Alaska

2012 Real Property Assessment Appeals Anchorage, Alaska Real Estate

02-08-12

Vanna Siackhasone Anchorage Real Estate 907-720-4663

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Office: (907) 720-4663

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2012 Real Property Assessment Appeals

Anchorage, Alaska Real Estate

Anchorage property owners, you should have received your 2012 Real Property Assessments by now and this is a reminder that any and all property appraisal appeals must be filed by February 13, 2012.

There are many reasons why property values go up and down; the neighborhood became more trendy or your particular home has had updates and renovations done to it. The best reason to appeal your property appraisal is to lower your tax amount. This can be done through varoius ways and for different reasons. Remember that the Tax Assessed Value is NOT the same as the Market Value of the Property click here to read more about this topic.

Here are the steps to take to appeal your property appraisal:

1. Do you homework and your research. Look up the assesments of the properties around your area. www.muni.org provides this information. Oftentimes your property assessment is incorrect because of incorrect data. Make an appointment with the city assesor. At that time you can check to see if there are any errors on your property card.

2. Make your case. Your main objective is to prove that your property is assessed for more than comparable properties with similar characteristics. Once you've gathered all your evidence and supporting document, orgainze your argument and rehearse your presentation a few times before bringing it to the board.

Keep in mind that there is a time allotted to make your appeal. BE sure to submit your appeal in writing before February 13, 2012.

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Qualify To Buy Before Selling Your Kenai Real Estate

02-08-12

Chris Druesedow

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Office: (907) 598-4663

I found this article that I thought would be worth sharing about qualifying to buy your Kenai Real Estate before you sell your current home! Buying a first home is hardly easy, but it pales in comparison to buying your next home. Usually, two transactions are involved: the purchase of the new home and the sale of your current home. In other words, double the complexity. Most homeowners would rather know where they're going to live next before they let go of their current home, particularly if they have small children. However, stringent lender qualifying requirements make it impossible for most buyers to buy before selling. Lenders require enough cash for a down payment and closing costs without having your home sold. You will also need enough income to qualify carrying both homes. If you don't have enough income to qualify but it makes sense financially for you to keep your home as a rental property, the lender will use a portion of the rental income to help you qualify for the mortgage you need to buy the next home. HOUSE HUNTING TIP: Buyers wedded to 30-year fixed-rate financing can make qualifying easier by changing to an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). There are ARMs that are fixed for a number of years -- say five, seven or 10 -- before they convert to an adjustable. These loans are available at much lower interest rates than 30-year fixed-rate financing. If you plan to stay in the new home for longer than 10 years and want to take advantage of today's low fixed interest rates, you can refinance after your current home is sold. If you take this route, make sure there isn't a prepayment on the fixed ARM. Also, be aware that the interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate refinance loan is a bit higher than it would be on an equivalent purchase-money mortgage. In one instance recently, buyers were able to buy before selling, but only with the help of creative financing. The buyers had a generous down payment and applied for a jumbo conforming loan in the amount of $625,500. They hadn't sold their current home, so that mortgage was taken into account for qualification. Their overall debt-to-income ratio was too high. The lender of the mortgage for the new home would qualify the buyers for a conforming loan only in the amount of $417,000. These buyers were able to arrange a short-term interim loan from friends to bridge the gap until the sale of their current home closed. Check with your loan agent or mortgage broker to make sure this will be satisfactory with the lender. All cash for the down payment needs to be carefully documented, and certain restrictions apply. Another buyer who couldn't qualify to buy a new home without selling first was able to secure a private loan. Expect to pay a higher interest rate for such a loan, but you shouldn't have to pay it for long if you're selling a well-located home in good condition and you price it right for the market. In some cases, parents are willing and able to provide bridge financing, and are happy to make more interest than they will on CDs or Treasurys. In some markets that have a surplus of homes for sale, you may be able to buy contingent on the sale of your current home. However, banks selling foreclosure properties (REOs) usually won't accept a contingent-sale offer. Neither will sellers in desirable, low-inventory areas where there is plenty of buyer demand and buyers with a lot of cash who don't need to sell first. In this situation, you will need to sell first to be competitive and have a chance of buying in a choice neighborhood. It could require making a move to an interim rental. THE CLOSING: Although not popular, at least you buy time to find the right house that will suit your long-term needs.

