Here we are in August with Summer such as it was almost over! It can be hard to understand what is happening with residential real estate these days! Mortgage interest rates going up (the highest in 20 years!) & sales volume down significantly combined with LOW supply (still can’t find a home for many buyers), prices going up (about 5% so far this year) along with days on market! Its enough to give you whiplash! A little good news for homebuyers is that the days of many multiple offers seemingly is calming down. An example is our listing at 7600 Woodview Drive. We just pended this hom ..read more

Before you decide to sell your house, it’s important to know what you can expect in the current housing market. One positive trend right now is homebuyers are adapting to today’s mortgage rates and getting used to them as the new normal. To better understand what’s been happening with mortgage rates lately, the graph below shows the trend for the 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac since last October. As you can see, rates have been between 6% and 7% pretty consistently for the past nine months: According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the  ..read more

 Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision.  Consider this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that gr ..read more

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should know your credit score’s a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a home loan. Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make payments on time, to pay back debts, and more. It’s also a factor that helps determine your mortgage rate. An article from Bankrate explains:  “Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage. Not just to qualify for the loan itself, but for the conditions: Typically, the higher your score, the lower the ..read more

We JUST LISTED A Charming Duplex in Wasilla; And Pended A Cozy Condo in Anchorage!2001 N Patsy St Wasilla AK 99654  / 3228 Cassius Court #16 Anchorage, AK 99508 “Here’s Why the Alaskan Real Estate Market Won’t Crash in 2023: Top 5 Insights from Inman and from Dave“ As the twists and turns of the real estate market keep us on our toes, it’s vital to stay informed and be ready to adapt. In this spirit, we wanted to share with you a recent blog post from Inman that decodes the current housing market situation. Titled “Here are 5 reasons we won’t see a housing market crash this yea ..read more

We SELL Anchorage homes too!  We are so happy for our 3 Anchorage clients who have become lovely friends as well! There are 2 more Anchorage listings coming soon as well:-) By the way, we support our clients from Girdwood to Healy and have connections throughout the state ready to help provide excellent service. We thank you for your continued trust and support. May 2023 Residential Market Overview Now, let’s take a moment to observe the current residential market trends in Anchorage and the core area of the valley. Just let Travis or I know if you want good information about the real es ..read more

If you’re considering purchasing a property in the beautiful state of Alaska, understanding how closing costs are determined is essential to help you plan your budget and avoid any unwelcome surprises. So, let’s dive in and demystify the closing costs for home buyers. What are Closing Costs? Closing costs are the fees and expenses that both the buyer and the seller need to pay when finalizing a real estate transaction. These costs can vary greatly based on several factors, such as the property’s location, the lender’s requirements, and the terms of the contract. For home buyers, closing costs ..read more

In today’s post, we’ll discuss a topic that is of particular interest to home sellers: closing costs. Closing costs can be a significant expense when selling your home, and understanding how they are determined can help you make informed decisions throughout the process. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the factors that influence closing costs for sellers in Alaska. Agent Commissions: One of the most significant closing costs for home sellers is the real estate agent commission. In Alaska, commission rates can vary between 4% and 7% of the final sale price, depending on the specific ag ..read more

Purchasing a home in Alaska is an exciting investment, and saving for a down payment is an important step in the process. However, many potential homebuyers wonder how much they should actually have saved for a down payment. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the factors you should consider when determining the right down payment amount for your situation. Determining the Right Down Payment Amount When saving for a down payment on a home in Alaska, several factors should be considered: Loan Type: The type of loan you choose will affect the minimum down payment required. For example, FHA loans t ..read more

Our sweet Granddaughter just turned 5 years old! Happy Birthday Masa! She is such a special kid and we are missing her badly. Hello everyone and Summer seems to be finally here in South Central Alaska YAY!  What to make of the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the benefits (I confess, we are using it and saving lots of time) or dangers should be on everyone’s radar. There is no going back so we better understand what is happening. AI, in its many forms, is no longer the stuff of science fiction. It’s here, it’s real, and it’s shaping our lives in ways we could hardly have imagine ..read more