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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2 women checking house

Is Renting Right for Me?

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 22, 2019

If you’re currently renting and have dreams of owning your own home, it may be a good time to think about your next move. With rent costs rising annually and many helpful down payment assistance programs available, homeownership may be closer than you realize.According to the 2018 Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, 74% of renters […]

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The Cost of Waiting: Interest Rates Edition [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 19, 2019

Some Highlights: Interest rates are projected to increase steadily heading into 2020. The higher your interest rate, the more money you will end up paying for your home and the higher your monthly payment will be. Rates are still low right now – don’t wait until they hit 5% to start searching for your dream […]

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The Surprising Profile of the Real Estate Investor

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 18, 2019

Over 10% of all residential homes are purchased by investors, and that number continues to rise. Who are these investors? Many have speculated that the large institutional conglomerates such as Blackstone, American Homes 4 Rent, and Colony Starwood dominate investor purchases. However, a special report on investor home buying by CoreLogic, Don’t Call it a […]

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Took My Clients Out To The Ballgame

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 17, 2019

Client appreciation event. What a great night!

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What a Difference a Year Makes for Sellers

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 17, 2019

Over the last few years, many sellers have been hesitant to put their houses on the market because they feared not being able to find another home to buy. We’ve reported on inventory shortages in the past, and it’s been a constant concern for potential buyers throughout recent years. New research shows the inventory concern […]

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Should I Refinance My Home?

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 16, 2019

With the recent lower interest rates, many homeowners are wondering if they should refinance. To decide if refinancing is the best option for your family, start by asking yourself these questions: Why do you want to refinance? There are many reasons to refinance, but here are three of the most common ones: Lower your interest […]

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Home Price Appreciation Forecast

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 15, 2019

Questions continue to come up about where home prices will head throughout the rest of this year, as well as where they may be going over the few years beyond. We’ve gathered current data from the industry’s most reliable sources to help answer these questions: The Home Price Expectation Survey – A survey of over 100 […]

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Is Your First Home Now Within Your Grasp? [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 12, 2019

Some Highlights: According to the US Census Bureau, “millennials” are defined as 18-36-year-olds. According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time home buyers is 32. More and more “old millennials” (25-36) are realizing that homeownership is within their grasp now! Content previously posted on Keeping Current Matters

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Americans’ Powerful Belief in Homeownership as an Investment

By Richard Wamsat | Jul 11, 2019

The Federal Reserve Bank (The Fed) recently released their 2019  Survey of Consumer Expectations Housing Survey. The survey reported that 65% of Americans believe homeownership is a good financial investment. Since 2014, the percentage has increased by over nine percent.The Fed’s survey also showed that when the results are broken down by age, education, income, […]

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