NewsTribune_Illinois Valley Homes_031523

Illinois Valley Homes

MLS #11218575 -124 S. Pleasant, Princeton, IL 61356 - $150,000

FEATURED PROPERTY

In Princeton--feel like you have stepped back in time as you walk through this home; 11.5” ceilings, hardwood oors and over 4,000 square feet of interior space; 3 car garage with split entrances; 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths; an abundance of additional rooms including a mudroom, den, living and family rooms, and dining room; kitchen with plenty of cabinet space; enclosed side porch and large open front porch; double lot with gorgeous landscaping; replace in family room with an intricate design; check out this property today!

See listing on page 2

Top products you need for customized living at home PAGE 4

Expert tips to make your hardwood oors last for generations PAGE 12

3 things every homeowner should do at the start of spring

PAGE 14

Landmark Realty of

Best of CES: Top products you need for customized living at home

(BPT) - Each year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) reveals amazing electronic innovations, and this year’s lineup is no exception. CES 2023 highlights a stunning variety of cutting-edge products to make home living more beautiful, more convenient, cleaner and even more fun. Among the many intriguing products featured in this show are surprising new technologies you didn’t know you needed - until now.

Here are four top products from LG Electronics showcased in this year’s CES.

TURN YOUR TV INTO ART

It’s not just a TV anymore: With the new LG OLED Posé, your TV resembles a high-end piece of furniture or art rather than an entertainment center. The TV provides stunning OLED evo picture quality, but that’s not all. When you’re not watching your favorite

shows or movies, the TV can be switched to Gallery mode, displaying a photo or your choice of artful pieces on the digital canvas, transforming your space into an art gallery.

The Posé’s soft, smooth lines create a quiet, neutral look suitable for any interior. It’s framed in a muted, calming beige fabric finish, adding stylish charm perfect for your space, and you can personal-

ize the media shelf to show off favorite books or magazines. Even better, the Cable and Accessory Organizer conceals wires behind a Clean Cover to minimize clutter, keeping everything tidy. With the OLED Posé, you can create an artistic interior that’s uniquely you.

USE YOUR TV WHEREVER YOU WANT

Tired of your TV being a fixed object you can’t move

from one location? The LG StanbyME TV is for you. The portable design lets you take your screen anywhere in your home, from your workspace to the kitchen or living room and back, hassle-free. Offering maximum versatility, StanbyME provides a wireless private 27-inch TV screen with a built-in battery, allowing for three hours of viewing before recharging - enough for a movie, workout or study

session. Its movable stand has five concealed wheels, making it easy to move around your home.

Multiple adjustment options let you watch in comfort wherever you are, with a swiveling screen and adjustable height so you can customize the position to suit your location. The TV also features near field communication, so you can wirelessly mirror content from your phone, tablet or laptop, and supports AirPlay, allowing you to stream, share and mirror content from your iPhone, iPad or Mac.

A FRIDGE TO MATCH YOUR MOOD

For anyone who loves spending time in the kitchen with friends and family (or making culinary masterpieces on your own), the LG STUDIO Refrigerator with MoodUP™ technology will make your kitchen time extra festive. With vibrant color-changing LED panels, you can create a customized lighting scheme for your refrigerator using colors to suit your mood or environment.

Through LG’s ThinQ™ app, select from 23 colors and 190K color combinations for the upper and lower (refrigerator) door panels, transforming your kitchen into a lively, creative environment. You can create a customized lighting scheme with a wide range of vibrant colors or themes including Season, Healing and Pop. When the LED door panels are off, the refrigerator offers a traditional look with a mix of Lux Gray and White Sensors.

In addition to its stunning changeable colors, the refrigerator brings music into your kitchen with a built-in Bluetooth speaker that can connect to your smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC. Match your mood with songs from your favorite music streaming apps or a Music Collection playlist on the ThinQ app. Advanced Al technology lets you access upgraded voice and vision recognition, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Ready for a party? The refrigerator’s LED panels can change color in sync with the

music, adding even more fun to your get-together or everyday routines.

