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Real Estate in Alaska
Buying land or homes in Alaska is basically the same as anywhere else in the United States -- it doesn't matter if it is a remote island, fishing lodge, or home in Anchorage -- the process is dictated by common property laws. Some of the challenges buyers and sellers face in Alaska include the limited number of appraisers and home inspectors. The amount of time it takes to find or sell a property takes many people new to Alaska by surprise. Using a realtor is truly a must in Alaska but find a good agent may be difficult. If you don't have recommendations from people you trust -- interview several and don't be afraid replace them if they aren't providing the type of service you expect.
Buying/Selling a Home: - The real estate market in Alaska varies by city and time of year. Some towns have only a small selection of homes to choose from and other similar sized communities may have a more active pool of builders and developers -- offering a large pool of homes. Most sellers list their homes in May or June, and may take unsold listings off the market in September, not wanting to move during the winter. Homes may be constructed by a owner/builder or a professional contractor. Newer construction offers much lower energy bills, while older homes normally have a nicer lot or developed yard and garden. The quality of construction varies greatly between homes and communities in Alaska.
Land in Alaska: - Improved and undeveloped land is available throughout the state of Alaska. Remote land can be purchased with ocean, lake, and river frontage. The many national parks in Alaska contain private -- inholding land -- which is available for purchase. The available parcels size varies from in town size lots to hundreds of acre sized blocks. Bank financing may require surveying and environmental inspection prior to funding. Many sellers finance with 10% down. In some areas land may be on the market for years and an eager seller can normally be found for cash buyers. Faster growing areas may require an above asking purchase price offer for a successful purchase. Land is available from private sellers and the State of Alaska.
Homesteading in Alaska: - The Homestead Act remained in effect until it was repealed in 1976, with provisions for homesteading in Alaska until 1986. Alaska was one of the last places in the country where homesteading remained a viable option into the latter part of the 1900s. There are no longer any federal lands in Alaska available for homesteading. All federal land programs relating to homesteading, homesite's, headquarters sites, and/or trade and manufacturing sites within Alaska expired in 1986. Since the 1986 repeal, there has been no federal homesteading program in Alaska; the State of Alaska, however, created public land disposal programs starting with statehood in 1959. Initially, the state sold land primarily through auctions and then through land lotteries after 1978. In 1977 the Homesite Law provided for "free land" with provisions similar those of the federal Homestead Act. In 1984, the Homestead Program was initiated, allowing for the claim of 40 non-agricultural acres or 160 agricultural acres of land. The requirements for homesteaders eventually came to include U.S. citizenship and residency in Alaska for one year prior to filing as well as certain surveying, clearing and building obligations. After 1988, all parcels eligible for homesteading were first staked out by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Today, the DNR primarily sells state lands for private or commercial use through public sealed bids. Parcels that are not sold through these auctions are offered for sale over-the-counter.
Links to web sites offering information on Alaska home and land sales.
Alaska DNR Land Sales - Land offered for auction and over the counter purchase by the State of Alaska. Financing offered on all sales.
Fairbanks MLS- Fairbanks and North Pole MLS listings and rental information. This is through a realtor site.
Juneau MLS - Listings for Juneau and Southeast Alaska. This is through a realtor site.
Matanuska Valley MLS - MLS listing for the Matanuska Valley, including Palmer and Wasilla.
MLS Listings for Alaska - MLS with some statewide listings. Primarily Anchorage area homes and land.
University of Alaska Land Sales - Remote land offered for sale from the University of Alaska. Offers financing on purchases.
Books on Real Estate and Homesteading in Alaska
Alaska Homesteading
- Books and articles on homesteading in Alaska.
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