Eagle River

Despite the current real estate market conditions—mortgage rates, increasing inventory—some Alaskan homebuyers are still on the fence about purchasing a new property. However, some of the common reasons for not buying can be explained away as myths. Don't let these stop you from settling into your dream home in Alaska yet this year. 

Madden Real Estate can assist from home search to home closing, including debunking these common homebuyer myths:

You can't afford a home
This is likely the most common myths that will delay a home purchase, but the truth is you can afford it. Mortgage rates are still low by historical standards and...

As a homeowner in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River or Palmer, you design your home to fit your needs and tastes. However, as a home seller, you need to see your home through a different perspective. This fall, many Alaskan homeowners will make updates and check home improvement projects off of their lists before winter arrives— just don't get too carried away.

There are a few updates that are not appreciated by all homebuyers. Keep these in mind in order to avoid turning homebuyers away from your property in Fairbanks or Anchorage. When your home closing arrives, you'll be happy you removed that wobbly ceiling fan and decided against the wallpaper.

Old finishes
Homebuyers in...

The real estate market has recently seen a series of welcome changes that could greatly help Alaskan homebuyers purchase their dream home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer or North Pole this fall. Mortgage rates dipped to their lowest levels in over a year, thus making homes more affordable for Alaskan buyers, and existing home sales have reached their highest annual pace! Not only are buyers confident in their ability to purchase a home, but in their ability to purchase one at a great price. 

However, the common question facing homebuyers in Alaska is not always if they should buy a home, but when they should buy a home. Prospective homebuyers are constantly trying to "time" the...

It seems like fall only just started, but we're now already nearing the end of October! The winter months will be upon us before you know it and preparing your homes in Fairbanks, Eagle River, Anchorage and Palmer Alaska now will keep you from tackling tiresome projects in the cold. If you haven't already, this fall is the time to cross items like checking the furnace and storing garden hoses off of your list. You can also use the following as a checklist to ensure you'll be able to enjoy the busy holiday season in beautiful Alaska without a homeowner hassle.

The Exterior
You'll want to take care of the exterior of your Alaskan home before the mercury takes a tumble, especially your yard and roof. Any damage or debris that is present now can present many problems if left unattended and covered in snow or ice. 

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Home sellers in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer and North Pole this year will begin to think about the special aspects of their home that will set it apart from others in the Alaskan real estate market. Is it the number of bedrooms, the square footage or the prime location that will bring the homebuyers to the front door? Not this fall! The "Special Function" room is back in demand for Alaskan homebuyers— meaning if you have an outdoor living space, home office, mudroom or media room, your home could bring more traffic than others.

For some time, special function rooms had disappeared from Alaskan properties, especially newly-built homes when the market was headed downwards. But now that both homebuyers and home...

For the first time in eight years, consumers have a positive outlook on the real estate market and feel confident it is headed in the right direction. 

The findings are a result of a new Gallup poll that previously pegged Americans losing hope in the market from 2003 to 2008. During that time, home prices had begun falling rapidly and homeowners were losing value. However, the overall view of real estate has since made a sharp turn from these low points and suggests both homebuyers and home sellers are expecting a bright recovery.

We have just stepped out of the busy summer buying season, but fall can be just as lucrative a time in the local Alaskan real estate market. Below are a few of the reasons this season...

Sometimes the decision to sell your home in Fairbanks or Anchorage has nothing to do with the mortgage rates or the real estate market at all. For many home sellers in Alaska, deciding to sell can simply be because the home isn't doing it for you anymore. Whether that means the home needs repair after repair, you've outgrown it, or the upkeep is just too much— the team at Madden Real Estate is your go-to for getting out of a home you loathe and into a home you love.

Not only do we have a custom marketing plan, but a Guaranteed Sales Program that ensures a successful home sale— or we'll buy the house from you! If you've been feeling the separation from your current Alaskan home, here...

A new season is here in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer and along with it comes new festivals for residents and tourists alike to enjoy. Fall is a great time to get out and explore everything Alaska has to offer, including the beautiful landscape and changing colors. No matter where you live—from North Pole to Chugach to Wasilla— there are plenty of events to enjoy! 

Here are three events you can plan to attend this October:

Make It Alaskan Festival
October 3-5, 2014
Sullivan Arena
Anchorage, AK 
Friday: Noon to 8 PM; Saturday: 10 AM to 7 PM; Sunday: 11 AM to 6 PM

The Make It Alaskan Festival returns again this year, just minutes from downtown Anchorage. The oldest and largest event of...

While summer has just about finished and Alaska residents may not yet be ready to think about winter, homebuyers would be wise to start the real estate process early. There's a reason summer is busy for the Alaskan real estate market— conditions are ideal for moving and families are ready for a change of scenery. If you sat on the sidelines this summer, not quite ready to purchase a home in Fairbanks or Anchorage, no problem! But you won't want to wait until winter to make the move.

Prices will be higher
You may have already noticed that home prices and mortgage rates are rising, so don't delay. As we get closer to winter, the prices will continue to rise and as a result, so will your potential ...

It's time to get in the garage this weekend and organize the summer clutter that accumulated over the past few months. There is no better way to start the new season than with fresh, clean spaces— including your storage areas! Below are a few ideas for beginning the project, from cleaning and clearing to organizing and storing.

Remove all of it
The best way to start organizing your home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River or Palmer, even the garage, is by taking all of the items out of the space. Remove every box from the garage and set it outside the door; you'll be surprised how much bigger the space looks and you'll be able to get a read on what you are actually storing. Next, go through the items and separate into "Donate, Keep and Sell" piles. If you haven't used something in the past six months, or didn't even know you had it, consider...

