Richard Wamsat’s Real Estate News & Views

Local market updates, buyer and seller tips, and homeowner resources for Orange County and Irvine.

Subscribe

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Silhouette of a person while waiting for sun to rise

The Beginning of an Economic Recovery

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 17, 2020

The news these days seems to have a mix of highs and lows. We may hear that an economic recovery is starting, but we’ve also seen some of the worst economic data in the history of our country. The challenge today is to understand exactly what’s going on and what it means relative to the […]

Read More
Percent icon

Mortgage Rates & Payments by Decade [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 14, 2020

Some Highlights Sometimes it helps to see the dollars and cents you’ll save when you purchase a home while mortgage rates are low. Today’s low rates mean it’s less expensive to borrow money, so the savings over the life of your loan is significant. Let’s connect to determine the best way to position your family […]

Read More
Father carrying daughter

Homes Are More Affordable Right Now Than They Have Been in Years

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 13, 2020

Today, home prices are appreciating. When we hear prices are going up, it’s normal to think a home will cost more as the trend continues. The way the housing market is positioned today, however, low mortgage rates are actually making homes more affordable, even as prices rise. Here’s why. According to the Mortgage Monitor Report […]

Read More
""

Why Foreclosures Won’t Crush the Housing Market Next Year

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 12, 2020

With the strength of the current housing market growing every day and more Americans returning to work, a faster-than-expected recovery in the housing sector is already well underway. Regardless, many are still asking the question: will we see a wave of foreclosures as a result of the current crisis? Thankfully, research shows the number of […]

Read More
Young couple doing high five

Current Buyer and Seller Perks in the Housing Market

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 11, 2020

Today’s housing market is making a truly impressive turnaround, and it’s also setting up some outstanding opportunities for buyers and sellers. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, there are perks today that are rarely available, and definitely worth looking into. Here are the top two. The Biggest Perk for Buyers: […]

Read More
3 people in a office discussing

The Latest Unemployment Report: Slow and Steady Improvement

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 10, 2020

Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest Employment Situation Summary. Going into the release, the expert consensus was for 1.58 million jobs to be added in July, and for the unemployment rate to fall to 10.5%. When the official report came out, it revealed that 1.8 million jobs were added, and […]

Read More
""

2020 Homebuyer Preferences [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 7, 2020

Some Highlights A recent study from HarrisX shows the current health crisis isn’t slowing down today’s homebuyers. Many buyers are accelerating their timelines to take advantage of low mortgage rates, and staying home has enabled some to save more money to put toward a down payment. Let’s connect today if your needs have recently changed […]

Read More
Man resting his back while looking at his laptop

How Is Remote Work Changing Homebuyer Needs?

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 6, 2020

With more companies figuring out how to efficiently and effectively enable their employees to work remotely (and for longer than most of us initially expected), homeowners throughout the country are re-evaluating their needs. Do I still need to live close to my company’s office building? Do I need a larger home with more office space? […]

Read More
Young couple in a table

Why Homeowners Have Great Selling Power Today

By Richard Wamsat | Aug 5, 2020

We’re sitting in an optimal moment in time for homeowners who are ready to sell their houses and make a move this year. Today’s homeowners are, on average, staying in their homes longer than they used to, and this is one factor driving increased homeowner equity. When equity grows, selling a house becomes increasingly desirable. […]

Read More