NewsTribune_Illinois Valley Homes_092023

Illinois Valley Homes

Country elegance at its best; almost four acres; convenient access to the schools, parks, and 5 minutes away from Princeton; 4-bedroom, 2-bath home; beautifully-landscaped; black walnut grove as its eastern border; an expansive three-season room; huge family room with a stone, wood-burning replace; kitchen features SS appliances, an abundance of beautiful cabinetry, and Silestone countertops. Floorplan leads you through to dining room, living room, and an o ce with glass french doors; engineered-hardwood oors; large screened porch; 4 spacious bedrooms; main bedroom with 3 closets and a full bath with walkin shower. Two patio areas, one including a repit; gazebo near a small pond; 2-car insulated garage with woodburner; huge barn and a shed with lean-to and dog kennel. Make sure to check on-line at the Features Sheet and the information on the Black Walnut Grove. Click also on the Matterport tour and take a walkthrough. This is truly a dream property! Call for an appointment to view today! #11810972

See listing on page 2

Buying without a home inspection can be a mistake

PAGE 4

How to protect your home from weather damage

PAGE 12

What to know about replacing gutters

PAGE 18

MLS# 11810972 - 19235 1900 N Ave., Princeton - $430,000

$650,000

2225 square feet office/retail building on .87 acreWell maintained. Highly visible signage opportunities available on street and building. Ample parking. Surrounded by businesses and retailers.

LOW PRICE plus $10,000 Carpet Allowance to Buyer of this lovely 4 BR, 2 Bath spacious ranch home near Zearing Park! The location is FANTASTIC!! This home has been lovingly cared for with a new roof in 2021 and has recently been professionally cleaned. Outdoor shed stays. Large Family Room has gas logs fireplace and plenty of space for family and friends to gather. So don’t delay, come see today!

Don’t miss this spacious 3 BR, 2 Bath, ranch home with full usable basement in a delightful location in Greencroft Subdivision. Lovely screened porch has a gorgeous view of the backyard with mature landscaping and allows you to enjoy sitting outside without pesky insects bothering you! Or in the winter enjoy the wood-burning fireplace in the Family Room that also has a view of the back yard. Roof replaced approximately 2001, but POA is not sure of the exact date. Home needs some updating but the size and location make it worth the effort! The 24’x50’ basement could easily be finished into a large Recreation Room. Come see if this is the perfect home for you!

Realtor Realtor Realtor Roxana Noble Jennifer Carlson

Buying without a home inspection can be a mistake

(BPT) - When many buyers purchased homes during the height of the pandemic homebuying frenzy, they may have skipped adding a home inspection in an effort to win bidding wars. While this may have worked out for some, others were hit with hidden problems and expenses that would have been discovered through a proper home inspection. A thorough inspection can reveal hidden issues with a property, allowing you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase or negotiate repairs.

“A home inspection is one of the most important steps in the home buying process,”

said Adam Bakonis, Mercury Insurance product manager for homeowners. “It helps protect the buyer from purchasing a home with undisclosed problems and then being saddled with costly repairs.”

Licensed home inspectors can help identify potential problems. For example, a home inspector may be able to identify whether a roof requires repair or replacement. They may also find evidence of structural damage from water leaks or rain water drainage issues or evidence of land movement that could indicate a property’s foundation lacks stability.

“I’ve inspected and re -

paired thousands of buildings that had damages due to

earthquakes, landslides, poor engineering designs, and col-

lapse issues from construction defects,” said Kyle Tourje, Structural Assessor for Alpha Structural. “The most obvious signs of structural or foundation damage is visible cracking in walls, ceilings or floors. Any sort of gaps or cracks on the outside of the house that catches the eye should also be noted. If someone who isn’t a trained expert can spot an uneven floor or substantial sloping, that’s a bad sign.”

Researching and creating a home inspection checklist before contacting an inspector will give you a general idea of what to look for. It can help identify significant issues and areas of concern in the house, which you can then discuss with the assessor. This can prepare you for any surprises that may arise and make you more informed about the condition of the home you are considering.

■ Inspect the roof: Find out how old the roof is and ask questions about any damage or discoloration you see from ground level. Check to see if any nearby trees make contact

with the roof as branches can cause damage to roofing tiles and falling leaves can easily clog gutters or impede the natural flow of water down the roof.

■ Look for water damage: Water can rot wood, damage foundations and cause mold to grow. Look to see if anything would cause rainwater to flow onto or under the house. Rain gutters should be clean and direct water away from the property. Water stains on ceilings, walls or floors could indicate a roof or pipe leak. Check for leaks or water stains inside sink cabinets and make sure they drain properly. Bubbling paint on a window frame could be evidence of water intrusion and a poor seal.

