homes and real estate spring 2014

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Spring 2014 © CAN STOCK PHOTO INC. / SERGEYNIVENS Inside ... Homes & Real Estate Seller’s closing costs......... 2 Building within the laws ..... 2 Selecting Arctic windows .... 3 Get ready to sell ............ 4 Choose a professional to help you ................. 5 Gardens and houseplants . . . 6 Common turn-offs .......... 7 Landscaping ................ 8 Preparing for your open house ................. 9 Buying your first home ..... 10 Inspect your home ......... 11 Dealing with neighbors .... 13 Realtor bios ............... 17 THE VOICE OF INTERIOR ALASKA SINCE 1903 ABC Inc. Advantage Alaska Realty Alaska Commercial Properties Alaska Gem Homes Alaska Raw Fur Company Alaskan Refinishing & Upholstery Arctic Technical Services Calhoon Real Estate Century 21 Gold Rush Crowley Fuel Crown Real Estate AK, Inc Dallas Realty Denali State Bank Fairbanks First Realty Fairbanks North Star Borough Fortune Properties Great Alaskan Bowl Company Hawk’s Farm & Garden Hoffer Glass Interior Alaska Building Assn. MAC Federal Credit Union Metro Brokers Minder Realty Mt. McKinley Bank Nessbuilt Remodelers Re/Max - Ray Brasier Re/Max - Ryan Danhauser Ringstad Carpet & Restoration Riverview Realty Somers & Associates Sourdough Express State Farm Stepovich Realty Yukon Title Company Look inside and find ...

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Spring 2014

© C

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Inside ...

Homes &Real Estate

Seller’s closing costs. . . . . . . . . 2

Building within the laws . . . . . 2

Selecting Arctic windows . . . . 3

Get ready to sell . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Choose a professional to help you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Gardens and houseplants . . . 6

Common turn-offs . . . . . . . . . . 7

Landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Preparing for your open house. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Buying your first home . . . . . 10

Inspect your home . . . . . . . . . 11

Dealing with neighbors . . . . 13

Realtor bios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

THE VOICE OF INTERIOR ALASKA SINCE 1903

ABC Inc.Advantage Alaska RealtyAlaska Commercial PropertiesAlaska Gem HomesAlaska Raw Fur CompanyAlaskan Refinishing & UpholsteryArctic Technical Services

Calhoon Real EstateCentury 21 Gold RushCrowley FuelCrown Real Estate AK, Inc Dallas RealtyDenali State BankFairbanks First RealtyFairbanks North Star BoroughFortune Properties

Great Alaskan Bowl CompanyHawk’s Farm & GardenHoffer GlassInterior Alaska Building Assn.MAC Federal Credit UnionMetro BrokersMinder RealtyMt. McKinley BankNessbuilt Remodelers

Re/Max - Ray BrasierRe/Max - Ryan DanhauserRingstad Carpet & RestorationRiverview RealtySomers & AssociatesSourdough ExpressState FarmStepovich RealtyYukon Title Company

Look inside and find ...

53501893-3-28-14H&R

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P R O P E R T I E S [email protected]

215 Dunbar • $199,900 3 Bedroom, 2 bath, family room, 1956 sq. ft.

living area. Excellent Neighborhood. . Janet Shafer

388-1400

2 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Doug Welton

Closing costs are important and an unavoidable part of a transaction. Few sell-

ers give much thought to closing costs. Closing costs refer to all of the taxes, fees and costs required to close a real estate transaction. Ask your Realtor for the traditional breakdown of what you are expect-ed to pay in closing costs and what portion the buyer pays when you list your home. This information will be handy when you are consid-

your net proceeds. Generally the buyer and seller split closing costs, or are negotiated. Then there are lender’s and owner’s title insur-ance premiums, transfer taxes, mortgage taxes, and documentary taxes. If the transaction is in a hot Market the seller may require the buyer to pay a greater portion than usual. In a down market, the buyer usually negotiates to have the sell-er pay a bigger portion or some-times all of their closing costs. It’s also not uncommon to even have

closing costs, taxes and fees added into the price so they don’t have to come up with cash to pay.

of typical closing costs faced by sellers:

• Escrow/attorney fees: Some states require third-party escrow companies handle real estate clos-ings, while others dictate attorneys perform the function. Title compa-nies, title agents, lenders, brokers, and even real estate agents are

allowed to handle closing and/or escrows depending on the state. the fees are usually split between the buyer & seller.

• Title Insurance: There are usually two types of title insurance that must be purchased, the “lend-ers’’ policy and the “owners” poli-cy. Usually either a title company or in some states a lawyer will re-search the title to make sure there are no liens against the property or

protect the lender and new owner for the full value of the property. Usually, the seller pays for the owner’s policy and the buyer pays for the lender’s policy. This is often referred to as clearing title.

• Transfer or documentary taxes: These are paid either to the state, county, city or a combination depending on the state. This is where the government agency gets their share of the transaction. This is also known as a reconveyance tax.

• Recording fee: The fee for recording the deed, which shows ownership of the property.

• Settlement or closing fee: This is usually split between the seller and buyer and covers the costs charged by the escrow company, lawyer or whoever handles the

• Brokerage commission: The fee you contractually agreed to pay for the selling of your home.

• Septic inspection: If you have a septic tank, it will likely be required by sales contract to have

Seller’s closing costs

CLOSING » 13

By Chelle CorderoCREATORS.COM

Make sure you know what you are permitted to do before you build or reno-

vate your home. Checking with your local municipality is one of the most important steps you can take before you pick that hammer up. Local laws regulate the use of your property, the size and height of the structure you can build, how close you can build to the edge of your property and even the aesthetic touches you add. There

may be restrictions on home-based businesses depending on product,

business may bring into your neigh-borhood.

Learn when you need permits to renovate an existing structure, such as a detached garage or the building you live in. Smaller one-story build-ings like sheds often do not need building permits, but may need to be placed within certain boundaries on your property. You might be able

Building within the lawsWhat you need to know before you pick up a hammer

LAWS » 14

Check your local building and zoning regulations to make sure your construction progresses smoothly. CREATORS.COM PHOTO COURTESY OF

BY-LINES

View Local Realtor Bios on pages 18 & 19

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 3Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Great Land Window

In Alaska, we ask a lot of our windows. They must seal tightly yet be operable every day of the year. They must let in light, retain heat,

and provide egress - all without becoming fogged or frosted. Failing at any of these leaves us re-gretting our selection for years to come. Modern windows are steeped in advanced technology but common-sense is more than enough to make an appropriate selection. Choosing the proper Frame, Style, and Insulted Glass are the keys to a warm and durable window.

