Fairbanks Alaska Real Estate Blog by Jesse & Kathy Clifton

Fairbanks Alaska Real Estate Review - 6/22/2008 - 6/28/2008

2008-07-01T01:53:18Z

Fairbanks Real Estate - Week in Review - 6/22/2008 - 6/28/2008
Jesse Clifton, Broker Associate

Do you remember the story about the little engine that could? Just like that little engine the Fairbanks real estate market is surviving the housing slump that has derailed many real estate markets around the country.

For the week of June 22-28, 18 homes closed escrow. The majority of those (67%) continue to be sales in North Pole, although interestingly, they aren't new construction homes. New construction represented less than 1% of homes sales this week.

Days on the market dropped somewhat this week from 131 to 102 days. In a recent post I delved a little deeper into the Fairbanks days-on-market stats and found some interesting stats. This week 33% of Fairbanks homeowners saw their home sell in under 30 days.

Keep that in mind if you're shopping for a home. Homes priced correctly and in good condition are selling... and in some cases they're selling quickly.

The average sales price came in this week at $220,251. That's a whopping 19.2% increase over this time last year. We've even beat the year-to-date average for 2008 of $211,692.

The Fairbanks real estate market may not be setting any world records, but we are moving forward. If you're in the market to purchase a home, this could be a great time.

Ready to find your piece of The Last Frontier? Contact us online or call 907.699.6024. We are your local Fairbanks real estate experts.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Jesse and Kathy are your local Fairbanks real estate experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

The weather is here.... wish you were beautiful

2008-06-27T19:16:02Z

Sorry folks, I couldn't resist. The sun is shining with only a few clouds in the sky - for now. It's supposed to rain later today and tomorrow but it won't matter. The worst day of fishing beats the best day of working, right?

We made it down to our favorite spot on the river without incident and have even been so lucky as to have the place to ourselves. No doubt that will change tomorrow but for now it's peaceful and just about as close to perfect as you can get.

One of the attractions that have kept us in The Last Frontier for so long is the abundant opportunities to get out and enjoy some of the most beautiful country on earth. Fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, camping, off-roading, flying, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, snowmachining... you name it and it's all right here in our very own backyard.

Ready to find your piece of The Last Frontier to call home? Contact us online or call 907.699.6024...

Just give us 'til Monday to call you back. We've gone fishing.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Jesse and Kathy are your local Fairbanks real estate experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

9th Army Band Free Concert - Fairbanks Noel Wein Library

2008-06-26T03:57:19Z

The 9th Army Band, stationed at Fort Wainwright, has an upcoming concert performance on June 26, 2008 at 7:00PM at the Noel Wien Library.

Tuba Player MSG Roger Ridenour leads the ensemble that features 1SG James Thaxter and SFC Andrew Phelps on trumpet, SGT Dale McSwain on horn, and SGT Vincent Lawyer on trombone. 9th Army Band Sample Performance.

If you haven't heard the Band perform, you should make time to come hear them play. They truly do a magnificent job. Request a performance of the 9th Army Band at a military function (PDF) or a civic performance.

Following this performance, the 9th Army Band will perform on Saturday June 28th at 1:0PM at the Salcha Fairgrounds for the Salcha Country Fair and on Sunday June 29th at 6:00PM for the Beluga Nights Summer Festival the UAF Patty Center.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

North Pole New Homes - $7,500 Rebate Available

2008-06-26T03:37:04Z

North Pole New Construction Homes - $7,500 Rebate for home buyers.
Jesse Clifton, Broker Associate

New construction homes in North Pole have long represented a wise investment. Now there's one more reason to purchase a new home in Fairbanks.

A $7,500 New Home Rebate

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is offering a $7,500 rebate for buyer who purchase a qualifying* new construction home that meets Alaska Housing's Energy Efficiency Program for 5 Star Energy Rated Homes.

What could you do with $7,500?

Pay off bills? Take a trip. Pay for your wedding. Invest for the future?

The possibilities are endless.

This rebate is being offered through AHFC with no fees to the seller.

Sellers can still make additional contributions to your closing costs, if negotiated.

Perfect for first time North Pole home buyers. Folks looking to move up or downsize can take advantage of the program as well. Will work for any qualifying* new construction home.

Attention Fort Wainwright & Eielson Air Force Base personnel - Couple your VA home loan benefits with the $7,500 rebate and buy a brand new home with possibly nothing out of pocket and put money in the bank.

To find out more or to start looking for your piece of the last frontier, contact us online or call Jesse and Kathy Clifton, Fairbanks real estate experts at 907.699.6024.

* Property must meet certain AHFC Energy Standard guidelines for new construction.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks New Homes - $7,500 Rebate Available!

2008-06-25T23:02:25Z

Fairbanks New Construction - $7,500 Rebate for home buyers.
Jesse Clifton, Broker Associate

New construction homes in Fairbanks have long represented a wise investment. Now there's one more reason to purchase a new home in Fairbanks.

A $7,500 New Home Rebate

What could you do with $7,500?

Pay off bills? Take a trip. Pay for your wedding. Invest for the future?

The possibilities are endless.

This rebate is being offered through AHFC with no fees to the seller.

Sellers can still make additional contributions to your closing costs, if negotiated.

Perfect for first time Fairbanks home buyers. Folks looking to move up or downsize can take advantage of the program as well. Will work for any qualifying* new construction home.

