Category Archives: Politics

Should public workers be forced to live here?

Posted on May 21, 2013 by grim

From the Star Ledger: New Jersey’s captive workforce: Opinion Every month, dozens of jittery public workers gather before a five-member tribunal in Trenton, to be grilled on their personal lives: Divorces. Child custody issues. Family illnesses. Financial woes. Why? To … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Politics | 86 Comments

NJ property tax increases slow, but still higher

Posted on May 15, 2013 by grim

From Bloomberg: New Jersey Property Taxes Rise to Record as Growth Slows New Jersey’s average residential property-tax bill rose 1.6 percent to a record $7,885 last year as most towns abided by Governor Chris Christie’s 2 percent cap on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 138 Comments

Hey Rich New Jersey – PAY UP!

Posted on May 13, 2013 by grim

From the Record: Jackson: If D.C. reform kills property tax write-offs, N.J. will feel the pain Several deductions that help offset the high cost of housing in North Jersey and the property taxes that come with it may be scaled … Continue reading →

Posted in National Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 84 Comments

Obamahouse?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by grim

From CNBC/The Street: Mortgage Forgiveness Presents Challenges in Housing Recovery Deeply indebted homeowners with government-backed mortgages may have a fresh shot at receiving meaningful mortgage relief, but it will likely come with strings attached. Earlier this week, President Obama nominated … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Foreclosures, Housing Recovery, Politics | 56 Comments

First round of Sandy aid approved

Posted on April 30, 2013 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Feds approve New Jersey’s plan to spend $1.8 billion in Sandy aid Marking six months since Hurricane Sandy’s landfall on the Jersey Shore, officials announced today that the federal government has signed off on more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Shore Real Estate | 121 Comments

Taibbi – Foreclosure review a sham

Posted on April 27, 2013 by grim

From the Rolling Stone: While Wronged Homeowners Got $300 Apiece in Foreclosure Settlement, Consultants Who Helped Protect Banks Got $2 Billion The obscene greed-and-arrogance stories emanating from Wall Street are piling up so fast, it’s getting hard to keep up. … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreclosures, Politics, Risky Lending | 34 Comments

Zandi goes all in

Posted on April 13, 2013 by grim

From the Washington Post: To boost housing market, policymakers need to get credit to the creditworthy

Posted in National Real Estate, Politics, Risky Lending | 55 Comments

Think you escaped Sandy? Think again.

Posted on April 11, 2013 by grim

From Reuters: In New Jersey, spared by Sandy but paying the price in taxes Philip Checchia’s home in Barnegat, New Jersey, escaped undamaged from Hurricane Sandy in October, but the 67-year-old is bracing for a different kind of storm damage … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 65 Comments

Foreclosure Enron?

Posted on April 5, 2013 by grim

From DealBook/NYT: Blame Abounds Over a Flawed Foreclosure Review Private consultants and federal regulators are facing a fresh round of scrutiny in Washington after botching a broad review of foreclosures and failing to thwart financial misdeeds. A new report by … Continue reading →

Posted in Mortgages, National Real Estate, Politics, Risky Lending | 86 Comments

Thank the Rich

Posted on March 12, 2013 by grim

From NJ Spotlight: Christie’s Luck: Income Tax Surge Bails Out Budget Three months ago, Gov. Chris Christie’s budget was in deep trouble. His revenue forecasts for FY2012 and FY2013 had come up a total of $750 million short. Standard & … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 131 Comments

Bailouts finally working?

Posted on March 9, 2013 by grim

From HousingWire: Programs save 1.5 million homeowners: Obama Housing Scorecard The Obama Administration’s foreclosure mitigation programs continue to provide relief for millions of homeowners in the housing recovery. As a result, the Making Home Affordable Program has assisted more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Recovery, National Real Estate, Politics | 20 Comments

Jersey Comeback? Not in AC.

Posted on February 20, 2013 by grim

From Bloomberg: Christie-Backed Revel Atlantic City Plans Bankruptcy Revel AC Inc., the casino owner that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie bet on to revive Atlantic City, plans to file for a prepackaged bankruptcy that will reduce its debt burden by … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, Shore Real Estate, South Jersey Real Estate | 120 Comments

New homes about to get more expensive

Posted on February 18, 2013 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Fire suppression systems in new homes is aim of New Jersey bill Builders in New Jersey may soon have to install fire suppression systems in all new single or two-family homes. A state bill, the New … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 131 Comments

Warm up the bulldozers?

Posted on February 8, 2013 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Gov. Christie: New Jersey considering buying flood-prone neighborhoods Gov. Chris Christie said today he wants the state to use a portion of the federal Sandy aid money coming to New Jersey to buy up whole neighborhoods … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Shore Real Estate | 231 Comments

HARP 4.0?

Posted on January 30, 2013 by grim

From Bloomberg: Menendez, Boxer plan bill to help struggling homeowners Underwater homeowners may get additional federal assistance for refinancing government-backed loans under a proposal being revived in the U.S. Senate. Democratic Senators Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Barbara Boxer … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing Recovery, Mortgages, Politics | 133 Comments