1. Frame/Sash Material: Selecting the

-tablish the strength, performance, and longevity of the window. The most common choices are Vinyl plastic, Wood, and Pultruded Fiberglass. Vinyl is the least expensive but has the lowest strength and is subject to the greatest thermal distortion (due

Wood frames have an aesthetic appeal but tend to shrink and swell with humidity and are susceptible to rot, mold, and mildew. Pultruded Fiberglass is more expensive, but due to its high content of

internally insulated. It is also impervious to mois-ture and rot. Ideal for Alaska: Insulated Pultruded

Fiberglass Frame/Sash2. Window Styles: Each opening style exists

for a reason and not all make good arctic windows. The common styles are Slider, Casement/Awning

seal to enable them to slide back and forth. Crank windows open outward and have the slimmest frames but only a moderately tighter seal. These have locks along one side and a crank mechanism for closure. They are susceptible to failure because of the force required to turn the crank or operate the closure mechanism. Turn/Tilts have the stron-gest frames and the tightest seal but are slightly more expensive than other windows. They have a single handle that engages numerous locking mechanisms distributed along the four sides of the window. Turn/Tilt windows tilt for ventila-tion, turn inwards for cleaning, and have the most dependable escape capability. Ideal for Alaska: Turn/Tilt Window

3. Insulated Glass Unit (IGU): The IGU

cost and is responsible for the comfort of the space near the window. The parts that make up the IGU

Spacer, and inert Gas Filling. LowE coatings are metallic particles applied to the glass panes. These coatings are what allow the glass to trap or repel radiant heat from the sun. A South-facing window and North-facing window should be made with

a minimal cost, but a major impact, so appropriate selection is critical for the comfort of the room. Most windows are shipped up from the Lower 48 and are made with LowE coatings that are ideal

ours. The Spacer separates the glass panes and contains the Gas Fill. Windows begins to fog when the seal between the spacer and glass fails, allow-

in. The common Spacer materials are Aluminum,

lowest cost but conducts the most heat and has the highest failure rate. Foam conducts less heat but also has a high failure rate due to its porous nature and susceptibility to thermal distortion. SS spacers are no more expensive than foam but much stron-ger. This allows them to be made very thin so they conduct only minimal heat. They have the lowest failure rate because they have the greatest strength and the lowest thermal distortion so the sealant between the Spacer and the Glass is less likely to

gas which acts as the insulation between the panes. The ideal amount of argon is about ½” between each glass pane. Ideal for Alaska: Triple-pane / Double LowE / SS Spacer / Argon Gas Fill

A common-sense approach to selecting an Arctic window

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4 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Rich HarterSTARS & STRIPES REALTY

The home selling process can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This article

describes the

your home ready to sell. The more preparation you do beforehand, the better price you’ll get for your home. Take a critical look at your house

When selling a home, you need to look at it from the perspective of a potential buyer. Are there obvious

-lems that you have grown accustomed to will leap out at potential buyers. Fix everything prior to listing. If

you’re worried about possible repairs for larger problems such as an old roof or a broken heating and cool-ing system, it can pay to get a home inspection so you know what needs work. Taking care of those larger

issues yourself before putting your home on the market can mean

less negotiating later.

What about the appearance of

the décor need an

painting or mak-ing minor changes to update problem areas. Rearrang-ing the furniture or buying new furniture or slip-covers can quickly

change a room. Even if you don’t need updating, a fresh coat of paint helps both the inside and outside of your

house look better and cleaner. Just be sure to choose neutral colors that will appeal to many buyers, Remember. Just because you like or love a feature about your home does not mean that a potential buyer will have the same feeling , its about what potential buy-ers are wanting and a fresh look and feel is a great start. Curb appeal

Starting at the curb, is your home

and lawn. Trim your hedges, edge your loan, pull weeds, pressure wash the driveway and front walk. Plant

the front door. Keep your front porch swept and clear of any outside clutter. Replace a worn-out welcome mat. Paint the front door. If you have a storm door, clean the glass. Check to make sure all outdoor lights are work-ing, especially the porch and walkway light.

In your backyard, put all your tools and work equipment out of site. If you have power tools or lawn equipment you don’t use frequently, put it in storage or at a friend’s house.

Make sure any swing sets and out-door furniture are clean and in good repair. That goes for the deck as well – repair any rotted wood, especially on steps. Clean and de-clutter the inside

that you should do when selling a home is to clean and de- clut-ter inside. Home selling requires a thorough spring cleaning – the

carpets, everywhere. You want your home to shine. You may even consid-er hiring a cleaning service to do this if you are short on time. And remem-ber, once your home is clean, keep it that way. When your home is on the market, make sure you vacuum, mop and clean your kitchen and bath-rooms every few days.

You also want your home to be free of clutter when selling it. Go through each room and pinpoint the piles of clutter that have built up, and be ruthless. In your living areas, get organized by storing what needs to be stored and throwing away the rest.

Proper preparation gets your home ready to sell

READY » 12

Your Hometown Realtor

Grace Minder BROKER

GRACE MINDER REALTY, INC. Cell: (907) 378-8934 [email protected] t

57501905-3-28-14H&

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For Results, Call Grace . . . 479-8000 or 378-8934

www.graceminder.com

COMING SOON!

Custom built by an architectural engineer. When you walk into this home you say WOW! Great for entertaining, open kitchen, dining and living room captions the serene view. Top of the line Butlers pantry with stainless counter tops & utility sink. This 4 bedroom , 3 bath, plus custom office and tv room has many built-ins, tile and hardwood floors throughout the upstairs, quartz counter tops in the kitchen, custom lighting, resolute wood stove, double wall construction, concrete sidewalks and patio, wonderful landscaping, green house, huge parking area on top.

This architectural beveled cedar sided custom home is One of a Kind! Open Floor Design with wonderful kitchen, dining & living room layout and screened in patio to capture the Fantastic panoramic southern view of the Tanana Valley and the Alaska Range. Cedar vaulted ceilings in living room and master suite. huge kitchen, heatilator rock fireplace and lots of built-ins in living area, family room has a vermont casting wood stove that heats the house. Spacious 4 bedrooms + office 3 baths 2 car garage plus 2 car detached shop. Downstairs has a walk out basement which could be used as a mother-in-law apt. This 3800 sq. ft home is 5 Star Energy Rate and has AMAZING low utilties.

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401 Driveway Street • Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 5Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Ginger Orem

In my 20 years of selling real estate I’ve had the honor of assisting a number of

clients with pur-chasing multi-mil-lion dollars’ worth of real estate. Each transaction is unique to itself with various areas of research and ne-gotiation. Research is crucial to make sure purchasers are

property for years to come. Negotiations are necessary to assure that they get the best price.

to a successful transaction is to choose the right real estate professional. You want someone who will be your represen-tative and advocate. There are many

great Realtors in the Fairbanks area to choose from. An excellent way to locate the right one for you is to ask your friends, family and co-workers

for personal recom-mendations of Real-tors they’ve worked with and had a good experience with. Then make appointments with a few of those recommended Real-tors to decide who you feel the most com-fortable with. Keep in mind that the best Realtors are going to be the busiest so be prepared to wait a few days to a week for that appointment. It will be worth the wait in the long run.

