NewsTribune_Illinois Valley Homes_111622

Rare opportunity to own an amazing country estate never before on the market. Built by the seller in a great location only 1.4 miles (or 2 minutes) from Rt.26/6th St. at the edge of Princeton, this home is stately and spacious with 3 nished levels and over 3693 sq. ft. Pulling into the circular drive, you’ll feel the grandeur of this brick home with two-story white pillars allowing you access to the front door. Upon entering, your eyes will look upward taking in the view of the two-story Foyer. Also on the main level are the Living Room with stone replace, Dining Room, huge kitchen that makes preparations for large parties easy, a Family Room with a brick replace, an o ce (or main oor bedroom), 1st oor full bath, a sunroom with slate tile, and a laundry room. Upstairs is the Master Bedroom with Master Bath, large Walk-in Closet, plus its own private deck for relaxing at the end of the day. Also upstairs are 3 other Bedrooms, and another full bath. Home has a whole-house fan that circulates the air and keeps rooms cooler on warm summer days. Fabulous both inside and outside, this property has over 5 acres of manicured grounds featuring large open grassy areas, nice shade trees, a tiny creek meandering along the back property line, and an apple orchard on the western edge. The home has a 2-car “in-house” garage that opens into the lower basement area, and an outdoor garage with room for one vehicle, plus set up with two horse stalls if someone desires to have horses on the property. The basement is mostly nished with open recreation areas, a bar area, storage areas, and access to the 2-car garage. New well pressure tank 2019, furnace 2016, water softener 2012, and hot water heater 2010. If you are looking for a magni cent country home just 2 minutes from town, come see this beauty. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind home! Call today!

Inexpensive home maintenance projects to do this weekend

(BPT) - Home maintenance. The very words might evoke thoughts of an entire week end spent laboring at home instead of relaxing in it, but that doesn’t always have to be the case.

“Not every home mainte nance project has to be a large undertaking or one that takes up all of your free time,” said Christopher O’Rourke, Mer cury Insurance vice president of property claims. “There are small weekend projects that can save you time, worry and money in the long run.”

Here are six home mainte nance projects you can do this weekend that will save you the headache of costly repairs later on.

To keep your refrigerator properly working, it’s best to clean the coolant coils every six months.

Coolant coils, which can be located on the back or bot tom of the refrigerator, keep warm air out. When the coils are covered with dust, dirt or hair they aren’t able to release heat efficiently. In turn, the coils work harder and longer, using more energy and short ening the life of the appliance. This might end up costing you more in the form of a higher energy bill or purchase of a new refrigerator.

Clean your refrigerator coils with a vacuum and coil cleaning brush. Coil cleaning brushes can be found at appli ance stores or online for $10 or less.

CHECK CAULKING

Caulking is customary around wet areas like bath tubs and sinks to keep water from seeping into the wall, but it is also used around win dows and doors to prevent air from escaping.

Check for significant air temperature differences near windows and walls and use a digital thermometer to verify air leaks. Make sure to also check areas where vents and plumbing fixtures meet the outside wall.

Old caulking can dry out and crack, making it vulner able to air and water leaks. If you notice dry or cracked caulking, remove as much of it as possible and reseal. Caulk ing gun sets that include the sealant, scraping and smooth

ing tool can begin at $35 and be found online or at your local hardware store.

EXAMINE THE ROOF

The first step of roof inspec tion is to check the inside of your home. Look for damp spots or water stains on the ceiling or for cracked plaster along the wall. These can be signs of water damage.

At ground level do a visual examination of your roof’s exterior for any cracked or missing shingles. Notice if you have to trim back tree branches that may make con tact as they can damage your roof’s exterior. If you suspect any type of damage, contact an experienced roofer who can perform a thorough in spection.

CLEAN REFRIGERATOR COILS

CLEAN THE GUTTERS

Gutters are necessary to direct water away from your home’s foundation. Their ex posure to the elements means that they need to be cleaned and inspected regularly. While cleaning out dirt and leaves, make sure the gutters are se curely attached to your house. The weight of heavy snowfall, rain and dirt can cause gutters to loosen and pull away from the home.

“Gutters that are free of dirt and debris will keep rain from running down the sides of your home and coming in through the foundation,” said O’Rourke. “Routine mainte nance means lower home owner costs by addressing small issues before they be come problematic.”

CLEAN CHIMNEY

Chimneys should be cleaned once a year, especially before the first fire of the sea son. Check the inside of the chimney to make sure it is clear of any debris or small an imals nesting as these types of blockages could cause a fire.

Thoroughly clear away ash or soot around the chimney be fore the cold weather starts.

INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

Programmable thermostats are both a money and energy saver. They allow you to set a comfortable temperature when you’re home and can be

scheduled to lower the tem perature while you’re away, helping you save money by cutting down energy usage.

“Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to set the heating and cooling of their home to their schedule,” said O’Rourke. “It’s one less thing for homeowners to worry

about and they are fairly easy to install.”

Your home is not only your sanctuary, it’s your commitment. Assessing your homeowners’ coverage and understanding your policy is a simple household task you can accomplish this weekend and one that can save you money.

Brenda Mobley

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

Hopps at 815-252-5273. MLS#08273641

Barb

Vincent Jessen

Jessica Jeffrey Gunnar Jauch

LaSalle- Great commercial space on street level and 2 amazing apartments above, downtown LaSalle. #11478438 $400,000 LaSalle-

Peru-Downtown office space consists of large reception area and back office with storage room.

#11468631 $620 per month

Utica- Mixed use 3 unit building located in high traffic area on corner of US Rt 6 & Rt 178.

#11465757 $300,000

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

#11338122 $209,000

Peru-Established restaurant, building, and catering business with equipment, large parking lot.

#11313513 $295,000

Marseilles- Established business, bowling alley, restaurant, upstairs apartments.

#11286167 $450,000

Oglesby- Spacious commercial building located on high traffic, high visibility road, large parking lot.

#11267162 $219,000

Princeton- Multi use property has 3 commercial storefronts, 3 apartments and full basement.

#11225337 $215,500

Business Opportunity

Restaurant opportunity awaits! A historical business (the iconic Eager Beaver restaurant) is in an amazing location. Nice sized corner lot located along bustling business Hwy 54 in Eldon. Plenty of parking and great visibility goes with this turnkey restaurant. All of the equipment, plates, glasses, tables, booths etc. that are needed to operate are included. With expanding industrial and commercial activity in the area it is the perfect time to follow that dream of opening your own restaurant. Go to www.zarkoftheozarks.com for more info. MLS# 3546491

(BPT) - If you’re finding yourself poring over color samples instead of vacation brochures, you just might be in a staycation state of mind. And you’re not alone. Home renovation expenditures are expected to spike and remain elevated into 2022, with 8.6% annual growth, accord ing to Harvard University. Even when you are staying put, there’s still a lot you can do to renew your soul, like transforming your home into the gorgeous oasis you’ve al ways wanted.

Not sure where to begin? Consider beginning in the bathroom, the sanctuary of the home, and invest in a bidet, a device that trans forms your daily routine. That and some design-forward up grades can create a spa-like atmosphere that’s worthy of a staycation. The beauty of this plan? There’s a way for every one to do it.

For inspiration, here are

some staycation-worthy bath upgrades for any budget.

STEP ONE:

GET A HIGH-QUALITY BIDET.

Bidets have been growing in popularity, and there are plenty of models and features to choose from. How do you start the search? It’s import ant to focus on quality as well as spa-like features. TOTO, for example, is world famous for remaking the bidet into an ev eryday luxury and has contin ued perfecting it for the past 40 years.

STEP TWO:

CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT.

Personalize your apartment: With these ingenious updates, you can feel more at home without putting the damage deposit at risk. Peel-and-stick wallpaper lets you trade apart ment beige for daring colors and striking patterns. Thrift store finds like an ornate shelf or a funky vintage mirror lend the place that artsy urban vibe. Finally, swap the stan

dard-issue toilet seat with a bidet attachment. The WASH LET by TOTO is the original high-tech, luxury bidet seat that’s easy to install and easy to take along once the lease is up. Pure, clean, heated water will leave you feeling more re freshed than ever after a bathroom break.

Weekend update: Ready for change, but not ready for a full renovation? Try one of these transformative weekend projects. A coat of paint along with shiny new drawer pulls can make your old vanity feel like new. Designer tile draws focus - a statement wall or a backsplash can make a big impact with less work. As the finishing touch, the WASH LET+ joins bidet and toilet into one seamless design that adds luxury without subtract ing from the look of your up dated space.

Royal treatment: Transform the primary bath in your

home into a five-star escape. Bold updates, such as heated flooring or a fireplace, will leave you feeling like a VIP. Or how about a living wall of plants? It’s a unique way to bring the tropics into your indoor space. When it’s time to choose your bidet, nothing but the top of the line will do. The luxury you’re looking for can be found in the NEOR EST. With a design that’s in spired by the natural beauty of pebbles shaped by water over time, this bidet also has many luxurious features. You’ll get personalized settings for washing and warm air drying, automatic features and ad vanced technologies that let you spend less time cleaning and more time luxuriating in your remade space.

Ready to turn your bath into a vacation-worthy escape? A bidet provides the perfect addition to any project. Get inspired and visit the virtual showroom at TOTOusa.com.

That's entertainment!

Features to focus on when designing an entertainment room

It might not take a home the ater to enjoy the big game with friends or fire up family movie night, but a spacious entertain ment room can certainly enhance such experiences. That’s espe cially true when homeowners give considerable thought to designing entertainment rooms. Film buffs and sports fans may have different notions of the ideal entertainment room, but the following are three design features that merit consid eration by all looking to upgrade their entertainment spaces.

