Visit our open house this Saturday between 2-5 pm

 Anchorage, AK Real Estate

Great south facing windows & fenced yard for the dog. Look out the back and you'll see only trees! This home has an Updated kitchen with rich paint tones to complement. Very nice sized pantry! Cozy living area with fireplace & half bath on main floor. Large master suite, double sink, large soaking tub with huge walk in closet! Laundry upstairs right off bedroom. Nice sized additional bedrooms & bathroom with lots of storage.

Address: 

2441 Hillbrook Circle #2441  Anchorage, Ak 99504

Directions:   West on Wildbrook off of Muldoon Rd.,left on Eastbrook Dr. to Hillbrook Cir. Property is on far left side end of the Circle.

OPEN HOUSE Saturday, 2/11/2012 from 2-5 pm.  See you there!

Anchorage Real Estate Statistics

Our market center's Total Market Overview that was published February 7, 2012 shows that Anchorage, Alaska single family market is still going strong. The average days on market of sold home is only 73 days. The average days on market of homes that are still active (due to being over price, condition, location etc..) is 118 days. 

Our average sales price of SOLD HOMES is $314,387 with a 98.2% list to sales ratio! Sellers are getting close to full price!! That is exciting to see. We currently have 742 single family homes on the real estate market, 247 homes that are pending with a pending ration of 33.3%.  

As the weather warms up and Anchorage experiences longer days and more sunlight we can expect to see more homes come on the market. We'll also experience more buyers looking for homes as well. If you are thinking about selling your home, this is a great time!

2012 Real Property Assessment Appeals  

Anchorage, Alaska Real Estate

Anchorage property owners, you should have received your 2012 Real Property Assessments by now and this is a reminder that any and all property appraisal appeals must be filed by February 13, 2012. 

There are many reasons why property values go up and down; the neighborhood became more trendy or your particular home has had updates and renovations done to it. The best reason to appeal your property appraisal is to lower your tax amount. This can be done through varoius ways and for different reasons. Remember that the Tax Assessed Value is NOT the same as the Market Value of the Property click here to read more about this topic.

Here are the steps to take to appeal your property appraisal:

1. Do you homework and your research. Look up the assesments of the properties around your area. www.muni.org provides this information.  Oftentimes your property assessment is incorrect because of incorrect data. Make an appointment with the city assesor. At that time you can check to see if there are any errors on your property card. 

2. Make your case. Your main objective is to prove that your property is assessed for more than comparable properties with similar characteristics.  Once you've gathered all your evidence and supporting document, orgainze your argument and rehearse your presentation a few times before bringing it to the board.

Keep in mind that there is a time allotted to make your appeal. BE sure to submit your appeal in writing before February 13, 2012. 

Search Anchorage Real Estate 

The Alaska State Fair

The Alaska State Fair, once known as the Matanuska Valley Fair Association, located at the entrance of Palmer, AK, is the main attraction as fall approaches. The initial purpose for the origination of the fair was to populate the Matanuska Valley (and was successfully accomplished) has become the annual festival for locals. This year the fair will open on August 25^th and will continue until September 5^th.

You can find many activities at the fair for all ages. There are rides, foods, entertainment, contests and shopping.

Rides will spread in one area of the park and will be segregated by ages. There is enough to keep the children entertained, with ticket prices not too high and adult rides not too far away for the teenagers that have a bit more of the edgier side.

The foods range in variety. If there is a time to see what Alaskan can cook up, this is the time and place. From potatoes, fresh cut, whisper-thin and fried crisp, turkey legs, hot and drippy with barbecue sauce, tamales, buttered corn, pork chops, elephant ears, crispy on the outside and elastic on the inside, gritty with cinnamon-sugar and peach pie. This is almost the main reason most locals come to the fair.

There is always live music playing, whether is a bit cloudy or even raining outside. Year to year they host live performances such as, the heritage native dances, school talent and pretty much open acts to a variety of talents. The stage is set over green grass where you can lay a beach towel and just hang loose or if you are more into participating there are all sorts of contests.

There is the 16^th Annual Cabbage weigh off, 3^rd Annual Legendary Karaoke Contest, Alaska’s Got talent and much more.

And as you roam through the Green, Yellow, Purple and Red trails…you may find yourself trying a variety of foods, shopping at all of the local stores located right in the fair, stopping to relax to great music and entertainment, or even collecting the 1^st prize ribbon, these are reasons to be sure to keep you coming back year after year.

If you or anyone you know are looking into moving to Alaska, please visit my website: www.HomesByVanna.com

Vanna Siackhasone

Keller Williams Realty

www.HomesByVanna.com

Shopping for a Home Loan

There are thousands of mortgage lenders across the country, each with many different loan products. There's a mortgage product for just about everyone.

Banks

One place to check is your local bank. This can result in a reasonably good deal for the qualified customer. In many other cases, the bank will not have a program that fits your needs, or you may fall outside the guidelines of its lending ability.

Once you have visited your bank, look in the real estate section of your local paper for the rates at other banks.

