Tuesday, December 29, 2015

5 Ideas for Sticking to Your New Year's Resolutions

Have you thought about your New Year's resolutions yet? For many people in the United States, health and fitness are at the top of the resolutions list. Not that much further down on that list though is probably something about managing debt or saving money. Then we get to the part about things you want to accomplish in the New Year, such as traveling more! While many people give up on their resolutions within the first month of the year, Your Lake Vacation has some ideas on how to keep those resolutions longer. The more money you can save, the more money you will have to travel, travel to Lake of the Ozarks that is!

1. Start Planning Now. 


If you haven't already started thinking about your New Year's resolutions, you should! The sooner you decide on them the better prepared you will be. Take these next couple day to come up with a plan on how you're going to stick to your resolutions. Don't make a last minute wish on December 31 and expect it to come true. You need time to outline what it's going to take to achieve your goals. One of the main reasons that New Year's resolutions fail is because people don't put in enough effort to allow them to succeed.

2. Narrow Your Resolutions Down. 


Don't make resolutions on what you think you should do, but rather what you really want to do. It will be easier to keep if you actually want to do it. Another problem you could run into is trying to keep up with too many different resolutions; stick to what's most important to you. If you decide later you want to add another resolution to the list you can. Who says you have to start your resolution on January 1st?

3. Be Positive. 


Focus on the positive rather than the negative. A positive goal is an action you want to perform, whereas a negative goal is something you want to stop doing. Instead of saying you need to stop eating junk food, focus on become a healthier more fit you by eating more nutritious food and exercising regularly. You don't need that negativity in your life, start your year off right by being positive.

4. Ask for Help. 


You're friends want to see you succeed just as much as you want to. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you have a friend who has the same resolution as you, use them as an accountability partner. If you have a competitive side, you could even make a game or contest out of it. Who can get the most steps on their fit bit or who can save the most money on their next shopping trip? Everyone likes a little friendly competition for motivation.

5. Keep Records of Your Progress. 


Think of your resolutions like you would a budget - the best way to stay on track is to keep records of everything you've spent, so you know what you have left to spend or in this case what you have left to do. Writing progress notes is not only a way to stay accountable, but also a great way to keep the resolution fresh in your mind. There are apps out there for keeping track of everything from food to exercise, budgets to how much you read. Take a look and see what's out there to help you keep track of your New Year's resolutions.

If your New Year's resolutions include saving money and/or traveling more, our Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company can help with both! We have a variety of waterfront homes and condos at the Lake of the Ozarks for you to choose from. With the Lake's central location, we're easier (and less expensive) to get to than the coasts. Plus, the cost of activities and food here in the Midwest is much less than those coastal destinations. If you're looking for some fun in the sun next year, without breaking the bank, plan your stay at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Call 877-284-0267 today for 2016 reservation information!

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  
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Monday, December 21, 2015

What Do Your Christmas Decorations Say About You?

For many people, decorating for Christmas is the best part about the holiday season. Whether you're all about the lights or finding that perfect Christmas tree, each family has their own way of decorating. What do your Christmas decorations say about you and your personality? Your Lake Vacation has some ideas.

All White Lights 


You're a traditionalist. You're sure that white lights on a real tree is the only way to go and deviating from the basic red and green color scheme is just wrong. Your ornaments veer toward the nostalgic side, to include choo-choo trains, bicycles, angels, etc.

Colored Lights


You're an exuberant, free spirit. You stand out in a crowd and are the life of the party. The exterior of your home is often decorated with candy canes, inflatable snowmen and a light display that would win any contest.

Artificial Tree 


You're practical. You like convenience. You love the traditional look of a real tree, but you don't enjoy picking it out in the cold and you hate having a mess. You like the practicality of plucking your tree out of its box every year. You are a perfectionist and like knowing exactly what to expect year after year.

Real Tree


You're old fashioned. You like to do things the way they've always been done because you love the simplicity that comes with tradition. You value your friends and family highly, preferring a night in with loved ones over a night out on the town. You know what feels good and you're sticking with it.

Mini Tree


You're Frugal. It's not that you don't love Christmas time, but let's face it, Christmas decorations can be expensive! Why spend hours picking out a tree, dragging it into the house and decorating it for a holiday that will have soon come and gone. Not only do you save time decorating, but clean up is a breeze.



Uniform Ornaments


You're organized and structured. You like things to appear "just right." You thrive in environments where discipline and order are part of the description. You also don't like making decisions lightly, choosing each of your words, actions or decorations in this case, extremely carefully. There is a chance you may have a touch of OCD as well.

