Richard Wamsat’s Real Estate News & Views

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

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Couple with their 2 young kids while moving in

Top Priorities When Moving with Kids

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 28, 2019

According to the Pew Research Center, around 37% of U.S students will be going back to school soon and the rest have already started the new academic year. With school-aged children in your home, buying or selling a house can take on a whole different approach when it comes to finding the right size, location, […]

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What’s the Latest on Interest Rates?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 27, 2019

Mortgage rates have fallen by over a full percentage point since Q4 of 2018, settling at near-historic lows. This is big news for buyers looking to get more for their money in the current housing market.According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, “the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rate averaged 3.60 percent, the lowest it has […]

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Experts Predict a Strong Housing Market for the Rest of 2019

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 26, 2019

We’re in the back half of the year, and with a decline in interest rates as well as home price and wage appreciation, many are wondering what the predictions are for the remainder of 2019. Here’s what some of the experts have to say: Ralph McLaughlin, Deputy Chief Economist for CoreLogic “We see the cooldown […]

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Coffee

A Latte a Day Keeps Homeownership Away [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 23, 2019

Some Highlights: The pumpkin spice latte is launching soon, so you may be tempted to spend your extra cash on a daily caffeine fix, but that small expense can add up to a big number – fast! Saving for a down payment takes a little discipline, so limiting your extra purchases (like a latte a […]

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Man looking stressed while using laptop

5 Easy Steps to Avoid Overwhelm from Media Overload

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 22, 2019

When someone is thinking about buying or selling a home, they want to be well-informed. They want to make the right decision for themselves and their family. They scour the internet for any information they can find about the housing market. Today, there is an abundance of information available. It is often conflicting news. It […]

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Senior woman playing guitar while facing laptop

Seniors Are on the Move in the Real Estate Market

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 21, 2019

Did you know August 21st is National Senior Citizens Day? According to the United States Census, we honor senior citizens today because,  “Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today and gives us ample reason…to reserve a special day in honor of the […]

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Engineer looking at a blueprint

Housing Supply Not Keeping Up with Population Increase

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 20, 2019

Many buyers are wondering where to find houses for sale in today’s market. It’s a true dilemma. We see an increase in buyer demand, but the supply available for purchase isn’t keeping up. The number of new housing permits issued prior to the great recession increased for 15 years until 2005 (from 1.12 million in […]

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Piggy bank

A Great Way to Increase Your Family’s Net Worth

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 19, 2019

Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts its Survey of Consumer Finances. Data is collected across all economic and social groups. The latest survey data covers 2013-2016. The study revealed that the median net worth of a homeowner is $231,400 – a 15% increase since 2013. At the same time, the median net worth of renters decreased […]

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Apple

Buying a Home: Do You Know the Lingo? [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 16, 2019

Some Highlights: Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process. To point you in the right direction, here’s a list of some of the most common language you’ll hear when buying a home. The best way to ensure your home-buying process is a positive one is […]

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