Alaskans reap boom and bust from oil Oct 21, 2008
Impacts: High oil prices gave Alaskans a $3,269 payout that got many residents shopping but also forced many stores to trim electricity use. Seanna O'Sullivan/AP/File. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Alaskans have a lot to be confident about Oct 18, 2008
CHRIS STEPHENSREAL ESTATE ... How is this affecting our commercial real estate market ... The most important factors for our commercial real estate market right now are economic growth, availability of financing, continuing to move ahead with major developments here and having confidence in the future. (Anchorage Daily News)
Squeezed: Venture capitalists curtail investments Oct 18, 2008
To make matters worse for entrepreneurs, the credit crunch and slumping real estate market is closing financing options outside the venture capital industry. When entrepreneurs are looking to raise their first $1 million, they often rely on credit cards and home equity loans, but beleaguered banks have been imposing more restrictions on those sources. (Anchorage Daily News)
Story, pt. 2 PFD stung by meltdown Oct 14, 2008
In fact, the board's directors met just two weeks ago and confirmed that their mix of stocks, bonds and real estate investments was the right choice for the long term, he said ... The fund aims to keep 53 percent in stocks, 22 percent in bonds, 10 percent in real estate and 15 percent in other types of investments ... Actual gains and losses from selling stocks and bonds are joined to other income, such as stock dividends, bond interest and real estate rents, to figure how much money the fund... (Anchorage Daily News)
Likely cure for borrowing is more debt Oct 12, 2008
Our real estate sector is reasonably sound. Households are flush with the $3,269 checks eligible residents received from the state. (Anchorage Daily News)
E-mails kept Stevens informed of progress Oct 10, 2008
Pluta revealed an Oct. 19, 1999, e-mail from Stevens to friend Bob Penney, an Anchorage real estate developer and sportfishing advocate, inviting him and his wife to dinner at the Double Musky. "Incidentally," Stevens added, "I asked Bill Allen to hook up a generator at our house for Y2K," referring to fears at the time that the start of the new millennium would bring widespread computer failures and chaos, including power outages. (Anchorage Daily News)
We've got about 30 years of mistakes that need fixing Oct 6, 2008
Dave Cuddy is a former state legislator, Alaska bank president, and presently manages a small film studio and develops real estate. He holds a BA in economics and an MBA.. (Anchorage Daily News)
Architecture maturing in Anchorage Oct 4, 2008
Clair and Barbara Ramsey are local associate brokers specializing in residential real estate. Their column appears every fourth Friday. (Anchorage Daily News)
Northrim BanCorp, Inc. Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.17 Per Share Oct 4, 2008
Northrim BanCorp, Inc. Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0. 17 Per Share: Financial News - Yahoo. (Primezone Releases)
Palmer city manager marks one year on the job Oct 3, 2008
A. The city is in excellent fiscal health; it has generous cash reserves established, low debt and operates a balanced budget while maintaining low real estate taxes and sales tax ... The cure for this issue can be accomplished by having more businesses locate and conduct business in Palmer, adding to our real estate assessed value and generating more sales tax and annexation of additional assets that would also add to the assessed value and provide more revenue to the city from sales tax. (Anchorage Daily News)
Wasilla growth is a key candidate issue Oct 3, 2008
Real estate agent Mike Carson, who served on City Council from 1988 to 1994, stood out with his stance that things in Wasilla are "humming along just right.". Wasilla's low property tax rate -- Carson called it 3 mills, but city leaders slashed it to zero in 2006 -- and its relatively small area bode well for the city's future, he said. (Anchorage Daily News)
Commercial real estate season? Sep 20, 2008
Commercial real estate season ... Commercial real estate season ... By CHRIS STEPHENSREAL ESTATE. (Anchorage Daily News)
Sterling Shoes Income Fund: Fund Announces Monthly Cash Distribution of $0.125 Per Unit Sep 20, 2008
Sterling Shoes Income Fund: Fund Announces Monthly Cash Distribution of $0. 125 Per Unit: Financial News - Yahoo. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Discovery Channel World Premiere Series Gives Viewers an Inside Look at One of the Toughest Races on Earth Sep 20, 2008
