One of the silver linings trailing recessionary clouds: Alaska’s housing market is more affordable than it has been in years, according to a state analysis. At least, for those who can get a loan.

The combination of falling home prices, low mortgage rates and first-time subsidies already had real estate specialists trumpeting 2009 as a time to buy. In Alaska, another factor — a relatively steady job market — means the average resident is in a better position to buy a home than at any time since 1992, an index developed by the Alaska Department of Labor shows.

Full story is available on Newsminer