Ruhl&Ruhl Celebrates Sales Growth in 2009; Announces Year End Results

Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, congratulated her sales associates and staff on “surviving and thriving in 2009”.  She thanked them for their extraordinary customer service.  “You are knowledgeable and highly skilled professionals who consistently outperform your competition and are gaining market share.” The company celebrated at an awards brunch at the i-wireless Center Friday morning. They honored 155 achievement club members.

 1.    Growth in Number of Properties Sold

 Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS sold 3,770 properties in 2009, as either listing agent or selling agent. 

This was 4.7% more transactions than in 2008. 

 This compares to a 3% decline in sales in the Quad Cities MLS, including a 1% decline in sales in the Iowa Quad Cities and a 5% decline in the Illinois Quad Cities.

2.    Increase in Per Agent Productivity

 On average, Ruhl agents sold 16.1 properties per agent as either listing or selling agents.  This is up from 15.2 sides per agent in 2008.

 Nationally, agents average 7 transactions per year.

3.    Market Share Growth

 In the Quad Cities region, Ruhl&Ruhl has steadily increased market share from 25.16% in 2000 to 31.67% for the combined Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities in 2009.

 In the Iowa Quad Cities, they’ve grown from 32.05% in 2000 to 36.49% in 2009.

 In the Illinois Quad Cities, they have increased steadily from 14.22% in 2000 to 22.73% in 2009, an almost 60% increase in the past 10 years.

 4.    Average Sales Price

 Ruhl&Ruhl’s average sales price was $145,329 in 2009, down from $154,147 in 2008

 The decline was caused by an increase in first time buyers – from 29% of Ruhl buyers in 2008 to 38% of Ruhl buyers in 2009.  The first time buyer tax credit prompted this jump in the first time buyers.

 The average sales price overall in the Quad Cities in 2009 was $138,400.

 5.    Sales Volume

 Ruhl&Ruhl’s residential sales volume in 2009 was $547,890,896, about 1.3% less than 2008.

 When we add NAI Ruhl&Ruhl Commercial Company’s 2009 sales volume of $147,692,346 to Ruhl’s residential sales, the Ruhl companies total sales volume in 2009 was $695,583,242.

 Mel Foster Co. reported total sales volume of $600,480,000 for 2009, down 12% from $682,220,000 the company reported for 2008.

6.    Revenue

 Revenue in a real estate company is primarily gross commission income, or g.c.i..  Ruhl&Ruhl’s 2009 g.c.i. was .8% less than 2008 g.c.i., but earnings were up significantly.

 7.    1862 Mortgage Penetration

 27.3% of Ruhl&Ruhl’s 2009 buyers used the services of 1862 Mortgage, Ruhl&Ruhl’s mortgage partner.  This was an increase from 25.5% buyer penetration in 2008.

 8.    New Construction Sales

 Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS sold 236 new construction homes in 2009 for a sales volume of $70,813,508, and at an average price of $300,057.  This was 21% less in sales volume than 2008.

 9.    What’s Ahead in 2010?

 Caroline Ruhl expects the first half of the year to be particularly strong due to record low interest rates, the expanded homebuyer tax credit program that is no longer restricted to only first-time homebuyers, and to pent up demand.

 “My concern is that many existing homebuyers don’t realize that they too are now eligible for a $6,500 tax credit – but offers must be written by April 30 and closed by June 30^th,” Ruhl commented. “The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has been very effective but we need to get the word out to existing homebuyers so they don’t miss this free money.”

 For the first three weeks of January, Ruhl&Ruhl’s pending sales volume was up 100% over the first three weeks of last year, and the number of properties pended for sale was up 64%.

 Interest rates are also projected to go up about a percent in the second half of the year – another good reason for buyers to act now. 

After 148 years in business, the fifth generation of the Ruhl family joins Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS. Chris Beason, son of Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, is now working as a Realtor in the company’s Davenport office.

Chris was born and raised in the Quad Cities and has grown up in the real estate business. After graduating from Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa, Beason moved to St. Paul, Minnesota to attend the University of St. Thomas. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in real estate, and then went on to work at two nationally recognized real estate agencies – The Norton Agency in Gainesville, Georgia and The Group, Inc. in Fort Collins, Colorado.

“I am proud and excited to have Chris join our team,” Caroline said. “I know he will continue our commitment to the communities we serve and will be a team player, helping to build on the quality, value and integrity we provide to all of our clients. Plus, he’s fun and will make coming to work even more gratifying.”

Chuck Ruhl Sr., Chris’ 82-year old grandfather, is especially pleased to see another generation join the family business. “I think Chris will be a star in the business,” Chuck said. “The company has improved with each generation’s entry and the new ideas and energy that each person has contributed.” 

