Your Anchorage Alaska Real Estate Blog!

Mortgage Rates Move Even Lower This Week

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:55:00 GMT

Fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages sank to new lows for the year, continuing a downward spiral for the eighth straight week, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. Here’s a closer look at how rates fared for the week: ▪ 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.49 percent this week, down from last week’s 4.55 percent average. A year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.72 percent. ▪ 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rates averaged 3.68 percent--its lowest level since...(read more)

FHA will tighten up in 2010

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:46:00 GMT

FHA will tighten up in 2010 FHA will tighten up in 2010 Borrowers will need more cash, minimum FICO score BY MATT CARTER , THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009. Inman News The Obama administration is moving to tighten underwriting standards on FHA-backed loans by increasing the amount of upfront cash homebuyers must bring to the table, raising minimum FICO scores for new borrowers, and reducing maximum seller concessions from 6 percent to 3 percent. The most obvious way to increase upfront cash requirements...(read more)

Mortgage rates breaking records again

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:43:00 GMT

Mortgage rates breaking records again 15-year, 30-year fixed-rate loans at all-time lows BY INMAN NEWS , THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009. Inman News Rates on 15- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell for a fifth consecutive week to new lows, Freddie Mac said in releasing the results of its weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey . The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.71 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending Dec. 3, down from 4.78 percent last week and 5.53 percent a year ago. That's...(read more)

FHA New Guidelines Coming

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:56:00 GMT

Who do you know that does not own a home? FHA is getting ready to make some major changes to their guidelines and now is the time to get approved. Changes will be increased requirements in down payments, higher credit score requirements and increased mortgage insurance costs...bottom line..now is the time. Call or email at 907-351-9434 victoriabrink@gci.net www.AKHOMESOLD.com...(read more)

Fantastic Anchorage Mid Town Condo

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:19:00 GMT

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Home sales rise to highest level in 2.5 years

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:00 GMT

Home sales rise to highest level in 2.5 years - Real estate- msnbc.com Source: www.msnbc.msn.com Home sales far exceeded expectations last month, surging to the highest level in two and a half years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit....(read more)

2527 Ridge Pointe Dr Anchorage Ak Open House Today Sunday 1-4

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:25:00 GMT

Fantastic Open House on Sunday 1-4 at 2527 Ridge Pointe Drive in Anchorage take a look at the attached flyer if you or anyone you know is looking to buy a home stop on in...(read more)

Google Chrome OS 5 ways it is different

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:53:00 GMT

Google Chrome OS: 5 Ways It’s Completely Different - http://bit.ly/145PXI Google Chrome OS: 5 Ways It’s Completely Different Source: bit.ly Earlier today, Google revealed new details about Google Chrome OS, the search giant's attempt to redefine the operating system and push society and technology...(read more)

Thanksgiving Home Ideas

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:51:00 GMT

Sanity-saving Thanksgiving ideas from HGTV for stylish table settings, autumnal decorations and welcoming guest retreats. Thanksgiving Ideas : Holidays and Entertaining : Home & Garden Television Source: www.hgtv.com Find creative ideas for elegantly preparing your home for Thanksgiving guests, setting a festive fall table and making crafty decorations that will add seasonal style to your home, both indoors and out....(read more)

Anchorage Alaska Real Estate Becoming A Sellers Market?

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:50:00 GMT

Here are some interesting Statistics. The Anchorage Real Estate Market in the past few weeks has turned into a Seller's Market for Single Family Homes Priced Under $500,000. The definition of a Seller's market is a market where the listing inventory is under 6 months. http://www.akhomesold.com Anchorage Alaska Real Estate...(read more)

Anchorage Alaska Econimic Report

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:48:00 GMT

Here are some great Economic Reports created by Mark Edwards from Northrim Bank. He is the one best Economic Speakers in the State. Great presentations. http://www.northrim.com/home/about_alask a/econ_overview...(read more)

Congress Passed Homebuyer Tax Credit

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:48:00 GMT

Congress set to expand homebuyer tax credit - Yahoo! News Source: news.yahoo.com Buying a home is about to get cheaper for a whole new crop of homebuyers — $6,500 cheaper. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_homebuyers_tax_credit...(read more)

Rates on 30 year loans fall below 5 percent

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:47:00 GMT

Rates on 30-year loans fall below 5 percent - Real estate- msnbc.com Source: www.msnbc.msn.com Rates for 30-year home loans dipped below 5 percent this week after rising for three straight weeks....(read more)

