Homeowners’ Associations come in all shapes and sizes from single family communities to stacked condos but they all have one thing in common and that is they are governed by a Board of Directors. The board has the ability to change the number of pets an owner is allowed to Continue Reading

You can describe the first quarter of the Anchorage residential real estate market  not as a whimper or bang but a steady hum of listings and sales activity. Inside the numbers, however, are some nuances that we should all be aware of. But before we test our  knowledge of Continue Reading

In 1998 a Certificate of On-Site Systems Approval (COSA) became required for all title transfers (except between spouses) of single family on-site wastewater disposal systems and for wells. This twenty year old process continues to be rigorously enforced by the MOA to Continue Reading

Spring time brings out buyers looking for lots to build their dream home on. Currently, there are 220 lots in all zoning districts for sale from $30,000 to $6,086,865. However, many buyers are looking for a larger R6 lot of which there are only 60 lots including Anchorage Continue Reading

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