Source: Discovery Channel. -- Mushers and Their Sled Dog Teams Endure 1,150 miles of Unforgiving Alaskan Wilderness along the Iditarod Trail in Hopes of Making it Across the Finish Line. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
APOC recommends $1,420 fine for Begich Sep 19, 2008
The commission also dismissed a supplemental complaint filed by Pierre accusing Begich of inaccurately reporting his ownership in two real estate companies in Anchorage in 2002 and 2003. Begich acknowledged he had been late in reporting that ownership in 2005. (Anchorage Daily News)
Permanent Fund hit by Wall Street woes Sep 19, 2008
But the fund saw the value of its real estate shrink by $48 million Monday. But its $9 billion in bonds rose $30 million in value. (Anchorage Daily News)
ND ranchers support ban on hunting rights sale Sep 17, 2008
Steve Tomac, a real estate appraiser at Farm Credit Services in Mandan, said the issue is making it more difficult for appraisers to value farm land. DeKrey said he believes it is a mistake for landowners to permanently sell the right to hunt their land, but he said lawmakers should not continue to ban the practice. (Anchorage Daily News)
Palmer school project millions over budget Sep 16, 2008
Home construction has slowed in The Ranch subdivision near Wasilla as a result of the real estate slump in the Matanuska Valley. Related Links. (Anchorage Daily News)
Feds, Wall Street race to try to save Lehman Sep 14, 2008
Richard S. Fuld, Lehman's longtime CEO, pitched a plan to shareholders Wednesday that would spin off Lehman's soured real estate holdings into a separately traded company. He would then raise cash by selling a majority stake in the company's unit that manages money for people and institutions. (Anchorage Daily News)
What's worth saving at Lehman Brothers? Sep 14, 2008
9 billion of losses from its battered real estate portfolio and other risky investments ... A week ago, Chief Executive Richard Fuld hoped to save the bank by spinning off about $30 billion in rotting commercial real estate assets into a new publicly traded company ... The balance of the real estate assets still left on Lehman's books were to be sold or written-down; a vulture investor would be a likely bidder for Lehman's distressed commercial real estate portfolio, buying the assets for just... (Anchorage Daily News)
Gray Line of Alaska Unveils 2009 Tours and Packages Across Alaska and the Yukon Territory Sep 13, 2008
Source: Holland America Line, Inc.. Customized tours for individuals and groups detailed in new 2009 brochure. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
WaMu says capital is sufficient to fund operations Sep 12, 2008
Wall Street's edginess was fanned by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.'s plans announced Wednesday to sell a majority stake in its investment management unit, spin off its commercial real estate assets and slash its dividend. The nation's fourth-largest investment bank also said it lost $3. (Anchorage Daily News)
Lehman racing to find buyer for beleaguered firm Sep 12, 2008
Fuld tried to assuage nervous investors on Wednesday by announcing a plan to sell a 55 percent stake in its prized investment management business and spin off its commercial real estate holdings into a publicly traded company ... But analysts increased their criticism of Fuld on Thursday for not naming a potential buyer of its investment management unit, which includes Neuberger Berman, and because they said Lehman would need to finance the real estate spinoff itself. (Anchorage Daily News)
Judge rejects move to dismiss Stevens charges Sep 11, 2008
He'll also rule on whether prosecutors can introduce a wide array of other evidence to boost their case, including showing that Stevens hid a $31,000 loan from a friend and then parlayed it into $129,250 in real estate gains. ADVERTISEMENT. (Anchorage Daily News)
2008 a tough year so far for hedge funds Sep 9, 2008
Hedge funds can invest in nearly anything: commodities, real estate, complex derivative securities as well as ordinary stocks, assets of companies. Unlike government-regulated mutual funds - the primary vehicle for retirement savings for tens of millions of Americans - hedge funds can use techniques such as short-selling, or betting on falling stocks or markets to make a profit from downturns. (Anchorage Daily News)
PFDs should trigger surge in real estate activity Sep 6, 2008
We have been Realtors in Anchorage long enough to know we are going to see a surge of activity in the residential real estate market this fall ... Clair and Barbara Ramsey are local associate brokers specializing in residential real estate. (Anchorage Daily News)
