Anchorage, AK

10 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional

With so much information readily available online, it almost seems quite simple to buy or sell a home on your own without representation. Some do OK, many don't. So if you've wondered the same thing, here are 10 reasons why you might want to consider hiring a professional real estate professional.

1. Education & Experience

Hiring a real estate professional will lessen the stress to need to know everything about buying and selling real estate. For the most part, they all cost about the same and finding the right person for you is usually the trick.

2. Agents are Servers

Agents will make arrangements for property showings and visits without the stress for you need to be there. If you're a buyer of new homes, your agent will help you with information you need and want to know and also it is also very helpful to have an agent to help understand real estate lingo when speaking to seller’s agents. If you're a seller, your agent will help attract buyers by holding open houses, using online resources and help try to induce serious buyers to immediately write an offer.

3. Neighborhood Knowledge

Agents either possess intimate knowledge or they know where to find information about your neighborhood, such as, pointing you in the direction where you can find more data on schools, crime or demographics.

4. Price Guidance

With buyers and sellers, agents will help you understand the sale amount of a home. Buyer’s agents will help consumers understand why a home in one side of town that looks very similar to a home on the opposite end of town has a drastic price difference. Seller’s agents will help guide through the deciding factor of how much to list a home for. Selling agents will ask buyers to weigh all the data supplied to them and to choose a price. They can identify comparable sales based on market supply, demand and the conditions, the agent will devise a negotiation strategy.

5. Market Conditions Information

Real estate professionals have the accessibility to find information such as market conditions, average per square foot cost, median and average sales prices, average days the home as been on the market and ratios of list-to-sold prices which will be provided to you to help make your decision.

6. Professional Networking

Real estate professionals network with other professionals, many of whom provide services that you will need to buy or sell. Agents may provide you with a list of references with whom they have worked with in the past and allow you to compare competitive pricing, efficiency to help give you the best for your buck.

7. Negotiation Skills & Confidentiality

In order to present their client’s case in the best light, agents are able to remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction. As part of their job description, they agree to hold client information confidential from competing interests and use their skills to obtain the biggest gain.

8. Handling Volumes of Paperwork

Today's purchase agreement run 10 pages or more. Most real estate files average thicknesses from one to three inches of paper. One tiny mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands. It’s definitely a bonus if you have a professional on your team to help make sure all required documents are signed and disclosed, someone who can also help you understand what it is that you may be signing.

9. Answer Questions After Closing

With the excitement of closing sometimes even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can come back to haunt. A good agent will stand by ready to assist you with their knowledgeable resources. In most cases, an agent will not turn you away just because the transaction has closed.

10. Develop Relationships for Future Business

The basis for an agent's success and continued career in real estate is referrals, which gives agents strong incentives to make certain clients are happy and satisfied. It also means that an agent who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent again.

Vanna S.

Keller Williams Realty

www.HomesByVanna.com

The Advantages of Owning a Home

Did you know that owning a home can be as affordable as renting? It is more affordable than we set ourselves to believe. The advantages of owning a home are evident for many reasons, you can pay the same, or even less. Also, there are great incentives that really help define owning a home instead renting. You are investing in a home that is yours, to do as you please and the monthly mortgage payment you make monthly will in return benefit you and your family instead your landlords.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding to purchase a home.

• Build equity — your wealth will increase as you gain more home equity
• Gain tax advantages — mortgage interest is tax deductible as per IRS code
• Stabilize your payments — monthly payments are relatively steady if your loan has a fixed interest rate, while your landlord can increase the rent
• Have a secure place for your family to live — a home provides a permanent place where your family can live and grow, and you can decorate or expand a house the way you like to create your dream home
• Gain a sense of community — homeowners often are more involved in the well-being of their communities; many homeowners work together for better schools and less crime

Though home owning may not be for everyone, it can be a very wise investment for families who want a long term residence, that encourages stability, a home to raise a family and financial gain. All seekers who are interested in purchasing a home should of course review all pros and cons as all life situations differ. According to the New York Times, based on a 6 year analysis, if you stay in your home for 6 years, buying a home is better. It will cost you $10,460 less than renting, an average savings of $1,743 each year.

Vanna S.

Search for Homes Today www.HomesByVanna.com

***If you or anyone you know is having trouble paying your mortgage, there are other options!***

Independence Day is almost here. In fact, next Monday is July 4, 2011. That means that the skies will soon be lighting up and your ears will be ringing from the booming of the fireworks. Celebrate July 4th in Anchorage with the 4th of July Parade and Festival being held in downtown Anchorage.

Beginning at 8am at Delaney Park (W 10 Ave & A St), the 11th Annual Anchorage July 4th Celebration will feature more than 50 local vendors, family-friendly entertainment and the biggest parade in the state. The Totem Ocean Trailer Express will be sponsoring this year's pancake breakfast. All proceeds will benefit the local Salvation Army. After you enjoy your breakfast, watch the annual Anchorage July 4th Parade at 11am. Listen to the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Anchorage Harvard Club at 1pm. From 1pm to 6pm, join up with Anchorage Kite Day in the E-G block of the park.

