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Posted on Dec 5, 2009 | Tagged in: green , economy
Clean-tech and "green collar" jobs, or occupations that promote the wellness of the environment through the use of energy efficient and "clean" technology, are a topic growing in popularity and awareness in not only the U.S., but the global world. This global concern is one that greatly affects those involved in the energy industry, and inherently Houston.
Houston-based companies like Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Kinder Morgan are all taking these concerns seriously as they compete to be the most innovative and efficient in providing what today's concerned consumers expect: clean, green technology & renewable energy.
The Clean Edge, a green-industry research firm composed a list of the best metropolitan areas for clean-tech job activity, and Texas made the list twice, with the Houston/Galveston/Brazoria area at number 15.
Right now, the U.S. economy is creating approximately 1.3 million new "green collar" jobs a year (Challenger Gray & Christmas http://www.challengergray.com/), and by 2030, the number of U.S. jobs related to energy efficiency and conservation will hit 40 million (American Solar Energy Society http://www.ases.org). This progress will inherently create more opportunities for Houstonians to get involved through their work and contribute to the greater good.
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/26/news/economy/green.jobs.fortune/index.htm
Posted on Dec 4, 2009 | Tagged in: economy
Forbes.com reported the latest unemployment numbers are a sign that the recession is receding, and that December may be the first month of job growth in two years! Some economists had expected the rate to stay at 10.2%, but happy Houstonians and Americans witnessed a drop to 10% - a significant surprise.
In addition, the Bureau of Labor statistics revised down their previous estimates for the months of September and October, claiming unemployment during that period was not as bad as previously noted.
Other hopeful statistics:
-The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory workers rose by 0.2 hours to 33.2 hours. This signals an increase in hiring and demand for labor.
-The manufacturing workweek rose by 0.3 hours to 40.4 hours. Forbes called this a sign that even manufacturing employers will have to increase hiring soon.
Posted on Oct 29, 2009 | Tagged in: Specials & Offers , Realtors , economy
The Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended. Senators agreed to extend the tax credit which provides up to $8,000 to first-time buyers to April 30, 2010.
The program was initially set to expire November 30, and is credited for stimulating the nation’s housing industry. However, the Commerce Department reports that after seeing a decline in new-home sales, some industry experts blamed consumer uncertainty about the tax credit.
Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years. The tax credits will be available to home buyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April. They would have 60 days or until June 30 to close on their new homes, according to a summary of the legislation being circulated among lawmakers.
Posted on Oct 24, 2009 | Tagged in: Realtors , economy
Year-over-year single-family home sales soar 32 percent and median price edges up further
Hurricane Ike sidelined Houston’s real estate business for several weeks after tearing through the region in September 2008, so it comes as no surprise that property sales one year later surged into positive territory. According to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), September volume of single-family home sales across the greater Houston area rose 32.0 percent compared to September 2008. Total property sales climbed 30.4 percent in September on a year-over-year basis. The increases come on the heels of gradual improvements to the local housing market resulting from an influx of first-time home buyers who have taken advantage of the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit that expires at midnight on November 30.
At $156,200, the September single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—edged up 0.2 percent from one year earlier, representing the fifth straight monthly increase in median price. The average price of a single-family home in Houston dipped 1.6 percent last month to $205,925 compared to September 2008.
Foreclosure property sales continued to slow in September, making up 18.6 percent of all single-family home sales in the Houston area compared to 19.3 percent in September 2008 and the 12-month peak of 34.0 percent in January of this year. The median price of September foreclosure sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) declined 1.0 percent from $88,950 to $88,000 on a year-over-year basis.
Posted on Oct 19, 2009 | Tagged in: Realtors , Houston , economy , community
Early Voting begins, TODAY, Monday, October 19 in the Texas Constitutional Amendments Election. Several measures have been endorsed by the Texas Association of REALTORS which represent significant appraisal reform and protection of private property rights.
The Houston Association of Realtors asks that you please cast your vote FOR Propositions 2, 3, 5, 9 and 11. Early voting begins October 19 and ends October 30. Election day is November 3. Contact your county voter registrar’s office for early Voting locations in your community.
Propositions 2, 3, and 5 have fallen victim to a malicious and deliberate misinformation campaign which is meant to prey on the fears of uninformed voters in hopes that they will not actually read the proposals. Here is what they do:
Posted on Oct 13, 2009 | Tagged in: economy , community
A growing economy, affordable workers and a solid housing market have all contributed to Houston’s latest ranking as one of the county’s top large metropolitan areas to start a small business.
In a recently release article in Fortune Small Business, Houston was ranked No. 4 in the top 50 metro areas that are considered the “top cities to launch a small business” and are described as having “all of the features entrepreneurs need to thrive.”