The Web

The Web lets you comparison shop, right from the comfort of your own computer. Not only that, but you don't have to hunt down a hundred different banks -- certain aggregator sites have done that for you. In fact, you might check out the loan services provided by our Home Center sponsors. Each of these companies can help you shop for the lowest mortgage rates.

Real Estate Agents

You might well find the cheapest rates in town (or in the country) on the Internet. If, however, you end up working with a real estate agent, you might feel more secure with a lender that has a relationship with your agent. The idea is this: The agent brings business to the lender, so the lender has some sense of responsibility toward honoring commitments with that agent's clients by providing the client with all options available.

When should I shop for a mortgage?

Ideally, you should find a lender and get "pre-qualified" for a mortgage before you ever start looking for a house. Not only will you feel more confident knowing that you'll have a certain amount of money (which can also narrow down your price range for potential houses), but you'll be a more serious candidate to sellers.

What information should I get from the mortgage company?

There are many questions to ask prospective lenders. Don't be afraid to ask any question, even if you think it may sound ridiculous, you are going to pay them a lot of money for a very long time. They serve you, not the other way around. If you feel the loan does not suit you don't be afraid to express this and have them find another option.

Finding a Real Estate Agent

Finding a good real estate agent / broker is essential to enjoying a painless real estate transaction. The question is how can you find a good real estate agent? The best agent for you doesn't necessarily work at the largest brokerage, close the most transactions or make the most money. The best agent for you is an experienced professional who will listen to you, conducts herself in an ethical manner and knows your market.

1. Real Estate Professional
An individual who provides services in buying and selling homes. A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of a property on behalf of the owner.

2. Referrals
Most real estate agents stay in business because satisfied clients refer them to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers. Ask the people around you who they have used and ask them to describe their experiences with this real estate agent. Successful agents make customer satisfaction their number one priority and put their customers' needs before their own. Try to find an agent who goes above and beyond her responsibilities.

3. Search Online for Agent Listings

There are plenty of Web sites that will refer agents to you. Google real estate companies in your area, go to those Web sites and look up profiles of individual agents at offices near you. Agents who are experienced will tell you but newer agents might have more time to spend with you. Look for customer testimonials.

4. Attend Open Houses

By going to open houses, you can meet real estate agents in a non-threatening working environment and interact with them. Collect business cards and make notes on them. If you're thinking about selling your home, pay attention to how the agent is showing the home. Is she polite and informative; appear knowledgeable? Does she hand out professional-looking promotional material about the home? Is she trying to sell features of the home? Or is she sitting in a corner reading a book, ignoring you?

5. Track Neighborhood Signs

Pay attention to the listing signs in your neighborhood. Make note of the day they go up and when the sold sign appears. The agent who sells listings the fastest might be better for you than the agent with the largest number of "for sale" signs. Results speak volumes.

6. Using Print Advertising

Real estate agents run real estate ads for two purposes. The first is to sell specific real estate. The second is to promote the real estate agent. Look in your local Sunday newspaper for ads in your targeted neighborhood. Then look up the Web sites of the agents who are advertising. These agents could be specialists in your neighborhood. Call and ask them about their experience.

7. Recommendations from Professionals

Ask other real estate agents for referrals. Agents are happy to refer buyers and sellers to associates, especially if the service you need is not a specialty of the agent who is referring you. Some agents specialize in residential resales while others work exclusively with new home builders. Other agents sell only commercial or investment property. Mortgage brokers are also a resource for agent referrals as many brokers have first-hand knowledge of exceptional agents. Pros tend to refer pros.

Tips for House Hunting

As a real estate professional, we understand that when it comes to deciding on the right home, it can get a bit frustrating. We can provide you with all the resources and knowledge but deciding on which house you will decide to call your home lies on your hands. Here are some tips to help you make every minute worth it when you are house hunting.

1. Location counts. Location is crucial. How far are you really willing to commute to your place of employment? How good are the local schools, shopping centers, public transportation, seniors’ services and other public amenities? Will your new home be next to a vacant lot or a commercial property?

2. Make a list. Do you know what you need and want in your home? You'll save yourself many hours of shopping if you make a list ahead of time. Zero in on the features you must have, would like to have, definitely don't want and would prefer not to have. Your goal is to find the right home for your family without falling in love with one that doesn't suit your needs. Tip: Start compiling your wish list by thinking about what you like and dislike about your current home.

3. Do your homework. Today, a lot of information is available on the web such as home sales prices, market trends, homes on the market, neighborhood statistics and the home-buying process. Go surfing. Get educated. Become empowered. Having a real estate professional can also lessen this research.

4. Get preapproved for a mortgage. Rather than guessing or estimating how much you can afford to spend, ask a lender or mortgage broker to give you a full assessment and a letter stating how much you're qualified to borrow. The true amount may be much more or much less than you think.

5. Use a checklist. Touring multiple homes is a confusing experience for most people. After hours, days and weeks of looking at numerous homes, your mind will start to confuse one home for the other. Rather than relying on memory, make notes about the homes you visit. Turn your priorities into a personalized home-shopping checklist and use it track the features of each home.

6. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes. House-hunting can be tiring, especially if you're relocating to a distant community and want to see a dozen homes in one day. You don’t want to be uncomfortable to the point that it will lessen your desire to enjoy this experience.

7. Be prepared to make an offer. House-hunting can also be frustrating, especially if you know in your heart you're not really emotionally or financially ready to buy a home. If you're not ready, don't put yourself through the exercise. If you are ready, go through a blank purchase contract ahead of time so you'll know what decisions you'll face when you make an offer.

8. Relax. Granted, buying a home is a major life-altering event. But it's not worth making yourself insanely crazy or super-duper stressed. Save time at the end of your house-hunting expedition to unwind, calm your thoughts and emotions and keep the whole experience in perspective.

Vanna S.

Keller Williams Realty

www.HomesByVanna.com

Short Sale vs. Foreclosure

Because you can’t foresee the unexpected, occurrences such as serious illness, a major accident, divorce or job loss can result in losing your home to foreclosure due to inability to keep up with your monthly mortgage payment. Most people have to resort to foreclosure, which is something that can keep affecting you long after you lose your home by devasting your credit score. So it’s a good idea to understand the available alternatives should the worst occur.

Of all available options, foreclosure is the worst

The results of a foreclosure is the lender taking your house. You will lose your house and the lender can get a judgment against you for the arrearages you owe plus his costs for the foreclosure action. Your credit report will be in terminal condition for many years to come, worsening an already bad financial situation and making it very difficult to obtain any other kind of credit. There is no upside to foreclosure. It should be avoided at all costs.

Consider a short sale when foreclosure seems inevitable

A short sale is a popular option for homeowners with financial problems. In this case, you would sell your home for less than what you owe your lender; the biggest problem you will face is getting your lender to agree to a short sale. In many situations, they will not. Experts advise pursuing this option as soon as you realize that you are falling behind in your payments and most likely won’t be able to catch up. The longer you wait and the greater the amount you are in arrears, the less likely it becomes that your lender will even be willing to discuss a short sale.

short sale has disadvantages too

While a short sale will save you from foreclosure, it will also have a negative effect on your credit score, frequently lowering it by as much as 200 points but this can be overcome more quickly than the black mark of a foreclosure, especially if you manage to retain one or two credit cards and keep them current.

Almost any option is better than foreclosure

Simply stated, do everything you can before foreclosure occurs and do it as quickly as soon as possible. Don’t sit back and keep thinking, "What can I do?" Instead, consider that short sale and check with your lender before your options become more limited.

The One Best Tip I Can Give You: Don’t Do This Alone

Facing foreclosure is a scary thing to figure out on your own but having a real estate professional will help you through the process, lessening the stress and helping you through the process of another option.

You Need An Experienced Short Sale Agent!

If you are someone you know is having difficulties making your mortgage payments, please visit my website at www.HomesByVanna.com or call me at (907) 720-4663.

There may still be time for you!!!

Vanna S.

Keller Williams Realty

(907) 720-4663

www.HomesByVanna.com

Five Home Remodeling Projects That You Can Do During the Winter

Don't let the winter season stop you from remodeling your home. There are a number of home improvement remodeling projects you can do during the winter that will allow you to focus on the inside of the house.

Here are the top five home remodeling projects you can do in the winter to improve your home.

1. Paint the interior of the house.

During the summer months, you are more likely to want to stay under the sun and work on the outside of your home. It's now time to focuse on the inside of the house.Compliment the inside of your home by brightening it up by giving each room a fresh coat of paint, if needed. If you've got a drab room, try a bolder color for a change of pace.

2. Remodel the bathroom. People spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Take a look around your bathroom to see what you can improve. If the skill and money to renovate the whole bathroom is out of the question, you can always address one or two items that need improving. Perhaps you'd like to refinish the bathtub or you could use a new toilet or sink. Now is a good time to tackle those much needed renovations in your bathroom.

3. Improve insulation.

This suggestion for a winter home improvement project can save you a lot on your home heating bills by increasing the insulation in your attic. You can buy rolls of insulation from the home improvement store and install as directed to help contain heat. Also check around your home's windows for any heating that could be escaping as well as cold air that could be coming into the house, by caulking windows and door frames you can stop these heat leaks.

4. Lay new carpet.

If you carpet that needs refreshing, why not pull up the old and put down new carpet? Replace worn down carpet padding if you need to. Replacing the carpet and padding as a winter home improvement project will increase the comfort in your home tremendously.

5. Refinish the kitchen cabinets.

Your kitchen is the heart of the home. If you can use some home improvement in the kitchen, consider refinishing the kitchen cabinets. Perhaps you'll want to go light or darker, or just enhance the color of the cabinets as they are. It's less expensive to refinish cabinets versus buying brand new ones. This winter home improvement project may even lead to more kitchen remodeling projects.

Vanna S.

Keller Williams Realty

www.HomesByVanna.com