Your Own Pond. Lake of Egypt at Your Doorstep. 14.24± Acres. This Is the Life.
305 Campers Lane, Creal Springs, IL 62922
Begins to End: Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST
To Pre-Bid or for More Information Please Visit www.ollisauction.com
Call us today to schedule a showing 1-800-272-9791
Online auction bidding begins to end Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST at ollisauction.com. Imagine waking up to nothing but trees, water, and wildlife. No traffic. No noise. Just hawks riding the thermals overhead, deer stepping through the woods at dusk, and a privately stocked pond sitting right outside your door that — until now — only family has ever fished. That is the life waiting for you at 305 Campers Lane.
In 1998, Galen and Donna Thomas spotted something special here — a property with good bones, a pond, and plenty of potential. They bought it from the bank, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work. What they built over the next nearly three decades is the kind of place that makes the neighbors want to keep up. Donna has good taste — Galen will tell you that himself, and one look at the flower gardens alone will stop you in your tracks.
The updates didn't stop after the first round either. The roof, the windows, the furnace and air conditioning, the electrical — all of it has been methodically maintained and improved over the years. The 2019 Pass Heating & Cooling system gets checked twice a year. The two-car garage went up in 2009. In 2025, a storm shelter was installed in the garage by Baker & Sons, and a roof repair was completed late that same year. Galen and Donna were still calling this place home until recently. That tells you everything you need to know about how livable and loved this property is.
The 14.24± acres give you room to breathe. The land rolls — part level, part sloped — with mature woods, gardens that have been tended with real care, and that privately stocked pond waiting for someone new to enjoy it. The geese have made themselves at home along the water too, and Galen will happily offer one piece of hard-earned advice: enjoy them, but don't feed them too close to the house. Goose poop is slick and gets everywhere. You've been warned.
Here's what makes this location something special: the property sits right in the heart of Lake of Egypt country. Look around the community and you're surrounded by water, boats, and the kind of culture that comes with lake life. Through Pharaoh's Garden Lake District, you have community dock access to Lake of Egypt for just $100 a year — fishing, boating, and all of it. But when you come home, you come home to 14.24± acres and a pond that's all your own. You don't have to share it, you don't have to wait your turn, and you don't have close neighbors staring across the water at you. That's not a consolation prize — that's the best of both worlds.
One thing to know going in: the living room and office areas are ready for new flooring. In January 2026, a water line from a previous refrigerator's ice maker wasn't properly capped, resulting in a minor leak. It was caught, cleaned up, and fully repaired. Galen and Donna pulled up the affected flooring and left the choice of what goes back down to whoever comes next. The home is solid, the repair is done, and it is absolutely livable. Think of it as your chance to finish it your way.
This is the kind of property that doesn't come along often — acreage, a pond, Lake of Egypt access, mature landscaping, and a home that has been genuinely loved for nearly thirty years. Galen and Donna are ready for someone new to carry it forward. Someone who will fish that pond, tend those gardens, sit on the deck and watch the hawks, and look out over those 14.24 acres and think — yeah, I want that life.
If that's you, come walk the property and see what nearly thirty years of love looks like in person.
Tax ID: 02-05-102-000 2024 Taxes: $50.74 real estate / $86.40 mobile home tax | Paid in full Zoning: Unincorporated Johnson County Year Built: 1974 Home Square Footage: Approx. 1,440 sq ft Lot Size: Approximately 14.24± Acres Dimensions: Irregular
2 Bedrooms ~ 2 Full Baths
Rooms and Dimensions:
- Living Room: 13'10" x 13'6"
- Dining Area: 11'2" x 11'3"
- Kitchen: 13'9" x 11'3"
- Primary Bedroom: 13'11" x 14'4"
- Bedroom: 19'7" x 10'10"
- Office: 8'8" x 8'10"
- Laundry: 5'9" x 7'8"
- Foyer: 8'6" x 9'5"
Features:
- 14.24± acres | Johnson County | Tunnel Hill Township
- Privately stocked pond
- Pharaoh's Garden Lake District — community dock access to Lake of Egypt ($100/year, current year paid, transfers to buyer)
- Mature woods | Garden areas | Wildlife abundant — deer, hawks, geese
- 1974 Doublewide | 1,440 sq ft | Vinyl siding | Asphalt shingle roof (replaced approx. 2011, repaired late 2025)
- 2 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths | Propane fireplace
- New furnace & central air 2019 (Pass Heating & Cooling, serviced twice yearly)
- New windows 2019
- New electrical panel approx. 2005 | Pole box updated approx. 2023 | Copper lines 2000
- Electric hot water heater
- Propane fireplace — tank owned by sellers
- City water | Septic
- Internet: Clearwave
- Two-car detached garage (built 2009) | Garage door openers
- Storm shelter in garage (Baker & Sons, 2025)
- Deck
- Gravel parking
- SEIEC electric
- Storage shed excluded from real estate sale — selling in separate personal property auction closing May 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM CST
- Living room and office areas ready for new flooring (roof leak repaired late 2025)
- School District: Goreville CUSD 1
Directions: From the intersection of Market Rd and Lake of Egypt Rd in Marion, IL: Head E on Lake of Egypt Rd approx. 1.1 mi; Turn S (right) onto Cobb Hill Rd approx. 1.3 mi; Turn W (right) onto Sulphur Springs Rd approx. 0.5 mi; Turn S (left) onto Pyramid Ln approx. 0.3 mi; Turn E (left) onto Lakeview Dr approx. 0.5 mi; Continue straight onto Campers Ln/Lakeview Dr; Continue to follow Campers Ln approx. 0.3 mi; 305 Campers Ln will be on the E (left).
