Then another article came out shortly saying consumer sentiments were at 7-year high. 

I share your sentiments exactly concerning the article and the deal.

I am a bit nervous to buy right now since the market has just climbed since 08-09... any insight, advice, predictions, sentiment?

Good to know I am not the only one sharing this sentiment!

That can range from a spike in input costs such as sudden rise in the price of oil or corn to a shift in sentiment that could generate new legislation that either aides or harms a company. 

I appreciate the sentiment and look forward to learning more from the BP forums.Linval - I grew up in East Islip, a stones throw from Bay Shore.  

Combine that with another growing trend in our country towards getting back to the basics of the Constitution, and you have a rather large anti-government sentiment in the grass-roots.Is it "unethical" to break a law, just because it's a law?

@Hattie Dizmond   that is a nice sentiment..

In general I share Rob K's sentiment and abhor wall paper, however two weeks ago I was ecstatic to discover the front room in the unit we were renovating had 2-3 layers of wallpaper - the oldest layer was cloth.

The negative sentiment you've been hearing is likely due to the fact that it's almost impossible to successfully invest in rentals in most of NJ.