To find out more or to start looking for your piece of the last frontier, contact us online or call Jesse and Kathy Clifton, Fairbanks real estate experts at 907.699.6024.

* Property must meet certain AHFC Energy Standard guidelines for new construction.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks Alaska Real Estate - Home Sales Moving forward

2008-06-25T04:01:06Z

Fairbanks Real Estate Outlook
Jesse Clifton, Broker-Associate

Are you falling for the hype? Much is still being made in the national news about the slowdown in the housing market. It seems as though you can't turn on the news without hearing about rising foreclosures, default rates and slow housing starts.

But is it really that bad here in Fairbanks? Not hardly.

The Fairbanks real estate market might not be moving at a breakneck pace but it's far from standing still. In fact there are some segments of the Fairbanks market that are still attracting multiple offers.

Homes in good condition that are priced correctly are selling. We've heard from several buyers recently who were shocked to find out their offer wasn't accepted because the offered price was too low or because another buyer wrote a better offer.

Fairbanks real estate is still moving forward.

In looking at a snapshot of the market more than 62% of the homes sold in the past month sold in less than 60 days.

39% of the sales occurred in less than 30 days.

Of the 140 homes currently in escrow in both Fairbanks and North Pole, 55% were sold in under 60 days. 71% of the current pending sales occurred after spending less than 90 days on the market. That's not what I would call a market in crisis.

Bottom line.... Don't fall for hype - Get the facts! If you're in the market to buy, soft prices and a full inventory could mean this is a great time to get off the fence and into a new home. Contact us online or call 907-699-6024 to find your piece of the last frontier.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

I took the plunge...

2008-06-23T04:50:05Z

I finally did it. I talked about it long enough. I looked at it and talked about it so much the boss told me if I mentioned it again she was going to knock my lights out... and I think she meant it.

I've been using an old(er) Cannon SLR for more years than I care to remember. A couple of days ago the FedEx man delivered my new Cannon 40D DSLR. Now, where photography is concerned I'm certainly not as good as my buddy Richard Weisser or John & Margaret Hokkanen but I like to tinker with it. By the way, if you haven't had the chance to meet Richard or see the magic that John and Margaret can do with a camera then put your mouse in gear and click on over. They're all amazing people.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

While out running errands with our friends from out of town this afternoon Dave leans over in the front seat and points out the ginormous flag flying over the Auto Trim Building. It's not often we have gale force winds in Fairbanks but today was a doozie and the flag was out in full force. Years ago I tried to talk Kathy into letting me put a similar flag in the center of our front yard but she was concerned planes would hit it while lining up to land at Eielson AFB so I settled for a 'normal' sized 'Ol Glory. We pass this beautiful flag every day on our way into Fairbanks and it never ceases to bring a smile to my face.

There's a running joke that if you're ever lost, just look for the Auto Trim flag and you'll have your bearings. As memory serves the flag is 15' x 25'... it's quite large. The 'video' above was a series of shots this afternoon and an experiment with Veoh. Hope you enjoy it!

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks Alaska Absorption Rates June 2008

2008-06-13T13:53:36Z

Fairbanks Absorption Rates for June 2008
By: Jesse Clifton; Fairbanks Real Estate Broker

One of the most important yet often overlooked keys in setting an asking price for a home is the absorption rate. It's as important to pay attention to these numbers as it is to the most recent closed sales in a particular neighborhood.

Simply stated the absorption rate is the rate at which homes are selling. By dividing the number of available homes by the number of homes sold during the previous 30 days we're able to see how long it will take the market to absorb the current inventory of homes for sale.

Keep in mind this number is not static. The absorption rate changes every time a new listing hits the market or a home in escrow closes. The rates below are a snapshot of the market today.

Looking at what similar homes have sold for and making the requisite adjustments for age, size, amenities, etc. is critical to establishing market value. While the recent sales will give you the initial value, it's just as important to see how quickly the market is moving in order to solidify that value.

A Fairbanks home with a market value of $260,000 falls into the group of homes with an absorption rate of 9.1 months. At 5.4 months, homes in the $200,000 - $250,000 category are selling at a significantly faster pace.

Do the math. Assuming a typical mortgage payment of $2,200+/- (PITI) and average monthly utility costs of $300 (summer) and those additional four months of marketing time will cost you $10,000. Factor in average heating costs of $600 - $1,000 per month and it would be a very smart move to drop your initial asking price by $10,000 to move your home into a segment of the market that's selling much faster. After all time equals money and the longer a home sits on the market the more shop worn it becomes.

For sellers, the one caveat to the scenario above is that to get the most mileage out of these absorption rates, the home needs to be priced at market value as indicated by recent closed sales. If your market value is $250,000 but your asking price is $275,000 then you've easily doubled your marketing time and these numbers will be meaningless. Conversely if you’ve under priced your home then you can expect a much shorter marketing window.

Fairbanks Absorption Rates

Fairbanks

0-150K 58 - 15 = 3.9
150-200K 71 - 18 = 3.9
200-250K 81 - 15 = 5.4
250-300K 64 - 7 = 9.1
300-350K 30 - 3 = 10.0
350-400K 25 - 2 = 12.5
400K+ 27 - 1 = 27.0

North Pole

0-150K 31 - 3 = 10.3
150-200K 56 - 10 = 5.6
200-250K 86 - 18 = 4.8
250-300K 61 - 8 = 7.6
300-350K 15 - 1 = 15
350-400K 10 - 1 = 10.0
400K+ 4 - 1 = 4.0

Are you ready to sell and need to know the current market value of your home? Call us at 907-699-6024 or contact us online and request a comparative market analysis.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Just for you...

