Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate

FERC Decision

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:06:00 GMT

Here is a link to the FERC decision from LakeExpo.
So far it looks like the political pressure that all of you were able to generate has moved them to a more reasonable solution.

Stay tuned!

FERC came to a decision yesterday pertaining to the rehearing request by Ameren Missouri about structures at Lake of the Ozarks. Ameren’s official response so far: “We're pleased that FERC has acted on our request for rehearing, and we are studying the order in detail. However, we cannot comment further until we have had additional time to review it.”

Like Ameren, the LakeExpo.com Staff is reviewing the FERC decision before reporting what it may actually mean for property owners.

Download FERC decision

CURB FERC regulations which over reach and over regulate Lake of the Ozarks

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:44:00 GMT

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is enforcing shoreline management rules decades after hydroelectric projects were first developed. Retroactive rules are irrational, without reason, or scientific basis. The burden of this regulation far out weights any public benefit. The impact on surrounding communities cannot be exaggerated as FERC rules are discouraging private investment, lowering property values, killing jobs, limiting access to project waters, inhibiting landowner’s ability to sell, violating Federal, State and local ordinances, and trampling on personal property rights. FERC is ignoring Executive Order 13563 and the 11 July 2011 supplemental order for Independent Agencies. Wise regulatory decisions depend on careful analysis of the likely consequences of regulation.

Click the link below, create an account with the White House and PLEASE sign this petition to Curb FERC's overstepping regulations. It IS vitally important to the entire Lake of the Ozarks and everyone who ever visits and loves the Lake as we do!!

http://wh.gov/4V0

Issues: Energy, Job Creation, Regulatory Reform

Call to Action: File Your Letters to FERC

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Below is an email I received from the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau.

If you are like me and think that FERC has more important things to do than dictate to us where a deck is put and how Ameren runs its business, please read and respond!
This change could literally cost people their homes and life savings!

CALL TO ACTION: FILE YOUR LETTERS TO FERC

Summary:
As you may be aware the Federal Energy Commission (FERC) recently promulgated an order regarding the Shoreline Management Plan prepared and filed by Ameren Missouri as part of the re-licensing of Bagnell Dam and the management of the Lake of the Ozarks.

Essentially FERC has ordered that all improvements, from homes to gazebos, located within the "project boundary" be identified and registered as "nonconforming structures". Under the proposed FERC rules, Ameren is required to register each "nonconforming structure" by May 1, 2012. FERC further mandates that all "nonconforming structures" will be either:

1. Removed (A plan and schedule for removal must be submitted to FERC)

2. Allowed to be temporarily located within the project boundary on the condition that a plan be submitted to FERC setting forth the reasons for the temporary continual location within the "project boundary" together with a plan for the timetable for removal of the offending "nonconforming structure";

3. Withdrawn from the "project boundary" through a potentially very expensive application process to FERC that will require FERC to individually approve of each such withdrawal.

As you can see the end result of this FERC mandate is that no "nonconforming structures" will ultimately exist at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Ameren has requested a rehearing of the FERC order so that the mandate regarding the removal of existing "nonconforming structures" can be subject to further discussion and, hopefully, a softening of the heavy-handed approach of FERC in this matter. Ameren has been supported in their request for a rehearing by letters from each of the Lake area's chambers as well as many other letters, including letters from our elected federal, state and local officials. More letters are needed-with FERC the volume of the opposition makes a difference.

We recommend that lake area businesses and residents write to FERC stating that their mandates regarding the Lake of the Ozarks will have a significant negative economic impact on the community, while providing a very minimal environmental or aesthetic enhancement. Ameren Missouri has requested a common sense approach to a very complex issue and we recommend supporting their request for rehearing. Please consider writing to FERC at the address below and expressing your opposition to their order regarding "nonconforming structures" as that term is used in the Ameren Shoreline Management Plan. A sample letter is attached at the clinkable link below (FERC Sample Letter) that can be utilized for your company letterhead.

FERC Sample Letter - http://www.funlake.com/cvb_members/FERCSampleMemberLetter.pdf

Address:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Routing Code: GC-10
Washington , D.C. 20426

Sincerely,
Tim Jacobsen
Executive Director
Lake of the Ozarks CVB
573.348.1599
tim@funlake.com

Pass The Biscuits Please

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:41:00 GMT

A good friend sent this to me today. Don't know where it originated, but thought with Easter tomorrow, it was appropriate to share with my friends.

Happy Easter!!

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.

I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing... never made a face nor uttered a word about it!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired.. And besides - a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today... that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own." So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine.

