Here's some GOOD news in today's real estate and banking market.

When financial uncertainties in the market arise, you can be confident in your choice in U.S. Bank for many reasons.

​And if you wish to know more about real estate investments and loan options? I'm here for you anytime.

Here are just a few of the strengths of U.S. Bank ... and you'll find much more detail on the attached document.

- Strong, diversified business mix.
- Strength in our financial position.
- Strength in our liquidity position.
- Investment portfolio observations.
- Our personal commitment to you, our customer.

Let’s slow down a bit, take a breath, and find the advantages for both sellers and buyers in today’s real estate market. By the way, these tips are good for nearly every market condition – today or otherwise - including when home prices rise or slow, when interest rates increase or decrease, and whether inventory is high or low.
 
Real estate investments can deliver long term wealth and cashflow opportunities. We recommend thoughtful decisions rather than emotional impulsive choices. This approach will most likely lead to more money in our pockets and more stable investments. What’s more, cashflow can happen quickly for savvy investors by working with creative loan officers, wise realtors, and motivated sellers.
 
Aaaand breathe… here are four advantages in today’s (and tomorrow’s) real estate market.
 
(1) Interest Rates have stabilized.
 
Yes, rates rose throughout 2022, dipped a bit, rose again and then dipped again. They’ll continue to do the same in 2023 and 2024. All said, rates change daily and at times, more than once a day. They always have and probably always will. What we must do to acclimate to the real estate market, is adjust our mindset.
 
If we own our home, we are a real estate investor. And as a real estate investor watching and reacting to interest rates on a daily or weekly basis will drive us batty.
 
Instead, let’s find an honorable and reliable loan officer, share with them our long-term real estate plans, and then let our loan officer keep us informed on any advantageous rate changes and loan products for our personal plan. Establish a relationship a reliable Realtor and they can regularly share with you housing opportunities.
 
In general, when interest rates change, up or down, in amounts of .125%, .25%, or even .5% - it seems daunting, but in many cases, our monthly payment over a 30-year loan term do not drastically change. Of course, this depends on loan size, type of investment property, and some other minor factors. The more we understand the better – hence my recommendation to surround ourselves with an honorable real estate agent and loan officer.
 
(2) Home prices are decelerating, not depreciating.
 
Meaning, if we’re a seller, houses are holding their value, and in time, values will continue to rise, as they always have.
 
If we’re a buyer, there are many affordable options in great neighborhoods. There are also opportunities for seller buydowns, seller credits, and lender credits – which will save us more money.
 
When considering a purchase, talk to a loan officer who can get you pre-qualified, or better, pre-approved. This way, when we’re searching with your favorite Realtor, we already know what we can afford, and sellers will see that we are one step ahead of the next potential buyer.
 
(3) Housing inventory continues to rise.
 
This means there are more options for homebuyers in every category of home, including single family, condominium, townhouse, and multi-family.
 
The great news is there are homes that are affordable for nearly any price point – let’s simply ask our real estate agent to help us find our dream home in our favorite community. And if we don’t yet have an agent or a loan officer, I have some awesome people for you to meet. 😉
 
(4) Real Estate investors are buying.
 
Good advice in any industry is to watch and emulate those who are experienced and successful. Throughout our lives, we do this often. We learn from teachers, coaches, instructors, parents, and – yes – real estate investors.
 
If investors have continued to purchase properties over the past year, they see an advantage. And so should we. Investing in ourselves is important and necessary for our continued wealth accumulation and financial stability.
 
All four of these reasons help deliver a level of optimism to this market – banks are adjusting their policies, so loan officers now have more options to qualify homebuyers. Realtors and sellers are working to make homes easier to sell through curb appeal enhancements, upgrades, seller credits, competitive pricing, and clean offer negotiations. The industry experts are working on behalf of the buyers and sellers.
 
Here's where we are now and what we must understand as real estate investors…

Interest rates have consistently declined for the past 30+ years until they hit the lowest-ever point at under 3% for qualified buyers through Q1 2022. Therefore, our real estate investor mindset for much or most of our lives has been, “rates decrease over time.”
 
When rates started to go up a bit, we weren’t used to seeing it. So, it took us a bit to readjust our mindset when rates increased from that lowest-of-lows 3 percent mark.
 
Today, rates within the 5-7% range are still common, and they are good loan investments. Many buyers are surprised when they find out how affordable and cashflow efficient home loans can be.
 
My final tip and the best way to begin and continue our real estate journey – find a realtor and loan officer we can trust. I’ll see you out there!
 
Yours,

Blaise

Today in the Denver market – and in many real estate markets around the country – homebuyers have an advantage. Here’s why…
 
Year-over-year inventory is up, so there are more homes on the market today compared to 2021. Plus, at the beginning of winter we witness a traditional slight decrease in inventory. Therefore, during this season, the clients with homes still active in the market tend to be motivated to sell.
 
And motivated sellers allow room for negotiation.
 
