The Ruhl Blog

2014 QCBR Spring Parade of Homes

Please join us for the upcoming Quad City Builders Association Spring Parade of Homes event.  The parade will be held April 26th – 27th and May 3rd – 4th from 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as April 30th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. As always, the parade of homes is free to the public. Many of the top builders in the Quad Cities participate...

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30 Open Houses in 30 Days

Steve Hart, sales associate with Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, has set a personal challenge for himself: complete 30 open houses in 30 days. Hart held one open house each day from June 16th to July 15th. He was inspired by, David Knox, a national real estate expert and educator. After watching a video as a new agent David Knox mentioned he completed...

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4 Reasons to Sell Now

Many homeowners tend to wait until the spring 'buying season' to list their homes for sale. We believe that is a huge mistake right now and came up with four great reasons to list your home: 1.) Demand Is High Home buyers are on the move, literally. First-time buyers are ready to stop renting or living with family; and move-up buyers, those...

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7 Quick Tips For A Kid-Friendly, Less Stress Move

Moving out of and into a new home can have its ups and downs emotionally.  Finding the right home, leaving your friends, packing everything up and moving your life…it’s an experience, and one that should be as stress less as possible; especially when you have kids involved.  Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind when you’re ready...

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Are you Ready to Buy your First Home?

Buying your first home is an exciting and serious experience. It takes money, responsibility and patience. Although homeownership has several advantages – it’s important to be truly ready before you purchase a home. While you decide if buying a home is right for you, it may be beneficial to rent. Check out Ruhl Property Management, a division...

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Blue Grass, Iowa

Blue Grass is a friendly Iowa farming community. The area was once a popular Indian trail between the Mississippi and Cedar Rivers. Once the prairie grass was trampled, grass with a bluish tint sprouted in its place. The blue grass that gave the city its name is long gone, but the quiet farming community is thriving. Blue Grass, Iowa is located...

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Bruce Braley Speaks with Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors on Dubuque Tax Credit

It is likely many homeowners are unaware of the tax break advocated by U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, local Realtors say. And they won't love finding out it's gone. Braley visited on Friday with representatives of the Dubuque Board of Realtors to discuss issues relating to the housing market. Braley is encouraging the extension of a federal tax deduction for homeowners with mortgage insurance. The deduction saves nearly 20,000 Iowans an average...

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Can St. Joseph Sell your Home?  

There are many tips that promise to help bring a quick home sale. However, there is only one that requires a shovel and a prayer. Many people believe that burying a statue of St. Joseph in the yard will help a home sell faster. "In general, sales of Saint Joseph statues tend to rise when the market sours," said Lara Traina, director...

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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...

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Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Chuck Ruhl

Anyone who has met, or had the privilege of doing business with Charles A. Ruhl would agree that he had a special way with people. "Chuck," as he was known by most, had a natural ability of making everyone he met feel significant. "He could make anyone feel like they were the most important person in the world," said Caroline Ruhl, President...

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Consider Cost Not Just Price

In today’s real estate market, buyers have a tendency to focus on price when searching for a new home.  But, they really should focus on the long term cost of a home. In November 2013, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae estimated a 1% increase in mortgage interest rates in...

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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....

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Drive-In Movie Theater in Blue Grass, Iowa

If you have driven by Blue Grass, Iowa recently you may have noticed some “giant cubes” sticking out of the ground. This construction at 774 W. Mayne Street confounded residents as to what could be happening in their small farming community. To their delight, it was something that the Quad Cities has not had in over 25 years – a drive-in...

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Dwindling Condo Sales Stall New Construction Market

A modest increase in new house sales has been offset by a continued reduction in the number of new condos sold across the region in 2014. Multiple Listing Services report a 2% increase in house sales and a 12% decrease in condo sales, combining for an overall unit sales decrease of 3% versus the same period last year. New home sales across the...

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Eric Schlutz Elected President of Realtors Land Institute

After years of serving the Realtors Land Institute (RLI) Iowa Chapter #2, Eric Schlutz was sworn in as President on September 16, 2014. Schlutz, manager of the Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Muscatine Office and Realtor serving the Muscatine area, is experienced in farm and land brokerage and has worked to help educate others in the industry. “Eric...

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Excellence in Education in Geneseo

When driving through Geneseo, Illinois it is not uncommon for a complete stranger to wave or start a conversation. This was experienced firsthand while visiting. With the new school year just starting there was one topic on everyone’s mind – the advantages and benefits of the Geneseo School District. “We pride ourselves on the school district...

