Wasilla Real Estate News, Valley Market Real Estate

Wasilla Real Estate News, Stats From June 7-13, 2010 June 14th, 2010

Categories: Monday Market Memo

Wasilla Real Estate News presents the real estate statistics for the week of June 7-13. These are the statistics for residential property in the whole Mat-Su borough.

Well, we went over 900 homes on the market this week. The numbers have been steadily climbing and probably will be continuing to climb during the summer months.

There were 63 new listings that hit the market this week. Twenty four closings looks fairly healthy until you devide that number into the number of listings and realize that even at 24 closings a week, we have more than 9 months of inventory on the market. Still, we are a lot better off than the hurting real estate markets in the lower 48 where they have two years and more of inventory in a lot of places.

		Average Price	Median Price	DOM
New	63	$281,552	$259,000	.
Total Active	900	$285,460	$245,000	125
Pending	32	$214,739	$210,000	88
Closed	24	$208,515	$212,500	98

Below are the statistics from the second week in June 2009 for a comparison. Note how everything is so similar, except for the closing data. We have twice the amount of closings for this past week than we had last year. We are still living off the housing stimulus. The properties purchased with the tax rebate needed to go into contract by the end of April and close by the end of June. I have one of those closing this week myself.

		Average Price	Median Price	DOM
New	63	$273,167	$234,900	.
Total Active	916	$290,315	$239,900	133
Pending	27	$227,133	$215,000	69
Closed	14	$217,986	$222,500	83

Jay and I review the inventory every morning for our current clients. If you would like to be one of our buyers just let us know. We will help you find the property you need.

Based on information from AK MLS, Inc. for the period 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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5280 E Kane, Wasilla Alaska June 7th, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

Kuzina Builders take pride in their work. This is a father/son team that are hands on throughout the whole construction cycle. These are not production builders that visit the job site once a week, these guys are actually there doing the work every day. This is old school quality construction.

This house is just starting, This is a 1512 square foot ranch with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a two car garage. It is built to 5 star plus energy standards on a 1.5 acre level lot with a view of the mountain. The price is $245,000.

Check back to this page often to watch this house go up. If you are able to get this home under contract soon, you will have a say in the finish work.

Here is the progress

check out the mountain view in this video:

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Mat-Su Assembly Approves Motion For Strong Mayor June 1st, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

After an extended discussion and public testimony the borough assembly approved Mark Ewing’s motion to put the question on the ballot.

The public testimony made it clear that the Conservative Patriots Group had a petition ready and signers chomping at the bit to sign it should the assembly turn it down. Several members who were not in favor of changing to a strong mayor form of government voted for the motion because they did not want to stand in the way of public sentiment.

These assembly members remembered what voting against the public did to incumbents in the last borough election. Both incumbents that voted for the sales tax were defeated in the last borough election. The ones who did not remember were reminded several times in a very pointed way by Mark Ewing who pushed hard for his motion.

Nevertheless, two assembly members still voted against the obvious public sentiment. Pete Houston and Jim Colver were the two who voted against the motion. Jim Colver was one who defeated an incumbent in the last election…and he ran as an “independent conservative”.

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Test Your Water May 25th, 2010

Categories: For Buyers

Arsenic, lead, nitrate, and copper are common contaminants found in water in the Mat-Su Valley. You really need to get your water tested. I found out today that there are about 20 water systems serving subdivisions in the valley that are out of compliance with the Department of Environmental Conservations drinking water program.

These communty systems serve thousands of valley residents. This does not include all the thousands of private wells in the valley. Most private wells are tested for bacteria when they are sold, but few are tested for anything else. Some buyers inspect the water as part of their inspection process when buying a home and more should.

Very few buyers inspect the water of a community system. They assume that it will be inspected by some governing authority. The systems are monitored, but many are not in compliance and are operating under an agreement with DEC while they work to bring their systems into compliance. In the meantime, some are over the guidelines for a number of potentially harmful contaminates.

Once you know what is in your water, you can deal with it. In most cases the right filtering system will take care of the problem. Extreme cases may require a new well. Most of the contaminates are not caused by pollution but are naturally occurring in the ground water so a new well will need to tap into a different aquifer.

The test is easy to do. You can either have one of the local firms do the test…Mat-Su Test Lab is a good one, or you can order the test online. I just ordered one myself from National Testing Laboratories…it cost $178 and tests for 83 different contaminants. I’ll announce the results on this site when I get them back.

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Hart Lake Estates, Wasilla Alaska May 24th, 2010

Categories: My Listings

This development is located in the heart of the Mat-Su Valley. Just about 1/2 way between Palmer and Wasilla.

Some lots have beautiful Mountain views, others are covered with birch trees, and a select few have water frontage on Hart Lake.

Hart Lake Estates is a neighborhood with paved streets that wind through a birch forest. Underground utilities ensure that the views will not be blocked by unsightly power lines.

Wells have proven to be at a relatively reasonable depth with plenty of water. Here is one example. While wells cannot be guaranteed, so far, everyone has found plenty of water without having to go over 200 feet. In fact most wells are under 100 feet.

The covenants are reasonable, striking a balance between personal freedom while protecting the property values of the neighborhood. Click here to read the covenants. Speaking of neighborhood , the homeowners joined forces to install post office install cluster boxes. These are individual locking boxes that are very conveniently located.

Homes in the neighborhood range from $250,000 on up to $700,000 or more.

Here is a plat of Hart Lake Phase 1 and Hart Lake Phase 2 (lakefront lots).

Hart Lake Prices

Lot prices are in the $35,000 ranges while the water front lots are priced higher. Click on the map on the left to see the prices. Remember, these price are subject to change, the developers reserve the right to raise the price at any time. Right now the prices are extremely attractive. The prices on the map will be kept current.

Directions: Parks Highway to Wasilla, Right on Main Street which becomes Wasilla-Fishhook Road up Wasilla-Fishhook to Right on Pamela, Right on Frost and you are there. Click for a map, you will see Hart Lake in the center. The Hart Lake Roads are not on the map, but the access roads are all correct.

Covenants
Location Map
Hart Lake Phase 1
Hart Lake Phase 2 (lakefront lots)

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