Fairbanks, AK

I've heard the April showers bring may flowers bit all my life. Without the rains there would be no bountiful floral harvest to enjoy. How sad would that be, I ask you? Pretty sad indeed.

I just have one little itty bitty question. If April showers do indeed bring May flowers, does it matter if the April showers are FROZEN? We woke this morning to find a beautiful white blanket of snow covering the ground.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Mother Nature was, and is, dropping snowflakes like, well, Limbaugh does Oxycontin. It's everywhere.

 

This snow day message was brought to you by... well, me silly.  Have a great day and be safe out there.

 

That is our backyard, which only yesterday was snow free. When life gives you lemons, go make lemonaide, right? So since Mother Nature gave us snow, I'm going to go make snow cream. Yummy!

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Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local 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.

Your real estate resource for Fairbanks and Interior Alasaka

The University of Alaska Fairbanks campus is the flagship of the Univeristy of Alaska Statewide System. UAF holds the honor of being one of the few, but certainly the northernmost, of America's Land, Sea and Space Grant institutions, offering 25 certificates and 161 degrees in 115 disciplines ranging from bachelors to Ph.Ds.

Originally founded with a federal land grant in 1915 (44 years before Alaska Statehood) on what was a federal Agricultural Experiment Station, the University of Alaska, then known as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, was born. After receiving funding from the Alaska Territorial Legislature and the completion of the first building in 1922, the college opened its doors to the first class of students. A faculty of six offered 16 classes to a student body of six. Commencement in 1923 consisted of a single graduate.

In 1931 the federal government transferred the entire Agricultural Experiment Station to the college. Four years later the Alaska Legislature renamed the growing campus the University of Alaska to reflect the school's expanding role in research, teaching and public service. The Geophysical Institute was established in 1946 out of a need for scientific polar research with the first Ph.D. being awarded in 1955.

The University of Alaska had the distinct honor of hosting the Alaska Constitutional Convention in 1955 which produced The Constitution of the State of Alaska. The constitution was adopted by the delegates on February 5, 1956, ratified on April 24, 1956, and became effective when the Alaska Statehood Act was signed on January 3, 1959.

We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska. Preamble to Alaska's Constitution.

The Alaska Legislature created the Institute of Marine Science in 1960 and the Institute of Arctic Biology in 1962. UAF took over operations of the Poker Flat Research Range in 1969, which provides launch facilities for NASA and the Department of Defense. It is the only university owned rocket range in the world.

In 1970, UAF was designated as a federal sea grant institution for marine research. Today the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences operates the 133-foot research vessel Alpha Helix for the National Science Foundation out of the Seward Marine Center. The Alaska Native Language Center was established by an act of the Alaska Legislature in 1972 and in 1975 the University of Alaska statewide system was created, with additional campuses in Anchorage and Juneau.

Signficant changes continued with the opening of the University of Alaska Museum of the North in 1980. UAF enrollement topped 5,000 students for the first time in its history in 1981 as well established rural campuses in Bethel, Dillingham, Kotzebue, Nome and the Interior. Education centers in Fort Yukon, Galena, McGrath, Nenana, Tok and Unalaska provide additional education services to rural Alaskans.

In 1991 NASA named UAF as a space grant institution, thus becoming a Land, Sea and Space Grant institution, one of the few land, sea, and space grant institutions in the United States.

UAF's public service role is filled in part by the statewide Cooperative Extension Service with its eight district offices. Public broadcasting stations KUAC-FM and AlaskaONE TV, the first public stations in the state, are headquartered at the Fairbanks campus.

Today UAF is the only doctoral-granting institution in Alaska, offering Ph.D. degrees in anthropology, several of the physical and natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Master's degrees are offered in more than 50 fields in the humanities, social sciences, northern studies, physical and natural sciences, and in professional fields such as engineering, justice, education and business administration. Interdisciplinary programs are possible for students who have a research focus in areas where UAF has faculty expertise and research facilities available.

Welcome to UAF's Fairbanks campus UAF welcomes visitors to campus anytime of the year. Pick up a campus map and visitors' guide in a parking lot shuttle station, at the UA Museum of the North, Wood Center or Rasmuson Library and go exploring. Reduced shuttle service operates throughout the summer. Call 474-PARK (7275) or visit the Transportation Services website for more information: UAF Shuttle Services. Summer guided tours Guided walking tours | Guided campus tours for prospective students | International Arctic Research Center | Geophysical Institute | Arctic Region Supercomputing Center | Cold Climate Housing Research Center | Botanical Garden | Poker Flat Research Range | Large Animal Research Station | More things to see and do Take a Virtual Tour of the Univeristy of Alaska Fairbanks Campus.

