How to Buy a House in Alaska: Here's What You Need to Know

Buying a house is one of the most major investment decisions you will most likely make in your lifetime. Alaska, The Last Frontier State, is an excellent place to own a home.

However, the challenges that come with house buying are numerous.

Here’s an overview of how you should prepare yourself before you buy a house in Alaska.

What You Need to Buy a House in Alaska?

A strong credit score
Savings for a down payment and closing costs
Preapproval for a mortgage loan
An efficient real estate agent
All the necessary documentation
A clear, comprehensive understanding of what goes into purchasing a house

Steps To Buying a Home in Alaska

Before you jump into the home buying process, let’s get you ready for the roller coaster ride. Here’s a step-by-step guide for buying a home in Alaska in 2022.

Step 1: Decide if You Are Prepared to Buy a Home in Alaska

Buying a home is a significant investment. Make sure you are prepared to become a homeowner before you start looking at properties or comparing mortgage choices.

Here are a few things to consider when making the decision to buy a home in Alaska.

How Much Can I Afford?

Set a budget as soon as you decide you are prepared to buy a house. Start with finding out your DTI (Debt-To-Income) ratio. Take a look at your present bills and income. This way, you can figure out how much you can afford to pay each month on a mortgage.

Being honest with yourself about your financial situation is essential. The home-buying process will go well if you know your budget and stick to it.

Alaska Mortgage Lenders: Know who are the best mortgage lenders in Alaska!

What is my Credit Score?

A person’s credit score is a number indicating to potential lenders their ability to repay a loan.

Your credit score has a significant impact on the types of loans and interest rates you qualify for. Lenders determine how likely you are to repay a loan based on your credit score. Improving your credit score and lowering your debt can be beneficial as you prepare for a mortgage.

Lender’s Title Insurance Cost in Alaska: Check how much is lender’s title insurance in Alaska

How Much Liquid Assets Do I have?

Liquid assets are nonphysical assets that can be instantly converted to cash. Examples include cash, cash equivalents, money market accounts, marketable securities, etc.

You’ll still require liquid assets to pay for the down payment and closing costs on a home even with the help of a mortgage.

Alaska Buyer Closing Cost Calculator: Know how much you have to pay as a buyer in Alaska.

Organize Finances

You should make sure your finances are stable before making what may be the biggest financial decision of your life—buying a home.

You can determine your budget by accounting for your income, debts, location, and down payment amount. Also consider how your finances might develop and how your monthly mortgage payments might add up.

Step 2: Begin Your Home Search in Alaska

It’s time to start your home search if everything above is in order. Here are some tips on house hunting in Alaska to help you be ready when the right opportunity arises.

Choose Your Neighborhood

Think about the type of neighborhood you want. Do you want a spacious gated community or a quiet neighborhood? Are you more interested in living close to shops and eateries or in the middle of nature?

Remember, few houses or neighborhoods have it all: the ideal location, atmosphere, and community. However, the sooner you begin weighing the pros and cons, the more time you get to decide which neighborhood you should go for.

Compare Homes

Make sure you see multiple homes before deciding which one to buy. Make a list of your top priorities based on the type of home you are looking for in Alaska.

The internet is a powerful tool to find houses for sale in the areas and price ranges that interest you. It’s a fantastic way to compare houses in the neighborhood you have chosen. Home buyers can access the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with the help of a licensed agent and can visit popular home buying websites.

Houzeo is America’s #1 For sale by Owner and Flat Fee MLS platform that features For Sale By Owner Homes for sale. This helps buyers find the homes they’re looking for.

Here are the steps on how to browse and buy a homes for sale by owner in Houzeo

1. Visit Houzeo.com and start filtering your search by city, state, or zip, and find the best matches.
2. You can narrow down your search by choosing the property type, whether it’s a For Sale, Sale Pending, or Sold.
3. You can sort the prices, filter your search more by choosing what’s the number of beds, home type etc.
4. You can also find what kind of home type you’re looking for: single-family, multifamily, townhouses, condos, co-ops, lands/lot, mobile, other.
5. By clicking more, you can also customize your search via Max HOA, tours, square feet, lot size, year built, basement, no. of stories, days on Houzeo.