Call us today to schedule a showing 1-800-272-9791
Seller: Galen and Donna Thomas
Abbreviated Real Estate Terms: Successful bidder(s) will be required to enter into a written contract and deposit earnest money of 10% of the contract price. Balance due on or before June 18, 2026. Deed and title insurance will be provided by the seller. Possession will be given on the date of closing. A ten percent (10%) buyer's premium will apply to the high bid to establish the contract price. Make your financial arrangements prior to the auction. Potential buyers may make any inspections prior to auction. Public access to the Internet for online bidding is available at public libraries.
Joe Ollis Auction Service, LLC IL. Lic # 444.000380
Information Herein Believed to Be Accurate but Not Warranted
Bidding Procedures & Auction Terms and Conditions
305 Campers Lane, Creal Springs, IL 62922 | Online Only Auction
Begins to End: May 7, 2026 Thursday 2:00 PM CST
Property and Basic Information
1. The Real Estate consists of:
- 305 Campers Lane, Creal Springs, IL 62922
- County Parcel Number: 02-05-102-000
- Johnson County
- 14.24± acres | 1974 Doublewide Mobile Home | Two-Car Detached Garage
- There are no leases or rents.
- Storage shed on the property is excluded from this real estate sale and will be offered in a separate personal property auction closing May 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM CST.
- Dock access is available through the Pharaoh's Garden Lake District. Annual dues are $100 per year, renewed each September. The current year's dues have been paid by the Seller and will transfer to the new buyer. Buyer is responsible for all future annual dues beginning at the September renewal following closing.
2. This property is being sold on an “AS IS”, “WHERE IS” basis, and no warranty or representation, either express or implied, concerning the property or its future use is made by Seller or Auction Company. Buyers may conduct inspections by contacting Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC at 618-996-2884 or 800-272-9791 to schedule an appointment.
3. While you may obtain financing for your purchase, this auction is not contingent on financing, appraisal, survey, or inspections of any kind. If you do not have your finances in order, we ask that you Don’t Bid!
4. Sale of said property is subject to: any and all easements of record, state and federal regulations, restrictions as to use or improvements of premises, utility, roadway, railway, and gas line easements, all state and local zoning ordinances, and any other limitations, if any.
Registration and Representation
5. This real estate auction is being conducted through online only bidding. All bidding is open and public. You or your authorized representative must be registered online to bid. If you need assistance placing an online bid or prefer to submit a bid in person, please call our office for assistance at 618-996-2884 or 800-272-9791.
6. Registration requires a credit card for validation, though this is not a recognized form of payment for the earnest money (deposit) or purchase price. By registering, all bidders acknowledge having read and agree to be bound by these Auction Terms and Conditions. Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC reserves the right to remove or cancel the bids and bidding rights of any party at any time deemed not to be in the best interest of the seller(s).
7. Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC and their representatives are Exclusive Agents of the Seller(s). We do not represent the buyer(s) in any manner. All negotiations must be conducted through Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC.
8. Broker Participation: A commission previously agreed upon will be paid to any properly licensed real estate broker whose Buyer/Bidder is the successful purchaser for this real property, and who closes and pays the total Contract Price and Closing Costs. The broker must complete and submit all broker participation form requirements and documentation before their buyer/bidder registers for the auction, with no exceptions permitted.
Bidding Procedures
9. Maximum Bidding Option: When placing a bid, you may set a maximum bid amount. The system will bid in specified increments up to your maximum, never exceeding it, and only increasing when raised by competing bids. This is particularly useful if you cannot bid actively at closing time.
10. Dynamic Closing “Soft Close”: The closing time automatically extends two minutes when a bid is placed within the final two minutes. Bidding stops extending only when no bids have been placed for two minutes.
11. Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC controls the amount of the bids for the sake of speed and clarity using predetermined bid amounts.
12. Outbid Notifications: If you choose this option during registration, you will receive email notifications when you are outbid. Please note that if you are outbid near the end of the auction, you may not receive the notification until after the auction has closed. You can check your current bid status at any time during the auction. If the system shows you are outbid, you are outbid. If you need to verify your bid status, contact ollis@ollisauction.com or call 1-800-272-9791 before the auction closes.
