Team Andy Gibson - Keller Williams Lake of the Ozarks Realty

Many people choose to visit the Lake of the Ozarks for vacation each year. In fact, they enjoy it here so much that coming here becomes an annual tradition. Eventually for some, that dream to one day relocate to the Lake of the Ozarks permanently becomes reality. And we couldn't be more excited to welcome them with open arms! With all the Lake area has to offer, we completely understand why families choose time and again to make the Lake area home. Here are just a few of the reasons why YOU should relocate to the Lake of the Ozarks ! Fantastic School Districts In the Lake of the Ozarks area, we have several schools that rank well in graduation rates. Out of 12 school districts in the area, 11 of those schools have graduation rates of 95% or higher! The largest school district in the area, The School of the Osage school district, has continuously ranked higher on ACT scoring than the average composite score for the state of Missouri. Many of the schools offer better student to...

Every month, we take a look back at how the market is affected by several different factors that take place daily throughout the world, not just within the real estate industry. For  Team Andy Gibson , it's essential for us to stay up to date on the current market fluctuations so that we can help our clients make the best decisions for their real estate needs. So, this month, we're taking a look back on the past month to give you an insider's perspective on how the market is holding up today. December 2018 Market Update According to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing home sales increased in October after six consecutive months of decline. Buyers are stepping back into the housing market with an increasing number of homes for sale. Interest Rates According to Freddie Mac, 30-year fixed rates decreased slightly to 4.81 percent in October from 4.85 percent in September. This rate remains well below the historical average of 8.90 percent. Home Sales The...

Buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks  can be a fun and exciting experience. But finding the right home is just one step in the process. Getting approved for a home loan is just as important. So to help you get on the right track to be approvable for your first home loan, the  best real estate team at the Lake of the Ozarks  wants to offer some tips to help you get approved for a home loan! 1. Check Your Credit Score Having a lower credit score doesn't necessarily prevent you from getting a mortgage loan, but it can definitely affect your chances and your interest rates. Having a good credit score puts you in a position to attract the best deal on your home loan. So it’s a good idea to obtain a copy of your credit report before starting the home buying process. By knowing what your credit report looks like, you can then take steps to improve your credit score if necessary before lenders start looking. 2. Start Saving for a Down Payment Depending on your lender ...

Perhaps you recently accepted a job offer, or you just needed a change of scenery and decided now was the time to make that change. Uprooting your life isn't an easy feat—yet, it's exciting and new when you're moving to the Lake of the Ozarks ! You'll get to explore a whole new place and all that that new place has to offer! There'll be new activities, new restaurants, new friends, new parks, and more. What should you know about your new hometown? What research should you do ahead of time to ensure you relocate to a place you'll be comfortable living in? Here's what you need to know: Do Your Research Before Buying (or Renting)  The area you live in makes your home what it is. Check out Google Maps before your big move. Maybe even make a list of the advantages and disadvantages to each area you research—it can help make the decision easier. If your kids are in school, you'll likely want a school facility close by. Do you want them to attend a pr...

As a real estate agent, one of our goals is of course to sell property. It's how we make a living. But for Team Andy Gibson , there's more to our career than just the money. The sole purpose that Andy started his own team is because he knows there's more to life than just making a dollar. The point of becoming a real estate agent is to not only better our own lives, but to better the lives of others as well. For Andy, this means his clients, as well as his team members. This week, Team Andy Gibson got to do something pretty amazing. We got to celebrate one of our newest members' success in hitting a goal that most agents don't hit within their first year. We want to give a huge shout out and congratulations to Laura Hatfield for selling her first MILLION DOLLARS IN SALES! Laura had no idea she was receiving an award for hitting her first $1M! Laura was able to do this by utilizing her exceptional skills in listening, negotiating, organization, attention ...

In an ever-changing economy that constantly tries to tell you all the reasons why you're not ready to buy that dream home, Team Andy Gibson is here to tell you that your goal for homeownership is far closer to becoming a reality than you might think. The problem isn't that you CAN'T, it's more likely that you're afraid of rejection and allowing those fears to hold you back. So this week, we're dragging out some of those deep seeded fears that we hear all too often, and shining some light on the truths that hopefully will put your fears to rest! Are any of these fears holding you back in your home search? Here's the facts about these homeownership myths and how we can help you make your dream of homeownership a reality: 1. "I can't afford to buy a home now." FACT: If you're paying rent, you can buy. According to the National Association of Realtors, first-timers bought houses valued at $182,500 and made 5 percent down payments. Giv...

When buying a new home, you want to feel confident that it has the potential to grow in value over time. The agents of Team Andy Gibson recognizes that many factors must be carefully considered when choosing a home, and we can help you sort through all of the details in order for you to feel more secure in your decision. We're Diligent in Our Research Choosing the right home and neighborhood that meet all of your needs will help you feel happier with your home for longer. This will allow for you to take advantage of any possible appreciation in your home's value. Our diligent research identifies which homes and neighborhoods meet your requirements and match your lifestyle. Let Us Help You Negotiate Pricing Purchasing your new home at a fair price could increase the chance for a higher return on your investment when you decide to sell. By identifying motivated sellers, we'll negotiate the best price possible. We can confidently do this by looking at sales trends of...

The decision to  purchase a home at the Lake of the Ozarks  is one of the biggest choices you'll likely make in your lifetime. Purchasing your own home is a great investment that can deliver several financial benefits - equity buildup, value appreciation, automatic savings plan - not to mention a new sense of pride! This week,  Team Andy Gibson  is sharing with you the steps of buying a home to help you more easily understand the process. Hire Your Agent Before hiring a real estate professional at the Lake of the Ozarks to help you, know that above all else, good agents put their clients first. This is your dream, and your agent is your advocate to help you make your dream come true. Not only can an agent help you locate your dream home, but they can help you negotiate the contract to get the deal for your money. Secure Financing To make the financing process as painless as possible, ask your agent to introduce you to a preferred mortgage lender. ...

Part of selecting a real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks to represent you when selling or buying a home is getting to know the agent you'll be working with. Team Andy Gibson wants to make sure you feel comfortable with our agents. So, to help you feel at ease and confident in our agents, we're sharing with you a little bit about our agents so you can get to know them better. This week, our spotlight agent is Laura Hatfield! Family Life Laura is the newest member of our team and we couldn’t be more excited to have her! Laura is originally from the state of California. She was raised in Northern CA, where she received a degree in Theater from San Diego State University, with a major in Musical Theater. Laura moved from Los Angeles to Branson in 1993 and performed there for many years as a singer/dancer/actress in Mississippi Love, Smoke on the Mountain, and other various variety shows. The most famous venue she performed in was the saloon show at Silver Dollar City....

As a first-time homebuyer, there are many things you will need to do when buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks . By hiring an experienced agent, you'll have a helping hand to handle the many tasks that are bound to arise. While there are things you definitely should do as a first-time buyer, there are several things you SHOULDN'T do as well! Keep in mind that no deal is final until it's done. Here are a few things you should NOT do while trying to buy your first home. 1. Don't Buy the First Home You Fall in Love With Chances are, you'll be super eager to find a home and get the show on the road. You may walk into the first house on your list and get the warm and fuzzies and feel like this is the one. However, pulling the trigger without shopping all of your options could mean that you're setting yourself up to either pay a lot more than necessary or to find your real dream home shortly after buying. Take time to view all of your options and to be thorou...

When you start looking at buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks , there are several things to consider. First and foremost, how much can you afford and how will you pay for it? Chances are you'll require a mortgage to cover the cost of buying that dream home. Your credit score, as well as the information on your credit report, are key ingredients in determining whether you’ll be able to get a mortgage, and the rate you’ll pay. A higher credit score reflects a better credit history and can make you eligible for lower interest rates. With that said, we're sharing with you why your credit score affects your ability to buy a home and what you can do to improve yours. Understanding Your Credit Score A credit score is a statistical number that evaluates a consumer's creditworthiness and is based on credit history. Lenders use credit scores to evaluate the probability that an individual will repay his or her debts. A person's credit score ranges from 300 to 850, and th...

Are you thinking about selling your home at the Lake of the Ozarks soon? Before you decide to put your house on the market, you should be thinking about how you can maximize your investment. Making a few home improvements can sometimes dramatically increase the value of your home, which will put more money in your pocket at closing. Team Andy Gibson has put together seven home improvement tips to increase the value of your home. 1. Landscaping You don’t have to be a professional to make your landscaping more appealing to buyers. Updating your landscaping not only can increase the value of your home, but it also increases curb appeal, which is an added bonus.  Purchase plants that are native to your area. By doing this, you have a higher chance of the plants thriving. These plants will also require less maintenance, which will save you and your buyers time in the future. Flower pots on your porch next to the door make your home feel more inviting. For the yar...

Spring is a great time to buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks . You may be searching for your first home, looking to move to a new home, or maybe you are looking to buy a second home. Before you start your house hunt, you should contact your lender and ask them some questions. Team Andy Gibson are your most trustworthy, ethical, and reliable real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks . We are here to help you through all aspects of your home buying process. Today, we would like to share with you what you should ask your lender before you start your house hunt. Compare Lenders, You Have Options!  Buying a home can be time-consuming. Allow plenty of time, so you can get the best deal on your loan. You should always talk to multiple lenders before you decide who to go through. You would be surprised how much loan conditions can vary from lender to lender. Purchasing a home can have a big impact on your financial portfolio, so make sure you are getting the best deal. ...