Lifestyle determines a lot. If you are retiring than Austin and surrounding counties are a great area. Of course Houston has the Clear Lake and Galveston Island areas also. The greater Houston market is stable and should remain that way in the future. We are becoming the nations 3rd largest city and that means steady as she goes. If you are still having to earn than by all means Houston is the place for you. Just select a market savvy Realtor to purchase you a home in an area that is desirable because of location, schools, etc. Finding a savvy agent that covers more than just the area in which she lives is a perfect choice. As we are a large city you will find most do not travel to other neighborhoods or if they do they may not know the area. Why not have the best of both worlds a condo in one area and home in the other? You can have an income stream from leasing one and live in the other. As we are just a few hours apart you could also do part time leasing and then visit the other for get aways. I am flying to Austin this week and my fare one way is $59 dollars. Of course by the time I get thru security, gate waits, etc. I could have driven there. Houston will continue to offer a job market and the people will need homes. We are in the sunbelt have an international airport, many companies located here and a deep sea port. That bears well for the future. All of the people will need a home. Austin is a much smaller market and could be stymied or more expensive as there are less choices. Good luck and welcome to Texas. You will love it. Doris

The Houston market is stable. What are you life circumstances are you retiring, if so Austin and surrounding areas are a great choice, price becomes an issue on the area you choose. If you still needing to earn any income than Houston is the place to be. How about two places one in each city. You could live in on and lease the other until retirement or if you are retiring than you have the bay and beach at Clearlake and Galveston. You could have a condo in each place and visit back and forth. You could upon retirement sell one or keep one as an income stream. We are a short drive from one to the other and I am taking a 30 minute flight for $59 to Austin this week. Could be less than gas!!! Of course by the time I get thru security and actually arrive in Austin I could have driven. One thing is certain when there is a city with 5-6 million people in the sunbelt the market is going to continue to be stable if you buy the right home in the right area. More people are coming not leaving. We can get overbuilt in Houston at times but we can absorb it in a short period of time. Austin and surrounding areas will feel a slow down longer and quicker than city that people count on for jobs. What ever you buy remember find a market savvy Realtor to guide you. Many just are familiar with their own smal area where they live. Treat you investment well and be sure and keep it updated and maintained. The problem with resales today is that so few really show well when compared to new homes. Good luck Doris

Although we have seen slow, steady appreciation in our market for years, we are finally feeling the pinch in our area as we progress further into 2008. I have seen several neighborhoods decline an average of 3% in home prices over the past 6 months. Not all areas of Houston are being hit as hard as others, but we are definitely in a strong buyer's market.

Texas in general is still a good steady market. With all things being considered I feel that new homes are now more than ever the best deal. Not only are home builders willing to reduce the price of the inventory they have it is new and it has a warranty.

The market here in Houston is stable compared to other markets like Florida, Nevada and California. We have seen an increase in appreciation when other states have seen a decline. As the nation struggles with a housing downturn, Texas often is cited as being among the best, safest places in the U.S. for real estate. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Houston market is actually stable compared to the rest of the country. Not to say we don't have our share of pre-foreclosure and REO sales. And you still can find good values if you and your agent do your homework. Email or call me if you need assistance in Houston or Austin. Andy.