Pictured above 3rd from the left is First- Runner up and Miss Congeniality keagan Kristoff.

2010 Fair Schedule Highlights

• July 25 - Monroe County Fair Queen Pageant
• July 26 -  Farmer's Class Tractor Pull/ITPA Truck Pull
• July 27 - Open Class Horse Show & Street Truck Pull

  July 28 - Figure 8 Race

• July 29 - Armband Carnival Night and HTC Customer Appreciation Day

• July 30 - Demolition Derby
• July 31 - ITPA  Truck & Tractor Pull
• August 1 - FFA Fun Night and HTC Fireworks 

Check out the fair website for more information:  http://www.monroecounty-fair.org/

We'd like to Congratulate Reagan Voelker, and her mom, Jennifer Voelker (one of our agents here at Century 21 Advantage) on Reagan's recent debut at Grizzlies Stadium singing the Naitonal Anthem.  What an amazing job Reagan did!

Just in case you were wondering what Grizzlies Stadium is, its a fun, reasonably priced outing for you and your family!  Every seat in the stadium offers a great view of the field and there are activities for all ages.  Located right off of 255, this park offers a major league baseball experience at minor league prices! 

If you'd like ticket pricing information, scheduling, or any other information about the stadium and the team, check them out online at :

http://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/

Thinking of building? Enjoy new construction in it’s most convenient location and affordable pricing!  Located conveniently close to I-255, South County, downtown St Louis, and the city of Columbia Illinois, the well-established community of Columbia Lakes is buzzing with activity! The recent changes in Monroe Homes Standard Features and  the charming curb appeal of his Brick and Stone exterior elevations has been only a couple  of the advantages today's buyer is able to take advantage of. The 34 lots that still remain available include several walk out and day light basements. There are only a select few lots left that are compatible for the desired 3 car garage. Monroe Homes is offering 3 sides brick at very affordable prices as well.  The fourth and final phase of the development also includes a large common ground area that will eventually be handed over to the association for a park like setting. This also gives to the privacy factor that most all of the lots possess. The majority of the lots back up to woods, Sportsman Club Lake, or the Common area. This insures larger and more private back yard settings for homebuyers that want the convenient access to  Route 3 and a private community feel in one.

Our Team is proud of our listings with Monroe Homes. Monroe Homes President and Builder Ken Jones  has been business for over 37 years and prides himself on establishing a one-on-one transaction with his valued clients. His professional approach and workmanship is a valued trait in its self and is truly reflected in each home he builds. Base price for the very functional and open Ranch floor plan is $189,900.00. The Base price for the 2 story floor plan is $209,900.00. Monroe Homes welcomes your ideas and desires to customize your home to suit your needs.  Also, ask about Monroe Homes' financing incentive!  With his competetive interest rate buy down program, you're sure to love your monthly payment ALMOST as much as your new home!

Century 21 Advantage Real Estate, Inc. agents, friends, and family took part in the Porta Westfalica Parade in Waterloo tues evening. All of us would like to thank everyone who braved the heat and came to watch the parade! We hope to see everyone at future parades!

Above: Century 21 Advantage babies. From Left: Crystal Gillespie & her son, Caden; Naureen Frierdich and her son, Chanse; Mandy McGuire and her daughter, Eleanor; & Lindsey Bivins and her daughter, Shelby.

Century 21 Advantage agents, friends & family

New Baden is a small village of 3,000 and is located eleven miles east of Scott AFB on Route 161. With Interstate 64 at its doorstep you can commute to downtown St. Louis in just twenty five minutes. New Baden has four churches and has four schools which are part of the Wesclin Community Unit School District.

New Baden has a beautiful recreational activities center. O.W. Billhartz Civic Center houses The New Baden Public Library which hosts residential meetings and various fundraisers. New Baden also offers a forty one acre community park for its residents to enjoy. There is a large swimming pool, tennis courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields, a hockey rink, basketball courts and a sand volleyball court. If you love the outdoors, there is a limestone walking and jogging path surrounded with scenic views, playground equipment for children and several picnic facilities.

New Baden has a few wonderful restaurants. Check out the Good Ole Days which has great food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is very laid back. New Baden is also home to the Giorannis Italian restaurant with stellar service and food. Giorannis also boasts 4.5 stars according to Yahoo.

If you are considering a move and want to look at homes for sale in New Baden, our up-to-date home search tool will deliver the hottest homes right to your email in-box.

Median home pricing in New Baden is currently around $179,612.00. If you are thinking about selling your home in New Baden, looking for a home values, or a free market analysis, contact us today at 618-444-4255

Just fifty miles south of St. Louis and close to the Mississippi River, is Prairie du Rocher. This community is one of Illinois oldest communities and was founded as a French settlement.

