Maximize Smaller Spaces

Using Technology to Max Out Your Small Space
While the housing market trend in the U.S. has been slowing down, Cody Enterprise reports that real estate in Cody remains robust and stronger than ever. Indeed, Cody is one of the best kept secrets in Wyoming. If you’re looking to move from the big city or simply want a quieter life in nature with plenty of fishing and hunting, Cody is one of the best options. As Cody’s real estate is improving, there are plenty of housing options from new builds to farms, ranches, rentals and more. Whatever your choice, there are plenty of ways to maximize the space that you have to make your house a home.
Use Space Wisely
Not all homes are made like the historic Smith Mansion in Wapiti, which recently made its way onto the Cody real estate market. Sometimes, purchasing a home in a new area means there are improvements that need to be made, and there may be limited space. If you’ve got limited space, consider the smart home option. Choosing smarter options for your home will make a great impact despite the size and space you’re dealing with. Smart spaces and home automation allow you to use your home in a smart and efficient manner. Home automation technologies such as automated heating and cleaning systems can also enhance your living space while making your life simpler. It can create more layers and space in a room that is small and lacking utility.
Small Home, Smart Choice
A small space with the right technology and appliances won’t feel like a tight space at all. Think about the space and how you want to use it. Can you knock down a wall and make living room flow together for an open space or use paint to create the illusion of more space? In the living room, consider making your television screen both a piece of art and functional TV screen. Or, incorporate a drop-down TV screen to save on space.The kitchen is also an important room to consider kitting out with the latest in tech and appliances if you have limited space. Consider larger appliances, such as ovens and refrigerators. Do you actually need them? Do you bake a lot? Cook a lot? If not, a smaller fridge will do the trick, as will a and micro-oven combo and airfryer. Using smaller appliances will save space and money.
Modular Solutions
Another easy way to start making your home a smart home is with modifications that are modular. In other words, modular solutions begin with sections and build from there. If you’re short on space, find inspiration in tiny homes, such as intriguing micro-home with innovative features like voice activated technology and smart devices that communicate with each other. Purchasing land lots in Cody is also an option, so you can start from scratch.
Featuring technology in every corner, micro-homes and smart homes utilize the space to make everything sync up - from lighting to security and voice activation. Small house also typically make rooms multipurpose (less walls) have clever storage solutions such as floor to ceiling bookcases and furniture that doubles as storage. The technology is tethered together in a way that makes the overall budget on the equipment much more cost-efficient than it would be to purchase separate pieces altogether.

Whatever you choose for your home, building a smart home is a great choice to make your home more efficient and space-saving. With technology these days, the possibilities are endless to make the most of your space.

Staging Ideas To Think About...

Stage Your Home to Make Buyers Fall in Love With It
If you have lived in the same house for years, the chances are good that real estate practices have changed dramatically since you bought your property. Long gone are the days when home buyers travel with a Realtor to various properties without previous information about those homes. These days, the work of most real estate agents revolves around handling paperwork and scheduling showings, not researching to find properties. Home buyers are much more likely to do their own online research.
In other words, your home needs to appeal to buyers from the second you list it if you hope to sell quickly and for an optimal price. Setting your home up to look attractive to buyers, a process called staging, can help you maximize your returns on your upcoming home sale. Making the best possible first impression will help you sell your home quickly.
Your Online Photos Are Your First Impression
If you hope to sell your home quickly, listing your property online is critical. Your real estate agent will likely handle the process of creating the online listing and taking photographs, but you need to work with them to ensure an accurate and eye-catching presentation of your home. For many prospective buyers, digital photos and online descriptions determine whether they will even express interest in a property.
You need excellent photographs of both the outside and the inside of your home. Ideally, you will take the time to rehab and fix up problem areas and invest in some finishing touches to make your property as eye-catching as possible. You should also pack up a lot of your decor and personal items prior to photographing your home.
Not all home buyers like the Western or country styles popular for many in Cody. Aim for a neutral but trendy appearance that allows people to visualize their own plans for the space. Not only will this help give you a head start on the moving process, but it will also make the home seem more inviting to buyers, who may be turned off by too much décor.
You Need to Get People Through the Door to Get Offers
Exterior appearance can make or break a potential home showing. Many people pull up to a home, only to quickly drive away and cancel their showing. You need to maximize the curb appeal of your home. Anything from a fresh coat of paint on your front door to taking the time to manicure your yard and gardens can make a big difference.
Investing in thriving annual plants near the front door, as well as some landscaping visible from the road, can do a lot to make your property stand out to people driving by.  When the front door and appearance from the road are appealing, people are much more likely to come inside with a positive attitude.
Once Inside
Of course, once potential buyers have fallen in love with the exterior of your home, it’s time to wow them with the inside. First impressions mean a great deal, so make sure that there is a pleasant aroma in your home, whether by burning some candles, having freshly-baked bread rolls on the kitchen table or a pot of coffee brewing. Next up, make sure that everything is tidied out of sight, and if you have pets then it would be a good idea to have them lodge somewhere else for the day in case the buyer isn’t a ‘dog person’. Make sure that your blinds and drapes are open wide to allow plenty of natural light to flood in, and you might use additional lighting to transform any dark corners.

Cultivating a beautiful and inviting appearance for your home is critical to a home sale. From properly staging interior photos to investing in outdoor repairs to maximize curb appeal, there are important steps to take to help your home sell quickly. If you have trouble seeing the potential in your property, your real estate agent or even your neighbors may be able to offer you advice about simple steps to take that will improve the visual appearance of your home to prospective buyers.

Are Rental Properties Right For You?

Top Reasons that People Buy Homes to Rent Out to Others
When people think of opportunities in Wyoming, they probably imagine wide open spaces and cattle ranching. Fewer people understand that there is much potential in the local real estate markets around the state. For someone looking to generate passive streams of income, Wyoming might be a great market to purchase property in. Whether you are considering buying residential units in an urban area or large ranches to rent out to farmers, there are several good reasons why people invest in rental properties.
Renting Property Is a Stable Source of Income
No matter what else happens with the economy and how things change, people will always need houses. That means that investing in properties that you intend to let out to other people is often a smart business decision. The most important considerations are ensuring that the amount of rent you can charge offsets your monthly expenses in owning and maintaining the property and that you don't buy a house with an inflated price. Single unit houses and multifamily dwellings are both solid investments, as our rental farm properties. Depending on what kind of work you want to do and where you live, the possibilities are practically endless. While the prices and demand may change from year to year, the overall need for rental housing will not go away.
The More Work You Do Yourself, the More Profit You Can Make
With many jobs, doing extra work doesn't mean you make more money. Thankfully, working as a landlord is not one of those jobs. One of the best ways to quickly turn a profit by purchasing properties to rent is to buy a distressed property and fix it up. Most people don't want to live in a slum, but many people will apply for a newly renovated apartment. More importantly, by making repairs, you increase the overall property value of your rental, which could mean that you may sell it for a profit in the future. 
Handling applications and dealing with tenant issues may be stressful, but managing all of those aspects of your rental business on your own means that you don't have to pay a superintendent or property manager to handle it for you. If you have the skills required to make basic repairs when something goes wrong, that can save you even more money. 
Over time, your tenants will help you pay off the mortgage on your rental properties. They will also provide you with an ongoing stream of income that requires minimal effort on your part. You can reinvest that profit and purchase more properties or use it to fund your lifestyle. Since renting has become increasingly popular, working as a landlord is increasingly attractive to modern professionals. There are many reasons why, but the freedom and potential profit that come from being your own boss are certainly high on the list!

Real Estate Market Data 2018

As we move into 2018, all indications are that real estate will have a good year in Cody, WY.  Not unlike last year, which saw robust sales and homes in the higher price ranges selling.

Our market definitely tends to be conservative, and that's a good thing.  Slower appreciation works well when markets slow down.  We tend to be in the 5% annual appreciation range.  Buy and hold is a great strategy here.

I've included a chart that shows sales this year compared to sales in 2017.  What's immediately noticeable is the total dollar volume.  Same number of sales but volume this year is over $2,000,000.00 more.

If you're interested in learning more about our market, call me.  307-899-5393.  Please leave a message.

Can Real Estate Make You Wealthy???

So Whose Tried Airbnd?

This website has taken off!  I've tried Flipkey and VRBO but it seems they are a thing of the past and everyone's talking Airbnb.

I've searched on this site for places to stay and they seem to have a huge inventory of rentals.  I'm also considering hosting a couple of places in downtown Cody.  

I'm looking for pro's and con's.  If you've had either a good or bad experience please share here.

What's On Your Bucket List?

It's funny how long some things have hung around on my bucket list.  Am I the only one?  Just curious, no one wants to be alone while procrastinating.

There are things that are on that list that I'm looking forward to, and then, there's Toastmasters.  For me this is an "overcome the fear" item on my list, therefore, I'm not rushing into anything.

Actually, A group of us started a Toastmasters back in 2005, and I think that year is right.  The club lasted for several years and then fizzled out.  No excuses other than we did not keep recruiting new members and that is part of the successful club process.

I will say that during that time, I found my voice.  And now I'm fairly certain there are those that wish I hadn't.  I'm not there yet though.  I would love to give a speech flawlessly, you know, like you see on TED Talks.  So, I need to make time to get involved with the new club in Cody, Yellowstone Toastmasters.

I've been following their meeting times and agendas and need to ditch the excuses and just show up.  Ideally, anyone reading this post should show up too if you're interested.  The club is open to all.

If you're not familiar with Toastmasters follow this link... Become A Leader .

You'll find all the information for Yellowstone Toastmasters on Facebook.  You can follow them there.  I'm pretty sure you'll be glad you did.

Develop the skills that will give you a voice!  It's empowering.

Since when did I become a football fan??? 

It's a question I've been asking myself.  I enjoyed football in the 70's and 80's.  I lost interest when the players starting making enormous salaries and "showboating".  And, I'm still not a big fan of the NFL.

I am however interested in College Football.  Maybe because the players haven't been tainted yet.  And I'm particularly interested in Wyoming Cowboy Football.  Maybe because my daughter is a Freshman in Laramie.  I find myself there frequently (although I seriously dislike the drive and wish I had my pilots license).  

I'll be there again this weekend, in the bleachers, in the cold, cheering the Pokes on.  The teams that play in the Mountain West Conference deserve our support.  It's not easy for any of us in this weather.  Go Pokes!

Yep...Rene is back with some timely, money-saving tips as you travel through our great state.














Heed your speed.

Don't be fooled by the wide open spaces around here.  It's easy to settle into your cruising groove, the pedal pushes down a little closer to the metal while your speedometer inches upward.  Then, right out of nowhere a little town pops up - accompanied by a rapid drop in the speed limit - and if you're not paying attention you will get pegged.

You may not see a soul in places like Powder River or Moneta, but when they say slow down, you probably oughta because hiding behind that huge sagebrush could be your new favorite law enforcement officer checking in on your ability to adapt quickly to small towns and their adjusted speed limits.

They reward those who are adept.

Plenty of small, Wyoming towns have what I refer to as "speed traps".  They deny this is what they are but, when they notoriously lurk at the outskirts of town on a road with no one on it between two signs placed (maybe) 100 yards apart - one reads 35 mph and the other 70 mph - and suddenly you see flashing lights in your rear view mirror - feels a lot like a speed trap.

Granted, I've been around long enough, and gotten enough speeding tickets in our sweet little po-dunk Wyoming towns, that I've learned it's not worth it to speed through places like Byron or Frannie.  You WILL get a ticket and frankly, I prefer to keep my cash.

One time I truly thought I had a legitimate argument for a particular circumstance (AKA:  excuse to speed).  I went through ALL the trouble of appearing, not only once, but twice in the little makeshift courtroom, attempting to defend myself only to learn I'm a lousy lawyer and ended up having to pay the ticket in full.

With age comes wisdom though - life is fast enough.  No need to excessively speed through it...and risk a costly ticket.  Might as well take your time and enjoy the scenery.  After all, it's beautiful country and you'll get there - eventually.

                             Does Spring Exist in Wyoming????

We've all done it - thought that Winter was over only to be blatantly reminded, once again, it's entirely too early for such nonsense around here.

We catch glimpses of Spring during the waning days of Winter and find ourselves saying, "Oh yay!  Winter is finally over!"  We eagerly flock outdoors to bask in the warm sunshine feeling the long-absent heat on our skin.  Birds begin chirping and busily flitting about.  Buds are bursting, green is sprouting and Spring - by allintents and purposes - has sprung.

We change gears and head outside to take advantage of the glorious change in weather, relishing in the sun's rays and the promise of a new season.

And just when you think Spring has arrived - BOOM!  Winter fights back - with a vengeance - reminding us of what Spring is REALLY like in Wyoming.  

Suddenly that warm sunshine you felt on your bare skin yesterday is but a glorious memory reserved for yet another time.

Wet, cold storms roll in.  Temperatures drop and snow flurries fall.  Doors and windows shut and the heat goes back on.  Roads close.  Hats and gloves reappear.  Moisture falls from the sky in huge, glorious white flakes or torrential downpours interspersed with little pelting ice balls, for your weather entertainment.