The July 4th festival begins at 12pm and continues through 6pm. There will be more than 50 vendors providing food and beverages for sale to the public. However, if you would rather, you can bring your own picnic with you. Family-friendly entertainment, like a rock climbing wall, bouncy house and a giant slide, will be available for all ages. The US Air Force Band of the Pacific will be on hand to perform live music. The Anchorage Museum will share some of their favorite experiments for you to enjoy as well.

Bring the family to downtown Anchorage and celebrate July 4th this upcoming Monday. It's lots of fun for everyone and absolutely free to the public. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist

Want some of the best homes in Anchorage? Gary Cox offers excellent buyers representation and superior service in all Anchorage real estate. The latest from Gary includes this 4 bedroom 3 bath home in Anchorage for $319,000.

This home has been remarkably cared for. Exceptional condition with upgrades make this a great value for a nearly 2200sq' home. Step out onto fantastic southern facing deck with a hottub and fantastic landscaping.

Sq.Ft.:2196

Acres: 0.19

Garage Capacity:2.00

Year Built: 1976

Elementary:Susitna

Middle School:Begich

High School:Bartlett

Amenities Include:

- Fenced Yard
- Landscaping
- Private Yard
- Cable Tv
- Deck/patio
- Paved Driveway
- Road Service Area
- Dsl/cable Available
- Fire Service Area
- Garage Door Opener
- Shed
- View
- Microwave (b/i)
- Br/ba On Main Level
- Carpet
- Range/oven
- Ceiling Fan(s)
- Refrigerator
- Smoke Detector(s)
- Co Detector(s)
- Telephone
- Den &/or Office
- Dishwasher
- Disposal
- Washer &/or Dryer
- Washr&/or Dryer Hkup
- Electric
- Family Room
- Fireplace
- Window Coverings
- Hardwood Flooring

Please call Gary if you are interested in this or any other home in Anchorage Alaska. He is excellent at buying and selling property in Alaska and has been for years!

GaryCox@gci.net
907-727-4279

Are you a parent trying to find a fun, healthy way for your child to spend summer? How about Summer Fun Camp in Anchorage? The Alaska Club is dedicated to helping Alaskans be fit and healthy. They are offering their Summer Fun Camp for kids ages 5 to 12 every Monday through Friday beginning May 23, 2011 and ending August 12, 2011 from 9am to 4pm. There are two locations in the Anchorage area to serve as many kids as possible: 5201 E Tudor Rd (Alaska Club East) and 10931 O'Malley Centre Dr (Alaska Club South). The only restriction for the five-year-olds is that they were enrolled in school during the 2010-2011 school year.

Each week brings a new, fun activity for the kids at both facilities. The Anchorage Summer Fun Camps are set up to keep your child actively involved in learning a new skill or improving their current skills. You can sign up for just one week or as many weeks as you wish. The schedule for each facility is as follows:

Alaska Club East
May 23-27, 2011 - Tennis
May 31-June 3, 2011 - Basketball
June 6-10, 2011 - Volleyball
June 13-17, 2011 - Baseball (Anchorage Bucs)
June 20-24, 2011 - Swimming
June 27-July 1, 2011 - Tennis
July 5-8, 2011 - Soccer
July 11-15, 2011 - Basketball
July 18-22, 2011 - Karate
July 25-29, 2011 - Baseball(Anchorage Glacier Pilots)
August 1-5, 2011 - Tennis
August 8-12, 2011 - Olympics

Alaska Club South
May 23-27, 2011 - Basketball
May 31-June 3, 2011 - Volleyball
June 6-10, 2011 - Rock Climbing
June 13-17, 2011 - Baseball (Anchorage Bucs)
June 20-24, 2011 - Soccer
June 27-July 1, 2011 - Volleyball
July 5-8, 2011 - Rock Climbing
July 11-15, 2011 - Karate
July 18-22, 2011 - Basketball
July 25-29, 2011 - Baseball (Anchorage Glacier Pilots)
August 1-5, 2011 - Soccer
August 8-12, 2011 - Olympics

The cost for the Summer Fun Camps in Anchorage per participant is $159/week for members and $179/week for nonmembers. Before care (7am to 9am) and after care (4pm to 6pm) programs are available for an additional $30 each per week. Camp size is limited, so parents are encouraged to register their children as soon as possible. To register for either Summer Fun Camp, please call 907-330-0117 or email summerfuncamp@thealaskaclub.com. For more info on how to become a member of the Alaska Club, please visit their website.

Alaskan parents don't have to worry about what their kids will be doing during their summer break. Sign them up for the Alaska Club's Summer Fun Camp in Anchorage. Keep our kids healthy and active this summer. If you need help buying or selling your Anchorage home, please contact me.

Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist