According to MSN Real Estate, the buzz word for 2012 is flexibility! MSN Real Estate contributor, Christopher Solomon talked to industry experts to find out what’s hot for 2012.

Easy access:  According to a study by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Accessibility is huge as baby boomers are getting older and parents of boomers are getting older. Baby boomers are thinking about what their homes need to look like if they’re going to be able to age in place.  What does this mean? Ranch homes, main level master homes, homes with grab bars in the bathroom, wider doorways, fewer stairs and perhaps even wheelchair ramps.

A bigger garage:  Larger garage spaces used to accommodate SUVs and extended cab pickups. Now homebuilders are being asked to make room in the garage for all the “stuff” growing families put in them, from tricycles to golf carts and everything in between!  Another trend for the larger garages is to use part of it as a ‘man cave’ of sorts — space where you can fit two cars, in addition to a sofa, TV, weights, punching bags, etc.

Flex spaces: People want homes that are more flexible, more versatile.

Rooms dedicated to one purpose are less popular now, according to AIA. As homes shrank in the past few years, homebuyers required that rooms serve multiple functions. Also referred to as “resource centers”, these spaces can be nooks carved out of other rooms that include a desk, printer, room for a laptop and even some cubbyholes for mail and bills. Typically these spaces are adjacent to kitchens and operate as the home’s command center, serving homework, family organization, bill paying, and more.

Homes within homes: Almost one-third of American adults are “doubled up”

or living in the same household with another adult generation according to the US Census Bureau. Whether its to fit the needs of “boomerang” kids who have come back home to live after college or aging parents who moved in with adult children, home builders are responding to this trend with flexible floor plans that allow for independent living on different levels, dual master suites, separate entrances, and multi-car garages.

Green Living:  Homebuyers across the nation are asking for greater energy efficiency.  New home builders are meeting this demand with high performance homes that feature compact fluorescent bulbs, Energy Star appliances, dual pane low E glass windows, tighter building envelopes, and more.

Home plans that fit today: Another trend AIA sees is “home plans that work for today’s buyers”. Here are some examples:

• Laundry – Floor plans that have direct access to laundry rooms from the master suite. 
• Costco pantries – Large pantries off the garage for storage of all the bulk items purchased at warehouse stores. 
• Drop zones - These are small spots, usually near the kitchen, that are dedicated to dropping off your cell phone, keys, purse, mail, and more.

The house that flows: Industry experts mentioned a trend that continues to remain popular – the open plan. As homes have gotten smaller in recent years, an open plan is a way to make a home seem larger than it is with a continuous space and open sight line that extends from kitchen to dining area to living area. Growing in popularity are great rooms that open directly to outdoor living areas allowing abundant natural light.

Outdoor living: Fire pits, water features, outdoor kitchens – the demand for outdoor living areas are one of the fastest growing trends in the nation. 

If you are ready to take advantage of the best time in the last fifty years to purchase a new home or if you have any questions about homes for sale in Anchorage, Alaska please don’t hesitate to contact me or visit my website at www.kathyjfernandez.com!

What's happening in the Alaska Real Estate market this year? Is the market going up, is it exploding?, Is going down, can we sell? Should we buy? Will interest rates keep going up, are these the best rates?

These are the questions that keep people awake at night if they need a bigger home, in many Alaskans case, their about to be transferred to somewhere else in the country. Currently our real estate market is very stable; interest rates are not fluctuating wildly, and homes prices are stable.

If you looked at the number of homes currently available in Eagle River Alaska, you would only be able to preview 101 existing ready to move into homes. That in a commnity of 31,820 people, and approximately 11,000 homes. That number suggests a strong sellers market. However when you look closely at what is on the market, and how many homes are pending each week the homes going into contract do not keep pace with the new homes coming into the market.

Eagle River Listing Inventory 

• 54 Homes listed in the last 4 weeks
• 22 homes placed into escrow(pended)
• 101 Homes available for sale

The market just south of Eagle River is Anchorage, the Anchorage market is much larger, with close to 300,000 residents. the number of sales is proportionate.

Anchorage Listing Inventory 

The market just north of Eagle River is Mat-Su Valley, this market is much larger, with close to 95,000 residents. The primary markets in the Mat-Su Valley are Palmer and Wasilla.

