MADISON COUNTY REAL ESTATE

Gas Fright? Think Inner Ring Suburbs

2008-07-20T12:07:00.002-05:00

Greetings from the eastern shores of the Mighty Mississippi River where gas was $4.09/gallon today (yikes).

As I was pumping Regular into the Freestyle's tank, thinking of the good old days when something less than a $20 was needed for a fill up, it occurred to me that maybe the gas crisis could actually be good for the real estate business.(I am sure this is not an original thought, but it was new to me today.)

Before you come after me with lighted torches and pitchforks, let me explain what I mean. Then you can disagree in the comments section.

Here in the St. Louis metropolitan area, you could say that we've been in love with suburban sprawl for a long time. Give me my big McMansion on my half-acre lot and I'll drive a long way to get to work. To be fair, this issue exists on both sides of the big river in our two-state region of Missouri and Illinois.

Now, however, I think the close-in suburbs -- referred to by urban planners as the inner ring -- might be able to regain some of their old cachet. These were the first modern 'burbs, often with a smaller downtown core of their own, where subdivisions sprouted after WWII and families were raised in the following decades. Many of them offer good housing stock, decent civic ameneties, a nice quality of life and -- most important to this post -- a shorter commute to a downtown job.
I limit my business to Madison County, Illinois. We're located north and east of Downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The two inner ring burbs that come to mind first in my territory are Granite City and Collinsville.

Born as an industrial town, Granite City was named for the distinctive Graniteware cookware that was manufactured there. Steel was and is the city's major industry. Today homebuyers looking for a close commute are thinking more about Granite due to the recent reopening of the McKinley Bridge over the Mississippi. The bridge provides a quick zip across the river to both Downtown St. Louis and the major cross-country thoroughfare of I-70. Solid brick ranches, rehabbed turn-of-the century gems, affordable bi-levels and charming, quiet neighborhoods can be found throughout the town.

The city's newer mayor has spearheaded projects to beautify downtown and is beginning plans for an arts district. Wilson Park, with its pools, ice rink, tennis courts, ball fields and jogging paths is a civic gem. Pictured above is my listing, with partner Kristina Pratt, at 2256 State Street. To the right is another of our great Granite listings at 21 Snowbird Lane.

Collinsville sits on a bluff overlooking the American Bottoms all the way to the Mississippi. From vantage points throughout the city, St. Louis' signature Gateway Arch can be seen soaring over the Downtown skyline. Coal was a way of life in old Collinsville which still boasts a big Italian community that originated with the northern Italian miners who immigrated to the area for work.

Brick bungalows, homes with a view, a lively downtown business district and popular annual festivals are staples of life in Collinsville. The city also offers a busy convention center, an aquatic center, new shopping and dining opportunities and a close commute via I-55/70. You're in Downtown St. Louis in as little as 10 minutes.

Pictured right is a Collinsville listing at 908 Indiana.

Gas getting you down? Maybe a move closer to your job is worth investigating before the pump reads $5/gal.

30 Grainey, Glen Carbon, Illinois

2008-07-20T10:34:00.007-05:00

Here's a chance for you to get into the sought-after Glen Carbon, Illinois area for less than $120,000.

Dad bought this big, 2,200-square-foot, three-bedroom home for his college kids. Now they’ve graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and it’s time to sell.

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.

The home is wired for Internet service -- perfect for you Bloggers. The seller installed a new water heater in July 2008 and is leaving a washer and dryer. The home is sold as-is.

See this listing, offered at $119,500, on Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors.

Goshen Gourmet: The Fin Inn, Grafton, IL

2008-07-20T08:38:00.012-05:00

If you're new to my territory, St. Louis' Illinois suburbs including Madison County and surrounding areas, you might not know about one of the most beautiful places on Earth -- the stretch of highway called the Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, Illinois.

The scenic drive along the Mississippi River also goes by the grand name of Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. This is where the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers come together, giving those of us lucky enough to live here stunning views and amazing recreational opportunities.

Describing everything to see and do from Alton to Grafton and beyond will take many blog posts, so for this virtual outing, I am going to concentrate on tonight's quick trip along the river to a favorite dining spot -- The Finn Inn in Grafton, Illinois.

Did you know that Buffalo can swim? In these parts, Buffalo is a river-dwelling fish, not a slow-moving wooly Bison. It's usually served deep fried with tartar sauce and a side of hush puppies (fried corn meal and onion dough balls). Some fries and cole slaw complete the meal.

