Joan's Blog: Missouri: Shell Knob

Bold leadership seems to exist rarely these days, but I am grateful to work for a broker with these qualities.

• So we're in a recession - right?
•  Real Estate Sales are down - right?
  
•  Commissions have shrunk - right?
  
•  Some agents are finding supplemental income - right?
  

 So what Broker in their right mind would choose to move into beautiful new, larger offices and expand their agency? Tri-Lakes,REALTORS!

Shell Knob Bridgeway Plaza Office                                                 Reception Area

Tri-Lakes, REALTORS relocated  the Shell Knob, MO office this past week.  Tri-Lakes has four offices surrounding Table Rock Lake and plays a strong role in market share for the Table Rock Lake area. 

The move into a more prominent location in Shell Knob, has generated attention and admiration from passers-by, but  more importantly, has given  agents a big zing of enthusiasm, optimism and pride in their company.  This is sure to translate into additional sales for our Buyers and Sellers.

Call Joan at the new office for all your real estate needs.  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Office 417-858-3344

How do you counsel sellers in today's stagnant market?  They've done everything HGTV suggests to make their home appealing to the drive-bys.  They have cleaned or replaced worn carpeting, painted purple walls  shades, put cookies in the oven, turned on the lights and disappeared for showings.  Yet still no offers in Shell Knob, MO.

Worse yet, after 6 or 7 months on the market, and all the big ads in Homes Magazines, personal web pages, etc

..ZERO SHOWINGS!..........ZERO SHOWINGS!

In our SW Missouri area our MLS has 1,712 single family homes for sale.  Of that number, there are 457 properties priced over $300,000.

I have shown a few homes this Fall over $300,000, but my buyers stayed under that number when they purchased.

What do you say to the $598,000 seller?  Cut the price in half to get into the current market?  Dropping the price by $50 or $100,000, still won't make it that much more appealing to the budget minded.

This may not sound like a serious problem to individuals facing loss of their home, or bankruptcy, but to the elder seller with  health problems, it is every bit as serious.

Should we keep it on the market over the winter, or  wait and renew the listing in the spring?  We currently have 10 beautiful waterfront homes available in Shell Knob, MO for sale and priced $500,000+.

Call Joan for all your real estate needs in Shell Knob or Table Rock Lake area.  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors 417-846-3344

The Housing Market continues to inch along in our portion of the Ozarks -  Shell Knob, MO -  leaving many real estate agents looking for supplemental income.

Here in Shell Knob, MO, we repeated our previous month's sales, for a total of 3 homes sold each month.  The average sales price was down to $75,633 in October.

 There were also 6 pieces of land sold for an average sale price of $23,500.

Shell Knob is a recreational or lake oriented community, attracting many second home clients and retirement or families looking to retire. It is known as the quiet end of the lake.  This is our normal start of 'Off' Season, but not normally 34% off.

My broker, Tri-Lakes Realtors, has four offices surrounding Table Rock Lake, and we continue to hold our position of Number One company in our MLS Board with 14.49% of board sales last month.

Call Joan for all your real estate needs in Shell Knob or around Table Rock Lake.  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344

This week I came across a term that was new to me -'Women Centric' - this was in an article about New Homes, and New Home construction.

Had to wonder just what this was about. It had been my experience selling properties in Shell Knob, MO, and statistics confirm, that more than 90% of home sales decisions were made by women. Wouldn't that make it a woman centered sale?

When showing a property in Shell Knob, don't I always point out the benefits of a great kitchen, convenient utility room, sunny breakfast nook? Aren't these areas women centered?

Turns out I was only partially right.

 About 10 years ago a woman in Hartland, WI, Terri Goetz, tried to buy a house. She found only model homes that had been designed by men and were cookie cutters None met her requirements. After surveying a few women, asking what they desired to see in a home, Ms Goetz formed her own company. Her designs incorporated the suggestions she received, as well as her own preferences. This resulted in the Women Centric term.

Call Joan For All your Shell Knob or Table Rock Lake Real Estate Needs  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-2209

We turned another page over on the calendar.  It's time to check our sales numbers for September 2009.

September was  down to minus 62% from this same time last year.  There were 3 sales closed this year in Shell Knob, versus the 8 sales closed in September 2008.

Average sale price for those 3 sales was $174,000.  It took  about 245 days on the market to sell those homes.

But.... the evening news reported an increase in housing sales nationally.

Year- to- date, we have 37 properties closed.  2008 for the first 9 months reported 56 sales.  That makes Shell Knob down by -33.93%.

These continued low numbers do not reflect  reports being given on the major communication outlets, because we are a retirement and second home market.  We rarely get the First Time Home Buyers, where incentives are being given to stimulate the market.

Due to our retirement community, we also do not have  many foreclosures or short sales, which are also stimulating house sales in large cities.

2006 was a high point sales-wise in the Tri-Lakes area.  September of '06  135 homes were closed.  That dropped to  199 in 9/07; then 96 last year.

Call Joan for Shell Knob/Table Rock Lake Real Estate Information - 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344       

Tell Me About Your Dream Lake Home.

