laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Rentals - The Grove - 11/01/12 03:55 AM
Laramie's newest large, apartment complex, The Grove:

I have to admit I was a bit of a sceptic as I saw construction begin on "The Grove".  It didn't seem that the concept - "fully loaded college living" would appeal to notoriously budget conscience Laramie renters. It seems, though, that they have found their niche and it is reported they are rented to capacity. 
Their concept, though pricey, is simple.  Tenants rent rooms that come with their own private bathrooms.  Rooms are in 3 to 4 bedroom apartments and tenants who want to room together may be able to rent … (2 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Happy Halloween! - 10/31/12 02:39 AM
       
Second only to Christmas, Halloween is more popular than ever.  Here are a few thoughts for all the little and not so little trick-or-treaters in Laramie this year:
An adult should accompany ALL children who trick or treat from door to door.
Older trick-or-treaters should go as a group, have a planned route, carry cell phones and be alert of the people around.
Keep track of your children even if they are attending sponsored indoor events.
Even though we live in Laramie, we still need to excersize common sense and caution. So, here's.....
Wishing you a safe and Happy … (11 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Those Crazy Nebraska Fans... - 10/30/12 03:25 AM
       
Last year our University of Wyoming Cowboy  football team got to go up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Yes, we were a bit outmatched but the Cowboys played a respectable game even though we lost in the end .
But the most astounding thing was those CRAZY Nebraska fans!  What a fun, devoted bunch of people!  They came out in droves - filling up the parking lots around the stadium the night before the game.  And not with just cars.... they came fully loaded with campers, RVs and the like. Full size barbeques, gazebo style tents, flags and banners popped … (3 comments)

laramie: A Seasonal Market, Indeed! - 10/29/12 05:38 AM
 
           
Like many markets around the country, the Laramie market most certainly has a seasonal component - with most sales taking place from May to August in any given year. 
If you are a home seller, don't despair! While not as many homes sell in the winter months, home sales ARE stilll occuring.  Talk to your real esate professional to improve your home's odds of being one of the ones that does.
If you are a home buyer, take advantage of the reduced inventory and working with sellers who are motivated to sell.
Either way, it can be a … (5 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: What is this? - 03/07/12 12:26 PM
      
Last summer, while trekking around Ames Monument and Vedauwoo, my curiosity was aroused by these pipes sticking out of the ground.  They emerged periodically across the prairie and though I'm sure they've always been there, it was only this time that I really noticed - and wondered - what they were.  At certain intervals the pipes were accompanied by a sign like this - even then, I really didn't believe there could be a water pipeline clear out there.  After all, where would it be going? Imagine my surprise when I googled  "B.O.P.U." and  found not only … (9 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Tuesday Tour - March 6, 2012 - 03/06/12 08:46 AM
                                                                                                                 
Tuesday morning's MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Tour is the place to be if you are a REALTOR member of the Laramie MLS.  Tuesday's are the day we all meet then head out and view the newest listings from all the cooperating real estate agencies.
If you are not familiar with the concept of MLS, it is a members only organization whose members agree to share information on their listings with one another to better facilitate finding a buyer for the properties more quickly than they could on their own.  In other words, working together to get properties sold.  If … (6 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: "Deer Road," more than just a name! - 03/05/12 04:12 AM
The names of most streets, avenues, roads, etc. are as varied as the reasons behind the names themselves.  We have numbered streets, lettered streets, streets named after people and streets named after regional landmarks. Most towns are sure to have a street or two named after a president.  Laramie's president streets are Washington, Madison, Van Buren, Fillmore, Harrison, Taylor, Hayes, Polk, Jefferson, Johnson, Grant, Cleveland, Monroe, Truman, Franklin, Garfield,  Kennedy and Lincoln.  Eighteen in all! Then there are names based on regional history.  I wonder how many western towns have a Lewis Street and a Clark Street, as well as a … (7 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Tuesday Tour - Jan. 31, 2012 - 02/01/12 05:49 AM
 
Tuesday's are the day we have our weekly MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Tour - which is when we head out and view the newest listings that have been added to the Laramie MLS. 
The MLS is a members only organization whose members agree to share information on their listings with one another to better facilitate finding a buyer for the properties more quickly than they could on their own.  In other words, working together to get properties sold faster.  If a property is listed on the MLS, no matter who the agency is that is selling the home, any active … (3 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Tuesday Tour - January 17, 2012 - 01/17/12 09:47 AM
Tuesday's are the day we have our weekly MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Tour - which is when we head out and view the newest listings that have been added to the Laramie MLS. 
The MLS is a members only organization whose members agree to share information on their listings with one another to better facilitate finding a buyer for the properties more quickly than they could on their own.  In other words, working together to get properties sold faster.  If a property is listed on theMLS, no matter who the agency is that is selling the home, any active member of … (2 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Spelunking Wind Cave - 01/17/12 08:25 AM
 
If you clicked on this post to see just what spelunking is then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed - its not nearly as tawdry as it sounds! ; )
 
It merely means the hobby or practice of exploring caves.  A caving purist would certainly not consider our guided tour as "spelunking", but too bad!
 
Touted as the third longest cave in the U.S. and the fourth in the world, Wind Cave holds a nostalgic place in my heart. 

