• Anchorage
• Wasilla
• Fairbanks

Anchorage Branch - Main Office

About Our Town

With its ideal location, available by land, sea, rail or air, Anchorage is the major retail hub of the State. Although Anchorage has a population of 255,000, retail expenditures compare to states with 400,000 to 500,000 residents. Anchorage hosts many indoor shopping malls that include several major department and discount stores.

A variety of housing is found within and around Anchorage, with each section of the city having specific characteristics. Northwest Anchorage is the origin. This area includes both the downtown and midtown business districts and contains many of the first residential neighborhoods. The area supplies a variety of homes from quaint to modern.

Northeast Anchorage supplies the largest residential sector as well as community parks and recreational facilities. The city's two university campuses and two major hospitals are located in this area. This sector is a pleasant combination of city/suburban lifestyle. Southwest Anchorage is home to sufficient business to allow its residents to do most business close to home. This area contains roughly half of the remaining vacant land, making it the region with the greatest potential for future growth and development. Southeast Anchorage is the fastest growing area. Increased access to the city's business district and the availability of large wooded parcels of land have made this area a prime spot for residential development. Chugiak - Eagle River are located within the municipal boundaries and lie roughly 12 miles from Anchorage. These communities are well removed from the fast-paced lifestyle found in the heavily populated Anchorage bowl. Roughly 80% of the area's housing market is privately owned single family residences. These communities are nestled in the base of the Chugach mountains and significant natural recreation opportunities abound.

The average 3 bedroom, 2 bath, double car garage is located on about a 6,000 square foot lot and will have a purchase price of approximately $155,000. The same size home in Eagle River would be situated on a larger parcel of land and with an increase cost of roughly 10%.

Source - files, Anchorage relocation journal, Anchorage Board of Realtors

Wasilla Branch

Our Wasilla office is located in the Matanuska Susitna Valley, also known as the Mat-Su Valley. The Mat-Su Valley is made up of several communities. The larger communities include Wasilla, Palmer, Big Lake, Houston and Sutton. The core area of Wasilla is roughly 45 road miles from Anchorage. Wasilla is the center of commercial and service activity in the valley. Retail stores abound in several malls along the shopping strip. Several statewide banks have branches here, utility companies, real estate, insurance and medical organizations have also made the Wasilla area their home base. Tourism is another large enterprise. The Mat-Su Valley is home to many popular lakes that are both prominent and nearby, and heavily used in all seasons of the year. Summertime activities include boating, water-skiing, swimming and fishing. Wintertime activities feature skating, ice fishing, snowmachining, and even ice golf. A number of rivers, streams and creeks crisscross the area and provide excellent recreational opportunities.

The Mat-Su Borough has a population of approximately 55,000. Roughly 40,000 reside in the core area.

Due to the availability of land, new construction is a common phenomenon in the Valley. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation offers incentives on interest rates for new construction that is energy efficient. As well, because of the location, the Mat-Su Valley meets the Federal definition of rural, which allows for Rural Development loan programs. The benefit of the rural program is that it allows for zero down payment for eligible borrowers.

Over the past several years, Wasilla has been one of America's fastest growing cities. Due to the abundance of available land, the cost of a typical residential lot is significantly less than the cost of land in the Anchorage area. This fact is partially responsible for the robust growth. The average residential property is located on a minimum of one acre. The average 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a two car garage, sells for approximately $130,000. Another prime factor responsible for the Valley's growth is the more peaceful, rural lifestyle that offers recreational activity outside your front door.

Source - files, Mat-Su Valley relocation journal

Fairbanks Branch

About Our Town

Fairbanks is located inside the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The population of the Borough is approximately 85,000. The Borough also includes the smaller community of North Pole. North Pole is located approximately 20 miles from Fairbanks off the Richardson Highway.

Fairbanks is the hub of the Interior, servicing the outlying villages north of the Arctic Circle. It is home to Alyeska Pipeline Company, the owners of the transalaska pipeline. The University Of Alaska's research campus is here, along with Ft. Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base which is located outside of North Pole.

Fairbanks offers many options for housing. There are condos and townhouses available, but the majority of housing is detached single family units. The average price for a 3 bedroom 2 bath 2 car garage in Fairbanks is approximately $130,000 to $180,000+ depending on its location and age. New construction that takes advantage of energy efficient building methods has taken off here in the Interior. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation offers incentives on interest rates for new energy efficient homes. The surrounding areas of Fairbanks and North Pole meet the federal definition of rural and housing in that area is eligible for financing under the rural development loan programs. The benefit to the RD program is that it allows for zero down payment to eligible borrowers.

Source - files, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce