LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Considering purchasing a lakefront property somewhere at LOTO. Osage? Gravois Mills? Looking for input from people with FIRSTHAND home ownership or long-term visitation experience there...what's the scene like out there?

What I know so far: Lake is nice, weather is reasonable, infrastructure is strained (roads, traffic, etc.) due to growth, property values have been going up.

Any input appreciated.

I2D

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

i talked to someone there just yesterday about the housing market and she said that the aveage water front home there will stay on the market for 30-40 days..but you can buy a very nice home with a dock for under 250k

the lake if that's what you can call it.. is a big s.. or a dammed up river.. the waters over hoilday weekends can get pretty rough.. it looks like a 5-6 foot moblie down rill run.. off hoilday weeknd this one of the nocest place in the world./.. people are really nice there.. but you can't get anyone to do anything because everyday is a good fishing day.. and they'll just take off and go fishing.. so it's ALOT like island time there..

in the winter months the lake is shut down.. my wife and i went there for new years and the only thing open where the dry bars and nationaly owned change stores.. nothing on the water was open at all.. i'm thinking about moving there to sell boats.. so i wanted to see what it was like offseason.. everything that is owned by the locals is close for winter.. not even one put-put gold course open

hope that helps..

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

We Have Been Going There For 30+ Years And It Is A Great Place For Family And Fun. Very Busy As Stated Above But You Just Have To Avoid The Rough Water And Bad Road Traffic. The Best Part Of All Is That The Lake Is Big Enough To Hide In The Right Parts Of The Lake When You Don't Want To Take A Wave Beating. The Properties Can Still Be Bought Right, You Just Need To Do Your Homework. We Have Been In And Out Of Condos For Almost 10 Years And Have Never Had A Bad Experience. The Home Market Has Been Good, But We Could Not Be There Enough To Do Our Own Maintenance, Etc. And As Stated Again, It Is Very Difficult To Get The Work Done. Good Luck And My Best Advice Is To Get A Good Realtor Who Knows The Lake Well And Be Patient Before Buying. Late Fall And Winter Brings Great Buys.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

The best place to ask this is at www.midwestboatparty.com & in the LOTO forum at the bottom of the page here.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

I've invested a few pennies in RE down there a time or two and will tell you that whoever you were talking to is not being truthful. I search the MLS on a daily basis for properties. You can't buy much for under $250K from the 1mm to the 27mm of the main channel. If you can, it will be less than 1,200sqft and will need total updating. It will also have very little waterfront footage. It will also probably only have a 30' dock that may need refloated. The good deals that were once out there are becoming fewer and further between.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Dam to dam almost 100 miles with almost 1150 miles of shoreline which is more than the whole state of Calif. No didrespect intended. As mentioned lots to do on the water during the summer, but no so during the winter, but the partying doesn't stop in the winter just moves inland. We've been coming to the lake since 1985 and have been permanent for 6 years now. We love it and wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm sure property values are cheaper here than out in Socal so might seem like a real bargain to you. They are going up like crazy tho. Here are a couple of links to check on things. Good luck.

http://www.lakesunleader.com/
http://www.funlake.com/events/cdetailf.php?id=127

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

link

easy web site to use.. seems likea good guy

http://www.yourlakerealestatesource....?HomeID=329138

one of the homes i'm looking at.. sometihng to work on in the off season

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

fun, crowded, rough, and dirty lake. Lots of people in every cove. I am over the whole LOTO thing, and the traffic getting there(i live 1.5 hours away). If you are in the area, come to tablerock...night and day difference. Water is beautiful green color down to 10ft. Boat traffic is 15% of what you see on LOTO. Army Corps restriction on # of boat docks. There aren't as many restaurants and bars on the water as LOTO, but we still have a few. It is really paradise in the Ozarks and my favorite place to boat...I've boated LOTO, Grand Lake, Lake Cumberland, and Havasu....tablerock is the best.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

As a real estate appraiser in the greater KC area movement from the gulf coast states, FLA and Socal, LOTO appears to be trend for buyers that seek value w/o hurricanes and/or other issues. I bought in a new condo complex and 3 owners made the move from SanDiego and one from Mobile Alabama in the last 6 months. They boat on week days or late weekend eves to avoid the 4-5' wakes. With my party days behind I find it a good family place if you know where to go. Just learning this place I have located several quite spots to cove out for a day. Infrastructure is more established on the Osage Beach side IMO along 54. The HWY 5 side has been slower to develop and progress with improvements but that may soon change from what I hear and read. Dirty lake...........perhaps at times but the removal of foam docks will help which is on-going. I don't know near as much as alot of others on this forum but I could have went to other places for a second home/investment, guess where I went !!