Unless you are purchasing a home with cash you will also need to choose a mortgage lender. You can choose an online out

important reason to choose a local lender is that they may be able to

lenders such as the Alaska Housing First time Homebuyer program. The right lender will guide you to the best mortgage product depending on your circumstances as well as the best interest rate. With the currently record low interest rates most lend-ers will be competitive on rates but you will also want to choose a lender that can close your transaction in a

situation the lender chosen by the Buyer can be a persuading factor as

A lender with a good reputation puts a Sellers mind at ease if they are

-cation or ability to close in a timely manner. Your Realtor will be happy

mortgage lender for you.There are many decisions need-

ed to assure a successful real estate transaction. The right Realtor and

the right Mortgage lender are a good start but then the real work begins. You need to decide what type of home, what area you desire, what school district, how far from work do you want to live, what are the costs of utilities for a property, are there concerns of pollution or water contamination, is there a concern of arsenic, nitrates or radon, is there permafrost or construction concerns and the list goes on. Make sure when you’re ready to purchase real estate that you surround yourself with

best advice so that hopefully you will make the right decisions when it comes to your real estate invest-ment.

Ginger Orem CRS, ABR Crown Real Estate AK. Inc.

-

Representative. She is the Broker/Owner of Crown Real Estate AK.

since 1994.

The best decisions are made with the right advice!

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6 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Angie HawksGROWER & MANAGER OF HAWKS

GREENHOUSE

If you’ve lived in the interior for any time you’ve noticed that the long, dark days of winter take

their toll on our bodies, relation-ships, diets and work environment. Let’s face it, this winter was mild but normally it’s no picnic. With cold temperatures and the lack of light, we feel stressed and can have such low energy levels sometimes we want to hibernate like the bears. But plants can help make our lives so much better.

Studies have shown that plants clean and refresh the air indoors, increase productivity at work, add color to an otherwise white winter, and evoke a sense of calm in our

increase property values, help sell homes, reduce noise and dust, in-

garden fresh produce and add to our overall well-being.

The other thing you’ve noticed

about life in Interior Alaska is that once the snow starts to melt, we put

of our soon to be well lit days. So simplicity is key to adding plants to our life. Here are some ways we’ve found to apply the “KISS” method to plants in your life:Garden:

1. Plant what you’ll eat. Sounds simple but when you’re buying seeds & plants it’s easy to want to be adventurous and grow veggies you think “little Johnny” will eat. He won’t. Devoting space to some-thing that may get eaten is space that could be used for something that will get eaten.

2. Container gardens really work! Grow much in small spaces. Less weeding. Use Earth boxes, 5 gal. buckets, tires, wash tubs, even Bun-ny Boots. Add drainage holes, good soil and time released fertilizer and your all set.

3. Water is important. Make sure it’s near by and easily accessible. Sprinklers in a timer are great for

root crops. Just check the system once in a while. If you have rusty water, check weekly. Flooding or soaker hose in the rows or raised beds works for most crops. Just turn the hose on and go grill some salmon on the BBQ…just remember to come

4. Twenty-four hour days make plants “hungry”. Nutrient dense soil and fertilizer added regularly is key to a bountiful harvest.

5. Get help from friends. Share

second thought they better be really good friends. Indoor Plants:

1. Check the soil for moisture using the best moisture meter on the

you water when the soil is dry, not every Friday. Water thoroughly, allow soil to drain and remove any excess water in saucers. This helps prevent root rot and pest problems.

2. Repot in the spring or fall in two to four inch larger pots. For instance a 4” potted plant into a 6-8” pot.

3. In winter, feed once a month. In summer, feed twice a month.Trees & Shrubs:

1. Grow the varieties that work in our area.

Buying and planting trees just because they have a year guarantee not only wastes your time but also

could have grown.

leaves in the spring, trim them. Li-lacs are the exception. They need to be trimmed just after bloom so they

3. Water about one gal. per foot of height for new planted trees & shrubs once weekly. Established

weather conditions occur.If you would like more informa-

tion on adding plants to your life stop by one of our areas local nurs-eries and glean from the years of gardening experience that we have to

Live life to the fullest with plants

456-SOLD (7653) www.somersandassociates.net

711 Gaffney Road, Suite #100 Fairbanks, AK 9970 1

16502825-3-28-14H&

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Somers & Associates REALTORS, Where Community is # 1!

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 7Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Opal WeltonABSOLUTELY ALASKAN REAL ESTATE SERVICES

ften times, people may inadvertently make mistakes that can cost them when it comes to securing their dream home or their

home that just won’t sell. The potential exists for buyers to

-erative seller can go a long way towards possibly getting a price reduction, negotiating closing costs, repairs or chattel, etc. As you are on your quest for buying a home, consider these common mistakes.

Sellers who hang out: As soon as a buyer sees the seller in the house, it in-stantly becomes much more difficult for them to envision themselves living there, it is uncomfortable opening up clos-et doors, etc., and difficult to express their thoughts about how this house might be exactly what they’re looking for. If you cannot leave the home, give buyer’s their space and a chance to walk around and consider what they like and/or dislike about your home, without having you

lurk and, let’s be real, eavesdrop nearby. Messy house: Life gets hectic, and it’s dif-

ficult to keep up with things like laundry, dishes and other cleaning tasks. When you decide to sell your home, it’s important that you keep your home in tip-top shape. Remember, your home is competing with dozens of others, so

first impressions really do count!

Over priced home: The average buyer won’t even bother looking at a property if the asking price is clearly high and off base compared with other similar, nearby homes for sale; they’d rather sit tight and wait . The only opinion when it comes to price is the mar-ket’s opinion. You need to price to sell from the

beginning. Determine a price that is supported by the data on how much nearby similar homes have recently sold for. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and anguish and get more real interest from serious, qualified buyers.

Extreme lowball offers: No seller can afford to give away their home at a price far

-

fers far below the recent sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood is highly likely to turn them off. And that, in turn, will cause the seller to view the buyer and the offer as disre-spectful and a waste of their time. Not only will they turn down the offer, but they may not even bother with a counteroffer, making any further efforts at securing that home difficult.

Bashing the home: Buyers who start bad-mouthing the place and/or the neighbor-hood in hopes of getting a lower asking price by saying something like: ‘the house down the street just sold for much lower than the asking price of this house’, or expressing the need to rip out the entire kitchen before you’d even consider moving in to a seller who happens to be at home during the showing are at risk for turning the seller off right away. Bad-mouthing to the seller won’t work to get you a lower price. Discuss your concerns after the showing.

~Best wishes and happy house hunting!

No seller can afford to give away their home at a price far below what it’s worth on today’s market. Offers far below the recent sales pric-es of similar homes in the neighborhood is highly like-ly to turn them off.

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Spring

Special

Hoffer’s Nordic Brand includes vinyl and fiberglass windows that meet the requirements for commercial and residential application. These windows are Alaska Tough, ArcticTested and made in Fairbanks.

We also offer the Ply Gem brand, manufacturer of quality vinyl windows that meet the requirements for a 5 star energy rating in Alaska. We wish to offer quality, service and choices for homeowners and contractors.

