Posts from January 2012
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25
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 "numbers guy." He pulled statistics from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), showing Dubuque is number two in the nation when it comes to high rates of house appreciation. Those numbers show the average home in Dubuque appreciated 2.46 percent in one year, through Sept. 2011, and 8.06 percent over the course of five years. Bismark, N.D., by the way, took top marks, with a 15.99 percent five-year average appreciation. In Dubuque, Cook said, "our average sale p...
20
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 doing so where businesses will be struggling. So if you are thinking of moving to a state that is favorable for business this list by CNBC is a very smart tool to use. Virginia came in as the top state. With it's pro-business state house and proximity to Washington DC, where growth in government spending has created it's own jobs engine, Virginia is for business lovers. Texas is in second place, with southern states Georgia, North Carolina, and Colorado rounding out the top 5. Th...
18
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 loan over two years for down payment and closing cost assistance, 30-year fixed rate mortgage that has an affordable interest rate and an optional mortgage credit certificate to reduce federal income tax liability. "This is a great program that all service personnel should take advantage of," said Jane Schneider, President of 1862 Mortgage, an IHDA approved lender offering the package. "Time is of the essence, as only $10 Million total is available." The Welcome Home Heroes financing package is designed to assist qualified Illinois veteran...
5
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 IRA
When you buy your own home you are not taking available dollars away from another investment. You are replacing one housing expense (rent) which has no potential for a return on investment with another (mortgage pa...