Ruhl&Ruhl traces its origins back to 1862 when they started as an insurance agency in the back of a little German grocery store on W. 6^th Street in Davenport. John G. Ruhl added real estate brokerage in 1900. By 1949, the third generation of Ruhl’s had joined the firm, totaling four full-time real estate salesmen with a successful insurance division. In 1982, the real estate and insurance companies separated.

A fourth generation of the Ruhl family was added to the firm with the association in 1976 of Charles A. Ruhl, Jr., in 1980 of Caroline Ruhl and in 1991 of John G. Ruhl.

In 1997, Caroline Ruhl took ownership of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, the residential company. Chuck Ruhl, Jr. opened a new company, Ruhl Commercial, and was joined by his brother John G. Ruhl. Jenny Ruhl joined the company in 2003 and is a trainer and an agent at the Bettendorf Office.

The Quad-City housing market saw housing sales end the month of December ahead of a year ago.

“When we compare our 2008 numbers to 2009, we are up significantly,” Kris Ratigan, Mel Foster Co.’s marketing director, said Monday of the market’s performance.

Citing statistics from the Quad-Cities Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, which tracks all homes sales in the market, she said the area closed $38.193 million in sales in December. That compared with $32.142 million a year earlier. The number of units sold was 241 in December, which was flat with 233 units sold in December 2008.

Caroline Ruhl, the president of Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors, said her company saw an 11.7 percent increase in units sold in December from a year ago. Sales volume was up, from $34.32 million to $41.38 million, in Ruhl & Ruhl’s combined markets.

But the Quad-City area saw sales slide from November to December. In November, the Quad-City MLS posted $48.74 million in sales with 372 units sold. The November performance was boosted, in large part, by first-time homebuyers rushing to close deals ahead of the original federal tax credit deadline.

“We slid, but you normally go down in December because of the cycle,” Ratigan said, adding that the holidays and winter weather traditionally slow down the market.

However, the average sales price for the MLS of $158,478 in December was above both November’s $131,379 average and the $133,657 average a year ago, she said.

Ruhl said one of the indicators to watch is pending sales, which showed strength in December. Her company posted a 26 percent increase in volume and a 39 percent increase in units in year-over-year comparisons.

“That’s a huge December,” she said, adding that the sales were “riding the first-time homebuyer tax credit, good interest rates and what I think is pent up demand.”

Across the Midwest, home sales declined from November to December, but ended the last month up 9 percent from prior-year levels, according to the National Association of Realtors.

There were 86,000 sales in the 11-state region last month, with a median sales price of $173,600, up almost 4 percent.

That was slightly weaker than the national trend.

Total home sales across the country were up nearly 15 percent in December, without adjusting for seasonal factors. The median home price nationally gained nearly 4 percent, to $225,400.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

Provided by: QC Times, Jennifer DeWitt

2009 has been a year of mixed signals to the new home market.  In our regional markets we started to see daylight with some areas showing actual increases in overall unit sales, while most areas that showed decreases in sales experienced smaller decreases than in 2008.  To be certain, we are not experiencing a “boom” time yet, but the signs of stabilization are certainly present.  Inventories have been pared to levels where absorption rates are returning to 2005 -2006 levels.  Prices have not been severely impacted either.  In fact, one segment of the Quad City market had a 7% increase in the average new home sales price over the last year.

The Quad City area continues to see new construction very differently depending upon whether you are in Scott County, IA or in Rock Island County, IL. The Illinois side saw its market share of new construction sales dip below the 20% mark again in 2009, even though it experienced a slight increase in unit sales.  Overall unit sales fell 15% from 2008 levels in the Quad Cities.  House sales took the bulk of the loss, as overall condo sales were only down 2% from 2008.  Since 2004, house sales have fallen from 67% of unit sales to 61% of sales in 2009.  Inventory levels have stabilized and appear well balanced with the price points of recent sales.  The over-development of residential building lots in some areas of this market has left a legacy that is yet undetermined.  Will the need to liquidate lots lead to some lower housing prices or just slower absorption rates?  The coming months will reveal the strategies of lenders and developers alike. 

Current sales patterns reveal pockets of success at various price ranges, but many terrific areas are going unnoticed by consumers who, even in the face of upcoming deadlines for tax and other incentives to buy, do not seem to feel any great sense of urgency.  Coupled with the fact that buyers can choose from a wide variety of settings, home styles and prices, the current tax incentives and still low interest rates will hopefully be enough to “thaw” the winter sales chill and bring buyers back into the marketplace in time to take advantage of these conditions.

Residential New Construction Coming Back to Life in
Scott and Rock Island Counties

The Quad Cities area residential new construction market is starting to show signs of life. 

