Here is a market update for closed homes comparing 2015 to 2014 so far on the Kenai Peninsula. The graph below includes Kenai, North Kenai, K-beach, Soldotna, South of Soldotna, Kasilof, Ridgeway, Sterling and Funny River.

Residential
	Total Active			Agent Days on Market			Number Sold			Sold Volume			Average Sale Price
Area	Last Year	This Year	PCT	Last Year	This Year	PCT	Last Year	This Year	PCT	Last Year	This Year	PCT	Last Year	This Year	PCT
300 – North Kenai	91	91	0	348	188	-45	22	18	-18	4,357,500	2,201,354	-49	198,068	122,297	-38
305 – Kenai	107	127	+18	173	95	-45	35	46	+31	6,927,421	10,112,527	+45	197,926	219,838	+11
310 – Kalifornsky Beach	138	126	-8	217	144	-33	53	55	+3	12,229,176	13,442,259	+9	230,739	244,405	+5
315 – S of Soldotna	21	24	+14	197	116	-41	6	5	-16	941,000	1,163,900	+23	156,833	232,780	+48
320 – Kasilof	66	73	+10	274	164	-40	11	14	+27	1,693,707	1,891,000	+11	153,973	135,071	-12
330 – Soldotna	60	86	+43	144	104	-27	28	25	-10	7,138,900	7,589,300	+6	254,961	303,572	+19
335 – Ridgeway	80	56	-30	230	189	-17	10	22	+120	1,692,700	6,737,900	+298	169,270	306,268	+80
340 – Sterling	133	130	-2	247	133	-46	32	28	-12	7,882,080	6,799,141	-13	246,315	242,826	-1
345 – Funny River	43	52	+20	483	270	-44	6	2	-66	1,259,000	547,000	-56	209,833	273,500	+30
Residential Totals:	739	765	+3	248	148	-40	203	215	+5	44,121,484	50,484,381	+14	218,324	235,303	+7
Grand Totals	739	765	+4	248	148	-40	203	215	+6	44,121,484	50,484,381	+14	218,324	235,303	+8

The graph above shows that the market over the past six months has increased some. It also shows that the typical days on market are somewhat lower. Soldotna and south of Soldotna have had fewer houses sold in the last six months compared to last year but Ridgeway, Kenai and Kasilof have had good increases in number sold.

Kenai to Seward

Riding around Alaska is a great experience that not many people get to enjoy. You get to see a vast variety of different animals, mountains, sights and many more. A great ride that can get you out onto the open road, is a trip from Kenai to Seward.  It is about a two hour ride one way through the mountain pass. The road is mildly aggressive through the mountains so you can really get out there and enjoy yourself but not be too stressed with the ride.

If you’re feeling adventurous, once out of sterling you can take an 18 mile long detour around Skilak Lake Loop. The road is gravel with many lakes and campgrounds where you can camp, fish and explore.

When you get to Cooper Landing this is where the road is most aggressive and rough. The speed limit changes intermittently between 55mph, 45mph and 35 mph.  Watch for fisherman if you are going to ride through in the summer time, especially in July.  There is one gas station in Cooper Landing called Grizzly Ridge.  It is probably a good idea to fill up with fuel just in case you want to take a few more detours along the way.  There are a few great places to eat such as Sacketts, Wildmans, Kingfisher Roadhouse and Princess Lodge.  There are many opportunities to stop and/or fish on the Kenai or Russian Rivers.

Getting closer to Seward you turn from the Sterling Highway onto the Seward Highway. Again there are many campgrounds and scenic stops along the way. You will ride through two small towns called Moose Pass and Crown Point. Moose Pass is a small town near upper trail lake. Crown Point is near the east side of Kenai Lake.

Exit Glacier is right before you get into Seward and is a must stop. You can park your bikes and hike up the trail to the glacier head. Your bikes will be safe because they are parked in a fully staffed state park.

Seward has an insane amount of restaurants for such a small town. A couple of our favorites consist of Rays Waterfront. They serve delicious fresh seafood.  Next would be Railway Cantina, they serve one of the best burritos anywhere. I highly recommend Christo’s Palace if you are in the mood for a great steak.  If you’re in the mood for Italian food I would recommend going to Apollo Restaurant.

Last but not least you must stop at the Alaska Sea Life center.  It gives everyone a chance to get up close and personal with Alaskan sea life.  You will not be disappointed when you leave.  They have everything from Sea Urchins to Sea Lions, and many things in between.

At this point in our trip we would be packing up and getting ready to head back to Kenai, but there are still many other things to do in Seward.  For some people a simple ride to Seward sounds boring. The truth is there are plenty of things to do even if you wanted to just ride it is beautiful no matter what season.