It's fireworks season in the Ozarks. "Fireburst", the annual fireworks display has been extended two more days. Along with it, the city of Hollister will host their 54th year and Blue Eye will have their own version of "Firefall". The Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce will host their annual celebration along with Shell Knob's Chamber of Commerce 32nd annual Fire & Thunder display. Chateau on the Lake will have a grand fireworks show and Big Cedar Lodge will also continue holiday traditions of setting off fireworks over Table Rock Lake. The excitement is in the air! 06/30/2007

The real estate market in Branson is booming and many people I have come into contact with have seen this as a great time to sell some the property that they own, and look for other investments. In the coming months many of our clients will be visiting Branson, looking for investment properties, and vacation homes.            I am writing this letter to ask for your help. If you, or someone you know, are ready to sell your property, or are looking for additional investments, please put us and our experience to work for you. I would love to chat with you about the possibility of serving your needs. Call me at our Hwy 165 office, 417-336-3634, or on my cell phone. I am looking forward to hearing from you!  Sincerely,  Kristopher Holmes       Broker/Realtor      417-839-8964 06/30/2007

Don't let your dreams slip away invest in Branson Today!  This virtually untouched real estate frontier is one of the last of its kind in the US. Branson Area: The Ozarks Regions has unsurpassed, unique, special beauty that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Usually described as Mountains, the Ozarks actually consist of many different types of terrain; hills and hollows, forests and meadows, bluffs and valleys. This legendary beauty is presented in the gently rolling hillsides, mysterious caves, and clear lakes and streams. In the spring, the hills come to life with the blooms of redbud and dogwood trees. Wildflowers sprinkle the hills and also can be seen along the highways and secondary roads that wind slowly through the hills. Summers are filled with rich, green colors of de... 06/30/2007

"Bodies: The Exhibition" is now appearing in Branson. The exhibition features real human bodies and organs preserved by a special process. With educational relevance for all ages, this exhibition of human specimens immerses visitors in the complexities of the human body, telling the amazing story of humanity with reverence and understanding. The anatomical exhibit is located at 9 Treasure Lake Drive, next to the IMAX Entertainment Complex on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. "Bodies: The Exhibition" is open from 9 to 9 Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. The exhibit is scheduled to run through January 6th of 2008. 06/21/2007

After five years of planning and fundraising, construction will soon begin later this month on the new Branson Airport. The airport, located eight miles south of Branson, will be the first privately developed and operated commercial airport in the United States. As of now, over $113 million in revenue bonds have been secured to help finance the airport. Branson City Officials view the airport as an economic generator, bringing new visitors, jobs, investments and capital to the Branson area. The airport is scheduled for completion spring of 2009. 06/19/2007

Located in convenient Branson subdivision, this elagant home sits on a large fully-fenced, double-lot snug inside city limits. It is beautifully decorated by well-maintained landscape and sprinkler system. The upper level features a large heated and cooled private sunroom and walk-out lower section of home is completely handicap accessibility. New carpet throughout! And just minutes away from major shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and Branson Schools.Slideshow: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=1131162  06/18/2007

The only Laundromat in Branson, this money-making vending business is a great turn-key opportunity! Entire inside is completely remodeled; everything from the floor tiles to the ceiling tiles. All new machines and the systems that run them. Nothing to replace for years! Laundromat has established local clientele and is a popular destination for thousands of loyal visitors and campers. Building is leased by Gerken & Associates Realtors in the same high-volume traffic shopping center. Listing agent must accompany to show. Slideshow: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.aspx?ListingID=1130452 06/18/2007

One of the last remaining lots left and only one currently for sale in Roark Hills, a new upscale neighborhood located in the heart of Branson. Completely surrounded by gorgeous custom-made homes, this large vacant lot is ready for a dream home. Partially cleared and ready for development, it features public water, sewer and underground electric already in place. Convenient location just blocks away from major shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and Branson Elementary School - a convenient commute to work! Virtual Tour: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.aspx?ListingID=1126315 06/18/2007

Now at over 25 listings, I'm finding if I continue this momentum, it'll be hard to maintain the same high-level of service when I only had ten. How do other agents handle many listings, yet maintain consistency in client satisfaction? If I didn't have a closing broker and strong office staff support, I'd definitely stop at 25. But I've got two more listing appointments scheduled for Monday and will keep listing until it's not feasible to take on anymore. Quality service is important to me and it's one of the top competitive advantages our Independent firm offers. Of course, then there are the buyers too. How do agents take on more of them when so active with sellers? Should you focus on one group? I just helped a buyer get under contract today. They bought a beautiful condo in Pointe Ro... 06/09/2007

Branson is hosting a Vintage Car Rally next week with 44 drivers of pre-World War II era cars navigating their way through 1,100 miles of back roads through Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. Branson will act as a hub for the event with racing from and back to the city each day. The Vintage Car Rally Association's goal with the event is to raise $20,000 for Autism Awareness. City officials estimate the rally will have a $600,000 economic impact for the Branson area. 06/09/2007

