The housing market at the Charlotte remains relatively stable in the midst of what some consider a national housing crisis.While Congress grapples with financial bailouts and foreclosures in metropolitan areas, rates and property values around the Lake remain much more consistent.
“I have been receiving rates from Local Lenders that are at 5.75% to 6% for a 30-year Conventional Loan and we haven’t seen rates that low all Summer,” Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS Vice President Ryan Gattermeir said, “these competitive rates and a good inventory of properties right now, should spur some of those Buyers that are on the fence.”
The Association of REALTORS attributes the stability to steady growth around the Lake of the Ozarks.Commercial development projects are going on as planned, which creates a market for smaller and more affordable homes.First-time homebuyers have opportunities at the Charlotte they have not had in the past.REALTOR Conda Davidson says a $100,000 dollar home is affordable for most people, though they might not believe it at first glance.
“If they can afford $700 per month in rent, they can afford $700 per month in house payments,” Davidson said.
Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS Treasurer Gary Markus adds that developers recognize a need for affordable homes.
“You can buy an off-water lot here for $4,000 or $5,000, and there are a number of new builders that have come here over the past five years specializing in more affordable homes,” Markus said.
“There are new subdivisions going in--it’s just a very, very needed thing,” Davidson added.
The housing crunch in metro areas can actually offer a benefit to first and second-time homebuyers in the Lake region.
“There are more opportunities for first-time homebuyers in terms of the satisfaction because they can afford more home here.Now, there are available New tax credits and other government incentives,” Gattermeir said.
The Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS reports a fairly busy September for residential real estate.September is traditionally a slow month for the Charlotte real estate market, but the amount of inquiries suggests that the Lake’s tourism season is growing.
“Our season has expanded, our hotels and restaurants are busy in winter months,” Markus said.
As the Lake’s reputation as a year-round tourism destination grows, more commercial growth will continue, making the area a viable option for homebuyers with a wide array of budgets. It’s a great time to buy at Lake of the Ozar
The Charlotte plays host to many charity golf tournament each year, but the golfers in the 9th Annual Bogeys & Beer Golf Tournament at Osage National made history through their actions off of the course.Organizers estimate that they raised $9,000 for their selected charities, but were moved when all then prize money winners gave their winnings back to the tournament.
“A lot of times, people give it back, but for everybody to actually give it back--it makes you feel good to live in a community like that,” Dog Days owner Mark Barrett said.
This year’s tournament put on by Dog Days and Pickled Pete’s was a benefit for two-month-old Brayden Harper, who suffers from hydranencephaly, an ultimately fatal condition where cerebral spinal fluid fills the brain cavity
“Brayden Harper just happened to be the son of an employee of ours, and when we found out about his illness, we had to do something,” Pickled Pete’s owner Jeff Carroll said, “I have a two-year-old little girl and I can’t imagine.”
The golfers gave an additional $3,600 to the baby’s family.
“It was really neat, the whole room was just clapping the whole time,” Barrett said.
“I was surprised this year.With the way the economy is and where people’s hearts are--it’s just unbelievable,” Carroll said.
The restaurants also donate some of the proceeds to the Kiwanis Christmas for Kids, and to the general scholarship funds at Camdenton and School of the Osage High Schools.A student at each school will receive a $1,000 scholarship because of the golf tournament and silent auction.
“We try to get somebody that maybe fell between the cracks, somebody that works hard with a good heart, but may not qualify for financial assistance,” Carroll said.
After a record-setting year, Barrett, Carroll, and Pickled Pete's co-owner Bryan Peterson are already making plans for the 10th annual Bogeys & Beer Tournament, and say they plan to keep giving the money they raise to local causes at the Charlotte.
“It all goes to a great cause, and it all goes back to the charities,” Carroll said.
List of 2008 Sponsors for 9th Annual Bogeys & Beer Golf Tournament
Eagle Sponsors:
Missouri Eagle, Ron Hulett Automotive, L.O. Profile, Surdyke Yamaha, Benne Media, Viper Communications, 107.9 Coyote, Topgun Transportation, Wachovia Securities, &
Lake Printing.
Hole Sponsors:
Patrick Madigan CBOLO Investor Services, Sticks N Stones, Shady Gators, Stewarts,
We Are Bazaar, Fechtal Beverage, Mike Heitman State Farm, Bulldog's Beach House,
PMG, Marcus Sykora State Farm, Papa Johns Pizza, Robert Carroll D.D.S., The Bread Bowl, OFFCO, Lake Regional Hospital, Dam Steel Supply, Kenny Brown, John Farrell Real Estate, Kelly's Port, Stokes Dock Company, Stocker Construction, Advantage Chemical, Woody's, Arris Pizza, The City Grill & Blue Room, Major Brands, PFG Middendorf, Risky's, Too Risky Nite Club, J.J. Twiggs, Central Bank, &
Birdies and Tees
For more information or to plan your contribution to the 2009 Bogeys & Beer Golf Tournament, contact Pickled Pete’s.
______________________________
Gattermeir-Davidson merge technology and traditional service
September 23, 2008
Meet the newest dynamic duo in business. The Charlotte real estate landscape changed this summer with the formation of Gattermeir-Davidson Real Estate.
