Posts from August 2017

If you decide the time is right, here are some key things to look for in your first home.

Price Tag
It is essential to know how much your first home will cost. If you're unsure about how to get this right, contact a reputable real estate agent.

Property Issues
A thorough inspection is a must if you want a realistic view of the good, bad and worst side of the house. After all, it's hard-earned money you're investing here.

Proper Lawn and Garden
Trees provide more than just shade and cool air for your home; they also filter water and air to reduce soil erosion and greenhouse gases. Plus, your energy bills all year round will be significantly reduced if you let Mother Nature help you out a bit.

Click Here to Read More...

Regional MLSs report a YTD increase of 7% in new home sales, energized by an 18% increase in the sale of new condos. New house sales were up 1% for the same period.  Sales increases were accompanied by an 11% decline in available inventory.  Some of the lower inventory numbers can be explained by current sales of older inventory and the continued popularity of pre-sold homes at mid-to-higher price points.  Pre-sold homes rarely show up as inventory and are often not reported to the MLSs until the time of closing.

Iowa City leads the region with a 5 to 1 ratio of existing vs. new home sales.  The YTD regional average  is 9.3 to 1.

Prices trends continue upward, as illustrated in the charts below:

Following is a brief summary of activity in major market areas:

CEDAR RAPIDS:  This market segment reported the highest sales gain in the region at 22%. House sales were up 17% while condos were up 30%.  These sales consumed some standing inventory, resulting in that figure dropping 17%.  Nearly 50% of area house sales were below $300K and 56% of condos were under $200K, making Cedar Rapids the most affordable new home market in the region.

DUBUQUE:  Sales are off to a slower start than last year, down 15% YTD.  However, with inventory up 25%, both new houses and condos are more available in the market.  Curiously, house sales below $225K are up 75%, but condo sales of the same price are down 40% YTD.

IOWA CITY:  Condo sales are up 20% YTD, which has helped overcome a 5% drop in house sales and netted the area a 5% unit increase.   The outlying areas combined for a 62% increase in sales, while Iowa City saw no change, North Liberty suffered a 14% loss and Coralville-Tiffin saw a 9% increase in unit sales.  Iowa City and Coralville-Tiffin each accounted for 1/3 of the area market share in sales.  However, Iowa City represents nearly 60% of all new homes inventory.   Area inventory is up 5% vs. last year.  

QUAD CITIES:  Both house and condo sales showed modest gains, combining for a 3.5% increase, while inventory grew 4%.  50% of houses sold in Scott County were above $400K and 47% of condos sold were above $300K, making this the least affordable market segment in the region.  Rock Island County sales, while increased, were primarily below $400K.  There have been no MLS reported condo sales in over 12 months.

New developments across the region continue to reflect growing confidence on the part of builders, developers and consumers.  It will never be more affordable to "Build Your Dream"!

There are a few things throughout your life where you should put your trust in a professional. You may want to think twice before you perform your own root canal, as there are plenty of risks involved when you're not properly trained for the job. Believe it or not, there are lots of risks involved when you choose to sell your home without a professional Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor as well.

Knowledge
Your Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor's knowledge is priceless. Just like your dentist, your agent is a local expert in their field. He or she went to classes for their craft, and takes continuing education to ensure they are up to date on important information. Your Realtor can provide important insight on disclosures, building codes, and so much more that consumers can't access online alone. He or she will ensure that a seller is fully prepared before the home even hits the market.

Time
W...

Click Here to Read More...

The first half of 2017 saw a record number of homes sold and closed in our region. In the Quad Cities, for example, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) had the most sales closed from January through June that we have had since 2000 – a 17-year high (See Mid-Year Comparison Chart).

Our Regional Activity Chart

Click Here to Read More...

Throughout her 40 years at Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, Roni Pianca has been a leader, a mentor, an inspiration, a shoulder to cry on, a laugh when you need it most, and one of the most important members of the Ruhl Family.

Roni began her journey with Ruhl by missing her initial job interview because she couldn't find the office. Her adventures continued when her water broke during the awards celebration in 1987. She had a daughter, Rachel, who now works in the Bettendorf Office, and later, another daughter, Chelsey, who is becoming a licensed agent at the Davenport Office.

Considering Roni started in the days before Google and Internet, it's easy to see why she still trusts her zip code book and paper maps. She also keeps a notebook of all of her recorded time off since the day she started!

Roni currently serves as the Vice President, Relocation & Business D...

Click Here to Read More...