Yes, it's cold and snowy right now, but soon it will be warm here on the middle coast in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs. And that's why you'll want a home with a beauiful pool, but without the hassle that goes along with it.

I have the solution. It's 3 Ginger Forest in the Ginger Creek neighborhood of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This is one of the few subdivisions in Madison County with a pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and fishing lake for the benefit of residents and their guests.

This charming home offers more than 2,700 square feet of living space on the main and upper levels. The entry foyer leads to a formal dining room on the left and a formal living room with pocket doors on the right. It's a floor plan just made for entertaining.

The kitchen is open to a breakfast area and spacious family room. And the kitchen includes one of my favorite features -- a walk-in pantry along with a laundry room leading to the two-car garage. All appliances, including double ovens, a cooktop, microwave, diswasher and washer/dryer are inclulded.

Hardwood floors cover the entire main floor.

Upstairs the split bedroom plan finds the master suite closed off behind butterfly doors. A vaulted ceiling and decorative windows enhance the private space. The home's three additional bedrooms are on the other side of the second floor surrounding a full bath.

The large yard is just over half an acre on a cul-de-sac lot. You can survey your kingdom (or queendom) from a cute screened-in porch reached from the breakfast area.

The Ginger Creek neighborhood is about three miles from I-270 and is located on IL-157 (Old Route 66). It's a great spot for commuters whether you work in Madison County, at Scott Air Force Base or in St. Louis city or county. 

Get more details on 3 Ginger Forest.

To the left is the pool I mentioned at the beginning of this post. It's open from around Memorial Day to around Labor Day. There is always a lifeguard on duty during open hours. The pool is available for Ginger Creek residents and guests who are accompanied by a resident.

Ginger Creek also offers two tennis courts, a club house which can be rented for special events and a lake. The neighborhood includes many acres of common land where you'll find deer, turkey, foxes and all manner of fun-to-watch wildlife throughout the year.