Category Archives: General

Ain’t no America left for Americans like me

Posted on May 22, 2016 by grim
Posted in General | 74 Comments

Predictions 2016!

Posted on January 1, 2016 by grim

This is becoming a tradition around here, so here we go again! You know how this works, break out the crystal balls and prognosticate. Ground Rules Predictions provided should either be for June 30th, 2016 or December 31st, 2016, please … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 57 Comments

Zillow not the best deal for consumers?

Posted on September 24, 2015 by grim

From MarketWatch: Something you should know about real-estate agents on Zillow Consumer advocates have long cautioned against dual agency in real-estate transactions. That’s when the real-estate agent advocating for the seller also represents the buyer. Common sense dictates this scenario … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 48 Comments

Bergen County real estate won’t be the same

Posted on August 15, 2015 by grim

Bob Aman was a teacher to many, and for a very fortunate few, someone we could call a mentor. Bob, you’ll be truly missed. Robert “Bob” Santry, Sr., 87, of Ho-Ho-Kus, passed away Sunday, August 9th. Beloved husband of 61 … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 9 Comments

By the hour

Posted on November 23, 2014 by grim

From HousingWire: Realtors don’t deserve 3% commission? Should Realtors and other real estate agents be just paid hourly, or should we stick with the 3% commission? … Some posts on other forums suggest paying Realtors by the hour. Really? Really. … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, General, Humor, Unrest | 44 Comments

Murder Shmurder

Posted on September 8, 2014 by grim

From the Philly Inquirer: On the House: On disclosure, and homes that languish on market Lately, I have been going back to two things our listing agent drummed into my head when we were selling our last house. Disclose, disclose, … Continue reading →

Posted in Comp Killer, General, New Jersey Real Estate | 91 Comments

Is Inventory High or Low?

Posted on February 25, 2014 by grim

January Inventory (Active Listings) Essex 2001 – 1713 2002 – 1896 … 2014 – 2398 Morris 2001 – 2010 2002 – 2284 … 2014 – 2625 Passaic 2001 – 1296 2002 – 1184 … 2014 – 1862 Somerset 2001 – … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 55 Comments

Finally an end to the MLS?

Posted on September 18, 2013 by grim

From Inman News: An innovative real estate business model, or threat to the MLS? For technology companies, multiple listing services are the holy grail of the real estate listing information that underlies many of their products. MLSs are also gatekeepers, … Continue reading →

Posted in General, National Real Estate | 40 Comments

“No one told us about this basement thing.”

Posted on January 21, 2013 by grim

From the AP: Superstorm Challenges Basement Definition Irene Sobolov thinks the first floor of her house is just that. The federal government and her insurance company say it’s a basement. The semantics, Sobolov has learned, are very expensive. Sobolov and … Continue reading →

Posted in General, New Jersey Real Estate | 89 Comments

Predictions 2013!

Posted on December 30, 2012 by grim

This is becoming a tradition around here, so here we go again! You know how this works, break out the crystal balls and prognosticate. Ground Rules Review the Predictions 2012! thread, and if you did make a prediction, please post … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, General | 242 Comments

Thanksgiving Open Discussion

Posted on November 22, 2012 by grim

This is the time and place to post observations about your local areas, comments on news stories or the New Jersey housing market, open house reports, etc. If you have any questions you wanted to ask earlier in the week … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 65 Comments

Ultramegasuperstorm of the Century Open Discussion

Posted on October 27, 2012 by grim

Armageddon Approacheth – Discuss

Posted in General | 376 Comments

Does real estate need an open bid system?

Posted on October 12, 2012 by grim

From HousingWire: Power of real estate listing agents questioned Real estate professionals who are watching housing bidding wars in places like California and Massachusetts are beginning to question whether real estate listing agents have too much power in the sales … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 238 Comments

Should you test drive before you buy?

Posted on October 6, 2012 by grim

From the NYT: Trial by Rental The desire to test-drive the suburbs by renting is understandable. For most families, buying a house is the largest investment they will ever make. In a time of economic uncertainty, with employment continuing to … Continue reading →

Posted in General, New Jersey Real Estate | 86 Comments

The ‘burbs ain’t dead yet

Posted on June 23, 2012 by grim

From the NYT: Old Neighborhood, New Life EMILY De NICOLO has lived in Manhattan for the last 14 years. But as she and her husband, Jay Della Monica, prepare for the arrival of their first child, in August, city life … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, General | 36 Comments