There are 1298 homes for sale in the Branson area mark the lowest level of homes for sale since October 30th when the listings crossed the 1300 barrier for the first time, 409 condos for sale in the area is also down from over 478 condos for sale at the peak a two months ago, and 2132 land or lot listings for sale as of December 29, as compared to 2106 land or lot listings for sale on October 31. The reduction in homes and condos for sale indicate a strengthening of the real estate market in the Branson area. This data comes from the Tri-Lakes mls and does not include properties for sale by owner. The area includes Taney County, Stone County and a small number of properties from surrounding counties.

According to data collected from the Tri-Lakes mls system, the average home sold in 2006 for $167,167, a cool 5.2% increase from the same period last year of $158,934. The actual number of homes sold in the Branson area in 2006 was 1563, 6.2% fewer than the 1667 homes sold in the same period last year. So, with the average sale price increasing but the number homes sold decreasing, how does that portend the future? Branson is a relatively small but dynamic market with greater fluctuations in housing inventory and sales than most other markets. The Branson area is like Las Vegas about 20 years ago as a developing tourist destination. The constantly increasing population and visitors drive changes that the infrastructure including housing and land development cannot keep up with at times. At other times the real estate market gets ahead of the growth requirements as all the economic forces are not locked in unison.

Overall, the growth of inventory and average home value indicate fantastic real estate investment opportunities in an area that has no end to development in its future. Branson and its surrounding areas continue to outperform most other markets in the country. During 2006, many markets experienced big deflation in their real estate values as interest rates deflated the real estate bubble in most areas around the country. Branson homes appreciating by 5.2% is huge in the face of horrendous circumstances. Gas prices, interest rates, and terrorism cannot slow the Branson real estate market down. Year after year, the hottest tourist area for the middle of the country continues to drive forward with steady and rapid growth.

Since mid November, the number of homes for sale in the Branson market dropped from 1.3% to 1311. Condos for sale on the market fell from 477 a short month ago to only 409, the lowest level for six months. The number of homes for sale have stabilized from the dramatic 25% increase during the last six months. Each year the growth of Branson as a tourist destination requires an expansion of the number of homes on the market. The population and visitors to Branson have increased consistently and rapidly, driving a growth in the real estate sectors, including land and commercial activity. New developments are pushing the economic activity in all areas around Branson and Springfield. For the Branson area, anything less than 25% annual growth in housing inventory for sale would indicate a slowdown. The inventory must grow to accommodate the businesses that are growing here. Branson Landing, Indian Ridge, Silver Dollar City, new airports south of Branson and in Branson West drive an everlasting expansion in land and homes for sale.

166 Acres north of the Shephard of the HIlls and Expressway Lane will be developed as the City of Branson approved a request for approval of the Ashbrooke development. The request to build 300 residential lots was approved to ease what the City of Branson notes is a housing shortage in the area.

Branson Missouri