Custom Log Home!
View virtual tour & more information at www.CrownAlaska.com Beautiful one owner home with character and charm throughout! 3 bedrooms, Office, Den and a stunning family room which includes a beautifully hand carved willow, open vaulted ceiling and plenty of room for your art or trophy displays! Lots of log and wood detail, real working wood cook-stove for backup cooking source! OHWBB with woodstove! Large garage, workshop, beautiful lawn with perennial raspberries! Feels like Alaskan living yet on a paved road with easy access to everything!
Crown Real Estate AK, Inc.
To view all Crown and MLS listings, visit www.CrownAlaska.com
MLS #117513
Only $309,900!
When You’re Ready to Buy or Sell,CALL GINGER 907-452-8000 5050 Ringstad Avenue Beautiful
$309,000
contemporary home in a private family neighborhood great location! 3 bedrooms/ master suite/ large attached garage, family & living room, huge fenced landscaped yard You can walk to school!
1925 Chena Point Drive Brand New Construction!
$215,000
Grace Minder Realty, Inc. 811 Blooming Woods
Grace Minder
GREAT FAMILY HOME ONLY 5 YEARS YOUNG! 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage on 1.13 acres, open floor plan with 9 ft ceilings, wood stove, stainless appliances, solid surface countertops, master suite has double sinks corner Jacuzzi, and balcony, huge family room
Nice view lot, private setting, just under 2 acres, 2 bedroom plus a loft/ 3rd bedroom. Open floor plan/ vaulted ceilings. Just under 1800 SF. Private well/ vinyl 2 toned siding/ Kelli Powers energy efficient 5*. 322-1998 Pick your own www.kellipowers.com flooring, counter, & cabinets! GOLD RUSH
www.GraceMinder.com 855 Shoreline
SUPER E-F-F-I-C-I-E-N-T! 4 beds 3.5 baths 3 car garage on 1.2 landscaped acres on Pond. Super well built, radiant heat throughout! 9 ft ceilings, tile, granite, Absolutely wonderful, master has double sinks & corner Jacuzzi
BROKER
fax: (888) 863-5851 grace.minder@acsalaska.net
$344,000
$399,000
57385794-9-23-11H&RE
Your Hometown Realtor cell: 378-8934 office: 479-8000
2
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Quick Reference Business Directory Realtors & Brokers Absolutely Alaskan Real Estate Services Doug Welton 456-1713 www.DougWelton.com Page: 8
Coldwell Banker Gold Country Morgan Macchione, Realtor 978-5985 www.morganmacchione.com page: 30
Advantage Alaska Realty Amy Krier 388-9950 www.advantagealaskarealty.com page: 10
Coldwell Banker Gold Country Elizabeth Schok, Realtor 322-9188 www.elizabethschok.com page: 22
Alaska Ala Carte Realty Andrea Barker 378-0336 Page: 20 Chris Calhoon Real Estate 456-3401 www.buyers-brokerage.com page: 32 Coldwell Banker Gold Country 456-4653 Cbgoldcountry.com Page: 18, 19, 36
Gold Standard Real Estate Services www.goldstandardre.com 799-7253 Page: 13 Grace Minder Realty 479-8000 www.graceminder.com page: 1
LookwithLori 347-7244 www.LookwithLori.com page: 6 Madden Real Estate 452-3000 www.wesmadden.com page: 3 Monica Dallas Realty 388-4987 www.monicadallas.com page: 7, 21 Riverview Realty Sue Rainey, Broker 479-4410 www.suerainey.com page: 5 Robert Fox Realty 456-8000 www.alaska-land.com page: 16
Somers & Associates 456-7653 www.somersandassociates.net page: 2
Realtor Biographies page: 28, 29
Builders/ Workmanship
Real Estate Advertising Shawna Murray 459-7508 smurray@newsminer.com Page: 9
Aurora Builders Rodger Burks 452-8557 Page: 34 Eureka Builders Bob Herting 457-8974 page: 22 Strictly Handmade Vance Mattzela 385-4964 Page: 15 57386813-9/23/11HRE
Coldwell Banker Gold Country Butch Currier, Realtor 590-2853 www.ButchSellsAlaskaHomes.com page: 15
Crown Real Estate Ginger Orem, Broker 452-8000 www.CrownAlaska.com page: 1
Liberty Homes Debra Rosson 378-9761 libertyhomes@acsalaska.net page: 12
Fun For Kids Page: 9
INDEX
Put your most valued Possession in the Hands of The Proven Real Estate Professionals.
WE EXPECT A LOT FROM OURSELVES SO CAN YOU
456-7653 57385795-9-23-11RE
www.somersandassociates.net
Transaction tips ..................5 Get your home ready ...........6 Details matter .....................7 Construction insurance ........8 Do’s & Don’ts ....................9 Tips for Alaskans ..............10 Kitchen renewal ideas .......11 Insulate, save money.........12 Preventive maintenance .....15 Stage your home ...............16 Economic terms ................20 Flood insurance.................21 Update your paint ..............22 Check chimney annually .....23 Energy-saving ideas ...........25 Ice-dam removal ................26 Fix window drafts...............30 Indoor pollutants ...............31 Pets in the home ...............32 Gutter cleaning tips ...........34 Expert smoke cleanup .......35
3
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
View thousands of listings at www.WesMadden.com!
Call for details (907) 452-3000
Wes Madden Owner/Broker
810 Barnette St., Fairbanks, AK 99701
Alaska’s #1 Real Estate Team working together to achieve your Real Estate Goals!
Director of Operations/ Associate Broker
Christina Barron
Charles “Chick” Wallace
Laura Mangurian
Mike Maynard
Brandon Phillips
Associate Broker
Buyer Specialist
Buyer Specialist
Paul Theriault Field Coordinator
Director of Marketing
Joel Johnson Listing Specialist/ Associate Broker
Charlie Rogers Buyer Specialist
Buyer Specialist
Jenn Shipman Director of First Impressions
Ashlee Whitworth
Director of First Impressions
Desiree Caywood
Transaction Coordinator
Jewel Addison Buyer Specialist
Harry Schikora
Kim McGrath
Kristen Wolletz
Steve Enochs Managing Broker Madden Management
Listing Coordinator
Thurston Gray Property Manager Madden Management
Rocky Harrigan
Jackie Wallick
Listing Coordinator
Buyer Specialist
Listing Specialist
Buyer Specialist
Randi Britschgi
Ethan Wells Buyer Specialist
Jesse Gray
Client Care Coordinator
Cassie Springer
Client Care Coordinator
John O’Brien
Julie Jackson
Tammy Enochs
Property Manager Madden Management
Property Manager Madden Management
Transaction Coordinator
Office Manager Madden Management
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • LAND • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
57385793-9-23-11H&RE
Stacy Risner
4
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Paid Advertising Content
WOOD HEAT ... bringing the Alaskan lifestyle home.
The Woodway would again like to thank the Fairbanks, North Pole and surrounding communities for their continued loyalty over the last 33 years. Our community has continued to grow and change over the past few decades, and The Woodway has striven to adapt, improve and diversify to meet our customer’s needs. In the last few years there have been all sorts of stores opening and closing that have sold different types of heating appliances. The Woodway welcomes new competition as it helps us to assess what we do more critically and enables us to offer the community even more. This last year has afforded us the opportunity to help people take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit which enables a homeowner the ability to recieve up to
$300.00 on a qualifying wood or pellet stove. On top of this, the Borough is continuing its Woodstove Changeout Program by incentivizing eligible residents to upgrade their older woodstoves to cleaner solid fuel burning devices. These newer appliances, both wood and pellet, assist in cleaning up our air. These newer woodstoves help people to burn up to a third less firewood! The Fairbanks North Star Borough Air Quality Improvement Program Wood Stove Exchange Program is going strong, and with the changes made to the program since June, more people are able to participate with more options within the program. Specifically. Now, if you trade in your old non-EPA stove, (be it wood or coal), and upgrade to an efficient EPA certified wood stove, the payout is up to $2500 for the stove.
If you elect to remove a wood or coal stove, and agree not to use a wood stove for 10 years, the payout for the removal is $3000. You can install a wood pellet stove or pellet boiler if you want in its place, as pellet stoves and pellet boilers are considered exempt from the program. If you have a rental unit or a commercial property with a wood or coal stove, and would like to participate in the replacement or removal program, now you can! Before, rentals and commercial properties were not allowed to be in the program, but the vote was unanimous to allow them to be able to participate. To apply for the program, you must live within the PM2.5 non-attainment boundary. (For more information on the Borough program, please call 459-1005). Don’t forget The Woodway also has local pottery and art that is displayed throughout the year and new artists are featured along with refreshments throughout the winter months on the First Friday of every month starting in November. We also offer our “Light the Fire” classes free of charge on Saturday mornings where folks can come in and ask questions and learn how to start a fire properly and operate their stove as efficiently as cleanly as possible. The Woodway would again like to thank the community for its trust over the years and look forward to keeping interior Alaska warm for many winters to come.
AT A GLANCE The Woodway • •
•
• •
Where: On College Road next to Farmer's Market Products: Wood and gas stoves and fireplaces, Toyo and Kuma oil stoves, chimney and stovepipe, hearth accessories, chainsaws and accessories, lawn mowers and small engine products Services: Wood stove, fireplace and chimney installation, Toyo service, chainsaw and small engine service Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Phone: 452-4002
Y E S , T H E W O O D WAY S E L L S P E L L E T S T O V E S ! The Engineers at Enviro have taken the Pellet Stove to a new level of efficiency and reliability. They’ve combined the knowledge gained through years of experience with the latest in technological developments. With today’s rising costs of other fuels, wood pellet fuel has remained low, making it a very affordable and desirable alternative for heating your home.
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Efficient products and dependable service have helped The Woodway to serve you in good Your times and bad, and that’s the way to treat your neighbors! We are proud to be Pell et S t ov e locally owned. Headquarters
WOODWAY Warming the heart of Alaska since 19 78
Open: Weekdays 9-6 Saturday 9-5
On College Road next to the Farmers Market • 452-4002 • www.thewoodway.com
12385013 9-23-11 HRE
THE
Come choose the pellet stove that is right for you!
5
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
How to have a successful real estate transaction By GINGER OREM After many years in real estate, I’ve recognized that there are a few simple tricks to making sure your transaction has a desirable result. First it is important to realize that buying or selling a home is stressful for both parties. The buyer wants to make sure they don’t pay too much and “get a good deal.” The seller wants to make as much money as possible and not “give their house away.” So right off the mark, buyers and sellers have different motivations and goals for their mutual transaction. This is where a Realtor can be priceless. A good Realtor can mediate between the parties, removing the emotions from the conversations and getting both par-
Next, be prepared that all transactions will have hiccups. They may come soon or later near closing, but if you’re mentally prepared to be somewhat flexible you’ll have a better experience. If you’re buying a home, you need to give all requested information to your lender immediately. Don’t wait, thinking that you have more time. The lender cannot process the file or send it to underwriting until they have “every last piece” of requested information. If you’re a seller, there are things you may do to prepare Ginger Orem for a smoother transaction. If you have an older home, conties to an amicable agreement. sider getting a home inspecSo the first step to a successtion completed so that you’re ful sell is to hire the Realtor prepared for surprises. of your choice to represent When you do have an or assist you with the sale or accepted offer, communicate purchase of real estate. between your Realtors, not
each other. This ensures that agreements are in writing and have a witness to what is expected or promised. Do not consider the expiration date on a contract as the closing date. The exact closing date is a moving target until all steps are completed and the underwriter has cleared any issues. Be flexible when it comes to closing. Finally, if you’re the seller, make sure you are moved out of the house by closing if possible and have the house sparkling clean, ready for the buyer’s final walk through. A successful transaction can be accomplished when all parties remain informed and again flexible. There are many steps provided by several different people to get a transaction processed and closed. They include but are not limited to: loan originator, loan
processor, loan underwriter, closing agent, title agent, insurance agent, appraiser, inspector, surveyor, contractor if repairs are needed. Other people may include septic and water engineer, water analysis personnel, community planning personnel if zoning issues arise, radon inspector, employers who provide verifications and landlords who provide verifications. If special financing is used, then additional offices are added to this already very long list. A good Realtor is the GLUE that brings all of the parties and information together for a successful transaction. Ginger Orem is broker/owner of Crown Real Estate AK, Inc. She was nominated as one of Fairbanks’ Favorite Realtors in the 2008 DNM People’s Choice Awards. You can contact Ginger for more information at 452-8000.
