Want to search for homes in your price range? Access to all Alaska MLS listings available here at the CroomTeam.com!
Jun 23, 2015
Alaska Total Real Estate Market Overview Update for the Week of June 23rd, 2015
The summer selling season has come early this year and inventory is up! Buyers are finally are getting to choose from more homes! Below you can find a link to a PDF file of the market overviews for different property types. Please call if you have any questions!
Jun 15, 2015
Alaska Total Real Estate Market Overview Update for the Week of June 15th, 2015
The summer selling season has come early this year and inventory is up! Buyers are finally are getting to choose from more homes! Below you can find a link to a PDF file of the market overviews for different property types. Please call if you have any questions!
Want to search for homes in your price range? Access to all Alaska MLS listings available here at the CroomTeam.com!
Jun 10, 2015
Alaska Total Real Estate Market Overview Update for the Week of June 8th, 2015
The summer selling season has come early this year and inventory is up! Buyers are finally are getting to choose from more homes! Below you can find a link to a PDF file of the market overviews for different property types. Please call if you have any questions!
Want to search for homes in your price range? Access to all Alaska MLS listings available here at the CroomTeam.com!
May 19, 2015
Alaska Total Real Estate Market Overview Update for the Week of May 18th, 2015
The summer selling season has come early this year and inventory is up! Buyers are finally are getting to choose from more homes! Below you can find a link to a PDF file of the market overviews for different property types. Please call if you have any questions!
Want to search for homes in your price range? Access to all Alaska MLS listings available here at the CroomTeam.com!
Apr 21, 2015
Alaska Total Real Estate Market Overview Update for the Week of April 20th, 2015
The summer selling season has come early this year and inventory is up! Buyers are finally are getting to choose from more homes! Below you can find a link to a PDF file of the market overviews for different property types. Please call if you have any questions!
Want to search for homes in your price range? Access to all Alaska MLS listings available here at the CroomTeam.com!
Mar 20, 2015
Colony Builders- Anchorage Alaska Home Builder Review!
I've had the pleasure of working with Colony Builders and in the past year I've had several friends inquire about how they can build a new construction home in Anchorage and how do they get started! There are many ways to go about this but I'd highly suggest calling me and we will tour a model home so that I can schedule a meeting with a builder that you have seen a home they've built and you understand the quality of their work!
If I was to build a new home today, I'd choose to work with Colony. No questions about it. Bill Taylor is the builder and he is not a "production builder" like Spinell or Hultquist and I've seen the resale homes and their values several years after the original owner lists them for sale and I've been very impressed on how well they hold value and appreciate and how the homes still show beautifully where other newer homes show very worn out because of the low quality products used. Also, I'm a huge fan of craftsman style homes and you'll see a lot of those details in the homes Colony has built!
Tami Taylor is the listing agent and also co-owns One Of Kind Design where most of the interior selections are chosen for your new Colony Home and she's great to work with also. I've found that Colony gives very generous allowances for your cabinetry, flooring, plumbing, lighting, etc. and that makes a huge difference in the end product of your home! A lot of builders you will find will nickle and dime you with upgrades that you pay out of pocket and you won't know that until you get into choosing your materials and then you may be tempted to pick low grade materials just so you don't go over budget.
Most people ask me if I'm allowed to represent them or do they just go to the builder. I love representing new construction clients and I do my best to guide you through the process and bring up any items that you may not have thought about but should be discussed and negotiated prior to making an offer on your new home! There are so many decisions from the lot you choose and how the house sits on the lot to the layout of the lot and what walls and fixtures can be moved to customize your home. The great thing about purchasing from Colony Builders is that you qualify for a home just like you do a resale home so you don't have to go through the difficult process of obtaining construction financing. If you'd like to know what builders I have been less than pleased with, feel free to call me at 907-317-1992 and I'm more than happy to discuss that with you! I'll even show you one of "those" homes and then take you to a Colony build and show you the difference.
Currently Colony is building in Resolution Pointe and Brookwood in Anchorage and you can find more information about their floorplans at http://www.colonybuildersak.com/.
If I was to build a new home today, I'd choose to work with Colony. No questions about it. Bill Taylor is the builder and he is not a "production builder" like Spinell or Hultquist and I've seen the resale homes and their values several years after the original owner lists them for sale and I've been very impressed on how well they hold value and appreciate and how the homes still show beautifully where other newer homes show very worn out because of the low quality products used. Also, I'm a huge fan of craftsman style homes and you'll see a lot of those details in the homes Colony has built!
