Come as Guests,
Stay as Family.
A Trusted Partner for Buyers and Sellers
Turning Leaf Realty is committed to providing exemplary service and knowledge to real estate buyers and sellers in southeastern Wyoming. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, upsizing, downsizing or looking for an investment property, Turning Leaf is a trusted partner with decades of experience.
Our company is locally owned and our agents live, work and raise their families in Laramie. We want to show you why Laramie is a great place to plan your future. We strive to create long-term relationships with our clients. As the #1 ranked Laramie real estate agency, we work every day to build our community.
Call us at 307-760-6589 or stop by our office at 208 East Garfield, Suite 202 in downtown Laramie.
Discover How Turning Leaf Has Helped People Just Like You Buy, Sell, Invest and Manage
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How to Buy a House
How to Buy a House
How to Sell Your House
Medical Services in Laramie
Photo Credit: Hush Naidoo
A question many think about when moving to a smaller city, is what kind of healthcare options are available? Laramie may feel small, but the medical offerings are big. Ivinson Memorial Hospital is centrally located and has almost everything a person could need. It contains 99 beds, a birthing center and nursery, a cancer center and a host of specialists to help whatever your health requires.
Laramie also has its very own bone and joint center that provides rehab, orthopedic surgery and other specialty medicine for the injuries you may incur while playing hard in the nearby areas.
Besides some of the major medical practices, Laramie has numerous dentist, Optometrists, Chiropractors and just about every other specialty a person needs. Doctors from larger areas also come to Laramie regularly for specialties like dermatology, ear nose and throat, and allergy specialists.
Laramie is a small town with big amenities. Rest assured that your body and spirit will thrive in our beautiful town.
Fall = Football, Volleyball and so many other great sports.
Photo Credit: Dave Adamson
With fall upon us we get to look forward to the great sports that most of us watch and some of us to take part in. Wyoming has great pride in its athletics and football is probably its number one. The Pokes (aka the Wyoming Cowboys) have had their ups and downs the last 5 years. But in 2014 Craig Bohl was brought on as head coach and he is having great success at recruiting players and rebuilding a sports program. In 2016 they were the Mountain West Division Campions and have won 2 Bowl bids in the last 5 years. They play home games in War Memorial Stadium at 7220’ elevation, which they hope is an advantage over their opponents. Gamedays in Laramie bring the town alive and the people of Laramie know how to put on a good tailgate, so if you find yourself in town during a game make your way down to the stadium and find out how welcoming this community is. For more info or to buy tickets click here: https://gowyo.com/index.aspx?path=football
Volleyball in Laramie is another fun way to enjoy some good family fun during the cooler fall nights. The Cowgirls have a good program and are continuing to build it up. They play in the UniWyo Federal Credit Union Sports Complex that is situated between the Arena Auditorium and War Memorial fieldhouse. The games are a great time to see some school spirit and watch some intense volleyball action. To view games and buy tickets click here: https://gowyo.com/index.aspx?path=wvball.
Along with the major two sport Laramie is alive with different sporting events. There are also many club sports like rugby and women’s soccer and many community leagues for a multitude of sports. As we work our way closer to winter, women’s and men’s basketball and men’s wrestling bring another level of fun.
In short if you like big time sports with a small friendly hometown feeling Laramie will not disappoint you.
Shopping in Laramie
Photo Credit: Becca McHaffie
The shopping experience in Laramie is wonderful and continues to get better with new stores coming in all the time. Whether you are looking to upgrade those old cowboy boots (Martindale’s) or you want to change up the furnishings of your house (Bent and Rusty and many others), Laramie has everything someone could want. We have 20+ downtown shops that are full of charm and smiling faces of the people who live in and love this community. Don’t miss shopping during the holiday season. Downtown Laramie delivers on Small Business Saturday, the shopping event that follows black Friday. Don’t be surprised to find the downtown shops looking like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie during this special time of year. Shop owners pull out all the stops – handing out cider and cocoa while their stores are truly decked for the holidays. Don’t forget to take
Outside of the downtown area there are other shopping offerings as well. Laramie has many bike shops, and other outdoor retailers. Outdoor enthusiasts of all levels will find new gear and rentals available on things like Nordic and downhill skis, mountain bikes and canoes, kayaks or stand up paddleboards.