Palmer/Wasilla Listing Inventory 

• 153 Homes listed in the last 4 weeks
• 89 homes placed into escrow(pended)
• 330 Homes available for sale

New construction homes that are not complete were not included in the listing numbers because many of the new construction listing are not started at this time. They may be included in the pending numbers.

As you can see there is not much to choose from in either market, and the buyers have to make quick decisions when a nice home comes on the market. Sellers should make sure that there home is clean, bright, and ready for viewing before they place it for sale. A good Realtor can show you what to do if you find this task overwhelming.

Interest rates are still at an all time low, and are hovering in that 3.75% and 4% range according to many of the local lenders. Loans are harder to come by and if you do not have a high credit score there are extra fees that you will have to pay to obtain the best rates.

What I take from this data, which is provided by the AlaskaMLS and may not include all sales, is that our market is good, and for the most part balanced. I feel that if a seller has a desirable home they will sell it quickly and for a good price. For buyer there are bargains to be had because some of the homes out there need work.

I lso think that are population is holding onto their homes longer than they have in the past 10 years and thus we have less inventory and sales.

We are back to the new normal.

9 Documents That Help You Reap Real Estate Tax Breaks

Technically speaking, April 15th is tax day. But for Americans who expect a refund - including many homeowners who want to cash in on real estate-related tax perks - filing sooner holds the promise of getting that check in hand, stat.

If you count yourself in that number, here’s a handy guide for 9 pieces of paper you should be sure to round up as you prepare to file, in order to reap every penny of the tax rewards you’ve earned by virtue of owning a home.

1. Mortgage Interest Statement - IRS Form 1098. The meatiest real estate tax deduction on the books is the one that allows you to deduct 100 percent of the mortgage interest you paid in a year - including prepaid interest or points you might have paid at close of escrow, if you bought a home last year. By now, you should have received in the mail a Form 1098 from your mortgage lender that reports how much that interest totaled up to in 2011.  If you itemize your taxes and claim a mortgage interest deduction, you must include this form with your tax form when you file.

(If you haven’t received yours yet, most lenders that have online account management services also post the form digitally in your secure account on the web. Just login like you would to make your monthly payment, and look for a notice that says you can now download your 2011 Form 1098.)

1. Property Tax Statements.  In addition to deducting your mortgage interest, if you own a home you are eligible to deduct the property taxes you pay to your local city, county and/or state.  You are not allowed to deduct some of the other miscellaneous expenses that some localities bundle up with the taxes they collect, like waste management and local assessments for things like street lighting, libraries and sidewalk construction.  To get this deduction right, the best practice is to have your property tax statements at hand and make sure you’re only deducting what’s allowed.

If you bought your home this year, it’s highly possible that you might not even have received a property tax statement yet - if that’s the case, look to #3, below.

1. Uniform Settlement Statement (HUD-1).  If you bought or sold a home last year, right after closing you should have received a form called the HUD-1 Settlement Statement (hint: it’s usually on legal-sized paper and contains an accounting of credits and debits for you and your home’s buyer or seller). That form documents a number of line items which might help you out at tax time, including prepaid interest, the prorated property taxes you paid at closing, and closing costs like original fees and discount points. Some states offer tax credits for buying a foreclosure; check with your tax pro to find out if any such credits apply to you. If so, this statement might be your ticket to lower taxes.

And here’s another handy hint - if you can’t find your copy, you might have gotten it on a disk - and you can always email your real estate or escrow agent for a copy, as well.

1. Moving Expense Receipts.  Moving expenses are tax deductible, if your move is closely related, both in time and in place, to the start of work at a new or changed job location and you meet the IRS’ time and distance tests. Long story short, your new home must be at least 50 miles farther from your new workplace than your old home was from your prior place of work, and you must work essentially full-time. So, if you bought or sold a home and moved in 2011, you’ll need to include receipts from expenses you incurred making the move (meals not included) in your tax prep paperwork.
   1. Cancellation of Debt Statement - IRS Form 1099. Homeowners who lost a home to foreclosure, or divested of one by negotiating a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure with their lender might receive some version of Form 1099 from their lenders, charging them with income in the amount of the mortgage debt that has been cancelled. You see, if you borrow money from someone, then they cancel the debt, that money you originally borrowed becomes income in the eyes of the IRS - and income is, as you know, taxable.

