jesse and kathy clifton: The Bailout Bandwagon - 12/16/07 06:38 PM
Pardon me, but can you spot me a trillion or two? Far from being the white knight riding in to rescue suffering homeowners, the much touted mortgage bailout is going to have disastrous consequences. Taken simply at face value, the bail out sounds like a rational response to help millions of homeowners who were tricked by unscrupulous lenders. While it's true many lenders were looking out for their own interests, many of the homeowners facing foreclosure today knew exactly what they were getting into. When buyers sign on the proverbial dotted line at closing, they are signing a legally binding contract … (5 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Merry Christmas - 12/16/07 12:35 PM
To all our ActiveRain friends and colleagues, May the Beauty of Christmas surround us...May the Wonder of Christmas astound us...
May the Gladness of Christmas delight us...May the Spirit of Christmas unite us. With best wishes for the holidays and throughout the coming year.
We hope you all have a banner year in 2008. God bless! … (10 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Selling Your Fairbanks Home This Winter? - 12/15/07 11:34 AM
Although the spring and summer months are typically the busiest seasons for real estate, homes sell all year. For 2006, winter sales accounted for 40.3% of the total homes sold. If you're thinking of selling your home this winter, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Price it aggressively: Gone are the days where you could nudge the price 3-5% above the comparable sales in your neighborhood and expect a ready, willing and able buyer to come along. Today it's all about competitive pricing. That means setting an asking price that is at least on par with the … (4 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Feds Cut Key Interest Rate - 12/13/07 08:08 PM
The Federal Reserve recently announced a quarter point rate cut in both the target federal funds rate and the discount rate, in part, to provide some buoyancy to the housing market. The additional rate cuts were designed to keep the U.S. economy on track, despite a housing slump and a schizophrenic financial market. Discount rate? Federal funds rate? What's the difference and what does it mean to consumers? Banks have two avenues from which to borrow federally insured funds. The discount rate, which applies to monies borrowed directly from the Federal Reserve, via the twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, and the … (2 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Fairbanks Alaska Homebuyers: Do You Have A CLUE? - 12/09/07 02:11 PM
Fairbanks Alaska Homebuyers: Do You Have A CLUE?
Ever heard of CLUE? No, I don't mean the board game or the thing friends ask if you have. I'm talking about the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Database. CLUE is a national repository of insurance claim information.
Insurers use CLUE reports to determine how likely you are to file a claim against your homeowners or auto insurance policy. CLUE reports are generally reviewed prior to issuing a new insurance policy and before renewing an existing policy.
The CLUE database is maintained by ChoiceTrust, an information clearinghouse that has been providing "decision-making technology" since 1977 … (9 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Fairbanks Alaska Real Estate Market Update - December 07, 2007 - 12/08/07 05:33 PM
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jesse and kathy clifton: Surviving Alaskan Winters - 12/03/07 03:16 PM
Surviving an Alaskan Winter
Well, it looks as though Old Man Winter has finally arrived in earnest. The temperatures are expected to dip to as low as -20; factoring in the wind chill and that number drops to -35. Brrr.
It happens every year and every year we’re not ready for it. As the leaves turn a golden yellow and the fireweed makes its last appearance for the season, we all know winter is just around the corner.
For those of us who have called Alaska home for a while we know that winter just isn’t the same as it used … (3 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Buying a Home: Step 2 - Financing the dream - 11/21/07 08:40 PM
Now that you have finished your needs and wants assessment and have an idea of what your future home should look like, it's time to start shopping... for your mortgage. Before you cross a single threshold it's important to investigate your mortgage options and secure your financing. The reason for this is twofold; first and foremost it's important to know what you can afford and from there determine what you want to spend. Second and equally important, without having secured your financing, you'll be at a disadvantage to those buyers that have their financing in place when you find your dream … (2 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Buying a home: Step 1 - Evaluate your needs - 11/20/07 03:59 PM
The time has come that you’re ready to buy a home. Perhaps you’ve been renting and are ready to start building equity instead of helping build your landlords or maybe you’re already a homeowner looking to make due to a lifestyle change. Either way, congratulations. Real estate is a fairly unique commodity in that it’s not something you purchase on a whim. Making the best decision means taking the time to do a little planning. By taking a little time of front to identify what your new home should look like you’ll take a great deal of stress out of the … (0 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Manipulating ‘Days on Market’ Stats - 11/19/07 06:34 AM
Some believe Days on Market is a useless statistic while others believe it’s relevant, but shouldn’t be disclosed as it harms the seller. Previously, when a listing expired or was withdrawn, the Days on Market continued uninterrupted if the property was returned to Active status within 90 days of having gone off the market with the same agent. Our local MLS recently effected a rule change whereby members are now allowed to reenter listings immediately upon expiration (or withdrawal) and re-list them, effectively resetting the DOM clock. The rationale behind this rule change was that when sellers re-list their home with … (11 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Property Discovery; Your Rights and Responsibilities - 11/17/07 08:38 PM
Locally, our standard purchase and sale agreements include a fifteen day discovery period beginning at contract acceptance during which buyers have the opportunity to have a “licensed contractor or other qualified professional inspect and investigate the subject property for possible defects…” Most buyers opt to have the home inspected by a structural engineer or professional home inspector. While this is a good start, depending on the property, it may be just that; a good start. Standard tests for general structural integrity, energy efficiency, water quality, radon gas, lead-based paint, soils testing, mechanical (HVAC), electrical, domestic plumbing, wastewater adequacy testing, environmental hazards … (3 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Fairbanks, Alaska Market Statistics Nov 16th - 11/16/07 06:57 PM
Market Statistics for Fairbanks Alaska 11/16/2007 The number of homes sold in Fairbanks dropped for the second straight week to a low of sixteen. The average sales price rose almost 10% to $214,253 while the days on the market increased 37.5% to an average of 66. The number of active listings is also up to a total of 552, putting the absorption rate this week at 4.8 months. 81% of the sales occurred in Fairbanks with only 1 new construction property closing out of almost 140 on the market. Homes Sold Week Ending November 16, 2007 Average Sales Price Week Ending … (0 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: 3rd Quarter Market Report (Fairbanks) - 11/04/07 05:20 PM
Monday, November 5, 2007
Good Morning,The 3rd Quarter Market Report is finally up and ready; click the link to the right to download the report in a .pdf. 
Overall the market is in good condition.  The good news is the average sales price is up 1.6% to $214,011 over last quarter.  The less than stellar news is that there are fewer homes selling; those that are selling are taking slightly longer to sell and we're seeing concessions in the form of price reductions of just over 2% of the list price.
New construction has been the hardest hit segment of the … (0 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Fairbanks; The Golden Heart of Alaska - 11/03/07 07:35 PM
The city of Fairbanks is located in Interior Alaska near the confluence of the Chena and Tanana Rivers in the Tanana Valley. We are 360 miles north of Anchorage, 125 south of the Arctic Circle, 3,500 miles from Los Angeles and 4,200 miles from Washington, DC. Nicknamed "The Golden Heart City", Fairbanks is the largest city in the interior region and the second largest in Alaska. Founded in 1901 by Captain E.T. Barnette as a trading post on the Chena River, the community grew and was eventually named after Senator Charles Fairbanks. The discovery of Gold in the hills just north … (0 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Santa’s teeny weeny elf-sized art show - 10/27/07 12:34 PM
Old Saint Nick, North Pole's most famous resident, definitely has his hands busy right now. Aside from keeping all the elves busy making toys and making sure his 'naughty or nice' list is up to date (you have been good, haven't you?), he's up to his elbows in red tape preparing for his upcoming 24 hour round-the-world gift blitz, which btw, is less than 60 days away. Then, of course, he has to make sure Rudolph and the gang is in top to shape for the trip, but despite his increasingly hectic schedule, Santa has graciously agreed to sponsor Santa's Art … (3 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Energy Conservation Tips - Fairbanks Alaska - 10/25/07 05:14 PM
Energy Conservation Tips in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Here are a few ways to help offset your energy use during Alaska's cold, dark winters.
Your mortgage payment and property tax bill may be pretty much a fixed cost, shaving the cost of your utility usage is relatively easy to do.  As the old saying goes; a penny saved is a penny earned. 
 1. Go Fluorescent:  Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones--they are four times more energy efficient and can provide a much more natural-looking light. Savings?  Roughly $60 per year. 
2. Get Reflective:  If replacing your old windows isn't within your budget … (0 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Donors, appointees celebrate impact of endowed chairs - 10/25/07 05:02 PM
Two faculty members appointed to serve in the University of Alaska Fairbanks' newest endowed chairs recently met with representatives of the donors whose gifts established their positions. The meetings allowed donors to learn more about the faculty members and the work they plan during the time they serve as the chairs. An endowed faculty chair requires a donation to the university exceeding $2 million. UAF currently has four endowed chairs. Associate professor Mary Childers Mangusso, lower photo; left, who was recently appointed to the Arthur T. Fathauer Chair in History, stands with Ted Fathauer during a reception earlier this month. Fathauer … (0 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: North Pole Alaska Home For Sale - 2785 Dagan Circle - 10/25/07 04:44 PM
North Pole Alaska Home For Sale - New home in excellent neighborhood close to Fort Wainwright & Eielson Air Force Base!

