Open, Open, Open Houses!

We are busy, busy, busy. We would love to see you Sunday at our Open Houses!

13627 N Wild Spruce, Chillicothe
This stunning 5 bedroom 3 and a half bath 2 story in Cedar Hills Estates is a must see! The main floor offers a kitchen with granite countertops, hardwood floors, a family room with gas log fireplace, a formal living room, a formal dining room, an informal dining room, main floor laundry and a half bath. 4 bedrooms are upstairs including the Master Bedroom with Master Bath and walk-in closet and another full bath. The basement is finished with a 5th bedroom and a Rec Room, a Bar Room and a third full bath. The yard is beautifully landscaped complete with an irrigation system and a stamped concrete patio. This is truly a magnificent home! $289,900 See the listing for more details.

2502 W Carlisle, Dunlap
Do not miss this amazing 4 bdrm 2.5 bath Signature Home Located in Wynncrest Subdivision. The home was built in 2008 and has a large corner lot with full sod. All four bedrooms are located upstairs, 3 of which have walk in closets.The master suite has a whirlpool tub and double vanity, vaulted ceilings and double walk in closets. The unique side load garage gives the house a nice appearance. The kitchen has granite counter tops and Custom Cabinets and comes fully applianced. The washer and dryer stay.The landscaping is completed and the radon Mitigation system is installed. Just move right in! $269,900 See the listing for more details.

1423 E Valley Shore, Peoria
Check out this 3 bedroom home located in Mossville and IVC school district. This very well maintained home offers 3 bedrooms on the main floor with a full bath and a large kitchen dining area. There is an attached garage and a full finished basement. The sliding glass door from the dining area leads to the fenced backyard. The basement has a large laundry area, storage area, office and a rec room. Do not miss this opportunity! $97,500
See the listing for more details.

Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Open Sunday!

We are having an Open House Sunday from 2 - 4 at

11020 N Onyx, Dunlap

Step into this SIGNATURE HOME built 4 bedroom 3 bath ranch located in Stonegate subdivision in Dunlap. This home has over 3400 finished square feet of living space. Including a finished basement with wet bar, a huge REC room, a full bath and a 4th bedroom with egress window. The main floor is open and inviting, it has a split floor plan, with double walk-ins in the master bedroom and a large master bath. A formal dining room and breakfast bar and eating area round out this amazing Custum floor plan. Get in now and make some of your own selection. $419,900 See the listing for all the details.

629 E Swords, Edelstein

Looking for a great home away from the hustle and bustle of the city? This amazing 4 bedroom 2 and a half bath home is located on a 1 acre wooded lot with year round lake views with lake rights and a dock. The many updates in this house include a complete kitchen remodel w granite tops, newly finished hardwood floors in the dining room and living room, new carpet in the family room, and zoned heating and cooling. The elegant master suite offers a marble and ceramic master bath with whirlpool tub, dual sinks, and a double sided fireplace. There is a large bonus room off the master. The full walk out basement has a rec room and a built in bar. The Peoria park district is your neighbor in the back. $259,900 See the listing for all the details.

147 Sheffield, Groveland

Great 3 bedroom 2 bath ranch located in Groveland. This house sits on a corner lot, with a fenced back yard for privacy and a deck for grilling and 2200 sqft of finished living space. There is a great room on the main level with a gas fireplace, and a family room and rec area in the finished basement. The basement offers room for storage and a gas fireplace. There is also an area stubbed for a bathroom. Do not miss out on this great home. $164,900 See the listing for all the details.

Email or call us at 309-657-0063 with any questions.

Local Market Update

The Peoria Area Association of REALTORS (PAAR) provides a report of single family home sales by city and county. Below is a link to the most recent report. The first table compares June 2009 to June 2008. The second compares Year To Date 2009 to Year To Date 2008. Some numbers are up, some are down. It really depends on the location. If you have any questions or would like more information, please email or call us at 309-657-0063.

http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200906/2009_June_Summary.pdf

New Construction in Pekin

1424 Sunnyview Court, Pekin
New Construction 2 Bedroom 2 Full Bath Villa in Liberty Village. Approximately 1800 square feet of living space with 2 car attached garage. Age restricted to 55 and over. This home offers a Great Room, Dining Room, Den/Office, Sunroom, Laundry Room, Kitchen with Breakfast Bar, and 2 Large Bedrooms. The Master Bedroom has a Master Bath. This is a quality built home by E.O. Reed. Lawn care, snow removal, and emergency call system are all included in monthly association fee. See the listing for all the details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Making the Most of Curb Appeal

As more home buyers and real estate agents use the internet to research properties, first impressions are more important than ever. Before scheduling appointments or visiting open houses, home buyers and their agents will often drive by homes for sale and make assessments based on the exterior. More often than not, if a home buyer doesn’t like the outside of a home, they won’t care to see the inside. Yet, it is possible to dramatically alter the appearance of your home with a few simple tasks. As you prepare to list your home, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned here to maximize your property’s curb appeal.

