Category Archives: Politics

“We’ve been subsidizing debt”

Posted on December 17, 2017 by grim

From the NYT: Homeowners Have Had It Good. Too Good, Says the Tax Bill. For decades, the tax code has been filled with rewards for homeownership. Tax breaks encourage people to get into first homes and to trade up as … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics | 24 Comments

Trump vs the Fed

Posted on December 14, 2017 by grim

From the NY Times: Fed Predicts Modest Economic Growth From Tax Cut The Federal Reserve, buoyed by a steadily strengthening economy, raised interest rates on Wednesday for a fifth time since the financial crisis and predicted that a proposed tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics | 33 Comments

On the bright side, it’ll be so affordable nobody will want to leave

Posted on December 11, 2017 by grim

From the Philly Inquirer: ‘It’s going to make it more expensive to live here’: Why N.J., Pa. might face housing blow under GOP tax bill Usually, Tom Bracken said, he would do cartwheels over a plan to cut corporate taxes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Philly, Politics | 95 Comments

Where’s our pork?

Posted on December 8, 2017 by grim

From the NYT: On Tax Bill, It’s Trump vs. His Hometown When President Trump returned to his hometown on Saturday for a day of fund-raisers, his third and final check-collecting stop was the Park Avenue home of Stephen A. Schwarzman, … Continue reading →

Posted in NYC, Politics | 90 Comments

Sorry about your home prices

Posted on December 5, 2017 by grim

From the NY Times: How New Yorkers Would Lose Under the Republican Tax Bill The tax bill approved by the Senate is many things, offering a huge tax cut for corporations, lower rates for the wealthy, and a big victory … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, NYC, Politics | 265 Comments

MacArthur a hero for NJ, or not?

Posted on December 4, 2017 by grim

From the Washington Post: The GOP’s $10,000 cap on property tax deductions and how it affects one congressional district “According to data direct from the IRS, allowing property tax deductions up to $10,000 — which I fought for and won … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 141 Comments

One step closer

Posted on November 30, 2017 by grim

From CNBC: Senate GOP clears another hurdle on the way to tax reform vote The Senate moved Wednesday to start debate on the Republican tax bill, a key step toward a vote this week to dramatically change the American tax … Continue reading →

Posted in National Real Estate, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 100 Comments

So what happens to New Jersey?

Posted on November 29, 2017 by grim

From ROI NJ: Murphy’s plans, GOP’s ideas could hasten migration from N.J. While raising the minimum wage and increasing the millionaires tax are two goals for Gov.-elect Phil Murphy, two Republican tax bills currently making their way through the federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, National Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 72 Comments

Homeownership to rise?

Posted on November 27, 2017 by grim

From the Washington Examiner: White House analysis: Tax bill will slightly decrease home prices, but boost homeownership The tax legislation working its way through Congress would only slightly lower home values and could boost homeownership, according to a new analysis … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 87 Comments

If not the Millionaires, then who? (Hint, You.)

Posted on November 26, 2017 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J.’s millionaires’ tax hike is losing support By now, anyone paying attention can see that Republicans in Washington are out to screw New Jersey. We would pay higher taxes under their plan, even though we already … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 25 Comments

Light Reading for Thanksgiving Morning

Posted on November 23, 2017 by grim

From ROI-NJ: Smart Growth coalition offers Murphy blueprint for economy For all the talk of attracting companies, the fact remains that the state has a land supply problem, especially in Northern New Jersey. Consider this: If a manufacturer wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Employment, New Development, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 26 Comments

Why fight it? Go with the flow.

Posted on November 22, 2017 by grim

From the Record: Minimum wage for Bergen County workers is now $15 an hour Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco gave thanks for county workers on Tuesday when he signed an executive order that raises the minimum wage for full-time employees … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 86 Comments

Upper middle class not paying their fair share?

Posted on November 20, 2017 by grim

From Bloomberg: Should the Upper Middle Class Take the Biggest Tax Hit? Humans learn the concept of fairness at a very young age. After all, it doesn’t take long for a child to start whining about a sibling who gets … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, National Real Estate, Politics | 118 Comments

House Bill Passes, 1 NJ Republican Signs

Posted on November 17, 2017 by grim

From the Star Ledger: ‘Open season on N.J.’: With Trump backing, House GOP votes to cut your property tax break With the help of one New Jersey Republican, the U.S. House on Thursday passed sweeping tax legislation that would end … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 87 Comments

Look on the bright side, maybe we can afford to go to the beach again

Posted on November 14, 2017 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Ivanka in Bayville: Tax reform will be the law of unintended consequences During his brief speech, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said that there will be winners and losers in New Jersey under the tax-reform plans. “For people … Continue reading →

Posted in National Real Estate, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 237 Comments