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In addition to the main campus, classes are offered at the Tanana Valley Campus (TVC) located in downtown Fairbanks. TVC opened its doors in 1974 and provides career and technical education, academic preparation and lifelong learning opportunities for all Alaskans. TVC offers more than 40 certificate and associate degree programs in such fields as Allied Health (Certified Nurses Aide, Dental Assisting/Hygiene, Health Care Reimbursement, Medical/Dental Receptionist, Phlebotomy, Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Emergency Medical Services and Medical Assistant), Accounting, Applied Business (Computer Application, Human Resources, Finance, International Business, Marketing, Public Management & Tourism), Automotive Technology, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Certified Public Manager, Construction Management, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Diesel/Heavy Equipment, Drafting Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Information Technology, Law Enforcement Academy, Paralegal Studies as well as Professional Development and the Alaska Small Business Development Center

Ready to earn your Real Estate Ph.D and make an educated decision about buying Fairbanks real estate? Search Fairbanks homes for sale or sign up for our Realty Retriever - he'll automatically send you new listings as they become available without even mussing the corners of the page.

Next Stop: Fairbanks Financial Services Directory

Education is that which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of understanding. Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) U.S. journalist and writer. While not a complete antidote, a formal education will prevent us from spend our years stumbling down the path of un-elightened foolishness.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is comprised of 34 elementary, middle, junior, senior, career tech and charter schools as well as several alternative learning programs. A staff of 1,908 teachers, counselors, principals and district administration serve a student population of 14,103. Although varying from school to school, the district teacher to studen ratio is 1 in 22. Instructional services and student activities account for 72.5% of the school district's budget, which translaters to roughly $9,300 spent on each child in the Fairbanks district. 2006-2007 District Report Card Short Version.

State law requires every child between 7 and 16 years of age to attend school. Any child who will be 5 years old on or before September 1 is eligible to attend kindergarten. Children must be 6 years old on or before September 1 to attend first grade. New students need to enroll at the school they will be attending. When schools are closed for the summer, new students are encouraged to register in the Student Records Dept. in the FNSBSD Administrative Center, 520 Fifth Ave. (452-2000, x361).

A copy of the child's birth certificate is required for all pupils entering kindergarten and for first graders who haven't been enrolled in the district before. All new students must submit proof of immunization before being admitted. Please bring a copy of the student's transcript or report card to help with class placement. Also, proof of residency (utility bill such as phone, water, electric, etc.) is required at the time of registration. View Immunization Requirements for the FNSB School District.

Fairbanks Elementary Schools

* Anderson Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Arctic Light Elementary
* Ann Wien Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Badger Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Crawford Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Denali Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Hunter Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Joy Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Ladd Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Nordale Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* North Pole Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Pearl Creek Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Salcha Elementary - Routes (.PDF)
* Ticasuk Brown Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Two Rivers K-8 - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* University Park Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Weller Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Woodriver Elementary - Bus Routes (.PDF)

Fairbanks Junior/Senior High Schools

* Ben Eielson Junior/Senior High - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Hutchison High - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Lathrop High - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* North Pole High - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* North Pole Middle - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Randy Smith Middle - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Ryan Middle - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* Tanana Middle - Bus Routes (.PDF)
* West Valley High - Bus Routes (.PDF)

View School Boundaries by Street Name (.PDF) - FNSB Bus Rules (.PDF). View the various Official FNSB District Calendars. FNSB Athletics. FNSB After School Programs. 2007-08 School Lunch Menu & Nutritional Analysys.

FNSB Board of Education Members. FNSB School District eMail Finder. 2007-08 Board Meeting Schedule and Audio Archive. Updates from Superintendent of Schools Nancy Wagner.

Additionally, Fairbanks is also home to Bible Baptist Christian School, Fairbanks Montessori School (907-451-8485), Fairhill Christian School and Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, which consist of Immaculate Conception Grade School and Monroe Junior/Senior High School.

Seaching for a new home in a particular school district? Search Fairbanks homes for sale or sign up for our Realty Retriever - he'll automatically send you new listings as they become available without even mussing the corners of the page.

Next Stop: The University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks Alaska Condominiums... All the benefits of home ownership without all the work. Sound good? If so, a Fairbanks condominium might be perfect. Fairbanks has a wide variety of condominium projects to choose from starting with a cozy 1 bedroom 1 bath flat for $88,000 to a stunning new condominium development on the Chena River for $350,000.

