There has been quite a bit of buzz lately about QR codes. I’ve been intrigued with the conversation, and since I’ve found a few uses for QR codes lately for my appraisal business, I thought this post might be useful.  I’d love to hear what you think. Do you see any potential uses for QR codes for your business?

What is a QR code? “QR” stands for “Quick Response”, and a QR code looks like the image to the right. Basically, a QR code is sort of like a customizable bar code where you can insert whatever information you’d like. You can very easily make a QR image online (free) and put it on a flyer, sticker, business card or your store front. Anyone with a smart phone can in turn quickly scan your code and view the information you’ve embedded – whether a video, PayPal “buy now” button, document, or maybe all your social media links.

What benefit does a QR code have? You can customize these codes to store information like websites, directions, your contact information, and so many other types of data. What if you put one of these codes on a flyer and then linked to a video with more information? What if your QR code linked to a free resource or offered a discount to others using your services? What if you gave a presentation and linked all your contact information into an image on the bottom of your handout? (like my FHA presentation document below).

How do you get a QR code? Simply go to a website like www.qrstuff.com and follow their simple instructions. It’s so easy (and free). Just enter the information you want to embed in the image, the website generates the image for you, then download the image.

How do people scan the QR code? Any smart phone user can download a free “QR Code” app in whatever app market the phone uses. Just search for “QR code” and there are bound to be many free QR code reader apps. Simply install a reader, hover over the QR code, and you’ll get to where you need to go.

Lastly, here is a video from Daniel Allen of the Sacramento Association of Realtors. Daniel knows his stuff, and he explains in more depth about QR codes and their potential use for the real estate field.  

What do you think?

Let me know if you have questions, insight, or any real estate appraisal or property tax consulting needs. Contact me at 916.595.3735, on my company website, or on Facebook.

What’s been happening in the Citrus Heights real estate market? I wanted to give you a glimpse below at some market-wide data to help give some insight. Of course, keep in mind that a specific property in Citrus Heights may or may not fit in with the general trend of the data below. 

As you can see, when looking at all sales from 2006, property values have clearly declined over time. When you consider the lower end of the market was hovering around $250,000 in mid-2006, but is now closer to $100,000, the drop in property value is pretty substantial. There is big difference for the upper end too.

But at least the past three years have shown a bit more stability, right? That’s encouraging news for home owners (I know real estate data can feel dysmal at times). Overall the trend below over the past three years appears to show a decline,  but the blue dots representing sales sure do look a whole lot more horizontal over the past couple years. 

For historical reference, below are two graphs of all sales in Citrus Heights between 1997-2010 based on the 95610 and 95621 zip codes. The blue line represents monthly median price figures for the respective zip code, whereas the red line shows the market-wide median price (Sacramento Area). These historic graphs come from the Sacramento Association of Realtors.

Specific Citrus Heights Real Estate Market Data:

• 217 sales over the past 90 days.
• 171 current active listings
• 108 current active short sale listings
• 84 current short sale contingent listings (this means an offer has been submitted already)
• 39.5% of all sales over the past year were REO (bank-owned)
• 25% of all sales over the past year were Short Sales
• Roughly 65% of all sales were distressed in some regard (REO or SS)
• Unemployment in Citrus Heights is 9.0% per EDD (as of 11/2010)
• Unemployment in Sacramento County is 12.8% per EDD (as of 11/2010)

If you’ve been looking for Citrus Heights real estate information, I hope this was helpful for you. What do you see in the data above? Does anything stand out to you? Keep me posted if you have any questions or a need for a real estate appraisal. I do appraisal work for estate planning, probate, divorce, second opinions, FHA, property tax appeal, private loans, bankruptcy, and so much more. Call 916.595.3735, email me, or visit my company website.

After a meeting at Sacramento Association of Realtors HQ yesterday, Rico Rivera of Old Republic Home Protection pulled me aside to do a little interview. He wanted to talk shop about property tax appeals as well as second appraisals. This was a spur of the moment brief conversation. I wish I would’ve added a few extra bits of information, particular about second appraisals, but that’s how impromptu dialog goes. Thank you Rico for the opportunity and for all you do in the community. Keep up the tremendous work. Watch the video here or below.