1. Utility statements for home office.  For the average everyday homeowner who works at their employer’s place of business, utilities are not deductible (sorry!). But if there is a part of your home that is “regularly and exclusively” used for business, you might be able to claim that portion of your home as a home office, and deduct some portion of your home utilities and costs of painting and repairs, as a result. Talk with your tax provider about what expenses are allowable to be claimed under your home office deduction, and whether or not you should take it.
   1. Income and Expense statements from rental properties.  Some of you have elevated the art of home ownership to a business!  If you are a landlord, your tax situation is more complicated than that of the average bear; you’ll need to have complete income and expense statements when you put your tax returns together. It might actually behoove you to consult with a tax professional to make sure you are appropriately depreciating the property over time and not taking deductions that will expose you to the risk of audits, as well as to begin cultivating a long-term tax strategy for your real estate portfolio.
   2. Contractor receipts from energy efficient home improvements.  Under the Nonbusiness Energy Tax Credit, homeowners who have made improvements to their homes that fall within a list of energy efficient upgrades might be eligible to claim tax credits. If, during 2011, you installed energy efficient improvements such as insulation, new dual-paned windows and furnaces, you might be eligible for a tax credit of 10 percent of the cost of these upgrades, up to  $500 - only $200 of which may be used to offset the cost of windows.
   3. Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC).  If you own a home you bought in the last few years using a Mortgage Credit Certificate issued by a local housing authority, that Certificate may entitle you to a pretty hefty tax credit, based on a percentage of the mortgage interest you paid - on top of your mortgage interest deduction. MCCs apply as long as you live in the home and have a mortgage on it, but they only apply to defray taxes you actually owe - you can’t use them to get a refund.  In any event, your mortgage credit certificate, if you have one, is a must-have document as you start putting your tax prep plan in play.

No matter what your tax situation is, if you own a home, it absolutely cannot hurt to get some professional help and advice to make sure you maximize your deductions, while minimizing your exposure to audit. And you should always consult with a tax attorney or certified public accountant regarding your tax liabilities and implications when you buy, sell, short sell or lose a home to foreclosure.

Taken from www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson

If you have any other questions about homes for sale in Anchorage, Alaska please don’t hesitate to contact me or check out my website at www.kathyjfernandez.com!

The basics you need to know about a short sale.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Short Sale Questions

1. What is a real estate short sale

A real estate short sale is a form of agreement between the seller of a home in the beginning stages of foreclosure and their lender, allowing the home to be sold for less than the existing loan balance outstanding. The mortgagee would accept less than the loan amount in order to avoid a foreclosure proceeding. This short sale would result in a substantially discounted purchase price for the buyer of the home. The buyer would then proceed with the purchase of the home much the same as in any conventional realty transaction.

2. How late in the pre-foreclosure process can you start a short sale?

Depending on individual state law and regulations, a foreclosure can proceed as quickly as 35 days from the date the notice to the borrower is filed. For that reason, time is of the essence and you should allow a window of no more than 60 days to effectuate a lender approved short sale.

3. Will a lender allow a real estate short sale when the seller has some a good amount of equity?

If the home has some considerable amount of equity, the lender may choose to continue with a traditional foreclosure proceeding to regain title to the property and dispose of it at a market price. Given the current state of affairs with the real estate market, the home will most likely be over encumbered, hence the reason for the short sale in the first place. A glut of homes for sale in the market area of the home may make the lender think twice about taking title to the property.

4. What documents are necessary to proceed with a short sale?

The individual documents necessary to proceed with the short sale will depend on the lender. Typically the lender will require hardship letter detailing the circumstances behind the short sale. A signed, valid purchase and sales contract, preliminary HUD-1 settlement statement and a preliminary estimate of proceeds to the lender. There may be additional requests for more detailed information on the financial condition of the seller, ie; pay check stubs, bank statements, a personal financial statement and monthly budget assessment, amongst other things.

5. Will the seller’s credit rating be affected if they allow a short sale on their property to occur?

While it is up to the individual lender to decide what to report, what often happens is the loan will report as "paid" on their credit report. While that good news the bad news is that there will likely be a reference that says "settled for less than originally owed" or something similar. It is certainly more advantageous to have the short sale referenced than to have a foreclosure on their credit report.

