RuhlHomes.com provides easy access to ALL properties for sale by all companies in our region, and now allows consumers to search properties that have recently sold in their area.
RuhlHomes.com is the only area website to provide information on properties that have recently sold – including details like days on market and property details – helping our clients make more informed decisions when buying or selling real estate.
RuhlHomes.com remains the source for up to date real estate information, continuing to offer a wealth of information on mortgages, real estate trends by market, the home buying and selling process, relocation, new construction, investing in real estate, which includes free investor calculation tools and an online seminar at ruhlhomes.com/investor, and so much more!
Visit the new RuhlHomes.com today and you’ll be smarter by the click!
From Ruhl&Ruhls big gain in market share to now having 49% of Ruhl agents closing over $2 million in 2012! This puts Ruhl&Ruhl agents 18% higher next to our next nearest competitor. Also, those agents within the Quad Cities have eclipsed over the $3 million dollar mark in closing putting Ruhl agents over 30% higher than the second place competitor.
Ruhl&Ruhl agents are some of the best and most experienced real estate agents in the industry. Their experience and expertise will insure you a successful and pleasurable time working with Ruhl&Ruhl. If you’re looking to buy, sell or relocate, a Ruhl agent will be able to help you through the entire process from one of our 12 offices. We will answer all of your questions along the way, through the transaction and beyond. Ruhl&Ruhl also offers extra options with our branch companies Shelter Mortgage, formally 1862 Mortgage, and Nelson Brothers Insurance for any other assistance that you may need. Thank you for letting us serve you and we look forward to another great year!
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 quarter.” More than one out of every six houses sold are purchased by an investor.
In Sam Khater’s most recent Market Pulse report by Core Logic he says that there are a few major takeaways as to why purchasing a single-family home makes sense now and in the future. He states that the single-family rental market remained very active in late summer of 2012 with increases in demand and with inventory becoming scarcer; this has caused rent prices to rise greatly. Khater also says that nationally rental leasing volumes have been up every month for the past two years. He states that in August they were up 7% on the previous year. Lastly Khater talks about how the lower supply of these houses for rent get swept up by either, buyers (land lords) or renters moving into these houses, this has tighten the supply that is available to both parties, making these homes in high by customer demand.
If you are looking for or considering investing in an opportunity like this, contact a Ruhl&Ruhl sales associate for more details. Perhaps purchasing a single-family home to rent out makes sense you?
For more information on the housing market or real estate trends, keep checking RuhlHomes.com
Some information and statistics provided by: KCM Blog
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 average increase of 32.6% for the year from September 2010 to September 2011; and an average increase of 8.5% for the year from September 2009 to September 2010.
Farmland, timber and pasture land in our markets continue to be in great demand, said Eric Schlutz, Realtor with Ruhl Farm&Land and Muscatine Manager for Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS.
“High quality cropland is in the most demand; but there is very little for sale,” Schlutz said. “There are strong commodity prices, great long-term interest rates and a limited amount of land – it’s the perfect storm for the value of land to increase.”
The survey also attributed the increase in land values to a lack of stable alternative investments and fear of inflation.
For the survey, participants are asked to estimate the average value of farmland as of September 1, 2012. These estimates are for bare, unimproved land with a sale price on a cash basis. Pasture and timberland values were also requested as supplemental information. All nine Iowa crop reporting districts showed an increase.
The survey pointed to some concerns that could affect farmland value in the future, including higher input costs, an increase in interest rates, larger amounts of land being offered for sale, and continued uncertainty of the U.S. and world economy.
“There are always going to be variables of concern for future growth in value,” said Schlutz. “But history has shown land to continue to be a positive investment year over year.”
Ken Paper, Realtor with Ruhl Farm&Land and Realtors Land Institute member, concurred that our local markets are on track for additional growth.
“An interesting point is that there is such high interest from investor buyers,” Paper said. “With good returns from land, the market will continue strong.”