Prairie du Rocher is famous for its ‘Great River Road’ which is a lovely historic site. Visitors and residents visit this site on a regular basis. The architecture in Prairie du Rocher is breathtaking. There are quaint bed and breakfasts throughout this sleepy community. These are just a few of the good reasons why many buyers are looking for homes for sale in Prairie Du Rocher.

There is only one school in Prairie du Rocher, however it is a very close drive to other schools in several communities. If you are a nature lover, you will love this community. There are many parks, trails, walking paths, green spaces and scenic views.

Prairie du Rocher is home to an array of various bistros, restaurants, cafes and eateries. There are also bars and grills and pubs to enjoy for night life activities. These hotspots are great fun for all different ages of people. If you want the best fried chicken, try Lisa’s Bar and Restaurant.  If you want beautiful country dining as well as a nice little bed and breakfast, stroll on over to La Maison Du Rocher Country Inn. Hootens is a family restaurant which specializes in great fish n’ Chips, as well as seafood. Try the Old Brick house for an historical dining experience. This restaurant has quaint charm and wonderful food.

If you are first time home buyers or just looking at homes for sale in Prairie du Rocher, you will find many options in this community with homes ranging in style and architecture. For more infomration on finding your dream home in Prairie du Rocher or if you are considering selling your home call us at: 616-281-4311.

Belleville is a city situated above the river bluffs of the Mississippi River. Belleview is located in St. Clair County, Illinois, which is in the Metro-East region of the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

Downtown Belleville is home to country, blues, jazz and rock clubs which provide a great variety of night life fun.  Belleview hosts ‘Art on the Square’ and the ‘Broadway Center of the Arts’ for art lovers of all ages. Belleview is famous for the ‘Philharmonic Society’ which is the oldest philharmonic in the country.

If you are relocating to Belleville, you will want to take advantage of these other great amenities Belleville has to offer such as the ‘Victorian Museum’, ‘Gustave Koerner House Museum’, ‘Ravissant Winery’, ‘Belle Clair Speedway’ and the ‘Lincoln Theater’.  There is a drive-in for the warm months as well as great parks, a fairground park, walking trails, picnic areas and local fishing. Pack up the children for a day of fun at the Orchard as well.

Belleville has an excellent school system with two large high schools to accommodate the large community.  If you are moving to Belleville and would like more information about the school system, give us a call at-618-444-4255.

Belleville is home to wonderful restaurants and pubs, to bars and grills. If you want to go to a great Irish pub and listen to fun tunes, check out Castletown Geoghegan. If you are looking for a semi-fancy dining experience, check out the Lincoln Jug which is in the heart of downtown Belleville. ‘Panera Bread’, is where you need to go to if you love homemade breads. It smells like heaven when you walk in and they serve pastries, breads, sandwiches, and meals. If you want a night out to an upscale lounge, Seven Restaurant and Lounge is a local hotspot. It is fairly priced, has good food, a small patio, and a great band.

If you are thinking of buying a home in Belleville, the real estate landscape has a lot to offer. If you are looking for classic brick homes with a downtown feel, Belleville is the place to be.  Looking for a more stately home? Belleville has wonderful homes with sprawling land in the most picturesque settings. If you would like more information on homes for sale in Belleville, contact us today at-618-444-4255.

Located on the eastern edge of a broad flood plain known as the American Bottom, is the small village of Valmeyer. Valmeyer is right in Monroe County, Illinois, on the Mississippi River, and is only eight miles west of Waterloo.

Valmeyer had to rebuild their village over a decade ago after the Great Flood of 1993. In 1996 a 100,000 square foot New Services Building was built which contains a fire department, police department and ambulance department. After years of new construction, Valmeyer built new churches and commercial buildings which occupy a bank, a tavern and a business forms manufacturing company

Valmeyer’s slogan is “Genuine Home, Great Fun”. It is a great place to relocate and a place you are proud to call home. There are beautiful parks, picnic and pathways for residents to enjoy. Whether your interest lies in the ballet or listening to local Valmeyer trios, this village has amenities for all different tastes. There are great restaurants and diners to go have a bite as well as a social drink. If you want an inexpensive pub and grill, try dining at the Corner Pub and Grill. This full bar restaurant has outdoor dining out looking a scenic view and even allows children.. A short drive to Waterloo will bring you to Dreamland Palace which is a German restaurant. It is off the beaten path but has excellent food, drinks and service.

