Housing Real Estate Market Predictions 2012

CBS Money Watch featured an article on housing market predictions for 2012 and it’s clear that the nation’s real estate balance sheet is slowly turning around.

The official unemployment rate dropped to 8.6 percent while the U-6, which is the broadest measure of unemployment, fell below 16 percent for the first time since the Great Recession started. 

Fannie Mae’s November National Housing Survey also found that homeowners now believe that their home values will rise 0.2 percent over the next year.  That’s the first time in six months that price expectations moved from negative to positive terrain.

Another boost to the housing market is that mortgage interest rates still remain at historic lows with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at under 4 percent.  The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averages close to 3 percent. 

Looking forward to 2012, the biggest indication that the housing market might begin to stabilize is that the number of delinquent homeowners facing foreclosure is shrinking.

Find out what’s happening in your local market through our Housing Trends Newsletter with market reports for 150 metropolitan areas.  As always, Texas Capital Properties is your online source for real estate in Austin, TX and Houston, TX.

 

Holiday Events in Houston

Here are some wonderful Holiday Events taking place around Houston this season.  Happy Holidays!

Through Dec. 27: A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas
Alley Theatre
A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story that follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve.

Through Dec. 31: The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris
Alley Theatre
Company Actor Todd Waite will reprise his role as “Crumpet the Elf” in the outlandish, and true, chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience as a worker in Macy’s SantaLand display.  The Santaland Diaries is an hilarious cult classic, featuring comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. 

Through Dec. 27: Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Wortham Theater Center
Set in nineteenth century Germany, the ballet opens at a charming Christmas party at which the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer gives his little niece Clara a magical toy that takes her on an unforgettable journey.  From the Christmas tree that grows to a towering forty feet in the first act to the cooks who fly magically through the air in the second act, The Nutcracker is sure to enchant audiences of all ages.

Through Jan. 22: Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green
Discovery Green will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with the Ice at Discovery Green, a 7,200-sq ft. outdoor ice skating rink constructed on a portion Kinder Lake. Park-goers will enjoy a variety of family-friendly programming throughout the holidays, including concerts, movies and more.

Through Jan. 8: Seasons of Sharing
Children’s Museum of Houston
Holidays celebrated throughout the world will burst under one roof when the Seasons of Sharing exhibit is unveiled at the Children’s Museum of Houston. And there couldn’t be a beter place to showcase such an exhibit, with more than 80 different languages spoken in Houston and any number of cultural traditions celebrated. Everything from Ramadan to the Lunar New Year will be represented in Houston’s only multicultural holiday exhibit for children.

Austin and Houston Adding Jobs to Retail Sectors

According to data from The Business Journal’s On Numbers recent report, Austin and Houston are the only U.S. metropolitan areas that have added more than 1,000 jobs to their retail sectors since the beginning of 2007. 

Houston ranked at the top spot by adding 4,500 jobs while Austin ranked No. 2 for adding 1,500 retail jobs.  Other markets in the top 100 suffered declines in retail-trade employment the past four years. 

If you are looking to relocate to Austin or Houston, contact us today! Search Austin and Houston real estate with Texas Capital Properties.

Austin and Houston Housing Market 2011

Housing Trends is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, REALTOR.com local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.

AUSTIN AND HOUSTON HOUSING MARKET 2011

New Listing in the Heart of Spring Branch

Great opportunity to live in the heart of Spring Branch! Charming 4 bedroom home with recent updates on corner lot. Spacious rooms. Formals. Laminate flooring. Ceiling fans. French doors leading out to back deck and patio. Oversized detached garage. Mature trees and large yard with room for a pool. Easy access to shopping, major roadways, and entertainment! DON’T MISS OUT! Make an appointment to see this one today!

$179,900
1934 Triway Ln
Houston
77043-2944
Subdivision: Enchanted Forest 2
Bedrooms: 4 – 5 Bedroom(s)
Baths: 2 Full & 0 Half Bath(s)
Garage: 2 Car Detached
Stories: 2 Story
Year Built: 1966 / Appraisal District
Building Sqft: 2,962 / Appraisal District
Lotsize: 9,625 / Appraisal District
Mrkt Area: Spring Branch
MLS# 89253424 / 24-Spring Branch

John Cotten/Texas Capital Properties
www.TexasCapitalProperties.com
832-209-1433