Selling Branson Area Real Estate - Page 101
Broaden your reach
Due to the internet, selling real estate today is a whole new ball game. Latest reports show nearly all homebuyers (94%) begin their real estate search on the web. This is especially true in the Branson market, where 50% of all our transactions are vacation homes bought by out-of-town buyers. Only the Internet has the real time power to reach across states, countries and continents to these faraway buyers searching for Southwest Missouri real estate.
Local buyers prefer the Internet for their home search as well, even though they have the option of picking up an area newspaper or real estate magazine - which only offers properties of agents who paid to advertise their listings. Next, they must comb through pages of residential and commercial properties of all prices and types to perhaps spot only one that fits their search criteria. What a waste of time.
A better choice for buyers is to search this website, one of the top real estate search sites for the Branson Tri-Lakes area. Simply type in specifics of the property you want, price range and neighborhood. In mere seconds, this website obligingly showcases everything in the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) that meets your criteria. For today's local home buyers, choosing to search on the Internet is a no-brainer.
If you've decided to sell your property, the presentation and Internet syndication are the main components to marketing it to the most potential buyers and investors who may be looking for it across the globe.
First impressions sell homes
Your home's online presentation is usually its first introduction to both buyers and real estate agents. If your home looks good in the pictures when buyers and agents first see it, in their minds it always looks good. This is because first impressions are the ones that stick. So the challenge is to get your home picture-perfect for the photo shoo - which enables us to use buyers' and agents' first impressions to your greatest advantage.
When you choose me as your listing agent, you get a Realtor who not only has a marketing degree from Missouri State University and award-winning marketing experience, but one who also understands the value of 'selling the sizzle, not the steak.'
I treat each online presentation as though it were my own property. I give sellers final approval before advertising their presentation on hundreds of internet search sites. One recent seller was so proud after seeing her home's presentation she called in tears. "I'm so happy you showed what needed to be done and encouraged me to do it," she said. "My home virtual tour looks amazing!"
Simply put, ready buyers on the Internet are hungry for information. As your listing agent, I'll place your property's details online with plenty of high-quality photos shot by a professional photographer and a virtual tour that feels personal. With easy online access to this much attention-getting and interest-generating information, a buyer is much more likely to request a showing or make an offer on your home over one that's comparable but has not been made to look outstanding! It's simply amazing, that in today's market, there are still so many properties advertised with little information, fewer photos and/or no Virtual Tour offered.
My marketing and real estate experience has taught me that putting so much up-front emphasis on your home's internet presentation always pays off at the closing table for the seller.
My network becomes your network
Kay and Duane Gerken, my mom and dad, started Gerken and Associates over 45 years ago, making Gerken and Associates the oldest real estate agency in Branson.
One of the principles my parents instilled in me is that it takes a thousand years to build a good reputation, but only minutes to destroy it. I never forget this, especially when working with other local real estate agents. This is because they're out there selling my listings to their buyers, which makes these agents my prospects.
As a home seller, your listing agent's reputation and standing within the local real estate community is a critical factor in selling your home at top dollar. Branson Realtors know my reputation as a hard working, ethical professional and easy to get along with agent who's easy to do business with. We like working together and they want to show my listings. And when you choose me as your listing agent, my network becomes your network, increasing exponentially the number of buyers and investors exposed to your home.
The secret to real estate negotiations
Negotiating is definitely an acquired skill, but I'm amazed at the information buyer's agents will unwittingly give away when submitting offers on my listings.
Early in my career, I received extensive training in negotiating when I took the extended education courses, including Sellers Representative Specialist, offered by the National Association of Realtors. This training - which earned me the SRS designation - puts me ahead of other agents when negotiating real estate deals, including agents who've been in the business for decades.
Knowing what to say, when to say it, and when to be silent, has put thousands of dollars in my sellers' pockets. Of course, every transaction is its own animal, but typically, my sellers don't bring money to the closing table or are talked into ;deals they're uncomfortable with.
Your money is real money. I truly understand the value of the dollar and how hard we work for it. And because I do, I'm focused on negotiating the most money for the sale of your Branson home.
The Gerken and Associates sales team
When you choose me as your listing agent, you get the entire Gerken team supporting your property transaction. This includes a broad source of agents with over 150 years of combined experience in putting together, negotiating and taking real estate deals to close.
Communication is key to selling your home
Selling a home is a partnership between the seller and the listing agent. In any partnership the key to success is good communication. I want you to feel comfortable expressing your concerns and asking questions. I never mind explaining things in detail and enjoy sharing my experience and expertise.
As your listing agent, I'm on call for you. If you have a question late at night after things at your house have settled down, or even early morning, go ahead and call. Also, because our phones are answered at all hours, buyers from any time zone in the world who are searching the internet for Branson real estate can call about your property.
