From the Record:
Home prices are still falling, but not as quickly, the Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller home price index said Tuesday. Prices nationwide were down 13.3 percent in July from July 2008, while prices in the New York metropolitan area, which includes North Jersey, were down 10.3 percent.
…
“We believe that once the tax credit expires, prices will resume their downward trend, falling another 5 percent from current levels, as rising foreclosures and a glut of unsold homes come back to center stage,” said Patrick Newport, an economist with IHS Global Insights in Lexington, Mass.
…
“There are considerable impediments to any robust rebound in [housing] prices,” he said. “Prices are not getting back to where they were at their peak anytime soon.”
…
In Bergen County, according to separate data from the RealSource Association of Realtors, the median price of a single-family home declined 13.4 percent from July 2008 to July 2009, to $447,500. The number of home sales rose from 503 in July 2008 to 547 in July 2009.
…
In Passaic County, according to data from the Garden State Multiple Listing Service, the average home price in July fell to $349,000, 10.5 percent below a year earlier. The number of home sales was stable year over year, with 267 condos and single-family homes sold, an uptick from the 262 sold in July 2008.
From CNBC:
Home Price Gains Are Seasonal and Federally Fueled
I’m not a bear, I’m a realist. Let’s get that out first.
Today’s headlines from the folks at S&P/Case Shiller are not untrue, they’re just not the whole picture. Yes, home prices, in most areas (and by no means everywhere) are no longer in freefall. Some local markets have hit bottom, others are falling less precipitously, and still others are showing some strength.
But if we’re going to be forced to spew these national numbers, that the markets seem to crave (for some reason that I generally and specifically don’t understand), then we have to take them with not a grain, but a shaker of salt.
…
Because whether we’re in a housing boom or bust, home prices always rise in the spring/summer months, due to the type of buyer largely in the market.Families, i.e. move-up home buyers, looking to close and move over the summer so as not to disrupt school, dominate the market in the spring and summer.
They are, for the most part, buying larger, more expensive homes, and they therefore skew the median home price in their market higher.
In the fall and winter, you tend to see more first-time buyers as well as more single buyers who want smaller, lower-priced homes.
…
So, the question going into the fall, as that tax credit nears expiration Nov. 30th, is can this price trend continue? I doubt it. The other issue of course is foreclosures, which fell in June and July due to a process delay by banks, as they ramped up the government’s loan modification program. There were also some state moratoria in effect as well.
…
There is now an estimate out there that rising foreclosures will add 7 million homes to the for-sale inventory over the next two years. Inventories of new and existing construction have been falling, but that could U-turn this fall, as foreclosures rise, banks let go of the homes that didn’t qualify for modifications, and job losses push good quality borrowers into default. Pile that on top of seasonality, and I’d watch for home prices to dip again as we get readings on the fall months.
From Bloomberg:
U.S. Economy: Home Prices Increase by Most Since 2005
Home values in 20 U.S. cities climbed in July by the most in almost four years, helping stem the record plunge in household wealth that’s depressed spending.
The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index rose 1.2 percent in July from the prior month, the biggest gain since October 2005, the group said today in New York.
…
From a year earlier, the S&P/Case Shiller index was down 13.3 percent, less than economists anticipated and the smallest decrease in 17 months.The measure was forecast to fall 14.2 percent, according to the median projection of 36 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Estimates ranged from declines of 12.5 percent to 15 percent. It was down 15.4 percent in the 12 months ended in June.
Compared with the prior month, 17 of the 20 cities covered showed an increase, led by a 3.1 percent jump in Minneapolis and a 2.9 percent increase in San Francisco. Las Vegas suffered the biggest one-month decrease at 1.9 percent.
numero uno!
From the Daily Record:
Cuts eyed for Whippany postal center
The U.S. Postal Service will conduct a public meeting on Oct. 9 at the Hanover Township Recreation Center to discuss a proposal to move some operations from the West Jersey Processing and Distribution Center in the Whippany section of the township to other USPS distribution centers in New Jersey.
…
“This could potentially affect about 187 employees at the facility,” said USPS spokesman George Flood in Newark. “It doesn’t mean jobs will be eliminated. People could be offered positions elsewhere.”
With a deep decline in mail volume due to the slow economy, and increasing use of electronic documents, the USPS says it has an excess of employees and operations. Many private and publicly traded businesses have turned to consolidation and staff reduction to offset losses.
We’re in one hell of a predicament if the only reason employers can give for staying here are “emotional ties”.
From the Vineland Daily Journal:
What to do when employers don’t want to flee N.J.
An all-expenses-paid move and a five-year tax exemption.
A tempting offer, to be sure. But Liebermann, president of Innovative Power Solutions, which makes generators and transformers for the aerospace industry, turned it down — just like he’s turned down a list of other states that have courted his company aggressively in recent years.
What’s keeping him here? Emotional ties to New Jersey, not economic factors. He likes the state’s diversity, its proximity to New York City and the Jersey Shore.
From the APP:
Nursing positions not as plentiful
Mabel Martino graduated from Brookdale Community College’s nursing program in May, confident that she had chosen a career where the demand would never fade.
She had seen the statistics that showed Americans are using more health care. She had heard the stories about employers searching far and wide to find qualified nurses.
Four months after she graduated? “You really were expecting to leave school and say, “We have a job,’ ” said Martino, a 41-year-old Barnegat resident. “It’s not that way.”
Recent nursing school graduates, who not long ago could have written their ticket, are facing a tight job market. They are told to come back when they get experience. They are looking at their second and third options.
In short, they are getting caught in the same trap that hard-pressed workers in other fields are in. Employers are cutting costs and existing workers aren’t leaving. The big difference is, this is one profession that was supposed to be a sure bet.
From HousingWire:
Freddie to Door Knock Delinquent Borrowers
Freddie Mac contracted a third-party servicer to go to the homes of delinquent borrowers to get the missing information and documentation necessary to start three-month long trial repayments under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).
Titanium Solutions will head to the homes of delinquent borrowers of Freddie Mac-owned mortgages who haven’t returned servicer letters or phone calls, as well as those needing to finalize HAMP modifications.
…
As HousingWire reported in its August edition, door knocking is becoming increasingly popular with servicers looking to make contact with and engage borrowers when other methods of contact are unsuccessful.
newark is the 4th poorest city in the US.
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/09/28/daily18.html
grim (4)-
What is the likely re-default rate for people who won’t even return phone calls or letters from servicers who are trying to reduce their payments?
How long will it be before one of the door-knockers is greeted with a shotgun blast to the face?
How many of these homes were abandoned long ago?
This program is going to fix everything. I know it. All those folks are good Americans who deserve a roof over their heads and a second chance (albeit at taxpayer expense).
I also believe in fairytales and moonbeams.
how long does the foreclosure process take? how much free living does a person get?
you could be in your home for as long as
two years,, the process is broken,besides
the banks don’t want the property back.
Dear Sellers,
In Bergen County, according to separate data from the RealSource Association of Realtors, the median price of a single-family home declined 13.4 percent from July 2008 to July 2009.
“When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.”
Sure.
#8
I prefer Adam Smith
Dear Sellers,
Let me translate this for you. It means that your ridiculous asking price of $649,000 for that dank, piss-reaking, gas mask dump of yours should be listed for about $90,000 less than your starry-eyed dream price. On top of that, if you don’t accept an offer that is 90% of the correct adjusted price, then you will ultimately get less than that 9 months later after you finally realize that you no nothing about the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
essex,
from last night:
one of the big points of a voucher system is that the families then have the ability to choose the school they feel is best for their children without having to pay double to do so.
Some people can afford to pay private school tuition on top of of the standard property taxes that are used to fund schools, but the majority can not. The current system locks the majority of people out of being able to choose the school they feel is best for their child.
Something else to consider is that essentially all public schools follow the same teaching philosophy and methodology. There are many other teaching philosophies and methodologies and some of these are more effective then then other.
The most important point however is that it would put the power in the families hands. If a family is not happy with a school they can leave for a different school, taking their money (voucher) with them. In this way, bad schools would likely fail in short order while successful schools in the same area would florish.
no = know
Yikes,
The only thing that keeps Camden from being #1 is the lack of 250,000 residents. Heck, if Detroit keeps going the way it is going it may be off the list for the same reason.
Yikes @ 6
“Newark is the 4th poorest city in the U.S.”
That was with 26.1% in poverty.
Fresno comes in @ 6th with 25.5% in poverty for cities in America with at least 250,000 residents.
But gary,
cnn/cnbc/fox said that the recession was over and housing was stabilizing!!!! With the tax credit likely to be extended or increased, that just means there will be even more demand for my 700K 3/2 1960’s split on .1 acre
booker says Newark is making progress.
Clot,
There is a house down the road from me that has been empty for almost 2 years now. They tried selling it for a while and then all signs were pulled last winter and the house has just sat there.
It is now visibly decaying. they cut the grass for the 1st time this year just last week (i wonder if the neighbors did it?) i will see if i can get a pic of it today.
At what point can neighbors bring suit against the owner/bank/town for an abandoned property that is a blight?
kettle1,
Don’t forget the $13,780 property tax… because after all, we live in a very prestigous area that’s bleeding wealth… so I’ve been told by a realtor.
gary: i fear for the future on NJ. perhaps
buying should be put off for ,, 2/3 years
while this all shakes out.
seems to me,,
Clot,
I see that memphis made 12th place on the poverty list. That city is only a decade or so behind detroit. It has to be one of the most corrupt places i have seen.
From talking to people it seems that the second stage of exodus is under way. People with money initially moved into the surrounding towns and out of the city. Now they are finding that the blight is following them and and beginning to leave the area entirely.
gary,
sea of wealth? is pretorious your realtor?????
20 – “There is a house down the road from me…”
We have one of those too. although i’ve only been here 15 months so don’t know when the owners left. nice house–just way overpriced when it was for sale. now it sits…
ruggles,
i have been in my current place for about 2 years and the house was empty but for sale when i moved into my current place
x (9)-
Up to two years, if you play your cards right.
Ket – can’t agree with you on the voucher system. If the parents can’t afford private school, then let them get involved in their local schools to get the quality where they want it. My family paid taxes for the public school since that was their civic duty and sent us kids to the Catholic school since that was their catholic duty – why rob Peter to pay Paul? Dad worked two jobs and mom worked too, as did all of the children from the time we could carry a bag full of newspapers.
Public school is the backbone of this country and was the pride of Americans everywhere.
And if families can shop their vochers, why can’t I as an adult with no children?
I have a few things to say about your education conversation from yesterday:
It is 5:10 here and I must read the news, pay bills, write letters etc. in the early AM before I report to school at 7:00. I am usually so busy or exhausted at night that accomplishing anything is unthinkable. Could I read or post during the day? No, impossible as well.
28 years – going on 29 – $68,500 a year. No raises for four years – going on five with a chance of a pay reduction next year.
I totally agree with a tiered retirement system so new hires earn a package more in line with today’s economy. They have to address that issue here in California.
I can only tell you that each year I teach, the work itself gets harder because the students are not prepared to listen to anyone of authority and the parents feel their child deserves special treatment. Because I am so strict, each year parents ask to have their students pulled from my room. In my room, if a second grader earned an “F” – they will see an “F” on their report card.
The expectations are raised every year so you never have a feeling that what you do is “good enough.” Our school scored in the 870’s on the STAR exam last year but other elementary schools in my district were above 900. So guess what they expect of us?
I take great pride in teaching children to read who have been unsuccessful in first grade. That is my reward. That is why I teach.
vochers = vouchers
Excuse me, I should have explained that every year parents ASK to have children pulled from my room. Some years the principal agrees and pulls them, some years they stay. It used to bother me a great deal. Now, it is what it is.
beach bum,
a freely available education in everyones best interest, not just the families using the schools. secondly, a voucher system is not the end of a public schools ystem, just a different implementation there of.
Inr egards to parents stepping in. Are you suggesting that the minority of students and families that are genuiemly interested in education yet stuck in a newark/camden type school environment should be responsable for “fixing” the social problems in the area that are driving the decline in school environemnt?
The way schools are currently setup it would take a very large majority of both the parents and the local population that make any real changes.
Whats so scary about a free market school system?
I specialize in students who need to learn a routine and how to manage time. I break up all activities into time frames that are doable for second graders. They get bored easily. Some days, I stop everything, get out my guitar and we sing.
Unfortunately, the expectations of what I should get accomplished each day have been so accelerated that it is harder and harder to add a bit of frivolity….. Art – Yeah right.
For some reason it is important for me to let you all know I am doing the best I can. I am judged by parents, I am judged by my principal and her supervisor – teachers are harshly judged by everyone. I consider you all here a bit of a family and it is hard to read some of the comments.
If the parents can’t afford private school, then let them get involved in their local schools to get the quality where they want it.
While the parents should get involved in their child’s school, public or private, it isn’t always realistic for parental involvement to improve the quality of the school, unless there is a critical mass of “involved parents”. I also don’t think it’s fair to ask a parent to single-handedly improve their school district because they can’t afford to live somewhere with better schools.
This is why schools in “blue ribbon” towns are often considered good schools. It isn’t that the buildings are so much nicer, or the books are better or the teachers are so much more qualified (we dump tons of money into city schools), but that a critical mass parents have set higher expectations for their children and their schools.
I think a voucher system is a good idea. The voucher value should be the same value for all students regardless of their district. To combat “brain drain” from public schools, schools accepting vouchers should have to take them as “payment in full” or not take them at all.
Cindy
we arent attacking you! i have enough teacher friends and feel for you. The system is horribly broken though.
Kettle – I actually come to this site for the economic news. I’m not the smartest cookie in the jar but I do crave intellectual stimulation. I did not mean to… I try to avoid….well anyway – I have had a good cry and my education conversation is over.
Actually, I’m sorry to have bothered you all with my ranting…
Carry on – I actually need to get ready for work….
#33 kettle
Whats so scary about a free market school system?
Because it is inherently unfair. I know that some people on this board can’t stand that word, but it is a reality. Vouchers create a two tiered system. Those that the have the resources to work the system and those that don’t. If your district is not doing what they should, not everyone has the resources to take them to court to resolve issues.
Also, public schools have to take everyone, private schools can cherry pick the pupils, that leaves the way open to a lot of discrimination.
(30) Cindy
If you were in brigadoon, I’d hire you to tutor. Lemme know if you ever relo to NJ.
Kettle – re: vouchers
I grew up in Catholic schools and have been hit with pro-voucher sentiment from all sides – my otherwise liberal parents, my schools, and more recently my fellow conservatives. As a property tax paying adult with kids in both private and parochial schools, I no longer favor vouchers.
Our parish school is $2600 a year for one child. Tuition maxes out around 4k no matter how many kids you have enrolled. If you’re really hard up for money, you can get a free uniform from our school’s uniform closet. You can buy scrip for the grocery store – for every hundred bucks you spend, you get $3 towards tuition. You can ask your neighbors to do this for you too and give you the tuition vouchers. We have a parish scholarship fund which is available to everyone. All you have to do is cry poverty to the pastor.
In other words, if you want to send your kid to our parish school, you can. If you don’t want to put out the effort, I don’t want your kid there. Vouchers would have the effect of removing the effort from the parents.
Admittedly, for most people in our town, it’s not much effort to cough up tuition money either. But we’ve got a choice of a fine public school and folks are choosing the Catholic school for religious reasons. We do also have a fair number of students from over the Philly line whose parents choose our school because the Philly schools are a toilet bowl. They’re not all here for religious reasons, but for most of them, there’s some effort involved in sending their kids to the cushy suburban Catholic school. God help us if every Baptized kid in the city of Philadelphia could come to Catholic school without any effort on the part of their parents.
#35 renting
that a critical mass parents have set higher expectations for their children and their schools.
Not really. One big difference you will see will be the number of non working parents in the schools as class mom, volunteer aides, lunchroom assistant, PTA booster. There is a lot of time and cash resources funneled from the familes back into the schools in the blue ribbon.
Excuse me while i review the “Harvest Basket” fundraiser catalog that I will be obliged to order something so that the class can meet its PTA targets.
