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Branson Native & Award-Winning Broker.
Charlie Gerken, e-PRO, GRI, Broker / Partner A Branson native and third generation Realtor, Charlie graduated from Branson High school and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing,with an emphasis in Advertising & Promotion from Missouri State University. For five years, he was the Marketing Director for Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, the largest architectural firm in Southwest Missouri. His responsibilities included coordinating design qualification statements for million-dollar projects; many of which today are Branson's biggest attractions! Charlie has a Missouri Salesperson and Broker's license and is a partner of Gerken & Associates Realtors. Aside from selling commercial and residential real estate, his responsibilities include firm management, promotional materials and information systems. Committed to his career, Charlie is a GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) Designee. GRI is a designation awarded by the Missouri Association of Realtors to National Association of Realtors members who have successfully completed the required 12, eight-hour courses of advanced lectures and exams held throughout the state of Missouri. A certified Internet professional, he has completed the e-PRO training program and exam for real estate professionals, endorsed by the National Association of Realtors. An e-PRO agent streamlines the entire transaction, from showing to closing, through a number of online tools and advanced software. Actively involved in the local board of Realtors, Charlie is member of the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors Honor Society. He is also a two-year member of RPAC (Realtor Political Action Committee), a group which raises funds for those in political office whom are supportive of protecting private property rights. Recognized by the Advertising Industry for excellence, Charlie has received 14 ADDY Awards for his creative work. Now this is the kind of guy you want to market and sell your property! With over eight years experience as a freelance designer and consultant, Charlieoffers small businesses the marketing power of large corporations. His past clients include: Wonders of Wildlife, Arlan Homes, BMW Engineering, TOSA Medical, Springfield Design Association, Lake Country Soccer, John Horner Consulting, Boy Scouts of America, Platinum Place, Gerken & Associates Realtors, Branson Arts Council, Sygna Technology, Love Of The Games, Physician Business & Leisure Magazine, Church Army Branson, Leaders In Orthopedics, SL Ramps, Missouri Association of Realtors, and West Plains Public Library. Charlie was named Rookie of the Year for his first year in real estate by the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors. He's also been honored by The Springfield Business Journal with its prestigious 40 Under 40 Award, a recognition given to 40 outstanding businesspeople under the age of 40 in Southwest Missouri for their leadership, accomplishments and community service. Playing an active role throughout Southwest Missouri communities, Charlie has lectured at Drury University, Missouri State University and Public Schools Student Programs. In addition, he volunteers design work for not-for-profit organizations, including the Branson Arts Council and Church Army Branson. A current member of the Branson-Hollister Rotary Club, Charlie actively volunteers with local professional leaders to address various community service needs; most recently the Women's Crisis Center and Salvation Army. He's also served as the Float chairmen for the Annual Adoration Day Parade. Charlie has served as a Springfield Ambassador to the Chamber of Commerce and member of the Springfield Ad Club. Currently, he serves as a Branson Chamber Ambassador and volunteer for numerous area events held throughout the year. A 2006 graduate of the Branson Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce's Leadership program, Charlie is thoroughly familiar with Branson's evolution, environment, community service, marketing, government and future economic development plans.
INTRODUCTION:
Since 1975, Gerken & Associates Realtors has been helping people buy and sell property in the most cost efficient, stress-free method possible. Gerken & Associates is a great resource for buying and selling real estate in Branson, Missouri. As members of the multi-list service, we provide information and access to any property on the market in the Tri-Lakes area.
All of our agents are professionally licensed Realtors. In addition to being licensed by Missouri to sell real estate, Gerken & Associates belongs to the National Association of Realtors and abides by a strict Code of Ethics.
From property search to closing day, we're with you. We don't just boast that – we've built up a 30-year local reputation doing it.
HISTORY:
Gerken & Associates has been a constant real estate service provider to Branson and the surrounding communities since 1975.