Mix-and-Match Ornaments


You're sentimental. Your Christmas tree has everything but the kitchen sink thrown on it, from macaroni craft projects and baby's first ornament to lights, tinsel and garlands. However, each item on your tree has a story behind it and you are eager to share those memories with everyone that visits your house this holiday season. You'd choose sentimental value over aesthetic any day.

Star Tree Topper 


You're a strong leader. You place a large amount of stock in destiny and following your guiding star. You often look for "signs" to point you in the right direction. Many times you think of yourself as the guiding star, stepping up to take leadership roles. You also have a strong moral compass.

Angel Tree Topper


You're spiritual and kind. The angel represents you have a strong spiritual side and you aren't afraid to let the world know it. You are a kind soul, who knows how to take care of others and make them feel special. People will often turn to you in times of need.

So what do you think? Do these descriptions apply to you and your decorations. Whether they do or don't, our Lake of the Ozarks property management company wishes you a very Merry Christmas! We hope you enjoy the time spent with your family and friends, eating, drinking and being merry!

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  
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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Why Talk to a Property Manager BEFORE Purchasing a Vacation Property

I have received a number of calls over the past few months from people looking at the option of purchasing a home or condo and putting that property on a vacation rental program. I tell each of them that they have made a great choice in reaching out to a property manager "prior" to making their purchase. Why? Well, I have come across a few owners who made the mistake of purchasing a property that either could not be rented or that would be very difficult to rent.

Although we live in a summer vacation area, which in fact was recently voted as the number one recreational lake destination in the entire United States by readers of US Today, there are some areas that do not allow nightly rentals. There are also some areas and properties that aren't very desirable to someone vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Rules & Restrictions on Nightly Rentals 


A few years ago, I received a phone call from someone who had purchased a home in an area that did not allow nightly rentals. When I explained this to them, there was dead silence on the other end of the line. I can only imagine the conversation they had with their real estate agent. It is possible that they didn't tell the agent that they wanted to use the home as a vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks or that the agent just didn't know that there were restrictions on that type of usage.

Desirable Location and Amenities 


I have also had a number of calls from people who have purchased a condo at a complex that just is not very desirable for rentals. The complex may have a really small pool, a lack of boat slips, horrible location or no elevator and they just purchased a fourth floor unit. I recently looked at a condo with a real estate friend of mine and her client. When you opened the blinds, you were looking directly at another building on one side and a large tree with just a hint of water on the other side. Fortunately, her client didn't purchase that unit. That would have been a real challenge trying to rent it!

Why do people visit our beautiful area? The Lake! A waterfront home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks, with a good view of the water, is possibly the most important selling point that your property can have. We frequently get asked by guests whether the property is "on the water." While other factors play a part in a guest's choice of properties, including location, amenities and how many people the property will sleep, at the end of the day, the single most important fact is that your home or condo be on the water, with a good or better yet, a great view of the lake.

Russell Burdette is the owner of Your Lake Vacation, a professional vacation rental management company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986. If you would like more information on renting your Lake of the Ozarks waterfront home or condo as a vacation rental, please call 573-365-3367 or email russell@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  
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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Luxurious 4 Bedroom Condo at The Towers at Parkview Bay

Towers 9106


Enjoy a 9th floor view from this 4 bedroom, 4 bath luxury condo at the exclusive Towers at Parkview Bay! This condo at the Lake of the Ozarks includes 3 master bedrooms. The grand master bedroom features french entry doors, laminate floors, a ceiling fan, king sized bed, walk-in closet, flat screen TV, electric fireplace, slider entry to screened deck, private bathroom with jetted tub, large shower with grab bars and hand held shower head, toilet with grab bars and 2 sinks.

The second master bedroom features a king sized bed, flat screen TV, closet, slider entry to deck, private bathroom with jetted tub, corner shower and 2 sinks. The third master bedroom features a queen sized bed, flat screen TV with DVD player (no cable in this room), closet, private bathroom with tub/shower and two sinks. The fourth bedroom features a queen sized bed, exterior entrance, closet and access to the guest bathroom.



The open kitchen has full sized appliances including a flat top range, microwave, side-by-side refrigerator with water and ice in the door and dishwasher - all the things you will need to cook if you choose to do so! The dining table is a square pub height that seats 8 comfortably for dining or game playing. There are an additional 4 bar stools located in the kitchen. The living room features two large couches, chair and half the ottoman, flat screen TV, DVD player, surround sound with receiver, gas fireplace, 3 slider entrances to the screened deck and a wet bar complete with sink and separate ice maker.



