Branson & Table Rock Lake

Tips on Purchasing a Foreclosure

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:09:39 -0500

Do you want to purchase a foreclosure in the Branson/Table Rock Lake area? If so, there are things you need to know to make your quest successful.

Remember, you're not the only person looking for a great deal. The competition is stiff and many of these homes receive multiple bids. Therefore, being prepared will mean the difference between making a successful offer that results in a contract or losing the home to another buyer.

The first step to being ready is to have a system in place to be notified about foreclosed properties. If you're the first to find the properties available, you'll have an edge over the competition. This is the easiest part. Just email me and put foreclosures in the subject line. I'll email you a list of all available properties and you'll also receive updates on new listings as they become available.

The next step is financing your purchase. You need to make arrangements for a loan prior to looking at property. Obtain a letter from a bank or mortgage company stating that you qualify for a loan up the amount the lender is willing to lend you. The seller will require a copy of this letter with the presentation of an offer.

If you plan to pay cash, you'll need a letter from your financial institution indicating the amount of funds you have to make a purchase.

And last, but not least, find a good Realtor to be your Buyer's Representative. A Realtor knows the procedures and requirements of closing a foreclosure. In addition, you'll need advice from your Realtor as to whether the home you are considering is at or below market value. Just because a home is a foreclosure doesn't mean it's a good value.

To find out more about foreclosures or other real estate, please email me or call at 417-337-4422.

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors Visit My Web Site

Branson -Where's the Traffic?

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:58:56 -0500

In the past, some of the local souvenir shops carried (and may still) T-shirts that featured a picture of two, long lines of cars on a two-lane road with the caption: Branson, The World's Biggest Parking Lot. This is proof that Branson has a reputation for terrible traffic.

While this is still a busy, tourist destination, traffic is really not that big of a problem. Prior to the early 1990's, you didn't have many route choices besides Highway 76 and a few windy streets that circled through various subdivisions. However, since that time, many alternate routes have been developed to get around town.

If you chose to head down Highway 76, the chances are good that you'll soon come to a halt and then a crawl. Roark Valley Road, Highway 248, Epps Road, Forsyth Road, Fall Creek Road, Highway 376, Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Gretna Road, Green Mountain Drive, and Highway 165 are all routes that will either alone, or in combination with another road, help you avoid the traffic on Highway 76. I suggest using a mapping program on the internet before your trip to incorporate some of these routes to reach your destination.

There are only a few times a year when traffic is a challenge, no matter what road you travel. Times that come to mind are the Car Show Weekend in August, the day after Thanksgiving, and the three summer holidays. You will probably encounter traffic on these dates.

If you haven't come to Branson because of the traffic, I hope you'll decide to visit and use some of the alternate routes I've listed to get around town.

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors Visit My Web Site

Golfing at Pointe Royale in Branson, Missouri

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:49:23 -0500

Newly renovated in 2009, the Pointe Royale Golf Course in Branson, Missouri, is located along the banks of Lake Taneycomo. For all levels of play, this course features lush bent grass greens and Bermuda fairways, eight water holes, rolling fairways with mature trees, and sand and grass bunkers. The 18-hole, 6,501 yard par 70 course is considered the original championship course in the Branson area.

In addition to its scenic 18 holes, you'll enjoy the abundant wildlife and natural beauty of the Ozarks. Take a stroll on the nature trail to see bald eagles and the beautiful lake below the course.

Lodging is available on a nightly or weekly basis at one of the many available condos at the development, which is close to all Branson has to offer, including Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo. Resort amenities include a clubhouse, bar and grill, indoor & outdoor pools, spa, fitness room, tennis courts, practice putting green, and a Pro Shop.

Contact me for more information on this vacation destination. You may want to someday call it home!

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors Visit My Web Site

Looking to Rent?

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:05:04 -0500

There's never been a better time to buy. However, if you need to find a rental in the Branson area instead, I've compiled a list of places to call.

