By Jenny Willardson, CCIM, Principal Broker Gas near $5 a gallon stings. On Nov. 4, AAA put Alaska's average for regular at $4.72 a gallon, about 90 cents higher than a year earlier and well above the $4.12 national average. But I help clients make 10- and 20-year bets on Alaska real estate, and past the pump I see five big reasons for optimism. 1. New oil is flowing Pikka is bringing new North Slope oil into production now, while construction at Willow supports investment an

By Jenny Willardson, CCIM — Principal Broker, Elevate Commercial Facing a commercial loan balloon payment? Explore your options before your loan matures. If your commercial loan has a balloon payment due in the next year or two, you may be waiting for rates to drop before you decide what to do. Here is why that plan is riskier than it looks, and why listing your property now may be the smarter move. Rates Went Up, Not Down The Federal Reserve raised interest rates in Septembe

By Jenny Willardson, CCIM — Principal Broker, Elevate Commercial A 1031 exchange can help Alaska commercial real estate investors defer capital gains taxes while repositioning their investment into another qualifying property. If you own commercial investment property in Alaska and are considering selling, one of the most important conversations to have before the sale is whether a 1031 exchange fits your investment strategy. A 1031 exchange, named after Section 1031 of the I

By Jenny Willardson, CCIM — Principal Broker, Elevate Commercial Your next investment might be a commercial building instead of another rental house. If you own rental property in Anchorage or the Mat-Su Valley, I want to put an idea in front of you: your next investment might be a commercial building instead of another rental house. You already know the job. You have carried a property through a January cold snap, handled a furnace call at 11 p.m., and turned over a unit mor

By Jenny Willardson, CCIM — Principal Broker, Elevate Commercial Clustered lease expirations turn one bad leasing year into a portfolio-wide cash flow problem. Staggering them takes lead time, so the work starts well before the renewals come due. If you own several commercial buildings in Anchorage or the Mat-Su Valley, you probably track occupancy, collections, and expenses closely. But there's a risk that doesn't show up on a monthly operating statement, and it's one of the

When people think about commercial real estate in Alaska, Anchorage is usually the first market that comes to mind. As the state's largest city and economic hub, it's an important part of Alaska's commercial landscape. But it's far from the only place where businesses are growing and investors are finding opportunities. Some of the strongest commercial real estate opportunities today are developing in Alaska's regional communities, where local economies, infrastructure invest

Commercial real estate has long been one of the most tax-advantaged investment strategies in the United States. In Alaska, those advantages can be even more meaningful thanks to the state’s tax structure, strategic industries, and opportunities for long-term property appreciation. As we move through 2026, investors who understand how to leverage these tax benefits can significantly improve their returns while building long-term wealth. Whether you're purchasing a warehouse, r

In commercial real estate, fees are easy to see. Hidden costs are not. Many property owners—especially those new to commercial real estate or expanding their portfolios—ask a fair question: “Why should I pay a professional when I can handle parts of this myself?” The short answer? Because the true cost of going it alone is rarely measured in dollars alone. It’s measured in time, missed opportunities, costly missteps, and decisions made without the benefit of experience or mar

Who you choose to represent you MATTERS; choose confidently by choosing a CCIM. When it comes to commercial real estate, experience matters—but so does specialized expertise. That’s where a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation sets professionals apart. A CCIM isn’t just another credential—it’s widely recognized as the “gold standard” for commercial real estate education and investment analysis. I’m proud to share some exciting news: after working closely