According to the Chicago Tribune we should change our official motto to "America's Pain: Houston's Gain."  "The city's rather bland official slogan is "Opportunity Houston: All the world in one region."

This past month national attention has been brought our way with articles by Newsweeks "Houston, We Have No Problem," and Kiplinger's Personal Finance, which rates Houston as America's best city in which "to live, work and play." 

Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent are expanding their luxury stores at the Galleria shopping mall. New construction permits in the city have jumped by almost 30 percent. The region added more than 100,000 jobs last year. And the mayor just proposed a dream budget for next year featuring more cops and lower property taxes.

"The Houston metro area (including The Woodlands) lead the nation in job growth, but also its cost of iving stands well below the national average.  Housing prices run half those of other metro areas its size," Kiplinger's writes.

Our long term success has not happened overnight as some might suggest that our economic and housing success has been due to the recent run-up in oil prices.  Healthy housing market, not oil, best reflects Houston's economy. Our metropolitan area, including The Woodlands, has grown by roughly 120,000 persons per year over the past 10+ years.

Affordability is the key to a healthy and sustainable housing market, and that has been Houston's greatest asset.

According to HAR, Houston Association of REALTORS, Houston area reached a record high on prices of single-family homes, in June, 2008, despite a 10 month consecutive decline in sales.  Also, the number of closed sales was the highest since last August.  The average Days on Market for June was 76, its lowest lever since last September.

For The Woodlands Demographics click HERE.

Click here for a SOLD Market report for June 2008 for Cochran's Crossing, Carlton Woods, Indian Springs and Sterling Ridge.

source: Houston Business Journal, July 18-24, 2008

Looking to buy a house or sell your home? Contact Pippa MAC, your ReMax REALTOR for more information on homes for sale in The Woodlands.