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.

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.