Weekend Open Discussion

Observations about your local areas, comments on news stories or the New Jersey housing bubble, Open House reports, etc. If you have any questions you wanted to ask earlier in the week but never posted them up, let’s have them.

For readers that have never commented, there is a small link on the bottom of each new message that reads “# Comments”. Go ahead and give that a click, you might be missing out on a world of information you didn’t know about. While you are there, introduce yourselves to everyone.

For new readers that have only read the messages displayed on the main page, take a look through the archives, a substantial amount of information has been put online in the past 6 months. The archives can be found at the bottom of the right hand menu and are categorized by month.

As always, anything goes!

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86 Responses to Weekend Open Discussion

  1. UnRealtor says:

    Open houses lining up again for this week. One house on its 8th open house.

    Not going to attend any, of course.

    Should be a nice beach weekend.

  2. grim says:

    Ground Rules
    I’m going to keep it short and to the point.

    Personal attacks, inflammatory comments, and off-topic arguments will not be tolerated. Take these discussions off-line.

    Foul language, racist, sexist, or any other defamatory remarks will not be tolerated.

    Messages that violate these rules will be deleted.

    The housing bubble is an emotionally charged topic, and I understand that our discussions get heated at times. We don’t need to add any more fuel to this fire.

    Please help me to keep our discussions on topic and professional.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Scenario:
    I’m looking to buy a house in North Jersey (in a town with good schools)this Sep or October and the house is priced at 469. This price is competitive with several other houses in the area. Given the current market conditions what would be a reasonable offer? I’m sure there are a lot of factors I haven’t included.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Question: is it possible to find a decent 2br in Hoboken for

  5. grim says:

    A big “thank you” to all the readers and contributors.

    Thanks for taking your time to visit and read the blog, even more thanks to those who take the time to contribute.

    Let’s keep in mind the mission of the blog, to inform and to educate.

    We want to get the information out, correct the misinformation that exists, educate someone that might not know, and perhaps learn a little ourselves.

    Thanks again,
    jb

  6. UnRealtor says:

    “This price is competitive with several other houses in the area.”

    Based on what, 5 years of 15-20% annual appreciation? Do you have to buy at market peak? GSMLS.com has many houses for rent, if you need the space an apartment doesn’t provide.

    Market aside, if new to the area, it also makes sense to rent in a town before buying there.

  7. Anonymous said…
    Question: is it possible to find a decent 2br in Hoboken for

  8. Mr. Oliver says:

    UnRealtor said…

    “Market aside, if new to the area, it also makes sense to rent in a town before buying there.”

    I second that! Renting will let you really get to know an area and decide where you want to put down roots. What you think you know about a place could be very different once you actually live there for a few months.

    The current market conditions only make it even more sensible to rent.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Number of SFHs had gone down by end of last month my a small number. This week the number has gone up suddenly.
    Looks like many houses are re-listing with different MLS number.
    At this point many sellers have adjusted asking prices to that of early 2005 (5% off 2006 pick).
    Sales are very slow and lots of open houses coming up to catch the last minute buyers before the school starting in september.
    Please attend few Open houses, get the feel of the market. if you are a buyer then do your home work before you make any lowball offers.

    Central Jersey Observer

  10. jimmie says:

    Grim, you might want to attach that disclaimer warning to the “As always, anything goes” statement. Perhaps some folks are reading into it too liberally. Otherwise, thanks for the great blog!

  11. Anonymous says:

    Have a miserable weekend starving realtors and grubbing missed the peak sellers.

  12. BergenBuyer says:

    Folks,

    I’m interested to hear the positions some of you are in. Are you a current owner, renter, etc.

    I just sold, I am currently living wiith family as we had planned to buy, but I am now 90% sure I will be renting starting in Sept/Oct once the summer is over. I guess I’m a “bubble sitter.”

    What about you?

    Bergen

  13. Anonymous says:

    Does it count if you rent the house you live in but may own a home somewhere?