2008-06-12T05:56:02Z

We all have them; those days where you want to pull your hair out and scream. Fortunately we also have days where it seems the world is our oyster. Today was one such day here in Fairbanks.

The sun was beaming down through the office window enticing me with warm rays to abandon the dull 'ol paperwork I was diligently working on for a little play time. Who doesn't like recess? So, I gave in, grabbed my camera and headed out to see what I could get into.

It wasn't until later this evening that we took a walk around the lake that I found what I had been looking for... I snapped these while out walking with my lovely wife. Enjoy!

Click the image to enlarge.

Seems as though there's something to the old 'stop and smell the roses' adage. Take a moment to enjoy the beauty God has made for us. Make it a great day!

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks, AK Real Estate Market Report For May 2008

2008-06-10T05:26:33Z

Fairbanks Alaska Residential Real Estate Market Report for May 2008

Fairbanks Alaska is a thriving community in the heart of Alaska's Interior. In addition to being a major outdoor enthusiasts paradise, we are also home to the flagship campus of the UA System - the University of Alaska Fairbanks as well as Fort Wainwright Army Post and Eielson Air Force Base. Life in Alaska is good... come discover what makes our community a great place to call home!

Well, it looks as though our spring market has finally arrived... mid summer. The good news is we're seeing an upswing in market activity. The bad news is we're still seeing a good many homes languish on the market. Sellers need to take a long hard look at the market and adjust their sales price accordingly IF the goal is to sell.

Sales of residential homes in Fairbanks rose 22% over April 2008 with 105 homes closing escrow for a total of $22,453,654. The average sales price also rose slightly to $213,844 while the days on the market decreased to an average of 103, market wide.

Currently there are 168 homes under contract with 654 actively for sale. The absorption rate for Fairbanks is hovering at just shy of 6.46 months (meaning it will take that long to sell everything that's on the market with no new listings). That number is declining, which indicates a lot more homes are going under contract than even a month ago.

If you're thinking of buying a home in Fairbanks or North Pole, you might not find a better time than right now. There are good values to be had, rates are still low for the time being and some sellers are offering closing cost concessions. Don't make the mistake of waiting for the market to worsen... the signs are pointing to that not happening.

Homes Sold: 118
New Construction: 10
Average Price: $208,360
Average DOM: 45

Homes Sold: 105
New Construction: 8
Average Price: $213,844
Average DOM: 103

Jan - June 2007
Homes Sold: 474
New Construction: 82
Average Price: $206,992
Average DOM: 51

Jan - June 2008
Homes Sold: 353
New Construction: 47
Average Price: $212,090
Average DOM: 122

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks Sunset..

2008-06-09T15:08:17Z

Tonight as I was washing Kathy's car at 1:12AM, because in Fairbanks, Alaska we can do that in sunlight), I found myself mesmerized by a glorious sunset. I didn't quite capture the best moments but I did manage to snap these photo's at the lake.

One of the joys of life in Alaska is that our summers are second to none. If you're new to Alaska or considering a move to the Golden Heart City, expect these sights often. Enjoy!

Click the thumbnails below to open to a full size image.

My personal favorite

Ready to find your own piece of the last frontier from which to enjoy these tranquil sunsets? Call us at 907-699-6024 or contact us online.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Be like Nike... Just do it!

2008-06-06T17:02:29Z

Ok, folks... I know I've been wearing my jester hat somewhat lately but I want to try to get serious for a second. Notice I said try; there are no promises here.

We're involved in a transaction with an agent on one of our new construction properties I would personally love to throttle. The only thing she's done thus far is fax the offer to my office. WoHoo! Ok, I like offers, so that's definitely a good start.

This particular house is one of our personal projects. We'll just suspend reality for a second (really, I have pills that can do that) and pretend it's not and that I'm answering to a client who isn't me.

I'm sure at times we all run into agents that seem to continuously drop the ball. Once under contract they become ghosts never to be heard from again... until it's time to collect their commission, of course.

While I would like to beat said agents about the head and face with a handful of wet noodles, I always stop, take a deep breath (or a drink) and remember that the client is paying me to get the property to closing. They are paying me to make the transaction smooth for them... not me.

I'm there to make sure the transaction goes smoothly and if that means picking up the slack from an absentee agent, then I'm going to do it. I'll gripe about it in the car when I'm alone (or when talking to my closest 89,376 friends) but I never want the client to feel their transaction isn't going smoothly because the agents are playing the It's-not-my-job game.

Whatever it is that needs to be done... Just do it. Get the transaction closed and make the client happy. The temporary aggravation will be rewarded with generous referrals for a job well done.

My job is hard enough...

2008-06-05T05:51:13Z

Finally... an MLS Rules Committee action that I can get behind.

