real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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! 
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real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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.
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real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Laramie River Rising - 07/07/11 03:28 PM
Our version of spring flooding has been  mild compared to all those towns across the United States in the big river valleys,  thank goodness! Lucky for us, it was merely interesting to watch the river slowly rise through the month of June. We had a cool transition into summer so the snow pack melted slowly and even though the river washed out a few county roads, our area for the most part was spared.
  
  
  
And yes, I think most people around here do appreciate how lucky we are!
 
… (5 comments)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Summer! The reason we stay ... - 06/29/11 04:37 PM
Yay!  Summer in Laramie is definitely here!  This is the season that tricks people into living here on purpose - even after the winter never seems to end.  Yesterday's high was 88 degrees, the skies were blue and filled with fluffy white summertime clouds.  Today's high was around 85 degrees and since it's Laramie, we don't have to worry about it getting too much hotter. . .
And even better - after my adventures in the house next door, the skies provided a wonderful opportunity for that airy outdoor picture full of sky and the green of summer I was … (9 comments)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: The house next door - a cautionary tale! - 06/27/11 04:20 PM
We used to have some nice people living in the house next door.  However, through circumstances unknown to me, the house went through foreclosure to become an REO.  The last time we saw our neighbors was last fall when they were moving out.  As you may know we had a very harsh, long winter in our area.  During these winter months it seems that something happened in this house that no one caught - until last month. As a result, a house that should easily sell for around $300K in our market is now for sale on an auction sight for … (9 comments)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Aaah, No Worries...it'll melt! - 05/11/11 05:54 AM
They predicted snow overnight but I didn't believe it.  I guess I should have.  Turns out they were right and we woke up to the gray shine of a cloud covered snowy day.  But, no worries... it'll melt!  And probably by tomorrow as our temperatures are supposed to be back up to 65 degrees tomorrow and for the rest of the week.  Yay!

Laramie, Wyoming 8:00 am Wednesday, May 11, 2011
 
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real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Attack of the Chipmunk - 05/09/11 02:53 PM
Today's post is decidedly UN-real estate oriented.  While browsing through pictures, hoping to be inspired by a regional shot, I found this memory instead.  While it was taken at Vedauwoo, a local outdoor attraction, I thought the emotion might be universal. 

After hiking around the rocks and trails, I plunked the kids down for a nice serene group photo in the picnic shelter.  Obviously, the kids were unaware of the phenomenon of chipmunks and picnic areas.  Thus, they freaked when one of the little buggers scampered hopefully over for the usual dropped food.  It may not be real estate, … (9 comments)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: To Inspect....or Not? - 05/08/11 03:17 PM
After negotiations result in a contract to buy a home, a buyer has to decide.... to inspect or not inspect?  The answer... is not straightforward.                                                                           It depends on the buyers and the actual property being purchased.  Is the house 2 years old or one hundred?  (Newer does not necessarily mean better...)  Will the buyer be financially ruined if a costly problem emerges?  Or are they willing to take their chances? 
Some people feel perfectly fine foregoing inspections all together. They'll just roll with whatever comes their way. Some people like to give the property a good once over themselves. While … (9 comments)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Nature vs Nurture - Nature Wins! - 05/06/11 02:59 PM
One of the coolest things about going to our dentist (if anything can be cool about going to the dentist!) is the flower garden by the front door.  Somehow, it is in a perfect sheltered south facing location letting it sprout up earlier and stick around longer.  Thus, I was delighted to find these beauties in bloom when I visited today.
    
Nature must be pretty stong willed - as from the looks of  this rocky, parched, non-nutrient rich soil, I say these blooms were never "nurtured" at all!
 
… (12 comments)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: 69 Center Street - 05/05/11 04:13 PM
People in general always seem surprised by the price of land here in Wyoming.  I guess they figure with so few people and so much land prices should be lower.  What they don't realize is that the ratio of public land to private is greater out here than anyplace else. Additionally, this area was built around cattle, mining and the railroad - so much of the land is disproportionately owned or leased by these industries. Of the land that remains, finding land that is actually inhabitable, by people or animals, becomes even more of a challenge. The reason I'm explaining all … (12 comments)

real estate: Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Colorful Colorado - 05/04/11 01:35 PM
The beautiful state of Colorado is only 25 miles south of Laramie on Highway 287.  While Colorado is known for its wilderness and majestic mountain beauty, our family likes to head that way for an escape to urban civilization. This is the sign that greats us when we arrive at the border:
     It's true, Colorado is colorful, indeed!  And now with the continuing invasion of the pine beetle, Colorado, and Wyoming, too - is becoming more colorful each year.  Look closely and you'll see the burnt orange color of the dead pine trees in among the green.  Maybe not the … (10 comments)