If you have any questions, give me a call at 916.595.3735, catch me on Facebook, or contact me through my website at www.LundquistCompany.com.

Home owners often wonder how far the real estate market in the Sacramento area has declined since the housing “bubble” burst several years ago. Or in other words, if you bought your house today, how far back would you have to go to find the same price in the past? The graphs below from the Sacramento Association of Realtors help answer this question as they compare median sales price in respective zip codes to the county-wide median sales price from 1997 to 2010.

Have a look at the following graphs, see my commentary below, and let me know what you think. What do you see?

Carmichael Trend Graph (95608 zip code):

Elk Grove Trend Graph (95624 zip code):

Elk Grove Trend Graph (95758 zip code):

Fair Oaks Trend Graph (95628 zip code):

Greenhaven / Pocket Trend Graph (95831 zip code):

Land Park / Curtis Park Trend Graph (95818 zip code):

Mather Trend Graph (95655 zip code):

West Sacramento Trend Graph (95605 zip code):

Basically, if you bought a house today in the post-bubble real estate market in Sacramento, you’d be paying somewhere around late 2001 house prices generally (depending on the area of course). Many areas currently have a median price somewhere just before 2002, while some of the higher-priced zip codes tend to have a median price level right now closer to 2003-ish level. Keep in mind too that each house is different and may or may not be consistent with the overall zip code trend.

If you have any questions or insight, I’d love to hear your comment belows. If you have a need for my real estate appraisal or consluting services also, feel free to call 916.595.375, visit my website at www.LundquistCompany.com or email ryan@LundquistCompany.com.

How do the graphs above strike you?

This is a wonderful event that I participated in last year, so I definitely wanted to mention it this time around.

Exit Realty West will host their 4th annual CanTree Auction on Friday November 19, 2010 beginning at 4:30 pm. Come out for this festive food-filled fundraiser to benefit the Salvation Army. Last year the Sacramento Association of Realtors raised a total of $65,000 for the Salvation Army during the Christmas season and Exit Realty West’s CanTree auction was a part of that. Last year’s auction had gift baskets, 49ers tickets, Kings tickets and some other really great items (and it was fun too).

Questions? Contact Jeff Dominguez or Francisco Cuellar of Exit Realty West at 916.441.4418, view the video I shot below, or check out www.exitrealtywest.com.

I sit on the the YPC Council through the Sacramento Association of Realtors and I wanted to invite you to come and enjoy the 2nd Annual Gala Event, The Masquerade Ball, on November 12, 2010. My wife and I are going to get spiffed up and enjoy a tremendous evening with other real estate professionals and friends, and we’d love to have you join us. You coming?

The first 50 people who sign up and pay in advance get a free feathered mask at the door! This event is geared toward SARmembers and affiliates and their guests. For just $35 you can enjoy food from Tokyo Fro, Zocalo, and BJ’s Brewery (and more restaurants to be named later!), taste wine, bid on silent auction items, socialize and dance the night away! All funds raised benefit CanTree and other local charities. Last year’s event raised over $4,000 and was A LOT of fun – please help up make this event a huge success!

Let me know if you have any questions. Yes, I did make the video.

The Sacramento Association of Realtors YPC hosted the 3rd Annual “Bowling for the American Dream” event on September 25, 2010. The 1980s-themed event sold out and it was a big success to raise money for the California Association of Realtors “Housing Affordability Fund” (C.A.R.H.A.F.), which funds programs like the Mortgage Protection Program (MPP), SAR’s very own ECO program, and more.

I sit on the YPC Board and I’m very pleased to see how successful this event was. Thank you everyone who participated, bowled, dressed up in 80s gear and sponsored the event. Thank you to Cathie Eason for taking so many wonderful photos as shown in this slideshow. I made a video below of Cathie’s photos. Enjoy.

Can you spot me in the video? Think 80s rocker with fake tattoos.

Want to come enjoy a River Cats game on Thursday July 29, 2010? The Young Professionals Council through SAR will be hosting an opportunity to network, eat, and have a blast, but beyond that we’re going to be raising some money to support a local girl named Elle that is truly in need. Please watch the video below that I put together earlier today (or click here). Let me know if you’re interested in coming to the game. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. The game starts at 7:05pm, but we’ll have a tailgate party at 5:00pm (food is included when you purchase a ticket). Thanks everyone.