Two Wasilla City Council seats up for grabs Sep 5, 2008
Harris said she's a mother of two, a grandmother and a licensed real estate agent. She's married to Mark Ewing, the former Wasilla councilman who got noticed for his repeated battles with Wasilla Mayor Dianne Keller. (Anchorage Daily News)
Begich targeting Stevens but first faces Metcalfe Aug 24, 2008
He complains city parking officials gave special favors to a local developer through a parking deal, and spent his air time at a recent public television debate looking to corner Begich on details of what he considers a crooked real estate deal ... A commercial real estate broker, Metcalfe served in the state House from 1978 to 1982 ... Begich, a real estate agent, has said it was part of his payment for a deal he worked on before becoming mayor. (Anchorage Daily News)
Stevens indictment alters tone of Senate primary race Aug 24, 2008
" In another, he's shown standing outside Ted Stevens' home in Girdwood, the focus of the accusations against Stevens. Vickers said his interest in Alaska dates to 1970 when he hitchhiked to the state, returning almost yearly since. During that time, he said he's built wealth in real estate, financial institutions, and by holding controlling interest in a Florida maritime company, Eller and Co. Vickers said he's serious about the campaign and expects to win. "Let's put it this way: I didn't put... (Juneau Empire)
Anchorage market surprisingly good Aug 23, 2008
CHRIS STEPHENSREAL ESTATE ... Among the things we import from the Lower 48 are attitudes about the economy, which extend to the commercial real estate market ... With a positive economy, commercial real estate is doing much better here than in the Lower 48. (Anchorage Daily News)
Parking and politics Aug 22, 2008
Suspicion was natural because of their connection and because such a bad deal wasn't typical of the mayor, an experienced real estate hand and deal maker known for both his business and political acumen. But there was no attempt to hide anything. (Anchorage Daily News)
Stevens' trial will be in D.C. Aug 22, 2008
The potential evidence doesn't include new charges, but the motion alleges some previously unknown information, including that Stevens accepted a $31,000 personal loan from an old friend as part of a lucrative Florida real estate deal, then failed to report it on his disclosure forms. There was no need to "publicize to the world" such information "during the election," Brendan Sullivan said. (Anchorage Daily News)
Sen. Stevens loses bid to move trial to Alaska Aug 21, 2008
The potential evidence doesn't include new charges, but it alleges some previously unknown information, including that Stevens accepted a $31,000 personal loan from an old friend as part of a lucrative real estate deal, then failed to report it on his disclosure forms. There was no need to "publicize to the world" such information "during the election," Brendan Sullivan said, adding that he thought the case was about "a house, gifts and forms.". (Anchorage Daily News)
Welcome To Alaska; You're Rich! Aug 20, 2008
Looking to invest in foreclosed real estate. Find hundreds of locations including vacation hot spots here. (KCRA 3, CA)
PBGC downplays investment plan risks, report says Aug 18, 2008
The PBGC said earlier this year that it would take a more aggressive investment approach by investing more in stocks and adding new alternative investments, such as real estate and private equity funds. The agency, which has assets of $68 billion, hopes the strategy will help it close a $14 billion gap between those assets and its liabilities. (Anchorage Daily News)
Girdwood numbers just don't add up Aug 16, 2008
Real estate values are easily known by looking at the municipality's tax assessments. With thirty years of experience in Alaska mortgage banking and real estate, I've seen residential assessments vary from actual sales by thousands of dollars but never hundreds of thousands, even in unique properties ... In real estate, value equates to square footage and not much else. (Anchorage Daily News)
Hillside couple gets house arrest, fine for tax crime Aug 8, 2008
A local real estate agent and her engineer husband were sentenced to a one-year house confinement and fined $30,000 each for failing to file a tax return ... Kathy Fernandez was a successful real estate agent with Prudential Jack White/Vista Real Estate when arrested. (Anchorage Daily News)
Ice melt may open Northwest Passage for a second year Aug 5, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008. Story last updated at 8/4/2008 - 9:26 am. (Juneau Empire)
