Weekly News (December 20, 2017)

1. First Korean Policewoman in Fort Lee, NJ 

• Alice Jee (23) pledged as Fort Lee police as of 12/14/2017, grew up in Fort Lee, attending Elementary, Middle, High school in Fort Lee
• Graduated from Montclair University, major in Criminal Phycology
• She will serve as policewoman after 6 months in Police Academy from Jan, 2018

2. New Tunnel project under Hudson River → Green light

• NY / NJ states will pay a half of construction cost for Gateway train tunnel
• Total cost: $12.7 Billion (2 States and NY / NJ Port Authority will pay $5.55 Billion)
• The balance will be supported by Federal Goverment
• The existing tunnels built in 1910 and much damaged by Sandy (One out two tunnel is shut down, 75% traffic will be reduced – Daily traffic → 200,000 passengers)

3. 4 Out of 10 New Yorkers → 2 family Under the same roof 

• Double up household → 40% (10% higher than US Average / 10% higher than 2015 level)
• Income vs Rent → 41.2% (Proper level: 30% rent / 31.4% in 2005)
• LA: 45.5%, Miami: 41%,  NYC: 40%,  San Jose: 38.6%
• Age group: 23~29 → 54.5% (39% in 2005)
• LA: 48% rent out of Income, San Francisco: 4%, Miami: 43.7%, NYC: 41.2%

4. Fed Reference Interest Rate raised to 1.25~1.5% 

• As of 12/13/2017, FRIR raised by 0.25% (March, June, December: 3 times this year)
• Upper line of US → Same as Korea RIR (1.5%)
• Smooth transient to normal level ← Stock market booming, Employment, Industrial Investment growth after Trump inaugurated
• Also FOMC forecasted 3 time increase in 2018

5. Tax Reform become merged between Senate and House 

• Corporate tax: 35% → 21% (From 2018) → $1.5 Trillion Tax reduction ($1 Trillion benefits big corp)
• Individual Tax Cap: 39.6% → 37%
• Deduction on Local, State Income / Property Tax → Up to $10,000 Maximum
• Deduction on Mortgage interests → Up to loan amount $750,000 (Existing loan →$1 Million)
• Inheritance Tax → Exemption limit $11 Million (Couple: $22 Million) → Double the current limit
• Obama care obligation → Nullify
• ATM (Alternative Minimum Tax) → Nullify

6. With New Tax Reform, over 6 years residence will benefit owning a house 

• House owners burden will be increased 30% for next 10 years
• Currently owning house benefit will be decreased, but more than 6 years will recover the benefits
• Example: For $250,000 worth house for 10 years, $19,479 of mortgage interest related deduction and $9,578 of income tax related deduction will be disappeared
• House price appreciation: 45% for last 5 years / Rent increase: 21% for 5 years
• More than 6 years residence will benefit over renting

7. Next year, still not easy to purchase houses 

• According to Trulia, survey among 2000 adults over 18 years old shows 25% positive, 25% negative for next year’s home buying. It indicates first time for negative comments for last 4 years / Will buyer a house for next 12 months → 10% (will not buy a house → 38%)
• Environment for sale a house will be easier → Positive: 31% (Negative: 14%)
• Still ‘buying a house is American Dream’ culture remains. (Age of 18~34 answers 73% Yes / Entire group answers 72% Yes) →Owning rate for M Generation / X Generation will be increased continually
• Biggest hindrance: 1) Not enough down payment 2) House price appreciation  3) Mortgage qualification  4) Bab credit history
• House price appreciation concern: 22% in 2013, 32% in 2014,  27% in 2015,  35% in 2017,  40% in 2017