Good morning to December and joys of the Holiday Season;
and after a bit of tech issues.. here is the 1st of the month letter..
Real Estate News – Tracking Our Market.
Real Estate Ownership – Don’t Miss Out – Prepare Today !!
Recent News:
Personal tip of my hat to the passing of Henry Kissinger – May 27, 1923 – November 29, 2023. A man who saw too much, yet stayed active and engaged in life, with purpose and meaning.
– Perspective: Markets adjusting to stated norms:
Beginning to see further cracks in the oft talked about “recession is coming.” Jobs are holding quite steady, helped by more part-time positions. Most important: The holding up of current positions and wages. If we have a ‘soft-landing’ this is where it will come from.
The unemployment rate – looking at 4 % – continues the trend. The U-6 rate has also been slowly moving upwards – from form 1.1 M to 1.9 M in a few short months. On the bright side: Inflation is easing, especially regards energy during the wintertime. Even food prices are easing a bit, as the supply chain is finally clearing out. We will see if there is more to come.
Bottom Line: Start Preparing Today
With Mike Ryan & Associates
Key to Success: Recognizing each individual person we work with, is unique and – ‘not’ average. Yet, most statistics we study, are based on what is called the ‘average’. We make a point of never seeing you as average. It why our phones are busy. And to you, we offer our knowledgeable professionalism – whether a new call or a tune-up call helping life run more smoothly. We are about you and your real estate needs. Give a CALL – try us.
Let’s Talk:
Be ready, today. A strong loan application is a winning approach.
It strengthens your Realtors’ efforts in selling you and your offer
as the winning offer. Being “best” prepared is sound advice.
Interest Rates: Finally, easing off of recent high levels experienced over the past year. The Federal Reserve hints at hold rates steady, with special attention towards the 10-YR Treasuries staying at or below 5%.
Economic Measures to Watch: Next 90 – 120 days should be indicative of market direction, trends, and overall economy. Questions? What is the impact on consumers with interest rates on credit cards, moving from 14 % to 25 %? How will this begin to effect Lifestyles? How about the restarting of student loan debt? Good news: Savings are returning to normal.
Inflation reports:
PPI: Easing again after peaking in October.
CPI: No change over the past month, yet still up 3.2 % year over, the past 12 months.
PCE: The current favorite the Fed is following. Dropped to 3 %, with the core dropping to 3.5 %. Fed target is the core at 2 %. The chart trajectory is doing great, from the 6’s to today. We continue the “shelter lag effect” of averaging the past year. Without this, the core nears 2.6 %.
Looking to Buy or Invest?
Call today and begin early preparation now.
This keeps you ready and flexible. It is key.
The Good, the Bad, And the Ugly
The Good – The Data
Data again proves headline news prefer fears, panic, and sentiment over actual data. Let’s give attention to third quarter GDP growth reaching 4.9%. How about the unemployment rate hovering near record lows, with the prime-age employment rate nearing record highs. Yet more, inflation is coming down and close to being normalised. For the American workers, we read of substantial raises since 2019 – adjusted for inflation – with specific strong gains for low-wage workers. Any wonder the press is no longer trusted, even inventing new word: vibecession.
The Bad:
Main Stream Media does it again, about housing and crashing prices. This week, ‘New Home Sales’ showing a whopping 10 % price drop Y-over-Y. But this is deceptive, using only “MEDIAN” home price. Consider: New home sales – under 500 K – no changes. While those over 500 K, show a drop in overall sales. This is what moves the ‘median’ needle downward – fewer buyers of high priced homes.
Add to this: Appreciation metrics, per the FHFA, is up another 0.6 %, or 6.1 % Y-Y. This is a new record. For a helpful perspective: In 2022, home prices rose 9 % the first half and then dropped 3 % in the second half – a 6 % overall appreciation.
The Ugly:
‘Tis is the season of joy and great hope, so instead of the Ugly, let us be thankful for what we have and think kindly towards those less fortunate.
Bottom Line
We seek to find the good of people, bring forward a few interesting headwinds, while striving to help maintain a sense of balance and encouragement. Yes, we each have challenges in our lives, yet our desire to improve and do better is steadfast. This driving force helps make us better. Clearly, higher taxes, higher interest rates, and inflation challenge family finances. Yet, the good news: History shows that this too, will pass. Stay active, motivated, and open minded. Let this reality become our common ground and let your voices be heard.
Planning and Preparation
I rarely change this section. The basics for investing are pretty straight forward. What remains is finding the best path to success and the discipline to stay the course. It begins when you reach out to us. Please make the call today.
Should one invest in stocks, bonds, real estate? Each person has a different view, often based upon comfort levels and sense of risk / reward. It is what we call the market place. It is key to your “planning and preparation”. It is here, we offer to you our expertise and experience.
This is to complement your perspective. Our goal: Bring a full range of meaningful options that enhance your vision, based upon todays market realities. Call today. Let’s set a time.
Our investment strategy is quite simple. A doctoral degree in finance is not needed.
Why Call Mike
What We Do – Why We Are Here
We know how to explore and carefully examine the many available options. Yes, we are real estate centric for the long term gains anticipated. While we do NOT ignore other types of investment. We scrutinize for safety and prioritize the most feasible. It is how we build a trusted relationship with you, as you grow your wealth and secure a solid future – for you and your family.
Small Business: We love small business and provide a full array of financing tools.
Residential / Commercial: We offer strong lenders and a complete package of lending options.
Tax-deferral strategies: Investment portfolios tend to be dynamic in nature, subject to change and surprise. It is why it is important to keep updated, as to tax law. Herein, is a key question: Pay taxes today or keep your cash, working for you? How? By “deferring projected capital gains tax”? And if keeping your capital – working for you – sounds good, let’s talk. Let’s discuss the best available options and plans-of-approach. Best: We have the professional team who know how to bring it all together. Details matter and they know all the small details.
Why: Why payout up to hundreds of thousands of dollars – even Millions – when there are tools to keep your hard earned money working for you – and your estate. Interested? If so, now maybe a good time to talk – to start planning for tomorrow. Tax planning is a good strategy, especially with new laws wanting to stop you from passing highly appreciated real estate, onto your heirs. Your estate matters.
What We Do: Our role is to explain and bring clarity to time-tested strategies able to keep your money working for you. For me, this presents a solid opportunity to keep your cash and build wealth. One that is worthy and a profitable use of your valuable time. Let’s talk.
Tools: We offer multiple tools and proven methods for highly appreciated holdings. The goal: Keeping your cash in your proven hands. Our team offers highly qualified and knowledgable professionals, are ready to make it happen.
Retirement: Like myself, as we mature, real estate becomes more personal. If you agree, let’s talk. Together, we can help find answers and solutions to questions about a too soon, tomorrow. We can start today. We can address a range of questions, from working at home, to a multitude of retirement options. Our effort is to bring clarity to important real estate planning issues.
Our Purpose:
Be insightful and practical.
Work with you, finding best answers and solutions.
Always Being Straight Forward, with No Short Cuts.
Success begins with solid preparation and a proven professional – Mike Ryan. I know the ropes and am a proven advocate. I offer time-tested insights and experience. Best, I love to see my clients achieve their goals. Call us – the professional team who stands with you. Call today.
We are ready!!!
Thank you and continued blessings to all.