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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The Holidays Aren’t Stopping Homebuyers This Year

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 15, 2020

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, yet finding the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family is certainly still top of mind for many right now. This year, there’s another type of buyer that’s very active this holiday season – the homebuyer. Each month, ShowingTime releases their Showing Index which tracks the average number of appointments received on […]

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5 Steps to Follow When Applying for Forbearance

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 14, 2020

If you’re currently feeling the stress of affording your mortgage payment, or if you know someone who is, there’s still time to get help. For homeowners experiencing financial hardship this year, the CARES Act provides mortgage payment deferral options, creating much-needed relief in these challenging times. It’s important, however, to understand how forbearance works. It’s not automatic. […]

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Before and after of a home

285 Streamwood – Before and After

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 13, 2020

As a real estate marketer, my job is to help sellers get the most return on the sale of their home, protect their equity, and put the most amount of money in their pocket. Some homes need a complete make-over, others just need a few simple renovations that can help make the property shine. Take […]

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Winning as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 11, 2020

Some Highlights Buying a home in today’s sellers’ market doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. Here are four ways to make sure you’re positioned for success when making a home purchase, even when the scale tips toward sellers. Let’s connect to make sure you’re armed for victory in the housing market this season.

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Why It Makes Sense to Sell Your House This Holiday Season

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 10, 2020

If you’re one of the many homeowners thinking about taking your house off the market for the holidays, hang on. You definitely don’t want to miss the great selling opportunity you have right now. Here’s why this month is the optimal time to make sure your house is available for holiday buyers. The latest Existing Home […]

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Are Home Prices Headed Toward Bubble Territory?

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 9, 2020

Talk of a housing bubble is beginning to crop up as home prices have appreciated at a rapid pace this year. This is understandable since the appreciation of residential real estate is well above historic annual averages. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), annual appreciation since 1991 has averaged 3.8%. Here are the latest 2020 appreciation numbers […]

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Why It Makes Sense to Sell Your House This Holiday Season

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 8, 2020

If you’re one of the many homeowners thinking about taking your house off the market for the holidays, hang on. You definitely don’t want to miss the great selling opportunity you have right now. Here’s why this month is the optimal time to make sure your house is available for holiday buyers. The latest Existing Home […]

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An Honest Look at Unemployment Numbers

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 8, 2020

Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the November Jobs Report. It revealed that, though headed in the right direction, the nation’s job recovery has slowed. The consensus reaction is best exemplified by a quote from Glassdoor Senior Economist, Daniel Zhao: “We saw positive job gains, but I think the sentiment is largely negative because we know that we’re heading into […]

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How Remote Work Can Power Your Vacation Home Sale

By Richard Wamsat | Dec 7, 2020

This year, the opportunity to work remotely has increased the demand for vacation homes. Gay Cororaton, Senior Economist and Director of Housing and Commercial Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes: “Working from home is a positive factor in demand for vacation homes.” Buyers are taking advantage of the fact that working from home might be someplace other […]

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