Monthly Archives: February 2019

Still rising?

Posted on February 28, 2019 by grim

From CNBC: Home prices in December rose at the slowest pace since August 2015: S&P Case-Shiller index Homebuyers have a limit to what they can afford, and sellers are slowly having to adjust to that new reality. Home prices increased … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, National Real Estate | 70 Comments

Millennials take the market

Posted on February 25, 2019 by grim

From HousingWire: Millennials have officially entered the housing market It’s long been projected that Millennials are destined to dominate the housing market in upcoming years. Now, new data from Realtor.com reveals that it’s finally happening. Millennials are buying houses. Lots of them. According to Realtor.com, in January … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Employment, National Real Estate | 156 Comments

Did we elect the wrong guy?

Posted on February 24, 2019 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Steve Sweeney’s winning the war with Governor Murphy over taxes Last June we had a fight on taxes in the state budget. On one side was Gov. Phil Murphy. He wanted to raise the income tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 21 Comments

In the old days, we’d have had a rebellion

Posted on February 23, 2019 by grim

No worries people, Murphy is on the job. He’s mad and he’s making phone calls. From the Star Ledger: ‘This is a big deal’: Murphy joins growing effort to restore your property tax deduction They’ve gone to court. They’ve spoken … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, Property Taxes | 12 Comments

Will housing lead or follow?

Posted on February 21, 2019 by grim

From the NYT: Housing Is Already in a Slump. So It (Probably) Can’t Cause a Recession. The United States has had 11 recessions since the end of World War II. All but two were preceded by a big decline in … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 138 Comments

Thank Trump for fixing NJ’s property tax issue

Posted on February 19, 2019 by grim

From CNBC: One surprising way to beat the SALT deduction cap: Move to a nearby town A few years ago Dawn Donaghy and her husband, Raymond, made a decision that many residents in high-tax states make. They wanted to move. … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 112 Comments

Stop making sense

Posted on February 18, 2019 by grim

From the APP: Making NJ competitive will do more than $15 minimum wage New Jersey routinely places at or near the bottom in almost every economic analysis of states in America. It’s one of the worst places in the country … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 21 Comments

Uh oh.

Posted on February 15, 2019 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J. revenues continue to slump, and Trump tax reforms are blamed New Jersey’s state budget is really feeling the effects of the federal tax reform hangover now. Last month, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration warned tax revenues were … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Employment, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 105 Comments

No deals in 2019

Posted on February 14, 2019 by grim

From CNBC: Here’s why the housing market, while still risky, won’t be all bad for buyers in 2019 With spring on the way, many home buyers are starting their hunt for a new home. But with the housing market in … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, National Real Estate | 99 Comments

Thank goodness Cuomo’s our governor … wait

Posted on February 12, 2019 by grim

From Newsday: Cuomo to meet with Trump to seek end of cap on SALT deductibility Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to press his effort to overhaul Trump’s tax plan, which … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 109 Comments

Publicity stunt worked, but will it sell?

Posted on February 10, 2019 by grim

In case you’ve been living in a cave, or basement… From the Star Ledger: Big uproar erupts over house with sex basement, just 30 minutes outside of N.J. We’re not recommending you leave the Garden State, but if you’re looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Lowball, Philly | 65 Comments

Tax those who attempt to leave

Posted on February 7, 2019 by grim

From Fox News: Mansion sales rise in Florida as wealthy buyers are drawn to its low taxes and sunshine Is bigger really better? It’s true to Florida buyers. Many wealthy buyers are moving to the Sunshine State for higher ceilings … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Property Taxes | 140 Comments

See ya!

Posted on February 5, 2019 by grim

From the NY Post: As revenue drops, concern about the proposed state budget rises Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday announced a dramatic drop in state income tax revenue of $2.8 billion, which he says will prompt him to revise his 2019-20 budget … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, NYC | 159 Comments

Another hit to the shore

Posted on February 3, 2019 by grim

From Shorebeat: Legislators: N.J. Minimum Wage Hike A ‘Death Sentence’ for Jersey Shore Economy Shore area businesses will be forced to either raise prices, cut workers or close down entirely in the wake of the state’s proposed law that gradually increases … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Employment, Shore Real Estate | 84 Comments

$15 here we come

Posted on February 1, 2019 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J. minimum wage set to rise to $10 in July and $15 by 2024 after big votes The Democrat-controlled state Legislature on Thursday gave approval to an historic increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 73 Comments