The real estate in Valmeyer offers many choices for anyone looking to buy a home in the area. The community has a small population to give it the quaint feeling and small town charm. According to current market data, the median single family home price as of May 30, 2010 was slightly above $167,000. If you are a first time home buyer looking for a small community to call home, we can start your home search in Valmeyer. If you are looking to move up and want something with space, Valmeyer may just be the place for you. Valmeyer also has foreclosed homes and bank owned properties for anyone looking for a deal, but you may need to put in some elbow grease.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Valmeyer, call Linda Frierdich at 618-444-4255

Millstadt is a suburb of St. Louis and a village in St. Clair County, Illinois. Millstadt is at the crossing of Illinois Route 163 and Illinois Route 158. This beautiful village is very well known for its German heritage, with over half of its people of German descent.

Millstadt is home to a wonderful school district. There are three elementary schools which are Millstadt Primary Center, Millstadt Consolidated School, and St. James Catholic School. There are two high schools in Millstadt. These schools are Althoff Catholic High School and Belleville Township High School west, which is in District 201.

Millstadt offers beautiful green spaces, trails, picnic areas and parks for family fun of all ages to enjoy. Millstadt has a great variety of restaurants, diners, eateries and bars and grills to choose from. If pizza is your thing, try Breadeaux Pizza Original French Crust Restaurant. If you prefer fish and a rating of a ‘thumbs- up’, try Reinhardts restaurant. If you want a little restaurant that is quaint and has a fun and romantic atmosphere, stroll on down to Euro Orleans Bistro. They make Cajun style food and drink with a European flare. The meals range from $15-$20 per meal. Having a special gathering and need to rent out a party room? The Columbus Club has an extensive menu and is  a great place to go for a special gathering. If you want to go for drinks or great food, check out Margaritas Bar and Grill. The margaritas are unique and the Tex-Mex brings patrons back.

Buying a home in Millstadt is easy as there are many great options for different income brackets. For first time buyers who are looking for a condo or a single family home, we have access to the hottest properties in Millstadt. If you are relocating to Millstadt, we can assist you with finding your perfect home from afar. Ready to build? Millstadt has nice lots for sale that will allow for the perfect home. If you are looking for a deal, we might want to take a look at homes that have gone through foreclosure. When you are ready to start looking at homes for sale in Millstadt, contact the Linda Frierdich team at 618-444-4255.

Cahokia is the site of an ancient indigenous city near Collinsville, Illinois. It is located across the Mississippi River in the ‘American Bottom’ floodplains. This beautiful urban landscaped community has a slogan that reads “Historic Past….Bright Future”.

Cahokia and the Cahokia Mounds is one of the twenty World Heritage Sites as it is a designated site and landmark for state protection. Cahokia State Park protects 2200 acres and is the focus of ongoing research. This is a popular site for visitors, residents and people who are relocating to Cahokia.

Cahokia has a lovely eighteen-hole municipal golf course which is set back in Cahokia Park, cut out of the woods and natural wetlands. Cahokia Park has a swimming pool, baseball diamond, soccer field, hockey rink, walking paths, a basketball court, horseshoe pits, picnic facilities and a gorgeous lake.

Cahokia has many other amenities fit for all ages. There are many churches and worship centers, a library and a community basket. There are various restaurants, eateries, and buffets where you can have a meal and go for a night cap. If you want great service and a simple BBQ which serves beautiful meats and sides, check out the BBQ Sawmill Restaurant. You can have a great pizza at Mo’s Pizza or go for dinner at Fischero’s Sports Bar and Grill. This bar and grill has live music and great food; so you can enjoy dinner out or have a fun night out at this favorite hotspot.

If you are thinking about buying a home in Cahokia, there are many options. There are new homes and commercial buildings under construction, as well as land sales, foreclosures, farms and bank owned property. For first time buyers there are resale homes, condos, lot sales and single and multi-family homes in beautiful, family-friendly subdivisions.

Just off Interstate 64 and close proximity to St. Louis, Missouri, is the town of Mascoutah. Mascoutah is located in St. Clair County and is home to the Mid America Airport. There are numerous new construction projects which have provided many new homes and commercial businesses to the community of Mascoutah. Mascoutah is a great place to raise a family and build a business. It offers big city living in a small town setting.

Search Homes for Sale in Mascoutah

Mascoutah has first rate public and private schools. There are two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This booming community is only a fifteen minute drive away from two colleges and a thirty minute drive away from two universities.

Mascoutah has three amazing parks to suit any age. There is Scheve Park which has two swimming pools, baseball diamonds, two lighted tennis courts, a lighted sand volleyball court, lighted horseshoe pits, two soccer fields, ten pavilions and several, unique playgrounds. Maple Park has outdoor basketball facilities, a playing area, playground equipment and a family sized pavilion. Prairie Park has two fishing lakes, a fountain and a pavilion.

Mascoutah has over twenty one different organizations for men, women and children. There are adult sports teams, women’s sports teams, men’s sports teams as well as vibrant festivals and parades.