...For far too long those darn listing agents have been making my job difficult. I mean, they only put the bare minimum information in the MLS which just makes it hard as the dickens for me to do my job. Like today, I sat down and checked the MLS while waiting to go to a hair appointment to see if any cute houses had come up for sale. I found one that looked perfect for that one buyer I got on floor duty. But, all it says is the house is a 3 bedroom 2 bath? I mean, come on, I think this guy, what was his name... Phil something? Roger? Ramone? Oh, well it's not important right now.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure he said something about wanting a master suite on the main floor but because of this lazy listing agent I can't tell where the master bedroom is. Is it on the first floor, upstairs or in the cavern like basement. Those basements are cool in the summer though, so that might work. Oh, look it's time for my hair appointment... Gotta get beautified. The outside is cute... we'll just go look at it anyway. Stairs might not be that big of an issue...

Do you ever run into something that made you stop, scratch your head and go hmmmm.

I had one of those moments this afternoon when reading an email from our local Board Association Executive regarding some recent MLS Rules changes. In our MLS, as I assume most, there are data fields which must be filled out or checked before a listing can be uploaded. There are also numerous optional fields for, among other things, room sizes and locations. Wielding their mighty plastic gavels, our MLS Committee enacted a new rule requiring listings to denote the location of each bedroom and bathroom before the listing could go live. Ok, nothing serious but it struck me as odd among the other nuts and bolts changes. Curious, I called a friend on the committee and asked about the change. His answer somewhat surprised me.

Apparently there's a buzz going around (once again I missed the buzz darnit) that agents are pushing for this to help make it easier for them to select properties for buyers to look at or to send to out of state buyers. Truly? Maybe I'm old school but wouldn't the prudent thing be to actually go see the houses? I realize in larger areas with thousands or tens of thousands of listings that might be a tall order but isn't it our job to know the market? How can we do our job effectively if we don't? As a buyer’s agent, if the client and I are seeing homes for the first time then I'm wasting the clients time on homes that might not match their search criteria. Is that the kind of representation they're paying for?

Then, of course, all that market expertise can be put to good use by helping sellers more accurately price their homes. No two homes are ever the same and those details that aren't mentioned in the MLS often translate to a necessary adjustment when running a CMA. If the details aren't seen, the numbers will inevitably be off. Again, is this what the client bargained for when they retained an agent to represent their best interests?

The MLS is a great tool and I'm certainly glad to have it but is it really a substitute for firsthand knowledge? I like to tour and actually see the homes in my market with a eye toward what's not mentioned in the MLS. Sometimes what's not said is what we really need to know.

Then again, perhaps I'm just a dinosaur living in the digital age and should go get my hair done and wait for Ramone to call back…

UPDATE: Sorry folks, this is what I get for very early morning posting. This was really more of a rant against the clique of agents in our Board who never seem to sell anything but want to dictate rules to the rest... I don't tour every home for sale, but I've seen them. If and when the one-or-two-sales-a-year agents get a buyer (or seller), it would be helpful to know the market... can't sell your product if you don't know it, right? Sorry for the confusion.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Up the creek...and no paddle in sight.

2008-06-02T13:37:19Z

Recently we met with a couple looking for some help with a building project. They bought a parcel of land upon which they planned to build their dream home but due to a lack of planning and a little claimed deception on the part of the seller found themselves mired in a potential disaster. What takes this from bad to worse is the seller is a licensed (non Realtor) real estate agent.

What do you do when you don't know what you don't know? The seller, who happens to live next door, told them the ground in the area was good. Based in part on his statements the buyers didn't bother having a subsurface soils investigation done. They had no idea that could even be done.

Contrary to what some will say, you can not tell diddly about the soil without having the lot in question drilled. The type/size/age of trees or other vegetation won't tell you anything. The only ground you won't find permafrost under has palm trees growing up from it, as the old joke goes.

It wasn't until they hired a local company to excavate for the foundation and septic system that they discovered trouble brewing. Five feet down and no gravel.... 6 feet... 9 feet... 12 feet and still no gravel. Plenty of muck - wet clay that you couldn't build a dog house on, let alone a 2,200 sq. ft. house. Dig, dig, dig was the order of the day all the way down to 19' when they hit gravel... beneath 4' of water.

Having two test holes dug and examined would have cost $2,500. They are now facing a $30,000+ expense to bring in enough gravel to fill a 20' hole the width and depth of the foundation. We talked briefly about building the house on steel pilings but after looking at the plans we'll need roughly 25 pilings, which at $1,400 each plus a floating steel deck floor in the garage adds roughly $35,000 to the cost of the foundation.

They are understandably sick. I feel for them but at this point I'm not sure what can be done. They can't simply cut their losses and move on either as they paid, in my opinion, too much for the property. They could never resell it for what they paid and certainly not with the knowledge of the soil condition (at least in that spot). I'm not sure what options outside of litigation are available and even that's going to be a messy road to try and travel. The seller will simply hide behind caveat emptor as there are no disclosure requirements in the State of Alaska where undeveloped land is concerned.

If you're buying undeveloped land in Fairbanks or the Interior, have the property drilled. It could save you from making a very costly mistake which you could certainly end up regretting later.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Righting an egregious wrong....

2008-06-02T00:06:56Z

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I goofed.

While drafting my Super MeME I accidentally left out Susan Mangigian's name out of my list of favorite bloggers... Frankly, I don't know how it happened, but I think it had something to do with my stapler being broken which left me playing in the 'Rain Gooseless. It was an atrocious oversight on my part... one hopefully Susan can forgive me for.