Once outside, enjoy the 6 top table, 4 top table, 2 cushioned chairs, screened deck with roll down shades (you can still see through them), large gas frill with lights and rotisserie and the extra large refrigerator for all your extra drinks. Oh, and did we forget to mention there is a flat screen TV to watch the game while you enjoy the 180 degree unobstructed view!

The Towers complex amenities include elevator access to the 9th floor, indoor and outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, exercise room, 1 covered parking space and ramp access to the docks. This Lake of the Ozarks condo is great for couples, families or small reunions as it will hold up to 10 people.

To book this lovely condo today, give us a call at 1-877-284-0267. Your Lake Vacation is your premier vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Whether you're looking for something small for a romantic getaway or a huge house for your big family reunion, we've got options 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  
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Friday, December 4, 2015

Celebrate Christmas at Lake of the Ozarks

Christmas is just a few weeks away! At the Lake of the Ozarks though, we've already started celebrating. From taking the kids to see Santa to participating in charity events, this community does a lot around the holidays. Take a look at some of the events we have coming up and plan your holiday trip to the Lake of the Ozarks today!

Christmas Lights


Each year you will find a variety of Christmas lights around the Lake, including four drive-thru light parks. While each park is free to drive through, they gladly accept donations. Here is the list of park locations:

Enchanted Village of Lights
The City of Laurie presents the Enchanted Village of Lights at the Laurie Fairgrounds. The Enchanted Village of Lights is one of the largest drive-through holiday light parks in Mid-Missouri. It will be open nightly from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (10:00 pm on Weekends) now through January 2nd.

St. Patrick's Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights at the Shrine of St. Patrick, Hwy 5, Laurie, is the oldest light park in the area. It was started in 1981 with hundreds of lights decorating the buildings and grounds and has continued to grow each year. With 4,000 strings of lights, over 60 automatic timers and more than 350 extension cords, the Festival of Lights has turned into one of the major places to see. Instead of animated displays, the focus is on the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus and His Mother, Mary. St. Patrick Festival of Lights will be open daily from 6 – 10 pm now through January 1st.

Versailles Unity Circle of Lights
For the 9th straight season, the city of Versailles will light up its city park for the Unity Circle of Lights. The holiday light park is named after the "Unity Circle," a monument erected at the park entrance to show cooperation among various entities in the community. The Unity Circle of Lights is located at the junction of Highways 5 and 52 and will feature as many as 40 lighted displays, including several animated holiday scenes for the family. The park is open from dark until midnight now through January 1st.

Osage Beach Holiday Lights
Holiday themed lights will be on display at the City Park and at various locations along Osage Beach Parkway every evening now through January 3rd. Bring the kids to meet and visit with Santa at the City Park on Saturday, December 19th from 3 PM to 5 PM.

Christmas on Main Street 


The Main Street Music Hall is celebrating the spirit of the holidays with a Christmas on Main Street. Enjoy your favorite songs with a night of laughter, as Gabby Gumm and our talented cast gives you that warm fuzzy feeling you use to get when you were just a kid. It’s guaranteed to entertain every kid from one to ninety two with an evening of clean family fun, as well as celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. A Christmas on Main Street runs through December 20th. For show times and reservations call 573-348-9500, or visit the website at www.lakemusichall.com.

Deck the Docks Holiday Light Cruises


Take a festive dinner cruise aboard Celebration Cruises to view waterfront homes and docks beautifully decorated for the Holiday Season. Deck the Docks benefits Dogwood Animal Shelter. Live entertainment and appetizers will be donated by local entertainers and restaurants. Tickets are $25 per person and reservations for tables of 8 are available. Cruises board at 5:30 pm every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from now until December 30 (excluding Christmas Day). Call 573-480-3212 for more details or reservations.

Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook 


The Lake of the Ozarks' only Christmas Village is at Old Kinderhook. They will have lots of fun activities, plus you can enjoy the Lake's only outdoor Ice Rink. Every weekend from now until Christmas, they will have Christmas activities including: S'Mores around the fire pit, Christmas Carolers, Santa, Gingerbread House making, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Elf Storytelling and more! Some activities do have a fee, so call for more information - 573-317-4314.

Christmas on the Square - December 5


Families can enjoy a fun time on the Square in Camdenton this Saturday, December 5th from 11-2! Enjoy games, hot chocolate, cookies, entertainment, petting zoo and much more! The arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at 1 pm. Stop by and give him your wish list!

