Kenai Peninsula's Diverse Real Estate Market.

• Author: JACKINSKY, MCKIBBEN
• Position: Brief Article

Individuals are buying recreational properties and housing on the Kenai Peninsula in search of the peace and quiet offered by rural living.

Diversity is the name of the real estate game on the Kenai Peninsula. The Kenai Peninsula Borough's 15,700 square miles of land includes national and state parks and residential, retirement, commercial and recreational areas. There's literally something for everyone.

Ownership of the borough is divided into three main groups, according to the borough's 1998 Situation and Prospects: 293,522 acres are under private ownership; 742,076 acres are Native Native-owned; and 10,480,000 acres are owned either by federal, state, local entities.

It isn't uncommon for ownership to shift among these groups, which, in turn, causes the use to shift as well. One of Ninilchik's state campgrounds was originally homesteaded by local settlers. Native corporations selected some national park land on' the peninsula for ownership, while title for other areas went from Native to governmental control.

"Native corporations have a strong. presence in the Kenai's real estate sector," said Dean Kvasnikoff, owner of' Alaska Native Resource Consultants Inc. "And Ninilchik Native Association Inc owns one of the largest blocks of land on the Keani (Peninsula)."

Kvasnikoff said that although NNAI has no large pieces of land for sale, they developed the 300-acre Angler's Crest' subdivision south of Ninilchik and currently have lots suitable for business ventures available in the Deep Creek recreation area.

"(The lots) are located on both sides of the highway and range in size from five to 60 acres," said Kvasnikoff. Interest in the area is increasing, even though the association has not done any aggressive marketing.

John Gillaspie, the broker who created Seward Real Estate Co. 2 years ago, said land sales are down bit on Seward's side of the peninsula, as are all sales. But "down" is a relative term, according to Gillespie.

"Down from the mid-90s, but still good," Gillespie clarified.

Sue Fritsch is a broker with Trails End Realty in Anchor Point. She just moved to the peninsula a month ago, coming from Oregon with a nine-year layover in Anchorage.

Like Keating, she has found there's an interest in recreational properties. And who's expressing the interest? Fritsch said it's out-of-staters, who, like her, are moving to the area for the peace and quiet. She's also currently working with an individual who is developing a 1,540-acre...