Be kinder than necessary. Because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point

Drill Here, Drill Now Petition

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:21:00 GMT

Petition

We, therefore, the undersigned citizens of the United States, petition
the U.S. Congress (and President Obama)* to act immediately to lower gasoline
prices (and diesel and other fuel prices)* by authorizing the exploration of
proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from
unstable countries.

Tell a friend, win $250 of gas

Tell your friends and co-workers about the new "Drill Here, Drill Now" website using
this "Tell-a-Friend" tool for a chance to win a $250 gas card and a
signed copy of Newt Gingrich's New York Times bestseller Drill Here, Drill Now.

Five runner-ups will receive a $50 gas
card and a signed copy of "Drill Here, Drill Now."

Click HERE to sign the petition and send on to your friends

1st Annual St. Patrick's Day Shortbus Shuffle!

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:28:00 GMT

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

1st Annual St. Patrick's Day

Shortbus Shuffle!

View the link here!

March 12, busses start running at 4:00

Purchase wristbands at any location!

7 Busses ~ 12 Stops

Deepwater Inn The Lake House Inn

Captain Ron's El Capitan

Cannon Smoked Paradise

Chances R Osage River

Barbie's Last Resort Sunrise Cantina

Bear Bottom Hurricane Dolly's

Get your official "Short Bus Shuffle T-Shirt!"

Captain Ron's Bar & Grill

The Best live music at the Lake!

3-4-11: Music by Davy Ray & Richard starting at 7:00

3-5-11: Music by Sax on the Beach starting at 7:00

3-11-11: Music by Art Bentley starting at 7:00

3-12-11: 1st Ever Short Bus Shuffle: (Book a room at Buccaneer Bay- $79.00 and under!) Music by The Boomchucks starting at 3:00 & 7:00!

3-18-11: Music by Davy Ray & Richard starting at 7:00

3-19-11: 7th Annual St. Paddy's On the Water Pub Crawl: We'll be open for breakfast (8:00-11:00.) Music by The Boomchucks at 7:00!

3-25-11: Music by Art Bentley starting at 7:00!

Check out Arrr' event calendar!

We're open Thurs - Sunday at 11:00!

Cannon Smoked Saloon

Short Bus Shuffle stop!

Music by West of New York, starting at 5:00

Daily lunch specials, 11:00-2:00, ONLY $6.00!

Monday: Pulled Pork Sandwich & side

Tuesday: Philly Cheese Steak & side

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes & veggie

Thursday: Chicken Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes & veggie

Friday: Open-faced beef & mashed potatoes & veggie

Every Sunday is Family day 12:00-3:00: $10 Country Buffet ($8 for seniors and $5 for kids!) Face painting and games with Merry Mary the clown, kids eat off the kid's menu for $1.00!!!

Wing Ding Wednesday: (5pm - close) $.50 wings!

Smoked Prime Rib: ONLY $15.00! Every Friday 5pm - close

**Weekly Happy Hour, Monday - Friday, 3:00-6:00! $2 wells/ domestic bottles & draught!**

Nascar special: Domestic pitcher of beer & 10 wings, only $10.00 during the races!

Cannon Smoked Saloon

El Capitan is back!

We will re-open March 11 at 11:00!

Stop in and check out our exciting changes and NEW MENU!

3-11-11: Music by Complimentary Nuts starting at 7:00

3-12-11: 1st Ever Short Bus Shuffle: Music by Davy Ray & Richard 3:00-6:00 and Sugarbush at 7:00

3-12-11: Post Party: Join us for the Lake West Chamber Parade on the Water post party!

3-18-11: Music by The Boomchucks starting at 7:00

3-25-11: Music by The Boomchucks starting at 7:00

3-26-11: Music by Davy Ray & Richard starting at 7:00

We can't wait for a new great season!

Save 25%

If you are using a special coupon or promo code, include it here. Or, indicate if the coupon must be printed and presented in person. Is the coupon transferable? If so, encourage recipients to share the offer with friends and family to maximize the viral effect of the coupon. Add a link to your website with more information to drive traffic and to gauge what offers your customers find most appealing.

Offer Expires: Enter Expiration Date here

Forward email

While You're Away Services & Vacation Rental Services

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:47:00 GMT

Prudential Lake Ozark Realty has just set up a property management service and a Vacation Rental Service.

We are offering dock and home checks for past and currents clients for $40.00. In the wake of the last snow storm, ice and current storm we have received calls from clients wanting someone to take a look at their docks, and other areas that could possible be damaged on their property.

