Category Archives: Politics

“The gravy train continues to roll”

Posted on December 2, 2009 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J. investigations unit reports huge payouts by local government They receive paid days off for Christmas shopping, donating blood and weddings. And when these public employees retire, they can cash in tens of thousands of dollars … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 220 Comments

Can we really afford home rule?

Posted on November 30, 2009 by grim

From the Daily Record: Do we really love home rule? A recent poll says residents are not as enamored with their home towns as some think. A Quinnipiac University poll asked residents if they would support merging school districts and … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 261 Comments

President Obama is going to pay your mortgage! (Taxpayers really, but who is counting?)

Posted on November 29, 2009 by grim

From the NYT: U.S. Will Push Mortgage Firms to Reduce More Loan Payments The Obama administration on Monday plans to announce a campaign to pressure mortgage companies to reduce payments for many more troubled homeowners, as evidence mounts that a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics, Risky Lending | 107 Comments

I’m thankful for our prudent state and local government

Posted on November 26, 2009 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J. budget deficit grows to $1B for current fiscal year The state today said it is facing a $1 billion hole in this year’s budget — a shortfall five times bigger than previously disclosed — and … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 62 Comments

“If it wasn’t going to happen here, I wonder if it’s going to happen anywhere”

Posted on November 16, 2009 by grim

From the Daily Record: Getting together in the Chesters? A bit of New Jersey history has a chance to be made in Chester Borough and Chester Township. If all goes according to plan, residents in both towns will vote next … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 166 Comments

“Towns have a choice: We can do it ourselves or wait for the state to do it for us.”

Posted on November 9, 2009 by grim

From the Star Ledger NJ Voices Blog: Sussex Borough and Wantage: A tough sell on N.J. town mergers In a leafy corner of the state, far from the epicenter of a nasty gubernatorial election, voters from the Sussex County towns … Continue reading →

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

Get out and vote

Posted on November 3, 2009 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Next N.J. governor is in hands of voters Now it’s voters’ turn: Polls will be open across the state from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. today for the General Election. Three major candidates, Democratic Gov. Jon … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 315 Comments

Homebuyer Tax Credit Free For All

Posted on October 23, 2009 by grim

From HousingWire: IRS Wrongly Gave Homebuyer Tax Credit to Resident Aliens, Minors: Watchdog The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) believes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may have paid out millions of dollars in first-time homebuyer tax credits to … Continue reading →

Posted in National Real Estate, Politics | 215 Comments

Dwek to plead guilty

Posted on October 20, 2009 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Solomon Dwek, central witness in N.J. corruption probe, is expected to plead guilty to bank fraud charges Solomon Dwek, the key witness in the massive federal corruption and money laundering sting that rocked the state’s political … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 168 Comments

Mortgage Bankers: Hard to do job without fast and easy money, need bailout.

Posted on September 2, 2009 by grim

From Bloomberg: Mortgage Bankers Push for New Federal Loan Guarantee Program Mortgage bankers are pushing Congress to expand the U.S. government’s support of the market by guaranteeing private-industry home-loan securities and replacing finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics | 212 Comments

Treasury Secretary Geithner Underwater

Posted on June 4, 2009 by grim

From Bloomberg: Geithner Rents Westchester Home After Failing to Sell U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is renting his home in Westchester County, New York, for $7,500 a month after failing to find a buyer, according to data on the Westchester-Putnam … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, National Real Estate, Politics | 315 Comments

Councilman proposes big fines for unmaintained foreclosures

Posted on June 1, 2009 by grim

From the Home News Tribune: In Middlesex Borough, $500 daily fine possible if foreclosed properties aren’t maintained A proposed ordinance could ensure foreclosed properties are kept up in the absence of a live-in owner at the threat of a $500 … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreclosures, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 322 Comments

School budget time!

Posted on April 21, 2009 by grim

From Bloomberg: Tax-Weary New Jersey Residents May Reject More School Budgets New Jersey residents may reject a greater percentage of school budgets than last year when they go to the polls today amid dissatisfaction with rising property taxes that are … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 359 Comments

Cut, borrow, or tax to bridge the gap?

Posted on April 7, 2009 by grim

From the Philly Inquirer: New Jersey faces “historic” tax-revenue drop New Jersey is facing a “historic tax-revenue collapse” that could leave the state with a $100 million deficit by the end of the next fiscal year. That was the assessment … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 183 Comments

Last one out, turn off the lights.

Posted on March 25, 2009 by grim

From the Jersey Journal: MAYOR CAN’T HANDLE TRUTH IN ADVERTISING Mayor Dave Roberts pulled out the political big guns yesterday to take down a billboard that offended him. Jersey City real estate firm Metropolitan & Waterfront Residential Brokerage paid for … Continue reading →

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