About St Clair County, IL

Please Do Not Sit On the Pumpkin Patch in Belleville, Illinois

It's been a beautiful Sunday here in O'Fallon, Illinois--in the 80s, perfect for driving around looking for the great pumpkin patch. We decided to see what Eckert's Orchards has for families since this is the time of year for hay rides for all ages, picking the perfect pumpkins--mostly for moms, but for kids, too, and topping it off with a cup of frozen custard, or a meal at the family restaurant.

We got there and the parking lots were full, people everywhere, and a cheerful atmosphere... it was overwhelming, and fun at the same time. Took my trusty iPhone and another digital camera out and just started shooting.

The sign says: Pictures are OK. But please do not sit on the pumpkins.

It seemed like there were pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks in every available space. Me thinking I won't be persuaded by all of these, only bought a couple of marigold plants and a pair of gourds. That will show them!

I asked the cashier if there were a special event today to explain the crowd, she said it's like this everyday. It's special to me, because I came home with the green goose-necked gourd on the left and the striped gourd on the right, plus two marigold plants!

Pumpkins and gourds galore!

For things to do in Belleville, Illinois this fall--visit the Eckert's Orchards--open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

951 Greenmount Road, Belleville, IL 62220 - (618) 233-0513.

It's nine miles south of O'Fallon, and 10 miles south west of Scott Air Force Base.

I have been working to get my CFA-Certified Foreclosure Agent desingation through foreclosure.com and The Agent University. Today, I finished the module/class on Foreclosure Marketing. It was very interesting 2 1/2 hour online course. It was much more than just attracting foreclosure buyers, or how to advertise a foreclosure listing, and focused more on the end game of selling more homes, and closing more deals.

Anyway, I passed my exam which was my fifth course and it gives me another two yet to go!

The nice thing about online courses is you can stop them and restart whenever you get interupted or cannot keep sitting without a break.

Courses taken so far include: Course 201 - REO/Post Foreclosure, Course 202 - Preforeclosure, Course 203 - FHA 203(k) Loan and Renovation Program, Course 230 - Jump Start your REO Busines, Course 215 - Foreclosure Marketing

The next two modules or classes will be on Financing Your REO Property and the last one will be FHA203K The Insider Perspective. I'm not sure if I will find the next two and a half hours this weekend or not, but I look forward to getting both courses finished in earning my CFA Designation.

Local Scott AFB | Metro East IL Real Estate Guide

Metro East & Scott AFB Illinois Homes Store
Be The First To Find Your New Home

Local Homes For Sale. Scott AFB - Metro East - St. Clair County, Illinois real estate website to search for all homes for sale surrounding Scott Air Force Base and military family housing. So if you are considering selling your home or buying a new home, please use this website to find all homes for sale and the information you need, and if you don't find it here, please contact me. You will find homes for sale listed in OFallon, Belleville, Collinsville, Freeburg, Mascoutah, New Baden, Smithton, Swansea, Shiloh, Trenton, Troy, Maryville, Edwardsville, Millstadt, Columbia, Waterloo, Scott AFB Area Homes for Sale in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe and Clinton County, IL. Full Time Realtor since 1997.
Are you looking for New Construction Homes for Sale near Scott AFB?

Our local real estate guide is designed to make your home search as quick and easy as possible — whether you're just down the street, or in another country altogether. Listings are updated daily, so you know you're always seeing the latest properties to hit the market.

Customize your real estate search! Our innovative tools allow you to search for homes by:

• City
• Subdivision
• Zip Code
• MLS Number

To make the most of your time, be sure to register for free with our site. You'll receive instant email updates as soon as new homes that meet your requirements enter the market. See something you like? Registered members can save valuable time by saving their searches and bookmarking favorite properties for quick viewing later.

Too busy to pore over property listings? Use the Home Finder to tell us what you're looking for, and we'll get back to you with the listings you want to see.

Community Information

Because house hunting involves more than just property listings, we'll be happy to provide you with information about local communities, including nearby schools and amenities, as well as transportation and recreation options. We'll also be your consultants about current market conditions, and perform a comparable market analysis to make sure you get the best deal possible. After all, we're here to help you find more than just a house — we're here to help you find a home.

Our Real Estate Services

We help anyone, from first time buyers to retirees, to find the home that's right for them. See our Buyer's Guide for tools that will help you in your home search, such as our mortgage calculator. Ready to start looking? Search for homes now in the local market, or see our office's Featured Listings.

Are you ready to sell? Check out our Seller's Guide, and get a Free Home Evaluation to find out how much your home is worth on today's market.

To learn more about our services and expertise, please see our About Us page.

Contact us today to start working with a real estate professional. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have about buying or selling property.

Belleville IL Real Estate | Collinsville IL Real Estate | Fairview Heights IL Real Estate
Freeburg IL Real Estate | Mascoutah IL Real Estate | New Baden IL Real Estate
O Fallon IL Real Estate | Shiloh Illinois Real Estate | Smithton IL Real Estate
Swansea IL Real Estate
Metro East Illinois Homes For Sale

I have been working on getting my CFA (Certifified Foreclosure Agent) designation from The Agent University and Foreclosure.com.