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Featured Community: Thomson, Illinois

Every other week, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors will be featuring a community that we serve. This week it's Thomson, Illinois - the Melon Capital of the World! Click the link below for some current statistics on Thomson real estate, including the current number of homes for sale in Thomson. Thomson, Illinois | Create Infographics And to see current...

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Geneseo Go-Giver

If giving were a competition, Olivia Egert would definitely place. Olivia, daughter of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors sales associate, Penny Egert, is competing in the Miss Blackhawk Valley Pre-Teen competition this weekend, but her real passion is giving back to those in her community. “Olivia is honestly fundraising 24/7!” Penny said. “She plays...

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Get Silly, Outside for St. Patrick’s

The Quad Cities Saint Patrick’s Day Grand Parade is special to many, and JJ Condon, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor and Applestone Homes Owner, is one of them. “I love the St. Patrick’s Day Grand Parade because it’s the unofficial start of spring in the Quad Cities,” said Condon. “Some years we get beautiful weather; other years it’s still...

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Going for Gold

From Left: Becca Poirier, Abby Yohe, Katie Yohe Many Americans have cheered on the good ole USA this year for the Olympics in Sochi, Russia, but for Ruhl&Ruhl employees Katie Yohe and Becca Poirier, it hits home. Andy Yohe, Katie's husband and Becca's brother-in-law, is the captain of the 2014 United States Paralympic Sled Hockey...

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Harry Blewett Awarded Dubuque Realtor of the Year!

We are excited to announce that Harry Blewett of the Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Dubuque Office has been awarded Realtor of the Year by the Dubuque Board of Realtors. "Harry is the consummate professional. He is honest, hardworking and committed to the Code of Ethics," the Board said. "He has a big heart and is respected by all of his fellow Realtors." Voted on or selected by his peers, the "2014 Realtor of the Year" award is given to the real...

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Home Improvements to do Before Spring

As the snow starts to melt, it's time to consider some updates and ways to save yourself some money! With spring just around the corner, (we promise it will come!) here are a few home improvement ideas that you can do while you are still stuck inside. 1.     Update light fixtures and replace light bulbs: Are you tired of that brass light...

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Home Prices Appreciating in the Cedar Rapids Region

  The eastern Iowa region continues its steady climb in home price appreciation – with the Cedar Rapids area showing positive gain. In the Cedar Rapids region, home prices are up 1.20% in the past year. This data is provided by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for the 2nd quarter of 2014 (see chart and website below). Nationally,...

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Home Staging Tips for Fall

The fall season is all about change. If your home is still on the market, it may be time to modify your home staging strategy. By changing your home with the seasons, potential buyers are more likely to feel like your house could be their future home. Bring in the Scent of Fall: Burn an apple candle or boil cinnamon sticks on the stove. Another...

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House Hunting in the Palm of your Hand

Between trying to please his wife with a big backyard and his desire to live by a bike path, Brian Gartner knew he needed something to ease his home search when moving across the state of Iowa. Luckily, Brian's trusted Ruhl&Ruhl agent, Regen Johnson, had the perfect solution. She told Brian about Ruhl&Ruhl's mobile app,...

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Housing Market Stabilizing in Cedar Rapids

We have been on a roller coaster ride for the past 18 months, with residential sales roaring ahead, then falling back and now slowly, but steadily, stabilizing and gradually improving. For the first six months of 2014, the total number of properties sold in our eastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin region is down 4%,...

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How to Host a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be fun and exciting. Unfortunately, it can also be stressful. It is easy to get overwhelmed during any holiday you are hosting. The key to success? Have a plan and get as many preparations done before as you can. We came up with a few tips and tricks to get you through hosting a Thanksgiving meal. 1. Make your...

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Iowa City Region’s Home Prices Appreciating

The eastern Iowa region continues its steady climb in home price appreciation – with the Iowa City area showing positive gain. In the Iowa City region, home prices are up 2.38% in the past year. This data is provided by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for the 2nd quarter of 2014 (see chart and website below). Nationally, home prices...

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Iowa Farmland Value Decreases, but Demand Stays Strong

Despite a decrease in the value of cropland across the state of Iowa, there continues to be high demand for certain types of land. The Land Trends and Value Survey, presented by the Iowa Farm and Land Chapter #2 REALTORS Land Institute, reported a statewide average decrease of cropland values of 4.2% for the year from March 1, 2013 to March 1,...