If you're a squeamish diner, you'll want to be forewarned that The Finn Inn is an aquarium restaurant. You'll see some of the tasty menu items swimming past your booth in the large aquariums that ring the restaurant. (The fish tank residents are not selected and eaten like a lobster at Morton's -- but there are many of the same species in residence.) The friendly wait staff can usually tell you the types of the fish that are swimming by if you're curious.

Menu highlights include the aforementioned Buffalo, Catfish (both river and pond-raised varieties), clam strips served mixed with popcorn shrimp and the ubiquitous chicken strips for those who can't watch fish while they eat fish. Lasagne, spaghetti and a steak offering also are given a landlubber nod on the menu although I have never seen them plated and delivered to anyone in the dining room where fish is king.

Cod makes an appearance on the table as a fillet or fritters and it can be deep fried or broiled. Even Tilapia -- which is becoming as common as catfish in Midwestern restaurants -- has made its way to the banks of the Mississippi from its native North Africa.

Dinner guests are urged to save room for Berry Cobbler or other desserts.

Next door to The Finn Inn is the venerable Beasly's Fish Stand and across the street is another long-time Grafton favorite, the Wild Goose, a restaurant that touts its chili. I'll let you ponder who exactly is in the kitchen whipping up that hot dish by taking a look at the restaurant's sign. Hmm.

From Alton, Grafton is 12 miles north on the Great River Road. If you're making the trip during the day, stop at the Visitor Center in Alton to pick up some of the helpful information that Alton CVB director Brett Stawar and his staff have created to make your visit more enjoyable. You can learn more at this link to the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Psst. Want to Know a Secret?

2008-05-16T08:11:00.002-05:00

Well, it's not a secret exactly...but it's a fabulous, fun way to find some amazing items. Send an e-mail to Candy at cew244antiques@aol.com and ask to be added to the 244 Antiques mailing list.

Candy and her husband, Ed, host estate sales and moving sales in some of the region's finest homes throughout the year.

Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18, they will be at #1 Hickory Knoll in Edwardsville. (Take 157 to Esic Drive to Berkshire to Hickory Knoll -- behind the YMCA.) Hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

You'll get the best selection on the sale's first day, but prices drop on day two. See you there!

New Stats Paint Market Picture

2008-05-14T21:37:00.003-05:00

It's the question everyone is asking nationally. How bad is the real estate market? Never forget the old saw: "All real estate is local." And statistics released today can help put everything in perspective.

According to the Southwestern Illinois Regional MLS, the average sale price on a home in our region fell by just two percent between April 2007 and April 2008. The average number of days a home stayed on the market rose from 122 in 2007 to 130 in 2008 and the list-to-sell ratio is at 95 percent versus 97 percent in 2007. All in all, not the dire drop discussed in the media.

So what are you waiting for? Call me and let's buy or sell something!

NEW PRICE $119,000

2008-05-04T19:42:00.009-05:00

Make an appointment today for your own private tour of this Granite City home.

It's located close to everything Granite has to offer including shopping, dining and easy access to I-270, I-55 and I-70. The three-bedroom, two-bath home boasts many tasteful updates throughout its 1,440 square feet, including fresh paint and upgraded floors.

The air conditioning is new in 2007 and the roof was replaced in 2006. The furnace, kitchen countertops and fixtures debuted in 2005. A private owner's retreat is located on the lower level and includes a 3/4 bath and large walk-in closet. Also on the lower level -- a big family room and gas ventless fireplace.

Upstairs a spacious dining room leads to the remodeled kitchen with generous cabinet space and a bright, clean decor. Two additional bedrooms and a full bath complete the main level.

Outside, you'll enjoy views of the nearby pond from the large 16 x 16 deck and huge back yard. The two-car garage is equipped with a built-in workbench and shelves.

Good news: Surrounding streets have been renewed and upgraded with sidewalks, storm sewers and new street lights, a major neighborhood improvement.

Want to know more? Call me at 618-791-8007 or e-mail Nancy.Milton@ColdwellBanker.com. Click on Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors to see this listing and all the details.

Goshen Gourmet: Goodbye Red'z

2008-04-14T14:05:00.005-05:00

Red'z Rib Shack, Maryville's answer to Barbecue Heaven, is now closed.

The shack, located at the corner of Il 159 and 162, is being removed to make way for a new Walgreens. That's right, fans. No more megas, pork steaks, tacos or pizza for a while.