PSYCHE!!!  No Spring for you Wyoming!  Not yet at least.

Old man Winter isn't finished.  He threatens every so often to hibernate for a few months, then rears his blustery head again, back and forth like that until finally he is weakened by the power of renewed life, pushed aside by Mother Nature to await his next reign.  Spring has won.

By then though, it's usually Summer.

And Summer is a great time to look at property in Cody.  Find out all you need to know here...
Cody Real Estate.

Rene Huge

The fitness fanatic is well-taken care of in our lovely little town.

Whether you walk out your door and take advantage of the trails in Canal Park, Beck Lake or the Paul Stock area, or if you prefer the confines of indoor fitness facilities, opportunities abound.

This town is riddled with gyms AND trails!  Not only do we have an amazing Rec Center complete with swimming pool - there are other options as well.  If CrossFit is your thing there's Cody CrossFit.  If you've been down that road and determined it wasn't the best fit you've got an offshoot at Heart Mountain Fitness which offers a slightly different approach to similar methods.

Maybe ice skating is your thing.  We've got that too!

If you need access 24 hours a day Cody has an Anytime Fitness for you workout junkies.  Forget sleeping...let's work out!

And now, after many years without a gymnastics program - it's back!  And they've got a Fitness Center below there as well.  We have a Cardio Box, Tae Kwon Do dojos, Yoga out the wazoo and Pilates too!  There is no excuse for not exercising to your heart's content and being in good shape for your next adventure.

Me, I tend to flock to the outdoors.  The Beck Lake Bike Park and the Outlaw Trails are at the top of my personal fitness list.  Whether you're hiking or biking, both offer an amazing network of trails to fit your needs.  The ever-expanding Bike Park offers something for everyone with a professionally designed system of purpose - built mountain bike trails.  They cater to beginner riders up through advanced.  Need to catch some air?  You will.

Yep!  You too can be a hard body in Cody, no doubt about it.  We've got it all.  Never mind the surrounding mountains and national park...I mean, unless you like that kind of stuff... :-)

Interested in Cody Real Estate? Look here!

Recycling in Cody is no small task.  We are situated far from everything which makes transporting recyclable products where they need to be in order to evolve into whatever they are destined to become, costly.

Nevertheless, we have recycling here.  The City of Cody manages this program for our town and fortunately, provides an outlet for those with the wherewithall to go through the process.  You can take your recyclables directly to the recycling center or to the bins placed in the Walmart and old Kmart parking lots for your recycling convenience.

 We are able to recycle newspapers, magazines, office paper, aluminum and tin cans, corrugated cardboard and #1 and #2 plastics - not bad for a town located in the middle of nowhere.

There is no curbside  pick up and you have to "keep 'em se-pa-rated" - not just lumping it all together, taking it to the street and waiting for it to magically disappear.  You're going to have to work at it a little bit.  I'm not talking back-breaking labor, just a little due-diligence combined with community consciousness.

 And I know rinsing stuff out, separating and storing it is a pain.  I live it.  BUT, it's worth it to be able to be part of the effort to re-use products that would otherwise just go to the dump and lay in wake for some undetermined  evolution in the far-distant future.  While it seems we have infinite space around here to keep burying trash, the reality is - we do not.  Besides, is trash what we really want to fill our beautiful, wide-open spaces with?  I think not.

If you don't like bees and bugs swirling around the bins at the recycling center, you should go the distance and rinse out those soda bottles and cans.  Get rid of the sugary goop!  Not only will this help to reduce the swarms, it will also help curb the stench.

And how about throwing those water bottle caps away...and noticing whether or not you're putting #1 plastics in the #1 or the #2 bin?  That's not too hard is it?  (At least not if you have your readers with you!  Make sure you do.)

After you do it a few times, it becomes rote.  Then, your readers will no longer be required.

This PSA announcement compliments of    Rene Huge 

Rene's Take On The REAL Cody...

Wind.  Four letter word or just a good weeder-outer?

Be advised:  The wind doth blow.

Some people like it, most people hate it, but the fact of the matter is;  wind is a regular occurrence around here.  It's part of the reason we have 300-plus sunny days a year.  Blows it in, blows it out.  It helps keep our air clean.  It's the reason you can never "dust" enough.

