The extended tax credit is just one reason to become a homeowner in Mat-Su Valley AK.  If you are confused as to what qualifies you for the home buyer tax credit, take a look at the list below for general information you should know about it:

• The tax credit is for new buyers (i.e. first time home buyers) and principal residences.
• A first time home buyer is someone who has not owned a principal residence for three years time before buying a home.
• The tax credit is only available to 2009 buyers who purchase a home on or after January 1st and before December 1, 2009.
• The tax credit is subject to income limitations and single buyers will need a modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less to qualify.  reduced credits may also be available for those in higher income brackets.
• This tax credit will be refunded to a buyer if his/her yearend tax liability is less than the credit.
• Home buyers must own the home for at least three years in order to capitalize on the credit, otherwise they will have to return the credit to the government.  some exceptions apply, however, including such cases as death or divorce.

View the video provided for a more intensive look at the Extended Tax Credit.

For more information on becoming a homeowner in Mat-Su Valley AK including Wasilla, Palmer, and Anchorage Alaska, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Anchorage Alaska was just issued a high bond rating this past week by Standard & Poor’s bond rating agency.  Bond ratings reveal the municipality’s current financial condition and determine the cost of debt when a particular city issues bonds; the higher this bond rating, the lower the cost and interest rate and so a long term good rating indicates a lot of money that can be saved.  The high bond rating for 2010 for the Municipality of Anchorage is for short-term bonds, but positive ratings this early on may be an indicator of good rating for longer-term bonds as well.  Results for the long-term rating will be issued in April 2010.

For more on this and other Anchorage AK community news stories, visit KTUU.com.

For more on real estate in Anchorage AK including Palmer and Wasilla AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

This week, state economist Neil Fried spoke to KTUU Channel 2 News on the latest trends in the economy.  According to Fried, Alaska’s population and diversity of cities as well as the demographic trends all contribute to the economy in some way.  As reported to KTUU, the 2009 demographics revealed an interesting movement with more people coming to live in Anchorage than moving out.  In the previous years’ reports from 2007 and 2008, the numbers migrating out of the state was more than those moving into it.  This reversal in trends in 2009 Fried attributes to the overall slowdown in the national economy that is not affecting Alaska the same way it is in other places of the country; with Alaska doing somewhat better than other states, residents are opting to stay and others are choosing to migrate into the state.

For more information on the Alaska economy, visit KTUU news online.

And for your Anchorage AK real estate endeavors, whether buying or selling, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Great Townhouse Style Condo in Wasilla AK

This fabulous 3 bedroom, 2 baths Wasilla AK condo is in a great location next to Lake Lucille Children’s Park and public boat launch.  Enjoy the beautiful master bedroom with shower, luxurious walk in closet with access to a lovely patio opening to the back yard.  The delightful kitchen features attractive maple cabinets with lots of storage room, cute speckled countertops and a breakfast bar island for convenience.  This wonderful Wasilla AK condo is priced at $159,000 and is perfect for those that enjoy not having to do exterior maintenance.

Click here for more information and pictures of this Wasilla AK condo property.

For more information on this listing or other available real estate in Wasilla AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

The Mat-Su Valley has recently been seeing some new project plans from the Alaska Railroad Corp. coming to light.  The plans for a rail service to Port MacKenzie aren’t new, but more detail was allotted the public last week when Evangelo’s restaurant in Wasilla AK allowed placards explaining the Valley projects to be posted, with officials from Alaska Railroad Corp. ready to answer questions.  Some of the detailed projects include the Mat-Su Borough’s plans for rail service to Port MacKenzie, new bathrooms at Talkeetna station, new concrete and steel supports for the Matanuska River bridge, and the straightening of tracks in Wasilla.  The straightening of the tracks will be targeted at the area south of the Parks Highway in the Fairview Loop area, and the project is expected to be done in phases.

For more details on these projects visit the Frontiersman online.