Keep track of the Red'z gang to see where you can get their Q at special events or to watch for their next location, by clicking on http://www.redzribshack.com/.

I've created the new web site as a community service to give Red'z customers a virtual gathering place while the restaurant is temporarily unavailable. You can leave comments, send pictures and shed a tear or two over the old menu.

Hello Spring

2008-04-14T14:02:00.002-05:00

Home Sales Activity Update

2008-03-10T19:55:00.002-05:00

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the volume of existing-home sales is expected to remain stable through late spring 2008, and gradually improve further from there during the second half of the year.

NAR chief economist, Lawrence Yun, says buyers have been waiting for higher mortgage loan limits. “The higher loan limits for both FHA and conventional loans will increase consumer choice and provide greater access to lower interest rate mortgages in high-cost regions,” he says.

In Madison County the revised FHA loan limit is now $281,250.

Do Something This Weekend

2008-03-08T10:16:00.006-06:00

Man (and Woman) cannot live by real estate alone, so get out and do something this weekend.

My choice? The annual Art in Bloom celebration at the Saint Louis Art Museum. From now through Sunday, the museum is anticipating spring by displaying professionally designed live floral arrangements inspired by selections from its permanent collection.

Grab a guide to the exhibition when you enter the Grand Hall and just follow the fragrances through galleries featuring Renaissance art, Impressionists, the Asian galleries, decorative arts and the modern and contemporary collections.

A bonus: A terrific quilt display also is open at the museum and, as always, the museum's gift shop offers items that relate to the exhibition.

Where to go: I-64/40 west (yes, the highway is open from Illinois to well past the museum exit and traffic is fine), take the Forest Park/Museums exit and folow the signs to the Art Museum.

Help With Your Downpayment and Closing Costs

2008-03-08T09:47:00.006-06:00

Sometimes it can be hard for buyers to get enough cash together to complete the purchase of a new home. Madison County may be able to help.

The County's Community Development homebuyer program is offering $3,000 or $5,000 loans, forgiveable after five years of occupancy.

If your family's income falls below the program's guidelines, and if you meet certain other criteria, loan money may be available to help toward down payment and closing costs involved in buying your next home.

Call me at 618-791-8007 or send an e-mail by clicking here. I can explain the program and connect you with a lender who is participating in Madison County's program. Together we can find you and your family your next home.

What Did It Sell For Today?

2008-03-08T09:37:00.003-06:00

POCAHONTAS
379 State Rt. 143, $287,000

MARYVILLE
38 Gary, $155,000

EDWARDSVILLE
135 Springer, $150,000

GRANITE CITY
2111 Lindell, $112,000

GLEN CARBON
8 Shingle Oaks, $212,000

What Did It Sell For Today?

2008-03-04T20:37:00.004-06:00

GLEN CARBON

24 Lamplight, $233,000

MARYVILLE

121 Fairway, $172,500

EDWARDSVILLE

7042 Koufax Ct., $360,000

WOOD RIVER

220 Crestview, $90,000

The State of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon: Growing

2008-03-04T17:24:00.004-06:00

The mayors of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon -- Gary Niebur and Rob Jackstadt respectively -- are pleased with the area's growth over the past year.

At the recent State of Glen-Ed meeting, both pointed to the Edwardsville Crossing shopping center (which stradles the border between the two towns) as the centerpiece of their entertwined cities' commercial growth.

The center brought in $580,000 in property taxes and $930,000 in sales taxes in 2007, despite being unfinished. Shoe Carnival, Old Navy and Starbucks are among the businesses still under construction and a number of outlots have yet to be developed.

Among the retailers already operating at the center are Best Buy, Borders, Petco, Michaels, Dierberg's, 54th St. Grill, St. Louis Bread Company, Buffalo Wild Wings and Ashley Home Furniture.

CNN: Best Time to Buy in Four Years

2008-03-04T16:56:00.003-06:00

CNNMoney wrote today that now is the best time to buy a home in the last four years. The web news source cited a National City report that found combined price declines, stable interest rates and high inventories were contributing to the favorable buying situation. Learn more at CNN. If you're ready to take advantage of this alignment of the real estate moon, sun and stars, contact me.

Glen Crossing Road Update

2008-03-04T14:29:00.002-06:00

If you travel through the Madison County village of Glen Carbon, you've probably noticed that Glen Crossing Road is closed at State Rt. 159. The convenient cross-town link went under construction in early February. It's being rebuilt from 159 to just east of Waterford Lane.

