GAMBINO REALTORS THE COLLECTION
JUNE 2019
POPLAR GROVE
Welcome to the June issue of The Collection! Articles in this issue help you gain insight on how to find your new dream home or renovate your current home’s kitchen and benefit from a return on your investment for a future sale. Feel free
BELVIDERE
to gain inspiration from our featured homes. Or you can explore the possibilities of properties that provide plenty of acreage for you and yours to create an oasis. Cordially, Jonathan R. Krause, CRB President JKrause@GoGambino.com
ROCKFORD
THE COLLECTION Only Gambino Realtors places your home directly in the email inbox of 62,500 homeowners with a household income of $250,000.00 or more. Our reach through this luxury pulbication covers Winnebago, Boone, McHenry and Kane Counties in Northern Illinois.
815•282•2222 www.gogambino.com
ROCKFORD
LOVES PARK
5 TIPS WHEN SEARCHING FOR YOUR DREAM HOME In today’s real estate market, low inventory dominates the 3. Research and Choose a Neighborhood You Want conversation in many areas of the country. It can often to Live In be frustrating to be a first-time homebuyer if you aren’t Every neighborhood has its own charm. Before you commit prepared. to a home based solely on the house itself, the article suggests In a realtor.com article entitled, “How to Find Your Dream test-driving the area. Make sure that the area meets your Home—Without Losing Your Mind,” the author highlights some needs for “amenities, commute, school district, etc. and then steps that first-time homebuyers can take to help carry their spend a weekend exploring before you commit.” excitement of buying a home throughout the whole process. 4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It 1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Evaluate your family’s needs and settle on a style of home Your Search that would best serve those needs. Just because you’ve One way to show you are serious about buying your dream narrowed your search to a zip code, doesn’t mean that you home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage need to tour every listing in that zip code. before starting your search. Even if you are in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give 5. Document Your Home Visits you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream Once you start touring homes, the features of each individual home is within your reach. home will start to blur together. The article suggests keeping This step will also help you narrow your search based on your camera handy to document what you love and don’t your budget and won’t leave you disappointed if the home love about each property you visit. you tour, and love, ends up being outside your budget! Making notes on the listing sheet as you tour the property 2. Know the Difference Between Your ‘Must-Haves’ will also help you remember what the photos mean, or what you were feeling while touring the home. and ‘Would-Like-To-Haves’ Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen to be In a high-paced, competitive environment, any advantage happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be you can give yourself will help you on your path to buying a convenience or a necessity? Could the ‘man cave’ of your your dream home. dreams be a future renovation project instead of a make-orbreak right now? Before you start your search, list all the features of a home you would like and then qualify them as ‘must-haves’, ‘should-haves’, or ‘absolute-wish list’ items. This will help keep you focused on what’s most important.
ENTERTAINER’S DELIGHT $349,900.00 Bring family and friends together in this entertainer’s delight! This stunning and expansive custom-built home boasts 3,900+ SQ FT on a beautifully landscaped .74 acre lot. The full brick exterior welcomes your guests into the spacious floor plan that features volumes of natural light and architectural aesthetics that delight the senses. A partially exposed lower level waits for you to enjoy serene golf course views, a family room with French doors, full kitchen, bedroom, bath, and office space, while the white woodwork provides a bright and airy feel throughout. Gather in the impressive great room with a soaring cathedral ceiling, fireplace and a wall of windows. The gorgeous dining room has a tray ceiling and opens up to the chef ’s kitchen with bright white cabinets and a pristine glass backsplash making this kitchen exciting to cook in. Relax in the inviting four-season room with windows and sliders opening up to the expansive deck. When it is time to call it a day, the master bedroom is a retreat with a tray ceiling, large walk-in closet, and a bathroom with double vanity. Full of conveniences, including first-floor laundry, heated garage, and a whole house generator, this private gem is a place to call home.
108 Titleist Trail • 3,900(+) SQUARE FEET • 4 BEDROOMS • GARDEN SHED • FIRST FLOOR LAUNDRY
Ginny Meyer 815|262|8082 Contact View Full Listing for Details
STYLISH ABODE $309,900.00
Step into this stylish ranch and feel right at home with the well-designed open floor-plan boasting ten-foot ceilings and cozy gas fireplace with a unique surround. Find a new passion for cooking at home in your light and bright kitchen with an ample amount of cabinet space, stainless steel appliances, modern new quartz, and granite countertops and sink. The convenient center island offers extra counter space and the breakfast bar creates an intimate space for you to enjoy a delicious meal. Bright white trim and great color schemes throughout create an open and airy vibe making this home move-in ready. Retire to your spacious master suite with a walk-in closet, ten-foot ceilings and large bath with a soaker tub and shower. The three additional bedrooms are great sizes and come with their own walk-in closets as well. Entertain in the wide-open basement with a raised sill for a finished eight-foot ceiling option and is conveniently roughed in for a full bath. Revel in the outdoors and peaceful views from the slider off of the dining area leading to the fenced yard with two decks, fire pit, pergola, and a waterfall. The three and a half car garage has plenty of room for all of your toys. Move right into this gorgeous home and feel the comfort in knowing the roof, faucets, and Aprilaire humidifier are new within recent years.
