Anchorage Alaska Real Estate 907-720-4663: December 2009

Keller Williams Ranked #1
Two Times in One Week

Anchorage Real Estate

In one fantastic week, Keller Williams Realty was named #1 by two different surveys. In one report done by Entrepreneur Magazine, Keller Williams ranked as the #1 Real Estate Franchise and a 2009 Swanepoel Survey ranked Keller Williams as the most recognizable Real Estate Franchise!

This is exciting news for Anchorage Real Estate. Keller Williams is fairly new in the state of Alaska. Keller Williams started in Anchorage a little over three years ago and already, Keller Williams is #2 as far as market share. Keller Williams, in its short time in Alaska, has attracted more top agents than any other Real Estate brokerage. The reason for this is because, it's a different type of Real Estate Company. Keller Williams offers its agents phenomenal First Class Training, true profit sharing (yes, the owners share some of their profit with their agents), and an unlimited amount of support from management and top agents.

Thinking of buying or selling a home? Contact a Keller Williams Agent today.

Anchorage Real Estate Statistics

Below you will find data of the activity in the Anchorage real estate market up to December 22, 2009. See below for total Real Estate Activity in the Anchorage Area. The First Total Market Overview Report below is based on Single Family Homes in Anchorage. It shows that the average days on market of all single family homes that have SOLD in Anchorage is around 66 days and the average sales price of SOLD homes in the Anchorage Real Estate Market is $320,236. 

The Second Market Report below is based on Condominiums in the Anchorage Real Estate Market. A quick overview shows that the average sales price of Sold condominiums is $195,018 and the average days on market of SOLD condos is 95 days. 

Number of Foreclosure Shoppers Down?

Anchorage Real Estate Blog

    According to Inman news, the number of potential home buyers interested in Foreclosed Properties has declined since May of this year. The resultes of a survey, taken every six months, through Trulia.com and RealtyTrac show that 43% of the 2,203 adults surveyed would be at least somewhat likely to purchase a foreclosure. This is a decline from May's results which showed that 55% of adults surveyed would at least considering purchasing a foreclosed property.

    Some common reasons why people are less interested in Forclosed properties include the riskiness of the transaction, hidden costs, unforeseen repairs, and fear of the loss of value after the home purchase. According to a top excutive of RealtyTrac, the concern of a home losing its value is not a surprising one. He predicts that the housing market will continue to be volatile in 2010. "Unfortunately, prices may well decline, so that's a realistic view. And there are significant hidden costs. The process takes longer (for foreclosures) and the cost of improvements is also a factor," said Rick Sharga, senior vice president of RealtyTrac. 

    Forclosed properties are usually in pretty poor condition and need at least cosmetic work, if not more. Prices often reflect the need for repairs so a good deal can be found in Foreclosures if someone is willing to take the risk and do the work to turn the property into a liveable home. "U.S. foreclosure properties are, on average, a 33 percent discount compared to nondistressed homes for sale," said Pete Flint, chief executive officer for Trulia. "So people have to figure out if the discount is enough to account for these drawbacks."

    Alaska is the second state for the lowest amount of foreclosures. The foreclosure rate in Anchorage is less than 2% of the current inventory. For a list of the Foreclosed Properties in Anchorage, contact Vanna today.

Power Failure in the Anchorage Airport caused control towers to black out. Fortunately, air traffic was light and there were no accidents. This occurred during the early morning on Sunday. The power failures included two back up systems.

What a dangerous situation for all involved. I can't imagine what the air traffic controllers and pilots were thinking.  FAA regional administrator said that the situation was handled safely and would have been handled safely, even with more traffic activity. The air traffic controlling would have been handed over to the Elmendorf Air Traffic Tower off Boniface. Thank goodness for back up!

Winter Solstice is a very significant day in Alaska. After experiencing so much darkness, Alaskan welcome the solstice. Starting on the day of Winter Solstice, daylight will increase by small increments until we hit the Alaskan summer, full of sun and barely any darkness. =)

According to ADN.com, "The solstice is the day in which the earth appears to stand still and then shifts direction in its elliptical orbit of the sun. By Jan. 1, Anchorage will get 12 more minutes of daylight. University of Alaska astronomer Travis Rector says that at this time of year, the sun moves north in the sky, and it is also moving to the east. As a result, that means it will rise later and set later."

The number of health related jobs are up compared from a year ago while other sectors of the economy has decreased its hiring. The state of Alaska has lost approximately 3,300 jobs compared to just one year ago while the Health Jobs have increased by 1,700 jobs statewide. 

According to ADN.com, there is a 1.1 percent loss of jobs statewide since last November. Nationally, 3.4% of jobs have been cut, so Alaska is experiencing a relatively mild recession. Alaska's unemployment rate is holding steady at 8.7%, up from last November's 6.8%. The Anchorage, Alaska unemployment rate is currently at 6.9%, compared to 5.4% a year earlier.

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.

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!!!

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.

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.