This Week with Wendy

What do California style-casters forecast as 2023 interior design trends?

There's a reason that the world looks to California for setting trends, especially in interior design. To learn what trends will top 2023, host Wendy Ross interviewed Joseph Aldrich, principal at The Cypress Group, about luxury trends and interior design. 

Friends, he is the real deal. 

Perhaps it’s his height—standing well above 6 feet tall—that affords Jose...

Why do real estate agents get such a bad rap? 

Many people consider real estate agents glorified order-takers, just marketing homes, opening doors and making too much money for not doing a lot of work.

Host Wendy Ross doesn't disagree. In fact, she calls out some of the bad practices that her fellow brokers and agents follow that make her head hurt in this episode. 

Knowing these 10 failed practices can help home buyers and sellers...

Ever wonder what goes into a real estate appraisal? 

The practice often seems shrouded in mystery, so host Wendy Ross invited Jacki Moya to educate listeners. She has more than 30 years of experience in real estate — seven years in sales and 23 years appraising over a storied career.

In this episode, you'll learn what an appraiser does and what to expect when working with one. Plus, Jacki offers important tips for buyers, sellers a...

How does one of the nation's most trusted business reporters cover the real estate market?

To find out, Wendy Ross asked Jonathan Lansner of the Orange County Register to share his expertise in regional economics and real estate markets. He is a past national president of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing and a 1979 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. 

Jonathan has been reporting on Ora...

What are the warning signs of a "bad" real estate agent?

In this episode, Cara Stewart returns to the studio to persuade host Wendy Ross to spill the tea on her industry — and boy, does Wendy ever! 

Perhaps we should have called this episode "Agents Gone Wild" instead! Wendy reveals some of the most shocking behavior she's witnessed among real estate brokers and agents (behavior she has banned from practice at Veracity Real Estate ...

Will the Orange County residential real estate market sizzle or fizzle this summer? 

Yes, the real estate peak is behind us, but that doesn't mean a housing crash is on the horizon. To dive deeper into the data, host Wendy Ross and guest interviewer Cara Stewart walk listeners through what they need to know. 

Wendy explores the nitty gritty of buying and selling a home in a market with such tight inventory. Plus, she shares her ins...

How can real estate investors reap the biggest returns?

We all know that investing in real estate can produce passive income and a stable cash flow while giving investors leverage. But even with such opportunities, investors must be savvy about taxes, or they could lose out on some benefits. 

Host Wendy Ross turns to Thanh Cambaliza to explore some of the most important tax-saving strategies.

Thanh is a CPA and partner at Cambaliza...

What do homeowners need to know about working with general contractors — and why are they so expensive? 

To find out the answers to these questions, host Wendy Ross interviews Jeanine El Melki of JEM Remodel & Construction. Some long-time residents of Orange County, Calif., may remember the precursor to JEM, Alpha Remodel & Construction. 

After gaining vast experience for more than 10 years as a private building and remodeling cont...

What are the most pressing questions home buyers, sellers and investors have about today's market? 

In this episode, Cara Stewart joined Wendy Ross in the studio to respond to listeners. In this wide-ranging interview, Wendy covers:

• The new “Forgivable Equity Builder” Loan program from the California Housing Finance Agency, which helps home buyers with a loan of up to 10% of the purchase price
• Programs for low-income home buyer...

Do you think saving money on property taxes is sexy? 

Wendy Ross does. 

In Orange County, Calif., we hear a lot about Mello Roos and the Mills Act, but both seem to be shrouded in mystery and even misinformation. Bottom line: Mello Roos costs homeowners money, and the Mills Act saves them money.

But Wendy doesn't stop there. She also tackles Prop. 19 and breaks down ways eligible homeowners may transfer the taxable value of their h...

In the realm of real estate disputes, what are people suing for or otherwise getting into trouble over?

This is such a thorny issue in residential real estate that "This Week with Wendy" host invited Anthony W. Burton in for a second interview. 

Tony is the founder and managing partner of AWB Law, P.C. He has spent his career litigating and fighting on behalf of his clients whether their needs arise from an injury, a real estate di...

Where can Orange County families who face a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease turn? 

According to a 2021 report released by the California Department of Public Health, people 55 and older with Alzheimer’s will increase by 122%, and people 65 and older with the disease will increase by 136% in Orange County by 2040. The number of Californians with the disease is expected to more than double during that time.

That’s why we...

What defines a tastemaker?

As founder and chef of Orange County-based Taco Rosa, Taco Mesa, and Taco Mesa—Tortillería Orgánica & Café, Ivan Calderón has been setting a standard for Mexico City Cuisine for nearly three decades. His name has become synonymous with authenticity, sustainability and quality – all of which are reflected in the brand’s integrity, from the ingredients he sources to the tradition he highlights throughout hi...

Can anything be done to help seniors, veterans and their families stay in their homes? 

Show sponsors, Ford & Diulio PC, step into the studio to join host Wendy Ross in a sobering discussion about real estate disputes — with an emphasis on the work these litigators have done to support the most vulnerable among us. 

Brendan, who is the founding partner of Ford & Diulio, has developed a stellar reputation for mediating complex, ofte...

Could a wealth adviser make you a stronger real estate investor? 

Yes, according to Wendy Ross's guest Philippe Oertle. He’s the managing director of Catalina Capital Group. He has nearly two decades of wealth management expertise.

"I asked him on my show today because he specializes in developing and managing investment portfolios, as well as structuring lending, and trust and estate solutions," Wendy says.

Philippe presents the ...

Is inflation a bad thing for homebuyers and sellers?

Inflation is today’s buzzword, and it’s causing some panic, so host Wendy Ross invited chief financial officer Bruce Braviroff to discuss whether “inflation” is really a dirty word? 

In a prior episode of "This Week with Wendy," an international economist said that the United States had kicked the can of inflation down the road for 40 years, and we had to deal with it eventually.

Does getting a divorce have to mean starting over as a homeowner?

A marital home is most couples' biggest asset, serving as the hub for family life, work-from-home success and child-rearing. Convention dictates that marital homes are sold and divided when it comes to divorce, but Amy Valdivia of American Financial Network might have a better way. 

As a local branch for this nationwide lender, Amy guides clients to realize the Ameri...