Wednesday, June 29, 2016

5 Grilling Tips for the Upcoming Holiday Weekend

One of the most popular 4th of July activities is grilling! Whether you're a burger person or favor a nice juicy steak, there's nothing better than getting family and friends together for a nice meal outside. The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend and Your Lake Vacation has some tips for a successful meal on the grill:

1. The Perfect Steak. 


How do you know if your steak is cooked to your liking? If you cut it open to check the inside, you're just going to let all those flavorful juices run out. Instead, get a grill thermometer to check the temperature of your meat. Here are the temperatures to determine the degree of doneness:
  • Rare - 125° to 130°
  • Medium Rare -130° to 140°
  • Medium - 140° to 150°
  • Medium Well - 150° to 160°
  • Well Done - 160° to 170° 

2. A Clean Grill. 


A successful grilling experience starts with a clean grill. The grill is easier to clean when hot, so preheat the grill first and then take the brush to it. To make this step easier next time you go to use the grill, be sure to brush it again after you've cooked this meal. Once you have the grill nice and clean, it's important to oil it up to reduce sticking. The best way to do this is to rub a vegetable oil soaked paper towel on the rack; you don't want to use a spray as it will create large flames.

3. Fresh Meat. 


For the best tasting meat, you should use fresh meat, not frozen. The main issue with frozen meat is that it contains ice crystals. These crystals tear meat cells and lead to more fluid leaking out of the meat when it cooks. The end result is a steak that's more prone to quick oxidation and is less juicy than fresh steak. If frozen is your only choice, make sure to thaw out the meat completely before cooking it. About 20 minutes before grilling, remove meat from the fridge, and let it sit covered so it can get to room temperature.  

4. The Right Seasoning. 


Whether you choose to marinate your meat or sprinkle on some seasoning, the way you season your meat can make or break the meal. Adding flavor can take your meat from good to great! Marinades are flavor infusing liquids that make your meat juicy and delicious. For best results, marinade your meat in the fridge for several hours. And remember, don't baste with a liquid in which raw meat was in during the last 3 minutes of grilling. Another great way to season your meat is to, just before grilling, brush the meat with a little olive oil and rub on your favorite spices.

5. A Hot Grill. 


For best results, you want your grill to be hot! Crank that baby up! About 15 to 25 minutes before you start cooking, you want to preheat your grill. A properly heated grill will sear food on contact, keep the insides moist and help prevent sticking. You want your grill to be at least 450° or hot enough that you can only hold your hand over it for one second.

Happy 4th of July weekend from Your Lake Vacation! The majority of our Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental homes and condos have propane grills ready to be fired up this weekend. We hope you take this tips into consideration and have the best grilled meal you've ever tasted this holiday weekend!

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, June 20, 2016

4 Bedroom Waterfront Condo at Lake of the Ozarks

Willows 118-1A 


This unique 4 bedroom condo at the Lake of the Ozarks includes home-like features. Step inside the open living room and enjoy an expansive view of the lake! The lakeside dining room features seating for 6, plus 2 more at the breakfast bar. The kitchen features all appliances, a pantry and everything you need for your group.    

The extra large master bedroom has a king sized bed, stereo, flat screen TV, and private vanity area with private bath. This room has a lot of extra room for a Queen (or King) sized air mattress. Bedroom number 2 features a queen sized bed and flat screen TV, with access to the guest bathroom on the mid level.     

The downstairs area includes a large family room with flat screen TV, lakeside sliding glass doors and plenty of seating on the sectional. 

Down the hallway you'll find the full sized washer and dryer closet, a guest bathroom with standing shower and bedroom number 3, which features a queen sized bed and flat screen TV. Bedroom number 4 is located lakeside and features a queen bed, queen sofa sleeper and 2 separate twin beds.     

Outdoors enjoy the upper and lower deck. The upper deck features outdoor dining and a gas grill. This unit is just 4 steps from the outdoor pool and comes with a 10 x 24 boat slip in the community dock. Willows is conveniently located near shopping and dining, both on and off the water!

