Posts with tag 'Belleville Area'

Your unfinished basement may be a useful space for storing unsightly odds and ends. However, you can take things a step further and add to your home's habitable square footage by converting the basement into anything from a workout room to an entertainment area.

Our REALTORS® can give you ideas to get you started. Your finished basement could turn into one of your home's most desirable selling points -- yet another way to stand out from other Belleville homes for sale.

Have a look at these five suggestions for your unfinished basement.

1. Renovate Your Storage Area 
   There's no reason your basement has to look like a garage sale. First, clean it up and remove clutter. Do an assessment: are you ever going to use that rolled up rug of Aunt Sally's again? Get rid of it, and anything else you haven't used in several years. Next step: clean up, repairing broken drywall, adding insulation in the walls for better climate control, and fixing air leaks to the outdoors. Then, organize with neat shelving (use shelf paper wherever you can), pegboard for tools. Store clothing, books, and odds and ends in plastic containers that will fit in the shelves. 
   
   

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Social distancing doesn't mean you have to disconnect with friends and family members. Our real estate agents and many others across America are harnessing the power of modern technology to stay connected with the people closest to them. All you need is a phone and a few of the following apps to bridge the gaps.

1. Google Hangouts
   Google Hangouts are quick and easy to set-up. All you need to do is download the smartphone app or extension for Google Chrome. Once you install the app, you can send messages and make video or voice calls. If you have an iPhone and the person you want to connect with also has an iPhone, you can use Facetime to enjoy plenty of chats.
2. Skype
   The tried and trusted favorite of many, Skype was the pioneer that set the bar for everyone else to follow. Free and easy to use, you can conduct video calls, conference calls, or chats with your friends and family all over the world. 

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With so much to do after a big move, it's easy to overlook some smaller details. Things you'd never forget normally can slip through the cracks when you're celebrating – and resting up! – after moving into one of the great Belleville homes for sale.

Our REALTORS® strive to make every part of buying a home more comfortable, including the move. Many of our clients have reached out with stories of things they forgot to take care of, so we decided to delve deeper and find out what goes undone the most.

In the chaos of packing and unpacking, important administrative tasks can fall by the wayside. And the further you're moving, the more valuable it is to remember to do those things promptly.

Let's take a closer look at five things people forget to do after they move:

1. Turn Utilities On (And Off) Before Moving Day
   It may take up to two weeks to have electric and water service turned on at your new home, so contact utilities as soon as moving day is circled on the calendar. At the same time, be sure you notify existing utilities that you will be moving out. Service in your name must cease before new residents can move in and get everything under their own account.

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The first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19 – and our REALTORS® are looking forward to it!

At Strano & Associates, we know people have many motivations for buying a home. Some are starting a family, others want to make space for their dogs, but one thing is for sure: Certain things are just more satisfying in your very own home.

Gardening is one of them!

Luckily, these greenhouses will get you off to a wonderful start on spring with gorgeous flowers, trees, and shrubs.

Here are our five favorites:

1. Terry's Landscaping and Garden Center – 6200 New Missouri Avenue, Centreville IL, 62207
   Terry's Landscaping and Garden Center allows you to get landscaping advice from experts with more than 20 years of experience. The perfect way to bring color and the personal touch to Centreville homes for sale, its fully-stocked nursery and garden center includes all your favorite trees, shrubs, roses, annuals, and perennials.

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You've probably seen all the house flipping shows on TV and wondered to yourself what it would take to get started in the flipping game. There are a lot of pieces that need to be in place to successfully flip a house for a profit, but luckily our REALTORS® are here to help. Here's what you need to know before you get started. 

1. Know the Risks
   When done correctly, flipping a house can be an excellent investment. It could also end up costing you thousands if something goes wrong, so it's important to understand the risks. What looks like a great investment property could have hidden defects like a leaky roof or cracked foundation that end up souring the deal, so it's important to do your homework on each property.
2. Understand Your Financing Options
   Because of the risks involved in flipping a house, it's essential to know exactly how you're going to finance the process before starting. While it may not be an option for everyone, it's best to buy houses in cash if possible, because it eliminates the added complications and costs that come with loans and interest while you're trying to flip a property. 

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