Listed below are a couple of property management companies and several apartment complexes. In addition to this list, visit the Branson Daily News web site and click on Classifieds for a listing of more places to rent.

Good luck and look me up when you're ready to buy!

Kohler Creek Apartments, 2972 Maple St
Hollister, MO, (417) 336-4866

Redbud Apartments, E Highway 76
Branson, MO, (417) 334-2738

Branson Manor Apartments, Old County Rd
Branson, MO, (417) 334-3800

White River Mountain Apartments, 115 White River Mtn Blvd
Hollister, MO, (417) 335-6767

Hollister Gable Apts. 128 2nd St
Hollister, MO, (417) 335-4579

Pinnell Apartments & Self Storage, Evergreen St
Hollister, MO. (417) 334-4415

Green Oaks Apartments, 428 Kays Ln
Hollister, MO, (417) 334-4246

Wilhoit Properties, 115 White Dr
Branson, MO, (417) 335-6767

Oak Knoll Apartments, 1109 Bird Rd
Branson, MO, (417) 334-1731

Oak View Apartments, 804 Oakview Rd
Branson, MO, (417) 336-2811

Crismon Apartments and Storage, 430 Green Briar Dr
Branson, MO, (417) 336-2048

Lost Tree Condos, 150 Lost Tree Dr
Branson, MO, (417) 335-3936

Golden Oaks Apartments, 1600 Bird Rd
Branson, MO, (417) 337-5803

Fall Creek Apartments, 2444 Fall Creek Rd
Branson, MO, (417) 334-1281

Pointe Royale Property Management & Leasing, Highway 165 S
Branson, MO, (417) 334-6181

Selling A Vacant Home

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:44:48 -0500

There are many things you need to do to help your vacant home show better. Number one: Keep it clean. You may have cleaned it when you moved out, but even empty houses get dirty. Many times there are cobwebs or dead bugs on the floor. And somehow, dust still accumulates.

Another important detail is the smell of the home. I showed a home today that has been on the market for about two months but the disclosure says it has been vacant for three years. The buyers thought the home smelled like it had a mold problem. However, I think the odor is from being closed up for a very long time. Leaving the windows open for a day during nice weather and hiring someone to clean would improve the chance of this house selling tremendously.

Also, maintaining the outside means more than just mowing the yard. I’ve shown houses in the spring or summer time where you have to wade in leaves up to your knees to get to the front door. This is not the definition of curb appeal!

Remember, anything the buyer sees at a home that needs to be done is a strike against the house. It will make them decide against making an offer or it will influence them to make a lower offer. With the huge amount of inventory out there, you have to do all you can to compete with other homes available for sale.

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors Visit My Web Site

Advice for Purchasing a Lot for Your Custom Home

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:50:14 -0500

The first step in building the custom home you've always wanted is finding the perfect lot. However, there is more to picking a lot than just location.

You will need to get a professional opinion about the slope of the lot and how it will affect the cost of building your home. This advice pertains more to the Ozarks than it does to other parts of the country, as flat lots are few and far between in this area. You will want your builder or excavator to examine the lot and possibly take shots of the slope of the elevation. It can sometimes cost thousands of dollars to add enough fill-dirt and/or rock to be able to start construction if the slope is too steep.

Another area to check out before you buy is the source of water and also whether there is sewer system in place. If public/community sewer and water are not available, the lot has to be big enough to accommodate both a well and a septic system. The Department of Natural Resources has guidelines regarding the distance between the two.

Also, if a central or public sewer system is not available, it is imperative that you have a soil analysis performed by a licensed soil scientist before you make a purchase. In Stone and Taney counties, you must present a copy of a soil analysis before you can obtain a building permit. The soil analysis will determine what kind of septic system will be required for the lot. There is a wide variation in the price of septic systems so it pays to know this information before you make a purchase.

One last precaution and this applies to an existing home purchase too: read the subdivision restrictions, if there are any. It's important to know all the requirements before you sign your closing documents. You may find the rules too restrictive for your taste or vice versa.

Following this advice before you make a lot purchase will help insure you really do find the perfect lot.

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors Visit My Web Site

Branson Airport Open for Business

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:08:20 -0500

It's official. Today, May 11, 2009, the Branson Airport, the first privately-developed and operated commercial service airport in the United States, opened for business.

With flights to Atlanta, Dallas, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, air travel will be much more convenient for residents and visitors alike. The current air service carriers are AirTran and Sun Country.

For flight information, visit the Branson Airport website.

Making Wise Real Estate Investments

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:44:02 -0500

In recent months, I've met several people wanting to sell property they purchased for investment purposes. If I had met these individuals when they made their purchase, I would have guided them to a better investment. In all cases, these owners bought directly from the developer or a for-sale-by-owner.

In one example, I recently met a gentleman who purchased a lot in a large subdivision directly from the developer. He bought the lot in 2005 when the market was at its peak. There is nothing outstanding about the property in regard to location, view, size, etc. At the present time, there are 95 lots for sale in the subdivision where his lot is located. Since only ten lots sold in this subdivision in the last year, the odds are against his property selling, much less making a profit.

Another investor recently contacted me. This lady lives in California and purchased her lot through an investment seminar held by the developer. She had heard of Branson but had never been here or even to Missouri. She purchased her lot without seeing it and was under the impression the lot was in Branson. It is actually in Forsyth, twelve miles away. The lot is gorgeous, but so are the dozens of other lots just like it that are for sale in the same subdivision. This person was very disappointed when she learned that she had paid more for the lot than what similar properties had sold for in the area at the time.

In my last scenario, I spoke to a couple who purchased a condo last year from a for- sale-by-owner. Due to health reasons, they wished to sell the condo and expected to take a loss. They were definitely surprised when I showed them recent sales. They purchased the condo about $14,000 above market value.

None of these situations are the result of decreasing values or down economic times. All are cases of making poor investment choices.

There are two words to remember in land investments: unique and limited supply. For investment, it crucial to buy something that is not ordinary and has a finite supply. For example a lakefront lot in an area where most of the lots around the lake are already built upon is a good investment. Another scenario would be to buy one of the last available vacant lots in a popular subdivision. An additional suggestion would be to buy raw land on the edge of town where expansion is likely to occur.

Another word of caution, get the advice of a Realtor. Talking to a developer or for-sale-by-owner only will yield a one-sided opinion. A Realtor will have access to a multitude of properties and can produce facts and figures to compare different parcels.

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors Visit My Web Site

Taney County Approves Drug Plan

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:16:30 -0500

Recently, the Taney County Commission approved a program that could save county residents thousands of dollars on prescription drugs each month.

This drug plan is through the National Association of Counties pharmaceutical program. As a member of the association, the county can take advantage of the program, at no cost. The commission voted to adopt the program and make the cards available to county residents free of charge.

The cards will be available to anyone who is a resident of the county. Cardholders can expect to save between 10 and 22 percent off the cash price of prescription drugs.

Just one more reason that Taney County is a great place to live!

Understanding How Much to Offer on a Real Estate Purchase

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:39:35 -0500

How much should you offer when writing a contract to purchase a home?

This is an area where it pays to listen a professional. Your Realtor can show you data on comparable properties that have recently sold and the price per square foot.

Also, a Realtor has access to statistics such as the sale to list price difference. This is the percentage that homes have sold for as compared to the asking price.

Many prospective buyers have convinced themselves that sellers are willing to accept 25%-30% off their asking price. In the majority of cases, this just isn't true, at least not in the Branson/Tri-Lakes area.

While it is a fact that some homes are overpriced, this is usually due to an owner's unwillingness to listen to the Realtor's price suggestion. It's more common to see overpriced homes sit on the market until the listing expires and then see the home back on the market at a more realistic price; than it is to see the sellers accept an extremely low offer.