6. Will a lender allow the seller to make a profit on a short sale?

By the nature of the transaction, the seller is not going to make a profit on the short sale. They may have extracted equity from a previous refinance of the home, but their current loan balance will be higher than the selling price of the home.

7. If a seller is in bankruptcy, will that affect the short sale of the property?

Absolutely, as most lender would not consider a short sale if the homeowner is in the middle of a bankruptcy proceeding. Negotiating a short sale between the parties is considered a collection activity and such a negotiation is prohibited in bankruptcy.

8. Will the bank or lender require an appraisal on the home in a short sale?

Most lenders will require that a full appraisal be submitted in the short sale package. Some may only require a BPO or brokers price opinion. The lender will need some formal assessment of the value of the home in order to make a decision as to accept or reject the short sale offer.
 
9. Are there tax implications in the short of real estate?

Much like the issue of credit reporting, the circumstances are individual to the lender. As a short sale represents a loss for the lender, they can report the amount lost as debt forgiveness to the seller. If a formal tax form 1099 is filed, the seller may be responsible for paying taxes on the amount of debt forgiveness.

10. Why would a lender allow a short sale to occur?

Quite simply, it may benefit all the parties involved in the transaction. The seller is relieved of the home they cannot afford. A costly foreclosure proceeding by the lender is avoided and the buyer purchases the home at an attractive price.

Taken from www.shortsales101.com

If you have any questions about homes for sale in Anchorage, Alaska

please don't hesitate to contact me! Or check out my website at www.kathyjfernandez.com!

Tips for removing wine stains

 Having friends over or entertaining during the holidays can be a very pleasurable event. But in all the excitement people 

tend to get a little careless, and, before you know it, you have beverage stains on your carpeting or that new sofa you just 

had to have for the holidays. Getting these stains out can be a daunting task, but can be made a lot simpler if you use the 

proper materials and a little elbow grease. 

Getting the stain cleaned up before it has a chance to set is probably the best thing you can do for things like beer, coffee, 

and wine. Carefully blot the stain, and use the proper cleaner to remove it. Don't rub the stain - you will only spread it around 

and drive it in deeper. Chances are that during an evening of entertainment, a stain will get overlooked and you end up the 

next day with a nice stain dried on valuable clothing, carpeting, or furniture. Here is what to do.

Wine stains, especially red wine, can be removed if you follow the correct procedure. For clothing that can be laundered, mix 

a good liquid detergent such as Dawn half and half with hydrogen peroxide. These cleansers must be used together, and the 

mixture should be fresh. Gently pour over the stain and allow it to sit as a presoak. Use a clean towel between the stain and 

the back of the garment to avoid the stain leeching through. Launder following care label instructions. Research shows that 

white wine will remove red wine stains. Hold the game or tablecloth over the sink, and pour white wine on the red wine stain. 

It will disappear. If wine stains get on carpeting, pour hydrogen peroxide on the stain. Allow to stand for a few minutes. With 

a spray bottle mixture of half water and half of a good carpet cleaning shampoo, such as Bissell Fiber Cleansing Formula, 

mist the stain, and blot dry with a clean white cloth. This will work well even on white carpeting.

1. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water
2. Blot
3. Mix one third cup of white household vinegar with two thirds cup of water
4. Blot
5. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water
6. Sponge with clean water
7. Blot

*Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain 

stains are permanent*

By using the proper stain removal technique on your favorite garments or carpeting, you can generally remove most stains. A

lways remember to test any solution you use on an area of the garment or rug that will not be seen to avoid further damage.

http://www.doityourself.com

If you have any other questions about homes for sale in Anchorage, Alaska please don’t hesitate

 December 6, 2011 - The number of improving housing markets continued to expand for a fourth consecutive month in December, rising from 30 to 41 on the latest National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. The December list featured 20 new additions, including several major markets such as Washington, D.C.; San Jose, Calif.; and Toledo, Ohio. Meanwhile, nine smaller markets dropped off the list, primarily due to softer house prices.

The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months.

New entrants to the list in December include the following:

Ann Arbor, MI
Athens, GA
Boulder, CO
Burlington, VT
Canton, OH
Charleston, WV
Danville, VA
Fort Wayne, IN
Grand Forks, ND
Jackson, MS
Kingsport, TN
Laredo, TX
Lincoln, NE
Muncie, IN
Muskegon, MI
San Jose, CA
Scranton, PA
Toledo, OH
Washington, DC
Winchester, VA

"The increases we continue to see in the number and geographic diversity of improving metros are quite encouraging, and evidence of the fact that all housing markets are dependent on uniquely local factors," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. He noted that as of December, a total of 21 states and the District of Columbia are represented on the improving markets list -- up from14 states represented in November.

