Invitation to our open house in Chugiak this Sunday, March 6th. See you there!

Another cozy and newly constructed home in Chugiak | First Time Home Buyer!

Price: $498,000
Phone#: 907-694-1234 or 907-229-2352

18084 Werre Street Chugiak, AK 99567

Home is almost done and there is still room for sweat equity with the partially unfinished basement. The main floor of the home has 3 room, 2 bath and large great room. Downstairs unfinished area has a large media room and is plumed for a 3rd bathroom. There is a ton of storage in this home. Property has bamboo flooring, granite counter tops covered deck. The large master bedroom has HUGE and private bathroom. Master bath features 2 sinks, jetted tub and enclosed shower! The home qualifies for the energy rebate program at Alaska Housing and buyer can apply for the refund credit of a 5*+ energy rated home after closing. Approximately. 1,589 of the basement is unfinished at the listing price. The laundry and utility room will be finished off in the basement. This allows the buyer to build equity. Contact a Realtor for pricing on finishing off the basement. Floor plans are under documents.

Just Listed!

Property Type: Single Family Residential

Style: Ranch

Bedrooms: 3; Total Baths: 2; Garage: 2, attached

Year Built: 2015; Sq. Feet: 2,232; Lot size: 1.25 acres

Heat: Forced Air

Features: View; Deck/Patio; Fire Service Area; Garage Door Opener; Road Service Area; Home Warranty; In City Limits; DSL/Cable Available;Cable TV; Air Exchanger; Basement; Den &/Or Office; Dishwasher; Disposal; Family Room; Fireplace; Microwave (B/I); Range/Oven; Washr&/Or Dryer Hkup; Workshop; Wired Data; BR/BA on Main Level; CO Detector(s); Jetted Tub; Carpet; Ceiling Fan(s); Hardwood Flooring.

Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

First Time Home Buyer | Newly Built Ranch style home in Chugiak!

Price: $485,000
Phone#: 907-694-1234 or 907-229-2352

19141 Spruce Crest Drive Chugiak, AK 99567

Ranch style home with basement workshop/flex room area AKA Man Cave. Home offers covered front porch, rear deck with views, office/bedroom, large mud room w/pantry. The master suite features a large walk in closet private bathroom with steam shower, duel sinks and jetted tub. Home has quick access to the highway and is great commuting location. This is a 5* + home, AK housing rebate is available. Floor plans are on documents.

Just Listed!


Property Type: Single Family Residential
Style: Ranch-Traditional/Raised
Bedrooms: 3; Total Baths: 3; Garage: 3, attached
Year Built: 2015; Sq. Feet: 2,686; Lot size: 1.25 acres
Heat: Forced Air

Features:  Deck/Patio; Private Yard; Fire Service Area; Garage Door Opener; Road Service Area; Home Warranty; DSL/Cable Available; Cable TV; Basement; Den &/Or Office; Dishwasher; Disposal; Family Room; Fireplace; Microwave (B/I); Range/Oven; Washr&/Or Dryer Hkup; Wired Data; BR/BA on Main Level; CO Detector(s); Jetted Tub; Arctic Entry; Carpet; Ceiling Fan(s); Vaulted Ceiling; Hardwood Flooring; Smoke Detector(s).

We also have vacant lots available.

Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

Different Loan Programs

Shopping for a mortgage to buy your first home can be the best way to get a great deal! Be sure to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, negotiating, and comparing may save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

These are some of the most common loan types you’ll come across as you search for a mortgage that meets your needs.

Fixed-Rate and Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
These are two of the most popular loan types when buying a home or refinancing your mortgage. Both options are available for conventional conforming loan amounts, jumbo loan amounts, and FHA or VA programs.

FHA and VA Mortgages
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are popular homebuyer choices. These loans must meet certain requirements.

Jumbo Loan Option
If you have a higher property value and are able to manage a larger monthly mortgage payment, consider a jumbo, or non-conforming loan. A jumbo loan provides financing for loan amounts higher than the maximum conforming limits, set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A “blended jumbo” combines a mortgage and home equity line of credit, and may provide greater payment flexibility.