  14. Anonymous says:

    Just my opinion… but i really disagree with the idea that there is either a stalled market or a standoff between buyers and sellers… doesn’t anyone remember out of 7.08 million sales in 2005, 3.34 million homes were purchased for investment purposes only? that’s an amazingly large percentage… and it most certainly gives credence to idea that that demand last year was artifical! So, even if all of the bubble-sitters did go out and buy the market would still go down… why? because there aren’t enough of them!!!… the investors/speculators accounted for more than 40% of all sales!!!

  15. Anonymous says:

    2:18

    Yes, inventory is up. More sellers than buyers.

    But until all the casual fisherman take their houses off the market (no bites in 6 months, maybe), how do we even know the true inventory number?

    Without a true inventory number, we cannot know the actual ratio of buyers to sellers, right?

    Maybe some sellers are holding out for the inevitable reduction in inventory.

    Just a thought on the other side.

    Pat

  16. fresh anecdote:

    just walked over to the Red Bank Starbucks

    An older gentleman discussing real estate with a boomer couple, and more than a few people not so subtley eavesdropping.

    Boomers: It seems like it is a flat market.

    Gentleman: Flat is being generous. I’ve been in this business a long time. Nothing is going anywhere for 24-36 months. There’s no reason that you shouldn’t rent for a year and see how this situation works itself out.

  17. Anonymous says:

    I don’t believe there’s such a huge amount of bubble sitters like some people believe. I only know of one besides me (my brother). Everyone else I come in contact with has a nice house, a huge mortage which was refinanced three or four times, an SUV or minivan and pricey vacations taken at least once a year, while I am shaking my head wondering how they are paying for it. These are basically blue-collar people (plumbers, electricians) with wives who work part-time with one or two kids. Everyone seems to think we’re nuts because we haven’t bought yet, even though all these people bought before 2000 and paying less than $200K. But I can just imagine what they owe on their houses now with all the refinancing!!! RML

  18. Metroplexual says:

    An interesting piece by Brookings

    From Traditional to
    Reformed:
    A Review of the Land Use
    Regulations in the Nation’s
    50 largest Metropolitan Areas

    Go to the map on page 12, you wanna know why land is scarce in NJ?
    http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20060802_Pendall.pdf

  19. grim says:

    Anyone going to see Counting Crows at PNC on Saturday?

    jb

  20. I’m interested to hear the positions some of you are in. Are you a current owner, renter, etc.

    Okay, I’ll play.
    I owned up until 2000 (divorce) and I now am currently renting a home in Bergen County.
    (I purchased my 1st home in ’91 and moved in ’95. Ahhh, those were the days!)
    If I were to purchase the home that I sold in 2000, it would be double the price last year, going by the comps in the immediate area. I’m seeing some softening in prices now.

    I know I will not wait for this to bottom out as I have an adjusting price point and plan on living in my home for a minimum of 15 years.

    PS Sorry Booya Bob

  21. anon @ 2:35 i am in a similar position, we get the why havent you bought? and i say i am glad i did not buy. it is easy for people who bought pre bubble to look down on us renters, i have also heard countless people say i could not buy my own home in today’s market

    i will buy when i find the house we love and we can really afford it the “old fashioned way”
    ie 20 down 30 yr fixed and it is at a price that is realistic

  22. i am too anti-open house now i will not go, grim enjoy the show
    my co-worker saw them last week at jones beach theater, i am planning
    my vacation to california in a few weeks (paid for in cash i might add) im so old fashioned that way i guess

    have a nice weekend

  23. Anonymous says:

    Not so much to do with the housing bubble, but saving up money: I read an article on bankrate.com today that said some smaller local banks around the country are now paying 6% on a cd. Has anyone seen any local banks in New Jersey offering that?

  24. Anonymous says:

    RML,

    I feel the same. We bought a small cape in ’97. We are doing well finacially and have a lot of money saved. We really want a nicer home but have been waiting because the prices were so out of line. It is hard to be patient when it seems everyone around you bought their deam home already but we are trying…

    j

  25. NJGal says:

    “we get the why havent you bought? and i say i am glad i did not buy. ”

    Patientbuyer, I am so there – but when I say I’m glad I haven’t bought, people get anxious, annoyed looks on their faces when they ask and I explain why. I can only assume they get them b/c they’re nervous – otherwise, why would you care? I can’t imagine that anyone cares that much about seeing me through to a wealthier future, right? They’re more concerned about themselves.