Tami Taylor is the listing agent and also co-owns One Of Kind Design where most of the interior selections are chosen for your new Colony Home and she's great to work with also. I've found that Colony gives very generous allowances for your cabinetry, flooring, plumbing, lighting, etc. and that makes a huge difference in the end product of your home! A lot of builders you will find will nickle and dime you with upgrades that you pay out of pocket and you won't know that until you get into choosing your materials and then you may be tempted to pick low grade materials just so you don't go over budget.
Most people ask me if I'm allowed to represent them or do they just go to the builder. I love representing new construction clients and I do my best to guide you through the process and bring up any items that you may not have thought about but should be discussed and negotiated prior to making an offer on your new home! There are so many decisions from the lot you choose and how the house sits on the lot to the layout of the lot and what walls and fixtures can be moved to customize your home. The great thing about purchasing from Colony Builders is that you qualify for a home just like you do a resale home so you don't have to go through the difficult process of obtaining construction financing. If you'd like to know what builders I have been less than pleased with, feel free to call me at 907-317-1992 and I'm more than happy to discuss that with you! I'll even show you one of "those" homes and then take you to a Colony build and show you the difference.
Currently Colony is building in Resolution Pointe and Brookwood in Anchorage and you can find more information about their floorplans at http://www.colonybuildersak.com/.
A Sneak Preview of Our Listings!
We have 3 great listings coming on the market by April 1st!! If you are a buyer or Realtor, please call me at 317-1992 and I will give you more information!
Downtown- $945,000
Over 4,000 square feet with a large mother in law apartment! Huge lot, rare find! In true downtown!
U-Med Area- Price to be determined
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 car garage!
Lower Hillside off of Elmore and O'malley- $449,900
5 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, renovated throughout, real wood floors just installed, completely remodeled kitchen and baths! Half acre level lot! Over 2100 sq. ft.
All 3 will have presale home inspections before they are posted on the MLS.
Visit us at TheCroomTeam.com for more featured listings!!
Downtown- $945,000
Over 4,000 square feet with a large mother in law apartment! Huge lot, rare find! In true downtown!U-Med Area- Price to be determined
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 car garage!
Lower Hillside off of Elmore and O'malley- $449,900
5 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, renovated throughout, real wood floors just installed, completely remodeled kitchen and baths! Half acre level lot! Over 2100 sq. ft.
All 3 will have presale home inspections before they are posted on the MLS.
Visit us at TheCroomTeam.com for more featured listings!!
Mar 16, 2015
4 Safety Issues to Repair Today!
I sold a wonderful townhome recently in Anchorage and the inspection revealed 4 common safety issues that we see a lot lately! These are definitely items that you should take care of now rather than waiting until you sell your home because they protect your family and tenants now.
1. Safety barrier in front of your gas fired appliances.
The Muni now requires a steel post in front of gas appliances in the garage. This post can be purchased at Central Plumbing and heating and is screwed into the cement garage floor. The handout from the Muni can be found at this link: https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Handouts/handoutm02.pdf
2. GFCI protection in all outlets above counter tops.
Your refrigerator outlet should not be GFCI protected and protection to an outlet does mean each outlet should have a push button tester on it, in fact electricians suggest not having that many push button outlets! More FAQ including GFCI protection can be found here: http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Pages/HomeOwnersFAQ.aspx
3. Smoke detectors in each bedroom and hallway and not more than 10 years old.
You should test your detectors regularly as well as replace batteries once a year but if you twist off the detector and the manufacturing date on the back of it is 2005 or older, it's time to toss them and install new detectors. Install the bedroom detectors within the first few feet in front of the door on the ceiling. More FAQ including CO and smoke detectors can be found here: http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Pages/HomeOwnersFAQ.aspx
4. Sealing holes or missing sheetrock in the garage sheetrock.
By having holes in the sheetrock, it reduces the fire protection sheetrock gives you. The pipes getting warm over the years deterioriates the sealant and will need fire caulking added from time to time! Your sealant needs to be rated for the fire protection. Check with a hardware store to make sure you are getting the right kind. The foamy orange caulking is NOT the right type and we tend to see that used a lot lately!