Most Fairbanks condominium fees include heating oil/natural gas, water/sewer, lawn care, snow removal, refuse service, structural insurance and building maintenance. There are a handful of condominiums that include everything listed above except heating oil/natural gas. For those select developments the condominium fees are considerably less. Woodside North units, for example, each have their own heating system and pay $170+/- in monthly association fees as compared to $440 for Linck Estates, which includes heat.

Search the Fairbanks MLS for available condominiums then call or email us with any questions or to arrange a personal tour.

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Advanced Townhomes Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
---	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	2	$194,000	68	UNK
2006	22	$189,200	215	$328.11
2007	2	$206,000	77	$446

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Aurora Estates Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	2	$77,900	38	$250
2000	1	$78,000	10	$263
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	1	$84,900	6	$273
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	3	$106,800	6	$289
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	---	--	--	--

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Beaver Springs Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	1	$95,500	15	UNK
2001	2	$95,075	7	$100
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	3	$119,433	57	$100
2006	1	$132,500	37	$100
2007	---	--	--	--

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Complex 825 Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	2	$165,000	32	$295

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Blevins Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	0	--	--	--
2000	0	--	--	--
2001	1	$48,000	228	$250
2002	1	$50,000	N/A	$263
2003	0	--	--	--
2004	0	--	--	--
2005	1	$83,000	56	$263
2006	2	$85,250	223	$283
2007	1	$55,000	312	$220

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Bryn Mawr Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	3	$64,333	52	$227
2000	3	$65,800	48	$227
2001	3	$71,667	84	$235
2002	1	$69,600	4	$224
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	4	$95,225	16	$253
2005	6	$103,717	30	$306
2006	4	$116,350	39	$353
2007	5	$128,300	19	$384

Castle Place Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	14	$60,236	97	$163
2000	13	58,712	335	$175
2001	27	$57,300	352	$173
2002	7	$60,539	20	$161
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	8	$81,350	9	$170
2005	3	$87,667	20	$191
2006	8	$91,862	80	$232
2007	2	$109,326	35	$207

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Cedar Plaza Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	1	$34,500	112	$150
2001	3	$48,167	334	154
2002	1	$45,500	1	$150
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	2	$49,900	5	$150
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	1	$70,000	8	$200

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Dartmouth House Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	1	$26,000	7	$150
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	62,500	15	$170
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	1	$67,500	145	$200
2007	---	--	--	--

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Destinations North Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	---	--	--	--

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Denali Estates Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	1	$117,500	1	$280
2000	3	$100,333	57	$231
2001	1	$87,500	80	$226
2002	2	$112,950	162	$263
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$132,500	8	$284
2005	1	$140,000	53	$248
2006	4	$154,000	44	$302
2007	---	--	--	--

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Eagles Nest Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	7	$190,018	102	$363
2006	9	$205,190	224	$363
2007	2	$216,250	35	$362

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Eldorado Estates Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	2	$110,500	42	$249
2000	1	$125,000	205	$259
2001	4	128,500	278	274
2002	5	$112,500	189	262
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$137,000	31	$270
2005	6	$160,500	21	$385
2006	2	$164,500	72	$385
2007	4	$162,500	42	$416

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Georgetown Commons Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	1	$45,000	55	$194
2000	8	$57,867	140	$203
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$89,900	4	$UNK
2005	4	$82,475	22	$236
2006	2	$96,750	18	$255
2007	1	$92,500	3	$246

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Gold Crest Estates Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	1	$87,500	115	$100
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	4	$98,975	35	$100
2002	1	$127,890	4	$100
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	1	$155,000	7	$160
2007	---	--	--	--

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Hamilton Estates Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	2	$74,000	55	$237
2000	4	$95,833	81	$225
2001	1	$77,000	58	238
2002	2	$68,250	114	231
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	3	$91,333	26	$263
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	3	$109,750	19	$335
2007	3	$127,167	42	$328

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Linck Estates Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	1	$170,000	53	$362
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$165,000	216	$350
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	1	$185,000	84	$350
2007	2	$187,500	66	$390

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Marika Royal Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	2	$91,200	35	$230
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	1	$160,000	111	$380
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	1	$169,000	27	$400

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Mayfair Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$149,500	139	$325
2005	9	$142,111	68	$325
2006	4	$148,000		--
2007	--	--	--	--

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Nantucket Square Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	12	$113,625	73	$280
2005	17	$121,393	57	$287
2006	8	122,158	49	$272
2007	7	$137,486	19	$294

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Park South Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	1	$46,500	59	90
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$55,000	21	$165
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	1	$78,000	138	$125
2007	---	--	--	--

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Regency Park Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	2	$39,500	43	$220
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	3	$39,000	66	$220
2002	1	$45,000	22	$220
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	3	$67,467	53	$260
2007	1	$69,900	186	$250