What this check includes is a walk through of the home and dock if applicable and a series of pictures taken of the property. Any issues that are apparent will be described in an email and or phone call, as well as a video take of the damage / areas of concern. This walk through would look for bent or broken areas on docks, collapsed roofs; anything that is visually apparent at the time. The clients that have used this have been very happy and thought that it was a good value. The videos help with peace of mind and really display problems, if there are any.

Along with the property management, we are setting up a state of the art web site as the basis for our new Vacation Rental Business.
If you have been thinking about placing your home or condo on a rental program to help off set some of the costs, this is a program that you should look in to.

We have a full time manager and a staff of qualified service providers.

Of course, we are starting from scratch with the number of units we have to rent, so anyone that signs up now, we feel, will recieve a lot of exposure. As the number of units rise, the rotation becomes larger.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Have a great day and stay out of the weather.

Searching Google Just Got Easier!

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:51:00 GMT

Thanks to Andy Lanning, Chief Nerd at Computer Super Secrets for this tip.
You can subscribe at http://www.ComputerSuperSecrets.com

Google "Web" search results will first pull up retail sites that want to sell you something. .com = commercial

If you are looking for a manual for your printer, camera or vacuum cleaner, you can search and find one for purchase, OR you can learn this search tip and find a free one to download.

Example: I have a Samsung ML-2510 printer and I have lost the manual. To find one, I use these steps:

Go to Google
Type: Samsung ML-2510 filetype:pdf

The search results will ONLY be pdf file formats. No commercial sales site al all.

In fact, my search result came up with this: [PDF] User's Guide

This same tip applies to Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations

filetype:xls
filetype:ppt

Give it a try and you will save a ton of time.

Lucy honey...You done it now!

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:41:00 GMT

I am sure that is what Ricky said when he heard about http://www.lucyphone.com/

When was the last time you tried to call a national company?
It doesn't matter what company, they are pretty much all the same now.
Press 1 for ... Press 2 to for ... Press 37 for ... Press 56 if you would like to hear the options again

Then when you go the the right department, you go to elevator music hell!

It absolutely drives me nuts!!!
Well I just heard about this new site that takes the stress out of these calls.

LucyPhone Waits On Hold for Customer Service for you!

Elevator jazz, assurances of "unusual call volumes," having to leave your phone on speaker mode-waiting on hold stinks. Free service LucyPhone can listen to the hold music for you, then call you back when a real human picks up.

Head to LucyPhone's site, look up the number of the company you're calling (or add it to their database), then hand over your own number. LucyPhone calls you and rings the company, Google-Voice-style, and you then navigate the company phone tree the way you normally would.

When you inevitably get put on hold, hit the star (*) key twice, and LucyPhone will take over and you can hang up. When a human picks up on the other end, LucyPhone rings you back. There's a chance that if you don't pick up fast enough, the representative might throw you back on hold-hit "**" again, and LucyPhone jumps back in

www.LucyPhone.com

Pending home sales for December 2010

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:15:00 GMT

A recent report from the national Association of realtors verifies what seems to be happening here Lake of the Ozarks.
Prices are stabilizing and there's a definite increase in buyer interest.
Foreclosures and homes priced below current market value are selling very quickly.
Sellers are still motivated, but having already lowered their price to the current market value, the average list to sale price is holding over 92%.

January 29, 2011”

Pending home sales improved further in December 2010, marking the fifth gain in the past six months, according to the National Association of REALTORSÂ®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, credits good affordability conditions and economic improvement. “Modest gains in the labor market and the improving economy are creating a more favorable backdrop for buyers, allowing them to take advantage of excellent housing affordability conditions. Mortgage rates should rise only modestly in the months ahead, so we’ll continue to see a favorable environment for buyers with good credit,” he said.

“In the past two years, home buyers have been very successful, with super-low loan default rates, partly because of stable home prices during that time. That trend is likely to continue in 2011 as long as there is sufficient demand to absorb inventory,” Yun said. “The latest pending sales gain suggests activity is very close to a sustainable, healthy volume of a mid-five million total annual home sales. However, sales above six million, as occurred during the bubble years, is highly unlikely this year.”

Interested in Buying a Foreclosure at Lake of the Ozarks?

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:29:00 GMT

I found this article today and thought it was worth sharing.

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson | Broker in San Francisco, CA

Interest in buying a foreclosed home is on the rise, but so are concerns about the risk involved in the process. In a December survey, Trulia found that 49 percent of Americans were at least somewhat likely to consider buying a foreclosure, up from 45 percent in May 2010. But the number of US adults who believed there are disadvantages to buying foreclosures had also increased, from 78 percent to 81 percent over the same time frame. Among those folks who had qualms about purchasing a foreclosure, the top concerns were:

that buying a foreclosure might involve hidden costs,
that the buying process itself is risky, and
that the home might continue to lose value, after escrow closes.

While there certainly are risks that run with buying a foreclosed home, the most risky way to do it is also the least common method: at the foreclosure auction itself. Auction buyers often don't have the opportunity to fully vet the foreclosure to ensure that they are receiving clear title and/or to make sure they're not getting a lemon. With that said, most foreclosures are resold not at the foreclosure auction, but as an REO (short for Real Estate Owned - by the bank), listed by a real estate broker on the Multiple Listing Service and on Trulia!

When you buy an REO in this way, you have lots of opportunities to use some tricks of the trade, so to speak, to avoid some of the traps you may fear. Here are my Top 4 Tricks and Traps for Foreclosure Buyers:

1. As-is means as-is, period. (Most of the time.) Banks have very little interest, inclination or even the logistically necessary resources to execute repairs on your home. Many of these homes are managed by an asset management company in another state, and may not even have a local person besides the agent who can handle large repairs. Generally speaking, bank-owned homes are sold on a very strict "as-is, where-is" basis, which just means that you should expect to take possession of it, if you buy it, in exactly the position and location it is, no matter how defective. Do not walk into a viewing of a foreclosed home, notice how the plumbing is all ripped out of the wall, and make an offer for it, assuming you'll be able to get the bank to "fix" the issue later. Usually, if the bank is willing to do any repairs to a foreclosed home, they do so, on the advice of the listing agent, prior to the home being listed.

Out of hundreds of foreclosure transactions I have personally been involved in, I have seen exactly four where the bank did agree to do some level of repairs at a buyer's request. Every one of those times, the repair was to fix a health-and-safety endangering property defect, like a gas-leak or an electrical fritz. And every one of those times, the property defect was highly non-obvious - not something even a diligent buyer could have detected visually prior to making an offer. Maybe another few times I've seen a bank agree to a small price reduction due to surprising condition problems. And dozens of times, I've seen transactions fall apart or buyers take on the property's repair costs, when they request repair credits, price reductions or actual repairs from the ban seller.

If a foreclosure you're considering has obvious property damage, have your contractor stop by with you or gather whatever information you need to get as comfortable as possible with your offer price, assuming that the bank will not be chipping anything in for repairs, before you make the offer.

2. The bank speaks no evil. When it comes to real estate disclosures, the fact is, the bank speaks not much of anything! Many states exempt banks and other types of corporate homeowners from making substantive disclosures about the condition of the property. Even in jurisdictions where the bank is not legally exempt, most banks will simply write across the required disclosures something to the effect that the bank has no knowledge of the property's condition. (Before you protest with a "that's not fair!!" keep in mind that the bank never lived in the property, so most often truly does have no idea of any important facts or details about its condition or location, the things an average home seller would be required to disclose.)

Even in a normal transaction, it behooves a buyer to be thorough in having the property inspected and meticulous about reviewing the resulting inspection reports. But buying a foreclosure ups even that ante, as you have no seller disclosures to highlight particular problems you should have looked at, and none of the usual legal recourse you would have if a "regular" seller made incomplete disclosures. Get a property inspection. A pest inspection. A roof inspection. A sewer line inspection. A pool inspection, if you have a pool and care about its condition.

Yes - all these inspections cost money, but the drama and thousands each of them can save you is well worth it. And read your state's buyer inspection advisory or similar document (ask your agent), just to make sure you're aware of all the inspections that are available to you, and work with your agent to determine which ones make sense, and which are not appropriate.

Some insider tips:

Vacant foreclosures often have their utilities disconnected. Work with your agent to make sure the utilities get turned on - even for a single day - so that your property inspector can run the water taps, test the stove and dishwasher, see if the water heater and electrical outlets work, and so forth.
If appliances are there, the bank will probably leave them there, even though they may not have technical "legal" ownership of them, so they may not be included in the contract, like in a "normal" home sale.
However, the bank will not give you any sort of warranty on appliances, so try to obtain any warranty coverage you want or need elsewhere - from a home warranty company or, potentially, the original manufacturer/retailer.

3. The contract terms, they are a changin'. One thing squarely in the wheelhouses of local real estate pros are local market standard practices. From negotiating practices to which party pays which closing costs, every market is different, and experienced local agents are experts on this information. If you're buying a foreclosure, though, the bank will often require you to use it's own purchase contract, rather than the more commonly used state forms. Many times, this is done to advise the buyer of the bank's refusal to make substantive disclosures (see above) and to change some of the normal practices for your area to the bank's standard practices.

For instance, if you are buying a home in a contingency state, where you would usually have to sign a document proactively releasing contingencies, the bank's contract will probably change that, so that your transaction operates on an objection period. In "objection" based transactions, you have a certain period of time in which you must either speak up about your concerns with the property and/or cancel the deal, or you will automatically be presumed to be moving forward with the deal and your deposit money will be forfeited if you change your mind after that date.

If you've been making offers on non-foreclosures on the standard contract form, or you've bought homes before and think you know the drill, please - I implore you - READ every word of the contract you sign when you buy a home from the bank, and ask your broker, agent or attorney to explain anything that doesn't make sense.

4. Expect the unexpected. When you buy a foreclosure, you might end up working with the bank's escrow company, instead of a company you or your agent selects. And the bank's escrow provider might be slow or disorganized. C'est la vie. The bank might rush you for your deposit money, but take their own sweet time coming up with the necessary signatures on their end to close the deal. Par for the course. You might expect that the bank would be desperate for buyers, and instead find out that there are 20 offers on the same REO. Or, you might be the only offer and still get your aggressively low (but still reasonable) offer rejected, only to have the bank reduce the list price of the home to the same price of your offer! (They often want to see if exposing it to other buyers at the new, lower list price might generate more interest and higher offers.)

When you're buying a foreclosure, expect glitches, expect your calendar to be derailed, expect the bank to be inflexible and possibly even unreasonable. It's not overkill to ask your broker or agent to brief you on the common complications they see in REO transactions. Having realistic expectations may keep you from pulling your hair out. And if the transaction turns out to run smooth as silk? You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Never Wait on Hold Again!

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:35:00 GMT

NEVER WAIT ON HOLD AGAIN!

We'll bet you love being kept on hold when you call for support or about an order you placed. These innovative folks have a great system to beat the crazy machines that have you press 17 numbers and then hang up on you after a 22 minute hold!

Here's their solution. When you are put on hold, you can hang up and, when a customer service representative gets around to picking up, you'll get a call and be hooked right up. And these folks make it easy - they even have a built on phone book that makes most calls a one click breeze.

What makes this even sweeter (when they finally hook up) is that the company that would have you stay on hold is politely asked to hold for a second until you pick up!

Click Here for This Cyber Trick

Check whether you've been Gawkered — now!

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:05:00 GMT

Good Morning Friends!
Hopefully you have all your Christmas shopping done by now.
Not me! Donna gave me a new final list (I think it is the third final list), so I will be hitting the stores one more time today.
See you there!

I recieved the following warning this A.M. and thought it important enough to pass along. Hope you aren't on this list!

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Marty
By Woody Leonhard

Last week, somebody broke into Gawker.com and stole 1.3 million account names, e-mail addresses, and passwords — and then posted all the booty on the Internet.

Your online security might not be at the top of your mind this time of year, but most likely you're doing more Internet shopping. In light of the Gawker break-in, take a few minutes to assess your passwords.

Think you're immune because you've never used Gawker? Not necessarily so. If you've spent any time at all on Lifehacker.com or Gizmodo.com — and I bet you have — your passwords may be running around with a giant "kick me" sign on their backs.

A group calling itself Gnosis broke into the Gawker.com servers and stole the site's source code, employee e-mails, user account info, and much more. Gnosis then rolled that data into a BitTorrent file and sent it pinging around the Internet. According to a Mediaite.com story, the Gnosis hack was meant to rattle Gawker's self-deluded sense of data security.

If that were the whole story, you probably wouldn't need to give it a second thought. But Gawker Media Network, owner of Gawker.com, also runs two widely used tech sites: Lifehacker.com and Gizmodo.com. The Gawker crackers picked up user info about everyone who has an account at any Gawker Media site.

In addition to user names and e-mail addresses (used to confirm the registration), the stolen data includes Data Encryption Standard (DES) encrypted passwords. DES encryption is not terribly difficult to break, as a posting by the Intrepidus Group explains in detail. In fact, more than half of the passwords have already been cracked. Duo Security posted a list of the 250 most common, already-cracked passwords — led by the insanely simple "123456" and "password."

