Last night was the annual Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors Affiliates Night. Local affiliates demonstrated their services by having a trade show consisting of over 30 booths. Realtors were invited to drop their business cards off for prize give-aways and most of the agents in our office received fantastic prize items. Even I won a pair of $300 Maui Jim titanium sunglasses from St. Charles Mortgage Company!Also announced last night was the nomination of Kay Gerken by the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors Board of Directors for the Missouri Association of Realtors "2007 Realtor of the Year Award". The Board is submitting Kay's nomination for her outstanding dedication and service to both the local and state Realtor Associations. The Realtor of the Year Award is selected by past recipients from aroun... 03/23/2007

Kay Gerken was nominated by the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors Board of Directors for the Missouri Association of Realtors "2007 Realtor of the Year Award". The Board is submitting Kay's nomination for her outstanding dedication and service to both the local and state Realtor Associations. The Realtor of the Year Award is selected by past recipients from around the state of Missouri. Kay's husband and founding firm partner, Duane Gerken, was the recipient of this prestigious award in 2001. 03/23/2007

Andy Williams is getting ready to open the Moon River Grill, which sits next door to his Moon River Theatre in Branson. The building, formerly McGuffey's restaurant, is currently being rennovated, which includes the kitchen, interior and outdoor patio being completely remodeled. The restaurant seats up to 300 with total renovations costing right at about a million. The Moon River Grill is slated to open April 20. 03/21/2007

Gerken & Associates Realtors currently has a luxurious Branson Landing condo and two nightly-rental condos managed by Hilton for sale. The private condo features imported European carpet, granite countertops, Jacuzzi tubs, double drawer dishwasher, large walk-in closets, marble hearth, a built-in wet bar and wine rack. Also features indoor parking in the same building.The two nightly-rental condos are managed and marketed by Hilton. The Branson Landing offers excellent shopping at national brands mixed with galleries and shops. Dining includes waterfront restaurants and intimate cafes, just minutes from your favorite Branson entertainment. Enjoy all this while relaxing in your elegantly furnished two bedroom condo with great views and three flat-screen TVs, chrome appliances, Jacuzzi tu... 03/21/2007

With our extensive knowledge of the area we are proud to provide superior service in every step of your real estate transaction. Your satisfaction is important to us. Whether you're a firs time home buyer, vacation home buyer, or seeking larger parcels of land to develop We will represent you with honesty, integrity, reliability. I believe Branson it a great place to live and invest. The Branson area including Forsyth, Branson West, and Hollister continue to expand at a rapid pace. If you are looking to buy in the tri-lakes area put RKH's  experience to work for you. 03/20/2007

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 dense forests. Oak trees are predominant; however, a variety of other hardwoods intermingled with cedar and pine trees share the forests. Fall is a burst of red, ... 03/20/2007

 Reliability, Honesty, and Integrity in selling Branson!At RKH we excel in brokering all types of Real Estate, commercial property, single family homes, condominiums, farms, and development properties. We love to help YOU! FEATURED LISTING:19.4 commercial acres located between Branson & Ozark priced at less than $2.00 per square foot. Similar properties in this same area selling for over $6.00 a square foot! Call Today! 03/20/2007

During the peak season, the commute on West 76 to Silver Dollar City can be up two hours long. Well that may soon change! Silver Dollar City, owned by The Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, has proposed a $5 million Indian Point Road development project. The proposal includes three lanes in-bound; two lanes for Silver Dollar City and one lane dedicated to motorists going into Indian Point, which includes businesses, resorts and residences. Also proposed is the widening of Indian Point Road, from Missouri 76 to the Silver Dollar City entrance. Financing for the project will be a sales-tax-only TIF and will not claim property taxes. The Stone County Commission is set to examine key issues of the project and will hold a public hearing before the TIF is approved. 03/20/2007

Gerken & Associates Realtors is proud to be a corporate sponsor and participants of the 45th Annual Spaghetti Lunch & Dinner of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Branson. The yearly tradition not only helps support the financial needs of the church, but also serves as an outreach to the community. The first Spaghetti dinner was held in 1962 and served approximately 400 people. Tomorrow's lunch and dinner event is expected to serve over 1,000 meals. 03/19/2007

The Taney County Tax Collector issued over $40 million in real estate and personal property taxes for 2006.  To help ease the year-end tax burden, a program has been set up to allow local residents to pay their real estate taxes in semi-annual or quarterly installments. Currently 265 taxpayers have enrolled in the program. 03/19/2007

I'm selling my childhood home! I use to live in Branson North, one of Branson, Missouri's most sought after subdivisions. My dad built our home in 1976 and my family lived there for 16 years. My dad, the designated Broker for Gerken & Associates Realtors, sold our home in 1992. The house has since sold several times over. It recently came back on the market and I got it under contract today.It was fun walking through the house and seeing my old bedroom, living room, kitchen, backyard and reliving memories our family shared there for so many years. The house is due to close April 29th and this will be the second time my family has sold it. I have another house listed in Branson North which is getting several viewings, so I hope to sell it soon as well. For information and pictures of tha... 03/17/2007

The Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors Legislative Committee has chosen to support Ron Huff for Branson Alderman Ward II and Eric Farris Branson Alderman Ward I. All alderman candidates running were given time to address Branson and Taney County real estate issues. Both the candidates selected by the Legislative Committee will receive $325 in fund campaign contributions from the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors. 03/15/2007

The Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame, a non-profit attraction, located in the Branson Mall on Highway 76, will soon open to the public. The museum features a Branson timeline, historical items, memorabilia, and information in interactive displays honoring Branson entertainers. The Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame opening is scheduled for late May and admission will be free of charge.   03/15/2007

Branson Public Schools Superintendent Doug Hayter recently spoke at the Branson Tri-Lakes Board of Realtor's general membership meeting. Doug gave a presentation about the school's proposed 45-cent tax levy increase which will appear on the April 3rd ballot. City and school officials say the tax levy increase would cover the rising operational costs associated with steady enrollment increases, which includes the hiring of additional teachers and administration. The current tax levy is $3.45 per $100 of assessed valuation. In 2005, Branson voters approved a bond issue that didn't raise the tax levy, but did help fund a $22.8 million expansion in school facilities. Doug reminded the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors that the school district hasn't asked for any additional operating increases si... 03/14/2007

Country legend Willie Nelson will play a major role in the grand opening of the new RFD-TV Theater in Branson, Missouri later this month. Aside from being interviewed by legendary Ralph Emery on his new weekly television show on RFD-TV, Willie will put on a full 2-hour concert performance with his sister Bobbie and the Willie Nelson Family band. Willie himself, use to have his own theater in Branson during the mid-90's. The new RFD-TV Theater is a 2,000 seat theater which was formerly the venue for Ray Stevens. RFD-TV purchased the 9-acre facility, located on the west-end of Highway 76, to produce a wide-variety of original and new programming that features a live audience. The RFD-TV theater will open Wednesday, March 28th. Rumors are already circulating in Branson that the Beach Boys ... 03/10/2007

Missouri Senator Jack Goodman helped pass legislation that allows a homeowner to protect themselves more freely against intruders. Previous law stated that if a forcible felony intruder enters your home and you shoot them, you could be held liable. Not anymore. Since the bill passed, you can shoot an intruder without being sued to pay medical expenses. In the bill, it specifically states: "A person who uses justified force shall have an absolute defense to criminal prosecution or civil liability for the use of such force. The court shall award attorney's fees, court costs and all reasonable expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by the plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant has an absolute defense." Here's a copy of the bill summary: http://ww... 03/10/2007

Gerken & Associates Realtors currently has a luxurious Branson Landing condo and two nightly-rental condos managed by Hilton for sale. The private condo features imported European carpet, granite countertops, Jacuzzi tubs, double drawer dishwasher, large walk-in closets, marble hearth, a built-in wet bar and wine rack. Also features indoor parking in the same building. The two nightly-rental condos are managed and marketed by Hilton. The Branson Landing offers excellent shopping at national brands mixed with galleries and shops. Dining includes waterfront restaurants and intimate cafes, just minutes from your favorite Branson entertainment. Enjoy all this while relaxing in your elegantly furnished two bedroom condo with great views and three flat-screen TVs, chrome appliances, Jacuzzi t... 03/09/2007

On March 24th, the Branson Landing will host its annual street performer auditions in the town square, next to the water fountains. This is the second year for the auditions which is forecasted to bring forth a diverse group of performers. The auditions will be held in front of Branson Landing customers as well. But if you can't make it down there, you're still in luck, because the event will be taped live on local radio station, KRZK 106.3 in Branson. 03/09/2007

Mountain Country Homes of Hope, along with local Branson volunteers, Rotarians and the United States Marines Corps stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, will construct the Branson-Hollister Rotary Club sponsored house in a five-day blitz build beginning Sunday, March 11th. The home will be built for a single mother and her two children. As a Rotarian, I too will be volunteering my time throughout the week to help with the project. I've never seen a home be built from the ground up in five days, so not only will this be educating, but it will serve a great purpose. 03/09/2007

As a certified e-PRO real estate agent, the Branson Tri-Lakes Chamber invited me to speak to the 2007 Chamber Leadership class today at Citizens Union Bank. My presentation was entitled, "Internet Marketing: Online or the Breadline". Topics ranged form basic Internet vocabulary to an extensive review of website statistic platforms and how to manage them. The Branson Chamber Leadership class is a select group of people from local businesses who learn about Branson's evolution, environment, community service, marketing, government and future economic development plans. Charlie is a 2006 graduate and his brother, Jeff Gerken, e-PRO, GRI is a 2004 graduate. 03/09/2007