April 2012

Japan’s 1989 stock market crash and subsequent real estate bubble blowout hold valuable lessons for those who influence our nation’s economy. Have our key economic players learned from them, or will we be repeating history?

In spite of the drought, farmers are buying up cropland. Rangeland isn’t selling because buyers and sellers are digging in their heels, trying to wait each other out. And big tracts aren’t moving at all.

Texas’ housing market is recovering s-l-o-w-l-y. So save yourself some disappointment and frustration — think in terms of tortoise rather than hare.

Center research reveals that family income determines Texas home prices more than credit costs and local market conditions. Barring drastic income reductions, home prices shouldn’t take a major tumble.

The gargantuan economic engine that is China, is downshifting as labor costs rise, property prices fall and capital flows out. In the meantime, U.S. manufacturers are rediscovering the joys of producing stuff right here at home.

Don’t look now, but many middle-class citizens may have no alternative to paying the Alternative Minimum Tax. It wasn’t supposed to be that way, but Congress didn’t plan for inflation.

Invasion of the oil and gas people. Traffic at the stoplight (seriously). Crowds at the Dairy Queen. Not enough housing for workers. Welcome to the Eagle Ford Shale.