Local News

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.

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in Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

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:

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in Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

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.

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in Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

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. 

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in Anchorage News / Community News / Real Estate Tips

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:

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in Community News / Moving Tips / Real Estate Tips

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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in Real Estate Tips

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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in Real Estate Tips

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.

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in Community News / Real Estate Tips

How thieves use social media to target empty homes

Sharing vacation pics should be fun. These days, with smart phones and apps for just about everything, it’s easy to share your vacation and let all of your Facebook and Instagram friends enjoy it right along with you. But too much sharing via social media can set you up for a home invasion robbery or worse.

In a society where people often overshare on social media, it’s important to be careful what, how much, and when you share information that could make you a target for criminals. One high-profile example: Shortly after Kim Kardashian flaunted a $4.49 million diamond ring on Instagram, thieves tracked her down in her Paris apartment. As this family is a great example of oversharing on social media, it’s also been said that her younger sister, Kylie Jenner, was warned by her security team to stop posting her GPS coordinates on Snapchat because it let pretty much anyone know exactly where she was in real time.

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in Community News / Real Estate Tips

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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in Real Estate Tips

Alaska winter is the perfect time for decluttering

Want to know a great activity that is both perfect for the long Alaska winters AND will help increase the attractiveness and value of your home? It’s time for some serious decluttering. And we’ve got all the tips to make it feel less like a chore and more like a dance party.

If you’re living in your forever home (lucky you!) you probably have “stuff” that has piled up her and there that needs to be dealt with. Kids get older, sports teams change, outdoor gear and seasonal wear gets all mixed up and you’re left feeling stressed out just looking at the mess. Decluttering can transform your living space and help you enjoy your home more than you ever have.

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in Uncategorized

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.

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in Community News / Real Estate Tips

Got Alaska real estate questions? It’s time for coffee with your Realtor

Did you know that February is “meet your Realtor for coffee” month? It’s the perfect time to shrug off the winter blahs, give us a call, and set up a coffee date. If you’re curious about buying or selling a home in Alaska, we’ve got the answers.

There’s a lot of great information we can share about the current state of our real estate market here in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer and Wasilla area, as well as advice and tips for buying, selling or investing in real estate, no matter what stage of life you’re at. We’ve got decades of experience that we’re happy to share to help you make the best decisions for you and your future.

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in Community News / Local Events

Home design predictions for 2018

Between floral prints, statement floors, and Pantone declaring Ultraviolet as the color of the year, 2018 is shaping up to be a big year for color when it comes to decorating homes. The great thing about that is color is the perfect thing for lightening up a home when winter seems like it’s dragging on and on. A great way to fight winter’s cabin fever is with some freshening up inside the home. New paint, new rugs and new art are all classic ideas that will do the trick. But if you want to know what the home design experts are predicting will be big this next year, we’ve rounded up a few here that you might want to check out.

First, let’s talk about what’s out. Writers at the real estate website Trulia predict that things on their way “out” this year include granite countertops, boho décor such as wall hangings, and trendy bamboo flooring. Zillow added to that list as well, naming all-white kitchens and tricked-out bar carts and as well on their way out.

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in Uncategorized
How to Buy a Home in Alaska | Brooke Stiltner, Re/Max of Eagle River

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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in Real Estate Tips
How to Sell your Home in Alaska | Selling tips by Brooke Stiltner, Re/Max of Eagle River

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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in Real Estate Tips
Holidays in Alaska | Tips from local realtor in Eagle River

Holidays with Heart: Planning a Christmas of experiences, not things

The holidays are here and already heads are spinning with the thought of all the shopping, presents, parties, and “things” that will take over the four weeks. Before you know it, the season will be over, we’ll all be exhausted, and wondering where did the time go? And how did my bank balance get so low?! 

Christmas time doesn’t have to leave you feeling broke, overwhelmed, and seriously holiday-crazed. All it takes is focus, a dash of creativity, and selective planning to create a holiday filled with heart that you’ll remember with joy and pleasure when the New Year rolls in.

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in Uncategorized
why you need the best property management companies in Alaska

Got rentals? Here’s why you need a Property Management Company

Best Property Management Companies Reduce Your Stress

Investing in a rental property to provide additional revenue is a great idea. But managing it on your own can quickly turn into a big mess full of stress that takes all the fun – and some of the profits – away from your original dream. The best property management companies have professionals who offer support, resources and experience to make your income property an enjoyable, successful and profitable venture. Here’s how:

FREEDOM

If the property isn’t located near your home, you’re looking at the potential of a lot of back-and-forth travel for everything from meeting prospective tenants to maintenance to any of a wide variety of issues that can only be handled in person. Having a professional property management team gives you the freedom to invest in property where you want, travel when you want, and spend your time doing what you want, instead of living in fear of what the next phone call will bring.

BETTER QUALITY TENANTS

There’s an art to tenant screening, and a professional property manager is well versed in sorting through applications and finding reliable tenants who pay on time, stay for a longer amount of time, are considerate of your property, and generally less likely to cause problems. 

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in Uncategorized
Veterans Day in Alaska - ways to honor our Vets from Brooke Stiltner, Re/Max Realtor

Veterans Day in Alaska: Let’s Celebrate our Vets!

