What You Need to Know About ICF Construction

One advantage of being professional real estate photographers is the opportunities we are afforded for sneak-peaks into the forefront of industry advances. Most recently, we had the chance to work with Remote Alaska Solutions on photographing a residential project that will knock any homebuyer’s socks off. We also think this dwelling offers a glimpse of Alaska’s future in home construction!  

What are we talking about?

They call it Integrated Concrete Form (ICF) construction. We call it a game-changer.

Breaking Down ICF Construction for the Uninitiated

Integrated Concrete Form is an emerging technology in construction that can provide ultra-high-energy efficiencies for residential and commercial spaces. Furthermore, these buildings’ resistance to the elements is unparalleled when compared to common building materials currently being used here in Alaska home construction. 

Remote Alaska Solutions (RAS), Alaska construction industry leader and certified ICF installer, has embraced this method. They describe the technology best as blocks similar to legos that are reinforced with both horizontal and vertical steel bars and then filled with solid concrete.

This process yields some of the most energy-efficient and durable buildings around - two very important considerations when looking for a home in Alaska!

RAS says, “Compared to traditional timber structures this process provides continuous insulation, fire protection and a superior sound barrier.” Walls also provide more than 800 times the strength of a wood-framed home.

So, how are ICF homes built? 

The 10-Step Process of Building an ICF Home

This is an entire process we had the chance to document, and we’ll admit, we were pretty blown away. Check out some of the images we captured along the way. 

[EDITORIAL NOTE: INSERT RELEVANT PHOTOS AMONG THESE STEPS; COULD SHORTEN TO INCLUDE ONLY PROJECT RELEVANT ITEMS OR TO SIMPLIFY IF NEEDED; CAN EXPAND ON STEPS FOR LONGER ARTICLE]

Step 1: Excavate and Site Preparation

Step 2: Form the Footings and Reinforce

Step 3: Finish Out the Concrete Footing Forms for Level ICF Block Stacking

Step 4: Stack the ICF Blocks

Step 5: Install Vertical Alignment Bracing 

Step 6: Inspect All Reinforcement, Strapping, and Bracing

Step 7: Pour the Concrete Into the ICF Walls

Step 8: Use a Mechanical Vibrator to Remove Air Pockets

Step 9: Level Off the Concrete and Wet Set Anchor Bolts

Step 10: Equipment Clean Up and Removal

Although the process isn’t complicated, these steps must be precise. Otherwise, the integrity of the building could be compromised. We always recommend bringing in certified professionals to build these homes. 

The Advantages of Using ICF Construction  

Add insulation and install new weather-proof window solutions and you’ll do just fine in virtually any Alaskan home. So then, why exactly would a homebuyer choose ICF construction over other options like these? 

If you have clients interested in new construction ideas, quality ICF construction can give them huge advantages when it comes to living the Alaska dream. How exactly? Let’s go over the benefits... 

• Ultra high-quality insulation packages

• Proven energy savings of up to 70% 

• A nearly completely soundproof home 

• Faster overall construction

• Close to seven times the life expectancy of wood structure homes

• Unmatched weather-proofing

These homes are windproof, water and mold resistant, and even meant to resist natural disasters (tornados, hurricanes, and earthquakes).

When it makes sense, ICF construction should be at least one option you are offering clients. Who wouldn’t want a quiet, energy-efficient, durable, sustainable home at an overall lower cost to own over the long-haul?

More on the Financial Benefits of ICF

We said this kind of home winds up costing its owner less over the long-haul. But how is this possible when they see up to a 40 percent premium over the average traditional new build? 

It comes down to efficiency, safety, and resale value:

Efficiency

ICF concrete walls require nearly half the energy (read: half the cost) to heat than comparable wood-built homes. The insulation factor (R-Value) of an ICF home is more than three times that of an insulated wood-frame home. Again, lower energy costs.

Safety

Concrete ICF homes help you breathe easy because they contain no organic material. In other words, no mold, mildew, or other potentially harmful microorganisms.  Additionally, fire- and severe weather-resistance mean a safe and worry-free life in Alaska.

These factors contribute to lower insurance premiums - often to the tune of 50 percent less!

Resale Value

Beyond the savings, ICF home values are almost guaranteed to appreciate more rapidly than traditional builds over time and have proven to have higher resale values. 

If you have clients considering new construction, ICF really is an amazing process, and the benefits your clients would reap by choosing an ICF-built home go beyond any other option for a new build, really. 

For more information about ICF Construction or to arrange an introduction to our partners at Remote Alaska Solutions - thought-leaders in the Alaska homebuilding sector - call us! We’re happy to help you make the right connections. 

Introducing Photographer and Drone Pilot Jake Elko

DMD Real Estate Photography understands that capturing the allure of Alaska properties takes more than what a photographer can learn in a classroom. 

Our firm prides itself on choosing individuals who are passionate about the lifestyle and truly interested in sharing the dream. While Jake Elko is actually a Pennsylvania transplant, he now lives in Eagle River, and we say he’s an honorary Alaskan.

Why? 

Like so many who call this land home, Jake fell in love with Alaska after visiting. So much so that he quickly returned for more. That was all he needed in order to know Alaska was a place he wanted to fully experience, so he packed up his gear and headed far north for good.