To book your reservations in this beautiful Lake of the Ozark waterfront condo, give us a call at 877-284-0267. For all of your accommodation needs at the Lake, Your Lake Vacation has you covered. No matter the size of the group, we've got a home or condo just waiting for you to arrive. 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  

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Test Your Knowledge on Historic Fathers

With Father's Day being tomorrow, Your Lake Vacation thought it would be fun to see how much you know about fathers throughout history. How many of these questions do you know the answer to?

1. Who were the "Founding Fathers"?


A. the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
B. the Leaders of the American Revolution
C. Christopher Columbus and his Friends
D. the Delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention

2. Who is considered to be the Father of the United States? 


A. Thomas Edison
B. Abraham Lincoln
C. Benjamin Franklin
D. George Washington

3. In the Roman Catholic Church, who is the "Holy Father"? 


A.The Pope
B. God
C. Jesus
D. The Holy Spirit

4. Who is known as the "Father of History"? 


A. Herodotus
B. Aristotle
C. Adam
D. Oedipus

5. In Greek mythology, who is the "Father of the Universe"?


A. Cronos
B. Uranus
C. Zeus
D. Apollo

6. Who is known as "Father Time"?


A. St. Nicholas
B. The Grim Reaper
C.The Sandman
D. The Tooth Fairy

7. Who is considered the "Father of the Symphony"?


A. Joseph Haydn
B. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
C. Ludwig van Beethoven
D. Johann Sebastian Bach

8. To whom does the term "Great White Father" refer?


A. Santa Claus
B. The Pope
C. The U.S. President
D. The Prime Minister

9. Who is often called the "Father of Medicine"?


A. Demosthenes
B. Hippocrates
C. Galen
D.Herophilos

10. Who is known as the "Father of Europe"? 


A. Charlemagne
B. Constantine
C. Henry IV

D. Otto  

11. According to the quote by Galileo, who is the "Father of Invention"? 


A. Victory
B. Shame
C. Doubt
D. Fear

12. In the U.S., who is considered to be the founder of Father's Day? 


A. Florence Crosby
B. Sonora Dodd
C. Martha Washington
D. Laura Secord





**ANSWERS**


1. D - the Delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention
2. D - George Washington
3. A - The Pope
4. A - Herodotus
5. B - Uranus
6. B - The Grim Reaper
7. A - Joseph Haydn
8. C - The U.S. President
9. B - Hippocrates
10. A - Charlemagne
11. C - Doubt
12. B - Sonora Dodd

Happy Father's Day from Your Lake Vacation! Our vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks offers the perfect place for dads, moms and children of all ages to stay. If you're looking for the perfect summer vacation, look no further than the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Call 877-284-0267 to book 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  


Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Do You Have a Boat Slip at Your Vacation Rental Condo?

The main reason people vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks is, well, the Lake. When I was a small boy visiting my grandparents who has a home on the water, I would float on an inner tube about a half mile from the dam and wait for the Tom Sawyer and Larry Don to pass by so that I could ride the big waves they created. Later as a teenager, my dad and I would go fishing in a small 14 foot Jon boat, but I never really thought about the size of the boat.

Photo Credit: FunLake.com
About The Lake


While those days are long in my past, the Lake is still the main attraction that draws over 4 million visitors to our area each year. We have a playground that includes 1,150 miles of shoreline (more than the state of California), a surface area of 54,000 acres, is located in 4 counties and has a main channel that stretches about 92 miles from Bagnell Dam to Truman Dam. In fact, our lake was recently recognized as the number one recreational lake in the United States!

Boats on The Lake


Today, the boats are a lot bigger than my dad's little Jon boat. When it comes to vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks, many people are bringing their boats with them to enjoy the lake and last time I checked, they weren't getting any smaller. At one time, a 10 x 20 boat slip would suffice for those bringing their fishing boat or small runabout. Today, you almost need a minimum slip size of 12 x 32 to accommodate the majority of boats that guests are bringing.


