Branson, MO

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.

All agents at Gerken & Associates are now Realtors for Green Living (RGL). RGL is comprised of members of the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors who have a passion for living green. Each RGL member has taken a "Green Living" class and the oath to "Live Today to Help Save Tomorrow." RGL is a community minded group looking to do its part in preserving and restoring the Tri-Lakes area and educating its citizens.

Gerken & Associates was a corporate sponsor of the NAIA Basketball Tournament held on the campus of College of the Ozarks over the last two weeks. Over 30 teams participated from around the country. The tournament was deemed a huge success by NAIA officials and has been held at the College of the Ozarks in Branson since 2000.

Gerken & Associates attended the 62nd Branson Chamber "Black Tie Dinner", a yearly gathering of community business members. During the event, recognition was paid to Branson's top leaders, including the presentation of the Pioneer, Ambassador, Beautification and Community Spirit Awards. During the event, Charlie Gerken was recognized for his continuing role as a Branson Chamber Ambassador and Board of Director.

Jeff Gerken served as a "Youth of the Year" judge for the Boys & Girls Club which is the highest recognition bestowed upon a teen member. Over the course of a year, Club members are recognized monthly at each facility based upon character, participation and grades. Each facility chooses the top 3 candidates to participate in a public speaking and interview competition with community leaders. Ultimately, the competition is multi-tiered and results in Boys & Girls Clubs of America naming one "Youth of the Year" to represent the Club across the country for a year.