Richard Wamsat’s Real Estate News & Views

Local market updates, buyer and seller tips, and homeowner resources for Orange County and Irvine.

Subscribe

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Apple and orange

5 Simple Graphs Proving This Is NOT Like the Last Time

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 16, 2020

With all of the volatility in the stock market and uncertainty about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), some are concerned we may be headed for another housing crash like the one we experienced from 2006-2008. The feeling is understandable. Ali Wolf, Director of Economic Research at the real estate consulting firm Meyers Research, addressed this point in […]

Read More
Happy woman

Yes, You Can Still Afford a Home

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 12, 2020

The residential real estate market has come roaring out of the gates in 2020. Compared to this time last year, the number of buyers looking for a home is up 20%, and the number of home sales is up almost 10%. The increase in purchasing activity has caused home price appreciation to begin reaccelerating. Many […]

Read More
Senior man and young man smiling at each other

Confidence Is the Key to Success for Young Homebuyers

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 11, 2020

Buying your first home can seem overwhelming. Thankfully, there’s a lot of great information out there to help you feel more confident as you learn about the process. For those in younger generations who aspire to buy, here are three things to consider sooner rather than later in your journey: 1. Understand What it Takes […]

Read More
Man holding paper model house

Equity Gain Growing in Nearly Every State

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 10, 2020

Rising home prices have been in the news a lot lately, and much of the focus is on whether they’re accelerating too quickly and how sustainable the growth in prices really is. One of the often-overlooked benefits of rising prices, however, is the impact they have on a homeowner’s equity position. Home equity is defined […]

Read More
""

New Homes Coming to the Housing Market This Year

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 9, 2020

The number of building permits issued for single-family homes is the best indicator of how many newly built homes will begin to come to market over the next few months. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Residential Construction Report, the number of building permits issued in January was 1,551,000. This is a […]

Read More
""

The Difference an Hour Makes [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 6, 2020

Some Highlights: Don’t forget to set your clocks forward this Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 AM EST in observance of Daylight Saving Time, unless you’re a resident of Arizona or Hawaii! Every hour in the United States, 568 homes are sold and median home values rise by $1.92. As we “spring forward” this year, let’s get […]

Read More
Silhouette of man while looking a sky

Impact of the Coronavirus on the U.S. Housing Market

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 5, 2020

Coronavirus and Housing The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused massive global uncertainty, including a U.S. stock market correction no one could have seen coming. While much of the news has been about the effect on various markets, let’s also acknowledge the true impact it continues to have on lives and families around the world. With all […]

Read More
Kid measuring his height

Real Estate Is Soaring, But Not Like 2008

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 4, 2020

Unlike last year, the residential real estate market kicked off 2020 with a bang! In their latest Monthly Mortgage Monitor, Black Knight proclaimed: “The housing market is heating entering 2020 and recent rate declines could continue that trend, a sharp contrast to the strong cooling that was seen at this same time last year.” Zillow […]

Read More
""

How Interest Rates Can Impact Your Monthly Housing Payments

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 3, 2020

Spring is right around the corner, so flowers are starting to bloom, and many potential homebuyers are getting ready to step into the market. If you’re thinking of buying this season, here’s how mortgage interest rates are working in your favor. Freddie Mac explains: “If you’re in the market to buy a home, today’s average […]

Read More