Lake Thunderbird property; 4 BDRMS; 2 baths; stunning cabin-style home built in 2004; situated on 2 lots; front porch o ers peace and quiet surrounded by nature; vaulted ceiling and sunken living room; stone replace; main bedroom with en-suite; large back deck; detached garage; and all the amenities of Lake Thunderbird. Call today to see this property!
See listing on page 2
Expert tools to help you prepare for home ownership
PAGE 6
How to make 3 popular exterior project updates with spray paint PAGE 10
How to breathe new life into your home without a complete renovation PAGE 18
Cedar Point- Equity builder 2 bedroom, 1 bath home on large quiet lot, 2 car carriage style garage.
Two unit, first floor 3 bedroom, 1 bath, upper level 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 2 car garage.
DePue-Cozy 2 bedroom, 1 bath home on wooded lot, enclosed rear
Peru- Affordable move in ready 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath two story home on corner lot, 1 car garage.
Peru-Delightful 3 bedroom, 1 bath home with vaulted ceiling living room, generous 2 car garage.
$149,900
DePue-Affordable, 3 bedroom 1 bath home on large scenic wooded lot, useable basement, sunny deck.
#12139496 $77,450
Property located on corner lot features 2 bedroom, 1 bath home, main level laundry, 2 car garage.
Charming 2 bedroom, 1 bath home on corner lot in the heart of Peru, full basement, 1 car garage.
#12135834 $105,000
Must see 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on large scenic corner lot, sunny deck, useable walk-out basement.
#12162516 $129,000
#12165122 $70,000
LaSalle-
#12153747 $159,000
Peru- Move in ready 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home on corner lot, 2 car attached garage, finished basement.
#12145420 $258,000
Peru-
#12149696 $122,000
#12170637
Mark-
#12134362 $159,900
Peru-
LaSalle-
Jaimie Bazydlo Janet Benvenutti Wendy Fulmer
Robin Guerrero
Kelli Geinosky
Judd Heess Todd Gensler
Compton- Classic American foursquare 4 bedroom, 1 bath home on 4 lovely acres, 5 large sheds.
#12092879 $ 259,000
Mendota-Immense possibilities 1200 sq ft space includes reception, offices, conference room, storage.
#12148065 $165,000
Peru-Move right into this 5,000 sq ft building close to interstate, 12 ft overhead doors, concrete floor.
#11964416 $350,000
Peru- Immaculate 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on 2+ picturesque acres, 2 car garage and 2 outbuilding
#12074198 $890,000
Ladd-Turnkey business, front bar and table seating, public restrooms, banquet area, complete kitchen.
#12134279 $175,000
Spring Valley- Property is 100% handicap accessible, 9,565 sq ft, can be split into smaller spaces to suit.
#11938514 $499,000
Spring Valley- Nice 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on large corner lot, privacy fenced yard, 2 car garage.
#12155054 $144,900
Princeton- Neat 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, all new luxury vinyl planking floor, 1 car attached garage.
#11862621 $184,900
LaSalle-Well established restaurant/ tavern with great clientele, extensive list of equipment included.
#12073662 $275,000
LaSalle- High traffic corner location, 5,300 sq ft building on 1+ acre lot, plenty of parking, unlimited uses.
Peru- Nostalgic Peru Landmark - includes business, name, equipment, inventory, recipes, & training. (Co-listed with Janko Realty) #11728557 $419,900
Barb Kuzma Bonnie Lester Garry Schroeder Vincent Jessen
Lacey Monterastelli Lilli Orlandi
Chris Hopps
VERMILIONVUE SUBDIVISION
Located in the picturesque countryside. Lot size ½ - 1+ acre starting at $29,000. City sewer, water, underground utilities, covenants and restrictions apply. Call Wendy Fulmer @815-252-8280 or Barb Kuzma @815-343-1433. MLS#12061416
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
Huber
Carol Wlodarchak
TJ Templeton Amber Witek Karen Zermeno
Huber Tom Guttilla
Expert tools to help prepare you for homeownership
(BPT) - Many of today’s homebuyers and renters face affordability challenges. Higher mortgage rates and low housing supply have increased homeownership costs. Corresponding increases in rent have also made it more difficult for potential borrowers to save for a down payment.