To illustrate this point, listed below are the Average Sale to List Percentages from the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors:

2005: 96.3%

2006: 96.8%

2007: 96.3%

2008: 94.1%

2009: 94.5% (January and February)

These statistics show that, even though the number of sales are lower than they were three or four years ago, you probably won't make any progress offering less than 90% of asking price on your initial offer.

Remember that the seller's price is usually the result of a market analysis made by the Realtor, showing the owner prices of comparative homes that have sold. Also, unless the seller paid cash when purchasing the home or has since paid off their loan, the price has to be high enough to pay off the lender and as well as the fees incurred to sell the home.

With this being said, there are still some great deals to be had. You just have to realize that the price is probably already at or near its fair market value.

Homes on Table Rock Lake - Current Information

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:09:50 -0600

Are you curious about homes on Table Rock Lake and how much home you can get for your investment?

If you're unfamiliar with Table Rock Lake, view my blog What is the Address of Table Rock Lake? This article will give you information on communities around the lake.

Many factors affect the price of lake properties including the availability of boat slips, the terrain of the lot, and the view.

As of today's date, there are 171 lakefront homes available for sale in the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors. The least expensive is $89,500 and the highest price home is listed at $3,999,000.

In the past year, 101 lakefront homes have sold per our Board of Realtors MLS data. The average selling price was $285,112.

This information is just a summary of information on Table Rock Lake homes. For more extensive informaiton, give me a call or drop me an email and I'll be happy to answer your questions!

Hospital Name Change: Skaggs Regional Medical Center

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:42:11 -0600

Recently, our local hospital, Skaggs Community Health Center, unveiled a new name: Skaggs Regional Medical Center.

In addition to the name change, the hospital announced that it is in the top 5% of hospitals for overall clinical quality and has been named a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence.

This title was given by HealthGrades, a healthcare rating company that studies 5,000 non-federal hospitals for quality. Skaggs is the only hospital in Southwest Missouri to receive this distinction.

For more information on Skaggs Regional Medical Center, click here.

Understanding Your Real Estate Contract - Inspections

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:37:52 -0600

Inspections are an important part of the Contract for Sale of Real Estate.

Inspections must be made by an qualified, independent inspector. This means that someone who is in the business of inspecting homes must perform the inspection.

The buyer may have any type of inspection they deem necessary including structural, septic, well, radon, etc. Inspections are at the buyer's expense.

One of the most misunderstood parts of the Inspection section of the contract is the Inspection Period. The inspection period is length of time stated in the contract in which all inspections must be completed. Not only do the inspections have to be completed within this time frame, BUT the seller must also be notified of any requested repairs or requests for monetary adjustments by this deadline. These requests are made on a form called the Inspection Notice.

One last item to mention is that only one Inspection Notice may be submitted during the Inspection Period. For example, if a buyer desires a home inspection plus a septic inspection and issues are found on both of these inspections, all requests for repairs or adjustments must be addressed on one Inspection Notice.

For any questions you may have on contracts, please feel free to contact me.

Youth Clinics & Camps at Branson Parks and Rec Center

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:06:35 -0600

The Branson Parks and Recreation Center offers a variety of clinics and camps. Listed below are the 2009 dates of the various programs.

April

4 Girls Softball Clinic

June

4 Springfield Cardinals Baseball Camp

2 & 3 Junior Golf Clinic

July

24 Jackie Stiles Youth Basketball Camp

27-31 Challenger Youth Soccer Camp

August

3-5 Volleyball Camp

TBD Cheer Camp

You can get the details on these events by calling the Parks and Recreation office at 417-335-2368.

January 2009 Sales in the Branson/Tri-Lakes Area

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:52:59 -0600

Below are the statistics for January 2009 residential and condo sales from the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors:

Residential

Number Sold: 33

Listing Price Total: 5,471,979

Listing Price Average: 165,818

Selling Price Total: 5,163,068

Selling Price Average: 156,457

List-to-Sell Variance: 9,361

List-to-Sell Percent: 94.4

Average Days on Market: 127

Condo

Number Sold: 7

Listing Price Total: 951,600

Listing Price Average: 135,943

Selling Price Total: 888,000

Selling Price Average: 126,857

List-to-Sell Variance: 9,086

List-to-Sell Percent: 93.3

Average Days on Market: 108

Please contact me with any questions you have regarding our market here in the Branson/Table Rock Lake area.