Make a trip to the hardware store this weekend and knock out these few projects in no time and keep your family safe!
1. Safety barrier in front of your gas fired appliances.
The Muni now requires a steel post in front of gas appliances in the garage. This post can be purchased at Central Plumbing and heating and is screwed into the cement garage floor. The handout from the Muni can be found at this link: https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Handouts/handoutm02.pdf
Your refrigerator outlet should not be GFCI protected and protection to an outlet does mean each outlet should have a push button tester on it, in fact electricians suggest not having that many push button outlets! More FAQ including GFCI protection can be found here: http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Pages/HomeOwnersFAQ.aspx
3. Smoke detectors in each bedroom and hallway and not more than 10 years old.
You should test your detectors regularly as well as replace batteries once a year but if you twist off the detector and the manufacturing date on the back of it is 2005 or older, it's time to toss them and install new detectors. Install the bedroom detectors within the first few feet in front of the door on the ceiling. More FAQ including CO and smoke detectors can be found here: http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Pages/HomeOwnersFAQ.aspx
4. Sealing holes or missing sheetrock in the garage sheetrock.
By having holes in the sheetrock, it reduces the fire protection sheetrock gives you. The pipes getting warm over the years deterioriates the sealant and will need fire caulking added from time to time! Your sealant needs to be rated for the fire protection. Check with a hardware store to make sure you are getting the right kind. The foamy orange caulking is NOT the right type and we tend to see that used a lot lately!
Make a trip to the hardware store this weekend and knock out these few projects in no time and keep your family safe!
Mar 13, 2015
Top 10 Takeaways on Current Oil Price Environment
This week, Mark Edwards from Northrim Bank spoke on Understanding The Current Oil Price Environment. In the end, he believes that it'll be a relatively FLAT year!
Here are my top 10 takeaways!
1. Tourism should have a record year in Alaska! The cruises are booked, hotel rooms reserved and
train tickets booked so we already know it's going to be a record breaker!
2. We still have great job growth in retail and health care! We are not solely dependent on the oil industry.
3. 40,000 people transition in and out of Alaska each year.
4. We have a ton of oil still in Alaska so we are not running out of oil!
5. Our subprime foreclosure rate is 2%...THE BEST IN THE NATION!!
6. Alaska has not seen the huge fluctuations of unemployment like the rest of the nation for the last decade.
7. Our new construction market is not meeting the current need. Around 1983-84 we had 11,248 new building permits, last year we had 1,509.
8. A $1 Billion cut in state spending is 2% of the $51 Billion economy.
9. Alaska has sufficient savings to offset large current budget deficits. Needed cuts in state operating and capital budgets will likely create a 2% drag on the economy in 2015.
10. Both the state and the Federal EIA predict $70 oil next year.
Thanks again the Mark for a really great presentation!
Here are my top 10 takeaways!
1. Tourism should have a record year in Alaska! The cruises are booked, hotel rooms reserved and
train tickets booked so we already know it's going to be a record breaker!
2. We still have great job growth in retail and health care! We are not solely dependent on the oil industry.
3. 40,000 people transition in and out of Alaska each year.
4. We have a ton of oil still in Alaska so we are not running out of oil!
5. Our subprime foreclosure rate is 2%...THE BEST IN THE NATION!!
6. Alaska has not seen the huge fluctuations of unemployment like the rest of the nation for the last decade.
7. Our new construction market is not meeting the current need. Around 1983-84 we had 11,248 new building permits, last year we had 1,509.
8. A $1 Billion cut in state spending is 2% of the $51 Billion economy.
9. Alaska has sufficient savings to offset large current budget deficits. Needed cuts in state operating and capital budgets will likely create a 2% drag on the economy in 2015.
10. Both the state and the Federal EIA predict $70 oil next year.
Thanks again the Mark for a really great presentation!
House Spring Break Check List!
Despite the frigid temperatures, it is time to start thinking about getting your home ready for the spring! Once the temperature warms up to 40 degrees, start knocking out these 3 items!
1. Clean your gutters and attach gutter extensions!
Your extensions should extend at least 3 feet away from your home. Often times at home inspections we'll find sellers have gutters.....that allow the water to drain directly down to one concentrated spot at their foundation wall! Also, when your gutters are full of leaves, that's a pretty ineffective way to use a gutter:)
2. Open up your crawl space vents!
It's time to let that crawl space breath! Make sure you don't have anything blocking the vent, that you open them up, and if they are damaged that you replace them.
