Single Tree Team, brokered by eXp RealtyCraig ZiegelREALTOR® · Belleville, IL & St. Louis Call 618.719.4543

REALTOR® · Single Tree Team · eXp Realty

Craig Ziegel

#1 agent in Belleville, IL for 2025, ranked first in the city for both sales volume and homes sold. RealTrends Verified

Dad to seven, Grandpa to fifteen, and the boots on the ground for the Single Tree Team. I help people buy and sell homes in the Metro East and St. Louis.

Single Tree TeameXp Realty

Questions about working with a realtor? Read the Realtor FAQ

2011Licensed since October 2011
IL & MOLicensed in Illinois and Missouri
148Five-star reviews on Google and Zillow
Craig Ziegel, smiling, in a dark jacket and lavender shirt
Craig ZiegelREALTOR®, Single Tree Team

Client review

Don't take my word for it.

This client review is featured on the home pages of both Single Tree Team websites. One of our clients, in their own words, on what it was like to work with us.

Press play. It's 44 seconds.

Personal

Seven kids. Fifteen grandkids. Three fur babies. Two bearded dragons.

Yvonne and I started a new life together in 2013. Together we have seven children and fifteen grandchildren, and family is the center of everything we do.

A family that size teaches you a few things that carry straight into this job: listen first, keep your word, and show up when you said you would. When you hire me, you get the same guy our kids call when something needs handling.

The house is never quiet, either. Add three fur babies and two bearded dragons, and nothing about a busy household rattles me.

Business

The guy who actually shows up.

The Single Tree Team has the websites, the search tools and the market reports. I'm the one in the driveway: at the showing, the inspection, the final walk-through and the closing table.

I've been licensed since 2011. Today I hold licenses in both Illinois and Missouri, so I work both sides of the river, from Belleville, O'Fallon and Swansea to St. Louis and St. Louis County.

In 2025 RealTrends Verified ranked me the #1 agent in Belleville, Illinois, by sales volume and by number of homes sold: 50 transactions and $8.8 million in sales. See the RealTrends profile.

Buying your first place, selling the family home, or moving across the river, you'll get a straight answer and a call back.

Reviews

148 five-star reviews, in clients' own words

Craig is about as good as it gets. He is courteous, honest, punctual, trustworthy, and will always give you a straight answer.
Ann B. · Google review · 2026
See Craig's Zillow profile
★★★★★

Not only a great experience, but Craig and t are a great team and make everything so easy! Great communication and leadership!!

Jon G.Google ·
★★★★★

Craig and his team are amazing. We struggled with 2 other agents. Then we found Craig through our loan officer Doug Eggemeyer at FCB. He was so professional and easy to work with got us in everywhere I asked quickly. He also made closing painless. His team was top notch to. I couldn't be happier. Our family has a new home and they helped make it happen.

Zavh H.Google ·
★★★★★

The experience was seamless from beginning to end. No question was to dum or to small. He was always there to answer with no judgment. Craig Ziegel will always be in my contacts. I will use him for future investments and also any referrals that need a realtor!

Akilah A.Google ·
★★★★★

Craig was great to work with. I had been looking for a home for over a year. Craig was always very prompt and professional. Great client customer service. I am very pleased with my purchase. I would be more than happy to send a referral his way ! Thanks for everything!!!

Cheryl G.Google ·
★★★★★

Craig is absolutely amazing! He is very knowledgeable and great with answering questions. He schedules viewings promptly. He responds to all questions in a timely manner and he really advocates for you. Very pleasant and patient person. He worked hard to make sure I had a great experience. Highly recommend.

