Dickerson & Nieman Blog

If you're a cat lover, you know all about the special bonds between these furry felines and their humans. When our real estate agents show homes with cats, they're often greeted at the door and followed from room to room by these curious creatures that often rule the house.

Cats make adorable, loving pets, but they come with their own temperament and agenda, creating challenges and rewards. If you're looking for Rockford homes for sale and thinking about getting a new cat, there are things you should know before you bring your little bundle of joy home.

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Located at 318 Spring Creek Road in Rockford, Illinois, the stunning landscapes of the Anderson Japanese Gardens draw in tourists from all over the country. Our real estate agents have visited this attraction many times, and they can confirm that it's just as beautiful as its reputation suggests. Keep reading to learn more about this gorgeous landmark's past, present, and upcoming events. 

• History of the Gardens
  The Anderson Japanese Gardens first opened in 1978 after Rockford businessman John Anderson had just returned from a trip to Oregon. During this trip, he visited the stunning Portland Japanese Garden and walked away inspired. He wanted to create an equally beautiful space in his own town.

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Are you ending the lease contract on your house or listing it for sale? You need to ensure your home is in tip-top condition. So, you need to thoroughly clean it before moving out and handing over the keys. While cleaning is a regular task, moving out can be stressful and confusing, making it hard to decide how and where to clean. To reduce the confusion, our real estate agents have put together this cleaning guide for you before moving out.

1. Handle the Necessary Repairs
   Before cleaning, you need to ensure your home is in good condition. So, start by handling any necessary minor repairs like patching holes you made when hanging art, pictures, or curtains. Replace any burned-out lighting fixtures and repair any leaking faucets or sinks.

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In addition to the plethora of Rockford homes for sale, the Rockford area also has plenty of things to offer its residents. For instance, there are several great waterways nearby—most notably the Rock River through the center of the city and the Kishwaukee River at the southern end. That means that if you move here, you've got a great place to go kayaking or canoeing on the weekends. Here are a few places to rent a kayak or a canoe this summer.

• Kishwaukee Canoe - 218 South Walnut Street, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
  A rental service near Cherry Valley homes for sale, Kishwaukee Canoe rents two-person canoes, as well as one or two-person kayaks, along with paddles and life vests. Their prices are reasonable, and they offer discounts for various group outings, such as Boy Scouts, church youth groups, and other non-profit organizations. They'll also shuttle you directly to the launch site, where you can begin your journey.

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Whether you want to update your home's appearance or you're preparing to add your home to the inventory of Rockford homes for sale, your home's interior walls are one of the most noticeable spaces. If they're stained, damaged, or have an unflattering color, it will affect your home's appearance and atmosphere.

Fortunately, it's easy to enhance the look of your interior walls with a quick paint job. Our real estate agents suggest following these tips to refresh your interior walls.

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With Illinois Craft Beer Week right around the corner on May 13-20, Rockford homes for sale just got even better! After all, the city of Rockford is filled with great bars, taverns, and breweries where you can indulge in food and drink until your heart's content. Our real estate agents have all pitched in to name their favorites, and it's quite an eclectic group:

• The Olympic Tavern — 2327 N. Main St., Rockford, IL 61103
  Opened in 1945, The Olympic Tavern has been a staple of Rockford for nearly eight incredible decades. In addition to delicious appetizers and more than two dozen beers on tap, you'll find steaks, fresh seafood, wings, tacos, and loads of other favorites. This full-service restaurant and bar has seen many changes over the years, but their dedication to craft beer and excellent customer service has always remained.

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Loves Park is such a lovely place to live, in part because there are so many fun outdoor activities to enjoy. If you've been looking at Loves Park homes for sale, we highly recommend visiting Rock Cut State Park while you're in the area. This state park was formed in 1957 and occupies more than 3,000 acres in Winnebago County. Here are some of the top activities you can enjoy inside the park.

• Hiking and Biking
  Whether you prefer to hike or ride a bike, Rock Cut State Park is a great place to visit. The park offers 40 miles of dedicated hiking trails and 23 miles of mountain biking trails. Some trails are open year-round, and others close in late November. Along the trails, you'll pass coniferous and deciduous forests, rushing streams, and beautiful ponds.

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Garage spaces are essential parts of Rockford homes as homeowners desire a space that can serve other functions like storage. Over time, garages quickly get cluttered with rarely used items, lawn equipment, outgrown toys and clothes, and broken appliances. This pile-up only takes away prime real estate that you could use for other practical items. Luckily, our real estate agents have some handy tips for organizing your garage in honor of Get Organized Day on April 26.

1. Create a Plan
   The first step is to envision how you intend to use the garage to support your family's lifestyle. Will you use the space for your cars or for bicycles, lawn equipment, and tools? Then, consider the garage's measurements and note the size and position of windows, doors, and switches.

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