Category Archives: Economics

Free and Clear

Posted on February 20, 2024 by grim

From NJ.com: More than 1 in 3 N.J. homes now mortgage free in major home debt shift More than one-third of homes in New Jersey are mortgage free, mirroring national trends and reaching new highs, federal data shows. U.S. Census … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Mortgages, National Real Estate, New Jersey Real Estate | 37 Comments

Sold out, come back again later.

Posted on February 19, 2024 by grim

From NJ.com: New listings of homes for sale plummeted 10% or more in these 7 N.J. counties. See latest prices. More than half of New Jersey counties saw fewer homes hit the real estate market in January with seven counties … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, New Jersey Real Estate | 8 Comments

Florida’s new “property tax”

Posted on February 17, 2024 by grim

From the NY Post: Florida home prices fall as surging insurance costs scare buyers Home prices along Florida’s southwest coast have plummeted as excess inventory soars due to the ongoing insurance crisis that has gripped the Sunshine State. Realtors said that … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Unrest | 43 Comments

Oh boy, now they did it…

Posted on February 16, 2024 by grim

From Business Insider: The myth of the housing bubble Almost as soon as home prices began their unprecedented climb in 2020, doomsayers began warning of a looming crisis. The housing market, they claimed, was a bubble destined to burst. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, National Real Estate | 42 Comments

Mortgage see-saw takes it’s toll

Posted on February 15, 2024 by grim

From CNBC: Mortgage rates surge higher again, causing homebuyers to pull back After a brief reprieve in December and January, mortgage rates are moving higher again, and that is taking its toll on mortgage demand. Total mortgage application volume fell 2.3% … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 52 Comments

37 NJ towns you can’t afford

Posted on February 14, 2024 by grim

From the Star Ledger: These 37 N.J. towns have home values of at least $1M. See latest statewide ranking. New Jersey’s home prices continued to steadily increase through the end of last year with typical home values of at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, New Jersey Real Estate | 100 Comments

NYC’s rent controlled time bomb

Posted on February 11, 2024 by grim

From Bloomberg: Why NYC Apartment Buildings Are on Sale Now for 50% Off Even in the crisp afternoon sunlight, the two-bedroom Manhattan apartment has a ghostly pallor, its cracked walls yellowing like an ancient black-and-white photograph. Paint chips are falling from … Continue reading →

Posted in Crisis, Demographics, Economics, NYC, Politics, Price Reduced | 55 Comments

Best geopolitical news in a decade

Posted on February 8, 2024 by grim

Has nothing to do with real estate, but our neighbors on this side of the world really should be our strongest trade partners. From Quartz: The US imported more from Mexico than China for the first time in decades For … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, Unrest | 106 Comments

Short refi window closes

Posted on February 6, 2024 by grim

From CNBC: Mortgage rates jump back over 7% as stronger economic data rolls in The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage crossed over 7% on Monday for the first time since December, hitting 7.04%, according to Mortgage News Daily. … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 111 Comments

Sorry Texas

Posted on February 5, 2024 by grim

… Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, National Real Estate | 78 Comments

January a mixed bag for NJ real estate

Posted on February 3, 2024 by grim

From NorthJersey.com: Real estate snapshot: Did North Jersey home prices increase in January? In January, New Jersey’s real estate market saw both positive and negative trends for potential homebuyers. Just about half of New Jersey’s 21 counties saw an increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, New Jersey Real Estate | 38 Comments

Finally slowing?

Posted on February 2, 2024 by grim

From CNBC: Home prices began to cool in November after nine straight months of gains, S&P Case-Shiller says Home prices in November fell 0.2% from October, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index. While that may not … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 124 Comments

NJ second worst state to retire in

Posted on February 1, 2024 by grim

From WalletHub: Best and Worst States to Retire (2024) Many people fear that retirement will mark the end of their financial security, and others worry they might never actually get to retire. That’s understandable when 28% of non-retired adults haven’t saved any … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Employment, New Jersey Real Estate | 90 Comments

Uh oh…

Posted on January 31, 2024 by grim

From NJ.com: New listings of home sales spiked 72% in this N.J. county. Latest rankings by county.

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, New Jersey Real Estate | 78 Comments

Blame taxes for the inventory?

Posted on January 30, 2024 by grim

From CNN: Boomers are not moving out of their big homes. Here’s why After 33 years and four children, Baby Boomers Marta and Octavian Dragos say they feel trapped in what was once their dream home in El Cerrito, California. … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Bubble, Politics, Property Taxes | 94 Comments