3. Make sure your sump pump works!
If you don't have a sump pump and don't need one, then lucky you! But many of our homes do and one thing we forget to do because it's out of sight in your crawl space is make sure the motor on the sump pump is working. If it isn't, then your bucket will fill up with water and it's not going to pump the water out! Also, make sure the water is pumping out and away from your home so the pipe should be at least 3 feet long! Otherwise the water will come right back into the crawlspace. Your sump pump should be on a GFCI outlet also. For more information, read this handout on Muni.org on Sump Pump Discharge Requirements, https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Handouts/handoutag20.pdf.
A few other items you should consider taking care of is sweeping up all the loose gravel on your driveway so you don't slip and fall, and replace batteries in your smoke detectors!
1. Clean your gutters and attach gutter extensions! Your extensions should extend at least 3 feet away from your home. Often times at home inspections we'll find sellers have gutters.....that allow the water to drain directly down to one concentrated spot at their foundation wall! Also, when your gutters are full of leaves, that's a pretty ineffective way to use a gutter:)
2. Open up your crawl space vents!
It's time to let that crawl space breath! Make sure you don't have anything blocking the vent, that you open them up, and if they are damaged that you replace them.
3. Make sure your sump pump works!
If you don't have a sump pump and don't need one, then lucky you! But many of our homes do and one thing we forget to do because it's out of sight in your crawl space is make sure the motor on the sump pump is working. If it isn't, then your bucket will fill up with water and it's not going to pump the water out! Also, make sure the water is pumping out and away from your home so the pipe should be at least 3 feet long! Otherwise the water will come right back into the crawlspace. Your sump pump should be on a GFCI outlet also. For more information, read this handout on Muni.org on Sump Pump Discharge Requirements, https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Handouts/handoutag20.pdf.
A few other items you should consider taking care of is sweeping up all the loose gravel on your driveway so you don't slip and fall, and replace batteries in your smoke detectors!
Is Your Condo on the FHA Condo Approval List and AHFC List?
One of the first things we ask our buyers when we sit down for a buyer's consultation is what type of financing they'll be using to purchase their new home. If they are a condo buyer, we are most curious if they'll be using an FHA loan and if they are using any of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's loan programs. Why? Not all associations are approved for FHA or AHFC financing! If you bought your condo with one of those programs, it does not mean that today, it is still on that list. If your condo does not have these approvals, it could affect the value because now there are less buyers that are able to purchase your condo because you've eliminated FHA and/or AHFC loan buyers!What I find is that a lot of property management companies that take care of HOAs don't submit information as needed to keep those associations on the FHA and/or AHFC list.
It's also important to remember that your association can fall of the FHA list for the following reasons:
-too many homeowners are delinquent in dues
-there are too many units in the HOA with an FHA loan on them
-the owner occupied/ tenant ratio is too high
-the association lacks the reserves to take care of major improvements
If your condo association is not on the approved list, it can take a few months for it to be put back on the list, however AHFC will likely take only about a week! If you are thinking of selling in the near future, then you need to take action now to check the approval status and request that your HOA submit their packages right away if they qualify to be approved!
You can look up your association on the FHA list here https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm and your AHFC approval here http://www.ahfc.us/buy/resources/condo-info/cic-list/ ! If you have any questions or need help looking up your association please call me, Brandi Croom, at 317-1992 or email me at brandi@thecroomteam.com.
Feb 13, 2015
Price Correction in the Anchorage Market?
In the Anchorage housing market, we saw a price correction in 2008. We always tell buyers and sellers we don't have a crystal ball to predict the future but we do have is hard data that is reported including the average sales price. In my opinion, that is the key factor in predicting a future price correction, or a decline in values.
In 2005 we had 12.39% increase in sales prices. In 2006, 7.98% increase and then in 2007 we saw 3.71% increase in values. By 2008 we were declining in price by .35%, and again in 2009 by 1.5%.
When values increase by more than 4% per year, that is not sustainable in most markets and you will see a price correction. The government and our economy know that 4% is the key to a healthy economy and housing market.
