Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Living in Anchorage, AK

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, which incidentally is the largest state in the United States of America in terms of area. With 279,243 municipal residents, it is home to nearly half the population of Alaska. Anchorage is home to some of the best landscapes in all of America. The ice covered mountain range in the background makes for great scenery throughout the year. Better known as the city of flowers and lights, Anchorage also boasts of great outdoor experiences. Living in Anchorage, AK is ideal for those who want peace among spectacular natural landscapes. This is perhaps the reason why the demand for homes for sale in Anchorage has not seen as significant of a dip as other areas in the country during the national financial crisis.

Most people who become interested in houses for sale in Anchorage initially come with the intention of spending a holiday there. They soon become attracted to this place because of its abundance in natural beauty and wild life. Moreover, the city provides them with a great mix of the urban city life and the simple county life. This is a great combination to have and is not found easily elsewhere in America. A large percentage of these people actually end up living in Anchorage, AK in the future.

Another reason why people prefer living in Anchorage, AK is the weather. Anchorage has a mild summer and temperatures range from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the season. However, winters can be harsh with average temperatures plummeting to as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

A major worry for people looking for homes in Anchorage is the future of their children. However, the education system in Anchorage has improved drastically over the years. Presently, there are 45 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 6 high schools and 12 secondary schools in Anchorage. The University of Alaska located in Anchorage provides great opportunities for higher education.

Homes for sale in the Anchorage are in constant demand because it is the center of major economic activity in Alaska. Anchorage serves as the headquarters of the Government of Alaska. This creates a large number of jobs for the citizens. The Alaska government employs nearly 14,000 citizens of Anchorage. Anchorage is also the center of transportation, oil/gas, and tourism industry in Alaska.

The reasonable property price has ensured that living in Anchorage, AK is not a luxury. Homes in Anchorage are available at prices affordable to all individuals. A small sized property in Anchorage is usually priced at $125,000. You are unlikely to find a property at such low prices at other places of interest in the country. However, those of you who want all the comforts that modern houses can provide need not worry. Luxury homes in Anchorage will cost you approximately 5 million dollars.

People often wonder about the best time to buy a property and start living in Anchorage, AK. The best time is now. The real estate sector is still recovering from the economic recession. Housing prices are bound to rise in the future. However, it is recommended that you take the assistance of an experienced realtor if you want the houses at the best market price available.

About Cindy Wilson

Cindy Wilson is a realtor in the Eagle River, Alaska area. To view more of my writing visit my ActiveRain.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Eagle River Real Estate Market Report Analysis

Alaska offers a unique blend of the big city and the open wilderness and has therefore been a highly sought after destination in recent years. Anchorage and its surrounding areas in Alaska boast the highest standard of living in the state. In fact, Anchorage has often been voted as one of the best cities to live in the entire United States. It has all the big city charms with skyscrapers, upscale shopping, and dining. However, it is quite close to nature as well offering a unique and irresistible blend.


The areas surrounding Anchorage, Alaska include places like, Fort Richardson, Palmer, Chugiak, Eagle River and Elmendorf. Out of these places Eagle River has been very popular with house hunters in recent years. Eagle River’s charm lies in the fact that while retaining a small town feel, it is extremely close to Anchorage.


Houses for sale in Eagle River come at many different price points. However, most of the activity on the market occurs between $250,000 and $350,000. What this shows is a healthy picture of real estate in Eagle River. In fact, the whole of the Alaska Real Estate market has suffered a lot less from the recession than other places in the country. As per the latest reports, the average listing price for houses for sale in Eagle River was an encouraging $325,000. According to the same report, the final sale price generally hovered between 95-100% of the listing price. The most encouraging thing however, is that the average listing price in the region has increased by 5% as compared to last year. This is perhaps the only region in the entire country where the listing prices haven’t declined drastically. Moreover, the amount of inventory in the area is not very large, indicating that homes for sale in Eagle River are almost always in demand.


Newly built properties have been the best sellers in Eagle River real estate. In addition, first time buyers have been the most active in the Eagle River market. This could well be due to the low interest rates in the area as well as the $8000 tax credit announced by the U.S. government.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Homes for Sale in Anchorage, Alaska

Although Alaska is the largest state in the United States, it has one of the smallest populations in the country. Alaska is known for around the world for having some of the most beautiful natural landscapes. Due to the abundance of natural beauty, Alaska has seen a significant amount of growth in recent years. For those of you in search of peace amidst spectacular landscapes, Alaska is undoubtedly the ideal destination to buy a home. Even with the national recession, Alaska real estate has not been hit as hard as most places around the country.