Lake Ozark Christmas Parade - December 12


Celebrate the season with at the Annual Christmas parade along the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip from 1-3 pm on Saturday, December 12th. The Lake Ozark "Christmas Magic" Parade will line up at 242 starting at t he HH & Bagnell Dam Blvd. intersection, and will turn right to proceed down Bagnell Dam Boulevard to the Dam. The Parade will be lead by the Maine Corp League Honor Guard with the Grand Marshall and all other parade participants following them. After the parade, Santa's Caravan will travel from Eagle's Landing to greet everyone at the Lake Holiday Bonfire below Bagnell Dam starting at 4:30 pm. At the bonfire there will be treats for the kids, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and s'mores will be served. Parade Float Winners will be announced there at the Bonfire. Come and enjoy the bonfire, the caroling, holiday music and the fun of being part of this great community holiday season event!

Christmas for Kids - December 13


Enjoy an evening of entertainment with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction while supporting Lake Area families in need this holiday season. Admission is $20.00/person donation, plus a NEW unwrapped toy. Live music featuring: Shawn C AND Captain Geech & The Shrimp Shack Shooters. All proceeds benefit underprivileged children in the Lake Area and CADV, Wonderland Camp, Hope House, Big Bro./Big Sis., Lake Reg. Pediatrics, YMCA, Share the Harvest Food Pantry & Kid’s Harbor. The event will be held at the Country Club Hotel & Spa on Sunday, December 13th at 7 pm, with the VIP Party starting at 6 pm.

 Jingle Jog 2015 - December 19


The Tri-County YMCA of the Ozarks presents the first of what will become an annual event: The YMCA 5K Run/Walk "JINGLE JOG 2015". This exciting event will take place on Saturday, December 19th. This event will benefit the kids at the YMCA and the participants will be able to burn off some of those "holiday calories" a little early. Registration for the event will start at 8 am at the Y and the race will begin at 9 am. Early bird registration will be until December the 11th for $20.00. Registration the day of the race on the 19th will be $25.00. The participants will be divided into age divisions and the overall 5K male and female winners will receive a FREE Christmas ham! After the race, the fun begins - Santa will be present to take photos with the kids and there will be a hot cocoa bar, music and games for the kids. You will definitely want to bring the kids to this fun event.

With so many great Christmas events, why wouldn't you want to make a weekend trip to the Lake of the Ozarks this holiday season? Call 877-284-0267 to book your reservations today. From one bedroom condos to five bedrooms houses, we have Lake of the Ozarks accommodations to fit everyone's needs. Merry Christmas from Your Lake Vacation - 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  

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Shop Black Friday Deals at the Lake!

With our 110 outlet mall, in addition to all your favorite department stores, the Lake of the Ozarks offers the perfect place to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Take advantage of the area Black Friday deals and stay in one of our many vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend!

Black Friday at Lake of the Ozarks


While you might always hit Walmart and Menards for those great Black Friday deals, the Lake of the Ozarks offers even more holiday savings at our 110 outlet mall. Since our outlet prices are already lower than other shopping malls, the added Black Friday discounts make this weekend a great time to shop at the Lake!

Osage Beach Premium Outlets 

From OshKosh and Carters to Levi's and Eddie Bauer, all your favorite stores have great holiday deals this holiday season! Special holiday hours throughout the entire mall also start this Thursday. Check out each individual stores' deals here: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/osage-beach/deals.

Walmart in Osage Beach

Black Friday at Walmart is the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday shopping! Door busters start at 6 PM on Thanksgiving Day this year. While you already enjoy "Every Day Low Prices," now you'll find even lower prices on some of the season's most popular gifts and other holiday items. Take advantage of some of the best values of the year this Black Friday!

Target in Osage Beach

Target is doing Black Friday a little differently with 10 Days of Deals! Take advantage of 100s of doorbusters starting at 6 PM on Thanksgiving Day. You'll also want to do some of your shopping on Friday because when you spend $75, you'll get 20% off one of your Target trips between December 4-13 and if you shop on Saturday, you'll get 50% off your Holiday Shop purchase of $100 or more with coupon.

Menards in Lake Ozark

Menards has mind-blowing deals on tools, home goods, apparel, toys, electronics and even food on Black Friday! Doors will open at 6 AM on Friday, November 27 and the prices will be good until noon or while supplies last. There are also a few deals that you can snag on Saturday, November 28.

Kohl's in Lake Ozark

Kohl's is offering their Best Black Friday ever! Shop online now through November 27 or shop in store starting at 6 PM on Thursday, November 26. You can preview their Black Friday doorbusters here: http://www.kohls.com/sale-event/coupons-deals.jsp.