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Iowa Top Workplaces include Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors

The state of Iowa is known for having a dedicated and diligent workforce and Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors is proud to be included. Ruhl&Ruhl has been selected as one of the 2014 “Iowa Top Workplaces,” a list of the best places to work in the state of Iowa. The evaluation for the Top Workplaces program is based upon feedback from an employee...

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Markets Steadily Improving

Closed sales volume for 2014 is down 1% compared to the first 9 months of 2013 across the region of eastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. This is actually good as we are improving each quarter in the region, but definitely trending in the right direction! Sales Volume Compared to 2013 First Quarter                     ...

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Mobile Technology has made Life Easier

From calling and texting on the go to getting directions and staying in touch on Facebook - mobile has simplified day to day tasks. Real estate is no different. mobileRuhl, a real estate app from Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, provides consumers and agents the capability to have accurate real estate information wherever they go. "I started using...

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Moving is Tough – Make it Easier!

It's no secret that moving can be tough. Fortunately, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors has the relocation specialists that can make it easier on you and your family. Whether it's a new job, transfer or a family decision to make a move, our relocation specialist will be there assisting you with all aspects of moving to our area. Their goals are your goals...

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New Rule in Mortgage Lending

The consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Ability - to - Repay Rule (ATR) went into effect on January 10th. This rule protects consumers from debt traps by requiring mortgage lenders to evaluate whether borrowers can afford to pay back the mortgage before signing up. The rule was required by Congress as a response to the financial crisis and...

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Newbo is Growing

The Newbo City Market has quickly turned into the place to be among locals in Cedar Rapids. The area has great food, gifts and a fun atmosphere that exudes the Bohemian culture. Just how popular is the Newbo Market? They just announced that they will be expanding in March 2015. "People are always talking about the Newbo area and especially...

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Now is the Time to Buy

Cost is not determined by the price alone but by price and the mortgage rate. As projected by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors, the longer a buyer waits, the higher the mortgage payment will be if rates continue to increase. Money Magazine, agreed with this as they warned their readership of the same consequences...

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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    ...

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Race for A Life

About one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Darcy Holle, the Director of Career Development for Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors was the 'one'. "I remember participating in the first ever QC Race for the Cure with my daughter and mom back in 1990 at Bettendorf High School." said Holle. "Little did I know,...

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Real Estate in Blue Grass, Iowa

This week we check out Blue Grass, Iowa. Click below to see market statistics and months of inventory. Blue Grass, Iowa | Create Infographics To see current homes for sale in Blue Grass or to find out more about living in Blue Grass, go to RuhlHomes.com.

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Rick Hernandez has a Growing Family

Since 2010, Hernandez, a Realtor in the Ruhl&Ruhl Cedar Rapids Office, and his wife have opened their Cedar Rapids home as a host family for foreign exchange "daughters" from South America. "All of our girls have come from very poor rural communities and they all have their own interesting stories to share," said...

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Ruhl Mortgage Partners with Quad City Bank & Trust

Ruhl Mortgage and Quad City Bank & Trust announced that the formation of their new joint venture to provide mortgage services and products to their clients is now complete. The combined entity will operate as Ruhl Mortgage. “Ruhl Mortgage, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors and Quad City Bank & Trust all have their roots in the Quad Cities Region,”...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Agents Pursue Mastery

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors is excited to announce the commencement of our agents and staff from the Ninja Selling Installation. We had 69 agents participate in the vigorous sales training. The purpose of Ninja is to focus on positive mindset, create better business systems and work every day to improve – or have the pursuit of Mastery. The class...

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Ruhl&Ruhl is more than Real Estate

When asked to sit down to talk about working with family at Ruhl&Ruhl the last thing Kate Franzen would imagine was her mom tearing up with pride as she talked about working with her daughter. But, as Gina Rowland opened up and talked about her "leap of faith" in trusting her daughter to treat her clients the way she would,...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Awarded for Exceptional Customer Service

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors received Gold recognition for exceptional customer service at the AIReS Broker Network Summit on December 9-11. AIReS, a provider of world class relocation solutions, hosted a three day event to provide education, training, and an inside look at the AIReS culture to their top Real Estate Brokerage Partners. All attendees...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Congratulates 2013 Award Winners

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors honored 200 award winners for their 2013 achievements at the Waterfront Convention Center on Friday, January 24th, 2014. The top awards were awarded to: Top Excellence in Service Award: Mark Miller, Burlington Office Top Associate of the Year: Kurt Johnson, Bettendorf Office Extraordinary Production Award: Gary Williams,...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Opens Office in NewBo

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors is pleased to announce the opening of their second Cedar Rapids office located across the street from the NewBo City Market in downtown Cedar Rapids. The new state of the art office is at 1117 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA. Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors opened their first office in the Cedar Rapids area in September of 2010....

