Real Estate Information

Enjoy the ride. There is no return ticket.


George Carlin on aging!

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30.  Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50, and your dreams are gone...

But! wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50, and make it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that, it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's, and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3.Keep learning.  Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND, ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
And, if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!! 
 
Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally used up and worn out, shouting
'...man, what a ride!'

FHA Relaxes Anti-Flipping Rule

Beginning Feb. 1, the Federal Housing Administration will provide mortgage insurance for some purchases in which the seller bought the property and held it for fewer than 90 days.

The agency is changing what is known as the “anti-flipping rule” to speed up sales of renovated homes in communities with too many bank-owned and foreclosed homes, says FHA Commissioner David H. Stevens.

Waiving the 90-day rule will encourage private investors to buy vacant properties, fix them up, and quickly sell them to buyers who will be eligible to buy them using FHA financing.

FHA's change "is going to be absolutely terrific" for first-time home buyers hoping to take advantage of the tax credit, says Bobby Taylor, an associate with Coldwell Banker Mountain West Real Estate in Salem, Ore.

Source: Washington Post (01/30/2010)

Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce Lunch Forum

WEDNESDAY February 3,  2010

Downtown Eagle River Circulation Study

Are you frustrated by traffic congestion, access onto main collectors in the Eagle River business district?  The MOA has begun our downtown circulation study to identify problems and recommend solutions.  This is your chance to have input!!!  Doors open at 11:30am.

Menu:

Roast Chicken Burritto with carmelized onions, cilantro, refried beans, cheese, lettuce.  Topped with roast chicken tomatillo sauce & sour cream.

Salsa & chips

February Forums sponsored by 

Alaska Small Business Development Corporation

LOCATION: EAGLE RIVER ELKS LODGE Banquet Room

Doors open at 11:30 - luncheon begins promptly at noon.

17111 N Eagle River Loop Rd

(Banquet room doors are on the west end of the building)

Cost:  $14 members/$16 non-members.  Coffee tea only $3.00

You can reserve and pay online!

Go to http://www.cer.org/estore.html

4 weeks into the new year and real estate sales in Eagle River Alaska are steady.  There was an initial rush of new homes on the market just after the first of the year.  Many of these homes had been previously listed and removed from the market during the holidays.  So, after this initial rush, the flow of new inventory has continued at a slow pace.  This good for sellers and buyers alike; the market remains stable.

The National association of Realtors came out with their latest number and the country saw a reduction in number of sales by 17% over last year at this same time.  They were anticipating the number to be closer to 10%.  This means that the housing recovery is going to take time.  I think everyone realizes this, they just wish it would happen sooner.

In Alaska, we're seeing the same steady market that we've seen in recent years.   I hear this quote just the other day "This market is an 'Opportunistic Market'; there are opportunities for buyer and sellers.  This is so true.  Values have remained steady on nice home, and homes that need work can be bought at a reduced price. 

Here are the numbers for Eagle River* Alaska residential sales:

• 15 New Homes on the market
• 5 Homes pended under new contracts
• 5 homes Closed

There are currently 96 homes being marketed in Eagle River.

• 73 existing homes
• 0 New Construction Complete
• 11 Homes under Construction
• 12 Homes To Be Built (not started)

The number of homes available offers some great opportunities to buyers and for sellers that have very nice homes.  The current homes range in price from $169,000 to $1,100,000. 

To find out what your home is worth visit www.ValueMyAlaskanHome.com.

To receive a list of the latest homes on the market in South Central Alaska visit www.EagleRiverHomesforSale.com!

*This representation is based in whole, or part, on data supplied by, and to, the Subscribers of Alaska MLS.  Alaska MLS does not guarantee, nor is it in any way responsible for, its accuracy.  Data maintained by Alaska MLS is for its own use and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. 

Today is January 13, 2010.  Wow, we are two weeks into the new year and picking up speed.  The holiday season lulled everyone into a nice happy place, and now it's time to get back to work.

If you are watching the market than you know that every talking head has an opinion and very few of them are the same.  Now I going to chime in.  Just what we need right? Another talking head.  I will try to keep to what I know and what I see happening in the local real estate market.

The number of homes bottomed out in recent weeks.  The lowest level of homes available for sale this decade.  That is beginning to change, the number of homes increase by 50% last week.  23 new listings, now some of these had been on the market before the holidays and were taken off the market.  Now their back and ready for sale, and that is good news because with the number of new pending transactions; the supply dropped to just 2.4 months.

There is a enthusiasm in the market, interest rates are low, prices have been steady.  This is a win-win for buyers and sellers.  Buyers there are more homes coming on the market, although they're selling quickly.  For Sellers, if you're ready to sell, there are buyers in the market looking for good homes.

Buyers can see receive e-mails updates by registering at www.eagleriverhomesforsale.com

Sellers can receive a free CMA and marketing plan by visiting www.valuemyalaskanhome.com

"Steady as she goes"

We've heard this many times.  Keep a steady but consistent pace.  Doesn't sound real sexy but it is the 'Cure for what ails you".  A steady real estate market is a wonderful thing.

Homes are selling each week.  We get few new listings.  The inventory does not go up, although we could use a little more to keep the buyers happy.  The nation housing news came out today and it was positive across the country.  There are some expectations that the next couple of months will be slower. 

Not here in Eagle River.  We are forecasting more people moving to the area.  As rentals become scarce many families will look at new homes.  This will fuel the construction industry and we should see new homes starts increase this year.

Here are the numbers for the week of December 14Th-20Th:

• 7 new homes were listed for sale
• 5 homes went into contract (pending)
• 3 homes closed

The current number of homes available in Eagle River:

• 56 single Family homes
• 12 homes under construction
• 11 homes scheduled to be built (not started)
• 25 Condo/Townhomes
• 6 Condo/Townhomes under construction

The real estate market in Eagle River continues to be steady.  Just the way we like it.