    We’re waiting, but also traditional buyers when we do. Right now, we like renting not just for the financial freedom we have but the lifestyle freedom (and the fact that we’re still not sure where we want to end up). We don’t have kids, don’t want any too soon, so why not? We do hope to buy before we have kids but we’re currently not all that concerned.

  26. Anonymous says:

    Good read
    The New York Times
    by Edmund Andrews:

    “Economy Often Defies Soft Landing”

    sorry – don’t know how to shorten link – it is in NYT Business

    http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/11/business/11econ.html

  27. here are a pair of bubble sitters

    a real hot chick and kind of a goofy looking guy with a fat face ;-)

    http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=1710092

  28. Anonymous says:

    Please tell me how much do I have to offer for this townhouse. Thanks!

    $445000 LEASE TO OWN – NEW 3 bedroom, 3 ½ bath townhouse w/ attached garage

    http://newjersey.craigslist.org/rfs/192813454.html

  29. Anonymous says:

    Made a call to an old “old” friend today.Man is very wise. He has been investing in real estate since the 1950’s.(60 years)
    We spoke about the normal everyday stuff. So I threw some bait out….ya know about the housing bubble….
    The response was not shocking to me….but here is what he said.

    “The residential housing market is the most overpriced I have seen in my life.”

    Asked him what he would do if he was a youngster and was looking to invest or buy a home now. He said “Do not even consider it” “rent or wait”. No surprise to me either but…… 60 years of experience a fortune to back up that impressive record and one to take seriously.

    He emphasized single family “residential” housing market when he talked about extreme overvaluation.

    Felt like passing this along to my BOOOOOOOOOYAAAAAAAA friends.

    BABABABABABA

    BUST!

    Bob

  30. Anonymous says:

    Ohh regarding the Old “Old” friend. A long-term real estate “bull”. mainly focuses in the NYC & NJ area.

    He sold some of his holdings off last year. Last time he sold some real estate was in late 1980’s. great timing eehh. He moves like molasses with his investments.Very slow to make changes.

    “The residential housing market is the most overpriced I have seen in my life.”

    Listen up!

    babababa

    BOOOOOOOOOYAAAAAAAA

    Bob

  31. Reading the Politricksters comments regarding property tax’s in NJ etc.
    It reminds me of an old thief trick, where someone steals your wallet and then helps you look for it.

  32. back at the Bob

    babababa

    BOOOOOOOOOYAAAAAAAA

  33. Anonymous says:

    patienthomebuyer & njgal — I am with you. I am a newlywed who has been living with the in-laws since my wedding 3 months ago. The people who typically say “you still haven’t found a house yet?” are the ones who have no clue on the state of the RE market. When we explain the over valuation and how today they probably couldn’t afford the type of house they bought 5 or 6 years ago they pretty much shut up.
    We are 30 years old, have more than a 20% downpayment saved so we are waiting it out a little more so we don’t see our life savings go down the drain.
    Good luck to everyone…
    ~First Time Buyer~

  34. Anonymous says:

    First Time Buyer at 3:33 – You have the right idea. Good friends of mine got married in ’97 and lived with her parents afterwards to save for a house. Four years and two kids later, they bought a house in ’01 – a beautiful house in Fairfield. They paid $420K and, at the time, felt like they were getting ripped off. Five years later their living room still does not have furniture and their family room has a couch that’s about 15 years old. They only have one credit card with a $2K limit and if they don’t have the cash, they don’t buy it. They tell me all the time I’m better off renting and that they’d never be able to afford a house in these conditions. They are my only normal friends. Everyone else I know spends money like it’s water on things that I KNOW they can’t possibly be able to afford without credit.

  35. Chicago,

    Dat you Jordan?!

  36. Anonymous says:

    Chicago: You sound like you’re really obsessed with that fat-faced guy’s wife. Maybe you should call her up and ask her out. Would be a nice night for a walk.

