Real Estate Tips

How to Succeed When Buying a Home Solo

Buying your first Alaskan home is one of the biggest financial decisions that you can make! Traditionally people think of buying a home as a newly married couple sharing the financial and emotion burden of their new forever home. These days financial independence or life circumstances are leading more people to buy homes as individuals. This can feel like a daunting task but there are ways to be successful.

Do your research to find the right mortgage
Take the time to shop around for the right mortgage. You don’t need to settle for the first pre-approval that you receive. Solo buyers may receive different maximum loan amounts, rates, and terms from different lenders. Exploring your options can help you find the best option for your circumstance and increase your changes of preparing for a purchase with a strong plan.

You do you
As a solo buyer you don’t have to think about the preferences of others. You can choose how much house you want and how much you’re willing to spend on it. This control will allow you more flexibility when making your choice.

Be flexible with your location
Location is important, but as a solo buyer you may be limited to certain cities and markets. Your income bracket and credit history alone will determine the location you will be able to acquire. Just be ready to be flexible with where you’re willing to live in a competitive market.

Invest in your future with an income producing property
As a solo buyer you could use your homeownership as a financial payoff rather than for a lifestyle change. You could purchase a multi-family home that has other rentable areas. Your mortgage could easily be paid or a good portion of it paid by renters or roommates. An income producing home that you can either live in or rent out can help you continue down the path of financial independence.

Remember your budget
It’s important to plan and think beyond the immediate purchase price. Homeownership comes at a cost. You will need to be prepared to pay all the bills, expenses, insurance, maintenance, warranties, housing fees and of course the mortgage. Make sure you have some money set aside to prepare for these expenses.

Keep tabs on your needs versus your wants
Society places a lot of ‘shoulds’ on us. As a solo buyer it’s important to keep things in perspective and not be distracted by bells and whistles. Make sure that the price tags are worth it in the long run. If you’re offered incentives and gifts by developers, you’ll often end up paying for them in the purchase price anyway. Analyze the costs of perks, upgrades, and upsells and determine if it’s worth it to you in the end.

It’s alright to ask for help
Independence doesn’t mean that you must go it alone. Successful people often have help. Homebuying is an emotionally taxing process and having friends or family nearby can really help you and provide resources and experience. Even better having a reliable agent can help you through the process and provide an opinion when you need one.

If you’re looking to purchase your first home here in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, and the Mat-Su Valley we are here and ready to help you through your homebuying experience.

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The 411 on Creating a Budget for a New Home

Are you finally ready for the next step? Buying your first home is one of the biggest purchases we make in our life. We spend our life dreaming of our future home and then one day we can finally make it a reality. Before you jump into this huge financial decision, it’s best to step back and evaluate you circumstances. Taking the time to determine how much you can afford is a big first step. You will want to calculate the costs before you even go to your first open house. We want to help set you up for success, so we’ve gathered a few tips to help you to review and adjust your finances prior to taking the leap into being a first-time homebuyer.

Focus on your income
Budgets are important for everyone to have. Sometimes it can feel intimidating to look at your finances, but it’s an important first step. The first step is to calculate your income sources after tax for the month and this will be your starting point.

Be aware of your current expenses
Every dollar should have a home. Take a moment to list all your monthly expenses so you can see where your money goes each month. It’s important to include any debt such as car payments, credit card payments, student and personal loan payments, etc. Once you have these basic expenses calculated you will have the dollar amount you have remaining for housing costs.

Get an idea of your new regular expenses
Homeownership comes with some additional costs that you weren’t responsible for previously. You will need to factor this into your usual household expenses such as mortgage and utilities.

Some things that are important to take note of:

  • Home Maintenance – A used, or existing home, will always have a certain level of maintenance that should be factored in. If you can afford to buy a brand-new home, you won’t have to worry about typical home maintenance for some time. There’s also the option of homeowner warranty programs offered to help you with expenses that do come up. If you can’t afford a new home, it’s a good rule of thumb to set aside 1 to 2% of the value of your home for upkeep.
  • Property taxes and homeowner’s insurance – When budgeting your monthly mortgage payment, you will want to be aware if your homeownership and property taxes are included or if you’ll need to make a separate payment. If they are included, you should take note that they costs can fluctuate each year based on changes in taxes and insurance premiums. If you are paying separately, it’s important to set aside money in your budget for these expenses so you aren’t caught off guard when the bill arrives.
  • Homeowners association fees – If you end up purchasing within an HOA community you’ll need to set aside money each month toward the yearly fees. These fees are used to maintain common areas in a neighborhood and are collected either monthly or yearly.

Strengthen your finances
After you are aware of where your money is going, it’s time to take charge and make it go where you want. Take a moment to review any areas where you can adjust your spending. Evaluate if you can save money in any areas or pay down debt in order to increase the amount of money available for housing costs.

Start building your down payment
Take a moment to get pre-qualified for a mortgage and then create a savings plan. Once you know how much money you’ll need for a down payment you will be able to plan accordingly and avoid one of the biggest challenges to overcome.

Budgeting for a new home is one of the smartest moves you can make as you move toward homeownership. You may occasionally have to revisit and adjust over time as your financial situation changes. One more thing to remember is to try and build an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses. If you have any other questions or concerns about budgeting for a new home, we are happy to help!

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5 Tips for First-Time Alaskan Home Buyers

Are you ready to buy your first Alaskan home? There are many pivotal points in life that we consider part of ‘adulting’ and one of the main big purchases in our lives is our first home. There’s a lot that we aren’t taught growing up about buying our first home. This major milestone is full of benefits, but it’s important to get the facts and do your research first. Before you post your “First home” announcement on social media take the time to learn from those who came before you with a few tips.

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Mistakes to Avoid When Changing up Your Alaskan Home Design – Part 2

In our last article we started sharing some tips about mistakes to avoid when changing up your Alaskan home design. If you end up having to sell your home making the wrong choices when it comes to renovations could affect potential buyer offers. Removing a bathtub, carpeting the wrong areas, signing a contract for a design move (such as solar), adding a hot tub or pool, or installing built-ins are 5 of the design moves we warned against already. Here are a few more to avoid.

