Sitka Community Profile 2006-2007

Housing and Real Estate

Gavan Hill Subdivision,
a new subdivision development

Sitka has four real estate agencies: Davis Realty, Baranof Realty, RE/MAX of Sitka, and Sitka Realty. All four agencies participate in the Sitka Multiple Listing Service (MLS). In Alaska, state law regulating the sale of homes is considered strict and all those brokering homes must test satisfactorily and be licensed. Sitka is currently undergoing a housing shortage and therefore an investment opportunity for a developer, for homes in the $75,000 to $150,000 range. City Code requires single-family homes to be on lots of at least 8,000 square feet but the Planning & Zoning Commission has recently approved zero lot line subdivisions in well-planned developments as a method to get the cost of housing down.

New home construction is most typically heated with fuel oil. Homes are built to the higher quality Alaska Standards that calls for a higher insulation factor among other things. Hot water is also typically fuel oil fired. Cooking is either electric or propane fueled.