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Very good answer. I agree. :D

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

My wife is in real estate if you need help call. 573-286-4557 :D

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

I agree, everyone has different taste on what is livable but I haven't seen anything under $250 that didn't need a ton of work and even at that you are probably needing dock addition if your boats over 30 feet. I looked at the upper mile markers and they are just as proud of the houses there as Osage Beach right now.

If I were to go house shopping there today I'd have to say $300 and $350K is more likely the number, that should get you 16-1800 sq, 80 feet of frontage and a decent dock with blacktop near or to the door. Prob 3 bed and 2 1/2 or 3 bath, and you probably won't have to update the Whole house.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

no fair, she's got a big advantage!!!! after looking at your avatar, I'd be willing to sign just about anything.... :D

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

DAHAM!!!! 250K for 1200 sq ft!!! You guys are spoiled!!! :D
Try 825kl for a 2 season camp with 60 ft of frontage
taxes about 10-12k a year for the pleasure of owning it!!
About 450 square ft and built on top of cinder blocks.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

This is what 1.995 mill wil get ya in Lake George. 168 ft of
frontage,u shaped crib dock. 40 years old. 15k a year for
taxes

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Couldn't have said it better. Ten years ago we built a modest house on the 10mm in four seasons. Many multimillion dollar homes in the cove along with many modest ones. Spent 64 g's on the lot. Looked at similar style lots on the porta cima side this year. In The Villages, we looked at lots that just opened. They started at $250,000 and up to $500,000. The $500,000 lots sold in one day to developers. I have not seen a respectable house between bagnall dam and the 25mm for under $450,000. Everything under that has to be redone. I shouldn't have said everything, but most. You really have to luck out down there right now.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

I have a 2200 sq house on the 31 mm of the lake for sale only gravel is the shared driveway about 100yds. It is listed in the OSO classifieds, it's under 250K and most of the updating has been completed.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Anyone interested call me cell 913-424-9222

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

another recommended RE agent at loto

http://www.summersatthelake.com/

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

does it have a dock? can you walk from the house down to the shorline?

chad

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

No dock, I moved the Dock to the new house and dropped the price. Yes, you can walk from the house to the shoreline gentle topology(for lake of the ozarks) approx 10 stairs from walk out basement to the waters edge. House was priced at 259,000 with a two well dock that had a 36x12 well and a 10x24 well with a 6,000 pound lift all encapsulated foam. For an offer of 259,000 I'll move the dock back and buy a new one.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

And dont forget the value of a deep water cove if you use a lift or dont want your boat in 1' of water in march.
Gary

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

We just built a brand new custom home at the 4mm on the Gravois. 3 bedroom 3 bath, about 1300 sq feet. 150 waterfront, easy grade to the dock and black dirt beleive it or not. Quiet cove in a cove, no waves since we are just on the backside of the no wake for the main part of the cove. Picked up a 2 well dock, 28 foot slips with swim platform. Needs refoam though. All for $193k. You may want to find some land and build.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Thanks. :D Thats what I'm counting on. $$$$ :evilb:

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Call me I'll have her hook you up a good % to list. :D
I'm still waiting on the naked girls. :(

