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

Anchorage Recycling Center resumes Plastic Bag and Film Recycling

Exciting News!

Plastic bag and film recycling resumes at the Anchorage Recycling Center The Anchorage Recycling Center will again be taking plastic bags and film for recycling at their community drop off center off Dowling Road. Please be advised that plastic bags are not accepted in Alaska Waste’s curbside recycling program. The bags get tangled in equipment during the sorting process. If you have questions, please email recycling@akwaste.com.

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.

Realtors who do not Act Ethically cast a bad light on the rest of us.

Okay, my title might be a bit misleading. Most Realtors do act ethically, at least 99%, and this post does not apply to them. However, I've had two bad experiences with other Realtors, trying to persuade my clients to "ditch" their buyers agent (ME) and save money by purchasing the house directly from the Listing Agent (this is actually not advantageous to most buyers, would you go to court if your lawyer was also defending the other party?).This has happened to a couple of the other Realtors in my office also.

Both times, my clients were extremely turned off by this behavior. So get a clue, okay? Most people can see right through your sleazy salesman or saleswoman talk ( I won't mention any names here, but you know who you are). One person even suggested that my buyer give him (the agent) my information so that he could call and let me know that my services were no longer needed. FAT CHANCE!

If I had an unhappy client that pursued another agent, that would be an entirely different situation (has never happened). HOwever, in both of these instances the agents kept trying to steal the clients that I have worked tirelessly for. I've been working with one for the past couple months and the other for the past 4 weeks.  We've been through a lot and we've built trust and have developed a relationship that I am sure will outlast our transaction. Each person has a story and I feel honored to be part of their life story and that's what I find so satisfying in this profession.

I find that the Golden Rule is relevant in all situations:  Treat Others as you would like to be treated. 

Foreclosure Listings in Anchorage, Alaska      People are hearing that now is a good time to buy a house, while prices are still low and interest rates are at historic lows. One of the questions that I've heard more frequently in the last couple of months is, "Are there any good Foreclosure Deals in Anchorage right now?" 

People are looking for a GREAT DEAL, so I compiled a List of Foreclosed Properties in Anchorage, Alaska for the people who are curious to know what is out there in the market right now. I will be updating this Anchorage, AK Foreclosure List each week, so if you're in the market for a foreclosure, be sure to check back periodically.

In the Single Family Sector, there are currently 23 Foreclosures in Anchorage, Alaska with prices ranging from $125,000 to $751,900.

There are currently nine Multi-Family Foreclosure Properties in the Municipality of Anchorage. These range in price from $125,000 to $449,900.

There are currently ten condos that are in Foreclosure in Anchorage, Alaska. The prices of the foreclosed condos range from $85,000 to $222,000.

The city of Anchorage, Alaska consists of Anchorage (of course), Eagle River, Girdwood, and Chugiak. 

Amid the gloom and doom of the real estate market of this day, with the average home price in America down by 32%, according to Luke Mullins, Moody's economy.com found the top ten housing markets for the next ten years.

According to Mullins, although there are booms and busts in the housing market, the housing outlook for the next ten years will show appreciation. If looked at in a long term perspective, housing will appreciate, although some places more than others. This is probably not good news for the house flippers out there, although I'm sure there are good steals to be had with the foreclosure situation that much of the United States is experiencing right now. Sidenote: Fortunately, Anchorage, Alaska's foreclosures accounts for less then 1% of the inventory. Contact a realtor to find Foreclosures in Anchorage Alaska.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, states, "In the long run--subtracting from the ups and downs of the business cycle-- house prices should grow at the rate of household income." To find homes in the Anchorage Alaska Area click here.  Income growth is, of course, linked to the economic strength of an area. In Alaska the number of jobs in the last year has increased which is quite amazing during these turbulent times in our great country. The different industries in Alaska has helped to sustain and produce economic growth in Alaska. The different sectors in the Alaska economy include oil, natural gas, fish and seafood, minerals, sea travel, tourism, and the international airport. Anchorage is home to over 270,000 residents.