For more information on real estate in Mat-Su Valley AK including Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer properties, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

When comparing the 2009 real estate market in AK to the previous 2008 market, the results show not too  much of an overall change.  The number of home sales in 2008 was 1131, while the 2009 number was 7 percent less at 1046 sales.  There was a 4 percent decline in the average sales price from $228,170 to $219,408, and the average days on the market didn’t show much of a change either from 84 in 2008 to 85 in 2009.  The number of homes on the market went from 2,959 to 2,779 showing a promising 6 percent change, and the number of homes under contract went from 1,128 to 1,068.  This yearend report comparison for the AK real estate market reveals improvements in some areas, and only small declines in others.  Find out more about Alaska’s real estate market in 2009 here.

For more information on properties in Wasilla, Palmer, or Anchorage Alaska, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Great investment property in Wasilla AK

Build your dream home in Wasilla AK on this great 2 acre lot.  This Wasilla AK property has a 30X40 ft workshop already built with gas and a woodstove installed.  Property is set up with well and septic system and is ready for your dream home to be constructed.  This lot is also a great opportunity for an investment property as zoning allows for a duplex.  This 2 acre lot with workshop in Wasilla AK is priced at $90,000.

For more information on this property see video here.

For more information on this property or other real estate in Wasilla AK, contact the experienced Kristan Cole Team today.

With years of experience in buying and selling real estate in Mat-Su Valley AK, Kristan Cole offers this advice for those thinking of selling their home in today’s market:

• If you do not need to sell, do not put your home on the market, which makes it more difficult for those that do need to sell.
• If it is necessary for you to sell, price your property ahead of the market (i.e. price it lower than the most recent sale).
• Be sure that your home is in as good condition as possible to entice a buyer.
• Be sure you have a real estate agent that has experience, a great marketing plan, and is an expert negotiator.
• Be sure to consider the first offer you receive seriously as the first offer is generally the best offer.

Successfully selling your home in Mat-Su Valley AK will take the collective experience of The Kristan Cole Team.  The Kristan Cole Team sold 134 properties in 2009, and will help you get on track to selling your home today.

Alaska’s real estate market did fairly well compared to the other states, though nationally last year was a difficult time for real estate.  In 2009, the Alaska Multiple Listing Service reported that 1145 homes were sold in the Palmer Wasilla area, only 4.06 percent less than the previous year.  As of January 7th 2009, there were 549 homes on the market which was nearly the same number that was recorded last year during the same month.  The average sales price for Palmer and Wasilla AK area homes was $216,615, with 93 days on the market.

Furthermore, by the definition from the National Association of Realtors, the current 6 month supply of homes make the Alaska real estate market ‘normal’ or stable.  For more information on current real estate reports for Palmer and Wasilla AK and for the help you need in selling or buying real estate contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Now is the time to Sell, when housing inventory is low

When deciding what time of year to list your home, most sellers make the mistake of thinking that they will get generally more money for their home if they wait and sell in the summer months.  According to Kristan Cole, this is not the way to go; because late winter and early spring usually have a lower housing inventory, sellers have a better chance of getting a higher price than by waiting for summer where the inventory expands and new homes are being built.  Kristan Cole’s advice to homesellers, after observing the consistent cycle of the Wasilla-Palmer AK area over 25 years of selling thousands of homes, is to start early in February.  In short, sellers will consistently get more for their homes when they sell during the months of February, March, and April.

For information on getting started selling your home in Wasilla and Palmer AK, contact the experienced Kristan Cole Team today.  Take advantage of the lower housing inventory and get the most for your home this year.

Many who are in danger of foreclosure may have the option to save their credit rating with a short sale.  Short sales can be the better way for those that have legitimate hardships and allows the homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price the home sells for minus closing costs.

View the video above for a more detailed look into short sales and what makes them a better alternative to foreclosure.

If you are dealing with a ‘legitimate hardship’ in paying your Mat-Su Valley AK home mortgage, contact the experienced Kristan Cole Team today for the help you need to see if a short sale is possible.