From Newsweek:
China Buys Up Property in America’s Hottest Housing Market
The New Hampshire city at the center of a recent controversy surrounding a Chinese company’s local real estate purchase, Nashua, has been named the hottest housing market in the country.
The metropolitan area of Manchester-Nashua, which includes the two New Hampshire cities, offers the best combination of good quality of life and projected home appreciation in the nation, according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com.
Manchester and Nashua are comfortably close to Boston, offering residents an easy commute to the big city if needed and much lower home prices compared to their big urban neighbor.
But that is only one of the reasons these cities are so sought after by homebuyers, to the point that they are willing to face fierce competition on the market. Manchester and Nashua have a very stable economic profile, which means that an expensive home would still be a good investment even a few years down the line. They have excellent schools, jobs are plentiful in many sectors, and there are a lot of outdoor activities for summer and winter.
In June, the latest data available on Realtor.com, the median listing home price in Nasha was $525,000, up 8.3 percent from a year earlier. In Manchester, it was $428,400, up 7.1 percent year-over-year.
While the rest of the country is slowly shifting in favor of buyers, with Florida and Texas already solidly into this territory, Manchester and Nashua remain strong sellers’ markets. In Nashua, homes sold for 1.52 percent above asking price, on average, last month. In Manchester, they sold for 2.27 percent above asking price.
While Nashua is the second-largest city in northern New England, it is not often that it makes headlines in national media. Yet the city has recently been under the spotlight for a deal involving a billionaire Chinese businessman and his company, which quietly bought a commercial building in Nashua near the Pennichuck Water Works system.
Nongfu Spring, China’s largest beverage company, bought a 23-acre parcel in Nashua for $67 million, next to the New Hampshire watershed area that supplies drinking water to the city. Pennichuck said that it will supply water to the Chinese development as well.
Foreclosures up sharply, but the numbers really aren’t relevant… From nj.com:
Foreclosures are rising sharply in these New Jersey counties
Foreclosures in several New Jersey counties are up significantly from a year ago, according to a report from Property Shark.
Of the 12 New Jersey counties included in the New York Metro data area, foreclosures were up in all but two.
Somerset saw the biggest increase. Foreclosures were up 54% there, from 24 to 37; followed by Morris County, which had a 50% increase, from 36 to 54; and Hudson County, which had a 49% increase, from 35 to 52 foreclosures.
The real estate data company compared first-time foreclosures from the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025, which includes April, May and June. The data is for single and two-family homes, condos and co-ops.
The New York Metro area includes the North Jersey counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Union, as well as the Central Jersey counties of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Ocean and Somerset.
Would be a pretty negative drag on real estate in the area…
Picatinny Arsenal could lose 1,000 jobs in Army restructuring, NJ Dems, GOP warn
A federal proposal to enact a “strategic transformation” of the U.S. military has drawn sharp criticism from both Democratic and Republican leaders in New Jersey, who fear the changes could cut operations and as many as 1,000 jobs at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County.
The reactions to what is known as the Army Transformation Initiative started at the top with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, but also include Republican leaders such as state Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco.
“Beyond its critical national defense mission, Picatinny serves as a major economic engine for our region and the state, providing high-quality careers for thousands of New Jerseyans,” Bucco, whose district includes Picatinny, said in a joint news release with Murphy on July 22. “I strongly urge the Department of Defense to reconsider these changes and to recognize the critical role Picatinny continues to play in safeguarding our country and supporting our service members.”
Probably doesn’t matter, we’re too wealthy to work..
Jobs in New Jersey declined, unemployment rose to 4.9% in June
The jobs market in New Jersey turned south in June. Preliminary labor market estimates for June, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicate that total nonfarm employment decreased by 9,700 jobs to a seasonally adjusted level of 4,382,600 jobs, while the state’s unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 4.9%. Updated estimates of total nonfarm employment in May in New Jersey saw a downward revision.
Sectors that recorded job losses in June include trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,200), other services (-2,200), leisure and hospitality (-1,300), construction (-900), and information (-400). Professional and business services as well as manufacturing recorded no change for the month. The public sector posted a loss of 2,900 jobs for June. Just two out of nine private industries recorded employment gains compared with May – private education and health services (+1,200) and financial activities (+1,000).
Over the past 12 months, New Jersey has added 7,000 nonfarm jobs. The private sector recorded a gain of 6,600 over that time. Three out of nine private sector industries posted an increase, including private education and health services (+33,300), financial activities (+1,100), and manufacturing (+100).
