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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What Would a Recession Mean for the Housing Market?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 16, 2022

According to a recent survey from the Wall Street Journal, the percentage of economists who believe we’ll see a recession in the next 12 months is growing. When surveyed in July 2021, only 12% of economists consulted thought there’d be a recession by now. But this July, when polled, 49% believe we will see a recession in the […]

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The U.S. Homeownership Rate Is Growing

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 15, 2022

The desire to own a home is still strong today. In fact, according to the Census, the U.S. homeownership rate is on the rise. To illustrate the increase, the graph below shows the homeownership rate over the last year: That data shows more than half of the U.S. population live in a home they own, and the percentage […]

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Why Experts Say the Housing Market Won’t Crash [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 12, 2022

Some Highlights Many people remember the housing crash in 2008, but experts say today’s market is fundamentally different in many ways. First, there isn’t an oversupply of homes for sale today. Plus, lending standards are much tighter, and homeowners have record levels of equity. That means signs say there won’t be a wave of foreclosures like the last time. If you have questions about […]

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What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for Home Prices?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 11, 2022

Whether you’re a potential homebuyer, seller, or both, you probably want to know: will home prices fall this year? Let’s break down what’s happening with home prices, where experts say they’re headed, and why this matters for your homeownership goals. Last Year’s Rapid Home Price Growth Wasn’t the Norm In 2021, home prices appreciated quickly. One reason why is that record-low […]

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Is the Shifting Market a Challenge or an Opportunity for Homebuyers?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 10, 2022

If you tried to buy a home during the pandemic, you know the limited supply of homes for sale was a considerable challenge. It created intense bidding wars which drove home prices up as buyers competed with one another to be the winning offer. But what was once your greatest challenge may now be your greatest opportunity. Today, data […]

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Selling Your House? Your Asking Price Matters More Now Than Ever

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 9, 2022

There’s no doubt about the fact that the housing market is slowing from the frenzy we saw over the past two years. But what does that mean for you if you’re thinking of selling your house? While home prices are still appreciating in most markets and experts say that will continue, they’re climbing at a slower pace because rising […]

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Housing Market Forecast for the Rest of 2022 [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 5, 2022

Some Highlights The housing market is shifting away from the intensity of the past two years. Here’s what experts project for the remainder of 2022. Home prices are forecast to rise more moderately than last year. Mortgage rates will respond to inflation, and home sales will be more in line with pre-pandemic years. Let’s connect so you can make your best move this year.

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Why It’s Still a Sellers’ Market

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 4, 2022

As there’s more and more talk about the real estate market cooling off from the peak frenzy it saw during the pandemic, you may be questioning what that means for your plans to sell your house. If you’re thinking of making a move, you should know the market is still anything but normal. Even though the supply of homes […]

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Buying a Home May Make More Financial Sense Than Renting One

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 3, 2022

If rising home prices leave you wondering if it makes more sense to rent or buy a home in today’s housing market, consider this. It’s not just home prices that have risen in recent years – rental prices have skyrocketed as well. As a recent article from realtor.com says: “The median rent across the 50 largest US metropolitan areas reached $1,876 in […]

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