Sign of the Times! 75 Million Dollar Mansion for Sale As-Is, Where-Is

These days, most Realtors are accustomed to a myriad of sales that used to be somewhat unusual. "Fixer-upper" seems to have slipped its way into the descriptions that used to read "like-new" or "totally renovated." We see a lot of foreclosures, unfinished homes, flooded homes, moldy homes, sinking homes, abandoned homes, and the like these days. But even after wading my way through a few years of listings in less-than-ideal condition, I was still impressed to learn that the largest home for sale in America has almost 100,000 square feet, a baseball field, 23 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 3 pools, 10 kitchens, a wine cellar, over a mile of pristine private shoreline, and the architecture was modeled after the grand 17th-Century residence of King Louis XIV. Oh - and it's unfinished. As-Is, Where-Is. A, ahem, fixer-upper.
         The home is the brainchild of a Florida based timeshare tycoon whose homes state, profession, and construction project were all hit particularly hard by the economic downturn. Timeshare sales fell sharply in 2008 and have yet to make much progress toward recovery. As a consequence, somewhere on a lake in Florida is an enormous abandoned mansion available at an incredible discount. And in my estimation, it is more than just a good deal. It is a perfect symbol for the current dark underbelly of our housing market, and  also says a lot about how we arrived at this crisis to begin with.
     America likes everything as big, shiny, and fast as it can be. Where else in the universe could you buy an inflatable barbecue, you know, so that you can grill while you swim. And hey, why not, right? I have to admit that I really don't have a fundamental problem with that. If you want to go to work, make some money, purchase an inflatable grill, and cook up a few t-bones while you perfect your breaststroke, have at it. This is, after all, the home of the free. But perhaps the time has come to exercise our freedom in a more reasonable way. The pursuit of happiness has become for many citizens the pursuit for things they do not need and cannot afford; a pursuit of luxury in a dangerous extreme. Maybe the average middle American family can't afford to own a little slice of heaven in the form of a timeshare. Maybe they can just call it good at the inflatable barbecue and try to find the vacation of their dreams in their own back yards. And maybe 90,000 square feet homes in the style of 17th century kings are only appropriate quarters for, well, 17th century kings.
     I believe that the economy will recover - that it is recovering as we speak. I think that the 75million dollar fixer-upper will sell and go on to be finished. But, I also think that it would do most folks a lot of good to take the lessons from this recession and hold on to them, and so will return to the premise of my blog with some buyer advice: Buy a home you can afford! Finance your dreams on hard work, not debt. Recognize that quality differs from quantity, and that there is a lot more time to enjoy life when you get to stop stressing out about how to pay the impossible bills.


If you would like to check out the listing for the mansion, be sure to visit the Realtor's website here.

If  you are interested in something a little more affordable than the unfinished mansion, check out some of our listings HERE
         

North Pole Starter Home!

This home is located in a peaceful, green, thoughtfully designed North Pole neighborhood right off of 5th Avenue. In this location you can enjoy the many benefits of a rural lifestyle while remaining only moments away from the heart of North Pole. The commute to Fairbanks is quick and easy.

In addition to an ideal location, this home has laminate hardwood floors, a bright and large sun room, large deck, a wood stove to offset heating costs, nearly 1200 square feet of living space, a TWO car garage (which can be SO hard to find in this price range), and significant updating throughout. Both of the home's bedrooms are generously sized, as is the full bathroom, making this a great choice for a family. The landscaping features mature trees and established lawn.

And, in tradition of saving the best for last, this lovely North Pole home is priced at only $189,000! Call for a private showing today!

Alaska is on Fire! Tips for coping with the smoke.....

As I write this, there are more than 80 wildfires burning in the state of Alaska. On the NASA image to the left, the red dots represent current fires. All the science in a nutshell: no matter which way the wind blows, it brings with it smoke to the greater Fairbanks area. 

Although the majority of the blazes are located in the Interior region, the Eklutna Lake fire has swollen to a respectable 1300 acres and is visible from some parts of Anchorage.

The blessings of living in The Last Frontier are many, but there is no question that when we opt to live close to nature, sometimes nature comes too close for comfort. Here are a few tips for staying healthy while the smoke keeps rolling in:


     * Become familiar with the "visibility guides" for gauging air quality. Alaska has air quality widely available, but its nice to be able to make an educated guess on your own.

     * Stay inside when smoke is severe.

     * To keep that last tip helpful, do what you can to have the cleanest possible indoor air. Home air cleaners/filters can be helpful. You can also take advantage of the brief breaks between smoke-laden winds, and air out the house when the outdoor air is clean.

     * Talk to your doctor if you are elderly, have young children, lung or heart conditions, or any other special circumstances that  make you more sensitive to poor air quality.

     * Pray for rain! (Okay, that won't help you breathe easy, but we could REALLY use some rain)

Some signs smoke is affecting your health include eye irritation, scratchy throat, and cough. More severe symptoms include worsening of existing conditions, severe cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. As in any other circumstance, contact your physician or seek medical attention if poor air quality is affecting your health!

Alaska Horse Property!

I just listed a BEAUTIFUL horse property in the Goldstream Valley for all of you out there wanting to jump on the Alaskan hobby farm band wagon! The listing is so new that I don't even ahve pictures uploaded or a MLS listing available yet, so I will update tomorrow. But for anyone who wants a sneak peek, this posting is your chance. The home is very large, well laid out, and was purchased by the current owners in 1974 right after it was built. They have done a tremendous job taking care of the home, and have lovingly maintained the full five acres of land. They have a functional and attractive barn, horse fencing, and a lovely pasture. One of the things I have always loved the most about farm houses is how the kitchen window is often situated so that it overlooks the pastures. I imagine this began as a practical layout element - it makes sense to have a view of your animals from your most used living space. But this is a wonderful example of form and function working beautifully together - nothing is better than that first cup of coffee in the morning gazing out at a green field. Or a snowy one for that matter. And beyond the pasture at this property is a striking view of the surrounding hills.
     I love it when I list properties I am excited about, and this is definitely one of them. Experienced Alaskans recognize the value of many of this home's features: established pasture and plantings, a good well, a well maintained home, Vermont Castings woodstove, and a perfect location!

Home in the Hills for $148, 900

We have a fabulous listing in our office that is not likely to last long! It is a three level, 720 square foot home in the hills with a winter view, a well and a beautiful birch filled lot.

I cannot even recount the number of times that I have sat with a hopeful buyer that wanted a well, to be above the ice fog, near the Eastern town center, have a large lot, solid ground.....and maybe even a view, all for under $150,000. What I tell those buyers is that those opportunities are out there - they are just few and far between. The moral of the story is that when you find a house like this one, you should move fast!

Call (907) 460-2310 if you have questions about this home or would like to set up a time to see it!