Friday, October 27, 2017

5 Road Trip Tips and Facts

With the holidays just around the corner, the amount of road trips taking place is going up! People will be hitting the roads to visit family and friends across the country. Whether you're joining us for a vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks or traveling states away, Your Lake Vacation has a few road trip tips and fun facts to help you prepare.

1. Start with a Full Tank of Gas. 


One of the most important aspects of a road trip is making sure you're always good on gas. Depending on the time of day and location that you are driving in, sometimes you won't find a gas station for hundreds of miles. If you're driving at night, fill up at any open gas station, even if your tank hasn't gotten that low yet. You never know when the next 24-hour gas station will show up.

2. Make a Few Pit Stops. 


In addition to bringing some snacks for the ride, be sure to make a few stops to refuel your body along the way. With more than 7,000 Dunkin Donuts stores, 14,000 McDonald's chains and nearly 26,000 Subway restaurants in the United States, it should be easy to find your favorite fast food stops along your route. Not only is it important to grab a bite to eat every once in awhile, but you should also stop to stretch.

3. Take It Slow. 


Don't be in too much of a hurry to get to your destination. Driving too fast can hurt your fuel economy and increase your road trip expenses. Avoiding aggressive driving can actually improve your gas mileage by up to 33%. Minimize driving in the fast lane, changing lanes and merging a lot, and drastically changing your speed as much as possible.

4. Play Some Road Trip Games. 


A great way to pass the time on long road trips is to play some road trip games. The most popular games played on a road trip, aside from those on your smart phone, are I spy, the license plate game and 20 questions. If you have young children, be sure to bring along plenty of toys to keep them occupied, and a portable DVD player or tablet is also a great option to keep them from getting bored and restless.

5. Visit Family and Friends. 


While many road trips are memorable adventures to new, exciting destinations, a large number of trips are to visit loved ones that live far away. Each year, 50% of road trips are taken to visit family and friends. These road trips are most common during the holidays, when 93.3 million people hit the road to see family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

The Lake of the Ozarks is a central meeting place, perfect for gathering with friends and family over the holidays. To book your reservations in one of our condos or private homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 877-284-0267. We have a variety of accommodations to fit everyone's needs.

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, October 20, 2017

Celebrate Halloween at Lake of the Ozarks

October is already coming to a close and it's time to put on your costumes and celebrate Halloween. Whether you have little ones or not, celebrating this holiday can be fun for all ages. Take your kids out trick-or-treating or have an adult only night out with drinks and costume contests. Keep reading to learn about all the fun Halloween events happening at Lake of the Ozarks next weekend. Book your Lake of the Ozarks accommodations with us and get ready for some Halloween fun!

Pumpkin Patch & Fall Attractions - October 28-29


Off Hwy 54 West of Camdenton sits MECCA Family Farm, where you will find a pumpkin patch and other fall attractions. Family activities include corn crib, corn cannon, big slide, face painting & photo ops, petting zoo, hay rides and a maize walk. The pumpkin patch will be open from 10 am - 5 pm.

Zombie Wasteland Haunted House - October 26-28


Survive a zombie wasteland with your family with lots of foam darts and a nerf gun of your choice! This is the scariest haunted house in mid-MO. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The haunted house is located at 474 S. Hwy 7 in Camdenton next to the airport. Tickets are $10 per person and proceeds will go to benefit Kids Harbor Child Advocacy Center. Zombie Wasteland opens at 7 pm.

Hy-Vee Holler Trick-or-Treat - October 26 

Head over to the Hy-Vee parking lot for the annual Hy-Vee Hollow Trick-or-Treat event! This year it will be a food allergy friendly event. Each booth will have candy, as well as non-food treats! If your child has food allergies, they will be provided a teal bag or necklace at the entrance. Admission is $2 per child, and the proceeds will benefit two local organizations, The Dream Factory and Camp Wonderland. Refreshments will also be provided for the kids. The event runs from 4-7 pm and don't forget your costumes!

The Haunted Holler - October 27-28

The Haunted Holler is a quarter mile haunted trail in the woods. Admission is $10 per person on Friday and $15 per person on Saturday. It will be open from 8 pm to Midnight each night. The trail is located one mile behind Hy-Vee in Osage Beach. The trail is recommended for children ages 6 and older; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Howl-O-Ween Festival - October 28 

The 7th Annual Howl-O-Ween Festival will be at Dogwood Animal Shelter from 10 am to 2 pm. The event is free to attend, and is always a fun event for both two-legged and four-legged family members! Meet Captain Scalawag, Sparkie da Clown and DJ Gary Phillips. There will be a pet costume contest and other fun competitions, a raffle, grilled lunches available for purchase, local artists, crafters on site, a mini Dogwood Thrift Shop and so much more!