What’s best – there are purchase options that can be a win for BOTH the buyer and the seller. And the realtors, and the title company, and the loan officer, and the neighborhood.

Buyers save tens-of-thousands of dollars - and these options DO NOT include reducing the home price.

So, let’s call it a win-win-win-win-win-win.😊
 
‘How can that be?’ you might say. Because people in the real estate industry can be very creative, resourceful, and motivated as well. And the best ones, put our clients first.
 
Let’s take a closer look at one of the best options for all involved…
 
Buydown Loan Programs

This is a seller incentive with no additional costs to the homebuyer. Buydown loan options provides a temporary reduction in homebuyer interest rate for the first 1, 2, or 3 years of the loan. After which, the rate will revert to a fixed rate for the remainder of the loan.
 
For example, on a 3-2-1 buydown, the homebuyer’s starting interest rate will be 3% lower for the first year, 2% lower the second year, and 1% lower the third year, before reaching the final fixed rate on year four through the term.
 
There are several buydown programs available for buyers looking for a primary residence or a second home – including 3-2-1 buydowns, 2-2 buydowns, and 2-1 buydowns, to name a few.
 
In best-case scenarios, buyers may also be able to tap into additional money-saving opportunities for down payments and/or closing cost reduction incentives – these include gifts from relatives, state and federal down payment assistance programs, and lender credits.
 
For instance, on the lender credit option, U.S. Bank offers their qualified customers a percentage off their loan amount to help with closing costs up to $1,000. And if you’re not yet a U.S. Bank customer, all it takes is to open a qualified checking account. Super easy.
 
The buydown option is a favorite for many in the real estate industry because of the advantages and benefits to all parties involved:

• Seller:
  • Preserves value of the home
  • Odds are in favor of home selling more quickly
  • Increases awareness and appeal of the property to qualified buyers

 

• Buyer:
  • No added cost to the buyer
  • Lower interest rate and monthly payments in the first years of the loan
  • Additional cashflow for home improvements, landscaping, or other expenses

 

• Realtor:
  • Enticing pricing options for potential buyers
  • Home price remains at original listing (no reduction of home price)
  • Attracts more potential buyers who wish to ease into a mortgage payment over time

 

• Neighborhood:
  • Preserves value of the home
  • Homes are more likely to be owner-occupied
  • Quick sales demonstrate desirable community

 
Savvy Loan Officers will partner with your realtor to work out the best scenario for you. Yes, it’s a buyers real estate market.

Personally, I’m always looking to buy. And with these types of money-saving options, it’s getting much easier to invest.
 
Yours,
 
Blaise
​
Blaise Patrick Tracy
Loan Officer | NMLS #2299123
mobile 310.200.9180 | office 303.585.4167
blaise.tracy@usbank.com | linkedin.com/in/blaisetracy
 
Learn More | Apply Here
     Open for mortgage loans in all 50 United States.
     Purchase. Refinance. Cashout. Home Equity. Land. 
     Lot Purchase. Construction. VA and FHA loan options.

It’s been such a wonderful Refi Ride for the past 40 years. Interest rates down, home prices up. Beautiful scenario for us homeowners and real estate investors. Many of us continued to refinance our homes every few years as the rates have continuously dropped since the 1980s.
 
Now interest rates are leveling out and creeping up and homeowners aren’t sure what to do. The good news – we have options.
 
Investing in ourselves is wise and property is an excellent choice. Home prices will rise; they always have. Unless we flip houses for a living, we don’t have to worry about the buy-high / sell low scenario because home purchases are a longer-term investment.
 
Heck, it doesn’t even take that long anymore to see terrific equity accumulation. I’ve personally seen many Colorado, California, and Nevada neighborhoods increase their equity by $300,000, $400,000, $500,000 or more – in just the past 10 years.
 
Here are four actions we can take to capitalize on our real estate investments today. Plus, for each item, I’ve included factors to consider and benefits we will enjoy…
 
PURCHASE

• Factors:
  • Down payments: They tougher for some but can be obtained from gifts or cashout from existing properties. Also, there are opportunities for first-time buyers, veterans, and options for minimal down payments of just 3-10%, which can be surprisingly affordable.
  • Repairs: We can’t call the landlord to fix the leaky faucet. We own it; we fix it (or call a pro!)
• Benefits:
  • Equity: By invest in ourselves and with each payment, we build equity.
  • Liquidity: We can borrow against the value of our home, so cash becomes easier to obtain.
  • Wealth: With real estate, our capital builds rapidly, in most cases, faster than other long-term investments.

 
SELL

• Factors:
  • Lack of preparation: Homes with poor appeal may result in fewer offers and lower dollar amounts; important items when selling include staging our homes properly, pricing it right, and market timing. Get a good realtor! And if you don’t have one, I do – and I’m happy to refer you!
  • Packing: Some of us like it; some don’t. If you don’t, there are companies that will pack for you.
• Benefits:
  • Cashflow: This is wonderful in paying off debt and building a savings fortune, especially if we’ve been building equity for a while.
  • Right-sizing: Lifecycles change about every 7-10 years; and to properly adapt, we tend to move for a specific reason – marriage, kids, downsizing, relocating. Selling provides opportunities to right-size our home for our present stage in life.
  • Financial Mix: Just because we’ve secured a reasonable interest rate, doesn’t mean we’re stuck in our home forever. Interest rates are just one variable in a greater mix of our financial decisions. We can sell when the time is right for us to obtain great benefits.

