I get these upadates from my friend Chris Every couple of weeks, which I have enjoyed and found to be informative. I thought I'd start passing them along to everyone out there so you can let me know what you think about Chris' take on the market. I hope it will spur many buyers to forget the Real Estate market doom and gloom hype so you can go get those pre-approval letters. When you do come see me you will receive representation you can count on. I will be with you every step of the way helping you with the purchase of your vacation home or investment property. Now is the time people get out there and buy some real estate. If it is your first home or your 100th now is the time to purchase while you have the upper hand as the buyer. I hope you enjoy this info from Chris. _______________... 12/01/2008

We are fortunate in the Branson/Tri-Lakes area in that we haven't experienced the same conditions in our real estate market as in many parts of the United States. In fact, the average selling price of single family homes has continued to increase through 2008.   However, there are bank-owned, foreclosure properties currently listed. Through our Multiple Listing Service a list of these homes can be generated. To obtain a list, contact me either by phone at 417-337-4422 or by email. I can also guide you regarding the market value of the property verses the list price on any home that interests you. 12/01/2008

November 25, 2008 There's more great buys here in Branson, MO this week. Most of these are REO homes in price ranges anywhere from 22,900 up to 399,900 depending on the type of property you are looking for. As your buyers agent I can represent you on any purchase through the MLS system. Most of these I have seen personally. If you have any interest in these you have to act fast, as these repo homes are selling quickly in our area. Here are some notes about each one, and a link to the list below. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend! Click Here For MLS Info   Lakefront on Taneycomo, Private Dock, Pool, Owner has passed away, who had owned it as a B&B. It is now in probate, it needs work, but it's in a dream location across from the Branson Landing. If you are ever at the Branson Landing... 11/25/2008

One consistent question heard by Realtors across the country is when should I list my property? Of course, the answer depends in what part of the country your home is located. For example, Florida's high selling months are probably different than the best time to sell in Missouri. One thing to always remember is that real estate data is local. In the Tri-Lakes area of Missouri, analysis of the sale of properties for the past five years revealed that the months with the highest amount of closed transactions were May through August. The two months with the most sales were June and August, followed by May, then July. The month that was often ranked the second highest sales month was July.  It will probably come as no surprise that January and February had the least amount of closings. Janu... 11/23/2008

Recycling trash, that is. Why should you recycle? Well...read the following and seriously consider the implications. An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now. If every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save about 25,000,000 trees a year. Americans throw away 25,000,000 plastic beverage bottles every hour. The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle can run a 100-watt light bulb for four hours. A typical family consumes 182 gallons of soda, 29 gallons of juice, 104 gallons of milk, and 26 gallons of bottled water a year. The above statistics along with many others are from http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-facts.html  If reading this information has convinced you to start recycling, but you don't know where t... 11/11/2008

Wondering what's been going on in the real estate market for Branson, MO? Here are the latest numbers for Stone and Taney County. 3rd Quarter Market Report for 2008. Taney County Price               Sold         Active      Absorption Rate 0-100            47            131          36%         101-200        64             319          20% 201-300        23             210          11%            301-400        10             99            10% 401-500        2               47            4% 501-600        0               12            0% 601++           1               42            2%   Stone County Price              Sold        Active        Absorption Rate 1-100            20            91            22% 101-200         35           250           14% 201-300         20           15... 11/10/2008

Just adding another restaurant review every time we go out for dinner....although we have not been spending a lot on eating like we usually do we are picking restaurants that are fairly inexpensive but very good! We went to downtown Hollister on a Wednesday night and had chicken tacos & margaritas! It's usually very busy but we got in right away and were seated, the food came out very hot, and did'nt take long at all. Prices run around $10-$17 a plate depending on what you get....highly recommended! Little Hacienda- Hollister Mo. Located on Downing St. (Historic district)    11/10/2008

Here in Ozark Mountain Country, we are blessed with four distinct seasons, with fall being one of the most beautiful.               Usually, the leaves start changing to eye-catching reds, yellows, and oranges in mid-October. Possibly due to a very warm and sunny autumn, this year's colors didn't arrive until a few days before Halloween.                  I've been busy with my camera trying to catch images of the leaves before they're gone. Now is a great time to take a drive through the Tri-Lakes area! 11/05/2008

This weekend the celebration of our Veterans begins in Branson and continues on through the veterans holiday celebration.  That is more than most places ever doo and this area remembers them year around including this celebration of our vets which lasts for over a week.  There is no place in America that I know of that does a better job of letting our Veterans know they are appreciated.  This link http://www.bransonveterans.com/ will give you a complete calendar of events planned this year.  PS, I got my free flu shot at the new Branson VA clinic that has just begun to serve the veterans in this area and more services to our veterans will be available as the process to open develops.  Thanks to all our veterans and those who will be vets once their duty is completed, for all you have do... 11/04/2008

Remember the Tickle Me Elmo craze during the 1996 Christmas season? This doll was THE have-to-have toy and there weren't enough to go around. The price in the store was less than $30; however, some people ended up paying hundreds of dollars for Tickle Me Elmo. Now, what does Tickle Me Elmo have to do with real estate investment? It illustrates the concept of supply and demand. When something is in short supply, people are willing to pay more for it. Of course, I don't foresee the same frenzied, must-have situation for lake lots and land. However, this type of property is an excellent investment-there are only a limited number of these parcels left, at least on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo. Once they're gone, they're GONE. Appreciation on lakefront and lakeview lots on Table Rock L... 10/29/2008

