China's Crisis, America's Hope?
(Klassen) 4pp.
Some view the economic slowdown in China as a threat to the U.S. recovery. However, it could be an opportunity for job growth in U.S. manufacturing and expansion of U.S. commercial real estate.
AMT: Not Just for the Wealthy Anymore
(Krajicek, Erickson) 3pp.
The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) was created in 1969 to ensure high-income taxpayers (earning more than $200,000) did not avoid paying taxes by exploiting tax law loopholes. However, because the AMT was not indexed for inflation, people who are not wealthy by today's standards are now subject to the tax.
Home Groan
(Gaines) 4pp.
Recovery in the Texas housing market is occurring slowly. For the remainder of 2012 and into 2013, sales and new construction should expand and prices should stabilize. Major economic indices should show sustained improvement.
Cropland in Demand: But Large Tract Sales Wither
(Gilliland, Klassen, Garcia) 3pp.
Texas markets struggled to post a small gain with a continuing dearth of large tract sales. Gains appeared to be concentrated in West Texas, the Panhandle and High Plains. Uncertainty and high commodity prices fueled strong demand for cropland. For the third straight year, fewer acres than historic patterns forecasted changed hands in Texas.
Land of the Setting Sun
(Dotzour) 4pp.
When Japan's stock market crashed and a real estate bubble collapsed in the early 1980s, the country adopted a policy of "extend and pretend." The results serve as a cautionary tale for the United States, which is in a similar situation now.
Shale of the Century: Small Towns Dazed by Eagle Ford Influx
(Hunt) 4pp.
Increased oil and gas activity in the Eagle Ford Shale has dramatically boosted the economies of many small South Texas towns. However, the influx of oilfield workers has caused severe housing shortages and is straining local infrastructures.
Income Factor
(Anari) 3pp.
Research shows that Texas homebuyers tend to trade up as their income rises, especially in the lower home price ranges. This trend lessens as family income goes up because, at some point, people decide they don't need a bigger house even if they get a pay raise.
