Owning a house in Alaska is a dream come true for many. While the state’s incredibly harsh climate might not seem like the best environment for homeownership, the fact is that house prices are relatively low compared to other regions of the country, particularly in view of the area’s extraordinary beauty. If you’re thinking of buying a house in Alaska, keep reading. We’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Where To Buy?
Alaska is one of the most popular destinations for retirees looking for a new lifestyle. The state’s incredibly harsh environment provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, while its scenery is breathtaking. Many buy property on the coast, where the climate is beautiful and warm, and the beaches are pristine. You’ll also find a large number of active and retired military personnel in the state’s biggest city, Anchorage. If you’re looking for a new home in Alaska, you’ll most likely be faced with the dilemma of whether to buy a new build or an older property. While newer homes typically offer better value for money, the trade-off can be lower quality insulation and fixtures, as well as a lower capacity hydro system.
Value For Money
Prices in Alaska are low, which means you can buy a decent quality house there for the price you’d pay in other regions. That being said, if you’re looking for top-notch luxury, you might end up paying a bit above market value. One of the reasons behind this discrepancy is that there’s a limited number of home buyers in the state, which drives up the price of houses. Another contributing factor is the lack of a significant number of houses for sale in the state, which causes prices to be low. If you think you can find a good deal in Alaska, you can probably get a house that meets your needs and budget. Just make sure you do your research first and do your homework on the state’s housing market.
Decent Neighbors
If you decide to buy a house in Alaska, make sure you’re choosing a community that’s friendly and comfortable. There are decent neighborhoods in every part of the state, but some are preferable to others based on your personal preferences. Of course, you don’t want to live near a highway or a busy street, but other than that, you should have no issues regarding your personal safety or that of your family. The best way to find out what your neighborhood is like is by talking to the people who live there; if you think a specific area is safe and convenient, go there and see for yourself. It really is that simple. If the houses in your chosen community seem decent and have been well-maintained, you can rest assured that you’re making the right choice. You’ll most likely be happy living there as long as you maintain a decent level of frugality.
Location, Location, Location
If you’re searching for a new home in Alaska, make sure you’re considering the area’s unique geographic location. The state is located in north-western North America, which means that most of its territory is in the winter, and the temperature can be brutal. From the polar vortex in the north to the tropical storms that ravage the coastline in the south, Alaska is certainly not your traditional vacation spot. If you’re looking for a new place to call home, be sure to check out the different parts of the state so that you can find out what suits you best. If you have the budget for it, I’d recommend paying for a real estate agent’s consultation, which will help you find the best possible house for your needs.
The Beauty Of It All
One of the main reasons why people buy a house in Alaska is due to the state’s breathtaking scenery. From breathtaking mountain ranges in the north to the vibrant colors of the wilderness in the south, it’s truly a sight to behold. If you’re a nature enthusiast, you can hike and camp in the great outdoors, or you can take the more civilized route and go on a wildlife safari, spotting animals such as caribou, moose, and Dall’s sheep. If you’re a bird watcher, you can spot bald eagles, trumpeter swans, and ospreys as they hunt for their next meal. There’s enough beauty in Alaska to keep you occupied for years to come. If you’re fortunate enough to live there, you’ll experience all four seasons in a matter of weeks, as well as see the Northern Lights for which the state is famous.
Whether you choose to live in the city or the country, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork done before you make the final purchase. In some cases, you might need a land surveyor to prepare the legal paperwork for you. In other cases, you might require an architect to design the house and an engineer to set up the plumbing and electrical systems. Having all these people come together to make the necessary arrangements can sometimes be a hassle, but not when you’re paying for their expertise. It’s only a matter of time before you can proudly call your new home “Alaska-built” or “Alaskan-made.”
Secure Home
Alaska is a popular retirement destination for military personnel and their families. If you’re purchasing a new home in a military neighborhood, make sure you do your research first and don’t rush into a decision. The best course of action would be to have a meeting with the neighborhood’s military association president or any other active or former servicemen in the association. They can provide you with invaluable insight into the area and its amenities, as well as help you find the best place for you and your family to call home. If you have any doubt about whether or not the area’s safe, do your best to find out more about it. It’s not easy for people who aren’t from the area to understand the significance that the security of their home holds for those who serve and live there. I’d recommend getting professional security cameras and keeping them monitored somewhere in the vicinity of your home, just in case. Plus, it’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
Budget
If you’ve gotten this far, then I assume you’re either in the process of buying a house in Alaska or already own one, which makes you a member of this exclusive club. Congratulations! Now that you’re a homeowner, it’s time to start thinking about your budget. Before you begin shopping for furniture and other household items, take a look at your finances and figure out how much money you’re willing to spend so that you don’t exceed your budget. There are plenty of nice-looking houses in Alaska for sale, which means you don’t have to sacrifice quality just to save a few bucks. If you do decide to lower your standards a little in terms of what you’re willing to spend, then you can be certain that you’ll find a warm welcome in every other part of the state. Just remember, the farther south you go, the more expensive everything gets. For example, a gallon of milk costs a lot more in the southern part of the state than it does in the northern parts. Take your pick: you can either pay more or suffer through long winters with no milk!
Style
If you’re in the market for new furniture, then bear in mind that not all log cabins are created equal. You have the option of either rustic or modern style, with the latter being more popular these days. If you have a very specific idea of what you want, it’s best to go for modern furniture, as these pieces can be bought in large quantities and are designed to suit many different styles and color schemes. That being said, if you have a more general idea of what you want, then rustic furniture is a better option, as it tends to be more classic and traditional. Before you begin making your decision, go through some of the more popular rustic furniture brands. That being said, neither type of wood furniture is difficult to maintain, and both can be equipped with necessary amenities such as electricity and a water supply.
Collections And Cabinets
If you have an abundance of space and plan on keeping most of your possessions in storage, then modern furniture is definitely the way to go. However, if you have limited storage and need to organize and display your collections, then rustic furniture is the way to go. This being said, not all collections deserve to be on display, and some definitely don’t belong to the family room. A good piece of advice is to only show off your collections in places where they truly belong, such as the dining room or the library.
