Posts from October 2014
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31
Don't Let the Cold Get you – Winterize your Vacant Home
If you have a house that is going to be vacant this winter it is important to winterize the property. Failure to do so can cause dramatic and costly damage. Don't get caught by surprise; here is a checklist of what needs to be done to protect your vacant home.
- Turn down the thermostat so the house will stay at 50 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Seal small cracks around windows and doors to keep the warm air in and the cold air out.
- Remove all outside hoses from water spouts
- Make sure smoke detectors are working on every floor.
- Place mothballs in the house to prevent rodents and insects.
- Post signs in appropriate places saying, "Winterized – Do Not Use!"
- Make arrangements for snow and ice removal. Contact your
27
Toys for Tots Collection Drive
For the third year in a row Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors will be supporting the Festival of Trees through sponsorship of the event's Toy Tree. Standing over 20-feet tall, the Toy Tree takes new toy donations for displaying during the Festival and then all toys are delivered to Toys for Tots at the end of the Festival for distribution in the Quad Cities community. Ruhl&Ruhl is accepting donations of new unwrapped toys at each Quad City office, as well as, open houses. Collection of toys will end Saturday, November 15th. "I am so proud of our sales associates and employees for everything they do to participate in this amazing cause," said Caroline Ruhl, president of
24
Quad Cities Real Estate Update: Local Market is Up
While sales volume is down 1% for the region, the combined Iowa & Illinois Quad Cities have seen a 1% increase in sales volume in the first nine months of 2014 compared to last year. Overall, the market is actually improving each quarter and definitely trending in the right direction! Sales Volume By Quarter Compared to 2013 1st 2nd 3rd Year-to-Date -9% -2% +4% -1% Six of our markets are down year to date and seven of our markets are up. The Illinois Quad Cities is up 6% in sales volume and the Iowa Quad Cities is down 2% in sales volume. Overall, the total market is up 1% in sales volume. What's Happening in our Markets 1) "Sluggishness in the general economy
23
Cedar Rapids Real Estate Fall Update: Regional Markets Improving
Despite regional sales volume being down 1% in the first nine months, we are improving and definitely trending in the right direction! Sales Volume By Quarter Compared to 2013 1st 2nd 3rd Year-to-Date -9% -2% +4% -1% There is considerable variation from market to market - six of our markets are down year to date and seven of our markets are up. Overall, the Cedar Rapids market is down 7% in sales volume.
At look at regional real estate trends January 31, 2014 through September 30, 2014. What's Happening in our Markets 1) "Sluggishness in the general economy with lower than expected job growth, stagnant household income and tight credit conditions are taking the expected toll on housing sales," said Steve Murray, editor of the REAL Trends Housing Market Report. 2) First-time home p...
22
