Renee Estes,Strano & Associates Real Estate

06/19/2026

How Small Repairs Can Help Your Home Show Better
Pre-listing prep doesn't have to mean renovating the kitchen or replacing the floors. In many homes, the better starting point is much smaller: the repairs that have built up gradually because you see them every day and eventually stop noticing them.
A rattling bathroom exhaust fan. Caulk that's pulled...

Small repairs before listing often matter more than sellers expect. Here's a practical look at which fixes tend to have the most impact when it's time to show.

06/19/2026

How to Spot a Well-Maintained Home
Fresh paint and staged furniture can make almost any house look good — that's the point. What you actually want to know before you fall in love with the countertops is whether the home has been well cared for. That difference shows up in places that never make it into the listing photos.
Start Outside
Walk...

Learn how to look past the staging and spot the signs of a truly well-maintained home, from the foundation grading and roof condition to the mechanical systems and small details that reveal how a property has really been cared for.

06/19/2026

Recently Sold! Take a look at what I recently sold at 3520 Summit Avenue , Belleville.

3520 Summit Avenue , Belleville, IL 62226 See 1 Photos, description and maps; Bedrooms: 2; Full Baths: 1; Square Feet: 1096; Price: $125,000; MLS ID: 26022246

06/19/2026

How to Create a Home Maintenance Routine
Most homeowners don't ignore maintenance because they are careless. More often, the work just never gets organized. One task comes up in spring, another in midsummer, and by fall, half the list is still sitting somewhere in the back of your mind.
A seasonal routine helps because it gives each job a...

A simple seasonal maintenance routine can help homeowners stay ahead of small repairs. Use this year-round checklist to keep your home in better condition.

06/16/2026

Recently Sold! Take a look at what I recently sold at 2742 London Lane , Shiloh.

2742 London Lane , Shiloh, IL 62221 See 1 Photos, description and maps; Bedrooms: 4; Full Baths: 3; Square Feet: 1814; Price: $375,000; MLS ID: 26024078

06/13/2026

Recently Sold! Take a look at what I recently sold at 2654 Waldon Lane , Belleville.

06/12/2026

How to Maintain Decks and Patios for Long-Term Use
Your outdoor living space is worth protecting. Whether you have a wood deck, a composite platform, or a poured concrete patio, neglect tends to compound quickly. A small crack ignored now can become a serious repair bill later. The good news? Most of what keeps these spaces in good shape is straightforward...

06/12/2026

Questions Buyers Should Ask About Utility Costs
Before you fall in love with a home, it's worth asking a question that often gets overlooked: What does it actually cost to live here? The purchase price is just the beginning. Monthly utility bills can vary wildly from one property to the next, and they can significantly affect how comfortable that...

Before you fall in love with a home, it's worth asking a question that often gets overlooked: What does it actually cost to live here? The purchase price is just the beginning. Monthly utility bills can vary wildly from one property to the next, and they can significantly affect how comfortable...

06/12/2026

How to Make Your Home Look Move-In Ready
Most sellers focus on price, but buyers are making a different calculation when they walk through your door. They're asking whether the home feels like somewhere they could actually live. That answer forms fast, often before they've made it past the entryway. So the question worth asking before you list...

Most sellers focus on price, but buyers are making a different calculation when they walk through your door. They're asking whether the home feels like somewhere they could actually live. That answer forms fast, often before they've made it past the entryway. So the question worth asking before...

06/10/2026

Recently Sold! Take a look at what I recently sold at 900 Sarah Street , Jerseyville.

900 Sarah Street , Jerseyville, IL 62052 See 1 Photos, description and maps; Bedrooms: 4; Full Baths: 1; Square Feet: 1300; Price: $65,000; MLS ID: 26002215