Family wanting to relocate to Branson area. (Springfield, Nixa: real estate, rentals)

[us4andnomore]

Hello,

My husband, myself and our two children are looking to move to the Branson area. We've looked into Forsyth, Hollister, Kirbyville etc.. We were hoping to buy a home, but after researching have decided to rent a property first, so we can get in and really learn the area's. We love Branson, but it seems very expensive and the traffic is terrible.

Does anyone know of any websites we can visit or realtors who can give us information on rental properties? We have good credit, but of course there is the issue if we buy of getting jobs first or letters of acceptance from prospective employers and so forth.

My husband is a gradall operator and i do medical billing. He has his own web design company.

Also can anyone tell me what the schools are like in Forsyth, Hollister, Kirbyville, Nixa? I have also researched homeschooling in Missouri as well.
Our children are 6 and 10.

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated. We are hoping to relocate sometime in July.

Thank You

[Bob002]

Originally Posted by us4andnomore

Hello,

My husband, myself and our two children are looking to move to the Branson area. We've looked into Forsyth, Hollister, Kirbyville etc.. We were hoping to buy a home, but after researching have decided to rent a property first, so we can get in and really learn the area's. We love Branson, but it seems very expensive and the traffic is terrible.

Does anyone know of any websites we can visit or realtors who can give us information on rental properties? We have good credit, but of course there is the issue if we buy of getting jobs first or letters of acceptance from prospective employers and so forth.

My husband is a gradall operator and i do medical billing. He has his own web design company.

Also can anyone tell me what the schools are like in Forsyth, Hollister, Kirbyville, Nixa? I have also researched homeschooling in Missouri as well.
Our children are 6 and 10.

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated. We are hoping to relocate sometime in July.

Thank You

Hrm. There are a couple different ways to answer this.

The "expensive" part plays in to a few factors. It's really not that bad, in my opinion. Compared to a town of the same size, it will be though. A couple things to consider, however:

1. Branson sees approximately 2 million tourists a year.
2. Last year there was $2 BILLION (yes, with a 'B') worth of retail business for Branson.
3. Property taxes are quite lower compared to other areas, mainly due to the tourism industry.

As far as where to live: Most of the areas you mentioned aren't too horrible. I personally don't like Forsyth for the fact that there are only really 2 roads to get there, and traffic going across the Taneycomo Bridge sucks (depending on when you hit it and how long it takes them to fix it). You could probably do Nixa, and maybe save some money, but then you have the commute and gas cost if one or both of you works down here. In the long run I don't think it would pay out.

I work for a local real estate magazine. Off the top of my head, I only know a few that do property rentals. Just thinking I know that Bart & Brown and Branson Tri-Lakes Property Management both do rentals.

Also, if you want, you could check out the website which has PDF pages that you can look through (Parade of Homes - Branson Real Estate Magazine - Property Listings Branson MO) The magazine is a free pickup here in town.

I also graduated from Branson in 99, and I enjoyed it. Some do, some don't. It's a good school, with a lot of money. Most of the facilities are quite new as well.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by us4andnomore

Hello,


Does anyone know of any websites we can visit or realtors who can give us information on rental properties?

There is no one website that I know of for rental properties.
Branson Tri-Lakes Property Management is great: 417-739-1902.
Are you here that you can pick up a newspaper?

Originally Posted by us4andnomore

Also can anyone tell me what the schools are like in Forsyth, Hollister, Kirbyville, Nixa? I have also researched homeschooling in Missouri as well.
Our children are 6 and 10.

This is a wonderful place to raise children, and the schools are excellent. And Missouri is very friendly to homeschoolers...as you've probably discovered. I really love Hollister. Out of the traffic, but in an area that is growing...and the schools have one of the smallest number of students per teacher!

I would agree with Bob on a couple of points...there are parts of Branson (not right in town, ok...) that aren't as expensive and don't have the traffic problems that you'll find right around "the strip".

And as for finding a good realtor...hmmm...there's a few out there......keep looking...

