By Mindy Honey
Society Editor, Branson Daily Newspaper
A housing researcher shared his findings last week regarding the Tri-Lakes Area housing market situation.
Joe Zanola, the president of Zanola Co., a St. Louis-based real estate research company, presented findings from a tri-annual housing and market review of southwest Missouri. Highlights of the report indicate that the population growth supports a diverse range in new home products and the area has a good job growth.
“I’ve got good news today,” Zanola said.
According to his findings, unlike other Missouri markets, southwest Missouri hasn’t had to focus as much on the challenges of an oversupplied housing market, however, there are areas that need to be addressed.
“We are going to have to look at our spec-home market more carefully,” said Realtor and President of the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors Kathy Clark, who was in attendance Thursday at the Branson City Hall meeting.
Zanola said the Taney and Stone counties area has a low supply of homes of less than $175,000 in value. He also said the area has an over-abundance of lots.
Not only were Realtors in attendance, but also many developers, Clark pointed out.
“I saw them understanding and seeing what is going on,” she said.
“As Realtors, we know people need places to live. We know the market under $175,000 is not there, although we are seeing more and more coming on the horizon.”
Clark said while there are many positive things about the Tri-Lakes Area housing market, there are some issues.
“I think the greatest thing is, we are a very good market here. We do have the employment that we need,” she said.