Tivona P.Google ·
★★★★★

Craig is very helpful and made the process of selling our home a lot easier. Thanks

LilaGoogle ·
★★★★★

Listen - in today's market, Craig is the agent you want. As a buyer, I went through 3 homes before finally getting one across the closing line. And Craig went to bat for me with all of them. They fell out for various reasons either having to do with inspection results or the seller's agent being borderline unethical. But through it all, Craig was there any time I texted or called, he showed up assertively during negotiations when needed, and he was a rock throughout the whole process. This was also an out of state move for me and after the first house fell out and I had left IL, he jumped right back into virtual walkthroughs and even practically folded himself in half to access a very questionable crawlspace on one of them until I could get back out to IL to see the finalists in person. If you are looking for someone that will get the job done, this is your guy. Talitha was a saint coordinating all the paperwork and even towards the end with my lender presenting some complications, she was always coordinating behind the scenes. My partner and I both used Singletree for our respective home purchases, and when he and I are ready to find our forever home together, Craig will be the one we call.

J S.Google ·
★★★★★

Craig was patient and understanding while I was undecided, and once I was ready to sell, he was Johnny-on-the-spot. He and his team were responsive, professional, and made the process much easier. I would definitely recommend working with Craig and his team.

Lisa D.Google ·
★★★★★

Working with Craig Ziegel was an absolute pleasure. He brought over a decade of experience, patience, professionalism, and wisdom to every step of the process. He consistently went above and beyond expectations, made everything feel manageable, and genuinely cared about helping us find the right home. Simply put, he’s the realtor GOAT. Highly recommend him to anyone looking for someone trustworthy, knowledgeable, and dedicated.

Donny T.Google ·
All reviews on one page

Giving back

The annual Thanksgiving Meal Box Drive

Thanksgiving Meal Box Drive graphic with white pumpkins and fall leaves

Every fall the Single Tree Team collects food and donations from clients, friends and business partners. We pack complete Thanksgiving meals, from the turkey to the pie, and deliver them to local families the week of Thanksgiving.

In 2025 the boxes went to three organizations that work directly with families facing food insecurity: Law & Grace Ministries in Belleville, IL, Helping Hands in Staunton, IL, and Crisis Aid in St. Louis, MO.

Read about this year's drive · Read the 2025 recap

2026 drive: collecting now

We hit our first goal of 16 meals, so we raised it to 24. 19 are covered now, five to go. Each meal costs about $60, so $60 sponsors a whole family's dinner, but any amount helps. The last day for donations is Monday, November 16, 2026.

We accept cash, Venmo (@Craig-Ziegel-1), grocery store gift cards (we use them to buy what the boxes need), or the food itself from the list below.

Complete meal boxes delivered

What goes in a box

  • Turkey
  • Green beans, corn, carrots, sweet potatoes
  • Stuffing, cornbread mix, instant potatoes
  • Gravy, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions
  • Boxed mac and cheese
  • Pie filling, crusts or frozen pies
  • Sugar, salt, pepper, cooking oil

How to help

  • Donate food from the list
  • Give cash or Venmo @Craig-Ziegel-1. We buy whatever the boxes are missing.
  • Give a grocery store gift card
  • Leftover funds go to local food pantries.
  • We can arrange drop-off or pick-up.

Donations close November 16, 2026. Call or text Craig at 618.719.4543 to donate or set up a drop-off or pick-up. Venmo: @Craig-Ziegel-1.

Oak & Ember Society logo: a whiskey barrel lid with a glass of bourbon, a cigar and oak leaves
Oak & Ember Society header: a bottle of bourbon, two glasses and a cigar on a barrel

Hobby

Oak & Ember Society

Good cigars.Good bourbon.Good people.

Away from the closing table, I'm spearheading the Oak & Ember Society, a local networking group I'm building around cigars, bourbon and real conversation.

It's a relaxed way to meet people from around the area, swap stories and make the kind of connections that last longer than a business card. Gatherings are announced ahead of time. Ask me about the next one.

Presented by Single Tree Team at eXp Realty. Members must be 21 or older.

From the Single Tree Team blog

Straight answers about buying and selling

Market updates, checklists and local guides from singletreeteam.com (Illinois) and singletreeteam.net (Missouri). Every post opens on its original site.

