Fairbanks, AK

By: Fairbanks AK Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton

In this case it is easy being green. Alaska Green Star is holding a fall recycling event this Saturday and Monday from 10:00AM - 4:00PM in the back parking lot of the Westmark Hotel on 8th and Noble (Google Maps Link). Green Star collected 12 tons from the recycling drive in April - a number they're hoping to match or exceed.

According to the National Safety Council approximately 41 million computers became outdated in 2004 and 63 million in 2005. That number was expected to reach upwards of 500 million in 2007. Research shows that 75% of outdated, unused computers are stored and awaiting disposal.

Electronic equipment contains a myriad of hazardous materials. A typical desktop computer contains between 2-4 pounds of lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, lithium, brominate flame retardants and phosphorus. Do something green and recycle your old unwanted electronics.

The electronics you turn in will be sorted and packed for shipment to a recycling center in Seattle (the closest recycling plant). Many of the materials in those old electronics items such as the plastics, glass, steel, gold, lead, mercury, cadmium and fire retardants can be recaptured for reuse. The recycling process separates CRT's and other equipment into component parts, some of which will be used to reduce our demand for raw materials and of course, reduce the amount of waste pouring into the landfill.

There is a nominal cost for disposing of your old electronics ranging from .50 cents to $38 depending on what you wish to recycle. A bulk discount was offered in April although no mention has been made of it for this even. Regardless, get together with your friends and colleagues and get rid of that old equipment you're not using.

Get involved. This is something we can all easily do to protect our pristine environment.

There are a few items that will not be accepted; video and audio cassette tapes, smoke detectors, loose batteries, vacuum cleaners, household electric appliances without a circuit board (toasters, vacuum cleaners, etc.). For more information please contact Interior Alaska Green Star at (907) 452-4152 or info@iagreenstar.org.

By: Fairbanks AK Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton

With energy costs in Alaska still some of the highest in the nation, it's no surprise that the cost of heating fuel has been a major topic of discussion in Fairbanks lately. While my crystal ball is on the fritz it's a fairly safe bet that heating costs will be significantly higher this winter than last. However, there are some things you can do to ease the pain of seeing the fuel invoice hanging on your door.

Shopping for the best price goes without saying, but don't forget to see what programs are available to help with the cost, such as;

* Cash Discounts: Ask if your fuel company offers a discount for cash payments and/or immediate payments.

* Employer Plan: Ask if the fuel company offers a discount plan to employees of your company?

* Builder/Contractor Discount: If you have a new home, ask if your builder gets a special rate and if you can be on their plan.

* Multi-Property Discount: If you own several properties, you could be eligible for a discounted per gallon rate.

Budget plans are another very popular option in the Interior. The fuel company will estimate the total cost of fuel for your home for the winter and divide that amount by 12 months. A home with an annual heating oil expense of $6,000 will be billed $500 per month.

Another important reminder is to sign up for auto-fill with your fuel company of choice. With auto-fill your fuel company will keep your tank full by making a delivery (generally) once a month. You'll get a significant price per-gallon discount by being an auto-fill customer. Those folks who order small quantities of fuel at a time often pay as much as 30%-35% more than auto-fill customers. Ordering an emergency after-hours delivery because you ran out of fuel will cost even more - in cost per gallon and damage from a freeze up.

Local Fuel Companies

Alaska Aerofuel - Phone: 474-0062 Alaska Petroleum - Phone: 488-2575 Badger Fuel - Phone: 488-8500 Interior Fuels - Phone: 456-1312 Johnny’s Express - Phone: 479-8877 Nenana Heating - Phone: 832-5445

Petroleum Sales - Phone: 456-7600 Polar Fuel - Phone: 451-9355 Sourdough Fuel - Phone: 456-7798 Brooks Fuel - Phone: 452-4581 Express Fuel - Phone: 452-3309 Everett’s Air Fuel - Phone: 450-2375

I knew it was coming.... it's as regular as Uncle Herb and his fiber pills, but I'm still not ready. This afternoon around1:15 snow started to fall in Fairbanks and the Tanana Valley. What started as a few flakes has turned into a downright flurry.

As always happens folks seem to forget how to drive when the snow shows up. REMEMBER, the brakes are NOT your friend. Slow down, take your time, give yourself a few extra minutes to get where you're going. It's not worth an accident.

Wow. What a difference 24 hours makes.

September 29, 2008

September 30, 2008

Military Spouse of the Year Award - Now Accepting Nominations

Although praise is deservedly lavished on military service members serving this country, we sometimes overlook their support system at home; their military spouses.

Long deployments to far away lands are no easy task. Military service members are in harms way and away from the family they love for extended periods of time. The wives and husbands left at home have an equally daunting task in that they're charged with keeping the home fires burning.