Susan, this is for you! You are without a doubt one of my favorite....

all time favorite...
absolute favorite....
supreme favorite

bloggers here on AR.

Can ya ever forgive me? :)

For those of you who haven't had the privilege to meet Susan... get your mouse in gear and go check her blog out. She's a fantastic eccentric Italian lady from Philly.... super Mom, fantastic blogger, Philly tour guide extraordinaire, Super Realtor... the list of attributes goes on and on.

"...I like to have a glass of red wine at night. I also swear..." What else is there to say? She's good people!

Super Size MeMe

2008-05-31T14:47:52Z

So, it's time for a Super MeMe? It looks as though four of AR's loveliest ladies have tagged us for a new MeMe. If you haven't read these talented and gracious bloggers, please go check their blogs out. You'll be glad you did, I promise! Their photo's above are are links to their blog's. Since it appears the last MeMe's didn't bore you to tears, I'll have to see if I can fix that with this one. :)

Question #1: Who is my favorite musical artist?

I have so many artists I listen to and love. I don't know that I have a single favorite artist; it's more like a favorite of the moment. Chris Botti, Sinatra, Oleta Adams, Bryan Adams, Marvin Gaye, CeCe Winans, The Gaither's, Brad Paisley, Elvis, Nickleback, Adnrea Bocelli and on and on. Right now Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis is a new find. The video's below are a few of my all time favorites.

Question #2: Who is my favorite visual artist?

Local artist Randall Compton is an absolute favorite - the way he captures the spirit of the Alaskan landscape on canvas simply amazes me. Our house is full of his work. Shane Lamb, Charles Gause, David Totten, Michael Sieve, Shane Lamb, Barbara Lavallee, Gail Niebrugge, Gary Peterson, and Daniel Smith all come in a close second. I also have two Trumbull prints in my office I'm quite fond of. Click the thumbnail to see a larger image.

Question #3: Who is my favorite blogger?

YOU

Hey, if Time can get away with it, so can I. Seriously, there are hundreds of people I read - both on AR and 'out there' in cyberspace. Without a doubt, AR has the biggest collection of my favorites; Jason Crouch, Richard Weisser, Mel Botting, Amanda Hall, Gary Wotal, Fran Gaspari, Jo Soss, The Poinciana duo of ~~Bertha~~ Bryant & TLW, Jon Zolsky, Michael Thornton, Colleen Fischesser, Susan Mangigian, Lori Franks, Lizzie Weintraub, Andrew Lenza, ~~Sparkler Boy~~ Paul Slaybaugh, Audrey June-Forshey, Margaret Woda, Lisa Heindel, Linda Scanlan, Deb Brooks, Cameron Wilson, Debbie DiFonzo, and Mike in Tucson among many others.

Question #4: If I could meet anyone (dead or alive), who would it be?

Hmmm, one person? That's tough. There are so many people I would love to sit down and talk to and learn from. If I could put together a dinner party and could invite anyone the guest list would include Teddy Roosevelt, Admiral Nelson, Captain Fatty & Carolyn Goodlander (author/sailor), Jimmy Stewart, King Hussein of Jordan and perhaps Paul McCartney.

Question #5: What did I want to be when I grew up?

I went through several stages... actually it took me 40 years to figure out that I wanted to be a pirate. ha. All kidding aside, I went from doctor to accountant to naval aviator to diplomat to real estate broker, attorney and finally back to pirate. :)

I abandoned plans for medical school after a family friend, who was a physician, talked me out of it and looking back it was a good decision. The one I sometimes wish I had stuck with was that of diplomat with State... I think. It would have been an interesting career to be certain.

I'm closing in on my goal of being a full time pirate; when Kathy and I finally retire we have plans to spend a good number of our golden years at sea. We already have the parrot and the boat; all that's left is to pick up a case of rum and an eye patch and we're all set.

Question #6: If I could live in any point of history when would it be and why?

Anyone remember the show Quantum Leap? I would love to be able to leap back through time to make right the wrongs of the past, but only if I had a way to come home. Frankly, I'm pretty content with life and would prefer to look forward rather than back. Given the chance to leap into the 'Star Trek' era, I would go in a heart beat.

Question #7: What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?

In Alaska, it's against the law to give Bullwinkle a beer. Coming in a close second is that it's a crime to sing off key in North Carolina. Kathy LOVES to sing off key (on purpose) which prompts me to threaten to move to NC. Me thinks there's an ulterior motive to that singing. :)

Question#8: What is the most interesting job you have ever held?

One summer during college I worked at a funeral home. The owners wife, a much, much younger trophy wife, did most of the heavy lifting while I ran errands and kept her entertained. I can't say as I learned much about the funeral home business that summer, but it was an education just the same. :)

So, here's the fun part. I get to tag some more unsuspecting souls for the next round. Cameron Wilson, Monika McGillicudy, Richard Weisser, Fran Gaspari and Don Rogers. I used to think these were a little on the silly side, but I thoroughly enjoy reading them, so please keep it going guys!

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks log homes for sale

2008-05-30T03:26:05Z

Fairbanks log homes for sale - Alaskana at its truest.

For many a log home is the ultimate Alaskan residence. Fairbanks home buyers often cite a log home as one of their dream requirements. Well, dream no more.