Weak password security can be costly

While perusing the list is entertaining, the important lesson here is about password use. For example, let's say you posted a comment on Lifehacker a few years ago. To post the comment, you had to give an e-mail address and password — which, at this very moment, somebody might be decrypting. Now let's say you're sloppy and using the same password for PayPal you used for Lifehacker. If a cyber thief has the foresight to sign on to PayPal with your e-mail address and cracked password, you can kiss your PayPal balance good-bye.

If there's the remotest chance you've posted a comment on Lifehacker.com or Gizmodo.com, go immediately to Duo Security's "Did I get Gawkered" site and enter your e-mail address. (See Figure 1.) If your name's on the list, change your passwords!

Figure 1. Enter your e-mail address into Duo Security's "Did I get Gawkered" site and find out if your address and password are compromised.

You, of course, would never use the same password on two different sites. But just in case, now would be a good time to review the strength of all your passwords. In a future column, I'll tell you about my two favorite password managers and show you how they could've saved you from a Gawk attack.

Merry Christmas!

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:25:00 GMT

A beautiful Christmas Card.

http://bit.ly/5n6sfC

Merry Christmas to All!
From your friends at the Donna Schrimpf-Gum Team

Dierbergs is Official

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:56:00 GMT

Osage Beach approves Dierbergs TIF to redevelop High Pointe

By J.B. Simpson/LakeExpo.com

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. - Dierbergs Markets secured tax increment financing Thursday night from the City of Osage Beach.

Best Buy hasn't agreed to terms yet.

Check the link above for a full report.

New Map Feature

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 21:12:00 GMT

Click on the map link below to view some excellent lake properties.

Map these properties Powered by RealBird.com

5 Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly in Today’s Market

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:16:00 GMT

I just read the following article and it has some good tips and possitive economic news.

By Dan Steward Print Article RISMEDIA, November 22, 2010—

It’s one thing when someone says “Things are looking up,” but quite another when the numbers actually bear that out. Happily, the latter is the case, evidenced by the latest statistics that show that home prices may be stabilizing. Namely, national home prices jumped an impressive 3.6% in the past year, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index released in late August. Prices also climbed 4.4% in the second quarter, which contrasts with a 2.8% decrease in the first quarter. This uptick in prices leads to a simple conclusion: Sell now if you can. And you certainly can. A fast sale, taking advantage of these numbers, is entirely possible, and can result in a lot of profit and a very happy Seller. Here are some methodical, easy tips to selling fast and successfully, taking advantage of a market uptick, without inducing panic or stomach aches.
1. Don’t raise the price. The uptick in home prices doesn’t mean that you should get all excited and raise the price. The trick is to leave your price the same as it was—that will encourage a bidding war. Hearing news about home prices going up, and raising your price immediately as a response to that, is typically not the way to go; the home will likely sell for more as a result of two buyers fighting over your reasonable price, rather than walking away due to a price that’s too high. Remember, the goal is ultimately to get more money, not to have a higher list price.
2. Remain flexible. Selling quickly means making some concessions—and we’re not talking price. It’s those little extras that may inspire a buyer to sign on the dotted line. Obviously, no one has the right to get your vintage grand piano in the deal. But if a buyer wants your stainless-steel fridge with ice-maker, give it up. There’s more ice waiting in your new home.
3. De-clutter. For a quick sale, you may not have time to fully “stage” your home down to the accent pillows and entirely new living room furniture. But you do have time to clear out the clutter. If we saw a home we’d like, we’d look past the clutter, but most buyers won’t. So, before you worry about making your home pretty, focus on making it neat. In a better market, neat is often all you need.
4. Schedule more open houses—and don’t attend your own — as a homeowner at their own open house often makes a potential buyer too nervous to comfortably look around.
5. Go big—and go local. If you haven’t listed in MLS (multiple-listing service), it’s a good idea, especially if you want to sell fast. The math is simple—more eyes on your listing equals more potential bites. But a lot of people who use the MLS forget that simply putting the word out with friends and family— is a step that is often skipped, expecting that the Internet will get the job done on its own

The Creep Has Begun

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:26:00 GMT

No Halloween is over.
This is about Interest Rate Creep.

I have been telling everyone to expect interest rates to start a steady march UP in the near future.
Well, it has begun! A week ago I received an email from a local lender offering a fixed rate loan at 4.0% for a 30 year term and no points.
Monday I received an update to 4.5% and today to 4.65%
Tomorrow...????

What does this all mean?
It means that if you have been waiting to refinance, do it NOW!
It means that if you have been waiting for the best time to buy to save the most money, DO IT NOW!
Rates are still unnaturally low. In 25 years of selling real estate I have never before seen them where they are today.

