Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS
Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.
RSS Feed
- 2026 | 49 Posts
- 2025 | 47 Posts
- 2024 | 39 Posts
- 2023 | 35 Posts
- 2022 | 58 Posts
- 2021 | 13 Posts
- 2020 | 25 Posts
- 2019 | 11 Posts
- 2018 | 1 Posts
- 2017 | 42 Posts
- 2016 | 66 Posts
- 2015 | 24 Posts
- 2014 | 64 Posts
- 2013 | 44 Posts
- 2012 | 38 Posts
- 2011 | 79 Posts
- 2010 | 38 Posts
- 2009 | 35 Posts
- 2008 | 1 Posts
7
Iowa Cropland Values Up in Last Year
The Land Trends and Value Survey, presented by the Iowa Farm and Land Chapter #2 REALTORS Land Institute, reported a statewide average increase of 2.0% for tillable cropland values from March 2017 to September 2017 period. Combining this increase with the 0.9% reported in September 2016 indicates a statewide average increase of 2.9% for the year from September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2017. In our east central district, high quality cropland is selling at $9,903 per acre, or at the second highest rate in the state. Timber is selling at $2,237 per acre. Overall, the increase in our district was 3.6% - or the highest in the state of Iowa.
"It is positive to see land prices on the rise," said Eric Schlutz, ALC, Realtor and manager of the Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Muscatine Office. "This will stabilize prices but we are still cautiously optimistic because there are a lot of other factors that will continue to affect land values in our region."
"I wasn't surprised to see the results of the most recent land survey as land prices have stabilized and even trended upward this past year especially for the higher and upper medium quality cropland," said Dennis Stolk, ALC, Realtor. "The increase in prices is somewhat driven by a scarcity of available land for sale in many areas, as well as low interest rates and continued good buyer demand. Farmer still remain in a strong equity position and have cash on hand and are looking to buy. Moving forward, our land market will continue to be sensitive to what happens with commodity and livestock prices and its impact on farm income." For the survey, participants are asked to estimate the average value of farmland as of September 1, 2017. These estimates are for bare, unimproved land with a sale price on a cash basis. 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, and the price per acre of cropland in all nine Iowa districts, visit RuhlLand.com.
|
Part of Iowa |
High-Quality Crop Land |
Medium-Quality Crop Land |
Low-Quality Crop Land |
Percent Change in Tillable Cropland |
Non-Tillable Pasture |
Timber Per Acre |
|
East Central |
9,903/acre |
7,284/acre |
4,494/acre |
+3.6% |
2,769/acre |
2,237/acre |
|
Northeast |
9,358/acre |
6,955/acre |
4,318/acre |
2,605/acre |
||
|
Southeast |
9,431/acre |
6,089/acre |
3,743/acre |
2,207/acre |
27
Why Are So Few Homes for Sale?
There is no doubt that the largest challenge in today's housing market is a lack of housing inventory for sale. This challenge has been defined as an "overwhelming lack of supply," and even a "straight up inventory crisis." First American just released the results of a survey which sheds light on the reasons for the current lack of supply. The survey asked title agents and real estate professionals to identify what they believe are the top reasons for this lack of inventory in their markets. Here are the results of the survey:
- 47% - existing homeowners are worried that they will not be able to find a home to buy
- 26.5% - first-time buyer demand is absorbing a large share of available h...
19
5 Reasons to Sell This Fall
Here are five reasons listing your home for sale this fall makes sense from Keeping Current Matters.
1. Demand Is Strong
The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors(NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase… and are in the market right now! More often than not, multiple buyers are competing with each other to buy a home.
Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.
14
Tight Inventory Continues to Lead to Increases in Home Price Appreciation
Five-year home appreciation in our region was between 8.13% and 14.74% with all of our regional Metropolitan Statistical Areas experiencing a positive gain.
"U.S. house prices rose in nearly every state during the second quarter," said FHFA senior economist William Doerner. "The tight inventory is a major explanation for why house prices have been increasing every quarter over the last six years."
In the past year, home prices are up: 3.64% in Dubuque; 2.83% in Iowa City; 3.64% in the Quad Cities and 2.78% in Cedar Rapids. This compares to other cities: Des Moines up 5.24% and Chicago, IL up 5.34%. This data is provided by the FHFA for the second quarter of 2017 (see chart and website below). Of course, there is considerable variation based on price range and location of properties, with more affordable properties appreciating more.
|
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) |
Percent Change in House Prices |
|
|
|
1 Year |
5 Year |
|
Cedar Rapids, IA |
+ 2.78% |
+ 8.13% |
|
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL |
|
+ 12.15% |
|
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA |
+ 5.24% |
+ 20.56% |
|
Dubuque, IA |
+ 3.64% |
+ 12.47% |
|
Iowa City, IA |
+ 2.83% |
+ 14.74% |
|
USA |
+ 6.64% |
+ 34.24% |
Information courtesy of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for the second quarter of 2017. FHFA stats always run one quarter behind. Their full report is available at www.fhfa.gov. *Rankings based on annual percentage change in house prices.
"Tight inventory continues in the affordable price ranges to be the story of our local markets," said Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, "Tight inventory means there are fewer homes for sale than we normally see in comparison to the number of buyers looking. Although it varies by price range and neighborhood, we are still seeing a strong seller's market in many areas of our region. Even if you are considering selling in the next year, now is a good time to start the process and to get a free market analysis from a Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor."
17
5 Things to Look for in Your First Home
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.
