Edwardsville and Glen Carbon Real Estate Chat: Kristina Pratt, REALTOR® - GoshenRealtyGroup.com (St. Louis' Illinois Suburbs - RE/MAX Preferred Partners)

I love Madison County.  There is such a great variety of hidden treasures.  Luckily, we live close enough that crossing the river to enjoy the culture and entertainment of St. Louis isn't such a bad drive.

My husband and I had been excited about going to the Scottish Arms for a while, since his family line traces back to the Scottish Highlands. The decor was beautiful. Nice dark wood, decorative ceiling tiles, and loads of items from Scotland on the wall.

The owner was extremely nice as well. The mussels we ordered weren't up to his chef's standards, so he gave us a free appetizer of rosemary shrimp, tomatoes, and scallops. Absolutely the best scallops I've ever had.

The food was good, but don't expect American chain restaurant sized-portions. No one at our table of 8 left with a to-go box. I had the Shepherd's Pie - it was not seasoned well, and the vegetables were still very hard. The imported beer prices were a little high, around $5.75 a bottle.

If you're looking for a unique dining experience, the Scottish Arms definitely delivers.  The atmosphere can't be matched. It really comes down to this - if you don't mind sacrificing exceptional food to pay for surroundings you won't be disappointed.  However, if you prefer to trade atmosphere for excellent food the Scottish Arms is not for you.

Visit the Scottish Arms online at

http://www.thescottisharms.com/

8 S Sarah St
Saint Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 535-0551

30 Grainey - Glen Carbon, IL 62034

$119,500 - Single Family

Kristina & Nancy 618-791-8007 or
info@justduckyhomes.com

www.justduckyhomes.com

3 bedrooms

1.75 bathrooms

2277 square feet

Dad bought this big, 2,200-square-foot, three-bedroom home for his college kids. Now they've graduated from SIUE and it's time to sell!

This is your chance to get into the sought-after Glen Carbon/Edwardsville market at a great price. The home features a huge, park-like back yard and patio-style deck accessible via French doors from the dining room. The dining room contains a fireplace and leads to a sunken family room. The big eat-in kitchen and some hardwood floors ready to be refinished add to this home's potential.

With a convenient, central location close to 159 and Glen Carbon Road, it's just a short commute to the University or the Interstates. Live close to dining, shopping and everything the Glen-Ed area has to offer on this quiet, tree-lined street. The mud room and utility area contain a ¾ bath and both could be refinished to a higher level for additional living space. Home wired for Internet.

Seller installed new water heater 7/08 and is leaving a washer and dryer. Sold as-is.

For more information, or to view more pictures, please visit www.justduckyhomes.com

Brokered by Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors
2205 S State Route 157
Edwardsville, IL 62025

Summer spectacular! This updated home is priced to sell. Many new fresh features throughout including A/C in '07, furnace in '05, roof in '06, kitchen countertops & fixtures in '05. Owners suite in lower level with 3/4 bath. Views of pond from big 16x16 deck & large backyard. Built-in workbench & shelves in 2 car garage. Roads have been renewed with sidewalks, storm sewers & new street lights. Seller willing to pay up to $1000 of buyers closing cost. Seller also leaving gas grill and mulching mower. Call or e-mail today for your private tour. 

Kristina Pratt - 618-917-0775 kristina.pratt@coldwellbanker.com

Nancy Milton - 618-791-8007 nancy.milton@coldwellbanker.com

More property information available at www.JustDuckyHomes.com/snowbird.html

Current Stats compared to July 2007 last year

Average List Price - 137,268 , down 1%
Average Sales Price - $131,303, down 3%
Average Days on the Market - 130, up 9%

According to the Southwestern Illinois Regional MLS, the average sale price on a home in our region fell by just three percent between July 2007 and July 2008. The average number of days a home stayed on the market rose from 119 in 2007 to 130 in 2008 and the list-to-sell ratio is at 96 percent versus 97 percent in 2007.

All in all, what these market statistics show is that we have not experienced the down turn in real estate prices like most of the country.  The average sales price in our area is only down 3%, compared to 20% or more on the east and west coasts.

Don't let the national news stories lead you astray.  Real estate is very localized, and our market is not crashing down around us.  If you need to buy or sell, give me a call today.

My husband is a military brat.  From Hawaii, to Greece, to Italy, he's been all over the world.  For our first wedding anniversary he wanted Italian food.  Growing up in Italy most of his life I knew he'd be disappointed in a chain restaurant.  I planned on making the trek across the river to the Hill.  Then I remembered Bella Milano - right here in my own backyard.

I researched the restaurant on-line, because he was really anxious for some osso buco.  Unfortunately, it wasn't on their menu.  We gave it a shot anyway.

Quite honestly, I was pleasantly surprised.  They promise a "Taste Of The Hill", and they delivered.  I had sea scallops seared in a lemon white wine butter sauce.  My husband went with the veal parmigiana, and actually liked it.

The atmosphere was also very nice.  For a busy restaurant it was surprisingly quiet and romantic.  Our server was absolutely phenomenal as well.

Bella Milano truly shows what great restaurants you can find on the east side of the might Mississippi.