In 1976, Duane and Kay Gerken, the firm's founding brokers, purchased a Century 21 franchise, which they and their team promoted for over 25 years. From high interest rates, to deregulation and "Black Monday", real estate had its trials and tribulations in the 1980's. However, Gerken & Associates prevailed as the leading Branson real estate agency dedicated to serving to the fullest all while giving back to the community. One decade led into another as Gerken & Associates assisted with the substantial transactions of the residential and commercial boom that hit Branson during the roaring 90's. By 1992, the firm had grown in size and doubled its office space. In 1998, Duane Gerken was elected President of the Missouri Association of Realtors, an organization boasting over 23,000 members. Kay was elected President in 2004, placing them both in history as one of only two Realtor husband and wife couples to achieve such honors from the State Association! After 27 years of gaining a reputable name in the Tri-Lakes area community, the firm left the Century 21 franchise, and in 2002 returned Independent. Included in this transition, were staff members whom even today, continue to be a part of the Gerken & Associates' sales team. In 2005, both Jeff and Charlie Gerken, brothers and best friends, joined their parents as Brokers and Partners to help lead the firm into the next generation. Having both completed college at Missouri State University and enjoying successful careers in marketing and management respectively, the brothers brought their skills to the firm’s business plans. In doing so, Gerken & Associates remains the oldest continuously-owned real estate firm in Branson, Missouri. To date, the office has been in the same location for over 31 years! Located on West Highway 76, in the Branson Heights Shopping Center, Gerken & Associates is currently expanding operations to four times its original size.
SERVICES:
Residential Sellers
Ever watch a house in your neighborhood sell in a weekend and then another one take four months? The right agent makes all the difference.
If you’re looking to sell, Gerken & Associates is the team to interview! We’ll come out to your property and based upon its condition and that of the market, compare it to historical sales data of property that’s been sold in your area.
Once we’ve helped you determine a price, we’ll offer you suggestions on presenting your property to the current market.
In choosing us to be your agent, we’ll submit your property to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and get busy marketing it right away.
We’ll begin talking to as many area sales agents as we can about your property so that their buyers are aware of your listing. That way instead of having just one agent working for you, you’ll soon have hundreds!
Gerken & Associates offers aggressive marketing plans with our listing agreements. Our trained sales and marketing staff design and distribute print advertising, handle website promotion and send targeted mail out to buyers in newspapers, trade magazines and public relations. In doing so, we’ll bring forth a larger supply of buyers to hold pricing power and sell your property quickly.
We have a local reputation as cooperative and enthusiastic sales agents and take clear instructions on showing policies for your home.
Through effective use of the latest technologies, we’ll keep you informed on your property throughout the viewing process.
Gerken & Associates has negotiated thousands of favorable terms and conditions for sellers. After 30 years in the business, we’ve become like old guard dogs at this. We’ll make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed when it comes to closing.
Please contact us today if you're in the market to sell or are considering it. We’d love to check out your property and see how we can assist you.
For further information on how we sell homes, please check out the services we offer For Sale By Owners by scrolling down below.
Residential Buyers As one of the biggest purchases of your life, home buying can be very intense. Choosing the right salesperson is the first step. You don't want to be sold a house - you want someone to guide you through the process of buying a home. At Gerken & Associates, you'll have an agent that has your interests at heart. We'll help you determine the location, price range, style and size that best suit your needs. We preview many of the homes available for sale in the Branson community. You won't find us fumbling for the light switch! We stay current with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and know the Branson Tri-Lakes area in vivid detail. Based upon your criteria, we'll save you time from viewing properties that don't match your needs. And we don't give up searching until your happy! Through loan qualification, inspections, final walk-through, and the closing, you can count on us being by your side. We'll explain numerous forms and agreements, all while tracking and recording the entire process. If you're in the market to buy a home, or even just thinking about it, please call on our licensed agents to serve you. For Sale By Owners Selling property quickly takes more than placing an ad in the paper, a sign in the yard and holding open houses. In fact, only 13% of nationally sold homes are done by For Sale By Owners. We can provide maximum exposure to the greatest number of qualified buyers and get your property sold quickly. In fact, by working to get the best possible price for your home, you'll make money hiring us. There are many ways in which Gerken & Associates can help you. First of all, we put up our own finances to market and advertise your home. Trained agents backed by superior marketing support, will design and distribute advertising and targeted mail to buyers in newspapers, trade magazines and public relations. Professionally designed yard signs are