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska with a population of 279,243 residents according to a 2008 census. The city of Anchorage makes up 40% of Alaska’s total population. It is located in south central Alaska. Denali National Park and Mount McKinley are a few hours north, while Alyeska Ski Resort is only about an hour south. Anchorage provides great access to the outdoors and mountains, but is still city living. It is well known across the nation for a few different sporting events that it hosts. The Great Alaska Shootout is an annual NCAA Division I basketball tournament featuring colleges and universities from across the U.S. On the first Saturday of each March, Anchorage gains national attention. This is the day that the prestigious Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicks off with a ceremonial start on Fourth Avenue, which is located in downtown Anchorage. The Iditarod is the most famous and longest dog race in the World.

There are several types of homes in Anchorage, Alaska Real Estate to satisfy everyone’s need. A friendly neighborhood coupled with the great eco friendly environment is bound to capture the imagination of all different types of buyers. In fact, a major percentage of property buyers in the Alaska Real Estate initially came to Alaska for holiday vacation purposes.

The main thing that draws many people from different parts of America to Alaska is the price of the property. A home in Anchorage is available at an affordable price. The property price is considerably lower compared to other hot spots across the country. The median selling price of homes for sale in Anchorage is $274,000. As compared to the median price through out the month of October, this is a 1.9% increase. There are also luxury homes in Anchorage as well as lower priced housing available. Each property has a unique quality to it. Whether you are in the market for high-end luxury home or just a small single family home, Anchorage has the house for you.

If you are worried about the potential there is for you to be able to raise a family, Alaska, specifically the Anchorage area, has seen a large amount of industrialization as the population has grown. Hence, job opportunities are in plenty. Now is a great time to purchase a home in Anchorage if it is something you are considering or looking into.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Mount McKinley: Locate and Buy the Property of your Choice

Investing in the real estate market requires careful planning. Whether you want to buy a property or sell one, it is a good idea to know the details before you start to negotiate a deal. For example, buying homes for sale around Mount McKinley becomes convenient if you have a fair idea about the real estate market of the Anchorage area in Alaska.

The homes for sale in Anchorage recorded an average price of $134 per square foot for the week ending October 28, 2009. This is an increase of 12.6% when compared to the average price per square foot of property in the previous year. The average listing price of homes for sale in Anchorage is $336,339, as recorded in the week that ended on October 28, 2009. This also shows an increase from the average listing price of the previous year by 0.1%.

The real estate market for the Anchorage area also covers homes for sale in Eagle River. The average listing price of the properties located in the Eagle River area is $348,643. This figure reveals a decrease of 0.5% when compared to the figures recorded in the previous week. The average price per square foot of the homes for sale in Eagle River is $84, which is a decline of 20.8% from the week before.

Homes for sale in Palmer have registered an increase of 0.2% in the average listing price. The average listing price in the week that ended on October 28, 2009, was $309,572. Though the figures have not improved greatly over the past year, it is necessary to understand that the recession and post-recession phase have hampered the development of the real estate market of the Anchorage area and it will take time for complete revival.

The homes for sale around Mount McKinley are favored by buyers because of the beauty of the landscape as well as the easy access to all modern amenities. The natural beauty makes the area a haven for nature lovers. There are a number of parks and recreational facilities as well as a number of attractions that make the Anchorage area a popular locality to live in.

However, investment in houses for sale in Anchorage requires assistance. The help and guidance of a reputed real estate agent would be of immense use in this regard. Buyers would find their help invaluable; right from locating a property to completing all the paperwork, real estate agents help you to buy a property without facing any hassles and you save your time. The services of real estate agents are available for a nominal fee, but you need to choose one carefully if you wish to have satisfactory services. The best way is to look for someone with adequate experience in the real estate field and preferably living in or near the area. Client testimonials are also another way of finding out whether the particular real estate agent can help you with locating and buying homes for sale around Mount McKinley.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Real Estate, Palmer

Palmer is hauntingly beautiful. Located in south central Alaska and surrounded by the towering peaks of the Pioneer and the Talkeetna, Palmer glorifies Alaska’s famed natural landscapes. A home in Palmer is a dream much cherished by many and with the surge in infrastructural and developmental activities in the area, real estate, Palmer, too has witnessed rapid strides.


If you are looking for homes for sale, Palmer will overwhelm you with a multitude of choices. From single and multi-family homes to condominiums and from townhomes to waterfront houses, real estate, Palmer throbs with variety. You can have your pick from the house buyers’ favorites of City Center, Glenn Highway, or Chickaloon. More up-market choices reside at Gateway and Butte.


If you are scouting for an Alaskan real estate, Palmer is an excellent choice. Lagging not far behind in terms of buyer preferences is Eagle River. A community in the Municipality of Anchorage, Eagle River homes is the choice for many who prefer a life amidst tranquil natural surrounds. If you are looking for homes for sale, Eagle River has choices aplenty at premium locations like Eagle River Road, Eagle River Lane, Riverside Drive, and Sanctuary Drive.


