It’s been a wonderful year. Has it been for you too? I hope so. I wanted to thank you sincerely for taking time out of your day to read my blog. I hope it’s added some value to your life or business somehow, or maybe it’s helped you navigate the real estate road a bit better. Sometimes when I tell people how much I love blogging they think I have no life. But in truth this blog is about building relationships with readers (you), and that means the world to me. I appreciate the amazing people I’ve been able to meet over the past 7 years since this whole thing began. Thank you for hanging in there with me for another year.
Two Weeks: For the next two weeks I’ll be lying low with family, which means I’ll be taking the rest of the year off (I like the way that sounds). Honestly, this has been a very successful year in terms of business, personal goals, and relationships. Yet I find myself tired and emotionally done with 2015. Can you relate? I’m ready to close this chapter, get refreshed, and open a new chapter in 2016. So these next two weeks I’ll be enjoying walks on the beach, thinking about appraisals, building a few wood projects, catching the new Star Wars movie (no spoilers please), drinking as much coffee as possible, and savoring time with my lovely wife and sons. I’ll look forward to connecting with everyone again the first week of January.
I took this photo at the Capitol building in Sacramento a couple of weeks ago. If you’re local, I highly recommend grabbing a hot drink and heading over to enjoy the tree while it is still there.
From my family to yours, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!
Question: What are you going to be doing for these next two weeks? Any plans with family or friends?
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Tom Horn says
December 21, 2015 at 1:13 PMGlad to hear you had such a successful year Ryan. I too plan to hang with the family and take in the new Star Wars movie. Looking forward to continuing our friendship in 2016 and appreciate the help and encouragement you’ve given over the last several years. God bless you and your family!
Ryan Lundquist says
December 21, 2015 at 1:21 PMThank you, Tom. We’ll have to compare notes on the movie once we’ve both seen it. I’m grateful for our friendship, and I too look forward to sharing ideas in 2016. Thank you for everything, Tom. May the Force be strong with you during this Christmas season. 🙂
Gary Kristensen says
December 21, 2015 at 5:50 PMHave a relaxing time Ryan. Merry Christmas to your family and I know 2016 will be great for you (not a Trump reference).
Ryan Lundquist says
December 22, 2015 at 7:44 AMThanks Gary. Ha. That’s funny. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope you guys get some down time and you feel charged up for another year ahead.
Shannon Slater says
December 22, 2015 at 9:08 AMMerry Christmas Ryan! Have enjoyed all of your posts this year! Have a great time with your family and all of those nerf wars! Have a terrific 2016!
Ryan Lundquist says
December 22, 2015 at 9:27 AMThank you so much Shannon. I’m so glad we are connected. Have a tremendous holiday with your family, and enjoy all 7 of your kids. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Bev says
December 22, 2015 at 11:28 AMHappy Holidays Ryan to you and your family! We (your readers) are soooo blessed to have you, thank you for sharing your talent and generous heart with us!
Over the next 2 weeks I will somewhat echo your plans… I too love saying goodbye to the old year and hello to the new with a renewed spirit and aspirations.
Enjoy your time with your family, you deserve it!!!!
Ryan Lundquist says
December 22, 2015 at 11:39 AMBev, you are the best. Thank you for the kind words. That makes my day to hear, and I feel like I’m ending the year on an encouraging note. I have about 5-6 hours of work left for the year. After today I am officially done. 🙂
I hope you find relaxation and joy in coming weeks. Blessings to you. Merry Christmas.
Bev says
December 22, 2015 at 11:45 AMYay!!! ;))
John Wake says
December 27, 2015 at 7:41 AMFor January. Is this true, “The truth is that there is no legislation mandating the use of AMCs”? http://realtormag.realtor.org/law-and-ethics/feature/article/2015/12/appraisal-regs-in-wake-crash. I thought lenders had to use AMCs.
Ryan Lundquist says
January 5, 2016 at 10:27 AMHi John. Thanks for the comment and link. I appreciate it. If a loan is going through Fannie or Freddie (including FHA), then the lender has to use a third-party ordering system. It might be an AMC they hire to manage their appraisals, or it might be an in-house appraisal department that is separate from the loan officers. Hard money lenders can hire their appraisers at their discretion, and home owner doing appraisals for PMI removal often can hire their own appraisers too. The use of a separate appraisal ordering mechanism is required though for Fannie / Freddie deals. I should mention too portfolio lenders not sending the loan to Fannie or Freddie can hire their own appraisers directly too.
On a related note, it’s a mess out there with AMCs. They have dominated the scene over the past few years, and there are frankly many that should not be in business. This is why I choose to not work with most AMCs. There are a few lender clients I am comfortable working for, but otherwise I am extremely picky.
DeeDee Riley says
January 3, 2016 at 10:33 AMRyan, I hope your two weeks off were everything you wanted and hoped for. Thank you so much for your amazing blog posts. I have learned so much from you through the couple years I’ve been following you!
Wishing you the very best in 2016 and always!
Ryan Lundquist says
January 5, 2016 at 9:45 AMHi DeeDee. Thank you for your kinds words. I really appreciate your encouragement. My break was amazing, though I caught a gnarly cold toward the end. Thankfully it’s a new year and I’m full steam ahead. I look forward to connecting this year. Happy New Year!