NewsTribune_Illinois Valley Homes_101525

Peru- Peaceful 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath raised ranch home, covered patio, fenced backyard, 2 garages. #12475104 $195,500

Peru- Charming all brick 3 bedroom, 3 bath ranch home on 1.34 acres, 2 car garage, in-ground pool. #12465936 $390,000

Peru- Brick ranch 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, walk-out basement with 2nd kitchen, oversized 1 car garage. #12453406 $214,500

Seatonville-A ordable 2 bedroom, 1 bath home on oversized lot with spacious deck, 2+ car garage. #12472453 $56,000

LaSalle-Well maintained 2 bedroom, 1 bath home, vinyl plank flooring, full unfinished basement, 2 car garage. #12477782 $122,500

Peru- Desirable corner lot 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, covered front porch, 2 car insulated garage. #12440344 $199,900

LaSalle-Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, 1 car garage, deck, garden shed, basement with workshop. #12472027 $135,000

Spring Valley- Lovely 3 bedroom, 1 bath home, main level laundry, trex deck, spacious vinyl fenced rear yard. #12476207 $169,900

Peru- Charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath Victorian style home, large backyard with storage shed. #12437042 $169,900

Only steps from Baker Lake, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, 2 car garage, fenced back yard, patio. #12470762 $189,500

Peru- Plenty of room in this 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, main level laundry, fully fenced yard with shed. #12454607 $135,000

Spring Valley-Spacious 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, usable basement in partially finished, oversized garage. #12435585 $164,900

Spring Valley - Adorable 1 bedroom, 1 bath home on spacious fully fenced yard, gated alley access. #12433597 $89,900

Oglesby - Charming 3 bedroom, 3 bath home, main level laundry, finished lower level, 2 car garage. #12405378 $289,000

- Complete remodeled 2 bedroom, 2 bath home, new plank flooring throughout. #12343225 $110,000

LaSalle- Gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick ranch home features well-planned open concept living. #12425436 $450,000

Mendota - Former church with 1,596 sq ft of space, potential for residential 2 unit, full basement. #12403022 $85,000

Spring Valley - Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with attached 2+ car garage on wooded 8+ acres. #12332636 $449,000

Spring Valley - Charming 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, heated outbuilding with finished upper level. #12424014 $197,500

- Fully rented, spacious 2 unit apartment building, each unit features 1,275 sq ft living space. #12402086 $155,000

Spring Valley - Cozy 2 bedroom, 1 bath home, sunny front deck, covered patio, 1 car garage. #12302340 $149,900

- Riverfront 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, 2 car garage, upper and lower decks, nicely landscaped. #12408257 $310,000

- Brand New 2 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home located in well maintained, quiet friendly park. #12369227 $94,900

- Enjoy lovely lake living, spacious 4 bedroom, 1 bath home on 3 lots, 2 car garage. #12191710 $184,900

VERMILIONVUE SUBDIVISION

got kids? Why it pays to create a mudroom

Considerations for room additions or space modifications generally involve rooms that will add value or function to a home. Mudrooms certainly fit that description, as they can add aesthetic appeal in more ways than one.

As the name implies, mudrooms are entire rooms or areas near entryways of homes where muddy shoes and other items can be stored. By having a set space for messy shoes and coats, homeowners do not need to worry about dirt and other debris being tracked throughout the home. Mudrooms also can provide a welcoming space for guests.

Homeowners who have adequate space to add an entirely new room may have no difficulty putting in a mudroom. A mudroom addition is a job best left to a professional. Ideally, this new mudroom can be adjacent to an entry by the garage, or a side or back door. The footprint of the mudroom needn’t be too large, either. All it requires is a small amount of space to place a bench, coat hooks and shoe storage.

According to This Old House, homeowners also can convert a porch, create a mudroom by expanding into an adjacent room or closet, or even repurpose space in an attached garage. U.S. News and World Report indicates that a well planned and executed mudroom has the potential to increase a home’s value. Depending on the scope of the work, the average cost of a mudroom project ranges from $2,500 for a simple porch conversion to $30,000 when a new foundation is needed and the build-out is extensive.

Budget-conscious homeowners can create a mudroom in an existing foyer or another entryway. Adequate storage is essential for any mudroom, and should include coat racks, hooks, a bench to facilitate removing shoes safely, shoe storage, and additional considerations, like shopping bag storage or umbrella holders. Creating a door from the outside into an existing laundry room can enable homeowners to use the space as both a mudroom and laundry area with minimal changes necessary.

There are some extra considerations for mudrooms that homeowners should think about. The flooring, walls and furniture/storage used in the mudroom should be durable and easily cleaned. As wet and dirty shoes and clothing will be in the space, it’s essential to make clean-up a breeze. Look for nonslip flooring so entering the mudroom safely is not an issue.

Although a mudroom is a utilitarian space, creature

comforts can be added to integrate the space with the rest of the home. Cover a storage bench with indoor-outdoor fabric that coordinates to the colors used in a home. Add some decorative drawer pulls and cabinet hardware to elevate the space. Washable throw rugs also can add some design appeal to the room.

Mudrooms can be useful spaces that add function and value to homes.

FH259137

Make YourDream Home a Reality

Tips for winterizing exterior living areas

When the summer entertaining season draws to a close, homeowners need to ensure their outdoor living areas can handle weather that’s right around the corner. Although outdoor furniture and other items tend to be durable, the impact snow, wind and ice can have on them may lead to damage over time. That is why many homeowners take steps to winterize their outdoor spaces and protect their belongings. Here’s a look at how to prepare for the winter to come.

Furniture: Cover or store furniture to protect it from the elements. Covering it with weather-proof covers can be adequate if storing items indoors is not possible.

Deep clean: Items that will be covered or stored should be thoroughly cleaned prior to being

removed from spaces for the season. Lingering dirt and moisture can cause damage.

Insulate and drain: Don’t risk damage to pipes, which can freeze and crack in the cold. Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets and drain water lines to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Use foam pipe insulation to prevent freezing and cover any exposed pipes.

Apply mulch: After cleaning up garden debris, think about applying mulch to garden beds and cover tender plants to protect them from the weather.

Check gutters: Be sure that gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and any additional debris. If gutters and downspouts are not cleaned, ice

dams may form on the roof and cause water damage.

Inspect and repair: Inspect walkways and driveways for any damage and make repairs now so water will not seep in and cause further issues with freeze-thaw cycles. Consider applying a sealant to protect surfaces from snow and ice.

Pools and spas: It’s essential to follow the industry or manufacturer recommendations for closing down swimming pools

and spas for the season. While covers may not be essential in all climates, covering can help prevent leaves and other debris from getting in the water. Water should be expelled from pipes and tubing to prevent freezing and bursting. If space allows, consider moving the pool pump indoors to prolong its longevity. Turn off the electricity to the outlet where the filter is plugged in.

There may be additional, region-specific steps to winterize a property, but these pointers are a good starting point to protect outdoor spaces. FH259129

Landmark Realty of Illinois LLC