You can simply reset the options if you want to eliminate all of your selections. With these options, you can easily find the houses you want to buy. You will be taken to the property photos and details as soon as you choose a home; they are all provided for your convenience.

You can get in touch with the seller directly or with the agent handling the listing for the home.

💲Find Your New Home!

With Houzeo’s Mobile App , you can search homes, mark them as favorite, and request & manage showings. All on your fingertips!

Hire a Real Estate Agent

An experienced real estate agent can help you find your dream home. They can negotiate with the seller on your behalf, saving you both time and money.

Before hiring a real estate agent, make sure he has a good record and knowledge of the neighborhood you want to live in. Overbooked individuals are not who you want. Agents can recommend other professionals such as home inspectors, contractors, appraisers, and Alaska title insurance companies.

Title Insurance Fee in AK: Know how much title insurance will cost in Alaska.

Take Tours

Simply viewing photos on the internet is not enough. Visit homes in person and get to know the neighborhood and its amenities. Find out what’s for sale, and then attend open houses for homes that interest you. Keep detailed notes on each property you visit.

Click photos of the houses you visit so that you can evaluate once again before making an offer.

Step 3: Check for Down Payments and Closing Costs

Your down payment is a significant, one-time payment toward the cost of a house. Despite the fact that 20% down payments were once commonplace, many homeowners choose to put down less. For first time home buyers, this amount isn’t realistic. However, a smaller down payment means you’ll have to pay mortgage insurance, which typically adds up your monthly payment. The minimum down payment needed varies depending on the kind of mortgage you use.

A larger down payment usually means you’ll have more mortgage options. It also usually means a lower monthly payment and a lower interest rate.

Additionally, you’ll need to put money aside to pay closing costs. Although there are many factors that will affect your closing costs, it’s generally a good idea to budget 3% to 6% of the home’s value. Depending on your loan type, your lender, and where you live, specific closing costs will apply. The majority of homeowners will pay for things like title insurance and home appraisal.

Who Pays Owner’s Title Insurance in Alaska?: Everything you need to know.

💲Want to Know Your Closing Costs?

Use Houzeo’s Closing Cost Calculator to estimate the fees you need to set aside for the closing.

Alaska Real Estate Buyer Closing Costs: Know your final expenses to complete the real estate transaction!

Step 4: Choose the Mortgage Type

As a home buyer, you must determine the best loan type for you and which one you qualify for before you can submit an application for a mortgage.

Most mortgages in the United States are conventional loans. Homebuyers frequently choose conventional loans because they can qualify for one with as little as 3% down. FHA loans are provided by the Federal Housing Administration for a down payment of 3.5%. Veterans, active members of the Armed Forces and their surviving spouses qualify for the VA loans insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans do not require any credit score or down payments. A USDA loan is a another type of government-backed loan that aids homebuyers in rural and suburban areas. A USDA loan is available with no down payment.

You must also decide on the mortgage term. Although 10, 15, or 20 year terms may be available at a lower interest rate, 30-year mortgages are the most typical.

Step 5: Apply for a Mortgage Preapproval

In order to accurately determine your budget, working with a lender to get preapproved for a mortgage is crucial. Given that the lender will have complete knowledge of your finances, a mortgage preapproval will provide you with accurate figures.

A preapproval letter also shows that you are a genuine buyer interested in the property. However, keep in mind that this letter is valid only for 90 days, after which it needs to be updated. You can also apply with multiple lenders around the same time and choose accordingly.

Alaska Mortgage Brokers: Know how they can help you get a fast pre-approval and accelerate the mortgage process!