However, just because affordability is a challenge doesn’t mean that the dream of homeownership is unattainable. In fact, despite consumers’ apprehension about the mortgage process, research shows that the aspiration to own a home is very much alive and there are a number of tools and resources that can help potential borrowers make their dreams of owning a home a reality.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE READY TO BUY
The difficulty of saving money for a down payment can discourage potential borrowers from pursuing home-
ownership. However, you may be closer to affording a home than you think.
You’ve probably heard that you need a 20% down payment to buy a home. While this is a traditional standard, it’s not mandatory to qualify for a home loan. Eligible, creditworthy borrowers can utilize mortgage loan options like Fannie Mae’s HomeReady®, enabling applicants to put down as little as 3% for home purchases or mortgage refinances. Through February 2025, the program also offers $2,500 towards down payment or closing costs, including mortgage insurance premiums, for very low-income purchase borrowers (≤50% applicable area median income) nationwide on the purchase of their principal residence.
If you’re a potential borrower who is ready to buy a home now, you may have several options that can help
make homeownership more affordable. An online down payment assistance tool can help you find programs that alleviate some of the upfront costs of buying a home. Using this tool, you can find federal, state, and local down payment and closing cost assistance for which you may be eligible. These resources can help you overcome the initial hurdles to purchasing a home and can make the overall homebuying process more feasible.
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you can talk to your lender about options like HomeReady ® First, which provides financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers residing in specific geographic communities. This mortgage option includes $5,000 in down payment or closing cost assistance, free homebuyer education, and may include a $500 appraisal credit.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I’M NOT READY TO BUY?
If you’re not ready to buy a home yet but hope to do so someday, there are still steps you can take to help prepare. First, review your credit score and see how it can be improved over time. As a renter, it’s important to maintain a strong rent payment history to show lenders that you’d be a reliable borrower. For potential first-time homebuyers that do maintain a solid rent payment history, lenders can count those timely payments as part of the mortgage credit evaluation process, which can increase your chances of being eligible for a mortgage loan. In addition, there also are programs that allow your timely rent payments to be factored into your credit score, helping you establish or boost your credit score over time.
Make sure to use a closing costs calculator to educate yourself on closing costs and what fees are negotiable to potentially reduce your upfront costs. Knowing this information early on can help you make a long-term savings goal
for your home purchase.
Continue to educate yourself on the homebuying process with an online homeownership education course like Fannie Mae HomeView®. This free-of-charge, award-winning course provides 24/7, end-to-end access to information about finan-
cial literacy, building healthy credit, and the steps to homeownership and is available in English and Spanish. HomeView helps demystify the buying process and helps firsttime homebuyers understand and navigate the process from start to finish.
Homeownership may be
more accessible than you thought possible, whether you’re ready to buy now or waiting until the time is right. By equipping yourself with the right knowledge, tools, and resources, you can navigate the complexities of the housing market with confidence and clarity, and possibly save money as well.
(BPT) - Easy-to-use Glidden® Master Finish™ spray paint, available at Walmart, allows DIYers to complete projects faster.
Whether homeowners need a backyard refresh ahead of hosting a party or they never completed those outdoor projects planned at the beginning of summer, Glidden® Master Finish™ spray paint has them covered.
“Refinishing furniture with spray paint is one of the easiest DIY projects out there, and the perfect way to quickly get your space ready for weekend hosting,” said Anamaria Cindric, product manager of spray paint, Glidden Paints by PPG.
“With Glidden Master Finish, you can refresh your patio furniture that might be looking a little worn from the winter or update color to match a new trend or aesthetic.
Anyone who has spray painted in the past knows that one of the biggest application concerns is the potential for drips and streaks due to over-spraying. Glidden Master Finish has a unique spray pattern that provides the high-coverage and durable finish of spray paint, without the worry of drips or streaks.
Finding the right time to spray paint is also a challenge, with concerns about when the next passing summer storm could impact the project drying outside. With a five-minute dry time, Glidden Master Finish allows DIYers to quickly complete their endof-season projects in the span of a few hours, depending on project size.
Popular exterior project updates using Master Finish include:
• Create instant curb appeal - Homeowners can make updates to small exterior items like house numbers, light fixtures and mailboxes. Small upgrades like these can add instant curb appeal to a home’s facade, creating an inviting aesthetic to welcome weekend guests, in as little as two hours with just one can of spray paint. At less than $8 a can, these projects are a low time and budget investment that deliver high.