There are currently 51 log homes for sale in Fairbanks and Interior Alaska ranging from a rustic cabin on a great view lot for $65,000 to a stunning lodge on Blue Creek and the Tanana River in Delta Junction for $2,000,000. With an average asking price of $250,000 there's sure to be a Fairbanks log home for every taste and budget.

The majority of these beautiful homes are within a 5-30 minute drive of downtown Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright. Drive time to Eielson Air Force Base is approximately 15-45 minutes.

Here area few examples of beautiful Fairbanks log homes currently for sale.

Trianon Drive
East Rural Fairbanks

Asking Price: $535,000
Built in 1999
2900 Sq. Ft. Living
1,450Sq. Ft. Garage
3 Bedrooms / 2.5 Baths
1.84 Acres
Listed by REMAX Associates

Pahham McCormick Road
Badger Road

Asking Price: $379,900
Built in 1984
2,976 Sq. Ft. Living
1,800 Sq. Ft. Garage
4 Bedrooms / 3 Baths
3.9 Acres
Listed by Century 21 Gold Rush

Sharon Road
Badger Road

Asking Price: $299,000
Built in 1997
2,536 Sq. Ft. Living
Dbl Car Garage
4 Bedrooms / 2 Baths
1.36 Acres
Listed by Somers & Associates

Seawolf Drive
Badger Road

Asking Price: $174,900
Built in 1999
1,260 Sq. Ft. Living
No Garage
2 Bedrooms / 1 Baths
1.38 Acres
Listed by ERA Northern Lights

Ready to stake a claim to your piece of The Last Frontier? Contact Jesse or Kathy Clifton at 907.699.6024!

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks River Front Homes For Sale

2008-05-30T03:24:58Z

Fairbanks River Front Homes For Sale - Enjoy life on the Chena River!

It seems the two things Fairbanks home buyers most often ask for is a home in the hills with a view or a home on the river.

Whether you're looking for a place to park your float plane, a home for your boat, or you're just looking for a sweet spot on the river to wash away your troubles at the end of a long day, there's sure to be a Fairbanks river front home that you'll fall in love with.

All of these beautiful homes are within a 5-20 minute drive of downtown Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright. Drive time to Eielson Air Force Base is approximately 15-35 minutes.

Here area few examples of beautiful Fairbanks river front homes currently for sale.

Cosgrave Drive
Southwest Rural Fairbanks

Asking Price: $649,000
Built in 2005
3,620 Sq. Ft. Living
1,064 Sq. Ft. Garage
5 Bedrooms / 3.5 Baths
1.03 Acres
Listed by REMAX Associates

Slater Drive
East Fairbanks

Asking Price: $499,000
Built in 1981
4,300 Sq. Ft. Living
924 Sq. Ft. Garage
6 Bedrooms / 4 Baths
.37 Acres
Listed by Wallace, Wallace & Wakefield

Riverview Drive
Central Fairbanks

Asking Price: $492,500
Built in 1989
3,946 Sq. Ft. Living
1,199 Sq. Ft. Garage
4 Bedrooms / 3.5 Baths
.36 Acres
Listed by Wallace, Wallace & Wakefield

Slater Drive
East Fairbanks

Asking Price: $175,000
Built in 1952
1,473 Sq. Ft. Living
Single Car Garage
4 Bedrooms / 2 Baths
.33 Acres
Listed by Century 21 Gold Rush

Ready to stake a claim to your piece of The Last Frontier? Contact Jesse or Kathy Clifton at 907.699.6024!

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

For Sale By Owner; It's not easy, is it?

2008-05-22T00:08:59Z

Tonight while going to check on listing, I passed the home of an unrepresented Fairbanks homeowner. It was a new construction project the sellers either built to resell or were forced to sell due to circumstances. I've watched as this particular 'builder' spent the better part of a year and a half working to finish this house. What caught my eye tonight though was a very large handwritten sign with the words "I will pay all closing costs for veterans" written across it in big block letters. My first thought was to wonder if the seller was paying closing costs, closing costs and prepaids, closing costs, prepaids and reserves, or closing costs, prepaids, reserves and the veterans funding fee. Then I wondered if the seller knew the difference, but that's for another blog.

I haven't been in this particular house but I know all about it. The seller has been very diligent in posting the property to every known free listing site left on planet earth, or so it seems. There have been newspaper ads; line ads and large, expensive diaplay ads with pretty graphics but still it sits there. The sellers are frustrated with a home that won't sell and I'm sure are getting to where any offer would look good. At this point most agents could tell you what's wrong with the house without knowing anything else.

It's the price, silly.

Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner, I applaud your effort to sell your home yourself. Whatever your reasons for going it alone I wish you the best. I do have a few pieces of advice I would like to offer you though; free of charge. You have been given the tools to understand the market. God gave them to you when you were born. They're your ears. Listen to the market, because it's speaking to you loud and clear. As a mater of fact, when you nailed that gigantic neon green poster board sign to the tree on the corner of your property it began screaming, but you're not listening.

If you wish to jump into the real estate game and walk a mile in my shoes, there are a few things you really need to take care of.

1) Correct the price. You might want $335,000, but you're not going to get it. If your asking price doesn't mirror market value as established by a licensed appraiser, then nothing else you do will matter. If the price is wrong those saplings in your front yard will be shade trees before the house sells.