At the end of November a number of indicators pointed in a more positive direction. The inventory of new homes has steadily declined over the past two years, with a number of segments of the market approaching inventory levels that appear depleted, rather than excessive.  The decline in overall unit sales from previous years has slowed, with November house closings and pendings exceeding those of ’08 by nearly 60% in Scott County, and with November closings in Rock Island County up by 40% for houses and condos combined.  Year-to-date closings reflect an overall decline of 20% in unit sales in Scott County, but a 17% increase in unit sales in Rock Island County, compared to 2008.  These figures are both improvements since the end of the previous quarter and scheduled December closings look to be even better.

Condos priced up to $175,000 continue to lead the way, with substantial sales increases in the entire market.  In fact, this price range shows the strongest condo and home sales on both sides of the river, but suffers from an extreme shortage of available inventory, as first-time buyers take advantage of local, state and federal incentives.  At this time there are only two new construction houses listed for sale up to $175,000 in the Scott and Rock Island counties.  High land prices, high costs of construction and increasing regulatory costs plus heightened consumer expectations, continue to make the construction of homes in this price range a very difficult task in our market. 

Most price ranges above the $175,000 level report either stable or declining sales when compared to 2008, but there are pockets of activity spread throughout the Quad Cities region at just about every range.  The exception is condos above $300,000 in Scott County, which have experienced a 92% reduction in sales since last year. 

However, as sales figures continue to recover, the impact is lessened by the declining available inventory of new construction homes in the QCA.  As choices become more limited, consumers must increasingly choose between their “dream” of a new home and the existing home marketplace.  Fewer buyers have the luxury of time that is often required to build a home to their specifications and decide to make the more expedient choice of purchasing an existing home instead.  Fewer choices lead to fewer sales, fewer sales lead to still fewer choices and so on and so on.  Reduced new home sales then become a “self-fulfilling prophecy” and not a result of lack of real demand.  Restoration of confidence on the part of consumers, builders and lenders is required to restore this sector of our area’s economy to the level of several years ago.

Once again time, expectations, confidence and patience become key factors in this recovery.

A family-owned company since 1862, Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS annually sells approximately 3,400 homes in eastern Iowa, western Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin.  Caroline Ruhl is the President and owner of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, and is the fourth generation of the Ruhl family to lead the residential brokerage and home services company.  Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, the company has 250 sales associates and 60 employees based in sales offices located in Bettendorf, Bellevue, Clinton, Coralville, Davenport, DeWitt, Dubuque, Maquoketa, and Muscatine, in Iowa, and in Moline, Illinois.  In addition to residential sales, Ruhl&Ruhl offers services in relocation, new home sales, farm sales, property management, senior services, and mortgage services through 1862 Mortgage.  For more information on Ruhl&Ruhl, visit their website at www.RuhlHomes.com

Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS is one of only three real estate firms in the State of Iowa to achieve Prime Select Broker status with Primacy Relocation. The broker is the only firm in eastern Iowa to achieve this recognition.

Ruhl&Ruhl received this distinction based on our agent’s ability to price properties within 5% of their ultimate selling price year over year, said Veronica Pianca, Vice President, Relocation & Business Development for Ruhl&Ruhl.

“We have been successful meeting this goal over the lifetime of our relationship with Primacy and specifically in the past three years when the market has been more volatile,” Pianca said.

In addition to meeting pricing targets, this award is also based on service evaluations from Primacy’s corporate clients and transferees, as well as communication between Ruhl&Ruhl’s Relocation Department and Primacy Relocation.

Ruhl&Ruhl joins two firms in Des Moines, Coldwell Banker Mid America Group and Prudential First Realty, as the only three firms in the State of Iowa to achieve these remarkable results.

Primacy Relocation is a full-service relocation provider, addressing both U.S. based and global needs for companies around the world.  Primacy offers the full range of global relocation and assignment management services, providing turnkey support in home sales, destination services, household goods move management, program administration, and international assignment support.  In addition to its Memphis headquarters Primacy has offices in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Omaha, Sacramento and Washington D.C., as well as Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, London, Montreal, Munich, Neuchatel, Singapore and Zurich.  Primacy is online (in eight languages) at www.primacy.com

A family-owned company since 1862, Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS annually sells approximately 3,400 homes in eastern Iowa, western Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin.  Caroline Ruhl is the President and owner of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, and is the fourth generation of the Ruhl family to lead the residential brokerage and home services company.  Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, the company has 250 sales associates and 60 employees based in sales offices located in Bettendorf, Bellevue, Clinton, Coralville, Davenport, DeWitt, Dubuque, Maquoketa, and Muscatine, in Iowa, and in Moline, Illinois.  In addition to residential sales, Ruhl&Ruhl offers services in relocation, new home sales, farm sales, property management, senior services, and mortgage services through 1862 Mortgage.  For more information on Ruhl&Ruhl, visit their website at www.RuhlHomes.com

 Ruhl&Ruhl received this distinction based on their agent’s ability to price properties within 5% of their ultimate selling price year over year. In addition to meeting pricing targets, this award is also based on service evaluations from Primacy’s corporate clients and transferees, as well as communication between Ruhl&Ruhl’s Relocation Department and Primacy Relocation.

