East Peoria · Buying a Home
Buying a Home in East Peoria
Know what you can spend, what it costs to own, and how to compete, before you tour a single home.
Buying a home in East Peoria: what you get
If you're thinking about buying a home in East Peoria, the most useful thing I can give you is the full picture before you fall in love with a house: your budget, your likely taxes, and how the best homes are selling right now.
Before we write an offer, everyone who is part of the decision will have seen the home and said yes. After that, you'll hear from me at every milestone.
Why East Peoria buyers work with me
I'm Shannan Werckle, a Broker-REALTOR® with eXp Realty and the name behind Greater Peoria Living. I've sold multiple homes in East Peoria, and on the bluffs I know how much a view can add.
Some buyers try to win by waiving inspections or piling on earnest money. Being early, prepared and smart about the offer can often win without giving up your protections.
East Peoria sits directly across the Illinois River from downtown Peoria, and I-74 runs through town toward Bloomington-Normal and the Quad Cities.
How it works in East Peoria
- A first conversation about what you want and your timing
- Pre-approval with a lender, and our buyer-brokerage agreement
- A focused search, with my notes on each home
- Offer options laid out side by side, and your choice
- Inspections within the typical 14 days, then appraisal and closing, usually through a title company
For the full picture, see how I help buyers, or read more about buying a home in Greater Peoria. You can also see the East Peoria overview or compare Buying a Home in Peoria, Buying a Home in Washington, Buying a Home in Pekin. When you're ready, tell me about your plans or call (309) 740-0990.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much earnest money do buyers usually put down?
On Peoria-area contracts, earnest money is usually about 1% of the purchase price, though it can be any amount the buyer and seller agree to, and it's increasingly held by the title company.
What school districts serve East Peoria?
East Peoria Elementary School District 86 serves the grade-school years, and students then attend East Peoria Community High School District 309.
East Peoria
What buying a home looks like in East Peoria
Across the Illinois River from downtown Peoria.
- The homes
- A bluff town, with hills, little flat land and pretty vistas. Many homes were built on the bluffs from the 1960s through the 2000s. As across the area, new construction mostly stopped around 2008 to 2010, apart from some newer apartment development.
- Schools people ask about
- East Peoria Elementary School District 86, then East Peoria Community High School District 309.
- Getting around
- Directly across the Illinois River from downtown Peoria, over the Murray Baker and Centennial bridges. I-74 runs through town, east toward Bloomington-Normal and west toward the Quad Cities. Peoria's sister city.
- Nearby
- The Levee District, once lined with Caterpillar plants, now has restaurants, live music, a movie theater, hotels, and concerts and events at Festival Park in warmer months, plus the Fondulac District Library. Costco, Target and plenty of other shopping are in town. Fondulac Drive has several lookout points back across the river at Peoria, and at night the skyline, St. Mary's Cathedral, the hospitals and the lit-up bridge make it one of the prettiest views in the area.
Buying a Home: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Shannan?