Lake of the Ozarks – Tax Benefits of Second Home Ownership

The tax deductions you’re eligible to take for mortgage interest and property taxes greatly increase the financial benefits of second home-ownership and makes Lake of the Ozarks real estate an attractive investment that can be enjoyed by friends and family.  Here’s how it works.

You Purchase:

You have a loan of $150,000 for 30 years, at 7 percent (yes, they are much lower than this right now, but they won’t stay that way forever).  Your payment would be $997.95 per month.  The first payment is made, $122.75 goes to pay down the principal amount of the loan, and $875 is interest paid for that month.   You are allowed to deduct the interest portion of the payment (for this example we will keep the amount of interest paid at $875 for 12 months).

$10,500 = Mortgage interest paid
$  1,200 = Annual property tax
______

$11,700 = Total deduction

Then, multiply your total deduction by your tax rate.

For example, at a 33 percent tax rate: 11,700 x 0.33 = $3,861

$3,861 = Amount you have lowered your federal income tax (at 33 percent tax rate)

Note: Mortgage interest may not be deductible on loans over $1.1 million. In addition, deductions are decreased when total income reaches a certain level.

Call John Garrett with any questions about Lake of the Ozark real estate.  573-480-6420.

Lake of the Ozarks Common Closing Costs for Buyers

When you buy a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, you’ll be glad to know that Missouri is one of the lowest closing costs state in the US. This along with low interest rates and great seller concessions make it an ideal time to buy at the Lake.

You’ll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:

• Down payment
• Loan origination
• Points, or loan discount fees, which you pay to receive a lower interest rate
• Home inspection
• Appraisal
• Credit report
• Private mortgage insurance premium
• Insurance escrow for homeowner’s insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage
• Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you.
• Deed recording
• Title insurance policy premiums
• Land survey
• Notary fees
• Prorations for your share of costs, such as utility bills and property taxes

A Note about Prorations: Because such costs are usually paid on either a monthly or yearly basis, you might have to pay a bill for services used by the sellers before they moved. Proration is a way for the sellers to pay you back or for you to pay them for bills they may have paid in advance. For example, the gas company usually sends a bill each month for the gas used during the previous month. But assume you buy the home on the 6^th of the month. You would owe the gas company for only the days from the 6^th to the end for the month. The seller would owe for the first five days. The bill would be prorated for the number of days in the month, and then each person would be responsible for the days of his or her ownership.  Call John Garrett Prudential Lake Ozark Realty at 573-480-6420 with any questions. 

If you are serious about buying Lake of the Ozarks real estate, now is the time you have been waiting for.  A perfect storm of low interest rates,  a buyer’s real estate market, and foreclosures to lower prices further have created the right time to buy real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks.   Here’s what you need to do:

• You need a qualified buyer’s agent.
• Get pre-qualified with a lender.
• Register with the best MLS search site at the Lake.
• Decide what area of the Lake is right for you.
• Decide the level of “fixing up” you are willing to do.

Buying real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks is not difficult if you follow a good plan.  By doing the 5 items present above, you will have a huge advantage over typical buyers that are wasting their time chasing print ads that have already been sold and looking at outdated real estate web sites.   I have helped people buy their Lake of the Ozarks home (and Condos) since 1995, I have worked everyday, full-time in this market ever since.   I can say without a doubt that now is the best time to buy real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks. 573-480-6420

Lake of the Ozarks Waterfront Homes sales show a nice gain over the same period last year.  26% is nothing to sneeze at!

June 2011 Waterfront Home Sales
Sale Price Volume $17,833,499
Avg Sale Price $349,676

June 2010 Waterfront Home Sales
Sale Price Volume $13,138,210
Avg Sale Price $285,613

It is a bump along recovery, but positive news is good news anytime you can get it.  Call John Garrett for detailed accurate pricing reports in this market.  Whether a buyer or seller, you can’t afford to use an agent that doesn’t know the market.

If searching the Lake of the Ozarks area for foreclosures, you’ll notice in the MLS comments a line that reads “This is a Fannie Mae HomePath property you can purchase for as little as 3% down.”

Sounds great, right? The problem is that it must be your primary residence to qualify for this low down payment option. The good news is you can buy with as little as 10% down, IF you use the right lender.

John Garrett is an expert on getting these kind of deals done. Call him to get started today, having your financing in order makes all the difference, especially in these challenging times. 573-480-6420

That is higher than the average sale at REMAX Lake of the Ozarks.  For Information on The Villages, Porto Cima, or and other Luxury homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, call the Luxury Experts.

John Garrett, Broker Sales Prudential Lake Ozark Realty. 573-480-6420

Lake of the Ozarks waterfront home sales increased 48% in dollar volume sold!  That is first quarter of 2010 versus first quarter 2009.  The amazing part is that it was done with only one more sale.  The average price per square foot increased from 143 psf to 150 psf.  The average sale price was 46% higher in 2010.  All good news, especially given the unseasonably bad weather during the 1st quarter.   

If you are a ready, willing and able buyer waiting for the “bottom’ of this market, you have likely already missed it.   Don’t wait any longer, this market is seeing a recovery and the lack of new construction during the last 3 years will start to drive up prices at an accelerated pace when the demand comes back.  Call John Garrett at Lake Real Estate Pros today to get started.  573-480-6420.

All property types sold in February 2010 totaled $24,183,890.  The same time period last year was $16,154,427.  That is an increase of 50%.  Average sale price was up as well an impressive $39%.

My new real estate company is called Lake Real Estate Pros.   Maybe I took the Warren Buffet quote that everyone loves nowdays that says ““… be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful” a bit too seriously.   After 10 year at RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks, it was time to make this move.   Lake Real Estate Pros is located across from JB Hooks on Bagnell Dam Blvd.   The address is 2221 Bagnell Dam Blvd Ste 400, Lake Ozark MO 655049.  John Garrett can be reached at 573-480-6420.

Search Lake of the Ozarks Property

Lakefront Foreclosure

You’ve likely seen this home when crossing the Community Toll Bridge from Lake Ozark to Shawnee Bend. The difference is that it now has been foreclosed on and the price is now $1,562,500 down from well over $2,000,000.

The description in the MLS reads:

Spectacular 1.2 acre lot with 340 ft. of gentle lakefront is a one-of-a-kind with a trophy home unlike any other. Major remodeling and expansive landscaping under way-exquisite detail and design. A private retreat with expansive views, cove protected waterfront, pea gravel beach, level curved driveway, private pool, outdoor kitchen, spectacular patio w/fireplace, totally revamped master wing.

This home was purchased and remodeled before it was put back on the market, it was one of the best remodel transformations that I’ve seen at the Lake of the Ozarks. Now someone will get a really great deal on this home. Call if you need any additional information. 573-480-6420