Metro-East News

From a basement pool to rooftop sledding: Three unique metro-east homes for sale

Stories by Belleville News-Democrat journalists, with AI summarization

These homes for sale in the metro-east are anything but traditional. Here is what makes them extraordinary:

1. A 12,000-square-foot mansion in Belleville offers 28 rooms and a swimming pool in the basement. It was initially listed for $399,000, but it seems the price has dropped to $285,000.

2. An A-frame home located on the border of Belleville and Mascoutah combines contemporary aspects with rustic charm, offering a wraparound deck. It was set to hit the market for $325,000.

3. A home in Caseyville listed for $650,000 challenges traditional concepts by using a roof made of dirt, designed for energy efficiency and seasonal sledding.

Read more in the stories below:

The home at 19 Lake Christine Ct. is in an isolated part of Belleville, at the end of a private cul-de-sac, and surrounded by charming woods. By Joshua Carter

NO. 1: THIS BELLEVILLE FIXER-UPPER HAS 28 ROOMS AND A SWIMMING POOL IN THE BASEMENT

If you are in the market for a fixer-upper-turned-mansion, $399,000 may be able to get you 12,000 square-feet with 28 rooms and a swimming pool in the basement. | Published July 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Carter

Only the facade of the house is visible, providing a stucco look that provides a unique blend of classical and contemporary sensibilities. By Joshua Carter

NO. 2: THIS METRO-EAST HOME HAS A ROOF MADE OF DIRT AND FOUR ACRES OF TREES

There are certain bits of maintenance that all home owners dread — like painting, updating the heating, and the ever-dreadful roof replacement. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Carter

An A-frame home, located at 2928 Rentchler Rd., is available on the market for $325,000. The first open house is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7. By Joshua Carter

NO. 3: THIS BELLEVILLE A-FRAME IS QUIET AND CONTEMPORARY

It is hard to find a truly remote home in the metro-east, where the sounds of cars, trains and planes are a constant part of life. | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Carter

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.