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Want to cap off a night of entertainment or meet up with friends for some light-hearted conversation? Our real estate agents frequent these atmospheric restaurants and lounges around the Quad Cities.
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter—and nothing makes a stronger impact than your home's curb appeal. The exterior of your property is the very first thing potential buyers see, both online and in person. In fact, homes with strong curb appeal can sell faster and often for a higher price than those that lack it.
At Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, we believe you're never on your own when it comes to getting your home market-ready. Here are some tried-and-true curb appeal boosters that can help your home stand out.

Dog parks are one of the few public spaces where dogs can run around without being restricted by a leash. There are several pet-friendly green spaces located within our service area. Our real estate agents do their best to take their dogs to them as often as possible. Wouldn't your pup like to do the same with you? Treat your dog to an afternoon at one of these dog parks around the Quad Cities and give them the taste of freedom they're craving.
Mortgage rates have taken a welcome dip in recent weeks, offering a glimmer of relief for homebuyers, homeowners, and anyone watching the housing market forecast. The recent shift is tied directly to a decline in the 10-year Treasury yield and the economic trends influencing it.
The 10-year Treasury yield, a key benchmark for 30-year mortgage rates, has fallen from 4.7% earlier this year to about 4.25% today. This decline has helped push mortgage rates down from 7.04% in early 2025 to the 6.125%–6.5% range now.
Some borrowers, particularly those using government-backed mortgages like FHA, VA, or USDA loans, are seeing even lower rates thanks to more favorable note yields.
Several recent economic developments have contributed to the decline in the 10-year Treasury yield and mortgage rates:
When the economy slows, investors often anticipate rate cuts from the Fed. This tends to push Treasury yields lower, and when yields fall, mortgage rates usually follow.
Right now, the 10-year yield is hovering near an important level: 4.2%. If yields drop below that point and head toward 4.0%, possibly due to cooling inflation or further economic slowdown, mortgage rates could fall into the high 5% to low 6% range by Q4 2025.
However, there are still factors that could keep rates higher:
Lower mortgage rates can increase affordability for homebuyers and improve refinancing opportunities for homeowners. Even a small decrease in interest rates can make a noticeable difference in monthly payments and long-term interest costs.
If you're planning to buy or refinance, now is the time to contact a trusted Ruhl Mortgage Lender who can consult with you on your next best step. Since home prices are still appreciating, waiting for a minor rate adjustment may not be the smartest move, considering that the trade-off would be paying a higher price for the property. For more information about Ruhl Mortgage, visit RuhlMortgage.com.
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RuhlMortgage.com | 866-441-1862 | customerservice@ruhlmortgage.com Ruhl Mortgage LLC, NMLS #935629 | IL Residential Mortgage | License MB.6760937 | IA #2012-0110 | WI #935629BA - For licensing information, go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org |
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