Hi!  I'm Sandra and I'm a "newbie"!  Not til I joined activerain did I realize that you can be a newbie at lots of things.  I'm new to Branson, Missouri, (Noobee).  I'm new to blogging, (Nube).  I'm new to activerain, (Noob).  Shall I go on?  I have lots more.  I had no idea that at my age I could be new at so many things.  Just when you think everything is old and boring, something is dropped in your lap to make you think otherwise.  I love it.  I shall never again get into a "lack-luster" frame of mind.  I shall look at each day with wonderment and excitement and not think of it as just another old day.  I am excited again.  For the first time in a very long time.  It feels good.  So, it doesn't matter to me how long I stay with activerain, blogging, or whatever, I will always be a Ne... 06/01/2007

Gerken & Associates Realtors donated auctioneering services to the annual Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors RPAC (Realtor Political Action Committee) auction. Duane Gerken, auctioneer colonel for the firm, was the sole auctioneer for the event, and along with his staff, set a record amound of over $27,000 raised. Money raised at this event goes towards helping individuals protect private property rights. 05/26/2007

Visitors to the Branson Landing amassed a significant donation to the Taney County women's shelter. The women's shelter in Forsyth received $1,600 that was made of change thrown into the Branson Landing Town Square Fountain since June 2006. Ten volunteers worked four hours to clean out the 40-foot fountain. The Landing's maintenance crew got a couple of portable cement mixers and put the coins in them with some sand and ran them until the sand knocked all of the grime off the coins. The money from the fountain will go towards helping children who stay at the shelter. 05/26/2007

One of the last remaining lots left and the only one currently for sale in Spring Meadows, a popular family-oriented neighborhood in the Branson School District. Partially cleared lot is ready for development, with public water, sewer and electric available. Surrounded by newer homes, there is a duck pond directly behind lot which is full of Bass Blue Gill! Subdivision is located less than three miles from the Branson Landing, downtown, Skaggs Hospital and Highway 65 access - a convenient commute to work in Branson. Slideshow: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Branson/Missouri/Farms_and_Acreages/Branson/Branson/Agent/Listing_1093046.html 05/22/2007

There are still plenty of jobs in the Tri-Lakes Area according to local officials. Even the state unemployment rate dropped for the second month in a row. According to the Ozark Region Missouri Career Center, local Tri-Lakes area employers in the service and tourism industries are looking to fill at least 400-500 more jobs. Recently, the total Missouri employment rate topped 2.8 million jobs, the second highest record amount since 1990! 05/22/2007

Last week, my picture was in the Branson Daily Independent. Now congratulatory phone calls and emails are pouring in from friends, fellow agents, clients, and prospects in regards to the article I was featured in this week's Springfield Business Journal. Two weeks ago, the editor called and asked to do a phone interview with me in regards to the booming Branson real estate market and my success as a young agent. Below is the newspaper clip. You can read it in this week's issue that is dedicated to in-dept coverage of the Southwest Missouri real estate market. 05/14/2007

Friends and clients constantly ask me how the Branson area real estate market is doing. If last week is a continued sign of good things to come, then I can expect to have another busy summer. Last week I had 5 accepted contracts and was contacted to list four more properties, including a half-million dollar vineyard. This week started out with a successful closing this morning.As independent contractors, I'm a firm believer that an agent's success rate is a direct result of the individual and the quality in their productivity. One cannot sit in the office and hope quality leads come to you. Top producers know you have to go out and create them. In fact, I'm looking forward to the near future when I don't even need office floor opportunity. 05/14/2007

Welcome aboard Sandra Johnson! Gerken & Associates Realtors invited Sandra on as a new residential sales agent. She brings to the firm her love for all-things real estate and a great attitude towards client satisfaction - just the type of agents Gerken & Associates Realtors is known for. Sandra is the type of person that once you meet her, you like her. A hardworker and proud mother of 2, Sandra is a fun and unique agent. 05/12/2007

Gerken & Associates recently completed renovations on our office expansion. Butler, Rosenbury & Partners served as lead architect and Laura Daly was the interior designer. The office, which has housed the firm for 32 years, is now four times the original size! With lots of new space, fun colors and work systems in place, we're excited to show the place off! Please stay tuned as we'll be hosting a ribbon cutting and open house party next month. 05/12/2007

Branson Missouri has developed into quite a place!My wife and I decided to take a couple of days off and enjoy our 27th anniversary by getting out of Kansas City. We decided to go to Branson, Missouri.  We visit Branson, Missouri about two or three times a year and each time we are amazed at the development that is happened after each visit to Branson, Missouri. The new Branson Landing has developed into a world class water front.  I have had the pleasure of visiting several water front creations in various US cities (New Orleans, LA; Monterey Bay, CA; San Diego, CA, Seattle, WA, Philadelphia, PA, and a few others) and this one rates up there with the rest.  This brand new $425 million retail and residential district skirts Lake Taneycomo's shoreline just off highway 65 and is becoming ... 05/07/2007