Mike Prior, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors

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Bettendorf, IA
Mike Prior, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors

👋I’m Mike,I began my real estate career in 2021. I’d be honored to help with your real estate needs.

01/12/2026

You never really know when the right house is going to hit the market, but being prepared puts you one step ahead when it does.

That’s why getting pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking for a home is key, even if you think buying is still a few months out.

Whether you’re ready to make a move now or just thinking about it, let’s talk through your goals and make sure you’re in the best position possible when the time is right.

01/05/2026

White paint isn’t “basic” anymore — it’s getting warmer, softer, and a lot easier to live with.

In 2026, the most popular whites all have one thing in common: they make a room feel calm, inviting, and elevated without looking stark.

Here are the shades designers keep reaching for:
• Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) – soft, warm, and reliable in almost any light
• Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) – creamy and cozy without reading yellow
• Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45) – warm and timeless, perfect with wood + stone
• Farrow & Ball Strong White (2001) – clean, subtle warmth with great depth • Sherwin-Williams Snowbound (SW 7004) – a modern, slightly warm white that photographs beautifully • Behr Blank Canvas (DC-003) – warm, smooth, and a favorite for open spaces
• Benjamin Moore Cloud White (OC-130) – soft, classic, and easy to pair with any style

These whites work because they’re warm enough to feel lived-in but neutral enough to stay timeless.

If you want your home to feel fresh in 2026, start here — the right white changes everything.

09/25/2025

Based on the latest economic data, the Fed is expected to cut the Federal Funds Rate more than once this year.

Here’s why that matters. Mortgage rates don’t follow the Fed’s actions directly, but they do respond to what financial markets expect the Fed will do. If markets believe cuts are coming, mortgage rates could move lower.

That’s great news for you, because even small drops in mortgage rates can make a big difference if you’re buying a home.

But all of this is going to depend on where the economy goes from here – and that’s something I’ll keep you posted on.

Want to see what today’s numbers could mean for your budget? Let’s connect.

09/17/2025

Over two-thirds of homeowners have at least 50% equity or own their home free and clear.

If you want to find out how much you have, let’s connect.

09/08/2025

More homeowners are missing the mark on pricing in today’s shifting market. And if you make that same mistake, you may wind up facing some difficult choices.

You could drop the price. But now, buyers will wonder what’s wrong with it.

You could take it off the market – and put your move on hold. Or, you could keep it and rent it out. It sounds simple, until you’re a landlord juggling repairs, leases, and late-night maintenance calls.

None of these things are what you were hoping for. But they happen when you chase last year’s price in this year’s market.

Want to know what your house could sell for in today’s market? DM me.

08/29/2025

Over the past few weeks, mortgage rates hit their lowest point of the year – and it was big news.
So, what you need to know if you’re buying a home is, whenever these shifts happen (whether they’re now or later), even a small change in rates can make a big difference in your monthly payment.

While major drops in mortgage rates aren’t projected for the rest of 2025, smaller declines are still expected – depending on where the economy goes from here.

If you want to see what the math looks like at another home loan amount or mortgage rate, DM me and I’ll connect you with a Ruhl Mortgage Lender

08/22/2025

Are you second guessing if buyers are still out there?

Data shows they are. And actually, buyer activity may be picking up.

Online searches for terms like “home for sale” and “homes for sale” recently hit a multi-year high.

Basically, what these lines show, is the search terms “home or homes for sale” is coming up online more than any other time over the last two years.

That’s a clear sign interest is building behind the scenes, and your future buyer might already be looking.

If you’ve been holding off on selling, this might be your signal to get serious, so let’s have that conversation.

08/12/2025

A second home might do more for your retirement than you realize.

As it grows in value, it can help you build wealth over time, giving you more financial freedom in retirement.

You can also rent it out to bring in some extra income you can add to your existing retirement savings. Just remember, some of the rent coming in will need to be used to pay that mortgage and maintain that house.

And if you decide to sell it down the line, any profit you make could give your retirement savings an extra boost.

If owning a second home could help you retire earlier or with more freedom, would you want to take a closer look? Let’s talk.

08/04/2025

Despite what you may be hearing in the headlines, experts agree home prices are still projected to rise overall in 2025 – just at a slower pace than we’ve seen recently.

On average, forecasters say it’ll be about a 1.5-2% increase nationwide this year.

While some markets are seeing prices level off or dip slightly right now, a dramatic drop across the board isn’t expected. Prices may even be what some would argue as closer to flat by the end of this year.

But context matters, and what you should always keep in mind is, nationally, prices are up 55% compared to just 5 years ago. So, some slight declines don’t drastically change the game.

But every market is different. So, let’s talk about what prices are doing in our area and what that means for your plans.

07/29/2025

Selling and buying at the same time sounds overwhelming – but people do it every day (with way less stress than you’d think).

The key? Knowing which step to take first. Should you sell your current place before you buy your next one, or flip that order?

This quick visual will help you start thinking it through, but the real clarity comes from talking to someone who knows your market.

Send me a quick message and let's talk about the best plan for you.

07/22/2025

After years of rapidly changing mortgage rates, we’re finally seeing something refreshing: a bit more predictability.

Mortgage rates have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months, and that’s a big win for buyers. Because that makes it much easier to plan your budget and your next move.

Want to talk through what buying could look like in today’s market? DM me and let’s chat.

07/14/2025

Are you thinking about tackling a few home projects?

Whether you're planning to sell soon or not, you should know that not every upgrade is going to add value.

Here’s some national data on projects where you’re most likely to recoup your costs. Just remember, your area may look a little different based on which features are in demand here.

So, before you dive in, let’s talk about what’s worth it in your market. Because the ones that have the best return on your upfront investment may surprise you.

Address

1228 Middle Road
Bettendorf, IA
52807

Telephone

+15635285587

Website

https://mikeprior.ruhlhomes.com/

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