4366 Tufted Deer Cour t • 4 BEDROOMS • 10 FOOT CEILINGS • PERGOLA & WATERFALL • OPEN FLOOR PLAN
Mikhaele Howell 815|671|6787 Contact View Full Listing for Details
BARLOGA MASTERPIECE $325,000.00
A Barloga Masterpiece! This incredible home was built in 1937 and truly shows the type of visionary that Jesse Barloga was as it not only captures the elegance of the era but has amenities that today’s buyer demands built into the design. From the moment you arrive, you are struck by the fabulous river views from the front as well as serene views from the wooded back yard. On the main floor you are greeted by a lovely entry which flows into a classic living room and bayed dining room. French doors lead to a sunlit four-season room with sliding doors leading to a patio with that beautiful view of the river. The efficiently planned kitchen has walls of updated cabinetry and an informal breakfast area that leads to a private bedroom with ensuite bath originally utilized for live-in help. A main floor master bedroom with ensuite bath, a private den and a powder room complete the main floor. Upstairs are four additional bedrooms and two baths with incredible closet space! This is a rare gem!
1705 Nor th Second Street • 6 BEDROOMS • ROCK RIVER VIEWS • 1.55 ACRES • ELEGANT DESIGN
Karl Gasbarra 815|975|4218 Contact View Full Listing for Details
CLASSIC ELEGANCE $450,000.00 Take a walk back in time! Known as “The Crown Jewel of Brown Hills”, this rare piece of Rockford history has been lovingly restored to its original elegance. Combining both updated and period details, the features and amenities are truly outstanding. Custom marble entry, solid hardwood living and dining rooms, striking millwork, leaded glass pocket doors, antique and specialty fixtures, handsome mahogany library and a sunlit solarium wait for you to enjoy. A gorgeous kitchen stands where there previously was none featuring custom cherry cabinets with Gothic arch detailing, Brazilian granite counters, tumbled marble backsplash, and ceramic tile floors. A remodeled powder room, mud room, butler’s pantry and main floor Laundry complete the gracious main floor. The second floor offers a large master suite with private bath and adjoining den. Two additional bedrooms have private full baths and a suite which is accessible via a second stairwell offers a sitting room, full bedroom and full bath. This is a grand and elegant Gem!
1367 Brown Hills Road • 5 BEDROOMS • IN LAW SUITE • BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY • HIGH END FINISHES
Karl Gasbarra 815|975|4218 Contact View Full Listing for Details
CONDO COMFORT $299,900.00 This delightful Villas of Cross Creek Condo welcomes you to enjoy the open living room with a gas fireplace to cozy up next to you in the cool months. Enjoy entertaining family and friends in the kitchen with maple cabinets, stainless appliances, granite countertops, peninsula and counter seating as well as a dining area that opens up to the light-filled four-season room boasting views of the lake through a multitude of windows. Watch as the ducks and herons eat and bathe, while the sun sets in the background. Relax in the spacious master suite with a cathedral ceiling, double sinks in the bathroom, standing shower, separate tub, and a walk-in closet. The lower level includes a large family room, a third bedroom with walk-in closet and private bath. Enjoy the convenience of a first-floor laundry with ample cabinet space for storage. The convenient location near Mercyhealth Hospital, low Boone County taxes and great curb appeal make this condo a home to be cherished.
140 Callaway Cove • 3 BEDROOMS • LAKE VIEWS • FOUR SEASON ROOM • CONVENIENT LOCATION
Ann Seigel 815|298|4683 Contact View Full Listing for Details
6 KITCHEN RENOVATIONS THAT REALLY PAY OFF
Kitchen renovations can cost you big time, but when it comes to home improvements, this is the sort of project that has a lot of pay off. It’s impossible to own a home without pondering the occasional (or hey, a whole lot of) home improvements. And the great thing is that a lot of the time, creative energy, and yes, cash you spend on such renovations don’t just translate into a space you love, but also into a higher home price whenever you decide it’s time to sell. Only which ones offer up the biggest return on investment? Here are improvement projects in this all-important room that experts say come with significant financial benefits down the road. Cha-ching! Call it a need for eye candy, but shiny new appliances—fridge, stove, stainless-steel dishwasher—have a huge impact on prospective home buyers. High-end appliances are also typically the most expensive kitchen renovation, usually with an equally high return on investment (ROI). But don’t feel like you have to replace appliances at once. Just swap out what you can—when you can—so by the time your home’s on the market the overall buyer impression is “Hey, nice kitchen!” rather than “The ‘70s sure were a crazy time, eh?” One caveat: “Keep the appliances and plumbing where they are,” suggests Justin Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency, “because the rule of thumb is to add $5,000 each time you relocate either.”