Kettle, Not scared of free market school system, just don’t think the theory is applicable to the context.
Market theory does not work for every human interaction, and I don’t think it works for the school system. And I don’t buy the idea that people can’t change the school system they’re in. Maybe they do need to get a critical mass of people together to effect change, and maybe they should enroll some non parents in the debate if they need more help. But opt-out is not the way to improve our communities.
Cindy, 34, 37
Where were you when I needed a good teacher?? Here I am decades later still unable to manage time well, organize or get a routine schedule.
Wish you had been in my school system.
My biggest obstacle in my life right now…. where to rent/buy…. based solely on my soon-to-need- a kindergarten (school system) four year old.
(I still can’t manage time or organize well…. can you tutor long distance??)
sl
School Vouchers is nothing more than public funding for religious schools.
39.comrade nom deplume says:
September 30, 2009 at 9:29 am
(30) Cindy If you were in brigadoon, I’d hire you to tutor. Lemme know if you ever relo to NJ.
nom: If Cindy were in NJ, she’d have to buy a new guitar every few weeks, because she would be breaking over people’s heads so often……
We – totally agree – that’s why the religious right has been puching for this.
Cindy – I am sure that you are a great teacher. Other educators and the public need to realize that every child is different and that educating children is a labor intensive labor of love. See the article in the NYT recently about how children need to grow into humanity, and that means singing with the guitar, learning to appreciate beauty and being kind to others, along with self control and reading. Respecting who children are is as important as demanding respect back!
Cindy,
There’s a story in the October issue of the Atlantic – “What California Got Right” – on solar …
Nom – 36 – I doubt your children will need tutoring, but thanks.
Still – 43 – LOL – I’m sure you are very organized.
They actually make a tool called a time timer. You set it at 15 minutes say and it counts time backwards until the timer goes off. Works like a champ in the most severe cases. “Here are your tasks, you have 15 minutes, GO.”
Thanks for the support –
Everything you do is harder than it looks, too.
That much I know for sure.
Have a great day all…
Vouchers create a dog-eat-dog competitive capitalistic system where the weak die and go out of business and the strong thrive – its survival of the fittest.
But thats the exact opposite of how a public education should be distributed.
Remember that education is not an optional service like garbage collection. It is mandated by the constitution and backed by the highest courts to provide an equal and quality education to every child to be paid for by all.
Even a parent can’t opt out of educating their own child without breaking the law. And this is where vouchers fail – because it would be up to parents to choose what school their child goes to. But when your single mom cant read and she is living in of newark addicted to crack, guess what? She aint gonna research the best school and send you there.
Comp Killer Westfield!
639 WESTFIELD AVE (2)
Date Sale Price
09/04 $1,396,075
09/09 $1,385,000
This was built in 2004. 5 Years later, Sale price goes down $10,000. If only my price range had a “1,” in front of it. The taxes are $32k, I could rent a nice house in the neighborhood for less than that. Oh wait, I am.
[228][prior thread] PGC
“I’ll see your Gregory v Helvering and raise you a Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific”
Nice! will have to read it now.
“Most of the times I try to debate you a end up in mod and can’t be bothered to rewrite the post.”
If you were ending up in mod that much, it doesn’t sound like you were trying to debate in the sense I know debate. But then the mod filter here is quite funky, so I have to give you the benefit there. Must go to a GTG sometime, then you can debate straight up, no filters.
So a quick question to the list. Anybody have any input/pointers on buying a plot and building? I’m more curious about the mortgage/loan side of it. Talked with Wells Fargo and they are talking about them making all the payments to the contractor and it has to be completed within 3 months. Anybody have any experience they would like to share? Thanks.
[226][prior thread] Essex,
“So as a lawyer you must be pleased that bankers have replaced you as the most hated individual vocation-identified douche bags on the planet.”
Pretty much, yeah. Although if the perception were successful at keeping people out of the profession (and there are waaay too many stupid lawyers), I’d be in favor of it. But it doesn’t. Apparently, a lot of people still WANT to be vocation-identified douche bags.
FWIW, I learned long ago that I was never going to please everyone, and that folks would view me through their own filters, which served their own ends. So I learned to stop caring about what most other people thought of me. Much happier that way.
Cindy was the number one or two missing from in front of your salary. My sister is a part time teacher 10 am to 2pm and she makes 80k.
Cindy says:
September 30, 2009 at 8:20 am
I have a few things to say about your education conversation from yesterday:
It is 5:10 here and I must read the news, pay bills, write letters etc. in the early AM before I report to school at 7:00. I am usually so busy or exhausted at night that accomplishing anything is unthinkable. Could I read or post during the day? No, impossible as well.
28 years – going on 29 – $68,500 a year. No raises for four years – going on five with a chance of a pay reduction next year
All,
I’m pleased to announce as of 8:44 a.m. this morning I became a NJ (Cherry Hill East) bag holder. After 5 days of unrelenting (on my part) negotiations, the seller finally broke and conceded to selling her house at year 2000 level and 15% off current asking price. It was a perfect storm situation for me as she was down sizing to a retirement home and simply running out of time. Couple that with knowledge gained from this site and the overall economy, I knew it would work out favorably for me. I stayed firm on my offer and was able to justify it enough that even my otherwise house usher Realtor believed it the offer.
Grim et al, I thank you and will be donating to the tip jar once again.
Next stop, tax appeal!
Cindy-
We like you – we really like you.
Secondary,
2000 levels is a deep discount to market. Are you sure there isnt major work that needs to be done?
Maybe an rusty oil tank under the ground or a burst water main in the kitchen?
Congrats to you on finding that deal.
[228][prior thread] PGC
Okay, I read the case. I assume you meant Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company, 118 U.S. 394 (1886).
What does Southern RR have to do with the holding in Gregory v. Helvering, 293 U.S. 465 (1935)?
The “mantra” in Gregory, as penned by Justice Sutherland, was that “[T]he legal right of a taxpayer to decrease the amount of what otherwise would be his taxes, or altogether avoid them, by means which the law permits, cannot be doubted.”
I don’t see how Southern RR is even close to the same issue. Am I missing something?
BTW, this doctrine is under attack by the democrats in Congress and the current administration. I gather you approve.
@57
Homeowner replaced all of the big ticket items (roof, water heater, ac) 10 years ago. I suppose the home inspection will expose any other issues but in searching tax records neighbors paid, 300k, 280 and 200, for similar comp homes from 1998 to y2k. I might not be exactly at Y2K prices but it sure isn’t 2004-07.
John [54],
I know it’s difficult. However, stop being a dick.
Cindy,
Don’t pay attention to this imbecile.
40.
Ellen
Catholic schools are heavily subsidized by the vatican. Realistically, those schools would have to charge 12k or more to stay in business if they were being run strictly on tuition dollars.
When talking about vouchers, the catholic school system doesn’t shed any real light on the debate.
55.
Congrats! And like a TRUE cherryhillian, you are already making the east/west distinction, a local obsession since time immortal :)
SM [55],
2000 level. But I thought RE never goes down?
Congrats, all the best.
[60] BC,
My god man, do you understand what you are doing? You are asking John to NOT be John.
Might as well ask me to be a gun control, bleeding heart, teetotaling, socia1ist.
We NEED John to be himself. Otherwise, how will we measure ourselves against the masses? By height?
Besides, he is entertaining and its fun ridiculing him from time to time.
Secondary,
Good for you.
And nice job ripping off that innocent old lady.
lol. Dont mind me.
I’m sure she was just happy to have a buyer at all – which is unfortunate but thats what makes a market. Good luck with it.
Nom [64],
Fiction writing is great, you can make up almost anything.
Aren’t pell grants, G.I. bill cash, and other federal and state aid effectively vouchers at the college level? Why are these programs acceptable for college kids but not for kids trying to do the prep work to get into college?
[66] BC
It never occurred to me to write fiction here. All my Johnscapades were true (which was why they weren’t quite as interesting as John’s).
Secondary,
Congrats and enjoy.
And remember to keep that Giants shirt in the closet.
E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!
#52 Waiting
When I built my home I was the general contractor.