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6
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Tips on getting your home ready to sell By NIKKI WHITING
Rearrange closets and cabinets
Getting your home ready to sell does not have to be an overwhelming task. If you break it down by following these helpful ideas, not only will you feel empowered, it will most likely get your home sold quicker and for a higher dollar amount. Less time on the market equals more money in your pocket. Does your home sparkle above the competition? Please use these ideas to ensure that it does.
Nikki Whiting
Say to yourself, “This is not my home; it is a house — a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf. Make the mental decision to “let go” of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours. Don’t look back — look forward to your exciting future.
Declutter
People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it. The marketing photos will not look good if there are 20 items on your counter tops. If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away? Remove all books from Pack up those personal bookcases. photographs and family Pack up those knickknacks. heirlooms. Buyers can’t see Clean off everything on past personal artifacts, and kitchen counters, shelves and you don’t want them to be end tables. distracted by your personal Think of this process as belongings and pictures. a head-start on the packing You want buyers to imagyou will eventually need to do ine their own photos on the walls, and they can’t do that if anyway. yours are there.
Depersonalize
presents...
Make minor repairs
Buyers love to look in drawers and closets to see how spacious they are and Replace cracked floor or will open closet and cabinet counter tiles. doors. Think of the message it Patch holes in walls. sends if items fall out. Fix leaky faucets. Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam. Consider painting your Almost every home shows walls neutral colors, especially better with less furniture. if you have grown accustomed Remove pieces of furniture to purple or pink walls. (Don’t that block or hamper paths give buyers any reason to and walkways and put them remember your home as “the in storage. Since your bookhouse with the orange bathcases are now empty, store room.”) them. Remove extra leaves Replace burned-out light from your dining room table bulbs. to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty Clean everything. And then of room to move around. You do some polishing too. Wash don’t want buyers scratching windows inside and out. their heads and saying, “What Rent a pressure washer is this room used for?” and spray down sidewalks and
Rent a storage unit
Disassociate yourself from your home
LookwithLori.com
items and replace them, if necessary.
Make the house sparkle
exterior. Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks. Clean out the refrigerator. If you want to take window Vacuum daily. coverings, built-in appliances Dust furniture, ceiling fan or fixtures with you, remove blades and light fixtures. them now. If the chandeBleach dingy grout. lier in the dining room once Replace worn rugs. belonged to your great-grandHang up fresh towels. mother, take it down. Matching bathroom towels If a buyer never sees it, she look great —sometimes crisp won’t want it. Once you tell a buyer she can’t have an item, white is the way to go. Clean and air out any she will covet it and it could musty smelling areas. Odors blow your deal. Pack those
Remove/replace favorite items
$359,500 1320 Spring Glade
• Victorian Influenced Exterior • 3BR/2.5BA/2GRG 2700+ SF • Park-like, w/huge garden • Immaculate inside & out
Go online or call
Lori Price 347-7244
57386811-9-23-11H&RE
Would you like to recline in style under the covered Gazebo patio, putter in the garden, smell the wonderful fall foliage or ponder the mountains in the distance... Not your thing? Okay...instead perhaps you’d rather entertain yourself or your family & friends in the large family/media room. No? Well, maybe take in a book in the reading nook with the crackling fire in the glass-fronted wood stove right in front of you? Or maybe you’d rather whip up dinner in the kitchen complete w/2 wall ovens, tons of counter/work space and serve it graciously to anywhere from 4 to 12 guests who can be seated comfortably in the bay-front dining room? Regardless of which of these is your idea of a good day, you can enjoy them all in this spotlessly kept and conscientiously upgraded custom home originally built by 3-2-1 Construction in the mid 90s.
are HUGE. If your house smells like cigarettes, food, Fido or a feline — the buyers may not care what the house looks like. Instead invoke the buyers’ five senses by having a fragrance burner on, wall plugins or even a candle burning for showings. Bake some cookies just prior to the showing.
Scrutinize Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you? Tune in to the room’s statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and add interest?
Check curb appeal If a buyer won’t get out of her car because she doesn’t like the exterior of your home, you’ll never get her inside. Keep the sidewalks cleared, plow the drive. Mow the lawn. Paint faded window trim. Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together in season. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Daisies are inexpensive. Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number. Your home is sure to sell soon if you follow this advice. Nikki Whiting is an experienced Realtor with Coldwell Banker. She can be reached at 978-2297 for further information.
7
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
The details add up when showing a home By GENE DuVAL Our busiest months for buying and selling real estate are in the spring and again in the fall. If you are thinking about selling your home this year, time is running short. The one most-asked question is: “What are important things to consider when selling my home?” Purchasing and selling homes is not an exact science. It is a very human process that involves emotion, value judgements and even whimsical decision making. Condition of the property, current market activity (availability of buyers for your type of home) and proper pricing are all important. Location is a fixed factor; the property is where it is, and that was already determined when you originally purchased the home. All you can do with location now, if anything, is to improve its appearance. Keep the driveway plowed after it snows, the decks shoveled, haul away trash, junk vehicles and such. Buyers look for homes that match their vision of their dream home. Minor cosmetic improvements can be as
Alaska
Refinishing & Upholstery
important as major repairs. First impressions are very important, and all improvements should be completed prior to placing the property on the market. I typically will do a walk through of the home with clients who are selling and prepare a “punch list” of items to be corrected. But there is a point of no return, where money invested in fixing up a place will not be regained by increased sales price. Experience and common sense
quick sale. Pricing your home correctly is critical. If overpriced, the property may just sit on the market and stagnate. If underpriced, you are leaving money on the table. Experience and common sense are needed when pricing your home for sale. The services of a reputable Realtor can prove invaluable at arriving at the correct sales price. Proper pricing is not a mathematical formula, it is an art. Now that you have done Gene DuVal is an experienced your homework, Mr./Mrs. Perfect Buyer decides to make Realtor of Re/Max Associates of Fairbanks and can be reached at an offer on your house. At 452-4363 for more information.
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when deciding what to fix and how much to spend are paramount, or you could end up taking a loss. Fresh paint, clean carpets and a very clean and uncluttered household are highly desirable. Beds should be made daily, dishes washed and put away and closets neat. When selling in the winter, provide photos of your home in other seasons. I recommend placing them in an album left open on your dining table for buyers to see. Commitment to preparation results in a “no excuses” home, which can lead to a good offer and a
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Thru 12/31/2011
Purchasing and selling homes is not an exact science. It is a very human process that involves emotion, value judgements and even whimsical decision making. Condition of the property, current market activity (availability of buyers for your type of home) and proper pricing are all important.
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refinishing or re-upholstery
this point you enter into a purchase agreement. This is a detailed, legally binding document that governs the conditions of sale. The distribution of the closing costs (who pays for title insurance, appraisal, closing fees, well and septic tests, recording and such) can affect your bottom line significantly. When considering an offer to purchase, sellers need to analyze the net proceeds they would receive under the offer. Many conditions can affect the bottom line. There are times when a low offer can be more attractive to property owners because it is also a clean offer, one with no costly provisions or contingencies. Some homeowners choose to do this on their own. Again, I recommend employing a reputable, competent professional. For many of us, our homes are our single biggest investment. Be careful with it. Prepare your home properly, know your objectives, and sell your next home with confidence. And you may get a full price offer!
8
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
It’s a wise move to insure buildings under construction By KRISTINA JOHNSON
tion. Coverage can be purchased on residential, commercial or Many people in Alaska The biggest mistake most people make model homes. Some policies choose, and possibly enjoy, is not considering insurance to protect include coverage for building building their dream homes, rental units or businesses what they’re about to put into the build- materials, trees, shrubs, lawns from the ground up. And why and even property owned by ing or, in most cases, what they’ve alnot? In most cases it proves to subcontractors. Most of these be easier on the pocket book policies also cover theft of ready put into it. and they get from it what materials, materials in tranthey put into it. sit, fire, vandalism and debris removal. The only coverage The biggest mistake most people make is not considernot available on any building before anyone lays a finger on If you have already started ing insurance to protect what under construction is liability a shovel, they need to think construction on the propthey’re about to put into the — so please be careful! about placing insurance on erty—that’s OK too. building or, in most cases, No matter where the projthe property first. This phase of construction what they’ve already put into ect lies, there is usually a Placing insurance on would qualify for a course of it. market that the building can your soon-to-be construction construction or dwelling fire The most common misbe placed in. The best thing project is easier than most policy. These policies require conception is that insurance a property owner should do people may think. All that’s the same basic information isn’t needed until there’s a is first place insurance durreally needed is an idea of that would be needed at the substantial amount of materiing the course of construction how much the owner plans pre-construction phase. One als put into a building project. on putting into the project should note that these policies phase to keep premiums low Why would you insure a piece and then again after construcand some basic information run the risk of having higher of land that has nothing on about themselves. The sooner premiums and usually do not tion is complete. it yet? This couldn’t be more One of the first things a person insures the property, include coverage for liability, wrong. Insurance companies insurance companies ask on the better the coverage, and medical, theft of building prefer to see that no conapplications is “where is the premium, could be. In some materials, freezing of pipes, struction has begun yet and cases, premiums are as low as etc. So if these coverages are premises currently insured?” that they’re starting with a Having current insurance in $375 per year. of big concern, make sure to clean slate. This means that place a policy before construc- place continuously proves to
333 Dunbar Avenue
$219,900 510 Sofie Court
870 Chena Ridge
3060 Amber Avenue
$439,000 1180 Calla Lily Court
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be more cost-efficient than waiting until something comes up and placing insurance later. Insuring your home during the construction phase will help you secure a homeowners insurance policy when the time comes. Some insurance companies prefer not taking on the risk of a prior uninsured building and will only offer a dwelling fire policy, if offering any policy at all, thus possibly resulting in inadequate coverage for the building owner. It doesn’t take much to get these policies in force so that you can soon be on your way to building your dreams. If anything, insuring a building from the get-go can be more cost-efficient and less of a headache in the long run. In the end, you’ll be glad you did—because we all know how fun construction can be all on its own! Kristina Johnson is a personal lines agent at Kenneth A. Murray Insurance.
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Land Listings
Tract 1 Chatanika River
6810 Steese Hwy.
Tract 2 Chatanika River
$120,000
$194,406 Sale or Lease
$120,000
$105,000
Holmes Estates Lots...$12,500 up 2681 Old Rich commercial Lot .................................$40,000 1212 24th Avenue. . . .$38,000 20 mile Elliot Hwy......$27,000 Kenney Lake..............$17,500 272 mile Parks Hwy.. .$46,000
View Listings at
276.4 mile Parks Hwy.. . .$40,000 Tolavana Loop...........$6,000 Deadman Lake..........$6,500 53 mile CHSR.............$25,000
Doug Welton, Broker
DougWelton.com
907-978-4965
9
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
Top 10 don’ts and do’s of selling your home By TRACI SCHACHLE
NOW is the time to replace your boiler.
Please Don’t: 1. Rationalize that a higher asking price means you will have more wiggle room. You could wind up sitting idle on the market with a house full of wiggle room. 2. Respond to lowball offers with a counter — instead, respond with an invitation to re-submit. 3. Refer to a leaky foundation as a central humidifier. 4. Make your house smell like a cherry orchard or a department store perfume counter. 5. Air your dirty laundry. This includes leaving bills and private papers out, or, of course, actual dirty laundry. 6. Take your prospects on A Complete History of a Repairs & Renovations Tour. 7. “Clean up” by stuffing all the closets. 8. Leave unfinished do-ityourself jobs for the buyers’ honey-do list. 9. Defer yard work. Your house only gets one chance to make a first impression. Overgrown shrubs and broken gutters are the real estate equivalent of dandruff. 10. Think licks from Rex the bulldog will help generate more offers.
