Lake Of The Ozarks' Best-Kept Real Estate Secret: The North Shore

Over the last two years, the real estate market exploded at Lake of the Ozarks. In 2021, home sales were on-pace to show a 33% increase compared with the year before (as of the third quarter). The average price of a home on the Lake in 2012 was approximately $193,000. By 2021, that had risen to $349,000. In 2020—also an unprecedented year for real estate as the Lake of the Ozarks grew in prominence on the national stage—total real estate transactions topped $1 billion for the first time ever. In 2021, transactions had passed the $1 billion mark by the end of the third quarter.

It’s inarguable: real estate, for all sorts of reasons, has been hot at the Lake. As people move here full-time, looking for the peaceful Lake life but also hoping to be not too far from civilization, one part of the Lake has drawn special interest: The North Shore. Situated between the Gravois Arm and Bagnell Dam along the north side of the Main Channel, the North Shore has largely been an overlooked real estate opportunity… until now.

“It’s a beautiful area and still has a lot of undeveloped land, which is lovely to have around in the Ozarks,” said C. Michael Elliott of C. Michael Elliott and Associates Real Estate. “You feel more removed, but it's only a short drive to Lake Ozark.”

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This quiet section of the Lake holds a mix of small-town charm and easy access by water to the rest of what the Lake has to offer. Its proximity to the Gravois Arm puts it close enough for a quick trip to some of the Lake’s hottest hot spots, but without the potential wake damage of being any closer. In many ways, this position makes it a boater’s paradise, plus if you want to avoid parking on the Strip, it’s just a quick jaunt down to Neon Taco’s dock slips for dinner and a stroll along the Strip.

The North Shore certainly boasts its fair share of high-end homes, but it’s also home to many properties and homes that are smaller and less flashy than many others further up the main channel. For anyone wanting to live the Lake life without breaking the bank, the North Shore can be an excellent place to look.

“More people from the east and west coasts are discovering that our Lake and area is very affordable compared to other locations, and that’s bringing them in,” said Tina Stotler, a realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty.

Even more so on the North Shore, where the availability of some humbler homes make the Lake accessible to more people. Stotler noted, “It is usually the younger families that need a more affordable property and they like the ‘old lake cabin’ feel versus the newer homes in the more active areas,”

The theme of the North Shore is variety. Turn into one neighborhood, and find gorgeous Lake homes. But just around the bend: a cove dotted with simpler abodes. The area’s lack of restrictions admittedly means more unpolished spots, some unattractive properties, steep hills, and narrow gravel roads. For some, that’s a downside. But for others, it’s just what they’re looking for: it puts the Lake within reach for buyers who need a place to start. Even if it’s diamond in the rough, the North Shore is bringing in plenty of new homeowners that think price is more important than a perfect road.

Many find the North Shore’s rustic charm harkens back to the “old Lake” feel of the 80’s with a calmer vibe and quieter coves. “You have a little more of that Lake of the Ozarks nostalgia on the North Shore,” said Annie Faulstich of Lakefront Living Realty Missouri. “It’s back to the roots of the Lake and the nice part about it as well is if you want to be close to attractions on the water, the North Shore is still very close.”

So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly home, perfect for getting around by boat or if you’re looking for a quiet corner of the Lake with a log-cabin aesthetic, look to the North Shore.

Republished from the 2022 issue of Shore Magazine. Read the magazine online or order a copy sent to your door, at ShoreBoatingMag.com.