How To Wholesale Real Estate In Alaska: Step-By-Step (2026)
Dec 01, 2025
What: Wholesaling real estate in Alaska is an investment strategy where you secure the rights to purchase a property and assign that contract to a cash buyer for a profit—without needing to buy or renovate the home yourself.
Why: It can be a lucrative investment method because it requires very little capital, offers a faster way to generate income compared to traditional real estate, and helps new investors learn the Alaska market with lower risk.
How: Follow the steps outlined in this article—learn Alaska’s wholesaling laws, build a cash buyers list, find motivated sellers, run accurate comps, secure deals under contract, and assign those contracts—to successfully wholesale real estate in Alaska.
Wholesaling is a popular real estate investing strategy that allows anyone to earn fees simply by scouting deals on behalf of another real estate investor. With a population of over 733,406 and more than 329,285 housing units (according to the U.S. Census Bureau), there is ample opportunity to wholesale real estate in Alaska.
But it's crucial to learn the basics if you want to be successful in this business. Here's a closer look at how to wholesale real estate in Alaska.
- What Is Wholesaling Real Estate?
- How To Wholesale Real Estate In Alaska (9 Steps)
- Is Wholesaling Real Estate Legal In Alaska?
- How Much Do Real Estate Wholesalers Make In Alaska?
- Do You Need A License To Wholesale Real Estate In Alaska?
- Is Wholesaling In Alaska Easy?
- Final Thoughts On Wholesaling In Alaska
If you’re serious about doing your first real estate deal, don’t waste time guessing what works. Our FREE Training walks you through how to consistently find deals, flip houses, and build passive income—without expensive marketing or trial and error.
This FREE Training gives you the same system our students use to start fast and scale smart. Watch it today—so you can stop wondering and start closing.
*Before we begin our guide on how to wholesale real estate in Alaska, we invite you to view our video on How To Wholesale Real Estate Step by Step (IN 21 DAYS OR LESS)!
Host and CEO of Real Estate Skills, Alex Martinez, provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for beginners to start wholesaling real estate!
What Is Wholesaling Real Estate?
Wholesaling real estate is a practice that involves finding distressed properties being offered at a discount, getting the home under contract, and flipping that contract to a cash buyer who is looking for an investment property.
Wholesalers look for motivated sellers or homeowners who want to sell their property quickly. As a wholesaler, you'll reach out to these motivated sellers and offer to buy their property at a discount in exchange for a fast closing. This strategy is also a great example of how to start investing in real estate with no money, as it typically requires little to no upfront capital to get started.
You'll get them to sign a wholesale contract, locking them in at a certain price. Then, you'll turn around and find a cash buyer looking for an investment property. House flippers and rental property owners are always looking for discounted properties. So, if you price your offer correctly, you can sell them the purchase contract at a markup and collect a substantial fee by acting as an intermediary.
There is plenty of opportunity for wholesaling in Alaska, whether you live in Anchorage or out in the Bush. Wholesaling real estate is a great strategy for beginners because it doesn't require good credit or money saved for a down payment. But it's essential to master the basics before you look for wholesale properties, so you don't make any costly mistakes. Follow these basic steps to get started.
Hopefully, this was enough to answer the question everyone is here for: What is real estate wholesaling?
Read Also: How To Flip Houses In Alaska
Why Wholesale Real Estate In Alaska
Wholesaling real estate in Alaska is a great opportunity due to its strong housing market and steady home values. With an average home price of $371,807, according to Zillow, investors can find profitable deals by connecting motivated sellers with eager buyers.
The state has 128 properties in foreclosure, 31 bank owned properties, and 97 headed for auction, according to RealtyTrac, there is a notable presence of distressed properties. This makes wholesaling an attractive strategy, as it requires little to no upfront capital while offering quick returns.
By leveraging networking and market insights, wholesalers in Alaska can capitalize on this unique market and generate significant profits.
How To Wholesale Real Estate In Alaska (9 Steps)
Breaking into wholesaling houses in the state of Alaska and making a profit is an attractive opportunity for real estate investors. However, like any real estate strategy, there are learning curves—especially for beginners. From building a buyer's list to learning how to find off-market properties in Alaska, this step-by-step guide will help you understand the nuances of wholesaling real estate successfully in the Last Frontier.
Be sure to check out our in-depth video showing you how to wholesale real estate step by step here:
With that in mind, here’s our simple step-by-step process for wholesaling real estate in Alaska:
- Partner With A Wholesale Mentor
- Learn Alaska Real Estate Wholesaling Laws & Contracts
- Understand The Alaska Real Estate Market & Lingo
- Build A Cash Buyers List
- Find Motivated Sellers & Distressed Properties
- Put Distressed Properties Under Contract
- Assign The Contract To A Cash Buyer
- Close The Deal And Collect Your Assignment Fee
- Double Close Or Wholetail When Necessary
1. Partner With A Wholesale Mentor
One of the fastest ways to succeed in wholesale real estate is by learning from someone who has already done it. Partnering with a seasoned real estate investor or wholesaler in Alaska can dramatically shorten your learning curve and help you avoid costly mistakes early on.
You can find potential wholesale mentors through online real estate forums, local investor Facebook groups, or Alaska-based real estate meetups. Building relationships with experienced investors and asking thoughtful questions is often the first step toward earning mentorship.
Another great place to connect with knowledgeable professionals is through local real estate organizations such as the Alaska Real Estate Investors Association (REIA) or networking events hosted by the Alaska Association of Realtors. These groups often charge a membership fee, but the access to local expertise and connections can be well worth the investment.
If finding a one-on-one mentor proves difficult, hiring a wholesale real estate coach or enrolling in an educational wholesaling program can also provide structured guidance. While coaching requires an upfront cost, it can help you avoid expensive missteps when negotiating contracts or analyzing deals in Alaska’s unique market.
Read Also: How To Wholesale With A Realtor: The (ULTIMATE) Guide
2. Learn Alaska Real Estate Wholesaling Laws & Contracts
Alaska does not require a real estate license to wholesale properties, but wholesalers must still follow state real estate laws carefully. As a wholesaler, you are selling your contractual interest in a property—not the property itself. Marketing or selling a property without owning it or without proper disclosure could be considered unlicensed brokerage activity.
Instead of earning a commission, wholesalers in Alaska collect an assignment fee, which is paid for assigning their purchase contract to an end buyer. This distinction is important and should be clearly outlined in your contracts.
To stay compliant, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with guidance from the Alaska Real Estate Commission, which oversees real estate regulations and licensing standards in the state. Reviewing current rules, disclosures, and consumer protection laws will help ensure your wholesale transactions are conducted properly.
Unlike some attorney-closing states, Alaska does not require a real estate attorney to close transactions. Most closings are handled through title and escrow companies. That said, having a real estate attorney review your wholesale contracts—especially early on—is highly recommended to protect your interests and ensure legal compliance.
An attorney can also help draft or review purchase agreements with proper assignment clauses, disclosures, and contingencies tailored to Alaska law.
3. Understand The Alaska Real Estate Market & Lingo
Wholesale real estate comes with its own language. Do you know the difference between a double close and an assignment? Are you familiar with terms like FSBO (For Sale By Owner), ARV, or quitclaim deed? Understanding real estate terminology is critical if you want to communicate confidently with sellers, buyers, and title companies.
Equally important is understanding Alaska’s real estate market itself. Property values, housing demand, and buyer behavior can vary significantly between markets like Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and more remote areas of the state.
Take time to research median home prices, days on market, rental demand, foreclosure trends, and distressed property data across Alaska. Knowing which submarkets are investor-friendly will help you target the right properties and sellers.
A valuable resource for market insights and terminology is the Alaska Association of Realtors, which provides market reports, educational materials, and statewide housing data.
4. Build A Cash Buyers List
A strong cash buyers list is essential to succeeding in wholesale real estate. This list consists of real estate investors who are actively looking to purchase properties and can close quickly—often without relying on traditional financing.
Cash buyers are ideal because they eliminate many common deal delays, such as loan approvals or appraisal issues. The faster your buyer can close, the more attractive your wholesale deal becomes.
You can build your buyers list by attending local property auctions, networking at Alaska REIA meetings, and talking directly to investors who are actively purchasing homes. Many of these buyers already have capital set aside and are constantly searching for new deals.
You can also look for “We Buy Houses for Cash” signs, reach out to private lenders to identify active investors, or collect buyer information through your website, phone calls, and marketing campaigns.
Over time, you should maintain a database of every investor you meet, including their buying criteria, preferred locations, price ranges, and contact information.
5. Find Motivated Sellers & Distressed Properties
Wholesaling real estate hinges on finding motivated sellers—homeowners who need or want to sell quickly. Without motivated sellers, it’s nearly impossible to secure properties at a discount.
One common strategy is using bandit signs, either physical or digital, advertising your services. Be sure to check local ordinances in Alaska cities, as improper signage can result in fines.
Direct mail campaigns are another effective tactic, especially for reaching owners of distressed properties, inherited homes, or rentals in disrepair. While direct mail may feel old-fashioned, it remains highly effective for connecting with motivated sellers.
You can also generate leads through SEO-optimized websites, Facebook ads, or Google Pay-Per-Click campaigns. While these methods require a budget, they can produce consistent seller leads when done correctly.
Additionally, engaging in online homeowner forums, local Facebook groups, and community boards allows you to offer helpful advice while subtly promoting your services. Over time, this can uncover off-market deals and unique opportunities throughout Alaska.
Finally, subscribing to MLS platforms and foreclosure data services can help you identify distressed and pre-foreclosure properties across the state.
Read Also: Finding Motivated Seller Leads: Free & Paid Tactics
6. Put Distressed Properties Under Contract
Once you identify a promising deal, the next step is putting the property under contract. Before making an offer, you’ll need to calculate two critical numbers: ARV (After Repair Value) and MAO (Maximum Allowable Offer).
After Repair Value (ARV)
After repair value refers to the estimated price the property will fetch on the open market when renovated to meet current standards. Investors use ARV to determine the profit potential of a deal, so you should try to estimate this figure for yourself to determine a reasonable offer.
To estimate ARV pull the sales data from a few comparable properties in the area. Then determine a rough price per square foot by dividing the sales price by the square footage of each home. Then take the average and multiply it by the square footage of the home you're looking to wholesale to determine a rough ARV.
The calculation would look something like this:
Average Price Per Square Foot = [Property 1 (sales price / square footage) + Property 2 (sales price / square footage) + Property 3 (sales price / square footage)] / 3
ARV = Wholesale Property Square Footage x Average Price Per Square Foot
Maximum Allowable Offer (MAO)
Once you determine the ARV, you can use that metric to calculate your MAO or the highest offer you can make and still turn a profit. The MAO formula looks like this:
MAO = ARV - fixed costs - rehab costs - desire profit or equity
Fixed costs refer to the costs of holding the property, including taxes, insurance, utilities, financing, etc. Rehab costs refer to the costs of renovating the property to market standards (use a rehab calculator or hire a contractor to help you determine or estimate rehab costs).
Finally, leave a margin for the end buyer to make a profit on the deal. Do your best to estimate all the related costs to arrive at your MAO.
Most investors use the 70% rule to determine a real estate deal's viability. So ARV x 0.70 can help you estimate your MAO quickly. But the more research you do and the more precise your calculations are, the greater your chances of success.
Read Also: Real Estate Comps: The (ULTIMATE) Guide
Step 7: Assign The Contract To A Cash Buyer
Once the seller agrees to a price equal to or lower than your MAO, you'll have them sign a purchase contract that commits them to accept that price.
You'll then start calling up your buyer's list to find an investor who may be interested in the property.
When you find an interested buyer, you'll assign the contract to them, allowing the new buyer to assume all the future ownership rights.
You can do this either by including a clause in the purchase contract that allows you to reassign the contract to a new buyer or use an assignment of contract to achieve the same results.
Step 8: Close The Deal And Collect Assignment Fee
Once both parties have agreed to the terms, you'll close on the sale and collect your fee. The buyer typically pays all the closing costs because they're the party who is purchasing the property. So you have to worry about executing the contracts properly.
Alaska is not an attorney-closed state, which means a lawyer is not required to officiate the closing. You may consult a real estate attorney to help you structure the contracts. But ultimately, it's up to you and the other parties involved whether you want representation at the closing.
Once the contracts are signed and the sale is closed, you will collect your assignment fee and be able to move on to your next deal.
Step 9: Double Close When Necessary
In most cases, the easiest way to close a deal is to wholesale the property, which means you assign ownership rights directly from the seller to the buyer without ever actually taking ownership. But there is also a strategy called double closing that may make sense in specific scenarios.
A double closing involves closing with the seller, then turning around and closing again with the buyer immediately afterward. In a double closing, you will briefly retain ownership of the property and be included on the chain of title.
A double closing is often more complicated than using a standard wholesale contract. But some lenders have issues with underwriting a purchase made using a wholesale contract - so a double closing may be necessary in some cases.
Is Wholesaling Real Estate Legal In Alaska?
Yes, wholesaling is perfectly legal in Alaska. However, you must remain neutral and avoid engaging in any behavior that may require licensure.
The most apparent behavior that requires licensure is representing the interest of the buyer or seller in exchange for a commission on the sale. So be sure to steer clear of giving either party any advice or performing additional services that would fall under the responsibilities of a real estate agent.
Review Alaska's local laws and accepted business practices to understand what is and isn't permitted. As long as you conduct yourself with honesty and transparency when dealing with buyers and sellers, you shouldn't face any legal problems.
How Much Do Real Estate Wholesalers Make In Alaska?
The beauty of wholesaling is that there's no cap on how much money you can make.
Your fee will equal the difference between the final purchase price and the offer accepted by the seller. So if you got the homeowner to agree to sell you the property for $150,000 and you turn around and sell it to an investor for $165,000, you'd collect a $15,000 assignment fee.
So, the amount of money you earn will largely depend on how well you can crunch the numbers and negotiate with the buyer and seller. As a result, wholesaling is a great way to achieve financial freedom by earning hefty fees without the hurdles that keep most people from getting involved in real estate investing.
Read Also: Wholesale Real Estate Salary | The (ULTIMATE) Guide
Do You Need A License To Wholesale Real Estate In Alaska?
No, a license is not required to be a wholesaler. You don't need a license to buy or sell a property, so it isn't required as long as you stick to acting as a middleman and don't overstep your boundaries.
However, as a wholesaler, you may be tempted to engage in activities that do require licensure. So it's crucial to know what activities require a license, so you don't inadvertently break the law.
Review the Statutes and Regulations published by the Alaska Real Estate Commission to understand what actions require licensure. Important sections include:
Sec. 08.88.161 (License required): States which activities require a license.
Sec. 08.88.167 (Civil penalty for unlicensed or unauthorized practice): Outlines the penalties you will face for performing brokerage services without a license.
Sec. 08.88.391 (Conflict of interest): States what activities would be deemed a conflict of interest for real estate agents (in case you are licensed and considering wholesaling as a side business).
Is Wholesaling In Alaska Easy?
Yes and no. Like any real estate investing strategy, it takes time and patience to become a successful wholesaler. It certainly isn't a get-rich-quick scheme, and it may take several months or even years to close your first deal.
But it becomes much easier once you create a reliable system for finding leads and making offers. You will certainly be required to do extensive research and put time and effort into learning the business. But, once you master the basics, wholesaling is one of the simplest ways to earn large checks in a short period.
Final Thoughts On Wholesaling In Alaska
Alaska is a state full of natural beauty with plenty of open lands and available housing, making it an excellent market for wholesalers. If you're looking for a reliable way to bring in additional cash flow that doesn't require excellent credit or a full-time commitment, you should consider wholesaling. But you will need to master the basics if you want to be successful. So use this handy guide to help build your wholesaling business in the Last Frontier.
If you’re serious about doing your first real estate deal, don’t waste time guessing what works. Our FREE Training walks you through how to consistently find deals, flip houses, and build passive income—without expensive marketing or trial and error.
This FREE Training gives you the same system our students use to start fast and scale smart. Watch it today—so you can stop wondering and start closing.
*Disclosure: Real Estate Skills is not a law firm, and the information contained here does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before making any legal conclusions. The information presented here is educational in nature. All investments involve risks, and the past performance of an investment, industry, sector, and/or market does not guarantee future returns or results. Investors are responsible for any investment decision they make. Such decisions should be based on an evaluation of their financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.
Alex Martinez, the founder of Real Estate Skills, is known for his strong, practical expertise in real estate, starting from a beginner with no family connections in the industry to completing over 50 real estate deals, including wholesale and flips, within his first year.
He has dedicated his career to providing cutting-edge education and resources for real estate professionals. He emphasizes the importance of self-taught knowledge through mentors, books, and hands-on experience.
His journey from earning a modest income to becoming a successful real estate entrepreneur and educator showcases his expertise and dedication to the field.
Ryan Zomorodi, co-founder and COO of Real Estate Skills, leverages his experience from a diverse background in real estate investment, construction management, and entrepreneurship to provide comprehensive education in the real estate sector.
His expertise is rooted in hands-on experience, extensive industry knowledge, and a commitment to empowering others through education.
Ryan's journey reflects a blend of practical experience and entrepreneurial success, contributing to his role in developing a platform that educates and supports aspiring real estate professionals.
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