Local News

How to Take the Stress Out of Moving out of State

Moving can be a dreaded process. There’s the overwhelm of getting ready to move, packing, and then travelling, and then unpacking! It’s hard enough moving within the same town, but a larger move, such as out of state can feel stressful. How can you reduce the stress and make the transition as easy as possible? The best thing to do when facing a move is to have a plan. With this simple checklist you’ll find moving is a breeze.

2 Months Before

Two months before you’re set to move you should kick the planning process into gear. This is the time to do your research and start the ball rolling.

Read More›
in Moving Tips

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.

Read More›
in Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

Alaska Summer Safety Tips for your Family

Summer is upon us and our beautiful natural Alaskan playground is beckoning us to come outside and play. Alaska offers numerous recreational opportunities such as walking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, glacier trekking and so much more. While no one plans on being injured or having accidents, they can easily occur when you don’t take a moment to be mindful of safety precautions.

Preparations are key when it comes to safety while also having a positive outdoor experience. We’ve compiled some tips that will help you keep your family safe:

Read More›
in Uncategorized

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!

Read More›
in Community News / Real Estate Tips
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.

Read More›
in Real Estate Tips
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.

Read More›
in Real Estate Tips
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.

Read More›
in Community News / Real Estate Tips
How to Make Your Home Lighter and Brighter by Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

How to Make Your Home Lighter and Brighter

The lighting in your home can make or break the feel of your house. It is one of the biggest opportunities you have as a homeowner to influence the ambiance of your home. Studies have shown that light improves energy levels and mood. If you have the wrong lighting it can also affect concentration, appetite, and other aspects of daily life! Here are some tips to make your home lighter and brighter:

Read More›
in Community News
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.

Read More›
in Community News / Real Estate Tips

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:

Read More›
in Real Estate Tips
Tips for Hiring a Property Manager by Alaska Homes by Brooke Stiltner

Tips for Hiring a Property Manager

Property managers are some of the hardest working people in our industry. While there are a lot of great managers out there, sometimes it might seem difficult hiring a property manager up to the standard that you desire. It’s important that you find the right one. How do you know what to look for?

Why hire a property manager?

As a property owner you probably feel that no one knows how to handle, or values your property, as much as you do. Entrusting your property to someone else takes a lot of faith and trust in their abilities. Hiring a manager will help you have more time to devote to things that add the most value to your life, such as finding and acquiring new properties, or devoting your energy toward career goals. The property manager will take over the stress of dealing with the tenants as well as any issues that arise.

Read More›
in Community News
Teaching Bear Safety in Alaska to Children | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke Stiltner

Teaching children bear safety in Alaska

Whether you live in or are visiting Alaska, if you have children it’s important that they know the basics for safely interacting with wild animals – especially bears. The instinct to protect youngsters from danger is a essential part of parenthood. We can control some components of children’s safety in the outdoors, equipping kids with appropriate gear, knowledgeable mentors, and locations to fit their abilities. But not everything is simple, especially in Alaska where wildlife is not just nearby, but often literally in our own backyards.

It’s a sure bet for anyone living in Alaska that even if you don’t see a bear, you’re probably never far from one. Alaska is bear country, of course, with millions of acres of habitat for black, brown, and polar bears doing what bears do — eating, sleeping, and raising their own youngsters. We know black and brown bears live right here in the Anchorage Bowl, fishing in local streams and wandering the same trails we do.

Read More›
in Uncategorized

Design trends perfect for Alaskan homes

As we enter a new year, and decade, many people have decided it’s time for a new fresh start! If you’re in the market to renovate or redecorate your home or are planning to spruce up a rental property you own in the Anchorage / Eagle River area, we gathered up a few quick ideas from what’s trending in home design and décor for inspiration. When it comes to design in the next decade, individuality will be extremely important.

This year’s trend works perfectly with our motto which is to stay true to your own sense of design and comfort. This is the best way to make sure your home looks great and feels even better.  Just have fun making the place your own, and don’t stress too much about it. A lot of what was popular last year and in the early aughts, such as accent walls and all-white kitchens won’t go away entirely but will continue to evolve with time.

Read More›
in Community News / Moving Tips
How to upgrade your kitchen without emptying your bank account | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke Stiltner

How to upgrade your kitchen without emptying your bank account

If you’ve ever thought about a project to upgrade your kitchen, now is the perfect time. Winter in Alaska gives you all the time you need to plan and put into action the following ideas for creating a more fun, functional and beautiful space everyone in your family will love.

As experienced real estate professionals in Alaska, we’ve been helping homeowners for the last 30 years with ideas for inexpensive and efficient kitchen upgrades that elevate their enjoyment of the space and also increase the value of their home. Whether you’re thinking of selling, or just want a few simple ideas to freshen up your kitchen, we’ve got your covered.

#1 Under cabinet lighting

If you don’t have lighting under your cabinets, now is the time to add it. Modern lighting solutions mean you don’t have to call a handyman to install complicated systems. Head to your nearest home improvement center and you’ll see everything from simple adhesive designs to ones with remotes and dimmable settings to flexible light bars and strips that fit any angle and area.