■ Foundation: Problems with the foundation could prove costly. Watch out for big cracks in the ground, raised foundation or large cracks along the wall. Pay attention to any trees growing close to the house since roots underground can cause damage that you can’t easily see.

■ Smart technology: Confirm that any smart home devices left behind by the previous owner including thermostats, security measures and voice-activated systems can be easily cleared and reset for your needs.

■ Note the age of the home: Older houses can be charming, but you might need to upgrade certain features. Original plumbing may need replacement and older windows may not be energy efficient. Wiring that has not been modernized could pose a fire hazard and may not be able to accommodate the multiple appliances and systems used in many homes today.

TIPS FOR HOME INSPECTION DAY

Bakonis offers some tips to get the most out of your home inspection:

■ Be there. You don’t have to go to the inspection, but it is highly advised that you do so you can see any potential problems for yourself.

■ Be prepared. Bring an inspection checklist and jot down questions to ask the inspector.

■ Check for disclosures. Review any seller disclosures you received before inspection day. Be sure to ask your inspector to look at those areas and verify repairs.

■ Let the inspector work. While you may have concerns, avoid unnecessary interruptions during the inspection process.

■ Make sure there’s time to ask questions. Set aside some time with your assessor after their initial inspection to go over any questions you may have.

The home inspection process is a crucial step for both buyers and sellers. It provides buyers with peace of mind, knowing that their investment is sound and free of any major issues. For sellers, it can help prevent a deal falling through by being proactive and identifying problems that may require repair.

Princeton- Neat 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, new vinyl planking floors, sunny deck, 1+ car garage.

Peru-Well maintained 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 story home, first floor laundry, 1 car garage on corner lot.

Ohio-Classic styled 5 bedroom, 1 bath home, heated porch, deck and full basement, on large lot.

LaSalle-Lovely 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home, screened front porch, manicured yard, metal shed.

Solid 3 bedroom, 1 bath single story home, spacious walk up attic. 1 car attached

Spring Valley-Walk into this opportunity and envision open concept, vaulted ceiling, bedrooms, baths galore.

Charming 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1.5 story home, 1 car attached garage, relaxing sunroom.

Income producing 2 unit property, lower has 2 bedroom, 1 bath and upper 1 bedroom, 1 bath.

Peru-One of a kind 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, wood burning fireplace in family room, 2 car garage.

Walnut-Victorian style 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, wrap around porch, oversized 2 car garage.

Spacious 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 2 story home, full partially finished

Streator-Welcome to Sandy Ford Farm, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on 15 acres, kennel, garage.

Jaimie Bazydlo Janet Benvenutti Nathan Byers Wendy Fulmer Robin Guerrero Pietro Alfano Chris Hopps Kelli Geinosky

LaSalle-

garage.

#11786574 $550,000

Oglesby-

LaSalle-

Seatonville-

basement, 2 car garage. #11800658

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

Barb Kuzma Bonnie Lester

David Postula Garry Schroeder

Vincent Jessen Jessica Jeffrey Lacey Monterastelli

LaSalle -Brand new 3 bedroom, 1 bath mobile home, open concept living, new deck, parking pad.

Peru-Corner lot, 3 bedroom, 1 bath home features stone wood burning fireplace, huge

Peru-Move right in this 4 bedroom, 1 bath home on large corner lot, 2 car attached garage.

Troy Grove- Restaurant with charming dining room, fireplace, full bar, efficiency apartment.

Ladd-Well established bar and grill, back banquet area for events, basement and upper level.

Instant cash flow investment with 5 commercial spaces and 2 residential spaces.

Peru-Illinois Valley Icon, The Right Spice, everything to run a successful restaurant, 3 rentals included.

LaSalle-Property consists of 2 buildings, each 60’x150’, 1 building houses several rentals.

Well established restaurant/tavern with great clientele, extensive list of equipment included.

Utica- Unlimited possibilities, 4400 sq ft, commercial kitchen, great room, parking, storage.

