Calendar of Area Events, Jan-Feb 2007

Courtesy of Texas Highways Website
http://www.texashighways.com

BELLVILLE
Market Day on the Square
Jan 6
Spring Creek Bluegrass Club Festival
Jan 27
Market Day on the Square
Feb 2
Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Country Store
Feb 13
Austin County Go Texan Dance
Feb 17
Salt Grass Trail Ride Dance
Feb 18
Spring Creek Bluegrass Club Festival
Feb 24

BRENHAM
Antiques Show
Jan 13 - 14
"Scotland Road"
Feb 8 - 25
Used Book Sale
Feb 22 - 25

COLUMBUS
Membership Exhibit
Nov 10 - Jan 6
Dinner Theater at the Stafford Opera House
Jan 13
Student Rodeo Art Exhibit
Jan 17 - 21
Dinner Theater at the Stafford Opera House
Feb 10

ROUND TOP
Winter Antiques Show
Jan 20 - 21
Synergy Brass Quintet
Jan 27
Third Annual International Guitar Festival
Feb 10
Valentine-Lincoln Birthday Program & Reception
Feb 13
Polka Joe, Chili Cook-Off, Artistry & More
Feb 22 - 25

Boom with a View by Charles E.Gilliland and Gerald Klassen

The scenic appeal of the Hill Country is responsible for the high prices stretching westward from Austin through Fredericksburg to Kerrville. The lowest priced land is in West Texas from Amarillo through the Trans-Pecos area to the Rio Grande.

The highest percentage price gains were in a strip from San Antonio through Gonzales to the coastal bend. The second highest percentage price jumps were from the Stephenville region through Wichita Falls, Lake Texoma, to Texarkana. The South Texas brush country also posted large price increases. Much of the remainder of the state saw sizable escalation of prices with only the Highland Lakes, Trans-Pecos and Muleshoe areas cooling in 2005 following their hot markets in 2004.

Market anomalies accounted for the only regions exhibiting lower prices and did not signal a general weakening market wide trend. Those regions will likely rebound in 2006.

Forces propelling prices upward accelerated in 2006, pushing markets even higher. Investors seem to be anticipating inflation and plowing funds into tangible assets like land.

Despite high energy price levels, recession does not appear to be on the immediate horizon, and the economy continues to thrive. Higher incomes support the demand for recreational property.

Buyers buy now to avoid being priced out of the market as increasing demand drives prices up. These circumstances have led market participants to repeatedly note a dearth of quality listings and long lists of potential buyers.

Troubling market influences include high energy prices and rising interest rates. At some point, continued high oil prices will sabotage economic activity. However, they have not derailed the recovery yet. Further interest rate hikes may take a toll.

Farm policy is in complete disarray so no one can realistically predict operating conditions for farmers in the near future. And drought stalks Texas, weakening both farming and ranching. Despite these potential problems, current activity suggests that by 2007, land prices should post another sizable increase.

The complete technical report, Texas Land Market Developments - 2005, is available from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. © 2006. Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. All rights reserved.