Anchorage Real Estate... Laughing, Sharing, and Learning

Coupon on Google Maps Business Listing

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:35:30 -0600

Yesterday I activated my Google Maps listing for my Real Estate Business. It's called the Homes By Vanna business center on Google. Today, I figured out how to create coupons. Everyone loves coupons right? I was amazed by how easy it was.

The coupon that I made is for a Free Comparative Market Analysis. As a Realtor, I offer these services free anyway. So, home sellers don't actually need a coupon for a Comparative Analysis. But having the coupon as part of my Google Profile listing adds value to the page by presenting something to potential home sellers that might not know that Market Analyses are usually Free.

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Google Map of Homes By Vanna

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:37:28 -0600

Google Map of Homes by Vanna, Anchorage Real Estate is now Active

I am uber (is that a real word?) excited to announce that I now have a public Google Profile for my business. I had a bit of trouble mapping my office, but I got it figured out. The problem was, I got way ahead of myself and mapped the office even before I set anything up.... Anyhow, I have three maps (by accident).

Check out HomesByVanna.com's google Profile

Comments and Feedback are greatly Appreciated!!!

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Free Swine Flu Vaccines today in Anchorage

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:22:42 -0600

Free Swine Flu Vaccines today in Anchorage

Free Swine Flu Vaccinations today, December 16, 2009 from 1-7pm. Vaccinations are being administered at the Northway Mall, located at 3101 Penland Parkway Anchorage, AK 99508. An appointment is not necessary. If the turnout is high, the line/wait can be very long.

The free Swine Flu Clinic will be availabe in the Matsu are on Thursday.

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Anchorage Real Estate Statistics

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:40:47 -0600

Anchorage Real Estate Satistics

Anchorage Real Estate Update

Below, are charts showing the market statistics for homes in the Anchorage Area. The first chart shows single family homes in the area. The second chart is comprised of condos in the Anchorage Real Estate Market.

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Anchorage Home Selling Tip #4.. Shovel the Walkway

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:31:38 -0600

Anchorage Home Selling Tip #4

Anchorage Real Estate

Home Selling Tip #4 is a BIG one. SHOVEL THE WALKWAY. I know that sounds pretty elementary, but it's amazing how many homes on the MLS don't have shoveled walkways. Anchorage, Alaska can get some heavy snowfall and it's understandable that home sellers don't have the time to consistently shovel the snow off their walks before every potential buyer makes it to the house. But when the snow reaches potential home buyers' knees and they're getting an ab workout just from trudging through your driveway to get to the front door, that's probably not going to impress the buyers very much.

Remember the saying, The First Impression is the Most Important. As a home seller, dress your home to impress, starting from the outside. I know there's not much you can do in the winter in terms of exterior maintenance and landscaping, but keeping the walkways as clear as possible can be the start of a positive experience for your potential home buyers.

Keep in mind:

Some Home owners park their vehicles in the garage and go straight into their house, so the front walkway/patio area is neglected.
Tending to the walkways/patio area will give buyers a positive experience going into your house.

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Anchorage Open House Saturday.. Stop by for cookies

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:07:58 -0600

Links

Search All Homes

Photo Gallery

Description

Brand New Townhomes - OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 12:30-3:30pm

2664 Aspen Heights Loop #30 Anchorage, AK 99508

Public Remarks: Ready for occupancy. BRAND new 1521 Square Feet, 3 bedroom, 2 car Garage, 2.5 bath home. 42''Upper & Lower cabinets in Kitchen. Breakfast bar. Hymax Counter tops in kitchen and master bath, deep kitchen sinks, stainless steel appliances, carpet through out, with laminate flooring in kitchen area. Master bath has 2 no lip sinks, with 42'' lower cabinets. Mast. Bedroom set up for king size bed.

Stop by for Cookies, Saturday 12:30-3:30 pm.

Directions: East on Northern lights, left on Westlyn, project on left.

For questions, call Vanna 907-720-4663

Features

Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	2.5
Year Built:	2009
School District:	Anchorage
Square Footage:	1521
Agent Name:	Kirk
Broker:	Keller Williams Realty
MLS #:	09-10260

Location

2664 Aspen Heights Loop #30 Anchorage AK 99508

vFlyer Id: 2969747

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Home Selling Tip #3- Get a Home Warranty, Anchorage Real Estate

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:20:45 -0600

Home Selling Tip #3- Get a Home Warranty

Anchorage Real Estate

One way to certainly stand out from other homes on the market is to include a Home Warranty as part of the sale of your home. Home Warranties cover buyers for one year, starting from the date of recording, for heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliance failures. Statically, a home will experience 2 mechanical failures per year.