Please Do: 1.Set your listing price by using area comparables, not based upon what you need to buy that ostrich farm. 2. Put personal collections away someplace safe, like a bank vault in Zurich. 3. Invest in a fresh coat of paint and get 150 percent green back on your investment.
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4. Disclose everything, especially the stuff you are tempted not to. 5. Fix all running toilets, or risk flushing profits down the drain. 6. Remember that “outside” is the new “inside.” Show off all of your living spaces. 7. Visit model homes to see how neutrality and spaciousness are made to feel so inviting. 8. Grind a lemon in the garbage disposal – it smells great and it’s such great exercise. 9. Display the kind of plants that aren’t injectionmolded and painted in a factory somewhere overseas. 10. Keep your day job. Hire an agent and assist them in doing what they do best. Traci Schachle is a Realtor/ Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker. She can be contacted at 322-0228.
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10
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
10 tips for Interior Alaska home buyers By GRACE MOORE Last week a 4-year-old with long blonde curls and bright blue eyes danced gracefully about in my office. I had just given her parents keys to their new home. This was an occasion for celebration, for it marked the end of their month-long waiting period for the property to close, as well as many hours before that spent looking for a home. The buying process may differ from state to state, and from time to time; thus, I am putting together a list of tips to help both new and seasoned home buyers move forward to find and get the home they want today. 1. Get a letter of preapproval from a bank or lending agency. This letter states the loan amount for which you qualify. Go with a lender that you like and one that will give you the best rates. Getting your pre-approval letter takes little time and may ensure your getting the
Grace Moore home you want. 2. Read the classifieds, check out www.Realtor.com , but above all, find a Realtor. Any Realtor can check the Multiple Listing System to learn about houses in the area. But you need to find a Realtor whom you like and trust. That Realtor will work
for you showing you houses and giving you leads. Stay with one Realtor. 3. Once you find a house you like, write up an earnest money agreement with your Realtor. This includes an earnest money check, usually about 2 percent of the purchase price, to show you are serious about your offer. That money will be held in a safe escrow account and credited toward your costs at closing. 4. In some states, such as Mississippi, the seller removes the appliances in a home. In Alaska, a chattel list usually accompanies the earnest money agreement; it lists the appliances, wood stove and anything else in the home to be conveyed with the sale. With your Realtor’s help, check the chattel list to see that it includes everything. 5. If your offer is accepted, choose to get an engineer’s inspection, costing you about $400. The inspection takes from one to three hours and
affords an opportunity for you to ask questions and get to know the property better. 6. After the engineer’s report is received, you’ll want to negotiate with the seller regarding repairs needed to make the property “safe, sound and sanitary.” Your Realtor will help you do this. 7. For properties not on public utilities, septic and well tests must be ordered. If there is no plot plan nor indication of flood zone, these, too, will be required. Again, your Realtor will be your facilitator. 8. A few days before closing, you and your Realtor will do a final walk-through of your new home. This gives you a chance to note any discrepancies. Your Realtor will assist in measuring the fuel in the tank. At closing, you’ll reimburse the seller for fuel in the tank at the price last purchased. This will be a part of your closing statement. 9. For closing at either Fairbanks or Yukon title
agencies, you’ll need a certified check to cover your closing costs, as well as proper identification. The agent will give you a closing statement showing buyers’ and sellers’ charges and will go over the many documents you must sign. Your Realtor accompanies you to closing. 10. The home is still not yours until recording. Recording in Alaska takes place the day after closing, except on weekends. The title company informs your Realtor of recording. Your Realtor, then, calls you to tell you of the recording and to let you know your keys are available. The keys are exchanged. Then, follow the Realtor’s good wishes to you and yours for health and happiness in your new home. And sometimes a pretty little girl dances for joy! Grace Moore, a former school teacher and census worker, is an experienced Realtor at Fairbanks First Realty. This article was originally published in 2006.
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11
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
10 quick kitchen renewal ideas that pay off By WES MADDEN Winter will not be here forever, but while you cannot go outside and work on your home’s exterior or plant in the garden, you might as well make use of the time you have inside. Perhaps your faded kitchen needs a new and creative touch. Maybe you don’t even like spending time in the kitchen because it’s so gloomy, but you have limited time and finances to make improvements now. Well, kitchen renovations do not have to drain your pocket, take a lot of time, or put your kitchen in total upheaval. Wes Madden Try one or all of the following: everything. A dull room can be transformed into an atmosphere that feels alive and Paint works wonders on clean with a few strokes of a
1. Painting
brush and a gallon of paint. If your old wood tone cabinets are not catching your eye anymore, try spray-painting them very glossy white or hand paint with oil-base in creamy white. For only a few bucks, you can paint your cabinetry, providing leaps and bounds of improvements. After painting the cabinets, repaint the walls with a latex satin enamel in soft sheen or no sheen. Use a color to contrast your new looking cabinets.
2. Replace pulls, hinges and knobs Even the worst cabinetry can smile again after new hardware. Perhaps you should look into vintage hardware. Expensive pulls
can totally change the look of your kitchen and this is usually one of the first recommendations I make to homeowners when visiting their home on a listing appointment.
with an opposite bright color.
4. Replace solid doors with glass fronts
By replacing the solid cupboard doors with glass fronts, you open up the room and display dishes, glassware, silver or anything that you wish Examine the cabinets careto display. The glass does not fully and think about which have to be just clear either, doors could be removed to you can use frosted or put expose the shelving. Not only out a few more bucks and get does open shelving make a vintage doors that are masroom look larger, but you can tered to fit. You could also also then display your favoradd sheer fabric behind the ite dishes, cookbooks, glasses glass fronts. or whatever. This is easy to And if you’ve already do and a new look. thought of removing a few Take this idea one step doors to open up shelving, further and paint the inside the glass fronts will beautiof the newly exposed shelving fully compliment. either the same color as the cabinets or create a contrast
3. Remove a few doors
Please see MADDEN, Page 13
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12
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Don’t let your money fly out the window By HEATHER LAMBERT We are all concerned with our energy bills, whatever they may be. Energy loss is about losing warm air or cold air penetrating through holes, cracks, or any passage where that exchange happens. Below is a list to get you started. Inspect all openings Doors: First, when closed do you see daylight coming through? When opening and closing the door is there a secure fit? How is the seal? Is it there? Is it damaged? Is it dry rotted? Do you feel a draft? Does it need replacing? You can also assess the seal by doing a visual from the outside in the winter. If there is frost above the door, the seal may be a broken. Windows: Keep them closed in the winter. Once they have been opened it is hard to get the original seal. And make sure they are latched. Just because they are closed does not mean they are sealed, this is a quick way
Fireplaces are not heat efficient; they are actually the opposite. If you do have a fireplace, a woodstove insert may be a more effective heat source.
Heather Lambert to let the heat out. Are they older, single pane; are there storm windows that need to be inserted? Remember, replacing windows is very costly. It usually takes years to see a return in your energy bill. Unless, the windows are broken, of course.
Crawl space: Again can you see daylight? Are there cracks in the rim-joist? Is there frost coming through? Is there insulation where needed, if needed? Remember to keep the cold air out and warm air in Woodstove/fireplace: When not in use is the damper shut? Is it in good condition? Fireplaces are not heat efficient; they are actually the opposite. If you do have a fireplace, a woodstove insert may be a more effective heat source and can be very beautiful also.
Exterior exhaust vents: Inspect exterior penetrations of the bathrooms, range and dryer ducts. Are they bent, twisted, damaged, properly insulated or even non-existent? Does the exterior vent cover have the proper seal; can you feel cold air coming into the house from the duct? Ventilation system/HRV: Does it need to be on high? Most air exchanges, when set on high, exchange all of the interior air with cold exterior air every three hours. If the HRV’s effiency is only at 50 percent, imagine the burden this is putting on the heating
system when it is 40 below zero. Speak with your medical consultant to find out what your household’s humidity level should be. Your local HRV technician can help you set it accordingly, and as well as any necessary yearly maintenance. This does NOT mean turn it off; too much humidity in your house can make you sick. Attic insulation: Do you have enough? The BARE minimum is 6-10 inches and can be measured with a ruler. If you add insulation, which almost any one can do, make sure to not cover the venting at the eaves. In the Alaska Interior, it is imperative that the cold air circulates in the attic space. Do a walk around in the winter. If there is frost at the end gables or if the roof snow coverage is seriously uneven, this may be indications of warm air is getting out…time to investigate. Boiler: Tune it one time a Please see LAMBERT, Page 13
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13
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
LAMBERT: Insulate basis what would be the most important items for you to address. Interior Weatherizayear, many say do it at the tion is a fabulous resource. end of the summer, but Not only can they give you a always talk to your technilist of qualified energy ratcian. ers but depending on your Call GVEA: They can do an energy audit for a minimal income, they can help with fee. This is a low-cost avenue low cost or no “direct to you” cost with repairs or upgrades. to check your electric usage. Also depending on your One common suggestion they give is the installation of foam income and household numbers, another avenue is coninsulators (gasket seals) for the outlets. You would be sur- tacting Interior Weatherization. They may be able to help prised at the air exchange in you with these improvements. some houses at the outlets. Last but not least, I am not The professionals: For an energy rater or an inspecapproximately $500 you tor. Don’t take my word as should be able to call in an the law, these are just helpful Energy Rater. Always check with Alaska Housing for their hints. Always call a profesenergy rebate program, to see sional for the most accurate advice! if funding is still available. Heather Lambert is a Realtor This individual can do at Somers & Associates, Inc. Reala blower door test on your She can be contacted at 456home and asses on a financial tors. 7653. Continued from Page 12
MADDEN: Kitchen Continued from Page 11
5. Change the lighting • Wire suspension lights: make any space look contemporary and new. • Track lights: lighten up any kitchen. • Under cabinet lighting: gives subtle indirect lighting for warm photos or showings
6. Tile a countertop Tile your countertop and have new countertops in a day. If you have a small kitchen, this is when you actually benefit, because you can get a more expensive tile and still not have to pay a lot of money.
You would be amazed to see how much of a difference a new faucet can make in your kitchen. For the amount of money that you put into the new faucet and pull out spray, your kitchen will be singing.
9. Add a reflection One of the easiest and best ways to make a space feel larger, without literally expanding the room, is to add a framed mirror to the end of a galley kitchen. You will add dimension to the room. Plus, the mirror reflects already existing light, which will brighten up your kitchen.
10. Change the window treatment
Curtains often fade and almost feel like furniture or Changing your old flooring part of the wall after awhile. does not have to be difficult We forget that changing or expensive. Today there are them can easily upgrade the countless, patterned self-stick feel and look of the room. A tiles or planks that can be matchstick blind cut to size laid quickly and easily. can add texture and light control.
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14
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Shawna Murray News-Miner Real Estate Advertising MY POSITION IS TO SERVE YOU: I am the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Advertising Representative for Realtors in the Fairbanks, North Pole & surrounding areas. If you are a REALTOR and would like to discuss your advertising options with the News-Miner, I want to help. It is my goal to provide you the most effective advertising possible so you get the best results!
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15
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
Preventive maintenance is best home improvement By PAMELA COOK When most people think of the words “home improvement,” they instantly think “I need to remodel or I need to replace it with something new.” This is not always necessary or a desirable option in today’s economy. Like your automobile or even your health, it’s what you put into it and how you continually maintain it that will give you the best outcome in the end. It’s called preventive maintenance. Does everyone change the oil in their car every three months or 3,000 miles? I doubt it, but we should. There are those whose motto has always been and may always be “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” If you have ever experienced a home emergency after hours or on the weekend at 50 below zero, you know it’s no fun to deal with and more than a bit painful to pay three times
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are up for a challenge, some hardware stores offer do it yourself courses. Most book stores have entire sections devoted to do-it-yourself projects. However, I doubt few of them have ever owned a home in Alaska. No matter where you start, if you do your homework and do it well, in the end you should do all right or at least you can say you’ve tried your best and that’s all anyone can really do. Whether you are preparing to buy your first home, just moved in or are a veteran home owner there is always room for “improvement,” self improvement. That is, as they say…. priceless.
