Real Estate Tips Archives - Page 2 of 2

October 24, 2018December 12, 2018

Five mistakes to avoid when selling your house in Alaska

When you put your house on the market it’s easy to find lots of advice for all the things you need to sell a home. But just as important, and often overlooked, are some very important “don’ts” that can harm your chances for a quick and lucrative sale.

With more than 30 years of helping people buy and sell homes in the Eagle River, Wasilla, and Mat-su Valley region of Alaska area we’ve seen just about everything. That’s why we decided to share the following missteps to avoid when you put your house on the market.

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October 15, 2018December 12, 2018

Getting your home ready for winter

Fall is in full swing here in Alaska and it’s the perfect time to get your home ready for winter. Plus, if your home is on the market, seasonal maintenance is a great way to keep your home looking good and showing great when potential buyers visit. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and not sure what to do first, we’ve created this handy checklist to get you started.

Before the first snows start falling it’s good to get a jump start on these outdoor maintenance tasks:

October 3, 2018December 12, 2018

How to find the best real estate agent for you

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the future, then finding the best Realtor near you is a great way to get started. If you live in our area, we’ve got you covered. If you’re not, though, and want to find the best options, here are a few tips.

When people want to find an experienced local Realtor located nearby they often sit down at the computer and type in the search “Realtor near me” or “real estate agent near me.” That’s a good place to start and likely to get you a list of professionals in your area. But narrowing it down even more is essential.

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September 17, 2018September 18, 2018

What documents do I need to sell my home in Alaska?

If you’re getting ready to sell your home in Alaska, or any other state, it’s a good idea to prepare by gathering documents you might need when you list your home. Organizing your files will streamline the process for you, your Realtor, and everyone involved in the process, eliminating the stress of frantic last-minute searches for critical documents that are needed throughout the process.

Here’s a handy checklist we share with clients for home sales here in the Anchorage, Eagle River and Wasilla area that work as a great starter. However, be sure to check with your local Realtor, as exact files you need can vary by state and local real estate practices.

in Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

August 28, 2018September 18, 2018

Creating modern homework spaces that kids will thrive in

In today’s high-tech world, helping kids find a productive space to do homework has definitely changed. While kitchen tables are still popular, the need for easy access to computers and smart devices for even the youngest of children have parents looking for new ideas to create tech-friendly, creativity-boosting spaces that kids can thrive in. Check out Pinterest and you’ll see thousands of ideas for creating modern homework spaces for kids.

If you’re thinking of creating a new space for your kids (or maybe even something that the parents can use too), here are a few ideas that might inspire you:

in Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

August 10, 2018September 18, 2018

How to use apps to find a home for sale

Looking for a home to buy the old-fashioned way — cruising around looking for “For Sale” signs and checking local classifieds – can get pretty stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. Thanks to apps such as Zillow and Redfin, you can use your smart phone or computer to find homes that fit what you’re looking for faster and easier. Better yet? The ones we mention here are all free.

in Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

July 23, 2018July 6, 2018

What do I need to set up a home office

If you have the ability to work from home, and want the best results for your efforts, it’s important to set up your office for maximum productivity from the start. A home office has many benefits, most popular being the freedom to design a workspace that works best for you. We’ve helped clients here in the Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska area find homes that fit both their personal lives – and their businesses – and know there are a few essentials you’ve got to plan for if you want to work from home.

Connectivity: In today’s working world, no matter what you do, high-speed internet is absolutely essential. Make sure that your new home will have access to an internet service provider that offers secure, reliable, and high-speed internet. A good internet connection means you can perform actions like uploading videos, participating in conference calls, leading a webinar and starring in a Facebook Live video.

July 6, 2018

What do I need to help my pet when we move

When it’s time to move to a new home, the change of scenery can be stressful for everyone – including pets. Even though more than half of all households in America own a pet, many people forget to plan for how the move will affect this important member of the family. Take a pet from its normal surroundings, then surprise them with a new home, yard and neighborhood with strange animals, smells and sounds, and it’s no wonder they get stressed out. Or even worse, run away.

