Jesse & Kathy Clifton, REALTORS® 907.699.6024

FNSB Planning Commission Meeting
March 27, 2007

Any action taken during this meeting is subject to reconsideration during this meeting or at the next. A request for reconsideration at the next meeting must be submitted in writing by a Planning Commissioner (who voted on the prevailing side) by the close of business the day following the meeting.

V2007-016 A request by Liz Rhow for a lot size variance of 1,000 sf. to the Multiple-Family Residential minimum lot size requirement of 7,000 sf. in order to construct a duplex on a 6,000 sf. lot on Lot 03, Block 01 Bjerremark Greatreaks Subdivision. (located north of 21st Avenue and west of Rickert Street) DENIED

RZ2007-016 A request by Richard and Cathleen Staley to rezone approximately 47.47 acres in Staley Estates 1st Addition including lots 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40 and Tract A from General Use-1 to Rural Residential or other appropriate zone and lots 2, 3, 4, and 5 from General Use-1 to General Use 1 with Special Limitations or other appropriate zone (located east of Woll Rd., west of Badger Rd., south of Staley Ave. including properties abutting Dano Court and Baby Bell Dr.) Recommended APPROVAL

RZ2007-021 A request by FNSB Land Management to rezone approximately 243.34 acres from General Use-1 to Rural Estate-2 (182.56 acres) and Outdoor Recreation (60.78 acres) or other appropriate zones on Tax Lot 801 and portions of Tax Lot 810 T 1N 2W Section 08 to be known as Tract E, F, G, H, I and lots 1, 2, 3 Moonlight Acres Subdivision (Located north of Spinach Creek Rd. and east and west of Moose Mountain Rd.; and south of Spinach Creek Rd. north of Hardluck Drive) Recommended APPROVAL

OC 2007-003 An ordinance establishing a landscape review board, adding a new section to FNSB 18.48 to provide for a special landscape area overlay zone, amending FNSB 18.54.060 (Zoning Permit Requirements) to include landscaping, and amending FNSB 1.04.050 to add a violation of the zoning permit and landscaping requirements to the fine schedule. (Ordinance 2007-004) Recommended APPROVAL

OC 2007-008 An ordinance amending Title 18 (worksession version #3) to require conditional use permits for large scale commercial development and adding section 18.50.200 setting standards for large scale commercial development. (Ordinance 2006-82) Recommended POSTPONEMENT

HP 2007-02 Application by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for Local Government Approval to resurface the Steese Expressway from 1000 feet south of the Airport Way intersection to the Johansen/Steese intersection. APPROVED 

HP 2007-03 Application by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for Local Government Approval to resurface the Steese Expressway from the Johansen Expressway to Chena Hot Springs Road. APPROVED

The Federal Reserve left a key interest rate unchanged on Wednesday while taking note of the recent weaker economic performance and higher inflation pressures.

The central bank voted to leave the federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, at 5.25 percent. It marked the sixth straight meeting in which the Fed has kept the rate the same.

As it has at previous meetings, the Fed said it was more worried about the risk of inflation than weak economic growth. But this time it dropped language that talked solely about the possibility that interest rates would be increased in the future.

Economists believe it is highly unlikely that the Fed will boost rates in coming months, given troubles in the housing industry and sluggish economic growth.

The market turmoil, which included a 416-point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average on Feb. 27, was triggered in part by troubles in the mortgage lending industry and worries that recession risks were increasing.

The Fed took note of the weaker readings on the economy, saying, "Recent indicators have been mixed and the adjustment of the housing sector is on-going."

But the Fed retained language it has used in past statements, expressing the belief that the economy will keep growing at a moderate pace in coming months.

Copyright 2007; Associated Press

For most, our homes are our most valuable asset.  When the time comes to sell that asset, far too many people take a haphazard approach to preparing their homes for the market.  The old adage that says you never get a second chance to make a first impression is as true for homes as for people.  Before you open your home to potential buyers, take some time to prepare your asset for the market.  It doesn’t necessarily take a lot of money, but it will take a little time and understanding of how buyers think.

As the seller, you have ultimate control over how quickly your home sells.  Staging your home for the market in terms of physical condition and appearance, and pricing your home within the market are the best ways to ensure a timely sale.  Remember, buyers will judge your home against all others they see. The home needs to look good from the street, up the driveway, up to and into the front door and throughout every room in the house.