A $200,000 loan at 4.0% on a 30 year note would have put your payment for principle and interest at $954.83
The same loan today at 4.65% would make your payment $1,031.27

Some say; "Well then, shouldn't we wait to see if we have hit the bottom of the market?"
My answer is; You won't know when we hit the bottom until the prices go up!
How well did you time the stock market ups and downs we have been going through?
Did you sell off right before the bottom fell out?
Did you buy back in right before it ran back up?
If you did, would you manage my 401K? Please!
It just doesn't happen that way. No one is that smart/lucky.

What I do know is that if you buy now, you will get a great interest rate that will give you an incredibly affordable loan and you will be able to look back in a couple of years and say "My, I timed that purchase right!"
I do know that prices at the lake are down considerably over their peak in 2006. You are buying at pre- 2000 prices.
I do know that winter is upon us and that means that sellers are even more motivated than they were 2 months ago.
Does that mean that they are all selling at steeply discounted prices? No
List to Sale ratios are running slightly less than last year, but still holding around 94%
What it does mean is they have adjusted the prices to meet the CURRENT MARKET VALUE
They will negotiate in earnest each and every offer and where they wouldn't include some extra value items previously (like furniture, hoists...) it is not uncommon for those add on's to be allowed to remain in the contracts.

So if you are looking for a great time to buy, looking for a great value at the Lake, I haven't seen a better time to buy than is available to you TODAY at Lake of the Ozarks.
If you would like a list of extra special values, just let me know a little about what you would like and I will select a few and email them to you.

Have a wonderful day and go buy a turkey for Thanksgiving. They are a great value now too! ; )

ShootOut Schedule (Published by LakeExpo.com)

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:55:00 GMT

Shootout Schedule: A week of family fun

A week of events culminates this weekend with the Shootout Poker Run on Friday and the races Saturday and Sunday. Much of the money raised benefits local fire districts that also provide standby emergency services during the Shootout.

By LakeExpo.com

Published: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 1:53 AM CDT

Treasure Hunt 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 24 at Captain Ron's.
Mini Shootout 9 a.m., Wednesday, August 25 at Captain Ron's.
PWC Dam Run 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 25 starting at Surdyke Yamaha. There is a $150 entry fee and the run will travel from Surdyke Yamaha down the quiet side of the lake to the Truman Dam and back. The course is approximately 130 miles.
Street Party 6 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, August 25 on Bagnell Dam Strip
Make-A-Wish Boat Rides in the big boats 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, August 25 at Captain Ron's.
Celebrity Sand Volleyball Tournament 2 pm. Thursday, August 26.
Charity Auction 6 p.m., Thursday, August 26 at Captain Ron's. Last year the auction earned $10,500 for Shootout charities.
Poker Run with registration starting 8 a.m., Friday, August 27 at Shady Gators on the 7 mile marker. Players purchase poker hands and float to seven different lake locations to pick up their cards. There will be first, second, third place and worst hand prizes.
Stereo Shootout 7 p.m., Thursday, August 26 at Dog Days located on the 18 mile marker.
Fireworks at Captain Ron's start at dusk Friday, August 27.
2010 Shootout Races start 10 a.m., Saturday, August 28 and 10 a.m. Sunday, August 29 at Captain Ron's.

Encounter with Armadillos

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:57:00 GMT

Over the last few years I have begun to notice Armadillos that have been hit along the major roads.
Every year it seems there are more and more.
I live in Four Seasons on HorseShoe Bend and this year, for the first time, I have seen a couple that have been hit on HorseShoe Bend Parkway (HH).

Well, Tuesday morning I was at my mother-in-laws in Ozark Meadows. A very nice 55+ community in Osage Beach, just behind HyVee and Lowes.
She was looking at the back yard and asked me if there were two racoons out there?
No racoons...but two Armadillos digging up the yard looking for grubs.
Having never seen a live one in the wild, I walked out into the yard.
They could have cared less! They went on digging and looking for breakfast.
Not until I clapped my hands a few times did they even notice me. Then one ran under a nearby shed.
The other just kept on digging around.
I guess if you have armor plating all over your body your not too concerned about some guy making weird noises!

Now I get to spray the yard for grubs.

What is the Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Market Doing?

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:46:00 GMT

I hear the question "What is the lake market doing?" almost every day.

Well, there is no easy answer.

Our company has closed 130+ so far this year and are on schedule to meet our goals.

Could it be better? Yes, of course, but it could be a lot worse!

