A welcoming two-story suburban home with curb appeal in the Metro East, Illinois

Buyer representation · Metro East & Missouri

A buyer’s agent in Edwardsville who answers when you reach out.

Whether this is your first home or your next move into a new state, you get a dedicated agent, your agent's full MLS access working for you, and a process that fits your timeline. The team closes 250+ homes a year, rated 5.0 from 144 Google reviews.

5.0 from 144 Google reviews · 250+ closings a year

250+
homes closed a year
5.0★
from 144 Google reviews
~1 wk
hot homes go pending
IL + MO
both sides of the metro

Track 1 · First-time buyers

First-time buyers in Madison County have real money on the table.

Two programs can cut the cash you bring to closing, and most first-time buyers do not know they qualify until an agent checks. We check before you tour a single home, so your budget reflects what you actually need out of pocket.

  • Madison County HOMEbuyer Assistance

    County funds that help cover down payment and closing costs for eligible buyers, subject to income and purchase-price limits.

  • IHDA down-payment programs

    Illinois Housing Development Authority assistance toward your down payment, also tied to income and price limits we confirm for you.

  • Plain-language guidance, start to finish

    No acronyms thrown at you. We explain earnest money, inspection, appraisal, and closing in order, as each one comes up.

First-time buyers unpacking boxes in their new Metro East home
~$289K
Edwardsville median home price

Answer first

How much house can you afford in the Metro East?

A common guideline puts your home price near three to four times your gross annual income, with the monthly payment under about 28 percent of gross monthly income. Two local factors change the math here.

Factor 1

Illinois property taxes run high

Plan for roughly 2 percent of a home’s value a year in Illinois, close to double the Missouri side. On a $400,000 home that is about $4,600 a year more, and it lands in your monthly payment.

Factor 2

Assistance lowers cash to close

Down-payment help means the price you can buy and the cash you need are two different numbers. We size both so you shop in the right range from day one.

The exact number

A pre-approval, not a guess

A lender pre-approval turns the guideline into your real ceiling. We connect you with local lenders before you tour, so your search is grounded in a number you can act on.

A Home Team agent handing keys to a relocating military family
~15 min
O’Fallon, IL to Scott AFB

Track 2 · Relocation & military

Relocating or PCSing to Scott AFB takes a team that moves on your orders.

You may have a report date before you have ever set foot in the area. We work the search remotely, put eyes in every home for you, and structure the offer around your timeline so the move lands on schedule.

  • VA loans, both sides of the metro

    Zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible buyers. We run VA purchases in Illinois and Missouri and know what listing agents need to see.

  • Live virtual tours, plus boots on the ground

    Video walkthroughs in real time, detailed condition notes, and a local agent physically in each home you are serious about.

  • Sight-unseen offers, done right

    Many relocating buyers go under contract before they arrive. We protect you with the right inspection and timeline so an unseen purchase is still a safe one.

The process

Five steps from first call to keys in hand.

The same proven path whether you are a first-time buyer or relocating across state lines. You always know what comes next.

Get pre-approved

We connect you with a local lender and confirm any down-payment assistance, so you shop with a real budget and a clear cash-to-close number.

Set your search

Tell us your price, schools, and commute, and a local agent works the live MLS and sends the matches that fit, often before the big portals.

Tour homes

See homes in person, or by live video if you are out of area, with honest condition notes on every one.

Offer & negotiate

We price the offer to the comps, structure the terms around your timeline, and negotiate inspection and repairs on your side.

Close

We track appraisal, financing, and the final walkthrough to the closing table, then hand you the keys.

From buyers we represented

Buyers describe a process that felt smooth.

★★★★★ 5.0 average·144 Google reviews·Powered by Keller Williams Marquee
★★★★★

Ryan guided us through our entire journey to becoming homeowners, and his transparency and professionalism gave us confidence every step of the way. Outstanding service from start to finish.

IM
Ish M.5★ · Google
★★★★★

Worked with Cory Fea and I only have good things to say. We had a smooth process on buying our very first home. The timing of putting in the offer was insane and Cory was with us along and ahead of every step. I felt great with the realty group’s focus on honest relationship building and Cory presented himself as a trusted counsel.

CG
Caleb G.5★ · Google
★★★★★

We had an amazing experience working with Rocco as our real estate agent. From start to finish, he guided us through the entire process with so much professionalism. We were on a tight timeline, and he went above and beyond to make sure everything moved smoothly.

LF
Lara F.5★ · Google

Honest answers

What buyers ask us first.

How much house can I afford in the Metro East?
A common guideline is a home price near three to four times your gross annual income, with a monthly payment under about 28 percent of gross monthly income. On a median Edwardsville home around $289,000, plan for Illinois property taxes near 2 percent of value a year, which run higher than the Missouri side. A lender pre-approval gives you the exact number, and we connect you with local lenders before you shop. Get connected →
What first-time buyer and down-payment assistance is available in Madison County?
First-time buyers in Madison County can use the county’s HOMEbuyer Assistance program and IHDA down-payment programs, both subject to income and purchase-price limits. These can reduce the cash you need at closing. We review which programs you qualify for before you start touring, so your budget reflects real out-of-pocket cost.
Can I use a VA loan to buy near Scott Air Force Base?
Yes. VA loans let eligible service members and veterans buy with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, and they are widely used around Scott AFB. O’Fallon, IL sits about fifteen minutes from the base and is a common landing spot for relocating families. We work VA purchases on both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the metro.
How do you help if I am relocating and cannot tour in person?
For PCS moves and out-of-area buyers, we run live video walkthroughs, send detailed photo and condition notes, and put a local agent in each home you are serious about. Many relocating buyers go under contract sight-unseen with that support, and we coordinate your offer around your report date.
How long does it take to buy a home in Edwardsville right now?
Well-priced homes in strong school zones often go pending in about a week, so being pre-approved before you tour matters. From accepted offer to closing usually runs about 30 to 45 days. The full timeline depends on financing, inspection, and how fast inventory moves in your price range.
Is it cheaper to buy on the Illinois or Missouri side?
Missouri generally carries lower property taxes than Illinois, roughly a $4,600 a year difference on a $400,000 home. Illinois often offers more home for the price and access to District 7 and Triad schools, so the right side depends on commute, schools, and total monthly cost. We work both sides and run the full comparison with you.
Does it cost me anything to work with a buyer’s agent?
Buyer’s agent compensation is set out in your representation agreement and discussed before you tour homes, so you know the terms up front. We review how it works for your specific purchase, including how it is handled in the offer, before you commit to anything.

Book a buyer consultation

Tell us about your move. A buyer’s agent follows up.

No pressure and no obligation. We will confirm what you can afford, flag any assistance you qualify for, and set up your search. First-time buyer or relocating in, the first conversation is free.

  • 250+ closings a year

    A high-volume team that has seen your situation before, on both sides of the metro.

  • Office in Edwardsville

    1254 University Dr, Suite 200, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Powered by Keller Williams Marquee.

No obligation. Your details go to a Home Team agent, never sold or shared.

Set your search now, or have a real agent set it up for you.

Tell us what you are looking for and a local agent sends you every match as it hits the market, no login wall and your details are never sold. When you are ready for a dedicated buyer’s agent, the team takes it from there.

Home Team Realty Group · 1254 University Dr, Suite 200, Edwardsville, IL · Powered by Keller Williams Marquee
Call Search