Facts & TrendsR e a l E s t a t e

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Summer 2015

Caroline RuhlPresident

RuhlHomes.com

IN THIS ISSUE:page 4Home Prices Continue to Appreciatepage 6Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Awarded Coolest Places to Workpage 65 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Home Service Vendorpage 7New Home Sales Show Modest Improvement

Record low interest rates fueled a strong first half of 2015 for home sales in our region. Some of our top performing markets were:

Some of our weaker markets were:

Results in all 14 of our market areas are shown on the Regional Real Estate Activity Chart on page 2. As always, there is considerable variation from market to market.Forecast for Second Half of 2015 We expect home sales to remain strong. However, year over year the increase will not be as great as the first half of 2015. This is because the first half of 2014 regional sales were down 4% compared to 2013. The second half of 2014 was up, so we will be comparing the second half of 2015 to stronger second half 2014 results.

Home Prices Continue to Appreciate

Home prices continue to appreciate in most of our metro areas. Statewide in Iowa, prices were up 2.40% year over

year through March 2015. A complete chart is located on page 4.

Last Chance to Refinance Mortgage interest rates have been volatile with the Greek financial crisis, but rates are still great, hovering in the following ranges:Conventional Fixed15-year (no points)...........................3.375%Conventional Fixed30-year (no points)...........................4.000%FHA/VA.........................................3.875%

Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen is stating rates will go up by the end of the year. But we’ve heard this for a couple of years, so who knows? We do know rates will rise eventually. Hopefully growth in employment and the subsequent drop in the unemployment rate will lead to wage growth and increasing incomes, and this will take some of the sting out of any rate increase.

Home Sales Strong and Prices Appreciating

+21%CedarRapids

Area

+27%Illinois

Quad Cities

+23% Muscatine,

WiltonArea

% Change in Sales Volume

24.2Galena & Galena

Territory

16.9 Galesburg

Area

Months of Inventory

“We expect home sales to remain strong.

However, year over year the increase will not be as great as the

first half of 2015”~ Caroline Ruhl

President, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors

Cedar Rapids, IADavenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-ILDubuque, IAIowa City, IA

+2.62%

+3.71%

+1.93%+2.38%

1 YearMetropolitan Statistical Areas

+3.39%

+6.41%

+9.56%+6.63%

% Change in Prices5 Year

Burlington AreaListing Inventory: There are 221 properties listed for sale in Burlington, Iowa and the surrounding area, a 19% decrease from the same time last year when there was 272 properties for sale.Properties Sold: 14% fewer residential properties sold in the first half of 2015 than the first half of 2014, comparing 269 sales last year to 230 sales in the first half of this year.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $118,800, a 22% increase from the average sales price in the first half of 2014 of $97,600.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume was up 4%, an increase from $26,252,700 through June 2014 to $27,328,000 through June 2015.

Cedar Rapids AreaListing Inventory: There are 1,895 residential properties listed for sale in the Cedar Rapids area, 1% more than the same time last year when there were 1,884 properties listed.Properties Sold: Through June this year 2,113 properties sold, 14% more than the 1,848 that sold through June 2014.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $173,000 through June 2015, 6% more than the average sales price of $163,900 through June 2014.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume increased 21%, from $302,887,500 in the first half of 2014 to

$365,558,300 in the first half of 2015.Clinton, Camanche & Fulton

Listing Inventory: There are 15% fewer properties listed for sale in the Clinton, Camanche and Fulton area; comparing 285 current listings to 337 properties for sale at this time last year.Properties Sold: 21% more properties sold in the first half of 2015, an increase from 202 sales in 2014 to 245 sales in the first half of 2015.Average Sales Price: The average sales price through June 2015 was $89,900, a 12% decrease from the average sales price of $102,500 through June 2014.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume was up 6% through June 2015, from $20,702,300 in the first half of 2014 to $22,019,200 in the first half of 2015. This follows a 16% increase in sales volume from the first half of 2013 to the first half of 2014.

DeWittListing Inventory: DeWitt’s listing inventory is down 11%, from 44 properties listed for sale last year to 39 properties currently on the market.Properties Sold: 56 properties sold and closed during the first half of 2015, a 6% increase compared to 53 sales in the first half of 2014.Average Sales Price: The average sales price of homes sold through June 2015 was $152,400, 1% less than the first half of 2014 when the average

sales price was $154,100.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume increased 5% in the first half of 2015, from $8,165,300 in 2014 to $8,534,000 in 2014.

Dubuque AreaListing Inventory: There are 421 residential properties listed for sale in the Dubuque region; a 18% decrease from the same time last year when there were 514 properties for sale.Properties Sold: 9% more properties sold in the first half of 2015; an increase from 443 closings through June 2014 to 483 closings through June 2015.Average Sales Price: The average sales price of homes sold through June 2015 was $164,500, a 1% decrease over the average sales price of $167,000 through June 2014.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume for the first half of 2015 was $79,446,500, up 7% from the same period in 2014 when sales volume was $73,994,000.

Galena & Galena TerritoryListing Inventory: There are 393 properties for sale in Galena, Illinois and the Galena Territory; 4% fewer than the same time last year when there were 411 listings.Properties Sold: There was a 9% increase in the number of properties sold in the first half of 2015, comparing 56 sales in 2014 to 61 sales in 2015.

2 • RuhlHomes.com

2015 Regional Real Estate Activity

Average 2015Sales Price

2015Number

Sold

% Change in Average

Sales Price from 2014

% Change in Number Sold from

20142015

Sales Volume

Active Listing Count

2015Months of Inventory

% Change in Active Listings

from 2014

% Change in Sales Volume

from 2014Burlington AreaCedar Rapids AreaClinton/Camanche/FultonDeWittDubuque AreaGalena & Galena TerritoryGalesburg AreaIllinois Quad CitiesIowa Quad CitiesIowa City AreaMaquoketa/Preston/BellevueMuscatine/Wilton AreaWashington AreaWisconsin (Southwest)

$118,800$173,000

$89,900$152,400$164,500$194,000

$91,700$117,100$189,800$196,800$109,600$130,700$109,200$128,500

+22%+6%-12%

-1%-1%-1%

+18%+10%+4%-6%-5%+8%+4%+3%

-14%+14%+21%+6%+9%+9%-9%

+15%+2%

+16%+26%+14%+4%

0%

+4%+21%+6%+5%+7%+8%+8%

+27%+6%+8%

+20%+23%+9%+3%

6.03.96.72.24.2

24.216.94.23.04.66.53.16.37.6

-19%+1%

-15%-11%-18%-4%N/A-2%-1%

+4%-25%-13%+13%-28%

2302,113

24556

48361

2771,0481,0751,445

87268

72220

2211,895

28539

421393294883743

1,38982

183111314

$27,328,000$365,558,300

$22,019,200$8,534,000

$79,446,500$11,825,300$25,392,300

$122,677,500$204,068,200$284,313,600

$9,534,600$35,035,200

$7,861,600$28,258,600

Through June

Several MLS mergers are causing some data to be suspect. The Washington MLS merged into the Iowa City MLS and data may be reflected in both markets. The Clinton MLS recently merged with the Quad Cities MLS. Maquoketa MLS members are merging with either the Quad Cities MLS or the Dubuque MLS.

Summary continued on page 3

Summary of Regional Real Estate Activity

Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $194,000 through June 2015, 1% less than last year when the average sales price was $195,700.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume was up 8% for the first half of 2015, an increase from $10,960,900 through June 2014 to $11,825,300 through June 2015.

Galesburg AreaListing Inventory: There are 294 residential properties currently listed for sale in the Galesburg area. This is the first year we have tracked this data.Properties Sold: Sales have decreased 9% from 304 properties sold through the second quarter of 2014 to 277 through June 2015.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $77,900 through June 2014, 18% more than the average sales price of $91,700 through June 2015.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume increased 8% in the second quarter of 2015, from $23,602,000 to $25,392,300.

Illinois Quad CitiesListing Inventory: The number of properties for sale in the Illinois Quad Cities is down 2%; from 899 in 2014 to 883 listings currently on the market.Properties Sold: Through the second quarter of 2015, 15% more properties sold, comparing 909 sales through June 2014 to 1,048 sales through June 2015.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was up 10%, from $106,000 through June 2014 to $117,100 through June 2015.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume increased 27% in the first half of 2015, from $96,317,100 to $122,677,500.

Iowa Quad CitiesListing Inventory: There are 743 properties for sale in the Iowa Quad Cities, 1% fewer than the same time last year when there were 750 for sale.Properties Sold: 2% more properties sold through the second quarter of 2015, an increase from 1,059 sales in the first half of 2014 to 1,075 sales in

the first half of this year.Average Sales Price: The average sales price increased 4%; from $182,500 through June 2014 to $189,800 through June 2015.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume went up 6% from $193,316,000 through the second quarter of 2014 to $204,068,200 through the second quarter of 2015.

Iowa City AreaListing Inventory: The number of properties for sale in Iowa City is up 4%, an increase from 1,334 in 2014 to 1,389 properties currently on the market.Properties Sold: 16% more properties sold during the first half of 2015, an increase from 1,250 sales in 2014 to 1,445 sales in 2015.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $196,800; a 6% decrease from the first half of 2014 when the average sales price was $209,800.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume increased 8%, from $262,306,200 through June 2014 to $284,313,600 through June 2015.

Maquoketa, Preston & Bellevue

Listing Inventory: There are 82 properties for sale in the Maquoketa, Preston, and Bellevue area, 25% fewer than the same time last year when there were 110 properties for sale.Properties Sold: 26% more properties sold during the first half of 2015, an increase from 69 sales in 2014 to 87 sales in 2015.Average Sales Price: The average sales price of homes sold through June 2015 was $109,600, 5% less than the average sales price of $115,400 through June 2014.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume increased 20%, from $7,965,600 in the first half of 2014 to $9,534,600 in the first half of 2015. This follows a 14% decrease from 2013 to 2014.

Muscatine & Wilton AreaListing Inventory: There are 183 homes and condominiums listed for sale in the Muscatine and Wilton area,

13% fewer than the same time last year when there were 210 properties for sale.Properties Sold: 14% more residential properties sold in the first half of 2015, comparing 235 sales last year to 268 sales in the first half of this year.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $130,700, an 8% increase from the average sales price in the first half of 2014 of $121,000.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume was up 23%, from $28,426,900 through June 2014 to $35,035,200 through June 2015. This follows a 7% decrease from 2013 to 2014.

Washington AreaListing Inventory: There are 111 properties for sale in Washington, Iowa and the surrounding area, a 13% increase from the same time last year when there were 98 properties for sale.Properties Sold: Through the second quarter of 2015, 4% more properties sold, comparing 69 sales through June 2014 to 72 sales through June 2015.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $109,200, 4% higher than the average sales price of $104,500 in the first half of 2014.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume was up 9%, an increase from $7,207,900 through June 2014 to $7,861,600 through June 2015.

Wisconsin (Southwest)Listing Inventory: There are 314 properties for sale in the southwest Wisconsin region, a 28% decrease compared to the same time last year when there were 434 properties.Properties Sold: There was no statistical change in the number of properties sold in the first half of 2015, comparing 221 properties sold in 2014 to 220 properties sold this year.Average Sales Price: The average sales price was $128,500 through June 2015, 3% higher than through June 2014 when the average sales price was $124,300.Residential Sales Volume: Sales volume was up 3%, an increase from $27,470,400 through June 2014 to $28,258,600 through June 2015.