Here is a breakdown of The Top Ten Housing Markets for the Next Ten Years, these cities are predicted to experience of growth of 3.44% to 5.22% per year for the next ten years:

1. Bremerton and Silverdale, Washington  5.22%

2.  Glens Falls, New York  4.71%

3. Fort Collins and Lovelands, Colorado  4.06%

4. Corvallis, Oregon  3.95%

5. Anchorage, Alaska  3.8%

6. Duluth, Minnesota  3.74%

7. Sandusky, Ohio  3.66%

8. Santa Fe, New Mexico  3.57%

9. Pittsfield, Massachusets   3.51%

10. Decatur, Illinois  3.44%

So if you enjoy being outside and want to experience the big, wild, life in Anchorage, Alaska, consider visiting us Alaskans. Our city, Anchorage, boasts wonderful eateries, a buzzing downtown, salmon fishing, halibut fishing one hour away, hunting is a short car ride south or north. Or come during the winter and go snowboarding, cross country skiing, or ice fishing. Anchorage, Alaska is a great place to raise your family!

In an attempt to jump start the economy, the Unitd States Congress passed a bill that was signed into law on February 17, 2009. The bill grants up to $8000 to qualifying first time home buyers. The bill does not supercede the $7,500 tax credit that was available in 2008. Anyone who bought a home in 2008 is eligible for the $7500 tax credit, which still has to be repaid in small increments.

The provision, which was intially introduced by Senator Johnny Isakson, a Republican from Georgia, started at a whopping $15,000. Woah, right?  However, the initial provision was modified and that's what became the $8000 tax credit. I've gotten calls from people who bought a house last year asking if they would qualify for this new tax credit.  The answer is no, the tax credit was effective the day it was enacted. According to Dietz, "...effective date of the... amendment is the date of enactment.... so if you've already completed a purchase, you would not be qualified for the new program."

Quick Facts:

1. Who is eligible for the tax credit? Anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years and is purchasing a home as their primary residence. Home purchase must take place after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

2. How is the total amount of the tax credit determined? The tax credit is a percentage of the price of your home. It's 10% of the purchase price, up to $8000.

3. Are there income limits?  Yes, as there are in most cases. For single taxpayers, the limit is $75,000. For married taxpayers filing a joint return, the limit is $150,000.

4. How is the tax credit different from the $7500 tax credit that was enacted in 2008? The tax credit of 2008 is an interest free loan that has to be repaid to the Government is small amounts.

5. How do I claim the tax credit? It's quite easy, you claim it on your income tax return. Be sure to mention the tax credit to your tax preparer, so you don't miss the chance to claim the $8000 tax credit of 2009.

6. What types of homes qualify for the tax credit? Any home that you use as your primary residence, e.g., condos, single-family homes, manuafactured homes....

For more info, refer to the IRS website.  http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home.html

If you live in the Anchorage, Alaska area and would like more information about the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit, contact me.

Anchorage, Alska Real Estate  907-720-4663

Anchorage Real Estate

The economy in Alaska is based upon many things. But let's not be foolish, we all know the main source of jobs in the great state of Alaska is oil based. We know that oil production and oil availability has declined by 50%. I am wondering what we as Alaskans are going to do to keep up w/ job losses when the oil industry goes away..... 

If oil jobs dissapear, will alot of our population leave the state? This just made me think... what can we do in Alaska to make our state sustainable??? Let's sustain our future and jobs so that people can still make a living here. Let's sustain our economy!

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SOLD IN 3 DAYS!

Comfy, well-kept home with yard & shed,ideal for 1st-time buyer.All brand new windows,front door & sliding glass door to back yard are a big bonus;appliances approx 2.5 yrs young;nice back yard with shed and deck for summer BBQ's. Take advantage of the 1st time home-buyer tax credit and start home ownership here. You'll love it!

6131 Gross Dr. Anchorage, Alaska 99507  Directions: From Lake Otis E on Downling, S on Norm, 3rd left on Gross; home is on the right.