    ;)

    Pat

  37. Anonymous says:

    I’m confused about what kind of situation many of you are in. I’m single with no kids and purchasing a new townhouse for 350k. After taxes, maint, car payment, credit card bills, cabletv, grocery, gas, etc I’m still left with a savings of over 1000$/month to put into my piggy bank. Why do you think people are in over their heads? If I’m single and can afford a house in this market, why can’t people with 2 incomes etc?? Very odd.

  38. Pragmatist says:

    When we couldn’t afford to buy during the 1980’s bubble, everyone thought we was crazy. I saw a friend lose money on a sale after the crash, and was glad I hadn’t bought. We saved some money and finally in 1996, just before the market run-up, we bought a 4 BR, 2 BA cape on a dead-end street, in which NOTHING had been updated AT ALL since 1975. But the rooms were big and the bones were good. And we have been little by little updating it ever since. The day we moved in, a friend’s mother said “You are going to be working on this house till the day you die.”

    But since we have no kids and don’t want to move, so what?

    We waited till we had CASH to pay for new siding/roof/windows, we refinanced 3x down to a 4.75/15 year, and now even with the price drop, we are sitting pretty. If we had to sell, we could lowball.

    My advice to you bubble-sitters: Keep sitting. I know how awful it is when you want a house and prices are out of sight. I’ve been there. But I do believe that while Bergen is not going to crash (due to the fact that it’s mostly built up and starter housing is harder to find), I think prices will drop significantly.

    And if mortgage rates go up, well, eventually they will fall too. You can always refinance a mortgage to lower the rate. You can’t refinance your initial cost.

    Don’t take on more than you can afford. We have been able to weather FIVE periods of single-income because we didn’t overextend ourselves.

  39. Anonymous says:

    I am a recent home buyer. I purchased a house as to what I thought it was worth (150K less than asking). I bought becasue my husband and I have been living with his parents for 1+ years. We tried to wait longer but we both needed to move and we feel this is the house we will retire in its in Bergen County. I am sure every person knows how hard it is to move back when you have been out of your parens home for almost 10 years.

  40. Clare says:

    I am in a similar situation as first time buyer @ 3:33. I am 30,recently married, rent a small one bedroom and am trying to save up at least 20 percent for a down payment. We plan to buy when we can afford a house we actually like (i.e not a bungalow) the conventional way 30 year fixed 20% down somewhere in morris county about 20 minutes to work.

  41. Anonymous says:

    man my spelling is awful.. Grim can you install spell check because and parents

  42. Anonymous says:

    Pragmatist:

    Bergen County is not anything special.
    Just as it did last time it will drop just as much as any place else.

    Don

  43. Pragmatist says:

    Oh, by the way, just as an FYI to you young folks — we closed on our house on my 41st birthday. So I waited a LONG time for a house. I agree with those who say the market is ridiculously overvalued. That my house is “worth” well over $400K is absolutely insane.

    You guys who are sitting tight will have the last laugh on your friends — I promise you. When they have to sell in a depressed market, or get foreclosed and have nothing but the Hummer and the BMW and the photo album from the Mediterranein cruise, you will have earned the right to feel some Schädenfreude.

  44. Pragmatist,

    You’ve passed on some excellent experience and insight.

    But…

    But I do believe that while Bergen is not going to crash (due to the fact that it’s mostly built up and starter housing is harder to find), I think prices will drop significantly.

    I head this back inthe late 80’s and found a starter home for $145k in Harrington Park, NJ in ’91.
    I believe they’ll be price drops and starter homes available this time around too.

  45. grim says:

    We’ve got our share of celebrities here. The goofy guy and hot chick were also in this Bankrate piece.

    http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mortgages/celkupafamily.asp

    jb

  46. Chicago: You sound like you’re really obsessed with that fat-faced guy’s wife. Maybe you should call her up and ask her out. Would be a nice night for a walk.
    ;)
    Pat
    8/11/2006 03:57:22 PM

    You have to see her now…regular Mrs. Chicago with a big basketball in her shirt.

  47. 007 says:

    My neighbour “disappeared” over the weekend (1 week) while I was in vacation. I think he might be “foreclosure”. Is it possible to check it out?