Area residents will be pleased to see new pavement, curbs, gutters, storm sewers and sidewalks when the project is finished. Village public works officials note that the work will be performed in seven stages and should be finished by the end of August 2008. For more information on Glen Crossing Road or other public works projects, visit the Glen Carbon web site.

Mortgage Loan Rate Update

2008-03-04T13:36:00.003-06:00

Here's the mortgage rate update from Freddie Mac as of February 28, 2008:

Loan term: Average rate %, (fees and points):

30-yr: 6.24% (0.5)

15-yr: 5.72% (0.5)

5/1-yr ARM: 5.43% (0.4)

1-yr ARM: 5.11% (0.7)

What's Freddie Mac? It's part of a process that takes place in the secondary mortgage market that is transparent to most homebuyers. A government-chartered corporation, Freddie Mac buys mortgages from home loan lenders, thus freeing those lenders to reinvest their money in the community by making even more loans. Fannie Mae is another such corporation with a similar mission.

What Did It Sell For Today?

2008-03-03T21:16:00.003-06:00

EDWARDSVILLE
437 Grandview, $140,000

WOOD RIVER
199 Red Bud Drive, $162,500

HIGHLAND
1000 Beech, $133,000

TROY
311 E. Center St. , $147,900

Kristin and Rob's Casa Reveal

2008-03-03T09:28:00.008-06:00

Last summer I helped my clients Kristin and Rob buy their first home. It's a charming brick bungalow with some great interior spaces and an amazing deck and yard. Now they're in the process of making the home reflect their own taste and style through paint, fabric, hard work and some road trips to Ikea. Congratulations, Kristin, Rob and Beamish (the puppy), you're doing a great job! You can follow their adventures here.

Birds, Squirrels and Racoons, Oh My!

2008-03-02T22:34:00.004-06:00

Can't we all just get along?

Sometimes owning a home means figuring out how to get along with the neighbors. In this case, it's the furry, four-pawed and winged neighbors we're talking about.

The Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville is hosting the University of Illinois Extension Service for some education on basic wildlife facts. The workship begins at 9 a.m. on March 15. Specialist Laura Kammin and Edwardsville police lieutenant Scott Evers will talk about preventing wildlife problems, which is better than having to call animal control later. (By way of example, pictured right is the squirrel named "Thunk" who has claimed a cedar birdhouse as his own.)

Pre-register by March 10 by sending your name, address and phone number and a $5 check payable to University of Illinois Extension to PO Box 427, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Or, register online at web.extension.uiuc.edu/madisonstclair. Questions? Dial 618-650-7050.

Bridging the Mississippi

2008-03-02T22:08:00.003-06:00

It looks like Missouri and Illinois have reached agreement on the long-awaited new Mississippi River bridge. The governors of the two bordering states made the announcement this week.

The $640 million bridge and its new road connections will be constructed a north of the Martin Luther King Bridge and south of the recently re-opened McKinley Bridge. Federal funds will cover $239 million of the construction cost.

Construction is expected to start in 2010. The bridge will carry two lanes in each direction and will be designed to connect I-70 from the I-55/70/64 interchange in Illinois to the I-70 and Cass Avenue area north of downtown St. Louis in Missouri, relieving traffic on the Poplar Street, Eads and King bridges.

Nearly 70,000 residents of Illinois' close and convenient suburbs cross one of the Mississippi River bridges each day to work in Missouri.

What Did It Sell For Today?

2008-03-02T19:53:00.004-06:00

GLEN CARBON

18 Matterhorn, $156,000

COLLINSVILLE

219 S. Chestnut, $112,000

ALTON

1803 State St., $105,000

TROY

8756 Old Lebanon Troy Rd. $180,000

HIGHLAND

30 Vineyard Ct., $320,000

EDWARDSVILLE

452 Tamarach, $100,050

Decluttering for Fun and Profit

2008-02-28T22:23:00.002-06:00

Declutter. That's one of the first things your Realtor may tell you before listing your home for sale.

But if you -- like so many people -- have held on to those special issues of Ladies Home Journal from 1983, every piece of art your now-adult children created in Kindergarten and empty bags and boxes "just in case," you might wonder just where to start.

That's where the University of Illinois Extension Service comes to the rescue. They're offering a workshop on March 11 called, "Finding Sanity in Today's World: De-Cluttering Your Life."

The goal -- help area residents get rid of unnecessary paper and clutter. For more information, dial 618-650-7050 or check it out online. Pre-registration is requested by March 6.

