Thursday, February 27, 2014

Vacant land for your horse property with a fantastic view in Palmer!

Just listed for $70,000. Build your dream home on this vacant 4.04acre land.

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Address: 5232 N Brywood Circle, Palmer, AK 99645


Mountain views!! Horse property. This lot sits above most of its neighbors and is located in a easy commuting location. All surrounding lots are large so you will have a ton of elbow room. Don't miss out on one of the last lots in this upscale neighborhood. New construction is coming back and this is a great opportunity to build your dream home!

For more info, click here:

 

Brought to you by:

 

 

Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

Monday, February 24, 2014

Thinking About Selling?

When it comes to selling your home there are some things to remember that seem obvious, but still tend to get forgotten in the rush of getting ready and negotiating. Let us review some of the things that are relevant to start.

Check your agents references. You may speak to a couple references, and one agent may stand out from first glance. This doesn’t mean you should start counting your chickens just yet. Finding out what their past experiences are may help you avoid heartache, or allow you to breathe easy. Making sure that your best interest is being taken care of is key.

Scout the competition. What are other comparable houses in the neighborhood and surrounding areas selling for? What do they have and what do you have? Knowing your selling points against these sort of things are important as you may find yourself explaining them to potential buyers.

Your house might not be able to sell for what you think it is worth. Sentimental value does not translate to dollars. This works the same way, that what you bought it for might not be what you sell it for – it could go either way. Markets are funny, even though our emotions might not understand. Prepare yourself now so that you don’t get let down at closing.

Have any other items that you need clarification on? We are here to help you rest assured that when you come to us, you are getting what you want and what you need.

Massive 5 acre vacant lot with majestic mountain views in Eagle River!

Just listed for $225,000. Build your dream home on this vacant land.

Address: Blythe Way Eagle River, AK 99577

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This property has beautiful views and is approximately just 10 miles from the heart of Eagle River.

For more info, click here:

 

Brought to you by:


Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Enjoy breathtaking mountain views from this vacant 1.28 acre lot in Chugiak!

Just listed for $75,000. Build your dream home on this property and enjoy the Alaska wilderness at your doorstep.

Mountain

Get more info here:

Address: Mountain Road Chugiak, AK 99567

Brought to you by:

Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

Monday, February 17, 2014

New Builds Have Advantages

Sometimes you want to buy an already established home so that you can move right in and go from the day it is yours. New home builds have some upsides to them as well even if it isn’t ready the day you close.



You have the ability to personalize and customize your home from the start. There are plenty of upgrades, design choices, and color ideas that can really make this house your new home.

Your home with be up-to-date with all codes and safety features. This will allow for your house to pass inspections without any fixes if done right! This should set your mind at ease instead of waiting for the list of things to be fixed to come back.

Maintenance and repairs should be almost non-existent during the first couple year or so. The items they are using are brand new, and most likely energy efficient or green. This will end up saving you instead of costing you.

Builders most often times provide a warranty. Warranties are good. When you buy an established home the previous seller may opt to buy you a warranty the first year, but that is if you are lucky. Within reason there might be some things to go wrong as the house settles and gets “lived in” so builders are happy to make adjustments to make them right.

There are other benefits to new builds are we are more than happy to help you get the answers to your questions. Give us a call and let us help you decide what is right for you.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

We’d love to help you or anyone you care about find the house of your dreams!

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Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

Monday, February 10, 2014

Winter Selling Tips

Ah winter. It is just as good of a time to sell as any – you just may have to work a little harder to keep the same appeal going for those tired of marching around in the cold looking for their forever home.

Keep snow and ice out of the walkways as much as you can. How nice and inviting is it that you can walk into a home without wondering what is under that inch thick sheet of ice? It also shows that you are proud of your home and want people to come visit.

Take advantage of the natural light while you can. Show your house during the day so that it can be seen as it will look during the summer months as well. Open the curtains and let as much in as you can.


Wash your windows. Inside and out. If you want the beauty of natural light to be seen, make sure your windows will allow it to happen.

Make it comfy and cozy. People want to buy a home. Have some background noise going, light a candle or two, start a fire if there is a fireplace. Make them feel like they are actually in a home, not a staged home. A great staged home doesn’t really feel like a staged home.

Friday, February 7, 2014

What you need to know about putting a 5% down

By Sarita Harbour

Is 5 percent down too low?

 

Is 5 percent down too low?

If you've been thinking about purchasing a home with a low down payment of just 5 percent or less, you aren't alone. According to a recent report from LendingTree, the average down payment for 30-year fixed rate mortgages dropped to 15.73 percent of the home's value in 2013's third quarter - 2.74 percentage points lower than in the second quarter of this year.


While that rate may seem low already, you may be surprised to find out that there are mortgages available that require just 5 percent down or in some cases, even less.


"The 5-percent-down mortgage isn't something new to the market," says Dan Gjeldum, senior vice president of mortgage lending at Guaranteed Rate, a mortgage company.


Wondering if these low-down mortgage options are a smart choice? We asked mortgage experts from across the country what they think. Their answers may surprise you.


What are the risks of a 5 percent down payment?

Less Equity: One important factor to consider when making a small down payment is equity, which is the value of homeownership represented by the house's value minus the remaining mortgage amount. Since a low down payment means that the mortgage amount is larger, the homeowner has less equity in the house. And lower equity could spell higher risk, especially when real estate values fluctuate.


