Posts from April 2025
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30
Iowa Farm and Land Values Level Off in Early 2025 As Buyer Interest Grows
The Land Trends and Value Survey, presented by the Iowa Farm and Land Chapter #2 REALTORS Land Institute, reported a 1.0% decrease in cropland values on a statewide average for the September 2024 to March 2025 time period. This is following the March 2024 to September 2024 time period that showed a 5.0% decrease, giving us a year-over-year decrease of 6.0% for the state of Iowa. After a period of rapidly increasing values, the tillable land market has entered into a sideways trend. Pastureland (down 0.3%) and Timberland (up 1.2%) followed the trend of tillable acres and saw minimal changes for the six-month period.
Survey respondents described the market as "stable" and mentioned an increase in buyer interest since the 1st of the year. Low supply of land being offered to the market and a rally in commodity prices from fall lows have helped stabilize the downtrend in land values seen in 2024. A level of uncertainty has entered the market over the last 30 days, as buyers and sellers try to interpret the future effects of tariffs on agricultural products.
"While over the last year we have seen a slight pullback on land prices, the last six months have leveled off. Commodity prices and interest rates will determine where we go from here," said Eric Schlutz, ALC, Realtor, and Manager of the Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Muscatine Office.
"The results of the Farmland Survey are pretty much what was expected. In our market area, we see pretty stable prices overall with high quality, well located, and mostly tillable land still commanding strong prices. In general, the inventory of land for sale remains tight, thereby supporting prices. Any softness in the market is in the lower quality farmland. The future land value trends will be impacted by commodity prices, this year's yields, and the impact of tariffs on agriculture and our general economy," said Dennis Stolk, ALC, Farm and Land Specialist with Ruhl Farm & Land.
For the survey, participants are asked to estimate the average value of farmland as of March 1, 2025. 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.
Ruhl Farm & Land, a division of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, is focused on the sale, purchase, and marketing of land, farms, and acreages.
Iowa |
High-Quality Crop Land |
Medium-Quality Crop Land |
Low-Quality Crop Land |
% Change in Tillable Cropland |
Non-Tillable Pasture |
Timber Per Acre |
| East Central | $14,950/acre | $11,748/acre | $8,254/acre | -1.5% | $5,201/acre | $4,728/acre |
| Northeast | $14,194 | $11,868 | $8,913 | -0.1% | $5,019 | $5,071 |
| Southeast | $14,030 | $9,918 | $6,757 | -0.7% | $4,789 | $4,579 |
28
Landscape Inspirations: Top Garden Centers to Explore
Iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz, who knows a thing or two about art and beauty, once said, "I feel a responsibility to my backyard. I want it to be taken care of and protected." In observing World Landscape Architecture Month this April, our real estate agents take inspiration from these words and visit these fully stocked local garden centers for plants, supplies, and advice.
24
Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Ranks as Iowa's Largest Independent Real Estate Company
RealTrends 500 - Best Real Estate Brokerages in Iowa link
Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors has once again been ranked as the largest independent real estate company in Iowa for 2024, according to the RealTrends 500 report. The annual report ranks the top 500 real estate firms in the United States based on residential transaction sides and sales volume. Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors ranked 123rd nationally based on 4,181 transactions closed.
RealTrends 500 ranks companies on residential transactions only. When farm and land, and commercial transactions are included, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors closed 4,231 sides in 2024. On average, Ruhl agents closed 15....
14
Pickleball Paradise: Top Spots to Get in on the Action
Pickleball is one of the most popular sports in the Quad Cities. Our real estate agents know that no matter if you make your home in Iowa or Illinois, you can stay fit and have fun with this fast-paced racket sport. Plus, a standard tennis court or a dedicated pickleball court will work for a game—and we know where to find them!
Let's discuss just a few popular venues for pickleball in the area.
- Forest Grove Courts – 6100 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722
4
U.S. Home Prices Rise 4.5% Over The Prior Year
The Federal Housing Finance Agency published the 2024 Q4 Housing Price Index report, and national data show home prices rose 4.5 percent between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2024. House prices were up 1.4 percent compared to the third quarter of 2024. FHFA's seasonally adjusted monthly index for December was up 0.4 percent from November. Nationally, the U.S. housing market has experienced positive annual appreciation each quarter since the start of 2012. The five-year home appreciation in our region was between 39.04% and 43.67%, with all of our regional Metropolitan Statistical Areas experiencing positive gains.
In the past year, home prices in our markets have increased: 3.04% in Cedar Rapids and 4.87% in the Quad Cities. This compares to other cities: Des Moines, 4.10%, and Chicago, 6.77%. Of course, there is variation based on price range and location of properties, with more affordable properties appreciating more and expensive properties appreciating less.
| Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) | Percent Change in House Prices | Percent Change in House Prices | Percent Change in House Prices |
| 1 Year | 5 Years | 4th Quarter 2024 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.04% | 39.04% | -0.20% |
| Davenport - Moline - Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.87% | 39.11% | -0.86% |
| Des Moines - West Des Moines, IA | 4.10% | 43.67% | -0.70% |
| Waterloo - Cedar Ralls, IA | 4.92% | 40.74% | -0.18% |
| Regional Average | 4.23% | 40.64% | -0.49% |
| USA | 4.51% | 57.13% | +1.43% |
Information courtesy of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for the fourth quarter of 2024. FHFA stats always run one-quarter behind. Their full report is available at www.fhfa.gov.
"U.S. house prices grew at a slightly higher rate in the fourth quarter after three straight previous quarters of weaker appreciation," said Dr. Anju Vajja, Deputy Director for FHFA's Division of Research and Statistics. "The price growth accelerated during the quarter as the inventory of homes for sale tightened even further."
"Home price appreciation across our region remained positive on an annual basis in 2024, even though values softened by about 0.5% in the fourth quarter. The reported year-over-year gains, ranging from just over 3% to nearly 5% across our region, reflect the ongoing impact of strong demand and limited supply. While short-term adjustments are normal, the long-term trend remains healthy, with nearly 40% appreciation over the past five years. This sustained growth continues to reinforce the value of homeownership as a sound long-term investment. With interest rates easing and affordability improving, we're optimistic we'll see continued stability and a very active spring market," said Chris Beason, President of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors.
Wondering how appreciation has affected your home? Contact your Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor to receive your free market analysis! Or contact us at 1.866.441.1776 or customerservice@ruhlhomes.com to be put in touch with a local, trusted expert!