RuhlHomes.com • 3

Quad Cities MLS Statistics - Iowa & Illinois Combined2011 2012 2013 20152014 % Change

2014 vs. 2015Current MLS ListingsAverage Sales PriceTotal Sales VolumeTotal # of Sales YTD

2,106$132,600

$216,732,1001,634

1,883$142,800

$259,519,2001,817

1,636$146,800

$295,570,4002,014

1,626$153,900

$326,745,7002,123

1,649$147,200

$289,633,1001,968

-1.4%+4.6%

+12.8%+7.9%

Through June

Summary continued from page 2

Burlington Area (Burlington Board of Realtors)Cedar Rapids Area (Cedar Rapids Area Assoc. of Realtors)Southeast Cedar RapidsNortheast Cedar RapidsSouthwest Cedar RapidsNorthwest Cedar RapidsHiawatha & RobinsMarionEast of I-380: Mechanicsville, Anamosa, Mt. Vernon, Lisbon, etc.West of I-380: Walford, Fairfax, Atkins, etc.Corridor Area: Solon, Ely, SwisherCondominiumsClinton, Camanche & Fulton (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)DeWitt (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)Dubuque Area (Dubuque Board of Realtors)DubuqueNorth, South and West DubuqueIllinoisWisconsinGalena & Galena Territory (Realtor Assoc. of Northwest IL)Galesburg Area (W. Central IL Association of Realtors)Illinois Quad Cities (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)Rock IslandMilan & Rural Rock Island CountyMolineCoal Valley, Rural Moline, MiscellaneousEast Moline & SilvisPort Byron, Upper Rock Island CountyMercer CountyHenry CountyCondominiumsIowa Quad Cities (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)DavenportBettendorf & RiverdaleBlue Grass, Buffalo, Durant & WalcottLeClaire, Pleasant Valley & PrincetonNorth Scott CountyMiscellaneousCondominiumsIowa City Area (Iowa City Area Assoc. of Realtors)Iowa CityCoralvilleNorthwest Iowa CityNortheast Iowa CitySoutheast Iowa CitySouthwest Iowa CityCorridor AreaMiscellaneousCondominiumsMaquoketa, Preston & Bellevue (Jackson Co. MLS & QCARA)Muscatine & Wilton Area (Muscatine Board of Realtors)MuscatineWiltonMuscatine OutlyingCondominiumsWashington Area (Iowa City Area Assoc. of Realtors)Wisconsin - Grant & Lafayette Co. (S. Central Wisconsin)

Through June

Regional Residential Real Estate Activity

4 • RuhlHomes.comThis representation is based in part on data supplied by the REALTOR Associations or their Multiple List ing Services. Neither the Boards nor their MLS guarantee or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Boards or their MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Several MLS mergers are causing some data to be suspect. The Washington MLS merged into the Iowa City MLS & data may be reflected in both markets. The Clinton MLS recently merged with the Quad Cities MLS. Maquoketa MLS members are merging with either the Quad Cities MLS or Dubuque MLS.

The eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois region continues its steady climb in home price appreciation – with all of our markets showing positive gain. Nationally, home prices have appreciated 4.96% over the last year. In our local markets the gains, while not as large, continue to be positive. We did not have the significant decline in home prices that other markets across the nation suffered, insulating our communities from the super highs and lows. The majority of our metro areas showed 1-year gains over the Iowa statewide average of 2.40%. Home prices are up: 1.93% in

Dubuque; 2.38% in Iowa City; 3.71% in the Quad Cities and 2.62% in Cedar Rapids. This compares to other cities: Des Moines up 3.54% and Chicago, IL up 5.35%. This data is provided by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for the first quarter of 2015 (see chart and website below). “Now is a good time to sell,” said Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors. “Buyers are ready to buy but there are simply not enough listings, especially in certain price ranges. If you have considered selling, please contact a Realtor for a consultation.”

Home Prices Continue to Appreciate

Information courtesy of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for first quarter 2015. FHFA stats always run one quarter behind. Their full report is accessible at www.fhfa.gov. *Rankings based on annual percentage change in house prices.