When a buyer interested in your property is online and emails me from this real estate website, I receive a text notification and email on my smart phone wherever I am. I can't count the times I've responded within a couple of minutes because I received the message while standing in line somewhere. These buyers typically express their happiness and surprise to have access to a Branson Realtor who's available so quickly or after hours.
Technology is a home seller's advantage
When it comes to helping my sellers profit, I believe in taking full advantage of everything real estate technology has to offer. I get a kick out of all the cool tools that streamline the ability to do a terrific job for my clients.
Our high-tech lock boxes are a great example of something seemingly insignificant that are a huge help to home sellers. They're programmed to text me when buyers and agents enter to tour a home. And since most sellers leave while their home is being shown; they often call to ask if the people are still there or if I know whether they went inside. I love being able to report, "Yep, they went in at 10:28 and they are now gone, you're welcome to go back anytime." Agents without this technology, have no idea whether other agents and buyers went inside, and if so, whether they're still there looking.
Another example is the instant electronic survey sent to each agent who shows a seller's home. It includes the home's photo and asks for buyer and agent feedback. This information is recorded, and both the seller and I are sent feedback. Given these showing reports, you'll soon know all the pro's and con's of your property perceived by buyers.
As your listing agent, I put these examples and other high-tech tools to work for you. It's not necessary for you to be a tech geek to benefit from today's advanced technology. I got you covered!
With me, 'Service' is not a cliché
In a market like Branson where 50% of the transactions involve vacation homes, I often do business after hours and on holidays when buyers are in town vacationing. I've put property under contract on Halloween and New Year's. Last Christmas day, I helped a seller load her U-Haul.
My attitude toward service is that I'm honored to help. Whatever you need; I'll find a way! Hannibal said it best when responding to his generals who'd declared it impossible to cross the Alps with elephants: "I'll either find a way, or make one."
Please be sure to check out my bio to see if I'm the right fit for you. When you're ready to put your property on the market, please contact me at 417.527.8435 and let's talk. I hope to hear from you.
Averages based on current search criteria as of 11/15/2024 5:38 PMProperty Averages
Southwest Missouri Real Estate For Sale
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26224 Sugarfoot Lane
Golden, MO 65658
Sweetwater Beach
Residential
MLS# 60282087 / Active
Welcome to Sugarfoot cottage! This charming lakeside Cabin is located in Sweetwater Beach, a cozy little haven for rest and relaxation. The fur bab...
11863 State Highway 13, 112
Kimberling City, MO 65686
The Getaways at Kimberling Crossing
Residential
MLS# 60281012 / Active
Discover Lake Living at Getaways at Kimberling Crossing!This beautifully remodeled, fully furnished 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo offers convenience and ...
839 Lake Bluff Drive
Branson West, MO 65737
Cedar Cove Park
Residential
MLS# 60280964 / Pending
Wonderful house filled with sunshine and light! Close to Table Rock Lake access and available boat slip!I call this one the Goldilocks house becaus...
1801 Boswell Avenue
Branson, MO 65616
Murphy Add
Residential
MLS# 60280870 / Pending
This well designed single family home is situated in a treehouse-like setting, conveniently located between Branson Landings and Silver Dollar City...
155 West Rockford Drive UNIT #7
Branson, MO 65616
Holiday Hills Condos
Residential
MLS# 60278153 / Active W/contingency
Stylish Walk-In Resort Condo Near Downtown Branson. 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom approved vacation rental condo (seller will assist buyer with transferrin...
5009 Hickory Avenue UNIT Lot 13
Merriam Woods, MO 65740
Merriam Woods - Greenwoods Add
Residential
MLS# 60279002 / Active
Pre- Construuction Listing with Approved Contract! Quaint 4-Bedroom Home with Versatile LayoutDiscover the charm and functionality of this quaint 4...
12808 Us Highway 160
Forsyth, MO 65653
Taney-not In List
Residential
MLS# 60277592 / Active
This beautifully shaded 2.5-acre property (more or less) boasts Highway 160 frontage and no HOA fees. The property features a charming home, a spac...
Reduced -$10,100
9 View Table Rock Landing UNIT #11
Branson West, MO 65737
Stone-not In List
Residential
MLS# 60273672 / Active
RARE opportunity to own a place next to your family or friends! The Landing at Table Rock Lake is conveniently located down Hwy DD just across the ...
Reduced -$10,100
518 Ellison Avenue UNIT Lot 4
Branson, MO 65616
Lake Shore Hills
Residential
MLS# 60273365 / Active
Pre- Construction Listing with Approved Contract!!Come check out this Mulberry 2 Finished Basement Floorplan!! This quaint home offers an Open Floo...