Mistake #6 – Closing up your floor plan
Even though we sometimes would like more privacy, especially when forced to be around people for an extended period, closing a floor plan can deter buyer offers. Families often want to keep an eye on small children while cooking or spending time in another room. It’s also important to allow natural light to spread easily throughout the space.

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in Home Decoration / Real Estate Tips

How to Help Family Buy a House Without the Drama

As we approach the holiday season many of us are thinking about giving and about our families. We are always looking for ways that we can give and support our loved ones. Every year the cost of homeownership and home prices continue to increase and make it difficult for the younger generations to find ways to purchase a home. These and other hidden costs beyond the price of the home and down payment have made homeownership more and more out of reach.

Society has seen an increase in people purchasing a home with the help of co-buyers such as parents, grandparents, or adult children. It’s difficult for first time homebuyers to compete in this market and many rely on loans from family, or cosigners, or even multigenerational living to make owning a home attainable. How do we weigh the factors and decide which route to take to help our families in these situations without causing drama or hardship? What are the options and the pros and cons?

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Buying a House with Cash – Should you do it?

When the market is incredibly competitive prospective buyers will employ whatever tactics are needed to close the bid on a new home. Some buyers have the option of utilizing the winning tactic of a cash offer. Buyers that can put in all-cash offers are four times more likely to win a bidding war as it is more attractive to sellers. Some buyers will even leverage their retirement or securities funds to pay cash for a home. Other buyers have taken out home equity line of credits or short-term friends and family loans to secure an all-cash offer. Just because you have the cash does that make it a wise decision to purchase a home with cash?

This is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Paying cash for a home as opposed to financing is a choice that should be carefully weighed with the help of an accountant or financial advisor. What factors need to be taken into consideration when determining I f paying cash is the right route to take?

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in Real Estate Tips / Uncategorized

The 411 on Brokers, Lenders, and Loan Officers

When buying a new home for the first time there are many terms that are thrown at us and we aren’t sure what they mean or if they even matter. Having a real estate agent can help us to navigate the uncharted home buying waters. Buying a home can feel complicated enough without knowing who to talk to and when.

We wanted to take a minute to help you understand the difference between mortgage brokers, lenders, and loan officers and how they can help you. Once you learn what each one of them does, what they cost, and what it means for you, you’ll have information you need to be informed during the process.

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How Do I Determine How Much House I Can Afford?

Are you looking to buy a house in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley? Many wonder what steps it takes to get into a house and how much house they can afford. How do we calculate what we can afford and keep ourselves financially safe?

It all starts with your mortgage rate

Your ability to afford a home starts with your mortgage rate. After they determine if you’re mortgage-worthy they price your loan. Your credit score is a huge factor in the rate you’ll get and the lower the rate the lower your payment will be.

Lenders determine if you are mortgage-worthy based on four major factors:

  1. Proof of steady income.
  2. Your payment history – Are you paying your bills on time?
  3. Your debt-to-income ratio
  4. Your financial cushion for closing costs and other expenses as well as the amount of down payment you’ve saved.

How much mortgage payment can you afford?

When you want to calculate how large of a mortgage payment you can afford you need to consider a few items:

  1. Your household income
  2. Monthly debts (car loan, student loan etc.)
  3. Available savings for down payment

A good rule of thumb is to have three months of payments in savings to plan for unexpected events. This will allow you to cover housing payments and monthly debts. It’s important to have a certain level of comfort in your understanding of your monthly mortgage payments. Even if your income and debts are stable, unexpected expenses and spending can impact your savings.

Understanding your debt-to-income ratio

This important ratio helps your bank to calculate how much money you can borrow. They compare your normal monthly debts such as mortgage payments and insurance to your monthly income. If you credit score is high, you can qualify for a higher ratio, but your expenses shouldn’t exceed 28% of your income. You can also determine what your housing budget should be by multiplying your income by 0.28.

How much house can you afford with an FHA or VA loan?

Loans backed by the FHA have more relaxed standards, which can be helpful if you have a lower credit score. FHA also helps if you’re considering a smaller down payment down to a minimum of 3.5%
A VA loan, when you have a military connection, doesn’t require that you have a down payment. This can be a major advantage when calculating your house affordability.

What is the 28%/36% rule?

When buying a house, you can determine how much house you can afford based on this rule. You shouldn’t spend more than 28% of your gross monthly income on home-related costs. You should spend 36% on total debts, which include your mortgage, credit cards and other loans.

How much house can I afford to spend on a house?

It’s important to take into account your monthly obligations and determine if a home is safely within your financial reach. You’ll want to consider your future goals and if you are planning to save for a baby or your retirement and need the cushion. You can figure out how much house you can afford on your salary by imputing your home price and the down payment as well as the assumed mortgage rate into a mortgage home calculator. This will help you see how much monthly or annual income you would need to purchase that home. This is a way to determine your present buying power now and plan to get where you want to be.

Buying a house can be an educational and fun process. If you have any questions about finding the right home for your family in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, and the Mat-Su Valley we are happy to help!

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7 Mistakes Homebuyers Should Avoid to Prevent Buyer’s Remorse

When buying your Alaskan home, your goal is to make sure you find the perfect home for yourself and make the right choices. There can be a lot to consider, especially as a first-time homebuyer. The home buying process can be both overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. In a buyer’s market the rising rates have made the process feel even more chaotic and can make buyers feel rushed and frenzied. If you’re in the market to buy a home, there are 7 things you might want to avoid in order to not experience buyers’ remorse.

Avoid the FOMO trap
FOMO or the Fear of missing out, can cause a buyer to act impulsively and end up with regrets. This trap can leave you spending more than you can afford and becoming “house poor”. When we are “house poor” it means we must spend the majority of our funds on mortgage payments and related expenses. Don’t feel pressure to act, rather focus on your priorities. Keep your eye firmly fixed in reality and pay attention to your bottom line.

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Home Inspections – Why Should You Get Them?

Buying a home in Alaska is an exciting adventure. We know that there is a lot involved in purchasing a new home. You want to make all the right decisions and find your Alaskan dream home. You likely have been shopping around for the perfect home and busy making a list of your dealbreakers, best locations, price ranges, getting pre-approved for your home loan, and dreaming of decorating your new place and making it your own. There are many steps in the home buying process, but with careful planning you can be successful.

After much searching, you think you have found the perfect home and you’re ready to put in an offer. Now is the time to decide …. Should you get a home inspection? Does it really matter?

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Checklist to Prepare your Home to Ace an Inspection – Part 2

Is your Alaska home inspection ready before listing? In our last article we listed some of the items you should inspect before the sale. The extra time you take to prepare your home and fix any issues will save you time and money as well as potential hiccups during the closing process.

Here are the final items on our checklist:

  1. Check your Bathroom for issues – Take a moment to inspect each of the bathrooms in your home and check for any potential issues. Inspect the area around the base of the bath or shower for any stains or signs of past leaking. Are you tub or shower tiles secure and the surfaces solid? Inspect the condition of your caulking inside and outside the tub and shower area. Test that your sink, tub and shower drain properly and there is adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures. Check that your exhaust fan is working as designed. Lastly, check that your toilet does not rock, is stable, and that there are no stains around the base.
  2. Inspect your Kitchen – Are your cabinets in good condition? Do the doors and drawers operate as designed? Check that your built-in appliances are all operational. Look for signs of leaks in pipes under sinks and check that the cabinet floor is solid without stains or decay. Is the water flow to your sink adequate? Check for rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes. Is your dishwasher draining properly without any leaks? Do all parts operate? Check that the baskets and doors work as designed. Is there a working exhaust fan that vents to the exterior? Is there electrical outlet protection for outlets within 6 feet of your sink? These are known as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI.
  3. Check all rooms – Walk into each room and check that the floors, walls and ceilings are straight, plumb and level. The floor, ceilings and walls should be free of stains, in good condition and without cracks. The paint, wall covering, and paneling should be in good condition, and there should be adequate insulation in the walls. If there is a fireplace make sure it is not cracked, damaged or stained and should be maintained. The flue should be cleaned and lined and the damper operating efficiently. There should be a heating/cooling source in each room. Check all electrical outlets and make sure they are operational and that there are adequate numbers for each room. Lights and switches should be working. The doors should latch and operate easily without broken hardware or any decay/damage. Check that windows all have weather stripping, are free of decay, open and close easily and that there is no broken glass.
  4. Check your attic – Your attic shouldn’t have any open electrical splices, no plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents should terminate in the attic. There should be sufficient and properly installed insulation. Check that there is adequate ventilation with all ventilation operational. There should be no stains on underside of roofing.
  5. Roof – Check composition shingles, wood shingles or shakes, or flat roofs for any signs of damage or decay. Check the flashing around roof penetrations. Check the Soffits and fascia for decay or stains. There should not be any excess roofing cement, tar or caulk. Check that all vents are clean and unpainted. Your gutters should be free of decay, clean, not bending or sagging with all joints sealed and no sections missing. Chimneys should be straight, properly flashed and in good condition.
  6. Doors, windows and trim – Check wood frames and trim for signs of cracks, rot or decay. The joins around the frames should be caulked. Make sure that there is no broken glass or damaged screens on windows and no broken double-paned window seals. Drip caps should be installed over windows and storm windows, or thermal glass used. Muntin and Mullion glazing compounds should be in good condition.
  7. Check Exteriors – The exterior should be in good condition with proper clearance between ground and any wood siding materials. No vines on the surface of the structure, and no stains.
  8. Check Structure – The board lines should be straight and level. The sides of the house shouldn’t bow or sag. Window and door frames should appear square. The foundation should be in good condition without significant cracks.
  9. Check area around the house – There should be proper drainage away from house, no standing water, and no signs of leaks from septic or leech field. Check that the landscaping is in good condition and that there are no branches or brush touching the house or hanging over the roof. All structures should be in good conditions on property. Check that all railings, decks, driveways, sidewalks, patios and entrance landings are in good condition and secure.

These are just a few items that you can check to make sure that your home is in tip top shape and can save you thousands of dollars down the line. This list isn’t exhaustive but can give you a leg up in the selling process. If you have any questions at all, please contact us! We are happy to help you make the process as smooth as possible.

in Real Estate Tips

Checklist to Prepare your Home to Ace an Inspection – Part 1

Selling your home in Alaska is an exciting process. Now is the time to work with your real estate agent and prepare your home for sale. Together you can attract the best offer and put that toward your new dream home.

Taking the time to get ahead of any maintenance issues or repairs before listing will help you to find any potential issues and repair what you can before listing. It will also help you be aware of what a potential buyer could find and want to negotiate out of your sale price.

We’ve compiled a short checklist of things to look for to have a comprehensive view of your property.

  1.  Check your heating and cooling system – It’s important to check your heating and cooling system to be sure that it’s operating well. Check for good air flow on forced hot air systems. Check your flues for any open seams and the slopes up to chimney connection. Make sure there are separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal. Take the time to look for rust around your cooling unit and check that all your air filters are clean. There should be no combustion gas odor, no asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes or air ducts. The ductwork should be in good condition.
  2. Check your Electrical – Check the service panel and make sure you have adequate capacity; all your cables are attached to the panel with cable connectors and that no fuses or breakers are overheating. Check your visible wiring and make sure they are in good condition with no ‘knob-and-tube” wiring or exposed splices. Your cables should be secured and protected.
  3. Check your Plumbing – Check your visible pipes for evidence of leaks or damage as well as stains on materials near the pipes. Your drainpipes should slop slightly toward outlet to septic/sewage system. Check your water heater for signs of rust. Make sure that it is vented properly and is sized correctly to produce enough hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house. The water temperature should be between 118 and 125 Fahrenheit. Your water pump should not short cycle. Be sure that your galvanized pipes don’t restrict water flow. Test that your well water is acceptable.
  4. Check your Basement/Mechanical Room – Check your basement or mechanical room for evidence of moisture. Check your exposed foundation for stains or major cracks as well as flaking or efflorescence. Check the insulations at rim/band joists. Inspect your visible structural wood for signs of sagging, damage, decay or stains. Be sure that you don’t have any insect damage and your sills are attached to the foundation with anchor bolts.
  5. Check safety features – Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are where required by local ordinances. Check your stairway treads and make sure your risers are solid. The stair handrails should be in good condition and in all places needed. Check that your garage door opener operates efficiently and stops for obstacles.

These are just a few items on the inspection checklist. In our next article we will cover more items that you can go over to make sure that your home is in top listing ready condition. If you’re considering selling your home here in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, and the Mat-Su Valley we are happy to help you answer any questions that you might have.

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7 decorating mistakes to avoid | Alaskan Winters can make you want to decorate

7 Decorating Mistakes on the Avoid List

During our Alaskan winters you might find yourself spending more time inside and then one thing leads to another and you’re once again redecorating your space. Our first tip is to get outside! Go outside and soak up that sunshine during the day and enjoy the Alaskan wilderness. Once you have spent some time outdoors and trek back indoors take a look at your redecorating skills and see if you’ve by chance made any of these 7 decorating mistakes.

Don’t block the flow

Sometimes we find ourselves arranging seating to face a window or fireplace, but this can be an unwelcoming move when guests enter to see the back of your couch and back of heads. So, what’s the fix? Use a large wall to ground your sofa. If you have accent chairs it’s ok for their less bulky backs to be to guests. If you’re short on space and must expose your sofas back, you can use a console table in front with some decorative items to soften the feel.

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Alaskan Dream Home - Winning the Bidding War | here are some tips to securing your Alaskan Dream Home

Winning the Bidding War for your Alaskan Dream Home – Tips to Success

You’ve done it, you’ve finally found your Alaskan dream home. It’s located in the perfect part of the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley, and it’s everything that you’ve been looking for. The problem? So have Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and now you find yourself in a bidding war! How do you win the bidding war and secure your dream home?

Tip 1 – Show your love

A strategy that has gained increased popularity is to pen a ‘love letter’ to the seller letting them know how much you love and appreciate their property, and how perfect it is for your family. Your agent will let you know if there are any issues with writing a letter as sometimes there are rules around fair housing laws. A letter could be just what you needed to help the seller to create a connection with you, and get your foot in the door, literally.

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Top Renovation Trends Among Homeowners for 2021 | Alaska Homes for Sale near Anchorage | Alaska Homes by Brooke

Top 2021 Renovation Trends Among Homeowners

The pandemic created a new normal for all of us. Many homeowners spent more time at home than ever before. Spending more time at home made it even more obvious that we needed to make some changes to our spaces. Homeowners needed to find new spaces at home to work, to entertain, to relax, and to have a moment alone. But what were the renovation trends that help accomplish this?

2021 was a seller’s market and many homeowners found that it was a great time to sell their home. The only drawback that they ran into was that it was often hard to find another home to purchase, so some chose to make their current spaces more livable or fix up the homes they ended up buying. What projects topped the lists among 2021 renovation trends?

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Top 5 Alaska Blog posts of 2021 | Alaska Homes by Brooke Stiltner

A Year in Review – The top 5 Alaska Blogs of 2021

Can you believe 2021 is coming to a close? It doesn’t even seem possible. This past year has brought many changes throughout the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley, as well as to the housing market in general. Over a year into a global pandemic, we have learned to find ways to show gratitude for the things and people that we have as well as growing and changing as we learn our new normal. These are the top 5 Alaska blogs that we shared as we chartered our course through 2021.

Love your Neighbors – How to Show Alaskan Neighborly Love – LINK

We started off early 2021 with an upbuilding article about showing neighborly love. We all need each other. The need for human connection has been wired into us since birth. This article shows 5 ways that you can show your Alaskan neighbors that you’re there for them during this global pandemic, and really anytime as we are a universal family.

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in Anchorage News / Home Decoration / Real Estate Tips
Simple Design Tricks to Warm up your space | Alaska Homes for sale by Brooke Stiltner

Simple Design Tricks to Warm up your Space

Do you know there are some inexpensive ways to warm up your space without touching the thermostat? It may seem impossible to feel warmer by simply modifying your space, but the mind is a wonderful thing. Have you ever stared at a picture of a snowy landscape and suddenly felt a chill? Have you looked at a warm sunny beach and suddenly had the sensation of the summer sun on your skin and the sand between your toes? Our minds allow us to travel and feel sensations and warmth based on what our senses capture in the spaces around us.

Coziness can be found in personal touches

Personalization is everything when it comes to comfort and coziness. You can instantly warm up a space by adding a little ‘heart’ to it. Some minimalists, while trying to avoid clutter, end up making their spaces feel cold rather than homey. Bare walls and surfaces don’t exactly scream ‘lived in.’ You can still stick to a minimalist design style, but carefully curate your selection of belongings to fit the needs of your space. Incorporating artwork, treasured books and photographs into your home can instantly make it feel full of life and love.

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in Home Decoration / Real Estate Tips
how to get help with your down payment to purchase a home

How to Get Help With Your Down Payment on a New Home

 Are you in the process of looking for a new home, but you aren’t sure how to financially make it happen? Not all of us have enough cash at our disposal for a down payment on a home. Did you know that home buyers can apply for down payment assistance through state and local programs? There are also grants and forgivable loans available. Many states and counties provide grants and no-interest loans to help buyers pay for down payments and closing costs.

Who qualifies for assistance with a down payment?

Are you wondering if you qualify for assistance with your down payment? There are a few requirements typically in place:

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Evergreen Fog is 2022's Color of the Year | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

“Evergreen Fog” 2022’s Refreshing Color of the Year

Sherwin-Williams has unveiled its pick for the 2022 color of the year, Evergreen Fog. This color will bring tranquil vibes to your space. After the upheaval of the past couple years, we can all use a bit of refreshment. This color is rumored to do just that. As you continue to transform your home into your own personal sanctuary this color of the year will provide you with exactly the calming energy you needed.

Evergreen Fog will remind you of walking through a misty forest on a cool morning. It’s mid-tone gray-green will add depth and interest to any space. If you’re a nature lover, as most of us are, you will appreciate that this hue was borrowed from nature. A soothing, and calming color that can be used in a variety of spaces in your home. Design trends have been leaning toward warm neutrals with a focus on sustainability and organic living. This has lent itself to us utilizing more natural materials and organic textiles.

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Fall Honey Do List to Get your Alaskan Home Ready for Winter | Alaska Homes for Sale By Brooke

Your Fall “Honey Do” list to Get your Alaskan Home Ready for Winter

Fall is here, we don’t even know how it happened, but summer ran out the door and fall quickly took its seat. It seems like the seasons are continuously playing musical chairs and before we know it winter will be here. Is your home ready for our beautiful Alaskan winter? As the leaves begin falling off the trees it is time to start compiling your ‘honey do’ list to get your Alaskan home ready for winter and tackling tasks around your Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley property.

Prepare a mudroom

It seems that the wetter weather always sneaks up on us. After a summer full of dry feet and clean puppy paws, it can make for a muddy and wet surprise after the first rainfall. If you don’t have a specialized ‘mudroom’ you can create one in your entryway. Take the time to organize and stock your entryway with your winter essentials to keep your home and tidy.

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Alaskan Real Estate 'Avoid List' | Best Realtor in Anchorage area | Alaska Homes for sale by Brooke Stiltner

The Alaskan Real Estate ‘Avoid List’

We are often told what we ‘should do’ and how we ‘can do’ something but how often are we told directly what ‘not to do’? When we are looking to sell a home in Alaska it’s important to take the time to do your research. Find out how to avoid making costly seller mistakes. Check out our Alaskan real estate “avoid list”.

It can be scary working toward finding and moving into your dream home in Alaska. But you can be confident that you’re making the best choices if you take into consideration these tips.

  1. Avoid choosing the wrong realtor

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually an important thing to take into consideration. Your realtor will be your number one asset while you are selling your home in Alaska. We always have a friend that knows a friend, or a cousin that is an agent. Some may even refer to Yelp. Be sure to take the time to skip the crowdsourcing and do your own research. Here at Alaska Homes, we would be happy to help answer any questions you might have about the Alaskan Real Estate market. We can help you sell your home or help in your search for your dream home.

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3 Alaska Real Estate Myths you can send packing | Alaska Real Estate Agents near Anchorage

3 Alaska Real Estate Myths You Can Send Packing

We’ve heard them all, the dozens of Alaska Real Estate myths and comments shared by well-meaning friends and family members as you enter the home-buying ring. Many people would like to purchase a home, but they just aren’t sure it’s possible for them. Would you like to buy a home in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley area? We are here to help you debunk three of the most common myths and help you get on your way to fulfilling your dream of becoming a homeowner.

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Buy Now Thank Us Later - 5 Reasons to Buy Your Home Now | Alaska Homes by Brooke

Buy Now Thank Us Later – 5 Reasons to Buy Your Home Now

We recently shared a few articles sharing 8 steps toward buying the home of your dreams. You are itching to start your home buying process but may be worried that the timing is off. What are the reasons to buy your home now? Now might feel like one of the most intimidating times to buy a house. All we keep hearing is that it is a seller’s market, and the bidding wars are in full swing. Yes, that’s great for sellers that are often getting well above asking, but why does that mean YOU, on the opposite end of that stick, should buy now?

  1. 1031 Exchange still exists

What is the 1031 exchange and why should you care? The 1031 that gets its name from the IRS code Section 1031 is a swap of one investment property for another with deferred capital gains taxes. It must be done with like-kind properties, but there’s no limit to how many times or how frequently you can do these exchanges. In some cases, it can even be extended to a former primary residence or swapping vacation homes. The benefit of 1031 is that you can make a profit on each swap, while avoiding tax until you sell for cash many years later at a lower long-term capital gains rate.

What does this mean for you? If you currently have a rental and you have been considering buying something bigger and better, you can make the upgrade while holding off on paying the taxes on the profit from the sale until you sell that new property. If you’re an investor you can go from owning a single-family home to apartment buildings that may have felt beyond reach before.

So the reasons to buy your home now? There’s talk that the tax code might change soon, and these investments could become more costly.

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8 Steps to Buying a House in Alaska Part 2 | Alaska Homes by Brooke

8 Steps to Buying a House in Alaska – Part Two

 As we discussed in part one buying a house in Alaska doesn’t need to be scary. We previously discussed 4 ways to prepare to buy a house. Now that you’ve become friends with your money, chose your neighborhood, found an ally and partner in a real estate agent, and have your pre-approval for your mortgage it’s time to find your dream home. You know what you can afford and you’re ready to start shopping!

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Curb appeal booster help you sell your home | Homes for Sale in Alaska by Brooke Stiltner

Curb Appeal Boosters to Help you Sell

When you’re working to sell your house, sometimes the ‘to-do’ list can feel longer than the hands on the clock allow. Our brains are easily overwhelmed if we look at everything as a giant task. It’s actually recommended that you tell yourself you only have to spend 5 minutes doing something and just get done what you can in that time. Getting started is half the battle, and once you do, you may find that you’re finishing in no time. Some tiny tasks add curb appeal in only 5-20 minutes and can speed up your selling process.

Make a welcoming outdoor space

Many people only think about staging the inside of the house. If you’d like to create a welcoming mood you can carefully place inviting seating in your outdoor spaces. Don’t forget to add a pop of color via pillows and other outdoor items that can brighten the space.

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How to know if a house has good bones

How to Know if a House has “Good Bones”

If you’ve ever watched a home design or house-hunting show you’ve probably heard the expression “This house has good bones.” What exactly does that even mean? When you’re buying a home sometimes the process can feel overwhelming, and the terms can seem like a foreign language to many buyers. Educating yourself and knowing what to look for will help you to reduce the stress and make the process, especially in a highly competitive market, a lot smoother.

Sometimes in order to figure out what you’re looking for, you need to fully understand what you’re NOT looking for and what you do not want to see in your new home. What are signs of ‘bad bones’? We know that we want the opposite, so that will help us to weed out the bad ones.

