Wesley Miller

Over the years, Texas wildfires have resulted in loss of life, loss of thousands of homes, and billions of dollar in direct economic impact. What can be done to mitigate their impact? 

July saw an increase in home sales and a sharp rise in building permits. The previous month’s decline was partly due to fewer business days, which led to a spillover of activity in July.

Housing activity for both new and existing homes decreased considerably in June. Growth in active listings resulted in downward pressure on home prices. Seasonally adjusted home prices dipped 1.5 percent, which is uncharacteristic for June when housing activity normally peaks for the year.

Housing activity for both new and existing homes decreased in May. Despite a rise in active listings, home prices remained the same at $340,000 for the second month in a row.

Seasonally adjusted housing sales bounced back in April following March’s decline. New listings grew for the fourth month in a row resulting in the total active listings count growing to its highest level since July 2012.

Little is known about how natural disasters affect Texans’ housing choices, but Houstonians’ response to Hurricane Harvey provides clues.