• Beautify the backyardHomeowners can turn flow-
erpots and beds into colorful backyard focal points by adding a fresh coat of paint or creating a fun design. Available in 22 colors, Glidden Master Finish offers a hue to fit any backyard aesthetic.
• Take a seat (or two) - Summer parties, strong sunshine and summer rains can all give outdoor furniture a beating by this time of year. With a few additional cans of Master Finish and a few more hours to spare, homeowners can revitalize their outdoor furniture. A table and four chairs can be refreshed in just one day using three to six cans of spray paint, depending on the size and number of furniture pieces.
“With a dry time of less than five minutes, Glidden Master Finish is a great option for quick end-of-summer projects, allowing you to refresh your space while still allowing time to enjoy the weekend,” said Cindric.
The best part is that picking up a can of Glidden Master Finish doesn’t add an extra stop to your errands and weekend shopping. This spray paint is available at select Walmart stores and on Walmart.com, so homeowners can grab a can on-the-go.
Glidden Master Finish can be used on all surfaces including vinyl, wood, metal, plastic, terracotta and glass. It is available in matte, satin and gloss finishes.
For more spray paint project inspiration as well as application tips, visit Glidden.com or Walmart.com.
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
To Donate 10% of Its Princeton Pro ts From Now Until the End of this Year to Princeton Second Story Teen Center! Berkshire Hathaway Home Services—A Sign of Quality for Real Estate A Reputation Built on Trust, Framed In Excellence
When the world’s most trusted brand puts its name on a real estate sign, it’s a sign that buyers and sellers pay attention to. This company, known for its straightforward approach and practical wisdom, is making a significant impact in the real estate market and communities in which it serves. From now until the end of the year, Berkshire Hathaway is pledging to donate a portion of its profits from the Princeton area to support the development of a much-needed teen center. Berkshire Hathaway is proud to be part of the community and to make a difference in the lives of others.
How to breathe new life into your home without a complete renovation
(BPT) - Do you want a new look for your home? Perhaps you crave an update but you want to avoid the time and cost commitment of a complete renovation? You may be surprised how a few well-chosen elements can breathe new life into your home.
Interior designers know that strategic updates can revitalize a space without extensive con-
struction. The key is to choose features with designs that speak to you. These items must have provenance and presence to create an atmosphere the moment you enter the room.
CURATED DESIGN
The preferred design aesthetic of a room is highly personal, but all good design follows certain principles. Take cues from experienced
designers who know that by selecting a few well-chosen products, you can create ambiance that impacts an entire space. The design of the elements should be memorable and draw the eye without being overwhelming.
For example, the Occasion Lighting Collection from Kohler is a simple yet elegant way to transform any space.
This elegant collection of impeccable craft combines sculptural metal frames with light-capturing ribbed glass shades that draw inspiration from the transformative designs of the early 1960s. This is a period of time when interiors were an intercontinental mix of bold color, tapestries, Japanese screens and other treasures to showcase the owner’s travels and interests.
This unique collection is engineered with the same precision as that of fine jewelry making. The interplay between the faceted frames and the sparkling, multi-dimensional display of light as it cascades through the crystal ribbed shades results in forms that are bold yet sensual, with an undeniable presence.
STRATEGIC UPDATES
Lighting is an accessible and high-impact way to transform a room and stay on budget. Whether it’s an eye-catching chandelier, pretty pendants, perfectly placed sconces or functional and fashionable flushmount lighting elements, there’s something for every space.
Beyond lighting, there are other strategies that can help you achieve an updated effect without taking on a renovation. Some other methods designers use to transform a room include thoughtfully selecting pieces such as a beautiful area rug, stunning wall art, graceful mirror or tabletop objet d’art.
You can add sophistication, create visual tension and add dramatic impact through color or sculpted form. Keep in mind, the provenance of the pieces selected can be anything from where each was found or made, the artist behind the design, the materials the piece
is made from, or the craft employed to create the piece.
Above all else, it’s important to be selective. An artful form that has meaning or a story behind it elevates and redefines a space, allowing you to achieve a lot of impact with-
out spending a lot of money. Whether curating the family heirlooms of tomorrow or simply giving your home a refresh by purchasing a pivotal piece, products that make a statement can take your interior to a whole new level in design.