Here are the the increases in the average sales prices in the last 3 years:
2012 4.77%
2013 2.95%
2014 3.23%
That's pointing us to a very healthy Anchorage housing market and since I lost my crystal ball years ago, my expertise of over 9 years selling real estate and researching current and past data, 2015 should be another steady and stable housing year for us. Buyers should consider buying and not be scared of a market crash. Interest rates are still incredibly low and you can lock in your housing cost for years to come by purchasing a great deal today!
In 2005 we had 12.39% increase in sales prices. In 2006, 7.98% increase and then in 2007 we saw 3.71% increase in values. By 2008 we were declining in price by .35%, and again in 2009 by 1.5%.
When values increase by more than 4% per year, that is not sustainable in most markets and you will see a price correction. The government and our economy know that 4% is the key to a healthy economy and housing market.
Here are the the increases in the average sales prices in the last 3 years:
2012 4.77%
2013 2.95%
2014 3.23%
That's pointing us to a very healthy Anchorage housing market and since I lost my crystal ball years ago, my expertise of over 9 years selling real estate and researching current and past data, 2015 should be another steady and stable housing year for us. Buyers should consider buying and not be scared of a market crash. Interest rates are still incredibly low and you can lock in your housing cost for years to come by purchasing a great deal today!
Get Your Free Copy of The MREI or HOLD!
I have a special offer for all my amazing clients and friends! If you are interested in buying an investment property or you just want to learn more about how to get the best deals to lock in future wealth for you and family, follow the email link below and a copy of the book will be mailed directly to your home! Please include your phone number and your mailing address and whether you'd like MREI or HOLD!! Quantity is limited to 20 books so don't delay, get your free copy today!
brandi@thecroomteam.com OR you may text me your information to 907-317-1992!
First up is Millionaire Real Estate Investor!
brandi@thecroomteam.com OR you may text me your information to 907-317-1992!
First up is Millionaire Real Estate Investor!
Anyone can do it...not everyone will...will you?
Based on extensive research and interviews with more than 120 millionaire real estate investors, Gary Keller's "how-to" guide reveals the models, strategies and fundamental truths millionaires use to become wealthy through real estate. But the New York Times bestseller isn't just about real estate. It also takes a hard look at the money myths that hold some people back from financial freedom, and the money truths that let others soar.
MREI explores the "MythUnderstandings" about the way people view investing. For example, despite what most people think, investing by definition and design is not risky. Millionaire Real Estate Investors employ time-tested strategies to avoid risk and, in the end, take luck out of the game.
Next Up is HOLD: How to Find, Buy, and Hold Houses for Wealth
Based on extensive research and interviews with more than 120 millionaire real estate investors, Gary Keller's "how-to" guide reveals the models, strategies and fundamental truths millionaires use to become wealthy through real estate. But the New York Times bestseller isn't just about real estate. It also takes a hard look at the money myths that hold some people back from financial freedom, and the money truths that let others soar.
MREI explores the "MythUnderstandings" about the way people view investing. For example, despite what most people think, investing by definition and design is not risky. Millionaire Real Estate Investors employ time-tested strategies to avoid risk and, in the end, take luck out of the game.
Next Up is HOLD: How to Find, Buy, and Hold Houses for Wealth
Take HOLD of your financial future!
Learn how to obtain financial freedom through real estate. The final
book in Gary Keller’s national best-selling Millionaire Real Estate
Investor trilogy teaches the proven, reliable real estate investing
process to achieve financial wealth:
Learn how to obtain financial freedom through real estate. The final
book in Gary Keller’s national best-selling Millionaire Real Estate
Investor trilogy teaches the proven, reliable real estate investing
process to achieve financial wealth:
1. Find – the right property for the right terms and at the right price.
2. Analyze – an offer to make sure the numbers and terms make sense.
3. Buy – an investment property where you make money going in.
4. Manage – a property until it’s paid for or you have a large amount of equity to leverage.
5. Grow – your way to wealth and financial freedom.
Feb 6, 2015
The Best Time to Buy a Home in Anchorage!
A friend emailed me this week and asked my opinion on whether it would be better to wait to buy until summer or is now the time to buy! Let's look at the last three years and see when the average price peak and when it fell:
High Low
2012 April February
2013 July February
2014 May February
Why is February always the low month? These prices are recorded as of the month the house closes, so back out of February 45 days for closing and you hit right around Christmas time. If a seller has a home on the market during Christmas, do you think there is a lot of competition for them to get the few buyers shopping during the holidays? You bet! So they are likely more negotiatable but other than that one holiday we don't see a big change.
