17 Years of LandGuys: Every Piece of Land Tells a Story—Here’s Ours

Seventeen years ago, LandGuys was built on a simple truth: land isn’t just a transaction—it’s a legacy. The LandGuys rural land story began with that belief and continues to grow with every property we walk, every client we serve, and every story we help tell.

What began as a working relationship between Scott Whittington and Toby Stay—broker and outfitter—soon became the foundation of something bigger. Scott was a broker for Cabela’s Properties in Springfield, and Toby was the local expert he always called. Eventually, Scott picked up the phone with a new kind of pitch: “I’m starting my own real estate company. Come build it with me.”

Since then, LandGuys has believed in telling the stories behind the properties, the people, and the places that make rural life so meaningful. What started with a few agents who shared a passion for hunting, farming, and the outdoors has grown into a trusted team serving clients across Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

And while a lot has changed over the past 17 years—markets, technology, and even the landscape itself—our mission has remained the same: to help buyers and sellers connect with land that fits their goals, honors their lifestyle, and tells their story.

Built by Landowners, For Landowners

LandGuys wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was built in the field, in the timber, on CRP ground, and down gravel roads.

Scott didn’t set out with a grand business plan. He just knew he wanted to be in the rural real estate space—serving the kind of people he already knew and respected. “I was living in a rural area, making friends with farmers, and I was intrigued by the idea of land as an investment—something you could enjoy, grow crops on, and see real return.”

That curiosity grew into passion, especially as Scott found more ways to connect buyers with sellers and see the value in better marketing rural properties.

A Team That Believed in the Vision

As LandGuys grew, it attracted like-minded individuals like Don Wagner — similar to Toby, Don was also going through the buying and selling process. Toby had now started the licensing process and Don was considering it too. They were managing land, working in the outdoors, and seeing the gaps in how rural properties were handled.

Eventually, both joined the LandGuys team. Don even sold his business and moved to a brand-new area—without a single listing—just belief in the mission. “There was a lot of trial and error in those days,” Don says. “But we all had the same values—integrity and doing what’s best for the client. That’s what built the foundation.”

Innovation From Day One

“When I started with LandGuys, Scott had a clear vision of how we wanted to shape the company’s visual presence,” Don said. That meant being first-to-market with drone footage, immersive listing videos, and cutting-edge marketing.

“We crashed more drones than we flew,” Don said, “but we learned. And I really believe we were the first in the market with this kind of visual marketing.”

Today, LandGuys still leads the industry with:

• 4K drone video

• Award-winning, high-quality photography

• SEO and digital strategy for listing visibility

• Creative storytelling and targeted marketing

More Than a Brokerage—A Culture of Trust

Scott built LandGuys to be more than just a brokerage. He recognized early that rural real estate needed a new kind of approach—one rooted in innovation and relationships.

His belief that every client should feel heard and valued shaped a company culture that still defines LandGuys today. It’s not about one transaction—it’s about a lifetime of land.

Helping Clients Build Legacies

At LandGuys, we don’t just help people buy or sell land—we guide them through some of the biggest decisions of their lives. Whether it’s a hunting retreat, generational farm, or ag investment, we highlight the beauty, potential, and future each property holds.

Our passion for rural life is reflected in how we approach every listing—with care, creativity, and a commitment to real results.

Thank You for 17 Years

We’re grateful for the people who shaped this story:

• Our clients, who trusted us with their land and their legacy.
• The LandGuys team, whose grit, heart, and dedication brought this vision to life.
• And Scott Whittington, whose leadership and leap of faith started it all.

The LandGuys Rural Land Story Isn’t Over

Seventeen years in, we’re just getting started. We’re growing. We’re innovating. And we’re still walking the fields, sitting at kitchen tables, and telling the stories that matter most.

Every piece of land tells a story. Let LandGuys help tell yours. Contact a LandGuys broker today and stay connected with us on social media.