House hunting tips (Wasilla, Willow, Metlakatla: houses, rent, hotel)

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by warptman

Actually, I'm in Anchorage bored off my ass. I'm leaving to London on Monday night. I figure I'd fly here for the weekend to relax with a few friends, and the bastards changed their phone numbers. So here I am on a Saturday night doing absolutely nothing. I went driving around, that got old. I hate the traffic here.

damn warpt, that's cold of them, sorry to hear that.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Classic Satch

Well, we're flying into Anchorage next weekend. Does anybody have some good tips on house-hunting? We've no strangers to buying a house but are fully cognizant of the fact that Alaska may be just a weee bit different.

Make sure the outhouse pit is dug deep enough.

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

Make sure the outhouse pit is dug deep enough.

LMAO!

Hummmm, interesting, don't know that I would have used the word "chutzpah" while complaining of other languages expecting you to know their terms instead of using the AmEnglish term "nerve"

Picky..picky...picky.

[susitna-flower]

Originally Posted by warptman

House hunting. They're banning lead shot now. You'll have to try practicing with steel shot. Shooting steel is a bit different that shooting lead. With lead shot you had to lead the house a little bit because the lead was so heavy. Now with the lightness of steel and how fast it gets there, you don't lead them as much. The second you have the house blotted out with the barrel, you shoot. You should be able to knock the house down that way. If you miss the first few times, nothing like practice which makes perfect! Good luck on the hunt.

I know someone out in Bethel who is showing some "locals" how to shoot with steel.....He's a shorttimer though...my son-in-law moving to Kodiak! Their little family has loved the experience of Bethel, mainly the people!
Certainly not the prices.....hoping the fresh fruits and veggies are easier to come by in Kodiak.

They are looking forward to new places and the Crab Festival down in Kodiak, as well as their second child.

I've just been on this site one day, and have to say you have showed me more of Bethel than they have in the 3 1/2 years of living there. Thanks for the peek......




As for house hunting in our neck of the woods....upper Susitna Valley. Prices are lower than down around Wasilla, but be careful to get it from a dependable contractor, or get the home inspected before buying as there are many do-it-yourselfers around here!

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by susitna-flower

I know someone out in Bethel who is showing some "locals" how to shoot with steel.....He's a shorttimer though...my son-in-law moving to Kodiak! Their little family has loved the experience of Bethel, mainly the people!
Certainly not the prices.....hoping the fresh fruits and veggies are easier to come by in Kodiak.

They are looking forward to new places and the Crab Festival down in Kodiak, as well as their second child.

I've just been on this site one day, and have to say you have showed me more of Bethel than they have in the 3 1/2 years of living there. Thanks for the peek......




As for house hunting in our neck of the woods....upper Susitna Valley. Prices are lower than down around Wasilla, but be careful to get it from a dependable contractor, or get the home inspected before buying as there are many do-it-yourselfers around here!

Believe me, a home inspection is of the utmost priority. I'm counting the hours until I can get the hell out of the this nutfarm.

[susitna-flower]

If your target is Mat-Su, are you basing this around an existing job? We live upper Susitna Valley, it is close enough to town for shopping, but far enough out to be quiet, and great recreation. Perfect for folks working on the slope! Less crowded than Talkeetna, but similar feel.

Snow machining, skiing, fishing hunting and beautiful mountain views. Also a little known fact....this is the banana belt of the area. Normally 20 degrees warmer in the winter than Willow! Home prices are lower than Wasilla. check out Trapper Creek Community Services .

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by susitna-flower

If your target is Mat-Su, are you basing this around an existing job? We live upper Susitna Valley, it is close enough to town for shopping, but far enough out to be quiet, and great recreation. Perfect for folks working on the slope! Less crowded than Talkeetna, but similar feel.

Snow machining, skiing, fishing hunting and beautiful mountain views. Also a little known fact....this is the banana belt of the area. Normally 20 degrees warmer in the winter than Willow! Home prices are lower than Wasilla. check out Trapper Creek Community Services .

The wife's job is initially going to be in Anchorage with a very, very high likelihood of a transfer to Wasilla within 6 months or so. We are going to be looking at homes in the Wasilla/Palmer area to ease the pain of the Anchorage commute. And I absolutely, positively must have access to high speed Internet, preferably GCI. Those are a few of the major factors that have influenced our decision-making process.