High Low
2012 April February
2013 July February
2014 May February
Why is February always the low month? These prices are recorded as of the month the house closes, so back out of February 45 days for closing and you hit right around Christmas time. If a seller has a home on the market during Christmas, do you think there is a lot of competition for them to get the few buyers shopping during the holidays? You bet! So they are likely more negotiatable but other than that one holiday we don't see a big change.
Top 4 Safety Items For Sellers and Homeowners!
#1- Steel Barrier Post
The Municipality of Anchorage requires a steel post in front of your gas appliances in the garage. It's simple and inexpensive to install! But you do need to have a drill that can drill holes in concrete so hire a handyman if you don't have the right tools. The post can be purchased from
Make Your Average Home Look Like a Luxury Home with New Flooring!
Out with the old, in with the new! You are ready to remodel or you are picking out flooring in your new construction home but before you buy, let's look at ways to step up the WOW factor and take your home up a notch!
A builder grade or low price range home will likely feature a carpeted living room and then lineolum in the kitchen and sometime dining room. Visually, this breaks up the room and families are moving towards wood floors in the main living areas and then tiled kitchens or extending the wood flooring through the kitchen also. The less flooring variances in one space, the larger a room will look and feel!
A builder grade or low price range home will likely feature a carpeted living room and then lineolum in the kitchen and sometime dining room. Visually, this breaks up the room and families are moving towards wood floors in the main living areas and then tiled kitchens or extending the wood flooring through the kitchen also. The less flooring variances in one space, the larger a room will look and feel!
Jan 30, 2015
Now IS The Time To Refinance Your Mortgage in Alaska!
With all the speculation on oil prices and the market, one of the smartest things I think you can do is refinance! If you can refinance and get a lower interest rate and get rid of private mortgage insurance, that's even better!! In the late 80's a lot of buyers paid mortgage interest rates of 10% or more! Let's not wait for that to happen (even though I don't think that will happen this year!).
How do you know if a refi is right for you? Talk to a lender! A great lender is going to run the numbers of the cost of refinance with the monthly savings it brings to you and counsel you on whether it makes sense for you to refinance!
Rates are so low right now! Typical 30 year mortgage refinance has been quoted this week at 3.825%. That can differ depending on your credit and other factors but it's amazingly low and worth looking into!
I love to find my clients amazing properties and negotiate even better deals so when they've owned them for a couple years or more and they've built up some equity along with the appreciation of home prices, sometimes they'll have 20% equity.
How do you know if a refi is right for you? Talk to a lender! A great lender is going to run the numbers of the cost of refinance with the monthly savings it brings to you and counsel you on whether it makes sense for you to refinance!
Rates are so low right now! Typical 30 year mortgage refinance has been quoted this week at 3.825%. That can differ depending on your credit and other factors but it's amazingly low and worth looking into!
I love to find my clients amazing properties and negotiate even better deals so when they've owned them for a couple years or more and they've built up some equity along with the appreciation of home prices, sometimes they'll have 20% equity.
Recession Proof Your Home And Your Money Against Falling Oil Prices!
Are you afraid that oil prices are going to destroy our local economy? That we are going to have a repeat of the 80's? That people will be stripping the carpet, light fixtures, cabinets, appliances out of their homes and selling them and leaving state with every little penny they can scrape up? That's what speculation is and yes we study history and the current markets to get a better idea of WHAT may happen, but don't let fear and speculation paralyze you from making some incredibly smart moves to protect your family today!
Home prices
We don't expect a crash in the market and I'm not saying that say all the potential buyers in the market this year feel better about buying because I'm
Muni Assessed Property Values for 2015 increase 10%?
While some homeowners get excited that the green card in the mail that arrived in the past couple weeks showing that their home has increased in value sometimes around 10%, my first thought was, 'Homes appreciated 3.23%, so how did the Muni figure my property value increased over 8%?' I checked into a few other friend and past clients tax records and many of them had almost 10% increases too! Property tax records and values can be found at http://www.muni.org/pw/public.html.