1. SCREEN

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of options when choosing a screen for an entertainment room. Televisions have long been a go-to choice, but projector screens merit con sideration as well. If the room will be devoted exclusively to entertainment, then a television or a fixed projector screen might be homeowners’ best bets. Fixed projector screens are installed on the wall and projectors are typi

cally hung from the ceiling. Semifixed projector screens provide a similar viewing experience but can be pulled down or retracted when residents are not watching a movie. Semi-fixed can even be installed in front of a television so residents can stream a movie on the projector and then watch television through a cable box when it isn’t movie night. Projec tors often provide much bigger screens for a fraction of the cost of equally sized televisions. How ever, sports fans may prefer televi sions, as live streaming sports has not yet caught up to streaming movies and TV shows in terms of reliability or even availability. As a result, many sporting events re main available via cable television only, while even those that can be streamed tend to have a few hic cups during the game.

2. SOUND

Though televisions and projec tors tend to come with built-in audio, the quality of that sound often leaves much to be desired.

So homeowners will want to choose a sound system that provides theater-quality sound. If the room is being renovated from scratch, such as a full basement remodel, in stalling speakers in the ceiling can create a genuine theater experience. Ceiling speakers also can be installed in exist ing rooms, though that will likely cost more and extend the time it takes to complete the project. Surround sound is a must in any entertainment room. Homeowners worried about wires need not fret, as modern wireless surround sound systems are available at many different price points. Some systems are better suited to small rooms than others, so homeowners should measure the room and choose a system that best suits its dimensions.

3. SEATING

Whether you’re using the space to watch the big game

or fire up the latest block buster (or both), chances are you’re going to be spending considerable time sitting in your new entertainment room. A modular sofa might be ideal, as it can be reconfigured de pending on what you’re watching and how many peo ple are watching along with you. Comfort is indeed im portant, but you’ll also want seating that provides ample support so you aren’t battling any aches and pains once you leave the room. That support also can keep residents and guests from dozing off.

Everyone has their own ideas on what makes the ideal entertainment space. But sports fans, movie buffs and others can all agree that an entertainment room worthy of the big game or the latest blockbuster has a sizable screen, pristine sound and comfortable seats. FH228160

How universal design principles are improving safety and increasing property value

(BPT) - Do you want a bathroom update that will be stylish and functional for many years to come? More homeowners than ever are renovating using universal design principles that allow these spaces to serve people of varying ages and abilities. This provides numerous import ant benefits, including higher levels of safety and increased property value.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN BASICS

Universal design creates an environment that is accessible to all people to the greatest extent possible. That means a bathroom will function as well for a child as it does for a senior. Basic principles of

universal design focus on func tionality, and in the bathroom that might mean adding strate gic lighting, slip-resistant floor ing and features like grab bars.

You don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics to achieve the func tional goals of universal de sign. More options than ever are available for enhancing the bathroom’s safety and func tionality while adding luxuri ous upgrades that are as useful as they are eye-catching.

When function and fashion blend like this in home im provements, it can add signif icant value to your property. Consider one of the year’s top bathroom design trends:

curbless showers with linear drains. This creates a barri er-free experience that is visu ally appealing, making it ideal for the universal design home.

CURBLESS SHOWER FEATURES

A curbless walk-in shower eliminates hazards like curbs or thresholds that can cause people to slip or trip. It’s eas ier to use whether you walk or utilize a device for assistance, such as a shower wheelchair. Curbless showers also provide an open feel, which makes the space feel larger because visual lines are not disrupted.

Curbless showers are en hanced by linear drains that are installed flush to the

flooring, further reducing trip hazards while adding a sleek appearance to the space. With no barrier to cross, the floor more easily accommodates a freestanding bench, a walker or other mobility aids.

An added benefit is that linear drains generally avoid looking institutional, like some wheelchair-friendly bathrooms can. An excellent example of this counter-insti tutional trend is QuickDrain’s WallDrain, which practically disappears into the wall, offer ing an ultra-clean and contem porary look.

A curbless shower is achiev able with various drainage

points, therefore offering ver satility in terms of design. A curbless shower also provides flexibility regarding its loca tion in the room since the de signer and contractor are not tied to placing the drain in a specific spot. Learn more at LRBrands.com/QuickDrain.

Deciding on shower doors is another important aspect of universal design. Glass doors work well for curbless walk-in showers because they open the space and let in light. An other option is to design the space to be completely open as a wet room. Glass dividers are a hybrid option that pro vide a partition without a door but can be easily removed if you want to potentially open the space in the future.

Universal design is import ant in bathrooms because these spaces are used every day. Whether your goal is to age in place or you want to make home improvements to improve your property value for a future home, bathrooms with stylish universal design will help you meet your goals.