Vacation Rentals 


I get a number of condo owners that either don't have a boat slip with their condo or they are using it for their own boat. Typically, 40% of our guests are either bringing a boat or renting one while they are here. That means, if you don't have a slip for guests, you are telling 40% of the vacationing public that you don't want them at your condo at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Therefore, if you are thinking about purchasing a condo for vacation rentals, you need to ensure (beyond the good location and that it is a nice unit) that you get a good sized boat slip with it. A 12 x 32 to a 12 x 38 will allow you to accommodate most boats that guest are bringing. Some guests like to keep an eye on their boat, so if you have a choice, try to get a slip that is also available from your unit.

Russell Burdette is the owner/broker of Your Lake Vacation, a professional vacation rental management company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986. Russell serves as the vice-chairman of the Tri-County Lodging Association, is past president of the Lake of the Ozarks Vacation Rental Association and sits on the board of directors for the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council. If you would like more info on renting your home or condo as a Lake of the Ozarks 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  

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Join us at Lake of the Ozarks for Lake Race 2016!

The Lake of the Ozarks is the place to be this weekend! Lake Race 2016 is happening June 2-5 and this is one annual event you don't want to miss. The Festival of Speed kicks off the weekend of events on Thursday. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy activities all weekend long - and Your Lake Vacation has all the details for you right here!

Lake Race 2016 Events


June 2 - Festival of Speed: 4-9 PM on Osage Beach Pkwy West of the Grand Glaize Bridge
June 3 - Lake Race Meet & Greet Street Party: 4-11 PM on the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip 
June 4 - Race Day: Beavers at the Dam
  • Opening Ceremony at 10:40 AM
  • OPA Sanctioned Powerboat Racing from 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Awards Ceremony at 7 PM
  • After Party from 6-11 PM 
June 5 - Final Lake Race Festivities: Beavers at the Dam
  • Lake Race 5K at 9 AM
  • Lake Race Props & Hoses Fun Run at 10 AM

Vacation Rentals at Lake of the Ozarks


Enjoy all the great festivities when you stay in one of our vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks! Many of our available condos and homes are located just minutes from all the action. Check out a couple options here and give us a call at 877-284-0267 to book your reservations today!

Newport 107 - 4 Bedroom Condo

Newport Condominiums are located in the heart of Lake Ozark and at the 1 MM by water. Enjoy a nice view of the cove from the deck or drive the boat out to the edge of a cove for a main channel view. The condo rental comes complete with a 14x36 covered boat slip. Staying here will put you just minutes from all the Lake Race action, both by land and by water! Also check out Newport 111.


Palisades 160E-4A - 3 Bedroom Condo

Enjoy a great panoramic view from the deck of this gorgeous 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo in Lake Ozark. If you're looking for a great place to stay, that's not too far of a drive from Beavers at the Dam, this is a great option! We also have two other 3 bedroom condos in this complex, Palisades 184E-2B and Palisades 202E-2B, perfect for accommodating larger groups.


For more options available this weekend, visit our website at: www.YourLakeVacation.com.

Your Lake Vacation is the premier vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks! From one bedroom condos up to 5+ bedroom homes, we've got accommodations to fit the needs of any size group. Give us a call at 877-284-0267 to start your Lake of the Ozarks vacation planning 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  

Friday, May 27, 2016

7 Little Known Facts About Memorial Day

While it may be fun to crank up the BBQ grill for the first time this season and hit the Lake with your boat that's been calling your name since you put it away for winter, it's important to remember the real meaning of Memorial Day Weekend. Many men and women died serving our country so that we would have the freedom to take these long, fun weekends. In honor of the upcoming holiday, the best vacation rental company at Lake of the Ozarks has put together a list of little known facts about Memorial Day:


1. Memorial Day originated following the Civil War. 


Memorial Day was the response to an unprecedented massacre of the Civil War, where nearly 620,000 soldiers from both sides died. The loss of so many lives led to spontaneous commemorations across the country.

2. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. 


To honor the deceased, soldiers would decorate the graves of the fallen with flowers, flags and wreaths.

