Markets fluctuate and deals aren't always easy to find. 

Fluctuating condo fees and the unpredictability of such give me pause and hesitation on the condo front.

While the market fluctuates in that 3-5 year period can really only hurt you with a longer term.

@Axel Meierhoefer I haven’t see price fluctuation and I don’t expect anything long lasting.

They first need to pull credit because the rates are based off your credit score, the number of financed properties that you have, the location of the property, your debt-to-income ratio, the occupancy of the property, and what their investors release on a daily basis based on market fluctuations.

Prices can and should fluctuate every day, depending on seasonality, local events, weather patterns etc.

Then it was 6 offers later before I got one accepted.Also, not sure where you live in Alaska, but I'd also be conscious of population size and if it fluctuates could effect your numbers at different times in the year.More than anything, I'd see if there was a local Real Estate meetup in your area.

Keep in mind that vacation homes are subject to wild price fluctuation. 

On the other side, stock prices and values can fluctuate wildly.

Chances are you already understand that real estate investing offers tremendous opportunities for building your wealth and income.in the vast majority of cases, the value of real estate investments tend to grow over time (even if they do occasionally fluctuate during economic downturns).