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8 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Lori Peterson

Planting a LawnSite Preparation:1. Remove debris from area to be planted.2. Rough grade lawn site. Improve drain-age if necessary.3. Add soil amend-ments such as peat moss, compost, topsoil if needed.4. Rototill to a depth of 4–6”. Till in 2 directions.5. Rake out rocks and debris.6. Drag a weighted platform over the

smooth.

Seeding:

2. Rake area lightly with a garden rake to create a shallow pattern of furrows.3. Apply grass seed at the recommend-ed rate.4. Roll with a full roller or rake lightly with a grass rake. You will need to roll the soil if your foot sinks while standing on it.5. Keep seed bed moist with frequent light watering, taking care not to

disturb the seed. After germination is complete, watering should be more saturating but less frequent. This will

encourage deeper rooting.6. When grass reaches 2–3” tall, be-gin mowing with a sharp mower.7. Fertilize again 4–6 weeks after seeding.Planting TreesSoil Preparation:1. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball.2. Amend the soil that is removed by mixing in organic matter such as peat moss or processed steer manure, up to 1/3 of soil volume.3. A transplant fertilizer, superphos-phate, or bone meal should also be added to stimulate root growth.4. Thoroughly water plants several hours before transplanting.5. Plant during mild temperatures.6. Plants balled in burlap should be planted with the burlap left around the root ball for support. Fiber pots

also should be planted directly in the ground after cutting away the pot rim and making a few cuts up the side.5. Cut the twine around the top of the burlap root ball.6. Support it with stakes, padding the ties to protect the bark. Remove after 2 years.Annual FlowersSoil Preparation:1. The soil needs rich humus material. The fertilizer can be granular, water soluble, or timed released. There needs to be good drainage and proper pH.2. Some plants prefer a sunny or shady location. It is best to look at the plant tag to determine what type of light the plant requires.SHADE LOVERS:Begonia, Lobelia, Fuchsia, Hypoestes,

Landscaping your new home can be easy if you just follow these easy tips

LANDSCAPING » 12

BUYERS: Search current MLS listings on

www.buyers-brokerage.com

CHRIS CALHOON REAL ESTATE

The Buyer’s Brokerage

Specializing in Buyer Assistance Commissions Paid by the Seller 456-3401 Bus. 457-1167 hm [email protected]

460-7905 Cell 456-1352 Fax www.buyers-brokerage.com

BUYERS! We are Fairbanks’ most experienced real estate office dedicated to helping buyers. We will fill out your pre-qualification financing forms, get you the right financing, find your dream home, negotiate the best deal & hand you the keys to your new home after closing. We’ll even be there to manage your property if you decide to leave or travel. Best of all, we serve as your buyer’s agent for free — all sales commissions are generally paid by the seller.

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Fairbanks’ Most Experienced Brokerage

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 9Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Phil Ringstad

A to selling your house

or condo. Pro-spective buyers want to see your home in “show-place” condition. Most buyers select their home based on emotion and then justify the decision with facts, so it’s im-portant to make the house look great. Remember, you have just a few seconds to create a winning

to prepare your house for sale without spending a lot of money, and boost-ing your bottom line and to sell your home quickly;

out fresh towels. Close the lid on the toilets and make sure the bathroom mirrors sparkle.

• Make sure the air is fresh. That doesn’t mean using stinky air fresheners or candles, because some people are allergic to them and it often leaves people thinking that you are trying to cover up the bad odors. It also includes taking out the household trash, cleaning the cat box, washing the dog bed, making sure your animal food is stored in Tupperware, and airing out the beds that people sleep in before making them. You might be used

to the smell of your home, especially if you have pets or if you are a smoker, so if you’re in doubt, ask a good friend to

• If you have pets hire a professional to clean and deodorize your carpets.

You may not notice the pet odor but unless you are an immaculate house cleaner others often will, and this can

especially those with allergies to ani-mals. Check the method of cleaning the carpet cleaning company uses. To get the best deep down cleaning look for a company that uses Van Mounted Hot Water Extraction. This is the method that is recommended by carpet manu-facturers and will give the best results for both odor and overall appearances.

• If your carpets are dingy or tired looking, carpet cleaning again will revive the appearance and let buyers envision their children crawling and

-nies also have tools to attach to their cleaning equipment for hard to clean

can’t get it clean try the professionals to get it looking its best.

-sional that you can bring your blinds to that clean them using an Ultra-Sonic Cleaning Machine. It is fast and will

clean better than possible by other methods and less expensive than purchasing new ones, and remember to look past the blinds and have clean windows to let all the natural light shine in that you can.

home room by room and pack up at

clutter free as possible. Pack the items

clothing, family photos, paperwork and store them outside of the home. You want your prospective buyer to feel like there would be room in the house for

garage sale and make a few bucks while at the same time making your home appear more spacious to a buyer.

-taining this lifestyle, if possible hire a weekly cleaning service during the time you are showing the property so that when you receive those moments notice calls to show your home it is

What to do before your open house

OPEN HOUSE » 12

10 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Simone SlykhousCREATORS.COM

It probably will be the most expensive investment you ever make, but it does not always

have to be the most stressful. Buy-

journey, and with a few tips, it can be less of a hassle.

what you value most about your new home. Square footage, stor-age space and big backyards are all important concerns about the house itself, but they don’t address a lot of lifestyle needs. Do you want to be within walking distance of

a lot of kids around for your chil-

to be miles away from your nearest

before you start going out in the

-stands your needs. According to Tara-Nicholle Nelson of the real estate search website Trulia, “working with a great agent is

like a hybrid experience of working with an expert salesperson who intimately knows their inventory and the ins and outs of how to make a deal and working with an expert adviser, like a CPA or an attorney,

advice, insight and expertise at complex topics that you know little or nothing about.”

Agents are a great way to make your homebuying process easier. And with online tools such as Zillow and Trulia, it is easier than ever

of agents for each listing, and the website Zillow has the latest sale prices of the places at which you are looking. However, be mindful that many consumer-based web-

agents have access to a universal real-time real estate software called a multiple listings service, which allows real estate professionals to share the most recent and compre-hensive data on listings. With the knowledge and services that come with a real estate agent, an agent

Tips for buying HOUSE HUNTERS

HOUSE HUNTERS » 15

First-time homebuyers should decide what they want out of their home, such as a location in a historical district like the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, where this house is.CREATORS.COM PHOTO COURTESY OF BY-LINES

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 11Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

By Susan RaineyRIVERVIEW REALTY

To safeguard one of life’s larg-est investments, most Buyers pursue inspections and testing

in addition to a careful review of a Seller’s disclosure information.

An important paragraph in our local Board of Realtors Earnest Money Receipt and Purchase Agreement is the” Right and Duty to Inspect” clause. This clause pro-vides a 15 day right of inspection to the Buyer and outlines the options for action based on the results of the inspections.