[Junk Bond]

Traffic problems in Branson aren't nearly as bad as they used to be with all the other raods built in recent years. I think you are wise in renting first. I have known many people who came there and bought a property and decieded they didn't like it then were faced with the often ardorous task of getting rid of it.

[mrschilicook]

Your right about traffic. The traffic during "the season" is awful...particularly on the strip and connecting roads. But if you live here, you find the back ways and avoid the strip at certain times of the day. But if you live here, you don't find yourself on that part of town anyway.

"Expensive" is a relative thing. The closer you are to the lake the higher the price tag in a general sort of way. The city of Branson is actually pretty small, but the surrounding area of Branson (outside the city limits) is pretty big and you will be surprised at what you might find.

Jobs are a different matter. I don't know what your husbands job actually is, but I know that the paper has ads for medical support staff (billing, accounting, receptionists, inventory control, etc..) all of the time. Probably more in Springfield than Branson, but they do exist. Give Skaggs Medical Center a call and see what they have to say. St. Johns also has a large number of medical groups down here ...you may want to give them a call. Their billing dept. is in Springfield.

As far as a good realtor...why check out LakeJunkies profile. One of the most honest hard working ladies I know. I would trust her with my dog which is sort of like trusting her with my life. And I know that she works her posterior off for her clients.

[us4andnomore]

Thank you for all of your advice. I believe we will probably end up looking in ozark , forsyth or nixa, hollister was nice, i didn't see a whole lot there though i hear that they are building up , but i'd like to be in closer to branson. We are still in Maryland right now, but hoping to move in early to mid july. I do medical billing, so i will definetly look into skaggs or St. Johns, the hubby is a gradall operator..

thanks again

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by us4andnomore

Thank you for all of your advice. I believe we will probably end up looking in ozark , forsyth or nixa, hollister was nice, i didn't see a whole lot there though i hear that they are building up , but i'd like to be in closer to branson. We are still in Maryland right now, but hoping to move in early to mid july. I do medical billing, so i will definetly look into skaggs or St. Johns, the hubby is a gradall operator..

thanks again

Just a note...and please forgive me if I'm reading your post wrong......but if you're not familiar with the area, the Hollister area is closer to Branson than either Ozark, Forsyth or Nixa.

One of the things that's confusing is that when we say "Branson" or "Forsyth" or "Hollister" we're not only talking about INSIDE the city limits, but the entire MAILING address. We're a very rural area and much of our housing is outside the city limits. That confuses a lot of folks.

Anyway, I also located the web address for the Branson Tri-Lakes Property Management group: Sarah Sue Brockett - Property Management

Good Luck in your search!

[hildebeamer]

Your husband can work for MODOT and you can work at Skaggs Hospital or Cox or St. Johns. You will do just great here - Branson. I have a home on 5 acres - on the water - 6 miles out of town. I am being transferred and must sell. It's wooded and has the most spectacular view.

[Mollym313]

Although I do not live in branson yet...(still in planning phase). I have visited many times and found some great alternative routes. I spend very minimal amounts of time on the strip, even if my hotel is there, I get off quickly and take a side route. I think the biggest thing that I have noticed on Real Estate in the area...is that it is deceiving. A lot seems to depend on location (by the lake) or in the newer upscale developments. I have done a lot of research on rentals in the area. I have seen nice rentals in the $550-$750 range on various realty websites. Also I have fallen in love with Craigslist.com that lists rentals in those areas all the time.

GOOD LUCK!

[CHIPANDGEO]

Forsyth is a great place for a young family, good schools, Good Doctors, great resturants, lots of fishing, boating, Tennis , Golf, Baseball. Takewando, Boxing.
Lots of Churches, good parks.
Twenty minutes from Branson , forty two from Springfield. Nearest Hostpital Skaggs in Branson, it takes 4 minutes for first responders to come to help in an emergency and they get to hostpital in 10 to 15min.

It is a safe community , a friendly community.

Work is not easy in this area but if you are flexible you can find employment.

Would I like you to buy my house yes I wood, but you are wise to find employment before you do.