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Ridgetop Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	2	$52,125	43	$195
2000	1	$60,000	41	$200
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	1	$68,500	3	$190
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	3	$87,333	30	$222
2006	5	$89,100	40	$266
2007	1	$105,000	N/A	$360

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River Bend Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	1	$350,000	N/A	$185

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Riverside West Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	3	$88,800	77	$254
2000	2	$104,200	22	$266
2001	4	$110,875	19	$264
2002	4	$119,800	62	261
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$149,900	52	$272
2005	2	$141,000	48	$290
2006	1	$186,000	45	$295
2007	---	--	--	--

River View Villas Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	3	$72,833	71	$255
2000	1	$77,000	N/A	$250
2001	2	$78,250	27	$250
2002	1	$83,000	8	$250
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	1	$126,000	80	$305
2006	1	$130,500	45	$295
2007	2	$135,500	34	$370

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Sprucewood Court Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	1	$47,000	55	$175
2000	3	$46,500	92	-$178
2001	1	$53,000	2	$185
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$70,000	71	$185
2005	1	$75,000	12	$205
2006	3	80,427	58	$218
2007	1	$88,000	N/A	UNK

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Sun West Estates Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	3	$54,833	70	$192
2000	3	$67,167	21	$231
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	3	$63,300	16	$207
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	6	$90,583	44	$245
2005	4	93,960	41	$290
2006	2	$96,250	69	$304
2007	1	$106,000	7	304

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Tanana Manor Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	1	$42,000	116	$185
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	1	$78,900	59	$303
--	--	--	--	--

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The Villages Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	5	$105,000	61	$275
2005	9	$96,000	76	$262
2006	5	96,980	84	$332
2007	1	$131,000	58	$400

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Townsite Commons Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	1	$95,500	13	$145
2001	1	$95,500	N/A	$150
2002	1	$109,000	39	$157
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	1	$145,000	42	$175
2006	2	143,950	37	$175
2007	---	--	--	--

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University Estates Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	2	$55,500	285	$275
2002	6	$56,132	603	$275
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	4	$83,375	22	$275
2005	1	$96,000	66	$175
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	5	$104,380	68	$400

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University Manor Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	2	$88,125	256	$132
2000	---	--	--	--
2001	2	$85,250	28	$189
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	1	$124,900	30	$305
2005	1	$125,000	121	$289
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	1	$164,000	24	$312

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University Park Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	3	$47,000	109	$235
2001	3	$48,672	55	$248
2002	4	$46,875	57	$243
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	7	$65,928	134	$246
2005	4	$73,750	62	$273
2006	2	$81,375	30	$290
2007	4	$74,225	16	$315

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Village Green Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	---	--	--	--
2000	1	$83,000	28	$295
2001	---	--	--	--
2002	---	--	--	--
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	3	$136,633	20	$350
2006	3	$150,083	84	$417
2007	3	$160,833	41	$458

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Wickersham Place Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	-1	$75,000	167	$200
2000	1	$68,000	8	$200
2001	3	$70,167	100	$255
2002	1	$83,700	48	$261
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	---	--	--	--
2005	---	--	--	--
2006	1	$82,000	N/A	$255
2007	1	$130,000	23	346

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Williamsburg Commons Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	1	$75,000	135	$245
2000	5	$74,300	83	$259
2001	1	79,500	107	$UNK
2002	3	$80,000	60	$251
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	3	$99,333	6	$261
2005	4	$91,500	41	$301
2006	---	--	--	--
2007	1	$114,500	29	$380

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Woodridge Park Condominium
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	2	$30,950	204	$215
2000	2	$40,000	219	$180
2001	1	$47,000	87	$160
2002	1	$54,000	37	$160
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	2	$69,250	27	$203
2005	2	$60,000	32	$207
2006	2	$67,850	92	$250
2007	2	$81,500	34	$287.50

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Woodside North Condominiums
Year	Units Sold	Average Price	Average DOM	Average HoA Dues
1999	5	$124,300	68	$150
2000	2	$125,750	4	$150
2001	4	$134,125	20	$160
2002	5	$138,940	19	$160
2003	---	--	--	--
2004	3	$147,467	21	$162
2005	5	$184,300	34	202
2006	6	$202,833	76	$266
2007	4	$846,000	110	$269

Next Stop: January 2008 Market Report

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Jesse & Kathy Clifton, better known as 'The Spouses' are full time Realtors serving Fairbanks Alaska buyers and sellers. They specialize in residential real estate; new and existing construction as well as undeveloped land in Fairbanks, North Pole, Ft. Wainwright, Eielson Air Force Base and Interior Alaska. Visit their website to review the fee market reports designed to keep you updated on the local Fairbanks Alaska real estate market. Have specific questions? Feel free to contact them anytime. They would love to hear from you. Tour Alaska on The-Spouses.com - Search Fairbanks MLS View Our Virtual Relocation Package

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Fairbanks Alaska New Construction Homes - A few questions to as your builder or representative.