I'd never lived anywhere this windy prior to moving to Cody.  It's a phenomenon, for sure, and one to embrace if you're going to spend any significant time here.  The first Winter we lived here I distinctly remember taking my one-and-a-half year old toddler outside in his little snow suit on a particularly windy day.  We were unloading groceries from the car and he was standing on the sidewalk literally doing battle with the wind.  It would push him back and he would physically throw his little, toddly body forward into the wind in order to compensate and avoid being blown over.  It was the funniest thing to watch as he learned right then and  there how to fight back the wind - a skill he has used readily his entire life, whether he liked it or not.

People around here tend to refer to it as the 'W-word' as if the mere utterance of the word 'wind' will make it start blowing.  (You really don't want to risk it.  Frankly the only reason I feel safe using it today is because it is wailing outside - darn-near gale force!)

In the summertime wind works like air conditioning, which is welcomed because most people around here do not have AC.  And, the truth is, most of the time you don't really need it.  Sure, there will be those couple of weeks where it gets super hot and dry and even the wind can't cool your sweaty body...but, for the most part, the natural weather cycle around here caters really well to those without AC.  The evenings cool down, the windows get opened, fresh breezes enter and voila!  You've got air conditioning.

In the Winter, it's regarded a little differently.  Brrrrr....

Winter winds tend to bite.  Sometimes though, they feel more like balmy caresses when the warm (by comparison!) breeze blows in, cleans up the snow, dries up our trails and streets and makes it all like new again.

They say we live in a banana belt.  I attribute that designation to the four-letter word that needs-not-be-named and that big fiery ball of light that blesses us with its presence 300-plus days a year.  Without those two there would be no banana belt, no moderate days of Winter sunshine or respite from the Wyoming harshness that can rear its ugly head in the dark days of Winter.

For this we can thank that-which-can't-be-named and his friend, Sun.

It's what escorts a new weather system in and helps melt the snow - or bring it - depending on which side ofr the system you're on.

Winter Doesn't have to be daunting...

For example, you could live in a home like this one.  Whatever the season, there's so much to enjoy here.

Check out the tour below and if this isn't the home for you, tell a friend!

Location is EVERYTHING!

This one-owner home with unobstructed views of Heart Mountain is just waiting for tasteful updates.

The interior design has good flow with spacious rooms, lots of light and a corner lot with mature trees and landscaping.

If you enjoy HGTV check this home out.  It has great flow and would be perfect for entertaining, just needs a non-surgical lift.  

Call me to see this home anytime!

Cody's reputation for true West is well-deserved and evident everywhere from the landscapes to the Western hospitality of our locals.  

Defining true West is something else though.  An example of one owners definition is the architectural gem that was built in the early 2000's.  Situated on 30 acres in the Wapiti Valley and just 25 miles from Yellowstone Park you'll feel the blend of Contemporary style with rugged mountain terrain.  Starry nights, abundant wildlife and peace.

Available to see by appointment. Preview with the link below.



Impressive Contemporary Design

Add This To Your To-Do List!

Spring is really not that far away and the Sleeping Giant Zip Line will be waiting.
The incredibly beautiful scenery is worth the 40 minute trip from Cody.  The actual ride is icing on the cake.

If you've not done a zip line before it's fast, it's fun and it's safe.  It does require a little bit of work but it's worth it.  My daughter and I did a Zip Line in Maui a few years ago and it was a bit daunting.  A lot of uphill walking while carrying gear.

Sleeping Giant is a lot easier and just as beautiful as Hawaii.  Make a plan for this Spring, you'll love it!  Check out the video here...

Wishful Thinking

I've found that wishful thinking works.  Really.  

I've been focusing my attention on Wyoming Winter weather for some time.  I enjoy the cold weather and snow, but not 8 months out of the year.

Since 1995 I've focused, (in my mind), on October and November being cooler, but not freezing.  Although many of my friends enjoy Winter sports, most of them agree with me.  So after many years, 21 to be exact, my wish is being granted.  And I don't hear too many people complaining about it.

A friend and I were hiking up around Legend Rock near Thermopolis this past weekend and the grass is still green.  Another friend posted a picture of the produce from her garden.  She was excited with what a longer growing season produces.

So, although I love my Winter wardrobe, I'm delighted it may be another few weeks before I need it.

I watched this video some time ago and found that learning early combined with respect for firearms is key to safety.  

A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS...

This home is picture-postcard perfect.  The interior is warm and inviting, an atmosphere that invites family and friends to enjoy the Holidays.

On a very practical note, it's priced below assessment. 

Follow the link to explore the floorplan and improvements.


7 Lakeview Court, Cody, WY