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Cody, WY Real Estate News

By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
How I Started In Real EstateI'm often asked how and why I got involved with real estate, particularly at the time I did. I thought it might be worth writing about rather than constantly answering the question.My father-in-law was a real estate agent in Cody, Wyoming. He always told me it was the best decision he ever made. I loved the idea of working for myself and thought I could be successful at it. He also helped me purchase my first investment property (that's another story) and got me excited about investing in real estate. I knew it was expensive to get started in real estate so I planned to work a "normal" job for five or six years until we saved up some money and were more established in the community. But after two years of working part-time jobs waaaaay below my skill level, I...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Time Management: Work and FamilyTime Management. We all struggle with keeping our lives in balance, staying on task, avoiding distractions, etc. My difficulties have changed over the years, forcing me to learn new techniques and refine my processes. I'm definitely getting better at it, but there are always struggles. One area that I feel has clicked for me is balancing my work and personal life. In the military, I went where I was told and had little control over my personal time. That's understandable. When I left the military, I habitually continued to prioritize work over my personal life. It took several years for the light to go on and for me to realize that I didn't have to sacrifice family any more!As a property manager in Cody, Wyoming, I always have work to do. There's no end t...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
COFFEE WITH A COP The Cody Police Department invites the community to join Chief Chuck Baker and other members of the Cody Police Department for a cup of coffee on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at the Irma Hotel (1192 Sheridan Ave) in the Governor's Room from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.The goal of the Coffee With a Cop program is to bring police officers and the community members together in a casual setting—over coffee—to discuss issues and learn more about each other.From now through spring 2018, we will be bringing Coffee With a Cop to multiple locations throughout the community.
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Renting "Sight Unseen" in Cody, WyomingIn Cody, Wyoming we see a lot of transitional renters. Folks move to the area for new jobs, to be close to family, or for retirement. Whatever the reason, many are unable to personally view properties in person before deciding which one to rent. This puts my staff in a pickle. We want to help them find a rental. We want to help the owners find quality tenants and start producing income. But there is always the risk that a renter will show up and discover there is something about the rental home they don't like and then they want to break the lease and walk away. To combat this, we always stress the dangers of renting a home without seeing it in person. We offer to provide additional pictures or even shoot live video and a virtual "walk-through" of ...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
2018 Chamber Board Ballots Due by Oct. 25!   The ballots for the 2018 slate of Chamber Board of Directors were sent out electronically on October 9, 2017.  Ballots can be returned via email, in person to the Cody Chamber, or via fax.  If you have trouble opening the email, you can pick up a paper ballot at the Chamber, 836 Sheridan Avenue. The deadline to vote is Wednesday, October 25 by 5pm!  Please be sure to vote!  Our Directors help shape the future of your Chamber. ____________________________________________________________________ Cody Country Chamber of Commerce 4th annual Button Bash 2017 The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Button Bash again!  Participation Guidelines: * Businesses who wish to participate in the Button Bash must opt in and need to contact ...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Who Owns The Propane Tank?It's often assumed the propane tank is owned by the homeowner. Real Estate agents or home sellers may misrepresent ownership of the tank in an effort to increase the selling price or appeal of their home.The truth is, the vast majority of propane tanks in Cody, Wyoming are owned by the propane company and leased to the homeowner. This can lead to problems between the new homeowner and the propane company and has even resulted in legal disputes.To avoid these issues, we recommend the Buyer contact the propane company identified on the tank and ask them about ownership. If the tank is unmarked, ask the Seller which company they are buying propane from since that is typically the company that owns the tank. If there is a disagreement between what the owner says an...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
The Value of American West RealtyThere are approximately 150 agents in the town of Cody, Wyoming. It's a small town and many agents have been here their entire lives, making it difficult for a relative newbie to break in. To make matters worse, I'm not salesman and won't try to "win" business from other agents. I am me and I do things my way. When a Seller talks to me about listing their home, I am honest and transparent. If they want someone that will list their home for the highest possible price (even when it's completely unrealistic) I let them know up front that I'm the wrong guy for the job. If they want to sell their home for the best price possible, I'm the man!So what value do I bring to the table for Sellers in Cody, Wyoming and the greater Park County?1. Equality. It doesn't ...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
There's no doubt the home-buying process can feel over-whelming. That's where a local market expert is critical to your success!Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned pro, the agents at American West Realty will tailor our process to your particular needs and ensure you are educated and prepared from start to finish.CONTACT ME TODAY to see how I can help! 
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Are you considering investing in real estate? It's one of the best vehicles available for building wealth but still requires a systematic approach. Norada Real Estate provides this great info graphic to explain some basic rules that will help you on your path.  If you are interested in learning more about investing in the Cody, Wyoming area, contact me directly and I can point you to some free resources.
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
  When: Thursday, September 28 from 5pm-7pm. Where: The Irma Hotel, 1192 Sheridan Avenue.  Meet in the main dining room.   Join us along with fellow Cody Chamber Members as we just "take a breath" after another long summer season.  We'll have refreshments, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres available. Chamber members will be allowed up to 2 free drink tickets, redeemable at the cherry wood bar.  Find one of the Chamber staff in attendance for your tickets! Plus we'll have some of our sample holiday menu items available for those that are looking at possible locations for their upcoming Christmas or Holiday parties. Remember we can host and accommodate most groups, businesses, reunions or meetings here in the Governors Room or Main Dining room.
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Local Events forCody, Wyoming  September 22By Western Hands exhibit, 10am-5pm. 36th annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale Live Auction & Dinner, 6pm.  September 23By Western Hands exhibit, 8am-2pm. 36th annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale Quick Draw, 9am. Cody Country Art League open house, Noon-4pm. Buffalo Bill Centennial Ball (41st annual Patrons' Ball), 6pm.  September 25Benefit concert at Cody Missionary Alliance Church, 6:30pm.  September 28Big Horn Basin Farmer's Market, 4:30-6:30pm. Live After 5 - "Survivor's Party" at The Irma, 5-7pm.  September 292nd annual Buffalo Bill Scramble, 11am.  September 30Battle of the Bands, at Cody City Park, 11am-8pm.  October 2WY Recreation & Parks Assoc. Conference (runs through Oct. 5)  October 4Book signing at Juniper wines, 5:30-7:30pm.  Octobe...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Fishing Bridge to Indian Pond road reconstruction approved in Yellowstone National Park MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY –On September 8, 2017, Intermountain Regional Director Sue Masica approved a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on an environmental assessment (EA) recommended by Yellowstone National Park superintendent, Dan Wenk. The EA assessed plans to improve the road between Fishing Bridge and Indian Pond. The park considered four alternatives in its EA. The approved action (Alternative B) includes improvements to a 3.6 mile segment of the East Entrance Road. Yellowstone selected this alternative in order to: Address safety concerns and improve vehicle access. Reconnect the wetlands of the Pelican Creek Drainage and allow the creek to naturally migrate within its floodplain. ...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
I inspected a rental last week and the tenant showed me that their upstairs toilet was constantly running. The fill valve was broke so I told them I would call a plumber for repairs Monday morning. Before I could make that call this morning, the tenant came into the office and told me the downstairs toilet is clogged and wouldn't flush. I arranged for a plumber to meet them at the home. He went upstairs to replace the fill valve first. It took him less than 10 minutes to fix the upstairs toilet. During that time, the tenant had gone downstairs and pooped in the clogged toilet. Seriously. The plumber cleaned out the toilet. The reason for the clog? A complete set of dentures.  I tell him to clean the dentures and leave them on the counter with the plumbing bill. Happy Monday.
