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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Key Terms Every Homebuyer Should Learn [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 19, 2024

  Some Highlights Buying a home is a big deal and can feel especially complicated if you don’t know the terms used during the process. If you want to become a homeowner this year, it’s a good idea to learn these key housing terms and understand how they relate to the current housing market. That will help you feel confident when you buy a home. Let’s connect so you can […]

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3 Key Factors Affecting Home Affordability

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 18, 2024

Over the past year, a lot of people have been talking about housing affordability and how tight it’s gotten. But just recently, there’s been a little bit of relief on that front. Mortgage rates have gone down since their most recent peak in October. But there’s more to being able to afford a home than just mortgage rates. To […]

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2 Reasons Why Today’s Mortgage Rate Trend Is Good for Sellers

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 17, 2024

If you’ve been holding off on selling your house to make a move because you felt mortgage rates were too high, their recent downward trend is exciting news for you. Mortgage rates have descended since last October when they hit 7.79%. In fact, they’ve been below 7% for over a month now (see graph below): And while they’re not […]

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Why You May Want To Seriously Consider a Newly Built Home

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 16, 2024

Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move? If so, it may be time to consider a newly built home and the benefits that come with one. Here’s why. Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory Newly built homes are becoming an […]

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Homeownership Is Still at the Heart of the American Dream

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 15, 2024

Buying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains at the heart of the American Dream. Unlike renting, owning a home means more than just having a place to live – it offers a sense of belonging, stability, and freedom. According to Nicole Bachaud, Senior Economist at Zillow: “The American Dream is still owning a home. There’s […]

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Home Prices Forecast To Climb over the Next 5 Years [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 12, 2024

  Some Highlights If you’re worried about what’s next for home prices, know the HPES shows experts are projecting they’ll continue to rise at least through 2028. Based on that forecast, if you bought a $400,000 house this year, experts say it could gain over $72,000 in equity over the next five years. If you’re worried about falling home […]

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The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 11, 2024

If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home this year, here’s a powerful insight that could give you the clarity and confidence you need to make your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), which compares net worth for homeowners and renters. The latest report shows the average homeowner’s net worth […]

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Avoid These Common Mistakes After Applying for a Mortgage

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 10, 2024

If you’re getting ready to buy a home, it’s exciting to jump a few steps ahead and think about moving in and making it your own. But before you get too far down the emotional path, there are some key things to keep in mind after you apply for your mortgage and before you close. Here’s a list of things […]

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Ways Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals

By Richard Wamsat | Jan 9, 2024

If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you […]

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