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line in front of you, but …. patience is a virtue and the best things come to those who wait? There are always exceptions to every rule. You may not be able to apply this strategy all the time or if the property has more problems than you can handle. Emergencies don’t always allow you time to think about strategy or shop for contractors and unfortunately, the same problem doesn’t always surface the exact same way each time. Homeownership closely resembles having a child. Most parents would love it if they came with an instruction manual. Divide, conquer, prioritize and most importantly stay calm. If you are on a really tight budget and
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of the time. One of the best places to get answers is by word of mouth. Living in a smaller community, good or bad word gets around quickly. Check with family, friends, Realtors, local businesses, or your mortgage company. If you don’t have a local bank or mortgage company, I promise, you won’t get arrested for walking into any bank lobby in town and grabbing their brochures on home ownership. Don’t go with the first person you find. Take your time and shop around. Find out whose name keeps popping up over and over and I’ll bet that’s the one you’ll want to do the work for you. They may not be the cheapest and there may be a long
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more than it would have cost had it been a scheduled repair. Education is always the key to any project you undertake. There is a wealth of information and misinformation out there, including many helpful people who are willing to offer you advice. The “I didn’t know any better” answer doesn’t really go over well with your insurance or mortgage company. Know what needs to be done and be cautious about taking advice from others. Ultimately, as a homeowner, the responsibility of making the hard choices and suffering the consequences are all yours. Take an optimistic approach when dealing with mistakes. It’s a learning experience, which isn’t a bad thing and if it happens again you’ll be more prepared to handle it. Being a homeowner can be very disorienting and down right mind-boggling at times, actually, most
16
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Staging your correctly home pays dividends By JOAN STEPOVICH
what the buyers will notice and see. An over-decorated house Home staging is the art Without staging with too much clutter and of decorating, showng off the home’s best features for first, you are only fluff will make it hard for sellers to see all the quality fearesale purposes. promoting your tures. Remember less is best! The market for staging is A staged home is different shedding a “new light” on competition than a lived in home. how to promote a home in On the other hand an empthe real estate market. With ty house does not show the a competitive market, buyers to sell quickly and for top home at its fullest potential. dollar. Without staging first, expect a home to be staged to Only 5 percent of homeownyou are only promoting your show its fullest potential. ers can visualize what scale of competition. Most Realtors First impressions are furniture will work best in the can help the seller identify HUGE. Buyers have already house. Don’t lose out because what needs to be done prior made up their mind in the the home is empty. Vacant to putting their house on first 10 seconds when they homes also show all the flaws the market. However, they step into a home. You must and mismatched fixtures and may not recommend staging create a “WOW” factor. They appliances. because they think the seller want that “this is home” feelWhether you want “full will make them pay for it out ing. Once they fall in love Joan Stepovich service staging” or “do it of pocket or their commission. with your home emotion overyourself,” your goal is how to As a homeowner you may rules any must-haves. trend of smart marketing to make your home more appealbe annoyed and frustrated at Have you noticed all the help maximize your return ing to homebuyers. having to spend money to fix new shows on HGTV and the without spending a lot of Home stagers should be up your house. promotion for home staging? money. someone you can communiRemember, buyers don’t Two years ago many of you Professional home stagers cate with easily; call around had not even heard the terms: and decorators help the seller want to deal with proband ask questions. Home lems that sellers have been home staging; room lift; net $5,000 to $50,000 more in annoyed with or overlooked stagers will create an alliance home fluffing or real estate value. with you to establish what for years. Hire a professional enhancement. Fairbanks is Everyone wants their home with a clean eye to point out needs to be done depending catching on to this global
on your circumstance, time and budget. IT’S ALL UP TO YOU… It may be as simple as declutterizing, depersonalizing and rearranging furniture and accessories for a smoother flow. Home staging decorators will recommend professionals and assist with paint, tile, flooring selections and furniture rental if needed. Artwork and coordinating pillows can set the mood and bring a room together. Greenery and lighting will help brighten a room. Light colored side panels help soften window frames and warm up a room. Have an established professional or talented friend help you turn your chaos into calm, cramped spaces into open layouts. By staging your house, homeowners will earn extra $ when they sell their home, making new experiences possible in their life! Joan Stepovich is a real estate broker, interior designer and owner of White Palms Furniture.
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
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Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
ng! New Listi
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Reduced! MLS #117293 A Very Clean 2 Story With Basement! 3 Bed/1 Bath/1932 SF Call Cameron Harter cameronharter@alaska.com
MLS #117503 720 SF Log Home 2 Acres + in Goldstream 1500 SF Workshop! Call Jerrie Wagner jerrie@acsalaska.net
MLS #116547 Cedar Sided House With Hangar on Private Airstrip. Huge Deck Call Zeb Mabie Zeb@gci.net
Reduced!
and! Beautiful L
! Reduced
MLS #116138 3 Bed/2 Bath/2 Car Custom Log. Woodstove, Call Butch Currier Berggren@ ButchCurrier.net
MLS #117217 Almost 2 Acres in Desirable Neighborhood. 10 Minutes From Town!! Call Jerrie Wagner jerrie@acsalaska.net
MLS #117227 Well-Built 2-Story With MIL Option. 3 Bed/2.5 Ba/2 Car/2048 SF Call Cameron Harter cameronharter@alaska.com
Beautiful Updated Home in Downtown North Pole
Call Benjamin Blackburn Ben.Jammin@gci.net
erty! View Prop
MLS #117598 3 Bed/2 Ba/1320 SF Airstrip Access Call Jim Arend ahomeinalaska @acsalaska.net
MLS #117747 4 Bed/2.5 Ba/Office or Rec Room/2226 SF/+ 2 Car Garage, 2.1 Acres Call Elizabeth Schok Schok@acsalaska.net
MLS #113027 Land – Fairbanks & Tanana View Below Assessed $ Call Jerrie Wagner jerrie@acsalaska.net
19
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
B&B!
MLS #117540 10 Bedroom/9.5 Bath Turn Key Bed & Breakfast, 4808 SF Call Elizabeth Schok Schok@acsalaska.net
ng! New Listi
MLS #117565 For Growing Family 3 Bed/2 Ba/2 Car Lots of House for Price! Call Butch Currier OldRich@ButchCurrier.net
e! Play N Trad
Reduced!
MLS #117184 3 Bed/2 Bath/2 Car Spacious Floor Plan Call Kirk Maynard kirk.maynard @coldwellbanker.com
MLS #117237 Starter Condo in Convenient Location! 1 Bed/1 Bath/557 SF Call Cameron Harter cameronharter@alaska.com
MLS #116860 3 Bed/2 Ba/2 Car Condo. Fenced Yard. Call Kirk Maynard kirk.maynard @coldwellbanker.com
MLS #117463 Fabulous New Home! Built in 2003 3 Bed/2 Ba/1331 SF Call Benjamin Blackburn BenJammin@gci.net
MLS #116636 National Video Game Franchise Opportunity. Multi-Location Poss. Call Jerrie Wagner jerrie@acsalaska.net
hed! Price Slas
ng! New Listi
MLS #117570 2 Story Home in Fox 3 Bed/2.5 Ba/1900 SF 2+ Car Garage/1026 SF Call Cameron Harter cameronharter@alaska.com
MLS #117167 1 Bed/1 Bath/690 SF Nice Townhouse-Style Condo in Aurora Subdiv Call Benjamin Blackburn Ben.Jammin@gci.net
MLS #116577 4 Bed/2 Bath/1788 SF Daylight Basement Call Jim Arend ahomeinalaska @acsalaska.net
MLS #115522 Huge Family Home With a View. Owner to Credit Buyer $6K w/Offer Call Butch Currier Darrell@ButchCurrier.net
MLS #117198 4 Bed/2 Ba/2 Car Great Home with Space. Ready to Occupy! Call Audra McGhee amcghee@alaska.net
MLS #116591 Beautiful Alaskan Log Home, Incredible Views! 6 Bed/3 Ba/2Car/4377 SF Call Cameron Harter cameronharter@alaska.com
MLS #117469 4 Bd/2 Ba/2 Car/1496 SF Great Neighborhood Call Jim Arend ahomeinalaska @acsalaska.net
MLS #104010 Land Lot on Peger Lake! Assoc. Broker is Owner Call Jerrie Wagner jerrie@acsalaska.net
Reduced!
MLS #117332 2 Bed/2.5 Ba/Garage Zero Lot Line Near UAF! Fenced Yard, Hot Tub! Call Traci Schachle traci@alaska.com
MLS #117405 3 Bed/2 Bath 14+ Acres in Nenana Call Kirk Maynard kirk.maynard @coldwellbanker.com
MLS #115658 6 Bedroom Up/Down Duplex. Owner to Credit Buyer 10K!! Call Butch Currier Williams@ButchCurrier.net
! Reduced
MLS #117024 Lovely 1 Bed Home in Hills! Beautiful View! Call Kirk Maynard kirk.maynard @coldwellbanker.com
MLS #117706 3 Bed/2.5 Ba/1823 SF 2 Car Heated Garagae Call Jim Arend ahomeinalaska @acsalaska.net
MLS #117613 3 Bed/1 Ba/1 Car Agressively Priced for Fast Sale. In Town! Call Audra McGhee amcghee@alaska.net
MLS #117539 Commercial Listing or Triplex! Great Frontage, Well-Built. Call Zeb Mabie Zeb@gci.net
MLS #114663 Great MIL Apt 2 Sunrooms, 2 Decks Call Kirk Maynard kirk.maynard @coldwellbanker.com
MLS #115666 Pearl Creek School Dist. On 1+ Acre, MIL Apt. 3 Bd+Bonus/2 Ba/3037 SF Call Cameron Harter cameronharter@alaska.com
57386261-9-23-11H&RE
20
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Some terms to know in bumpy economic times By DOUG WELTON As the world’s economies change and suffer, these are terms you may never have heard before, but if our local economy and real estate market changes and suffers, you will hear them more and more. For closure: This is what happens when a homeowner fails to make the monthly mortgage payment to the bank, or fails to pay the annual property tax. There are many reasons this happens, such as loss of jobs, divorce, medical bills. A foreclosure is the legal process by which a mortgagee, or other lien holder, usually a lender, obtains a termination of a mortgagors equitable right of redemption, either by court order or by operation of law after following a specific statutory procedure. The time frame for this process varies from state to state. Loan modification: This is when a homeowner finds themselves in a position in
Doug Welton which they can no longer afford to make the mortgage payments and turns to the bank for help to reduce the amount and restructure the loan. This process can be very frustrating, as often the lender will use stall tactics, delay
techniques and disorganization (by design). If you try to negotiate your note on your own without an attorney, real estate agent or company, you may soon find that your lender is extremely unorganized; one hand usually does not know what the other hand is doing. Often, lenders will string you along with hopes of getting your loan restructured, but instead force you into default or foreclosure where you ultimately risk losing your home. At other times, they may even offer a modification and then renege on the deal. The bottom line is that the mortgage companies often take advantage of what most homeowners are not aware of. Real Estate Owned: This is a class of property owned by a lender, typically a bank, government agency or government loan insurer, after an unsuccessful sale at the foreclosure auction. As soon as a property goes
into a distressed status -- the borrower/home owner misses payments -- the beneficiary will want to determine the amount of equity that the property has. A popular method is to obtain a BPO (Brokers Price Opinion) or order an appraisal or both. Based on the amount of equity, the bank will decide whether to allow a Short sale, (if requested by the homeowner). If no short sale is requested, and the beneficially is unable to sell the property through a short sale or at a foreclosure auction, it will now become an REO property and be assigned to a real estate broker or asset management company. Short sale: A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the proceeds from selling the property fall short of the balance of debts secured by liens against the property and the property owner cannot afford to repay the liens full amount. In a short sale, the lienholders agree to release the lien on the real estate and accept less than the amount owed on
the debt. Any unpaid balance owed to the creditors is known as a deficiency, short sale agreements do not necessarily release borrowers of the loans, unless specifically agreed to between the parties. A short sale is often used as an alternative to foreclosure because it mitigates additional fees and costs to both the creditor and borrower. A short sale will often result in a negative credit report against the property owner, however it is less damaging than a foreclosure report. For a better understanding of these terms contact a real estate attorney or real estate professional today. If you are struggling to make those monthly payments, it’s best you seek help before you get behind on payments instead of waiting untill it’s too late. Doug Welton is Owner/Broker of Absolutely Alaskan Real Estate Services. Please contact him at 456-1713 or 978-4965 for more information.
