Watkins Talk - The Real Deal on Real Estate

SURVEY SAYS: APARTMENTS 2012 TOP INVESTMENT

Here's a great article for my investment clients.  I have some clients who are doing really well on our multifamily investments these last few years.  I agree this is a great place to invest in order to maximize returns.  As always, it does depend on location and terms!  Please reach out if I can help you or anyone you know capitalize in this market.

HOUSTON (realtynewsreport.com) – Where will investors be putting their money next year? Multifamily properties, according to a recent 2012 outlook survey conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle.

Survey respondents said rising rental rates and declining home ownership rates suggest strong apartment investment activity in the coming year.

And take note, Dallas: When asked where in the United States they would be most likely to invest next year, respondents ranked Big D among the top five cities, beating out New York City and Washington, D.C.

On the flip side, they said Houston was one of the five cities in which they'd most likely sell properties.

The survey was completed by more than 150 private investors, real estate brokers, developers, REIT and institutional investors.

TEXAS LEADS IN PROJECTED JOB GROWTH

We all know Texas rocks!  We have not suffered during the recession like the rest of the country and continue to out perform in most areas.   It hasn't been perfect, but we are still leading in job creation.   This is HUGE when it comes to the economy.  Remember, real estate is local!!  Hear it from Forbes.com.

NEW YORK (Forbes.com) – When it comes to which states will add the highest percentage of jobs over the next few years, Forbes reports Texas will lead the way.

Total employment here is forecast to expand 2.9 percent annually through 2015, according to research firm Moody’s Analytics. That represents 1.6 million new net jobs for the state over five years.

Forbes points to Texas' "low tax, business-friendly climate with a surging population that offers a nearly unlimited supply of young labor" as reasons for the growth. However, it also acknowledges that the state's rapid population growth has pushed its unemployment rate to 8.5 percent, the highest in 24 years.