A Q&A with Charlie Powers and Marcus Weiner
Charlie Powers |Owner & Broker at Powers Land Brokerage
Kerry Powers | Sales Associate at Powers Land Brokerage
Our journey in Alaska began in Old Harbor, where my father, Charlie Powers, started commercial fishing and teaching in the village. Along the way, he founded and operated Sitkalidak Lodge for six years, employing local villagers and gaining a reputation for its trophy-sized king salmon. Charlie’s passion for Alaska’s land and resources led him to become Vice President for Land and Resources at Koniag. I spent most of my childhood in Old Harbor before moving to Palmer and later back to Kodiak, where I excelled in wrestling. Growing up in these remote areas gave me a firsthand understanding of the lodge lifestyle—what it takes to build, sustain, and eventually transition a lodge to new ownership. I then went to the Air Force Academy studying economics and then spent the last 5 years as an Air Force Officer.
Lodge sales were a natural path for us. We created Panacea with one mission: to give lodge owners the best opportunity to retire with a seamless, well-executed sale. Our goal is to showcase these incredible properties, attract serious buyers, and maximize the value of each transaction. What sets us apart? Unmatched marketing, deep industry expertise, and a powerful network of buyers. We don’t just list lodges—we curate the sale, ensuring each lodge finds the right buyer who will carry on its legacy.
Every lodge is unique, but the most crucial factor in any sale is the right fit between buyer and seller. A lodge isn’t just real estate—it’s a lifestyle, a business, and a legacy. A successful sale isn’t just about agreeing on a price; it’s about ensuring a smooth transition so the lodge continues to thrive for years to come. We focus on finding the right buyer, someone who understands the lodge’s operations, clientele, and remote Alaskan lifestyle. This isn’t just a transaction—it’s a handoff to the next steward of the lodge.
The biggest pitfall? Underestimating the time it takes to sell a lodge. This is a complex, milestone-driven process that typically takes around two years for a proper sale. Rushing the process can lead to undervalued sales, unqualified buyers, and operational disruptions. Another common mistake? Not having your financials in order. Buyers want clear records of revenue, expenses, and lodge operations. Well-documented finances not only increase buyer confidence but also help secure stronger offers.
5) Describe your lodge selling process. What makes it unique compared to other realtors?
Our approach is hands-on, detail-driven, and tailored for lodges. Here’s how we do it:
Showcasing Your Lodge—We build a custom webpage with all the lodge’s details, showcasing anywhere from 400 to 1,000 photos to highlight its full potential.
Maximizing Exposure —We list on multiple high-traffic platforms to attract serious buyers.
Strategic Showings & Professional Videography—Lodges are seasonal, so we carefully time showings and have an in-house professional videographer to capture the essence of your lodge.
Pre-Qualifying Buyers – We vet potential buyers before bringing them to the table, ensuring they have the financial and operational capability to run a lodge successfully.
White-Glove Transaction Management—From negotiations to working with attorneys, we oversee every step—even after closing—to ensure a smooth
transition. This isn’t just selling real estate. Powers Land Brokerage provides a high-touch, specialized process designed to get the best results for lodge owners.
In our first year, we went 4 for 4 in successful sales—a track record that speaks for itself. One of the biggest lessons? Connections are everything. It’s not just about our sales expertise; it’s about having the right network to solve unique challenges that arise during a lodge sale. Whether it’s securing permits, handling remote logistics, or pairing the right buyer with the right property, our ability to problem-solve in real time makes all the difference.
7) Please share anything else about buying or selling a lodge that our readers would appreciate knowing.
We’re not just realtors—we’re true Alaskans who understand the challenges of operating in this state. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just explore your options, we’re here to help. Have questions? Thinking about selling? Reach out—we’re always happy to chat.
Powers Land Brokerage Represents Quality Operations in Alaska and Beyond
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Marcus Weiner
About the Author Marcus Weiner
Marcus Weiner is the founder and Publisher of Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska magazines. Marcus has decades of experience fishing and hunting all over Alaska. In addition to managing the editorial departments for both publications, Marcus is a regular feature writer for the magazines and content provider for the websites. Check out Marcus’s YouTube Series “The Jig Life” on the Fish Alaska YouTube Channel.