Mascoutah has a few delightful restaurants to suit many taste buds. Check out Skooter’s. They have warm and friendly staff, fantastic burgers and overall good food. If you love Italian food and pizza, like most of us do, go to Tony’s Place. The atmosphere is laid back and the pizza and pasta is mouthwatering; you will be going back for more. Mascoutah has a lovely Chinese food restaurant named the Twin Dragons, as well as a family restaurant, The Railway Café and of course, the tried and true McDonalds. If you want to have a night out at the local hotspot, you need to take a quick drive to the close town of Collinsville. They have a very popular country bar by the name of Wild Country.

If you are relocating, are first time home buyers or buying a home in Mascoutah, the real estate has many opportunities to meet different financial brackets. There are foreclosures, bank owned property, resale homes, land sales and farms. There are also condos, lot sales, single-family and multi-family homes in wonderful subdivisions.

If you buy a home in Columbia Illinois, you have made an excellent decision as this city is one of the most desirable locations to start, expand or relocate to. Columbia Illinois, also known as the ‘Metro East’, is one of the fastest growing suburbs in the St. Louis metropolitan area and is the sixth most affluent community per capita in Illinois. Columbia Illinois is located in northern Monroe County on the Mississippi River Bluffs and the American Bottoms which is adjacent to Interstate 255. Columbia is only a few miles away from St. Louis which is right across the Jefferson Bridge.

Columbia continues to be a hot spot for future developments and there are many homes for sale. Columbia real estate is on thousands of acres of prime development. These sites are supported by one of the most cost effective intermodal transportation systems in America, which is located directly across the Mississippi River from the downtown skyline.

If you are a family orientated person or have a family and enjoy a smaller community, you may want to search homes for sale in Columbia. Columbia maintains a small town charm and encourages community growth. Columbia also embraces its German American heritage and supports strong community participation.

The real estate in Columbia Illinois is vast, beautiful and rapidly growing. This is partially to do with all that Columbia has to offer its residents. There is an excellent school system in Columbia. There are preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, Catholic schools and private schools. Once summertime comes around and you would like your children to have fun and remain busy, you have many options of sending them to various camps. The ‘Illinois Summer Camps’ have different summer camps such as arts camps, sports camps (basketball, baseball), and technology camps. There are also girls and boy’s camps, music camp, teen camps, over night camps, and many, many more.

Columbia also offers great recreational services and community leagues. The children’s leagues and instructional classes are the Khaury League (baseball and softball), the Kids n’ kiks (soccer), Blue Jays Football, bowling, dancing, swimming, gymnastics and golf. There are even adult leagues which offer bowling, volleyball, golf horseshoes and softball.

Other great recreational services and areas that are wonderful for the whole family are Columbia’s parks and recreation. There are various play spaces for children, which is why Columbia Illinois is also known as “Playful City USA”. There are five huge parks in Columbia which are American Legion Park, Bolm-Schuhkraft  Memorial City park, Meadow Ridge Park, Municipal Park and Turner Park. Within these vast, green parks, there are pavilions, horseshoe pavilions, playgrounds, walking tails and picnic areas. These services, parks and leagues are just a few of the wonderful amenities that Columbia has to offer.

If you are looking to relocate to a charming, family orientated community, you will want to look at the variety of homes for sale in Columbia. There are not only fabulous recreational services there but also some great hot spots. For avid golfers, there are three challenging golf courses right in Columbia; twenty minutes away in Southwestern Illinois, there are another seven beautiful golf courses.

Other popular hot spots, in and around Columbia, are race car and horse races, which are only twenty minutes away. Within sixty minutes of Columbia are three large, pristine lakes and two recreational rivers. Day or night, people of all ages can be found enjoying the simple pleasure of a walk around Columbia’s historic and beautifully manicured Main Street.

For more information on finding the perfect home for sale in Columbia, contact us at 618-444-4255.

1) FHA standard credit scores for funding a loan have been decreased to 580!!! Previously you had to have a credit score of 620 or higher to qualify for an FHA purchase.

2)The maximum amount of closing cost paid by sellers has been reduced from 6% to 3% on FHA funded purchases.

3) The upfront Mortgage Insurance premium has been raised from 1.75% to 2.25%.

While these changes have caused closing cost on FHA purchases to go up, they've also opened up a whole new buyer base for anyone with a credit score higher than 580.  Call us today if you fall into this category to take advantage of the tax credit before it expires!

Thanks to Ryan Luechtefield & Midwest Mortgage Capital for sharing this valuable news with us!

DON'T FORGET THAT THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 13TH IT WILL BE TIME TO SPRING FORWARD... BUMP YOUR CLOCKS UP AN HOUR!!