Bella Milano
1063 South State Route 157
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618-659-2100
www.bellamilanos.com

Although I'm a real estate professional by day, my night time guilty pleasure is watching Food Network.

I grew up right here in the Midwest, and as a kid my palette was pretty much limited to any vegetable you could fry, meat and potatoes, and sweet tea.  Don't get me wrong - I love the Midwest culture - and that, of course, includes the food.

I moved to Las Vegas shortly after broadcasting school.  It was here that I was forced to try new and exotic foods.  Yes, a jalapeno pepper was exotic to me at that time.  You see, in the arid desert atmosphere of the southwest food is far from bland.  A college favorite of late night crammers, Taco Bell, suddenly tasted a lot spicier than it used to back home.

It was in Nevada that I discovered an entire world of culinary excitement I never knew existed.  I was exposed to all different food cultures, and I'll be the first to admit that in the beginning I was dragged kicking and screaming to a Thai restaurant.  But it was good.  Really good.

So, in short, that's how I became a "foodie".  I'm up to try just about anything.  Which finally brings me to the topic of this post.

Tucked away in the corners of the Metro area are a lot of surprisingly good restaurants.  I'm not just talking about fine dining, or your typical bar food after a Cardinals game.  Even more surprising?  They aren't all in St. Louis.

Far and away, my favorite restaurant on our side of the river is Fazzi's in Collinsville.  Greek, Italian, and American all rolled into one.  The chicken kebabs are my personal favorite, but I've heard rave reviews about everything from the gyro plate to the rib-eye sandwich.  Did I mention it's very affordable?  In my opinion it is the "diamond in the rough" of Madison County.  One of the few places I can honestly say I've never had a bad experience.  Period.

Fazzi's Bar and Grill
1813 Vandalia St
Collinsville, IL 62234-4845
Phone: (618) 344-5440

Periodically, I'll post about other great restaurants in our area.  Next post... Bella Milano in Edwardsville.

I love the 4th of July.  It's been my favorite holiday since I was a little girl for so many reasons.  I've always been fascinated by the sizzle and loud booms of fireworks, I love summer, and most of all I love my country.  The 4th of July is all that is great about America - from the flag lined streets in local cities and villages to the smell of St. Louis style ribs and hot dogs on a hot grill.

However, the 4th of July has had a more important meaning since our country has been at war.  While we are celebrating our independence with our families, friends, BBQs and fireworks let us not forget to take a moment to remember our veterans and active duty troops that make it all possible.

Due to the recent flooding on the Mississippi River, the fireworks in my hometown of Alton have been canceled until September.  There are plenty of other Metro-East communities with fireworks displays, here are a few:

Holiday Shores
July 4th, 9 pm
309 Holiday Dam Rd
Edwardsville, IL 62025

Bunker Hill Lake 
July 4th, 9 pm
Bunker Hill, IL 62014

Lake Williamson
July 5 @ 9:15pm
Carlinville, IL 62626

Bethalto Fireworks
July 4th   9:20pm 
St Louis Regional Airport Airport Dr
Bethalto, IL 63010

Alhambra Fireworks Display
July 4th   9:15pm  
610 W Main St Alhambra, IL 62001

Troy Tri-Township Park Fireworks Display
July 4th - Dusk
Tri-Township Park
Troy, ILL 62294

Granite City Fireworks 
July 4th
Wilson Park 2900 Benton St
Granite City, IL 62040

Collinsville Fireworks
July 4th  - Dusk
Collinsville, IL 62234

Caseyville Park Display
July 4th - Dusk
W Reynolds St Caseyville, IL 62232

The following roadways within the Village of Glen Carbon will be closed to vehicular traffic at the listed times and dates to facilitate the Village of Glen Carbon Homecoming Event .

Wednesday, June 18, 2008. - The Parking lots in Miner Park behind the Gazebo and Library will be closed through Sunday, June 22, 2008.

Thursday, June 19, 2008 - Main Street will be closed at 9:00 a.m., between the Covered Bridge and Collinsville Street . This section of Main Street will remain closed until the conclusion of the event.

Friday, June 20, 2008 - Main Street will be closed at 9:00 a.m. to through vehicular traffic between Spruce Street and School Street . South Meridian will be closed at 9:00 a.m. between Guy Street and West Main and Collinsville Street will be closed between Sunset and West Main . West Rosin will also be closed at Main Street at 9:00 a.m.

Saturday, June 21, 2008. - The roadways listed above as closed will remain closed. In addition, Main Street , from School to the Meridian/Glen Crossing Road Intersection, will be closed at 3:00 p.m. Also, North Main Street between Village Hall at 151 North Main Street, to the intersection of Meridian/Glen Crossing Road will also close at 3:00 p.m. and remain closed until the completion of the Homecoming Parade. The intersection of Main at Meridian/Glen Crossing will remain open to west and east bound traffic until the start of the parade at approximately 5:00 p.m., at which time the intersection will close. The intersection and North Main Street will reopen at the conclusion of the parade. Remaining closures will reopen as soon as possible at the conclusion of the Homecoming Event and no later than Monday morning, June 23, 2008 at 6:00 a.m. Detour Routes will be posted and plainly marked.

Visit the Village Web Site at http://www.glen-carbon.il.us for news and information about Glen Carbon.