First Timer?

Are you thinking about buying your first home? If this is your first time looking into the Alaskan real-estate market, it can be a bit overwhelming. Knowing where to start and what needs more attention than other things - can be hard!

Alaska is a beautiful state and has many styles and sizes of homes available.  Knowing what you want is a great way to start. Keep these few tips in mind when hitting the market regardless of where you start:

• Start saving ASAP for your down payment.

• Get pre-qualified, that way you know what you can afford.

• Drive around different neighborhoods where you can see yourself living.

• Make a list of the top 3 things that are a must for your new home.

• How will you use your future home… to entertain? For your children or future children? Do you have pets?

• Know if you want a fixer-upper or something move in ready.

• Be open minded. You may not get your first choice, but your second one may be a perfect fit!

Here at Les Bailey and Associates, our team can guide you through the home buying process every step of the way. Just give us a call to start the process of understanding!

Landscape Projects on the Brain?

Got some landscape projects on the brain lately? YouTube has some great videos to keep you from starting something that you should hire a professional for, or give you the nudge to do something that is easy!

Here are ac couple good ones for you to take a look at or prompt you to look for something else!

Video to Sell Your Home

If you have been checking out our website you can see that we are using video for some of our clients. This is another medium that is gaining popularity as people like to do as much homework as they can before they step into a realtor's office or into the actual home.

According to trulia.com “90% of home buyers and sellers start the process online.”  When it comes to standing out - why not try what the newest craze is and that is video.  When it comes to the making of the actual video know that most of us are not professional video personnel, but we can do our best. The actual house itself is still going to be what seals the deal.

Regardless of video, pictures, or walk through, the same basic principles will apply. You will want to clean the house and make it as open as possible. Stage the house to what will show off the features that are highly sought after. You want to still keep it as neutral as possible and not overloaded with personal features.

Why not try something new if you have a house that needs to be sold.  Meeting people where they are is always a benefit to you selling your house and getting it seen. Check one out below:

Down Payment Funds

When it comes to saving for a down payment it seems like a daunting task if you have not been saving since your first paycheck. Don’t get discouraged – there are still changes you can make, it just takes some dedication and discipline depending on your time frame!

If you are by yourself, or a young couple with no kids – why not downsize now? Move from that two or three bedroom apartment to a one bedroom apartment? Save the difference monthly in an interest baring account. This will also cut down on your monthly expenses to add to the savings.

Get a second job. No one likes to hear that, but why not choose a job related to one of your hobbies? That way the extra time you are spending away from the house is enjoyable and not miserable, otherwise it isn’t worth it. Don’t sacrifice your sanity for this.

Sell those items you no longer need. You bought a treadmill that is holding clothes that need to be ironed. You have golf clubs that have not seen a golf ball since you had the idea to start! These are all things that may not seem like a lot, but as you get rid of them and add them to that savings account – they can make a difference!

Other simple tricks – eat at home, bring your lunch, carpool, or go to the library. Everything you do adds up and can lead you to the house of your dreams!

New Construction Trends

As the world changes and trends evolve – new construction sees a change in items that appear on floor plans, and disappear in floor plans. Here are some of those that have started to appear more and more.

Large is in. Garages, closets, kitchen, and pantries. People want large garages to give their toys more room, or provide more space for those who want to work indoors but not in the house. Closets are becoming large for the all in one feel. Organizational built-ins create a need for less furniture and less clutter. Kitchens and pantries go hand-in-hand and they have to be readily available to feed the masses.

Media and resource centers (home office space). These items are starting to trend do to the age of telecommuting, entrepreneurs, and “stay-cations.” People want to do as much as possible from home to cut costs, and enjoy the place they live in, with enough separation from the look of a created space in the home. Making it part of the plan from the beginning allows these types of spaces to work.

Along with media and resource centers, people like the hidden electronics. More simply put, people don’t want to see wires. Elaborate electrical plans are coming into play to make sure the living space does not get tangled with wires, but filled with connectivity.

With different trends on the rise – what would you put as a must have in a new building if that is the route you will be taking?

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.