3. Memorial Day used to be on May 30 each year. 


In 1971, the date Memorial Day was celebrated on shifted from May 30 to the last Monday in May. The main reason for the shift was the create an extended weekend for the holiday.

4. Memorial Day is a Federal Holiday, not a "National Holiday." 


When first adopted, Memorial Day was a federal holiday and therefore, only applied to federal employees and the District of Columbia. For everyone else, the holiday was enacted by each individual state, starting with New York.

5. On the Thursday before Memorial Day, soldiers visit graves of the fallen in Arlington National Cemetery.


Not only do soldiers from the 3rd infantry visit the graves of the fallen, they place flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington. They also patrol the cemetery 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.

6. Waterloo, New York is said to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. 


While Waterloo is most widely recognized as the birthplace of Memorial Day, there's still quite a debate going about it. Other towns, such as Boalsburg, PA, also try to claim the title.

7. In December 2000, a law was passed to have a moment of silence at 3 pm on Memorial Day. 


To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, the “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” was passed. It encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 pm local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Your Lake Vacation wishes you a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! If you're still in need of last minute accommodations for the holiday weekend, give us a call at 877-284-0267 now. We still have availability in several great condos and waterfront homes 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  

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Investing in Vacation Property at Lake of the Ozarks

So far in 2016, we've gotten a ton of calls from investors looking at vacation rental properties at the Lake of the Ozarks. In light of all the people currently looking at investment property, Your Lake Vacation has decided to revise an earlier blog on investing in a vacation rental home. Before you make your home purchase, talk to a professional at our property management company to make sure you know what you're in for!

Investment Perspective


By investing in a vacation rental property, the owner can do two things: off-set some of the property expenses like the mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc. and also use the Lake of the Ozarks home or condo as a vacation property for their own family and friends. When it comes to owning a vacation rental property, having the proper perspective will make all the difference in your experience. Very few properties will completely pay for themselves through the rental income. So if you can't afford any added expenses to what you already have, you're probably better off not buying. However, if you are just looking to off-set some of your expenses (and I would say in most cases at least half of your total expenses would normally be covered by your rental income), then you will have a positive experience.

Return on Investment 


When it comes to investments, most people are interested in the return they'll be getting from it. Let's look at the basics when it comes to getting a return at the Lake of the Ozarks. Keep in mind that our vacation rental season, compared to coastal locations, is relatively short. At the Lake, we're looking at around 90 days for the season and depending on the type of property, you might only get weekend rentals for the most part. There are only 15 weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, if you have a nice property in a great location, you'll get a few rentals outside of the prime season too. Just keep in mind that 80% of your rentals will fall within that 90 day period.

Running the Numbers


For an example, let's look at a 2-bedroom condo at the Lake of the Ozarks. The average selling price right now for a 2-bedroom waterfront condo in the Osage Beach area is still right around $123,000. Based on a 30 year mortgage at 4.5% interest and a 20% downpayment, your monthly payments would come out around $490. A typical, nice 2-bedroom condo rents for around $175 per night in the summer. You can expect around 40 summer nights and around 10 off-season nights (in the $140 per night range). That gives you around $8,400 for the season. Your average cost is going be somewhere around $11,000 for the year. That total includes your mortgage, insurance, taxes, quarterly assessments and electricity. Also, over time, you will need to set aside some of your earnings to update your property, repaint, replace worn items, etc. Depending on what Lake of the Ozarks property management company you go through, you're going to give 35-40% of your rental income to them. That leaves you with around $5,000 to $5,500 in net income from rentals. Even if you manage the property yourself, you will, in most cases, come up a bit short.

If you are looking to cover some of your expenses, like your electric, insurance and taxes, then you are probably going to find the experience a lot more satisfying than if you need your rental income to cover your mortgage and assessments. Thinking about investing in vacation property at the Lake? Give Your Lake Vacation a call at 573-365-3367 before you buy. We'll discuss your options, estimate your annual income based on similar properties on our program, and find a solution that works best for you!

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