Another reason to have the home warranty is because you, the seller, are also protected during the period of the listing until the home sells. If you experience a mechanical failure that's covered under the home warranty, you would have to pay your deductible ($50 or $100) and the home warranty would cover the defect. Pretty cool, huh?

Information from the HSA Home Warranty Site:

As a Seller

You're protected while your home is on the market. Mechanical system failures are covered during the listing period for up to one year - you simply pay a low deductible.

You have a marketing edge. An HSA Home Warranty can help sell your home faster and closer to your asking price. The warranty enhances your home's value to prospective buyers and helps secure the best possible price for your home.

You're helping prevent post-sale disputes. If an unexpected failure occurs in your home after the sale, the buyer turns to HSA for the resolution instead of you.

As a Buyer

You're prepared for the unexpected. The cost of repairing or replacing appliances and systems in your home can be budget-breaking, especially when you've just purchased a new home. You know they can't last forever, so you need to plan ahead.

You save yourself time and keep it simple. An HSA Home Warranty provides the convenience of one source for most repair needs. Prompt, reliable service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You're protected year after year. An HSA Home Warranty is renewable annually, so you're always prepared for the unexpected.

***With this protection, you're not just offering buyers something of value, you could potentially save yourself a lot of money.

If you are looking for a reputable Real Estate Licensee in Anchorage, contact the Homes by Vanna Real Estate Team 907-720-4663 today for a Free Market Analysis of your home!

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Anchorage Total Market Overview, Keller Williams Alaska Group

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:24:21 -0600

Anchorage Total Market Overview

Below is the total market overview provided by Keller Williams to its Realtors. According to the Total Market Overview (as of December 1st), the average sales price of a Single Family Home in Anchorage is $320,959.00 and the average days on market for a Single Family Home is 120 days.

The Total Market Overview for Condos (as of December 1st) shows that the average sales price of a condo in Anchorage, Alaska is $195,390 and the average days on market is 199 days.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, it's important to understand the Anchorage Real Estate Market and what it's doing. Although, no one (and I really mean nobody) can predict how the Real Estate Market will look a year from now, this data can show you what the real estate market has been doing. If the past is any indicator for the future, looking at and understanding these numbers are a critical part of any home buyer or seller's real estate experience.

Anchorage Real Estate

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Home Selling Tip #2 Get Pre-Inspection, Anchorage Real Estate

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:04:14 -0600

Home Selling Tip #2

Get a Home Inspection

Anchorage Real Estate

By getting a pre-inspection, homesellers can stay one step ahead of the competition! Not only will this give you, the seller, piece of mind, it'll be an incentive for cash tight borrowers to choose your home above another comparable property. Not only will this be another selling point, as a HSA Home Warranty is, the pre-inspection can prevent major hold ups in a deal by giving you, the home seller, time to to complete or repair critical items. Remember that any last minute hold-ups can prevent the deal from closing on time or potentially kill the deal. If you want to stand out from the other homes on the market, stay one step ahead of the other home sellers.

To find out more about the Anchorage Real Estate Market, contact Vanna 907-720-4663

To Read The First Seller Tip, Click Here

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

FHA to Change Condo Guidelines... Anchorage Real Estate

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:32:03 -0600

FHA to Change Condo Guidelines

Anchorage Real Estate

FHA Condo Guidelines to change on December 7th, 2009. This is an important reminder that if you have a condo in pending status, it's important to have your lender order the FHA case number no later than December 4th, 2009. After December 7th, it could be very difficult to get FHA approval on condos.

Your Anchorage Real Estate Professional 907-720-4663

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Home Selling Tip... Anchorage Real Estate

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:26:08 -0600

Home Selling Tip #1 Price, Price, Price

Anchorage Real Estate

As a Home Seller, the single most important factor in selling your home is PRICE. Sellers list their homes for many different reasons, such as a relocation, divorce and change in family size. Because of this, it is usually important to get the home sold in a reasonable amount of time and for the best PRICE possible.

Before a seller puts their home on the market, the first step should be to get a Competitive Market Analysis (sometimes referred to as Comaparative Market Analysis or Right Price Analysis) to see how much the house is really worth, the small changes that can be made to increase the price of the home, and all the Active, Pending, and Closed Listings in the area. This data is available to Real Estate Agents with access to the Alaska local MLS.

