How should we go about buying a home in Juneau (Skagway: rental, job market)

[Crossfire600]

I have to keep an open mind in order to stay alive. I know that sounds odd but those of you who are like me should know what I am referring to... So, with that said, I am just not sure if my pride is taking over and I think I know what I am doing or I really do have a good grasp on how to find a nice home in Juneau. So, if you have experience with home buying in Juneau please take a minute to give me your opinion. We have a buyers agent, are talking with the local bank etc.. etc.. What I really need are suggestions on the right right way to find a home...

Oh, one more thing. The wife and I live in PA right now and are going to move next spring.

[cobolt]

I'm for renting until you're ready to buy. I say this because you get a feel for different areas, meet people, learn things...etc. I am so glad I did not buy a house during my last out of state move and instead rented to get an idea of the neighborhoods, communities, etc. You just can't gain that info in a visit for a week, two weeks, or through the internet etc. Then again, I'm the type of person who does recon visits before I think of relocating to an area...I walk into the grocery stores, check prices, walk the neighborhoods, watch the news, talk to people, see if I can feel myself living there, so take my info for what it's worth. I say if there is no hurry to buy a house, then take the pressure off by finding a rental instead and then really looking at your leisure for something you'll love rather than something you can live with due to time constraints. Plus, you may get a deal...you never know. A friend of mine in Skagway rented at first and ended up buying land at a steal-away price from a friend he made up there. Now he's building his own house. You just never know.

[Xa'at]

You didn't have "come for a visit to make sure you like it, go back home and get a realtor, then come back and rent until you find something you really like"!
I know people who have done the above route and ended up not going back home at all- sent their SO down to collect their belongings and in some cases children.

[cobolt]

I'm saying with my personality, I visit a place before I even consider it a relocation possiblity. I know this isn't the case with the OP. I was just stating I thought it would be easier to rent first, whether you've done the initital recon or not. Like for me, I've been to JNU enough to know I like it....heck I knew that from the moment I stepped off the plane, but I personally would still rent first and work with a realtor while you're doing that. Just my opinion...

[HighlandLady]

Well...we had but a week to look at and choose a home, but I had been searching online for months and months, and had contacted a realtor right away. We had thought on renting, but it is difficult with four pets (two rather large Labs, a wee Pappy, and a cat)...and they are family for me. Not to mention the fact that our house payments are lower than the cost of renting from what I saw. That isn't always the case and this is mine own experience also; and in the end it all worked out - other than it wasn't precisely the location I wanted. Not to sound like the broken record here.
If you have more than a week to spend, take it and definitely work with a realtor. If you find something to suit for rent, superb - but I would keep all options open.

[akck]

I'd rent first. One thing you need to consider is that you might not like it here all the time. I've known a few families, who after going through a tuff winter, moved south that spring. It's much easier to move out if you're renting. When we came to Juneau, we rented for almost two years. Part of it was due to declining or stagnant housing market. The other part was because the job moved us there and we weren't certain how we would like it. It turned out to be the best move we could have ever made.

[Crossfire600]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

You didn't have "come for a visit to make sure you like it, go back home and get a realtor, then come back and rent until you find something you really like"!
I know people who have done the above route and ended up not going back home at all- sent their SO down to collect their belongings and in some cases children.

Dawn might have mentioned this but she says we will "know" when we step off the plane. It very well could happen..

[Crossfire600]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I'm saying with my personality, I visit a place before I even consider it a relocation possiblity. I know this isn't the case with the OP. I was just stating I thought it would be easier to rent first, whether you've done the initital recon or not. Like for me, I've been to JNU enough to know I like it....heck I knew that from the moment I stepped off the plane, but I personally would still rent first and work with a realtor while you're doing that. Just my opinion...

That Sir, is EXACTLY what my wife is telling me...

[Crossfire600]

Originally Posted by akck

I'd rent first. One thing you need to consider is that you might not like it here all the time. I've known a few families, who after going through a tuff winter, moved south that spring. It's much easier to move out if you're renting. When we came to Juneau, we rented for almost two years. Part of it was due to declining or stagnant housing market. The other part was because the job moved us there and we weren't certain how we would like it. It turned out to be the best move we could have ever made.

Not going to happen here I am a snowmobile nut case.. The more snow the better! WOOO HOOO!!!

[Nephler]

One of the big reasons we just came up there for a long weekend was to check things out, not really a vacation/tourist trip. Areas, stores, prices and for my wife to talk to a HR department directly, not by phone or through her HR department. We talked to many people, all very friendly, that gave me clues to the job market and such.

And also, we plan on renting for awhile first.