2) Understand that failing to have the home inspected during construction has reduced the number of people who can buy your home. Without your holding a General Contractors license with a Residential Endorsement and the PUR 101 and 102's complete; respectively the energy rating and building inspections, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation will not go near your home. In today's tight money market, the rate subsidy's from Alaska Housing make them a dominant player.

3) Create curb appeal. It's second, in my opinion, only to price. If the price is wrong and it shows poorly from the street, you're in double trouble. Buyers will barely slow down as they cruise down the street to the next house. Clean up the scrap building materials that are still lying all around on the "job site" after almost two years. Get the boat off the 'front yard.' While you're at it, get a front yard.

4) Make sure the inside of your home does not look like the outside. If you do get a buyer through the front door, they're not going to be able to see and appreciate the house over and though your clutter.

6) Make it available to buyers. Not everyone is willing to wait until Saturday afternoon or until you get home at 7:30PM to see your home. There are too many others on the market and yours is just not that special. Buyers will forget it ever existed by Saturday.

7) Hire an attorney. You'll need one to protect your interests when (or if) an offer comes in. While you can navigate a real estate transaction without a Realtor, it would be foolish to forgo both an experienced Realtor and an attorney.

Mr. & Mrs. homeowner, I offer this advice solely to help you get your home sold. The longer buyers ride by your "I'll give you the farm if you'll buy this house" sign, the longer they will think the entire market is on life support and that's far from the truth. Prepare it for the market or put one of those pretty azure blue gazing balls where the For Sale sign is now; it would make a much better lawn ornament.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Fairbanks View Homes For Sale

2008-05-21T16:34:38Z

Fairbanks view homes for sale - Great values await savvy Fairbanks home buyers.

Looking for a Fairbanks home with an extraordinary view? With a swelling inventory and a market that certainly favors buyers, now is a great time to buy a Fairbanks view home. There are currently 20 Fairbanks homes on the market that feature outstanding city, mountain and/or river views. Homes range from a beautiful spacious home off Gold Mine Trail for $374,900 to a stunning new construction off Chena Ridge for $639,000; all with stellar views.

In addition to enjoying the views afforded by these homes, those who call the hills around Fairbanks home are situated above the ice fog; a Fairbanks phenomenon that occurs when the temperature drops below about minus 30 degrees in which most everything in the valley is covered in a blanket of fuzzy white haze.

All of these beautiful homes are within a 15-20 minute drive of downtown Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright. Drive time to Eielson Air Force Base is approximately 30-35 minutes.

Below are a few examples of beautiful Fairbanks view homes.

Chena Ridge - Southwest Rural Fairbanks

Asking Price: $639,000
Built in 2007
4,600 Sq. Ft. Living
1,400 Sq. Ft. Garage
5 bedrooms / 4 Baths
1.89 Acres

Ridgepointe Dive - Southwest Rural Fairbanks

Asking Price: $499,000
Built in 2006
3,700 Sq. Ft. Living
560 Sq. Ft. Garage
4 Bedrooms / 3 Baths
1.96 Acres

Pennyweight Drive - East Rural Fairbanks

Asking Price: $374,900
Built in 1999
2,588 Sq. Ft. Living
780 Sq. Ft. Garage
4 Bedrooms / 3 Baths
1.85 Acres

Ready to stake a claim to your piece of The Last Frontier? Contact Jesse or Kathy Clifton at 907.699.6024!

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

How to win friends and influence people.. Jesse Style

2008-05-21T04:25:19Z

Most of you who read this literary buffet know I'm not all that shy about expressing opinions. I've been told over the years I should work on that and not be such an "opinionated ass." I've always found it annoyed the right people too much for me to be too interested in changing. :)

Today I had a meeting with a seller who wanted to me to discuss putting his house on the market. No problem. I do manage to practice real estate here and there between watching Blogging Bertha & TLW and the numerous AR block parties.

I arrive at the seller’s house this afternoon to be greeted in the driveway by 7 of the cutest little tikes. One even gave me a flower; it was plastic and looked as though it had doggie business on it, but hey it's the thought that counts, right? (the women in the room are silently shaking their head thinking, yea, right.)

Mr. & Mrs. Seller come outside and I know I know the husband from somewhere... but where? After spending 30 minutes or so touring the house we sit down to discuss the nitty gritty. As I reach in my pocket for a fresh pack of sparklers, the seller says, "you don't remember me, do you?"

Now, I hate that. I have the backside of an elephant; I should have the memory of one too. So, I fess up and tell him that I know him, I just don't know from where. He laughs and said that we met about 15 years ago. Yea, that helps. I can barely remember what I had for breakfast. "Picture me 15 years younger, thinner and with more hair."

Well, that sounds awful familiar. Still no luck. Apparently 15 years or so ago he was riding his Harley in downtown Fairbanks, feeling no pain thanks to some "home grown stock." In a moment smoky haze he turned down the wrong way on a one way street. As he slowly made his way down the street - backwards, he sees me standing on the street talking to someone. Feeling pretty good he said he waved to us as he passed only to hear me call out...

"You're going the wrong way you damn hippie!" I burst out in laugher, not because I remembered, but because I can easily see having said that. He said he's not sure why he remembered me, but he has never forgotten that one-way mixup. They've been following our marketing for a while and when they made the decision to relocate, we were first people they thought of. We inked the papers without so much as a batting of an eyelash over the sales price or my fee. Can't beat that.

