Wasilla Real Estate News, Valley Market Real Estate

Palmer and Wasilla Is On Street View February 10th, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

I think Anchorage has been on Google Street View for awhile but the valley just recently showed up. Apparently the cameras were rolling around the valley last summer. Most of the main streets are on and some whole subdivisions show up.

The problem with street view is that you can’t choose when they will take a photo…for example, here is downtown Palmer last summer when all the streets were torn up.

View Larger Map

It does give someone from out of town an idea what our area looks like. Here is a view of Springer Loop by Palmer showing the mountains across the fields.

Here is another one on Settlers Bay Drive…at least it was a sunny day.

I have thought about going around to take photos of all the major public buildings and schools for my website…but it looks like Google has done it for us.

Hopefully your lawn was mowed when they came by!

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Wasilla, Palmer Real Estate Statistics for Feb 1-8, 2010 February 8th, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

It’s been awhile since I’ve done the Monday Morning Memo so here it is.

These statistics are for the whole Mat Su Borough. They include all the residential property in Wasilla and Palmer as well as the far flung communities of Skwentna and Lake Louise.

The only real interesting number this week is the amount of new listings. Forty five new listings in one week is a pretty high number for this time of year. The reason for this is that sellers are aware of the same things buyers are. Namely, that interest rates are likely to rise, and the home buyer stimulus expires at the end of April.

If you are a seller, you better get your home on the market now.

		Average Price	Median Price	DOM
New	45	$257,792	$255,000	.
Total Active	657	$275,271	$239,900	163
Pending	18	$218,413	$225,500	107
Closed	17	$183,109	$195000	94

Get on the Deals Of The Week List….Foreclosure List….or Motivated Sellers list.

Based on information from AK MLS, Inc. but not compiled or published by AK MLS, Inc. Data maintained by AK MLS, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

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Seven Reasons To Buy A Home Built By Pacific North Construction February 5th, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

For several years now I have represented Pacific North Construction. I have found Nick Fonov to be a builder concerned with doing a good job at a fair price. I have enjoyed representing his homes. Click here for a list of current homes on the market by Pacific North Construction.

Nick recently itemized seven reasons you should by a Pacific North Construction Home:

1. You keep more money in your pocket because we only build 5-Star Plus energy efficient homes. Not only does it save money on your utility bills, but its also good for the environment.

2. We only install 95.5% or greater efficiency furnaces in our home heating systems.

3. All of our houses are equipped with HRV system, (Heat Recovery Ventilation) which helps to maintain high indoor air quality without excessive additional energy costs.

4. In every house that we build, we install a Hot Water on Demand heater, which is 35% more efficient than those of conventional storage water heaters.

5. All of our homes are equipped with a generator-transfer switch for your personal generator in case of power outages in severe Alaskan conditions.(Starting Jan. 2010)

6. As a standard feature we upgrade the lighting; install recessed cans, Décor switches, Media Panel for your data, phone, and TV.

7. You can save up to 75% on electrical lighting because all our recessed cans and light fixtures are equipped with Florescent or Compact-Florescent bulbs.

Most importantly, you don’t get some average house, but a “Home” that was built with integrity, excellence, and highest industry standards to fit your needs. You’ll receive assurance and comfort knowing that you are living in a high quality yet affordable home.

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Wasilla, Palmer, Alaska Real Estate Statistics from 2008-2010 February 4th, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

As the chart to the left shows, (click on it to expand), the market has been pretty steady over the last two years.

In fact, if you look at the actual data in the table below you will see that things are remarkably similar from month to month over the last couple years. The new listings, active listings, and sold listings all look pretty stable from month to month when compared to previous years.

The only slightly ominous difference is the amount of inventory for January 2010. You will notice a sharp jump in months of inventory. I actually expect this to drop down to normal this next month because activity is pretty strong with buyers locking in real good interest rates right now.

I just received a daily update from Brian Scoresby of Wells Fargo Mortgage in Wasilla thats showed 30 year conventional fixed rates at 4.875%. Thats the lowest that I’ve seen in awhile. In fact, if you combine that with some other programs from Alaska Housing we are seeing people close with rates as low as 4.375%, and some of those people are also getting 0 down and about $15,000 rebates to boot.

Send me a note if you want to hear how to do that.

Also, you might want to get on our Deals Of The Week List….Foreclosure List….or Motivated Sellers list.

Based on information from AK MLS, Inc. but not compiled or published by AK MLS, Inc. Data maintained by AK MLS, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

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WARNING ***Alaska Housing Changes Rebate Program***WARNING January 30th, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

An important change quietly went into effect at Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, (AHFC) on Jan 1. The big change is that instead of directly applying for the $7,500 rebate for purchasing a 5 star plus energy rated home you now have to go on a waiting list.

There are at least two rebate programs at AHFC that dip into the same pot of money. One is the rebate program for the new 5 star plus energy rated homes and the other is the rebate program for improving the energy efficiency of your home. People can reserve this money ahead of time for up to 18 months on the weatherization program and up to 12 months on the new construction program. You can find out about these programs at AHFC’s website here.

Apparently so many people have reserved money that the whole pot is spoken for. But I talked to two people at Alaska Housing yesterday who assured me that many of the people reserving the money will not use it and since their reservation expires after 18 or 12 months much of the money will become available for new applicants.

But…the important warning is to get you name on the waiting list NOW!!!. Go here for the contact numbers to get on the list.

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