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Thinking about selling your home in Alaska? Should you refresh it or go for a full remodel?

In this episode, I sit down with Stacey Dean, professional remodeler and member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Together, we break down the difference and share expert tips on preparing older Alaska homes for the market.

The Value of Remodels vs Refresh (00:00:01 - 00:00:20), (00:16:10 - 00:18:13)

You think that doing a major remodel will bring in more return on investment, especially if you’re planning to sell soon. But this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Stacey recommends saving extensive projects for long-term homeowners and focusing on simple updates that make a home more appealing to buyers.

Refreshing Defined (00:02:37 - 00:03:06)

Refreshing your home means just making a few updates that’ll make the space look more new. This can include painting, updating flooring, changing light fixtures, or replacing an appliance.

Stacey says these surface-level changes are budget-friendly and can quickly improve your home’s market appeal in Alaska.

Color Trends and Curb Appeal (00:05:51 - 00:10:05)

Choosing the right colors can make a big difference inside and out. Stacey recommends warm whites for interiors and staying away from stark or dark gray tones.

For the exterior, sage green or light blue-gray are great choices. These colors appeal to more buyers and fit well with Alaska’s unique environment.

Remodeling: When to Skip It (00:13:11 - 00:18:13)

Big remodels, like adding an arctic entry, can get expensive and complicated. Permits, zoning, and utility work can all add time and cost.

Also, be careful not to over-improve your home compared to others in the neighborhood. Upgrades that stand out too much can actually hurt your resale value.

Hiring the Right Professionals (00:20:06 - 00:24:02)

Always hire the right contractor for any project. Stacey suggests checking for current insurance and proper licensing, asking for referrals, and looking at the quality of their past work.

Being part of industry groups or associations is another sign of a trustworthy professional.

Homeowner’s Emotional Rollercoaster (00:24:39 - 00:28:07)

Going through updates can be a mix of excitement and stress. It’s normal to feel ups and downs as costs rise or projects take longer than expected. But for those planning to stay in their home, seeing the finished result can be very rewarding. Remember, simple updates attract buyers and help maximize your sale price. Save the big projects for your next home.

“We always suggest that if people are planning a remodel, they should be planning to stay in their home for the long term. Eventually, they can recoup their investment, but it takes time. A remodel should never be seen as a short-term solution when selling a home.” Stacey Dean.

Owning a high-end luxury home often gives you a real sense of accomplishment. But you don’t have to spend three million dollars to indulge in an Alaskan home.

Even a $500,000 home can feel upscale with the right touches.

How is that possible? In this episode, I’ll explain exactly how and share the pros and cons of the Alaska luxury home market.

Defining Upscale Homes in Alaska

· You might think spending $1 million on a home automatically makes it high-end, but with inflation and importing costs, you often need to spend even more.

· It’s better to focus on polished touches and unique features that reflect your style rather than defining an upscale Alaskan home by its price tag.

· You also don’t have to be part of high society to enjoy luxurious home ownership in Alaska. Most buyers of these homes are local business owners, CEOs, and community leaders.

· My most recent sale was to a buyer from London who comes to Alaska every six weeks just to ski at Alyeska Resort.

Elements of an Alaskan Luxury Home

· Every home deserves an elegant touch. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a million-dollar home or a manufactured home. Your personal style is what makes it feel high-end, because it’s yours.

· Think about how often you use your kitchen faucet. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a fancier one to make everyday tasks feel a little more sophisticated? Or even a dishwasher that makes life easier and a bit more upscale.

· Also, waterfronts, mountain views, and lake access can add thousands to a home’s worth. A smaller home with a prime view can be more valuable than a larger one without it.

Custom Home Building in Alaska Cons

· Even though personal touches make a home feel luxurious, it’s important not to go overboard. You also need to think about the future, especially if you ever decide to sell.

· Too much personalization can impact resale value. Trends also change over time. In the past, bigger homes were popular, but now many buyers prefer smaller, functional spaces with modern features.

Becoming an Alaskan Luxury Homeowner is a Creative Journey

· Becoming a luxury homeowner in Alaska is as much a creative journey as it is a real estate process. Whether you’re building new or remodeling, your home should bring a sense of pride and joy when it’s complete.

· Designing a home is an art form. It’s a way to balance self-expression with long-term value. Every choice you make should reflect peace, serenity, and a feeling of “home” every time you walk through the door.

· We’d also love to hear from you. If you have questions or want to be a guest on the podcast, please reach out to us.

“It’s a personal choice, and it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with value or the market. It’s a creative endeavor, an expression of yourself, and something that brings joy and pride throughout the process.” - Connie Yoshimura.

What are the investor concerns and considerations with medical office space? To answer that, I invited my friend and real estate business partner, Mike James, to share insights from his 25 years in commercial real estate. We dive into capital outlay, tenant improvements, and the financial factors that make medical properties strong long-term investments.

