Real Estate Information

July 1, 2011

Today is Friday here in Alaska, and I need to set my priorities!

What should you do, there are so many events here.  There is two or three parades, there's fishing, camping, and of course Mt. Marathon in Seward.  I did hear that the town was already full and no camping spots were available.

Hopefully the weather will be nice for all.  I think we will spend a nice weekend at home, do a parade on the Fourth and hit the picnic at Town Park in Wasilla. 

Happy Fourth of July America!

Over the years that I've watched different markets I have seen many ups and downs, sometimes the swings are due to the economy, sometimes due to the weather.  The last week has introduced days of beautiful weather here in South Central Alaska, and buyers are looking for something to do besides looking at homes.

Can you blame them?

This is normal and we will see them back in the homes shortly.  The market has been good here in Eagle River.  I've been asked several times in recent weeks what is the market doing, and as usual I am happy to say that locally, it is pretty steady.  According to the local MLS there were 20 transactions pend last week here in Eagle River.  That's pretty good, and market supply is holding about 10% higher than last year but is not rising higher like it sometimes does as we approach the summer months.

I've compared the Anchorage, Mat-Su valley, Eagle River markets to see whats what.  How are we doing compared to last year?  Remember last year there was a First Time Home Buyers credit available that fueled many sales.  In comparing the first 5 months of last year to the first 5 months of this year, the Eagle River market has fared better than the other 2.  Our sales volume is up, while their down.  Eagle River is a smaller market and the property prices are above many First Time Home Buyers.  We are more consistent, which leads to stability.

We like Stability!

Now we hope for a warm summer  and lots of sunshine.  Interest rates remain low, new construction is picking up; the Eagle River economy is very vibrant!

I received this e-mail earlier today and thought I would pass it on.

"Last evening, the Senate finally passed on the FY11 Capital budget, SB 46,  a spending plan, totaling $2.8 Billion

The needless delay by the Senate in moving the bill forward potentially jeopardized many good projects. The unconstitutional language that bundled $400 million in Energy projects and caused the delay is still in the bill – it needs to be removed.  The Senate has included their projects in this spending plan, and the House now has to insert theirs and include some of the projects the Senate failed to include – the total is certain to grow.

SB 46 is up for public hearing in House Finance today at 9:00-12:00 and again this afternoon at 1:30 to 4:00. Your testimony is needed. You will have to sit on the line and wait your turn.

You need to:

Call in to testify at 1-855-463-5009,

Identify yourself and the bill, SB46

When called on by the Chair, briefly testify - limit to 2 minutes

The following are pertinent points to make with your testimony. Use any, all, and add your own personalized comments

 Urge them to

• Pass a valid Capital Budget
• Failure to pass a Capital budget puts millions in federal funds at risk
• Delete the unconstitutional Senate language that puts a $400 million Energy Package at risk, which includes the Weatherization and Residential Energy Rebate Program

As an alternative, you can email your comments to the finance members"

 

Representative_Bill_Stoltze@legis.state.ak.us                                   Co-Chair

Representative_Bill_Thomas@legis.state.ak.us                                 Co-Chair

Representative_Anna_Fairclough@legis.state.ak.us                       Vice Chair

Representative_Tammie_Wilson@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_David_Guttenberg@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_Mark_Neuman@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_Mike_Hawker@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_Bryce_Edgmon@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_Mia_Costello@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_Reggie_Joule@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_Mike_Doogan@legis.state.ak.us

Representative_Les_Gara@legis.state.ak.us

April is almost gone and May begins next week.  Wow, were does the time go.  The last day of school is just 4 weeks away and many families will be ready to move.  This is the time of year that families like to move.  So what is happening in the market?

It appears that there are shoppers out there, about 3 shoppers for every buyer.  Lots of people wanting to buy a home but their afraid to won one.  The buyers are active and we have seen many offers accepted here in Chugiak and Eagle River.  In looking at the total market numbers compared to last year there was 4.5% less home sales in the first three months of 2011.  That seems to be pretty good since last year we had the first time home buyers credit available.  When we get to the end of June we will see what the true market numbers are.

Right now it apears that we are in a slower, but back to normal housing market.  The economy as a whole appears to be doing ok.  New businesses are opening and there is some new construction underway, housing and commercial.  These are good signs for what is to come.  The only discouraging sign is that many home owners are not selling.  This may be either because they cannot because of what they owe, or they would have to spend too much to move up. 

This has increased the number of new homes being built this year in Eagle River.  Builders are optimistic about the housing market and are starting new homes.  The construction lenders are still tight with the lending, so not all builders can move forward but many are.  This is good for our community, which according to the latest census numbers is now 34,982 people strong.  This number is about the same as the estimate from 2005, but very little building has happened in the last 6 years (I think the estimate was too high).

Now is a great time to sell if you can, and there are some great deals out there for buyers.  Interest rates are low although lending conditions are tight.

 

I read an article this week in the Frontiersman Newspaper and they mentioned a new film debuting in just a couple weeks.  Cross Current Fishing Adventures has produced what looks like a great film showcasing Fly Fishing in Alaska.

I have embedded their trailer here.  The movie debuts May 5 in Anchorage at the Alaska Experience Theatre.

What great weather we had this weekend.  I hope that everyone was able to enjoy the sunshine.  While I was out and about I saw lot of people visiting open houses in this weekends Spring Parade of Homes.  The weather was perfect to get out and see these beautiful homes.

There was so much to do this weekend; with the sun out the parks were full.  Area bike trails were alive with activity.  When the weather cooperates like this, we are reminded about how beautiful Alaska is.

This week will be full of activity as homeowners begin to pick up their yards after the winter snow melts away.  Its time to give the yard a good raking and clean out the flower beds.  Spring flowers should be showing up in some beds already, and we will see more soon.  This is a great time to be outside enjoying the warm weather.

Summer will be here shortly and there will be no time for yard work, too many other activities to do.  So, if you are thinking about getting a new home now is the time.  Interest rates remain low, and hopefully will remain there for another couple of months.  Inventory levels of homes remain low, however there are some very nice homes available a great prices.

Spring is here, and remember to get out there and enjoy it!

Dear Friend and Neighbor,

Are you ready to see what your future holds? If your plans include selling your home and moving on to a new chapter in your life, I can help you accomplish this—despite the current buyer’s market.

 Every market — whether hot, normal or cool — holds unique challenges requiring special market insight and skills to overcome them. I have the market know-how to steer you through the choppy waters of today’s marketplace.

 I sincerely hope you’ll give me a call. I want to be your real estate licensee for life — not just for your next transaction. This means that at all times I will represent your interests with both your future and your total satisfaction in mind.

 When you become my "Client for Life," my staff and I solemnly promise to do
everything within our power to …

1. Sell your home in the timeframe you need … 

2. Get you the highest price possible in today’s marketplace … 

3. Market your home to other licensees so that together — as your marketing network — we can bring you only qualified buyers who will find your home a perfect fit …

4. Tell you the truth about your home and the current marketplace even when I know it may be difficult for you to hear, and …

5. Protect you by covering every legal and regulatory base required.

If the past boom market taught us anything, it’s this: no market lasts forever. Right now, home prices are holding fairly steady, and economists aren’t predicting deep price declines. So, if you’re planning to sell, I want to help you get every dollar of profit you have coming. But don’t wait until it’s too late. The very fact that no market conditions last forever is reason to call me right away.

Yours for a stress-free home-selling experience,

Eric M. Bushnell

Associate Broker

P.S. Who says the home-selling experience can’t be one of ease and enjoyment? Give me a call and I’ll prove them wrong. LET’S SELL YOUR HOUSE!

Spring is fast approaching and the temperatures are starting to rise.  The snow piles are beginning to shrink and the sun is up till 9 pm.  I love this time of year because the promise that summer is fast approaching.

But, it is ugly out there.  The once brillantly sparkling snow piles are now dirty brown piles of dirt and snow slowly melting, putting water on the road ways and encasing my car in brown muck.  I make multiple trips to the store for window washer fluid.

In the coming months many organizations will be putting clean up projects together.  Eagle River Rotary will be doing a road clean up project in April, and another clean up day at the Eagle River Nature Center sometime in early May.  Now is a great time to get out in the community and meet your neighbors while picking up the trash that magically appears as the snow piles melt.

Help keep Alaska beautiful, find a project and pitch in.

 

EAGLE RIVER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

13135 Old Glenn Hwy., Suite 200

EAGLE RIVER, ALASKA 99577

AGENDA

Thursday, March 17, 2011

12001 Business Blvd., Room 170 conference room

(Next to the Eagle River Library)

Call to order

– 7 PM

Guest Speakers

Bill Johnson with Anchorage Tomorrow – upcoming bonds  MOA Assembly update (Ossiander/Starr)

Assembly/Legislative Updates

Legislative update (Sen. Dyson & Giessel and Rep. Fairclough & Sadler)

New Business:

Open

 Old Business:

Membership drive to increase participation and fill vacant positions st Wed. at 6:30pm, same room.

Reports:

Meeting Minutes: Brian Fay

Treasurer: Michael Foster (acting) $258.75

Parks & Rec. (3 yrs): Brian Fay (May 2012)

Road Board (3 yrs): Michael Melielo (June 2013)

Adjournment