Generally the bank gives you a construction loan where they dole out money as construction progresses. They send out an inspector to insure work is done and then distribute more funds. Interest is charged only on the amount distributed.
When a CO is obtained the loan is converted to a mortgage.
I’d never been a contractor before- it worked out well for me, although it requires lots of time at the jobsite.
NJ’s Fort Dix to be renamed:
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090930/NEWS/90930024/N.J.+s+Fort+Dix+to+be+renamed
New name: Fort Cox?
To the realtor that said she’s in an “area that’s bleeding wealth”…..
What a terrible analogy. Did she hear that on one of her caravans to the many office listings sitting idle and unloved ???
Reminds me of “Bleeding Kansas”
isnt it EGG-LZZ or just THE BIRDS
69.Comrade Nom Deplume says:
September 30, 2009 at 11:07 am
Secondary,Congrats and enjoy.
And remember to keep that Giants shirt in the closet.
E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!
Many private schools have grants and scholarships for kids too.
The big difference is, college kids can choose from thousands of colleges. Vouchers for school kids still limits them to one or two schools in the neighborhood. It can kill the local public school and overwhelm the local non-public school until it becomes as bad as the public school. Vouchers don’t make kids smarter or force parents to care more.
No I am not being a dick, why does mcdonalds pay min wage, why does walmart pay peanuts. Answer is if Walmart needs 100,000 employees and 100,000 people are foolish enough to work there full time for 12k a year that is what they pay. If people demand 40K otherwise no one will work there walmart will pay 40K. Heck if 100,000 people wanted to volunteer at walmart they would pay them nothing.
If I advertise a teaching job right now for 40K I would get 100 good candidates. If I advertised a 40K Hedge Fund Manager job I would get zero good candidates. Teaching is hard work but as long as an endless stream of women with masters degrees are willing to work for a five figure salary wages will not rise.
I was told last year I could teach a class and I almost fell off my chair when I heard the salary. I could push a button or two on my PC and spend 5 minutes a day trading and make more than that. I have to do it cuase I love it not for the money, once people are doing something for love instead of money I betcha they are getting underpaid.
BC Bob says:
September 30, 2009 at 10:45 am
John [54],
I know it’s difficult. However, stop being a dick.
Cindy,
Don’t pay attention to this imbecile.
Vouchers would devastate the real estate premiums a lot of towns enjoy. Imagine telling a home buyer in Westfield that vouchers would allow Plainfield kids to dilute their school’s premium quality. The horror!
The problem with school vouchers is that they are still essentially “free” tickets. So they wouldn’t inspire new cost/benefit analysis. People simply don’t spend “free” money the same way they spend real money.
I have never made up a single story. Truth is much stranger than fiction. Plus I went out around 5 nights a week for around 18 years, had 13 Hampton houses, 3 ski house, 20 or so girl friend, a dozen jobs, a dozen cars and went on trips all over world. If I didn’t have a few good stories it would be kinda sad
Comrade Nom Deplume says:
September 30, 2009 at 11:05 am
[66] BC
It never occurred to me to write fiction here. All my Johnscapades were true (which was why they weren’t quite as interesting as John’s).
thanks all!
barbara, yes but of course lol. i actually had no idea there was such a divide but my realtor and homeowner could not stop talking about the distinction. and to further prove it, i’ll be the only gentile on the block.
#58 Nom,
Maybe not a mantra, but what Southern Railroad gives is that there are many ways to create and exploit a mistake or ambiguity.
The main mantra is the statement that was part of the reporting and not even in the argument:
“The court does not wish to hear argument on the question whether the provision in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which forbids a State to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, applies to these corporations. We are all of the opinion that it does”
This set the stage for the Corporate Personage debate and all that it entailed.
Life in this country (and your job) would be so different without this.
As for me I am not in the D or the R column. I think a two party system is inherently broken. I think Proportional Representation is a better form of voting than first past the post. The Electoral College is a joke because if you live in a state with a larger population, your vote does not count as much as one of somebody in a smaller state.
My preferred government is Enlightened Absolutism.
oh and funny you mention the eagles. the listing agent try to pressure me last saturday into agreeing to their latest price because of an “open house extravaganza ” on sunday. i knew damn well with the rain and michael vick’s return to the nfl (let alone for the eagles) there wasn’t going to be anyone out and about from 1pm-4pm. it worked like a charm and they came back to me on bended knee monday.
#61 Barbara
No they’re not. They’re subsidized by the individual parishes (who, by the way, also subsidize the Vatican). We get a parish financial statement every year detailing exactly how much it costs to run the school.
If you’re talking about teaching nuns, well, they’re are none. At least not in the suburbs. There are a few left in the inner city schools, where the Catholic schools are more an educational safe haven with a main stream/African American Christian bent, than they are a Catholic indoctrination system.
And they’re extremely relevant to the voucher debate – nobody’s lobbying harder for vouchers than the Catholic Church in the US. Though, interestingy, not so much in my own parish. I suspect most of the parents here have come to feel as I do.
re: Catholic School.
I still flinch every time I see a nun. Catholic School back in the 1970s in the Bronx was no holds barred.
#61 Really???!!! The Vatican is sending money to the US? I don’t think so. I was on our parish school baord, the money is all from tuition (66%)fundraisers (25%) and parish collections. My public school distric SAVES about $1,000,000 a year in their budget not having to teach the 100+ kids who go to the parish school rather than the public school.
Oh yes, my wife is a public school teacher.
M#80 To myself
they’re are none = there are none.
Wow. Sister Gloria Jean and Sister Mary Clemens would rise up from their graves and whack me with a ruler if they got wind of that one.
Secondary –
Congrats and good luck in your new home!
but grim, do they have parties like this in Nashville?
http://jerseyshore.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/essay_photo_gallery/naughty-schoolgirl-party-at/1493495/content
(safe for work, typical jersey shore debauchery)
Once I sat on the BOD of Catholic Charities. I am an OC baby, Original Catholic. Even got like 10 row center seats when Pope visited NY, sat ahead of the priests and nuns, which was a little weird. I think I felt a burning sensation, and no it wasn’t from a stewardess or nothing. Well anyhow the Church operates on a shoe string, they have lots of physical assets and priceless worth of arts but none are for sale. The vatican does not finance anything and at the church level about the most you can get fiance is if you are building a new church or school and your parish has raised 50% of costs they can help kick in. But parents are so cheap good luck with that. Once I was having a drink with the then Arch Bishop of NY and I asked him what are the difference of the poor today and the poor of hundred years ago in New York. He said 100 years ago Italian Imigrants with holes in the shoe came in and put pennies in the poor box today they come with $100 sneakers on looking for a hand out. We laughed as I thought it was funny. Anyhow, the Catholic Church has a 1,000 year business plan. Really cool, I went over it with them. If you want to know what will be going on in the year 3,000 I can tell you. I also checked out that plan from 200 years ago really cool stuff and most came true.
Can one of the programmer types on the blog help me out?
I need to calculate a large amount of data in a spread sheet. The calculation is a basic thermo equation, except one term varies depending on T. I need to execute the equation (automatically given the large amount of data) in such a way that the routine will seacrh a set list of thermodynamic values based on a given T (temp) for a given data point.
I do not know how to have excel search a list for a alue and then select an adjacent number.
in other words A = f(B)+ C where b is determined by looking up a given T then reading the value adjacent to that value in the excel table. once that value is looked up the calcuation is completed with the nonvariable numbers (C)
here is a link to a small sample spread sheet. there are 2 worksheets. The first T/RH data is the raw Data, and “steam tables” is the worksheet that would be used to look up the (p,Pa) value based on temperature.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AuhTY2YNPZebdDhiTndJM0RTMndxTi1aR2FtVDdtM3c&hl=en
thnaks ahead of time to anyone who can offer iput.
Note, i need this to be done in excel, a pain i know…..
[73] chifi
Having lived there for 5+ years, I can tell you that it is “iggles” or “da birds.”
Iggles fans also hate anyone that isn’t a full-throated iggles fan, and has some connection to Philly.
They have a t-shirt in Philly that says “If you aren’t an Eagles Fan, you ain’t sh1t.” To which I replied to one wearer, “I am not an Eagles Fan. I guess that means I am not sh1t.” She did not get the unspoken syllogism. Nuff said.
With all due respect to public school teachers…
I hated my public school education in NJ.
Sl
87#, try vlookup and hlookup functions.
a public service announcement about…. John!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUdSjpc9-70&feature=related
bi
will do, thanks
Bi,
that was exactly what i ineeded!!! thank you!
#87 Kettle
VLOOKUP is the easiest.
http://www.ozgrid.com/Excel/lookup-table.htm
I am a real programmer, not a Microserf code Jockey….. :*)
Massive “Shadow Inventory” Overhang Will Keep Pressure on House Prices
Unfortunately, the inventory of houses listed for sale may severely understate the actual inventory of houses owners want to sell. This, in turn, may be creating a far too rosy picture of supply and demand.
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/346319/Massive-%22Shadow-Inventory%22-Overhang-Will-Keep-Pressure-on-House-Prices?tickers=tol,kbh,len,itb,bzh,xhb&sec=topStories&pos=9&asset=&ccode=
more john…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ym2Jma04qo&NR=1
Question for the board:
How does a realtor/seller define “motivated”?
http://www.trulia.com/property/1085005756-69-Westgate-Dr-Annandale-NJ-08801
“Priced Reduced! HighlyMotivated! Immaculate 2 bedroom Auburn model w/lrg additional room (10×15) on the second floor. Located in westgate at Beaver Brook in Hunterdon county. 2 car garage & full basement.”
Asking price? 359K
Comparable units have sold earlier this year in the 325-335K Range.
I suppose motivation is a relative term.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/reb/1399663259.html
How can this possibly still be on the market with only a $46k tax bill? It must be the wrong house, I’m sure it sold last weekend….
Kettle [91/96],
Thought that was SAS?
BC,
Sorry, i think this might be him thought per his recent stories
Jon Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znzRBUKET-8
not bad jon!
#86..John, I think you and I are only ones on this board over age 45! Must be why I appreciate your stories!!!
PGC thanks
#97. JS
Let me try translating for you:
Owner is unemployed and broke; needs sucker to pay 359K in order to pay off bills. Highly motivated to find said sucker, as alternative is foreclosure and bankruptcy.
PS. Beaver Brook is going to end up in the toilet. Anyone who paid 325-335K is just the 2009 vintage bagholder.
Kettle1(33):
“Whats so scary about a free market school system?”
I lived in Jersey City for many years. In Jersey City, Head Start makes preschool 100% free for the majority of the residents. Even though information is mailed to every resident in the city clearly and simply explaining how Head Start is the key to your child’s success as well as how it could help turn JC schools around, less than 3% of the eligible population takes advantage of it.
Now carry this same idea to school vouchers in Jersey City. The few good middle class students who attend public schools would surely leave for the private schools. The upper class students would now get their private education subsidized. The lower class students would continue to attend terrible schools made worse by the lack of their being any pupils interested in learning.
Now how does this voucher system help the kids in Jersey City schools?
Danzud,
They forgot to finish their sentence:
“Enjoy the convenience of less than 1/2 mile to the Midtown Direct Train, bus service to all top-rated schools and the privacy of a cul-de-sac street with magnificent neighboring homes.” …crammed right into your nonexistent backyard.
Assuming 3% annual increases, the owner will be paying $527,000 in property taxes over the next 10 years. The present value of the property tax payments, assuming a 5% discount rate, is equal to $2,300,000.
Seems like a lot of money for a 5/4.5 with no back yard.
I rented in Short Hills for a couple of years and walking to the midtown direct wasn’t making my life magical.
STu,
my wife has worked with inner city head start programs so i am familiar with them and what they can and cannot do.
Put simply iam suggesting we give those “few good middle class students who attend public schools” a way out. Why would we not want to maximize the future outlook for those who want and are trying to learn? It soynds like you are suggesting we not allow them to self segregate based on drive and ability in order to pull up the lower performers.
From what i have seen, You are much more likrly to pull down those who want to achiveve rather then pull up those who do not.
Now how does this voucher system help the kids in Jersey City schools?
It gives those students and/or families that want to educate themselves a much better opportunity to be able to do so effectivly in a conducive environemtn then anything the current system would.
Stu,
True, but none of that has anything to do with free market schools. Vouchers aren’t free markets operating. Vouchers might help some people a bit, but it doesn’t fundamentally change the structure.
Right now the education structure in NJ is this: “to each according to his/her number of kids, from each according to the estimated value of his/her house.
If the government gave everyone $5000 of food vouchers, and paid for it by taxing everyone according to the value of their home, grocery stores wouldn’t get better, they would just cash in on the distortions.
Kettle1, why do you think only motivated kids will use vouchers. Anyone getting vouchers will be happy to send their kids to a better school, as long as the social worker comes to their house and helps them fill out the forms. There is an entire segment of population who knows how the milk the system without putting in much effort.
Now, if you gave $5000 vouchers that can be paid against regular tuition at Pingry, they just might raise the tuition by $5000.
The religious schools stand to benefit the most from this program.
Stu [104];
So your argument is that we have to sacrifice the high achievers whose parents don’t have the means to pay for school twice at the altar of the self-esteem of the rest? If we have to assume that the NJEA stranglehold is unbreakable, at least we can encourage the kids left behind with the hope that they could get out if they work hard (via vouchers). Otherwise, everyone below a certain economic strata is inexorably stuck in the sh*t, so why bother learning anything?
A. West [105];
“magnificent neighboring homes”
Used House Flack-ese for ‘this is the worst shack on the block’. I guess they’re trying to charge you the same money because you can look at nice houses that might be worth that much.
“Anyone getting vouchers will be happy to send their kids to a better school, as long as the social worker comes to their house and helps them fill out the forms.”
We, cmon now. The social workers havent been able to convince inner city mothers to send their kids to pre school, stop smoking cigarretes and drinking malt liquor during pregnancy, nor can they convince the mothers of the benefits of breast feeding on brain development. What makes you think these social workers will magically be able to convince the parents to send their child two school districts further away to gain a two-point improvement on the student/teacher ratio scale?
“What makes you think these social workers will magically be able to convince the parents to send their child two school districts further away to gain a two-point improvement on the student/teacher ratio scale?”
Because the social worker from the school will set everything up including bussing from the doorstep so the school can get $5000 per kid. Requires no work for the parent.
I hate Free Pre-K. We have several Pre-Ks in town. One is the public school and they all charge the same price, we have good jewish, catholic, protestant progams and even the indian and spanish community have one of their own. Everyone likes to spend two years getting your kids to know people of similar faiths and backgrounds so they have a network before public school starts at Kindergarten. Free Pre-School is the public schools will jack my taxes so I am forced to send kids there or pay for my school and their school.
However, now the teachers union in my town wants to hire more teachers so they started a new thing where the kids in pre-k public schools get assigned a better kindergarten teacher to punish the parents who opted out of their public pre-school. I am sending my next one to public preschool so she does not have to endure the wrath of the unions at the age of five.
I lived in Jersey City for many years. In Jersey City, Head Start makes preschool 100% free for the majority of the residents. Even though information is mailed to every resident in the city clearly and simply explaining how Head Start is the key to your child’s success as well as how it could help turn JC schools around, less than 3% of the eligible population takes advantage of it.
And one of the few who saw the first crash in real estate. This ain’t nothing next to coop prices in 1991.
1987 Condo Buyer says:
September 30, 2009 at 12:52 pm
#86..John, I think you and I are only ones on this board over age 45! Must be why I appreciate your stories!!!
The problem with vouchers, if I may put it succinctly, is that those with the means will simply get a discount to attend private school. Those who were raised in the hood will see their schools somehow get worse. Vouchers won’t improve public schools, it will hurt them. If you want to improve public schools, you must improve the neighborhood and most importantly, improve the values of the community. Instead vouchers, as they are presented now, will destroy the community.
How’s this for an idea. Reverse what many of you have just recently stated. Provide the vouchers only to those living below the poverty line. Once the demographically challenged are removed from the public shools and are merged in with the private schools, then the public schools should improve. Right? The wealthy already have choice. Only the poor do not.
[101] 1987
Over 45. That is why I knew something about some of John’s many cars.