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Foreign Tenants Bring New ChallengesMany Americans don't understand what it's like to live in other countries. It's easy to assume other advanced nations are similar to ours with spacious houses, walk-in closets, dishwashers, dual-sided fridges, and the other common amenities.The truth is, even advanced countries in Europe are significantly different than America. Did you know Americans average almost twice the square footage per home as Germany or 5x the size of a home in Hong Kong? On top of that, lifestyles are far different. I lived in Germany for nearly seven years and most natives I knew had a very small fridge. They bought fresh groceries every day and kept drinks stored in the cellar. Even drinks like juices and milk were in cartons (think Almond Milk) and it was capable of stor...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
The Millionaire Next DoorThe Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy I've heard about this book for several years but never bothered to pick it up. I found it at a garage sale this weekend and decided to spend the $1.00. I wasn't disappointed.The Millionaire Next Door is based on research by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D., and William D. Danko, Ph.D. They studied American millionaires to determine what sets them apart. After all, if you want to be good at something, study those that are successful, right?First, they define what "wealth" really is. It's not how much money you make. We've all heard of lottery players winning $20 million only to be broke five years later. What happened? They had a lot of money, but they consumed it. Likewise, a doctor or lawyer making $200,000 a year could give ...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
REBOOT: Combat Recovery Program in Cody, WyomingJoin us starting on Tuesday 9/26/17 at 6:30p for two hours a week for 12 weeks, focusing on the spiritual aspects of combat recovery. We are a free course - not a support group - providing practical help for veterans, service members and families dealing with after effects of combat. You won't find shortcuts or easy answers, but instead you'll find solutions that last. Dinner and childcare provided. Register at rebootrecovery.com/join. 
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Habits: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly This is in response to a challenge by Debbie Reynolds to share some of our habits. Of course, the hard part is narrowing my bad habits down! My good habit is rising early to start my day. It's a habit instilled in me early in life because of school. We had to get up at 6:30am to get ready for school. We usually had a few chores in the morning before hopping on the bus for a 45-minute ride. I continued this habit in the military, first out of necessity but eventually it became part of my personal routine. For the past 30 years, I've woken up about three hours prior to my work day starting. This allows time to read the Bible, catch up on email, and get ready for the day. I can get more done in those quiet times than I could in eight hours during the...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Field of DreamsI apologize these pictures are not better! We always try to take pictures of sunflower fields each year but this year has been extremely smoky from local fires and we just couldn't get any good ones.  Our favorite flower is the sunflower. It's attractive and produces delicious seeds. But the main attraction for us is the way the sunflower follows the sun. Scientists have discovered sunflowers have a "circadian rythm" similar to our sleep cycles. The fibers of the sunflower stalk grow longer on one side and then switch to a different side in a detectable pattern throughout the day. This forces the head of the sunflower to turn and follow the sun as it traverses the sky. This appeals to us because, as Christians, we are also called to "follow the Son", meaning Jesus Christ....
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
Home Prices in Cody Wyoming for January 2017Real estate market data for Cody, Wyoming provided by Nathan Gesner of American West Realty. Cody Home Prices If you are considering buying a home you can still find deals on a house in Cody but having a good real estate agent who understands the market is a must.  Don’t wait on the sidelines for too long, many of our listings are starting to sell within a few days of hitting the market. As you can see from the data below, listings are selling just below asking price. To make sure you don't overpay for your home, you'll want to have an agent that does a thorough market analysis of the Cody home you are interested in.If you are interested in how much current inventory in Cody you can find that information by clicking on the link. High inventory...
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By Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager
(American West Realty and Management)
 OLD TRAIL TOWN When I first heard about Old Trail Town, I was skeptical. Really? A bunch of old cabins? It seemed pretty boring. It turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong and I've been back many times.Trail Town is a collection of old buildings assembled from across the great State of Wyoming. It brings back a time long lost, reminding us of the rugged west tamed by human hands. Each building is outfitted with historical artifacts and authentic furnishings.The attraction was assembled by Bob Edgar, an old cowboy and an expert marksman known for his sharpshooting skills with a Colt .45. As a younger man, he rented a cabin that was originally a trading post from 1878. He lived there for many years, even while married and raising a child!As an archaeologist and historian, his passion ...
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