  48. Anonymous says:

    Anon 4:01:

    Kids are expensive…really expensive. That’s a big part of it. If both parents work, easily deduct $1,300/month to pay for care and basic costs of raising a child (this doesn’t include the fun stuff, like if your child needs special care or non-covered health/therapy..tack on another grand a month for that. Just imagine spending $2,300 a month. I’m not making that up, it’s what my husband and I spend on our little one).

    If you were a single parent, you’d have zero/neg. savings based on the numbers you just gave. Now imagine all the single parents out there.

    Plus, it sounds as if you make more than median income.

    Median in many parts of NNJ is around (guessing) $75,221.57.
    Take home on that, after FICA, SUI, 401(k) deferral, health care average employee contribution, etc., would be $4500/month.

    Assuming 20% down, 30 yr. fixed, your townhome payment is $1900 BEFORE your tax escrow (which probably just went up $1,000 this year.)

    I’m not saying you were ill-advised to purchase, but over time half of earnings is too much to spend on home/home maintenance/taxes.

    Too much can happen..job loss, illness, terrorists, etc.

    Pat

  49. NJGal says:

    “Why do you think people are in over their heads? If I’m single and can afford a house in this market, why can’t people with 2 incomes etc?? Very odd.”

    Who said I can’t afford it? I never said that. My husband and I make a great income together, have no kids, save (at times) 5K a month (not including 401K, which he has and my office doesn’t offer), have stocks, no credit card debt (although that can be paid in 25 years if I’d like) – need I go on?

    Like many here, I can easily afford to buy a decent home in a nice town. But what I can afford to pay does not mean that the house is worth it. So, houses are overvalued, I like my lifestyle, why should I buy? Sure, a 350K townhouse would cost me less than renting, so would a co-op for 150K, but in 2 years, will it be worth that when I decide I want to have kids and move? I’m not taking that chance – rather save up my 20% or more and get the house I want.

  50. Anonymous says:

    Chicago, maybe I was wrong. No walk.

    A great alternate ..you can just quietly sit in front of the Mets. Bring her a water ice, put her feet up, and call it even.

    Pat

  51. Grim,

    Can you post a better link?

    Thanks

    (Wow, you two being interviewed and best I’ve ever had was a quote on the Matrix blog…)

    Congrat Chi

  52. Metroplexual says:

    “007 said…
    My neighbour “disappeared” over the weekend (1 week) while I was in vacation. I think he might be “foreclosure”. Is it possible to check it out?”

    I think you can go to realty track and put in the town by name or zip code. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe 1 month free registry? Any way the free aspect will give you road names.

  53. Anonymous says:

    Amen njgal! We are right there with you.

    The math tells us we can afford a $500K home with 20% down, 30 year fixed. But we can’t bring ourselves to buy a home for a half a million dollars that some bought 3 or 4 years ago in the 200-300 range. We just can’t……
    ~First Time Buyer~

  54. jayb says:

    I don’t see much talk about investment here. While you’re sitting around renting, or even if you own a home, why not put saved up cash to good use? My parents have found land for sale that they’re building on. The key is to buy cheap, which you can find if you look hard enough.

    Even if they sell a bit below their asking prices, they are still going to make money. There seems to always be investors around.

    It just seems like a waste to sit around and wait years for the prices to come down when you can be making deals the entire time. Whenever someone loses, someone else always gains. Foreclosures are a good one. Hard to find though. Anyone know any government websites or tips on finding out about foreclosures?

  55. jayb says:

    Anonymous said…
    Amen njgal! We are right there with you.

    The math tells us we can afford a $500K home with 20% down, 30 year fixed. But we can’t bring ourselves to buy a home for a half a million dollars that some bought 3 or 4 years ago in the 200-300 range. We just can’t……
    ~First Time Buyer~

    8/11/2006 04:30:17 PM

    So why not buy a house someone paid $600K for 3 or 4 years ago that is now $500K? (not being sarcastic, just curious)

  56. NJGal says:

    Great ABC clip, but I can I just say how much I HATE Barbara Corcoran, the old shrew?