Declining Inventory Sign of Stabilizing Market

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Declining Inventory Sign of Stabilizing Market Source: www.realtor.org Industry experts say declining home inventory is a good thing, but it doesn't necessarily mean prices will rise soon....(read more)

This Month In Real Estate Special Edition

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:44:00 GMT

This Month In Real Estate (US) SPECIAL EDITION: The Updated 2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit Source: www.youtube.com This Month in Real Estate provides expert opinion and analysis on real estate trends across the nation. Anchorage Alaska Real Estate...(read more)

5 Reasons To Buy A Home For The Holidays

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:43:00 GMT

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/5-reasons-to-buy-a-home-during-holidays-1.aspx?ic_id=nwsltr_mtgrlest_20091112 5 reasons to buy a home during holidays By Tracey C. Velt • Bankrate.com...(read more)

Your weekly morning coffee

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:42:00 GMT

Anchorage Alaska Real Estate News - Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group - Brink & Associates Anchora Source: www.akbrinkteam.com Anchorage Alaska Real Estate News from Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group - Brink & Associates Anchorage Real Estate. http://www.akbrinkteam.com/Morning-Coffee...(read more)

This Month In Real Estate

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:02:00 GMT

This Month In Real Estate (US): September 2009 Source: www.youtube.com Each month, This Month in Real Estate provides expert opinion and analysis on real estate trends across the nation. The aim of the consumer-oriented segments is to provide real information on real estate. View Video Format: ??? Duration: --:--...(read more)

Should I Buy a Home Now

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:34:00 GMT

Should I Buy a Home Now? by Victoria Brink & Associates I’m often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don’t know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you’ve missed it! Home prices are one factor in determining...(read more)

New Lending Restrictions on Condo Financing

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:33:00 GMT

New Lending Restrictions on Condo Financing Tuesday, August 25, 2009 by Victoria Brink & Associates Anchorage real estate market is moving ahead! We do have new financing restrictions coming up on condo's beginning October 1st. This will cause a few hiccups, As of now the restrictions are you have to have more than 75% owner occupancy( for conventional loans), be approved on the FHA and or AHFC housing list( First time homebuyers) You will still as I know now be able to sell VA. If you are...(read more)

Anchorage Alaska is Number 1 for Top 10 Tax-Friendly Cities

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:30:00 GMT

America's top 10 tax-friendly cities By Kiplinger's It's not what you earn, it's what you keep that often dictates your standard of living. With that in mind, take this quick tour of the ten cities in the nation that have the lowest overall tax burden. These cities came out on top (er, at the bottom, really) of the 2007-2008 District of Columbia Tax Rates and Tax Burdens Survey for the largest city in each state, plus D.C. 1. Anchorage, Alaska Income tax: $0 Property tax: $2,572 Sales...(read more)

Is there a penalty for selling your home with in the first 3 years?

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:17:00 GMT

I heard that there was an pentaly for selling your home, within 3 yrs of buying it. How true is this information.

Could be a prepayment penalty from your lender. In Alaska we do not have prepayment penalties, however if you used an out of state lender they are bound by the laws of the state in which they are based so they may have one. I would call your lender for any concerns you have.

Also could be capitol gains tax, I have included a link to IRS so you may get true and correct information. http://www.irs.gov/

Staging Your Home

Victoria Brink ASSOCIATE BROKER — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:09:00 GMT

My husband and I are planning on buying another home. But before we do, we have to fix our present one up to make it look more appealing. How can I sell my home fast?

Here are a few tips. You can follow them all, or just some!

Always have a clean and neat house! The potential buyer needs to be able to visualize living in your home. If the house is a mess, they will not be able to have the clear picture. It's your job to help them make this visualization.
Painting is the easiest and cheapest improvement you can make. If you are planning on painting the smudged walls, choose a neutral color.
Don't make major changes like remodeling a kitchen or bathroom.
Set the table as if you are going to be entertaining that evening. Use your best china, fresh flowers, etc. Just tell the realtor who is showing the home you are entertaining shortly. Again, this helps the buyer visualize.
Another more creative tip is to place warm water and a package of yeast in a warm (200 degrees) oven. This will give the smell of freshly baked bread. Smell is the most sensitive and memory provoking sense. When they think of your house after seeing 20 houses the same day, they will remember the smell of freshly baked bread and the cozy, homey feeling.
If your basement has a musty smell, buy a dehumidifier.