Greetings!

For renters, it costs more of their paycheck to cover their rents. But for homebuyers, Berkshire Hathaway is forecasting that the buyers will be catching a break in the near future. Plus, Paramount has signed a 10-year lease to bring more studios to New Jersey. All of this is good news.

Please feel free to email me at ralph@counsellorstitle.com if you have any questions or would like to follow up on any of this edition's articles.

Ralph Aponte

Founder & President

732.914.1400

Feel free to book a call to discover how we can serve your needs.



Renters Struggle with Affordability!

by Anthony DiMaio

Nearly one in four renter households across the United States now spends more than half of their income just on rent, a burden that is especially pronounced in coastal states and regions with strong population growth. According to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) for 2024, Florida stands out as the most rent-burdened state, with over 30% of its renters devoting more than half their income to housing. Nevada, California, and New York follow, all exceeding 26% of renter households facing similarly high rent. ​

Severe Rent Burden in New Jersey

New Jersey ranks among the top 10 most severely rent-burdened states, with 24.8% of renters paying more than half their household income toward housing costs. Median monthly rent in the Garden State remains among the highest nationally, averaging about $1,550, or roughly 33% of the typical renter’s income. Notably, the high cost of rent hits lower-income households the hardest: around 42% of New Jersey renters with incomes below $75,000 spend more than half their income on rent and utilities, a rate that is significantly above the state average.​

How New Jersey Compares

Here’s a snapshot of the most recent rankings for severe rent burden:

Renters Paying a % of Income for Rent By State

Florida  30.1% ​

Nevada  28.0% ​

California  27.5% ​

New York  26.9% ​

Connecticut  26.2% ​

Hawaii  25.9% ​

Oregon  25.0% ​

Rhode Island  24.8% ​

New Jersey  24.8% ​

Louisiana  24.8% ​

Burden and Opportunities

While New Jersey’s growing economy and relatively high incomes somewhat cushion the blow, the gap between housing costs and incomes continues to challenge renters throughout the state. Limited housing supply and ongoing demand pressure prices upward, particularly in densely populated and highly desirable communities such as those in Ocean County.​

Relief is hardest to find for the state’s lowest earners. Over half of renter households with incomes below $50,000 are considered severely rent-burdened—a clear sign that more affordable housing options are urgently needed to ensure every family in New Jersey can find safe and sustainable housing within their means.​

The National Context

Nationally, almost half of all renter households spend at least 30% of their income on housing, with nearly one in five renters facing severe rent burdens. As inflation, population shifts, and limited new construction outpace wage growth, the affordability crisis remains a central issue from Toms River to Tampa.census.

Takeaway for Toms River and Beyond

For families, individuals, and professionals in Toms River and throughout New Jersey, staying informed about rental market trends is critical for financial planning and stability. The severe rent burden many New Jerseyans face underscores the importance of both personal budgeting and supporting thoughtful community planning and housing policy. As local and statewide initiatives strive to close the affordability gap, understanding where the pain points lie can help spark solutions that benefit everyone—renters and homeowners alike.​

# # #

Berkshire Hathaway Predicts Home Buying Pivot

By: Anthony DiMaio

Fall 2025 could mark a significant opportunity for New Jersey buyers as national housing trends signal a market pivot.

Despite two recent Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, the U.S. housing market—including right here in New Jersey—has remained frustratingly stagnant for both buyers and sellers. But according to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, we may be approaching a pivotal turning point that could benefit Garden State homebuyers who’ve been waiting on the sidelines.

The Economic Backdrop

After inflation peaked near 9% in 2022, the Federal Reserve aggressively raised interest rates to cool spending and bring prices under control. While inflation has since eased, mortgage rates haven’t responded as expected. Instead of dropping below 6% as many hoped, rates climbed back toward 7%, creating ongoing uncertainty that discouraged both buyers and sellers from making moves.

However, recent Federal Reserve actions—including quarter-point rate cuts in both September and October 2025 that lowered the federal funds rate to 3.75%-4.00%—have sparked renewed optimism. As of early November, mortgage rates were reported at 6.32%, according to the Mortgage Research Network.

Four Key Indicators Point to Change

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has identified four critical market conditions in fall 2025 that suggest the tide may be turning in favor of homebuyers:

1. Housing Supply is Growing: For 22 consecutive months, housing inventory has been increasing, giving buyers more options than they’ve had in years.

2. Home Prices are Stagnating: After years of dramatic increases, home price growth has essentially flatlined across many markets.