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Private, wooded setting with a view on 3/4 acre. 2650 sq. ft. Spacious rooms throughout. Large, open kitchen, dining room and breakfast nook (or sun room) and custom ceramic tile. Custom design features. Formal living room. Master suite; walk in closet. 3 bedrooms, one almost master size; 2 baths. Office; family room; deck/hot tub; 3 car garage. Lot includes large yard, garden areas and large natural wooded area. Quiet and private; property borders state forest land with woodland trails; easy access to the university. Easements on all 4 sides of property. Hot water baseboard heat. On city water/sewer. All appliances. Only $309,000 MLS#117568
21
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
Are you paying too much for flood insurance? By MICHELINE PATTERSON Do you think your flood insurance premiums are too high? The following are examples of situations that could explain the high rates, and some tips on how to lower them.
Basements or crawl space This may be because your home has a basement or crawlspace that is below the base flood elevation. Installing flood vents or filling in this space could reduce your flood insurance premiums. A LOMA or LOMA-F can be filed with FEMA to have a structure removed from the high risk flood zone and the mandatory flood insurance requirement. In order to file a LOMA the lowest adjacent grade has to be at or above the base flood elevation. This information can be found on the flood elevation certificate.
How are premiums set? Flood insurance premiums are based upon the elevation level of the building or home. A flood elevation certificate is necessary before flood premiums can be determined. This certificate must be completed by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. Flood elevation certificates should be kept on file with your local community planning department as required by the National Flood Insurance Program regulation 44 CFR Micheline Patterson 60.3b1, FEMA 480 Publication, and the local flood reducthe inside grade and exterior tion ordinance for the comgrade are the same; this is munity. Remember if you sell FEMA’s preferred method. your home you can transfer The openings are on all sides of the basement or crawlspace this policy to the new owners. walls and allow flood waters to flow freely through the space without building up hydrostatic pressure. If you are applying for a building or home loan, the lender may take the initiative to place insurance coverage for you in order for you to This is a designated area with the highest risk of flood- meet the loan requirements. This is known as “lender ing. Flood Insurance Rate Maps show high risk areas as placed” insurance coverage, and it often is geared more to Zones A, AE or V. However, protecting the lender’s internearly 25 percent of all flood ests than yours. Additionclaims come from medium or ally, lender-placed coverage low-risk flood areas, which could cost you up to three to are listed as Zones B, C and X. Anyone can purchase flood four times more than if you insurance whether or not they placed the insurance yourself are in a Special Hazard Area. through an insurance agency/ agent. Lenders will notify borIf you already have flood rowers if flood insurance is insurance, and are selling required as a condition of the your business or home, you can assign your current flood loan (National Flood Insurinsurance policy to the buyer ance Reform Act of 1994). at the time of closing. Additionally, there is no 30 day waiting period for flood
Lender-placed insurance
New construction What is a Special information Hazard Area?
What is the payout? How flood insurance policies are paid out varies depending on the type of building covered. Building coverage on a primary residential home is paid on a replacement cost basis. On rental and/or secondary residential homes it is paid on an actual cash value basis. Buildings considered commercial are also paid out on an actual cash value. Contents coverage, no matter what type of building, is paid out on an actual cash value basis. The amount of coverage available on residential policies are no more than $250,000 for the dwelling and up to $100,000 for its contents. On commercial buildings, the coverage amount goes up to $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for its contents.
10 years. Flood coverage is sold separately from all other types of insurance coverage. Coverage is available for commercial buildings, residential buildings/homes and renters’ personal belongings. Coverage is available up to $250,000 for single-family, multi-family and other residential buildings and up to $100,000 for contents coverage. Non-residential buildings, including small businesses, can acquire coverage up to $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for contents. Flood insurance is available through about 90 insurance companies in more than 20,300 participating communities nationwide.
How do I get flood insurance?
Applying for flood insurance is easy. Your insurance agent will require a flood elevation certificate, which will have the necessary information to rate the policy. The premium charged for an accurately rated NFIP policy will be the same, regardless of from whom you purchase the policy. For more information on rates, premiums or maps, contact your local independent insurance agent. Your business or home has The Fairbanks North Star a 26 percent chance of being Borough is supposed to adopt damaged by a flood during the new flood maps in early 2012. course of a 30-year loan, comAll information provided in this pared to a 9 percent chance article was obtained from the folof damage or loss due to fire. lowing websites www.fema.gov or www.floodsmart.gov. For more Floods can occur almost anyinformation call Taunnie Boothby where at anytime - not just with the Alaska State Division of near water. Flooding is the Community and Regional Affairs No. 1 natural disaster in the 907-269-4583 or Micheline PatUnited States, and has caused terson with Kenneth Murray Insurnearly $1.6 million in damance at 907-456-6646; micheline@ kenmurray.com. age in Alaska and $23.8 billion in the U.S. over the last
No substitutes
Buying or selling small to high-end homes, commercial property, land or any real estate is a huge process. Let my expertise as a real estate broker and my commitment to conscientious client services guide you through the process. (907) 388-4987 • www.MonicaDallas.com • MonicaDallas@msn.com
Monica Dallas Broker - Realtor Owner
57386269 9-23-11 HRE
The community that you intend to building in requires a flood hazard permit. This permit is issued by the community planning office and requires property owners to build above the base flood elevation. If your building site is located in a Special Hazard Area, it is wise to have a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer or registered architect come and set a temporary benchmark before construction begins. This will allow the builder to refer to the benchmark and build above the base flood elevation. Additionally, it will help you determine how much fill material is needed to raise your structure above the base flood elevation, which will result in lower flood insurance costs. Lower flood insurance premiums are available to property owners who build above the base flood elevation and do not have a basement or crawlspace. Buildings with a basement or crawlspace can install flood openings in the foundation, as long as
insurance purchased in connection to a mortgage loan. Flood insurance is mandatory if the lender is federally regulated and your property is located in a Special Hazard Area.
22
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Painting is not just for the spring and summer relaxed, romantic and more. You even can try different paint colors on images of room In fall and winter, the days layouts to choose the perfect are getting shorter, the air combination for your wall and cooler, and you’re spending ceiling. And now, with the more time indoors — which new Benjamin Moore iPhone makes this the perfect time app, you can take a photo of to tackle those room painting a painting, a flower, a throw projects you didn’t get around pillow or your favorite item of to last spring. A great many clothing, and the app will show homeowners think they’re you an exact color match from limited to the cool spring seathe company’s collection. son when they can open their “I have a painting on my windows to allow for fresh air bedroom wall of a Tuscan garcirculation during painting, den, and I wanted to match but interior designers say that the pink shade in that,” fall and early winter still allow Creators.com photo courtesy of Seven’s Paint & Wallpaper Co. says new homeowner Teresa for the open-window solution Lestrom. “I tried to match it Experts say that fall is a great time foar indoor painting. without the risk. to those paint strips in the What’s the risk? Too-cold home supply store, but I could the moisture of spring air and a very popular shade. If you air wafting into a room can never get it quite right. I hear rather would feel warm and chill your paint supply — espe- humidity of summer air. that pinks, reds and greens are cozy, your den or bedroom cially in the rolling pan — and really hard to match because can soothe you in comforting make application difficult, of their undertones. But the shades of cappuccino or sage streaky and perhaps unattractapp gave me the perfect shade, green. Visit the website of a ive. But before temperatures taking the frustration and fear The rooms you spend time popular paint retailer, such as out of picking our color. And dip to a damaging extreme, in can affect your mood. Durhttp://www.BenjaminMoore. there’s time to paint your ing the long, dark, cold winter com, to take a free “paint color my kids used the app to pick rooms. Open windows in fall out their new room colors, months, it’s far cheerier to personality” test, which will may let in a far more acceptspend time in a vibrant, ener- show you tones relating to spe- too.” able level of fresh air, espeOne secret of interior gizing room — for example, cific emotions, e.g., energized, cially when you’re avoiding one painted yellow, currently By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com
Choose your hues
designers is to use lighter shades to make a small room appear larger and to reflect the sunlight that you do get in a room during the fall and winter months. Deeper, darker colors often make a room look smaller. And designers also say that freshening your ceilings, moldings and chair rails with a fresh application of white or near-white paint gives a room an instant makeover that raises your spirits.
Choose your paint type A big trend in paint collections is low-VOC paint. It makes painting in fall and winter even more of a welltimed task because it emits fewer chemicals and odors, making it healthier to use indoors, especially with small children in the house who have asthma or allergies. Several major brands’ eco-friendly paint lines have been tested by Consumer Reports and other
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23
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
Check your chimney in the fall to protect your home By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com
tion cause rust in steel and cast iron, weakening or decomposing the metal parts. Fall is the perfect time to Some damages can cost a fortune schedule a professional checkup on down the road, and some pose serious your chimney. fire threats and cause the buildup of Over time, weather extremes, mois- toxic gases. If cracks and water intruture and even wild animal nibbling sion are left to compromise your chimand nesting can damage the structure ney and flue over time, a complete of your chimney, causing perilous rebuild will be necessary. dangers inside and out. For instance, According to The Brick Industry chimney leaks and water penetraAssociation, chimneys require special
attention, inspections and maintenance to protect them from the elements. Your chimney is not just the lead-out for your fireplace. In some instances, it is the lead-out for woodburning stoves and your recently upgraded kitchen, as well. According to the National Fuel Gas Code, when a new appliance is installed into an existing system or an existing appliance is removed from a common vent,
the entire venting system, which may include a masonry chimney, must conform to current codes. There are few fall home improvements as necessary as a thorough chimney check, and the trained professional eyes of a licensed chimney repair company will best advise you on your structural needs. Don’t make the mistake of trying to save money by re-mortaring the loose bricks you Please see CHIMNEY, Page 24
PAINT Continued from Page 22
notable product assessment companies, so check online for the latest news in VOC-free or low-VOC paints. Bear in mind that these special formulas will cost a bit more than traditional paints, but you may find the health benefits and the lack of fumes to be worth the investment.
Pick your time An important factor in fall/winter painting is choosing the right time of day. When you’re painting with alkyd- or latex-based paint, allow three to four hours of drying time at recommended drying temperatures before nightfall to prevent evening moisture from affecting wet paint.
Choose who’s painting
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During fall and winter, many professional painting companies are more available to take on your more challenging painting jobs, such as rooms with vaulted ceilings. Investigate expert paint companies well, and ask your friends and neighbors whom they hired to get the job done quickly, efficiently, with attention to detail and with ecofriendly materials and methods. And always hire licensed professionals who have insurance. Invite friends over for a painting party, after which food can be served. Supervise and help children to paint their own rooms, which gives a sense of ownership and pride, as well as wonderful memories of a colorful family project.
Let us help bring it down!