To get there, we have had to work harder, do a better job of marketing and learn a lot of new skills like Blogging. (As you can tell, I'm still in the learning stages.)

Everything has to be internet based (read instant) Virtual Tours, emails, SEO (search engine optimization), Video, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, Flicker, text messaging, IPhone apps, Droid apps...

Every day is a learning experience. After 25 years in the business, it is a new world out there.

Now back to the basics.

The mindset of Buyers has improved over last year.

They are still looking for deals and especially foreclosures, but they are looking.

Last year at this time traffic was way down.

We see a few foreclosures, but it is a very small precentage of listings or sales.

Very seldom do we see a prime property in foreclosure. More often than not they are properties that for some reason or another would not sell on the open market.

Common reasons are:

There is mold
The water is shallow
No room for a dock
The owner owes more than the property is worth
Termites
Cracks in the foundation
The septic is bad
It was built in 1955 and the owner tried to sell it for 2006 prices

I will cover more in another Blog on the Pros and Cons of buying a foreclosure.

As for the market, lakefront homes under $400,000 seem to be moving fairly good.

Over that is slow.

Condos under $150,000 that are on the water and have a boat slip are doing OK.

With prices down 20 - 30% from their peak, it puts prices back to the 2000 - 2002 levels.

Interest rates have never been lower than they are right now and with inflation that is sure to hit in the next few years, interest rates are bound to DRAMATICALLY AND QUICKLY increase.

They were 18% when I started selling real estate!

All the Guru's I listen to say buy and lock in a cheap rate and when inflation hits you are paying for your house with inflated dollars, so it costs you less.

http://www.lakeozarksmls.com/loo/maildoc/b001kd8397.html Here is the link to all the residential and condo foreclosures currently listed as of 8/18/10.
This link will be active for 30 days. If you would like a future update, just let me know.

If you have any questions or comments, you can always email me at Info@DemandDonna.com or call me at 573-365-7333

THE MOST IMPORTANT STATEMENT ABOUT THE “BEAUTY” OF THE US CONSTITUTION I’VE EVER READ… BY SOMEONE YOU MAY NEVER HAVE THOUGHT YOU WOULD ADMIRE…

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:25:00 GMT

"About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning cannot be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction cannot lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers." Who said this? President Calvin Coolidge, address at the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia, Pa., July 5, 1926. “Silent Cal” was apparently a good deal “less silent” than we had thought!

Great info on cleaning and brightening your wood deck

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:35:00 GMT

Wood Deck Cleaning and Brightening

If you have a wood deck, here are some great tips on making it look like new.

Video on why loan modifications are difficult to get

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:11:00 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/user/fiercefreeleancer

Why we need to get George Soros and his like out of our affairs!

Free Text Notification of Severe Weather While At The Lake

Donna Schrimpf-Gum — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:54:00 GMT

The Osage Beach Fire Department has just implemented a new program to alert anyone who wishes to sign up, of pending severe weather conditions by text messaging or email. Below is the release from their website www.obFire.com . During the interview on the radio, the Chief noted that visitors will be able to enter the dates they are here and wish to receive the warnings. So it isn't something you will have to put up with after you leave the lake unless you have property here and want to be made aware of local conditions.

AwareUS

On Thursday, June 3, 2010, the Osage Beach Fire Protection District implemented AwareUS notification system. AwareUS is designed for geographical locations to receive “real time” awareness for emergencies and information that relate to public safety. Over 90% of the Osage Beach Fire Protection District lacks coverage of warning sirens; this is the most cost effective way to communicate to the citizens and visitors in a time of emergency. AwareUS is a text paging system that will alert the public with information regarding Amber Alerts, Severe Weather, Road Closures, ect. Sign-up for the program is at NO COST to the public.

Implementation of the program will be in three phases. Phase 1 is for the Tri-County area (Camden, Miller and Morgan), which is currently operational. Phase 2 is to include the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tri County Lodging. These organizations would offer this service to people visiting the area. Warnings or alerts that are seen on television or heard on the radio give you the county the notification affects. Unfortunately, most people that visit the lake area do not know what county they are located in, so they may not be aware if the warning affects them. Visitors would be able to sign up for the dates/times that they are in the lake area, thus not receiving messages once they depart. This program would also benefit the large fishing tournaments in the area by notifying anglers while they are on the water of severe weather alerts.

The 3rd phase would be to include the school districts. During incidents or emergencies at a school, this program could be used to notify parents/guardians and give them instructions on where to go, what to do and/or what not to do.
Please visit obfpd.awareus.com for more information and to register