Eagle River

While inventory may be lower than it has been in past months, there is no shortage of homebuyers in the Fairbanks Alaska area! Buyer traffic has continued to rise and with May having just begun, it's safe to say we are in for a busy summer in the local real estate market!

If you have just started your home search in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer or North Pole, now is the perfect time to prepare to make your home purchase a reality. Below are five ways Alaskan buyers can prepare to purchase a home this year:

Research your creditYour credit score will be an important piece of the puzzle when meeting with a lender. They will comb through your credit, pulling your scores from...

While winter has been named one of the best times to buy a home in Alaska, homebuyers may find themselves wishing they had moved before the holiday season rolls around. Schedules will soon grow busier, travel accommodations will be made and planning for the new year will begin, so if you're on the fence about buying a home in Fairbanks, North Pole, Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer or Anchorage, consider the following reasons to buy now instead of waiting.

Prices are rising
Homebuyers in Alaska will find that prices continue to rise as we head toward the end of the year— and will continue to do so well into 2016. According to a new survey report from over 100 economists and real estate market analysts, price appreciation over the next five...

The end of September is here! Summer is officially over and the warmer temperatures are behind us— now is the time to start preparing your home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, North Pole, Palmer and Wasilla for the snow and cold that have seemingly already set in! So whether you've just purchased a new property in Alaska or you've happily settled into your dream home, consider the following tips for protecting it against the fall and winter elements.

Start outside
Before the temperatures drop even further, start outside your home by disconnecting any hoses from spigots, clearing gutters and outside drains so rain and snow can properly travel and freeing walkways of any leaves, tree branches or overgrown...

"Should I wait to buy a home in Alaska until I have a larger downpayment?" It's a common question on many Alaskan homebuyer minds as of late and yet, the answer may not be what you expect!

The downpayment is an important part of the homebuying process as it will ultimately lower your monthly mortgage payment and if you have saved up the 20 percent, can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). And while there are mortgage types that allow you to put down as little as 3 percent, many homebuyers are pondering the idea of waiting to buy until they have a larger downpayment.

The main reason for ...

With the smoke, heat and burn bans across the State of Alaska this summer, you probably haven't thought much about a fire pit.  However, a fire pit can be an excellent addition to your outside living area.  And, what better way to enjoy those beautiful cool Alaskan fall evenings than sitting around a fire?  Building a fire pit is actually fairly simple, and we've put together this handy infographic to point you in the right direction!

Fourth of July in Alaska is just two days away! It's time for parades, games and entertainment in the park, socializing with family and friends and celebrating America. Lucky for us, the communities of Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and more have dozens of fun activities and events planned to kick off the holiday. 

And with this year's holiday falling on a Saturday, why not start the weekend and celebrate a day early? The Eagle River Fireworks are just the place to begin the festivities! On Friday, July 3, 2015, Lions Community Park in Eagle River will host their community-wide celebration starting at 6:30 PM with entertainment and games. The event will end with fireworks at midnight, sponsored by the Lions Club. With 19 hours of sunlight, the fireworks will go up just as the sun goes down!

In ...

Now that it's June and Memorial Day is behind us, we can welcome the "unofficial" start of summer to Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, Wasilla and North Pole Alaska! The warmer weather has arrived and this month, there are many fun events planned to kick off the new season. As your local Alaskan real estate experts, we've rounded up events to add to your calendar and opportunities to get out and explore— take advantage of everything that our area has to offer!

Skinny Raven Twilight 12K & Skinny Mini 6K
When: June 5, 2015, 7 PM
Where: Anchorage, AK

This fun, evening race event returns for its 9th year this month! Hit the streets of Anchorage and follow this event's interesting road course (one of Alaska's most unique!). It's the race of the summer and this year, you can join in on the...

It's true!  Even in Fairbanks, North Pole and Eagle River, curb appeal makes a difference.  What can you do to increase your home's ability to sell?  We've compiled a list of tips to help you increase your curb appeal.  Check it out!

One of the most important questions facing Alaskan homebuyers today, and perhaps one of the most common, is the age-old, "to buy or to rent?" When comparing current mortgage rates and the benefits of homeownership versus those of renting, the answer is pretty obvious. In fact, the latest Rent Vs. Buy Report from Trulia shows that homeownership is now 35% less expensive than renting!

In addition to that exciting statistic for Alaskan homebuyers, the burden of housing costs also just fell for the third consecutive year, according to the U.S. Census' American Community Survey.

One aspect of housing costs you may not be considering is that while they do indeed fall on homeowners, they tend to...

With all of the warm weather we are having here in Fairbanks, Alaska, it definitely has us ready to get outside and take advantage of the sunshine.  But, before you head out there, take a look at these great Spring yard prep tips!

Whether you're currently searching for the right home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer or North Pole or have just purchased one, this will likely be the biggest purchase you'll ever make. Many months, even years, of saving go into a home purchase, so it's important to be financially smart during this time.

Many homeowners get carried away once inside their new Alaskan property and start buying items to make their house feel like a home. While some of this is necessary and exciting as a new homeowner, below are five ways to avoid over-spending once you are handed the keys.

Don't purchase costly furniture
If you've just moved into a home in Fairbanks, Anchorage Alaska, remember that the...

Early in the year has been hailed as one of the best times to list your home in Fairbanks or Anchorage— but what exactly does that mean? According to supply, demand and outcomes for home sellers, the time is now! Mid-March to mid-April is a window of opportunity for home sellers who are motivated to move.

Patterns of home sale productivity tend to follow the weather; the exact time to list your home can ultimately be pin-pointed based on temperature. Now given that we've had a warmer past few weeks, listing your home now through mid-April would be a wise choice, but as always, Madden Real Estate can help you find the best timing for your specific situation. 

Listing during this window of opportunity—mid-March to mid-April—is typically when home sellers are able to ...

With spring just around the corner, Alaskan residents are ready for a fresh start. Many will begin home improvement projects, boost curb appeal, clear out the old clutter and most importantly, start the process of spring cleaning. Not only will spring cleaning help to scrub away the dull effects of winter, but it can make a big difference in the eyes of a homebuyer. 

Regardless if you're planning to sell your home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, Wasilla or North Pole this year, consider this your guide to spring cleaning and giving your property a much needed face lift.

Start by getting organized
Just like with any project involving ...

2014 seemed to be a series of ups and downs for the real estate market and now that we're into the new year, we've turned a corner. According to Time Magazine, 2015 will be a "drama-free zone" for housing. This year, the market will be back to fundamentals and both Alaskan homebuyers and home sellers can benefit.

Also contributing to a calmer, healthier real estate market is the growing economy, coupled with low mortgage rates."The 30-year fixed [rate mortgage] isn't likely to pass 5%," reported Time. "Bubbly gains in housing are [also] unlikely."

Although these are just two reasons the real estate market is returning to a healthy norm,...