Before you begin making repairs to the exterior of your home, you may want to analyze your home from a distance. Look at your home from across the street and try to pinpoint the best and worst qualities of the property. As you walk towards your home, try to make note of both your first impressions and any elements that stand out. When looking at your home from the exterior, you may also want to compare its appearance to other homes in the neighborhood. While you may feel as if you know the details of your home intimately, this step can help you think like a potential buyer and assist you in maximizing the curb appeal.

When it is time to get to work, you should approach the exterior of your home in the same way you would a bedroom or kitchen. Just as you wouldn’t want a prospective home buyer to see dirty dishes in your sink, you want to make sure the front of your home is as attractive as possible. While the chores associated with maximizing curb appeal will differ from home to home, the following are the most common and effective methods of enticing potential buyers indoors for a closer look:

• Paint – Perhaps the most effective of all pre-sale repairs, a simple coat of paint to the exterior, doors and shutters can make your home appear well cared for and in good condition. When painting the exterior of the home, you may also want to consider if new door knobs and other hardware could boost the appearance of your home. If you don’t replace any of the metal on the exterior of your home, polishing brass hardware and cleaning or painting iron fences can also give your home a fresh look.
• Lawn – There are a number of landscaping tricks that may improve the curb appeal of your home. First, the lawn should be mowed, raked and edged. Next, try to thoroughly weed all planter boxes, trim larger plants and include some extra flowers near the front of the house. If any large trees hang over your home or obscure the view from the street, you may want to cut away some large branches. You may also want to consider investing some extra money into landscaping by hiring professionals to make your front yard as attractive as possible.
• Windows and Gutters – Much like the fresh paint applied to the exterior, taking time to clean the windows can certainly change the appearance of your home. Likewise, try to keep your rain gutters free of leaves and debris as you never know where a potential home buyer might look.
• Driveway – If you have an old, cracked driveway, hiring a professional to reseal the surface can add to your home’s curb appeal. If the driveway rests in direct sight in front of the home, this step can become even more important.
• Lighting – As potential home buyers could drive by your property at any time, you want to make sure your home is inviting at night. By installing a street lamp and a front porch light – both of which should match the style of your home – you will dramatically boost your home’s 24/7 curb appeal. If you anticipate potential home buyers coming onto the property after dark, calm lighting that lines the driveway and path to the front door can put your visitors at ease.
• Pressure Clean – This process can be applied to both the exterior of the home and the driveway. Just one treatment can eliminate years of dirt, mold and mildew from your property.

If you need to improve the curb appeal of your home before putting it up for sale, the best tool could be your ability to think like a buyer. By repairing or minimizing your property’s flaws and drawing attention to key selling points, you may be surprised by the responses you receive from potential home buyers.

The staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC writes select articles about important topics related to real estate. For more information about buying a home or selling your current property, visit ColdwellBanker.com today.

Visit the Sellers section of our website for more information. We are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Come see us Sunday!

We are having an Open House at two locations on Sunday afternoon.

620 Columbia, Washburn
If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is the place for you! Located off of Rt.26 just north of Spring Bay this home sits on 6.4 acres and is much larger than it appears. This 3 bedroom 2 full bath home is in move in condition. Updates include bathrooms remodeled, 90% efficient furnace, water heater, flooring, & paint. The 2 car garage was built approximately 5 years ago. The siding and roof have been replaced within the last 10 years. The septic system was new 3 years ago. Enjoy awesome river views and an abundance of wildlife including deer, turkey & much more! Check-out the listing for more details.

216 Turnron, East Peoria
Great 2 story in East Peoria, Offering 3 bedrooms 2 baths and bonus room for extra space. A room on the upper level and one in the basement could be used as bedrooms or an office. With 1840 square feet of finished living space this home is ready for you to move right in. In the last 3 years, new gutter guards, hot water heater, kitchen counter top, kitchen sink, garage door, hardwood floors upstairs, storm door and boiler. Roof in 2002, windows in 2004. Don’t miss out. Check-out the listing for more details.

Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Just Listed in Dunlap!

2502 W Carlisle Lane, Dunlap

Do not miss this amazing 4 bedroom 2.5 bath Signature Home Located in Wynncrest Subdivision. The home was built in 2008, and has a large corner lot with full sod. All four bedrooms are located upstairs, 3 of which have walk in closets. The master suite has a whirlpool tub and double vanity, vaulted ceilings and double walk in closets. The unique side load garage gives the house a nice appearance. The kitchen has granite counter tops and Amish cabinets and comes fully applianced. The washer and dryer stay. The landscaping is completed and the radon Mitigation system is installed. Just move right in. $269,900 Check-out the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 with any questions.