Places to Stay Near Shopping


At Your Lake Vacation, we have plenty of great places to stay, many of them just a few minutes from where all the Black Friday shopping will be happening. Check out these Lake of the Ozarks condo rentals that are still available for this weekend:

Bridge Pointe Condo 441: 
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath 

This beautiful condo offers a spacious master bedroom with a king bed, a guest room with a queen bed and a loft area featuring two twin beds that overlooks the living room and has a splendid view of the water. Other features include a full kitchen with seating for two at the breakfast bar, a separate dining area with seating for four, tiled floors in the entry and kitchen, a stacked washer & dryer and a top floor deck.

Indian Pointe 622: 
3 Bedroom, 3 Bath

This waterfront condo features a living room with 42" flat screen TV and DVD player, wall of floor to ceiling lakeside windows, laminate wood floors and deck access. The dining room features a 4-top table, with seating for four more at the bar, laminate wood floors and deck access. The kitchen features all the amenities of home including pots and pans! Downstairs you'll find the 2 master suites.

Lands End 637: 
3 Bedroom, 3 Bath 

Bring the friends or bring the family as this condo has it all! The dining room features a 4-top table, with seating for four more at the breakfast bar. The large kitchen features solid surface counter tops, stainless steel appliances and all the amenities of home. In the living room, you'll find a leather sectional with recliners, flat screen TV with Blu Ray DVD player, built in surround sound and a gas fireplace.

Lands End 737: 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath

Another fantastic luxury condo at Land's End, this is a walk-in, end unit, featuring tiled flooring in the dining room and kitchen. Stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops complete the kitchen. The living room features the floor to ceiling 3 panel slider, sectional with chaise lounge, flat screen TV, DVD player, gas fireplace and ambient lighting. Step outside onto the tiled deck for that great 180 degree view featuring the Grand Glaize Bridge and main channel.

Your Lake Vacation wishes you both a Happy Thanksgiving and a great Black Friday shopping experience. Call 877-284-0267 to book your reservations with us today. From one bedroom condos to five bedroom homes, we have everything to accommodate you and your family this holiday season!

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  

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Monday, November 16, 2015

Beds, Beds and More Beds

One of the more frequent questions that I am asked is what size beds should the vacation rental home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks have how many? The answer to that question is not as simple as you would think. The bed situation in any given home or condo can make a big difference in the number of rentals a property receives.

Beds Can Make or Break Your Rental Success


Our research over the years has shown that most guests want at least one room, preferably the master bedroom, outfitted with a king bed. Our properties in the past that did not have a king bed or our properties that currently do not have one can see their rentals reduced anywhere from 15-40% compared to similar properties. While there are exceptions to every rule, a king bed definitely can attract more rentals. Additional beds in bedrooms can also increase rentals. If the room is big enough, you might consider putting two queen beds in the second bedroom or a queen and a twin bunk bed. You want to appeal to the widest variety of guests, and by having additional beds, you can sleep people separately when the need arises.

Most Popular Bed Situations


Here are some of the most popular bed situations based on the number of bedrooms at a property.
  • One Bedroom - should have a king bed and either a queen sleeper sofa or a nice queen air mattress. 
  • Two Bedrooms - should have a king bed, a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa or air mattress. OR you can put two twins in the second room. 
  • Three Bedrooms - should have a king bed, a queen bed, two twin beds and a queen sleeper sofa or air mattress. You could also set the second bedroom up with another king instead of the queen and you would probably see more rental nights with that configuration. 
  • Four Bedrooms - should have two king beds, a queen bed, two twin beds and a queen sleeper sofa or air mattress. 

Beds to Avoid 


You should avoid using full/double beds unless you can fit two into one room using two double beds instead of two twins or if it is the lower bunk of a bunk bed giving you a twin on top and a double on the bottom. Otherwise, use a queen instead of a full/double bed. When it comes to a sleep sofa or air mattress, we have found that our guests prefer a nice queen, self-inflating air mattress to a sleeper sofa. They are also about ten times cheaper and that much lighter! You could purchase about 10 air mattresses for the price of a good sleeper sofa. If the guests need additional sleeping you have it and if not, you have saved a bit of money.