  57. Anonymous says:

    chicago-

    Congrats on the bun (in the oven). She sure is a pretty girl, and lucky for her she has a guy who can run the numbers!! The toll deal sounds great too!

  58. NJGal says:

    “But we can’t bring ourselves to buy a home for a half a million dollars that some bought 3 or 4 years ago in the 200-300 range.”

    It’s offensive to me for someone to make such a profit for doing nothing off of my hard work and savings!

  59. Anonymous says:

    So why not buy a house someone paid $600K for 3 or 4 years ago that is now $500K? (not being sarcastic, just curious)

    8/11/2006 04:31:43 PM

    Show me the house and sign me up for it. Haven’t come across that in the area we are looking in.

  60. Stan says:

    Do the other young childless couples here just assume they will always have two incomes?

    We have two incomes now but there is always the possibility that my wife will want to stay home to care for our child when we have one. Buying a house would lock us into a two-income lifestyle. I just can’t see paying down a 500K+ mortgage, taxes, maintenance, etc on my income alone.

  61. jayb says:

    Show me the house and sign me up for it. Haven’t come across that in the area we are looking in.

    8/11/2006 04:36:28 PM

    What area are you looking in? Maybe I can do some searching for you.

  62. Stan says:

    NJGal, I did like Babs Corcoran’s comment on the show that the host liked owning a home because he is rich. It got a good laugh out of the production crew, who are almost guaranteed to be the opposite of rich.

  63. 007 says:

    Thanks Metroplexual.

    I just sign up but could not find any trace of the foreclosure. Now the phone just ring, (stupid, I put in my real number), might be the hungry realtor.

  64. NJGal says:

    You’re probably right about the crew Stan. Being rich in terms of stuff like that makes it easy.

    As for kids, I can see your point but selfish as it may sound, I think I might kill myself if I had to stay home with kids. It’s just not my thing. It may be better for the kids, and I myself had a stay at home mom, but a happy mother is also good for kids, and frankly, I’m just not sure how we would financially do it without me working (I make way more than childcare would cost). But it is a tough choice many face, and one salary with a 500K mortgage is a tough thing to swallow.

  65. LeeS says:

    Any chance of getting the lowballs back? Maybe just a few for each county? I’m very curious about whats going on. Thanks.

  66. Anonymous says:

    Some of Hunterdon Counties July Sold Listings:

    High Bridge
    MLS2294177 3BR,1Bath 309.9K Sold= 300K DOM 4
    MLS2276464 3BR, 1Bath 289.9K Sold=284.9K DOM 26

    Lebanon Boro
    MLS2267975 3BR, @.5 Bath Condo 359.9K Sold=350K DOM 25
    MLS2255423 2BR, 2 Bath Condo 329.9K Sold =322.5K DOM 31
    MLS2260794 2BR, 1.5 Bath Condo 299.9K Sold=291.5K DOM 58

    Town of Clinton
    MLS223921 3BR, 1.5 Bath 549K Sold=540K DOM 5
    MLS2252835 3BR, 2,5 Bath Townhouse 405K Sold= 395K DOM 72

    Bethlehem Twp.
    MLS 2272196 3BR, 3 Bath 599.9 Sold=605K DOM 61
    MLS 2274800 4BR, 2.5 Bath 569.9K Sold=565.5 DOM 12

    Clinton Twp.
    MLS 22119109 5BR, 2.5Bath 1.199M Sold= 1.125M DOM 87
    MLS 2226964 4BR, 3.5 Bath 1.1 M Sold=1.075M DOM79

  67. grim says:

    You posted an identical list in the prior thread. Please don’t spam with duplicate information, it’s not necessary.

    Everyone that reads this thread would have read the last thread.

    grim

  68. Chicago, maybe I was wrong. No walk.
    A great alternate ..you can just quietly sit in front of the Mets. Bring her a water ice, put her feet up, and call it even.
    Pat

    Pat: You forgot foot massage, spoonfuls of Breyer’s Choc as needed. :)

  69. chicago-
    The toll deal sounds great too!

    The Toll deal was in fact not good enough. The deal was offered in April 2005 which was a 7.5% discount off of the THEN market price in Toll’s opinion. We declined.

