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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Why 2021 Is Still the Year To Sell Your House

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 25, 2021

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, this is the time to think seriously about making a move. Fannie Mae’s recent Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) reveals the number of respondents who say it’s a good time to sell is higher now than it was over the past few summers (see graph below). Today, the majority of consumers, […]

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What To Do with Your Vacation Home as Summer Ends

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 24, 2021

As summer comes to a close, is it time to think about selling your vacation home? Based on recent data and expert opinions, it’s something you may want to consider. According to research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), vacation home sales are up 57.2% year-over-year for January-April 2021. If you’ve taken your last vacation this summer, here are […]

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What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 23, 2021

Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that’s good news for today’s homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates dating back to 2016 and where today falls by comparison. Generally speaking, when rates are low, you can afford more home for your money. That’s why experts across the industry agree – today’s low rates present buyers […]

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Options for First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 20, 2021

Some Highlights With a housing market this competitive, sometimes you have to think outside the box. Work with your trusted real estate advisors to do things like assess your budget, expand your search radius, look into other options, and determine your true needs. If you’re having trouble finding your first home, let’s connect to explore your options. It’s out there!

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More Young People Are Buying Homes

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 19, 2021

There’s a common misconception that younger generations aren’t interested in homeownership. Many people point to the fact that millennials put off purchasing their first home as a reason for this belief. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American, explains why millennials have put off certain milestones linked to homeownership. Those delays led to their homeownership rates trailing […]

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Real Estate: It’s Still a Lack of Supply, Not a Lack of Demand

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 18, 2021

One of the major questions real estate experts are asking today is whether prospective homebuyers still believe purchasing a home makes sense. Some claim rapidly rising home prices are impacting demand and, by extension, leading to the recent slowdown in sales activity. However, demand isn’t the real issue. Instead, it’s the lack of supply (homes […]

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What Does Being in a Sellers’ Market Mean?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 17, 2021

Whether or not you’ve been following the real estate industry lately, there’s a good chance you’ve heard we’re in a serious sellers’ market. But what does that really mean? And why are conditions today so good for people who want to list their house? It starts with the number of houses available for sale. The […]

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A Look at Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for Sellers

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 16, 2021

When you hear the phrase home price appreciation, what does it mean to you? Through context clues alone, chances are you know it has to do with rising home prices. And as a seller, you know rising home prices are good news for your potential sale. But let’s look past the dollar signs and dive deeper […]

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Sellers Are in a Sweet Spot [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 13, 2021

Some Highlights In today’s sellers’ market, you’re set up to win big when you list your house. That’s because homes are selling fast, receiving 4.4 offers on average and often selling above the asking price. Then, when you buy your next home, you’ll also win by addressing your changing needs and taking advantage of near historic-low mortgage rates. If you’re ready to make […]

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