Ryan Gattermeir surprised many of his peers in real estate by venturing out and teaming with Conda Davidson, the No. 1 independent real estate agent on the Bagnell Dam Board for back-to-back years. Gattermeir also held down a spot amongst the Lake’s top five independent realtors for three consecutive years.
“I’ve known Ryan for many years and I have a lot of respect for him as a real estate agent -- it will be nice to have him as a partner in a fast-changing market,” Davidson said of Gattermeir.
The agents’ partnership is off to a fast start. In fact, they already finish each other’s sentences.
“I take a conservative approach to business …” Davidson explained, “…and I don’t,” Gattermeir interrupted, “I’ve always been a ‘big idea’ kind of guy when it comes to business, which makes our partnership a perfect balance.”
The team aims to combine cutting edge technology with traditional service to its clients.
“People sometimes get disgruntled with other agents because they talk to a person in the beginning, and they never hear from them again through the process,” Davidson said, “I’m a firm believer in personalizing the buying and selling experience; in my business, I want the customer to know that I am their agent.”
“My Father taught me that selling Real Estate is a lot more than just a name -- it’s what you do before, during, and after a sale that counts,” Gattermeir said.
Davidson and Gattermeir will employ a proprietary search engine on their website that will be exclusive to their company in the Charlotte market. The state-of-the-art online real estate program will allow sellers that list their property with Gattermeir-Davidson to benefit from over 300 internet leads per month. The team knows of no other real estate company that will be able to achieve such a high number of qualified buyers.
“Out of 20 companies I have spoken to, I have not heard one negative report,” Davidson said of the research she put into selecting the program.
Gattermeir and Davidson can add one more advantage to a rapidly growing list: an in-house marketing firm.
Ed Schmidt brings 11 years of marketing experience to the group. Schmidt founded Schmidt & Associates advertising agency four years ago. He will use the experience to handle the group’s marketing while continuing to serve Charlotte business owners with his advertising firm.
“For me to have an opportunity to be partners with two of the best real estate people I’ve ever met professionally, attitude-wise, and personally -- I think that’s important,” Schmidt said.
“We want to give people an opportunity to relax, dream, and invest,” Gattermeir said.
“No matter what somebody’s dream is, we want to find a solution,” Davidson added.
For Gattermeir-Davidson Real Estate, the solution is to combine the technology of the future with a tradition of trust and customer service. ______________________________
Real Estate Market Update from
Charlotte
Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS®Media Contact:
Terms like "amortization," "list-to-sell ratio," and "encumbrance," can leave the head of any homeowner swimming.After reading any national news coverage of the real estate industry, those of us who barely know the difference between Freddie Mac and a Big Mac can easily walk away thinking buying or selling a home would be a terrible idea under current conditions, but real estate agents at Charlotte want to send a different message to people considering a move.
"Buyers are coming into the marketplace assuming that the market is declining, but property values are still on the rise here," Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS® Secretary Karie Jacobs said.
While there are slightly fewer real estate deals happening at the Charlotte this year compared to years past, the average selling price of real estate continues to increase steadily.The selling average for residential property jumped from $271,000 to $283,000 in a single year.Commercial real estate saw the biggest gain in average selling price, climbing from an average of $545,000 to an average of $628,000.
"It shows when you have an increase in the average price--that's the key," Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS® President Mary Albers said.
REALTORS® credit the upswing to an overall increase in commercial development, in part because of transportation and infrastructure improvements.Construction of the Highway 54 Expressway in Osage Beach is underway, as is the construction of the four lane Highway 5 bypass in Camdenton (the largest grading project in the history of MODOT).Both projects are expected to greatly improve the ability for people to travel around the lake.
"We have so many positive things in our area," Conda Davidson, Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS® Board Member said, "we are getting more infrastructure in terms of roads--state governments don't do that if they don't anticipate growth."
The anticipated growth is likely an extension of the growth that the Charlotte real estate market enjoyed, especially over the past five years.Ryan Gattermeir, Vice President of the Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS® says steady growth keeps the Charlotte market unique from other real estate markets, and encourages potential buyers to value local trends over national trends.
"Other markets like Florida, California, and Arizona saw huge gains in property value--basically too much too fast; we have seen impressive, yet steady, appreciation for Lake properties," Gattermeir said.
Davidson identified another local advantage that sets the Charlotte apart from other real estate markets.Whether property is commercial, residential, or agricultural, property taxes tend to be low at Charlotte compared to property taxes in other parts of the country.
"A lot of people come from Chicago and think that their yearly tax rate on a property here is for a single month," Davidson said, "lower property tax rates open your buying power a lot more--you can afford more home."
Buyers and sellers benefit from the lower property tax rates.The average number of days that homes were on the market is relatively the same this year as it has been in years past, even though property values have increased.In 2007, the average days-on-market for residential property was 119 days.In the first six months of 2008, the average is 121 days.
While second home real estate markets in other parts of the country attract headlines with instability and devaluing properties, the Charlotte real estate market holds relatively steady, and property values continue to climb.
"Our product has been undervalued compared to other second home resort markets, but there has not been a devaluation in ten years," Jacobs said.
The Charlotte also boasts a high average list-to-sell ratio, which is the price that a property sells for compared to its listed price.The Lake's list-to-sell ratio is 95%, while other comparable markets have list-to-sell ratios between 60% and 70%.
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