4 Questions to Ask When Shopping for your Next Home in Alaska

Alaska offers an experience different from any other state in the country- especially if you decide to make Anchorage your home. If you’re in the market to buy, here are the important questions to ask yourself.

What should I do before buying a home?

So, before buying a home, we advise that you get a prequalification for a loan. Determine how much you can afford so you won’t waste time looking at homes outside of your price range. Start saving for a down payment. For more information about the loan– check out my blog on The Difference Between a Mortgage Prequalification and Preapproval.

How much house do my family and I need or want?

While home hunting, assess your current living space first to better understand your needs. The size of your future house can impact your cost of living, comfort and other needs.

Ask yourself - how many rooms will you need realistically? Should the kids have their own room? How about a guest room when the in-laws visit? Do you have hobbies or work at home that requires dedicated space? How many cars do you have and are you planning to reduce or add more in the future?

Also, your lifestyle should fit the size and style of your home. Do you love to throw parties? Do you love to shop and your wardrobe requires you to have a bigger walk-in closet? Do you need a bigger kitchen if you cook a lot? Do you love gardening? Those are some of the questions to ask yourself - it really depends on the lifestyle you’re looking for. This is one of the most fun and exciting part of home shopping!

Lastly, consider that a larger home means bigger commitments to maintenance- chores like snow removal, window cleaning, painting, and housekeeping.

How long do I plan to live in this home?

Are you planning to start and grow your family in your next home? Or are you buying a home for retirement? How long do you plan to stay? If your answer is just a few years then maybe you don’t have to check off every feature on your dream list? Or maybe you plan to retire here so you may consider getting a 1-story home that’s easy on the upkeep? Sort out your timeline first and then check into available homes.

How do I choose the best location for me?

Location is one of the most important factors when choosing a home. Identifying which neighborhood suits you and your family is really important. Are eyeing a specific school district for your kids? How far will it be from your job/business? Do you have pets? Are you looking for a quiet neighborhood or a place that is near to the hustle and bustle of downtown? Do you want to live in a condo, townhome or single family home?

Be sure to narrow down your list of wants and needs to really determine the right home that fits your lifestyle. Understand your priorities and estimate your current and future needs.

This list of questions will help you get started on the exciting process of buying a home but it can be overwhelming to think about all of these factors! We’ll here to guide you.

If you want to know more about specific neighborhoods in the area, call the experts.

Call us today at (907) 570-6757 or 907-720-4663 and let us help you find your dream home!

You can also find homes for sale here.

Please leave a comment below if you have any other questions while shopping for your home in Alaska.