immediately placed on and around your property. And we keep an eye on them too! It's a rare day to see a Gerken & Associates yard sign lying in the ditch. Once listed, your home will be immediately placed on GerkenandAssociates.com, CharlieGerken.com and Realtor.com. These websites receive thousands of hits a day from buyers wanting to stay current with the latest listings. We also offer the latest trends in online home viewing. We'll come out to your property with camera in hand and create a pictorial tour of your home. Your home will then be available 24 hours a day to preview. Even people in Japan can virtually walk through! Our agents have trained experience in handling negotiations, counterproposals, contracts, estimating closing costs and net proceeds. Many of the local lenders, surveyors, appraisers, inspectors and other professionals working in this industry are our friends. You won't have to take a day off work to meet them. That's our job. We'll stick by your side and monitor your transaction all the way through closing day. When you list with Gerken & Associates, the whole team represents you. Not just one agent. Commercial Investors Ready to sell or invest? For years, Gerken & Associates has provided commercial real estate brokerage to the booming Branson community. Our agents monitor new listings, what markets are experiencing growth and the latest in demographic and real estate trends. We can help your company determine and allocate real estate costs, all while maintaining detailed reports to keep you informed on the process. Through guidance and insight to the local market, we provide instant access to opportunities in commercial land, office space, industrial, theaters, residential development and retail space. We have a successful track record of connecting property owners to investors and tenants through real estate transactions, lease negotiations, market research, site evaluation and selection. Together, we'll help you find the property that meets your investment objectives. Marketing Services When a real estate agency places an advertisement for your property, who creates the ad? Ever wonder who did their company's logo, business card or website? Witness the strength of quality customer service teamed with marketing expertise. At Gerken & Associates, we have an in-house marketing department with design and production experience that makes our stuff look cool. Marketing is an investment, not just a necessary expense. Sales agents are given tailored marketing support and assistance to stimulate attention and draw interest to your property. Each property's marketing and advertising activities are tracked and recorded. Property Management Ready to retire from the duties of managing your property? Do you own investment property in Missouri, but live out of state? From office buildings to shopping centers, Gerken & Associates has been offering successful property management to clients for years. Our experienced team of professionals can handle all areas of commercial property marketing, leasing and sales. We'll eliminate hours taken from your week by managing the building and processing maintenance regularly. We use only our approved list of qualified service providers for repairs and maintenance. All our property managers are experienced agents who practice hands-on real estate management. Complete inspections of the building, its systems and outside areas are performed regularly. We manage property as if were our own. That rule has always worked well for us. Tenants frequently speak highly of the attention and service we give to them and their accommodations. So do the property owners. Auctioneering Services A real estate auction allows a seller to choose the date and exact manner in which to sell. More and more heirs and investors consider the auction process to be their efficient sales choice. Gerken & Associates has conducted numerous successful auctions. We're capable of representing sellers from a variety of real estate; including single and multi-family residential properties, office buildings, shopping centers, marinas, hotels and land. We can conduct auctions on all kinds of personal property too; including commercial and industrial machinery, food service equipment, automobiles, household furnishings, antiques and collectibles. Our Auctioning staff is informed with associated laws and are aware of potential pitfalls to avoid. Trained agents are skilled in applicable promotions and will design and distribute print advertising, website promotion and targeted mail to buyers in newspapers, trade magazines and public relations to bring them out and get it sold.
“We stumbled upon a house we liked which was For Sale By Owner. Because we've used Gerken & Associates before, we informed the seller we would only make an offer through them. Gerken & Associates handled all the negotiations with great professionalism.”
Ross & Janice Summers
Branson, Missouri
"We traveled to Branson several times a year and called Gerken & Associates to consider purchasing. Throughout the next two years, they kept us up to date with area real estate and were patient while we made a decision. We finally found the right place, a condo, last fall and are so happy with our purchase!"
Roger & Sally Gorgas
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
“We bought a vacant lot to build on from Gerken & Associates 16 years ago and have the highest respect for them as good, honest people. When it was time for us to sell, we didn’t think twice of giving them the listing to our cabin. Dedication and personal service is second to none. A job well done!”
Bill & Betty Montalbano
Blue Eye, Missouri
"My brother Doug and I hired Gerken & Associates to sell a piece of commercial property that we had in our family for many years. Their staff was attentive, accurate and informative when going through both the negotiations and the closing.”
