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Research Events

Finding Shelter: Affordability Squeeze in a Tight Texas Housing Market

Dallas Fed

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

Texas home price increases have outpaced the U.S. rate since the Great Recession. Although price appreciation moderated somewhat in 2017, affordability continues to slip, diminishing the state’s lower cost-of-living advantage. Is it still possible to build or purchase a Texas house for under $250,000? What impact do these record-high prices have on the single-family housing market?

At this one-day conference, industry experts explored whether market fundamentals support unprecedented home price increases. They also discussed current trends and the outlook for the U.S. and Texas residential real estate markets.

Agenda

February 23, 2018
8:30 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

 

Joseph S. Tracy, Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor to the President, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

8:45 a.m.

Session 1Overview of Economy and Housing Markets

 

John Duca, Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Presentation

 

James P. Gaines, Chief Economist, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University
Presentation

 

Enrique Martínez-García, Senior Research Economist and Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Presentation

10:15 a.m.

Break

10:30 a.m.

Session 2—Housing Construction Supply and Financing

 

Janie Taylor, Executive Vice President, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
Presentation

 

Paul A. Lynn, Principal, Paul A. Lynn & Associates LLC
Presentation

 

Jeffrey V. Smith, Executive Director, Houston Housing Finance Corporation

 

Greg Willett, Chief Economist, RealPage Inc.
Presentation

Noon

Lunch

 

Granger MacDonald, President, MacDonald Cos., and Immediate Past Chairman, National Association of Home Builders
Presentation

1:30 p.m.

Session 3—Are Homes Overvalued in Texas?

 

John S. Baen, Real Estate Professor, University of North Texas

 

David Brown, Senior Vice President, Metrostudy
Presentation

 

Luis Torres, Research Economist, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University
Presentation

3:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks

 

Gary Maler, Director, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

3:10 p.m.

Adjourn

For More Information

Please contact Sharon Wallace at sharon.wallace@dal.frb.org.