Transitions – Summer 2025

Editor’s note: My long-time friend, David Windsor is one of the kinds of people who once made Alaska a great place–displaying care for others, integrity, wit, intelligence, and honor. I previously interviewed and wrote a story about David’s 1980s arrival in Alaska, and his distinguished career as one of Alaska’s highest production Realtors over decades. So I am honored to now feature David’s latest column about Transitions as he and his wife Kathi anticipate life beyond Alaska (Kathi and my late wife Cathy Liston were best friends).

Two Business Models

David has assisted this writer in my own tumultuous transition from Alaska with the clothes on my back at the hands of Georgia crackers Bill, Brenda and Waneta Borden, dba High Caliber Realty, Inc. (sic). They targeted me through a complicated confidence scheme at the worst time of my life. I left Alaska as a result of well-documented threats to my life by Bordens before criminal-coddling AK Courts.

Alaska Food Security has also been challenged by acts of such Outside scumbags,

This Directly Impacts Alaska Food Security

[1] Food Security Scam Hurts Alaskans, DONN LISTON, October 16, 2024
Live Links in References

Making a Dignified Exit

Windsor counsels that many Alaskans are better off to take measured steps to transition from Alaska through conscious choice–as he is himself also having to do.

Thank you for your friendship and assistance in my time of need when Bordens violated me using Lawfare, David. You have witnessed all that happened to me, counseled me well to minimize damage, and I look forward to the possibility of your visit here in months to come.

From the story:
Back in Anchorage David got his real estate license. With his experience he knew that the secret to business is to do what everyone else is doing, but do it better. So, he started a newsletter and began building a mailing list.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, Donn, and I almost can’t stop myself writing, said Windsor. There’s a lot of information in the real estate industry that remains classified–or in fact, if I may say so, largely unknown even by Realtors! Some of this information might be manipulated by the industry for their benefit, as opposed to the public benefit.

[2] David Windsor’s Secret of Success: Top Real Estate Producer Since 1992 Educates Alaska, DONN LISTON, July 13, 2022
Live Links are in References

David Windsor’s Latest Column

My wife and I have enjoyed the last 15 years in a 4000 square foot, multi-level home on three quarters of an acre with Susitna views (an essential requirement for Kathi). She loved the architectural design and, naturally, husbands want their wives to be happy. Now that we are downsizing to 2400 square feet, we are feeling the emotions that you have when relocating— and this is good for a Real Estate Broker such as myself. You will receive more sympathy from me in our next transaction together!

Transitions across the spectrum of life require a certain amount of steel in the temperament, not to mention bucketful’s of patience. Over the last year I have represented several people, many of them seniors, (Including DONN LISTON!) needing to make that courageous journey to DOWNSIZE. The issues are multi -dimensional.

1.) The family decision must be made with all parties on board, particularly husband and wife. If seniors leave this decision too long, the transition becomes even more difficult, even impossible after age and health issues accelerate. Do you really want your children to carry this burden because you could not make up your mind?

2.) Logistical issues in Anchorage and Eagle River add a fourth dimensional aspect to your normal three dimensional world. Please do allow an experienced and sympathetic Realtor to counsel you on the steps involved. Ideally, you will have a ‘Plan B’ intermediate landing pad between the sale of your house and the acquisition of your next home. This is, of course, unless you have a lot of cash resources to carry 2 properties for an overlap in timing. If you need an intermediate landing pad, this is where family (or dear friends) can assist, particularly if you need the money from the home you sell to buy the next one.

3.) Inventory of the smaller homes, 2,500 square feet or less, does not match the inventory of larger homes that people need to sell. Spinell Homes and other builders are trying to fill this gap but, if you really need to be done with stairs, you certainly need a vigilant outlook, not to mention aggressive representation, to score Summer 2025 the acquisition of a ranch-style home.

4.) Elimination of personal baggage presents the most emotional challenge, but you will need to look forward, and not backwards, as you dispose of, likely, 50% of your ‘stuff’. The pain comes when you look at those knickknacks, photos, artwork, gifts received and special purchases you made to create your current home. With clothing, it is not so difficult because weeding through your closet and drawers will reveal that you have not even worn most of those clothes in at least the last 5 years. Will you suddenly decide to wear them in the next home? I don’t think so.

5.) Preparing the home for sale is a tricky decision. I was asked just recently by clients on Hillside if they should just sell their home as-is? I told them it would cost them $50,000 in net proceeds to do so. Essential exterior or structural issues must be addressed. Interior cosmetics, especially floor coverings and paint, ALWAYS generate more sales price than the cost of doing them. You may even need to completely vacate the home and, possibly, stage the empty home for anything from $5,000 to $20,000 to achieve the best result. Let me help you with that decision.

Conclusion: Excuse the philosophical element – you probably have learned to expect that from me. Change is constant in our lives. We can resist it, or embrace it. If you embrace it, it can feel like take-off at the Anchorage Airport for a trip to Hawaii. What you do is focus on the end result and inject the emotions into that thought that you will feel at the other end. This works and the dream materializes. My perpetual calendar has a December 13 posting that I will share:-

References:

[1] Food Security Scam Hurts Alaskans, DONN LISTON October 16, 2024
https://donnliston.net/2024/10/food-security-scam-hurts-alaskans/

[2] David Windsor’s Secret of Success: Top Real Estate Producer Since 1992 Educates Alaska, DONN LISTON, July 13, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/07/david-windsors-top-real-estate-producer/

All Windsor Columns on this Site

[3] Today is NOT Tomorrow, David Windsor                March 26, 2024
https://donnliston.net/2024/03/today-is-not-tomorrow/

[4] Everyone Wants to Know the Future, David Windsor March 26, 2023
https://donnliston.net/2023/03/at-everyone-wants-to-know-the-future/

[5] If Houses Were People, David Windsor                          November 11, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/11/if-houses-were-people/

[6] Your Cat, And Contract, Can Expire, David Windsor         October 25, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/10/article-2/

[7] FACEBOOK A TWO-EDGED SWORD, David Windsor October 11, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/10/facebook-a-two-edged-sword/

[8] BEAR NAKED LADIES EVERYWHERE! David Windsor September 20, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/09/bear-naked-ladies/

[9] How are You Wired? David Windsor September 13, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/09/how-are-you-wired/

[10] Anatomy of a Team, David Windsor, September 6, 2022
https://donnliston.net/category/realestate/

[11] Peckers Can’t Be Choosers, David Windsor, August 30, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/08/peckers-cant-be-choosers/

[12] Why Buy Gold when you can trade Gold at Home? David Windsor, August 23, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/08/why-buy-gold-when-you-can-trade-gold-at-home/

[13] DOING BUSINESS IN AN AGE OF UNTRUTH, David WindsorJuly 19, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/07/doing-business-in-an-age-of-untruth/

[14] HOW LONG IS A DAY?, David Windsor July 12, 2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/07/how-long-is-a-day/

[15] APPRAISAL WAIVERS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT David Windsor07/05/2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/07/appraisal-waivers-becoming-more-frequent/

[16] THESE THREE TREE QUESTIONS, David Windsor      06/30/2022
https://donnliston.net/2022/06/tree-questions/

Alaska has become a Land of Scammers

When Alaskans Fought for Their PFD-Those Days are Likely Gone, DONN LISTON May 23, 2025
https://donnliston.net/2025/05/when-alaskans-fought-for-their-pfd/

Had Borden sold this listing under the contract, and taken an honest commission, the future of this USDA Processing plant might today be more assured.

Alaska Meat Packers’ Pig in a Poke, DONN LISTON November 5, 2024
https://donnliston.net/2024/11/alaska-meat-packers-pig-in-a-poke/