Jon – Metromix

So… What are QR Codes? Do I need one?

Have you seen one of these around lately?  There’s a pretty good chance that this looks familiar.  They’re called Quick Response (QR) codes.  Originated in Japan by one of Toyota’s subsidiaries, they’re comparable to bar codes. The design however, allows for much more information to be stored and it can be accessed more quickly…hence ‘Q’uick ‘R’esponse.

With a quick download of a QR reader to your smart phone you can use the camera function to access the stored information. The uses vary based on application, but they can store url’s, text and other information.  For example, the one above is actually all of my professional information – Name, Phone #, Email Address, Website url and Business Address.  Who needs business cards anymore?  Or instead of using your card reader app (which are consistently inaccurate), you can scan a QR on the back of your contact’s business card an instantly have all of the information stored to your phone.  I definitely plan on including one on the back of my next batch of cards.

You can download a reader from several sources online, through iTunes or from the Android app store.  (Google and Apple aren’t the only supported platforms.) I’ve used two for my iPhone; “i-nigma 4″ (free) andOptiscan ($1.99).  Surprisingly, the free one has actually performed better for me.  If you’d like to make one of your own, go to Kaywa.com.  It’s incredibly simple to do.

Marketing will be the most common application as I can see it.  Granted, at this point, only my most tech savvy potential clients will appreciate them, but as the technology develops they will become more common-place.  In my business I plan on using them on property flyers to direct consumers to a single-property webpage, include basic property information and link them to a Virtual Tour of the home.  The one above is already on the bottom of my new site NickDailey.com.

QR codes can be added to any print media that you are currently using.  A subscriber to your magazine or newsletter can quickly attain information about your product or service.  You could include coupons, contest links, product information, contact info or any other info you want your customer to have immediately.

I’m looking forward to seeing the creative ways advertisers begin to incorporate the technology into their campaigns.

 

How do you see these becoming advantageous to your business??

 

 

Northern Kentucky – Boone County YTD Market Report 6/10/08

This report is geared towards getting the consumer a better overall feel of our Boone County real estate market here in Northern Kentucky.  Included is the # of homes currently for sale, the average days on market, the # of homes sold so far this year, how the #’s compare to the same time last year, and few other pertinent stats.  This report only contains statistics for single family homes.  Condominiums, townhomes, and land are not included.

Active – 1014

Pending – 201

Sold – 579 (691)

On average, the list price was $241,192 ($243,226), and the sales price was $201,686 ($201,946)  The median list price was $194,900 ($197,205), with a median sales price of $173,000 ($171,500).

All figures in parentheses are for the exact same time period of ’07.

The average Days On Market (DOM) was 101.  As compared to 94 days for the same time last year.  Not really that different, huh?  Historically, our market has been very consistent.  The total sales are down, and there are more listings expiring before they’re sold, but if you have a good real estate agent, they can help you work through a successful sale.

Please remember that each seperate part of the Boone County real estate market is different as well.  Some neighborhoods/cities are just more desireable than others to different buyers.  Petersburg is probably going to take longer to sell a home that if it was in Union.  Florence and Richwood offer first-time homebuyers more options…and so on.

If you’d like data for your specific neighborhood or city, please call or email me and let me know.

For more information on the Northern Kentucky real estate market, or to search the enitire MLS without registering, please see www.NickDailey.com.

#1

I just wanted to get a little something down to get started.  I hope to be able to use this space as good place to share ideas and experiences that may be able to spark an interest in somebody else, make us all think a little, or enlighten me on a new topic.  Everyone has their own ideas and experiences and sharing those leads to a collective wisdom that could benefit many. 

Primarily, these writings are going to center around my career as a RE/MAX agent, and the latest tips, tricks, tools and market data that I’ve come across.  I want to use it for a cosumer to get a good feel for the overall processes; and hopefully that will lead to more of a feeling of control when entering the current real estate market (best case as my client).  I’ll discuss articles that I come across, and share info from the latest seminars that I’ve attended. 

I guess that’ll do it for now.  Check back soon…

And please visit www.NickDailey.com for my RE/MAX website.