NAIA Men's Basketball Championship

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:29:29 -0600

It's almost time for the NAIA Division II Basketball Championship. This year's contest will be held at the College of Ozarks, just south of Branson, Missouri. The dates for the tournament are March 11-17, 2009. Thirty-two teams will compete for the chance to capture the national championship title.

Each year the single-elimination tournament is hosted at the Keeter Gymnasium at the College of the Ozarks. The first round starts on March 11 at 8:30 a.m. and the championship game is held on March 17 at 8:50 p.m.

People travel from all over the country to this event. Some make it a yearly vacation.

March is a great time to visit the area too. The weather is usually mild and most of the music shows are open.

For more complete information on this tournament, visit www.cofo.edu/naia or call 417-335-NAIA.

Understanding Real Estate Contracts - Is That Item Included?

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:23:05 -0600

It's important to understand the Contract for Purchase when buying or selling real estate.

In this article and others, I will be explaining different parts of the Contract for Sale of Residential Real Estate drafted by the legal counsel of the Missouri Association of Realtors.

Our subject today is the Inclusions and Exclusions section. This simply means: what's included with the property and what is not.

The items listed on the contract in this section are the basis for what is included in the sale; not the MLS information sheet, the Seller's Disclosure, or a promotional flyer. Therefore, as a buyer, it is imperative that you list items that you wanted included in the sale on the contract.

Our contracts already list attached items such as built-in dishwashers, ceiling fans, hot water heaters and other objects that would obviously stay with a home. However, the refrigerator, washer, and dryer are NOT on this list. For these items to be included in the sale, they MUST be specifically listed as included in the sale on the contract.

The same is true for boat slips and lifts. Even though the MLS listing sheet says, "boat slip included in the price," the boat slip must still be listed next to the line that says "included in the sale."

On the opposite side, the seller has to make it clear on the contract, any items that do not stay that ordinarily would. For example, I just closed on a home that had a dining room light fixture that the seller wanted to keep. On the contract, we listed "dining room light fixture" in the "excluded section."

Being thorough on the Inclusions and Exclusions section of the contract is a must to prevent any misunderstandings.

Branson Area Market Statistics - 2008 in Review

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:20:29 -0600

The slump in housing sales across the nation trickled down to the Tri-Lakes area in the last half of 2008. Residential property sales were down 26% as compared to sales in 2007. Many people wish to move here, but are held back by the real estate market in their area and, in some cases, the decrease in their investments.

Average sales price of residential/condo listings decreased less than one-half percent. Also, these listings sold for 94.4% of list price. The price range with the most sales was the $100,000 to $200,000 range. Home sales in the $300,000+ range saw the least activity, accounting for only 15% of all sales.

Our company, Tri-Lakes Realtors, was again the top company in the area. Our firm had the largest number of sales and also the most sales volume in comparison to all the companies belonging to the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors.

On the bright side, email inquiries, phone calls, showing appointments, and offers have picked up quite a bit since the new year began.

For a full report on 2008 sales activity, drop me an email or call me at 417-337-4422. I'll be glad to share that information with you.

Three New Businesses Coming to Branson

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:56:14 -0600

It was recently announced by Branson city officials that three new businesses will soon be built in Branson Hills. Pizza Hut, Dollar Tree, and Quizno's Subs will be built next to the Wendy's on Branson Hills Parkway.

For the fourth straight year, Branson has surpassed over $100 million in new construction. For 2008, the city's data shows a total of $102 million in new construction.

Our community continues to be an area of growth and expansion, attracting several new businesses in the past few years and, hopefully, for years to come. In light of the national media's coverage of doom and gloom, it's nice to hear of economic growth.

