You've been pre-approved by your lender and you have been looking at homes for weeks now. Finally, the right house has hit the market and you are ready to make your offer. Your real estate agent begins to type up your contract, then asks how much earnest money do you want to give?


The first thing that comes to mind is, "What is earnest money?!"

What is earnest money?

Earnest money is a deposit paid to the title company based upon the property purchase price.

Even a 100% loan such as VA may require some earnest money. This isn't necessarily enforced, but it is traditionally what sellers are looking for. They want to see you are serious by putting your cash down on the home you claim you are committed to buying if they accept the terms of your offer.

What happens if I don't want to give earnest money?

Not giving earnest money discourages sellers from accepting an offer because it is assumed that you are either not fully committed to buying the home or you maym ...

It was 1999 and the old Christy Lane Theatre on Hwy. 76 was sold to a company from Las Vegas called "Legends In Concert". This high energy, fast paced show brought the glitz and glamour from Nevada all the way to the little big town of Branson, MO. 

Selling tickets to the show in the box office was future Crispin Team member, Elisha Conner, at the tender age of 16. Once the show began, Elisha dreamed of trading in her ticket master training for a shot on the stage with a show and cast that this town had never seen before. She would watch the dancers everyday memorizing the moves and dreaming of the day she would get her chance with this production company. One dancer stood out from the rest. That performer's name was Shannon Lavin (now Cody), who made a lifetime lasting impression on Elisha that would be making an unknown impact in both of their futures in a big way.




Fast forward 11 years later, Elisha Conner waited until 2010 to audition for the 2011 season at Legends ...

February: Fall in Love with Your Realtor

She's got her hair done right, she's feeling confident and down the road she goes to meet you for the first time. 

Sound like a date? This is the first time meeting your realtor. It can always be slightly uncomfortable the first time you physically encounter anyone you have been speaking with solely over the internet and phone. 

Outside of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. This is where you build a new relationship with a professional that has the keys and knowledge to help you find the home you are looking for in an area she knows best.
Not everyone is a perfect match but for the most part, your realtor should be able to keep your interest by providing you with properties that fall within the criteria you have already established over the phone for the past 2-6 months.
They say long distance relationships don't last, unless you water and feed them through consistent communication.
Some clients prefer an agent tm ...

An 82 year old woman walks into her meticulously clean home where no one has lived but her since she became a widow ten years before. Social security keeps the lights on, but the heat low. As she opens the pantry door, she finds a package of ramen noodles and a can of green beans left standing while she still has two more weeks before her $30 a month food stamps come in. When you compare her income to monthly outgoing expenses, somebody's grandma quietly saves her last can of food for dinner and skips lunch.


A single mother of three small children with no help from her ex-husband that use to abuse her mentally and physically has $20 left over after bills for dinner on a Wednesday night. As she's cooking a store bought meal for her babies, she worries how she will feed them on Thursday because she has 7 days before she receives her next paycheck that isn't even enough to cover the bills for that week.


An 87 year old veteran scrapes together spare change from his dresser to rid. ...

145 Splendor View

Town Home in Branson, MO


Overlooking the gleaming waters of the Table Rock Lake sits this 4-bedroom, 3-bath town home in the beautiful subdivision of Whisper Cove. With 2,318 square feet of high quality craftsmanship, this delightful residence prides itself with 2 living areas, a finished lower level, a wet bar and bonus storage areas.

Entertain guests on the extended decking with shaded and sun exposed seating areas. A covered patio with a hot tub comes with the purchase of this home. You can stay warm and toasty this winter in front of a cozy fireplace in your very own living room and enjoy the feeling of open space with Cathedral ceilings.


The chef’s kitchen includes a microwave, dishwasher, disposal, electric wall oven, free standing stove and icemaker. A washer and dryer are also included with purchase.


Within 8 minutes of the property, an optional boat slip can be included with the purchase for $35,000 along with the option to buy a 25m ...