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

If you have any homes on the water for 250k please call me, I would say a typical 1600 sq. ft. condo in Osage beach with 40' slip 3-10 years old, your in the 230k range new in the 330 range. homes 3- 10 years old 350-450k 2000 sq. ft on water 80' of water with dock. new homes on water 450-3.5million, waterfront on new lots range from 2000$to 4,000$/ per foot on water. Porta Cima homes are in the 220$-350$ a sq. ft. for home only. we have 4 new homes in Porta Cima in final stages from 1.2-1.5million 4500 sq. ft with 160-185' of lakefront. We are starting new 100 unit high rise condo development in last great peice of ground in Osage Beach, 1800-2400 sq. ft. starting at 289k for first building will be gated community. I've seen annual appreciation to be in the 10-15% range on developed property with homes and 20-25% appreciation on nice lakefront property, every lot has now been sold in the lakes most prestigous area, Porta Cima, there are 4-5 new ultra high end projects either started or starting 10-12 story high rise condo's going from 900k-1.8million. new 450 acre development plans for undeveloped highway 54 business area will last for next 10 years . alot of people own property from all over the U.S. with intentions to retire their, now is a great time to buy because land will continue up from now on.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Wiggler, when will construction start on that 100 unit hi-rise units. Is that whats going on near the Glaize bridge by LandsEnd. Please post a link.
TIA

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

lands end is starting a few new buildings now 10 story buildings upper 300's up, our development will be starting this fall, hoping to have a unit in first building complete by next memorial day, they found asbestos in the old condos where the skies of grand glaize are going in by dog days epa involved.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

ok i have a question for people from LOTO..

why are all the boat house tethered to the shore line with cable.. why not pilings.. wouldn't that be safer and easier..

and why are there so few travel lifts or big forks to splash boats???

and the last one.. what is the meaning of life?? LOL

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

OK ive never been to Loto ..Whats the water like , clarity temps etc .. Were a bit spoiled here as far as water quality partly due to it being frozen for a few months . You can see bottom in 20-25 feet or so ..Any pics of loto water , heres one of Winni

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

ok i have a question for people from LOTO..

why are all the boat house tethered to the shore line with cable.. why not pilings.. wouldn't that be safer and easier..

what's easier (and cheaper) than a ramp and cables? seem to work fine.... (and they are docks around here, not boathouses.. :D ) some rougher areas or bigger docks will use other methods but they are the exception around here....

and why are there so few travel lifts or big forks to splash boats???

probably due to little or no demand, everybody keeps their boat on a lift/in water or ramps it.... nice thing about freshwater... :D

and the last one.. what is the meaning of life?? LOL

um, got me on that one... :drink: but it includes LOTO somehow.... :drink:

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

and the last one.. what is the meaning of life?? LOL

um, got me on that one... but it includes LOTO somehow....

like that one

thanks

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Thanks for the incredible input here. Very helpful, and very much appreciated. Moving to KC in a month. I may be in contact with some of you. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

I2D

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Ahhh, nice! I'll be leaving bright and early in the morning for that... :)

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

[QUOTE=CustomRigger101]ok i have a question for people from LOTO..

why are all the boat house tethered to the shore line with cable.. why not pilings.. wouldn't that be safer and easier..

Might want to check with Ameren UE. They basically own the lake. Everything needs a permit, docks, sea walls, etc. Not even sure if you could get one for pilings or dredging.

and why are there so few travel lifts or big forks to splash boats???

Every marina that sell cruisers has a travel lift. But keep in mind, big cruisers that need a lift are relatively new to the lake.

and the last one.. what is the meaning of life?? LOL

I've found all my answers in 18 yr old McCallan. You find your own!

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Used to do that ..I moved up here a couple years ago, best move ive ever made ..there is noone on the lake during the week ..sshhhh :drink:

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Yep - well aware of that secret, (I sneak up to the house now and again for those weekdays on the water), and a week here and there too. :cool:

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Remember key for house prices at LOTO right now is location, location, location. Huge differences in price for same type of house in different spots on the lake. Between 4 mm and 20 mm some very high prices but that is where all the action is and with the price of fuel makes some sense. As far as buying a "nice" house anywhere on the water for under $250k in a decent cove in a good location, send them to me, I know many people who will buy them all day for that price. Prices are going up around 18% per year but still a very good value compared to many other lakes.

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

Any pics of the water ?

Re: LOTO -- What's It's Really Like?
 

:drink: