The Ruhl Blog

7 Tips for Short Sale Success

When you owe more on your home than its worth, but you have to sell, you need to squeeze every dollar possible from the sale. Here are seven tips for navigating the short-sale process. 1. Know who you owe A short sale has to be approved by any company that has a mortgage or lien against your home. That includes your first, second, or even...

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Distressed Sales: State by State

We have often written on the impact foreclosures and short sales have on the value of the house next door. The Center for Responsible Lending has done great reporting on the subject. It seems distressed properties will be a challenge we will need to deal with for some time. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their Existing Sales...

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For Buyers: The Financial Opportunity of a Lifetime?

We often point out that a buyer should be more concerned about the COST of a home rather than the PRICE. Price obviously is a component of cost. However, unless you buy all-cash, you must also be concerned about the financing of the purchase. The price and the financing together determine the cost of a home. Today, we want to look at only the...

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If Prices Are Falling, Why Are the Rich Buying?

There is an interesting phenomenon taking place in the real estate market. While house prices are falling, the rich are starting to purchase. DataQuick Information Systems reported last week that sales on homes $1 million or more rose 18.6% last year after four consecutive years of decline. This is at the same time that sales outside of this price...

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If Your Goal Is to Buy Low, Buy Now!

There is a very famous saying which asserts “Sell High, Buy Low”. It is obviously great advice no matter what the investment. Below is a graph showing the cycle of investments. It shows the points of maximum risk and maximum opportunity when purchasing. We want to sell high (point of maximum risk) and buy low (point of maximum opportunity)....

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Iowa Farmland Increased 25.4% in Value

The value of cropland across the state of Iowa is dramatically on the rise, along with high demand. “Demand for cropland in our area is the strongest I've ever seen,” said Tom Marcus, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor in the Maquoketa area, who has been selling farmland since 1975. “In greatest demand is high quality cropland Corn Suitability Rating...

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Military Homebuyer Tax Credits Still Available!

Although the Homebuyer Tax Credit has expired for most of the population, Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS would like to remind the public that there are still homebuyer tax incentives available for our service personnel. For the qualified members of the military who are ordered on a period of official extended duty, the Homebuyer Tax Credit was extended...

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Real Estate: GOLDen Opportunity of This Decade

Everyone wants to comment on the current real estate market. They want to talk about how now is not the time to buy a home. Some even argue owning a house has never been a great investment. Most say it will be a long time before real estate again begins to appreciate. It all sounds so familiar to me. It was just a decade ago that many made the...

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Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Partners with Nelson Brothers Insurance

Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS and NAI Ruhl & Ruhl Commercial Company are partnering with Nelson Brothers Insurance to expand our offerings and provide insurance services to our clients. "With their commitment to integrity and customer service, as well as being a locally-owned and family-operated company, it was a natural fit," said Caroline Ruhl,...

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Sally Atwell

Licensed In IA, IL
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Davenport Office

4545 Welcome Way
Davenport, IA 52806