Primacy Relocation is a full-service relocation provider, addressing both U.S. based and global needs for companies around the world. Primacy is online at www.Primacy.com.

Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?

Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.

Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit?

Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.

Question: I am a firsttime homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered, however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?

Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill. The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase, which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement, you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you’re within the phaseout range).

Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I have found a home with a nonnegotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?

Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an absolute ceiling.

Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the other eligibility tests?

Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000 and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The keyword here is “consecutive.” As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he did since 3 years doesn’t impact eligibility.

Question: I am an eligible firsttime homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the extension date affect me?

Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30 (or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit.

You know the house — the nice brick one you drive past every day. The Smith family lives there, and it’s been on the market for months without a buyer.

Yet, there’s the Jones’ house, same model, just around the corner. That yard sign hasn’t been up for more than a few weeks and it already says “under contract.” What do they know that the Smiths don’t?

Real estate is never an exact science, especially in today’s market. But the reality is that sellers who are prepared and ready to sell their home are more likely to accomplish their goals than sellers who don’t make the same commitment to the process.

Here are a few “secrets” that I like to share with my sellers. Whether you’re thinking of selling or buying, I think you’ll agree that these tips can make a big difference.

Professional Staging. Good staging suggests how buyers can make the most out of the home’s area and spaces, and allows them to envision how they can live a clutter-free, ultra-chic lifestyle — even with a family of small children.

Well-maintained landscaping and outdoor living spaces. Everyone wants to view their home as a relaxing retreat. Indulge their fantasy with a lush lawn.

Everything neat as a pin. Minor flaws draw attention away from the finer features of a nice home. Patch, paint, tighten and repair everything before listing your home for sale.

Low price compared to others. If your home is priced lower than others of similar size and quality, you automatically become the buyer’s choice.

Accessible for showing. The more difficult for an agent to show your home, the fewer buyers they will bring. Make your home available on short notice to attract maximum attention.

Great photos on the Web. When your home is entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), it is immediately exposed to thousands of agents and their clients. First impressions make a huge difference! Make sure your home is the “shiny red apple” with professional photos, in “show ready” condition from Day One.

Article Courtsey Of: Allen Tate Realtors

Expected to contribute approximately $22 billion to the economy, Congress overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan measure this week extending the $8,000 home buyer tax credit to April 30, 2010.

The legislation, which is part of a larger bill that also extends unemployment benefits, was signed into law by President Obama today.

More people are now eligible to take advantage of the law, which includes a $6,500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years.

Income limits for eligible home buyers were also expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples. Qualifying home prices are capped at $800,000.

NAR’s Government Affairs Division has compiled facts on the changes made to the current tax credit. NAR members sent more than 500,000 letters to leaders in Congress and made nearly 13,000 telephone calls to Senate offices last weekend to encourage support. So far this year, REALTORS® have spent nearly $14 million lobbying Congress, according to federal campaign finance records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican and a former member of NAR, was key in extending the credit, as well as pushing it through initially. Other prominent boosters include the National Association of Homebuilders and the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Listen to NAR President Charles McMillan’s podcast announcement.

NAR economists estimate that approximately 2 million people will take advantage of the tax credit this year.

Sources: NAR and The Associated Press, Julie Hirschfeld Davis (11/06/2009)

Congress Passes Homebuyer Tax Credit

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly this afternoon to pass legislation containing an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit, completing Congressional action and sending the tax credit to President Obama for his signature, possibly as early as tomorrow.

The $8,000 homebuyer tax credit for first-time buyers, due to expire in 25 days, will be extended through April 30 of next year and buyers will have an additional two months, until the end of June, to close.  First-time buyers who are in process of making a purchase will no longer need to worry about qualifying for the $8,000 credit if they close after the November 30 deadline. The new legislation increases the income limit for couples with income up to $225,000, a nearly $55,000 increase above the level in existing law.

For the first time, the new legislation makes buyers who already own a home eligible for a credit.  A $6,500 maximum credit will be available to existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years.  The legislation limits eligibility for the existing homeowner credit  to homes worth $800,000 or less.