Chip Mason
Branson, Missouri
“Buying a home can be a stressful situation, especially when you live 1,200 miles away! We arrived from Florida for a long weekend and were referred to Gerken & Associates. They worked day and night to find us a home in the short time we had. The day before returning to Florida, we found our home and signed a contract!”
Frank & Caris King
Jupiter, Florida
“Gerken & Associates goes above and beyond the call of duty on a regular basis. We don’t buy property from anybody but them.”
Lauren & Maxine Gibney
Palo, Iowa
"Thank you for making the purchase of my commercial property an easy and pleasurable experience. I’ve purchased several properties from different real estate companies in the past and my experience with your company has been the best. I will definitely recommend Gerken & Associates to my customers at Casa Fuentes Mexican Restaurant."
Manuel Fuentes
Branson, Missouri
“The entire team cared about what I wanted in a home and provided solutions to the normal (and not so normal) dilemmas that arise when buying real estate. My experience with Gerken & Associates was outstanding from start to finish.”
Sandy DeLapp
Battlefield, Missouri
"Being a first-time homebuyer is overwhelming but Gerken & Associates ensured a smooth transaction. They took the time to validate my concerns and weren’t just out for a quick sale. They fit the process into my busy schedule by emailing me listings with photos and directions. From the first time I met with an agent in their office, through closing day, they were at my side. I recommend Gerken & Associates to all first-time homebuyers!"
John Wilton
Tulsa, Oklahoma
"Gerken & Associates latest technology provided access to MLS information and mapping software that helped us eliminate places without having to drive all over. Their organization and pre-planning made it possible for us to stop looking after just two places."
Dr. Chris Weber
Springfield, Missouri
"The agents were always professional in appearance and in the way they handled the selling of our home. Should we return to Branson, we will definitely use Gerken & Associates again."
Darlene & Al Balistreri
Branson, Missouri
“We stopped by Gerken & Associates during our first visit to Branson. Although we were just looking, they were very helpful and never pressured us. Throughout the house hunting experience, the team was professional and everything they told us proved to be true. We eventually decided on a lake cabin and are well on our way to enjoying lake life in Branson.”
Mike & Cindy Lotz
Belleville, Illinois
"If you're ready to buy or sell a house, try this formula that works for me: (Worry Free) + (Latest Technology) + (High Exposure) / (Multiple Showings) + (Frequent Feedback) = Gerken & Associates!"
Lor Radant
Branson, Missouri
"On behalf of my parents as well as myself, I'd like to thank everyone at Gerken & Associates. You were so helpful when we purchased our land and extremely helpful when we needed to sell. We're very grateful for our contact with you and cannot say enough about your services. You guys definitely go above and beyond."
Sandy Knapp
Orland Park, Illinois
"Since the purchase of my home, I have referred several friends to Gerken & Associates because I'm confident in their dedication to personal service."
Cindy Thomas
Harrison, Arkansas
“We recently had the pleasure of working with Gerken & Associates for the second time. We purchased a home through them 15 years ago and when we decided to sell, there was no question as to whom we would use to handle our property. Professionalism and friendliness combined are the main characteristics that make the entire Gerken family and their associates the best agents we can recommend in the Tri-Lakes area.”
Ron & Pat Hutchason
Blue Eye, Missouri
"Gerken & Associates followed through in all aspects of my purchase - from finding the right property to closing day. Exceptional performance!”
Heide Niffen
Forsyth, Missouri
"After countless months of looking for a home in Branson, we followed a Gerken & Associates' sign to the most beautiful neighborhood. Upon seeing the home, we called their office to view it. Although we didn't have a buyer's agent, we trusted in them, as they gave generously in time, effort and patience to walk us through the purchasing process. We recommend Gerken & Associates for all your real estate needs."
Lee & Cherri Cahow
Ridgedale, Missouri
"It has been almost 5 months since you helped us find the most wonderful Lake house in the Ozarks. Having been in sales for many years, it is hard to find a company like you who are motivated to provide quality customer service needed to sustain good business relationships. Your professionalism, knowledge of the market and sincere desire to work with us on our unique demands is much appreciated."
Dave & Shirley Albright
Wichita, Kansas
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