Russell Burdette is owner 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 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  
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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

Friday, November 13, 2015

Winterizing Your Vacation Home

A vacation home is a big investment, so it only makes sense to use every precaution to preserve it through the winter. During the winter months, your vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks probably isn't going to get much use and therefore, you'll need to winterize it for while you're away. Here are a few tips to follow when preparing your home for the cold winter months ahead:

1. Exterior Maintenance


When winterizing your home, the place to start is outside. You want to prevent any damage to the outside of your home to keep it from affecting the inside of your home. Try these tips for protecting the exterior of your home this winter:
  • Clear all gutters so that rainwater, melting snow and ice can successfully flow away from your home instead of forming ice dams, which can lead to leaks inside your home. 
  • Trim trees and remove dead branches around your home to prevent property-damaging breaks caused by the weight and force of winter winds, snow and ice.
  • Protect your outdoor furniture, cooking appliances and recreational gear by storing them away or protecting them with weather-proof covers.
  • Keep pest from seeking warmth in your home by covering chimneys with screening and blocking any possible entries in the foundation or around the eaves.

2. Prepare Your Plumbing 


Failing to winterize the plumbing in your vacation home could lead to extensive damage while you're away. Before you check out for the winter season, be sure to do the following things to keep your pipes from freezing and busting during those cold winter months:
  • Open all the water faucets and valves inside your home to let the water drain from the pipes.
  • Turn off the main water shut off valve inside your home. 
  • Wrap all exterior pipes as well as pipes in unheated areas of your vacation home with polyurethane or fiberglass pipe insulation.  
  • Use spray foam insulation to fill in the gaps around outdoor spigots.
  • Turn off or remove any back flow prevention devices from your faucets before insulating them.
  • Disconnect and drain your washing machine hoses, ice maker waterline and dishwasher's supply and drain lines.  
  • Turn off the water heater and drain the water from the tank.
  • Drain the water from spray attachments at your sinks and from the handheld shower head hoses.
  • Flush your toilets and remove any excess water from the tanks and bowls with an old towel.
  • Pour one cup of antifreeze into the toilet bowls and an additional cup down the overflow tube in the toilet tanks.

3. Interior Preparations


In addition to making sure your pipes aren't going to freeze on those cold winter nights, there are a few other items that should be addressed inside your home. Follow these tips to ensure a problem free winter for your vacation home:
  • All electrical components in your vacation home should be shut down, with the exception of such essentials as the heating system, security system and outdoor lighting. Use carefully marked breakers in your home's circuit box as a guide.
  • Unplug all appliances from the outlets.
  • Adjust the heat to a minimum of 55 degrees to maintain proper interior humidity and prevent the development of molds and mildew. 
  • Open all cabinets where plumbing is present.
  • Make sure the smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms in your vacation home are in working order. 
  • Make sure there is ample insulation in the attic, basement and crawl spaces. This will also help to keep your pipes from freezing. 
  • Empty and defrost the refrigerator, leaving the door ajar and the unit unplugged. 
  • Discard any food, toiletries or medications containing liquids that could freeze. 
  • Seal air leaks that allow cold air into your home, paying special attention to door frames and window sills. 
  • Turn off the pilot lights on stoves and fireplaces and turn off the gas. Also check for possible gas leaks. 

Not all of these items may be applicable in your situation. If you plan to have guests coming and going throughout the winter, you might want to leave the water heater full of water and the refrigerator plugged in. One of the great things about having your Lake of the Ozarks vacation home on our rental program is that you have someone keeping an eye on your house all year round. When a guest checks out during the winter months, we make sure to turn the water off and turn the heat down to 55 for you. We also have maintenance people on staff to take care of any issues that may arise during the cold winter months. For more information about having our property management company at the Lake of the Ozarks manage your vacation home, give us a call at 573-365-3367 today. Now is the time to get everything setup for the 2016 summer season!

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  
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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

Saturday, November 7, 2015

What Makes a Great Rental Home?

My family and I recently went on a vacation to another destination here in Missouri. Therefore, I got to see what the other side of the phone is like and I was the one asking the questions about our rental home, location, amenities, etc. It was actually kind of weird, but I also learned a few things, so it was a good experience.

Great Location


Location was our first priority, as we have season passes to a certain theme park and didn't want to drive a long way to get there. We could have stayed in town and the five mile drive could have taken almost an hour or we could stay 14 miles from the park and have a scenic 20 minute drive with minimal traffic.

Plenty of Space 


Once we decided on our location, we needed enough room for nine of us. We found a number of four, five and up to seven bedroom homes near where we wanted to stay and we found varying price ranges. We settled on a five bedroom, three bath home with two levels and a family room on the lower level that included a pinball machine.

Just Like Pictures


The home was awesome! Most importantly, when we arrived, it looked just like the pictures on the internet. Sometimes you worry that you are seeing the home 20 years ago when it was new. That is why at our company, anytime an owner updates their unit with new paint, new furnishings or new appliances, we take new pictures. All of our properties look just like they do on the internet.