My first visit there was when I was a kid.  I remember how awed I was at … (9 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Mount Rushmore - 01/15/12 09:13 AM
After a rainy hike around Devil's Tower and some time in their very old visitors' center, we were off again.  Two hours later we arrived at the second destination of our trip - Mount Rushmore!
It is always amazing that because of the hilly, forested terrain and the twisty roads you can't see the monument until you are nearly upon it.  What fun it is to drive around the last long curve in the road and there it is!
    
Yes, it was raining, colder and windy... and our umbrellas kept blowing inside out.  Yet, it was still awesome!   … (9 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Devil's Tower - 01/15/12 08:51 AM
Yep, Wyoming is smack in the middle of the Rocky Mountain west. Thus, there are miles and miles of open space. Once you get on the road, it easily can be 60 miles or more to the nearest gas station. But don't let that scare you - just plan ahead.  With virtually no traffic you can get places quicker than you think.  It was with that in mind that our family embarked on a weekend whirlwind tour of the Devil's Tower/Black Hills.
    
First stop, Devil's Tower.  Five hours from Laramie, raining, cold, gray... but still glad we came! 
… (6 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Tuesday's Tour - Jan 10, 2012 - 01/10/12 06:43 AM
Tuesday morning's MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Tour is the place to beif you are a REALTOR member of the Laramie MLS - which of course, I am!   Tuesday's are the day we all meet then head out and view the newest listings that have been added to the Laramie MLS. 
If you are not familiar with the concept of MLS, it is a members only organization whose members agree to share information on their listings with one another to better facilitate finding a buyer for the properties more quickly than they could on their own.  In other words, working together to … (0 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Quilting in Laramie - 11/29/11 08:54 AM
One of my closest friends is a quilter extraordinaire.  When she started quilting 5 years ago, entering quilt competitions was the furthest thing from her mind … but after much prodding by the ladies at Quilt Essentials, she gave it a go - I’m glad she did!  I am inspired by the craftsmanship that goes into each and every one of her projects.  But more importantly I'm inspired by the person that she is!  "You go, girl!"
    
For more views of this amazing work click on any of the links below:
http://godutchbaby.blogspot.com/2011/10/america-let-it-shine-quilt-by-sherry.html http://faithquilter.blogspot.com/2011/10/on-saturday.html http://www.quiltfest.com/activities_detail.asp?id=56 http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/4239 … (10 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: More summer flowers - 10/04/11 05:27 AM
Recently I posted about the flowers all over the University campus that finally come full bloom in August and September.  Here are a few more pictures from our walk around campus on that sunny, September Saturday:
     
       
     
. . . further evidence that summer does, indeed, pass through Laramie.
… (17 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Flowers, flowers everywhere - 09/28/11 07:23 AM
As you may have guessed, the University of Wyoming is an integral part of Laramie.  Besides being impacted by all the students that come to study, the University employs a significant  portion of Laramie's workforce.  Nearly everybody knows somebody who teaches, works or attends school on campus.
Since the University's campus dominates the middle of town, it is impossible to miss.  By August and September this is a good thing since that's when the hard work of the University's landscaping crews finally springs to life!  All over campus the trees are trimmed, grass is green and the beautifully, maintained  flower beds … (4 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Summer, glorious summer! - 09/22/11 11:10 AM
Over the short course of my blog, which I started in January - the heart of winter - much ado was being made over the harsh weather all over the U.S.  My intentions back then were to make up for this during our perfect summer since, in my humble opinion, Laramie has the  best summers on earth . . . once they finally get here!
Well, summer was busy and now here we are on the cusp of fall (we had our first hard freeze last night) and I barely made mention of the unique beauty of our little town on … (29 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: 1108 Downey Street - 07/15/11 09:17 AM
Are you ready to take advantage of today's remarkable interest rates?  Take a look at this sunny, family home and get some help with your mortgage by renting out the roomy downstairs apartment.  A spectacular find! 
   
Enjoy Laramie's fabulous summer days in the inviting tree filled backyard.  You'll find cottonwoods, aspens, a blue spruce and even a Russian Olive - proof that Laramie does, indeed have foliage!  Located at 1108 Downey Street, only 4 blocks north of the high school, this home is nestled in an established Laramie neighborhood. 
UPDATE as of August 1, 2011: This lovely home … (12 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: What is YOUR favorite cereal? - 07/08/11 05:38 PM
Yesterday, I came across a fun website called The Imagination Prompt Generator via the blog of Donna Foerster.   After remembering all the prompts I was given as a  student I was curious to see what this site could possibly have to offer.  Curious, and a wee bit skeptical.... Ha!  To my surprise the prompt of the day when I visited was "What is/was your favorite cereal?"  Seems like an ordinary question . . .   an ordinary question that will evokes a very personal and different response from every person who reads it! So.... my favorite cereal?  Why, Quisp, of … (20 comments)

laramie: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: More Views of the River - 07/08/11 05:57 AM
Fortunately, watching the Laramie river rise over the last month and a half has been anti-climatic.  After all the uncertainty and speculation, the spring run off came at a slower than expected pace.  Now, it looks like the river may have peaked and be on its way to returning to it's usual low level.  (remember here out west we really s-t-r-e-t-c-h the definition of what a river is!)It is ironic that the town seemed way more prepared for the possibility of flooding this year. The river banks were reinforced with big dirt piles and at least one homeowner down by the … (4 comments)