QR Codes

Okay so this post isn't real estate specific but I've come across quite a few people who don't know what QR codes are and since you might start seeing them pop up I thought I would share what I know about them.

QR (quick response) codes are supposed to be the next big thing in marketing. I just saw one on my REI mailer that I got other day and I heard there are some on bus stops. They are basically a barcode that anyone can scan using their smart phone (you just have to download a free QR scanner). These barcodes can take you to a website, play a video for you, send you a text message, share contact info and I'm sure much more.

Here is an example of just plain text.

 

I never get sick of this video.



I have only been using QR codes two ways so far.

I put them on the back of my business cards that take you to my mobile website.



And I put them on my open house flyers so people can share details about the house with their friends and family or just save the information to look at later. Here is one from an open house I did a few weeks ago.




How do you make your own QR code?

It's easy just go a QR code generator website such as http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ and have fun creating your own. Once you generate the code you can copy and paste them on whatever you want. Make sure you test out your code, especially if you are using it for marketing purposes.

I tried thinking of fun ways to use QR codes:

Maybe make a personalized video and put a QR code in the card you send your friend or family member so they can see you belting out "Happy Birthday" for them.

It might be cool to get a QR code printed on a coffee mug for your sweetie so they can scan it in the mornings and get an encouraging note. I don't know how that would work and I wouldn't put anything on there that you wouldn't mind his or her coworkers scanning...

Do you have any fun creative ways to use a QR code?

A regular sale? More like REO, HUD or Short Sale!

I just wanted to take a minute (maybe 5) to try and easily explain the differences between REO, HUD and short sales. The majority of homes currently on the market in Solano County and across nation are short sales and REO’s. I think it’s important for people to understand the differences and how it will affect their real estate activities.

REO (Real Estate Owned) – Means a bank owns the property because they foreclosed on the owners. These homes typically vary in condition. Sometimes the banks will paint, put in new carpets, make miscellaneous repairs, and replace broken or missing items. Other times banks put the home on the market in the same condition they received it, this could mean holes in the walls, broken cabinets, and other random things people do when they get made they are loosing their home.

REO’s are listed at a price the bank has approved and therefore can typically close in 30 days or less. Keep in mind banks do not like to hold properties on their books for extended periods of time and are very motivated to sale.

HUD (Housing and Urban Development) – When an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan goes into foreclosure it then goes to HUD. HUD wants to help individuals own a home. They have a pretty neat process where they have a certified FHA appraiser go out the property and determine the value. HUD then lists the property for the appraised amount (great for FHA buyers, they don’t have to pay for an appraisal if the appraisal has not expired). Individuals purchasing the home as their primary residence have a period of 10 days to submit offers before the bidding opens up to investors as well. Just like REO’s, HUD wants to sale their properties as soon as possible. Make sure your agent is registered with HUD, only registered agents can submit offers.

Go to http://hudhomestore.com/HudHome/Index.aspx to view a list of HUD homes for sale in your area.

Short Sale – Before a home goes into foreclosure individuals have the opportunity to “short sale” their home. Many times a short sale is a much better alternative than a foreclosure. If the owner has experienced a change in income or circumstances (e.g. medical, divorce, loss of job, retirement, a balloon payment coming up, etc.) they can hire a real estate agent (paid by the bank) to find a buyer for their home and negotiate with the owner’s bank to accept the sale and forgive the remaining balance of their mortgage (the seller coming up “short” of what they owe). What buyers need to know about this process is that it can be time consuming. The bank needs to approve that the seller has a circumstance that warrants a short sale and the bank needs to determine the value of the house to ensure they are getting a fair value.

In this crazy economy the days of a buyer and seller working directly with each other are rare and it’s important for anyone dealing with real estate understands the different options and processes to find what works best for them.

Oh Mr. Doe

Nothing like holding an open house to give you material to write about.

I was holding an open house yesterday when in walks Mr. Doe (name changed for the purpose of this blog). Mr Doe was at an open house I held a couple weeks ago! After joking around about how he drives around looking for open house signs, I asked him if he was working with an agent. Obviously he wouldn't be driving around wasting his gas and time looking for open houses if he was working with an agent.

What I learned from Mr. Doe was that some people don't know that a buyer's agent is a huge resource. Not only do they work for free from the buyer's stand point (they are paid by the seller), they also have access to open pretty much every door that is listed for sale and they have information available to them that is not available to the general public. If Mr. Doe was only looking at homes that held open houses he would be missing out on the other 80% or more of homes that never have open houses.

So my advice: If you or someone you know is looking to buy a house, use a real estate agent. They will be able to help you in every aspect of searching for a new home, and the best part is you don't pay them!

P.S. I am taking Mr. Doe out to look at homes this week!

Hello!

I began working as a real estate agent in February 2011. I have learned so much in my first few months and wanted to find an outlet to help educate and help others that are either looking to buy a home, sell a home or just want to know what the heck is going on in real estate. I am constantly attending classes and trainings and I want to be able to share what I learn with you.

In this sue happy world we live in I need to have a major disclaimer. I am by no means an expert and the views I express in this blog are strictly my own.

I look forward to sharing with you!