24
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
CHIMNEY: Don’t skimp on price, expertise for annual fixes ing a waterproof quarter- to half-inch layer to protect your chimney. see and calling it a day. Many Ask plenty of questions about the prodTop-end waterproofing of the dangers are inside your sealants are VOC-complichimney, and experts will send ucts your chimney repair team plans to ant and even protect against down cameras to locate the use. It’s a terrible error simply to trust UV damage and atmospheric weaknesses and threats to be moisture. They protect repaired. that repairmen are going to show up against stains and are mildew• Tuckpointing: The prowith the best products possible. Ask for and fungus-resistant, as well cess of tuckpointing repairs formulated to protect in the masonry mortar joints the brand names of their materials, and as freeze-thaw conditions. between your bricks to safeAsk plenty of questions guard your structure from research them online. about the products your chimwater intrusion and further ney repair team plans to use. structural weakness and It’s a terrible error simply damage. Expert application to trust that repairmen are will repair your chimney’s fully protect your chimney’s they require flashing seal. In going to show up with the weak points, returning your structure and your home. As extreme conditions, entirely chimney to full security and another reminder that today’s new and improved flashing is best products possible. Ask for the brand names of aesthetic value. Your chimney repair materials are far supe- warranted. their materials, and research even may return to a greater rior to the original mixtures • Post-repair or replacethem online to be sure they waterproof standard than it used decades ago, modern ment sealant: On top of any had when it was first built. Creators.com photo courtesy sealants are now available in chimney repair work, such as waterproof from the outside of Birmingham Chimney and are 100 percent breathMany homes are more than eco-friendly formulas. brickwork and tuckpointing, Check your chimney regularable, which means they allow 50 years old, so the materiAsk your chimney repair your professional chimney water vapors formed when als used in tuckpointing and ly, as there are many prob- specialist about the warranrepair specialist will apply a masonry are vast improvelems it could have. ties offered by the makers of waterproof sealant. Ask ques- the chimney is in use to pass ments over those decades-old such products as CrownCoat tions about the type of sealant through the stone and escape into the air; they are not mortar mixtures. brushable sealant. Some prod- used, because some sealants trapped, which would cause • Crumbling bricks: In crown of your chimney is the ucts offer warranties of 15 have been found to dry into damage to the inside of your advanced stages of disrepair, concrete slab on top of your years or more. an unexpected hue. flue. Look for 100 percent the faces of some bricks may chimney. If this slab cracks, • Flashing repair: Flashing The most popular brands vapor-permeable materials. chip off and fall, posing injury it can allow moisture to enter is the metal strip that conused by experts whose work And ask that chimney flue threats and causing weakness your chimney or home, causnects the base of your chimis 100 percent guaranteed liners also conform to safety in your chimney structure. ing expensive damage. ney to your roofline. Flashing — meaning they don’t buy codes. When bricks flake, or “shale A professional can assess is immensely important, as it the cheap stuff — provide Yes, chimney inspections off,” the lessened thickness whether your crown needs prevents water from seeping full waterproofing through of the chimney wall allows a simple seal repair with a into this joint and entering their modified siloxane, which and repairs are pricy, but they are worth every penny to procold drafts and perhaps even fast-drying sealant or needs your home. When flashing reacts with the minerals in insects into your home. a complete replacement to sections have warped or lifted, the masonry materials, creat- tect your home and family. • Crown damage: The Continued from Page 23
25
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
Reduce home energy costs without breaking the bank By MARK J. DONOVAN Creators.com With energy costs continuing to rise dramatically, the cost of operating a home is becoming increasingly prohibitive. But there are ways homeowners can fight back and control their home energy costs. Here are some inexpensive solutions that you can employ to reduce your home’s energy costs: Reduce hot water heating and consumption: Long, high-volume hot showers cost a fortune every year. You can start making your home more energy-efficient by replacing your old shower heads with low-flow shower heads and by simply taking shorter showers. These two simple steps alone can reduce your monthly home energy costs drastically. If you want to go to the next
level in home energy efficiency as it relates to reducing your hot water heating costs, consider putting your hot water tank on a timer or replacing your old storage hot water tank with an on-demand tankless hot water heater system. Better insulate your home: A poorly insulated home can increase your monthly energy costs by 25 percent or more. For a more energy-efficient home, assess the insulation in your home to determine whether it meets the standards for your area per the Department of Energy’s recommendations. (See http:// www.homeadditionplus.com/ insulation-info/Insulation-RValues-for-Homes.htm.) Pay particular attention to your attic, as attics are notorious for having inadequate Please see ENERGY, Page 26
FAIRBANKS NATURAL GAS Ɣ S A F E T Y S P O T Ɣ
_
ARE YOU AN EXCAVATOR? OR NEW BUSINESS/ HOMEOWNER WITH GAS?
SMELL GAS? ACT FAST!
_
x This means Don’t Delay! Get Away! x Please don’t look for a gas leak or take time to open windows. Don’t use, or touch, anything electrical. Don’t even use a cell phone. x It’s best to leave the area and go someplace nearby. Then, then call Fairbanks Natural Gas and let professionals handle the situation, so you stay safe. x Natural gas has a distinctive smell. That’s because mercaptan, a harmless odor kind of like rotten eggs, is added to help you detect natural gas if it ever leaks into the air.
IF YOU ACCIDENTLY DAMAGE A GAS LINE::_ x TURN OFF engines and immediately relocate all personnel to a gas-free environment. x CALL FNG at 452-7111 (24-Hr) or 911. x DO NOT attempt to kink or repair the damaged gas pipe. Let the line blow free into the air. x CALL FNG even if you there is no apparent leak or damage. There may be unseen damage.
REMINDER TO CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG _ x Avoid damaging underground gas pipelines by calling 2 full days before digging. x It’s Fast, It’s Free and It’s the Law.
Call 811 for free utility locates Or use ticket.akonecall.com 452-7111 (24 HOUR) 3408 International Way Fairbanks, AK 99701 www.fngas.com
Creators.com photo courtesy of Home Addition Plus
One way to save money on energy costs is to put your hot water heater on a timer.
26
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
ENERGY: Practical tips insulation in them. Also, adding insulation in an attic is an easy do-it-yourself project. Replace old light fixtures and bulbs: New compact fluorescent lamps and light-emitting diodes can cut your home’s lighting costs by as much as 70 percent. Though more expensive than standard incandescent light bulbs, CFLs and LEDs last for thousands of hours. Also, replace some of your old light fixtures that light up an entire room with new spotlighting options — in the kitchen, for example. In addition to making your home more energy-efficient, this tip will help to modernize your home and add some charm to it. Update appliances: New appliances that are Energy Star-rated are much more efficient than the old clunker refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer and electric stove appliances you bought 15 years ago. By replacing your old appliances with energyefficient ones, you can cut your electrical utility costs associated with these types of appliances by at least 20 percent. Service home furnace system annually: It’s important from an energy efficiency standpoint and a safety per-
spective to have your home heating furnace serviced annually. Whether it is oil- or gasfired, its injectors and filters clog up, and burned byproducts can build up in the ductwork, which reduces the energy efficiency of the furnace. Replace thermostats with programmable thermostats: Running the heat all day in your home while you’re not there is a huge waste of money, albeit walking into a cold home after returning from a day of work is no fun, either. However, by replacing your home’s old thermostats with programmable ones, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency dramatically and be able to walk into a warm home when you return in the evening. Programmable thermostats allow you to have the heat be automatically turned down during the day when you’re not home and up shortly before you return home. Many programmable thermostats also have features that allow weekday and weekend settings. By implementing these six home energy efficiency tips, you should be able to reduce your home energy costs by half, as well as play your role in conserving the world’s energy resources.
Creators.com photo courtesy of Home Addition Plus
If left unchecked, ice dams can lead to damage to your walls, ceilings, windowsills and carpet.
How to remove ice dams By MARK J. DONOVAN Creators.com Ice dams on roofs damage thousands of homes every winter. They are caused when warm air in the attic melts the underside of the snow on the roof. That’s usually because of inadequate insu-
lation and airflow in the attic. The water from the melted snow then sheds toward the eaves. The temperature at the eaves is much lower, however, and as a result, the water refreezes at the roof’s edges. As the water refreezes, ice dams begin to form on the roof. The ice dams Please see ICE DAMS, Page 27
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Continued from Page 25
27
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
ICE DAMS: Sock filled with ice-melting chemicals is one method Continued from Page 26
Once ice dams form, additional water from melting snow on the roof can begin to back up underneath the lower shingles. Eventually, the water finds its way into the home. might punch a hole through the shingles, cause them to tear and remove some of the aggregate from the shingles. Your best solution for removing ice dams is to fill long tubular socks or nylon stockings with 3 to 4 pounds of a nonstaining and noncorrosive ice melt product. Place
them over the ice dams and up the roofline, effectively running the stockings perpendicular to the ice dams. The socks hold in the ice melt so that it doesn’t run off too quickly from the roof. As the socks become soaked, the meltwater becomes saturated with the ice melt. As the ice
surfaces is extremely dangerous. Make sure that the ladder is well-anchored to the ground and that it is leaning at an angle that is sufficient enough to prevent it from kicking out on you or laterally sliding. You may want to call in a second pair of hands to help keep the ladder stable while you work on it. As an alternative to the ice melt-filled sock approach — and to avoid climbing ladders — you may want to look for roof melt tablets, which can be tossed from the ground onto the roof. They work similarly to the ice melt sock approach for removing ice dams on roofs by melting drainage channels into the ice dams.
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can become very thick, from several inches to even a foot. Once ice dams form, additional water from melting snow on the roof can begin to back up underneath the lower shingles. Eventually, the water finds its way into the home, onto ceiling edges and inside surfaces of exterior walls. Dark spots form on the ceilings, and wall paint begins to bulge with trapped water. In addition, puddles begin forming on the floor. The best way to prevent ice dams on a roof starts back during the construction of the home. A roofing underlayment, such as Grace’s Ice & Water Shield, should be installed along the roof edges and valleys before the installation of the shingles. In addition, the homebuilder can increase the heel height of the roof rafters or truss over the exterior walls. By increasing the heel height, more space is available in the attic near the eaves for supporting additional insulation without restricting airflow from the soffit vents. Also, the builder can extend the roof rafter or truss tails farther out from the exterior walls of the home so that any water that may get under the shingles will simply drip out the bottom soffit areas and not get into the home. Moreover, the homebuilder can make sure there is sufficient attic insulation and ventilation so that the attic temperature stays nearly as cold as the outside air. The colder the attic the less likely snow will melt and form ice dams on the roof. Although these construction recommendations for preventing ice dams on roofs are great Monday morning quarterback suggestions, they offer little help for those who currently are dealing with roof ice dams. If ice dams already exist on your roof, you have limited options, and climbing up on your roof and hammering them off is not one of them. If you were to chip the ice dams, you
melt-saturated water drains from the roof, it melts channels into the ice dams, allowing the water to drain more easily from the roof. Place a stocking every few feet along the roofline to create a number of drainage channels in the ice dams. If you have gutters, position the socks so that they extend over them. Before applying the ice/ snow melt socks onto the ice dams, you may want to remove some of the snow near the roof’s edge so that you can place the socks in direct contact with the ice dams. Use a snow rake or a snow shovel to do this. Note that working on ladders that are in direct contact with ice dams and non-stable
457-2221
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28
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Fairbanks Realtors have bright ideas for your real estate needs! SUSAN RAINEY AUDREY J. FOLDOE Meyeres Real Estate Audrey has been helping Fairbanksans buy and sell real estate for 35 years. Meyeres Real Estate, named for founder Bud Meyeres in 1950, is now a small family business.
907-456-6000 www.meyeres.com audrey@meyeres.com
GRACE MINDER Grace Minder Realty, Inc. Honesty, Integrity, Enthusiasm! Grace is amazing! Mother of 3, active in the community. Top producing Agent & Broker. Born & raised in Fairbanks! 2007 Affiliate Realtor of the Year!“ 1st Class Service every time,Your Home Town Realtor”
Call Grace 479-8000 grace.minder@acsalaska.net www.graceminder.com
JANET SHAFER Fortune Properties of Fairbanks Broker/Owner of Fortune Properties of Fairbanks calling Alaska home for over 35 years and assisting the Fairbanks community and surrounding area with their real estate needs for over 25 years.
Call Janet at 456-4725 fortune@polarnet.com
CAMERON HARTER Coldwell Banker Gold Country Cameron Harter, Associate Broker and Top Producer. Born and raised in Fairbanks. Graduate of Washington State University. 10+ years of Real Estate experience. Call me for quality service and successful closings.