DESIGN AND FUNCTION THAT DELIVERS CLEAN, COMFORTABLE AIR

For cleaner air without sacrificing style and space, LG PuriCare™ Aero Furniture merges a modern table-top design with 360 degrees of powerful air-purifying functionality. You can enjoy fresher air at home thanks to multi-stage filtration, along with LG’s UVnano™ technology that reduces viruses and bacteria on the purifier’s fan blades by up to 99.99%. The multi-fan modes and multi-directional purified air flow offer multiple airflow modes and fan speeds to ensure optimal comfort at home. Using LG’s ThinQ technology, you can monitor air quality in real time throughout your home and choose between eight different mood lighting features using your smartphone. And there’s more: You can even charge your smartphones and wireless earbuds via the tabletop’s built-in wireless charger.

The modern, elegant PuriCare™ Aero Furniture encompasses sleek, multifunctional design with a choice of styles and colors to fit any home decor. You can even create a pleasing atmosphere with its mood lighting feature, with eight different colors to choose from. Better yet, this unique air purifier also incorporates sustainable design, with components fabricated from reusable plastic from old appliances and electronics and reusable packaging materials.

Learn more about innovative products bringing more style and function to your home at LG.com.

RENTAL

Beautiful 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath townhouse with 1.5 car garage - living room, kitchen and bath on main level. Both bedrooms and bath upstairs, full unfinished basement. Unit has a patio in the back. Refrigerator, stove included. Hook ups for washer and dryer on 2nd floor. Pets accepted at the owner’s discretion with additional pet rent and pet deposit. Tenants pay all utilities. - offered by Dee Barrera

in Oglesby

MLS # 11718886 - $1450/Mo

Spring Valley- Affordable 2 bedroom, 1 bath home, full basement, convenient alley access. #11718027 $75,000

Princeton- Historical 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home on large lot, well maintained and modernized. #11702246 $239,000

Depue- Charming 5 bedroom, 1.5 bath home on 31.86 acres, 20x30 pole building, close to town. #11700807 $344,900

Standard- Affordable, neat 2 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home, 1+ attached garage, deck, patio. #11687286 $85,400

Peru- Lovely and spacious 2,144 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home, original woodwork.

Charming 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home on large corner lot, 1 car garage.

LaMoille- One story home with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bath, 2 car garage, outbuilding with gas line. #11677523 $144,900

Granville- Cozy 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on large corner lot, 2 car garage, storage shed.

Henry- Lovely, well cared for 2 bedroom, 2 bath home, covered concrete patio, cozy fire pit.

Wenona- Nice 3 bedroom, 1 bath Farmhouse style home on nice lot with mature trees, 2 car garage.

Peru- Spacious 4 bedroom 2 bath home, 1 car garage, large covered front porch, back deck.

Wenona- Very cute 2 bedroom, 1 bath ranch home, shed, creek at rear of property, fenced yard.

Peru- Move right in 4 bedroom, 1 bath home on large corner lot, 2 car attached garage. #11645611 $129,000

Seatonville- Great home for country living features 4 bedrooms, 1 bath on corner lot, 1 car garage. #11642608 $114,000

LaSalle- Roomy 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on large corner lot, full basement with walk out. #11612807 $147,000

Peru- Well maintained 3-bedroom, 1-bath home on 2 acres, country property close to city amenities. #11487580 $425,000

#11673512 $92,500

#11679341 $129,995

Mendota-

#11679058 $124,900

#11664195 $90,000

#11663986 $139.500

#11659042 $110,000

#11670632 $188,500

Jaimie Bazydlo Janet Benvenutti Nathan Byers

Wendy Fulmer

Robin Guerrero Pietro Alfano Chris Hopps

RESIDENTIAL LOT LISTINGS

Varna - Lot located in private recreational community with access to all amenities

- Corner residential building lot, water and utilities to site, shed included

Single family building lot, city water, underground utilities, covenants

- Duplex lot on Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course, city water/underground utilities

family lot in established development with city water available

SUBDIVISIONS

HERITAGE FIELDS SUBDIVISION

Large residential building lots starting at $19,900. Curb & gutters, city sewer & water available. Close to I-39! Lot size begins at .25 an acre & covenants are available. Call Garry Schroeder at 815-252-5854. MLS#10141625