Two New Listings!

6818 N Buckeye, Edwards
Signature Home 5 bedroom 3 and a half bath 2 story Signature home located in Sommer Place in Edwards. Dunlap schools, great 3 stall garage with 3 bedrooms upstairs and a master suite. The finished basement offers a Rec room with a 5th bedroom that has an egress window and a full bathroom. This house has 9’ foot basement, a 16x12 patio, gas log fireplace, tile in the kitchen, laundry and entry way. August 15th Completion! $299,900 Check-out the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

1102 N Manning, Chillicothe
Very attractive 4 bedroom 1 and half bath Cape Cod home located in Chillicothe. This updated home includes newer flooring, updated kitchen with new cabinets, countertops, stainless steel appliances, light fixtures and flooring. The bath on the main floor has been updated with new vanity, flooring and fixtures. The basement is half finished. The Carrier furnace and air conditioner were new in 07’ and are high efficient. The water heater is also newer. The windows, siding, roof, and gutters have all been updated since 2000. The 2 car garage is extra deep. This home is move in ready! $164,900 Check-out the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Making the Best Decisions When Purchasing an Older Home

There is much information that points to the benefits to buying an older home. Older homes generally have lower purchase prices relative to newer houses. They tend to be located in established neighborhoods with an existing history of schools, transportation and commercial center offerings. Older houses have mature landscaping and period-style architecture and craftsmanship. If this type of home-buying information is important to you, you may want to consider an older house. Still, older homes come with their own set of issues. In order to make the best home-buying decision, here are five information topics you may want to discuss with your real estate agent.

1) Structural Issues
The structural condition of older homes can vary greatly. It if has been maintained, the structure of an older house will likely reflect the quality craftsmanship of earlier times and will only need minor repairs, reinforcement or maintenance. More recent additions may have been built to a lower standard than the original home, and can need major repairs or renovations. If the original building has not been well maintained, you may be in for a serious structural overhaul. Neglected crawlspaces can have foundation and floor structure defects. Continuous water intrusion or past fires could have damaged structural areas that are now concealed. Be sure your home inspector investigates the structure of an older house thoroughly.

2) What is Involved with Remodeling
Many people purchase an older home with the intention of remodeling it in order to make the house more comfortable and raise the home value. Like many equations in life, the decision to remodel an older home boils down to time or money. If you decide to spend more of your time and less of your money, you’ll need to be handy and have your weekends free of other commitments for several months. If you prefer to save your time, but spend more money, your real estate agent can refer you to a contractor who specializes in raising house value by remodeling older homes.

3) Zoning Issues
Before you purchase an older house with the intention of remodeling and raising the home value, be sure to investigate the zoning regulations. Many older homes come with zoning restrictions, including pre-determined setbacks from property lines, limits on roof height, etc. If the home is on a municipal historic register, regulations will likely be even more stringent in order to preserve the house’s historic character. If you’re considering alternative uses for your older house, like turning it into a commercial office, building an in-law apartment, etc., be sure to ask your real estate agent about zoning specifics.

4) Cost of Operations
Higher repair and maintenance expenses should be factored into the budget when calculating the total cost for purchasing an older home. Renovations, repairs and even pre-purchase inspection costs can be considerably higher than if purchasing a newer house. Also, the lack of modern insulation materials means bigger gas and electric bills in order to heat and power the house. And, major appliances, plumbing and heating systems will likely need maintenance within the first few years of your ownership.

5) Termites
In an older home, it’s possible that termites and other wood destroying insects could have damaged timbers and structural supports for years before they were detected. It would be highly unusual for a house to survive for 100 years without any kind of termite/ant/beetle infestation. It’s important to determine whether there are any signs of current infestation, and the extent of the damage of past infestations. If a wood destroying insect has eaten away at the structural support of a house for a significant amount of time before being discovered, you may need to add some reinforcement to the beams and posts in the basement. It is also very important to protect against future infestations. You may want to consider having a pest control company do preventative treatments as well as periodic visual inspections.

The staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC writes select articles about important topics related to real estate. For more information about buying a home or selling your current property, visit ColdwellBanker.com today.


Visit the Buyers section of our website for more information. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have questions.

Happy Fourth of July!

It's good to celebrate all the things that bring us together as a community and a country. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Just Listed in Peoria!

821 W Ridge Road, Peoria

Come take a look at this three bedroom, one and a half bath Ranch with a full basement and a two car garage. This home has many updates including cabinets, countertops, refinished hardwood floors, carpet, laminate, windows, trim and paint. The basement is partially finished. The backyard is completely fenced in. This home is conveniently located close to shopping and restaurants. Take advantage of the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit! See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 with questions.