    It appeared to be an unfortunate decision for a period of a few months, but now everything is falling apart around here. We almost feel as if we are in the eye of the hurricane.

  70. Anonymous says:

    chicago-

    well, as we have all said around here before, renting does afford the chance that you can get out of hurricane. Had you bought and then the building started falling apart…well there goes all of your hard earned cash.

  71. Anonymous says:

    Sorry about thr repeated info.
    Didn’t see it at first on the other thread.
    Didn’t mean to clog things up, just provide info on an area not usually covered by your usual MLS listings.

  72. grim says:

    No problem, are you in RE? If so, please drop me an email.

    Thanks,
    jb

  73. Anonymous says:

    No I’m not, but a local realtor sends me his newsletter with recent Under Contract’s and Sold listings. I sold last September but still like keeping an eye on what’s been happening there.

  74. elklindo says:

    I’m waiting for 07 to buy, I want more choices. The sellers are stubborn and it will take a while for the light bulb to turn on. Overall I would still rather own than to rent, short term prices will go down, by how much who knows??? Real Estate is cyclical, long term prices appreciate on average a couple of percentage points above inflation. Also it depends how much you brought it for. If you buy high, then you get whacked. Buy reasonable price, you should be OK

  75. Pragmatist says:

    Re: The Bubble Sitters — OMG, I used to work with Jordan Celkupa. And he’s married to the sister of a friend of mine who I haven’t seen since she moved out of the area.

    Small world….

  76. Metroplexual says:

    Congrats CF,

    Welcome to the club. ;)

  77. Mr. Oliver says:

    Chi,

    I just hope that when you’re making the media rounds, appearing on Anderso Cooper, Keith Olbermann, Jon Stewart and the like that you will remember the little people that got you there.

    I am glad to say I knew you when!

    Please, though, promise me you won’t give those ass-clowns O’Reilly, Hannity or Colmes a minute of your time.

  78. I consider myself a-political. However, I was made aware of this footage, since the gato-hombre mentioned the prime time personalities.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf8oOU0wk7k&NR

  79. Anonymous says:

    would appreciate everyone’s input on upper montclair. currently live on the upper west side and have a 9 month old and ready to move to the suburbs for a more family oriented lifestyle. grew up in queens and lived in manhattan the last 10 years. i’ve heard montclair is called the ‘west west side’ or the park slope of nj and that sounds appealing due to the mix of culture and suburbs.

    however, aside from the high taxes i’ve heard the schools aren’t that great and you are not only near but also share some parts of montclair with ‘less desirable’ people. can anyone speak more authoritively on this? really need the scoop and won’t trust a real estate agent to tell me. thanks a bunch.

    tim

  80. Richard says:

    njgal, you haven’t had a child yet. frankly you might think you’re making an informed, thought out decision but until you have your own child you have no idea how you’ll choose between working and staying at home. my wife was a career woman through and through. had our son and blam, changed everything she said. she now stays home and wouldn’t leave him with a nanny, daycare or anyone else for all the tea in china. this is why i think it important that people who want to buy either find something they can afford on 1 salary or wait for the first child to see what choices you’ll make to figure out what income you’ll have coming in.

  81. Richard says:

    njgal, you haven’t had a child yet. frankly you might think you’re making an informed, thought out decision but until you have your own child you have no idea how you’ll choose between working and staying at home. my wife was a career woman through and through. had our son and blam, changed everything she said. she now stays home and wouldn’t leave him with a nanny, daycare or anyone else for all the tea in china. this is why i think it important that people who want to buy either find something they can afford on 1 salary or wait for the first child to see what choices you’ll make to figure out what income you’ll have coming in.

  82. Mr. Oliver says:

    Chi, thank you for the video.

    I saw that the night it aired and thought it was very well done.

    By the way, now that I know you’re a Met fan, I’m trying not to let that change my high opinion of your opinions.

  83. gato

    let’s talk mid-October – we may have a wager to make if things cut correctly

  84. Mr. Oliver says:

    How does the song go?

    “Beat the Mets…”

    :)

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