Year-over-year losses were in trade, transportation, and utilities (-9,200), construction (-6,300), information (-5,200), leisure and hospitality (-2,900), professional and business services (-2,200), and other services (-2,100). The public sector has notched a gain of 400 jobs over the past 12 months.
Three out of nine private sector industries posted an increase, including private education and health services (+33,300)…
I can see health services but need to dive into more specifics regarding private education. I’m not sure where the target is there. Unless someone wants to explain.
Massive rainfall is coming this afternoon. Make sure you check your basements and sump pumps.
“Storms will be capable of producing excessive rainfall rates in excess of 2 inches per hour,” the National Weather Service said early Thursday. “Rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches are generally expected, with localized amounts around 5-7 inches or more possible.”
grim says:
July 31, 2025 at 6:04 am
Would be a pretty negative drag on real estate in the area…
There is probably already a buyer for it. Someone connected. Close the joint like they did Fr. Dix.
Do a quick cleanup, put in more “luxury” homes.
Release the Epstein files.
9 Days to Russia ultimatum.
Russia war over in 24 hrs.
May you live in interesting times.
The federal government is paying more than 154,000 people not to work.
Headline today. Really.
Where do I sign up? Hegseth office? Bondi? Vance estates?
Got my tax bill….nice bump this year. 10% on school portion.
Facebook is all lit up with irate homeowners.
Not me but here are some of the posts…again we reassess here yearly…
1) $1127 more PER QUARTER — WTF!!
2) We went up $240 a month.. just ridiculous
3) mine went up 600 a quarter it’s insane
4) My taxes went up $ 550 per quarter that is ridiculous!
5) I will also dissolve my company here and re-incorporate in a state that is more favorable to small businesses. Will the last person in NJ please flush!
6)up $3,900. Great job SOS hope you all enjoy as well and a school is likely to still close under the funding formula.
7) I had to leave after my husband passed away and was there for 30 years. Just couldn’t afford it anymore. I miss it so much. Now in Brick.
8) Mine are up over $2400 a year. Ridiculous. After 42 years in this house, it will soon be on the market. I’m out!
9) (FB Group Admin) Taxes up 30%. But hey this is supposed to catch us up now right, so all out taxes are flat next year? Just wait until schools have to close anyways as they are still under enrolled. Up 30 percent, zero changes to the house.
10) My taxes went up $800.00 a quarter!!!!! This town is out of control.
And they never had any intention on closing the schools it was all a ploy to get us to pay more taxes. True story!
11) My tax bill went up $3000!
12) My taxes went up $775 a quarter!
13) Hell No! Mine went up $2500 dollars from last year! It’s criminal!
2) This has officially become terrifying and real. I’m selling. We pay more per student than any surrounding town
Ten 435
They weren’t complaining when their house prices were rising.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14958583/Woman-killed-NYC-panic-room-hiding.html
Real estate company needs a panic room?
Lady, when you work in a place that has a panic room, you ain’t working for nice people.
The mob had hidden rooms in their places.
Lots of people overpaying during and after Covid to move in to my town, hence the comps are all way way up..
We are down 25% in school enrollment since peak about two decades ago of 12,000 students, as recalled by a former superintendent. This year it is around 8,993 students. There was a plan to close some smaller schools and consolidate, but some parents went nuts and the BOE voted for the increase.
Similar to Tom’s River but we did not try the nuclear option of bankruptcy like they did, state took over Tom’s River and forced the tax increase anyway. Voting and representative government? All a thin veneer, when the state can and does step in and take over.
FU pay me state after all.
There was a plan to close some smaller schools and consolidate, but some parents went nuts and the BOE voted for the increase.
Women want the schools when they have kids, and want lower taxes.
When the kids are grown and the husband is gone, they want lower taxes, and the schools to be gone.
Your town is notorious for overspending on public services. It’s over policed too. They harass a lot of kids. Especially if they have a college sticker on their windows.
Juice Box says:
July 31, 2025 at 10:22 am
Lots of people overpaying during and after Covid to move in to my town, hence the comps are all way way up..
Phoenix – They get it with the senior freeze, a nice tax refund from the state. Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) program. Refund of increases in property taxes after they enroll. My mother has been collecting the refunds for two decades…Her taxes are frozen to the year 2002…..
and it’s indexed too income requiments aren’t exactly poor either…you can have your cake and eat it too.
2023 — $163,050 or less income
2024 — $168,268 or less income
Should go well with the property tax increases:
Procter & Gamble — the maker of Dawn dish soap, Charmin toilet paper, Crest toothpaste and Tide detergent — said Tuesday it would raise prices on about a quarter of its products starting in August in part because of the $1 billion tariff hit it expects annually.
The company didn’t specify which categories or products would be affected but said the increases will be about 2.5 percent on average.
Meanwhile, consumers’ outlook on the economy is the worst it has been in years.
Some retailers have already started raising prices. Walmart, a bellwether for the industry and U.S. consumer, has targeted baby gear, kitchenware and toys — items mostly manufactured in China. Industry experts expect some groceries will soon follow. The Trump administration’s 50 percent steel and aluminum tariffs will lead to higher food and beverage packaging costs, such as coffee tins and beer cans, many manufacturers say.
IMO, property taxes should be much higher.
Raise property taxes and lower income taxes!
A land value tax would be the best- fewest negative externallities; doesn’t interfere with economic growth…
But after that, property taxes are OK.
And higher property taxes also do something else- they nudge people who don’t need big houses and a yard to move into a smaller space, opening up those properties to familiies (who need them).
That’s one reason why I also despise giving property tax breaks (or any tax break, really) to retires.
BTW- I always get a kick out of homeowners complaining about property taxes, when those same taxes don’t come remotely close to paying for the services (mainly schools) that they (and their kids) use.
re: “harass a lot of kids” I haven’t seen a cop car in my neighborhood in years, they stick to the highway.
Rt 35 you must mean.. The main roads are 40 MPH around here and 50 MPH on the highway.
From this non CPA.
Prices go up, wages go up, town needs to spend more.
Taxes need to rise.
Can’t raise grandma’s tax.
Everyone else pays double increase.
Grandma’s house triples in value, she finally sells, off to the villages in Florida
New buyer drowning in debt, 7% mortgage on overpriced house, paying other grandmother’s portion of taxes. Screaming at husband to get better job, she likes vacations.
Sounds about right.
Juice Box says:
July 31, 2025 at 10:40 am
Phoenix – They get it with the senior freeze, a nice tax refund from the state. Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) program. Refund of increases in property taxes after they enroll. My mother has been collecting the refunds for two decades…Her taxes are frozen to the year 2002…..
and it’s indexed too income requiments aren’t exactly poor either…you can have your cake and eat it too.
2023 — $163,050 or less income
2024 — $168,268 or less income
No one builds “Levittown” type houses anymore.
You want to own a condo going to meetings with a group of Karens in attendance every month?
I’ll pass.
And higher property taxes also do something else- they nudge people who don’t need big houses and a yard to move into a smaller space, opening up those properties to familiies
Juice Box says:
July 31, 2025 at 10:45 am
re: “harass a lot of kids” I haven’t seen a cop car in my neighborhood in years, they stick to the highway.
I guess you don’t have any married Badge Bunnies in your neighborhood.
Procter & Gamble — the maker of Dawn dish soap, Charmin toilet paper, Crest toothpaste and Tide detergent — said Tuesday it would raise prices on about a quarter of its products starting in August in part because of the $1 billion tariff hit it expects annually.
We’re in an unnecessary fight with all our trading partners.
We came out of it with a broken nose and a broken tooth.
But they came out of it with a broken nose and TWO broken teeth.
We won!
The Chinese were making middle class bearable.
Walmart was trying as well.
The Russians were making middle class Europeans life bearable with cheap gas.
Now they are being told by their government not to retire.
Neither government is trying to make middle class lives bearable.
Who is running them?
Phoenix – re: “Can’t raise grandma’s tax.”
Yes they do raise grandma’s property tax. The difference is the State Refunds it, town still gets the money.
Juice
So they take it from state income tax and give it to Grandma?
Anti-corruption investigations — long a priority for Chinese leader Xi Jinping — are another frequent DeepSeek application, in which models are deployed to comb through dry spreadsheets to find suspicious irregularities.
Our government won’t release the Epstein files.
Funny, isn’t it?
Keep asking questions Joe Rogan
Yes they do.
However, they want to give them even more to stay in New Jersey…We need all those old folks… we don’t want them leaving for Florida..
New Plan is one application for Grandma’s 65 years and older to be considered for all three programs for which a person is eligible.
1)Senior Freeze. (older program) 235,000 grandma’s etc get it every year. $239 million for Fiscal Year 2026 from the State Budget.
2) ANCHOR Program: (newer program) Receiving $2.4 billion in the FY2026 budget, this program aims to benefit over two million homeowners and renters.
3) Stay NJ: (newest program) funded with $600 million in the latest budget, targets senior homeowners (65 and older with incomes under $500,000) and offers more generous relief than ANCHOR and Senior Freeze.
However, they want to give them even more to stay in New Jersey…We need all those old folks… we don’t want them leaving for Florida..
Please explain.Why does NJ need anyone in particular? Why shouldn’t they be able to go to Florida if they so choose?
Why do we need to pay people to stay here, then build more housing in the most populated state?
Phoenix – re:”Why does NJ need anyone in particular?
To pay taxes…you are simply revenue to the government.
One of the comments on NY times regarding tariffs:
Just as the universities that struck deals with him will lose respect so will leaders of countries that grovel before him.
It will be interesting to see how overseas poltitics shapes up because of their “deals” with US – especially countries like Brazil which need us less than we need them.
Brazil nuts!
ensh1tification of amerika forges ahead:
https://www.axios.com/2025/07/30/trump-stablecoin-taxes-crypto
I cannot imagine a bigger threat to the stock market as we know of than this.
And we are on the wrong side of history here. We are complicit in this genocide..
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/31/the-mathematics-of-starvation-how-israel-caused-a-famine-in-gaza
Uff…this one is quite good:
“ If you have transactional wounded boomers in your life who take no accountability but also feel victimized by their own choices I want you to know I’m praying for you today extra special.
It’s a wonder any of them passed astronomy class as it defies physics that they’re all the center of the universe simultaneously.”
Juice: Re the Facebook comments and people saying they are selling and will be out of there.Well, there might come a time when they wont be able to sell at the price they want. Some of these people too, may be at peak earning years, but they want put, and expect a young couple to pay the big bucks for their house and the high property taxes. You cant have it all ways.
Was really pleased to have sold when we did. The market worsened considerably just after Trump’s election. I blame the uncertainty and volatility that his second term ushered in.
Vetting of parents’ legal status now on the books for denying birth right citizenship. By extension, if your forefathers don’t have the right papers at Ellis Island, or you don’t have a record of it, will you be sent back?
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/07/trump-birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-ice-maternity-ward.html
All in the name of “security”. Sheep follow along.
Dark Phoenix says:
July 31, 2025 at 11:25 am
“Why do we need to pay people to stay here…”
Having given up on good governance as a way of attracting and retaining productive people, blue states have settled on two strategies: pay people to stay, confiscate from them if they leave.
OC1 says:
July 31, 2025 at 10:44 am
“property taxes should be much higher.”
Please don’t ever move to a red state. They somehow manage to have lower property taxes and lower income tax — and is why the productive class is relocating there. And it’s why the sclerotic blue states are pummeling the group of productive suckers that stay behind!
OC1 says:
July 31, 2025 at 10:57 am
“We’re in an unnecessary fight with all our trading partners.”
Or you’re wrong and the fight is necessary in order to address our ‘partners’ unfair trade practices, re-shore some critical industries and manufacturing capabilities, and give blue collar workers a chance to regain some of the good-paying jobs that left for Mexico, China and other places.
RentL0rd says:
July 31, 2025 at 2:54 pm
“Vetting of parents’ legal status now on the books for denying birth right citizenship.”
I voted for that!!!
3:43 I hope you are carrying your (great) grandparents’ legal immigration records from Ellis Island.
Or wherever the heck they invaded this country from.
You voted for this:
“If there is no formal notification before Aug. 1, does that mean the current rates are being assessed? The April 2 tariff rates? We don’t know,” said Cindy Allen, chief executive officer of Trade Force Multiplier LLC, an international trade and customs consulting firm.
US Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency that enforces tariffs and the nation’s trade laws, can’t implement anything based on Trump’s letters, Truth Social posts or administration fact sheets that have outlined his negotiated deals and unilateral pronouncements. CBP needs a more formal notice, such as an executive order or proclamation.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chaotic-tariff-rollout-us-importers-135222660.html
Rick Scott saying its “disgusting” that he is not allowed to make money while working in the senate. Can’t make this up
https://www.reddit.com/r/law/s/1optNrWIIV
with congress it’s very simple. All the people working in finance are restricted to owning investments like index funds. Why should congress be above that?
The reference to Levitown houses was to the type of structure built, and not its occupants.
“Levittown houses are a symbol of postwar American suburbia, known for their mass production, affordability, and standardized design. These houses, built by Levitt & Sons, were a key part of the first large-scale planned suburban community on Long Island, New York. They were designed to be quickly and economically built, with some models taking only a day to construct with a large crew”