A few weeks ago KCRA news anchor Diedre Fitpatrick filmed some of the Project 680 team “Raiding the Sock Aisle” at Target in Rancho Cordova. As you’ll see in the video, “Raiding the Sock Aisle” was coined by Erin Attardi. The story turned out really great. I love how it highlights the simplicity of making a difference in the community, our goal of collecting at least 2000 pairs of socks, and how social media can be used to advocate for local homeless kids too. Great job team!!! See the video below.

If you’re interested in www.project680.org, let me know. You can read more about the sock drive and community bike ride HERE.

If you are on Twitter, we are using “#bikingforsocks” as our official hashtag for the upcoming sock drive / bike ride. You can follow Project 680 on Twitter at @project680 and become a fan on Facebook too. Don’t forget to follow those in the video too: Erin Attardi at @erinattardi and Geoff Sakala at @rcpost and Diedre Fitzpatrick at @fitztweeter.

By the way, it’s cool to see that the Sacramento Association of Realtors highlighted Erin’s involvement in a story entitled “Sacramento Realtors in the News“. It’s great to see too how Real Estate Appraiser Tips put up a post entitled: “California Appraiser Ryan Lundquist on KCRA Sacramento News For A Good Cause“.

Most buyers probably wouldn’t want to see a “Sub-Standard” sign on a house they are considering purchasing. The City of Sacramento Building Department and Code Enforcement are aggressive about enforcing standards on properties, and these signs get posted on garages and front doors for a variety of reasons. I’m not sure what the exact issue was with the house I took this picture of today in South Sacramento while snapping comp photos, but properties I have appraised before with ”sub-standard” notices have had problems such as rodent infestation, illegal additions, shoddy workmanship, lack of adequate natural light, and things of that nature. Houses like this tend to be sold to investors – all cash. There is a story to be told every time we see a sign like this, isn’t there?

Earlier this morning I was able to attend the Sacramento Association of Realtors main monthly meeting. Today’s session was the CanTree Dedication Breakfast. It’s impressive that $65,000 was raised this year by SAR members and affiliates to support feeding local families through the efforts of the Salvation Army. In total, through 27 years of service, SAR has raised over $2,000,000 for the Salvation Army. Excellent work everyone!!!

www.SacramentoAppraisalBlog.com Photos from the Field: Sub-Standard Housing Sign & SAR CanTree Drive Results

Congratulations to Exit Realty West for their fantastic Christmas CanTree auction last night. The event was managed well (with humor) and there were so many generous Realtors, agents, mortgage consultants, and others that handed over cash for gift baskets, 49ers tickets, wine bottles, Kings tickets, cookies, and other random stuff. I know Jeff Dominguez and Francisco Cuellar of Exit Realty West put in some hard work to pull this off. Great work guys!! Thank you for advocating for families in need and providing a hub to bring others together to participate. 

The photos are a bit blurry. My mobile phone takes really great pictures, but when it comes to shots in a dimly lit room -  not so good.

www.SacramentoAppraisalBlog.com Exit Realty West Hosts Successful CanTree Auction

This is a great cause I plan to participate in. I became aware of the Christmas CanTree drive through Jeff Dominguez of Exit Realty West (Jeff is definitely one of the good guys) and the Sacramento Association of Realtors.

Per the Sacramento Association of Realtor’s website:

What CanTree Does
The food donated will be distributed to needy families through The Salvation Army’s Holiday Food Basket Program. Over 45,000 local families are expected to benefit from the food contributed through CanTree, according to The Salvation Army. The Army currently serves 36,000 meals per month in the Greater Sacramento Area. CanTree is a critical factor in successfully feeding thousands of people at Christmas time.

Why SAR Sponsors CanTree
Every REALTOR® knows that a healthy community is crucial to our success. All the money we raise for CanTree goes directly to the Salvation Army – none of it goes for administration or any other costs. Even though the real estate market has seen better days, enthusiasm is still very high and REALTORS® are as generous as ever.

Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. You are welcome to contact Exit Realty West at 916-441-4418 for more information on their potluck / auction.

www.SacramentoAppraisalBlog.com Christmas CanTree Project 2009: Event by Exit Realty West in Sacramento