Fairbanks Ak Real Estate News & Info

North Pole, Alaska homes for sale. Conveniently located near Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base.

Prices for new construction homes in North Pole are approximately 6% lower today than the 2007 average. Now is a great time to take advantage of the lower home prices and builder incentives. Combined with low interest rates these North Pole homes are an incredible value.

North Pole is a quaint bedroom community of Fairbanks. Located 12 miles south of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway, North Pole enjoys close proximity to both Fort Wainwright Army Post as well as Eielson Air Force Base.. Good schools, shopping, and outdoor recreation make North Pole an attractive place to call home.

There are more than 50 new homes for sale in North Pole ready for a new family. Call us today for information on these or any new construction homes in North Pole.

$150,000 - $200,000

$200,000 - $250,000

$300,000+

Ready to buy a new home in Fairbanks or North Pole? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024.

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Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts. Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package. Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

Do you work for free?

If you were to ask me that I would instinctively say no, I don't. Kathy is expensive and I have toys to pay for - not to mention two mortgages, car payments, insurance, retirement funding, etc, etc.

However, the truth of the matter is that sometimes I do work for free. That is to say that I'm not always compensated at the close of escrow.

I read a post tonight by Jeremy Blanton in which he talks about releasing a buyer client from a buyer brokerage agreement because they couldn't afford a house without seller concessions, and the seller couldn't pay the concessions and his representation fee.

In assessing his choices of how best to deal with the situation he decided to cut the buyers loose and let them purchase the home on their own. This is not a post designed to criticize Jeremy's decision by any means but to perhaps offer an alternate view to those agents facing similar situations.

I'm generally of the opinion that buyers (and sellers) who sign a contract with us need to honor the terms of that contract. My fees are well disclosed and everyone is on the same page as to how we will be compensated at the close of escrow long before we embark on our real estate journey.

When we accept a new client we do so with the understanding that we are their real estate advocate. We are the wall between them and a possible disastrous transaction. We're always well compensated for our expertise, but there are times it's in the form of referrals rather than a check at closing... and I'm ok with that.

We have worked with more than a few couples that, after scouring the real estate market, Kathy or I found the perfect house for them. The catch? It's a FSBO or builder that won't pay the buyers representation fee. In most cases the buyer ponies up the fee and we proceed toward closing. (90% of our buyers pay a portion if not all of our representation fee.)

What happens in the rare instance where the buyers don't have the funds available to cover the fee? (A situation I'm aware of since we discuss this prior to signing the BBA). If the house is perfect for them I tell them that my sincere goal is to find the home that's perfect for their family. If I were to cut them loose what would that accomplish? In my opinion, it would make me appear to be interested solely in being compensated and it would make me look like a hypocrite for espousing all that drivel about protecting and promoting their best interests.

"Yea, Bob. I'm here to make sure you don't get taken for a ride. What's that? Oh, you can't afford to pay my fee? Well, the heck with that., I'm going to the track. You're on your own kid."

While I'm always happy to see checks come in from the title company, We don't base our income on any one single transaction. We make the bulk of our income through referrals from previous clients. I have often said I would forfeit every individual commission check for the referral business that client will generate. By my calculations each satisfied client in our roster is worth approximately $300,000 in referral income.

When the clients are happily nestled in their new home they will remember who helped put them there, mainly because I will remind them. :) They will tell their family, friends and colleagues who made it possible. Given the choice between earning a single commission and fostering a relationship which will pay a $300,000 dividend it's an easy decision for us to write off the occasional commission.

That's my .02 worth... What say you?

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Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts. Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package. Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

As is appropriate we have national holidays dedicated to those brave men and women in uniform who have faithfully served our country. They have willingly sacrificed so that our very way of life would continue. They fought wars to defend and promote democracy and to defeat tyranny and oppression. Without their selfless service I shudder to think where we would be. The world would most certainly be worse off if not for America's military might.

This Saturday, April 26th, has been set aside as military Retiree Appreciation Day at Fort Wainwright. All military service members and their families, regardless of branch of service, are invited and encouraged to attend.

According to the Public Affairs office at Fort Wainwright 2,571 military retirees and 161 surviving spouses of deceased military retirees call Fairbanks and Interior Alaska home.

Visitors will have the opportunity to update their ID cards, renew post vehicle information as well as take part in the Information Bazaar and Health Fair. The Health Fair includes cholesterol tests, eye exams and blood pressure checks. Optometry technicians will be on hand from Basset Army Hospital to perform visual acuity screenings.

In addition to touring the Battle Command Training Center and the Physical fitness Center, Guest Speakers Maj. General (Ret.) William Matz, Jr and Joseph Montoya of TRICARE will be on hand. Lunch is at the FWA Garrison Dining Facility (Bldg 3728) from Noon to 1:30PM.

Planning to attend the event? RSVP online. Want more information? Contact Sharon Harris at (800) 478-7384 or email sharon.harris@richardson.army.mil.

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Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Think of us as your local experts. Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package. Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

In this case it is easy being green. According to the National Safety Council approximately 41 million computers became outdated in 2004 and 63 million in 2005. That number was expected to reach upwards of 500 million in 2007. Research shows that 75% of outdated, unused computers are stored and awaiting disposal.

Electronic equipment contains a myriad of hazardous materials. A typical desktop computer contains between 2-4 pounds of lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, lithium, brominate flame retardants and phosphorus. Do something green and recycle your old unwanted electronics.

On Saturday April 26th and Tuesday April 29th, bring your old unwanted electronic waste (anything with a circuit board) to the Carlson Center for shipment to a recycling facility. Although both days are open to household collection, April 29th is designated for corporate collection by appointment.

Hours:

April 26th - 10:00AM - 4:00PM (household)
April 29th - 9:00AM - 5:00PM (corporate)
April 29th - 5:00PM - 7:00PM (household)

The electronics you turn in will be sorted and packed for shipment to a recycling center in Seattle (the closest recycling plant). Many of the materials in those old electronics items such as the plastics, glass, steel, gold, lead, mercury, cadmium and fire retardants can be recaptured for reuse. The recycling process separates CRT's and other equipment into component parts, some of which will be used to reduce our demand for raw materials and of course, reduce the amount of waste pouring into the landfill.

There is a nominal cost for disposing of your old electronics ranging from nothing to $25 depending on what you wish to recycle. There is a bulk discount of $0.35 per pound, so get together with your friends and colleagues and get rid of that old equipment you're not using. Thanks to a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska non-profit agencies will be able to recycle their electronic waste at a reduced price for the next three years.

There are a few items that will not be accepted; video and audio cassette tapes, smoke detectors, loose batteries, vacuum cleaners, household electric appliances without a circuit board (toasters, vacuum cleaners, etc.). For more information please contact Interior Alaska Green Star at (907) 452-4152 or info@iagreenstar.org.

Welcome to the Fairbanks Tanana valley Farmers Market.

Established in the early 70's as a way to develop and promote agriculture, horticulture in Alaska and to provide quality produce products to the public, the Tanana Valley Farmers Market showcases a variety of Alaska Grown products and plants as well as Made in Alaska products. TVFM is the oldest established farmers market in Alaska and the only one located in its own permanent building.

2008 Season Opening Day is May 10, 2008

Market Hours
Wednesday's 11AM - 4PM
Saturday's 9AM - 4PM

With a growing season that extends from April to September, and with a little help from that famous 24 hour sunshine in the summer months, we have an outstanding bumper crop of everything from rhubarb, asparagus, beans, beef, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, dairy products, flowers, grains, herbs, hay, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, peas, pork, spinach, squash, strawberries and much more.

You can also find some of the most mouth watering baked goods, wild berry jams and jellies anywhere. Fresh homemade ice cream, sugar corn, fresh made to order sandwiches and espresso, fresh meats and sausage, native handicrafts, jewelry and pottery, artwork, baskets, clothing, wildflower honey (delicious) as well as fresh flower bouquets are all waiting to be discovered

While we have to depend on the grocery stores for our fresh produce in the winter, and that quality is sometimes lacking, summer produce from the Tanana Valley Farmers Market is outstanding. Are you new to Fairbanks? This a great way for our new military families to sample a little bit of everything Fairbanks has to offer in one fell swoop.

Located on College Road, east of the Fairgrounds (Aurora Drive), the market is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Below are links to a few of the Farmers Market vendors.

Marty Baldridge Northridge Pottery Fairbanks Potters Guild Ray Gary The Wood Joint Heather Krawiec Mountain Heather Creations Gretchen Kerndt Basically Basil George and Leslie LaBar Earth Link Jewelry Pauline Lian Iceworm Studio Botanical Art Philip Marshall Polhavn Woodfabrik

Skip Nodler Old Ridge Wood Shop Lisa Rogers Tundra Walker Studio Carol Smallwood Bella Art-to-Wear Pamela Sattler Santa's Letters and Gifts Jamie Warrick Frontier Candle Company Jennifer Ansley Far Above Rubies Kimberly Rogers Numinosity Beads

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Jesse & Kathy Clifton, better known as 'The Spouses' are full time Realtors serving Fairbanks Alaska buyers and sellers. They specialize in residential real estate; new and existing construction as well as undeveloped land in Fairbanks, North Pole, Ft. Wainwright, Eielson Air Force Base and Interior Alaska. Visit their website to review the fee market reports designed to keep you updated on the local Fairbanks Alaska real estate market. Have specific questions? Feel free to contact them anytime. They would love to hear from you. Tour Alaska on The-Spouses.com - Search Fairbanks MLS View Our Virtual Relocation Package