Received an email today from our local board.  They advised that due to agents dropping their membership, and the loss of income from the drop, they are looking to trim the budget.   What's the first thing GM offered to do to stay solvent?  Reduce the overhead.  In this small almost rural area,  Shell Knob, MO, laying off a clerk is sad.

So let's see - we had 23 realtors drop in December, plus 8 MLS only. 

That's 31 x $327 = $10,137. for six months,  Extending that fee for a full 12 months and the board will have LOST $20,274.

Now add to that  the 19 affiliates that dropped - Inspectors, lenders,appraisers, etc.  and you get the continuation of the Trickle Down.

We are what used to be called 'small potatoes' here in the Ozarks - not big - certainly not comparable to large cities.  Total board membership is about 611, but we've worked through  belt tightening before.  We will do it again.....Trickel down or no Trickle Down.

Call JOAN for all your real estate needs.  417-858-2209

TRI-LAKES REALTORS   417-858-3344                                                                              

CSI Move Over

Barry and Stone County criminals better watch out.  A long needed crime lab has opened in Springfield, MO, which will seriously cut the previous  wait for test results by law enforcement officers.

There has been only one lab until now.  Stone and Barry counties will be able to use the lab and it is anticipated,  that what used to take almost a year to obtain DNA and forensic results, will be shortened to less than 60 days in most cases

The state of the art lab will serve as a back up to the Jefferson City facility and should get criminals off the street faster.  It will be a full service lab for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

  I was totally in love with the Ozarks (still am for that matter) and really enjoyed the milder climate when we  moved to Shell Knob 22 years ago.

We have 4 distinct seasons in SW Missouri - some longer or shorter than others - depending upon the year.  What  took me a while to understand, is that along with the increased sunshine and scarcity of snow, came a climate that encouraged insect and critter growth. 

It's not one of my favorite topics, but personal safety and health concerns need to be known by potential Shell Knob residents.

I saw an article in one of our local papers recently that brought this to mind.  The topic was "Toxic Brown Recluse Spiders Pose Danger". 

These creatures live up north too, but our climate seems to make them thrive.  They are one of three spiders in the USA  that are venomous.  They come into homes in the winter to seek warmth.  Unfortunately, this warmth can be found inside an old shoe or slipper, or in a box in the back of a closet.

They actually want to stay away from humans and are very shy, which is why they hide and most bites happen by accident.  If you put that shoe on and the spider feels trapped, it may bite in self defense.

It is recommended that a cold compress be applied to the bite and that a doctor be seen as soon as possible.  Take the spider with you so it can be confirmed that it is actually a brown recluse bite.

On the bright side, if you keep clutter out of your closets and hire a good exterminator on a regular schedule, you will probably never see one of these unwelcome visitors.

Call Joan for Shell Knob or Table Rock Lake information  417-858-2209

While it is well known that Trout like cold water streams, people often don't think about fishing in the winter - other than ice-fishing in the north.

Many Shell Knob anglers go  over to Roaring River State Park, near Cassville, Missouri.  The fishing park is in great shape and offers less crowded conditions in the winter for the Catch and Release of trout. 

Roaring river is very clear and offers some nice three and four pounders', with reports of several trout over 5 pounds.

Catch and Release continues until March 1st, after which you can harvest your trout and take them home for dinner.

Rainbows are starting to go into spawning and exhibting interest in bright colored jigs and lures.

CALL JOAN FOR ASSISTANCE IN BUYING OR SELLING PROPERTY IN SHELL KNOB OR TABLE ROCK LAKE.

417-858-2209        Tri-Lakes Realtors   417-858-3344                    

TIME FOR HOME REPAIR?

The current economic downturn  offers  some excellent opportunities for homeowners.  Builders who can't sell the last home or two they built on speculation (Spec Houses)  in Shell Knob, are probably not starting to build more until one of the homes sell.

This puts many skilled craftsmen (and some not so skilled - let's be honest) with time on their hands and no income.  This might just be the perfect time for Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner to do some home improvements. 

Personally, I just had three of my outdoor doors replaced on my 23 year old Shell Knob home.  Hail storms last spring resulted in my insurance company supplying a new roof. It's just normal wear and tear that requires updating.  It did however provide my favorite contractor with work and income.

Last year you would have been put on a waiting list to get a builder to come by and give you an estimate.  It's now whole other story.