"The December IMI results are very much in keeping with the latest government housing data and our own builder surveys, which have shown modest signs of improvement in certain individual markets where employment is gaining and distressed properties are not as numerous," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "These gradual improvements are now becoming evident not just in small, energy-producing metros that have previously dominated the IMI, but also in several larger markets and areas with more diverse economies."

The nine markets that dropped off the IMI in December include Alexandria, La.; Fairbanks, Alaska; Hinesville, Ga.; Houma, La.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Lima, Ohio; Pine Bluff, Ark.; Sumter, S.C. and Waco, Tex. All but two of these metros fell from the list due to softening house prices. The exceptions to the rule were Jonesboro and Waco, where declines were registered in employment and single-family housing permits, respectively.

The total list of improving housing markets in December, as defined by the IMI, includes the following 41 entries (listed alphabetically by state):

Anchorage, AK
San Jose, CA
Boulder, CO
Fort Collins, CO
Washington, DC
Athens, GA
Davenport, IA
Waterloo, IA
Kankakee, IL
Fort Wayne, IN
Muncie, IN
Monroe, LA
New Orleans, LA
Ann Arbor, MI
Muskegon, MI
Jackson, MS
Fayetteville, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Bismarck, ND
Grand Forks, ND
Lincoln, NE
Canton, OH
Toledo, OH
Pittsburgh, PA
Scranton, PA
Williamsport, PA
Kingsport, TN
Amarillo, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Laredo, TX
McAllen, TX
Midland, TX
Odessa, TX
Sherman, TX
Tyler, TX
Danville, VA
Winchester, VA
Burlington, VT
Charleston, WV
Casper, WY
Cheyenne, WY

The IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The three indicators that are analyzed are employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau. NAHB uses the latest available data from these sources to generate a list of improving markets. A metro area must see improvement in all three areas for at least six months following their respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

Please visit www.nahb.org/imi for additional data, tables and a list of future economic release dates.

Adapt Your Home to Its Selling Season

There's a selling myth that you should wait till springtime to sell your home. While spring is the busiest season for real estate sales, people buy homes 365 days a year. If you decide you need to sell your home in the off-peak season, emphasize its seasonal amenities.

Choose Your Selling Season

Because many buyers prefer to move in the spring or summer, the market starts to heat up as early as February. Families with children are eager to buy so they can move during summer vacation, before the new school year begins.

The market slows down in late summer before picking up again briefly in the fall. November and December are traditionally slow months, although some astute buyers look for bargains during this period.

Despite these trends, not everyone's situation will be the same. Ask yourself questions like these:

• How quickly do I need to move? If you need to relocate quickly for a new job or family emergency, you'll need to sell as quickly as possible. If your moving dates are more flexible, you may be able to get a higher sale price in the spring or summer.
• What season will your home be most desirable? If you're selling a lake or beach home, for sale homes will be most in-demand in the early spring and summer months. A ski chalet in Aspen would make more buyers bite during wintertime.

Play up your home's amenities for the season in which you choose to sell.

Winter Selling Tips:

• Clear snow and ice away from walkways and stairs. If you live in an area with lots of snow and ice, keep walking areas salted and shoveled. Buyers and agents want to see that your home is well maintained, and, of course, you're not likely to wow a house hunter if they fall on the way in and break a leg.
• Stage it outside. Even if the grass is brown and the patio is snow-covered, you can still do some outdoor staging. Tasteful winter wreaths and garlands can make your home seem welcoming. Just like inside the house, pick decorations that will appeal to a wide variety of buyers -- blow-up snow globes and giant plastic Santa’s are probably no-nos.
• Make it cozy. When it's cold outside, a toasty, warm interior is sure to appeal to buyers. If you have a wood or gas stove or fireplace, a showing or open house is the perfect time to light it up and show it off. Burn some scented candles and place warm, fuzzy throws on the furniture to make your house seem even homier.
• Clean up your windows. In the winter, dull, dusty windows can go unnoticed. Making them sparkling clean will let much-needed light in. You can have a gorgeous room, but if the windows are dirty, it won't look as beautiful or as bright. Pull back dark window treatments and adding a shade or valance for a touch of color. Or, you can also replace window treatments with ecru or white sheers for an elegant look.

