Anchorage, AK

The Alaska Experience Theatre in downtown Anchorage will be hold its very first Halloween Film Festival every Tuesday through Saturday throughout October. Movies to be shown range from the fun, family-friendly 'Goonies' to the uber-scary "The Exorcist". Tickets for each show are just $5.

October 5-8, 2011 - 'Aliens'
October 12-18, 2011 - 'Stanley Kubrick's The Shining'
October 19-25, 2011 - 'The Exorcist'
October 26-31, 2011 - 'The Goonies'

Show times for each movie will be 4pm, 7pm and 9:30pm every Tuesday through Saturday. The 7pm and 9:30pm showings are for adults only (ages 21+). Each movie will be shown on the Alaska Experience Theatre's newly remodeled 40 foot screen. For more info on the 2011 Halloween Film Festival, please call 907-272-9076.

If you love scary movies, attend one of the classic movies offered at Anchorage's 2011 Halloween Film Festival. The Alaska Experience Theatre is a truly a unique experience.

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist

This Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11/01. The people of Anchorage will be joining in with millions of other American citizens to remember what happened that day as well as celebrate the strength of the American spirit. If you are looking for a way to remember those we lost, there are several September 11th memorials happening around Anchorage.

Never Forget Fundraiser - Jodhpur Rd, 8am-6pm. All proceeds received from the sales of hotdogs and sodas during the local motocross races in Anchorage on September 11th will go towards the Alaska Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Please go out and support these guys.

Freedom Flag Run - North Star Speed Way (2151 Jensen Circle, Wasilla), 10am-4pm. Owners of classic cars, street rods, muscle cars, etc. are invited to participate in this 49th State Street Rodders sponsored event. Beginning at Carrs-Safeway in Palmer, cars flying the American flag will proceed down the Palmer-Wasilla Highway in memory of those we lost on 9-11. Sponsors want to surpass last year's line of cars that went on for five miles. If you're interested in participating, please call 745-2652.

Alaska Fallen Firefighters Memorial - 5th Ave & A St, 12:45pm. Beginning with a processional from 5th Ave & Fairbanks St, firefighters from around the state, including the Anchorage Fire Department, will proceed to the dedication ceremony of the new Alaska Fallen Firefighters Memorial located at 5th Ave and A St. The dedication ceremony will begin at 1pm, with a reception to follow at Anchorage Fire Station 1 (122 E 4th Ave).

September 11 Memorial Event - Curtis Menard Sports Center (1001 S Mack Dr, Wasilla), 3pm. The Director of the Joint Staff for Joint Forces Headquarters Alaska in Fort Richardson, Brigadeer General Deborah McManus will speak at this free event. Dessert will be served afterward.

While it's true that our country was rocked 10 years ago, we know it wasn't broken. If you want to do something to publicly remember what happened, consider attending one of these September 11th memorials around Anchorage. Even better still, take the day to do something thoughtful and helpful for your Anchorage neighbors. That is the spirit we need to show still lives in us even after a tragedy like 9-11.

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist

Searching for the best in Anchorage real estate? The Reed Moore Group Real Estate Experts is comprised of a team of local real estate professionals committed to selling some of the most desired homes in Anchorage & Mat-Su Valley. Selling Anchorage real estate is the mission of RMG Real Estate Experts.

Anchorage Alaska is home to nealy 300,000 residents making it Alaska's largest city. It also has over 40% of the state's population. Because Anchorage is such a mecca for Alaska natives and transplants alike, the economy is spurrned on by jobs in the military,  local and federal government, tourism, liquidations, and resource extraction. Tourists and locals can easily head south to popular fishing locations on the Kenai Peninsula or north to locations such as Denali National Park and Fairbanks.

The Reed Moore Group has several agents to assist in Anchorage real estate. Whether buying or selling their top agents can assist in getting you the right home at the right price or selling your Anchorage home fast. Regardless of the Anchorage market, properties are still selling and buyers are still out there looking.