Jake has now been here several years - the first spent in a dry cabin! - and we feel incredibly lucky to have him. Not only is he someone with a fantastic portfolio of real estate stills and video, Jake seems like he was born with a camera in his hand and boasts specialization in a number of other photography areas, too: 

• Commercial

• Travel

• Wedding

• Documentary-style videography

And, of course, drone photography.

All of these skills are integral to DMD’s ability to bring a fresh perspective to our client’s audience-targeting efforts. Aerial shots help a potential buyer understand a property’s proximity to key natural attractions and/or modern conveniences, while commercial photography experience comes in handy for those looking at business investments. Travel photography and wedding photography both inform Jake’s abilities to tell your property’s story, while his documentary-style videography lends to capturing that Alaska dream!   

Bottom line? His ability to photograph your properties in a way that speaks to your potential clients perfectly is unmatched!

Moreover, when we asked him, “why drones?” he told us that once he realized the potential the drones had for creating unique imaging, he had to incorporate the medium into his work. It’s what truly separates his galleries from other photographers in the area. 

One of his personal past times is actually revisiting by air the Alaskan areas that he’s explored by foot to see those places from an entirely new perspective.

We love having Jake as an in-house resource to our clients. His creative perspective and broad experience with aerial photography and videography were the skills that sealed the deal on making him a part of our real estate photography team.  

When you need help marketing to those new audience segments, contact DMD Real Estate Photography to learn more about how we - and Jake - can use aerial photography (and video) to do it! 

Alaska Real Estate Agents May Be Missing an Opportunity: Short-Term Rentals

Because of the climate here in Alaska, our real estate industry partners know what it takes to weather (pun kind of intended) a shorter peak selling season than markets in the Lower 48. 

How big is the difference between peak season and the rest of the year? Trend data shows that homes in Alaska tend to sit on the market for around 60 days at peak times... and four months-plus in the winter. 

When planning winter sales strategies, one option you may not have considered offering your clients outside of that May-July window is to consider marketing their property to vacationers and possibly even as a short-term rental.

Here’s why we think so…

Why Alaska Vacationers Could Be Your New Target Audience 

Surveys show that vacationers all over the country dream of moving to their vacation destination while they’re visiting. Want some hard numbers?

• Alaska welcomes more than 2 million visitors each year.

• The state’s winter tourism, specifically, has risen by 33% over the last decade.

• Nearly a quarter of Alaska tourists’ vacation dollars are spent on lodging alone.

• Alaska’s short-term rental (or “STR”) market is growing, but current STR laws are pretty straightforward, making it an easier consideration here than in other places.

• Redfin says 29% of its users search for homes in the place they’re visiting.

Droves of interested vacationers spending nearly $424 million on lodging accommodations under fairly lax regulations who are staying in your real estate territories? 

This combination tells us that targeting short-term renters could be your next winning marketing strategy. 

The best part about incorporating this new audience into your planning is that most of the footwork has already been done through your original listing efforts.

How so?

What You Can Do with Your Current Marketing Materials

Once a property has been listed, you already have many of the materials you need to promote it as a short-term rental. If you’re one of our clients, for example, you already have a stellar property listing gallery and most likely a 3D tour. 

You also have a listing description that can serve as base content for your STR listing content. Take a look at some of the top-rated STRs in your area via popular STR sites like AirBNB and VRBO for properties similar to yours to get a feel for successful descriptions. 

Here are a few ways to update the materials you have in order to better market to this special target audience. 

Consider Adding Aerial Photography

Aerial photography can be an effective tool in exhibiting the grandeur of a vacation rental home. It can also give potential STR guests a good idea of all the local area has to offer - in terms of both (temporary) tourist attractions and natural features they could enjoy more permanently. 

Enhance Your Gallery with Area Attractions

We highly recommend incorporating additional photos of local area hotspots, as well as a few hidden gems to give your listing an edge over others in the area. For listings a bit further out, you can highlight guided tours - fishing, cross country skiing, wildlife expeditions, and so on.

Utilizing Video in Your Promotional Efforts

Use video to highlight rental amenities that you wouldn’t necessarily promote in a real estate listing. Show them the welcome basket, and mention the fully stocked coffee bar. Take them to the linen closet and let them see the luxury bath towels and sheets for themselves. Just make sure you keep your video(s) 2-3 minutes tops.

Tying In the Sale

Remember, your goal with these enhancements is always two-fold: while you want to draw in potential short-term guests, you also want to plant the seed of calling this property home. 

Here are a few ways to directly tie-in your sales listing:

• Include a link to the property listing in correspondence with renters

• Leave a listing brochure in a conspicuous place (with the welcome basket, for instance)

• If your STR host site allows it, utilize a contact link or appropriate description area as a place to link to your real estate company site listing.

Ultimately, you have an opportunity to let potential homebuyers really live out the Alaska experience for a few days or weeks in what would otherwise be an empty property.

With a 30-day closing window and/or a common rent-back agreement, you and your clients could benefit by opening up the calendar to short-term rental vacationers - financially and by exposure. 

To learn more about how we think you should target these homebuyers, read here. Or if you’d like to talk more in person about ways DMD Real Estate Photography might be able to help take advantage of the Alaska STR trend, reach out!