Talking to a Real Estate Professional will help you understand the value of your home and why it's important to not over price your house. Overpricing your home can have a negative impact on price. It's important to remember that listings lose their appeal and freshness after the first 2-3 weeks on the Real Estate Market. On the other hand, pricing a home low can encourage multiple bids and the competition can create offers higher than asking price. Pricing a home is part science and part art. Each Realtor uses a different formula to price homes.

Key Point to Remember:

-Perception and desireability add value

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Many Blessings

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:31:37 -0600

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours

My Many Blessings:

1. My God that loves me unconditionally, even when I know I'm being unlovable. =)

2. My family that has supported me through everything, especially my crazy schedule.

3. My husband for keeping me true to myself and for being such a great motivator.

3. My kids for showing me the deepest kind of love I've ever felt and a compassion I never knew I had.

4. My friends.... well, they know why I'm grateful for them. =)

5. My clients for allowing me the chance to help them with such a big event in their lives.

6. My Active Rain family for always answering my questions and for having great content in which I can learn from each and every day.

~Happy Thanksgiving~

Search for Homes in Anchorage

Anchorage Real Estate

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Open House 2-5 pm 11399 Spyglass Hill Circle #8B Anchorage, Ak 99515

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:19:49 -0600

Open House 2-5 pm

11399 Spyglass Hill Circle #8B Anchorage, Ak 99515

Condo in Private culdesac setting in South Anchorage. Open, flowing & spacious floorplan. Soaring vaulted ceilings, dramatic, architectural design, main level master with big walk in closet. Big open kitchen with updated appliances and breakfast bar. Living area with gas fireplace and tile surround.

3 Bedrooms, 1.75 Baths, and 2 car garage

Directions: S on Old Seward, past O'Malley, make L on Klatt, L on Cornelia and veer R into condo project.

For more information about the Anchorage Real Estate Market, contact Vanna 907-720-4663 today!

If you'd like to search for homes in Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, Wasilla, Palmer or Girdwood, look no further than HomesByVanna.com

HomesByVanna.com is your source for all your Anchorage Real Estate needs. For a Free Home Consultation (Comparative Market Analysis), contact Vanna Directly

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Repair Your Credit Score.... Anchorage Real Estate 907-720-4663

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:11:33 -0600

Repair Your Credit Score

Anchorage Real Estate Blog

Things happen, life happens, mistakes happen and your credit score is usually affected. A credit score is very important when trying to get financing for a home loan. Think of your credit rating as your financial report card or GPA. The higher your score the more credit worthy you are. Many, many things can affect your credit score negatively, such as late payments, overusage of credit line, and bankruptcy.

If you are in the market for a home in the near future or even next year, keep in mind that most lending institutions require a minimum score of 620 right now. However, if your credit scoresis below 620, don't despair, there are ways to repair a damaged credit score.

Before I list the different ways to repair your credit score, I want to warn you of scammers that may promise you that they can raise your credit score overnight or in two short weeks. You can fix your credit score yourself through these methods:

1. Print a free credit report from Annualcreditreport.com so you can find out exactly what is going on with your credit. It's important to know if there is something fraudulent going on or if there is a mistake on your credit report. If you discover incorrect information on your credit report, contact the three credit burueas immediately to resolve the issues. This alone can raise your credit score quite a bit. Some things you might want to look for are: accounts that you didn't open, a balance showing on a debt that you've already paid off, etc...

2. Get your accounts current- If you have any past due accounts that are legitimately yours, it's important to bring these up to date. Your payment history accounts for a big chunk of your credit rating. If you are having trouble making payments, call the debtor to set up a payment plan.

3. Get your credit usage ratio in check- Your credit usage based upon your available credit accounts for about 30% of your credit score. Try to keep your ratios at 50% or less, 30% is ideal. Pay down maxed out credit lines and work on getting the debt below 50% of the available credit. With the economy and credit card companies changing rules so rapidly nowadays, this is more important than ever. Many credit card users are seeing their credit lines slashed in half so this bit of advice can be hard to accomplish right away, but it can be done!

4. Don't close out your credit lines- After paying down your credit cards, it's important that you don't close them out. The open credit lines can help with your ratios, especially if you have a long credit history with that card. The longer you have a credit line open, the more valuable it is to your credit rating.