ILMO

Why I Pack Thanksgiving Boxes Every Year (and How You Can Help)

We covered 16 Thanksgiving dinners, so we raised the goal to 24. $60 covers one family's meal. Here's how to help before November 16.

IL

How Do You Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection?

Repair, credit or price cut: how Illinois sellers can answer an inspection request, what loans allow, and what you may have to disclose later.

MO

Zillow vs Real Estate Agent: Which Is Better?

Comparing Zillow vs real estate agent support? See what each option does well for Greater St. Louis buyers and sellers, from searches to the closing table.

MO

Mortgage Rate Impact Forecast for St. Louis Buyers

Our mortgage rate impact forecast helps St. Louis buyers and sellers understand payment changes, pricing pressure, timing, and their next smart move now.

MO

Appraisal Gap Example: What Buyers Need to Know

See an appraisal gap example, learn why it happens, and understand the options buyers and sellers have when a home appraisal comes in low before closing.

IL

What Are Common Real Estate Scams Targeting Home Sellers?

Fake wiring instructions, seller impersonation, overpayment checks, pushy cash contracts and rental scams, plus the free St. Clair County fraud alert.

MO

Best Missouri First-Time Grants for Buyers

Compare the best Missouri first time grants, loans, and tax credits. Learn what helps St. Louis buyers most and how to prepare before you apply in Missouri.

IL

Is My House Over a Coal Mine? How to Check Before You Buy in St. Clair and Madison County

More than half the homes in St. Clair County sit near old coal mines. Here is how to check a specific address, what to ask the seller, and how mine subsidence insurance works.

MO

Can Sellers Reject Full-Price Offers on a Home?

Can sellers reject full-price offers? Learn why terms, timing, contingencies, and local market conditions can matter as much as the purchase price itself.

Questions

Common questions about Craig

Who is Craig Ziegel?

Craig Ziegel is a REALTOR® and the boots-on-the-ground agent for the Single Tree Team, brokered by eXp Realty. He helps people buy and sell homes in the Metro East area of Illinois and in St. Louis, Missouri.

Is Craig Ziegel licensed in Illinois and Missouri?

Yes. Craig holds active real estate licenses in both Illinois and Missouri. He was first licensed in October 2011.

Is Craig Ziegel a top agent in Belleville, IL?

Yes. RealTrends Verified ranked Craig the #1 real estate agent in Belleville, Illinois for 2025, first in the city for both sales volume ($8.8 million) and transactions (50).

What areas does Craig Ziegel serve?

In Illinois, Craig works in Belleville, O'Fallon, Swansea and nearby Metro East towns. In Missouri, he works in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.

What do clients say about Craig Ziegel?

Craig has 148 five-star reviews: 111 on Google and 37 on Zillow. Of the 133 reviews with written comments, 50 say they would recommend him. The next most common themes are fast responses (29 reviews), knowledge (28) and patience (24).

What is the Single Tree Team Thanksgiving Meal Box Drive?

It's an annual drive where the Single Tree Team collects food and money from clients, friends and business partners, then packs complete Thanksgiving meals for local families. The team delivered 12 boxes in 2024 and 14 in 2025. The team covered its first 2026 goal of 16 meals by late October and raised the goal to 24 meals. Donations are open through November 16, 2026. Cash, Venmo (@Craig-Ziegel-1), grocery store gift cards and food donations are all accepted. In 2025 the boxes went to Law & Grace Ministries in Belleville, IL, Helping Hands in Staunton, IL, and Crisis Aid in St. Louis, MO.

What is the Oak & Ember Society?

The Oak & Ember Society is a local networking group spearheaded by Craig Ziegel, built around cigars, bourbon and real conversation. Members must be 21 or older.

How do I contact Craig Ziegel?

Call or text Craig at 618.719.4543.

More questions about choosing and working with a realtor: read the full realtor FAQ.

Contact

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