Visiting Shell Knob this summer has led to thoughts of having a summer/retirement house on Table Rock Lake.

You liked the clean, clear waters of Table Rock, plus the gently rolling hills along the shoreline.  The lake didn't feel too busy or overly crowded.  There are definite possibilities here.

The first thing to determine is what kind of lakefront do you want?

  There are actually three kinds of lots that qualify as 'Waterfront'.  The first would be what many think of as 'Waterfront'.  You walk-down to the water on an almost flat surface, or gentle to the water walk.

The second type of 'Waterfront' in Shell Knob, would be a steeper incline, but one that can  get you down to the water.  Walking back up is often a good cardio workout.

The third type of 'Waterfront'  is a bluff lot.  Usually with great views of the lake, but these residents need a golf cart or other transport to go down to their boat docks.

Each type of waterfront has it's pro's and con's and just like people no one size fits all. 

Call Joan to find your Dream Home on Table Rock Lake   418-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344                                                                                

How do you feel about herding cats?

If you've ever been a cat owner, you know that herding cats is about impossible.  Unlike our faithful canine companions, even here in Shell Knob, MO, felines do not train well.  They  don't come when called (unless it is chow time).  They don't  sit or stay on command.  They are independent creatures.  I loved that commercial last spring where it showed  cowboys herding hundreds of cats!  Sure they did!

The Herding Cats premise, is about the same as trying to show houses to more than one couple at a time.  I don't recall ever selling a house to a couple when they show up with friends or family,

The last time this occurred to me, there were 5 adults.  I had previously worked with one of them, but knew he was scouting   for a lake house that two families would be buying together. 

I finally get to meet them all at once.  My sales senses go into overload -

Who is the leader? 

Do I stay with the older or the younger generation ?  They enter a house and scatter in at least 3 directions. 

Which ones do you follow? 

The property that I thought would meet most of their needs has sold, of course (Murphy;s Law?). 

The other two are either too expensive or too small, or too this or too that! 

So what do you do when they show up unexpectedly on your doorstep (office)?

All suggestions gratefully accepted.

Call Joan For all your lake home needs.  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors   417-858-3344                                                                      

It was  a surprise to see the sign on the newest restaurant in Shell Knob - "On The Bayou".

Bayou to me, means Louisanna and Cajun, so how can that possibly be in the 'Ozarks'?  Of course I had to go in and inquire of the new owners, William and Jennifer Robinson.

As I was getting the low- down from Jennifer, a patron paid her bill - rolled her eyes, and announced that the Bayou Bread Pudding with Whiskey sauce was "absolutely sinful"! 

That comment went right along with one from a cohort in my office, an expert on all food Cajun - who reported that the Crawfish Po'Boy was more than acceptable for Shell Knob!

Jennifer assured me that their offerings of all things Cajun or Creole were not HOT seasoned, but of the traditional, delicate flavor.  The daily specials include Jambalaya, Etoufee, Red Beans & Rice, Gumbo, Catfish Acadiana, Pastalaya and of course -Po'Boys, Shrimp or Crawfish Burgers, or regular Hamburgers.

You can try out these great new offerings on Tuesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  They are located in the Shell Knob Plaza.

Call Joan for all your real estate needs in Shell Knob or on Table Rock Lake   417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344

One of  Shell Knob's best kept secrets, due to it's out of the way location, is a favorite spot I enjoy taking clients. 

It's called Icy Mae's - don't ask me why - the owners are Mike and Vickie Mertens.  Icy Mae's is located on the third floor of the main building in Timberock Village, and serves some of the best food available in the Ozarks.

Most of Shell Knob is laid back casual..... no dress code - after all, this IS the Ozarks, right?  So this restaurant sits over the dental, attorney and a home health care offices.  Once inside, first time diners  look surprised at the pleasant decor and great views of Table Rock Lake from a wall of windows.

Their eyes widen seeing the menu offers much more than burgers and fries, which makes decisions on ordering extremely difficult.

Mike opens at 7 a.m. for local businessmen and visiting anglers. 

How about some Belgian Waffles, Austrian Crepes, Quiche or Seven Cheese Strata?  Basics are also offered: BRITTANY SPHERES (2 eggs, sausage patties, etc) or THREE SMILES FOR SISTER SARA (3 Smiling Cakes & Sausage).  In other words, name your favorite breakfast, and it is yours.  Newbies should be warned about the Biscuits & Gravy however; serving portions tend to be large.  It is a rare diner who can finish a full order - priced at only $3.25

A Shell Knob lunch at Icy Mae's should be considered a main meal by customers.  The Chicken Walnut Salad, served in a sweet coconut dressing with fruit garnish has chunks of chicken breast (a big favorite in my office) for only $6.25.   What might normally be called a Club Sandwich, is labeled FLEX AND BONES, and challenges most eaters who try to look in control while getting their mouth around something 3 inches high.

There are at least 14 menu choices for lunch, without throwing in the breakfast menu, also continued to be offered.  The bad news?  The restaurant is only open until 2 p.m.

Call Joan for local Shell Knob or real estate information  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344