13. Technical Issues: In the event of technical difficulties, Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC reserves the right to extend, continue, or close bidding. Neither the software provider nor Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC shall be held responsible for software malfunctions. Use the “Max Bid” feature to minimize technical issues.
14. Bidding Errors: Carefully review each bid before submitting. Bids must be in whole numbers only. If you make an error, contact the Auctioneer immediately at ollis@ollisauction.com or call 618-996-2884 or 618-521-0525. If you do not, you are still liable for your bid.
15. Bidder’s Duty to Report Fraud: You are responsible for all bids from your account. For suspected unauthorized access:
- Immediately notify the Auctioneer at ollis@ollisauction.com
- Immediately report to law enforcement
- Provide police report copy to Auctioneer
Failure to report promptly makes you responsible for all purchases made using your account.
Contract Terms
16. At the conclusion of the auction, the Auctioneer or representative will contact the Winning Bidder the day of the auction to arrange contract signing — either in person or via email — and to gather necessary information including deed instructions. The contract signing and earnest money deposit must be completed by 4:00 PM CST on the day following the auction.
17. ALL CASH means only U.S. dollars and cents will be accepted — no other forms of payment such as vehicles, farm animals, or other items will be considered.
18. A buyer’s premium of ten percent (10%) of the high bid shall be added to the high bid to establish the contract price. Please remember to consider this buyer’s premium when placing or determining your bids.
19. Earnest money requirement is 10% of the contract price. The non-refundable earnest money is due by 4:00 PM CST the day following the auction. Payment options:
- Check (payable to Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC)
- Cash
- Credit card (5% fee applies)
- Wire transfer (buyer pays transaction fees)
The earnest money becomes part payment of the property at closing.
20. A Winning Bidder whose documents and deposit are not received within this timeframe:
- Will be subject to liquidated damages equal to the earnest money plus any costs to obtain the earnest money
- Will not be allowed to bid in future Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC events
Title and Closing
21. Title Insurance and Deed:
- Seller shall provide Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance
- Seller shall execute a Warranty Deed conveying the real estate to the buyer(s)
- Seller pays for deed preparation
- Buyer(s) pays for their own title search, insurance charges, and usual conveyance expenses
- Buyer(s) pays for recording fees and tax stamps that attach to the deed
- The closing fee of the title company shall be split 50/50 between seller and buyer
- Title company: JSL Title, Inc.
22. Real Estate Taxes: 2024 taxes are paid. Seller will give credit at closing for 2025 and prorated 2026 taxes based on the latest courthouse records. Seller to cover any outstanding taxes, if applicable. Note: Current tax exemptions (Owner Occupied and Senior Citizen) are specific to the current owner and will not transfer to the buyer. The buyer’s future tax obligation will reflect applicable exemptions for which they qualify.
23. Mobile Home: The 1974 doublewide mobile home located at 305 Campers Lane is included in this sale. No separate title was issued for this mobile home. The mobile home tax of $86.40 for 2025 has been paid. Buyer accepts the mobile home in “AS IS” condition and acknowledges the title situation as described. Buyer is responsible for any title transfer costs or processes required at or after closing.
24. The sale will be closed on or before June 18, 2026. Time is of the essence. If closing has not occurred by the closing date, Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC, through its Agents or Attorney, may give the buyer five (5) days’ notice to close this sale. The closing date may be extended if mutually agreed upon in writing by both Seller and Buyer. Any personal property remaining after closing becomes the buyer’s property and responsibility.
Legal Considerations
25. The Auction Company has posted all relevant documents (Contracts, tax bills, photos, etc.). Information was obtained from sources believed accurate but requires verification. Aerial photos and drawings are for illustration only unless specified as surveyed boundaries. All bidders must:
- Conduct their own due diligence
- Complete any professional reviews of the auction and information prior to bidding
- Review any updates prior to bidding
26. As exclusive Seller’s agents, the Auctioneer must present all offers. Properties are subject to pre-auction sales meeting all terms. Pre-auction offers must include:
- The Contract for Sale of Real Estate
- Required deposit
The Seller may accept or reject any offer at their sole and absolute discretion.
27. Both parties shall indemnify and hold harmless Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC from costs, losses, liabilities, or expenses, including attorney fees, resulting from failure to fulfill obligations. Disputes will be arbitrated in Johnson County, IL or tried in Johnson County courts, at the discretion of Seller and Joe Ollis Real Estate & Auction, LLC.
28. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated.
29. Failure to enforce any term does not waive future enforcement rights. These Terms and Conditions are governed by Illinois law.
Thank you for your interest. For questions, contact our representatives.
ollis@ollisauction.com | 618-996-2884 | 800-272-9791 | www.ollisauction.com