Ruhl Farm&Land, a division of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, is focused on the sale, purchase and marketing of land, farms and acreages. For more information, visit www.RuhlFarmandLand.com.
A family-owned company since 1862, Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS has grown to more than 290 sales associates, 58 employees and eleven offices, selling more than 4,300 homes in eastern Iowa, western Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. The company has residential sales offices in Bettendorf, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Davenport, DeWitt, Dubuque, Iowa City, Maquoketa and Muscatine, Iowa; and in Moline, Illinois. In addition to residential sales, the company offers services in relocation, property management, real estate investments, new home sales, land development, farm sales, senior services, home vendor services, insurance services through the Nelson Brothers Agency and mortgage services through 1862 Mortgage. For more information on Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, visit www.RuhlHomes.com.
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 the marketplace. You and your family will not be bothered and inconvenienced by mere ‘lookers’. The lookers are at the mall or online doing their holiday shopping.
There Is Far Less Competition
Housing supply always shrinks dramatically at this time of year. This year will be a little different as some of the distressed properties being liquidated by the banks (in the form of foreclosures & short sales) will enter the market. However, for those buyers looking for a non-distressed property, the choices will be limited. Don’t wait until the spring when all the other potential sellers in your market will put their homes up for sale.
The Process Will Be Quicker
One of the biggest challenges of the 2012 housing market has been the length of time it takes from contract to closing. Banks have been inundated with both purchase and refinancing loan requests. Both of these will slow in the winter cutting timelines and the frustration these delays cause both buyers and sellers.
There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up
If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by over 15% from now to 2016. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with historically low interest rates right now. There is no guarantee rates will remain at these levels in years to come.
It’s Time to Move On with Your Life
Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and decide whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?
You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of the situation by pricing your home to guarantee it sells. The time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.
With record low interest rates and the right time of year, there is no reason to wait any longer, if you have been contemplating listing your home, contact Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors today at 563-441-1776 or visit RuhlHomes.com. We can help you find the right sales associate for you and your family. You don’t have to go it alone!
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 have demonstrated not only hard work but a passion to give their clients the best real estate experience; this has grown their average closed volume to over 11.5% higher than our nearest competitor.
“I truly believe our agents in our company are what make our success and, we are blessed to have them all as part of the Ruhl family,” said Caroline Ruhl. “At Ruhl&Ruhl we pride ourselves to have the most productive agents in the business.” Ruhl&Ruhl is extremely proud of the accomplishments of our sales associates and is looking forward to the growth and success we can demonstrate in the final months of 2012.
While the housing market is still recovering, Ruhl&Ruhl continues to charge ahead with accounting for over 42% of the market share in residential and condo sales in July alone. For more information on the housing market, please see the summer edition of Ruhl&Ruhl’s Facts&Trends newsletter, as well as keep checking RuhlHomes.com.
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.
To answer the question, is there a 3.8% sales tax on homes in the health bill? According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) the answer is NO. The Health Care Reform which takes place in the beginning of 2013 did create a new 3.8% tax, but it applies only to a limited amount of taxpayers.
The truth is that only a tiny percentage of home sellers will pay the tax. To clarify, the 0.9% will affect clientele that the government now considers “High Income” meaning they have income over $200,000 (if married $250,000 filing jointly or $125,000 filing separately). If you don’t meet this threshold you will not be subject to this tax. The tax is on “Annual Gross Income(AGI) such as; net income from interest, dividends, rents and capital gains, as well as earned compensation and several additional forms presented on a Form 1040 Income Tax Return, and will be taxed on the earned income over and above $200,000/$250,000 thresholds.
As for the 3.8%, this is a tax on investments for those same “High Income”people ($200,000/$250,000). It is a tax on “Unearned Income“: Unearned income is the income that an individual derives from investing his/her capital. It includes capital gains, rents, dividends and interest income. It also comes from some investments in active business if the investor is not an active participant in the business. The portion of unearned income that is subject both to income tax and the new Medicare tax is the amount of income derived from these sources, reduced by any expenses associated with earning that income.