5. If you do not qualify for a loan or credit card, open a secured credit line- A secured line of credit is usually a credit card that can be issued by your local bank with a credit line that equals the amount of money you have set in an account at that bank. This protects the bank, if you happen to not make your payments. Your deposit will secure the loan for you. Why is this important? You need some type of good credit to raise your score. Think of a see-saw, you have negative credit on the one side weighing that side down, you will need about that much good credit in order to bring the see-saw into equilibrium.

If you have bad credit right now, utilizing these 5 steps will take your credit score to the next level. I've seen people implement these steps and purchase a house, all within 6 months. Don't let a damaged credit score stop you from ever owning a home. Call Vanna for more information about the Anchorage Real Estate Market 907-720-4663

Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.. Visit my at HomesByVanna.com for more real estate information or to search the Alaska MLS...

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Get Your Credit Score on Track to Home Ownership

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:14:32 -0600

Get Your Credit Score on the Track

to Homeownership

Homeownership is a pivotal point in most people's lives. Buying a house is a big investment and takes a lot of time, thought, and preparation. A huge factor in whether someone will be able to buy a home is their credit score, also known as creditworthiness. Nowadays, if a person doesn't have a credit score of at least 620, the banks will not touch them.

In order to be prepared for the steps to become a homeowner, be knowledgeable of your credit rating so you can make improvements before you start the home search.

Some things that affect your credit score:

1. Bankruptcy

2. Late or missed payments- this is an indicator to lenders of how responsible you are with paying your bills. Get them paid on time!!!

3. Overusage of available credit- try keeping your balance (credit cards & consumer loans) 50% below the available credit line.

4. Periods of unemployment

5. Length of time you've been building credit- the longer you've been using credit, the higher your score will be

There are other factors that might affect your credit score but if you can pay attention to these points, and avoid some of these mistakes, you'll be on track to homeownership before you know it!

For more information about Credit Scores, contact Vanna, your Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663 www.HomesByVanna.com

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Selling a Home in the Anchorage Real Estate Market

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:19:51 -0600

Sell your Home Faster in Today’s Market…

Anchorage Real Estate

If you are trying to sell your house in today’s market, it’s important to present your home in the best light possible. Sellers can boost the sale-abilty of their home and still stay within a budget. A full remodel or renovation can cost thousands of dollars and is usually not cost effective. Sellers almost never recover the full amount of a remodel in a home sale.

For budget-conscience home sellers, these few things will boost the sale-ability of your home, and hopefully, get it SOLD:

1. Eliminate Clutter- A nice and tidy house will seem larger. You want your home to be in the best shape possible, at anytime, for potential buyers to view.

2. Paint interior- A new coat of paint can freshen up the inside of a house. Be sure to patch up any holes, no matter how small, before starting the paint job.

3. Clean the carpet- Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, a freshly cleaned carpet will have the best effect on buyers.

4. Change knobs and light switches- If you have outdated door knobs, cabinet hardware, and light switches, these inexpensive changes can go a long way.

5. Shovel the walkway- It’s important that potential buyers can get into your home easily. In Anchorage, Alaska, we tend to get a lot of snow that sticks around until late spring, so it’s important to clear a path for buyers to get into the house.

6. Stage your home- A staged home usually sells faster than an un-staged home. Staging will emphasize the best aspects of your home. A staged home gives potential buyers a sense of warmth and it helps the buyer(s) envision themselves living in the house.

Have you ever heard the saying, “First Impressions are Most Important time to make your Mark?” Well, the same rule applies to your home.

If you have any questions or want more suggestions on how to get your home moving in the Anchorage Real Estate Market, call Vanna 907-720-4663

Free Comparative Market Analysis

Free Home Staging Services

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Fire in a Mountain View Apartment Complex, Anchorage Real Estate

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:09:11 -0600

Fire in a Mountain View Apartment Complex has damaged six of the thirty units. Damage is estimated at around $30,000. According to ADN.com, the fire started in a bottom bathroom exhaust fan and made its way up three stories. At least 31 people were displaced, some of which will be housed by Red Cross of Alaska. Of the 31 displaced residents, many were children. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

Hats off to the Anchorage firefighters. They prevented the fire from going up to the roof, which could have caused major structural damage.

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Around Anchorage- President Obama's Visit & Swine Flu Vacciniations ... Anchorage Real Estate

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:28:53 -0600

Anchorage will have a the chance to welcome President Barack Obama today as he stops in to talk to Alaska Troops. The Anchorage School District will be starting their rounds of H1N1 Vaccinations to students in schools today also.

President Obama will be giving a speech at the Elmendorf Air Force Base today some time between 12:20 and 3:25 today. During those times the FAA will restrict flights near the Elmendorf Air Force Base. President Obama will be taking off to Tokyo after his Alaskan visit. For a line by line of President Obama's speech, visit ADN.com.