Every region of our country has -

cern to homeowners and various

ways to deal with them. Following we will discuss some of the inspections and tests common to our area. Many of the homes built in the Fairbanks North Star Borough were built without inspections during construction or

remodeling and might contain defects. Addi-tionally, building code changes over time and a home that met code at the time of construction might not be in compli-ance with current code.

It is common for a Buyer to have a Home Inspection performed during the 15 day right of inspection. The Inspectors typically in-spect from roof to foun-dation and are looking for situations that prevent the home from

meeting a standard of “safe, sound and sanitary”. Inspectors’ credentials range from; fully licensed Civil Engi-

in. The inspection reports are typically arranged in sections headed “Recom-mended For Immediate Repair” and “For Future Consideration”. Home Inspectors are limited to what is vis-ible and cannot be expected to detect

and other enclosed spaces. A Home -

tional testing based on visual or other cues noted during their inspection. A home inspection typically costs from $500-700.

Radon is a naturally occurring in-visible, tasteless and odorless radioac-tive gas considered harmful in certain concentrations. The only way to know if radon is present in a home is to test for it. Radon testing can be conducted with instrumentation placed by a pro-fessional in the home for a three day or longer period. A read-out provides an average measurement and running data. A written report is provided and the cost averages approximately $250. The ADEC has established thresh-old limits considered unsafe. More information is available online: http://www.uaf.edu/ces/energy/radon and

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hm-byguid.html

with respiratory problems are par-ticularly wary of homes that contain mold. Mold might be directly visible or might exist but be undetected. Even absent visual evidence of mold you might consider arranging for mold testing. More information is available online: http://makinghouseswork.cchrc.org/2014/how-to-prevent-mold-growth-in-your-home

Many homes in our area are served by wells. Water quality and quantity vary widely. Tests that can be conduct-

hardness, nitrates, arsenic, heavy metals etc. Information on water concerns and tests is available online: https://www.uaf.edu/ces/nrcd/water and http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/index.htm

Homes on city utilities are not exempt from possible water quality

pipes with soldered joints containing

The buyer’s right and duty to inspect a property

BUYER’S DUTY » 16

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12 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

If your rooms are furniture-heavy, store what you don’t need or take it to a friend’s house. Go through your bedrooms and put away personal items. Get a head start on packing by thinning out your closets with out-of-season clothing. Pare down your outwear, especially if you have a coat rack near an entrance. Pack away ex-tra coats, shoes, umbrellas and other outdoor gear you won’t need while you’re selling. Problem areas

-ers and organize your cabinets (they

items you can do without – the piles

of storage containers, party serving dishes, and specialty pots and tools you rarely use. The extra room will make your kitchen feel more spa-cious.

In the bathroom, move toothpaste, makeup and other items from the counter to a drawer or cabinet (neatly though, don’t just toss everything

soap on a sparkling clean soap dish (if

away medicine for ailments people don’t care to think about – laxatives, athlete’s foot, etc. Don’t leave your toilet bowl brush or plunger next to the toilet – a better place for those items is your utility closet.

Scrub your tub or shower stall un-til it looks new, and clean it every day

to keep soap scum and mildew away

liner. Limit yourself to one shampoo bottle and one bar of soap or one bottle of shower gel. Use a wash cloth

and replace it after one use. Inspect your towels – only display clean, hole-free towels. If the edges on all your towels are frayed, pick up new, inexpensive ones to display. Utility areas

Mudrooms, basements and laun-dry rooms can be the toughest areas to deal with when selling. Don’t let the project overwhelm you. First, throw away the junk. Then pack items you need but use rarely into storage

bins or boxes and neatly stack them on shelves. Having the area clean and freshly painted is important. If you have pets, make sure food, litter boxes, pet toys and grooming tools

After you’ve prepared your home inside and out, have a friend or neigh-

and tell you what should be changed. You need to choose someone who is not afraid to be honest to do this. The feedback can really help you in the

-cess.

Please feel free to contact Rich Har-

com

READYContinued from 4

Torenia, Impatiens, Coleus, Brow-illia, Alyssum, Pansy, Dusty Miller, Flowering Cabbage, Flowering KaleSUN LOVERS:Aster, Ageratum, Alyssum, Celosia, Cosmos, Dahlia, Nierembergia,

Petunia, Salvia, Stock, Viola, Dusty Miller, Dianthus, Daisy, Marigold, Nemesia, Gazania, Nasturtium,

Verbena, Geranium, Lobelia, Phlox, Zinnia, Nicotiana.

LANDSCAPINGContinued from 8

always looking and smelling good.The good news is that cleaning

than $300 and some elbow grease, but the return on your time and

OPEN HOUSEContinued from 9

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 13Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

it inspected. This can also be paid for directly between the seller and the inspection company.

Buyers pay many more fees with most tied to their loans. The breakdown of these fees is not important to sellers even if they agree to pay some of them as part of the purchase price. Gen-erally, the negotiations will result in a statement such as: “The seller agrees to pay up to $5,000 in buyer’s closing

will vary depending on what was negotiated.

Sellers will also be responsible for some ‘recur-ring’ closing costs. These include mortgage interest on their loan, property tax, homeowner association dues and hazard insurance. The seller is responsible for paying these up until the actual closing date and the buyer from the closing date forward. If the seller has paid for any of these items beyond the closing date, he will be re-imbursed at the closing. You could also be reimbursed for unused heating oil or natural

that will be deducted from the seller’s share include any home warranties you agreed to purchase for the buyer or credits you agreed to give buyer, such as for roof repairs. Federal law requires that sellers and buyers re-ceive a copy of a HUD-1 form outlining all charges in a real estate transaction.

CLOSINGContinued from 2

Stop the commotionHow to deal with noisy neighborsBy Kristen CastilloCREATORS.COM

Whether it’s a loud party, deaf-ening music, a blaring movie, screaming kids or just over-

the-top conversation, noisy neighbors can be irritating.

You can probably deal with the annoyance once in a while, but if the noise is a frequent occurrence, you

Nasty Noise “When you’re living in a communal

environment, it’s not going to be 100 percent ideal all the time,” says Gary Malin, president of Citi Habitats, a sales and rental real estate brokerage.

Apartment and condo residents know the places they call home won’t be noise-free, but there’s an expecta-tion that it won’t be loud all the time.

“In the end, everyone wants quiet enjoyment of their apartment,” says Malin.

Many homeowners have to deal with neighbor noise, too, often from neighbors next door or down the block.

Still, the situation is the same -- unwanted noise and frustrated people who want it to stop.

Document the Nuisance“The biggest challenge is that noise

can be very subjective,” says Debra A. Warren, vice president of client relations for Associa, a community association

person is loud to another. Therefore, the -

sation so that each party can hear and appreciate the needs of others.”

Before you confront your neighbor, make sure you’ve documented the problem. For example, if your neigh-bor hosts a loud party every Friday night, keep track of the dates and

-lems, such as loud music or too many people in the hallway.

Don’t wait to deal with the noise until it’s become a big problem. If you ignore it, neighbors may not realize it’s a problem for you.