I don't necessarily think that local political figures in Anchorage get a break on their taxes but I'm less than thrilled that Mark Begich's primary residence
I don't necessarily think that local political figures in Anchorage get a break on their taxes but I'm less than thrilled that Mark Begich's primary residence
Jan 22, 2015
Muni.org Residential Exemption Application Deadline is March 15, 2015!
Every year our team sits down to research our clients and friend's properties located in the Municipality of Anchorage to see if they are receiving their residential exemption of up to $20,000. It's amazing that about 25% are not and we don't like "free" money to pass by the people we know so each of them receive a phone call from us letting them know we are mailing them an application and copy of their tax record so they can submit their application and save about $300 on their property tax. Here are the questions we most frequently get and our answers:
Q: Why haven't I heard of this before?
A: Because the Realtor that sold you your home isn't as awesome as we are! Okay, kidding...kind of. It's not something that's advertised as far as we know. Unlike the Alaska PFD that we hear about through all the Pick.Click.Give advertising, this really is just buried in the Muni.org website.
Q: I rent my home out, can I still apply?
A: No, it's for your primary residence which does include properties such as a duplex that you live in one of the units.
Q: I didn't buy my house through a Realtor so I don't qualify right?
A: You don't have to purchase a home through a Realtor, it's an exemption offered through our Municipality, but as your Realtor or "Realtor friend" I'm going to make sure you know about it and take advantage of it!
Q: How much will this save me?
A: That depends. For most owners in a home that's valued at $200,000 or more, it's about $300 but it depends on the mill rates they decide on for 2015. They take the mill rate times your assessed property value and that's the amount of property tax you owe each year. It's 10% of your assessed value up to $20,000 so if you own a condo valued at $150,000, your exemption will be $15,000 times the mill rate.
Q: Can I go back and get reimbursed for the years I didn't get the exemption since I didn't know about it?
A: No. You must have your application postmarked by March 15, 2015 for the Muni.org Residential Exemption for 2015.
Q: Can I apply online?
A: No. Isn't that crazy that it's 2015 and they still want mailed in or submitted in person applications? I think so! I think that's a large reason why so many people that qualify haven't applied.
2) Print and fill it out using your Parcel ID number that you can find here.
3) Sign and mail it or submit it in person no later than March 15, 2015.
4) If you have a VA disability rating of 50% or more or may qualify for the Senior Exemption, download that form in addition to the other form by going to this page.
A: Because the Realtor that sold you your home isn't as awesome as we are! Okay, kidding...kind of. It's not something that's advertised as far as we know. Unlike the Alaska PFD that we hear about through all the Pick.Click.Give advertising, this really is just buried in the Muni.org website.
Q: I rent my home out, can I still apply?
A: No, it's for your primary residence which does include properties such as a duplex that you live in one of the units.
Q: I didn't buy my house through a Realtor so I don't qualify right?
A: You don't have to purchase a home through a Realtor, it's an exemption offered through our Municipality, but as your Realtor or "Realtor friend" I'm going to make sure you know about it and take advantage of it!
Q: How much will this save me?
A: That depends. For most owners in a home that's valued at $200,000 or more, it's about $300 but it depends on the mill rates they decide on for 2015. They take the mill rate times your assessed property value and that's the amount of property tax you owe each year. It's 10% of your assessed value up to $20,000 so if you own a condo valued at $150,000, your exemption will be $15,000 times the mill rate.
Q: Can I go back and get reimbursed for the years I didn't get the exemption since I didn't know about it?
A: No. You must have your application postmarked by March 15, 2015 for the Muni.org Residential Exemption for 2015.
Q: Can I apply online?
A: No. Isn't that crazy that it's 2015 and they still want mailed in or submitted in person applications? I think so! I think that's a large reason why so many people that qualify haven't applied.
So how do you apply?
1) Download the application at muni.org.2) Print and fill it out using your Parcel ID number that you can find here.
3) Sign and mail it or submit it in person no later than March 15, 2015.
4) If you have a VA disability rating of 50% or more or may qualify for the Senior Exemption, download that form in addition to the other form by going to this page.
Alaska Total Real Estate Market Overview Update for the Week of January 23rd, 2015
The snow is falling and the temperatures are dropping but the market is starting to heat up once again! Below you can find a link to a PDF file of the market overviews for different property types. Please call if you have any questions!
Want to search for homes in your price range? Access to all Alaska MLS listings available here at the CroomTeam.com!
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