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.

1. Choose a Realtor that’s right for you: Work with a Realtor that is an experienced professional with a proven track record, a good industry reputation, and that lives, works and has long-standing experience in the area you are moving to. Check out online reviews and client testimonials. Ask other professionals in the area for recommendations. A well-respected local Realtor can often have the inside track on properties not listed publicly for discretion or security concerns, or still being previewed among market insiders before listed publicly. Lastly, be sure to find a professional who takes the time to understand both your personal wants and practical needs.
2. Know your neighborhoods: Do you have children? Maybe you have horses or pets and need room and facilities for them. Do you have a home-based business with practical needs beyond the typical residential home? Be sure to share all of this information with your real estate agent, establish your priorities, and narrow down your research to neighborhoods in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla or Mat-Su Valley area that are more likely to fit the bill.
3. Be clear about your budget: Do your research ahead of time and be clear about how much you want to spend on a home and how much wiggle room you have in your budget. And be sure to share that with your Realtor so that they have a clear picture of the home and mortgage that will make you happy.
4. Get your finances in order: If you plan on taking out a mortgage to buy your new home, create a digital or physical folder to keep copies of your credit history, credit scores, pay stubs, past W2’s and anything else that you’ll need once you are ready to make an offer.
5. Set communication expectations: Often our clients are located far away, and a lot of the initial research and communication is done remotely. If email is best for you – let your Realtor know. Or maybe texting works best. Make sure to let your real estate agent know your preference for communication so that you can be up to date on the latest developments in your search for a new retirement, vacation or forever home.
6. Do your homework before placing an offer: When you finally find the right home, don’t let emotion carry you away. Take a moment to consult with your Realtor and research the best offer to start the process. Consider sales of similar homes (comps) in the last 3-6 months, the reputation of the community, the location near schools, parks, etc.

If you’re ready to buy, sell or learn more about the real estate market in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla or the Mat-Su Valley area, as highly experienced Realtors, we can help, just give us a call at 907-694-4800.