For second year in a row, melt may open Northwest Passage Aug 4, 2008
"But he better start looking for some brand new real estate.". Find George Bryson online at or call 257-4318. (Anchorage Daily News)
Rich begin feeling the pain in down economy Aug 4, 2008
"It's a sluggish economy, and its difficulties are felt all over," said Joseph DiRenzo, a married 38-year-old father of three who left a hedge fund two years ago to enter commercial real estate. DiRenzo says he's feeling the hit in many places, especially in the value of his house on Long Island's upscale Gold Coast in Muttontown, N.Y.. (Anchorage Daily News)
Costco in Wasilla looks likely Jul 31, 2008
Therese Wontorek in Costco's real estate office said the company typically does not comment on specific markets. Wasilla is still riding a long wave of big-box activity that began in 1999 with the Fred Meyer store on the shores of Wasilla Lake. (Anchorage Daily News)
FOXBusiness: Gas Dives Below $4, May Go Lower Jul 29, 2008
Next, there are businesses, like real estate investment trusts, that are in the business of sitting back and receiving cash, then distributing it to holders. And, then there are companies that need to dangle a high dividend yield like a carrot to ease investor fears. (Fox News)
Dipping stocks hurt Permanent Fund return Jul 29, 2008
The dividend is based on an average of the fund's profits over the past five years from investments in stocks, bonds, real estate and other things. Using the latest figures from the fund, and factoring in some assumptions such as how many residents will qualify for a check, the Daily News estimates this fall's dividend will be $2,000 to $2,100. (Anchorage Daily News)
2008 PFD checks could top $2,000 Jul 29, 2008
It is the profits generated by stocks, bonds, real estate and other investments that determine the size of the dividend. It is based on a five-year average of profits. (Juneau Empire)
Costco coming? Jul 29, 2008
The developer [Meritage] could be talking to the real estate guys [for Costco], but they re out and about talking to all kinds of people everywhere looking for different areas, Weisz said. There s no deal in place that the warehouse manager or anyone else knows of, and those warehouse managers know two years in advance. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
PFD checks could top $2,000 this year Jul 28, 2008
Rather, it's the profits Permanent Fund managers generate by investing in stocks, bonds, real estate and other things. The dividend is based on an average of the fund's profits over the past five years. (Anchorage Daily News)
Anchorage economy cools Jul 27, 2008
Job losses in construction and real estate will offset gains in government and oil industry jobs. Preliminary work on North Slope natural gas pipeline projects, as well as more tourism as the Lower 48 economy improves, could spark growth in 2010 and 2011. (Anchorage Daily News)
Housing slowdown reduces Northrim profits Jul 27, 2008
Northrim set aside more money to cover bad loans, and it wrote down $977,000 connected to foreclosed real estate. However, these declines were partly offset by an increase in income from its other operations, Northrim said. (Anchorage Daily News)
Costco, Meritage mum on Valley Jul 22, 2008
Therese Wontorek with Costco s Real Estate Division said officials with the chain are asked to respond to press inquiries with a prepared statement from Costco Chairman and Cofounder Jeff Brotman ... Their real estate folks are out just kicking tires, Weisz said. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Wasilla development shows space for Costco Jul 21, 2008
Calls to Meritage Development Group and to Costco's real estate office were not returned in time for this story. The Wasilla Planning Commission will consider at its 7 p.m. meeting on Tuesday whether to erase part of a road, South Maney Drive, to make way for construction of the large building and parking area. (Anchorage Daily News)
Ex 3i plc Media Sector Partner Joins The Guitar Fund Management Team With Anchorage Capital Partners Ltd. Jul 21, 2008
Source: Anchorage Capital Partners Ltd. LONDON, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchorage Capital Partners ("ACP") (a Mercantile Investment Group company) announced today that David Noble has joined the management team of The Guitar Fund, which plans on investing $100 million into the rare and vintage guitar market. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Downtown bar partner indicted on drug charges Jul 13, 2008