Added Amenities 


It was comfortable for all of us. There were flat screen TVs in every room but one, with 6 TVs in all, plus an X-Box system in the family room. However, the hit of the weekend was the pinball machine. We only stayed two nights and most of one whole day was spent at the park, but we managed to play around 40-50 games of pinball. (I had the high score for the weekend, but I'm not very competitive, so it wasn't a big deal).

What's Missing? 


The only thing the home didn't have that would have been nice was a dresser in one of the bedrooms. That was our only complaint, if you could even call it that. We had Wi-Fi, plenty of room to relax, a well-appointed kitchen, good appliances, soft beds, nice pillows and a great location. All those things together make for a great vacation!

When you have a home or condo that you're planning to rent out to people, make sure it have everything that would make someone feel comfortable. Games for a rainy day, maybe some books or magazines and a pool table, Foosball table, pin ball machine or card table. All of those things can set your property apart from the rest of the crowd and make for a great vacation rental property at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Russell Burdette is the owner 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 home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks as a vacation rental, please call us 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  
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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

2 Bedroom Waterfront Condo at Lake of the Ozarks' Knolls Resort

Knolls Resort: Unit 1412


Whether you're looking to get away for the weekend or an entire week, The Knolls Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks has just what you're looking for. Stay with us and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle here at Lake of the Ozarks, while nestled in the natural setting of a wooded peninsula. Even when the weather gets colder, The Knolls Resort is the perfect place for you and your family to stay!

Condo Features

 This 2-bedroom, 2-bath waterfront condo at the Lake of the Ozarks features a Master Suite with a private bath and a king bed. The second bedroom has two twin beds, and the home will sleep up to to 6 with the queen air mattress. There are 2 TV’s, a gas grill, and a deck overlooking the water.



This very nice two-bedroom, two-bath is a waterfront unit with a main channel view. Features include a full kitchen, a wood burning fireplace, a bathroom for every bedroom, and a deck.


Knolls Resort Features


The complex features an indoor and outdoor pool (with hot tub and sauna), a clubhouse, a game room, tennis courts (one indoors), a basketball court, a playground, and exercise facility.



Why crowd your family in a small hotel room when you can feel right at home in one of our Lake of the Ozarks waterfront condos! We have some of the largest condominimums in the area, with the most amenities of any other condo complex at the Lake. Our condos range from one to four bedrooms, each with one full bath per bedroom. Give us a call at 800-648-0339 today - let our friendly reservation staff help you plan your next vacation at the beautiful 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  
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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

Monday, October 19, 2015

Join us at the Lake this Halloween!

With Summer over and Fall officially here, Your favorite Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company is gearing up for the holidays! First up is Halloween! The Lake of the Ozarks area is a great place to celebrate this spooky holiday. From hayrides and trick-or-treating to costume contests and more, the Lake of the Ozarks is the place to be this Halloween. Check out some of these great events going on over the next two weekends and book your stay with us today!

Kid's Activities 


Pumpkin Patch at Hy-Vee Hollow - Fun activities for the entire family, Saturdays and Sundays 10am - 6pm through October 25. Straw bale maze, old fashioned water pump duck races, a corn pit, seesaws, hay mountain and free hayrides.

Bonfire & Hayride at The Lodge of Four Seasons - Saturdays from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm through November 14th. Come enjoy a hayride and bonfire on the beach complete with s'mores, hot chocolate, hot cider and complimentary pumpkins for children under 12. Hayrides begin at 5:00 pm and run every 20 minutes with the last ride leaving at 6:40 pm. Reservations are strongly suggested as there is limited space available on each ride. Hayride & bonfire are $5 inclusive per person. Ages 5 and under are FREE. For more information or to make your reservation, please call 573-365-3000 ext 0.

Lucas Oil "Spookway" Free Trick-or-Treating - This Annual Safe Trick or Treat Night is a big hit with the area youth as the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" gives kids a safe trick or treat experience. The event begins at 5:00pm on Saturday, October 24th. The event is FREE to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. Last year over 500 trick or treaters visited the Lucas Oil "Spookway".

Dogwood Animal Shelter's Howl-O-Ween Festival - Dogwood Animal Shelter's annual HOWL-O-WEEN Festival will be held October 24 from 10 am to 2 pm! Family fun, contests, food and entertainment, plus vendor booths and lots of smiles!

Eldon PTO Trunk-or-Treat - Join the Eldon Elementary PTO in a FUN, FREE, FAMILY fall themed event on October 24 from 6-8 pm at the Eldon Air Park. Along with a large Trunk-or-Treat the City of Eldon will be providing a hayride, maze and bounce house all for FREE!

