Wes Madden's Real Estate Blog

For the real estate industry in Fairbanks, the offical kickoff of Spring is the annual Interior Alaska Home Builder's Association Home Show.  This is a great event with vendors of all kinds there with information on just about anything "home" related.  We hope you'll stop by and see us at our booth this weekend.  And while you're there, here are a few more ways to join in on the fun!

TOP 10 REASONS TO ATTEND THE HOME SHOW:

10.  You can stock up on all your beef jerky needs at the Jerky Hut.

9.  The informative presentations by experts in the industry.

8.  You can get prequalified for a home loan.

7.  You are bound to run into old friends!

6.  Free candy!

5.  You can sign up for some great door prizes - to include a TV from

Today I had the opportunity to attend the annual Yukon Title Company Economic Update.  For the past several years, they have brought up Ted C. Jones, PhD to give an economic forecast to the local real estate industry.  Ted is the Chief Economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Company, and always gives a fun and informative presentation.  This year was no exception.  Here are a few of the points that stuck with me:

The national economic update is looking a little bleak.  I knew the national debt was huge, but Ted really put into perspective for me.  What especially struck home was the point that the sequestration that's designed to cut government spending is only 2.2% of our total spending.  That's barely a drop in the bucket!  Likewise, one of

In December, The Madden Team made an offer to match charity giving from our friends and family up to $50 per donation and for a total of $1,500. The response was quick and very positive.  Thanks to our wonderful friends who took us up on the offer!

The 6 Charities to which we “paid it forward” are:

The Fairbanks Concert Association
Matched by: Nicole Stewart

Alaska Family Health and Birth Clinic
Matched by: Charisse Basquin

Alaska Center for Children and Adults
Matched by: Shirley Gordon

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Matched by: Jim Hage & Greg and Charlene Bringhurst

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
Matched by: Lynn Levengood

With All Your Heart
Matched by: Alan, Shawn and Austin Head

We glad to see that both parties have identified housing as a focus for the upcoming years.  This article includes Romney's white paper on what he says will be his focus for the housing market.

Some great courses are coming up next weekend!  These are excellent courses designed to teach homeowners how to make their homes more energy efficient.  Check it out!

Welcome to our new website!

Our website offers local information about the areas we serve, state-of-the art search tools to help you find the home you are looking for, many helpful resources through our Preferred Partners, military relocation information, information about our incredible team and how we help the communities we serve, information about property management, and much more.

On our blog, you will find news, information, and updates on Alaska's real estate market. You are sure to find our videos interesting and informative.

Thank you for visiting our website. Please contact us for more information and assistance, we look forward to hearing from you!

The Madden Real Estate Team

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*Note you don't have to be 50% disabled to waive the funding fee. See below for a list of all exempt from paying funding fee.

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What a great honor to be able to return the favor that so many service men and women give us every day as they continue to put their lives on the line for our safety. Whether active in duty, someone that has experienced disability as a result of military service or any veterans who have been honorably discharged – there are homeownership benefits out there for you!

NO DOWN PAYMENT!

This used to be something that we would see a lot in television and billboard ads, talking about how easy it was to obtain a loan of any sort. But with lending practices even tighter than they used to

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Many homeowners think about selling their home on their own by very few actually attempt it, and you have probably asked yourself, "Why is that?"

The reason why is that it is an extremely time-consuming and often exhausting process, especially if you are also working a full-time job. It's my job to take that burden off your back. I am not discouraging you for attempting to sell it yourself, in fact, in some instances I’ll even recommend it to sellers, but before you do it, I want to encourage you to be sure you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each side.

The main advantage is that you do not have to pay a commission to a realtor and you will have complete control of the transaction.

The

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One of the most significant money mongers is the heating bill in a home – especially during the coldest winter months. And one of the best ways to address the heating efficiency in your home is to take a few measures that will ensure efficient running, ending up in less waste and more money in your pocket. We’ve put together some tips to help get you started this year on the winterizing energy kick you and your house can benefit from:

Seal Gaps In Doors, Windows and Access Points

Many people underestimate the power of proper seals in windows and doors and how keeping a bit of draft out can make all the difference in keeping the home warmer all winter long. For a few dollars, you can buy a caulking gun