For some it’s the crisp white walls or new carpet while for others it’s that theirs is the first family to call a particular property “home.” I started building homes in 2003, acting more as the bank than general contractor, because buyer clients were finding it difficult to accept some of our more retro properties as the palate for which they were going pain the picture of their new lives.

In the past several years the sale of new construction homes has skyrocketed. Seeing a demand for quality housing, contractors began building in earnest in mid to late 2000. As the market began what some thought was an endless real estate bull market, more and more builders began ‘getting in on the action.’ For a while it seemed as though everyone that could swing a hammer was suddenly being reinvented as a homebuilder. Men and women who had been or were plumbers, teachers, pilots or office workers caught real estate fever and jumped on the building bandwagon. While the capitalist in me says that’s a good thing, the Realtor in me is singing a somewhat different story.

A few questions to ask your Realtor when looking at new construction properties in Fairbanks:

• How long has the builder been building homes? It’s important to know whether the person you’re thinking of buying a house from will be around next month or next year when something goes wrong or you have questions about your new home.

• Is he/she licensed by the State of Alaska as a General Contractor?

• Does he/she have a Residential Endorsement? Licensed building contractors are required to carry one. Without one, financing a home built after 1992 can be an issue if you (and future buyers) want to take advantage of lower interest rates offered by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

• How many homes does he/she build a year, on average? As with most professions, experience is a good thing. This could also alert you to a scheduling issue if he/she has a dozen properties all vying for time and resources.

• Does the builder provide a written warranty? A warranty is only as good as the person standing behind it. With that said a written warranty will outline exactly what the builder is responsible for and what you, as the new homeowner, are responsible for.

• Will the builder provide references? If so, contact them. What do they have to say about the builder and his product? Would they buy another home from him/her again?

• Can you see other properties the builder has completed? Tour properties under construction as well as finished homes to get a feel for the level of quality and attention to detail. A lot can be hidden by drywall.

• Will the builder provide the PUR 101 (Energy Rating Certificate) and PUR 102 (Building Inspections)? There are no building codes in force for the majority of the Fairbanks North Star Borough so it’s important that the property was inspected during construction. PUR 101’s are now always supplied by the builder; you’ll need one to finance your property through Alaska Housing.

• Who was/is the building inspector/energy rater? There are good and bad apples in every bunch.

• Does/will the house have a passive or active air exchange system? A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is much more efficient in capturing heat expelled during air exchanges whereas a passive system doesn’t recapture any.

• If a spec home (built to sell without a specific buyer in mind), what are the options/upgrades?

• How long will it take to complete construction and what are the penalties for failing to meet that deadline? Reputable builders do their very best to meet contract deadlines but there are times when events out of their control happen, such as delays in materials or trade issues.

• What type of foundation is under the home? Stacked concrete block on top of a poured concrete footer is fairly standard in Fairbanks. Insulfoam-type foundations are becoming more popular but ‘all weather wood’ and post-on-pad foundations are still widely used.

• Did the builder have the lot drilled for permafrost or ice lenses?

• Is the property serviced by a well or a water holding tank? Wells are expensive to install, especially in the hills where the cost can easily hit $30,000.

• Is the builder going to do any landscaping? Builders in Fairbanks generally grade the area around the property but will provide landscaping services for an additional charge.

• Does the property have rain gutters? If so, are they seamless?

• What is the wall thickness? 2x6 is standard in our area but some builders prefer 2x8 or even double wall construction. Thicker walls mean more insulation which reduces your utilities cost.

• How many heat zones are in the house? What rooms do they control?

• Is the builder offering any incentives and if so, what are they? Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch. What are you giving up to gain that incentive?

• What appliances and mechanical equipment is included? Refrigerators are often considered personal property. Some builders opt for a simple range vent hood rather than a microwave/vent hood combination.

We are fortunate to have more than a few home builders with excellent reputations in Fairbanks that not only build quality homes but stand behind their product after the sale.

If you’re shopping for a new construction property in Fairbanks Alaska, it’s important to know what to look for and what to avoid. A small amount of diligence up front will pay immense rewards in the long run. With the average cost of a new construction home hovering just above $240,000 it’s important to do your homework to protect your investment and to know exactly what you’ll receive at close of escrow.