Monthly Archives: June 2013

Does a middle class recovery require a housing recovery?

From Forbes: Housing Boom Is The Best Chance For A Recovery For The Rest Of Us Our tepid economic recovery has been profoundly undemocratic in nature. Between the “too big to fail” banks and Ben Bernanke’s policy of dropping free … Continue reading

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Recovery | 149 Comments

Housing recovery becoming even more polarized

From the WSJ: Housing’s Up, but Is Foundation Sound? The housing-market recovery is here but there’s a growing debate among bulls and bears over how long it will last and how strong it will become, with both groups pointing to … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, Housing Recovery | 62 Comments

Bubble calls premature?

From the Economist: Bubble-hunting UST seven years after the biggest housing bubble in American history began to deflate, could another be inflating? Prices in a 20-city index compiled by CoreLogic Case-Shiller rose by 11% in the year to the end … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, National Real Estate | 126 Comments

“Northern New Jersey continues to see modest, steady improvement in its housing market”

From the Fed: June Beige Book – Second District – New York Economic activity in the Second District has continued to expand at a moderate pace since the last report. Price pressures have abated somewhat among manufacturers, though they remain … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, New Jersey Real Estate | 122 Comments

Schiff’s scathing commentary on the recovery

From Forbes: Great Reflation Produces Mirage Of Recovery In Housing Investors and politicians are being treated to some of the “best” home price data since the frothy days of 2006 when home loans were given out like cotton candy and … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, National Real Estate | 90 Comments

North Jersey Contracts – May 2013

Here it is! The first look at pending home sales (contracts) for Northern NJ. (Source GSMLS, except Bergen- NJMLS) – Updated with 2011 Data May Pending Home Sales (Contracts) ——————————- Bergen County May 2011 – 732 May 2012 – 879 … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, North Jersey Real Estate | 79 Comments

Recovery at the high-end lags

From the Star Ledger: Million-dollar homes haven’t fully emerged from recession yet The upper end of the housing market was the last to feel the recession, and will be the last to see a recovery, housing experts say. According to … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, New Jersey Real Estate | 111 Comments

Another strong month for NJ contracts

From the Otteau Group: Home Sales Shift into 3rd Gear in April Home purchase contracts in New Jersey soared in April, recording a 28% increase compared to one year ago. Given that the pace of sales rose by 23% in … Continue reading

Posted in Housing Recovery, New Jersey Real Estate | 27 Comments