2532 Elizabeth Ave.

23,462 bricks and 373 lbs. of mortar is what it took to craft this little gem of a home. It took 11 days to count the bricks (we lost our place twice and had to start again), but knowing just make us feel better (and we're still not sure-sure, so don't hold us to that number). And soon you'll know just how special this charmer really is. Start with the location. East side Zion is where all the movie stars would live if any actually lived in Zion (and we don't know any do or not, just saying). Two blocks from stunning Edina park and a couple more blocks to Illinois Beach State Park, where you can get sand in your shoes and even camp (with the ability to walk home and use your own bathroom if you don't like outhouses). Nice. But maybe you never leave your super cute yard that has all sorts of arboriculture possibilities. You'll notice (because you pick out fine details with the best of them) that the back deck isn't an ordinary deck, your deck is covered. You'll laugh like a hysterical hyena when the rain comes and your neighbors run screaming inside while you sit and sip your root-beer between follow-up giggles and burbs. The back alley is where you'll pull into your huge two car garage, paying no attention to the icy snow drifts that cover your less fortunate neighbor's cars. Back out front you can ascend the regal stairs to the front door or descend the less regal, but still functional stairs to your full basement (this is the door you'd use when covered in mud and ticks from camping - straight to the laundry my friend). If we first ascend, you enter a foyer that is made for drippy coats, snowy shoes, Amazon boxes, or guest greeting. Not everyone has the luxury of a foyer, but you do. Once presentable, you step into a magnificent living room that oozes old world charm, but not too oozy, because no one wants old world windows or old school beige paint. Nasty. This living room soaks up the sunshine through big windows yet offers the room for even the most obnoxious of living room furniture (you know, like your best friend's brother has at his place). Waltz across your beautiful original hazelnut flavored hardwood floors right into the dining room. Yes, this will be holiday central this year for you and your family. Lucky it's the perfect setting. Check out the new, still in the wrapper, kitchen. It's gleaming with freshness, efficiency, and character. Workspace galore, storage like you won't believe and counter tops that look like the floor of a European monastery (breathtaking). Downstairs sports two amazing bedrooms with the rich hardwood floors, original doors and trim (but newer windows of course) and good closet space. First floor full bath with a mosaic floor and radiator that doubles as a super towel warmer in winter (those are usually only found in 5-star spas, celebrity homes and apparently your new home too). Head upstairs and "what's this?" as you get to the top of the stairs. It's not a bedroom, it's an upstairs family room, a study room, or a playroom for children with soft knees and noisy games that are just better on carpet. Two more bedrooms (the dollhouse built-in cabinets in one bedroom are so cute, you need a kid to put in here. If you don't have any, borrow one now). Plus a giant walk in closet (or if you want, and we're not saying you can't), another bedroom for small individuals? Another full bath with ceramic tile placed in that oh-so-perfect offset pattern that goes well with any pair of shoes (what?). Down, down stairs you have a basement that has all the stuff you wouldn't show your boss if he was having dinner at your place. But stuff you need. And a door outside that makes the washer, dryer and spare refrigerator a snap to deliver. All in all, this place has that certain something that only homes in this certain location have. You know what it is. So don't wait... make your trusty agent write your offer right there on the kitchen counter. Waiting could be very, very disappointing.