Kid's Halloween Spooktacular at Captain Ron's - Bring your little ghosts & goblins to Captain Ron's to grab some loot from 5-7 pm on October 25! Several local businesses will be handing out goodies!

 Hy-Vee Hollow Trick-or-Treat Maze - Safe trick-or-treating and family fun in the Hy-Vee parking lot from 4-7 pm on October 29. Cost is $2 per child. All money raised from this event will be donated to Dream Factory, an organization making dreams come true for critically and chronically ill children.

Tunnel Dam Gardens' Haunted Maze & Hayride - The Tunnel Dam Gardens Haunted Maze and Hayride is back, October 30-31 from 7-11 pm each night. Admission is $5 per carload.

Halloween at The Ice at Old Kinderhook - Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and come to The Ice on October 31 from 4-10 pm! We will have games and activities. Candy for the kids and a Halloween costume contest. Cost for skate: $10 for a skate session and $3 for skate rental.

Halloween Bash on The Strip - Trick-or-Treat at the businesses along the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip, Bagnell Dam Blvd from 2-4 pm on Saturday, October 31. Costume contests for both kids and adults!

Adult Activities


Oktoberfest at Ozark Yacht Club - 2nd Annual Oktoberfest - Live Music by Spontaneous Serendipity, Authentic German Food & Wine and Beer Specials from 12-6 pm on October 24.

H. Toad's Halloween Costume Contest - Join us on Friday night, October 30, for a Costume Party & Contest this Halloween at H. Toad's Bar and Grill. Our party features a live DJ, Costume Contest with PRIZES and spooky drink specials from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am.

Halloween Party at Shawnee Bluff Winery - Come one come all for a SPOOKY party this fall. Join us this Halloween (October 31) from 3-7 pm for a fun afternoon of live music, wine and entertainment. Live music by Shawn C and Gabriella, playing a wide variety of acoustic covers from all decades ranging from Dolly Parton and Jackson 5 to Meghan Trainor and John Legend. (Halloween costumes optional) Costume contest, winner gets a Shawnee Bluff Winery wine basket.

Places to Stay 


From large private homes to small waterfront condos at the Lake of the Ozarks, we have all types of accommodations to fit your needs. Here are a few options still available for this weekend or Halloween weekend:

Bridge Pointe Condo 220 - This beautiful two bedroom, two bath condo is located on the main channel at the 19 mile marker and by land just off Highway 54 in the heart of Osage Beach. The spacious Master Bedroom has a king bed, private bath, walk-in closet and screened deck access. The guest Bedroom features a king bed, 32" flat screen TV with DVD Player and an adjacent bathroom. Other features include a full Kitchen with seating for four at the breakfast bar, a  separate dining area that seats four, wood floors (entry & kitchen), full sized washer & dryer and a screened deck that allows seating for eight.

Falls 152-1B - This gorgeous two bedroom condo has a panoramic main channel view to match! Relax in the stunning Master Suite with King bed and deck access. The second bedroom has a queen bed with a private deck. The second bathroom also has a shower/tub combo. The dining table has comfortable seating for six and with the gas grill on the deck a bbq is just minutes away! This condo is located on Horseshoe Bend off Carol Road or on the 2 1/2 mile marker by water.


Gray Haven - This 5 bedroom, 4 bath ranch style home is located off Highway KK in Osage Beach! Walk right into on the main floor to the great room featuring an immediate fantastic view from this waterfront home! Includes Living Room with flat screen TV, DVD player, fireplace and massive Dining Room with seating for 12.  Kitchen features an island that seats 4, flat top range, microwave, dishwasher and side by side refrigerator with water and ice in the door.Downstairs includes a game room with flat screen TV, game table, bumper pool, foosball, guest bathroom and wet bar. The best thing about this house is the oversize decks! 

Imperial Point - This 3 bedroom home is located off of Horseshoe Bend Parkway in Lake Ozark. Upstairs you will find two bedrooms, each with queen beds and twin trundle beds, as well as flat screen TVs. Downstairs features two stories of windows overlooking that great main channel view, along with the large Living Room with attached game area, open kitchen with breakfast bar, half bath and lakeside Dining Room.  Also on this level is the oversize Master Suite with jetted tub, private bathroom and access to the lakeside deck.  

 Grab your costumes and head on down to the Lake of the Ozarks for a fun-filled weekend! Whether you want to bring the whole family or just sneak away with that special someone for a few days, Your Lake Vacation is here to hook you up with the perfect place to stay! Give us a call at 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  
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Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA
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