Veterans Day in Alaska – Honor our Vets

On November 11 people all across our country will celebrate Veterans Day, a holiday honoring all veterans of past wars as well as those currently serving. Here in Alaska, a state with an exceptionally large military population, we love to celebrate our vets all year round. Veterans Day this month, however, gives us extra incentive to honor and show gratitude for the large veteran population we’re lucky to have.

History of Veterans Day

Before Veterans Day there was Armistice Day, commencing the year after WWI ended. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an armistice, or agreement made in a war to stop fighting for a period of time, was made between the Allied nations and Germany. Armistice Day was made a national holiday the following year, and became a legal holiday in the United States in 1938. After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, meant to honor American veterans of all wars as well as those currently serving or those who have served in the past. (Click HERE for a detailed history of Veterans Day.)

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in Anchorage News / Community News / Local Events

Keeping kids warm and safe this Halloween

Halloween in Alaska – cute kids, fun costumes, lots of treats, and don’t forget the snow. Here in the Anchorage / Eagle River area it can get pretty cold this time of year, so trick-or-treaters have a few more things to take into account for a fun and safe holiday. We’ve got you covered, though, with a few safety tips and ideas for keeping things warm and having lots of fun.

Ghosts and goblins can get cold, too, so it’s important to equip your kids with gear that keeps them warm. If there is snow or ice on the ground, be sure they wear snow boots for warmth and traction. Costumes should be on the larger side so they can fit over snow suits and lots of warm layers. Throw some glove warmers in kids’ treat bags and they’ll be set in case of freezing temps.

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in Anchorage News / Community News
How to survive winter in Alaska | Tips for Alaska winters

How to Survive Winter in Alaska

Alaskans know cold. After all, here in the Anchorage and Eagle River area, temperatures can drop down as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit for days at a time. But despite the frigid temps, locals know how to survive winter in Alaska. We’ve gathered up a few tips for covering your basics (warmth, food, water, safety and mental well-being), and shared one big misconception at the end that you for sure want to avoid. Here goes:

Tips for How to Survive Winter in Alaska:

 

Warmth

If you don’t stay warm, you can forget the rest. Staying warm and dry is the name of the game here! Dressing for Alaska winters doesn’t necessarily mean piling it on until you’re waddling across the parking lot and unable to get in your car. Too many clothes will only make you perspire, and once you stop moving around, that moisture will freeze, feeling like you’re wrapped in an icicle. Instead, the secret is to dress in layers, using materials that wick moisture away from the body, rather than soaking it up. Choose fleece or performance fabrics instead of cotton. Warm socks and boots should always be nearby, even if you’re going to a dressy occasion – you never know when you might need to make a quick change. Mittens are better than gloves. And don’t forget a sleeping bag. Yes, a sleeping bag. We know that’s not something you technically “wear,” but standard emergency equipment for traveling in Alaska in the winter often includes a subzero-rated sleeping bag.

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in Community News
How to get your car ready for winter in Alaska | Alaska Homes by Brooke has tips for winter in Alaska

How to Get Your Car Ready for Winter in Alaska

While the hurricanes in Texas and Florida are a long way away from Alaska, one universal lesson we can all learn from watching their stories unfold is the value of being prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way. Here in Alaska, it’s time to start thinking and preparing for winter, and we’ve got checklists for our homes, our cars and just general overall safety that we’re sharing here on our website. If you’re new to the area, use this list to get started, and feel free to reach out to use for any questions you might have about what to expect in the months ahead. But right now it’s time to get your car ready for winter in Alaska:

#1 Change to winter tires

In Alaska, salt is not used on roads to melt ice or snow, so conditions can get pretty slippery out there. That’s why most people who live in Alaska have two sets of tires – one for summer and one for winter. And winter tires can get pretty serious. Talk to your local tire dealership to find the best option for you, which can range from studded tires, to chains, to heavy-duty winter tires such as the Bridgestone Blizzak.

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in Community News
Prep your home for winter in Alaska | Winter in Alaska | Tips from Brooke Stiltner, Alaska real estate agents

How to Prep Your Home for an Alaskan Winter

There’s winter. And then there’s Alaska winter. As daylight fades and the long, cold months approach, locals know it’s time to prep your home, garden and car and get your personal gear ready to help you survive and thrive until the spring thaw. If you’re new to the area, here are a few ideas to help you prep your home and get started on winterizing your home for an Alaskan winter.

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in Community News
Prepare your garden for winter in Alaska | Gardens in Alaska

Winter is coming: Time to Put Your Garden to Bed

Prepare Your Garden for Winter

The first official day of fall is September 22, one of only two days a year when day and night are of equal length. After that, our daylight hours will fade fast, so it’s time to get ready to prepare your garden for winter.

When you garden in Alaska, you know you’re dealing with seasons of extremes. Gone are summer days of endless light, dahlias the size of dinner plates, and vegetables that never seem to stop growing. While some people might be desperately holding on to the last remnants of their gardens as long as they can, there’s nothing like a surprise snowfall for a quick dose of reality. That’s why we’ve put together this guide for helping your garden survive whatever winter throws at you – even the occasional moose!

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in Community News