Peoria · First-Time Buyers
First-Time Home Buyers in Peoria
Your first home, explained step by step, with every cost laid out before you commit.
First-time home buyers in Peoria: what you get
For first-time home buyers in Peoria, the hardest part is usually not knowing what comes next. I'll explain every step in plain language before it happens, and every cost before you commit.
If you're nervous about making an offer, that's completely understandable. I'll lay out your options, tell you which I'd choose and why, and the decision is yours.
Why Peoria buyers work with me
I'm Shannan Werckle, a Broker-REALTOR® with eXp Realty and the name behind Greater Peoria Living. Peoria is home base for me, and I know every part of the city, from the West Bluff to the condo communities off Willow Knolls Road.
I'll introduce you to lenders I trust so your pre-approval is solid, and point out tax exemptions you may be able to apply for once you own the home. Always confirm with your county assessor.
Homes in Peoria cover nearly every era, from 1800s homes on the West Bluff and brick homes from the 1920s to 1950s in Central Peoria to the 1990s and 2000s homes north of Route 6.
How it works in Peoria
- A no-pressure first conversation
- Our buyer-brokerage agreement, explained line by line
- Pre-approval with a lender I trust
- A focused search and my notes on each home
- Your offer, inspections, appraisal and closing, with an update at every step
For the full picture, see how I help buyers, or read more about first-time home buyers in Greater Peoria. You can also see the Peoria overview or compare First-Time Buyers in Peoria Heights, First-Time Buyers in East Peoria, First-Time Buyers in Dunlap. When you're ready, tell me about your plans or call (309) 740-0990.
Frequently Asked Questions
What costs should a first-time buyer expect?
Beyond the price: the down payment, earnest money (usually about 1% on Peoria-area contracts), closing costs, insurance and property taxes. We'll go over them before you commit.
What school district serves Peoria?
Peoria Public Schools District 150 serves most of the city. Parts of North Peoria are in Dunlap School District 323, and the line zigzags, so I always check the specific address.
Peoria
What first-time buyers looks like in Peoria
The hub of the region: a 20-minute town with big-city amenities, from the riverfront to Bradley Park.
- What stands out
- Big-city amenities without big-city traffic, close to major employers including OSF HealthCare, Carle Health and Caterpillar.
- Schools people ask about
- Peoria Public Schools District 150
- Getting around
- A 20-minute town: urban, suburban and rural living are all about 20 minutes apart. Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis are each about 2.5 to 3 hours away. Route 6, a half-ring road, connects to I-474 and I-74; War Memorial Drive (Route 150) runs through the city and becomes Route 24 heading east-west across the state.
- Nearby
- Two professional orchestras (the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1897, and the Heartland Festival Orchestra), the Peoria Ballet, community theater from Peoria Players and Corn Stock Theatre (whose summer shows play under a big-top tent in Upper Bradley Park), professional hockey and baseball, art galleries, museums and the riverfront. Bradley Park near Bradley University, Detweiler Park, the Rock Island Trail, and the developing Warehouse District downtown with shops, eateries and nightlife.
First-Time Buyers: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Shannan?