CEDAR LANE PREMIUM HOME SITES

Ready to build, city sewer/water, curbs, sidewalks, underground utilities. Plat & restrictive covenants available, Peru school district. Starting at $95,000. Call Wendy Fulmer 815-252-8280 or Chris Hopps 815-252-5273. MLS#10785416

STONE BLUFF TERRACE

Large, wooded building lots starting at $19,000. Water to site, gas & electric nearby. Overlooking scenic Vermilion River Valley! Lot sizes from .32-1.34 acres, 3 available lots. Call Chris Hopps at 815-252-5273. MLS#08273641

Barb Kuzma

Bonnie Lester

David Postula Garry Schroeder

Vincent Jessen

Jessica Jeffrey Gunnar Jauch

$620 per month

COMMERCIAL LOT LISTINGS

Lostant-Good quality level ground, 80 tillable acres located NE of Lostant. ............ #11722242 .. $1,035,000

Hennepin-Scenic views on 8.79 acres, great place to build or use for recreation. ... #11718830 $112,500

Peru-Commercial building lot located in high traffic area with great visibility. ......... #11671042 ..... $150,000

Peru-Prime commercial lot, 79+/- acres with 2 entrances, close to Interstate 80 .. #11425902 ..... $650,000

Streator-Some wooded and tillable, 11.71 acres located on the Vermillion River..... #11422412 ...... $151,059

Princeton-Cleared, level building site features 2.88 acres in business plaza .......... #10878168 ..... $300,000

Bob Huber

Carol Wlodarchak

TJ Templeton Amber Witek

Karen Yade Karen Zermeno Heidi Huber

Tom Guttilla

Streator- Great investment opportunity in downtown area, potential for upstairs apartment.

LaSalle- Well established restaurant/ tavern includes bar, dining room, game room, patio.

LaSalle-Turnkey operation, U shaped bar with abundance of space for gaming, fenced outdoor.

Utica- Commercial building, Chef’s dream kitchen, large dining area, patio, wrap around porch.

LaSalle- Great location features office space galore, temperature controlled data room. #11681295 $4,500 per month

Princeton- Building with 3 commercial storefront, 3 apartments and full basement.

Peru- Office or commercial possibilities, 600 sq ft, shared half bath, utilities included.

Mark- High traffic exposure, spacious building, many, uses, plenty of parking

Peru- Large reception area and back office with storage room, shared half bath, plenty of parking. #11468631 $760 per month

Livable Luxury

11 Spring Creek Drive, Spring Valley, IL

Impressive 4000 SF contemporary custom brick home featuring beautiful courtyard patio Open concept kitchen- great room with cathedral ceiling & fireplace

Private primary suite with walk-closet & full-bath, plus 4-bedrooms, 3-baths, & main floor laundry Outdoor courtyard, 3-car garage & situated on .54 acres on quiet cul-de-sac

3030 4th St, Peru, IL | 815.224.9400

Beverly Malooley, Designated Managing Broker, 815.488.5159

Want your hardwood oors to last for generations? Use these expert tips

(BPT) - Solid hardwood floors are beautiful and timeless, adding value to any property. However, there’s a misconception that real hardwood floors are difficult to maintain. The truth is that they can last for decades, as long you follow a few simple steps on a regular schedule.

In fact, the time that goes into maintaining hardwood floors isn’t much more extensive than any other flooring material. The key is to practice regular care and cleaning for your hardwood to keep grit and dirt from scratching the wood.

“Hardwood floors are spe-

cial, and if properly taken care of, you can have a living, organic, premium floor that lasts for generations,” said Jen Meska, director of Merchandising for LL Flooring (formerly Lumber Liquidators).

“But to keep them in top shape, it’s essential to have a regular cleaning schedule and be extra-mindful of any conditions in your home that could damage your floors.”

TOOLS, TIPS, AND TRICKS

Meska says to start with the fundamental tools for caring for hardwood flooring: a dust mop for everyday cleaning, a vacuum for weekly cleaning, and a microfiber mop that

can get damp (not wet!) for monthly, deep cleaning.

