Barbara and Clair Ramsey

Ramseys: Time to give thought to that outdoor improvement

Summer seems far off this year with the late snowfall in April and snow flurries the beginning of May. Undaunted, many homeowners are turning their attention to summertime projects that make a home more enjoyable, while trying to stay within budget.

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Archive by category ''Barbara and Clair Ramsey

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Ramseys: Remodeling a kitchen doesn't have to bust your budget

Most people agree the kitchen is the most important room in the home. Think of the kitchen as command central, where everything gets used. Depending on your tastes, the kitchen can certainly be the most expensive room to renovate as you struggle to match your budget with your desire. Additionally...
BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Barbara and Clair Ramsey: As economy improves, 'boomerang' homebuyers have hope

An estimated 1.5 million boomerang homebuyers may be able to purchase a home again by 2014, even though they went through a foreclosure or short sale. So how will boomerang buyers affect the real estate market? Are there more boomerang buyers to come?
BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Ramseys: Decisions on development must be balanced and focused

Democracy -- articulated in our country's founding documents as "We the People" -- is the backbone of our nation. The Publicly Approved Title 21 for land use and development in Anchorage is a perfect example of "the People" coming together, over the course of years, to find common ground and reach...
BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Barbara and Clair Ramsey: One word fits '12 real estate market: stable

As we look ahead to 2013 and consider what may happen with local residential real estate, let's first look back at the results of 2012. Keep in mind that your individual situation may well be different from the overall market. And because the Anchorage market isn't huge, small swings in numbers ...
BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Ramsey: Connection and charity make a house a home

Over the years, we've identified some of the best times to sell, buy or refinance your home. As the real estate market has changed, we've pointed out tax-saving measures, home improvements, remodeling ideas and other real estate options that can enhance your equity and save you money. Many of us...
BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Barbara and Clair Ramsey: Prepare for emergency in case help is long coming

After Hurricane Sandy hammered the East Coast last month, we started wondering how well prepared Anchorage homeowners are for a disaster of similar scale. Yes, the weather bureau does a reasonably good job of predicting strong winds but no one can predict the timing or severity of an earthquake.
BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Appraisals will be guidance on updates in efficiency

We know we save money on utilities when we invest in energy-efficient components for our homes. We even feel better about going a little "green." Yet when selling, those upgrades aren't reflected in the home's appraised value. At least they haven't been in the past.
BUSINESS

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.
BUSINESS

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?
BUSINESS

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 ...