Real estate, Palmer with its gems strewn around in the city of Palmer and the quaint region of Eagle River has caught buyers’ attention and you can be sure that there would be no looking back from here on.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Homes for Sale in Eagle River

Alaska is a beautiful place to live. There are many natural beauties that can be found in Alaska. A few of these natural creations are the Northern Lights, Denali State Park, the Talkeetna Lakes, and Mount McKinley. Eagle River is located in the perfect area to access these regions as well as being located in close proximity to Anchorage. Eagle River offers both the access to city living as well as enjoying the outdoors.


According to the 2000 census, the population of Eagle River, Alaska was 22,236. Eagle River is a growing community. It now has shopping as well as the availability of medical and dental services. A few years ago, the local movie theater reopened with six screens. The number of restaurants in the area has increased significantly over the recent years.


There are many different types of homes for sale in Eagle River. Whether your looking for a two story home with three bedrooms and two baths or a two bedroom apartment, chances are Eagle River has a great home for you. Being in Alaska, the view from your new home in Eagle River could be of the mountains, the river, or the cedar trees depending on which direction you choose to look. The average price of homes for sale in Eagle River was $259,900 in the month of October. The real estate market is on the rise since hitting its low point of the year around January.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Eagle River Real Estate-Boom in the times of recession

Alaska is one of the fastest growing real estate markets in the United States. The allure of Alaska lies in the fact that it offers an unmatched combination of urban living as well as proximity to wilderness. The best example of this would be the city of anchorage in Alaska. Routinely figuring amongst the top 10 urban places to live in the USA, Anchorage offers a big city experience that is on par with the best. However, there is added charm in the fact that while Anchorage has its big city skyscrapers, fine dining restaurants and shopping destinations, it is extremely close to the beautiful Alaskan wilderness. As a result it offers a quality of life and a scope for adventure like few places can.


Along with anchorage, the surrounding areas have also been bitten by the real estate bug. Places like Fort Richardson, Chugiak, Palmer and Eagle River have all seen significant activity in the real estate market in recent times. Eagle River real estate has seen a particularly high amount of buyer interest as it provides proximity to anchorage while retaining the peace and calm of a small town. Houses for sale in Eagle River have seen no dearth of buyers. In fact, Eagle River and the surrounding areas are possibly the only places where real estate has not been affected by the economic recession. This is the greatest testimony to the fact that popularity of real estate in Alaska is here to stay.

Investing in Eagleriver Real Estate

The moment the word Alaska is pronounced, some vivid images flash before eyes- images of snow-capped mountains, green trails, azure blue lakes and different gifts of nature. Have you ever wondered how would it be to own a house amidst this natural tranquil set up but with all kind of modern urban amenities? That is what you will get as a complementary feature if you buy Eagleriver real estate. This is undoubtedly one of the best investments that would give you asset as well as peace of mind.


You can get double story homes in Eagleriver for single family with three bedrooms and two bathrooms within $405,000. These are resale homes that come with lot of almost half an acre. Imagine the view from your bedroom window- mountains, river, cedar trees etc. There are innumerable reasons to fall in love with Eagleriver real estate and many more reasons to own house in Eagleriver. And if you are not on high budget, you can get apartments to suit your requirements as well.


So are you still worried about your relocation to Eagleriver or thinking of buying a property there? Leave out your worries because owning a piece of Eagleriver is no longer a daunting task. Go online, you will find numerous websites featuring whereabouts of different realtors practicing in this region. No website or journals can help you the way a real estate agent can. With their professional expertise, you can zero in to your choice of home in no time and that too, within your price range.

Monday, May 4, 2009

EagleRiverAlaskaRealEstate

When your looking to make one of the biggest decisions in your life, whether it be buying or selling real estate, it is important that you are represented. DO NOT CALL THE REALTOR ON THE SIGN!! CALL US, Let us represent you, and only YOU!

We do not show our own listings, if our sign is on the house, we will refer you to a reputable realtor, because we are representing the seller ONLY on the homes we have listed for sale. It doesnt mean we dont market the home, it just means we are only willing to represent the seller when it is our own listing. Ethically, you cant get the seller the best price and the buyer the best deal. Its just not possible.

If you are a buyer looking to purchase a home, we will ONLY represent you! we will ask the seller to cover closing costs, ask them to purchase a home warranty for you, ask to have the furnace cleaned and serviced etc...and get YOU the best price possible.

Let our expertise guide you through the process. We prepare a personalized buyers packet to help you take the worries out of buying a home. We provide a listing of the homes we will be viewing so you can take notes of what you like or dont like about each one. We will never push you into purchasing a home. You will tell us when you have found the one you would like to make an offer on.

Whether buying or selling, Let us represent you!

Take a virtual tour at EagleRiverHomes.com.

Thank you for your business. :)
Have a great day.

Cindy Wilson and Associates
CRS, ABR, Associate Broker, Realtor
Re/Max of Eagle River, Inc.
Direct: (907)244-1930