To keep day-to-day dirt and grit off your floors, aim to sweep or vacuum weekly. When using a vacuum for regular cleanings, opt for a soft floor attachment or hardwood setting that disengages the beater bar (this is the bar that rotates when cleaning carpet.) By disengaging it on hardwood and avoiding a vacuum or attachment with hard bristles, you can avoid any scuffing or scratching of your floors.

If you have heavy furniture placed directly on your hardwood, be sure to use felt pads

on the feet to avoid scratches, and replace them regularly. This also includes furniture that is moved frequently, such as dining room chairs.

Strive to do a deep clean monthly to ensure you pick up the dirt and grime that inevitably forms over time. A great hardwood flooring care set is LL Flooring’s Bellawood Floor Care Maintenance Kit, which comes with a bottle of floor cleaner, a mop head and handle, washable wet mop microfiber pad, dry mop pad and a variety pack of felt pads.

This set is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means

it’s third-party tested for low chemical emissions and therefore safe to use at home. It’s also urethane-safe and won’t leave a dull-streaky residue on your floors, so they’ll look refreshed when you’re done cleaning.

WHAT TO AVOID

Relative to most other flooring materials, solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture, whether that be due to wet shoes or just changes in humidity. Therefore, it’s important to keep any amount of standing water off the planks.

That means ditch the traditional mop and bucket, which can leave behind water that could cause your floors to swell, crack or splinter.

Another critical thing to avoid is harsh cleaning solutions which include ingredients like chlorine bleach, ammonia, pine oil or undiluted vinegar. These can dull your floors by affecting the protective finish, causing lasting damage.

By following these simple

steps, your hardwood floor should stay in good shape for many years to come.

“The best thing about hard-

wood flooring is that it’s a sustainable, living, organic material that takes on its own unique character throughout its lifetime,” said Meska.

“Each plank is unique and tells its own story, and with the proper care, they can serve as the design foundation of your home for generations.”

(BPT) - Spring is the perfect season for home improvement as it presents many opportunities for first-time homebuyers and experienced homeowners to be more thorough when it comes to maintenance. As the weather warms up, you’ll find plenty of indoor and outdoor projects that can improve the functionality of your home and boost its curb appeal while also avoiding unpleasant surprises.

“Many homeowners perform spring cleaning tasks to freshen up and declutter their homes, but it’s also crucial to tackle important maintenance tasks,” said Viviane Essex, merchant at The Home Depot. “For most people, their home is their biggest investment. The Home Depot’s Home Services can help homeowners with routine repairs and installation projects that provide comfort, safety and most importantly, peace of mind.”

Don’t know where to start? The Home Depot’s Home Services has provided a helpful spring maintenance checklist. Here are three items you can check off your to-do list to make sure your home’s internal systems and external features run smoothly.

1.SCHEDULE SEASONAL MAINTENANCE ON YOUR HVAC SYSTEM

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is crucial to keeping your home cozy in the winter and cool during the summer. Most systems have a lifetime of 10 to 20 years, and efficiency can drastically decrease as your equipment gets older.

If your HVAC system is working harder and not performing as well as it should, it may be time to replace it. Book a consultation with a certified professional who can inspect your existing system, make recommendations and give you an estimate for a new system. Not only will it help improve your home’s air quality, but it will also keep your family comfortable all season long.

2.MAINTAIN,

REPAIR OR REPLACE YOUR WATER HEATER

Water is used throughout your entire home, from showering and bathing to cooking and watering your lawn. To ensure you are using quality water, you’ll need to inspect, replace and repair your water heater.

Make sure to check “inspecting your water heater” off your spring cleaning list. Keep an eye out for any water buildup around your water heater, water-quality issues or small plastic pieces from your fixtures that can affect your water supply.

Also, look out for changes in water temperature or temperature duration, a broken pilot light, noise in your unit or pipes, or the smell of gas around your water heater. If you notice any of these signs, your water heater may be failing and need to be repaired or replaced.

