Alaska’s senior population is growing. According to Alaska Economic Trends, Alaska has an estimated 87,304 seniors, up from 54,938 eight years before and more are on the way. Anchorage/Mat-Su added more than 17,000 seniors, representing over half the state’s Continue Reading
Are You a Pet Lover?
I am! And if you are, we are not alone. Pets are part of the American dream, right along with apple pie and the desire for home ownership. Fifty-six percent of all homes now have pets. And pet lovers are estimated to spend approximately $75.38 billion in 2019 on their pets, Continue Reading
So Why Buy a Condo?
Because you won’t need a lawn mower! Or a snow shovel! Exterior maintenance and lawn care are done for you by the Homeowner’s Association and property management company. Yes, there is a fee for all that worry free living, that ‘lock and leave’ mentality but it’s a small Continue Reading
How ‘Silly’ is This?
The photo below is an example of the current required driveway width in residential single family subdivisions. According to Title 21: Land Use Planning, page 7-133, the “total width of driveway entrances to a residential lot from a street shall not exceed 40 percent Continue Reading
Take this Real Estate Quiz!
1. MLS reports that sold volume, when compared to last year at this same time is A. Up by 10% B. Down by 13% C. About the Same 2. Over the past five years has the average sales price A. Increased by 8% B. Decreased by 2% C. Continue Reading
A Mother’s Day Thank You
This Mother’s Day has given me pause to thank all the mothers who work at Dwell Realty. I am not a mother except to two poodles, Hapa and Peaches. They require feeding, bathing, walking, grooming and playful attention. But, I’ve been free to work long hours without worrying Continue Reading
How to Avoid Higher Property Property Taxes in 2020
In a recent ADN article, city officials stated that without any continued state assistance to help pay down school bond debt, single family property owners could expect an estimated $630 property tax increase on a $350,000 home. Already that home has Continue Reading
Is it a Buyer or Seller’s Market?
As always, the answer to that question depends on the price range, location and condition of the property. But, there are some trends worth noting. New single family permits are down for the first quarter of this year, see accompanying chart. MLS listings are also down from Continue Reading
A Snail’s Pace for the Real Estate Market in 2019?
The Anchorage real estate market is off to a slow start in 2019. Active listings for Jan/Feb fell by 3.2% from the same time as last year. More importantly, closed sales declined by 15.60%. Whether that is because of continued lack of inventory or the current concern over Continue Reading
Notes from the International Builders’ Show
Last week I attended the IBS Show in Las Vegas, along with Dwell Realty’s Marketing Director, Claire James. We came away with some new marketing ideas as well as design trends and a better understanding of the U.S. housing market. Like all conference attendees, and there Continue Reading
Connie Yoshimura, Owner/Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alaska Realty.