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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Checklist for Selling Your House This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 24, 2023

Some Highlights As you get ready to sell your house, there are specific things you can add to your to-do list. These include decluttering, taking down personal photos and items, and power washing outdoor surfaces. Let’s connect so you have advice on what you may want to do to get your house ready to sell this season.

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How To Make Your Dream of Homeownership a Reality

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 23, 2023

According to a recent Harris Poll survey, 8 in 10 Americans say buying a home is a priority, and 28 million Americans actually plan to buy within the next 12 months. Homeownership provides many financial and nonfinancial benefits, so that interest is understandable. However, it’s unlikely all 28 million Americans will accomplish that goal in the coming year. Experts project a total […]

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A Smaller Home Could Be Your Best Option

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 22, 2023

Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: “As we see the transition […]

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The Two Big Issues the Housing Market’s Facing Right Now

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 21, 2023

The biggest challenge the housing market’s facing is how few homes there are for sale. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains the root causes of today’s low supply: “Two dynamics are keeping existing-home inventory historically low – rate-locked existing homeowners and the fear of not finding something to buy.” Let’s break down these two big issues in today’s housing […]

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Spring into Action: Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Expert Guidance

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 20, 2023

To sell your home this spring, it may need more preparation than it would have a year or two ago. Today’s housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low. So, if a house has been sitting on the market […]

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Wondering What’s Going on with Home Prices?

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 16, 2023

The recent changes in home prices are top of mind for many as the housing market begins gearing up for spring. It can be hard to navigate misleading headlines and confusing data, so here’s what you should know about today’s home prices. Local price trends still vary by market. But looking at national data, Nataliya Polkovnichenko, Ph.D., […]

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Should You Consider Buying a Newly Built Home?

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 15, 2023

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you might be focusing on previously owned ones. But with so few houses for sale today, it makes sense to consider all your options, and that includes a home that’s newly built. The Number of Newly Built Homes Is on the Rise While there are more houses for sale […]

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Why It’s Easy To Fall in Love with Homeownership

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 14, 2023

No matter how the housing market changes, there are some things about owning a home that never change—like the personal benefits it can provide. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of attachment because of the comfort it gives and also because it’s a space that’s truly yours. Over the last few years, we’ve fully […]

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What You Should Know About Closing Costs

By Richard Wamsat | Feb 13, 2023

Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to understand what closing costs are […]

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