Realtors tackle growth issues

WASILLA -- Real estate professionals gathered Tuesday to discuss the continuous growth in the Valley and what it means for the future.

"Growth in the Valley: Are We Prepared?," is the first in several conferences sponsored by USDA Rural Development and other real estate professionals. The conference room at the Lake Lucille Best Western Inn was brimming with Matanuska-Susitna Borough residents and leaders ready to discuss not only the growth in the Valley, but also ways to plan the growth to best serve those living and working within the borough.

"Our growth is steady, healthy and manageable," said state director of USDA Rural Development Bill Allen.

The conference held two panel discussions with local real estate professionals and real estate-related government officials entitled "Real Estate Trends in the Valley," and "Financing Real Estate."

Paddy Coan, of Prudential Vista Real Estate, spoke of the reasons that so many people are moving from Anchorage out to the Valley.

"We have a superior lifestyle, we have the land and we have great builders out here," said Coan, who serves as the president of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce.

Palmer mayor Jim Cooper concurred.

"We have the real estate, the homes are better quality and we obviously have the talent," boasted Cooper in his opening remarks. "There are not a lot of opportunities for homes to be built in Anchorage, so people will want to come out to the Valley."

Average home prices in Anchorage are ranging anywhere from $303,000 to $309,000, compared to an average price of $170,000 in 2003 for the Mat-Su area. While land becomes less and less available in Anchorage, panel members said that the vast acreage in the Valley is becoming more and more appealing, not only to home buyers, but to businesses as well.

"Commercial development is a result of residential [growth]. Lowe's wouldn't want to move here if the people weren't moving here," said Darcie Salmon of North Homes Realty, referring to the recent Wasilla conditional-use permit obtained by Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse.

Tuesday's discussion also touched on how builders and realtors can do business responsibly within the Valley. Wasilla Mayor Dianne Keller told attendees that working with local government makes sense.

"It's a lot easier to come in and say 'what can I do?' than come back and say 'how can I fix it?,'" Keller said.

While ideas on how to manage the Valley's growth are still in the initial planning stages, the conference appeared to drum up excitement.

"Lets manage growth before growth manages us," Allen said.

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.