“the social worker from the school will set everything up including bussing from the doorstep”
We, All of the sudden schools are sending bussess all over the city in forty different directions to pick up one child like a magic pumpkin horse and carriage bus? I dont think that will happen, nor would it be cost effective. Social worker cant take the place of parents. Even if the social worker is effective in getting the kid to go to the better school, the student will probably not be able to keep up because he doesnt have the same support structure in the home so sending him to the better school gets watered down.
The good schools will be overcrowded almost immediately and then deciding who gets into the good schools and who doesnt will create the same problem we have now. Education needs to be equally distributed, where all rise and fall together, not stratified. There is no such thing as a third grader who doesnt want to work. They are too young to make that choice. The parents are the problem or the reason for success and the system needs to be created around that idea.
Veto,
I have to strongly disagree with you here.
Education needs to be equally distributed, where all rise and fall together, not stratified
should say:
equal opportunity at education needs to be provided, where all rise and fall to the best their ability
Veto,
“all rise and fall to the best their ability” is essentially one of the principles that allowed the US to develop into the power it became.
We need a tiered system where the achievers are allowed to excel and those who do not or can perform have other opions, similiar in atleast concept to how germany requires apttitude testing to determine who goes to trade school and who goes to advanced academics
#115…simply limit vouchers to those earning under some amount. Say $40,000 or whatever you pick. I amn ot sure that things improved for the kids in East Orange, Irvington, etc when the catholic elementay Schools closed down a couple of years ago. There the cost was about $2,000 per kid, subsidized by the other Catholic schools in the deanary. Now NJ tax payers can pay $10,000-$15,000 a kid for those students in public school. Would it have been cheaper for the state of New Jersey to send all the kids to catholic school there??? Is it possible the anti-voucher movement really ends up hurting the poor the most? Just a thought
Ket when education is equally distributed it doesnt mean that the performance outcome will be the same accross the board. The wealthy districts will continue to outperform the poorer districts – as far as test scores go.
The model of education was intended be equal so that we give the same quality of schools in the city of newark that we have in the town of westfield.
So when you say to the best of their ability you are talking about the children, but the school should focus on what they’re providing regardless of the child’s ability or background or social status.
Of course there will always be the option of superior private schools for those who can afford so education will never really be equal. But public education can be distributed equally.
My take on vouchers, in theory I am opposed. The idea of harming public education by giving students choice is a negative. Now in failing school district I think it might be the only practical option. Places like jersey city/hoboken have such a corrupt education system I don’t think it can be fixed, we(the tax payers of NJ) pay Pingry/MKA/Dwight-Englewood like costs per student to give them a horrible education. My theory is if we basically gave up on public schools in JC and Newark we could pay the 8 or 9k to send the kids to places like Hudson Catholic and pocket the other 12-15k we would spend in the public school. Also the education would be better to boot. I think we could effectively get the students with a high chance of success out of the ghetto system and take a lot of money out of the grip of the corrupt school boards.
Now as for the difference between private and public, private has the ability to select and discard students. The private schools don’t have the same compensation union issues. In the case of Catholic schools they same some money on administrators, etc as they are priests/nuns. The money doesn’t come from the vatican improvements are largely funded by alumni. The big advantage Catholic schools have in they own their facility and have for a long time, many typically have an endowment from their original land holdings. Tuition just is used to keep the lights on so to speak.
Went to see some houses again in Fort Lee. Definitely phase 2 is upon us – everything that was for sale for the last 2 years is now for rent. The houses that are for sale still have 2005 fantasy prices of 650K for your average house built in early 90’s, and requires major renovation work. Most sellers are still a combination of greedy and delusional. What else can you expect when all they hear on MSM is recession is over and prices on RE are rising again (they assume rising from their 2005 prices, ofcourse). Nevermind 200K+ jobs lost again this month.
“all rise and fall to the best their ability”
All public schools have this option with different tracts and AP class option. As long as this option is provided equally to children in the rich, poor and middle districts, then it meets definition of equal distribution of education.
A. West and Anon,
I guess another Short Hills selling point could be “Send your kids to a wonderful high school where they diss the US flag and then write college essays about it…..”
My company just cut staff by 10%. My dept lost 4 of 23. No recession here, only green shoots.
Hard Place, As stu will point out, you just lowered your overhead and became more profitable.
That should raise your eps nicely and push the S&P 500 up through the roof.
Vouchers may be ok until a lot of madrassas sprout up in Newark and get $5000 per kid.
2ndary Mkt (55) – Nice work, enjoy your home.
you mean:
Send your kids to a wonderful high school where they learn to assert their rights in public places rather than put up with whatever is shoved down their throat.
“As stu will point out, you just lowered your overhead and became more profitable.”
Thanks Veets!
Might want to ask for a raise even.
we: For $46k a year in taxes, that’s a much better way of saying it. No wonder I only lived in Millburn and not SH.
Danzud: You mean there is a time and a place to asserts your rights? Freedom is part-time?
Veto,
As stu will point out, you just lowered your overhead and became more profitable.
That should raise your eps nicely and push the S&P 500 up through the roof.
My co is pre-IPO. We are slicing everything real thin so we can jack up the numbers for the eventual dumping on the sheeple.
Stu,
“Might want to ask for a raise even.”
You mean I shouldn’t just appreciate being spared the axe? Maybe I’ll even ask for a guaranteed bonus w/ no clawback along w/ a heap of options that will have the strike reset once the stock tanks.
Thanks Veets!
Stu, thank you! for sharing the observation. till this day i never saw that written anywhere else and would have not thought of it on my own – but it explains a lot.
The economy is tanking, but we are getting more efficient… and the market loves it.
Scary.
Even a Peter Lugar Rib Eye has some fat to trim. GE and GS fire the bottom 10% every year good times and bad, it is six sigma baby. If your company is public I rate it a buy. My friend who is unemployed told me lots of firms are using recession as an excuse to trim the trees. Many a HH or HR dept knows who is laying off and who is triming the trees. If you are a piece of fat or dead wood good luck.
Hard Place says:
September 30, 2009 at 2:56 pm
My company just cut staff by 10%. My dept lost 4 of 23. No recession here, only green shoots.
They didn’t just assert. They sued.
Is freedom part-time? Ask them. They’re the ones that wouldn’t stand.
“I think what makes it so horrible is that they were publicly humiliated for exercising a right that was guaranteed to them by the United States Constitution,” Gadye said.
————————————
They sued because their rights were trampled on. Simple.
“My co is pre-IPO.”
HP [135],
Shush, quiet period.
White House Tax Revamp Panel to Hold First Public Meeting Wednesday…The meeting marks a small but significant step forward in what is likely to be a protracted debate over modernizing the tax code.=== VAT tax, the stelth tax http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125428288793951821.html …
BC Bob,
No worries. At least a year to two years off.
John,
Even a Peter Lugar Rib Eye has some fat to trim. GE and GS fire the bottom 10% every year good times and bad, it is six sigma baby.
Unfortunately unlike a ribeye, where the fat is marbled into the meat. This place has some excess fat that can easily be trimmed, but it wasn’t excised to keep the weight up at weigh in. Inefficiencies are abundant and apparent to me. Some areas had more political capital than others, but it shouldn’t justify making a poor decision.
HP [142],
Slicing now? It may be bare bones by the time the IPO is filed?
Good then there will be some fat for round two.
Hard Place says:
September 30, 2009 at 3:37 pm
John,
Even a Peter Lugar Rib Eye has some fat to trim. GE and GS fire the bottom 10% every year good times and bad, it is six sigma baby.
Unfortunately unlike a ribeye, where the fat is marbled into the meat. This place has some excess fat that can easily be trimmed, but it wasn’t excised to keep the weight up at weigh in. Inefficiencies are abundant and apparent to me. Some areas had more political capital than others, but it shouldn’t justify making a poor decision.
PGC (38)-
It’s a two-tiered world in education…and it’s about to add several more tiers. That’s the reality. Deal with it.
People like Cindy have the expectations constantly ratcheted up and activities like “art” cut, because TPTB will need hordes of trained, disciplined drones who will shut up and accurately carry out the orders of either superiors at work or battlefield commanders.