In recognition of their countless contributions and sacrifices, Military Spouse Magazine is accepting nominations for the 2009 Military Spouse of the Year.

Folks are encouraged to submit a nomination for either themselves or an eligible nominee of their choice. To submit a nomination, individuals must complete the nomination form online at www.msoy.milspouse.com. The nomination period runs from today through Oct. 8, 2008. Judges will review all submissions and select ten finalists from each military service branch, after which readers will select one branch winner.

"This award is an opportunity to thank all military spouses for their invaluable contributions, in addition to recognizing them for the challenges they overcome every day," said Babette Maxwell, Military Spouse magazine co-founder and executive editor.

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Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Jesse and Kathy are your local Fairbanks real estate experts. Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package. Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

This will undoubtedly go down as one of the most bizarre days I've had in real estate since... well, ever.

I spent the morning with a very nice couple from Offutt, AFB looking to move back to Alaska next spring when they retire. After meeting them for coffee this morning to go over our list of homes to see and review the information packages we set off to see if we could find their dream home.

Prospect #1 - Advertised as a "stunning charmer" by an obviously far sighted listing agent. It was anything but. I swear I saw bigfoot under the pile of whatever-that-was in the corner. I had to check the address twice to make sure I didn't accidentally drive us to the city landfill. Mr. Seller, your collection of empty capless two-liter dime store cola bottles doesn’t exactly add to the appeal of the stained with-God-only-knows-what carpet. This was a definite NO.

Prospect #2 - Beautiful log home with knock-your-socks-off curb appeal. They're grinning ear to ear as we pull into the driveway. That's as far as we got because there wasn't a lockbox (as advertised) and the listing agent didn't/wouldn't/couldn't answer her phone. After looking for the lockbox for 10 minutes (and making no less than 20 calls to the L/A - don't you love redial?) we gave up and headed to the next house.

Prospect #3 - Curb appeal - check. Lockbox - check. We open the door to hear the hounds of hell begging to be unleashed. Mrs. says she's not going in and heads back to the security of the car. I, like an idiot, push the door open and call out "hello". Great plan. Alert the four legged handmaidens of Satan you nitwit. 'John' and I enter and find two elephant sized boxers in the kitchen in dog crates that are levitating from the canine wrath inside. On the island we find a note from the owner that says, "watch out for dog bombs in the back yard." As the dogs are within seconds of breaking free of their cheap, plastic Chinese imported prisons and salivating over the thought of fresh meat, we made a hasty retreat and moved this one to the NO pile.

Prospect #4 - We pause for a second as we exit the car to see what demonic creature awaited us. All quiet. Lockbox is on the door and the key actually works. I say a silent 'thank you God' as we enter. We spend a few minutes exploring the house. Kitchen needs a little remodel and it could use new carpet but the rooms are a good size and there's lots of light. So far so good. We make our way upstairs only to end our tour when John opens the bedroom door at the top of the stairs and finds a young couple engaged in... well, lascivious behavior. That's it, we're outta here. Another NO. We get back to the car and John asks me about building. Wow, this is going well.

I've given up hope at this point. All I want is to show a cotton-picking house, for crying out loud. It's not as though we're looking at Maytag boxes with shingles for Pete's sake. There wasn’t a house on the list with a price tag of less than $350,000. What IS the problem people?

Prospect #5 - The fact that we can't get in the front door because the entire Neiman Marcus shoe department has been moved to the foyer doesn't faze us. We survived the hideous ear splitting music coming from the owners Ipod gizmo in the living room. Call me an old fart, but that thumping, wheezing, screeching, crying sound was NOT soothing (or ‘music’ for that matter). I liken it to the sound of something being eaten alive while penning its will with bloody nails on a chalkboard. Not quite what HGTV had in mind when they suggested you play music for showings Mr. & Mrs. Seller. Mrs. makes a face and says she had no idea Glade made a Sweat Sock scented air freshener. Hockey gear bag complete with stick on the dining room table. Someone's very-not-freshly-laundered undies on the floor of the master bedroom. Plate of almost finished spaghetti on the nightstand. We utter a collective sigh and head for the door.

Sell our home? Why, no... we just like the FOR SALE sign in our front yard. The colors are soooo pretty.

It's simple folks. If you want me to sell your home you're going to need to take care of a few things. C-L-E-A-N it, make it market ready (call me if you have no idea what that phrase means) and let me actually get in with the buyers to see it. Oh, yea, get rid of 'Precious' and 'Spot' and their little post-digestive treasures while you're at it. If you can handle that, I'll take care of the rest.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Jesse and Kathy are your local Fairbanks real estate experts. Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package. Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.