Located in Cottage Hills, Illinois — a quiet residential community nestled along the Mississippi River in Madison County — 66 Franklin Ave offers an accessible path to homeownership through owner financing with just $2,500 down and $900/month, which includes taxes and insurance (PITI). This 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home sits on an impressive combined lot totaling 9,120 square feet, made up of the main parcel plus an adjacent lot — giving you a genuinely large yard with room to spread out, garden, or simply enjoy the outdoor space. At 1,058 square feet, the floor plan is efficient and manageable, built on a slab foundation. Several key updates have already been made: the home features newer vinyl windows, a newer water heater, a newer furnace, and updated electrical — all items that represent real value when you're budgeting for a property purchase. Buyers should be aware of the current condition going in. A previous tenant used the fireplace without opening the chimney flue, resulting in smoke damage throughout the home. Most of the soot has been cleaned and lightly painted over, but the home will need deep cleaning and full repainting to properly address the residual smoke damage. The property is being sold strictly as-is, and the buyer is responsible for any permits required for future work. Power and water are currently off. The home was recently cleaned out after its last tenant, and the seller describes the surrounding area positively. Cottage Hills sits just minutes from Alton, IL — a river town with growing dining, arts, and commercial activity — and is within the broader St. Louis Metro area on the Illinois side, offering reasonable proximity to the greater metro job market. For buyers willing to put in some elbow grease, the combination of owner financing, a low down payment, a large lot, and key mechanical updates makes 66 Franklin Ave a property worth a serious look.