Why Buy in Dallas Now?

Dallas has consistently outpaced the rest of the country on nearly every important economic stability indicator and is currently running counter to national housing trends. There are three reasons why:

• First, prices have remained stable in Dallas because the Metroplex has both favorable zoning regulations and an ample land supply, factors that allow the market to keep up with demand. Few restrictions and land availability give builders easy access to enter or leave the market depending on changing market conditions. This competition has proven to be highly responsive to the market and therefore effective in creating price and supply stability.
• A second factor that supports the continued housing demand and stable home prices is that Dallas continues to experience a robust job market. For a city's housing growth to be stable and healthy, the demand must be reflective of internal job and income growth. Texas is adding jobs at the rate of almost 250,000 per year -- nearly double the rates of Florida, Arizona and New York. The Dallas metro area alone added more than 90,000 jobs last year, leading the nation as one of the top 10 cities in employment growth. An influx of jobs, incomes and availability of living space helps keep new and used house prices in the Metroplex safe from excessive price increases and corrections.
• The third reason Dallas has avoided the current housing crisis is its physical location, central to both U.S. coasts and Mexico. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, mild climate and prime location have helped attract diverse industries and a number of major corporate relocations. The Texas economy is one of the most diverse in the country, with major players in key long-term growth sectors, notably transportation, aerospace and defense, financial services, high-tech electronics, retail and wholesale trade.

Source: Robert Edelman with the Dallas Business Journal