The Ruhl Blog

5 Reasons to Sell Now

Many sellers feel that the Spring is the best time to place their home on the market as buyer demand increases at that time of year. However, the Fall and Winter have their own advantages. Here are five reasons to to sell now. Only Serious Buyers Are Out At this time of year, only those purchasers who are serious about buying a home will be in...

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America’s Top 10 States For Business in 2011

Let’s face it, in these economically trying times going to a state that is conducive for conducting business is vitally important. If you are looking for work it does not make a great deal of sense going to a state that hinders a businesses ability to succeed. Likewise, buying a house in a good business environment makes a lot more sense than...

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Black Friday Survival Guide

After hearing the good, the bad and the extremely ugly, many consumers still find the hunts on Black Friday a fun and adventurous family tradition.  Although this Blog post is not relevant to the housing market, Ruhl&Ruhl will not be discounting houses on November 23! We do fully believe in helping our community and clientele in any way possible....

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Buying a Home? The COST Is More Important Than the PRICE

We have often advised buyers to look at the COST of purchasing a house more than the PRICE of the home. Obviously, price is part of the cost equation. The other piece, assuming you are not an all cash buyer, is the mortgage rate. The mortgage rate to finance a purchase can have a dramatic impact on the overall cost. Recently, there are more people...

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Comparing Real Estate To Other Investments

Since the subject of comparing real estate to other investments has come up, via Keeping Current Matter's article in Real Estate Magazine. Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors would like to take a closer look. There are two major advantages to investing in a home of your own rather than another option: You Can't Live in Your IRAWhen you buy your...

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FHA Mortgage Insurance Changes Coming April 9th

Soon it will cost a little more for some mortgage loans. The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) will have a new premium structure for FHA-insured single-family mortgage loans, increasing the Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) it collects by 0.10 percent. These premium changes will impact new loans insured by the FHA, effective April 9, 2012....

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Funds Available for Military Homebuyers in Illinois

A new financing package is being offered to help all qualified Illinois veterans, active military personnel, reservists and Illinois National Guard Members with the purchase of a home. The financing package, Welcome Home Heroes, through the Illinois Housing Development Authority provides qualified veterans or active reservists a $10,000 forgivable...

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Home Prices Continue to be Strong in our Markets

Our local markets are reaping the benefits of stronger home prices compared to the rest of the country, ranking in the top 15% in the nation. Nationally home prices have fallen 19.16% in the last five years, but all of our markets’ home prices are up: 7.84% in Dubuque; 3.25% in the Quad Cities; 3.04% in Iowa City; and 1.72% in Cedar Rapids....

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House Sales in the U.S.

                                  Keep checking RuhlHomes.com for the most up to date information on the housing market. Graphic provided by: KCM Blog

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Iowa Farmland Increased 18.5% in Value

The value of cropland across the state of Iowa continues to be on the rise, along with high demand. The Land Trends and Value Survey, presented by the Iowa Farm and Land Chapter #2 REALTORS Land Institute, reported a statewide average increase of cropland values of 18.5% for the year from September 1, 2011 to September 1, 2012. This follows an...

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Iowa housing market stable

The Iowa Association of Realtors is reporting a glimmer of positive news in its annual 2011 Housing Trends Report, out this month. It says home sales were up statewide in December, for the fifth consecutive month, and steady throughout 2011. Rob Cook is a realtor for Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS in Dubuque, a real estate blogger and self-proclaimed...

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Is It Time for Young Families to Buy a Home?

We have reported that almost six million adults between the ages of 25 to 34 are currently living with their parents. That number reflects an almost 50% increase since 2003. These young adults are now being advised to jump into homeownership. Who are the people selling them on the American Dream? Their parents! It seems that parents of some...

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Is It Time to Invest in a Rental Property?

With house prices inching up and rents skyrocketing, this could be the perfect time to invest in single family residential real estate. And if you do, you won’t be alone. According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) 2012 3rd Quarter Metro Area Report says “Investors…accounted for 17 percent of all transactions in the third...

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Is There a 3.8% Sales Tax on Homes in the Health Bill?

We have received many questions about a possible 3.8% sales tax which will be put on home sales beginning 2013. Ruhl&Ruhl would like to take this opportunity to do our best to clarify this situation for everyone. Understand that, when it comes to IRS regulations, you should check with your accountant for the most accurate and up-to-date information....

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Loan Officer Receives Community Grant

Melanie Hinman, Loan Officer for 1862 Mortgage, has received a $2,500 Community Betterment Grant for her participation in a statewide contest. The Meaning of Homeownership Contest was a partnership between the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Association of Realtors to energize Iowans about homeownership this summer. Iowa Realtors and lenders...

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Make your move- 8 Money Saving Moving Tips

Are you making a move soon? Although the idea of getting into your new home caries a lot of excitement the moving process itself can be stressful. So, here are some money saving tips that will help you save a little bit more amongst the 16.7 million household moves per year. 1)      Unload What You Don’t Need:  Ask yourself, what do I...

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New Construction Inventory Falling

Across the region served by Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, new home sales dropped by an average of nearly 14% (see chart below for more detail) while Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS experienced a company-wide increase of over 6% in unit sales for the year.  Price level preferences were consistent with sales in the Quad Cities market, but the rest of the region...

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New Manager Joins Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS in Cedar Rapids

Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS is pleased to announce the addition of Ollie Dent to our management team in the company’s Cedar Rapids office. Dent is an experienced Realtor who brings prior management and sales experience to Ruhl&Ruhl. “I am excited for this new opportunity to grow with Ruhl&Ruhl,” said Dent, who is a member of the National...