Builders and their crews are welcoming any work they can get right now.  If you've been putting off having some painting or plumbing done, it might be an excellent time to place a few calls and get estimates.

call JOAN FOR HELP IN BUYING OR SELLING IN SHELL KNOB OR TABLE ROCK LAKE   417-858-2209

TRI-LAKES REALTORS  417-858-3344                                     

WHO IS GOD IN YOUR MIND?

This question got a good work-out  as I read a book my 16 year old grandaughter loaned me.

I remember being told in a Phil Driscol concert to close my eyes and picture Jesus, as Phil played that fantastic  trumpet of his.  I immediately had  Christ charging through the sky on a white stallion - but I could not actually put a face on Him.

This book about God and our relationship to Him is "The Shack" by William P. Young.  An introduction by Eugene Peterson says: "This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his.  It's that good?"

We all have some image in our minds of what God looks like.  Artists have given us their version as they painted masterpieces we've seen.  As a child in parochial school, I received many images from statues and holy cards, mixed in with a fierce, white haired, all powerful God image from somewhere.

This book may be fiction, but it is one that wrestles well in a world where religion often seems irrelevant.  As the book cover says "The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?"

Need something to lift you during this season?  I heartily recommend this as a good read for mind and soul.  My image of God has been turned topsy-turvy.

If Christmas is here, then Boat Shows can't be far behind.  And as people start to think about boats, they turn their thoughts to water, and possible real estate on the waterfront.

Just about the time  Cabin Fever sets in - post holiday blahs - the solution to the problem is to attend a January Boat Show.  There is nothing like the smell and feel of a new boat to get the juices flowing and make the snow disappear.

The Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce, and local dealers,  attend several Shows in the Boat Show season.  The area's largest show comes January 7 - 11 in Kansas City, at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City, MO.  This is followed by Boat Shows in Nashville, Dallas, Ft. Worth and Chicago.

St. Louis hosts it's show in February.

When you are ready for the lake - Call Joan for assistance.  417-858-2209   

Shell Knob had another restaurant bite the dust this week.  Popular with summer Table Rock lake visitors, Stumpy Burger was known for it's excellent burgers.

These burgers reminded people of the old fashioned greasy grilled cheezeburgers of ages past.  That was when even the bun was grilled and crisp with grease.  A single cheezeburger was quite filling for most and it took a really huge appetite to do away with a double!

Sadly, it is difficult for merchants to survive and make a living with a town where the year round population in Shell Knob is  less than 1,500.  In a retirement, lake environment, the summer visitors are needed to provide the income.  In 2008, spring and summer was a disaster due to lake flooding and high gas prices.

Stumpy Burger is moving to Provo, Utah and will reestablish at the Shops At The River Woods.  Don and Sheri  will offer Ozark visitors a free meal until July 30, 2009.

Shell Knob is sorry to see them go.  We'll miss those burgers.

Call JOAN for all your real estate needs in SHELL KNOB, MO                                                      

Does this situation fit anyone?  You get a call from a homeowner to come by and look over their home.  You do your homework, check for comps, prepare a nice listing presentation  and show up on time.  You are the only agent they have called.

The appointment seems to go well.  Good vibes with the sellers.  They ask for recommendations on what they can do to improve the home's sale appeal and value.  You leave with the confidence  that when they are ready to sell their Shell Knob, MO home in a few months, you will be the listing agent.

Six months later the home appears on the MLS and you didn't put it there!  They have listed with an out of area broker.

If you are not affiliated with a national real estate franchise, how do you combat the name recognition factor that encourages the seller to sign with them?

You cannot go back to the seller and get them to accept the news that  signing with an agency 45 miles away, will not increase the  number of showings- and may decrease them.

What's that old saying about never being a hero in your home town?

Does this situation fit anyone?  You get a call from a homeowner to come by and look over their home.  You do your homework, check for comps, prepare a nice listing presentation  and show up on time.  You are the only agent they have called.

The appointment seems to go well.  Good vibes with the sellers.  They ask for recommendations on what they can do to improve the home's sale appeal and value.  You leave with the confidence  that when they are ready to sell their Shell Knob, MO home in a few months, you will be the listing agent.

Six months later the home appears on the MLS and you didn't put it there!  They have listed with an out of area broker.

If you are not affiliated with a national real estate franchise, how do you combat the name recognition factor that encourages the seller to sign with them?

You cannot go back to the seller and get them to accept the news that  signing with an agency 45 miles away, will not increase the  number of showings- and may decrease them.

What's that old saying about never being a hero in your home town?