“If you know your neighbors personally you can say, ‘I’m sure you’re not aware, but,’” says Malin, who notes, “Many times people don’t realize it’s as loud as it is.”

Confronting the ProblemIf you’ve talked to your neighbor

about the situation, and they’re not respectful of your concerns, “then it is time to address your concern with your landlord,” says Warren.

“Put the landlord on notice,” says Malin. “You want help to do this peacefully.”

In many cases, the landlord will confront the neighbor to help resolve the problem. If the neighbor’s not

responsive, you could ask the landlord for a favor.

“If you’re a good tenant and you’re

apartment in the building,’” suggests Malin.

Frustrated renters and homeown-ers have other options, too. You can

abatement or housing -

tact the police if the noise violates noise laws. An-other option is hiring an attorney to write a cease and desist letter asking the neighbor to stop the racket.

“Noise is really an is-

habits and behaviors,” says Warren, who doesn’t recommend contacting outside parties for help unless it’s really neces-sary. “Third parties can be brought in to assist, but it’s really not their battle unless the problem is se-vere and is impacting the lives within the neighbor-

hood or violating noise ordinances.”

Quiet, Please!When all you want is peace and

quiet, it can be tough not to take things personally.

“You’re trying to come up with a solution to the problem, not be the problem,” says Malin.

Before you confront your neighbor, make sure you’ve documented the problem. For example, if your neighbor hosts a loud party every Friday night, keep track of the dates and times of the noise and specific prob-lems, such as loud music or too many people in the hallway.

NOISE » 14

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14 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

to rebuild a leaning garage one wall at a time without a permit, but if you knock the entire building down, you’ll probably need a permit to rebuild. The same goes for exterior stairs, pati-os, awnings and other add-ons.

Spending a little bit of time visiting your local zoning department can help guide you before you make expensive

rebuilding. Local ordinances might also exist for shrubs, pool decks, hot tubs, driveways, walkways, entrance stairs and accessible ramps. Neigh-borhood associations might also have the power to limit the colors you can paint your house, window dressings you can see from the outside, the col-or of your roof and other ornamental dressings.

Each town has its own rules, which

venues. Generally, the closer you live to developed urban and suburban areas the more rules there are. New

zoning regulations, in 1916. Since then, practically every metropolitan area has put ordinances in place. Fines may be imposed on zoning and

Government agencies and neigh-

borhood associations develop rules and regulations to limit the use of property to commercial, residential or mixed use. There may be stipula-tions that mandate one or two family homes, uniform designs of the struc-tures, setback from the street, ease-ments that allow utilities and passage, how many and what kind of vehicles are permitted, and the placement and lumens of outdoor lighting. If you are building or renovating in a historical neighborhood, you might not be able to touch a historic building or change the overall look of the area.

Many communities develop a mas-ter plan as a guide to future develop-ment and to preserve the quality of an area. Your local government may have separate zoning and planning boards; larger metropolitan areas may have multiple local neighborhood associ-ations. Condominium and co-op de-velopments are often self-governed in addition to local ordinances and laws.

construction and location, building -

ings, etc. Zoning laws are most often formulated by local governments, and building codes are usually adopted from state codes.

Contact your municipal building department, zoning authority and planning board for information. Local contractors might be familiar with local rules, but don’t rely on them to get all of the necessary permits before building. As the property owner, you are the one liable for any infractions and may be subject to substantial

regulations and the building code on-line, as well as proper contact names and numbers. Your local planning board can tell you what your property is already zoned for and the various subcategories that may exist. Zoning is public information, and so it is readily available.

If your needs vary from local laws or you want to add a business or such on site, you can request the combined building departments to reclassify the

any means. It might be a good idea to consult a local attorney who is well versed in the local ordinances when-ever you request a zoning change or begin a large building project. An attorney can answer questions and make sure you build within the letter of the law.COPYRIGHT 2013 CREATORS.COM

LAWS Continued from 2

That’s why you shouldn’t get emotional about your frustrations with loud neighbors. Instead, treat the situation rationally -- like a business deal.

“It’s important to retain your composure through the process to reach an amicable resolution,” says Malin.

Even though you want to maintain good relationships with your neighbors, don’t worry about others’ reactions. You deserve to be happy in your home.COPYRIGHT 2013 CREATORS.COM

NOISEContinued from 13

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 15Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

is invaluable, especially to

trust your agent, and “if you don’t trust your agent, you’re just working with the wrong one,” says Nelson.

-ible. After you have estab-lished that trusting relation-ship with your agent, allow him or her to facilitate your house hunt, with you leading the way. You should have a

are willing to spend -- in-cluding taxes, homeowners association assessments and utilities -- and the area in which you wish to live. With these pieces of information and your list of values from step one, your real estate agent and you should be ready to venture onward. If the houses you are look-

needs, take a step back and determine what it is that is out of place. If your agent is showing you “dumps,” maybe you need to re-evaluate your

price range. “If property pickings seem slim, tweak the price range you’re using to search for homes -- in directions,” says Nelson. But remember that the higher your price range the more real estate agents tend to venture outside of your range -- to more expensive listings. If your range is relatively low, they tend to stay within a place you’ll feel comfortable.

places because of orange shag carpets, Hello Kitty wallpaper or scary Gothic chandeliers, that issue is addressed next.

not have to be the property in its present condition. Wishing

kitchen, the perfect shade of seafoam green in the bathroom and a perfectly manicured yard is normal. But don’t allow atro-cious aesthetics to hinder your hunt. According to interior designer Christine Brun, “paint is one of the least expensive materials available to a home-

owner and something that you can actually execute on your own.” Look beyond the yellow and brown walls from ‘74 to the great view and the large master bath. If you’re having trouble envisioning the pos-sibilities, look to your agent.

for more than 150 years; they have experience with looking outside the box.

costs and safety in mind. Look for wet spots, rust, loose

-thing and everything. Though slapping on a fresh coat of paint is easy, treating a home

You have no desire to reach a deal, be weeks away from closing and have an inspec-tor tell you there’s tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage that the seller

end of it, I would just add to drive by in the morning, after dark and also on a weekend. Neighborhoods can often

-

helpful to know these changes

in advance,” says real estate consultant Jamie Walzer.COPYRIGHT 2013 CREATORS.COM

HOUSE HUNTERS Continued from 10

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jackson Fox City of Fairbanks/North Pole

459-6758 OR

David Bredlie FNSB

459-1356 OR

http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/pworks/ stormwatermanagementprogram/

BUILDING THIS SUMMER?

KNOW THE LAW Local developers, engineers, surveyors, and contractors should

be aware of the storm water plan review and permitting requirements in the urbanized area of Fairbanks.

LIMIT YOUR RISK! LIMIT YOUR LIABILITY!

If your total disturbed area equals or exceeds 10,000 SF in the City of Fairbanks or 1.0 acre in the City of North Pole or the

Fairbanks North Star Borough, you should contact the City or Borough to ensure you are complying with local requirements!

I T ’ S THE LAW Obtain all necessary approvals before you dig!

