First time homebuyers often overlook the essential role of a home inspector in the buying process.  A good home inspector should be able to detect potentially hazardous materials and offer you a report that will be comprehensive enough for you know whether the home lives up to its advertising or if it will need repairs.  So if you are looking to hire a home inspector in Anchorage AK, keep these things in mind:

• Ask for Qualifications and References.  Make sure to get a list of several homeowners who have used his/her services and give them a call about their experience with this particular home inspector.  Often just a quick call can save you a lot of hassle if the home inspector does not have a good track record.  Also check the home inspector’s training and experience.  It’s best to find someone who will know, depending on the age of the home you are looking to buy, what things to look for as far as potentially hazardous substances are concerned.
• Ask for a sample report.  The inspector should be able to show you a sample of their checklist or the layout of what their report will look like.  Look for detailed explanations rather than just checked off boxes to know whether this home inspector will be helpful to you.  You will want to ask the inspector what they will and will not inspect to be sure you know what you are getting when you hire him/her.
• Ask about what their company policy is for errors and omissions.  Even good home inspectors occasionally miss things, so it is good to know before hiring whether the company will insure against errors or waive the cost of the inspection if this happens.

For more tips on hiring a home inspector in Anchorage AK, visit realtor.com.

And for more on buying property in Anchorage AK, contact the professionals of The Kristan Cole Team today.

You do not have to spend a lot of money or have professionals remodel and decorate your home to attract buyers.  Consider these relatively inexpensive ways to add value to your Anchorage AK home now:

• Have your home inspected.  Things like deteriorating roofs, pest problems, or outdated electrical systems will not be immediately visible, but will negatively impact your home’s value.  Fix anything that needs repair, however small, to prevent making larger repairs down the road.
• Schedule an interior designer to help you assess what improvements should be made.  Ask about paint colors and furniture placement ideas.  Many interior designers offer an hourly fee that is less than $100, so shop around before hiring.  This one hour consultation should give you enough information to make the changes on your own.
• A fresh coat of paint will do wonders and is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make.  Choose colors that will appeal to most people to increase your home’s value.
• Refer to magazines, books, tv shows, websites, or your realtor for remodeling and decorating tips.  Do-it-yourself projects are more cost-effective as long as you have a clear idea of what needs to be done and stick to it.  While it’s better to leave larger projects to the professionals, simple improvements can be made if you have the information to do it right.
• Improve energy efficiency.  Many utility companies are willing to provide free audits to customers on how to make their home more energy efficient.  Not only will making these changes save you money now, but it will make your home more marketable when it’s time to sell.

For more tips on improving your home’s value refer to hgtv.com’s  “30 tips for increasing your home’s value.”

And for more information on buying or selling real estate, whether commercial or residential, in Anchorage AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

The excitement of buying a new home is virtually unmatched, and The Kristan Cole Team is dedicated to helping you find that perfect home in Mat-Su Valley AK.  Whether you are looking for a first home, a move up home, a condo or townhouse, or a luxury property, Mat-Su Valley has it all.

A great tool for staying up to date on the latest home listings can be found in registering on allalaskaproperties.com.  Here you will be able to receive personalized service, save home listings for easy reference, receive email alerts for homes in your chosen area, and have full access to thousands of home listings.  Your searches will also be much faster as you can save search criteria for convenient use the next time you want to browse listings.  With your easy to manage free account on allalaskaproperties.com, you’ll be able to find your dream home in no time.

Contact the friendly professionals of The Kristan Cole Team today and be on your way to settling into that perfect Anchorage, Wasilla, or Palmer AK home.

Looking to sell your Mat-Su Valley AK home this fall?  Consider these fall home staging tips to make your home stand out:

• Choose a few tasteful decorations that will give an inviting feel to your home including vases adorned with fall foliage or bowls filled with seasonal fruit.  Be sure to keep the theme consistent throughout the house.  Just be careful not to overdo it as you do not want to take focus from the best features of your home.
• A fresh coat of paint on interior walls is always a great way to spruce up a room.  Try a cream or caramel shade of paint that’s neutral and warm for living spaces.
• Accessorize chairs, couches, tables, and mantles with pops of seasonal color.  Emphasizing a comfortable feel to your home will encourage potential homebuyers to stay longer to admire details and give them a positive overall impression.
• Natural lighting is a great way to highlight each room.  If it isn’t possible to bring in natural light for a showing, be sure you have well-placed lamps for a soft glow.
• One of the most inviting ways to stage your home is through the sense of smell.  Fall scents include cinnamon, apple, cider, and homemade baked goods. You can even prepare cider and cookies for potential homebuyers to enjoy.
• A cozy, steadily flickering fireplace is a great feature in any home and especially for the chillier months.  If you have a fireplace, make it the focal point of the room.  Arrange furniture and decorate the mantel tastefully to attract attention to this rustic pleasure.

For more tips on staging your home this fall, visit frontdoor.com.

And to find out more about selling your Anchorage, Wasilla, or Palmer AK home, contact the professional realtors of The Kristan Cole Team today.

If you are looking for a commercial agent in Alaska, look no further than Kristan Cole.  Kristan Cole of The Kristan Cole Team is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and lists and sells all types of commercial properties.  Kristan is dedicated to her work and does not hesitate to travel throughout Alaska to list and sell properties including remote lodges, class A office buildings, large multi family, and commercial land parcels.

Kristan has successfully sold and closed over 400 REO’s representing local banks, mortgage companies, and F.D.I.C.; she has 25 years of experience in handling residential, commercial, multi-family, and raw land REO’s.  Take a look at The Kristan Cole Team’s latest commercial listings at KristanColeCommercial.com.

And don’t forget that The Kristan Cole Team is always ready to take on your latest real estate endeavor whether buying or selling in Mat-Su Valley AK.

Last Saturday in Anchorage was the all day Alaska Renewable Energy Fair event.  From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. the Anchorage Park Strip downtown area was bustling with demonstrations, activities, and live music.  Featured demonstrations included solar and wind energy, and workshops on the Fire Island wind turbine project.  There were also activities for children, hybrid and electric vehicles, and informational booths.

Alaska homeowners were particularly interested in the “Make your home more Energy Efficient” presentation, obtaining some tips on how to save money and be environmentally friendly.  Some helpful tips included lowering the temperature of your water heater, weatherizing your home, and using compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent.  Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) also offers a residential Home Energy Rebate Program; learn more about this program and other energy efficient money-saving tips at alaskarenewableenergy.org.

For more on community events in Anchorage AK, visit ADN.com.

And keep the professionals of The Kristan Cole Team in mind when buying or selling property in Anchorage AK.

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.