Step 6: Make an Offer

Have you located the ideal home for you? If yes, now it is time to make an offer. Your real estate agent can be of great help here. They can provide you with details about similar sales and any information they may have learned about the sellers from the sellers’ agent. If the need arises, you might also hire a real estate attorney.

Your offer letter should include the following:

Details about yourself
Property Address
Purchase price, lender details and down payment amount
Earnest money deposit
Contingencies like home inspection, appraisal and final mortgage approval
Closing Date

The seller can now respond in three different ways:

Accept the offer: Congrats!! You are almost there. At this point, you will have to pay a certain amount typically called the Earnest Money. If everything goes as planned, the earnest money is just paying more of the down payment and closing costs upfront.
Reject the offer: If your offer is rejected, you can make another offer or start looking for a new home.
Counter offer: The seller can also give you a counter offer. They can change the price of the home or review the contingencies mentioned in the offer letter. As a buyer, you can accept the counter offer or back out of the deal.

Following the submission of your offer, negotiations may continue for some time. Allow your real estate agent to assist you in handling negotiations. If both parties come to an agreement, you can move on to the next step.

Step 7: Get a Home Inspection

A home inspection gives you a general idea of the mechanical and structural problems with the property. The results of the home inspection will help you to decide how to move forward with the closing. You might need to ask the seller to make repairs or you might choose to walk away from the deal.

You typically have 10 to 14 days to complete a home inspection after signing a purchase agreement. This also depends on your contract and state of residence. Your real estate agent can help you find an Alaska home inspector. Check if he has enough experience and have a look at his past records with his clients.

The cost of a home inspection in Alaska ranges between $200 to $500 nationwide, with an average cost of $350. Prices may differ regionally and also depend on factors like the age of the property and the size of the property.

Alaska Home Inspections: Things You Need to Know!

Step 8: Get a Home Appraisal

The fair value of a house is determined by a home appraisal. A certified real estate appraiser uses this method to calculate a home’s value. Before you use a mortgage loan to purchase a house, you must get an appraisal.

Lenders need an appraisal to access the value of a property. You are guarded against overpaying for a home by an appraisal. Your real estate agent can offer the best advice on what to do if the appraisal comes in below your offer price.

According to HomeAdvisor, a home appraisal costs anywhere from $313 to $421, with the average cost of home appraisal for single-family homes being $352.

How Much is a Home Appraisal in Alaska: Know how much a home appraisal in Alaska will cost you.

Step 9: Conduct a Final Assessment

Even if you are completely committed to the property, you should do a thorough inspection before closing. You have the opportunity to verify that the seller has everything in order during this time. Inspect your requested repair areas and make sure everything is in working order.

If you feel everything is in order, you can confidently move to close the deal.

How to Stop Foreclosure in Alaska: Everything you need to know about foreclosures in Alaska is provided here.

Step 10: Close the Deal

This is the final step of the home-buying process. The closing process can be less overwhelming if you are familiar with the standard closing documents beforehand.

The closing disclosure must be given to you by your lender at least three days prior to the closing date. To determine whether and how any closing costs have changed, you can compare it to your Loan Estimate. This will inform you of the total amount of cash you need at the time of closing.

Also, remember that if there are material defects in a property that may impact the value of the property and the seller is aware of them, they should disclose them. A seller’s disclosure statement form is a standard checklist form containing material defects and features of the property.

Once you are done with all the paperwork, it’s time to celebrate. You’re officially a homeowner now.

Should I Buy a House in Alaska Now?

In the current housing market, where home prices have soared and mortgage rates have surged to a 14-year high, prospective home buyers are finding it difficult to respond to this question.

However, the decision to buy a home is entirely personal. Despite what you may read in the news, real estate is highly localized and can vary greatly from market to market. Take a close look at your finances. Study the current market trends. Make a purchase based on your needs and budget. It’s possible that a house you like in a neighborhood of your choice fits your budget.