I'm pretty sure you're not going to hear some hot shot Mr. Listen to Me, I Coach Thousands of Realtors tell you to count on earning business this way. Sometimes though, business can come from the strangest places. So, the next time you see a long haired goober driving the wrong way on a one way street, don't look away, step to the curb and say "Hey dumbass, you're going the wrong way." It might earn you a listing.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

A walk on the wild side...

2008-05-20T01:11:46Z

Chena Lakes Recreation Area

Located just a few miles from Fairbanks and North Pole is Chena Lakes Recreation Area; a 2,100 acre Lake and River Park, campground and picnic area. It's a fantastic place to spend a summer afternoon or weekend enjoying the great outdoors. Although Chena Lakes is only a few miles from the city of North Pole, once inside the park it feels like you're a million miles away.

The lake park is built around a 260 acre lake surrounded by a long sandy beach. Nestled into a winding loop are numerous waterfront picnic tables with BBQ grills and fire rings, several pavilions with changing rooms (which must be reserved), three volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, a playground for the kids (and the kid in you), two fishing docks and a lake boat launch. An onsite vendor rents paddle boats, kayaks and canoes for those wishing to explore the lake. A couple of the islands have picnic tables, fire rings and tent camping sites set up as well.

Want to do a little fishing? The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with Rainbow Trout, Silver Salmon and Arctic Char and you can try your hand at catching Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Whitefish, Burbot and King Salmon.

The River Park is stretched along 4 miles of the south bank of the Chena River and has a volleyball court, horseshoe pit, a covered pavilion, changing room/warm up building, a 3 mile self guided nature trail, river boat launch, potable water stations, restrooms, and multiple day use picnic sites with tables and fire rings.

With so much to see and do, you might just want to spend the night or a weekend. Lucky for you Chena Lakes has two campgrounds with a total of 80 back in and pull through sites. Both campground loops are wooded and offer views of the Chena River, Chena Lakes or great views of the Alaskan wilderness. All of the campsites have a parking pad (most have a padded tent site as well), picnic table and fire ring. Restrooms, water pumps and trash receptacles are also close at hand. The one caveat to using the campground is that, like most state campgrounds, size matters. RV's up to 30' - 35'+/- will fit into most sites without a problem but beyond that there are only a few that you'll be able to get into. Lucky for us the few that accommodate larger rigs are among our favorite sites in the park.

There are trails galore running through the park. Several well developed ATV trails circle the park. In addition there are miles and miles of trails that cut through the park and flood control project that are great fun to hike and ride though. Chena Lakes also boasts several miles of wide paved bike paths to enjoy. Just remember, you're not necessarily alone out there... Bears and moose are commonly seen, so please use caution.

Additional Resources

Map and directions to Chena Lakes Recreation Area
Boat rental information
Chena Lake Recreation Area Fee Schedule

Chena Lakes Map & Rules
Picnic Reservation Form
Winter Trail Map and Guide

Photo's
click to enlarge

VIEW CHENA LAKES RECREATION AREA SLIDESHOW

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Sunday Morning on the River

2008-05-18T17:18:28Z

Greetings from sunny and slightly chilly Fairbanks, Alaska.

We made the decision late Friday to head to our favorite spot on the river for a weekend getaway. This particular area is located in the Chena State Recreation Area, approximately 50 miles from Fairbanks, on the banks of the Chena River.

We found this little oasis a few years ago while exploring the many access roads that lead from Chena Hot Springs Road to the Chena River. We have a couple of favorites - one in particular we were lucky to get is a secluded area tucked away on a bend in the river that affords us a measure of privacy from the rest of the riverbank camping folks. It's not an easy order to get the 'ol girl in there but it's definitely worth it.

To the east all we see out is a long stretch of the Chena River and the hills beyond. Moose, fox, beaver, robins, jay's and squirrels are regular visitors to the area. Just around the corner is a wonderful little deep hole that grayling are known to frequent. Follow the path along the river and you'll find several areas where the fishing is second to none and the scenery will take your breath away.

The tiles beneath my feet were warm this morning and yet I still shivered when I noticed the temperature was a very cool 34 degrees outside. Brrrr. With the coffee brewing and the boss sleeping I slipped on my shoes and stepped outside to greet the morning. Brrr indeed. The wind off the river made me instantly wish I had been wearing long johns. I peeked around the back of the motorhome to look at a tent occupied by a young couple that rolled in last night about 8:00. I imagine they were snuggled together in a warm sleeping bag; cozy as a two bugs in a rug.

We've spent many a night in a tent in our early years. Somehow the ground didn't feel quite so hard back them, or perhaps we were just more flexible. There are days I feel like a sellout for abandoning the purist ideals of basic camping but the second my feet hit the warm tile floor and I sat down and fired up the laptop while watching the river flow by from the comfort of my easy chair those feelings of guilt began to fade.

It's going to be a glorious day today despite the weatherman’s threat of a morning shower. Corned beef hash, fried eggs and English muffins with fresh ground Seattle's Best is on the menu for breakfast. Pull up a chair and join us and let's rejoice in all the Lord has provided! After breakfast we'll take our fly rods and head up the river to see what Nemo and his buddies are up to.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts.

Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package.

Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.