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10 tips to give gour home a free home makeover

10 Ways to Give your Home a Free Home Makeover

Spring fever can hit at any moment, it doesn’t have to even be spring! Have you ever been sitting in your living room and suddenly you have the urge to redecorate? Maybe you think it’s time for a new rug, or to finally clean up that clutter, or find a way to organize that stack of papers on the counter. As we started spending more time at home during the pandemic many of us started to find some creative ways to reorganize and redecorate our homes without even leaving the house. Did you know you can give your home a free home makeover with the items you already have?

Here are 10 ways to accomplish this:

  1. Kitchen counter organization

Remember that pile of papers on the counter? It’s time to reduce the clutter. If you have a storage tray or even a serving tray tucked away, you can utilize it to contain all of those random items. Once those items start to overflow, you’ll know it’s time to visit the shredder and the trash can.

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8 Steps to Buying a House in Alaska Part 1 | Alaska Home by Brooke

8 Steps to Buying a House in Alaska – Part One

Buying your own home is the American Dream. It’s an exciting process, but it’s not always easy. There are many things that can impact the type of home you can buy and how much it will cost, such as the local economy, housing market and your financial state. The more informed you are about the steps to buying a house, the easier it will be to navigate your choices.

Over the next two articles we will share 8 ways to prepare to buy a house in Alaska.

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Veterans | Alaska Loves Military Veterans

Alaska Loves Military Veterans

With Veterans Day happening in November on the 11th, we have military on our hearts and minds. This has been a crazy year, and we take every opportunity to think about and meditate on the positive things around us.

Alaska is a beautiful state that also has the highest percentage of Veterans in the U.S. We have around 70,000 veterans residing here in Alaska and they occupy about 40,000 of our Alaskan homes. 69.5% of own their own homes with a median home value of $250,000. Alaska supports our veterans and provides an affordable place for them to live.

Here are some reasons why Alaska is great for military veterans:

Education is accessible:

Alaska provides resident tuition to any active duty and National Guard as well as their spouses and dependent children. If a Veteran is eligible for VA education benefits this also extends to their spouse and dependent children, so that they can have resident tuition. Alaska National Guard Tuition can also be reimbursed 100% for active members. Alaska also provides a tuition waiver to spouses and dependents that lost their family member in the line of duty or as a result of injuries sustained.

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To Rent or to Buy – That is the Question

Is it better to rent or should you buy a home? How do you decide? What is the best option for you financially? Like many big decisions we usually sit down and write out a pros and cons list to help us decide. This is a personal decision, and you have to decide what is best for you, and for your family.

Why Rent?

One of the reasons that many choose to rent is that it’s an easy decision. You’re not committed to a certain place for any real length of time. Yes, you will have a lease or rental agreement, but these are more easily broken, should you need or want to relocate. You’re not tied to any particular area or neighborhood and can easily hop around and explore different areas.

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Living a Smaller Life can be Beneficial – How?

Simplifying your life doesn’t have to be a ‘someday’ goal anymore. In years past many used to think that once the kids were grown, they could downsize. Today, a growing number of people are realizing that they can start living small now. Downsizing your home doesn’t mean you’re deprived, or have less, in fact it can mean that you actually gain more, but how?

Think Small

Owning a home, is the dream, but it may feel like it’ll never be feasible for you financially. It might be time to do a reality check and see if perhaps small-space living might be the solution for you. If you can be content with less space, you could make your dreams of owning a home a reality sooner than you may think. Many homeowners of tiny homes don’t have a high mortgage compared to other homeowners. While a tiny home may not be suited to everyone’s needs, could you eliminate or lower your mortgage by simply buying a smaller home? A smaller home will bring less upkeep, less utilities and less daily chores. What would you do with all that extra time? Maybe spend more time in our beautiful Alaskan outdoors?

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7 Tips for Finding the Best Rental Home

When you’re moving to a new area, finding the right home is always top priority. It can be overwhelming when you don’t know where or how to look. In real estate, we know that the number one secret is to plan ahead! If you give yourself time, you’ll have a lot less pressure to settle.

Here are a few tips real estate brokers swear by for the best way to find your new rental home:

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An Important Step to Making your Property Internet-Friendly

With an increased need for virtual sales and social distancing a new approach to home selling is needed, but you can still accomplish your selling to-do list and make your property screen friendly for the internet. Selling a home can often feel stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Even though you have a to-do list to tackle, there are simple strategies that you can follow that will help you simplify the process, even if you’re forced to sell in a different way than you had expected.

If you’re in the position to move out before you sell, you can allow buyers to tour the property on their own, using smart lockboxes set with a one-time code. You would only need minimal furniture for staging and no small valuable items would be left behind, but for many sellers moving pre-sale isn’t an option economically.

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Family Project Time: 3 Home Projects You Can Work on Together

Restless energy and boredom can be alleviated by finding new and creative uses for your time. With the kids out of school and parents working from home, you may be finding yourself at home more than you’re used to you. How can you alleviate the frustration and boredom of that ‘Groundhog Day’ feeling?

How about fun DIY projects?! Using items that you already have on hand, ordering online or picking up a few items from your local improvement store you can work together as a family on that will not only give your home a little TLC, but also help you pass the time productively!

Project 1: Make a Birdhouse

Children and adults alike enjoy watching the antics of wildlife in the yard. Attracting them to your yard and creating a safe place for them to hang out will increase your viewing pleasure. Constructing a birdhouse is a fun and simple activity. You can easily order a pre-cut birdhouse kit online or pick one up at a local store. Even better, how about you design one yourself?

Cedar fence pickets are inexpensive here in Alaska and they are naturally weather resistant which makes them perfect for building a birdhouse! All you need are the cedar fence pickets, finish nails and a strong glue suitable for cedar. There are some great design ideas easily found on Google or Pinterest. The kids will enjoy helping you make it strong and sturdy, and afterward you can even paint and decorate it, if you’d like!

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How to make your home your happy place | Homes for sale in Alaska by Brooke Stiltner

How to make your home your happy place

Sometimes it feels like our homes are working overtime to accommodate the changing demands that quarantine has demanded of us – from gym to classroom to playroom to office to sanctuary. That’s a big load to carry and might leave your space feeling stale and unstimulating. We know how you feel, which is why we rounded up the following ways to refresh your space, improve your mood, and make your home your happy place.

Declutter Your Space

It’s scientifically proven that a tidy, clutter-free space lowers stress levels. If your home feels claustrophobic and cramped due to more people sharing the space and creating more chaos, it can be helpful for mental health to declutter your space and create spatial harmony. Start small and just do one room at a time. As you organize, you’re certain to feel a sense of accomplishment, and the added benefit of a relaxed state of mind.

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How to create a healthy homework space for kids by Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

How to Create a Healthy Homework Space for your Kids

How do you create a space that your kids actually want to do their homework in? While traditional desks and kitchen tables have been the norm over the years, they can start to feel stale and boring. As more and more people are homeschooling, it’s become more important than ever to provide your children with a fun, yet productive school space. Kids usually don’t like to do homework, but if you create a fun, personalized space, they may find it more enjoyable to hang out in.

Transform a closet

We recently shared how you can transform a closet into a home office. This same concept would also work to create a homework space. As more and more kids need access to computers and smart devices in our high-tech world, it’s important to make sure the space incorporates these educational tools. Teachers are often doing lessons over different software platforms that require a computer or iPad and a good setup for sound and video. Making sure that the homework space is set up with adequate desk space is important. The fun part is that kids can decorate and design this space to fit their interests and personality. You can work together to design the space to be both productive and personalized.

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How to transform your closet into an office by Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

How to Transform Your Closet into an Office

Sometimes situations arise where we have to truly maximize our available space and create a multi-purpose environment. With more and more people working from home, it’s important to create an environment that’s semi-private and conducive to productivity.  Not everyone has the space, or a spare room, to turn into an office. So, what do we do? There’s been a recent trend online toward the “cloffice” – aka closet-office. If you happen to have a closet that could be repurposed as a small office space, this is a great way to make a personalized, productive workspace. It could also be a great way to create a healthy homework space for kids!

Design your Office

Creating a “cloffice” is a great DIY project that you can truly make your own and reflect your personality and tastes. Take the time to spruce up the paint inside the closet, or add some nifty wallpaper to set it apart, and make it truly its own ‘room.’ Adding a pop of color or geometric flair can transform your closet-office into an on-trend and personalized space.

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What is the home selling process like? | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke Stiltner

What is the Home Selling Process like? 

If you’re thinking about selling your home, or you’re just curious about the process many people are unsure what the home selling process involves. It can feel daunting if you have no idea of what to expect. Understanding the process can help you to feel comfortable and prepared, and when it’s time for you to list your hoe for sale, you can work together with us to make these steps as effortless as possible!

Step One: Establish a price

Start with some market research to determine the ballpark amount for your home sale. You can use a wide variety of free online tools to estimate your home’s value. To determine how much your profit would be, you should subtract any sales costs to see what will be left over once you sell. Your agent can help you through this process.

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How to refresh your rental property for Spring

As winter is nearing its end and spring approaches, we’re all looking forward to a little extra sunshine. After a cold winter, the change in seasons inspires us to take part in the yearly ritual of spring cleaning! In the Anchorage and Eagle river area we have worked together with a lot of rental properties and know how to be proactive in keeping your properties fresh and damage free. Here’s a handy checklist you can follow:

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How to stage your home for sale during the holidays | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

How to stage your home for sale during the holidays

Putting a home up for sale during the holidays is not usually a home seller’s first choice. But things like business relocations or military transfers mean that you can find yourself putting up a “For Sale” sign in the middle of a snowdrift. While this may not be the optimal time to attract home buyers, don’t despair. We, at Alaska Homes by Brooke, are always here to help with our tips for how to stage your home for sale during the holidays. With the right staging you can create your own holiday magic to capture the interest of a potential buyer and ensure a merry season for all.

Start Simple when you Stage Your Home for Sale

The basics of selling a home never change: Clear the clutter and use some simple staging techniques to make your home look its best. As experienced real estate agents in the Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska area for the last 20-plus years, we can guide you in this process.

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Buyers Remorse ? - Homeowners are Happy People | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

What Buyers Remorse? Survey says that homeowners are happy people

Homes make people happy – at least that’s what the latest Homebuyer Insights Report says after talking to thousands of consumers throughout the United States. Buyers remorse? No way! In fact, most Americans have no regrets about buying a home.

While the study found that most Americans prefer a mortgage payment to rent and felt that owning a home was a better, more stable and more desirable financial decision than renting, they also felt that the emotional benefits were just as important.

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Military Family Home Selling Tips | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

Military Family Tips: How to be ready when it’s time to sell your home

When you’re a military family who owns a home and a PCS order comes in, it can feel like a mad scramble to prep and sell your home. But it doesn’t have to be that way, in fact we’ve got a few tips for making sure your home is ready to be sold before the time comes.

#1 Don’t put off maintenance

Damage happens, but instead of putting off repairs address them as soon as you can. For instance, when you notice the walls in your high-use room getting dingy, apply a fresh coat of paint. Stock up on neutrals when you see paint sales and you’ll always have the right color on hand, ready to go.

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home buying tips for Alaska

Top home buying tips for Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska

Buying a home in Alaska is a big move, no matter if it’s your first home, a vacation home or your dream retirement home. We have compiled some home buying tips for you. By selecting Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla or the Mat-Su Valley area for the location of your future home, you’ve chosen one of the most beautiful real estate markets in the country, a great choice for what is one of the most important investments in your future.

Choosing a home is about more than just putting a roof over your head, though, it’s about investing in a community and a lifestyle. It can be both challenging AND fun, as long as you have the right support and are prepared for the journey. To get you on the right path, here are a few home buying tips that can help you prepare for a successful home buying experience.

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Best curb appeal investments when selling a home

If you’ve ever bought or sold a home, you know how important curb appeal is. Ask any Realtor and they’ll tell you what a significant role curb appeal plays in listing a home for sale. If you are motivated to sell but your budget is tight, you’ll be happy to learn that according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, elaborate patios, fire features and swimming pools aren’t necessarily the best investments. Instead, basic yard care and improvements are what you need to yield the highest returns.

