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!
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 to improve economic development, as well as provide more opportunities to small business owners in construction and remodeling. Since the program was established in 2009 the city of Davenport has already rebated over $2.8 million with most participants receiving over $6,000.
In August of 2010, the Davenport City Council approved the expansion of the Davenport NOW program to include a special program for historic properties, which provides an additional tax benefit to homeowners completing historic improvements. Applicants can receive a rebate on the value of the improvements of up to 100% of the city’s share of your property taxes for 10 years. Under both programs, eligible participants may choose a single one-time payment or multiple payments over ten years.
To qualify for the Davenport or Historic Davenport NOW programs this is some of the criteria:
The property must be in a local or national historic district or listed on the national registry of historic properties.
The property must be a single family, owner occupied home.
Improvements must lead to a minimum $5,000 increase in assessed value.
Exterior improvements must receive a certificate of appropriateness from the Davenport Historic Preservation Commission. City staff can assist you in submitting your improvements for approval.
If approved you will then need to choose how you would like to receive you rebate. There are two different methods: Upfront One-time Rebate and Multiple Rebates over 10 Years.
Keep in mind that those receiving a single payment shall do so at a discounted rate. Multi-family residential and commercial properties are not eligible for an upfront rebate.
According to City ordinance, both business and residential property owners may be eligible, as long as the owner occupies the structure. Rental property improvements may also be eligible, but not new rental properties or those converting owner-occupied structures into rental properties.
For more information or to see if you qualify, contact the City of Davenport at 563-888-3380
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 have now that I won’t need in the move? Will your furniture fit into your new home? What about that old box in storage covered in dust? Weight is a big factor that can increase the costs to move and put stress on your wallet and back.
2) Time it Right: A midmonth move will save you the most money says Daniel Bortz, the author of 8 Ways to Trim Moving Costs. The busiest moving times are the beginning and end of the months. Summer is the most popular time of the year for families to move, since kids aren’t in school according to Bortz you can get the best deal moving between October and April.
3) Save on Boxes: Try and find used or recycled boxes that you can buy at a cheaper cost, check with local groceries in your area. If you are using a professional moving company, try to pack as many smaller items yourself. This will decrease the amount of time the packers will have to spend. This means, if you’re paying by the hour, less money out of your pocket.
4) Plan and Organize: Color code boxes by room and put a sign on the door with the same corresponding color. This prevents someone yelling outside the truck or within the first steps of your new home telling the movers where each box goes.
5) Cover Your Items: A big benefit of professional movers is you can insure your items in case of an accident. But be sure of what you’re singing. For example be sure to ask if it’s to be replaced at market value or replacement value; make sure everything is clear before you sign the dotted line.
6) Snag a Tax Break: If you’re moving because of a job change you may be able to deduct some expenses. To see if you quality for any tax breaks consult a tax preparer or the Internal Revenue Service guidelines.
7) Price it Out: Seek at least three professional moving quotes. Bring the mover into your home so they can give you a more realistic quote and ask such as “Do you save money if you pack yourself?” Or “What is the insurance plan?”
8) Research the Mover: Make sure the company is reputable. Anyone can put their name on the side of a moving truck. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints or if they have anything filed against them. Also, check to make sure they are licensed and insured. For a local list click here: http://www.ruhlhomes.com/vendors.aspx.
According to a report by Wroldwide ERC the average professional move costs is about $12,230. Hopefully using these tips will help you bring down the cost and make the move into your new house less of a hassle. For any other moving tips or questions you can contact Ruhl&Ruhl at 1-866-441-1776 or visit www.ruhlhomes.com
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.
So, digging online we found that there are several variations of “Survival Guides” and “Best Practices” for those who dare take on the mobs, the lines and “Mortal Kombat” this day is truly going to entail.
Here are a few tips and tricks that may come in handy:
Dress appropriately. You don’t want to be standing in line freezing! Layers are good so you can strip them off once inside the heated store.
Do not under any circumstances get a shopping cart. Once inside the store, you’ll observe people pushing and trying to maneuver their way down the aisles. If you have a cart, it will make it all the more difficult. A cart-free person can move faster and between people.
Shop with a partner. This not only allows us to split up and get items more easily while one person can start the wait in line while the other runs and finds all the goods.
Know what you’re looking for before you get there. If you can head straight for the item you want, you’ll have a better chance of getting it before it’s sold out. If it’s a store you’re not familiar with or in a different city, you can even visit it before Black Friday to get the layout.
Make friends. Who only knows how long you’ll be standing in those lines waiting to purchase your bounty. What better time than to make a few friends? You never know when you might need someone to hold your place in line while you jet off to use the facilities.
Obvious yes, but let’s not forget that this is Black Friday we are talking about. The excitement and the adrenaline can easily take over. So study the above long and hard. And good luck and best wishes for the amazing deals that you will find!
Have a very happy Thanksgiving and keep checking RuhlHomes.com for the most up to date information on the housing market.
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!
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 new building trends in new construction homes. There are nineteen homes to tour with half of them being held open by Ruhl&Ruhl sales associates. Please see the homes represented by Ruhl&Ruhl below:
This is a great event and Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS looks forward to participating it in every year. This year there is over $1,000 in prizes that the public is able to enter to win at each home on the tour. For a full list and map of the homes being held open please check out www.qchba.com.
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.
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 received a clucky award for the Most Creative Team for these unique fundraising events.
“I am so proud of our sales associates and employees for everything they do to participate in this amazing cause,” said Caroline Ruhl, president of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS. “This is a fantastic way to help the ever growing number of people going hungry in our community.”
In 2011, Ruhl&Ruhl raised a combined total of 15,211 pounds of food ranking very high in their division thanks to their participating offices; Bettendorf, Clinton, Corporate, Davenport, DeWitt, Dubuque, Maquoketa and Moline.
The Student Hunger Drive was founded in 1986 by Pete Pohlmann in Davenport, Iowa and has collected over 13.6 million pounds of food valued at over $25 million since its inception. Food collected from the Quad Cities Student Hunger Drive is delivered to the River Bend Foodbank, located in Moline, IL. The Foodbank serves 22 counties in Iowa and Illinois. Food is distributed in Rock Island, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine and Henry counties to 120 different food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers, and rehabilitation centers.
A family-owned company since 1862, Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS has grown to 279 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.