We can’t have large amounts of people coming out of school who can actually think for themselves. They won’t be controllable.
PGC (41)-
Does that “Harvest Basket” include some discount Knob Creek by any chance?
“Excuse me while i review the “Harvest Basket” fundraiser catalog that I will be obliged to order something so that the class can meet its PTA targets.”
bum (46)-
Kinder, gentler machine gun hand.
“See the article in the NYT recently about how children need to grow into humanity, and that means singing with the guitar, learning to appreciate beauty and being kind to others, along with self control and reading. Respecting who children are is as important as demanding respect back!”
BC & John,
We had a great 2008, but 2009 was not as pretty. We treaded water from 2008. I would not doubt another restructuring. I almost welcome it, as long as I survive it. The inefficiencies/bureaucracy actually hamper us from doing more business. Amazing how certain key people are resistant to change, unless it is forced on them.
HP (149)-
Welcome to the Schumpeterian Depression.
Only the strongest will survive.
We will eventually send the weak and uneducated to kill/be killed in Africa or China.
We will eventually send the weak and uneducated to kill/be killed in Africa or China.
————————————-
I was’nt planning anything like that.
Schump,
Only the strongest will survive.
To rewrite for this board… “Only the strongest, least leveraged cash rich renters/homeowners will survive.”
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/pd/bori/boriprop.pdf
I though about something like this a few years back but elected to go shiny. I’m duying to take on a project like this though.
Any thoughts?
To rewrite for this board… “Only the strongest, least leveraged cash rich renters/homeowners will survive.”
What if I tell you that peopel sitting on cash and looking pretty will soon recognize that they’re sitting on a worthless peace of crap. US dollar is the new toxic paper.
I am hearing people are able to get 3 months of rent free in Manhattan these days.
That’s 20% off. Anyone else hear of these kind of discounts?
Frank,
Where have you been? I’ve been saying this for a few months now.Collecting rent these days is as dangerous as the low end repo car business.
“That’s 20% off.”
Check your math.
Schumpeter says:
September 30, 2009 at 4:07 pm
HP (149)- Welcome to the Schumpeterian Depression. Only the strongest will survive.
Blow me strumpet:
Quarterly / Trailing 12 Months
S & P 500 14.98% / -9.37%
Nasdaq Composite 15.66% / 1.46%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond 4.08% / 10.08%
Consumer Price Index 0.90% / -1.50%
Clot, I like that “Schumpeterian Depression” sounds like a german torture technique but somehow i find it on the mild side for what you seem to be going for.
Maybe the board can help provide a more appropriate handle for you?
Here are some suggestions to get us started…
“Stagflationary Humanitarian Collapse”
“Deflationary Debt Destroying Nerve Gas Chamber”
“Subprime Atomic Shrapnel Detonation”
“Derivative Whipsaw Unwind Apocolypse”
Chi [159],
Why not post 10 year results. After all, we are all just buy and hold.
BC (161)-
The only way to be a bull is with lead-coated blinders.
Ich bien Schumpeter.
http://www.absoluteauctionrealty.com/auction_detail.php?id=116946
School for sale, I think I will buy it at auction and hire Cindy. Let my brainwashing begin.
#158,
“That’s 20% off.” You better check yours.
3 months free is 3/15 not 3/12.
[158] BC
““That’s 20% off.”
Check your math.”
Ha! Brilliant!
I bet you enjoyed that too!
Words can’t describe how dreadful this job contract is that I’m in right now. I know it’s some income and an opprtunity to keep the resume updated but OMG, it is horrible. How does one transfer an IT background into something more human? I need to get out of this industry and the corporate world.
g,
Nashville!
HP re: IPO
Best IPOs I ever did had no earnings, hell many of them had no revenue.
No worries, show 100%, 75% 50% sequntial growth top or bottom and you’ll do fine.
Does Nashville have any hard rock clubs? :)
#168,
are you starting TNREReport.com ??
To all the SRS bag holders and other bears out there.
Happy end of the quarter!!
U.S. Stocks Fall, S&P 500 Trims Best Two-Quarter Gain Since ’75
“The S&P 500 jumped almost 15 percent in the July-September period to give it a two-quarter advance of 34 percent, the biggest since a 42 percent rally in the first half of 1975. The Dow also rose 15 percent over the past three months and gained 29 percent since the end of March, its steepest two-quarter advance since 1986.
The seven-month rally has pushed the S&P 500 up 56 percent from a 12-year low in March and sent its price-to-earnings valuations this month to the highest levels since 2004.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQ4jU0Rq8700
“For some reason it is important for me to let you all know I am doing the best I can. I am judged by parents, I am judged by my principal and her supervisor – teachers are harshly judged by everyone. I consider you all here a bit of a family and it is hard to read some of the comments.”
Cindy, I can’t truly tell you how much I appreciate teachers like you. I attribute my success to a couple teachers in grammar school that recognized some talent buried somewhere in me and went above and beyond to bring it out.
I just moved my eldest to the local middle school. Everyone else in my family, myself and our other children included, went to private grammar and high schools so we had some concerns. We found his teachers wonderful, committed, and engaged. Could not ask for a better atmosphere.
Most disappointing on discovering this level of quality and commitment in my public schools is the realization that the system – boards, NJEA, tenure – is set up specifically not to reward and encourage it. We have a great symbiotic relationship in our town where the parents’ expectations of their children mesh with the teachers’ high expectations as well. I can’t imagine how a committed, serious teacher in a system that doesn’t care must feel.
Always a space for you out here.
make money,
What if I tell you that peopel sitting on cash and looking pretty will soon recognize that they’re sitting on a worthless peace of crap. US dollar is the new toxic paper.
Better liquid than illiquid.
This is for the children:
While East Brunswick and many other municipalities around the state approved school referendums tonight, South Plainfield voters rejected theirs by a margin of more than 2 to 1.
The South Plainfield referendum was turned down, 1,326 to 562. It would have funded about $22 million in renovations for five schools. The bond would have been eligible for $8.8 in state reimbursements or grants, and the planned work would have included improvements to roofs, windows, boilers and heating and cooling systems
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/south_plainfield_voters_turn_d.html
#122 Are folks just making this stuff up? We doubled our tuition to increase salaries to keep pace with public schools. We struggle to get qualified middle school teachers. The students have IEPs. My son’s HS has No Priests, Brothers or Nuns. My daughter’s grammar school has no priests, nuns teaching.
Cindy-
If parents are asking to pull their children they are doing you and your class a favor. Take pride in the fact that you push the kids to be the best. Your reward is their success.
I notice driving by Rt 22 that Plainfield high is replacing its field with artificial turf, a huge project. I hear these things cost over $1mn.
They might not be able to read well, but they won’t have to wait for the rain to dry before starting the football games.
John says:
September 29, 2009 at 1:13 pm
The state should pay them 100K but giving a guaranteed pension and free medial for life is insane. If a guaranteed pension and free medical for life for a married couple was a tradable asset it would be worth one million dollars. When people in private sector retire they get a slice of cake and a cup of coffee while a first grade teacher gets a million dollars.
yeah, because in the private sector you cleaned up for 20 yrs while this teacher was making considerably less
Shore Guy says:
September 29, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Yikes,
A reverse problem exists for those with a year or more of cash, where to put excess assets? It is a problem more people should have but it is a real problem nevertheless.
come up with anything yet, Stu?
We have charter schools in Philadelphia which divert public funds into private companies that run schools. I always wondered why the church didn’t jump on this and create an educational model that did not include religion. They could sub-lease their own space back and teach religion to those willing to pay once a week.
Philly buses kids all over for school and I believe that they give them free public transportation passes. Kids in poor neighborhoods pass multiple schools to get to better ones all of the time.
In a way, I wonder what this does to the sense of community, telling kids to get out of the neighborhood at an early age. Part of the value of our local school is that it’s the center of the neighborhood.
At the same time you risk losing a generation of children if you force them to go to sub-standard schools to try to force improvement.