Ray Brasier’s Offic e at RE/MAX Would l ike

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Buying or Sell ing you r property? Call Ray at (907) 452-6387 RE/MAX Assoc iates of Fa irbanks • raybrasier.net

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“Joan staged, and listed our home. We had a full asking price offer in two days. THX Joan!! She is truly a ‘Real Estate Staging Goddess’”.

Mike & Wilma Littlefield

“Joan was absolutely awesome! She made our first home selling experience effortless. From staging our home with items from her personal design collection to closing signatures, Joan took care of every detail. I would never want to use anyone else for buying or selling a home.”

Kerri Crowder

(907) 378-4646 • [email protected] Joan M. Stepovich

Owner/Broker

53501901 3-28-14 H&

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16 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

lead and older copper piping. Testing is available to determine the presence of lead and/or copper in the home water supply.

The most common Well/septic testing performed includes testing the

the well water for possible contamina-tion. The system is also checked to see it meets required separation guide-lines. The testing standards applicable are determined by the Alaska Depart-

ment of Environmental Conservation and approximate cost of testing is $725. More information is available at AKDEC: http://dec.alaska.gov/Water/wwdp/onsite/index.htm

Lead based paint might have been used in homes built prior to 1978 and testing for its presence is available. For more information on lead based paint see: http://portal.hud.gov/

-

lead Soil drilling can be performed

permafrost or other conditions liable to indicate unstable soils.

Fairbanks is fortunate to have a cadre of professionals to provide the expertise necessary to perform and evaluate many of the tests described here. Take the time to speak with your friends, coworkers and family to get recommendations and always check a professional’s credentials.

A sensible Homebuyer will take the time to educate themselves and test for reasonable concerns but should be aware that all testing is a snapshot of that system at the time of testing and changing conditions can impact the system in future. Testing is not a guarantee of future performance.

If you are selling your home it is important to understand what stan-dards your home and its systems are likely to be held to by a prospective Buyer. Discuss with your Realtor the pros and cons of pre-marketing testing.

BUYER’S DUTYContinued from 11

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 17Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

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HOUSE-WARMINGS

There’s a lot that goes into turning a house into a home – and we can help. With just one call, you can take care of all your home fuel needs. Call us today to learn about our propane and heating oil delivery service, and ask how you can save with our convenient auto-fi ll program.

Crowley.com/Fairbanks | 907.328.4500 | 170 E Van Horn Rd.

New and New and New and improved improved improved

Launching Launching Launching in May! in May! in May!

Local Local Local

• • •

Trusted Trusted Trusted

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Timely Timely Timely

Homes.newsminer.com Homes.newsminer.com Homes.newsminer.com

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Goldstream Log Home, almost 2 acres with full basement, water and septic. 1BR, 1 Bath.

ASSOCIATE BROKER – REALTOR [email protected] www.RyanDanhauser.com

Cell: 907-978-2607 Office: 907-452-6387

2 Best-Buy Homes, Ready to Move in!

Rosie Creek Home, 2BR, 1 Bath tucked away in the woods, 1.5 acres, 1871 Baurick Ct.

$99,500

(Co-Listed with Gene

DuVal)

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$129,900 1871

Baurick Court

1520 Goldridge

57401906-3-28-14H&

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Spring into your dedicated Fairbanks Realtors for all your real estate needs! Spring into your dedicated Fairbanks Realtors for all your real estate needs! Spring into your dedicated Fairbanks Realtors for all your real estate needs! Chris Calhoon Real Estate

Chris Calhoon Chris is a decorated Vietnam Veteran who retired as Colonel in the U.S. Army after 23 years service. In 1998, he started Fairbanks’ first exclusive buyers’ brokerage. He will take care of your most

important investment and negotiate the best deal for you.

Call Chris at 456-3401 buyers-brokerage.com

[email protected]

Fairbanks First Realty Grace Moore

Call Grace at 590-0306 fairbanks-northpolehomes.com email: [email protected]

Grace Moore knows the community well and enjoys helping people buy or sell homes. She is an Accredited Buyers Representative, a certified military relocation specialist and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Grace

works with first-time home buyers, military clients, Seniors & seasoned homeowners. Grace will give you her best.

Crown Real Estate AK, Inc.

When you’re ready to buy or sell Real Estate, call Ginger at 452-8000

or visit AskForGinger.com

Serving Alaska for 20 years, Ginger is a local expert in the real estate industry. A past President of GFBR board of

Realtors, multi-million dollar producer and recipient of the DNM people’s choice award, Ginger is well known for her

hard work, professionalism and attention to detail.

Ginger Orem

Stepovich Realty STAGED TO SELL

Joan Stepovich

[email protected] 374-2825 or 378-4646 whitepalms.net

stepovichrealty.com

Broker/Owner, Success = Mother of 4, married 27 years, college degree, 30 years experience in interior design, 15 years as a

Realtor. Owner of White Palms Art Gallery. This lifelong Alaskan is helping make dreams a reality. I look forward to serving you in

all your interior design or real estate needs.

Call Sue at 479-4000 [email protected]

Riverview Realty

Susan Rainey Susan has successfully been helping her

clients meet their real estate goals for more than 25 years! Put her expertise and

experience to work for you!

Century 21 Gold Rush Zeb Mabie

Zeb is a lifelong resident of and Top Producer in the Fairbanks and North Pole areas. He is also a Certified Residential

Specialist and Accredited Buyer Representative. Whether buying or selling, you can expect full service professionalism, honesty,

and integrity. Zeb is ready to assist you!

Call Zeb at 388-6348 ZebMabie.com

email: [email protected]

Call Mike at 347-4484 or 488-2100 mikevansickle.com

Century 21 Gold Rush

Mike VanSickle As a Top Producer in the North Pole/Fairbanks area, I work hard to make the home buying and

selling experience enjoyable and stress-free. Specializing in single family sales, first time home

buyers, and new construction.

Advantage Alaska Realty

Call Amy at 388-9950 [email protected] • AmyKrierRealEstate.com

Amy Krier Amy specializes in residential sales and works with both buyers and sellers.

Over the past 12 years she has developed a reputation for being honest, knowledgeable, and for providing exceptional customer service. Amy has held numerous positions on Realtor ® committees and boards, including

President of the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors ® and V.P. of the Alaska Association of Realtors ® , and was voted the 2010 Realtor ® of the Year. She believes in hard work and giving back to this amazing community. Let Amy

put her experience to work for you!

Alaska Gem Homes

Call Jim and Betty at 350-6489 [email protected]

Alaska Gem Homes is your one-stop source for real estate services covering Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, and the Matsu

Valley. Betty Valdes and Jim Mosley are a married team of REALTORS with ABR, CRS, MRP, eCertified, designations who work

for the number one company in Anchorage. Jim and Betty have over 10 years of experience with Jack White Real Estate and Betty has over 25 years total in Real Estate. They will be your REALTORS

OF CHOICE by providing you with superior service at all times.

