Archives for 2017

Congratulations to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for being one of the best managed public housing agencies in the nation. Established forty-five years ago to provide ‘Alaskans access to safe, quality, affordable housing’, it’s mission is perhaps more important today Continue Reading

We all know that Anchorage is a multi-cultural town with over 140 languages spoken in our schools. But, did you know Anchorage is also becoming a multi-family community with over 300 to 500 multi-family and mixed use housing units planned over the next few years? If all the Continue Reading

New home buyers frequently have a lot of questions relating to home warranties and what they cover. Some local builders offer a ten year structural warranty but the number of years required is not defined in the state statutes. Almost all builders offer a one year interior Continue Reading

In a recent presentation in Anchorage, Robert Deitz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, reaffirmed several trends in housing, construction and land development that Anchorage has been experiencing the past few years. The most startling of which is Continue Reading

I recently had the experience of researching a mortgage for a buyer considering a purchase of an $810,000 home. At this price point, all loans are conventional so I was surprised by the differences even within the conventional model. Down payment opportunities fluctuated Continue Reading

Today is the last day for the Parade of Homes and I want to encourage you to visit the homes that are open from noon to 6 pm because there is something special about a brand new home. It is a blank page which a new homeowner can fill with their own dreams and memories. I Continue Reading

On Monday, October 2, 2017, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear a request from the Anchorage Assembly amending the Municipal Code for Accessory Dwelling units. It is one of the many attempts by the MOA to help fix Anchorage’s affordable housing crisis by adding new Continue Reading

Everybody wants an expansive deck to enjoy our fleeting summer days. Almost all new home buyers ask to increase the size of the builder’s deck. And it is a popular remodeling request as well. Decks come in all sizes, shapes and materials because decks are one of the most Continue Reading

Anchorage single family permits still lag behind last year’s with a total of only 95 new home permitted through June 2017 compared to 106 in 2016. However, the good news is a total of 300 new housing units have been permitted compared to 208 in 2016 thanks to a big boost in Continue Reading