Archives for 2018

So although we bemoan the high cost of housing in Anchorage, it sometimes helps to put it in a little bit of perspective. In Austin, Texas, near the University of Texas campus, you can buy a 1,200 square foot renovated l950’s home for $635,000.  Taxes are $9,588.  In Continue Reading

Last week I received a well-written email asking me to address the average income family’s struggle to buy affordable housing with a little bit of land. The reader had accurately portrayed the split in our socio-economic housing market between the $500,000 plus new home Continue Reading

Chances are almost 100% that if you’re an Anchorage home buyer, you’re frustrated with your hunt for a new home—whether your choice is either pre-owned or brand new. But, if it is any consolation, you’re not alone. In July 2007, the United States had 4,040,000 homes for Continue Reading

One year ago this month the VA 30 year fixed mortgage rate was 3.75. Today, that rate is 4.5%. Similar increases have occurred with all mortgage programs. A 15 year fixed conventional rate was 3.5% and today’s rate is 4.125. The popular FHA 30 year fixed rate has jumped from Continue Reading

Despite a slight increase in single family homes for sale after the first of the year, it’s still a frustrating buyer’s market with aging inventory. Making your home market ready for a buyer, who may have unrealistic expectations for a home that is twenty or more years old, Continue Reading

Dear Readers, I wrote the following article in September 2016 which was published in the Alaska Journal of Commerce. It is worth reprinting here because of its increasing relevance today as our housing stock continues to age. In my experience, home inspectors are Continue Reading

The spring buying season starts after Super Bowl Sunday and this year there are more active MLS Anchorage homes for sale than in the past five years. MLS has also reported a 5.89 percent drop in average closed sales price in January to $343,541 which is the lowest in over Continue Reading

It’s no secret that Anchorage is running out of lots, whether it’s for multi-family or single family development. There are many buyers in today’s local market that are frustrated due to the lack of larger lots.  Many want to move-up from their 6,000 to 8,000 square foot lot Continue Reading

According to Neal Fried, economist, with the Department of Labor, Anchorage lost an estimated 2,200 jobs in 2017 and he forecasts another 1,000 jobs lost in 2018. The only sector to increase jobs was in health care with a gain of 800 in 2017 and a projected gain of 600 in Continue Reading

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, has forecasted a national 2.5% increase in office rent, a 4% increase for industrial properties and a 2% increase in retail for 2018. Here in Alaska, our commercial real estate forecast doesn’t look Continue Reading