Along with all of our locally owned shops we do have some chain stores as well: Maurice’s, Murdoch’s and a few big box stores. Rest assured that you will be able to find anything that one might want or need in one of our quaint shopping establishments.
How to Squeeze the Last Bit of Summer Out of Laradise
While summer is winding down in Laramie, there’s still plenty of time left to soak up the sun. Here’s a few Laramie activities to squeeze in before the cooler days of autumn are upon us.
- Head to the Thursday and Friday evening farmer’s markets.
Thursday nights the market is at Undine Park and features local vendors. On Friday’s head downtown to the Train Depot for the Downtown Farmer’s Market where you’ll find yummy fruits and vegetables, breads, sweets and other delicious treats.
- Tackle Medicine Bow Peak.
Photo Credit: Trip Advisor
Throw your hiking boots on and conquer Medicine Bow Peak. Take time to reflect from an altitude of 12,014 feet.
- Walk or ride your bike around Laramie.
Before the snow begins to fall take a walk or ride around Laramie and get to know your neighbors. It can be easy to hibernate during the winter so while the weather is still fair, make some new friends!
- Take one last camping trip.
With so many local campgrounds to choose from, there’s no excuse not to squeeze in one final camping trip of the year. Enjoy some peace and quiet, roast hot dogs and s’mores over a fire and breathe in the cool mountain air. You’ll make great memories!
- Hot Springs
If camping isn’t your thing and you’re more interested in a weekend retreat that includes a bit of pampering, head over to Saratoga for a stay at Saratoga Hot Springs Resort. Lay by the pool and enjoy a dip in the tee-pee hot tubs (there are varying temps so experiment until you find your perfect one!). Don’t forget to stop by Lollypops for some summer ice cream or have dinner at one of the amazing restaurants (we’re looking at you, Bella’s Bistro).
- Plan a Labor Day BBQ
One of the best parts of summer is grilling!
Plan a Labor Day BBQ and invite friends and family to enjoy the last bits of summer. Need menu inspiration? Check out Pinterest or Instagram.
Summer gets a lot of credit for being the best season in Laramie, and while it is a wonderful time of year, every season brings its own special characteristics that make Laramie Laradise.
Open House: 1066 Alta Vista Dr.
Join us for an open house at this timeless mid-century modern in the established Alta Vista neighborhood on Wednesday, August 7 from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. This home boasts 2,117 sq. feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. Beautiful hand-scraped Brazilian cherry flooring is throughout the home with a wood-burning stove in the living room, the perfect place to get cozy on cold Laramie nights. Vaulted ceilings give this area of the home an expansive, open feel.
This home features elevated luxury with a fully remodeled kitchen complete with granite countertops, a wine fridge and plenty of pull out and lazy susan cabinet storage. All appliances are new, stainless steel and the kitchen looks out onto the expansive backyard as well as the Snowy Range Mountains. The main floor of the house includes the master suite, a large bedroom and bathroom. This home is full of charming surprises including an area under the stairs that is perfect for evening homework.
Upstairs, you’ll find two bedrooms and one full, completely remodeled bathroom including shiplap walls and custom vanity.
This home sits on a .25 acre lot and the size is reflected in the large backyard. This space is perfect for entertaining and the owners say it is the best spot in Laramie for watching Fourth of July fireworks. The large, wooden playset will be sold with the home as well as the custom SheShed! This area is perfect as a home office, crafting spot or just a place to escape the kids and relax. The owner has cultivated a vegetable garden that sits in a fenced area at the edge of the yard – a little spot of paradise!
Join us for an Open House on Wednesday, August 7 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. or view the entire listing here.