Demographics: Who's Buying in Illinois?

2008-02-28T15:08:00.005-06:00

I don't know about you, but I love to geek out on demographics, surveys, reports and all manner of information -- especially when it concerns real estate.

On tap today is a profile of homebuyers in Illinois, courtesy of the National Association of Realtors 2007 profile of home buyers and sellers.

So who's buying in our state? Here are the stats:

The median age of homebuyers in the Land of Lincoln last year was 40. (Remember that "median" is the middle, meaning half were younger than 40 and half were older than 40.) For first-time buyers, the median age was 31.
Married couples made up 58 percent of Illinois buyers. Single women were 21 percent and single men were just 10 percent of buyers. Eight percent of buyers were unmarried couples.

First-time buyers bought 37 percent of the homes purchased in Illinois in 2007.

The youngest homebuyers -- ages 18 to 24 -- used a social networking site (MySpace, Facebook, etc.) to cruise for homes.

Eighty-three percent of all Illinois homebuyers used the Internet to begin their search for a home last year.

The typical buyer looked for eight weeks and saw a median of 12 homes before making their decision.

Buy This House: Mid-Century Lustron Cottage in Edwardsville, IL

2008-02-28T08:16:00.008-06:00

Here's one of my favorite homes currently on the market in Edwardsville, Illinois. I am looking for a buyer for this amazing and affordable property.

Are you a fan of Mid-Century style? Someone looking for a hip, retro home? A student of art, design or architecture? Or maybe you just don't want to live in the same kind of house that everyone else does.

Then let me show you this Lustron home near Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIU-E).

Call me at 618-791-8007 or send an e-mail to Nancy.Milton@ColdwellBanker.com to schedule a personal showing.

What's a Lustron home? After WWII, there was a housing shortage in America. Returning GIs needed an affordable place to begin raising their families. Enter the Lustron Company with a great idea for living spaces that could be easily mass produced. Unfortunately the company built just 2,500 of these all-steel homes before going into bankruptcy.

The exposed interior and exterior walls of Lustron homes were made from two-foot-square pieces of porcelain enameled steel. Inside sliding doors and cabinets were all steel as well. Lustron marketed their new homes as maintenance free for a modern lifestyle. Learn more from Old House Web.

Here are the details of the Lustron home for sale in Edwardsville: It's a two-bedroom, one bath cottage with just over 1,000 square feet of space. It has received Edwardsville's Historic Preservation Award. The home, which is listed for $102,000, is located on a quiet street close to downtown Edwardsville and SIU-E.

Call me at 618-791-8007 or send an e-mail to Nancy.Milton@ColdwellBanker.com and I will send you the complete listing information.

Help me find someone who will love this stylish and unique home as much as I do.

If You Can Smell It, You Can't Sell It

2008-02-27T21:53:00.006-06:00

Hello, Mr. & Mrs. Seller. Did you know that Realtors have all kinds of fun and interesting sayings about their business? Today's lesson goes like this: "If you can smell it, you can't sell it."

Hmmm. That axiom conjures up all kinds of nasty scent memories, doesn't it? Animals, cigarettes, kids, mildew, dirty laundry, locker rooms.

In fact, scent is one of our most powerful senses. A whiff of pumpkin pie can take you back to your grandmother's kitchen. And a snoutfull of something less pleasant can transport you to places you don't even want to think about.

So, as a seller, how do you combat this odiferous issue?

Think "scent neutral." Your home, now that it is listed for sale, is a commodity. It should appeal to the broadest selection of potential buyers possible. That means the best smell is no smell at all.

Cover ups? Not a great idea, but if you do use some type of air freshener, subtlety is the key. A reed diffuser with a fresh note such as eucalyptus or lavender or grass might work best. My buyers often will ask me what's being covered up when they see a home filled with plug-ins and candles.

So, here are a few tips. First, ask your Realtor if your house has a scent issue and listen to what she says. After all, both of you want your home to sell. Try some trusted friends too. What do they smell when they come into your house? While you're on the market, lay off fixing fried foods and cooking with onions and garlic. Do the pets need a bath? If Eau de Damp Dog is the predominant perfume in your home, there might be a problem. If you're going to smoke, do it outside and pick up the butts. Take out the trash and clean the cat box daily.

A clean house smells like sweet nothing.

What Did It Sell For Today?