Vierra had two other businesses, Alaska Xtreme Ventures, a real estate business, and Grizzly Development, a construction business. Both functioned as fronts for the drug operation, according to federal prosecutor Frank Russo. (Anchorage Daily News)
Inside Alaska business Jul 13, 2008
See the Envisioned End LLC has opened in Anchorage, providing photographic-quality images for homeowners, construction/remodeling businesses and real estate professionals. The company takes pictures of a project -- exterior, interior, landscape -- and creates an image showing a development the customer wants to visualize, said Mary Beth Joyce, owner of SEE. Examples are new siding or color on a house, a 20-foot spruce where there is none, or different color paint in a room. (Anchorage Daily News)
Business people Jul 8, 2008
Realtors who receive the CRS designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate. Gribbin is a sales associate with Prudential Jack White/Vista Real Estate. (Anchorage Daily News)
Young paid lawyer to aid campaign head Jul 6, 2008
Young also is part of a separate FBI inquiry into a $10 million earmark to study a proposed highway interchange in Florida that could have benefited real estate of a campaign donor. The congressman, who has represented Alaska since 1973, has said previously that "both the Department of Justice and my lawyers have asked that I not comment further on the investigation.". (Anchorage Daily News)
2009 CruiseTours: Experience Alaska's Wilderness by Land and Sea With Holland America Line Jun 24, 2008
Source: Holland America Line. Choose from 29 CruiseTours from 10 to 20 days in length. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
State cuts lease costs at rural airports Jun 21, 2008
ANCHORAGE - The state has withdrawn increases it made to real estate leases at rural airports. Airlines serving rural Alaska are cutting back service and raising fares to cope with high fuel cost. (Juneau Empire)
State cuts rent for Bush airports as business nosedives Jun 20, 2008
A growing crisis for aviation in the Bush has prompted the state to roll back recent increases in real estate leases at rural airports. Story tools. (Anchorage Daily News)
Pandemonium a very orderly bookstore Jun 20, 2008
Longtime real estate and mortgage guy Leny Cullip last year sold Next Home, the Anchorage company he co-founded. Leny is the business side, his wife said. (Anchorage Daily News)
Anchorage Capital Partners Ltd. (a Mercantile Investment Group Ltd. Company) Announces Sponsorship Jun 11, 2008
Source: Anchorage Capital Partners Ltd. LONDON, June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchorage Capital Partners ("ACP"), an investment banking firm based in London, today announced their sponsorship of Bridge Club de Marrakech's 2008 annual National Bridge Tournament. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Consumers face tougher time getting loans as bank crisis spreads Jun 9, 2008
That means consumers are going to have an increasingly difficult time getting bank loans for car purchases, credit cards, home equity credit lines, student loans and even commercial real estate, experts say ... In addition, interest is waning in other areas of lending where securitization has also been common - car loans, credit cards, home equity lines of credit, student loans and even commercial real estate. (Anchorage Daily News)
Rental scam originating in West Africa surfaces in Juneau Jun 9, 2008
Sean Henderson, owner of Assist-2-Sell real estate company, said four potential renters have expressed interest in houses he listed for sale in recent weeks. Information he posted on Craigslist was repackaged and posted as a rental property. (Anchorage Daily News)
Consumer borrowing rises at slower pace in April Jun 7, 2008
The Fed's measure of consumer credit does not include any borrowing secured by real estate. ADVERTISEMENT. (Anchorage Daily News)
GCI Annual Shareholders' Meeting Scheduled for Monday, June 23 Jun 3, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GCI (Nasdaq: - ) will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Monday, June 23, 2008 at Josephine's Restaurant at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. A 5 p.m. reception will be followed by a 6 p.m. business meeting, which includes the election of one individual to serve on the company's Board of Directors. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Permanent Fund continues to invest away from bonds Jun 1, 2008
Real estate -- remains 10 percent. The fund owns shopping malls, office buildings, industrial parks and apartments. (Anchorage Daily News)