8 things to avoid when purchasing a home
The last thing in the world you would ever want is to spend a bunch of time searching for a home, finding that perfect place and then not being approved for your mortgage. There are also many common mistakes homebuyers make that could make the process much more painful than it has to be.
We’re writing this article because we know how stressful it can be to buy a house. In order to make your process easier, we are going to cover the 9 things you shouldn’t do when buying a home.
1) Don’t overestimate your budget.
Ever heard the expression “House poor“? Many homebuyers overestimate what they can actually afford and end up with very little wiggle room financially. Before jumping into buying, make sure you have a realistic idea of the yearly costs involved with owning a home.
Remember, there is your mortgage, property taxes, utilities, insurance and repairs. All of this before you even think about making upgrades. Factor in all the costs and leave yourself some room.
2) Don’t let your emotions run wild.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. It’s normal to be excited and fall in love with a home. However, try to keep a level head. Falling in love with a home can cloud your judgement or end in disappointment. This can happen if unforeseen issues are exposed in the inspection or if someone puts in an offer before you.
If you don’t find a home… don’t get discouraged. Home searching can be a lengthy process. It will be worth it when you find the winner.
3) Don’t talk to sellers about plans for the house.
As much as you are excited to get in and put your personal touch on the home, it’s best to keep this to yourself. Sometimes home buyers meet and get to know the home owners. This is fine, but remember that the current owner will have an emotional attachment to the property.
It’s best not to make them feel like you’re going to come in and completely change the place. If you make conversation with the owners, just keep the conversation light.
4) Don’t withdraw or deposit a lot of cash.
Going further with your financial history, cash withdraws and deposits also play a part in your mortgage approval rate. Large quantities of cash going in or out of your accounts signals a warning sign that you do not have stability. Avoid any sporadic withdraws or deposits of large sums of cash.
5) Don’t apply for more credit.
The amount you are approved for on your mortgage comes down to your capital. How much money do you have at your disposal? Applying for extra credit increases your debt. This extra debt decreases the amount you will be approved for on a mortgage.
6) Don’t co-sign a loan.
While a loan may not technically be yours – it will still equally count towards your overall debt. Co-signing a loan can have an impact on not only the amount of your mortgage, but approval rate in general. Avoid co-signing any loans until you have purchased your home.
7) Don’t finance a car or furniture.
As financing is again a loan, it is therefore debt. Stay away from financing a car or furniture for the above mortgage approval reasons.
8) Don’t switch or leave your job.
Financial stability is one of the most important factors considered when a bank is approving your mortgage. The key to financial stability is having a dependable income. If you switch or leave your job, often or before applying for a mortgage, this may signal red flags.
If you are thinking about a move, hang tight with your job until after your mortgage is approved.
Ensure you don’t make these mistakes
There are many important things to consider when purchasing a home. It is one of the biggest decisions of your life.
In order to ensure that you get the house you want, when you want it, you need to understand and follow those above tips. Doing so will increase your chances of finding that perfect home and getting it. Remember that financials are very important when it comes time to apply for a mortgage. Make that your priority.
Also keep in mind the emotional aspects of purchasing a home and try to stay cool. It can be a draining process, but it will be worth it when you get the keys to the castle!
Are you looking for a home in the area? Give me a call. I’d love to help you find a home (and make sure you make none of the above mistakes in the process!)
How to Sell Your House
Medical Services in Laramie
A question many think about when moving to a smaller city, is what kind of healthcare options are available? Laramie may feel small, but the medical offerings are big. Ivinson Memorial Hospital is centrally located and has almost everything a person could need. It...
Fall = Football, Volleyball and so many other great sports.
With fall upon us we get to look forward to the great sports that most of us watch and some of us to take part in. Wyoming has great pride in its athletics and football is probably its number one. The Pokes (aka the Wyoming Cowboys) have had their ups and downs the...
Shopping in Laramie
The shopping experience in Laramie is wonderful and continues to get better with new stores coming in all the time. Whether you are looking to upgrade those old cowboy boots (Martindale’s) or you want to change up the furnishings of your house (Bent and Rusty and many...
