Gary Thompson Team

Another of Utah’s oldest and most desired communities is Sugar House. Originally established in 1853, the community gets it’s name from a sugar beet test factory that was located nearby. This was also the site of Utah Territory’s first prison, until re-located to the Draper area around 1951.

The homes in this area are well built, and range from modest to extravagant.

Located close to the University of Utah and Salt Lake City, Sugar House offers a unique community feel, small coffee shops, restaurants and retail shops have characterized the town.

There are many things afoot as a new large development and a new transit line is coming into the town center. Although these have met with some resistance, changes are coming about.

Still there are wonderful homes here, tucked away under treelined streets offering a feeling of peace and quiet, style and comfort.

If you are looking for an area where these things are appealing to you, you might just find yourself looking for a home in Sugar House.

Draper Utah, is a place that has rapidly changed since I was a kid who grew up just a little to the north. I remember at the end of the High School Year, a large crowd would gather to the road that led to Draper, we called it the “Quarter Mile” a make shift race track, where anyone with a Fast Car could show up and do a little racing. One of the reasons that could even work was because there wasn’t any traffic, so it was easy to set up and pull off.

Today, there is no room for that, the roads are full of traffic, the streets are full of stores and businesses, and Draper Utah has a different look and feel. From farm town to neighborhoods and businesses, the times have certainly changed.

If you are looking for a place where the quality of life is good, as well as availability to all amenities, is close to freeways and highways with easy access, and wonderful homes of all varieties – you may want to check out Draper, Utah.

Pictured right, is a very affordable condo, 2 Bedrooms 2 1/2 Bath, private fenced backyard, access to Health Club, swimming pool, playground and much more. If you are interested in this nice home or perhaps another, Let me know how I can help!

My business is Personal, And by the way, I’m never too busy for your referrals!

Much success!  Gary

While growing up in Cottonwood Heights in the 70’s, life was great, one of the things I remember well was the path I walked on my way to Mountview Elementary School. I still remember my favorite teacher, Mrs. Bremms, the long field on the north by Tebb’s horse corral, where the new kid (Mitch) from England got everyone playing soccer, and then there was the  incredible playground, monkey bars,  tether ball poles, and a place  to play marbles. When May Day arrived, just before we got out for Summer break, the whole place turned into a wonderful party.

Then in the Summer, there were those long baseball practices, I can remember walking around the outfield, a little board, while the coach, hit balls to the infielders for practice, later I discovered the infield and vowed never again to play right field.

After a few years we moved south to Sandy, there I finished Jr. high and high school. All noteworthy achievements, and after that left the area for some church related service, college, marriage and a career. Fast forward to now and I find myself back here looking over the past, but also seeing the future, driving through those same streets, looking up old friends and finding how things have changed, one thing remains, the appeal and feeling is just the same. What a great place to grow up and yes to come back to.

One of the most startling changes is taking place right now to what used to be my old grade school, Mountview Elementary,  it is being transformed into a beautiful new park!

As I drive by and see what changes are taking place, I am anxious for it to be finished. Mountview Elementary is now Mountview Park and it looks like it will be a great place to spend time with my children, and maybe even some grandchildren if I’m lucky! I will keep watching as it continues to progress.

I have attached a link here in case you want to check the progress and make some plans of your own.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/51677728-78/property-park-district-cullimore.html.csp

http://cottonwoodheights.utah.gov/hottopics.mountview.html

One thing I never said to that place that has come to mean so much is Thanks! Thanks for the memories, and the sense of community and everything that came together to make Cottonwood Heights a great place to grow up. May it remain so forever!

Hope to see you around, Much success!

Gary S Thompson, Re/Max Realtor

While out running some errands I noticed a new small business had opened its doors, Brigham City Bicycle Co, located in the strip mall on the south side of 1100 South, just east of Hansen Chevrolet. So I went in and looked around and was surprised to see that they had a good selection of both bikes and supplies. In fact I recently had purchased something I saw there at a shop in Logan for about $10 more so the prices are definitely not exorbitant. The young lady who was there manning the shop informed me that her brother was the owner and they were helping each other out as a family business. She was friendly, helpful and knew much about the brands they offered, Raleigh, and Diamondback. The selection was good and they no doubt need some support from the community. So if you by chance are in the market for a Bicycle, maybe instead of throwing your money at a big box store who really won’t notice anyway – maybe give the little guys a try. You’ll probably make a friend at the same time and give someone a little help in making their small business a success!

Perry Utah, located in Northern Utah, just north of Ogden and South of Brigham City, it is a great community offering family values and quality of life. The population is roughly 4600, and was laid claim to by Orrin Porter Rockwell in 1852, but he never actually lived here. It was in fact re-named after Gustavus Adolphus Perry and his family who were among the first settlers. It’s funny to me that as I have looked into my own past that I am actually related to the Perry family – how cool is that?

