Beginning this Thursday, February 9th and continuing on through the weekend until Sunday, February 12th, 2012, the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center will be hosting the Anchors Aweigh Boat Show in Anchorage. The Alaska Marine Dealers Association and the Coast Guard are just a few of the organizations that will be on hand offering safety and education classes throughout the event. Several financial institutions will also be available to discuss payment options for buying your very own boat through one of the many specials going on at the boat show.

I know how long the winters here in Anchorage can be. So, it's nice to be able to stretch your legs somewhere other than inside your house. Head to the civic center this weekend to get the latest and greatest information on the boating industry so you're ready to head out on the water come summertime. Lead times vary from vendor to vendor and stock can be limited. So you need to start planning for summer now. Park at the Anchorage Athletic Club (9th & Gambell parking lot) to take advantage of one of the free shuttles to the show. Admission for adults (ages 12+) is just $8 per day or $10 for a multi-day pass. Kids admission is free (ages 11 and under). Families of five or more can get in for $20 total.

The Anchors Aweigh Boat Show in Anchorage is open from 10am to 8pm Thursday through Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Seminars will be offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The schedule of classes are as follows:

FRIDAY
12pm - Boating in Salt Water
2pm - Sailing
4pm - Boating in Fresh Water

SATURDAY
11am - Cedar Strip Canoe Building
12:30pm - Boating in Salt Water
2pm - Inflatable Repair
3:30pm - Boating in Fresh Water
5pm - Coast Guard Auxiliary

SUNDAY
11am - Sailing
12:30pm - Jet Coat Repair
2pm - Boating in Fresh Water
3:30pm - Boating in Salt Water

Get out of the house, learn a few things about boat safety and maybe even get a deal on your very own boat for summertime fun by attending the Anchors Aweigh Boat Show in Anchorage this weekend (February 9-12, 2012). Boating is one way to soak up some of the natural Alaskan beauty we sometimes take for granted.

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist

Peters Creek Alaska - Homes, Real Estate, Lifestyle

Peters Creek (Chugiak), Alaska is an unincorporated area located about 20 miles northeast of Anchorage. Its 8300 residents enjoy the close proximity to town, but even more, the great outdoor activities that abound. The original name of the area, “Chugiak” means “place of many places” in the original Dena’ina language. Settled in the 1950’s by homesteading World War II veterans, today, housing in the area is rapidly expanding.

That’s not surprising, because those who live in the Peters Creek area can live the rural life while still enjoying wonderful restaurants, great schools first class hospitals, shopping at area malls and nearby access to the Anchorage Rail Station and airports. Add it all up and Peters Creek has something for everyone.

In addition to the great outdoor activities, you can do some pretty unique things in the Peters Creek area. If you tire of watching the local wildlife, including bears, deer and elk, you can catch a flight out of Merrill Field, Anchorage’s private airport and soar over Chugach State Park or on a night flight, catch the Auroras from high above the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. It will be a memory to cherish for a lifetime.

If you live in Peter’s Creek, you’re bound to enjoy something out of the ordinary, so why not take a mid-winter trip to ride the waves at H20asis, an indoor waterpark in Anchorage. What better way could you beat the cold weather blues?

Need more? How about golfing in January? The Tanglewood Gold Dome features an indoor driving range, complete with pros who offer lessons. Not your style? The Sportsdome has batting cages, soccer fields and a 400 meter running track.

By now, you probably understand that living in the Peters Creek area of Alaska is a step above ordinary living. It’s Alaska at its best and it is waiting for you! What are you waiting for? Check out AlaskaHomeSearch.com for more on Peters Creek and the homes in the area.

When people ask “how is real estate in Anchorage doing?”. They are most commonly referring to, how are single-family home values in Anchorage and Eagle River?.

2011 was very similar to 2010. In 2011, Anchorage saw 4,429 active listings in the MLS, down just 1% from 2010. The number of properties sold actually increased by 3% to 2,307. Average sales price dropped slightly, down 2% at 322,626. The percent of list price that the homes actually sold for remain consistent at over 98%.

So what does that really mean? Basically the market for single-family homes in Anchorage and Eagle River has remained flat. Most home sellers are not upside down. And if you need to sell a home, you can expect to be able to accomplish it in a relatively short amount of time. Of course hiring a great real estate team of professional marketers, adapting a solid pricing strategy and making the home marketable are important to success.

If you're a buyer, there are good values to be found. But if your hope is that you will find a well-maintained home in a great area that will sell for significantly below list price. You are likely going to be disappointed. With the exception of a reasonable number of foreclosures, bank owned properties, fixer uppers and short sales, most sellers are able to achieve at or near their list price. What makes a good deal on a home phenomenal at this point is the rock-bottom interest rates. Most of the mortgage professionals that we work with do not expect to see any dramatic increases in rates in the near future, an election year.

Condominiums in Anchorage have felt a higher level of effect from the housing market shift then single-family homes. In 2011, there were 1697 active listings for condominiums in Anchorage and Eagle River down 15% from the preceding year. The number of condominiums sold was down 16% and the sold volume was down 12%. Average sales price was up 4% to $197,310 and sellers retained almost 99% of their final list price at sale. Condominium sellers are going to have to be aggressive in 2012 if they hope to sell for the top available dollar.

Market conditions vary substantially for different neighborhoods and price ranges. We produce a weekly report called the total market overview that we are happy to forward to anyone interested. Just send an e-mail to info@688King.com for the latest activities in your area and price range.

Want a current value report for your Alaska property? Go to : http://www.907688king.com/sell/

It's free, it's quick and it's easy.

Rob King

King & Associates

Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

907-688-5464 office

907-351-9099 mobile

www.688king.com

If you love folk music, you're going to love the Anchorage Folk Festival. Beginning Thursday, January 19, 2012 and continuing through Sunday, January 29, 2012, musicians from around the world as well as our own state will be performing for the public all around the City of Anchorage. There will also be workshops given throughout the free 10 day event.

Several different acts will be performing on various days at the main stage (Wendy Williamson Auditorium, UAA campus, Lake Otis & 36th Ave, Anchorage). Performances will be held from 7pm to 9:30pm on January 19th and 20th, 12:30pm to 6pm and 7pm to 10:15pm on January 21st, 1pm to 5pm and 7pm to 10:30pm on January 22nd, 7pm to 10pm on January 27th, 12:45pm to 6pm and 7pm to 10:15pm on January 28th and 1pm to 5pm and 7pm to 10:30pm on January 29th. There will be a special Folk Night for all UAA students held on Thursday, January 26th from 9:15pm to 11pm. For a complete list of who will be performing and when, please visit the AFF website's mainstage page.

Everyone of all ages is welcome to attend any of the workshops that will be held during the Anchorage Folk Festival. Even kids under 8 years old are welcome as long as they have an accompanying supervising adult with them. Some of the workshops available include Music Theory: A Zen Approach, Improve Your Singing Voice, Fingerstyle Guitar, Swing Dance Lessons, Native American Flute, Fun With Ukeleles and even a Banjo Workshop. There is no need to call ahead to make a reservation or pay anything out of pocket. Simply show up and you'll be able to join in on the fun. You might even learn something. For a complete list of the Anchorage Folk Festival Workshops, please visit the AFF website's workshop schedule page.

The Anchorage Folk Festival is a great place to listen to true artists from all around the world perform amazing folk music. You can even learn a new skill at one of the workshops. The best part of all this is that it is absolutely FREE! You don't pay a dime for this great time! That's quite a bargain. So, bring the family and enjoy some great music.

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist