Pauline Hofseth's Anchorage Real Estate Blog

Our new Mayor, Daniel Sullivan, is asking you to participate in a survey on how to best balance the Anchorage budget.  Mayor Sullivan is taking the time to step back to look at the city services for cost-effectiveness before making decisions on how to spend your tax dollar. I know that we all hav...

Today, I thought I would update sellers on the Anchorage market conditions and share a few tips for sellers and for those thinking of placing their home on the market. Market Conditions * There are fewer homes on the market this year compared to 2008 (about 4.8%).* Competition is still stiff with...

I was looking over my recent blogs and found that not even a month ago I asked "Is it Time for You to Refinance?". When I posted that blog on May 19th, the interest rate was 4.75%.  So, homeowners who did not refinance at that time may have missed the boat. Interest rates have been rising rapidly...

The Alaskan portion of the Purple Heart Trail will be dedicated in a ceremony this Saturday (June 6, 2009) at 11 a.m.  A ceremony will be held dedicating the portion of the Alaska Highway between Fairbanks and Delta Junction honoring those who have served their country and were awarded the Purple...

In the past two weeks, interest rates began to inch up slightly.  This week, RealtyTimes.com reports that today's interest rate fell back.  The current interest rate is 4.75% for a 30-year mortgage and 4.5% for a 15-year fixed rate.  That report led to today's blog.  Depending on your current int...

Thank you to the mystery donor who has made a donation of $7 million to our University of Alaska Anchorage campus.  The University of Alaska is one of more than 12 colleges to benefit the mystery donor's generous gifts.  In total, various colleges have received over $80 million dollars. The requi...

Spring brings thoughts of renewing our homes and gardens.  Spring is also the time we celerate Earth Day.  I was thinking of how Earth Day relates to Anchorage homeowners beyond recycling.  I was also thinking about how green living is becoming increasingly important to the homeowners in terms of...

In spite of the economic downturn, Anchorage is still growing.  The University Lake Springhill Suites Marriott Hotel is nearing completion, with a grand opening expected in August.  The Springhill Suites are located in Midtown.  The hotel will not target the normal tourist trade, but will instead...

Happy Saint Paddy's Day, everyone.  And I am happy to report that Alaska credit unions and banks are strong and healthy.  There seems to be alot of doom and gloom in the national headlines, so I am very happy to report some good news.  A few weeks ago, I wrote in my blog, What to Do if You Are On...

Anchorage has one of the best economies in the nation.  The State of  Alaska announced this week that the Alaskan job rate was up both in terms of new jobs and in the jobless rate.  However, no matter how strong the economy may be in Anchorage, Alaska or the nation, if you find yourself on the do...