March 2019 Newsletter
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Inside this Home Delivery:
Springtime for homebuying
Home show season is here!
Digital tool matches Alaskans with homegrown home loans
A humble new beginning for Samantha
More affordable housing on the horizon
Lender of the week: Ken Scott
HomeChoice homebuyer education: class schedule
Education opportunities
Featured video: Home inspection 101
Attention realtors!
Letter from Mortgage Director, Jan Miyagishima
Springtime for homebuying
Spring is in sight and prospective homebuyers will soon make it busy season for real estate professionals, lenders, home inspectors, appraisers and others involved in the homebuying process.
The Alaska market has remained stable, interest rates are low and steady, and the number of millennials in prime homebuying age is growing. Approximately half of the loans we purchase are first-time homebuyer loans, which offer numerous benefits to borrowers. Following are just a few of those benefits:
Home show season is here!
Have home renovation needs? The home show in your community is the perfect place to find everything you need to turn your home into a den you can hibernate in. Gather housing information, tips and tricks from local builders, housing agencies, real estate professionals, etc., and find out more about Alaska Housing’s renovation loans. Visit AHFC staff at one of these upcoming home shows:
- Fairbanks: March 22 – 24 @ Carlson Center
- Kenai/Soldotna: April 6 – 7 @ Soldotna Regional Sports Complex
- Anchorage: April 12 – 14 @ Alaska Airlines Center
- Mat-Su: April 26 – 28 @ Menard Sports Center
Digital tool matches Alaskans with homegrown home loans
Searching for the right home loan for what may be the biggest single purchase an Alaskan makes can feel intimidating and downright other-worldly. Alaska Housing’s new online mortgage tool -- Loan Wizard -- can help Alaskans identify the right financing for their future home.
Prospective homebuyers and Alaska lenders are guided through a series of questions about their potential home needs, filtering loan options based on their responses and narrowing their search of two dozen loans available through Alaska Housing. The Loan Wizard allows any Alaskan to quickly find the most appropriate products for their situation, whether they’re a first-time buyer, a veteran, living in rural Alaska – or perhaps all three.
A humble beginning for Samantha
Samantha dropped out of high school in 10th grade and had kids young. When her baby started preschool, the teacher told Samantha about Alaska Housing’s Jumpstart that is part of Step. Samantha enrolled.
With the help of Jumpstart resources, goal planning and financial rewards, Samantha completed her high school education.
“Enrolling gave me the opportunity to let go of the negative influences in my life and move forward.” Samantha now works full-time, attends the University of Alaska Anchorage and plans to be a caseworker.
More affordable housing on the horizon
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living program provides grants, federal tax credits and zero-interest federal loans to developers and project sponsors who build affordable rental housing for low– to moderate-income families and seniors.
Funding was awarded last year to the following communities/projects:
- Spruce Cape – Kodiak
- Whispering Winds – Palmer
- Coronado Park – Eagle River
- Dukes – Anchorage
- Clear Pointe – Kenai
- East End – Kachemak Bay
- Harmony Villas – Kenai
Coming soon!
Making the Most of Your Rentals is a one-hour class for property managers and landlords.
An overview of Alaska Housing’s departments relevant to property managers and landlords, including mortgage, planning, research and rural development, and public housing, are features of this class. The instructor will discuss fair housing as it relates to HUD-funded vouchers, and benefits and features of accepting HomeChoice Vouchers.
Classes will be scheduled soon. Look to ahfc.us for a complete schedule.
HomeChoice™ schedule
AHFC offers a free class to help prospective homebuyers work their way through the decisions and steps that buying a home can entail.
Education opportunities
Secrets & Science of Energy Efficiency:
April 9 // Online
April 17 // Anchorage
Intro to Green Buildings: Principles & Concepts:
March 26 // Anchorage
Case Studies in Appraising Green Residential Buildings:
March 27 // Anchorage
Featured video:
Home inspection 101
For Alaskans thinking of putting their home on the market, it may be worthwhile to have a home inspection done before posting a "for sale" sign. Learn why from Troy Bloxom, an Anchorage-based home inspector, as he walks through a few items inspectors look at including smoke detectors, electrical systems, breaker panels, water heaters and furnaces.
Attention realtors!
Heads up real estate professionals! Tomorrow is the last day to register for “Introduction to Green Buildings: Principles and Concepts.” The full-day course is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 at Alaska Housing's Anchorage headquarters and valid for eight continuing education credits. The cost is $70. Nationally-known Sandra K. Adomatis, real estate appraiser, instructor, author and appraisal course developer, is the presenter. Areas to be covered:
- Identify hidden value of energy efficiency.
- Increase value of listings.
- Learn how to work with appraisers.
To register here for the course.
Feedback or news you'd like to share? Email us at newsdesk@ahfc.us