 
REFINANCE

• Factors:
  • Standard fees: There are some minimal charges up front, but if done well, plenty of financial gains shortly thereafter.
  • Warning: Some brokers charge a lot of money up front to ‘buy down’ the interest rate. The rate may look competitive, but it can take years to break even on your monthly payment. DO THIS: Save yourself that headache and cost – and work with a reputable bank mortgage loan officer directly. Yo! I’m available. 😊
• Benefits:
  • Improved interest rate: If our home interest rate is higher than the going market, it may be wise to refinance our property. This provides us with lower monthly payments.
  • Cashout: This is an option when we refinance; we can use the money to pay off debt, pay school loans, remodel, or simply have some cash set aside for peace of mind.

 
HELOC

• Factors:
  • Rates: These home equity lines of credit allow us to pull money from the equity in our homes. They include adjustable rates tied to prime and based on our loan-to-value; the rates fluctuate and are commonly higher than purchase or refinance rates.
  • Limitations: There are maximums in how much we can borrow based on the value of our home.
• Benefits:
  • Limited interest rates: We only pay interest on the amount borrowed, not the entire line we’ve secured.
  • Borrowing Flexibility: Once established, we can tap into the amount we need, when we need it.

 
Find a partner you trust who is willing to walk through options with you – and no matter the market, let’s turn these next 40 years into a financial boom for ourselves!
 
I hope this was helpful.
 
Yours,
 
Blaise
 
Blaise Patrick Tracy
Loan Officer | NMLS #2299123
mobile 310.200.9180 | office 303.585.4167
blaise.tracy@usbank.com | linkedin.com/in/blaisetracy
 
Learn More | Apply Here
     Open for mortgage loans in all 50 United States.
     Purchase. Refinance. Cashout. Home Equity. Land. 
     Lot Purchase. Construction. VA and FHA loan options.

Home Ownership. Should we? Should we never? Or should we not yet?
 
The answer is a confident “Yes we should.” and with a clause of “As soon as possible.”
 
My answer is yes, because I’ve done it many times, I’ve helped others do it, and we’ve always benefited. Some were glorious goldmine investments; others were tougher situations that simply needed a bit more love and attention.
 
Bottom line: All were good investments. All. Of. Them.
 
But what about… the housing market?… the interest rates?… the bubble bursting?...
 
Why buy? Here are four reasons:
 
MAKE MONEY
House prices have always gone up. Always. Yes, they sometimes stall or slightly dip, but equity accumulates with each passing payment and with each passing year. We’re investing in ourselves. In time, real estate can help us make more money than most other investments because over time it is consistent and reliable. Here’s proof of value – ask your parents what they paid for their home.

• Tip: whether you have children or not, buy in an area with good public schools. If you stay, your equity will continue to increase and when you sell there will always be buyers who want this benefit.

 
SAVE MONEY
With equity, we make money. With write-offs, we save money. Either way, real estate is a good financial investment. There are wonderful tax benefits to owning a home or investing in property. Since many more people are working from home these days, the value in this space has increased dramatically.

• Tip: Ask your tax person, financial planners, and real estate experts for their insight into saving money with home ownership and investment properties. Rules change and it is wise to keep up with experts in this area.

 
OPTIONS
Live in it, rent it, sell it. Do all three over time. All have benefits. As long as we take care of it, we have options. The better we care for it, the more value it has over time and the satisfaction of living in our home increases. Whether interest rates are going up or down, here’s our plan – purchase the home. If interest rates go up, we’re locked into the lower rate. If they go down, we refinance.

• Tip: Here are three areas that if maintained or upgraded, will add exponential value to your home (1) kitchen, (2) primary bedroom & bath, (3) curb appeal & cleanliness.

 
DREAMS
I call it home-sweet-home. It’s ours. We own it. And with this ownership good things develop within us, including personal responsibility, character development, gratitude, and we may even improve our fix-it and creative skills! We can beautify it to our taste and remodel if we wish. It feels good.

• Tip: Love your home. If you’re hesitant in this area, do something about it. Design and decorate your home to make it a place you want to be - a place you love. Start with a single room and expand from there.

 
Yours,
 
Blaise
 
Blaise Patrick Tracy
Loan Officer | NMLS #2299123
mobile 310.200.9180 | office 303.585.4167
blaise.tracy@usbank.com | linkedin.com/in/blaisetracy
 
Learn More | Apply Here
     Open for mortgage loans in all 50 United States.
     Purchase. Refinance. Cashout. Home Equity. Land. 
     Lot Purchase. Construction. VA and FHA loan options.