Lake home sales rise by 3% in first half of 1999

Branson's residential real estate market is continuing to experience brisk sales after a record year in 1998.

Information compiled by Cooper Appraisal of Branson, from data provided by the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors, shows a 3 percent increase in residential sales during the first six months of 1999. More than 1,000 homes were sold in the tri-lakes market in 1998.

As sales have increased, the supply of homes available has decreased from a high point in 1995, the Cooper report said. "At any given time, the average number of homes for sale has dropped from over 1,900 to approximately 1,650."

Increased demand resulted in shorter times for homes to be on the market.

Information compiled by Cooper Appraisal showed more than half of the homes listed for sale in the Kimberling City area with a sale price of $90,000 to $109,999 sold during the period. During the same period, 50.82 percent of homes listed and priced between $50,000 and $69,999 in Kimberling City were sold.