In fact, Texas is the only state to have two cities listed in the top 10 of the 50 rankings – Austin came in at No. 8.
Fortune credits Houston’s low taxes, dominant oil industry and its evolution over the past decade. The city’s government is regarded for its aggressiveness in curbing pollution and diversifying the economy and its commitment to improving public transportation. Fortune also notes The Texas Emerging Technology Fund, an early-stage venture fund created by the Texas legislature, which allocated $180 million for research grants in the last two years, targeting the energy industry as well as the fast-growing aerospace, information technology, nanotechnology, biotech and medical sectors.
Houston was again recognized as having the world’s largest medical center and the nation’s top rated cancer hospital and heralded for its achieving the status of becoming the largest municipal purchasing green power in the country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Houston continues to be recognized for its stability and strength, having added 500,000 new jobs over the past five years. Houston was also acknowledged in the recent Fortune article for its ability to endure the national recession. The future remains bright for Houston, with the Greater Houston Partnership forecasting an additional 600,000 jobs by the end of 2015.
Posted on Sep 12, 2009 | Tagged in: Houston , economy
More business has just come to Houston, creating job opportunities for Houstonians across the city and its communities. Due to an increase in demand, a new tire retreading plant has recently opened in Houston by Snider Tire, Inc. and Michelin Retread Technologies.
The new plant is located at 603 Northpark Central Drive near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and will supply four of Texas' Snider commercial locations in Conroe, Dallas/Prairie, Beaumont, and Houston.
John Snider, president of Snider Tire, had this to say: "We have seen an increase in demand from trucking fleets for emergency roadside service and Michelin Retread Technologies tire products." He also added, "[the] new facility will ensure that we can meet the demand with additional production, as well as timely retread delivery to our commercial locations in Texas."
This new plant will cut delivery time to these locations by over 20 percent, according to Snider Tire. This will ensure more efficient operations, lower costs,and more jobs for people in the Houston area. It should also provide a nice boost to the automotive industry within Houston.
Posted on Aug 20, 2009 | Tagged in: Houston , economy
While many businesses may be struggling, the Greater Houston Convention Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) is very much alive and kicking. This was the positive message and outlook shown at August 18th's gathering at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
At George R. Brown, they gave attention to several notable bookings in Houston, including the 2012 AAU Junior Olympics, the NCAA Final Four in 2016, and the National Rifle Association's annual meeting set for 2013. The GHCVB has already booked a whopping total of 468,000 room nights for its upcoming years, which is 72% of its goal.
With no intention of settling, the organization also noted its programs to promote the local film industry; GHCVB will also add foreign consulates. This has, in fact, already begun, as consulates from Rwanda and Estonia established themselves in Houston. In an effort to help forward local meetings, the GHCVB is also partnering with the Greater Houston Hotel and Lodging Association.
With all of the past and upcoming visitors and action, Houston appears to have taken a lead as "the place to be" for event
For more information on the GHCVB visit their website at VisitHoustonTexas.com.
Posted on Aug 17, 2009 | Tagged in: Specials & Offers , economy
The exciting opportunity for First Time Home Buyers may soon no longer be available, but those considering buying a home for the first time should make a decision before November if they want to receive the tax credit of up to $8,000. In order to be eligible for the credit, a home must be purchased before December 1, 2009.
That being said, we recommend first-time home buyers start the purchasing process no later than early November, as there may be hiccups involving insurance, closing, loan processing, and seller expectations.
If you are still interested in taking the credit, here are a few things to consider to help your decision along the way:
- Any home purchased as the taxpayer’s principal residence and located in the United States qualifies. For a home that you construct, the purchase date is considered to be the first date you occupy the home.
- If you made an eligible purchase in 2008, you claim the first-time homebuyer credit on your 2008 tax return. For an eligible purchase in 2009, you can choose to claim the credit on either your 2008 or 2009 income tax return.
Posted on Jul 2, 2009 | Tagged in: Houston , economy
According to the real estate forecaster Local Market Monitor, the latest Home Price Forecast has officially listed the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area as expected to hold some of the strongest home prices in the nation over the next 12 months.
“These are markets that did not have a large boost in home prices over the last few years and therefore, even though the economy is doing poorly, no adjustment in prices has been necessary,” said Ingo Winzer, president of Local Market Monitor. “Steady economic growth and price appreciation have helped these markets remain stable.”
Because of Houston’s past stability in this area of the economy, turmoil is expected to be less profound than in other areas across the nation. This will create numerous opportunities for city- and state-wide growth in both the housing and employment sectors.
Not only has Houston been praised, but the Fort Worth-Arlington, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Dallas-Plano-Irving and San Antonio metropolitan areas have also been selected for the Top 10 List of featured top performing markets.
Source: Houston Business Journal
