Local Real Estate - Alaska

Quick Facts About Alaska:

• Capital: Juneau
• Largest City: Anchorage, http://www.muni.org
• Population (2000): Approximately 275,000 people
• Area:  Huge in actual area

Culture:

Plenty of culture with a very young, ambitious, outdoors & nature loving professional population.  Very well educated, very computer & technology literate, very well read.  Anchorage is "growing up" in the arts & cultural offerings as well as in exposure and participation in world events.

Economy:

The economy here in Anchorage has been growing steadily between 1.5 and 3% for the last 18 years.  We are diversifying and expanding industries and jobs and mineral development every year.  We used to have some of the most affordable housing on the entire west coast of the USA.  But prices went up and interest rates went up about 1% higher than in 2005 so while we still have a "seller's market" in some aspects of our economy, there are fewer buyers that can afford out "average" home price of around $309,000.  And now, with so many "100% financing" mortgage brokers going out of business, the number of potential buyers has declined a lot.  In some aspects, it is very much a "buyer's market" but in reality, only in the sense that buyers have much more to choose from - since so many sellers do not "have to" sell.

Recreational Activities:

You name it, we have it here in Anchorage or very close by!  You've heard it said before, "travel 1 hour in any direction from Anchorage, and you're back in Alaska and can find "Alaskan things" to do!".  =)

Major Employers:

• The petroleum industry and related services
• Hospital, medical and "health" care related fields
• Tourism
• All things Air Cargo

Cities in Alaska:

• Anchorage

• Fairbanks

• Juneau

• Wasilla

• Kenai

Other Alaska Resources:

• Search Zillow for homes in Alaska
• More Zillow information on Alaska real estate