Call Cameron at 590-3612 www.cameronharter.com
Susan has successfully been helping her clients meet their real estate goals for more than 25 years! Put her in-depth experience to work for you!
srainey@mosquitonet.com Call Sue at 479-4410
PATTY STATES Riverview Realty-States Real Estate Specializing in residential sales, Patty has lived in the Fairbanks area for over 40 years. She is very familiar with Fairbanks and North Pole real estate market trends and construction techniques. Patty will be happy to assist both buyers and sellers with all their real estate needs.
For dedicated and professional service, call Patty today at 750-0606!
GINGER OREM CROWN Real Estate AK, Inc. Ginger is a local real estate expert, licensed in Alaska since 1994 and nominated as one of Fairbanks’ Favorite Realtors in the 2008 DNM People’s Choice Awards.
When you’re read to buy or sell Real Estate,call Ginger! at 452-8000 • www.GingerOrem.com
RICH KELLEY Rich Kelley Realty Realtor Since 1985! www.richkelleyrealty.com, rich@richkelleyrealty.com. Call Rich at 452-7424
JERRIE WAGNER Wagner Realty Broker/Owner living in Fairbanks 40 years. I have 18 years experience in land development, new residential construction, remodeling, interior decorating and property management. My first priority is to meet the needs of my clients. Remember....You Always Come First!
Call Jerrie at 460-2381 www.JerrieWagner.com
EILEEN CUMMINGS EMC Realty, Inc. Eileen has lived in Fairbanks for over 30 years. Graduated from UAF, raised children in Fairbanks schools and has volunteered on many local boards. She earned a Certified Residential Specialist Accreditation (CRS), Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES).
eileencummings@gci.net or call her at 378-1864
GRACE MOORE Fairbanks First Realty Grace Moore knows the community well and enjoys helping people buy or sell homes. She is an Accredited Buyers Representative and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Grace works with first-time home buyers, military clients, Seniors & seasoned homeowners. Grace will give you her best.
Call Grace at 590-0306 email: gracemoore@alaska.net
MONICA DALLAS Monica Dallas Realty Buying or selling, whether it is a high-end home, commercial property, or land or any real estate, is a huge decision. Let my expertise as a real estate broker and my commitment to concientious client services guide you through the process. Call 388-4987 MonicaDallas@msn.com www.MonicaDallas.com
JUDY SOMERS
DAVE SOMERS
Somers & Associates, REALTORS
Somers & Associates, REALTORS
“Exceeding Expectations” I don’t list an exceptional number of homes, just a number of exceptional ones! Realtor for 20+ years. UAF graduate.
Committed to excellence in both residential and commercial real estate. Dave is a consistent top producer and believes in satisfied and fullyinformed clients.
Call Judy at 388-7654 jsomers@pobox.alaska.net jsomers.somersandassociates.net
Call Dave at 456-7653 ext. 101 www.somersandassociates.net
MORGAN MACCHIONE
Coldwell Banker Gold Country
Coldwell Banker Gold Country Buying and Selling property is one of the biggest financial decisions one will make. Choosing the right Realtor to represent your needs makes a BIG difference. That’s why I say “Experience & Integrity are #1!”
458-0055 978-5985 CELL www.morganmacchione.com
TRACI SCHACHLE Selling Real Estate is one of my all time loves. Having extensive knowledge with customer relations, being reliable, tenacious and listening to your needs are qualities that make me stand out as a full time, top producing agent. With that I have developed a full complement of skills that it takes to get families into the HOMES of their dreams!!
Call Traci at 322-0228 or 456-5653 traci@alaska.com www.tracischachle.com
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29
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
GENE DUVAL RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks Gene is the #1 Listing and Selling Realtor at RE/MAX of Fairbanks & one of the Top Realtors in Alaska. For experience, integrity and results, put Gene and his team to work for YOU!
Call Gene at 452-4363 www.geneduval.com • gene@geneduval.com
HEATHER LAMBERT Somers & Associates, Inc. For me, Real Estate is about our community. And we all have a part to play. Please join me in advocating for our schools and education, supporting all those who serve for the kids, and in helping me build the dream of a Fairbanks Children’s Museum.
Call Heather at 456-7653 ext. 102 or 460-6470 heatherf@gci.net
DARREN QUIGLEY Coldwell Banker Gold Country Darren is a hard-working REALTOR at Coldwell Banker with strong communication skills and an eye for design. He’s a great asset whether you are purchasing or selling your home!
Call Darren Quigley 322-6932 quigley.darren@gmail.com
ZEB MABIE Coldwell Banker Gold Country
RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks GENE DUVAL REAL ESTATE TEAM
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452-4363 • www.geneduval.com jay@geneduval.com • christine@geneduval.com • marie@geneduval.com
BECKI STAUBER
RYAN DANHAUSER
Specializing in friendly & professional service for residential, commercial and investment properties. Experienced in mortgage lending, military family life, military relocation services, and listings/sales from Fairbanks to Cantwell. Quality Service Award, Certified Residential Specialist and Broker. 2006 Fairbanks Realtor of the Year.
RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks
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becki@mvirealty.com Call Becki at 378-1766
ELIZABETH SCHOK Coldwell Banker Gold Country Proven Results, Local Expertise, National Exposure! Coldwell Banker Alaska #1 Realtor 2009 & 2010
Call Elizabeth at 322-9188 www.elizabethschok.com schok@acsalaska.net
KIRK MAYNARD Coldwell Banker Gold Country
Zeb is a lifelong resident of and Top Producer in the Fairbanks and North Pole areas. He is also a Certified Residential Specialist and Accredit Buyer Representative. Whether buying or selling you can expect full service professionalism, honesty, and integrity. Zeb is ready to assist you!
• Specializing in Relocation • Past President of Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors • 5 Years Experience As A Board Director, Greater Fairbanks Board Of Realtors • CCIM Commercial Candidate • Commercial Property Management
Call Zeb at 388-6348 www.ZebMabie.com email: Zeb@gci.net
Call Kirk at 388-3560 or 456-4653 kmaynard@alaska.com www.FairbanksProperty.com
MARIE CHORD
Ryan Danhauser, Associate Broker for RE/ MAX, has a background in education, lending and Real Estate. He is the current President of the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors. He is an Accredited Buyer Specialist, Certified Residential Specialist and loves Thai Food.
Call Ryan at 978-2607 ryandandauser@max.com www.RyanDanhauser.com
WHITNEY BOESE Somers & Associates, Inc. I provide a positive, experienced, and energetic approach to achieving your real estate goals. I look forward to providing you excellence in Real Estate through one of the top local brokers in Fairbanks!
Call Whitney at 750-1704 whitneyboese@yahoo.com
JOHN THIES Coldwell Banker Gold Country • Born and raised in Fairbanks • Experience with residential and commercial transactions • Building experience to help you navigate the new construction process
Call John at 347-5853 john.theis@coldwellbanker.com
SALLY ATWOOD Advantage Alaska Realty Sally Atwood Broker/Owner, Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer Representative, Realtor since 1996. Clients say, “Trustworthy, professional, dedicated, knowledgeable and considerate.”
Sally@SallyAtwood.com www.HomesForFairbanks.com Call Sally at 347-8486
MELISSA BIDWELL
MICHELLE EVANS Coldwell Banker Gold Country I, individually, strive to offer the best professional representation in an ever-changing real estate market without sacrificing old-fashioned, personalized service.
Call Michelle at 978-0995 Michelle Evans 36@gmail.com www.FairbanksDeltaHomes.com
BRUCE WAMMACK Interior Alaska Realty A 59 year resident of Alaska, Bruce has sold residential, commercial, and land real estate in Fairbanks as a 41 year member of the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors.
www.interiorrealty.com brucewammack@realtor.com Call Bruce at 455-9550
RICH HARTER Stars & Stripes Realty
MVI Realty An established high standard of quality client service. I am ready to meet the unique challenges and problems families sometimes encounter while selling their home or selecting their new home. My customers are my #1 priority.
Call Melissa at 322-8873 melissa@mvirealty.com www.mvirealty.com
I am a long time Resident of North pole, A business owner, Avid hunter & Fisherman And best of all a Realtor. I love what I do, So For quality service you can Trust contact Rich Harter. 2010 Master’s Ruby Award Winner. 2010 Quality Service Award Winner.
Call Rich at 322-5888 rdharter@live.com www.harterrealty.com
CHRIS CALHOON
KELLI POWERS
Chris Calhoon Real Estate
Century 21 Gold Rush
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.
Kelli was born and raised in Fairbanks and has extensive knowledge of the area. Kelli is reliable, courteous, dependable & available to help you with your real estate needs. Kelli enjoys living in this wonderful town and all it has to offer.
www.buyers-brokerage.com chris@buyers-brokerage.com Call Chris at 456-3401
Call Kelli at 456-7653 www.kellipowers.com
BUTCH & TERRI CURRIER Coldwell Banker Gold Country
“The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence, as for his repose.” - Lord Edward Coke
Specializing in Military Relocation & 1st Time Home Buyers. Our goal is to make every aspect of your Real Estate transaction as stress free as possible for you!
Call us at any time at 590-2853 or 488-5875 www.ButchSellsAlaskaHomes.com • Butch&Terri@ButchCurrier.net
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30
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Eliminate costly window drafts By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com
have dried out and become inefficient, or they may have become damaged when you had your house siding cleaned When your window seals with a pressure washer or your aren’t a tight fit, they let cold house painted. You may just air into your home and waste energy when your heating sys- have a buildup of dirt or leaves or a dead bug stuck in the wintem has to work harder. That dow tracks, pushing the seal will cost you. So assess the out of position. seals on all of your windows, Cleaning your seals: including bay windows, to see Vacuum your window tracks whether you have any proband seals regularly to remove lems to fix. A window clearly debris, dirt and dead insects. has a problem if you see condensation on the glass panes, a Next, spray your window sure sign that you don’t have a tracks with an all-purpose tight seal, but many seal issues cleaner, and let it sit for a few minutes as it works on dirt are less obvious than that. and grime. Then take a speA simple way to test each cialized window track cleaning of your windows is to move brush (available on Amazon. your hand around the outside com for less than $6) and scrub borders and middle pane edges away all buildup. Wipe the to feel for cold spots or breezes. tracks completely clean, and Some experts recommend dry them with a paper towel slowly moving a lit candle or before closing the window. incense stick around the rims Repairing window of your windows, but be sure seals: Some seals do need to to keep curtains and sheers be replaced — for example, clear of any flame or ember old seals that absorb water, as you do so. If your candle’s causing mold issues, and comflame flickers or your incense pletely dried-out or flat stripstick’s smoke blows in a differ- ping. As a weekend project, ent direction, that’s the site of you can repair old or damaged a seal issue. seals on your windows. To do What causes window this, know which type of seal seal failure?: Most often, you’re replacing or repairing. Creators.com photo courtesy of DIY Home Tips age is what causes window Do you have weatherstrips, or Window seals are your home’s first line of defense when it seals to fail. Weather seals is it caulk? Full and complete comes to energy efficiency. installed several years ago may removal of either is essential to
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creating a complete seal with new product. Don Vandervort, founder of the home improvement website HomeTips, advises using a putty knife to remove any existing seal or caulk around the interior trim of the window and clean the surface. If you are removing caulk and choose to re-caulk your window edges, Vandervort says, “use a caulking gun to apply new silicone or silicone-impregnated latex caulk,” which is readily available at home improvement stores. If you prefer the look and process of weatherstripping over caulk, consider the two main types of weatherstripping used around windows: • Self-stick tapes: Made of rubber, foam or vinyl, these strips are backed with adhesive covered with a peel-off backing. Simply cut the strips to length, peel the adhesive, place them and press them to secure them. This choice, according to Vandervort, is ideal for “metal or vinyl windows where nailing isn’t an option, especially where the parts of doors or windows press together rather than slide against one another.” Vandervort says: “The highest-quality and longest-lasting of the self-stick tapes is ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber. EPDM rubber retains its elasticity and insulating qualities even after years of exposure to subzero temperatures. Another good choice is high-density foam, which is also durable and long-lasting. Closed-cell foam is waterproof, weather-resistant and inexpensive, but it does break down and will need to be replaced regularly. Open-cell foam can be compressed the most to seal even the narrowest of gaps, but it is only for indoor use, as it quickly degrades when exposed to the elements.” • Nail-on strips are ideal for wood windows, according to Vandervort, because they don’t depend on adhesives, which can lose their sticking power over time or in heat. Where gaps are large, use a vinyl tubular gasket or rubber tubing with a metal-reinforced flange for nailing.