Local Real Estate Guides

• Anchorage (2367)
• Big Lake (220)
• Eagle River / Chugiak (434)
• Foreclosure / Bank-owned / Short Sale (31)
• Girdwood (59)
• Houston (48)
• Lakefront (564)
• Mat Su Valley (2067)
• Meadow Lake (138)
• New Construction (440)
• Palmer (394)
• Peters Creek (87)
• Sutton (9070)
• Talkeetna (195)
• Wasilla (1192)
• Willow (189)

For excellence in customer care, top negotiation skills and professional, efficient results, contact the Reed Moore Group of Anchorage Alaska -907-865-6543 - Or Email the group for more precise care.

Stop Renting! Buy an Anchorage home now! Anchorage home prices continue to be more affordable, interest rates remain low and inventory levels are still good. But why should you own an Anchorage home instead of renting one? I'm glad you asked. Here are a few things to consider when deciding to stop renting and start buying:

How long will you be in your Anchorage home? The longer you wish to reside in a specific area, the more likely you should buy a home. When you're a homeowner, the money you pay in your monthly mortgage goes towards paying down your principal, giving you ownership. When you rent, you don't own any of the property you live in. So, if you plan on staying in one area for at least a few years, owning a home makes good fiscal sense.

How much of a downpayment can you afford? Lenders have become more stringent with their lending practices. The ideal amount of a downpayment on an Anchorage home is 20%. This will not only show the lender how serious you are to purchase your home, but it also saves you money by dismissing the need for PMI (private mortgage insurance) that is required when you borrow more than 80% on a home loan. However, when you consider that 20% on a $150,000 home is $30,000, this can be a big chunk of change. There are still plenty of loan programs available that will allow you to purchase an Anchorage home for less than the recommended 20%, especially if your credit is in good standing. Also keep in mind that your downpayment can't "suddenly appear" in your savings accounts. It must be seasoned to show your financial responsibility. Just ask me how this all works.

Are you ready for complete financial responsibility? One of the "perks" of renting a home is that someone else is financially responsible if something breaks or needs to be replaced. Owning a home comes with some costs. One thing to consider about renting, though, is that you are also at the mercy of WHEN someone decides to fix something and WHAT they want to replace it with. You are your own landlord when you own an Anchorage home. You decide whom you will use to repair an item in your own home and what you will replace something with. You also currently get the benefit of tax credits on some of the interest you pay on your home loan, which can add up to quite a bit over the first few years. You don't get that when you rent.

There are plenty of great reasons to stop renting. Buy an Anchorage home now instead. If you need any help or have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I've been in the real estate business for more than 25 years.

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist

The Alaska Wildlife Alliance will be holding its 5th Annual Alaska Run Wild Fun Run in Anchorage on Saturday, August 13, 2011. You don't have to be a conditioned athlete to run the 5K event. Walkers are encouraged to join in on the fun as well. The Alaska Run Wild Fun Run in Anchorage will begin at 10am in Westchester Lagoon (U St & W 15th Ave). The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 15 and under who pre-register and $25 for adults and $20 for kids who sign up on race day. Pre-registration is available until August 12th by emailing events@akwildlife.org, calling 907-276-8014 or 907-349-2711 or clicking this link to register online. Participants can pick up their race bibs from 8:30-9:30am on the day of the race.

This is a flat course that begins at Westchester Lagoon, travels to Lyn Ary Park (3101 Susitna View Ct) and finishes back up at Westchester Lagoon. All participants will be timed, with trophies awarded to the fastest male and female. Other prizes will be awarded as well and refreshments will be provided for all walkers and runners. Mile splits are offered.

The Alaska Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the wildlife living in Anchorage and throughout Alaska. Their goal is to promote, create and maintain balanced eco-systems that will remain in effect for generations to come. They have been operating towards these goals since 1978. The Alliance depends on the support of their members, volunteers and board as well as financial help from the general public to continue their efforts. The Alaska Run Wild Fun Run is just one of the fundraising events they hold throughout the year.

Please come out to support the Alaska Run Wild Fun Run in Anchorage on Saturday, August 13, 2011 in Westchester Lagoon. If you can't be a participant, come out to cheer them on. If you're interested in donating to the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, please visit their website for more information.

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist