If you are in the enviable position right now of looking to buy a Wasilla AK home, enjoy the current market: a buyer’s market!! Many folks that have to sell their homes right now AND are happy to start a dialogue with a potential buyer, so arm yourself with any and all information to get the best deal possible!

• Right now you have more time to look, so you will be better armed with the knowledge of which houses have been sitting on the market for a while. These homeowners might be more likely to negotiate.
• Consider looking at new construction. Builders sometimes offer incentives and sometimes have very attractive financing programs.
• In certain areas that have been hit a bit harder by the market downturn, you certainly do have the upper hand whilst negotiating – and can always ask for an upgrade or a major repair before finalizing the deal.
• Some buyers are asking for a written warranty on appliances and certain structural repairs. Down the road this could be a big money-saver for you.
• Motivated sellers are more likely to work with your timeline. Don’t be afraid to ask if the closing can be pushed out.
• Even some lenders are willing to negotiate. You might ask for free private mortgage insurance, a better interest rate or even lower closing costs.

For more information on the current real estate market go to Housing Predictor.

And please click here if you’re looking for Wasilla AK Homes

Statistics show that around 5% of reported identity theft case victims are children. The reason your child is a target is because the crime will very likely go undetected for years. Most do not realize it until they are in college and apply for their first credit card, and find then that they have been victimized. Take heart, there are many ways to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. Here are some of them:

• Create a list of every credit card number and bank card that you keep in your wallet.
• Never keep your social security card or any information with your social security number on it in your wallet.
• Never give out any private information on your e-mail.
• Cease all bank and credit card mailings.
• Always reconcile your bank statements and go over your credit card statements. Some thieves start small, to find out who pays attention.
• Keep your car registration and car insurance together in a closed envelope, hidden away in your car. Be sure to always lock your car.
• Try never to use a public computer for business use or to make a purchase.
• Memorize your ATM pin, and make sure no one is standing nearby when you use your ATM card.
• Never save financial information on your cell phone.
• Never apply for a job on-line, unless the employer has a verifiable address.

For more information about safer online banking go to going paperless.

And for Mat Su Valley AK Homes including featured property in Anchorage, Wasilla and Palmer AK, please think of the Kristan Cole Team today!

If you have fallen into the category of a Wasilla AK second-home owner who has financial concerns and / or trouble selling it, there are things you can do to try and save money.

• Wait for rates to come down again and re-finance the loan.
• Hold off on any planned home improvements.
• Rent the property. You may rent your property for up to fourteen days before having to report the income to the I.R.S. This is a wonderful option if your property is near a popular annual event that brings in many out-of-towners needing places to stay for the event.
• Donate the home to charity. You can donate a week for a charity auction and then possibly deduct the fair market rental value from your income taxes. A home can be donated as a Life Estate, which gives the homeowner the right to live there until death and provides a large tax deduction.
• If you are ambitious you could hire a tax attorney and appeal your property taxes. Many property taxes were assessed on values at the peak of the market, and are now valued much lower.
• Write up a written agreement or family limited partnership to share the financial burden of the second home with a “partner”. This could be a family member, or not.

To earn more about possible tax advantages of second-home ownership go to Family Education.

And please click here if you’re looking for Palmer, Wasilla OR Mat Su Valley AK Homes

Frustrated homesellers have begun looking into more and more creative ways to sell their homes. Long gone are the days of simply baking a pie during a showing for the enticing aroma or setting out beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers to interest a buyer. Here’s what some are actually doing to sell their homes more quickly:

• Throwing an Open House Party. The offerings at these shindigs are wine, catered food, live music and prizes.
• Consulting a Feng Shui home stager. Their homes are being rearranged to make potential buyers feel more welcome by following the ancient chinese philosophy to improve the home’s “chi”, or energy.
• Helping buyers with the financing. Many are offering lease-to-own deals, financing it themselves, paying the closing costs, or paying a point to lower the interest rate for the buyer.
• Burying statues. People are swearing by the fact that shortly after burying a statue of the patron saint of family and household in their yards, they sold their homes.
• Throwing in BIG extras to seal the deal. Gone are the days of generously offering a big-screen TV. Sellers are now offering cars, vacations, home upgrades, furniture stipends and even a year’s mortgage.

For more interesting ways to consider selling your home faster go to the Fun Times Guide.

The first impression really does count with potential Mat Su Valley AK home buyers. If your Mat Su Valley AK home home is lacking basic curb appeal or is not sparkling inside, you could lose a potential buyer’s interest immediately – and never get it back! Here are some Mat Su Valley AK tips to avoid losing a potential buyer:

• Flowers, flowers, flowers. Nothing welcomes a potential buyer more to a home than colorful flowers.
• Keep walkways clear, trimmed and weeded.
• Patios must be power-washed.
• Windows should be sparkling.
• Dust everywhere. Even the baseboards.
• Since potential buyers look everywhere, make sure underneath your sinks and closets are clean, clutter-free and odor-free.
• Remove all personal items such as framed photos, awards and collectibles. Buyers need to be able to imagine the space as theirs.
• Paint any room that is a bright color, a neutral color.
• Remove any worn or outdated furniture.
• Repair any chipped or smudged paint, broken fixtures or squeaky doors.
• Toss worn carpets.
• Consider replacing dated hardware.

For more information about Palmer, Wasilla OR Mat Su Valley AK home staging go to Home Staging Information.

And please click here if you’re looking for Palmer, Wasilla OR Mat Su Valley AK Homes

Choosing the right community in Mat Su Valley Alaska is so important, as how can you really love where you live unless you love the neighborhood? In the frenzy to find a Mat Su Valley Alaska home and then in scheduling moving day, so many people forget that researching the neighborhood is one of the most important ways to insure happiness at your new Alaska destination. Before making your final decision on a home, don’t forget to:

• “Profile” the neighborhood. Ask yourself these questions: Is the quality of the school system important? Is the commute do-able for you? Do you like to be within walking distance to shops and restaurants? Do you like quiet?
• Once you zero in on a neighborhood you like you must research all school information, crime statistics, parks and recreation, neighborhood association fees and tourist attractions. Armed with this information it will be easy to make a wise decision for you.
• Take the time to visit. Don’t downplay your first impression. Take note of the community’s rush hour patterns, it’s social ability factor, it’s streetlights at night. Drive by the schools. Shop in the local grocery store. Try to meet some of your potential neighbors. All of these visual clues can be very revealing.

For more interesting ways to figure out if a neighborhood is right for you click here.

And please click here if you’re looking for Palmer, Wasilla OR Mat Su Valley AK Homes

1. Think Green.  Better insulation, replacing old windows, and caulking can increase the energy efficiency of the home and can be attractive to buyers.
2. Add Molding.  Crown molding, wider baseboards, and framing doors and widows can be delightful in any home.
3. Paint Finishes.  Faux finishes and accented walls can help your home stand out. Don’t get carried away; pick the color and texture wisely, keeping in mind that you are trying to make your home universally appealing. 
4. Upgrade Floors. Dirty or old flooring can turn buyers away. Consider new carpet, tile, or wood. Refinishing existing flooring or professionally shampooing carpets can bring them back to life. 
5. Outdoor Upgrades.  A deck, or even a summer kitchen at certain price points, can add value to your home. The worth of different outdoor amenities varies from place to place, so be sure to get a professional opinion from your local agent before taking on a big project. 

Source Inman News

In December of 2007 Congress signed into law the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. Under regular circumstances, when a lender chooses to forgive all or part of a borrower’s debt, the forgiven amount is considered income and the borrower is liable to be taxed. This law offers relief to the homeowner in that it extends relief for three years, covering debts discharged through calendar year 2012. Amendments have been made to remove tax liability and allow the borrower and lender to work together to find a common and beneficial solution for both parties. This debt relief is limited to primary residences only and the amount of forgiven mortgage debt allowed to be excluded from income tax is $2 million per year.

For more information about the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act applies to you and your Mat-Su valley AK home go to the I.R.S. website.

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

• If you have a small room in your home that you would like to appear more spacious, paint it the same color as the room it is attached to. This will convey a more seamless, spacious feel. Another trick to convey spaciousness is to keep all window treatments in small rooms the same shade as the walls.
• Paint your sun room an attractive shade of green. It really does help to bring the outside in!
• If you have a narrow room, add wall shelving. This gives the space depth, without crowding out occupants.
• If you are upgrading to sell, choose Eco-friendly materials. Buyers are showing more interest in homes with these materials. For example, consider cost-efficient and “green” cork flooring instead of hardwoods.
• Consider breaking up a finished basement into “zones”. For example, furnish one area for reading, another area for a bar, one for games, one for a workspace with a desk and another for lounging in front of the television.
• If your kitchen is outdated and you do not want to renovate, replacing old appliances is highly suggested. Studies show that sellers recoup every penny spent on new appliances!