2008-02-27T20:17:00.006-06:00

GLEN CARBON
2 Rose Court, $324,500

WORDEN
507 N. Shirley St. , $161,500

GODFREY
5220 Jerome, $152,000

MARINE
941 Country Pointe Lane, $266,500

Time Says It's TIME to Buy

2008-02-26T22:23:00.005-06:00

As a followup to my earlier post about the current "buyer's market," take a gander at this article from Time magazine that examines the national real estate situation: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1713483,00.html

In short, Time's money guru, Dan Kadlec (who, incidentally started the short-lived St. Louis Sun newspaper back in the 90s) is suggesting that if you're waiting for the market to hit rock bottom, you may find your possible savings offset by higher interest rates if you wait any longer.

What Did It Sell For Today?

2008-02-26T21:31:00.005-06:00

COLLINSVILLE
401 Willoughby Lane, $119,000

EDWARDSVILLE
609 Hillsboro, $93,000

ALTON
717 Grove, $78,900

WOOD RIVER
337 N. 2nd St., $52,000

Know Your Score -- For Free

2008-02-26T21:17:00.004-06:00

Note to buyers: Did you know that you can get a free copy of your credit report once a year? Go to the official web site at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/, fill in the form and you'll get the word on your credit score from the three major credit reporting bureaus -- TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

Why should you care? Because this score is a key factor that lenders will use in determining if you're eligible for a home loan and how much they will loan. Spotting any issues early in the process will allow you to begin to fix problems and get closer to the home you want.

MLS Inventory Confirms Buyers' Market

2008-02-26T07:57:00.003-06:00

As I got up this morning and logged on to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), I checked out the available inventory. There are 5,039 residential properties available in the area right now. That's an amazing amount of choice, my friends. What are you waiting for?

When you hear members of the media talking about a "buyer's market," this is one of the chief factors -- abundant choice.

How do you narrow it down when faced with this paradise of properties? As a buyer, you should be making a list of the things you need in a new home and the things that would be nice to have. "Needs" might include the number of bedrooms. A screened-in porch would be an example of something "nice to have."

Give that list to your Realtor or ask her to help you develop the list. Then you'll be armed with the information you need to make a decision and move into that perfect new home.

Goshen Gourmet: Say Opa!

2008-02-25T23:15:00.004-06:00

Quick, hide the china. Someone's about to set the cheese ablaze.

Just kidding about the broken plates -- an old Greek tradition -- but I'm completely serious about the flaming cheese.

Good local restaurants are a key element to the quality of life in any area. In Madison County the Goshen Gourmet and friends head to Fazzi's on IL-159 at Beltway in Collinsville when the craving for Greek food turns our thoughts to Ouzo, Saganaki (that's the firey fromage, pictures left after the flames have died down) and some of the best Moussaka east of Athens.

For your less adventurous companions, Fazzi's plates some terrific Italian and American specialties as well. Order the Greek Sampler for a little bit of everything from Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) to Spanikopita (Spinach Pie). Entrees large enough for two meals come with a tangy freshly-made Greek salad and garlic toast.

Tell them Nancy sent you.

What Did It Sell For Today?

2008-02-25T21:47:00.000-06:00

I'll admit it. Before I became a Realtor, I was a Real Estate Voyeur. I couldn't wait for the weekly Suburban Journal and the Sunday Belleville News-Democrat to see which properties all over Madison County were selling and what the prices were.

If you're reading this, you're probably something of a Property Junkie yourself. So, consider this your quick and legal fix, courtesy of Nancy. From time to time throughout the week, I'll post a selection of today's Madison County closings so you can keep up with the local market when work gets boring or your insomnia kicks in. Enjoy.

ALTON
1717 Worden, $104,375

TROY
17 Wild Horse Court, $190,000

EDWARDSVILLE
477 Buena Vista, $127,000

GLEN CARBON
216 Somerset, $295,000

COLLINSVILLE
1008 Notting Hill Court
$185,000

GRANITE CITY
3301 Bluebird, $90,000

The Earth's Moving on Governors' Parkway

2008-02-25T13:05:00.001-06:00

Edwardsville area residents are busy watching the progress on the extension to Governors' Parkway. The best spot to get a good look at the new stretch of east-west connector is on Troy Road between the Shop 'n' Save and Schnucks plazas. The 5.5-mile, three-lane road will link IL-157 to IL-143, west of I-55, when finished.

The section from Troy Road to District Drive is expected to open by August 2008 to coincide with the debut of the new Goshen Elementary School (K-2) at that location.