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 Second
home owners at The Lake of the Ozarks can rest easy knowing that their investment
promises to hold its value or even return them a pretty profit. The real question
is "Will their home-away-from-home net them the rich life?"
The second home market is the only segment that has bucked the downhill slide in
national home sales. The National Association of Realtor’s 2006 Investment and Vacation
Home Buyers Survey shows that vacation home sales rose 4.7 percent to a record 1.07
million in 2006 from 1.02 million in 2005.
Missouri’s favorite getaway, The Lake of the Ozarks, is outpacing this trend. According
to The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council, "The Lake of the
Ozarks Region is experiencing a population explosion at a rate of 30+ percent."
CHART 1 – POPULATION GROWTH IN THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS REGION
DATA PROVIDED BY LAKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
And, it is looks like that trend will only continue. A new survey by HomePages.com
reports, "With plenty of disposable income to spare, 21 percent of 1,300 consumers
surveyed said they are considering purchasing a second home within a year, while
another 42 percent say they're considering buying within the next two to six years."
What are all these vacation home buyers seeking? It seems they want to escape to
the great outdoors. The 2006 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Second-Home
Owners says that two-thirds want to be close to an ocean, river or lake; 39 percent
close to recreational or sporting activities and 38 percent close to vacation or
resort areas.
The Lake of the Ozarks has always offered all these things, but it sure can be hard
to find it these days. The main strip looks like suburbia – crowded streets, noisy
neighbors
and so many boats in the main channel that it looks like a regatta is
underway.
But, you can still find your
own little piece of the great outdoors. As the Lake
winds to the west, native forest still stands and the waterways are quiet. In this
park-like setting, Deer Creek
Estates - a new housing development - is taking a different tack at community-building.
They are setting aside large swaths of land for permanent green space. The lots are spacious, from nearly an acre to three acres. And, strict covenants protect
trees and natural vegetation so that residents will never find their lake escape
has become a concrete jungle.
Nestled in native hardwood forest of indigenous oak, elm, walnut, hickory and cedar, the 1,000+ acre development offers nearly six miles of unspoiled shoreline, a waterway that is safe for children and water skiers and miles of hiking
and horseback riding trails.
According to 2006 statistics from Eighth Coast Guard District, fewer than one percent
of the Lake’s accidents occur at locations past the 50-mile marker. Located at the
74 mile marker, the waterway that runs past Deer Creek Estates suffers none of the
traffic of the main channel.
Larry Owens, owner of Casa de Loco Winery and soon-to-be resident of Deer Creek Estates, said, "Years ago, I fell in love with the Lake and bought a home at the
two-mile-marker. Now, I feel I need to move away from the traffic and noise of the ‘party-side’
of the Lake. I’ve reserved a lot in Deer Creek because I will feel safe letting
my eight-year-old son play there. The development offers all the amenities of a luxury Lake community – a negative-edge pool, championship tennis courts, a full-service
marina and a great clubhouse – with none of the hassles."
"At Deer Creek Estates, your investment will return more than money to your bottom
line," says William Kidwell, president of Maiden Ranch, LLC. "You will find that
you’re living the good life."
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