Mike James: Your Alaska Commercial Real Estate Expert at Berkshire Hathaway

· Mike James is a commercial real estate professional in Alaska with over 23 years of experience.

· He spent a decade at Bon Stevens and Johnson and co-founded Commercial with Alaska. Today, he leads the commercial division for Berkshire Hathaway in Alaska and is known for his expertise in medical, office, and retail real estate.

· Mike has a deep understanding of Alaska’s economy and medical industry, and his approach to business is built on trust and long-standing partnerships.

Why Medical Real Estate is Growing in Alaska (00:02:05–00:07:04)

· Alaska’s medical industry is growing fast, attracting physicians, nurses, and technicians to cities like Anchorage, Nome, and Fairbanks.

· Mike explains that new surgery centers must go through a strict Certificate of Need process, which makes building new centers challenging.

· Urgent care is also expanding, offering convenient, cost-effective care and helping hospitals focus on serious cases.

Primary Care and Office Conversions (00:08:36–00:12:23)

· We talk about the steady demand for primary care providers and the rise of specialists.

· Traditional office buildings, such as a former Wells Fargo location recently purchased by a physician, are being converted into modern medical facilities. Moves like this make it easier for providers to collaborate and refer patients under one roof.

Why Medical Offices Are Attractive Investments (00:13:23–00:15:03)

· Medical offices are appealing because they usually have longer lease terms, tenants invest heavily in specialized buildouts, and vacancy rates are low.

· These spaces help investors reach the “buy-and-hold” dream.

· Anchorage is also seeing more in-state specialists, reducing the need for patients to travel to places like Seattle.

"It’s always really attractive, whether it’s physicians investing in themselves or an outside group getting involved. Physician-occupied buildings are a magnet because they usually have stable, long-term tenants." – Mike James

Resources

Check out my guest, Mike James, at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Alaska Realty to learn more about his work in commercial real estate.

In this episode, Connie, Teresa Thomas Sr., Mortgage Loan Originator, and Colleen Harrington, Baer, Regional Vice President. Both of them are with Global Credit Union Home Loans. In this dive deep into the federal interest rates decrease and their impact on consumer loans. We also discuss insights on navigating the current mortgage landscape. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how to make informed financial decisions in today's economy.

Understanding the Federal Interest Rate Impact

● The Federal Reserve's rate announcements influence consumer loans, affecting credit cards, car loans, and mortgages.

● The relationship between mortgage pricing and the 10-year yield is crucial; many market changes are already anticipated before public announcements.

● Insights from Federal Reserve members post-announcement can shift market perceptions and rates.

Navigating Variable Income in Mortgage Qualification

● With changing work environments, many individuals have variable incomes, making qualification for mortgages more complex.

● Loan originators can help navigate these challenges by averaging income over a two-year period to assess credit risk.

● Unique income sources like gig work and Airbnbs require different considerations when qualifying for loans.

Choosing the Right Mortgage Products

● Conventional loans are often the best option for high credit scores and significant down payments, as they typically come with lower mortgage insurance.

● Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) can offer lower introductory rates, often half a point less than fixed rates, for qualified buyers.

● Portfolio products offer unique financing solutions, especially for professionals in high-demand fields with up to 100% financing options and no mortgage insurance.

Homework Challenge or Action Steps

● Evaluate your current financial standing and understand your credit score before applying for a mortgage.

● Research various mortgage products to find the best fit for your financial situation and goals.

Timestamps

1. 00:00 ● Introduction
2. 01:50 ● Understanding the Federal Interest Rate Impact
3. 12:30 ● Navigating Variable Income in Mortgage Qualification
4. 23:45 ● Choosing the Right Mortgage Products
5. 35:00 ● Closing Thoughts

Resources

● Global Credit Union Home Loans ● [https://www.globalcu.org/home-loans](https://www.globalcu.org/home-loans)

Colleen Hharrington Baer - NMLS #204064

Teresa Thomas - NMLS #1585817

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by https://www.bhhsalaska.com/

Music by SoundStripe. Thank you for tuning in to Money Talk, where we empower you to make informed financial decisions!

Clarification:

As it turns out, there is no federal law banning interest on escrow accounts, but several states have passed laws against it. Alaska is one of those states. Some states, like New York, require that interest be paid to borrowers from escrow accounts.

Mobile homes often get a bad rap—but it’s time to change that. In this episode, Connie and Lottie Michael share their experience in manufactured home communities and reveal why they might just be the best-kept secret in affordable homeownership.

Understanding Mobile Home Communities

· When most people hear “mobile home park,” they picture something temporary or run-down—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Lottie explains that these parks are actually vibrant, family-centered communities where residents own their homes and enjoy the perks of homeownership at an affordable price.

· Unlike the condominium-style setups often found outside Alaska, local mobile home parks here are owned by the park owner, while residents own their individual homes.

· That means they get to enjoy their own yards, keep pets, and create lasting neighborhood traditions.

· Over the years, many parks have developed strong, close-knit cultures—everything from holiday gift exchanges to scholarship programs for local kids. These are communities where people know their neighbors, look out for one another, and stay for the long haul.

Investment Potential and Business Models

· Mobile home parks aren’t just about affordable living—they’re also one of the most reliable, long-term investments in real estate. Some parks are made up entirely of owner-occupied homes, while others, like a few in Anchorage, follow a rental model where the park owns each unit—much like an apartment complex.

· As we discuss, success in this business comes down to balance. When owners are hands-on and realistic

about risk versus reward, mobile home communities can offer steady, dependable

returns for decades.

Financing and Turnover in Mobile Home Parks

· Financing has changed a lot over the years. Residents today have options—from signature loans and private financing to simple cash purchases. Lottie shares some fascinating context about Alaska’s housing boom-and-bust cycles, including a time when mobile homes were demolished at a rapid pace.

· But things are very different now. Today’s parks have low turnover rates, with many families staying for years—even generations. For many Alaskans, that mobile home is their dream home, a stable and affordable way to put down roots.

RV Parks vs. Mobile Home Communities

· We took the time to clear up one common confusion: mobile home parks are not the same as RV parks. While RV parks cater to short-term visitors and travelers, mobile home communities are designed for permanent living.

· Lottie knows this world inside and out—she’s Alaska’s largest RV park owner! Through her experience, we explore how these two types of properties differ in purpose, business model, and community life.

“You have to decide whether the risk is worth the reward. Every investment comes with its own level of return, so it’s all about weighing the two—how much risk are you really willing to take for that potential payoff?” - Lottie Michael.

Timestamps

● 00:00 ● Introduction

● 01:01 ● What is a Mobile Home Park?

● 03:33 ● Investment Insights into Mobile Home Parks

● 07:02 ● Financing and Ownership in Manufactured Communities

● 10:30 ● Differences Between RV Parks and Mobile Home Communities

● 14:51 ● Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Berkshire Hathaway Alaska. - https://www.bhhsalaska.com/

Credits

Music by SoundStripe and Produced by bluëmango | STUDIOS.

For more insights and expert discussions, don’t forget to subscribe and tune in to our next episode on the luxury home market!

Did you know Alaska is as big as Texas, California, and Montana combined? With all that land, you might wonder, who really owns Alaska?

Well, Lottie and I are here to break down what makes our state so unique when it comes to land ownership, population dynamics, and economic opportunities. From historical tidbits to modern real estate realities, we’re diving into who actually owns Alaska and how that ownership shapes everyday life for Alaskans.

The Great Land: Alaska’s Size and Scope

· When you really start to look at it, Alaska’s size is almost hard to wrap your head around. In this episode, Lottie and I talk about just how vast our state truly is. It’s over 663,000 square miles, or should we say, enough room to fit 430 Rhode Islands.

· We also chat about Alaska’s incredible coastline, the longest in the entire country, and share a few personal stories that bring those wild statistics to life. If you’ve ever wondered what makes living here so special, our conversation will give you a new appreciation for just how big and beautiful “The Great Land” really is.

Who Really Owns Alaska?

· Here’s where things get interesting. Even though Alaska has around 365 million acres, nearly 90% of it is owned by either the federal or state government. Alaska Native Corporations own about 12.5% of the land, which leaves less than 1% for private citizens and businesses.

· That means if we divided it evenly, every Alaskan would get just about one acre of land! Lottie and I break down what that really means for anyone hoping to buy, develop, or just understand why land ownership here is so different from anywhere else in the U.S.

Living in Alaska: Accessibility and Barriers

· Now, with all that space, you’d think finding a place to build would be easy—but not quite. Much of Alaska’s land is undevelopable, whether it’s permafrost, wetlands, or simply too remote to reach without a plane. We share a few local stories about isolated communities, frozen lakes, and what it really takes to get from point A to point B up here.

· We also discuss why housing can be so limited in Anchorage and how geography shapes where—and how—people can live in Alaska.

The Economy and Everyday Opportunity

· To wrap things up, we dive into Alaska’s economy and what makes life here so unique. Incomes are higher than the national average, and we enjoy no state income or sales tax in major cities.

· But there are tradeoffs. With such little private land and much of the retail growth shifting toward the Valley, Anchorage faces real challenges when it comes to expansion and urban planning.

· We share our thoughts on where things are headed and what it’ll take to keep Alaska’s communities strong, vibrant, and full of opportunity for generations to come.

“The median household income here is $89,336. That’s from a couple of years ago, but it’s still about 13.75% higher than the national median.” - Connie Yoshimura.

“What we might not be considering when we say that number out loud is that we don’t have a state income tax. We’re careful about how we tax ourselves. So yes, we have taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, but we don’t have many of the hidden taxes that the rest of the country is burdened with.” - Lottie Michael.