Alton, IL

"Forgivable" Home Loans for Alton, IL Home Buyers

Do you need cash to buy your own home? I know a lot of people who have no problem making the monthly payment on a home. But coming up with the downpayment and/or closing costs can be difficult. Don't give up hope.

The City of Alton's Department of Development & Housing has a program called the "HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM". If you qualify, they will contribute up to 5% of the purchase price or $3,000 whichever is less. This program is primarily for low to moderate income households who are looking to buy a home in Alton.

For more information, call The Alton Department of Development & Housing (618) 463-3801

They could be your key to owning your own home.

I recently hosted an open house in Alton, Illinois that was one of the most educational that I've every done. The homeowner had photos and small cards with information placed all over the house for visitors to familiarize themselves with the history of the house.

The history not only included how and when updates were made, but also included framed photos in strategically placed areas of the original family that built the home in the early 1900's with historical information on the family.

The information answered many of the questions for my visitors who became intrigued at reading each and every card on display. I picked up two good leads when I was able to add information that I was familiary with for the area surrounding the house.

As a former history teacher and a genealogy buff, I was intrigued by all of the information the owners were able to supply, and as with all genealogy, I was able to associate the house with a time period in historical events of our city.

Just a thought!

January is one of the greatest months on the calendar here in Southwestern Illinois.

Ok, I can hear you. "Nancy, are you crazy? It's cold. Sometimes it snows or ices. Christmas is over and Mardi Gras isn't here yet. There's nothing good about January, so what the heck are you talking about?"

I'm talking about the eagles, my friends.

American Bald Eagles makes their winter home here on the Mississippi River. They build massive nests in the tall trees near the Father of Waters and spend the days fishing and gliding on air currents above the tall limestone bluffs. There's nothing like seeing one of these American treasures soaring overhead. It truly is a breath-taking experience.

To see these majestic creatures, just drive up the Great River Road, beginning in Alton and continuing through historic Elsah, into charming Grafton and all the way to Pere Marquette State Park. Take binoculars and keep an eye out for the more experienced eagle watchers. If you see someone pulled over on the side of the road and looking up, chances are you've found the eagles. (The photo that accompanies this blog post was taken near Grafton, Illinois last weekend.)

Next weekend, January 17 & 18, Trailnet will host its annual Eagle Days celebration on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis. (The bridge -- which once carried Route 66 across the river -- stretches over the Mississippi from Madison, Illinois to St. Louis, just south of the I-270 bridge.) You can watch eagles from the bridge deck and see birds up close courtesy of the World Bird Sanctuary. Learn more about the event here.

The Alton Visitor Center, located in downtown Alton, Illinois across from the can't-miss-it Argosy Casino, also offers eagle-watching materials and great advice on where to go to see the birds. On specific days you can enjoy eagle meet-and-greet sessions and organized tours of eagle country.