The Berra's Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Blog

The Camden County Circuit Court has sided with the City of Osage Beach in it's decision for a $3.5 million Tax Increment Funding District for developer John Q. Hammons to build a $100,000,000 resort/hotel facility on the Grand Glaize Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. The City and Hammons have been involved  in a two year old lawsuit brought on by Four Seasons Marina Rental and Four Seasons Lakesites, LLC which brought all plans to a halt. The plaintiff has a right to appeal the decision to the Missouri Court of Appeals.

We have 2 months behind us in 2010 and sales figures for 2010 and 2009 are very similar. In January and February of 2009, there were 176 closed transactions according to our MLS. In 2010 for the same period there have been 174 closed sales. Condos, off-water homes and commercial property transactions are nearly identical for 2009 and 2010. Waterfront home sales are up in 2010, and the number of lots/land sold for 2010 is down.

There were 73 closed sales of all property types in January 2010 and there were 101 closed sales of all property types in February 2010.

Missouri is in the minority in the United States as far as having a real estate transfer tax, and we hope it stays that way. It is presently one of only 13 states that do not impose transfer taxes. A real estate transfer tax is a one-time tax paid at the closing of the property. Like a sales tax, a transfer tax would charge every seller a percentage of the total sales price. In some states, it is as high as 4% of the sales price.

The Missouri government currently has the power to enact a transfer tax at any time, but the Missouri Association of Realtors is leading the charge to amend the state constitution and prohibit the real estate transfer tax for good.

A 2010 ballot initiative is already in place. A "YES" vote means changing the Missouri Constitution to prevent the state or local government from ever charging new taxes on the sale of a home or property.

For additional information, go to www.yestosavehomes.com

Here are some of the odd bets people are taking on Super Bowl 2010. They may not be good bets, but they are creative.

1. How long will it take for Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem?

2. How many times will CBS show Kim Kardashian?

3. How many times will you hear the word Katrina?

4. How many times will they show Archie Manning during the game?

5. What color Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach?

6. How many times will they show Bourbon Street during the game?

7. How many times will they use the word "underdog"?

9. Who will the Super Bowl MVP thank first?

10. Will a member of the "Who" smash a guitar during the halftime show?

11. Will a member of the "Who" break a hip during the halftime show?

12. Will the "Who" even make it to the halftime show?

Enjoy the Game!