Anchorage, Alaska is a leading global market and a highly industrialized city, where the quality of life and the residential market are on the rise. As the demand for housing grows, Anchorage real estate listings grow with it, providing several housing options to newcomers.

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Anchorage Real Estate Listings

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is also a major port city. It is located in the southern part of the state. In the past, the city has received the All-America City Award four times, an honor that only seven other cities have received.

WHAT ANCHORAGE REAL ESTATE LISTINGS CAN’T TELL YOU ALASKAN ECONOMY

As mentioned above, Anchorage is a main port city in Alaska receiving 95 percent of all goods entering the state. The major industries here consist of government, military, petroleum and tourism (especially in summer months) and the city serves as headquarters for many finance, real estate, oil, gas and transportation industries. Anchorage is also a major hub of the Alaska Railroad.

There are four reasons why Anchorage is a favorable business market. First, there are no state or local taxes on personal income. Second, Alaska has the lowest overall per capita tax rate of all the states. Third, the cost of living is often offset by Alaskas Permanent Fund through which the government sends the population dividend checks. The last reason is since it is a gateway and major port city for all goods entering or leaving the state, there are plenty of employment opportunities. Anchorages location also allows it to be global market because it is only 9 hours by air to 95 percent of the industrialized nations in the world.

The Anchorage unemployment rate is 5.7 percent which is lower than the states average. In general, there has been a slow and steady job growth in the area, about a 28 percent increase between 1995 to 2003.

COMMUNITY ATTRACTIONS

Anchorage is near four major universities: University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University, Wayland Baptist University and Charter College. Its public school system is the 82nd largest district in the United States. The curriculum here is very challenging and the average SAT and ACT scores are usually above the national average.

The community also enjoys a high quality of life. Anchorage is very popular because of no traffic jams, no long commutes to work and no air pollution.

ANCHORAGE REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Anchorages real estate listings offer a large selection of housing options, many which are affordable for the average family. The median household income for Anchorage residents is $60,500. About 79 percent of the homes on the market in 2002 were considered affordable according to this income rate. In fact, out of 180 cities around the nation, Anchorage is ranked 32nd as one of the most affordable places to buy a home.

According to a 2003 count, the population of Alaska is about 274,000. The population growth is 4 percent annually. There are a total of 100,000 plus housing units and of those 94,000 units are occupied. A total of 53 percent of the population owns their home and 36 percent rent. A single family home sells on average for a little more than$200,000. Apartment rents range from $700 to $1000 and home rents range from $600 to $1500.

ANCHORAGE NEW HOMES

In order to accommodate the incoming population, new neighborhood projects are in full swing. Anchorage real estate listings are filled with brand new homes. One of the major neighborhood plans right now is expected to be the largest in the city with more than1300 homes. The neighborhood will probably be among the high-end homes of Anchorage and will be a mix of condos, town homes and single-family homes. Local real estate agents can better inform you of developing neighborhoods or existing neighborhoods that will work best with your needs.

By: Naureen Kamdar

A REALTOR® is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®