31
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
Your home can harbor unhealthy pollutants By PAT LOGAN Creators.com Dear Pat: I am planning to do some remodeling on my house. With children, I am concerned about indoor pollutants, such as lead, formaldehyde and asbestos. What should I know about these before starting? — Chris V. Dear Chris: You have identified three common indoor pollutants. The period that your house was built is often a good indicator of which of the above are likely present, but not always. Your builder may have kept some old building materials around or used some materials salvaged from an older house. Lead exposure is dangerous, especially to children and pregnant women. Lead
poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage in children and can stunt fetal growth. It also can cause elevated blood pressure, impaired muscle coordination and damage to the nervous system in adults. The primary source of lead in a house is lead-based paint. Lead was used as a drying agent and pigment in oil-based paint. Modern water-based latex paints do not contain lead. If your house was built before 1960, there is a more than 50 percent chance that heavily leaded paint was used. The best method to test paint you suspect of containing lead is to send a sample of the paint to an Environmental Protection Agencyapproved laboratory. Contact your local health department
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for the names of approved laboratories. There are some do-it-yourself test kits available, but they may miss low lead levels. The laboratory will tell you what size paint sample it needs for testing, but a 2square-inch piece is typically required. The lab will send a bag and sample collection procedures to you. Generally, you use a clean putty knife to scrape off the sample piece. If the test results show that lead is present, there are several remedies. If it is woodwork that can be removed, do that and replace it with new wood. If not, the best method is to contact a professional trained in removing lead-based paint. Just painting over it with non-lead-based paint is not a long-term fix.
Formaldehyde is used in many building materials, furniture, carpeting, etc., in homes today. The formaldehyde gas emissions are highest in new building materials, so it is most likely not a major problem in an older home. If you have just remodeled, though, the gas levels can be elevated. Formaldehyde gas is more of an annoyance than a serious health threat. The emissions from the new building materials or furniture will decrease over time. Increasing the fresh air ventilation in your home can help until the materials age a little and the formaldehyde outgassing subsides. Asbestos is particularly dangerous. Exposure to it can lead to lung cancer and skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Asbestos was commonly used in older homes for duct insulation, pipe coverings, textured paints and floor tiles. If the asbestos-containing material is not deteriorating, it is probably not a current threat. You still should have any materials suspected of containing asbestos tested by an approved lab. It is best to let professionals remove the sample to avoid exposing your family to it. If asbestos is found, the professionals will either seal it or cover it. It can be sealed with materials that bind the asbestos fibers together. Pipes and other small items can be covered with a protective film. Pat Logan’s weekly column, “Here’s How,” appears at creators. com
32
Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
Keeping your pet and your things safe in your home to an unaware pet,” including thumbtacks, loose paper clips and floor lamps that could If cozying up by the firetopple. place on a chilly autumn Look at your surroundings, night — a cat gently purrtoo, Ganahl adds, pointing ing on your lap, a golden out that houseplants — esperetriever sleeping at your feet cially those in the lily family — sounds idyllic, chances are — fruits, chocolate and some you probably have a pet or nuts can be life-threatening want one. for pets. But as pet owners will tell Traditional metal pet gates you, day-to-day living with and childproof cabinet locks one (or more) underfoot is work, too, if you want to another story, unless you petkeep a pet from rummaging proof your home. through your house. Furni“People think that childture covers — such as Sure proofing a house can be a Fit’s machine-washable sofa challenge. Pets take it to a and chair pet covers, Therawhole other level,” says vetpedic’s Always Fresh, a set of erinarian Bernadine Cruz, a pet odor-eliminating sheets consultant for HGTV and the sold exclusively at Bed Bath host of “The Pet Doctor” on & Beyond, and carpet pads PetLifeRadio. “Pets, in genCreators.com photo courtesy of Sure Fit and carpeting with a special eral, explore their world by Keeping chairs and sofas free from dog or cat hair can be as simple as putting down a coating that prevents spills sniffing, tasting and touching temporary cover. and pet urine from seeping — all marvelous ways of getinto the carpet pad or floorting into trouble.” ing — lessen damage to your of reach. But it also may ered vacuums, experts say. ting a pet’s-eye view of your Pet-proofing can be as home and furnishings caused mean installing gates, pet Heidi Ganahl — CEO and home. simple as putting obvious haz- doors, calibrated pet collars, by pets. founder of Camp Bow Wow, a “Get down on your hands ards — for example, dangling protective furniture, mattress national chain of dog day and and knees,” she says, and Technology has put a new window blind cords, electrical and carpet pads, pet-friendly twist on pet-proofing, with overnight care and training scan floors “for anything that wires and houseplants — out flooring, and even high-powservices — recommends getcan be potentially hazardous Please see PETS, Page 33 By VICKY KATZ WHITAKER Creators.com
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
PETS: Safety in the home Continued from Page 32
advances in signal-generating collars that can open pet doors or train a cat or dog to avoid a room or area of the home that could bring harm. Plexidor, a manufacturer and worldwide distributor of pet doors, recently introduced an electronic pet door that activates only when a pet wearing a waterproof, shockproof collar embedded with a radiofrequency identification chip wants to come in or out. No batteries are needed. “Having a technological tool like this is great for the health and comfort of the pet,” says Plexidor President Joe Ambrose. Invisible Fence Inc., the company that developed an exterior perimeter electronic pet containment system nearly 40 years ago, has just introduced PetFree, a wire-in or wireless training system that can keep pets outfitted with computerized “containment collars” up to six feet away from “pet-free zones” in the home, as well as specific outdoor spaces. If you’re building a home or renovating, you may want to consider pet-friendly flooring options. Hardwood and laminate floors can be
slippery or hard underfoot for dogs and cats. Cork floors or rugs are more resilient, but like wood, they are not impervious to scratches or damage from spills without waterproof underpinnings. Stone flooring and ceramic tile flooring are about the only type that can resist scratches. Several websites and books offer comprehensive looks at pet-friendly flooring options, among them “Ortho’s All About Floors and Flooring,” BuildDirect and Discount Flooring. Pet-proofing your home can be especially challenging if you opt for more exotic pets, such as reptiles, which require extra attention to cleanliness because they can be a source of the deadly bacteria salmonella, notes Cruz. “Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems can become ill after being exposed to surfaces where the pet has visited or from sinks or bathtubs used to wash their habitats.” Birds that are let loose indoors can have a fatal encounter with a ceiling fan or fumes from overheated Teflon pans, she adds, and pocket pets, such as hamsters, can “steal away into your walls.”
33 Creators.com photo courtesy of Plexidor Inc.
Combining convenience with security and safety for pets and their owners, Plexidor’s electronic pet door recognizes your pet as he approaches the door.
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Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
How to keep your gutters in good working order boards to make sure they aren’t sticking out. Replace any damaged gutters if they It’s important to perform When performing are unrepairable. Also, check for any mold or mildew periodic gutter maintenance on your gutter system to keep gutter maintenance, growth on the fascia boards. you see any, it’s important it working smoothly. Clogged make sure you use a If to remove it. In some cases, or damaged gutters offer little aid for channeling roof water quality ladder that there is little choice but to the gutters temporaraway from a home, and they is well-positioned remove ily to clean and repair any can lead to water damage to the fascia boards, the attic on the ground, and damage to the fascia boards. To check the downspouts, area and even your basement. wear gloves and eye use a garden hose to spray Non-working gutters also can water from the top of the gutlead to erosion around the protection. ter. In some cases, it is neceshome’s foundation. sary to use a wire brush to Gutter maintenance should push through or pull out any be done at least twice a year. debris clogged in the downI recommend inspecting and spout. You may have to discleaning your gutters in the sure sign that you need to do connect the downspout from spring and late fall at a mini- some gutter maintenance. mum. If windstorms and othAs part of any gutter main- the gutter if a clog is particuer weather conditions occur tenance project, in addition to larly difficult to remove. When performing gutter or if there are trees near your cleaning them out, it is impormaintenance, make sure you home, then I suggest perform- tant to inspect them for any use a quality ladder that is ing gutter maintenance even holes, cracks or loose mountwell-positioned on the ground, more regularly. Leaves, pine ing brackets that may have and wear gloves and eye proneedles and twigs can clog pulled away from the fascia tection. gutters. board. To reduce the frequency of Also, if you observe poor Check the nails and screws gutter maintenance, you may water flow through the down- that are holding the mountwant to consider installing a spouts or water pouring over ing brackets to the fascia gutter guard over the top of the sides of the gutters, it’s a By MARK J. DONOVAN Creators.com
Aurora Builders
the gutters. Gutter guards prevent the infiltration of leaf and twig debris into the gutters. That said, gutter guards are not foolproof, so you still should inspect your gutters a couple of times a year. Leaf debris that breaks down can eventually work its way through the gutter screens
and into the gutters themselves. Most gutter guards are very easy to install and are reasonably priced, so it may be worth investing a little time and money into them to save yourself a lot of time down the road in gutter maintenance.
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Friday, September 23, 2011
Expertise, timing key to repairing smoke damage by PHIL RINGSTAD Recently I was online and came across a forum in which people were asking for advice after they had a house fire or smoke damage. I couldn’t believe the number of people who responded with their stories about how they had “tried everything” and months later they still have a strong lingering smoke odor. “Will this ever go away?” many asked. Luckily these scenarios did not involve any fatalities or injuries, just disruptions to their daily lives. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, I recommend calling your insurance company first and explain the damages. Once you have confirmed that you are covered by your insurance company, call a professional restoration company that has the experience and knowledge to handle these situations. If you don’t know which company to call, your insurance company can usually recommend a contractor in your area. Many insurance companies have some type of “preferred vendor program” in which a contractor has to meet the high standards they require and maintain a high customer satisfaction rating. The contractors have proven that they understand the comprehensive scope of smoke restoration and how to remove all signs and traces of damage. This should help
that should include, but aren’t limited to, ozone and air space deodorization with hot fogging to eliminate the odors that result from smoke and fire damage. There are also methods to clean the home’s contents by using a large ultrasonic cleaning vat that most homeowners would never own. These machines can clean the small crevices and porous materials that hand cleaning could never accomplish. Try to find a contractor who regularly works with insurance companies as they Phil Ringstad can help direct you in what to expect and they will work assure you that the company with you and your adjuster. has the expertise and custom- The restoration contractor er service abilities to help you cannot tell you how much the during such a difficult time. replacement value for an item Due to the many types is, only the insurance comof surfaces that can burn, pany can do this. For example, residues and odors are comif your flooring needs to be plex. They can be difficult to replaced, we can’t give you a remove, becoming trapped price on coverage. We can help as surfaces cool. Usually it you understand that what takes more experience than they will pay is a material of the “DIY’er” may realize. equal quality to what you had Although smoke and soot may prior to your loss. seem to be identical, experiSo if damage occurs, enced professionals recognize remember the importance of important differences and contacting a professional that appropriate emergency action you feel comfortable to have can help in restoring the in your home as the restorastructure of your home and tion process can often take your personal contents. several days to months. You A professional, well-trained want to hire someone you and competent company will trust to be in your home. use professional cleaning and Finally if you are faced sealing products specifically with a fire, remember that for the type of damage. They hiring a professional should will have state-of-the-art give you the peace of mind equipment and techniques that this too shall pass and
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help you with any questions you may have with water or smoke damage. Ringstad Carpet & Restoration has been serving Fairbanks since Phil Ringstad is the owner of 1993, and has been a preferred Ringstad Carpet and Restoration. vender for Allstate and State Farm Call him at 458-8304 and he can Insurance for more than 10 years.
you will have your home back to its pre-loss condition and your life back to normal.
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Fall 2011 Homes and Real Estate
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