By: Matt Emma
Matthew Schrimpf has spent the majority of his life at the Lake of the Ozarks. A true local, he was born and raised here and is now proud to be raising his own family in the same community where he grew up. That kind of deep local history shapes the way he works as a real estate agent and broker, and it sits at the center of how he thinks about the business.
He is the owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lake Ozark Realty and has 23 years of experience in the industry. He is a second-generation real estate agent, which means the work was around him long before he chose it for himself. Today, he leads an established office in the region while continuing to sell homes himself.
His approach is simple and steady. He believes in hard work, honest communication, and treating clients well over the long run. He knows the lake the way only someone who grew up there can, and he uses that knowledge to help buyers and sellers feel confident about the decisions they are making.
A Career Built on Consistency, Not Reinvention
When asked how he disrupts the industry, Matthew is honest about the fact that he does not really see himself that way.
“Actually, I’m not too much of a disrupter. I am more a fan of hard work, consistency, experience, and relationship building,” he said.
That answer says a lot about how he runs his business. He is not chasing trends or trying to reinvent the way real estate is done. He believes in showing up, knowing the market, and treating clients well over a long period of time. He invests in real estate himself, which he says keeps him close to the product he sells and gives him a real understanding of what buyers and sellers go through.
Local Roots That Cannot Be Faked
Growing up at the lake gives him an advantage that is hard to imitate. He has watched neighborhoods change, seen the market shift through different cycles, and knows the small details about coves, roads, and communities that matter to buyers. He stays involved locally as well, having served on several boards, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau. He cares about the area and wants to give back to it.
Helping Out-of-Town Buyers Make Confident Decisions
A large part of his client base is made up of people who do not actually live at the lake full-time. They are weekenders and second-home buyers, which creates a specific set of problems. They cannot always tour homes when something good comes on the market, and they often need to make decisions quickly from a distance.
“Some of my clients’ problems are that they want a place here but don’t live here. They are only here on weekends, so it is tough for them to view homes and make offers on homes before they sell,” he explained.
To help with that, Matthew tours homes on their behalf. He records videos, takes pictures, walks through the property, and points out what stands out, both good and bad. He also brings up things the client may not have considered, such as how the layout of a cove or the slope of a yard might affect how they actually use the home. He is very detailed in describing the property and ensures the client will fully understand exactly what the property offers when complete.
He is also clear that he is not in a hurry to close a deal.
“I’d rather find my client the perfect property than try to sell them on one. The right home will align with their vision and sell itself,” he said.
Recognition Built Over Time
That patience has built a career that quietly stacks up. Matthew has closed hundreds of transactions across the Lake of the Ozarks during his career and works extensively in the luxury segment of the market. He recently received the Legacy award for ten years with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and consistently earns the company’s top honors, including the Chairman’s Circle Diamond award for production. He is also a luxury certified agent and brings deep experience to the higher end of the Lake of the Ozarks market.
His office has earned its place, too. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lake Ozark Realty was named the number two office by total GCI in the US Midwest Region in 2024.
Family, the Lake, and the Long View
Still, when Matthew talks about what he is most proud of, the answer is not a number or an award.
“I would say I am most proud of my stability and longevity,” he said.
Outside of real estate, life looks pretty simple. He and his wife, Kristi, have three children: Harper, Lane, and Miller. Most of his hours are spent working, watching his kids play sports, or out on the boat.
After 23 years, Matthew has built something that does not rely on noise. It rests on knowing the lake, knowing the work, and knowing the people he serves.
