Barbara and Clair Ramsey

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Energy-efficient home building gains momentum

With new construction at all-time lows and so many unsold homes, creating a distinct, positive product in the mind of the consumer may be the only way some national builders will survive.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Tax paperwork piling up? Here's a solution

With tax season over -- unless you filed for an extension -- now comes the really difficult decision: What do you do with those tidy piles of paper? What should you toss in the trash, file or shred? What do you keep, in what form and how for how long -- three, four, five, six or seven years?

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Home next door can affect ability to sell your house

Does the appearance of your neighbor's property affect your ability to sell your home? Over the years, we've been in many homes with many buyers, and we've heard lots of likes and dislikes. If you think a buyer critiques the inside of a home for sale, you should hear what they say about the outside of your neighbor's house.

HOUSING

There're plenty of reasons to upgrade home

As the real estate market continues to rebalance, an interesting shift is occurring among homeowners. Not so long ago, a homeowner's goal was to sell and move to a larger home. Now the priority for many appears to be shifting. More and more homeowners are remodeling and upgrading. This focus has a variety of reasons.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Dispelling myths about tax laws

We've gotten numerous inquires lately about whether aspects of the new tax laws Congress passed last year create a substantial tax penalty on the sale of primary residences. Do they create a disincentive to home ownership?

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

As expected, 2010 housing market finishes flat

How did your home fare in the Anchorage residential 2010 real estate market? Overall, Anchorage continues to weather the real estate crisis well.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Renters should carry insurance

In our last column on Nov. 28, we offered advice to the landlord. This column will do the same for the tenant in three areas: insurance, the move-out, and giving notice you are leaving.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Should landlords hire management firm for property?

Landlords and tenants each have rights and options but not necessarily in extreme opposition. There are ways to handle the stresses of either side. This column will look at issues from the owner/landlord's perspective. A future column will look from the tenant's perspective.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

New rules will make home loans harder to get

Financing a home is all about risk. If you have been waiting for house prices to drop more so you can take advantage of historic low interest rates, you risk losing out.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Mobility means questioning our housing tradition

Some people contend that society is shifting its residential housing needs. The American dream has become a nightmare for many. Without placing blame, let's step back and look at how our needs and lifestyles may have unknowingly created change.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Induction cooking becoming hottest ticket in kitchen

For many, the heart of a home is the kitchen. It is the key feature that sells the home. It is command central:where family members are never too far away and where guests congregate.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Fannie Mae's HomePath deal can be lucrative

Successful investors use a few basic strategies when buying residential real estate. The first is obvious: Buy the property at the right price and terms. The second is to buy the property when the market is appreciating. The third is to buy a property that needs some work; thus, with a little sweat you build equity.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Unmarried couples face property issues

Statistics show that more non-married couples are taking the leap and buying a home together. However, if you are not married, be aware that homeownership is treated differently for unmarried couples in many ways.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Mortgage woes pose dilemma

In the real estate industry, new terms are coined as the need arises. On a recent trip to the Lower 48, we were in an area with a high foreclosure rate, and we heard an interesting new phrase -- "house arrest." This means that you owe more than your home is worth (so your house is considered "underwater"), but you can still afford to make your mortgage payment.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Winter a good time to gauge a home's mettle

We were asked recently about the advantages of buying a house in winter rather than in summer. Here are six reasons that you will want to consider.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Survey shows who's buying homes, and why

After such a tumultuous year nationally in real estate and a flat market locally, we were curious about what motivated people to buy properties.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Family times are what truly make a house a home

Unless you are buying or selling your house, you can forget about appreciation, depreciation, dollars per square foot, tax changes or market conditions -- especially at this time of the year. Instead, think about what makes a home a home, not just a house.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Helpful spirit can lift neighborhood

Everyone knows that the three most important aspects of real estate are "location, location, location." However, location is more than just being on the right side of the street or in a particular area.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

New appraisal code needs work

Buying and selling real estate takes sharp peripheral vision. You focus on the events in front of you, only to find you aren't seeing what clearly affects you most.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Understanding those closing costs

Most buyers and sellers put a lot of thought and discussion into price during the offer stage. However, when it comes to closing, the parties typically rely on their Realtor to fill in the blanks of who pays what costs.