The portion of unearned income that is subject both to income tax and the new Medicare tax is the amount of income derived from these sources, reduced by any expenses associated with earning that income. Therefore in the case of rental properties, the taxable amount would be gross rents minus all expenses (including deprecation) incurred in operating the rental property. For example, if the gross rents were $100,000 with associated expenses of $40,000, net rents would equal $60,000 ($100,000 minus $40,000) would be included in your AGI.
The tax will only apply on the earnings from the sale of a personal residence if after the closing you received a large return on investment now categorizing yourself as “High Income”,a $250,000 profit for an individual of $500,000 profit for a married couple. Even then it would only be a tax on the amount over and above those thresholds.
We can understand all the confusion as categorizing the facts for this blog post was confusing enough. The law itself is inputted in highly technical language that only a qualified tax expert can fully grasp so please consult them for the most specific information to fit your situation. We offer this just as an explanation. Remember, when it comes to IRS regulations, you should check with your accountant for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
For the most up-to-date information on the housing market, continue checking RuhlHomes.com
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%
Dubuque Area +17%
Illinois Quad Cities +18%
Iowa Quad Cities +21%
Iowa City Area +28%
Muscatine/Wilton Area +12%
Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS sales volume is up 29% through June and sales pended but not yet closed in June were up 23.5%, so the momentum continues.
Regionally, new construction sales are up 15% through June, while our new construction inventory has dropped 28%.
According to Eric Belsky, Managing Director of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, “people are slowly getting more confident…more Americans are deciding that it’s a good time to buy…you know, the opportunity to buy at or near the bottom of a cycle is great. And I think people are beginning to appreciate that… meanwhile, the cost of renting a house or apartment has been rising. When you compare the cost of owning versus the cost of renting, it hasn’t looked this good in 40 to 50 years.”
“And we are sitting in the ‘sweet spot’ in the country, both for real estate sales and appreciation,” notes Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS. According to the Real Trends Housing Market Report, housing unit sales for May 2012 were up 20.1% in the Midwest, the strongest showing in the country for the fourth consecutive month. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, of the 303 MSA’s (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) ranked by home price appreciation, all of Ruhl&Ruhl’s markets ranked in the top 20% in the nation.
“The Housing market recovery is charging ahead with units in the double digit range while prices were up from a year ago for the second month in a row,” observes Steve Murray, editor of the REAL Trends Housing Market Report. “The market is being charged by the strong presence of investors and first-time buyers but far more move-up buyers are appearing. The shortage of inventory…is also starting to drive prices upward.”
Inventory in our region is declining. Properties listed for sale have fallen compared to June 2011: down 11% in the Burlington area, down 10% in the Cedar Rapids area, down 22% in DeWitt, down 26% in the Dubuque area, down 16% in the Illinois Quad Cities, down 4% in the Iowa Quad Cities, down 12% in the Iowa City area, down 17% in Maquoketa/Preston/Bellevue and down 6% in the Muscatine/Wilton area.
“Properties are selling faster than we can list them,” notes Ruhl. “In the Quad Cities, for example, we have the lowest inventory on the MLS that we have had since the summer of 2005. We really need more properties listed for us to sell.”
A family-owned company since 1862, Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS has grown to 280 sales associates, 58 employees and eleven offices, selling more than 4,100 homes in eastern Iowa, western Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. The company has residential sales offices in Bettendorf, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Davenport, DeWitt, Dubuque, Iowa City, Maquoketa and Muscatine, Iowa; and in Moline, Illinois. In addition to residential sales, the company offers services in relocation, property management, real estate investments, new home sales, land development, farm sales, senior services, home vendor services, insurance services through the Nelson Brothers Agency and mortgage services through 1862 Mortgage. For more information on Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS, visit their website at www.RuhlHomes.com.
