The Smart Money Says...

April 12, 2019

Strongest March Ever for Houston Home Sales | Realty News Report

Realty News Report

So, how's the real estate market in Houston?  Roger's thoughts were quoted in a recent article by Realty News Report. 

"Houston’s spring market is well underway, and most zip codes are balanced between supply and demand — except those neighborhoods flooded by Harvey, which still have ...

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Feb. 7, 2017

The City with No Limits - 25,700 New Houston Jobs in 2017

Job GrowthThe Greater Houston Partnership forecasts the Houston metro area will create 29,700 net new jobs in 2017, with growth in non-energy and consumer-driven sectors offsetting losses in sectors most closely tied to energy. The forecast calls for the strongest job growth in manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade, finance and ...

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May 18, 2016

Houston Economy | Spring 2016|

US Oil Production Slows, graph by Bill Gilmer, Institute of Regional ForecastingThe recent state-of-the-Houston-economy lecture was both sobering and illuminating. Here is list of talking points from this lecture by Bill Gilmer, economist for the Institute of Regional Forecasting.  

  • In 2015, we saw the most abrupt oil business reversal in history - but so far, the Houston economy has managed to ...
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Aug. 1, 2014

Houston | Best City in America per Business Insider

News

Business Insider has named Houston the Best City in America, for these reasons:

  1. Houston is the Number 1 city for job creation in the US;
  2. Houston is home to more Fortune 500 company headquarters than anywhere except New York;
  3. The Texas Medical Center in Houston hosts the largest concentration of ...
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May 28, 2014

No "Funny Money" in Houston Real Estate

Bubble Gum

Many thanks to Chris Tomlinson of the Houston Chronicle, who quoted me in his recent commentary: "How to Spot a Real Estate Bubble, or Why I'm Comfortable Buying".  Chris raised the issue of whether we are currently experiencing a speculative real estate bubble.  My own personal definition ...

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Jan. 13, 2014

Oil and Gas Industry Impacts Houston Economy

Houston is a regional, national and international center for the oil and gas industry.  A healthy oil and gas industry is a major component of Houston's growing economy.  And that, in turn, creates a strong demand for quality housing. 

Check out this great article about Houston ...

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Jan. 2, 2014

Reducing Your Texas Property Taxes - Tips & Tools

For most homeowners, a Residential Homestead Exemption can significantly reduce property taxes.  If you have not already done so, January is the time to apply for this exemption.  The necessary application form #11.13 is provided by the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD).  This application covers all ...

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Feb. 13, 2013

Texas Construction Jobs Up in 2012

Construction Jobs Up Across Texas in 2012Good news from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas!  Looks like Texas construction jobs were up in 2012...

Construction employment grew at an annualized 6.7 percernt rate through the first 10 months of the year, making the sector -- which includes residential, commercial and industrial building -- the second-fastest growing ...

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Dec. 29, 2012

Houston Real Estate - Healthiest Market in US, per Trulia

Houston real estate healthiest in nation per Trulia

On December 21, 2012, Jed Colko, Chief Economist with Trulia named Houston the healthiest real estate market in the nation.

Houston earned top marks because we have...

  • Strong job growth (as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics).  This factor drives housing demand.
  • Low vacancy rates (as determined by the U ...
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Nov. 27, 2012

The Houston Economy – Bucking National and International Trends

Jobs - US vs HoustonAs usual, the recent symposium by the Institute for Regional Forecasting answered many questions about the Houston economy – and raised others.  This was the last lecture by Dr. Ted Jones, the Chief Economist at Stewart Title.  Thanks to Dr. Jones for plugging the gap between the exiting ...

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