There are ways to help smooth the transition however, and just like helping children prepare for a move, you can set the stage for a smooth move for your pet. Here’s a checklist to give you a few ideas:

June 28, 2018July 6, 2018

Common real estate myths

Urban myths are nothing new. Wait one hour after you eat before swimming. Elvis is still alive. And don’t lick a flagpole in the winter. (Actually, don’t try that one!). These are fun to share, and some are good for getting kids to behave, but they aren’t true to life. What we’ve noticed is that the same goes for real estate. There are a lot of urban real estate myths out there. Most of which are false, but there are a few that have some truth to them too. So we gathered up a few to share for fun, and shared what you can ignore and what should be taken into account the next time you buy or sell a home.

Myth: Curb appeal can make or break a sale

Answer: True

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June 6, 2018July 6, 2018

5 small home projects with big value impact

If you’re thinking of sprucing up your home, but are working on a tight budget, don’t despair. Here are five easy home projects you can tackle that will enhance your home’s appearance and its value without hurting your bank account.

in Community News / Real Estate Tips

May 22, 2018July 6, 2018

Spring maintenance checklist for rental properties

After the long, cold winter warming temperatures and the promise of spring brings a breath of fresh air. The downside? All that sunshine can put a spotlight on the damage the harsh season may have done to your rental properties. If you own or manage rental properties, it’s a good time to get started on your spring maintenance. We work with a lot of rental properties here in the Anchorage and Eagle River Alaska area and are familiar with the tasks needed to remain proactive for your properties, so we’ve put together this checklist to help.

Indoor spring maintenance

__ Change furnace filters. Completing this task is an easy way to ensure the heating system is running at top performance. Plus, regular maintenance now means less change of expensive repairs in the future.

__ Replace batteries in smoke and carbon dioxide detectors: A lot of people use Daylight Savings Time as their reminder to do this. If you haven’t yet, replace all batteries now.

__ If you have a laundry unit, inspect machines to ensure they are all working and in good shape. Also check for lint build-up in machines and in the hoses or vents, which can be a fire hazard in addition to making machines work inefficiently.

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May 10, 2018July 6, 2018

Why Spring is a great time to sell a home in Alaska

Spring is in the air and, along with the bears, homebuyers are coming out of hibernation. If you’re thinking of selling your home, this is a great time to take advantage as potential home buyers are more than ready to start exploring potential homes as they take advantage of improving weather. If you’re ready to sell your home, here are some ideas to help take advantage of the warmer weather and even hotter market.

in Community News / Real Estate Tips

March 15, 2018April 23, 2018

Kitchen design ideas for homes in Alaska

Kitchens today are undergoing an interesting transformation. As Realtors in the Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska area, we’ve seen a lot of kitchens. Years ago, kitchens were mostly used just for preparing daily meals and gathering around a table. Today, though, kitchens can also host everything from home office space and homework nooks to hobby corners and media centers. Much has changed, and it’s opened up a whole new world when it comes to kitchen design and function.

If you’re thinking about redesigning your kitchen, or searching for a new home with the kitchen of your dreams, we’ve gathered up a few of the best ideas we’ve seen for creating a beautiful, functional kitchen that is up to the task of meeting today’s modern needs.

Banquette seating: From breakfast nooks to awkward alcoves that you never quite knew what to do with, banquette seating is a great way to add seating, serving and storage to spaces that might have gone unused before. To keep it from looking like a booth at grandpa’s old-time soda shop, stick to light woods, put a bench on one side and chairs on the other, use pretty light fixtures, and add hidden storage (in the benches).

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February 12, 2018February 9, 2018

How to keep pipes from freezing in Alaska homes

Extreme temperatures outside can cause scary inside problems – like frozen pipes, especially during the long winter months here in Alaska. In fact, frozen pipes usually lead to a lot more than just losing water pressure. Frozen pipes can quickly turn into burst pipes, which can then result in flooding and extensive water damage. Adding to that, when water damage isn’t treated, it can result in harmful mold problems.

As temperatures plummet well below the zero mark, the risk of pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. In fact, broken water pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during freezing weather and can cause thousands of dollars in damage for homes.