  Investors you are in someone elses backyard.  If you are an invester considering branson mo, I would strongly suggest that you contact me before you make any decisions. It dosen't cost a thing to talk, but it could cost a lot if you don't check out the market first. I have 32 years experience as a Realtor here in branson along with my wife, both of us are natives of the area. I was past Pres. of the school board, largest producer of real estate sales for branson year after year. MY father was number one Realtor for years prior to me.  I am CHAIRMAN of the board for the NEW BRANSON AIRPORT. I am presently working on a mass transportation system for Branson.  I have actively been involved in over 40 developments here in the area.  I am co-Broker/Owner with my wife Ali of coleman & co. r... 10/28/2008

I'm putting this together for my buyer prospects Oct. 27, 2008. Enjoy... Repos and more repos, in all price ranges! Lake homes only, my top 12! 18 Homes I would personally buy for location & Branson schools.   10/27/2008

A big interest of mine is good food,,,,That's why I am starting to do restaurant reviews for Branson, MO. Especially when we are not really known for great restaurants. Being in a resort town, people are on vacation,,,you think mainly of the old midwest way of filling it up for cheap! aka~Golden Corral! Well I can tell you there are several good finds here but usually it's the locals that know the best places to eat. Here is one~If you love sushi this is the best. There are other places in town for Japanese,,,there are also places in Springfield like Ocean Zen which is very good. But I have to say Sushi House is still my favorite. It's authentic, fresh and always good! Here is a a picture of what we ate yesterday. Shrimp tempura, Spicy salmon roll, tuna roll. Located at the stop light w... 10/25/2008

Recently, the Missouri Department of Transportation Cost-Share Committee approved splitting the $13,187,000 cost of building a new bridge over Lake Taneycomo, along with a roundabout. The other half of the money will come from Taney County and the cities of Branson and Hollister. Plans are to build a new bridge downstream from the existing bridge and then repair the old bridge. On the Hollister side, there will be a roundabout. MoDOT will not have funding for the project available until its 2012 budget. To accelerate the project, the city of Branson is currently working to obtain funding that it could front MoDOT. This much-needed project will help alleviate traffic congestion in downtown Branson and on the Hollister/East 76 side of Lake Taneycomo. 10/16/2008

Branson Missouri Commercial Real Estate Branson Missouri commercial real estate is in a prime position to grown with stability over the next 10 - 15 years.  The reason I say that is because of the success of recent large projects like the Branson landing.  The Branson Landing was over a 400 million dollar lake-front shopping development that has been a great success.    Branson is now getting ready to open up its very own Regional Airport in may of 2009.  It is the first privately funded regional airport in the United States in the past 30 years....So, its HISTORIC!!! Timing is everything in business...wouldn't you agree?...and I believe now is the right time to purchase Branson commercial real estate.  But don't take my word for it, do your own research, let it make sense to you. Brans... 10/14/2008

Today I read an article from the Associated Press regarding declining home prices. The article stated "The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city housing index released Tuesday fell a record 16.3 percent in July from the year-ago period, the largest drop since its inception in 2000." The average consumer, after reading this information, thinks that ALL real estate is worth 16.3% less that it was a year ago. Not true. The key words here are "20-city housing index." The article doesn't list which 20 cities but does mention Las Vegas. I'm confident that the cities whose data was analyzed were the same cities that saw unbelievable appreciation earlier this decade. These type of articles not only increase anxiety in the general public but also confuse home buyers. Real estate statistics diff... 09/30/2008

Even with the market and attitudes at an all time low, with the present crisis we face, I'm still showing homes on a weekly basis. Interest in the Branson area is still very high, even though most are holding off after the election and into next year. Some would say now is still a good time to make your purchase,,,with interest rates still very low some even at 5.6%,,,even if prices do drop more, will interest rates continue to be low? So, I have put together a list of homes I have recently shown, most have been on the market a long time  and would make a deal. (Please call me for more details) I also picked these because I have personally shown them, and I think the quality, location, and price is hard to beat! Have a great weekend!    Cape Cod Lake Cottage! Furniture, Boat, Slip, and ... 09/27/2008

Details Photo Gallery View Rooms 65616-Branson (Academy Commons) FOR SALE$110,400 Get approved Today! Investment Brokers of the Ozarks, Inc. Kris HolmesEmail KrisWork: 417-338-4040Business: 417-338-4040Cell: 417-839-8964Fax: 417-338-4041 More Photos(11) Quick Links Virtual Tour Request More Info Email Listing More Photos(11) Details Details Photo Gallery View Rooms 65653-Forsyth (Corner Stone Estates) FOR SALE$148,588 You've found it! Investment Brokers of the Ozarks, Inc. Kris HolmesEmail KrisWork: 417-338-4040Business: 417-338-4040Cell: 417-839-8964Fax: 417-338-4041 More Photos(10) Lot 2 (Medium) Quick Links Virtual Tour Request More Info Email Listing More Photos(10)... 09/09/2008

Just posting some good deals I've found with my buyers this week! There's a Fannie Mae home in Branson Creek that looks like a great deal, also some new listings someone should take advantage of. I think all of these will be gone quick, let me know if you would like to see them!     Fannie Mae~ 2 Bedroom House $50,000!  Fannie Mae~Appraisal over 600K~Only $399,900~Branson Creek   Contemporary Lakefront~What a view! $490,000  Rustic Lakefront Lodge~Indian Point~$429,500     09/08/2008