Edwardsville and Glen Carbon Real Estate Chat: July 2008

The first day of school in the Edwardsville School District is just around the corner - August 19th.  The first day will be a half day.

If you are new to the area, the district website is a great place to start. www.ecsud7.org

Online you will find information to register your child for school. Registration forms are available at www.ecusd7.org  You will also find a list of dates, times and locations to register your child.  High School registration fees for 2008 are $90 for high school (athletics, music programs, and drama are an additional $50), Liberty and Lincoln Middle school fees are $80 ($25 participation fee for extra cirricular activities),  elementary fees are $70.  Financial aid is available.  For more detailed information please call or visit the district website.

School supply lists are also available at http://www.ecusd7.org/departments/curriculum/supplies.asp

I've always had a love of history.  Living in Madison County has allowed me to enjoy numerous historical landmarks such as the Lewis and Clark trail, Cahokia Mounds and The Benjamin Stephenson House.

My favorite area that relates to real estate is the charming Leclaire Historical District in Edwardsville.

State Route 159 cuts through the Leclaire District.  It's lined on both sides by mature trees and creates a beautiful scene in the summer, spring and fall.

For lovers of historic homes, the Leclaire district has quite a story.  It was founded in 1890 by N. O. Nelson, and was chosen as a location for Nelson's plumbing company.  Nelson's vision was a "utopian" village, where each employee had not only their own home, but a host of other amenities.  Access to schools, parks, and recreation were also part of Nelson's plan.

The Leclaire district is still enjoyed today.  A beautiful park, complete with fountain and lake is in the center of the development.  Historic Leclaire Field recently underwent a renovation, and the crack of a baseball bat is still heard on summer days.  Leclaire is also home to the Madison County Children's Museum.

From a real estate perspective, the vision that Nelson had in 1890 can still be enjoyed today in this vibrant section of Edwardsville.  Homes range in size, from small cottages to grand 2-stories.  The Leclaire district is very affordable for everyone from new home owners, to empty-nesters and families.

If you're ready to take the next step toward home ownership, the Platinum Buyer's Program is for you.

This program has been designed to serve buyers that are serious about finding a home.  This no-nonsense approach
can help you start living in the home of your dreams sooner.

Buyers who are enrolled in our Platinum Buyer's Program receive the following services:

One-on-one personal attention.  Your calls are given priority, and if we can't answer immediately, your call is returned within one hour or less.

A home buying consultation.  This time-saving step will help clients focus on their needs and learn more about the buying process.

Lender connections.  We will put Platinum Program Buyers in touch with local lenders for pre-approval.  Our buyers will know how much home they can afford, a move that strengthens their negotiating position and saves time.

Priority Scheduling.  When Platinum Program buyers are ready to look at homes, they will receive
the appointment times they need.

New Home Notification.  When a new listing meeting their criteria Platinum Program buyers will be the first to know.

Home Pricing Analysis. Platinum Program buyers receive the latest research in local market home sales prior to making an offer on the home they choose. (According to the National Association of Realtors, buyers who do not use a buyer's agent end up paying 96 percent of the seller's asking price. Buyers who do use an agent, typically pay just 91 percent.)

Skilled Neogitation.  Just Ducky Homes will negotiate with the seller's agent to obtain the desired
property at the best possible price.

Trusted Refferals. Platinum Program buyers will be referred to service professionals, such as home inspectors, home warranty companies and others who will make the buying process easier and more worry free.

Added Value. At closing, Platinum Program buyers can receive either a free one-year home warranty or home inspection (up to $500 in value) from Just Ducky Homes.

Loyalty. Above all - we will always act in the best interests of our clients.

This program is only open to a few select buyers at one time.  There are currently two openings available.

If you would like more information about this program, or you would like to enroll, please contact us today.

Kristina Pratt, Realtor 618-917-0775
Nancy Milton, Realtor/GRI 618-791-8007
platinumbuyer@justduckyhomes.com

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