Today, I finally took my third course which was FHA203K Loan and Renovation Program Course 203.

It is an appoximately 2 1/2 hour webinar or online class, with a 20 question test at the end. That was my third module or class that I've taken for my desingation and I still have 4 more remaining. Each module or class is apprx 2 1/2 hours long.

I am happy to say that I passed with flying colors 20 out of 20 correct answers (I must have been paying attention). However, I will also say that a 203K loan is a very complicated loan for a home buyer looking to live in the property being purchased and have the home rehabbed (prior to occupancy in most cases) however an existing homeowner can use a 203K loan to rehab their own home, if there are items that need serious updating or rehabbing.

In order to qualify for one of these loans, you should talk to a qualified 203k loan officer that has experience with these types of loans.

Local Scott AFB | Metro East IL Real Estate Guide

Metro East & Scott AFB Illinois Homes Store
Be The First To Find Your New Home

Local Homes For Sale. Scott AFB - Metro East - St. Clair County, Illinois real estate website to search for all homes for sale surrounding Scott Air Force Base and military family housing. So if you are considering selling your home or buying a new home, please use this website to find all homes for sale and the information you need, and if you don't find it here, please contact me. You will find homes for sale listed in OFallon, Belleville, Collinsville, Freeburg, Mascoutah, New Baden, Smithton, Swansea, Shiloh, Trenton, Troy, Maryville, Edwardsville, Millstadt, Columbia, Waterloo, Scott AFB Area Homes for Sale in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe and Clinton County, IL. Full Time Realtor since 1997.
Are you looking for New Construction Homes for Sale near Scott AFB?

Our local real estate guide is designed to make your home search as quick and easy as possible — whether you're just down the street, or in another country altogether. Listings are updated daily, so you know you're always seeing the latest properties to hit the market.

Customize your real estate search! Our innovative tools allow you to search for homes by:

• City
• Subdivision
• Zip Code
• MLS Number

To make the most of your time, be sure to register for free with our site. You'll receive instant email updates as soon as new homes that meet your requirements enter the market. See something you like? Registered members can save valuable time by saving their searches and bookmarking favorite properties for quick viewing later.

Too busy to pore over property listings? Use the Home Finder to tell us what you're looking for, and we'll get back to you with the listings you want to see.

Community Information

Because house hunting involves more than just property listings, we'll be happy to provide you with information about local communities, including nearby schools and amenities, as well as transportation and recreation options. We'll also be your consultants about current market conditions, and perform a comparable market analysis to make sure you get the best deal possible. After all, we're here to help you find more than just a house — we're here to help you find a home.

Our Real Estate Services

We help anyone, from first time buyers to retirees, to find the home that's right for them. See our Buyer's Guide for tools that will help you in your home search, such as our mortgage calculator. Ready to start looking? Search for homes now in the local market, or see our office's Featured Listings.

Are you ready to sell? Check out our Seller's Guide, and get a Free Home Evaluation to find out how much your home is worth on today's market.

To learn more about our services and expertise, please see our About Us page.

Contact us today to start working with a real estate professional. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have about buying or selling property.

Belleville IL Real Estate | Collinsville IL Real Estate | Fairview Heights IL Real Estate
Freeburg IL Real Estate | Mascoutah IL Real Estate | New Baden IL Real Estate
O Fallon IL Real Estate | Shiloh Illinois Real Estate | Smithton IL Real Estate
Swansea IL Real Estate
Metro East Illinois Homes For Sale

Enjoy These Beauties While They Last

There's a Weather Warning and Weather Watch issued for Scott Air Force Base, IL tonight. It's reported that 3/4 to 1-1/2 inch hail is expected. We live in O'Fallon--about 10 minutes from the base, and chances are the storm will also affect us.

So, I decided to take pictures of our tulips in full bloom in the backyard late this afternoon. If the storm comes this way, I would have captured the images of these beauties.

Fair is fair, my husband planted them last fall. He seems to have the green thumb in the family. Aren't they beautiful? I hope the storm doesn't damage them too much, but from the looks of the sky just now, we might not have a tulip garden tomorrow. Enjoy!

Picture of the Moment - Tulips in Bloom

Today the Belleville News Democrat reported that Henderson Trucking Co., which specializes in long-haul refrigerated transportation, is moving its headquarters from Salem, IL to Caseyville, IL -- about 70 miles east.

Caseyville is located here in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs, just south of Collinsville, IL and just north of Fairview Heights, IL. Here's a map of the Caseyville area.

It's hard to say no to a job-related transfer in this economy. If you're planning to move with Henderson Trucking and need help with housing, please get in touch with me via email or phone. I can familiarize you with the region, provide school district information and customize home searches that are designed with your specific needs in mind. Moves are tough, but finding a new home doesn't have to be.

Here are a few searches to get you started. I look forward to helping you settle in to your new home.

Caseyville IL Homes for Sale Under $100,000

Caseyville IL Homes for Sale Over $100,000

Collinsville IL Homes for Sale Under $100,000

Collinsville IL Homes for Sale Over $100,000

Fairview Heights Homes for Sale Under $100,000

Fairview Heights Homes for Sale Over $100,000