The Anchorage School District will be vaccinating students today with the H1N1 flu shots. Students are required to have a signed permission slip from a parent so that the Anchorage School District's nurses can administer the vaccinations. The vaccinations come in two different froms- the nasal spray and the shot. According to a recorded message I got on my phone yesterday, the schools will have more of the nasal spray available than the shots. However, if students have an allergy to the spray and have to get the shot, that can be indicated on the Influenza permission slips that were sent home with children about 2 weeks ago.

For more information about Anchorage Real Estate or The Going Ons in Anchorage, visit The Anchorage Real Estate Web Site

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Short Sales Can take a Looooong Time

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:57:07 -0600

Short Sale Approval can take a long time. After a short sale home has an accepted offer, the listing real estate agent submits a shortsale packet, complete with the the application, a hardship letter, paystubs, w-2's, income tax statements, and possibly other items, depending on the situation. Short sale offers are submitted to loan mitigators, who are usually in charge of over 300 files. These shortsale mitigators will look through the files and if there is ANYTHING missing, expect that file to be put at the bottom of the stack. It's important that Short Sale Agents understand the importance of getting each and every piece of paperwork to the mitigator at the same time!

Short sales are usually priced below market value because the properties need to sell, FAST. Short sales are usually in better condition than foreclosed properties since they are usually still occupied at the time of sale so the appliances and utilities are still in use.

I have a short sale listing that instantly had multiple interested parties. After going through the offers, the seller chose the highest and best offer, which was way above list price. Sounds great so far, right?

Up to that point, short sales are easy. It's the part in dealing with the banks and mitigators that can be tough. The bank mitigators duties are totally out of Real Estate Agents' hands. Sometimes they say it'll take two weeks for a reply and it takes them 4 weeks. When buyers are dealing with short sales, it's crucial that they are prepared for this type of wait. If they are prepped for this, the wait won't seem so bad. If not, it might be a good idea to move on to the next property. Short sales are not your typical real estate transaction, that's for sure!

If you are having a tough time paying your mortgage, it's important to seek help right away, whether it be through a loan modification or short sale, don't hesitate to call Vanna with your questions.... 907-720-4663

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Obama Signed Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension and Expansion, Anchorage Real Estate

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:33:51 -0600

Obama signed the Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension and Expansion on November 6, 2009. The original First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit that was introduced in February was a $8000 tax credit for any one who had not owned a home in the past three years. The $8000 was based on the sale amount of a property. The refund is 10% of the purchase price, up to $8000. Any first time home buyer qualified for this if they found, bought, and closed on a home by November 30, 2009.

Now that Obama has signed the new and revised version of the Home Buyer Tax Credit, consumers are given an additional five months to complete their home purchase. Home buyers now have until April 30, 2010 to close and record on a home to qualify for the tax credit.

In addition to the extension, congress has also moved to expand the tax credit so that move-up buyers or second home buyers would qualify for a tax credit up to $6500, as long as they owned their previous residence for at least 5 years.

For more information regarding the tax credit, refer to the IRS website

For more Anchorage Real Estate, call Vanna 907-720-4663

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Giving Thanks... Anchorage Real Estate

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:24:55 -0600

The month of November is the start of the holiday season for many families in our great nation. By the time Halloween hits, a nostalgic feeling seems to settle in our hearts for the thoughts of many holdiays that have passed and the one yet to come. The holidays bring a sense of joy, and certainly some stress. During this holiday season, let us not forget the reason for the season.

First off, the reason we have Thanksgiving is because of a fellowship that occurred long ago between two different nations coming together in a time of need. It symbolized the giving of one's people to another. The simple act of breaking bread and sharing one's food started a holdiay tradition in which we remember the things that we are most thankful for.

As Realtors, we are thankful for the many clients that we are able to serve each year. My clients are the reason I am in this business. Being part of such a big decision in a person's life and being able to be a positive influence to a family is more than one can really ask for. Getting paid for it and seeing the gratitude on my clients' faces is just icing on the cake. Finding a job that one really enjoys is a blessing from the Lord.

I am thankful for the loan officers that make our clients' lives as easy as possible during one of the biggest decision-making times of their life. Loan officers have to deal with the prequalification, all the paperwork, and with their underwriters. Sometimes, they are the bearers of bad news. But most loan officers willl show you how to get on track to buying a home, if you don't qualify right away.