According to survey results, which polled both Realtors and Landscape Industry Professionals, here’s the percent of investment you can expect to recover from different curb appeal projects when selling your home:

Standard Lawn Care: 267% return on investment: The simple act of regularly applying fertilizer and weed control to your lawn can result in a whopping 267% return on your investment. This puts standard lawn-care expenses at the top of the list for the best curb appeal investments you’ll definitely recover when selling a home.

Landscape Maintenance: 100% returned on investment: The study looked at an average investment of $3,000 for landscape maintenance such as mulch, mowing, pruned shrubs and basic plantings. This also was shown to be a good investment that will reward you when selling.

Landscape Upgrades: 83% return on investment: Landscape upgrades were shown to produce slightly lower returns when homes sold, with 83% recovered. These are projects that include things like a flagstone walkway, stone planters, flowering shrubs, mulch and mature trees.

With projects like these, sometimes you have to look beyond the return on investment to how much the project can motivate a potential buyer to make an offer. Part of the study also talked about which projects rated highly among both homeowners and homebuyers for their “enjoyment factor.”

Projects that provided the most enjoyment included fire features and smart irrigation systems, both tied for first. Other projects that scored highly for homeowners and attracting the attention of home buyers include wood decks, water features, statement landscaping and an overall landscape upgrade.

The first impression that potential buyers have of your home can make or break a sale. How your home and landscaping present themselves from the first moment someone approaches can either be inviting, or off-putting. If you’re selling your home, or just ready to make a few improvements to how it looks, check out this article, “How to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal,” on our blog. And feel free to give us a call, we can help you with questions about everything from curb appeal to cost analysis, and make sure you the best deal you can.

in Anchorage News / Real Estate Tips

How to dress up your deck and turn your patio into a paradise

Now that summer’s here in Alaska, you’re probably spending as much time outdoors as you can. Winter and spring can be hard on patios, decks and outdoor spaces, so if you feel like yours could use some sprucing up, you’re not alone. We’ve gathered up a few tips for improving outdoor spaces that will boost your enjoyment, and possible even the value, of your home.

Reinvent your outdoor spaces

Reinvention sometimes starts by simply reorganizing. If your outdoor furniture, game areas, garden plots or other outdoor spaces have been in the same space for years, mix things up. Move furniture to difference areas and in new configurations. Garden plots benefit from moving to new soil every few years and will produce better for you anyway. Kids will love it if you move their play equipment to a new place for new adventures.

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in Anchorage News / Community News / Real Estate Tips

Keep bears away by spring cleaning your yard

If you live here in Alaska, you know that all three species of North American bears flourish throughout our state, which means it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll never be very far away from a bear. Bears are amazing creatures – from a distance. That’s why it’s important to know all about bear safety, including how to avoid up-close-and-personal encounters.

A good way to keep bears from wandering too close to your home is to spring clean your yard and garden now to remove anything that might attract their interest when they happen to be nearby. We’ve put together an easy checklist for spring cleaning for bear safety to help you get started.

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Quiz: How to tell if you’ve outgrown your home

Spring is coming here in Alaska and the urge to get moving is kicking in. Sometimes that feeling can overflow to thoughts of moving to a new home. You love where you live, so is this feeling just cabin fever? Or is it really time to move on? Take a look at the questions below. If you answer yes to any of these, it might be time to give us a call.

YES or NO: You need more space

Ok, we know after the long winters here in Alaska that your home can start to feel like it’s shrinking. If you feel overwhelmed by all the “stuff” in your home (toys, pets, furniture, sports equipment, hobbies, etc.) take some time to declutter – maybe by cleaning out a lot of the old you’ll feel like you have room to breathe again.  After all, winter is the perfect time to declutter here in Alaska.

If you’re still feeling a bit crowded, wait until the weather breaks and you’re able to resume outdoor activities. If that cramped feeling wears off, you’re good to stay. If not, this may be a sign that you need to call us to help you look for your next home.

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Tips for Selling a Home in Alaska | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke Re Max

Our Best Tips for Selling a Home in Alaska

As winter winds down here in Alaska, the approach of Spring gets a lot of people thinking about real estate. We are always sharing our best tips and ideas with community members at coffee shops, in stores and here in our office – and we thought you might enjoy them here on the blog, too. So here are some our best tips to put you on the right path when it comes to selling a home in Alaska.

  1. If the outside doesn’t look good, you’ll have trouble getting people to look inside

If the outside doesn’t look so great, potential buyers will think the interior is probably the same and move on to the next home on their list. According to the National Association of Realtors, 88% of homebuyers begin their process of looking for a home online, and 63% of homeowners will be motivated to visit a home in person if they like what they see. If you’re selling your home, or just want to make a few improvements to how it looks, here’s a few ideas for easily sprucing up your home (and wowing potential buyers):  How to boost your home’s curb appeal.

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Do earthquakes affect real estate in Alaska | Alaska Homes by Brooke give the answer

How Earthquakes Affect Real Estate in Alaska

The aftershocks of last November’s earthquake aren’t the only thing still affecting us here in Alaska. Many people are dealing with not only emotional trauma and PTSD, but also the time-consuming and stressful tasks associated with inspecting and/or repairing homes that were damaged during the quake. As real estate professionals with almost 30 years of experience in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and Mat-su Valley area, we’re often asked how earthquakes affect real estate, so we thought it would be useful to share it on the website here too.

November’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake did not take any lives, thankfully, but it did result in a large amount of structural damage to roads, homes and other buildings throughout the area. State officials estimated 3,000 to 5,000 homes were affected in the immediate area of the Mat-su Valley. Even though this was Alaska’s second-largest quake, the destruction level was actually much less than expected, mainly the result of our region’s preparations and resiliency when it comes to natural disasters.

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Home staging tips and home decor tricks to freshen up your home

Home Staging Tricks to Freshen up your Decor

Home Staging Tips and Home Decor Tricks

Here’s a fun idea to keep life interesting during winter’s long months ahead – transform your home so it feels like new! When it comes to taking home interiors from blah to brilliant, home stagers have a lot of tricks up their sleeve. If your home décor is feeling a bit tired, we thought it would be fun to share a few easy home staging tips inspired by local home stagers for freshening up your home and giving you something fun to look forward to this winter.

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