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Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Ranked #1 in Customer Service

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors congratulates the Relocation Department, being ranked #1 out of 246 Preferred Brokers in customer service from SIRVA, Inc. in 2013. This was based on Agent Rating and Overall Quality of Service. SIRVA is a third party relocation company that handles transferees from many corporations. Vice Presidents - Relocation and Business...

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Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Sponsors Quad City Marathon

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors is proud to sponsor the 2014 Quad Cities Half Marathon. The marathon will take place on Sunday, September 28th at 1201 River Drive in Moline, IL. “We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting event,” said Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors. “The organizations that the marathon contribute to have...

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Spring Real Estate Update: Home Prices Rising in Our Markets

In the past year, home prices have risen in most of our markets. The increases have been driven by declining inventory and pent up buyer demand. The Regional Real Estate Activity Chart below also shows the percent change in average sales price comparing first quarter of 2014 to first quarter of 2013. There is tremendous variation from market...

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Support Quad City Area Children, with Flowers!

For the third year, Ruhl&Ruhl welcomed Big Brothers Big Sisters to our Bettendorf Office to sell beautiful hanging baskets for their annual Plant Sale – helping to break fundraising records for the organization. Agents and staff members came energized and ready to help petal patrons select and carry their baskets. “It was great to see...

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The Five Biggest Turn-offs For Homebuyers

A lot of sellers don't listen to their real estate agents, we'll tell you what your agent wants to say, but can't say to you and this is it - your agent can't get you the price you want unless your home is in pristine move-in condition. That means no sticking drawers in the kitchen. No leaning fences. No rust-stained plumbing fixtures. We could...

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The Location ‘Ruhls’ at Newbo, Cedar Rapids

Comfortably nestled across the street from the Newbo City Market is the newest real estate office in Cedar Rapids. The cozy yellow house is Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors’ second location in the city of five seasons. But don’t let its quaintness fool you – 1117 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids is home to tech-savvy Cedar Rapids Realtors who are keeping...

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The Scenic Village of Thomson

The area along Route 84 is known as “the great river road - one of the most scenic routes in America,” which is where the Village of Thomson, Illinois is situated. Upon driving to the little village that is less than 3 miles long, we couldn’t agree more. If you want to see nature at its finest, come to Thomson. Known for its hunting and...

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Thinking about Renting Out Your Home?

Homeowners who want or need to move don't necessarily have to sell their house. It might make sense to rent it. Renting your home can sometimes lessen the financial burden, and you might be able to turn a small profit. If you’re thinking about renting – Ruhl&Ruhl has the answers and we are here to help you with the process. By renting...

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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...

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Two Rivers YMCA Sneaker Ball Keeps Kids Running

All children should have access to swimming lessons or camps. This is the goal of the Two Rivers YMCA Sneaker Ball, which will be held tonight from 5:30-9pm at Stoney Creek Inn, Moline. The event, sponsored by Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors and hosted by Mike Wendt, General Sales Manager of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, raises money for children in our community to send...

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Volunteering Hits Home

Habitat for Humanity has a vision where everyone has a decent place to live. Hannah Dolash, a Realtor in the Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors Clinton Office, agrees. In fact, she thinks volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is the perfect niche for a Realtor. The volunteer driven organization builds affordable housing for low-income families. "I...

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You Might Find this Pin-teresting!

Imagine flipping through a magazine and tearing out pictures that inspire you. These could be anything ranging from DIY projects, home décor, to your dream house. That is exactly what one of the fastest growing social media sites, Pinterest, allows you to do electronically. Pinterest is a visual search engine where you can browse articles ranging...

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Zillow

There has been lots of chatter about Zillow’s acquisition of Trulia. How will this impact our markets? How will it change the real estate game for homebuyers, home sellers, investors and our Realtors? Well, we believe it won’t. Not now and not ever. Real estate has always been local. The person with the local market knowledge earns the business...

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