        
      
2785 Dagan Circle - North Pole, Alaska (GoogleMaps Link) $272,000
Stunning 4 bedroom 3 bath home in one of North Pole's most coveted neighborhoods.  Neighborhood is often touted in real estate ads and sometimes the hype doesn't live up to expectations.  This is the EXCEPTION.  Very friendly and courteous neighbors... the kind that cut your grass for you when you're out of town.  All homes are two acres+/-, are all less than 5-6 years old and immacuately cared for.  … (0 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: Fairbanks Alaska Home For Sale - 3975 Hollenbeck Avenue - 10/25/07 04:34 PM
This Property Has Been SOLD By The Spouses
Fairbanks Alaska Home For Sale - Well maintained ranch close to Fort Wainwright & Eielson Air Force Base

 
 
3975 Hollenbeck Avenue North Pole, Alaska 99705 (GoogleMaps Link) $211,900
Lovely cedar sided 3 bedroom ranch that has very well cared for.  Floorplan is open and spacious with a large living room and spacious dining area that opens to a wonderful three-season porch.  The galley kitchen features newer appliances (including a new front loader washer and dryer that will convey).  A cozy room adjacent to the kitchen is the perfect place for … (3 comments)

jesse and kathy clifton: GVEA rates to rise again - 10/25/07 08:18 AM
Golden Valley Electric Association is asking state regulators to approve a 3.12 percent rate increase for all customers. The increase would impact the energy charge on all bills and the demand charge added to the bills of larger businesses and industrial customers. For a residential customer using 780 kilowatt hours of electricity a month, the hike would increase monthly bills by $2.63. The request is the fourth GVEA has made since March 2004 and the second this year, following a 4.13 percent increase regulators approved this summer. Typically, utilities must wait much longer between rate cases, but regulators allow electric cooperatives … (0 comments)