Real Estate Information

• Get a new garage door. It seems simple, but replacing your garage door is the most value-adding project you can take on. On average, it delivers returns of more than 98 percent upon resale.
• Focus on curb appeal. Upgrades to exterior areas saw serious growth over the last year. Wood deck additions increased over 18 percent in value, while stone veneer installation value was up almost 14 percent. 
• Replace your entry door. Don't bother sprucing up old doors. Replacing them with steel models can deliver a whopping 91 percent ROI. And at an average cost of $1,471, they're one of the most affordable updates for your home.
• Upgrade your kitchen. Minor kitchen remodels continue to be a top value-adding project. This year, the average small remodel adds about $17,193 to your home's value and recoups more than 81 percent of your costs.

Whether you buy a house for the first time or want to upgrade your space, the process of qualifying for a mortgage, finding the right home, and closing with the seller can be complicated. Mehner Weiser Real Estate in Anchorage, AK, wants to help you avoid feeling stressed and confused. To make home buying smoother, here they share critical mistakes many potential homeowners make. 

Top 3 Missteps When You Buy a House 

1. Forgetting the Mortgage 

While shopping for a house is the most exciting part of the experience, you should qualify for a mortgage first. You may become disappointed if you discover the ideal home, only to find out you are in the wrong price range or can’t make a serious offer. Once you know how much you can borrow, you can bid on a beautiful home that fits your budget. 

2. Skipping the Inspection 

Since home inspections take time and carry a fee, some buyers bypass them. Foregoing a professional review of a property you like is a costly mistake. Expensive, hidden damage could reveal itself after you close on the house. Avoid surprises about major repairs by getting an inspection first. 

3. Overlooking a Real Estate Agent 

Some home buyers choose not to hire their own real estate agent. Instead, they work with the seller’s Realtor®. These agents want to secure the best price and terms for the seller. If you don’t have an advocate, you could be outbid or pay too much. 

Tiny Homes: What Are the Pros & Cons?

The tiny house trend is a big movement. Everyone from millennials to retirees is opting to live small, but that doesn't mean the lifestyle is right for you. Consider these pros and cons before you downsize. 

What constitutes a tiny house?

Generally, tiny homes measure between 100 and 500 square feet. Many are portable, but some city ordinances and housing divisions require homes to be set on a foundation.

What are the pros?

People are drawn to tiny houses for a number of reasons. Owners of tiny homes often cite price as the deciding factor. Tiny homes range from $10,000 to $60,000, depending on the manufacturer. Even a top-of-the-line custom unit typically costs less than $100,000.

Other perks include the freedom of mobility and the ability to live more sustainably. There's also the added flexibility to use the structure as a rental unit, add-on expansion or mother-in-law suite.

What are the cons?

Of course, not everyone is willing to contend with the realities of owning a tiny home. For instance, despite their low sales price, there are hidden costs that can sneak up on potential buyers. From construction crew markups and shipping fees to property taxes and plot purchases, the final figure can add up quickly.

What's more, unless you have enough liquid funds to make a cash purchase, financing for tiny homes can be difficult, and there are also obvious drawbacks such as space restrictions that complicate hosting guests and storing nonessentials.

No doubt our collective desire for simplification and financial freedom has birthed the tiny home movement. However, before you commit to one, it's important to educate yourself about the complicated regulations and overlooked nuances of owning a tiny home.

Have you outgrown your home? Or has your home outgrown you and your household? Fewer and fewer families expect to stay in their first or second home for the long haul. Here are some factors to determine if you're financially and emotionally ready to sell your house:

1. Growing or shrinking household -- Are you about to welcome a new baby or take in aging parents? Maybe you're sending your youngest off to college. In any event, if your living space has become too cramped or grown beyond your needs, it may be time to make a move. 
2. Plenty of home equity -- Subtract the value of your home from the amount you have left on your loan. What's left over is the equity -- or the amount you'll have post-sale. After you sell your home, you'll be a buyer again, so having some funds to put down is key. 
3. Interest from potential buyers --You'll want to list when you know buyers are looking. Some experts say late spring is the ideal time to sell, but peak seasons vary by region. Milder weather can increase buyer interest, but that also means more competition from other sellers. 
4. Changing circumstances --Location matters. Whether your neighborhood dynamics are changing, you're unhappy with the schools in your area or a new job significantly increases your commute, your community needs to fit your lifestyle. 
5. Home improvements --Renovations may be a wise investment, but it's best to avoid listing your home in the middle of a project. If you plan to sell your home as is, completing some minor home updates such as new paint and fixtures can be a huge selling point. 