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.In the study, 91 percent of those surveyed said owning a home is part of the American Dream. A second study by TD Bank, reported similar results:
More than half of consumers polled say homeownership is a vital component to defining the American Dream
59% associated feelings of excitement or pride as part of their first time home buying process
84% of today’s younger renting generation-ages 18-34-intend to buy a home
This belief in homeownership is a major reason Americans are again buying homes. As Dr. Ludwig explains:
“Now that we’re picking up the pieces, we’re seeing a psychological shift. Instead of looking at homes through the eyes of an economist, we’re realizing that a home doesn’t solely equate to financial return or measure only to a mortgage amount. Instead the home is the emotional center of our lives, and it remains a critical component of who we are…
The feeling you get when you step through your front door or pull into your driveway is indescribable and priceless and the same holds true for our children who crave stability. While I know that financial hardships during the recession clearly have impacted many households, it is clear that the emotional value of a home is still strongly recognized.”
For the most up to date information on the housing market, keep checking RuhlHomes.com.
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 as a month’s worth of pay stubs.
Be prepared to explain them. Deductions in your returns and your pay stubs may impact the income your lender will use to qualify you which, in turn, has a big impact on the loan you will get.
Have a breakdown of base pay versus overtime for both your pay stubs and 2 years’ W2′s. Lenders treat overtime (and bonus income) differently than your base pay. Be prepared to explain any changes over the last few years because your loan officer will ask you about it.
Start accumulating your bank statements. Lenders look back 3 months from when you sign your contract of sale.
You will have to explain any and all large deposits (which are defined as deposits greater than your regular pay check) because lenders want to make sure you haven’t taken out any new loans that aren’t on your credit report.
Avoid any significant cash deposits. However, if you did have a cash deposit, understand that the lender will have you source it (a bill of sale and DMV receipt for that motorcycle, for example).
If you will be receiving a gift, consult your loan officer on how to document it (from the donor’s ability to how you deposit it).
Ask your loan officer to run your credit and go over it with them. Believe it or not, most credit reports contain errors. Best to identify them and get working on correcting them as early as possible.
Do what you can to pay down your balances to under 30% of available credit to help you get the best score possible.
Do NOT close accounts or pay off collection accounts without discussing it with your loan officer. Either one of these logical moves can actually have a negative impact on your score.
Asset Items:
Start accumulating your bank statements. Lenders look back 3 months from when you sign your contract of sale.
You will have to explain any and all large deposits (which are defined as deposits greater than your regular pay check) because lenders want to make sure you haven’t taken out any new loans that aren’t on your credit report.
Avoid any significant cash deposits. However, if you did have a cash deposit, understand that the lender will have you source it (a bill of sale and DMV receipt for that motorcycle, for example).
If you will be receiving a gift, consult your loan officer on how to document it (from the donor’s ability to how you deposit it).
Credit Items:
Ask your loan officer to run your credit and go over it with them. Believe it or not, most credit reports contain errors. Best to identify them and get working on correcting them as early as possible.
Do what you can to pay down your balances to under 30% of available credit to help you get the best score possible.
Do NOT close accounts or pay off collection accounts without discussing it with your loan officer. Either one of these logical moves can actually have a negative impact on your score.
When buying a home, remember the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared”. Following these suggestions will make your loan approval easier and less stressful.
Please remember that each mortgage company and application is different so for the most accurate information always talk to your preferred loan officer. To find out more information, contact Jane Schneider at 1862 Mortgage or any 1862 Mortgage Loan Officer for more information at 866.441.1862 or Info@1862Mortgage.com.
1862 Mortgage has partnered with Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS to offer a convenient one-stop experience for both home buying and home financing needs nationwide. 1862 Mortgage is a DBA (Doing Business As) of Shelter Mortgage, an operating subsidiary of Guaranty Bank. As part of a strong and stable bank, 1862 Mortgage offers the promise of longevity and security along with a commitment to service excellence.