Halloween on the Bagnell Dam Strip - October 28

Celebrate Halloween on the Bagnell Dam Strip from 8 am to 9 pm. Starting at 8 am there will be a 3K Haunted Fun Run. Then enjoy a pancake breakfast from 9-11 am. Trick-or-Treating will run from 2-4 pm. Be sure to stop by Luby's Plaza for games of skill and a cookie walk. At 4 pm, theere will be a costume contest and pie eating contest at Luby's stage. Teens can enjoy a scary movie, bonfire and dance party from 5-8 pm. After 9 pm is when the adult fun begins with costume contests, bands and entertainment at participating establishments.

Kid's Halloween Spooktacular at Captain Ron's - October 29 

Bring your little ghosts and goblins to Captain Ron's to grab some loot! Several local businesses will be handing out goodies from 5 - 6:30 pm.

To secure a place to stay at the Lake of the Ozarks for Halloween weekend, give Your Lake Vacation a call at 877-284-0267. From one bedroom condos up to large waterfront homes, we've got something for every size group. For the best vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks, look no further than here! Happy Halloween!

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, October 13, 2017

Insurance for Vacation Rental Owners

Insurance is one of those things that we hate to pay for, but are glad that we have it when we need it! If you are going to rent your home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks to the vacationing public, you definitely want to make sure that you have your property properly insured. Keep reading to learn more about rental property insurance and loss of income coverage.

Rental Property Insurance


One of the first things that I tell new vacation rental owners at the Lake of the Ozarks that are joining our program is to let their insurance agent know that they will be renting out their property to vacationers. If there is a claim situation, that is not the time to let your insurance agent know that you have been renting out your property. You don't want any surprises or coverage denials when it comes times to make a claim.

Some insurance companies offer rental property insurance and some don't. Therefore, it's very important to check with your current company and not just assume that you will be covered if something happens. Also, different companies will have different limits on their policies. You may need to shop around to ensure that you can get the coverage you need. Some agencies won't go above $500,000 in coverage, while others will go up to $2 million.

Loss of Income Coverage 


In addition to letting your agent know that you are renting out your property, you will want to ensure that you are now covered for loss of income. While some homeowner policies would cover you in a rental situation, they may not provide for loss of income. We had this happen to one of our owners this past year when the unit above had a water leak. It took three months for all the repairs to be completed and he lost income in May, June and most of July. He was able to collect insurance money for that loss of income because he had the property policy.

When discussing your rental property with your agent, ask if there are any policy exclusions and exactly what is covered and what is not. Again, you don't want to find out that you are not covered when you need it most.

Finding an Insurance Agent 


If you go with an out of town insurer, make sure they know your market. For instance, they may assume property values are similar, when in reality they could be quite different. Also, if your property is a condo, you may only be responsible for the interior and your association would be responsible for the exterior. In this case, you may only need coverage on what you are responsible for replacing, any upgrades (and contents) and not the entire value (sale price) of your condo.

If you are thinking of renting your vacation property at the Lake of the Ozarks and have questions about insurance, ask an expert! Two great local agents we deal with are Chris Wagner of Farmer's Insurance, who can be reached at 573-302-0001 and Nathan Reid of American Family Insurance, who can be reached at 573-348-5451. Either one of them would be glad to speak with you about your Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental insurance needs.

Russell Burdette is the owner/broker of Your Lake Vacation, a professional vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986. If you would like more info on renting your Lake of the Ozarks condo or home as a vacation rental, give us a call at 573-365-3367. If you're interested in making a reservation in one of our condos or waterfront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact us at 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  







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Friday, October 6, 2017

Cozy Up at Lakehurst Lodge

Lakehurst Lodge 


There's no better place to cozy up when the cool, crisp air creeps in than at Lakehurst Lodge. If you're planning a fall or winter getaway to the Lake of the Ozarks, this is the perfect home to stay in! This comfortable 5 bedroom, 3 bath waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks sits nestled along the shoreline, among the trees, and is just waiting for you to come and enjoy!

Prepare a Delicious Meal in the Kitchen   


As you enter the main level of the home, you'll find the lakeside dining room just off the kitchen, with deck access that includes all the amenities of home. Refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and flat top ceramic range with a built in ventilation system are just a few of the conveniences that will make your stay more comfortable. All you need is to bring your food!