New Road Up for Voters to Decide

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:17:31 -0600

Taney County is one step closer to an east-west corridor road.

The Taney County Commission recently voted to put an issue on the April 7th ballot concerning a 4.5 mile road which would connect Hollister to Kirbyville. Voters will be able to vote on a 1/4 cent sales tax to pay for the project.

Currently, the only way to Kirbyville is via Highway 76 east or through BB Highway to Coon Creek Road to east 76. This new road would help ease traffic congestion in downtown Branson and on the Lake Taneycomo bridge. However, are the voters willing to incur more sales tax to build this road? We'll find out in April.

Before You Buy a Foreclosed Property...

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:43:29 -0600

There are several things to be aware of when purchasing a foreclosed home from the lender. You need to be prepared as the process is quite different than purchasing from an individual.

•1. There will be no sellers disclosure. Most of the time, the bank/lender has never even seen the home. Therefore, they know nothing about the condition, age of home, past repairs, etc.

•2. You are purchasing the home "as is." The seller will not make any repairs. Consequently, it is a good idea to have an inspection or thoroughly check the home over if you are experienced in home repair.

•3. The seller will not accept any offers contingent upon the sale of your home.

•4. You will need to have been pre-approved by a lender or provide a letter from a financial institution stating that you have adequate funds to purchase the home in order to submit an offer.

•5. The seller will usually not accommodate a change in the closing date and often you will be charged if you are unable to close on time.

•6. Don't expect a quick response to your offer. It often takes 2 or 3 business days or more for the seller to answer.

•7. Sometimes, property sales may have a deed restriction requiring that the property cannot be sold for more than a certain amount in a stated time frame.

•8. Expect a lot of paperwork. In addition to the regular real estate contract, the seller will probably require their own separate contract be signed.

The purchase of a foreclosed property can intimidating, but an experienced Realtor can help you through the process. Hopefully, reading the items listed above will help to avoid surprises during the transaction.

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors Visit My Web Site

Bank-Owned Properties in the Branson Area

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:48:00 -0600

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.

When is the best time of the Year to Sell My Home?

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:02:20 -0600

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. January has typically been the time that most Realtors schedule a vacation, at least in our area.

Keep in mind that the months listed were for closings, not the date the properties went under contract. It usually takes around thirty days to close a transaction; but, it can be longer, depending on the circumstances of the sale. Therefore, if you want to sell your home; don't wait until May to list it. March would be a better time to catch the first wave of springtime buyers.

On the flip side, the slowest time as far as showings and properties going under contract isn't January and February, it's November and December. Again, you have to account for the time between when the buyer and seller come to a written agreement and the time that the property actually changes hands.

There's no "magic" time to put your property on the market. It often comes down to chance, the right buyer happens along at the right time. However, those chances do improve when the most buyers are looking, which is March through August.

Traffic to Improve in Forsyth

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:03:07 -0600

The Missouri Department of Transportation recently approved funding for a project to relieve traffic congestion in Forsyth at the intersection of Highway 160 and Coy Boulevard.

The intersection will be widened about 12 feet and a turn lane will be added. The turn lane will allow traffic to proceed instead of lining up behind a motorist making a left hand turn.

The project may start in Spring 2009, depending on when bids are let. If started in the spring, completion is expected to be in the fall.

Let's Talk Trash

Tammie Turner, B. A., Business (Tri-Lakes Realtors) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:47:28 -0600

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 to start, then read on. Branson has a recycling center, located on Compton Drive, which is open six days a week. They accept cardboard, newspaper, magazines, mixed paper, glass, steel cans, aluminum cans, plastic, motor oil, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, and soft plastics.

If you're willing to sort your recycleables when you make your drop off, you don't have to pre-sort them. More information can be obtained from the Branson Recycling Center by calling 417-334-5277. You can also visit their web site: Branson Recycling Center

Still not convinced that one person can make much of a difference? Then think about one last fact from Recycling-Revolution.com:

The U.S. is the #1 trash-producing country in the world at 1,609 pounds per person per year.