Even though Houston’s economy has seen a very modest slowdown, it continues to outperform that of the nation. But, will this last? Will the next 12 months once again bring growth to the Bayou City that is more than twice the national average, or will some of the influences slowing the national economy finally spill over to the regional economy and its real estate markets? This will depend upon whether the energy boom can be sustained and whether the local housing market can continue to avert most of the downturn experienced in other urban areas. These issues were the focus of the spring’s 2007 IRF real estate symposium. Dr. Smith’s presentation examined the sustainability of current Houston trends, and, in addition, analyzed the geographic dimensions of Houston’s boom, identifying areas within Houston with the greatest upside potential and those facing the most signifi cant risks. Finally, he discussed the most recent national forces which could influence the future of Houston’s real estate markets such as the likely direction of interest rates and the seriousness of the emerging national financial crisis over subprime mortgage lending.

You may order the text of the 2007 Spring Real Estate Symposium along with all graphs included at that annual presentation with our Publications Order Form.