[alaskaboy]

I highly recommend the following agents in the valley. Not necessarily in this order, because they are all good and qualified. These are just agents I've come to know over the years. Keep in mind this is only my own personal opinion.

Remax: Matry Van Diest whom I believe posts right here on this forum. Marty knows the valley like the backside of his hand. He is down to earth, "matter of fact" type of agent. Extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of house buying and selling in Alaska. (which is different then other places, trust me) very friendly, good hearted person, who does not pressure, enjoys what he does and it shows in his work. Very well respected and liked by other agents (which is important) If I were looking for a new home in the valley, I would not hesitate to use Marty.

Remax: Larry & Jacque Ficek. Husband and wife team with a buyers agent and more. Very nice agents, show lost of patience. They also know the valley very well. These are the agents that sold my home in under a week. Trust me when I says patience were tested with the sale of our home and they passed with flying colors. Also very well liked in the valley. My impression is they will do anything to get you in the house YOU want. They also have some very modern touches when it comes to both buying selling which are very nice.

Remax: Helga Larson: She has been an agent in the valley for something like 35 years. She is a German lady and she is VERY nice. In my opinion she shows old fashioned values when it comes to real estate. Very ethical, knowledgeable and down to earth. This is a very nice lady, full of information.

Other very good agents I have heard go above and beyond. Kevin Cozier, Kristan Kole who has a very large office with specialists. I have not worked with these two agents, but I have heard some good things about these two.

I would really recommend finding a good agent as they are not all created equally. These folks I've listed here, will make it their goal to find you a great home. The valley can be a real trap and you can get stuck in something not so good if you do not know what you are looking at or for. These agents know everything about the valley and then some. They are full-time agents, not weekend wanna-bees. Best of luck in your home hunting!

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Classic Satch

I just can't wait to get the hell out of this insane and overpopulated asylum better known as "California." It will be quite a relief to exit a state where a significant portion of the population doesn't speak English and has the chutzpah to expect you to speak theirs.

Oi vey, ce n'est pas amusant...

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by alaskaboy

I highly recommend the following agents in the valley. Not necessarily in this order, because they are all good and qualified. These are just agents I've come to know over the years. Keep in mind this is only my own personal opinion.

Remax: Matry Van Diest whom I believe posts right here on this forum. Marty knows the valley like the backside of his hand. He is down to earth, "matter of fact" type of agent. Extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of house buying and selling in Alaska. (which is different then other places, trust me) very friendly, good hearted person, who does not pressure, enjoys what he does and it shows in his work. Very well respected and liked by other agents (which is important) If I were looking for a new home in the valley, I would not hesitate to use Marty.

Remax: Larry & Jacque Ficek. Husband and wife team with a buyers agent and more. Very nice agents, show lost of patience. They also know the valley very well. These are the agents that sold my home in under a week. Trust me when I says patience were tested with the sale of our home and they passed with flying colors. Also very well liked in the valley. My impression is they will do anything to get you in the house YOU want. They also have some very modern touches when it comes to both buying selling which are very nice.

Remax: Helga Larson: She has been an agent in the valley for something like 35 years. She is a German lady and she is VERY nice. In my opinion she shows old fashioned values when it comes to real estate. Very ethical, knowledgeable and down to earth. This is a very nice lady, full of information.

Other very good agents I have heard go above and beyond. Kevin Cozier, Kristan Kole who has a very large office with specialists. I have not worked with these two agents, but I have heard some good things about these two.

I would really recommend finding a good agent as they are not all created equally. These folks I've listed here, will make it their goal to find you a great home. The valley can be a real trap and you can get stuck in something not so good if you do not know what you are looking at or for. These agents know everything about the valley and then some. They are full-time agents, not weekend wanna-bees. Best of luck in your home hunting!

We've been in contact with one of the agents that you listed for some time now. I've also spoken with Marty many times and you're right, he's a straight-up guy. I sincerely appreciate the advice.

Oi vey, ce n'est pas amusant

It may not be funny but it is, however, the truth. Live here for a few months Xa'at, then you'll see the veracity of my statement.