Cozy Up by the Fireplace


The lakeside living room features leather furniture, a fire place, deck access, flat screen TV and wireless internet. There is also a main level bedroom that has a twin bed with trundle, a guest bath and access to the garage. The upper level features 2 bedrooms. The Moose Room features a queen sized bed, while the Ski Room features a king sized bed. The bedrooms share a full sized bathroom as well. 

Get Some Rest in the Master Suite


The lower level features a lakeside family room with fireplace, deck access, comfortable furniture and a wall-mounted flat screen TV. The lakeside master suite features a queen sized bed and full sized bathroom. Also on the lower level is the laundry and utility room with sink and an additional hideaway bedroom with a full sized bed. 

Outdoors you'll enjoy a full sized deck off the main level with seating for 10, and a lower level deck with conversation seating. The covered dock has a 14' x 42' boat slip and 2 jet ski lifts. This home is located on the 18 mile marker of the main channel and by land, in the heart of Osage Beach near all the shopping and dining!


Reserve the Lodge Today! 


Book your reservations at Lakehurst Lodge today by calling Your Lake Vacation at 877-284-0267. We're here for all of your Lake of the Ozarks vacation planning needs. Whether you want to join us for the gorgeous fall foliage, the holiday season or get a jump start on next year's summer vacation, we'll help you find the perfect accommodations 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  


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Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Planning a Golf Getaway to the Lake of the Ozarks

Fall is arguably the best time of year to visit the Lake of the Ozarks, especially if golf is your game! The colors of the fall foliage are spectacular, especially with the backdrop of the Lake. Today's blog from the best vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks offers information on planning a golf getaway this fall!

Lake of the Ozarks Golf Courses


Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail features over a dozen amazing courses for you to check out. Carved out of the Missouri Ozark Hills, the courses feature beautiful tree-lined fairways and many courses overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks itself. These courses will challenge anyone, from novice to expert. Our golf trail is the premier destination for golf in the Midwest. Check out the individual courses:

Fall Golf Tournaments 

Wayne Thomas Classic at Osage National - October 8 
On Sunday, October 8, Osage National Golf Resort will host the 4th Annual Wayne Thomas Classic golf tournament. It is a 4-person scramble that features 18 hols with cart, light fare, a silent auction, cash bar and prizes based on flights. Golf gets underway with a 12:00 pm shotgun start. Proceeds from the tournament go to benefit the Lake Ozark Junior Golf Association. For more info or to register, call the Pro Shop at 573-365-1950 or visit www.OsageNational.com.

 22nd Annual "Play for the Kids" Golf Tournament - October 15 
The Annual YMCA "Play for the Kids" Golf Tournament will take place at the beautiful Old Kinderhook Golf Course this year. Registration and Lunch begins at 10:00 am, with an 11:00 am shotgun start for the tournament. This is a 4-person scramble setup. For more information, contact the YMCA at 573-348-9230 or www.LakeYMCA.org.

Osage National's Mission Impossible Tournament - October 15 
On Sunday, October 15, Osage National will bring back its annual Mission Impossible 3-person scramble. Entry includes 18 holes with cart and dinner following the round. You may have played Osage National before, but not like this! To learn more about the event, call the Pro Shop at 573-365-1950.

Places to Stay 


Your Lake Vacation is here to help with all your golf getaway planning needs. From finding you the perfect Lake of the Ozarks accommodations to setting up your tee times, your fall golf getaway is just a phone call away! Here are just a few of our units that would work great for golf groups:


 Osage Vistas 348 - Sleeps 8 (5 Separate Beds) 
Osage Vistas is a very spacious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath condo located in the Four Seasons area off Carol Road. (This condo is not on the water and does not offer a lake view.) The condo sleeps up to 8 guests; if separate beds are required, it will accommodate 5 golfers. Nearby courses include The Cove, The Ridge and Osage National. 



Old Matt's Cabin - Sleeps 9 (6 Separate Beds) 
Old Matt's Cabin is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath private waterfront cabin located on the 18 mile market of the main channel. It will sleep up to 8 people; if separate beds are required, it will accommodate 5 golfers. Nearby courses include Deer Chase, Lake Valley and Old Kinderhook.



 Imperial Point 761 - Sleeps 12 (7 Separate Beds) 
Imperial Point is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath waterfront home located on the 7 mile marker of the main channel. It sleeps up to 12 guests; if separate beds are required, it will accommodate 7 golfers. Nearby courses include The Cove, The Ridge and Osage National.