Cedar Rapids, IADavenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-ILDes Moines-West Des Moines, IADubuque, IAIowa City, IAUSA

230

180

190

251241

+2.62%

+3.71%

+3.54%

+1.93%+2.38%+4.96%

+3.39%

+6.41%

+5.92%

+9.56%+6.63%

+14.23%

Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) 2015 1st Quarter National Ranking of 276 MSAs*

Percent Change in House Prices1 Year 5 Year

2015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

1,0751,0591,140977901

1,064884

1,0291,1711,2181,2001,2571,1391,1371,1541,059

743750743934973972957

1,0811,1081,107960989931813843700

1,048909874840733833749907

1,0111,0541,1021,074971996997

1,028

883899893949

1,1331,067981

1,079991985885959835844913726

2,1231,9682,0141,8171,6341,8971,6331,9362,1822,2722,3022,3312,1102,1332,1512,087

1,6261,6491,6361,8832,1062,0391,9382,1602,0992,0921,8451,9481,7661,6571,7561,426

Sales Listings

Mid-Year Comparison of Quad Cities Real Estate Activity

IA IAIL ILTotals Totals

RuhlHomes.com • 5

Current MLS Listings

% of Active Listings

2015 Avg. Sales Price

2015 Sales Volume

2015 # Sold

% of Unit Sales

Sales/List

2014 # Sold

2014 Avg. Sales Price

2014 Sales Volume

Burlington Area (Burlington Board of Realtors)Cedar Rapids Area (Cedar Rapids Area Assoc. of Realtors)Southeast Cedar RapidsNortheast Cedar RapidsSouthwest Cedar RapidsNorthwest Cedar RapidsHiawatha & RobinsMarionEast of I-380: Mechanicsville, Anamosa, Mt. Vernon, Lisbon, etc.West of I-380: Walford, Fairfax, Atkins, etc.Corridor Area: Solon, Ely, SwisherCondominiumsClinton, Camanche & Fulton (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)DeWitt (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)Dubuque Area (Dubuque Board of Realtors)DubuqueNorth, South and West DubuqueIllinoisWisconsinGalena & Galena Territory (Realtor Assoc. of Northwest IL)Galesburg Area (W. Central IL Association of Realtors)Illinois Quad Cities (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)Rock IslandMilan & Rural Rock Island CountyMolineCoal Valley, Rural Moline, MiscellaneousEast Moline & SilvisPort Byron, Upper Rock Island CountyMercer CountyHenry CountyCondominiumsIowa Quad Cities (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.)DavenportBettendorf & RiverdaleBlue Grass, Buffalo, Durant & WalcottLeClaire, Pleasant Valley & PrincetonNorth Scott CountyMiscellaneousCondominiumsIowa City Area (Iowa City Area Assoc. of Realtors)Iowa CityCoralvilleNorthwest Iowa CityNortheast Iowa CitySoutheast Iowa CitySouthwest Iowa CityCorridor AreaMiscellaneousCondominiumsMaquoketa, Preston & Bellevue (Jackson Co. MLS & QCARA)Muscatine & Wilton Area (Muscatine Board of Realtors)MuscatineWiltonMuscatine OutlyingCondominiumsWashington Area (Iowa City Area Assoc. of Realtors)Wisconsin - Grant & Lafayette Co. (S. Central Wisconsin)

2211,895

166212169137

38160225250149389285

394212551173514

393294883169

54178

65835766

14962

743359143

3576222583

1,389338100169

32338771

154405

82183103

96011

111314

9%11%9%7%2%8%

12%13%

8%21%

61%28%

8%3%

19%6%

20%7%9%7%8%

17%7%

48%19%

5%10%

3%4%

11%

25%7%

12%2%3%6%5%

11%29%

56%5%

33%6%

$118,800$173,000

162,900183,800143,300156,400241,300202,300155,000149,000286,700147,200$89,900

$152,400$164,500

166,700154,000162,300177,100

$194,000$91,700

$117,10094,900

148,300113,000125,700101,000164,100101,000125,900135,500

$189,800143,400331,400146,100217,100218,200116,800152,000

$196,800257,900304,500288,900170,100150,700169,200284,300178,500161,200

$109,600$130,700

129,000153,000125,900155,300

$109,200$128,500

$27,328,000$365,558,300

27,371,60061,199,60028,373,50026,278,50010,375,10051,396,20028,823,20028,897,30039,274,20063,569,100