If you have any other questions about homes for sale in Anchorage, Alaska please don’t hesitate to contact me or check out my website at www.kathyjfernandez.com!

Snow, Lights, Family, and buyers looking at my house?

If you need to sell your home this is probably what you thinking about.  I've had many conversations over the years with Realtors and Sellers about the merits of having a home on the market during the holidays.  It is my belief that this is one of the best time to sell a home during the winter months. 

I understand we have holidays coming.  Next week is Thanksgiving, for some families Hanukkah is coming next, and then we have Christmas and New Years Day!  We all have events planned, relatives may be coming to visit, or you may be hosting your annual Christmas party.  Lets be honest with ourselves, we always have something going on.  Now is never a great time to change things in our daily routines.

Here's why selling your home right now is a good idea.

First - Your home will be decorated for the holidays and most likely looks very festive.  You will have bright lights, wonderful selling decorations, and the lights will be on showcasing what a wonderful home this is.

Second - By having it decorated show that this home can be lived in and that it is a fun home, it has character. 

Third - There is less competition on the market.  Many people are not reading this blog article and have pulled there home off the market, their going to be smart and wait until next spring and sell it then.  Which is when the snow is melting and your yard will look horrible.  Right now its covered with a blanket of beautiful white snow that sparkles under  Christmas lights you've installed on the exterior of your home, saying look at me, I'm Beautiful!

Fourth - Interest rates are very low right now and provide buyers incentive to purchase.  In the spring there is a good chance they will inch upwards, or worse go way up to 6 or 7%, right now rate are hovering at 4%.  If rates go up buyer budgets go down, which means less people can afford your beautiful home.

So now is the time to put your home on the market.  I am sure there might be a couple of negatives, like the buyers might want to come during your Christmas party, but worst things have happened.  You can always reschedule, or invite them to join you!  You never know what might happen!

Hears to the Holidays and a wonderful New Year!

If you would like to know what it would take to get your home sold right away follow this link and we will contact you shortly!  Sell my Home!  http://www.prudentialjackwhitevista.com/Seller-Resources/Home-Value

Say it with Pictures

They say a picture paints a thousand words and when it comes to selling your home, you want those words to end with “sold.” It’s no secret that better-presented homes get more traffic and more buyer interest, therefore selling faster.

That’s why it is essential that you showcase your home through images in the best way possible.

According to the National Association of REALTORS^®, nearly 90% of all home buyers begin shopping for homes online. Many flip through photos of the homes and send a list of those they want to see to their agent. In fact, homes with few or no photos are often passed over simply for that reason, even if the home’s description matches a buyer’s ideal listing.

Many agents believe that apart from staging, no other marketing investment is as important as professional photography in marketing a property effectively. So, to generate more buyer interest, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of professional real estate photographers in the past few years.

The best photographs are most likely to come from someone who has an eye for the underlying beauty of the home’s structure and spaces; has specialized equipment and techniques for lighting and perspective control; and uses work-flow processes for post-processing of the images for use on the Web and in publications.

Let’s face it, as much as we all like to think we take great photos, a professional has an eye for seeing the best vantage points and lighting options and also has better equipment to make the photos bright, clear and sharp. A professional photographer will most likely use a 10mm lens that can capture up to 85% of a room and lighting that can illuminate the entire room.

The same holds true with taking video of your home to add to a website listing. An amateur can show what each room and yard looks like, but a video professional will make the strongest elements stand out and provide a much better video narrative of the home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any shakiness or dullness that someone not that experienced with a video camera may give you.

Before bringing in someone to photograph or video your home, it’s essential that it is clean and de-cluttered so the pictures entice a buyer to want to see the home in person. You don’t want clothes, pets or anything else distracting people from the photo at hand.

Indeed, homes showcased with the best photographs and videos will attract more sellers and help speed the home-sale process to a successful conclusion.

If you have any other questions about homes for sale in Anchorage, Alaska please don’t hesitate to contact me or check out my website at www.kathyjfernandez.com!

Kathy J. Fernandez can be reached at (907) 441-9000. Prudential Jack White Vista is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.