Read More›
in Community News

How to create a calm, peaceful home

Bored kids, even bored adults, can create a lot of chaos and stress in the home, especially during the long winter months here in Alaska. If you need a little calm in your life, or maybe you’re fighting seasonal affective disorder and need to clear your head, we’ve rounded up the following ways to create some space that’s soothing all year round.

Hide the electronics: Nobody wants to stare a tangle of charging cords and devices. Create a charging station in an out-of-the-way space and invest in a few inexpensive cord organizing solutions to keep the area neat and tidy. Some people also say that there’s benefit to distancing yourself from all the beeps, chimes and rings that have become a constant in our society today and enjoying a bit of blessed quiet.

Read More›
in Community News

Indoor flowers that work great for winter in Alaska

Winters are long here in Alaska and after months of staring at the snow, it’s nice to think about having something green and colorful inside. The good news is that you can enjoy flowers and plants, even when it’s freezing outside. Here’s a list of our favorites – and how to take care of them for just a few months, or even all year long.

Amaryllis

Dramatic flowers, gorgeous colors, and they are even low maintenance! These make great gifts, too. You can usually buy amaryllis bulbs at your garden supply store or order them online. If you are starting from scratch, they take about 5-6 weeks until bloom, so get started now. One bulb doesn’t necessarily mean one flower, in face, larger bulbs can produce up to 5 flowers per stalk. Amaryllis are very low maintenance. They like lots of light, you only need to water sparingly, and have beautiful dramatic displays you’ll love all winter long.

Read More›
in Community News
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.

Read More›
in Real Estate Tips
Indoor Garden in Alaska | How to Grow a Garden Indoors | Alaska Homes by Brooke

Alaska gardening tips: How to grow an indoor garden in Alaska

While it might seem like a better time to be cutting wood instead of planting seeds, gardeners in Alaska don’t need to give up when the first cold snap hits. Clear some space inside your home, follow our tips, and you can enjoy an indoor garden all winter long. (Parents – this is a great idea for restless kid projects during the winter, too!)

Fresh vegetables, herbs and greens can all be grown inside without having to invest in fancy greenhouses or taking up all your living space. Whether you live in an apartment or a spacious home, you can indulge your love of gardening and fresh foods easily with an indoor garden.

Read More›
in Anchorage News / Community News
Halloween in Alaska | Alaska Homes by Brooke

Halloween in Alaska

Halloween in Alaska can be a lot different than in the lower 48 states. Trick-or-treat, costumes, and lots of spooky good fun are still the main attraction. But special considerations like staying warm, watching out for wildlife, and navigating a tricky climate add a unique twist to this fun holiday. If you’re new to Halloween in Alaska, here’s a few guidelines that’ll keep you from ending up in a truly scary situation!

Alaska Halloween Rule #1: Stay Warm

Here in the Anchorage / Eagle River area it can get pretty cold this time of year, so it’s important to plan costumes that will keep you warm. Buy costumes several sizes too big to allow room for snow gear underneath. Or get creative and plan costumes that incorporate cold-weather gear like mummies, chubby garden gnomes, ninja turtles, mummies or anything warm and fuzzy like unicorns, teddy bears and pandas.

Read More›
in Community News
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.

Read More›
in Community News / Real Estate Tips
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.

Read More›
in Community News / Real Estate Tips
Hiking in Alaska - Safety Tips and Planning Tips

Hiking in Alaska – Planning and Safety Tips

“I’m vacationing in Alaska and can’t wait to take a hike into the wilderness. But what if I run into a bear or get lost?”

Does this sound familiar? Alaska is different from any other state – and hiking in Alaska is different as well. The scenery is unrivaled, the wilderness vast, and wildlife always just around each corner. It’s all of this and more that make hiking in Alaska an amazing experience – but also one that needs to be carefully prepared for in order to have a safe and memorable trip.   

Planning is key for a smooth hiking experience. Weather can change quickly here, even during summer months we can get driving rain, snow, low clouds, high winds, thick fog, and temperatures that rollercoaster from high to low, so always do several checks before you go.  

Read More›
in Anchorage News / Community News
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.

Read More›
in Community News / Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

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 keep your kids safe when traveling

Balancing a love of family adventures with keeping kids safe doesn’t have to hold you back when traveling. We love watching kids discover what makes Alaska so great, but we know that parents can be a little unsure what to teach their children about safety around bears, moose and our great open spaces. That’s why we we’ve gathered up some simple safety strategies for keeping kids safe when traveling.

When visiting Alaska, teach children to be bear and moose aware

Alaska has abundant wildlife that people come from all over the world to see, and it’s very likely you might run across black, brown, or polar bears and moose in their natural habitat in your travels. There are moose as well as black and brown bears close by our area near Anchorage and Eagle River, fishing in streams or wandering hiking trails just like many of the tourists and residents like to do. The best thing to do to help keep kids safe around moose and bears is to teach them to be aware. This includes:  

Read More›
in Anchorage News / Community News