If during that time the value of a home drops, homeowners who have low equity face the risk of financial loss. The concern is that they have borrowed more money than they will get when they sell the house. As a result, the homeowners would have to come up with funds to pay the lender the shortfall between what they owe on their mortgage and what they got for their house.


Of course, homeowners can manage the risk by planning to stay in the home for a long time, avoiding the need to sell it in a depressed real estate market, says Tim Paynter, a Colorado attorney and real estate investor.


Higher Monthly Payments: Putting down 5 percent or less also means a homeowner will have a larger mortgage and therefore a higher monthly payment than someone who has put more money down. As a result, there's added pressure to make sure that the homebuyers' income is stable and substantial enough to support making those high payments each month.

Some homebuyers who want to put only 5 percent down may also be drawn to an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) because of its comparably low interest rates. The interest rate is set for a specific period of time - from one to seven years - but after that time, it then adjusts to prevailing rates within certain boundaries. When the rate increases in an ARM, the mortgage payment could also increase. As a result, borrowers with large mortgages and low down payments may struggle to meet higher mortgage payments.

What are the costs associated with putting only 5 percent down?

Higher Interest Rates: If you're considering putting down 5 percent or less, be prepared to pay higher interest rates and additional costs that aren't required for higher down payment mortgages.

"The lower the down payment, the higher the risk of default and the higher the interest rate charged to the homeowner," says Bennie Waller, professor of real estate and finance at Longwood University in Virginia.

Since a low down payment means a larger mortgage and more potential for a default on the loan, there's more risk for lenders, leading to higher interest rates for these borrowers. And the higher interest rate isn't the only expense.

Private Mortgage Insurance: "The less you put down means the loan is going to be more expensive," Gjeldum says. "When you put less than 20 percent down, you may be required to pay for the additional cost of mortgage insurance." Gjeldum explains that private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects the bank issuing the mortgage in case the homeowner defaults on the mortgage.

Typically, PMI is .5 percent to 1.5 percent of the mortgage, according to the Federal Reserve. For example, if you buy a $300,000 house and make a 5 percent down payment, you're borrowing $285,000. If the PMI rate is 1 percent, the annual insurance premium if $2,850, which is divided into 12 monthly payments of $237.50. So while PMI is based on the property price, it is not cheap, says Waller.

 

What type of loans are available with a 5 percent down payment?

There are several options available to people who want to use a low down payment.

"You can get conventional mortgages with as little as 5 percent down," says Gjeldum. "FHA [Federal Housing Authority] allows 3.5 percent, and VA loans allow you to do 0 percent down."

The Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program also offers loans with 0 percent down for potential homeowners looking to puchase a home in rural area.

Grace Keister of Irvine California's First Team Real Estate advises those interested in buying a home to consider the potential benefits of a low down payment mortgage and whether or not it could outweigh the drawbacks.

"It will take you longer to pay off than [with] a larger down payment, but it will get you into a home sooner," she says. "This means tax deductions on your mortgage payments, instead of rent money going down the drain."

Who should consider a 5 percent down payment?

Who's a good candidate for a 5 percent down mortgage? According to Paynter, we all could be.

"Everyone should take advantage of low down payments when they can find these kinds of loans," he says. "As a general rule, this applies to those who have a stable income, who get a fixed interest rate, and who don't need to sell at a particular time," says Paynter.


Keister agrees. "If you are financially responsible, there is no such thing as a down payment that is too low," she says. "So long as you budget your money and continue working hard, you are a good candidate for a low 5 percent down payment."

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Inviting everyone to our Open house this Sat. 2-4pm in Anchorage

We would like to invite everyone to our open house on Feb. 8, 2014, Saturday from 2pm to 4pm at 7221 Kiska Circle, Anchorage, AK 99504.

This will be hosted by Erica Thynes and you may reach her at 907-982-9676.


This spacious home has plenty of room for the family, entertaining inside and out, back and front decks, storage sheds and storage space allows room to keep all your toys and entertaining accoutrements.

Mountain views from the kitchen. Wood fireplace, wood stove and newly added pine to the interior provides cozy charm. Tucked into a neighborhood with easy access to nearby shopping and schools.
See you there.

Monday, February 3, 2014

A spacious home with plenty of rooms and splendid mountain views in Anchorage!Enter a post title

7221 Kiska Circle Anchorage, AK 99504

This spacious home has plenty of room for the family, entertaining inside and out,

back and front decks, storage sheds and storage space allows room to keep all your toys and entertaining accoutrements.

Mountain views from the kitchen.

Wood fireplace, wood stove and newly added pine to the interior provides cozy charm.

Tucked into a neighborhood with easy access to nearby shopping and schools.

Just Listed!

  • Price: $320,000
  • Phone#: 907-694-1234 or 907-694-1234
  • Property Type: Single Family
  • Style: Split Entry
  • Bedrooms: 6; Total Baths: 2; Garage: 2, Attached, Tandem
  • Year Built: 1971; Sq. Feet: 2,425;
  • Heat: Baseboard; Lot Size: 0.17 acre
  • Features-Additional: View; Fenced Yard; Fire Service Area; Garage Door Opener; Road Service Area; In City Limits; DSL/Cable Available; Paved Driveway; Shed

We also have vacant lots available.

Brought to you by:

Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com