Moving is a big decision, one that requires careful consideration. If your needs have changed since you bought your home, don't hesitate to get in touch.

When people wait until summer to sell or buy a house, they are missing out on the prime springtime options. Contrary to popular misconception, spring is actually the best time to participate in the Anchorage, Alaska residential real estate market. Bonnie Mehner and Bethany Weiser with Mehner Weiser Real Estate at RE/MAX Dynamic Properties recommend getting started earlier in the year, whether you are buying or selling.

The Anchorage, Alaska Springtime Market Advantage

Why Buy a House Now?

In the unique Alaskan climate, the real estate market tends to heat up the same time the weather does. While winter turns to spring, locals decide that the end of harsh weather makes it the perfect time to relocate. Perhaps they want to move to warmer climates or have been waiting to start the moving process until the holidays are over. Either way, this results in many houses getting put on the market all at once, leaving buyers with plenty of options. Lenders in the area know that the market boom is coming, so they are willing to send more money to the Anchorage market and approve buyers for loans.

Why Sell a House Now?

Buyers know the influx of homes is coming in the spring, so this is the time when they start looking in the area. They are getting their loans approved, so they are ready and able to purchase. If you wait until summertime to list your home, you may miss out on a large pool of potential buyers, who have already struck deals in the spring.

Don’t miss out on the incredible springtime market in Anchorage, Alaska! Contact Mehner Weiser Real Estate with RE/MAX® Dynamic Properties at (907) 261-7632 to prepare now and strategize the best way to sell or buy a house. With over 50 years combined experience in the local market Bonnie and Bethany know how to target the right buyers and will advise you on the best properties that fit your needs.

Color can impact the overall mood of your surroundings as well as what potential buyers feel when they step inside your home. The challenge comes in choosing the right combination for your particular space. See what forecasters are predicting and learn how to implement the hot colors of 2018.

Hues to Use
Experts from Pantone, Sherwin Williams and other companies make annual paint color predictions based on global themes. Hues such as BEHR's color of the year, In the Moment, along with its peaceful palette, focus on people's need to unplug from an overconnected world. Similar shades like Equilibrium and Off the Grid also promote a sense of serenity.

The Light and the Dark
Contrasting light and dark colors is a great way to create dynamism in your home decor. The lighter the shade, the more spacious the appearance. If your furniture or flooring is primarily neutral, adding dark colors to the mix can bring balance and help create attractive focal points.

Capitalizing on Color
Our mood is subtly yet consistently influenced by the colors around us. For example, soothing shades such as the powdery blue Casual Day can help you unwind and relax after a long day at work. Conversely, vibrant deep oranges like Civara invigorate and promote an optimistic tone.

Pointers for Color Pops
Both fun and formal spaces are equally enhanced by accents. Whether you use them to highlight a unique architectural feature or tie an area together, the trick is to be strategic. In design, the 60-30-10 rule is a well-known way to bring balance to a room.

If you're preparing to sell a house, you may have a long to-do list to finish before it's ready to hit the market. At the top of that should be hiring a qualified Realtor® to give you the most profit. Here are a few ways working with a real estate agent will benefit you. 

How a Real Estate Agent Assists With the Home Selling Process

1. Set a Realistic Price

One of the most important aspects of selling a home is choosing a realistic price. By setting it too high, buyers are likely to not even consider your home as an option. On the other hand, if you set the price too low, you risk losing money on your investment. A real estate agent will use their experience, knowledge, and market analysis tools to determine the right price for your property. 

2. Be Competitive

An agent also helps make your home more competitive. They're immersed in the local real estate market, which gives them unique insight into what buyers want. They will utilize this knowledge to advise you on which upgrades to make to entice buyers and how to effectively stage your home. 

3. Reach Buyers

For both traditional and new media formats, agents understand what aspects of the home need to be highlighted to attract buyers for a viewing. They also have a built-in audience from their previous work within the community, which gives your home's marketing efforts a wider reach than advertising on your own.