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.

Great Wasilla AK home in good neighborhood

This Wasilla AK home is in a quiet neighborhood and offers plenty of storage space.  This 3 bedroom, one bathroom home is a tri-level and the two large rooms come with extra closet space to fit your storage needs.  The convenient kitchen has lots of counter space and a breakfast bar as well as lovely oak cabinets and light oak laminate flooring.  Other highlights include vaulted ceilings in the living room and kitchen for a roomy atmosphere, deck, washer and dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator and two hot water heaters included.  This great Wasilla AK home is priced at $140,000.

Watch video of this Wasilla AK home here.

For more information on this or other Wasilla AK homes, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

The 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is underway in Willow AK.  This unique and exciting sled dog race is an annual event and involves sled dog racing enthusiasts from all over.  This year almost half of the 120 volunteers to help teams get safely to the start were from other states who enjoy the work and being involved with the dogs.  Each volunteer has to be trained by taking the Iditarod’s dog handling class to be sure everyone has the proper gear and methods of dealing with dog teams.  These volunteers are required to be at a level of fitness that will allow them to jog beside the team and do other strenuous checks to ensure safety. One volunteer, as reported by the Frontiersman, came from as far as South Africa to be a part of the races this year.

With more than 1,000 dogs involved in the races, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race has an enthusiasm behind it that draws a huge fan base each year.

For updates on the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, visit the Frontiersman online.

For information on buying and selling property in Anchorage, including Palmer and Wasilla AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

To many residents and homeowners in Alaska, this distinctive state holds a tremendous force of beauty year round.  The vast landscape is awe-inspiring, with snow-laced mountains, incredible forests, and pleasant streams.  In the famed Alaska winters, the sunny atmosphere brings a glow to winter activities and annual festivals.  If you enjoy nature, whether hiking, climbing, skiing, fishing, hunting, or just meandering through open, untouched paths, Alaska offers so many recreational options.

Take a look at the beauty of Alaska for yourself by clicking on the video and let Kristan Cole express her love of this unique and impressive state.

Discover the true beauty of Alaska and look for you dream home in Anchorage, Palmer, or Wasilla AK.  Contact The Kristan Cole team for information on buying or selling real estate in Mat-Su Valley AK today.

The Wasilla Airport has secured a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration that will expand the airport, as reported by the Frontiersman last week. The $1.35 million grant will be used to expand the airport’s apron–the paved area off the runway.  Currently the airport’s apron is hindering further growth of the facilities as the waiting list for airplane tie-downs as well as the amount of space that can be leased to commercial operations is thus limited.  Wasilla Public Works Director, Archie Giddings, believes that future expansion of the runway and an access road are great possibilities as the current improvements will produce a dirt fill that would pave the way to these other projects.

The city of Wasilla AK also has a new airport master plan in the works that is expected to be reviewed near the end of this year.

For more economic and community news in Wasilla AK, visit Frontiersman online.

And remember to keep the experienced Kristan Cole Team in mind whether you are planning on buying or selling Wasilla AK real estate this year.

Palmer AK Commercial Property

This Palmer AK is a great commercial property in the heart of the area.  This house has recently been weatherized and has a new roof.  You will love the spacious kitchen for great entertaining possibilities, a fenced in yard, and a basement with 1,000 square feet of storage space.  This great fixer upper would be ideal for any sort of business considering its fabulous location in Palmer AK.  This Palmer home includes a new boiler, a large family room on the main floor, and has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  This wonderful commercial property is priced at $165,000.

View video of this Palmer AK property here.

For more on this Palmer AK property listing click here.

And keep the friendly and motivated Kristan Cole Team in mind when buying or selling property in Palmer AK.

AK Educators Look for New Ideas at the Anchorage conference

This week, teachers all across Alaska have been coming to Anchorage for the latest tips in using new technology in the classroom.  The Alaska Society for Technology in Education is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and this annual conference in Anchorage is a great opportunity for teachers in AK to get new ideas for keeping their teaching fresh and up-to-date.  Some of the highlights at the conference include tutorials on how to set up a 3D video station where students can learn from video instruction via 3D, and using internet technology that allows teachers from all over Alaska to share teaching tips and classroom materials.  The goal of the conference is to keep the spirit of educating alive using a medium that kids are already familiar with for effective learning.

For more on this or other Anchorage AK community news visit KTUU online.

And don’t forget to contact The Kristan Cole Team for information on buying or selling property in Anchorage AK today.

Anchorage AK officials are currently discussing a new proposal that may give buses priority at traffic lights.  The idea behind this proposal includes a similar technology used by emergency vehicles that are able to send signals to traffic lights to turn them green for faster times to crisis situations; under the new proposal people mover buses would be able to use devices that would also change the pattern of some traffic lights around town.  Currently many bus goers complain that it takes more than twice the time to get somewhere in the bus than in a car, thus giving buses priority would speed this along and give more of an incentive to ride.

For more on this issue and other community issues in Anchorage AK, visit KTUU online.

And for all your Anchorage AK real estate endeavors, contact the friendly and experienced Kristan Cole Team today.

New Ski Facility expected in 2011

The new Hatcher Pass Nordic skiing facility plans are moving forward in Mat-Su Valley AK.  This month, Steven Noble, the project engineer for DOWL HKM, presented to the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau about what to expect for this skiing facility project.  The environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in November, and design work should wrap up in April of 2011.  Construction is slated for next summer which will include a parking lot, transit hub, and access road.  Noble pointed out that the environmental impact statement is being done very quickly for this project, as most federally funded projects take 5 to 10 years to complete this stage.  After the draft of the environmental impact statement is brought to the public eye in April, there will be about 18 months of time for public input.  The new Hatcher Pass Nordic skiing facility is anticipated to be operational in fall of 2011.

For more news on the latest developments in Mat-Su Valley AK, visit the Frontiersman online.

And for all your Mat-Su Valley AK real estate endeavors, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

One of Mat-Su Valley AK’s very own is representing the U.S. in the Vancouver Winter Olympics this year.  Kerry Weiland, a determined hockey player, was named to the U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team last December where she made her debut in the Winter Games with a 12-1 win over China.  As reported in the Frontiersman, friends, relatives and former coaches all attested to Weiland’s determination to realize her Olympic dreams.  Weiland was also credited as being the first girl to be named first-team all-conference in boys’ ice hockey at Palmer High, and later at the University of Wisconsin she became the first player to be named All-American in the history of the Badgers’ women’s hockey program.

For more on Weiland, including career highlights and achievements, visit the Frontiersman online.  And be sure to stay tuned to the Winter Olympics!

For all your real estate needs, whether buying or selling property in Mat-Su Valley AK including Palmer, Wasilla, and Anchorage Alaska, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Remodeled Wasilla AK home

This great Wasilla AK home has been newly remodeled in 2004 with a new metal roof, siding and a fresh coat of paint.  This home includes 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and is of tri-level construction.  The basement has been partially finished to include an additional bedroom.  Other highlights include lovely laminate flooring, comfortable carpeting, refrigerator, oven/range, and washer and dryer.  This affordable Wasilla AK home is priced at $145,000.

View video description of this remodeled home in Wasilla AK here, or see home listing here.

And remember for more information on this and other Wasilla Alaska homes available, contact the friendly and experienced Kristan Cole Team today and be well on your way to owning your dream home in Mat-Su Valley AK.