The September 2021 Alaska Economic Trends Magazine report on the Rental Market, “Many landlords we’ve surveyed consistently for years had sold their units in 2021. Reasons included downsizing due to the pandemic and taking advantage of the recent strength in the real Continue Reading
Is Our Housing Market Overheated?
Definitely not. And here’s why. Unlike the housing debacle of the late 1980’s, Anchorage hasn’t had 6,000 residential permits in a single year and hundreds of homeowners are not dropping off the keys to their house to their local lender. It’s true, we’ve had a dribble of Continue Reading
Frustrated Buyers Turn to New Construction Homes
More and more buyers are tired of losing out in the local market. Searching online at midnight; waiting in line to see a new listing; offering more than listed price; adding escalator clauses; and offering to purchase sight unseen. And in some circumstances, making Continue Reading
A SnapShot on Alaska’s Competitive Housing Market
Yesterday, there were only 214 active residential listings in the Municipality of Anchorage which includes not only Anchorage but Eagle River, Girdwood and Indian. Compare that to 565 pending sales. That balance between inventory and pending is upside Continue Reading
Why Do Homeowner Association Dues Cost So Much?
Well, the simple answer is they don’t, not really. HOA dues can be divided into two basic groups. The first group is what you would normally pay if you owned a single family home without an HOA. Every homeowner pays for water, sewer, garbage, building Continue Reading
It’s a New Year and a New Bubble
Nobody really knows what 2021 will be like but here are a few ideas to ponder when it comes to housing. Will you still be working from home? Perhaps, in a new ‘statement’ office-the envy of your former office mates? Will you be adding some blue/green Continue Reading
Reflections on the 2020 Real Estate Market
There is always a back story of how, where and when buyers and sellers enter the market. Nowhere or no time has this been more true than in 2020. Historic low mortgage rates brought a trove of first time buyers into the home buying market as well as move-up Continue Reading
A New Home or a Home Remodel in 2021
Your new or home remodel in 2021 may not have a tub in the owner’s bath but rather a large walk-in shower without a ‘curb’ on the shower pan. In fact, it may even be a walk-through shower with 12 x 24 smooth flat tiles without a pattern accent. That’s the latest buzz Continue Reading
Test Your Knowledge on Alaska’s Taxes
In Alaska, there are 15 boroughs and municipalities which have been given the right to tax properties by Alaska’s Constitution. And every year the Municipality of Anchorage publishes an Appraisal Valuation Report to inform its residents how properties are taxed in the MOA. Continue Reading
What to Know About Where You Shop
After fulfilling the dream of home ownership, many Americans look to start their own business, whether it is a bistro, remodeling construction company, bakery, shoe salon, private medical practice to name just a few. Mega corporations are highly visible in Anchorage Continue Reading
Connie Yoshimura, Owner/Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alaska Realty.