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Proper Planning for Your Mortgage Application

With good preparation, most things are easier. That works in mortgages too! Today, I want to give you some ideas that can make your mortgage experience less painful. Income Items:  Gather your documents. Today, many people will have to produce 2 years’ complete tax returns, including W2′s, 1099′s, K1′s, and all the schedules, as well...

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Quad Cities Housing Market Recovery Charging Ahead

Regional real estate sales are strong. Sales volume is up in almost all of our markets for the first 6 months of the year compared to 2011: Burlington Area                                 +17% Cedar Rapids Area                           +16% Clinton Area                                      +34%...

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Ruhl and Ruhl Selected as a SIRVA Relocation Preferred Broker

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS announced today that they have again been selected as a SIRVA Relocation Preferred Broker for 2013-2014.  Ruhl&Ruhl has 57 sales professionals that are trained and certified to work with SIRVA transferees as qualified relocation specialists. “We are pleased that a strong partner with SIRVA Relocation...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Hosts 2 FREE Career Seminars

Enjoy the Freedom a Real Estate Career can offer!  Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS is hosting a 2 free Real Estate Career Seminar on Tuesday, April 10th from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Davenport Office, 4545 Welcome Way, Davenport, IA and Wednesday, April 11th from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at the Burlington Holiday Inn, 1605 N. Roosevelt...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Participates in 2012 Spring Parade of Homes

Please join us for the upcoming Spring Parade of Homes event.  The parade will be held April 21st, 22nd, 25th, 28th and 29th from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. As always, the parade of homes is free to the public. Many of the top builders in the Quad Cities participate in this event as it...

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Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Celebrates Sales Growth in 2011

Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, congratulated her sales associates and staff on an amazing 2011. “While business was down in most of our markets and at most competing real estate companies, business was up at Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS!” Ruhl credited her company’s success to her extraordinary people:  “The Ruhl&Ruhl...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Celebrates Success for First Half of 2012

Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS is excited to celebrate the continued trend as the #1 company in the Quad Cities, accounting for over 37% market share of all residential and condo sales within the first six months of 2012. Since 2009 our market share has increased by 20% while our nearest competitors market share has decreased by 16%. Our sales associates...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Moves into New, High-Tech Office

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors is pleased to announce their move to a new Burlington office. Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors has been serving clients in the Burlington area since August of last year.  The new state of the art office will be located at 403 S. Gear Avenue, Suite 105 in West Burlington. “Our new office will enable the Realtors and staff to meet...

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Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Participates in 2012 Fall Parade of Homes

Please join us for the upcoming Fall Preview Parade of Homes event.  The parade will be held September 15th- 16th, 22nd - 23rd from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as September 19th from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. As always, the parade of homes is free to the public. Many of the top builders in the Quad Cities participate in this event as it showcases...

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Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Participates in the Student Hunger Corporate Challenge

Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS is proud to be a sponsor and participant in the annual Student Hunger Drive Corporate Challenge. The hunger drive will run from August 20th – September 19th.   During that time Ruhl&Ruhl has many fun activities planned including; penny wars, auctions, potlucks and a fun QC wide scavenger hunt.  In 2011, Ruhl&Ruhl...

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Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Participates in the United Way Day of Caring

Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS threw on their work gloves and got a little dirty to help our community for the 2012 United Way Day of Caring. A group of 26 Realtors and staff did some landscaping, litter pick-up and painting to help beautify Stephens Park in Moline today. “Ruhl&Ruhl always enjoys helping our community and non-profit organizations,”...

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Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Supports the Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Plant Sale

Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS is proud to be a sponsor of the 2012 Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley Annual Plant Sale. The plant sale takes place May 5th – May 13th with pre-ordering available online at www.bbbs-mv.org through April 23rd.  Hanging baskets will be available for purchase at the Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Bettendorf Office,...

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Should You Wait to Sell??

There have been more and more reports showing that the housing market is beginning to recover. This has caused angst among some homeowners who are considering whether or not to sell their house in the next several months. With the market showing signs of life, the question becomes should they wait to sell because prices may be about to increase....

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Sizzle vs. Steak or Sizzle AND Steak?

It’s often so difficult to choose who to work with in a real estate transaction. It’s tough to know the great agents and loan officers. I believe finding the great ones can truly prove to be a gift to your future. What is the “Steak”? To me, that’s the part of the agent or loan officer’s expertise. They are fluent in their industry,...

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The Emotion Driving the Housing Recovery

This blog often discusses the data behind the housing market. Today, we want to address the emotion behind the market comeback; a belief in homeownership which is still alive and well in this country. A study conducted by Coldwell Banker and psychotherapist Dr. Robi Ludwig found that owning a home is still very much a goal for many Americans....

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What It Means To Be an ‘EXPERT’ in Real Estate

If you are either buying or selling a home in today’s market, you need a real estate expert. However, we must realize what the term ‘expert’ actually means. An expert in any area cannot give perfect advice as no one can predict the future. But they can give excellent advice based on their insight into their field. If you go to an attorney...

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Where Are Rents Headed?

People are delaying the decision to buy a home because they are not sure where prices are headed. If they buy and prices continue to soften, they feel that they will not have purchased at the optimal moment. They reason that, if they sit and wait, they can’t be hurt. This thinking assumes that a non-decision comes without consequence. The normal...

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Why wait? Davenport Real Estate NOW!

Davenport NOW, a city established, tax incentive program that launched in July of 2009, (provides a 50% rebate of the City’s share of property taxes for 10 years to people who build a home or renovate an existing property in Davenport, Iowa) the program has now been extended to June of 2014. Davenport NOW was passed by Alderman to improve economic...

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