Some other interesting things about Perry, is that one of the landmarks is the Heritage Community Theatre where on just about any given night you are able to enjoy a display of local theatre talent from Annie Get Your Gun to Jekyll and Hyde. As I have attended over the years I am impressed with how well these productions are accomplished.

Another staple of the area is the famed Maddox Ranch House restaurant. Beginning sometime in the 50’s it has remained an incredible place to eat and gather from long and far, I remember when I was a kid, coming from Salt Lake city with my family to eat at Maddox. To this day, Tuesday through Saturday the place is packed and the food is excellent. My personal favorite is a shrimp steak. If you find yourself in Northern Utah and hungry to really must give it a try.

Another place in Perry that has long been a hub for entertainment is the Walker Cinemas, recently expanded now there are 8 theatres there for your viewing enjoyment!

One of the other things Perry has been noted for over the years is the fruit, Peaches. As you drive up the old highway you’ll notice that even today there are many fruit stands and farm locations selling fresh vegetables, fruit, pumpkins, squash, corn and anything that is in season. So if you are looking for some tasty, fresh farm grown stuff you really should make a point to stop along the way.

With all these things noted, Perry is really a great place to live and housing is surprisingly affordable. If you find yourself in the market for a new home and want to check out Perry – be sure to give GetUTAH Realty a call, (http://www.getutah.com )they have Utah’s best real estate search website, and can help you locate the home of your dreams!

Your Home in the Country is Calling!

Located in quiet Northern Utah, Perry is a small and beautiful city that offers access to freeways, shopping, work & employment, transportation and modern facilities, but has the nice feeling of living in the country, It’s just north of Ogden and south of Brigham City which means there is always a lot going on within a very short reach.

In addition it offers some of the very best housing opportunities and is on the top of the list when it comes to desirability.

Today I want to spotlight a beautiful country home located in Perry, down a secluded lane, this large acre lot offers gorgeous views from your large deck facing the mountains, a swimming pool, a garden, shed, and plenty of space to spread out. And when you are not spending time outdoors, the interior is just as appealing, a gorgeous kitchen, formal dining, multiple family rooms, and spacious bedrooms will make this place like owning your own charming country inn.

The season for such a grand home and location is just right as this home has just come onto the market and is now being offered for only $289,000. You can see the online tour at http://www.tourfactory.com/527219

Or you call, text or email today for your own private showing 435-225-3449 / gary@getutah.com

Today is a great day for Real Estate! Please let me know how I can help you!

Every day I pull up my Social Media Accounts and look over the blogs written – and my subscribed blogs too. Then I sit and stare out the window trying to think about something to write and after a while of blank staring I just leave it at that and go to work.

This blogging thing sure is challenging. I’ve probably written a hundred things I’ve never posted. For information, I’ve looked up blogs that talk about blogs, I’ve read blogs that give ideas about what to blog about and even looked up more things than I am listing here…. so why then is it still so hard to find something enjoyable and interesting to write about?

For me it’s like lightening. It doesn’t come all that consistently, sometimes I force it but once in a while something clicks. Sometimes when it does I get a few comments, and sometimes not.

A couple of times I’ve just thrown something out there and I’ve gotten a boatload of comments – and it wasn’t anything really incredible or that I put much time into, maybe it was just more interesting, or maybe it was a headline that provoked comments, I’m not really sure.

I do know that writing things down, such as thoughts, stories, technical manuals (not really), or whatever, is good for the mind. I think it’s like exercise only for the mind.

Sometimes all it takes is to get started and just like my morning run, after I get into it I get a second wind and really start to enjoy it. That’s how I think about writing, even though when I’m done, perhaps it goes into that big black hole, I’m still better off than before. And I’m good with that.

Here’s to the big black hole!

A cross training day – this morning I road my mountain bike in place of running. I call it my cross training day. The morning air was deliciously refreshing and cool, I love burning up hills and then flying down with the wind in my face. Though I really want to ride in the mountains, for lack of time, I mostly cut my path across quiet neighborhood streets, cut through a park or two, and pass through the cemetery where I stop for a moment of quiet at Landon’s Grass. I also saw the Temple site this morning and the construction is progressing quickly now, both spires are up and now the less visible tasks are the ones in which they are focused – the small details.

GO AHEAD BE A PANSY!

I first started thinking about this when I went to my local nursery about the first week of April. We had one good day of sunshine and I got a bug about putting in some bedding plants. But realized when I got there that there were no plants ready this early and it was actually much too early to even consider putting them in, that is except Pansies.

So I looked and what they had picked up some blues and yellows and marched home to put them in along my front walkway.

Turns out pansies are very hearty and can stand the cold temperatures, even frost.

So I put them in and as the weather has improved a little (it’s still mostly cold and rainy), the Pansies have come alive and brought some color to my otherwise dreary walk way.

It seems to me that Pansies are getting a bad rap – I’ve mostly heard this term used to describe someone who is less than a man or a bit soft. My experience with Pansies tells me that perhaps we are getting this wrong.

For a hearty splash of color – even in the coldest weather try some Pansies! And while you’re at it be one yourself!