Ruhl&Ruhl Announced as an Iowa Top Workplace
Region
Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors has been said in their survey: selected as one of the 2013 “Iowa Top “They continually offer cutting-edge Workplaces,” a list of the best places to technology; they always request input work in the state of Iowa. from the agents on what we need and The evaluation for the Top Workplaces what they can do to help us do our jobs program is based upon feedback from an better. Management’s doors are always employee survey. Ruhl&Ruhl had over open to discussing new ideas and 226 responders, which helped to rank knowledge is always shared.” the company as the 15th top mid-sized “The education and morality of the workplace in Iowa. company [impresses me most]. They try “We are delighted to receive this to give their agents as much training as award,” said Caroline Ruhl, President of possible so they can become better.” Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors. “It showcases our “I love the people I work with and can commitment to our agents and always get help when needed. employees, and confirms that at Additionally, it really makes me “They try to give Ruhl&Ruhl, our people really are feel good to help clients find their their agents as much training as the difference.” dream home and/or sell their possible so they can existing home.” There were 116 companies become better.” selected for the Top Workplaces “It affords me the award. Ruhl&Ruhl was one of opportunity to make a good living only three real estate companies in the in a happy and friendly environment.” state selected, and the only real estate “The work is interesting, challenging, company headquartered in eastern Iowa. and never boring! Co-workers are great! I This is the second time Ruhl&Ruhl am also given the opportunity to balance received recognition for being an “Iowa my home life with my hours at work.” Top Workplace”. To view a list of all recipients, go to This is what some of the employees www.desmoinesregister.com.
Home Prices Rising in our Local Markets Our eastern Iowa markets continue to have steady and stable growth in home price appreciation. Nationally home prices have fallen 4.35% in the last five years, but all of our markets’ home prices are up: 6.97% in Dubuque; 3.92% in Iowa City; 1.83% in Cedar Rapids; and 1.20% in the Quad Cities. This compares to Des Moines, IA down 2.51% and Chicago, IL down 22.95%. In our markets, home prices didn’t have as drastic as a fall compared to other areas of the country, so the increase in home price appreciation has been modest but steady. A continued shortage of listings and low, but rising interest rates may impact home prices locally. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA’s)
Cedar Rapids, IA Davenport-MolineRock Island , IA-IL Des MoinesWest Des Moines, IA Dubuque, IA Iowa City, IA USA
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, of the 401 MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) ranked by home price appreciation, all of our markets ranked in the top 54% in the nation – Iowa City at 102nd; Dubuque at 162nd; the Quad Cities at 189th; and Cedar Rapids at 216th. Nationally, this is the eighth consecutive quarterly price rise and overall the housing market experienced one of its strongest quarters since the boom in the middle of the last decade, said Andrew Leventis, FHFA Principal Economist. Our local markets continue to provide a more stable environment for purchasing homes and investing in real estate.
2013 2nd Quarter National Ranking of 401 MSA’s*
Percent Change in House Prices 1 Year 5 Year
Burlington Area (Burlington Board of Realtors)
Cedar Rapids Area (Cedar Rapids Area Assoc. of R Southeast Cedar Rapids Northeast Cedar Rapids Southwest Cedar Rapids Northwest Cedar Rapids Hiawatha & Robins Marion
East of I-380: Mechanicsville, Anamosa, Mt. Vernon, Li West of I-380: Walford, Fairfax, Atkins, etc. Corridor Area: Solon, Ely, Swisher Condominiums
Clinton, Camanche & Fulton (Clinton Board of Real DeWitt (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.) Dubuque Area (Dubuque Board of Realtors) Dubuque North, South and West Dubuque Illinois Wisconsin
Galena & Surrounding Area (Realtor Assoc. of Nort
Illinois Quad Cities (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc. Rock Island Milan & Rural Rock Island County Moline Coal Valley, Rural Moline, Miscellaneous East Moline & Silvis Port Byron, Upper Rock Island County Mercer County Henry County Condominiums Iowa Quad Cities (Quad City Area Realtor Assoc.) Davenport Bettendorf & Riverdale Blue Grass, Buffalo, Durant & Walcott LeClaire, Pleasant Valley & Princeton North Scott County Miscellaneous Condominiums Iowa City Area (Iowa City Area Assoc. of Realtors) Iowa City Coralville Northwest Iowa City Northeast Iowa City Southeast Iowa City Southwest Iowa City Corridor Area Miscellaneous
216
+1.04%
+1.38%
Condominiums Maquoketa, Preston & Bellevue (Jackson County M
189
+1.41%
+1.20%
Muscatine & Wilton Area (Muscatine Board of Realt
143
+2.27%
-2.51%
Wilton
162 102
+1.79% +3.37% +7.22%
+6.97% +3.92% -4.35%
Condominiums
Information courtesy of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for second quarter 2013. 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.
4 • RuhlHomes.com
Through September
Muscatine Muscatine Outlying Washington Area* (English River MLS)
Wisconsin - Grant & Lafayette Co. (S. Central Wisc
(This representation is based in part on data supplied by the REALT MLS) responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Boards or their