$22,019,200$8,534,000

$79,446,50062,167,10012,011,6004,382,500

885,300$11,825,300$25,392,300

$122,677,50016,804,700

8,746,80028,130,500

9,804,30011,105,6007,382,4005,657,300

27,323,9007,722,000

$204,068,20078,890,00072,578,800

6,426,80012,808,10012,218,200

3,971,30017,175,000

$284,313,60088,981,500

2,740,70045,070,300

5,103,8003,917,700

13,198,70012,226,40040,522,80072,551,700$9,534,600

$35,035,20023,601,300

2,141,8007,428,6001,863,500

$7,861,600$28,258,600

2302,113

168333198168

43254186194137432245

56483373

7827

561

2771,048

17759

24978

1104556

21757

1,075550219

44595634

1131,445

34590

15630267843

227450

87268183

14591272

220

8%16%

9%8%2%

12%9%9%7%

20%

77%16%

6%1%

17%6%

24%7%

11%4%5%

21%5%

51%20%

4%6%5%3%

11%

24%6%

11%2%2%5%3%

16%31%

68%5%

22%5%

94%98%96%98%98%99%98%99%94%96%98%

100%90%91%95%95%93%93%94%83%91%97%96%97%96%96%96%98%95%97%96%98%97%99%98%98%97%96%98%98%98%97%98%96%97%96%97%97%99%96%96%96%98%95%

102%94%90%

2691,848

164266197141

37232178142115376202

53443350

6719

756

304909154

65218

32132

3652

17446

1,059524229

30655341

1171,250

31891

12632226940

155397

69235156

17471569

221

$97,600$163,900

164,700161,700137,600136,200258,500204,900149,200129,800276,400140,000

$102,500$154,100$167,000

170,600153,600154,700150,200

$195,700$77,900

$106,00080,900

120,800103,700115,50099,300

177,000103,200

82,800133,200

$182,500129,500311,000178,000227,400221,400

91,700159,000

$209,800251,200303,700278,300147,900164,400156,600300,000160,900160,200

$115,400$121,000

125,500152,700

93,700123,600

$104,500$124,300

$26,252,700$302,887,500

27,010,20043,019,90027,115,90019,205,400

9,565,00047,546,80026,560,70018,432,30031,785,10052,646,200

$20,702,300$8,165,300

$73,994,00059,710,00010,293,200

2,939,2001,051,600

$10,960,900$23,602,000$96,317,100

12,456,0007,850,000

22,605,4003,696,000

13,105,9006,372,7005,364,600

18,738,1006,128,400

$193,316,00067,868,90071,220,000

5,341,50014,782,40011,736,0003,760,300

18,606,900$262,306,200

79,887,60027,632,70035,070,000

4,733,9003,617,700

10,807,20012,001,50024,938,20063,617,400$7,965,600

$28,426,90019,574,800

2,595,6004,403,1001,853,400

$7,207,900$27,470,400

Regional Residential Real Estate Activity

This representation is based in part on data supplied by the REALTOR Associations or their Multiple List ing Services. Neither the Boards nor their MLS guarantee or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Boards or their MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Several MLS mergers are causing some data to be suspect. The Washington MLS merged into the Iowa City MLS & data may be reflected in both markets. The Clinton MLS recently merged with the Quad Cities MLS. Maquoketa MLS members are merging with either the Quad Cities MLS or Dubuque MLS.

