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.

The Landmark Center fills a unique niche in the lake area business market by providing the advantages of ownership to the discerning entrepreneur and investor. The Landmark Center is steel and brick construction designed by Columbia Associates. There are customized office spaces from 900 to 6,300 square feet currently available with elevator service to all four floors. Awesome parking that exceeds city requirements. Building signage available for each owner/tenant.

Call John Garrett for details 888-322-1802.

INVESTORS CHECK THIS OUT, Seller says they have renters standing in line! These are awesome duplex’s – sold as a package or 3 for $659,000 or one at $229,000 each. Spacious floor plans offered, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, vaulted ceilings, tile entry & kitchen, 2 car garage, level back yard, quiet street, near community pool & tennis court! Each unit rents for $720.00 per month. Community sewer is coming see attachments. Community amenities include, pool, tennis & clubhouse.Call John Garrett 888-322-1802 today for more information.

Excellent opportunity to own an income producing property located on Hwy 54 in the Heart of Osage Beach close to the new John Q Hammonds Property. Property is built to hold two separate business/offices with one business currently renting both as one. Great traffic counts, easy access in and out. Current lease in place – call for details. Building was completely remodeled in 2004.

Call John Garrett 888-322-1802 to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

Investors can exhale. Congress has passed and the President has signed the Tax Increase Prevention And Reconciliation Act of 2005. The new law extends the current long-term capital gains tax rates through the end of 2010. The maximum rate of 15% was slated to expire at the end of 2008 and revert to the previous 20% rate. They will hopefully make this permanent.

You watch the shows on TV where the people show huge gains on properties they buy, remodel, landscape, and cash in on, and it looks easy, right? When they show the “profit” at the end of the show, they aren’t really telling the whole story. Let’s look at what happens with that”profit.” Say you bought a house for $150,000 and worked on it, cleaned it up, and sold it for $250,000 a month later. An easy $100,000, right? But since you didn’t hold the property for more than 12 months, it makes it a short-term capital gain. Now, you’ll pay a federal rate of as much as 35%, not the 15% long-term capital gain that investors get for long term gains (held for more than one year). Add a state tax, say 5%, and you now owe $40,000 in taxes. But wait, it’s not over yet! If the IRS considers you to be in the real estate “trade or business” that makes all your profits ordinary income taxes at your highest bracket. In addition, that will subject you to self-employment taxes, which drains another 15% out of your profits. Now, from your $100,000 gain, you’ve only cleared $45,000. The next fun thing to crawl out from under a rock is the AMT, or alternative-minimum-tax. I won’t even pretend to explain this tax, but just know that you can pay a rate of 26% to 28%. If you pay a Realtor commission on the deal, say 6% or $15,000, you start to see that “flipping” houses isn’t the slamdunk it can appear to be. A better strategy? Buy value, hold for at least one year(maybe lease the property), enjoy tax benefits and shelter, and 1031 exchange into another property. For more on 1031 exchnages, look here http://lakeoftheozarksreal-estate.com/content/article.html/53635