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

COMMERCIAL LOT LISTINGS

LaSalle-Commercial/industrial lot in great location, lot is leveled, graded and graveled. .. #11760855 ....... $69,000 Peru-Commercial building lot located in high traffic area with great visibility. ......... #11671042 ..... $150,000 Princeton-Cleared, level building site features 2.88 acres in business plaza .......... #10878168 ..... $300,000 Tonica-Close to interstate, 22 acre building site with approx. 18 wooded acres ...... #11868683 .... $230,000

Bob Huber

Carol Wlodarchak

TJ Templeton Amber Witek

Karen Yade Karen Zermeno Heidi Huber

Tom Guttilla

LaSalle-

#11825199 $695,000

#11338122 $209,000

#11225337 $199,950

#11820633 $690,000

#11855347 $300,000

#11844560 $249,900

LaSalle-

#11710340 $340,000

#11761218 $720,000

Great Yards Start

4-Bedroom / 2-Full Bath

1127 N Gooding St., LaSalle, IL Features hardwood flooring, main floor laundry, custom cabinetry, ss appliances, garage & more!

Christine Dahm, Broker 815.303.4622

Spacious Brick Ranch

3-Bedrooms / 2-Baths / 2-Car Garage Sunroom / Full-Basement

2 Westminster Dr - Spring Valley, IL Beverly Malooley, Broker 815.488.5159

Professional Office Building

Great

Room Christine

Rock Country Area

AMAZING LEASING OPPORTUNITIES for your business!

Relocation or Start-up!

HIGHLY VISIBLE AND EASY I-80 ACCESS. 600-4500 SF

Immediate occupancy.

Completely updated & ready for your business! Perfect for professional office or retail.

12 Gunia Drive, la Salle, IL

Call: Beverly Malooley, Broker 815.488.5159

815.224.9400

DOWNTOWN LA SALLE

Leasing Available

Great office or Retail

433 1st St., La Salle, IL

Contact: Christine Dahm, Broker 815.303.4622

1910 PLUM ST., PERU

3 bedroom, 2 bath, Room with fireplace & wet bar, attached garage & fenced-in yard.

Christine Dahm, Broker 815.303.4622

NEW CARPET & FRESHLY PAINTED

2-Bedroom w/Main floor laundry

Walk-out basement

226 E. 4th St., Spring Valley, IL Christine Dahm, Broker 815.303.4622

IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LA SALLE

433 1st St., La Salle, IL

Contact: Christine Dahm, Broker 815.303.4622

217 E Caroline St - Spring Valley, IL

Christine Dahm, Broker 815.303.4622

12.9 ACRES - $79,000 Rolling hills, timber with building site. Build your dream home and/or use for recreation.

Rt. 29 & East St - Depue, IL

Christine Dahm, Broker 815.303.4622

(BPT) - After a tornado or other severe weather event has passed, homeowners are tasked with assessing and repairing the damage. According to a recent COUNTRY Financial Security Index (CFSI), one in four homeowners has experienced property damage due to severe weather or natural disasters, an increase from one in five last year. Also, three in four homeowners said they

would like to take more steps to prepare for severe weather events or natural disasters.

“Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere, and we have already seen its devastating effects in 2023,” said Kelvin Schill, senior vice president of property and casualty at COUNTRY Financial. “Spring severe weather is not yet behind us. And although

Perry May

we can’t control the weather, homeowners should be proactive and take steps to protect their homes and valuables from severe weather damage.”

Don’t be caught unaware during a tornado, storm or other natural disaster. Check out these five ways you can prepare your home for severe weather this spring.

1.CREATE AN INVENTORY

In the event of a disaster, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to remember all your possessions, making it difficult to accurately assess the damage and loss to your home. An up-to-date home inventory can help you settle insurance claims faster and restore your home.

While it may seem daunting

to inventory all your possessions, it is a relatively simple process. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you should start by picking an easy spot - like your kitchen - and record your kitchen appliances. As you purchase new household items, get into the habit of recording them as you go and make sure to save your receipts.

2.SAVE FOR EMERGENCIES

Severe weather and natural disasters can happen at any time and can be costly, so it’s critical to have enough savings in your emergency funds. More than three in four homeowners (77%) say they have enough money to cover their home insurance deductible if they experience major home damage. However, many homeowners are not prepared for the cost of weather-related home damages.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, you should keep a small amount of cash in small bills at home in a safe place, such as a fire- and weather-proof safe. This will allow you to buy sup-

plies, fuel and food in case a disaster makes using ATMs and credit cards impossible. Make sure to also review your home, health and life insurance policies, so you have enough to cover the deductibles.

3.PRIORITIZE HOME MAINTENANCE

While you can’t stop a tornado or other extreme weather events, you can maintain your home to reduce the impact. According to the CFSI, 23% of homeowners plan to perform more regular home maintenance in case of severe weather.