You may have read our previous blog post on how to know if you're ready to buy a home in Alaska and now it's the home seller's turn. This summer, homeowners were showing that they were finally ready to move and in some cases, finally able to move given their home equity. But how do you know if you are one of the homeowners that should take the leap?

Of course, there are many contributing factors that will ultimately place that "For Sale" sign in your yard, but below are a few tell-tale signs you're ready to sell your home in Alaska:

The home is no longer part of your plan
Perhaps your family is growing, you need more space or the home just doesn't meet your needs anymore— it might be time to find a place that better...

The Alaskan real estate market can cross over both ends of the homebuyer spectrum— on one side there are homebuyers ready and motivated to purchase a home and on the other, a group of potential buyers still on the fence about when to make the leap.

If you find yourself on the sidelines wondering when to make that purchase, here are a few tips to help you decide if it's time to buy a home in Alaska:

You want control of your home and its surroundings
One of the biggest reasons Alaskan homebuyers are in the market this year is to take over complete control of a property. If you're sharing a space or even renting, oftentimes making a space your own is not possible. With homeownership in Alaska, you can make as many improvements and changes...

It's almost the weekend yet again and you're likely making plans in the Anchorage, Fairbanks, Eagle River or Palmer area to soak up the weather and enjoy some of your free time. The good news? This weekend, Anchorage is hosting three festivals for residents and visitors alike to attend, all varying in themes from food to the local nature scene. Mark your calendars for these three festivals celebrating the "Dog Days" and coming at the end of the month, you can prepare for the annual Alaska State Fair!

Dog Days of Summer Block Party
August 16, 2014
12 PM to 4 PM
Peratrovich Park and E Street 
Anchorage, AK

 What better way to celebrate these dog days of summer than with a block party? Sponsored by the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, this party allows you to bring along your pets! There...

Alaskan homebuyers have a lot on their to-do lists this summer— from starting the house hunt to finding a home that meets their needs to putting in an offer and finally, getting that offer accepted. Especially if you need to sell your current home in Alaska, the entire process can be overwhelming. In fact, the last thing you want to happen is to put in an offer on your dream home only to have the seller accept another offer.

So how do you make sure your offer stands out as the best? These four tips are crucial to making an impression on a home seller in Eagle River, Fairbanks, Anchorage or Palmer:

Be Personable
According to Realtor Magazine, a homebuyer in the Alaskan real estate market should be likable and present themselves as such to sellers. Money is a major part of making...

It's safe to say that all Alaskan homeowners aim for a healthy home value, one that doesn't take a hit when they decide to renovate. You may think you have your home's best interest in mind when bringing in new appliances, but their effect on the resale value may not be what you had hoped. Especially if you're planning to sell in the near future, be mindful of the factors that can influence the value of a home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River or Palmer. 

Consider these tips before you make any big changes to your Alaskan home this year:

Layout and Size
Despite what you may think about local real estate, larger homes are not necessarily what homebuyers want. With a larger home comes more upkeep, time and maintenance costs. Layout is a much more important factor when it comes to...

As part of working with Madden Real Estate, we guarantee your home sale or we'll buy it. It's part of our Guaranteed Sales Program and part of what makes us the team you'll want on your side when selling your home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Palmer, or Eagle River this summer. We'll help you—as an Alaskan home seller— to come up with an overall strategy that works for your particular home, including a desirable listing price and perhaps even home staging. 

Before you list your home this summer, or before you let prospective homebuyers through the door, keep these home staging tips in mind to give your home sale an added boost:

Bird's Eye View
Put yourself in the homebuyer's position and step outside...

More homebuyers are entering the Alaskan real estate market this summer, searching for new homes in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Palmer and Eagle River. If you're a home seller, one of the best steps you can take is to update the property and help the home stand out among the rest. While there may still be limited inventory in the local real estate market, these simple, inexpensive updates could be just what your Alaskan home needs to attract the right homebuyers.

Update the Front Door
Nothing can update the overall vibe of your home like a fresh coat of paint; it's also one of the most inexpensive fixes in terms of curb appeal. To grab the interest of an Alaskan homebuyer, you do not need to paint every room in your home. Before you start, put yourself in a homebuyer's shoes and consider...

If you'll be in the area this Independence Day, consider the Anchorage July 4th Celebration as this year will mark its 14th annual event. The event is held on the Delaney Park Strip and features over 50 local vendors, activities for the kids, and free entertainment. Anchorage residents have been enjoying this holiday celebration for years and if you haven't yet attended, this is your chance!

The July 4th Celebration in Anchorage has been described as "part of the fabric of Anchorage" by elected officials, with over a thousand active participants and 25,000 attendees. The event will kick off at 8 AM on July 4th with a pancake breakfast after which guests can begin settling in to enjoy the parade at 11 AM. A festival will follow the parade from noon until 6 PM, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1 PM, rides, games, vendors and food. For those planning...

You may have heard the buzz by now that mortgage rates are rising, housing prices are increasing and now is the time to purchase a home in Alaska— all of these may be true and in fact, point to a larger picture. While there are more homebuyers now ready to purchase homes in Alaska, home sellers are holding back. If you've been thinking about selling your home, it may be just as much your time. In today's market, with low inventory, it can be difficult to give buyers a property that is exactly what they're looking for— but you can make yours more appealing. Below are a few factors to consider to help your home stand out in the Alaskan real estate market this summer:

Know Your Competition
Home sellers will need to know the competition in order to successfully market their Alaskan homes in this market. When you work with Madden Real Estate, we can show you other...