We know this is a big issue homeowners here in the Anchorage and Eagle River area need to watch out for, so we’re sharing a few tips that will help keep water running and homes safe and dry.

in Community News / Real Estate Tips

January 8, 2018February 5, 2018

How to buy a home in Alaska

When you finally make the decision to buy your first home, it can be exciting. However, things can turn from exciting to overwhelming pretty quickly without the right guidance. You’ve driven around a few neighborhoods, cruised a few websites, and have an idea of what you’d like to buy. But you’re not really sure how to get started. We’ve worked with many first-time homeowners here in the Anchorage and Eagle River area, which inspired us to create this list of what you need to know when preparing to buy a home in Alaska, or anywhere else!

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December 20, 2017February 5, 2018

How to sell your home in Alaska

Whether you are planning on selling your home in a few weeks, or a few years, there are a few key steps you need to follow to set yourself up for a successful, (not stressful!), real estate experience. From deciding on a listing price, to choosing the right real estate agent, to making your home the best and brightest on the market, we’ve rounded up some tips here to help you get started when the time is right to sell your home in Alaska, or anywhere else!

Find the right real estate agent: You don’t just need any agent. You need the right agent. Be sure to look for someone with experience, local knowledge, and a reputation for excellent customer service to guide you through your first time selling a home. As tempting as it might be to use a friend, relative, or even try to do it yourself, if this is your first time selling a home it’s in your best interest to work with a professional with the experience and knowledge to help you sell your home quickly and for the best amount you can get. Once you have an agent working with you, they can answer your questions, share their insight and help you navigate what can seem like a confusing process.

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Prep your home for sale - tips the pros rely on

June 27, 2017February 5, 2018

7 ways to prep your home for sale

Selling your home soon? Staging – or creating a certain look for a home on the market using furnishings and décor – is a great way to boost appeal to potential buyers. If you want to increase the attraction power of your home, here are a few easy ideas to prep your home for sale that staging pros rely on:

Curb appeal: Make potential buyers fall in love with your home from the street by adding potted plants and flowers, power-washing patios and walkways, weeding the garden and mowing the lawn. It’s your first chance to make a good impression, so you’ve got to make it count. Check out this article on our blog for lots of great ideas for boosting your curb appeal.
Repurpose unused rooms: Turn an old junk room or empty bedroom into something that will appeal to your local market and the types of buyers you anticipate. For instance, an empty dining room that can easily convert into a yoga studio may appeal to buyers in Anchorage, whereas a bedroom turned into a hobby room or home office might be a better bet for the real estate market in Eagle River, Alaska.
Don’t make it personal: Too many personal photos, awards, electronics and collectables can be distracting, making it difficult for buyers to see past the clutter. Put away your awards, extra photos, and anything that clutters surfaces, making it easier for buyers to imagine themselves, and their things, in your space.
Don’t forget the floors: Scrub and polish hardwood floors until they gleam. And don’t forget that you can use inexpensive area rugs for quick fixes to disguise shabby carpets or hardwood.
Show off ALL your living spaces: Don’t forget that outside is the new inside. Make sure that outdoor areas are freshened up and looking great. Outdoor living spaces, which include anything from decks, porches, and grilling areas to fully-furnished outdoor rooms, are very popular and increase the perceived value of a home in the eyes of buyers.
Light it up: Most homes are improperly lit, making them seem dark, dreary or smaller than they are. Turn on all the lights when buyers tour the home. Replace all burned out bulbs and even increase the wattage if needed to light up your home and show off all its best features.
Flowers are always a good idea: Have a few fresh flower arrangement throughout the house, especially during open houses. Living plants are great too for bringing the outside in and providing a fresh, appealing look to each room.

If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market soon, and would like more ideas that will help you prep your home for sale and set the stage for attracting and motivating buyers, we’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us at 907-694-4800.

in Real Estate Tips

June 7, 2017February 5, 2018

How to boost your home’s curb appeal

If you’re planning on selling your home, one of the first things you can do to attract potential buyers is improve your home’s curb appeal. 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 warm and inviting, or messy, unappealing and off-putting.

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 online. Websites often prominently feature photos of the home’s exterior, including the front entry, driveway, yard and even sidewalk area, which set the mood and serve as a snapshot of what’s to come.

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