Regular home maintenance can help prevent damage to your home and potential home insurance claims. For example, by removing loose siding, broken shingles and dead tree limbs from your yard, you can reduce the chance of damage to your home from flying debris.

4.REVIEW YOUR HOME INSURANCE POLICY

Reviewing your home insurance policy is the best way to prepare for a weather-related

emergency. Of the homeowners surveyed, 20% plan to review their home insurance policy and 12% want to increase their coverage to be better prepared for emergencies.

When reviewing your policy, check to see what it covers. It’s important to understand the type of coverage you have. For example, Actual Cash Value protection subtracts depreciation from the value of your home or belongings. However, Replacement Cost does not subtract for depreciation, so it’s based on today’s costs. In addition to your house, your insurance may cover sheds, fences, detached garages and other structures on your property, but you may need to add coverage for things like sump pump failure. This is also a time to inform your insurance agent of upgrades you have made to your home to make sure you’re covered.

5.UPGRADE YOUR HOME

Home improvement projects not only increase your home’s curb appeal, but

they can also keep you safe in cases of severe weather. For example, you can replace your current windows with impact-resistant ones or install hurricane shutters.

During a storm, your roof is vulnerable to hail, water and debris damage. If you are replacing your roof, consider upgrading to a metal roofing system, which is known to be more durable and can sustain higher winds.

There may be cases of severe weather where you’ll need to shelter in place. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends locking doors and windows, shutting air vents and turning off AC and heating systems. Head to the basement until the severe weather abates. If you don’t have a basement, head to an interior room, such as a bathroom, with few or no windows.

Learn more about what home insurance covers and find a home insurance agent near you at countryfinancial.com.

What to know about replacing gutters

Certain home renovation projects are more glamorous than others. A remodeled kitchen is sure to garner its share of “oohs and aahs,” while a newly paved driveway is much less likely to dazzle guests.

A gutter replacement is another job that might not have the wow factor. But fully functioning gutters are a must and can help to prevent potentially expensive roof damage. Gutters rarely draw attention, but homeowners can keep an eye out for signs that indicate gutters need to be replaced.

Signs gutters should be replaced

Various signs indicate it’s time to replace existing gutters. Homeowners should act promptly if any of the following signs arise, as poorly functioning gutters can make it hard for water to get into the downspouts, ultimately pushing it backward and likely underneath roof shingles, where the result can be costly water damage.

•Peeling paint

•Cracks

•Pooling water in the gutter

• Mildew in the gutter, which can sometimes be seen even from the ground

• Water damage: Water damage on the gutter can be limited to certain spots and will be noticeable on the underside of the gutter

•Soffit damage

•Sagging gutters

• Detached gutters, which can be detached from other pieces or the house

•Rust

Who should replace gutters?

Many home improvements can be completed successfully by skilled do-it-yourselfers, but a gutter replacement is best left to the professionals. Homeowners who live in single-story homes may be able to replace gutters on their own, but the issues that can arise when gutters are not functioning at optimal capacity make this a job best suited to pro-

Make YourDream Home a Reality

fessionals, even in residences without high roofs.

Some gutters may be under a manufacturer’s warranty, so homeowners can check to see if their gutters qualify for a free upgrade. Experience is one of the best reasons to work with a professional gutter installation team. Experienced professionals can identify which gutters are the best fit based on a host of factors, including the pitch of the roof, local conditions and the size of the house. In addition, gutter installation requires the use of various tools that many DIYers may not have on hand, which can cut into

the cost savings of doing the project yourself.

Homeowners also should not underestimate the challenges of working on ladders that are high up off the ground. Professionals are accustomed to such challenges, while DIYers may not be comfortable or used to climbing ladders with materials and tools in hand.

A gutter replacement is a worthwhile investment that can ensure rain water efficiently and effectively runs through gutters and away from the roof. Leaving this task to the professionals can ensure the job is done right. FH238149

baths #11794216

308 W. South ANNAWAN $79,900

BDRMS; 1 bath #11863826

303 W. Jackson St. OHIO $130,000 3 BDRMS; 1 1/2 baths #11827258

405 Backbone Road East PRINCETON $727,500 Commercial Property-17,000 sq.ft. #11806595

15431 645 East St. SHEFFIELD $169,900 Building Site - 5 acres #11793980

219 S. 4th St. HENNEPIN $75,000

BDRMS; 1 bath #11858154

420 South Main PRINCETON $249,000 Commercial Property #11751239

10872 Wyanet-Walnut Road TISKILWA $460,000 3 BDRM; 2 baths; + acres #11813628