Best Time to Buy a House in Alaska: Know the most important factors to consider before buying a home in Alaska in 2022!

How Much Money Do I Need to Buy a House in Alaska

In 2022, with home prices skyrocketing and mortgage rates hitting record highs, figuring out how much money you need to buy a house can be challenging.

The following are the major costs associated with becoming a homeowner in Alaska:

Down Payment: A down payment is the percentage of a home’s purchase price that you pay upfront rather than through a loan from a mortgage lender. Assume you want to purchase a $400,000 home. If you put $10,000 down, or 4%, on the purchase price, you’d take out a mortgage for the remaining $390,000. Likewise, If you put down $80,000, your down payment would be 20% of the purchase price, and your loan amount would be $320,000.
Closing Costs: Closing costs typically range between 2% and 5% of your principal loan amount. Closing cost vary greatly depending on where you buy your house.
Mortgage payment: Mortgage payment is the amount you are to pay every month. Its depends on the principal loan amount, mortgage interests and mortgage term.

Closing Costs in Alaska: Learn everything about closing costs in Alaska.

How Long Does it Take to Buy a House in Alaska?

Depends.

The time it takes to look for a home varies for each buyer. But once you are under contract, it can take another 30 to 45 days to close. However, the timetable can vary significantly depending on a number of variables, like your financing requirements, market conditions, and inventories.

Can I Buy a House With Bad Credit and Low Income in Alaska?

Yes, you can.

Credit scores can range from as low as 300 to as high as 850. Each lender has its own criteria for deciding who to lend to, but most lenders use similar ranges when evaluating a potential borrower’s credit score.

Even if your credit score is low, you might still be able to obtain a mortgage. Your best option to find out if you qualify for a loan is to speak with a lender. Also, VA and FHA loans come to the rescue of borrowers with bad credit.

Down payment assistance may be provided by some state or local housing organizations, sometimes in the form of grants or forgiven loans. Do check them out!

Bad Credit Mortgage Loans Alaska: Know how to enjoy the benefits of home ownership with bad credit!

Buying a Home for the First Time in Alaska

For a first-time buyer, buying a house can be difficult. There are numerous requirements to be taken care of. As a first time buyer, you might be under constant fear of making a mistake. However, there are several first-time home buyer programs that make buying a home easier.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), first-time homebuyers in Alaska can benefit from a federally backed loan. Due to less stringent requirements than those for other loans, this mortgage may be a good option if you’re a first-time buyer. The down payment and closing costs are low.

As a first-time buyer, you might also be able to benefit from a down payment or closing cost assistance programs. In cities and counties across the country, there are grants and specialized loan programs for first-time homebuyers. These programs offer grants, zero-interest loans, deferred payment loans, and other types of assistance for down payments and closing costs.

Real Estate Commission Alaska: The average real estate commission in Alaska ranges between 5% to 6%. Read on to know more.

Final Word

You may discover how the home-buying process works in Alaska by following the steps given above. A reputable real estate agent makes the process more manageable. With careful research and determination, the keys to that dream home can be yours.

Happy Buying!!

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need to buy a house in Alaska?

You need to have a minimum credit score of 620 or higher to buy a house in Alaska.

2. What is the first step to buying a house in Alaska?

The first step to buying a house in Alaska is to evaluate your financial situation and determine if you are ready for a home ownership.

Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.

What is Houzeo?

An overview of what the platform is all about

Start Your MLS Listing NOW!

» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.

Resources for Home Selling

Selling a House in Alaska: Check out this blog to know how you can sell your Alaska home.
Selling House as is in Alaska: Want to sell your Alaska house as is? Check out this blog.
Selling an Inherited House in Alaska: Know how to sell an inherited house in Alaska.
Selling a House in Alaska without a Realtor: Want to sell your Alaska house yourself? Check out this blog
Flat Fee MLS Listing Alaska: Check out our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS Companies in Alaska.

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How to Buy a House in Alaska: Here’s What You Need to Know