers and plants for Mother's Day than for any other holiday except Christmas. 

9. Approximately 77.9% of American consumers will purchase a Mother's Day card for mom this year. 

10. In the 1920s, Anna Jarvis filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the over-commercialization of Mother’s Day, but she lost. 

11. In the former Yugoslavia, children would tie up their mother on Mother’s Day. In order to be freed, she had to pay them with treats.

12. Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, as 62% of Americans will dine out so mom doesn't have to cook.

Happy Mother's Day from Your Lake Vacation! The celebration doesn't have to stop this weekend though; continue celebrating mom by taking her to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. From shopping and spas to amazing dining experiences, there's something for mom and everyone else to enjoy. Book your Lake of the Ozarks condo or home today by calling 877-284-0267. We hope to see you soon!

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, May 5, 2017

3 Reasons Lake of the Ozarks is the Perfect Vacation Destination

Summer is just around the corner and many of you are probably working on your vacation plans. With so many great options across the beautiful United States, how do you choose? Here are 3 reasons why the Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect vacation destination and why you should visit us this summer:

Photo Credit: FunLake.com

1. Lake of the Ozarks is the Top Recreational Lake in the Country!


The Lake of the Ozarks is one of the largest man-made lakes in the country, with more shoreline than the state of California. We were recently voted #1 recreational lake in the country - and trust us, there's no shortage of water activities here! From swimming and paddle boarding to fishing and boating, the Lake of the Ozarks offers something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Bring your own boat or rent one! Cruise around the lake and enjoy the wind in your face as you take in the views or stop at one of the many waterfront bars and restaurants to enjoy a cold drink, great food and often times live music. If you love the water, then you'll love the Lake of the Ozarks.

Photo Credit: FunLake.com

2. Awesome Annual Events are Happening All Season Long!


The Lake of the Ozarks is known for awesome annual events that you don't want to miss. The month of June features Lake Race, powerboat racing at its best! In July, be sure to check out Aquapalooza, one of the largest on the water concerts around. Then gear up for the largest unsanctioned boat race in the U.S. in August, the Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout! A variety of other events including concerts, festivals and more are happening just about every weekend throughout the summer season at the Lake of the Ozarks, not to mention the holiday festivities taking place Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekend. For information on all the great upcoming events at the Lake, visit: www.FunLake.com

Photo Credit: FunLake.com

3. Hundreds of Amazing Restaurants and Bars to Eat At!


If you love trying new places to eat on vacation, you won't be disappointed at the Lake of the Ozarks. The area offers a variety of locally owned restaurants and bars, serving up a variety of different cuisines, both on and off the water. Whether you're craving a delicious burger or nice juicy steak, the Lake of the Ozarks offers both casual and fine dining to fit your occasion. If you're looking for a romantic dinner, check out Baxter's Lakeside Grille or JB Hooks. If you're looking for live music and great nightlife, check out Dog Days Bar & Grill or Backwater Jack's. There's plenty of variety to meet everyone's tastes. 

Book your reservations in one of our Lake of the Ozarks waterfront homes or condos today by calling 877-284-0267. From one bedroom condos up to 5+ bedroom homes, Your Lake Vacation has a variety of accommodations to fit everyone's needs. If you have a really large group, as about multiple condos in the same complex or homes that are located within walking distance of each other. We're here to help you plan the perfect vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks!

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