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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A Recession Does Not Equal a Housing Crisis [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 30, 2019

Some Highlights: There is plenty of talk in the media about a pending economic slowdown. The good news is, home values actually increased in 3 of the last 5 U.S. recessions, and decreased by less than 2% in the 4th. Many experts predict a potential recession is on the horizon. However, housing will not be […]

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iBuyers: What Is the “Cost of Convenience” When Selling Your Home?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 29, 2019

When thinking about selling their house, homeowners have many options. A relatively new option is using an “iBuyer.” What is an iBuyer? According to Jovio, the definition is: “A company or investor that uses Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) to make instant offers on homes. It allows sellers to close on a property quickly. Once sold, […]

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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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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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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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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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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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