Starter Home Near Airport, Earthquake Park, desirable location for First Time Homebuyers

You just got the keys to your next home- yay! It’s an exciting time but let’s face it, moving is extremely overwhelming.  Plan ahead to make your move smooth and stressfree! Prepare your boxes Yes, I guess that should be the first step. Think about what you need to pack up. Get lots of them in different sizes – yep not just large ones – because there will be things that will probably be better if you pack them in small and medium boxes (such as kitchen appliances and delicate dishware). Pro tip- visit your local beverage store. They usually have piles of strong cardboard boxes you can take for free. Prepare your supplies Supplies you’ll need for packing are zipties, tape, scissors/boxcutters, markers, labels, old newspapers for box stuffing, garbage bags, bubble wrap and cling wrap. Pro tip- use sandwich bags for small things such as screws. Packing Think about the layout of each room and determine what must go and what to pack for the new spaces. Get ri...

Thinking to buy a house and not get the help of a Realtor? Yes- it is possible to DIY this real estate thing. But is it a good decision considering that a home purchase is one of the biggest financial transactions in one’s life? What are the advantages of getting help from a licensed Realtor? Here are the reasons why getting an agent never fails. They are professionals.  Real estate purchases can be a tricky business. Although a lot of information is available online, there is no substitute for an experienced professional who  knows  the neighborhood you want to move into. They follow a higher ethical standard and code of ethics as licensed professionals that will help protect all parties involved. They are market experts.  As a real estate consumer, you may not know the market the way a real estate professional does. What kind of inventory is currently available, off the market and actively listed? How do you decide how much to offer? Is it a fair...

Closing costs  are the administrative and legal fees that come with purchasing a property. Typically, buyers pay the closing costs. But, there are situations where the seller takes care of closing costs if it is agreed upon during negotiations (this is why it’s important to hire a competent buyer’s agent!).   There are different fees that need to be paid when escrow closes. The closing usually happens about 30-45 days after the offer has been accepted or whenever escrow ends. While the nationwide average closing cost is about 2.1%, a buyer must be ready to have at least 2-3% of the home's sold price on hand to pay at closing. It may vary from state to state but generally here are the closing costs: Homeowners insurance  - typically you will have to pay this for the first year. Escrow fees  - this goes towards the escrow company's services who oversee the purchase and transfer of the home. Appraisal fees  - this goes towards the company that a...

Staging: The way you sell a home is very different from the way you live in a home.  And this can be a pain, but wouldn’t the result of netting more money be worth the pain? Biggest money-making words that are when it comes to showing your home: Depersonalize, Declutter and Deep-Clean.  It’ll make your house look bigger and is the best thing you can do. Determining Motivation: Market Value is determined by what someone is willing to pay based on the home’s condition, the competition, and the current state of the market.  If the market says it can only give you $$, is there a plan B, such as stay or rent the house, or do we need to sell your home for as much as we possibly can in today’s market? Be prepared to receive Feedback: I’ll keep you informed of feedback received from buyers, as well as weekly market updates. The more you know, the better you are going to be able to make  decisions. Getting Offers: No offer is insulting.  You can’t ...

Are you in the market to purchase your next home? If so, you may be asking yourself- is getting a condo the better choice for me? Living in a condo has its advantage and disadvantages. Read on to see if condo living fits your lifestyle and current needs. Amenities Pro:, fitness center, clubhouse and sauna would be expensive to add and maintain for a single family house. But these amenities usually come with condos. Access to these great features can really enhance your daily life! Con: The downside? If you rarely use these nice amenities or you’re just not that interested in them, you still have to pay for it as a part of you association fees. Maintenance Pro: This is a big appeal when living in a condo since your association will take care of most, if not all of your maintenance and repair needs. You won’t have to cut the grass, fix the roof or even think about snow removal. It’s all taken care of! Con: You may not have the ability to assess on your own when maintena...

Are you thinking of moving to Anchorage? Well, start packing! Here are the top ways that Anchorage is the place to call home! BEST PLACE TO LIVE Living in Anchorage definitely means a different lifestyle. It is a place where outdoor adventures and modern amenities meet up. A young city only founded in 1914 full of galleries and fine-dining restaurants in the city yet so near from some of the last true, unspoiled wilderness in the U.S. And not just that, it was named one of America’s richest cities and one of the top 100 best places to live! NATURE AND ADVENTURE If you are an adventure seeker, Anchorage is the place for you. Take a dip in Jewel or Goose Lake or go fishing or canoeing on Mirror Lake during summer or in winter, enjoy the city’s great outdoors where you will find some of the best skiing trails in the country, try snowshoeing and sledding too. What else can you find? The Northern Lights, snow-capped mountains, streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans, sprawl...

Are you buying a home? Check out the following four must know tips! DETERMINE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD Knowing how much house you can afford will help you save time and money. Narrowing down your price range will insure that you only spend time looking at homes within your budget. Still need to get pre-qualified? For a list of trusted lenders, please reach out to us at 907-720-4663. CONSIDER OTHER COSTS It’s not just your mortgage payment.  There are several costs that you will also have to be prepared for. Closing costs, appraisal fees, escrow fees, homeowner's insurance fees, property taxes, moving costs, repair and maintenance and bills too! Yes, you’re going to have to pay all these things when owning a home that the bank doesn’t care about when qualifying you for a mortgage. Be prepared! Work with your real estate agent who can give you an overview of these costs and avoid the trouble of being overwhelmed. Determine the neighborhood’s property taxes and insurance...

Alaskans enjoy hunting, fishing, picking, and butchering, smoking, freezing and preserving food in hundreds of ways. So why not bring it all in one event? Since 1936, the Alaska State Fair is held in Palmer. The event is organized by families and anyone who loves to cook, entertain and just enjoy Alaskan culture. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the Fair. Why should I go? If you’ve been to the Fair in the past, we know in some ways it seems the same every year. Yet, there is a chance for a new experience. After all, have you ever gotten tired of eating? I don’t! Kidding aside, maybe your kids are old enough to try some rides on their own. Or how about getting to hold and pet a baby goat? There is a lot of fun to be had for all! For more information about the Alaska state fair, check out their website . For your convenience, we’ve included links to important things to know: Food and Shopping Guide , Discounts , Concerts , FAQs How do I get there? ...