Bridgette Kavanagh Real Estate Broker with Lori Bonarek Realty

Bridgette Kavanagh Real Estate Broker with Lori Bonarek Realty Bridgette Kavanagh / Real Estate Broker

My Cozy Home Checklist: Revealed!Which one are you trying first to make your home feel extra cozy this fall? What did I ...
09/25/2026

My Cozy Home Checklist: Revealed!

Which one are you trying first to make your home feel extra cozy this fall? What did I miss that you would add?

Bridgette’s House Crush Thursdays!Where you will find my house crush of the week & a style tip all wrapped up in a Thurs...
09/24/2026

Bridgette’s House Crush Thursdays!
Where you will find my house crush of the week & a style tip all wrapped up in a Thursday!

Hidden pantries.. What do you think about them?

Before you fall in love with the house… take a breath. 😂Pretty kitchen? Great.Dreamy backyard? Love it.Walk-in closet? N...
09/22/2026

Before you fall in love with the house… take a breath. 😂

Pretty kitchen? Great.
Dreamy backyard? Love it.
Walk-in closet? Now we're talking.

But before you make an offer, there are a few things you need to look at that don't show up in the listing photos.

#1 The neighborhood
Look beyond the property line.
Drive through the neighborhood at different times of day.
Check out:
Traffic & noise
Nearby businesses
Neighboring properties
Commute
Parks & amenities

#2 Major home systems & future expenses
Look up… and look down.
Pay attention to the age/condition of:
Roof
HVAC
Water heater
Windows
Plumbing
Electrical

#3 Water & drainage
Follow the water.
Look for:
Water stains
Musty smells
Cracks
Standing water
Grading/drainage issues
Signs of past flooding

#4 Property taxes + other costs
Don't fall in love with the monthly payment before you know the numbers.
Check:
Property taxes
HOA fees
Homeowners insurance
Utility costs
Any upcoming assessments

#5 What the inspection reveals
A home inspection can help uncover issues that aren't obvious during a showing.
Think:
Electrical
Plumbing
Structure
Roof
HVAC
Safety concerns

Because buying a house isn't just about finding one you LOVE.

It's about making sure the house makes sense for you, too.

Save this for your next house-hunting day!

And if you're looking to buy in the Lincoln-Way Area, I'm always happy to help you look beyond the pretty pictures.

Bridgette’s House Crush Thursdays!Where you will find my house crush of the week & a style tip all wrapped up in a Thurs...
09/17/2026

Bridgette’s House Crush Thursdays!
Where you will find my house crush of the week & a style tip all wrapped up in a Thursday!

Grey cabinets are no longer trendy, unless you like them. Warm wood tones are timeless & can can be added to any style of a home.

Owning a home comes with a learning curve nobody hands you a manual for. Here are 5 essentials that will save you money,...
09/15/2026

Owning a home comes with a learning curve nobody hands you a manual for. Here are 5 essentials that will save you money, stress, & the occasional 2 a.m. panic.

1. Know Where Your Main Shut-Offs Are

Before anything goes wrong, find your water shut-off valve, your electrical panel, and your gas shut-off (if applicable). A burst pipe or an electrical short is a completely different experience when you can stop it in thirty seconds instead of standing there panicking while water pours across the floor. Label them clearly and make sure everyone in the house knows where they are.

2. HVAC Filters Need Regular Attention

A clogged air filter is one of the simplest things to fix and one of the most commonly ignored. Check it monthly and replace it every 1–3 months depending on usage, pets, and allergies. A dirty filter strains your system, drives up energy bills, and shortens the life of equipment that's expensive to replace.

3. Small Leaks Become Big Problems

That slow drip under the sink or the faint water stain on the ceiling isn't going to fix itself. Water damage is one of the most expensive things to repair after the fact, and mold can start developing within 24–48 hours of sustained moisture. Walk through your home every few months and check under sinks, around the water heater, and near windows and rooflines for anything damp or discolored.

4. Home Maintenance Is Seasonal

Certain tasks only make sense at certain times of year:

Spring: inspect the roof, clean gutters, service the AC
Summer: check for pests, seal driveway cracks, inspect irrigation
Fall: clean gutters again, service the furnace, check weatherstripping
Winter: insulate exposed pipes, test smoke and CO detectors, watch for ice dams

5. Not Every Repair Needs a Professional — But Know Your Limits

Plenty of things (caulking, replacing a toilet flapper, patching drywall) are well within reach for a motivated homeowner with a few tutorials. But electrical work, gas lines, major plumbing, and structural changes are where DIY confidence should give way to a licensed professional. The cost of a good contractor is almost always less than the cost of fixing a DIY mistake gone wrong — plus, some repairs done incorrectly can void your insurance or violate code.

Building a simple maintenance checklist keeps small issues from turning into expensive emergencies. I have a 12 month checklist already set DM me CHECKLIST for your copy!

The bottom line: a little proactive knowledge goes a long way. Most homeownership headaches are avoidable with basic awareness & a bit of routine upkeep.

What is your favorite show or movie to watch to kick off Fall for you?
09/11/2026

What is your favorite show or movie to watch to kick off Fall for you?

09/11/2026

It's no secret Realtors have to know their numbers.

But since my business is rooted in relationships first, the numbers I care about look a little different than what most people expect.

See what numbers I'm told I should care about vs the numbers I *actually* care about.

Bridgette’s House Crush Thursdays!Where you will find my house crush of the week & a style tip all wrapped up in a Thurs...
09/10/2026

Bridgette’s House Crush Thursdays!
Where you will find my house crush of the week & a style tip all wrapped up in a Thursday!

Functional or unnecessary? Debate below

PSA: Only 15 more Tuesdays until Christmas😅Of course it's not too late to start Christmas shopping, so why do you think ...
09/08/2026

PSA: Only 15 more Tuesdays until Christmas😅

Of course it's not too late to start Christmas shopping, so why do you think it's too late to start house shopping?

If you dream of waking up Christmas morning in your new house to the sound of a crackling fire in your fireplace & the smell of cinnamon rolls coming out of your new kitchen, Santa & I can deliver!

But there are a few things you will want to do today to make that happen.

First, reach out to your agent. Most clients simply DM me or send me a text to start the conversation!

Then, if you already have a local lender you love, you'll want to reach out to them. If you don't, I can give you some recommendations! Talking with a lender is easy & brief and you can usually find out what you can afford within 24 hours!

And that's it!

From there we will make a personalized home buying (and selling, if applicable) plan so that you could be one step closer to spending the holidays in your new home!

Send me a DM today if you want to learn more! Remember, I'm here to answer your questions, so don't be shy! I'm happy to help!

I can't wait for this humidity to go away & start feeling like fall....What is on your bucket list for September?
09/04/2026

I can't wait for this humidity to go away & start feeling like fall....

What is on your bucket list for September?

Address

640 S Broadway
Coal City, IL
60416

Telephone

+18159556495

Website

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