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Selling Your Branson Home Or Condo

Because of the Internet, selling a home today is a whole new ball game. Latest reports show nearly all homebuyers (94%) begin their real estate search on the Internet. 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 power to reach across states, countries and continents to these faraway buyers searching for Branson real estate.

Even today’s local buyers prefer the Internet for their home search. Think about it: local buyers have the option of picking up a local newspaper or real estate magazine — which offer only those 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 one that fits their needs in the neighborhood they want.

Their other choice is to use one of the Internet’s real estate search sites and type in the specifics of the home they want, price range and neighborhood. In mere seconds, the Internet obligingly spits out everything in the local Multiple Listing Service meeting their criteria. For today’s local homebuyers, choosing to search on the Internet is a no-brainer.

So if you’ve decided to sell your home, its Internet presentation is the main component to marketing it to the most potential buyers and investors the world over and getting an offer, even multiple offers.

First Impressions Sell Homes

Your home’s online presentation is usually its first introduction to both buyers and real estate agents. And 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 shoot — 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 and award-winning marketing experience, but who also understands the value of “selling the sizzle, not the steak.”

Of the 79 homes I listed last year, 98% of them were referrals. This is because I treat each home’s online presentation as though it were my child, and they’re very successful. Also, I give sellers final approval before advertising their presentation on more than 100 Internet search sites. One recent seller was so proud after seeing her home’s presentation she called me in tears. “I’m so happy you showed me what needed to be done and encouraged me to do it,” she said. “My home looks beautiful.”

Simply put, ready buyers on the Internet are hungry for information. And as your listing agent, I place your home’s details online with plenty of high-quality photos 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 its best. And its presentation has less information, fewer photos and/or no virtual tour.

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 you, the seller.

My Network Becomes Your Network

Duane and Kay Gerken, my father and mother, started Gerken & Associates over 35 years ago, making us the oldest real estate agency in town.

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 real estate agents. This is because they’re out there selling my listings to their buyers, which makes the agents my prospects.

As a home seller, your listing agent’s reputation and standing within the real estate community is another critical factor in selling your home in a timely manner at top dollar. My network of agents who know my reputation as hard working, professional and easy to get along with is quite extensive. They like working with me and want to show my listings. And when you choose me as your listing agent, my network becomes your network, increasing exponentially the number of ready buyers and investors being exposed to your home.

The #1 Secret To Real Estate Negotiations

What is it? Knowing when to keep my mouth shut!

Negotiating is definitely a learned skill, but I’m always amazed at the information buyer’s agents unwittingly give away when submitting an offer on one of my listings.

Early in my career, I received extensive training in negotiating when I took the extended education course, Sellers Representative Specialist, offered by the National Association of Realtors®. This training — which earned me the SRS designation — puts me light years ahead of other agents when negotiating real estate deals, including agents who have 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 accept a deal they don’t like.

Because I started earning my own money for activities and clothes at the age of 13 and went on to pay for my college tuition in full, I truly understand the value of a dollar. And because I do, I’m totally focused on negotiating the most money for you in the sale of your Branson home.

The Gerken & Associates Team

When you choose me as your listing agent, you get the entire Gerken team supporting your home sale transaction. This includes my folks who have over 70 years of combined experience in putting together, negotiating and taking real estate deals to close.

These two brokers really have seen it all. What I may think is impossible and has never been done before is old hat to them. Having such good, positive mentors in our firm to go to is a huge benefit, and my sellers continue to reap the rewards at the closing table.

Communication Is Key To Selling Your Home

Selling a home successfully is a partnership between the home seller and the listing agent. And in any partnership the key to success is good communication. I want you to feel comfortable expressing your concerns and asking all of your questions. I never mind explaining things in detail and sharing my experience and expertise.

As your listing agent, I’m on call for you every day of the year, 24 hours a day. So if you have a question at 10 o’clock at night after things at your house have settled down, or even at midnight, go ahead and call.

Also, because our phones are answered at all hours, buyers from any time zone in the world who’re searching the Internet for Branson real estate can call about YOUR home.

Plus, when a buyer interested in your home is online and emails me from my website, I receive a text message 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 always express their surprise and are just so happy to talk to an agent who’s available so quickly and after hours.

Technology Is A Home Seller’s Best Friend

When it comes to helping my sellers profit, I believe in taking full advantage of everything technology offers. Also, I get a kick out of all the cool tools that streamline my ability to do a terrific job for my clients.

My high-tech lockboxes are a good 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 are now gone, so you’re welcome to go back.” Agents without this technology have no idea whether the other agent and buyer went inside, and if so, whether they’re gone.

Another example is the instant electronic survey sent to each agent who enters 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 the feedback.

As your listing agent, I put these and other high-tech tools to work for you. So it’s not necessary for you to be a tech geek or even to understand the basics for you to benefit from today’s advanced technology.

With Me, “Service” Is Not A Cliché

In a market like Branson where 50% of the transactions involve vacation homes, I often do business on Sundays and holidays when those homebuyers are in town. I’ve put homes under contract on Halloween and New Year’s. And last Christmas day, I helped a seller load her U-Haul.

My attitude toward service is that I’m happy to please. Whatever you need, I will find a way. Hannibal said it best when responding to his generals who’d declared it impossible to cross the Alps with elephants: “I will either find a way, or make one.” And I don’t care if it’s three in the morning or two on a Sunday afternoon or an important holiday when you call. If you need me and I’m available, I will definitely help you out.

So whenever you’re ready to put your Branson home or condo on the market, call my cell at 417-527-8435 and let’s talk.