I am thankful for the closing officers that are behind the scene. They are crucial during the process, pulling together information from a few different sources in order to make Real Estate closings in a timely manner. At the signing, these escrow officers make their job seem so easy, but behind the scene they are pulling things together in just a few hours because all the information does not get to them until the very end and by that time, most people have to close within the day.

And lastly but certainly not least, I am thankful for my family. They put up with my crazy schedule and love me unconditionally. Family is such an important aspect of any carreer. All too often, Realtors get lost in the frenzy and busy-ness of our business and we forget the reason we are doing this. Our clients want to see a Happy, Joyful and Well Rounded Realtor. So let's give thanks and remember why we do what we do!

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Anchorage Airport Unveils its New Remodel.... Anchorage Real Estate

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:24:03 -0600

The Ted Stevens International Airport, located in Anchorage, Alaska, unveiled its newly remodeled section of the airport. The remodel has been in progress for a couple of years now. The last time I was in that section of the Anchorage Airport was this past summer and the marble floors were only partially completed. Tape and plastic plastered the walls, children's art lined the hallway, and the check in counters looked completely out of place.

On Sunday, November 1st, the place looked completely different. The remodel made a section of the Anchorage airport that once seemed dreary into an area of light, color, art and life. The half billion dollar remodel will help relieve the congested security checkpoint that is currently located at the top of the airport escalator (not the most ideal place). A new security checkpoint, restaurants, and shops will make the new remodel of the Anchorage Airport complete.

For more information about the Anchorage Area, contact Vanna 907-720-4663

Search All Anchorage Real Estate

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded? Anchorage, Alaska Real Estate

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:24:22 -0500

The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit could be extended to April 30, 2010. The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was set to expire on November 30, 2009. However, congress is working on an Extension and Expansion of the Home Buyer Tax Credit. The New and Revised Tax Credit would be open, not only to First Time Home Buyers, but also to home buyers with existing homes, as long as they've lived in their residence for five years.

The details of this new bill have not been confirmed yet. The bill is up for vote right now in the Senate. I'll keep you updated as to the status of the Home Buyer Tax Credit as I find out more.

Anchorage, Alaska Real Estate

907-720-4663

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Chinese Restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:05:51 -0500

A Chinese Restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska, called Mandarin Kitchen just opened their doors yesterday. I had lunch there and I had the Seafood Noodle Soup and fried wontons. It was so delicous. My son had the house fried rice and he finished most of his meal, which is a lot for a three year old boy.

If anyone is looking for good Chinese food in Anchorage, Alaska, I suggest trying Mandarin Kitchen. Mandarin Kitchen will also serve fresh dim-sum starting October 16th. Dim sum is not something that can be found in Anchorage right now. Once October 16th rolls around, I know where I'll be dining.

Mandarin Kitchen is a family owned and operated restaurant. The owner and chef, Achi, also known as Zong Qi, used to be the head chef at Peking Palace. He was very when he cooked there and he was greatly missed by his diners when he left. Now that he owns his own Chinese Restaurant, his customers can eat his Chinese Food any time, as he is open 7 days a week.

Mandarin Kitchen is open 7 days a week and they offer FREE DELIVERY. If real Chinese food is your craving, call Mandarin Kitchen today, 907-258-0488

Mandarin Kitchen is located at 3020 Minnesota Drive #6. If you don't feel like driving, call for Free Delivery 907-258-0488.

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663

Why Open Houses are Important Anchorage Real Estate

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:15:23 -0500

Why Open Houses can Make a Difference in the Sale of a Home

It may be true that less than 5% of homes on the market are actually sold at open houses. However, open houses give potential buyers the chance to view your home in a relaxed atmosphere. Open houses increase the number of people you may get through your house. More exposure is always good for a home that's on the market, right?

Even if a home is not sold through an open house and the agent turns a couple of open house visitors into Real Estate buyers, this still helps the sellers. Because the buyers are buying other listed homes, they are taking homes off the market, which means less competition for the seller. Less competition for the seller means that the seller has a higher likelihood of selling his/her home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~********~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are a home seller and you'd like more tips on how to get your home sold, contact Vanna 907-720-4663. Vanna offers free homestaging to sellers, an invaluable service. Homestaging sets the atmosphere and can usually get your home sold faster and for more money. If these are your goals, call Vanna for a Free Market Analysis of your Home. Servicing Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, Palmer and Wasilla.

Vanna Siackhasone, Anchorage Real Estate Specialist, 907-720-4663