Monthly Archives: March 2016

Jed Kolko drops the bomb on the urbanization myth

Posted on March 30, 2016 by grim

From jedkolko.com (former Trulia economist): Urban Revival? Not For Most Americans The U.S. population is now less urban than before the start of the housing bubble. While well-educated, higher-income young adults have become much more likely to live in dense … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Employment, Housing Recovery, National Real Estate | 121 Comments

National home prices up 5.4% in January

Posted on March 30, 2016 by grim

From Forbes: Home Prices Rise A Steady 5.4% In January, S&P/Case-Shiller Says Home sales prices rose 5.4% in January, continuing at a moderate and steady pace despite ongoing inventory shortages, a report released Tuesday said. Home prices are rising twice … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Recovery, National Real Estate | 44 Comments

Pending home sales jump in February

Posted on March 29, 2016 by grim

From Reuters: U.S. pending home sales hit seven-month high in February Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes rose sharply in February, reversing the previous month’s deep decline, as the volatility of the data continues to make it difficult to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, National Real Estate | 44 Comments

A long way to “recovery”

Posted on March 28, 2016 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J. home prices slowly recover from housing bubble Slowly but steadily, New Jersey’s housing market is recovering. The average home sale price in New Jersey in 2015 was $397,279, according to the state Division of Taxation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing Recovery, New Jersey Real Estate | 33 Comments

Never going back again

Posted on March 26, 2016 by grim

New Jersey’s new state song: From the Record: 55-year fight to name a New Jersey state song gains traction Mascara, also known as Joseph Rocco Mascari of Phillipsburg, was a fixture at the State House for 55 years as he … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, New Jersey Real Estate, Unrest | 34 Comments

Population patterns in NJ showing urbanization shift

Posted on March 25, 2016 by grim

From the Record: Bergen County leads population growth trend, halts flow to other parts of N.J. A decades-long population shift from northeastern New Jersey to other parts of the state has come to an abrupt halt, with Bergen and Hudson … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Recovery, North Jersey Real Estate, NYC | 33 Comments

Otteau: NJ home prices to rise 4% in 2016

Posted on March 24, 2016 by grim

From the Record: N.J. housing expert sees 4 percent rise in prices this year New Jersey home prices are likely to rise about 4 percent this year, as a thriving job market boosts a housing sector that’s still recovering from … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, New Jersey Real Estate | 71 Comments

Note to NJ – Stop making promises you can’t afford

Posted on March 23, 2016 by grim

From the Record: Standard & Poor’s revises N.J.’s credit outlook to ‘negative’ New Jersey’s finances are still a mess, Standard & Poor’s said Tuesday, and the state’s weak credit outlook will not improve until officials make lasting reforms. The Wall … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 80 Comments

Blame the blizzard … and the stock market

Posted on March 22, 2016 by grim

From the WSJ: U.S. Existing Home Sales Tumbled 7.1% in February Sales of previously owned homes sank in February, a sign that demand for housing could be cooling amid rising prices and low inventory. Sales fell 7.1% in February from … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, National Real Estate, North Jersey Real Estate | 108 Comments

Just how low can inventory go?

Posted on March 21, 2016 by grim

From the WSJ: This Problem Is Shutting the Door on Many Would-Be Home Buyers The U.S. housing market has a supply issue. Between low interest rates, a steady job market and rising rents, economic fundamentals suggest lots of houses should … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, National Real Estate | 52 Comments

Oh boy…

Posted on March 19, 2016 by grim

From News 12: Toms River ordinance bans aggressive real estate solicitation Door-to-door real estate solicitation is now forbidden in areas of Toms River. The “cease and desist” ordinance went into effect Friday. The ordinance comes after many complaints by Toms … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Unrest | 59 Comments

Living near crime doesn’t pay

Posted on March 18, 2016 by grim

From RealtyTrac: RealtyTrac® (www.realtytrac.com), the nation’s leading source for comprehensive housing data, today released its first-ever Registered Criminal Offender Risk Index, which shows that average home values and home equity were lower — while average foreclosure rates were higher — … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Recovery | 55 Comments

NJ’s Wealthiest Resident Leaves for Florida

Posted on March 17, 2016 by grim

From Bloomberg: Tepper’s Most Profitable 2015 Trade May Be Moving to Miami New Jersey lost its richest resident late last year when billionaire David Tepper decamped to the tax friendly climes of Florida. Tepper registered to vote in Florida last … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 96 Comments

Swallowed by the sea

Posted on March 16, 2016 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Rising seas could drive 837K N.J. residents from their homes, study says Rising seas could force hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents from their homes by the end of the century, a new report found. … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Shore Real Estate | 74 Comments

NJ 2015 Jobs Revision Surprise

Posted on March 15, 2016 by grim

From the Record: NJ’s 2015 job creation was better than first reported, but state lost 14,100 jobs in January New Jersey employers created 81,500 jobs last year, even more than the 65,200 originally reported, to make 2015’s employment gains the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Employment, New Jersey Real Estate | 78 Comments