Refreshed cabinets After appliances, cabinets are the most expensive item on a kitchen upgrade checklist, averaging between $3,900 and $12,000. So don’t leap into trashing the old ones. “If you have existing wood cabinets that are still in decent shape, instead of completely refacing them, give them a fresh coat of paint,” says Tracy Kay Griffin, designer for HGTV’s “Get It Sold.” Another small remodeling project with instant impact: replacing the cabinet hardware. Choose a satin or brushed finish so they don’t show fingerprints. Kitchen sink Given the sink is the most used item in your kitchen, a brand-new one will pop—even if it’s on an old countertop. So consider installing one with two troughs or made of stainless steel, the most popular material, according to Consumer Reports. For the truly budget-friendly kitchen renovation option, get a fancy new faucet. Charging stations The home invasion of smartphones, tablets, and other constantly charged electronics means there are never enough power outlets in a kitchen. This may explain why the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) annual trend report shows that almost two-thirds of homes have rigged up charging stations where all these gadgets can easily be plugged in. Modify cabinets or drawers in one day by adding hidden power strips and other tech-friendly amenities.
New countertops A new countertop may be pricey, but Realtors agree that the impact of these kitchen renovations on future home buyers is huge. And don’t just take it for granted that you should go for granite; the NKBA report shows that quartz countertops have more cachet these days. Also remember that replacing a countertop provides an opportunity to install a new glass or subway backsplash for additional punch. A budget-friendly option is to install a 4-inch-high splash out of the same countertop material. Wood floors When it comes to kitchen floors, nothing beats good ol’ wood. The NKBA report shows that wood is the most popular kitchen flooring, favored by 82% of homeowners. And compared with the fancier and hardto-install tile options, it’s a relatively inexpensive option. One renovation that may not be worth it is knocking down a wall to create the oh-so-trendy open kitchen. It may seem like the thing to do these days, but in purely financial terms of ROI, it may not make much sense as a kitchen renovation. The reason: According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost Vs. Value Report, small kitchen renovations have a ROI that’s almost 20% higher than a major renovations. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t open your kitchen up if that’s what you’re pining to do; just don’t bank on it paying off big time down the road.
ROOM TO ROAM 12612 Quail Ridge Close | Rockton
• 4.97 ACRES • WALKOUT BASEMENT • PRIVATE ROAD Spread out in the beautiful private 4.97 wooded acres of this contemporary two-story home accessible by a private road. The floor plan feels wide-open with vaulted ceilings in the living room, while the fireplace brings warmth and coziness. Relaxation is steps away in the first-floor master bedroom featuring a soaker tub, shower and double sinks. The walkout basement is roughed in for a bath and ready for your design expertise.
10494 Freeport Road | Durand
Laura Haynes | 815•985•1115 | lhaynes@gogambino.com • 6 ACRES • TWO HOMES ON LOT • HORSES ALLOWED Country Charm in this lovingly restored early 1900’s farmhouse. Original hardwood floors, woodwork, and doors including solid wood pocket doors plus three covered porches to enjoy the breezes. The kitchen has been updated with stainless steel appliances, hand crafted cabinets and a large farm sink. The sun filled dining room is central to the home with the living room and den flowing off it. The land is zoned AG for animals and has many fruit trees.
11174 Beloit Road | Belvidere
Pam Cunningham | 815•289•6323 | pcunningham@gogambino.com
• 1.57 ACRES • 4 BEDROOMS • BEAVER CREEK WATER VIEWS Indescribable setting. Kitchen remodeled in 2016 with granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, hickory cabinets and moveable island with walnut top. The great room features oak flooring, wood fireplace and ample dining area for family gatherings. French doors into family room overlooking Beaver Creek features Onkyo surround sound and sliding doors to spacious wood deck. Lower level boasts a fourth bedroom and basement is roughed in for a bath.
6362 Charles Street | Rockford
Dale Williams | 815•519•2243 | dwilliams@gogambino.com • 10 ACRES • 3 BEDROOMS • HORSES ALLOWED Unique property. Ten acres of gorgeous property, woods and certified as a wild life habitat. Property is zoned agricultural, so the possibilities are limitless. Enjoy the private estate with a convenient location close to Cherry Vale. This brick and stone English Tudor was built in 1928 and features 3,300+ SQ FT of completely restored space. Enjoy the lower level wine cellar and original antique bar from Jungle Jim’s and revel in this nature lover’s retreat.
Barb Key | 815•494•9626 | bkey@gogambino.com
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