Mikeinwaiting says:
September 29, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I’m waiting for my 15K! Believe it or not 4bd 1.5 bath house for 149 up here. Not a huge ctr hall but will do. Small as I can with 3 kids for low heating & taxes is my goal. Don’t have to impress anyone. My neighbor just sold the same house as mine on a better lot for 90 k less than I sold for in June of 06. I sold for 297 just to give you perspective.
this is still a credit we’re talking about, right? the kind that has to be paid back?
d2b says:
September 29, 2009 at 4:59 pm
One of the articles mentions longivity pay? I think I understand but is it an annual bonus? How much would it typically be?
I stay out of the teaching/public employee debate for the most part except to say that nobody forces people do do the job. So I have no patience for the question, “how much is it worth to have someone watch your children all day?”
i would sooner rent in a small place in NYC than rent anything in NJ. this is assuming it was just me, no wife or kids.
with wife, probably could still rent. with kids … not sure. sorry, i just dont see any benefits to NJ.
In my seats for Bruce. Less than 40 min to go.
lewis out at Bank of America
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/business/01bank.html?_r=1&hp
No more Saturn?
are you starting TNREReport.com ??
LightsOutNJ.com
12 month rental, 3 months free. Do the math.
Gator[184],
You get the entire Born to Run album tonight. Enjoy.
RE agents all around the world seem to leave out important details:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_8282000/8282368.stm?
BC (188)-
You’re talking to a jar of mayonnaise.
I hope Ken Lewis’ cellmate is Mandingo.
…or Henry Paulson.
Is there a reason that we put up with the French? I know cheese, champagne, and Paris. But why should we allow them harbor our fugitives like Polanski and Ira Einhorn? At what point to we tell the French to turn over child rapists and killers or we will go in and get them. Pricks would be speaking German if it wasn’t for us.
Gator,
Set list so far?
CAVpoll,
191 “mayonnaise”
you’re too kind…
more like sme*gma.
. <—- or the pimple under the sme*gma
grim, do us all a favor and take that pustular f*ck to TN with you. I hear there are some nice mountains you can pollute with his smeg*mous remains.
sl
“12 month rental, 3 months free. Do the math.”
That’s not how the rental market works, it’s 15 month rental, 3 months free. Do the math.
197 delusional smeg.ma.
“Pricks would be speaking German if it wasn’t for us.”
d2b[194],
LOL.
They’d be drinking Beck’s instead of Pouilly Fuisse.
Frank,
Did you run that by your Mex quant?
Shore [195],
I doubt they took the stage yet? 8:45?
Wanted to plant the seed of live blogging the show.
“That’s not how the rental market works”
Renting since you bought the highs. Zero rental increases in 4 years, now negotiating a rent decrease. That’s how the rental markets works in a bust.
Shore,
I agree. Gator should provide play by play.
John @164 –
“School for sale, I think I will buy it at auction and hire Cindy. Let my brainwashing begin.”
Leftwing @173 – “Always a space for you out here.”
Okay John, then this is the deal…. I want to make AT LEAST as much as your sister @54.
And John, were you a student, I would immediately ask for corporal punishment to be reinstated and I’d have that ruler mighty close by.
Just kidding – Again, sorry I got carried away this AM. I usually keep my big mouth shut about education.
151:
Only if we first start with your kids!
Really, the tone of this blog for the last two days has been rather elitist.
Lets hope graydon is not stabbed by one of those ill-educated youngsters.
Good stuff people. But may I politely say that you are “sick”. Waaaay to much time on your hands. *Laughing
(194) D2b
My german au pair really likes the french jokes, especially the one about the brown pants. She even laughed at the one aboiut the Champs d’Elysees (which you can get arrested for telling in Germany).
I suggest a trade off. They can harbor all our undesireables and we can harbor their zillionaire tax cheats (problem with that though is our marginal tax rates have surpassed theirs, and there are far better tax havens right next door).
Oh well, it was the thought that counts.
sl (196)-
Grim can sell Frank to my uncle Cletus. He needs a donkey.
Cindy (205)-
I’d supply you a cattle prod, if you agreed to poke John with it repeatedly.
CAVpoll, 209
I’ll throw in my biggest rubber boots and some mineral oil.
sl
Feeling a gold/silver breakout.
Just saying.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/30/pf/taxes/who_pays_taxes/
47% will pay no federal income tax, group says
Most people think they pay too much to Uncle Sam, but for some it simply isn’t true, CNNMoney reports. In 2009, roughly 47 percent of households, or 71 million, will not owe any federal income tax, according to estimates by the Tax Policy Center.
hey grim, can you check to see if 374(?) van Embergh rd in Ridgewood sold?
Thanks.
sl
kettle1 or anyone smarter than me…
is Methylmercury considered a greenhouse gas?
SAS
“Feeling a gold/silver breakout”
u got that right.
watch Iran give the one finger soda bottle salute tomorrow.
SAS
yup, all this talk about schools put me to sleep too.
most schools either private or a govt run brainwashing camp are only good for one thing: make you fit in a box.
The modern edu system was built in the industrail era, do one task, and do that one only. To make you apart of an assembly line.
you think they powers that be want you to be creative, think for yourself, etc..etc..
hell no, you will be harder to control.
why you think the greatest artist, always made the greatest rebels?
and i ain’t talking the fabricated ones, talking the real deal.
btw- your kid is being brainwashed right now. MTV & American Idol own your kid, you are nothing.
SAS
“How Bank of America Used Merrill Losses to Bully the Government”
http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1202434125526
SAS,
what *is* this??
One finger soda bottle salute
You mean like flipping the bird??
sl
yikes (180:
“A reverse problem exists for those with a year or more of cash, where to put excess assets? It is a problem more people should have but it is a real problem nevertheless.
come up with anything yet, Stu?”
Giant mortgage baby! If inflation comes, you will get to show off to all of your broke friends. If inflation doesn’t come and you get laid off, well the government will bail you out.
That is my strategy.
Gator,
C’mon, where is the set list? Heck, the website will have it before long.
Gator,
C’mon, where is the set list? Heck, the website will have it before long.
BC and I are in suspense.
Yikes 182 No, they are toying with 15k credit like the 8k one. No pay back, we shall see.
re:# 218 – SaS they are all hiding behind lawyer confidentiality now. A game of Liar’s poker that will take a decade to settle in the courts. Heck they all know that the people that were involved in Enron are still tied up in the courts.
live blog of the concert:
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/09/post_5.html
BC:
Setlist:
“Wrecking Ball”
“Seeds”
“Johnny 99”
“Atlantic City”
“Outlaw Pete”
“Hungry Heart”
“Working On a Dream”
“Thunder Road”
“Tenth Avenue Freeze-out”
“Night”
“Backstreets”
“Born To Run”
“She’s the One”
“Meeting Across the River”
“Jungleland”
“Waitin’ On a Sunny Day”
“The Promised Land”
“Into the Fire”
“Lonesome Day”
“The Rising”
“Badlands”
“No Surrender”
“Raise Your Hand”
“E Street Shuffle”
“Growin’ Up”
“American Land”
“Dancing In the Dark”
“Hard Times”
“Rosalita
Patti Scialfa was not onstage (though Springsteen said she would be there on Friday), and Max Weinberg played drums throughout the show.
Sorry to fail in my live blogging Shore. The Treo died shortly after the show started due to all the working I was doing in the parking lot pre-show.
I am not a total failure though. If you were a facebook friend, you would have been treated to several 30 second cell phone videos throughout the show.
It was a great show. And it was nice to revisit my 80’s NJ childhood for an evening (minus any signs of big hair) with my dad and Bruce.
Sounds like it was a blast. I will need to remember to charge my handheld before the show Friday.
Have a safe trip home.
Ten states are so-called non-recourse, prohibiting deficiency judgments after most home foreclosures: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington, according to the National Consumer Law Center, based in Boston. The bank can repossess your home in those states, not other assets, to settle the debt.
In California, a second-mortgage holder may try to pursue a delinquent borrower to repay through litigation, said Rick Brooks, a financial adviser with the San Diego-based wealth advisory firm Blankinship & Foster. Banks generally prefer not to sue because it can easily cost $60,000 or more, said Debra Guzov, co-founder of the law firm Guzov Ofsink LLC, based in New York.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=a_yVFTDSiHhY
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