3. Price Cuts are Accelerating: More sellers are reducing asking prices to attract serious buyers, creating opportunities for negotiation.

4. Mortgage Rates are Contracting: While still higher than the historic lows of 2020-2021, rates are trending downward, improving affordability.

What This Means for New Jersey Buyers

Following what experts describe as the slowest spring-summer housing market in decades, conditions are finally moving toward a more balanced relationship between buyers and sellers. For New Jersey homebuyers who’ve been priced out or discouraged by high rates, this could represent your best opportunity in years.

# # #

Paramount Signs 10-Year Deal with 1888 Studios

As a New Jersey real estate professional, I can’t help but view Paramount’s recent move into Bayonne as a defining moment for the Garden State’s transformation into an entertainment and media hub. For years, we’ve watched production companies flock to New York City, but now the tide is clearly shifting west across the Hudson. Paramount Global’s 10-year anchor lease with 1888 Studios marks a major East Coast expansion for the entertainment giant — home to CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures — and signals that New Jersey has become a serious player in the film and streaming industry.

What makes Bayonne so attractive to a company like Paramount is its perfect mix of proximity and practicality. The city offers immediate access to New York’s talent pool while benefiting from New Jersey’s more favorable tax incentives and lower operational costs. This location allows Paramount to cut down on logistical pressures at its existing East Coast facilities while expanding its production capabilities for the booming world of original streaming content.

From a real estate perspective, the ripple effects of this deal are impossible to ignore. Whenever a major studio moves into a community, demand for both commercial and residential property follows. We’re already hearing from small business owners and developers eager to position themselves near Bayonne’s growing entertainment corridor. Film and television productions need more than cameras and actors — they require local services such as catering, construction, set design, and transportation. That means more opportunities for local entrepreneurs and new tenants looking for space to support the entertainment supply chain, from editing suites to wardrobe warehouses.

Of course, with opportunity comes responsibility. The success of this massive project will depend on how efficiently it’s executed — particularly when it comes to infrastructure, housing, and transportation. City and state leaders are already collaborating to ensure Bayonne is ready for what’s coming. Its strategic location near the Turnpike, Port Newark, and Newark Liberty International Airport provides a strong logistical foundation, which will be essential as production ramps up. The first phases of 1888 Studios are expected to open by late 2026, with full operations by 2027 or 2028, positioning Bayonne to become one of the largest film and television campuses in the nation.

This expansion isn’t happening in isolation. Netflix’s $900 million studio at Fort Monmouth and Lionsgate’s new footprint in Newark underscore a statewide shift. New Jersey is no longer the “affordable alternative” to New York — it’s fast becoming the destination of choice for creative enterprises. As Bayonne’s Planning and Development Director Robert Summerfield aptly said, “People used to say New Jersey was where you filmed because you couldn’t afford New York. Now they’re filming here because they want to.”

For those of us in real estate, this evolution represents more than just new listings or higher property values — it’s about participating in New Jersey’s next chapter. Paramount’s arrival brings with it a story of reinvention, where an old industrial city finds new life through creativity, technology, and storytelling. And for anyone investing, developing, or simply dreaming in the Garden State, that’s a story worth being part of.

At Counsellors Title Agency, we believe affordability and protection go hand in hand. As policymakers explore new ways to make homeownership more attainable, maintaining highest quality of title search and insurance is foundational for all real estate transactions.

# # #

Don’t Keep Counsellors Title’s Service a Secret!

We hope you had an exceptional experience with Counsellors Title! If you’ve appreciated our accessible, responsive service, or if our incredible staff of professionals and their wealth of experience in the New Jersey title industry made a positive impact, we’d love to hear about it.



Your feedback not only helps us grow but also helps others discover the value we bring to the table. A quick Google Review sharing your experience can go a long way in spreading the word about the quality and care we strive to provide every day.

Leave Your Review Here

Thank you for trusting Counsellors Title—we’re honored to have been part of your journey!

About Counsellors Title Agency

We are an award-winning agency and one of New Jersey's leading title insurance businesses, based in Toms River. Counsellors is known for its team of knowledgeable service professionals recognized for its exceptional title, settlement and escrow services, for all 21 New Jersey counties. Its glitch-free signature service provides confidence to home buyers, sellers, and industry professionals. The knowledge base of its staff has processed over $17 billion in orders and established itself as a pillar of trust and benchmark of excellence within the real estate community.

NJ Scenes - Jetty off the Shark River