3.SPRUCE UP THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME

The exterior of your home is just as important to inspect and repair as the interior. Your windows are an especially visible part of your home that need careful attention.

During winter, you may feel drafts or frequently see condensation on your windows. As the seasons change, you may notice cracking or peel-

ing around window exteriors. These are signs that it may be time to replace your windows.

This spring, book a window replacement. Windows should be inspected by a licensed professional every 20-25 years to see if they need to be replaced. No matter what windows you choose, a new high-quality window with thick, insulated glass is more energy efficient than older single-pane windows. Best of all, new windows can also improve your home’s appearance.

Another external item to inspect this spring is your garage door. You may not think your garage door needs regular maintenance, but just like a car, it needs regular tuneups. Small issues can quickly turn expensive down the line. Also, some garage door problems can pose a safety hazard and cause serious injury.

Depending on the age and condition of your garage door, it may be time to replace it. Replacing your garage door can improve the look of your

home and increase its market value.

Finally, consider installing a new fence around your property. Fences provide privacy and security. They can help keep children and pets safe inside your yard, while also keeping out unwanted animals and trespassers. This decorative element also provides protection around an outdoor space, like a pool or garden.

For all your indoor and outdoor spring-cleaning projects, you can find help at The Home Depot’s Home Ser -

vices. Their install ers can help you choose the mate rial and style that best fits your prop erty and needs.

All cer tified ser vice providers are local, li censed, insured and background checked. To learn more and book ap pointments to spruce up your home this spring, visit HomeDepot.com/Ser vices.

Remodeling your basement?

Here is everything you need to know to see a high return on investment

(BPT)

-

By Bryan Baeumler, HGTV Personality & Professional Contractor

So, you are remodeling your basement - smart move!

According to Redfin’s real estate experts, a basement renovation is one of the top 10 ways to maximize your usable square footage and in turn, increase your home’s value.

Not sure where to start?

I’ve got you covered. I have spent almost 20 years renovating basements from the ground up on DIY and home improvement television shows. Here are three triedand-true basement finishing projects that will help you create a purposeful, comfortable living space that your family can enjoy now and that will appeal to potential homebuyers down the road.

CREATE A SOLID FOUNDATION WITH A HIGH-QUALITY BASEMENT SUBFLOOR

First, a basement renovation is a major investment into your home, so protect your investment by installing a quality subfloor. A subfloor from a trusted brand like DRICORE provides a barrier between the concrete floor and your finished floors. This barrier not only protects against the effects of moisture, like mold and mildew, but it also helps the basement floor

stay warmer underneath your feet and cushions your steps. A DIY-friendly option, DRICORE® Subfloor has an intuitive tongue and groove design that makes installation quick and easy. You can finish a 500-square-foot basement in just half a day.

UPGRADE BASEMENT WINDOWS TO CREATE A MORE COMFORTABLE LIVING SPACE

If you have windows in your basement, no matter how large or how small - lucky you! They allow natural light to filter into an otherwise dark space, making the basement appear brighter and more inviting. But sometimes, a home’s original windows are ridden with gaps and cracks around the glass and frame, causing the room to feel cold and damp in the winter and uncomfortably hot in the summer. Fix this problem and create a comfortable basement living space by installing new, energy-efficient windows. New windows not only help regulate room temperature, but they also offer improved security, reduce outside noise and give the space an updated, finished appearance.

BRIGHTEN UP THE ROOM WITH STRATEGIC LIGHTING AND NEUTRAL PAINT COLORS

If you do not have basement windows that draw in natural light, there are still plenty of easy DIY projects that will

help create a bright, inviting living space - whether for your benefit or to appeal to a future homebuyer. Illuminate your finished basement with all-over lighting, which is typically best achieved through recessed ceiling lights or budget-friendly track lighting. To create ambience, go with Nordic-inspired floor lamps or wall sconces that highlight

the family photos hung on the wall. Complete your basement renovation by painting the walls in a neutral paint color, like a soft off-white that reflects and absorbs the light in the room. To bring additional warmth into the finished space, go with an on-trend “greige” color (a mix of gray and beige) on the basement walls or ceiling.