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Kenai River Brown Bears - "Pink In The Rink"

02-08-12

Chris Druesedow

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Office: (907) 598-4663

Come support your local Kenai River Brown Bears for their "Pink In The Rink" Cancer Awareness Weekend. The games will be held Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11. Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m. There will be special edition game-worn jerseys that will be auctioned off during intermissions, and the proceeds will be donated to the Central Peninsula Health Foundation. Also, join the Brown Bears for their post-game party on Saturday night at the Caribou Restaurant in Soldotna!

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Evaluate Your Kenai Real Estate for a Home Office

02-07-12

Chris Druesedow

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Office: (907) 598-4663

If you are planning on making room for an office in your Kenai Real Estate, you may want to consider some of your specific needs of profession for the amount of space, light, storage, technology, and security. Where to put a home office A spare bedroom is the most common place for an office, but it’s not the only adaptable space in the house. The formal living rooms and dining rooms in many older homes often don’t get a lot of use and make great offices, says Lisa Kanarek, founder of WorkingNaked.net, a service for people “stripped of the support” of the corporate office. “They’re spacious, have good light, and are easy to close off,” Kanarek says. Architect Sarah Susanka, author of “Not So Big Remodeling,” converted her formal living room into an office for her therapist husband. It’s close to the front door and has easy access to the powder room, both important considerations if your business brings visitors into the home. Attics, basements, dens, sunrooms, garages, even laundry rooms are similarly convertible. One important question is whether you’ll be taking the home office deduction on your taxes. If so, your work area can’t be used for any other purpose; the IRS bases the deduction on square footage used “exclusively and regularly” for business activities. Consult your accountant about whether the deduction makes sense for you. What to spend on a home office The home office conversion described in the Cost vs. Value Report costs about $28,900, a figure that includes custom cabinetry, 20 linear feet of laminate desktop, wall-mounted storage, upgraded electrical and data wiring, and new woodwork, paint, and flooring. Of course, you don’t have to spend that much. By using off-the-shelf products and materials and doing some of the work, such as painting, yourself, you can transform an existing room into a home office for a lot less money. At minimum, though, budget $3,000 to $5,000 for paint, flooring, lighting, office furniture, and equipment. Consider the needs of your profession When evaluating space, start by making a list of the needs of your profession. An architect, for example, might want natural light and ample counter space for rolling out blueprints, while a vendor needs easily accessed storage for shipping supplies. In general, every office requires a work surface, storage, place for a computer and other electronics, and adequate lighting. Consider also your needs for the following: Power, phone, and data wiring. A bedroom may already have enough outlets and at least one phone or cable jack, but if you’re taking over a formal dining room, you’ll likely need new wiring. It’s a relatively easy job for an electrician to add outlets (typically $100 to $250 per receptacle, depending on whether you also need to run new circuits). Internet connections can often be handled wirelessly, but for maximum reliability and security, ask your phone or cable company about installing additional lines. Privacy. Susanka says the biggest mistake her clients make is putting their office in the middle of their home’s hustle and bustle. “The environment for work needs to be off the main living area,” she says. That doesn’t mean you need to hide out in the basement, but you’re better off out of the major traffic zones, especially with children at home. Security. If your work involves financial or other confidential records, think about how you’ll keep them secure. “I have client credit card numbers in my office,” says Paige Rien, designer for the HGTV show “Hidden Potential.” “I close the door and lock it.” When dedicated space isn’t an option Not everyone has a spare room to devote to an office. In that case, you need to find creative ways to carve out space. Offices can often be tucked into little-used locations, such as under stairs, in dormers, and on second-floor landings. One of Kanarek’s clients set up in a walk-in closet. “She lined the walls with counters and put in mirrors to make the space feel bigger,” Kanarek says. Closets offer a good compromise because you can close the doors on your job at the end of the day. Another option is a computer armoire; starting at around $500, you can get one with shelves for a computer and peripherals, a slide-out keyboard tray, organizers for files, even built-in cork boards. If that’s out of your budget, set off a corner of the living room or family room with a room divider, bookcases, or a folding screen.

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Kenai Performer's Present "Annie"

02-07-12

Chris Druesedow

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Office: (907) 598-4663

The Kenai Performer's will be presenting "Annie" as their big musical they produce annually! Opening night will be held on February 17 at 7 p.m. Show dates are as follows: February 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, & March 2, 3, 4. Friday and Saturday performances will be at 7:00 p.m. and there will be a Sunday matinee at 3:00 p.m. All performances will be held at the Kenai Central High School Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $15 for Seniors and Students. Come enjoy what is certain to be an excellent show!

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