6 • RuhlHomes.com

Regional New Construction Home SalesActive

Inventory 6/30/13

Active Inventory

6/30/15

Active Inventory

6/30/14

% Change in Inventory

from 2014Sales2013

Sales2015

% Change in Sales

from 2014Sales2014

Cedar Rapids Area Houses Condos/VillasDubuque Area Houses Condos/VillasIllinois Quad Cities (Rock Island County) Houses Condos/VillasIowa Quad Cities (Scott County) Houses Condos/VillasIowa City Area Houses Condos/VillasTotal Regional Combined

133755855332212

210864541

216138

78502

163109

54573621

624

1046242

249168

81579

-18%-15%-26%-26%-6%

-62%-17%

+50%-50%+6%

+26%-24%

+45%+20%+95%+12%

14685613636

0431

1108921

18011664

476

+8%+5%

+11%-17%-17%

0%+25%+33%

0%+2%-7%

+38%-2%

-12%+17%+1%

13393404234

8532

1107832

360202158650

15789683030

0541

1128329

177102

75481

14593523433

1321

1078225

20411292

493

Through June

5 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Home Service Vendor

We often hear that buyers, sellers and current home owners have a hard time finding trusted partners for basic home services. They often ask for recommendations and then decide based on who gets back in touch with them the quickest. Here are some questions we’ve developed for you to ask before deciding what company to partner with: 1. Are they bonded and/or licensed? 2. Do they have up-to-date insurance? 3. Have you heard from three or four people that they are trustworthy and

do good work? 4. Are they established in the community? 5. Have you received a few quotes to price compare? If you need help finding a home service partner, Ruhl&Ruhl has a program developed to make your move or house projects as easy and stress-free as possible. All of our partners have been highly recommended by Ruhl&Ruhl clients and associates and have the proper insurance and licensing. In addition,

their work meets our high-quality standards. For more information, you can visit RuhlHomes.com/Vendors.

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Awarded Coolest Places to Work Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors received

recognition as one of the Coolest Places to Work by the Corridor Business Journal. Founded 153 years ago, Ruhl&Ruhl is one of the oldest real estate brokerages in the country. And while that fact doesn’t necessarily scream “cool,” Ruhl&Ruhl sales associates and staff highlighted the flexible atmosphere as one of the company’s greatest strengths. “We focus on personal mastery. We want our agents not to just set business

goals, but we also ask them what they want to accomplish in their personal lives, because that goes hand in hand,” said Chris Beason, Broker/Owner of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors. “We have more tools for our agents to use than they can even make use of,” said Travis Hiatt, Managing Broker of Ruhl&Ruhl’s Iowa City Office. “It’s like a carpenter’s toolbox with everything at your fingertips.” Learn more at JoinTheRuhlTeam.com.

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors celebrates the honor of being one of the Coolest Places to Work!

Pictured (left to right): Travis Hiatt, Iowa City Manager; Connie Larsen, Sales Associate; Caroline Ruhl, President; Chris Beason, Broker/Owner

RuhlHomes.com • 7

New Home Sales continued on page 8

New home sales across the region slowed slightly in the second quarter, but still left us with a 1% increase in overall unit sales year-to-date, as reported by our regional Multiple Listing Services (MLSs). While house sales were down 6%, the sales of new condos are up 18%, compared with the first six months of 2014. This accompanies a 12% increase in overall unit inventory, with houses up 9% and condos up 19%. Sales and inventory figures for regional markets are available on page 6. The price breakdown for house and condo sales follows:

Even with increased sales, condos represent 37% of the new homes market. Ranch style homes were preferred by 74% of buyers, with 19% of buyers choosing 2-story houses. New homes represent about 1 of every 9 homes purchased. Overall new home sales and inventory are higher than 2014, but results vary across the region. For a detailed look at housing starts, by market, please consult the chart to the left. Following is a brief summary of activity in each of the major market areas:CEDAR RAPIDS: A strong second quarter helped sales to show an overall increase of 8%, with houses up 5% and condos up 11%. The city of Cedar Rapids led the market up-tick with a combined increase of 24% in sales. These sales consumed available inventory, which dropped by 18% compared to the same time last year.DUBUQUE: House sales for the year are down 17% and, for the second quarter in a row, there were no condos sales reported in the MLS. With overall unit inventory down 26%, Dubuque seems to be in need of an infusion on new spec homes. The strongest segment for homes in 2015 is $225-300K, with a 73% increase over last year. No new construction sales over $300K have been reported in 2015.IOWA CITY: Sales here slowed after a great start, with second quarter sales 11% below those of last year and overall year-to-date sales down 2%. For 2015, houses are down 12% while condo sales are up 17%. At the same time, overall

