New home buyers frequently have a lot of questions relating to home warranties and what they cover. Some local builders offer a ten year structural warranty but the number of years required is not defined in the state statutes. Almost all builders offer a one year interior Continue Reading

In a recent presentation in Anchorage, Robert Deitz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, reaffirmed several trends in housing, construction and land development that Anchorage has been experiencing the past few years. The most startling of which is Continue Reading

I recently had the experience of researching a mortgage for a buyer considering a purchase of an $810,000 home. At this price point, all loans are conventional so I was surprised by the differences even within the conventional model. Down payment opportunities fluctuated Continue Reading

Today is the last day for the Parade of Homes and I want to encourage you to visit the homes that are open from noon to 6 pm because there is something special about a brand new home. It is a blank page which a new homeowner can fill with their own dreams and memories. I Continue Reading

On Monday, October 2, 2017, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear a request from the Anchorage Assembly amending the Municipal Code for Accessory Dwelling units. It is one of the many attempts by the MOA to help fix Anchorage’s affordable housing crisis by adding new Continue Reading

Everybody wants an expansive deck to enjoy our fleeting summer days. Almost all new home buyers ask to increase the size of the builder’s deck. And it is a popular remodeling request as well. Decks come in all sizes, shapes and materials because decks are one of the most Continue Reading

Anchorage single family permits still lag behind last year’s with a total of only 95 new home permitted through June 2017 compared to 106 in 2016. However, the good news is a total of 300 new housing units have been permitted compared to 208 in 2016 thanks to a big boost in Continue Reading

Soil conditions in Alaska can and do vary widely from street to street and even lot to lot in residential development. No matter how many test holes are dug prior to building a road or putting in a foundation, there are almost always surprises—some good and some not so good. Continue Reading

Anchorage has had sixteen homes sell so far this year with an original list price between $700,000 and $850,000. There are also six pending sales and currently nine homes for sale in this price range. One home sold downtown built in 1939 and a bluff home sold that was built Continue Reading