Betty Valdes & Jim Mosley

Monica Dallas Realty

Call Monica at 388-4987 [email protected]

Monica Dallas Realtor ® /Broker who services the Fairbanks and North Pole Area. Monica has

a comprehensive knowledge of today’s market and is known as a down-to- earth Realtor ® . She works hard to make every real estate purchase or sale a

smooth transaction. Whether you are a first time home buyer, looking for investment property, relocating or moving, Monica Dallas is there to help your real estate needs. She handles all types of real estate purchases and sales from Million Dollar Homes to Small Cabins, Land, Remote Properties, and

also Commercial Sales and Leasing.

18 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

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Spring into your dedicated Fairbanks Realtors for all your real estate needs! Spring into your dedicated Fairbanks Realtors for all your real estate needs! Spring into your dedicated Fairbanks Realtors for all your real estate needs!

Alaska Commercial Properties, Inc.

Call Cheryl at 456-6008 cherylmarkwood.com

[email protected]

Cheryl is an Associate Broker with Alaska Commercial Properties, Inc. She has been licensed since 2010.

Cheryl Markwood

RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks

Ryan Danhauser Ryan Danhauser has over 10 years experience in Real Estate in

Fairbanks Alaska. He is an Associate Broker for RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks and has a background in education, lending and Real

Estate. Ryan was the 2011 President of the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors and loves spending time with his 2-year old son, Joey.

Call Ryan at 978-2607 [email protected]

RyanDanhauser.com

RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks Ray Brasier

Call Ray at 452-6387 raybrasier.net

Ray Brasier grew up on a potato farm in Delta Junction, Alaska. While working in forestry, Ray and his wife Lisa started investing in real estate with their first

purchase in 1990. In the past, 20+ years, they have bought and renovated over 47 properties. He has been actively selling real estate for almost 20 years working with buyers and sellers bringing them high quality service. Ray holds the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, and his team is one of the top selling teams in the

Interior. Whether you are buying or selling, let his experience work for you.

Grace Minder Realty, Inc. Grace Minder

Call Grace 479-8000

[email protected] graceminder.com

Call Angie at 347-3622 or 456-7653 x 101 [email protected] • somersandassociates.net

Somers & Associates, REALTORS

Angie M. Tallant Angie has over a decade of Bank Owned Property experience as well as Residential,

Land, Commercial Real Estate and Property Management. GFBR Past President, 2014 Alaska Association of Realtors Vice President, YPN Director, and has served the real estate community on various other committees - Angie is also your 2011 REALTOR of the YEAR and 2011 AFFILIATES REALTOR of the YEAR. Angie loves Real Estate and

helping others make a transition to home ownership!

Call Kelli at 322-1998 century21goldrush.com

Century 21 Gold Rush Kelli Powers

Kelli has been a full time Realtor for 10 years. She is a top producer in the Fairbanks & North Pole area. Kelli was born & raised in Fairbanks & has extensive knowledge of the area! Kelli is reliable, courteous, dependable & available to help with all

your real estate needs!

Call Janet at 456-4725 [email protected]

Fortune Properties of Fairbanks Janet Shafer

Broker/Owner of Fortune Properties of Fairbanks calling Alaska home for over 40 years and assisting the Fairbanks community and surrounding area with

their real estate needs for over 30 years.

Call Michelle at (907) 978-0995 FairbanksDeltaHomes.com • [email protected]

Somers & Associates, REALTORS

Michelle Evans

Gene is a Top Producer at RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks & one of the Top Realtors in Alaska. For experience, integrity and results, put Gene and his

team to work for YOU!

RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks Gene DuVal

Call Gene at 452-4363 geneduval.com

[email protected]

452-4363 • geneduval.com [email protected][email protected]

[email protected]

JAY DUVAL CHRISTINE TIMM MICHAEL DALTON

Gene DuVal Real Estate Team RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks

Grace was born and raised in Fairbanks, a mother of 3 and very active in the community. She is a top producing Agent & Broker recognized as the 2007 Affiliate Realtor of the

Year. Military relocation specialist. “Your Home Town Realtor”

Michelle Evans is a realtor that became a top producer in a short period of time. When asked her secret to success. She states, “I answer my phone. It sounds

simple, and it is. Customer service is everything to people. My business is based on referrals and I owe my success to my customers who continue to refer people to me long after the sell is done.” Michelle was born and raised in interior Alaska. She is

an Accredited Buyers Representative and a Military Relocation Specialist.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 19Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE

(907) 978-0995 • [email protected]

Michelle Evans • Realtor

FairbanksDeltaHomes.com 21505026-3-28-14H

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564 Eagle View, Fairbanks 4 BD, 3 BA, 2 Car Garage

on just under 2 acres $289,900

6095 Richardson Hwy, Salcha Land w/Gravel Pad & Power Pole

Seller will relocate 10x12 Cabin for additional $10,000

$6,500

2718 Gordon Rd, North Pole 3 BD, 2 BA, Attached Garage

Lots of potential $99,900

2700 Hurst Road, North Pole Prime Commercial Lot between

Fairbanks & North Pole $160,000

3460 Durham Circle, North Pole 3 BD, 2 BA, 2 Car Garage

5 Star Rated,pad for hot tub $224,700

2405 Reschaven Dr, Fairbanks 5 BD, 3 BA, Custom Log

featured on Buying Alaska! $329,000

1229 Shooting Star, North Pole 3 BD, 2 BA, 1 Partial Bath

2 Car Attached Garage $269,900

3720 Dubia Road, North Pole 3 BD, 2 1 ⁄ 2 BA

2 Car Attached Garage $269,900

1193 Grunion 4 BD, 2 BA, 1 Car Garage

$209,900

2518 Hayes Ave, Delta Junction 4 BD, 1 1 ⁄ 2 BA 1 Car Garage $135,000

606 Fifth Avenue, North Pole 2 BD, 1 BA, 1 Car Garage Live the Alaskan Dream!

$199,900

3861 Kensington Ave, North Pole 4 BD, 2 BA, 2 Car Garage

One of a kind home! $249,900

316 Glacier 2 BD, 1 BA, 2 Car Garage

4 Star Energy Rated home $204,900

PENDING PENDING PENDING

PENDING PENDING PENDING 3771 Old Wood Rd, Fairbanks

3 BD, 2 BA, 1 Partial Bath 2 Car Attached Garage

$236,000

SOLD SOLD SOLD

17140 Chena Hot Springs Road,

Fairbanks 2 BD, 1 BA Log

$85,000

221 Slater Drive, Fairbanks 3 BD, 1 BA

In the heart of Fairbanks $168,500

895 Lakloey Dr North Pole 3 BD, 2 BA,

2 Car Garage Many amenities

$220,000 3523 Hope Street

3 BD, 1 1 ⁄ 2 BA, 2 Car Garage $184,900

PENDING PENDING PENDING

New Listing New Listing New Listing

New Listing New Listing New Listing

New Listing New Listing New Listing

New Listing New Listing New Listing

New Listing New Listing New Listing

20 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Friday, March 28, 2014HOMES & REAL ESTATE