A vast majority of home buyers begin their search on the internet.  Buyers looking at websites such as REALTOR.com can identify properties of interest and often do ‘drive-by’ inspections to see if they like the looks of the property, the neighborhood, etc.  Regardless of any improvements you have made inside the home, if a buyer is turned off by the curb appeal, or lack thereof, you have just lost a potential buyer. Even in the most aggressive sellers market, turning away buyers is never a good idea.

Begin by examining your home as a potential buyer would.  Look at your home from the street and critique the appearance.  Are there shingles missing or damaged; is the paint faded or peeling; are there any cracked or broken windows; does the landscaping make the house look like the set of a Stephen King novel?  All kidding aside, this is the time to do the little things that have been building up on your honey-do list.  This is also the time to make sure kids toys, bikes, garden tools, snow shovels, extension cords and the like are picked up and stored.  The yard will look infinitely better and will certainly be less of a hazard to buyers walking the property. Make sure all of your exterior lighting works, that your doorbell chimes, and that your front door is inviting (a coat of paint and a new lockset can do wonders).  Don’t forget to put out a new doormat if the old one looks like it’s been around one season too long.  It’s the little things that make a huge difference.

Once you’ve brightened the homes curb appeal, it’s time to move indoors.  Start with the garage; something I believe we can all agree is an important element in any Alaskan home.  Most garages are called upon for double duty; the serve as shelters for our vehicles, but they also serve as storage for all of those items that just can’t seem to find a home of their own inside the house.  Many become storage for our boats, snow machines, ATV’s, lawn equipment, tools and, frankly anything else the boss says we can’t keep inside.  Bottom line; clean it out and move the items you don’t absolutely have to have into storage.  I know it’s a little inconvenient but the extra effort now will absolutely be worth it by making it easier for buyers to walk around and envision their vehicle parked inside. Don’t forget to make sure the garage door openers work properly (including the safety motion sensors) and while you’re at it, have the boiler inspected and cleaned.

Next step; de-clutter the house. Go through your closets and donate or pack off season or other clothes you don’t wear.  A closet stuffed to the gills gives the impression you don’t have enough room.  Are you really going to wear those rhinestone studded bell bottoms again? Repeat this for all the closets as well as linen closets, pantry and utility/broom closet as well as your bathroom cabinets.  Keep only the bare essentials; in this case, less is definitely more. 

Ah, the kitchen.  The nerve center of our home is often one of the most cluttered. We all have at least one junk drawer that can be cleaned out.  Go through your cabinets and drawers and clean out everything you can; the bread maker you haven’t used since Christmas 2004; the juicer you bought hoping that beet-carrot juice combo would actually taste good; the extra dishes, pots, pans and utensils that you don’t use every day.  Don’t forget your countertops; they should be free of clutter as well, even if it means living without your Longaberger canister set for a while. Think minimalist.  Are your appliances showing their age?  A small investment here can pay major dividends. 

Now that the de-clutter process is underway, turn your attention to your home furnishings.  Large, bulky and overpowering furniture should either be arranged to minimize its impact or moved into storage.  A king size tester bed will make all but the most cavernous bedrooms look tiny.  Heirlooms and antiques that have great sentimental and equitable value would be better protected in temporary storage.  Cutting down on the amount of furniture will make your home seem much, much larger.  A definite asset in the eyes of most buyers. 

Just as a home free of clutter sends the message that space is not an issue; a clean home sends the message that your home is well cared for. Over the years I’ve learned the word ‘clean’ is very subjective.  This is where I recommend hiring a reputable cleaning service to give your home the star treatment.  Kitchen cabinets, appliances, bathroom fixtures, windows, lighting fixtures, curtains/blinds/shades, etc. can be spotless for a very reasonable fee.  A professional service will, at nominal cost, make your home shine.  Who likes to do windows anyway? 

A quick word about the other members of our family; our beloved pets.  Be doubly sure to keep their areas clean at all times.  Pet odors from litter boxes and dog beds can quickly detract from your homes otherwise spotless appearance. 

Painting is by far one of the most cost effective ways to improve the look of your home.  If you have the time and patience you can do it yourself or better yet, hire a pro that has the tools and experience to get the job done quickly.  If it’s been over a year since your carpets have been cleaned, now is the time.  Often cleaning an older carpet will bring it back to life.  If your flooring is beyond cleaning, replace it.  Worn or torn vinyl should also be replaced.  You don’t have to spend a lot to make a world of difference.

The goal, of course, is to put your homes best face forward.  Sellers who take the time to address these issues routinely see their homes sell for top dollar and usually in short order.  Isn’t that what it’s all about? 

Jesse and Kathy Clifton, better known as the "Spouses Selling Houses," are full-time residential specialists with RE/MAX Associates of Fairbanks.