New Home Sales Show Modest Improvement

New Housing Starts20082012 2013 20152014 % Change

2014 vs. 2015Burlington AreaBurlingtonWest BurlingtonCedar Rapids AreaCedar RapidsMarionRural Linn CountyHiawatha & Mechanicsville AreasDubuque AreaDubuqueEast DubuqueGalenaJo Daviess CountyPeostaSurrounding Dubuque AreaIllinois Quad CitiesMoline & Coal ValleyRock IslandEast Moline & HamptonColonaPort ByronGeneseoRural Rock Island County & MilanSilvisWhiteside CountyIowa Quad CitiesDavenportBettendorfRural Scott CountyEldridge & Long GroveLeClaire & PrincetonBlue Grass - city ofIowa City AreaIowa CityCoralvilleNorth LibertyRural Johnson CountyWest BranchWilliamsburg, Wellman & KalonaWest LibertyMuscatine AreaMuscatineMuscatine CountyWiltonOther AreasClintonDeWittMaquoketa, Preston & BellevueWashington AreaTotal Regional StartsDes Moines Area*

770

2331178821

7188

6310

164

104641114

2007

122

16200

5970262121

3236

75298429

712

010

631

142291

952881

12111

249107

903715

16748

10

178

9366

976

1011

160

16282

4881662658

3203

76205736

671

132

101

112441

1,0031,049

187

113071619643

713536

11

104

8342

810118

101

121913370402420

419758137345

152

228

140

228581

9341,211

1275

253153

602713

16239

70

16109050

517

0412

1227

2024689301519

3225

85159824

120

16295

2467

101

9441,042

+50%0%

+120%+21%+5%

+60%+59%-46%-17%-8%

-86%+100%

-38%-60%

-8%-16%

+60%-94%

0%-75%

0%+300%

-17%-50%+71%

-5%-28%-21%

+33%+60%

+5%+33%-12%-32%-13%-26%+86%

0%+150%+200%

+38%+300%

+56%-100%

-8%+33%-29%-20%

0%-1%

+16%Source: Municipal offices. There may be additional new homes built which are not included with this data. *Des Moines Area is comprised of Adel, Altoona, Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Indianola, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Waukee, & West Des Moines.

Through June

Condos: Below $200K = 66% $200-$300K = 29% Above $300K = 5%

Houses: Below $300K = 44% $300-$400K = 32% Above $400K = 24%

Corporate Relocation Center5403 Victoria Avenue, Suite 100Davenport, IA 52807

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Chris BeasonBroker/Owner

RuhlHomes.com

For further information or to be added to our mailing list, contact Caroline Ruhl or Veronica Pianca • 563.355.74745403 Victoria Avenue, Suite 100 • Davenport, Iowa 52807-3925 • CarolineRuhl@RuhlHomes.com or VeronicaPianca@RuhlHomes.com

8 • RuhlHomes.com

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New Home Sales continued from page 7unit inventory is up 45% over 2014, with the number of new condos on the market nearly doubling that of last year. There are also 20% more houses available. New development in Tiffin should spur sales and help to continue to even out

the local market shares between North Liberty, Iowa City and Coralville/Tiffin.QUAD CITIES: With both overall sales and overall inventory up slightly, compared to 2014, the area continues a slow new homes recovery process. House sales at both ends of the price

spectrum showed gains, while condo sales below $175K were up 128%, helping condos to an overall increase of 36%. This sales increase contributed to a 26% decrease in condo inventory. House sales dropped by 5%, despite a 27% increase in inventory.

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