Key Largo - Sleeps 18 (14 Separate Beds) 

Key Largo is one of our most popular homes because it can sleep so many people! This 5 bedroom waterfront home is located just past State Road KK in Osage Beach, and at the 28 mile marker by water. It will sleep up to 18 people; if separate beds are required, it will accommodate 14 golfers. Nearby courses include The Oaks, Hidden Lakes and the Dogwood Golf Range.

To start planning your Lake of the Ozarks golf getaway today, just let us know how many golfers you have and which courses you're wanting to play, and we'll customize a package just for you! Call 877-284-0267 to speak with a Your Lake Vacation representative today. We offer the best selection of waterfront home and condo rentals 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  


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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Responding to Negative Reviews

In today's climate of social media, you can find a review for just about anything under the sun, and that also include's someone's experience with a vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks. How you respond to a negative review, as an owner or manager, can make all the difference in how the vacationing public views you and/or your company.

Composing Your Response


Responding to a negative review in a negative manner, trying to make excuses or blaming others, probably won't gain you main more rentals. Potential customers will get a negative perception and people don't want to do business with someone that has a negative attitude, especially toward their guests! As much as you want to react in that manner, DON'T DO IT!

So how do you respond to those bad reviews? Well, you can just ignore it and hope that it goes away (it won't). You can respond in a negative manner (probably not the best idea). You can answer by blaming the guest, the housekeeper or someone on your staff (also probably not a good idea). Or you can give an honest answer and just state the facts if there was something in the review that just wasn't true. Just be sure to do so in a manner that doesn't cast you in a negative light.

Our Negative Review Experience


Recently, we had a guest that wasn't happy with the cleaning at one of our homes. The first thing the next morning, we sent over someone to take care of the few items that had been missed. The unhappy guest sent the cleaner away without allowing them to clean because they were eating breakfast. So I called the guest and left them a message asking when the best time would be to take care of the cleaning issues. The guest never called back.

In the review they left online, they mentioned the cleaning issues and the fact that we sent someone over, but not that they sent them away. However, they continued to complain about the cleaning. In my response, I thanked them for their review and then politely stated the facts; that we sent someone over to clean, but that they sent them away. That I had left a message, but they never responded. I also mentioned that we do make errors, but that we have a full staff available 24/7 to respond to and take care of any problems they may encounter. Even though i already thought we had tried to do the right thing, I apologized and invited them back to give us another chance with a discount on their next stay.

When other potential guests read the review, they will see that we responded, that we don't treat our guests in a negative manner, and that if they do encounter a problem, that someone will respond. They will also see that we acknowledge our mistakes and don't just make excuses. The famous quote goes, "There's no such thing as bad publicity," however, your response to the bad publicity (review) can be bad or hopefully, good!

Russell Burdette is the owner/broker of Your Lake Vacation, a professional vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986. If you would like more info on renting your Lake of the Ozarks condo or home as a vacation rental, give us a call at 573-365-3367. If you're interested in making a reservation in one of our condos or waterfront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact us at 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  



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Thursday, September 14, 2017

Old Matt's Cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks

Old Matt's Cabin


 Located on the 28 mile marker of the main channel, Old Matt's Cabin features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. This private waterfront cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks is just down the road from Seven Springs Winery and Big Surf Waterpark. Shopping and dining can be found just a short distance down the highway. 

Comfortable Lakefront Cabin 


 The entrance to the home affords parking for up to 5 vehicles; this includes a car port in front of the home. The main floor features the kitchen with all the conveniences of home, and the living room with plenty of seating, a flatscreen TV, and DVD player. The dining room features a 10-top table, expansive lake view, access to the deck and a wet bar. 


Sleeping for Up to 10 


 Downstairs you will find all of the bedrooms. The master bedroom features a queen bed. The first guest bedroom features 3 twin beds, while bedroom 2 features a king bed and a twin bed. Downstairs you will also find a full sized bath, the laundry room and access to the downstairs deck. 

On the way to the dock, take a look at the shade and grass yard for the kids to play in! The dock features a swim platform and a 12' x 20' slip. 

Vacation Rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks


 Whether you're looking for a cozy retreat like Old Matt's Cabin or a small Lake of the Ozarks condo for a weekend getaway, Your Lake Vacation has your accommodations covered. Since 1986, we've been offering the best vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks. Give us a call at 877-284-0267 to book Old Matt's Cabin or for information on other available units. 
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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