Did you know that Texas was responsible for 19.4 percent of the total jobs created nationwide from September 2010 to September 2011, according to the Real Estate Center's latest Monthly Review of the Texas Economy?

Texas posted a gain 248,800 nonfarm jobs during the period, which equates to an annual growth rate of 2.4 percent compared with 1.1 percent for the United States.

The state’s private sector added 281,400 jobs, an annual growth rate of 3.3 percent compared with 1.7 percent for the nation’s private sector.

All industries except the information industry and the state’s government sector added more jobs in September 2011 than in September 2010. The state’s mining and logging industry ranked first in job creation, followed by construction and the professional and business services industry.

All Texas metro areas except Abilene, Wichita Falls and Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood had more jobs in September 2011 than in September 2010. Victoria ranked first in job creation, followed by Corpus Christi, Laredo, Odessa and College Station-Bryan.

I just saw a video from RISMedia mentioning Waco and Midland as bright recovery spots. Both of these Texas towns are pretty small and less talked about compared to the BIG 4 – Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio -- The Texaplex as creator, David Winans calls it. By the way, if you have not seen the video, watch it. It’s worth every 7 minutes.

The state’s actual unemployment rate in September 2011 was 8.4 percent. Midland had the lowest rate followed by Amarillo, Odessa, College Station-Bryan and Lubbock.

The report was written by Research Economist Dr. Ali Anari and Chief Economist Dr. Mark Dotzour.

If you are looking to make a long-term bet on the housing market, then a great place to start is with one of the country’s most talked about cities, Austin.

Austin housing market sees growth in September -- total dollar volume of homes sold in last month was up 33 percent to $421,648,5923

Austin ranks 14 for adding jobs in a major market -- Austin picked up 15,500 nonfarm jobs in the past year

Home prices in the Austin area increase -- Austin area home prices increased by 1.6 percentage points in August

Austin tops most company relocation lists – Large pools of talent and a great business friendly climate

Survey reveals more people are visiting Austin -- Music Capital of the World is for real

I have an investor client looking for a property in an "investment area". Investment area means different things to different people, but I think the most common assignments are as follows: (at least to my investor/client)

• An area the investors is familiar with and LIKES
• An area that is easily accessible to the investor (or property manager)
• An area that leases fairly quickly in up-turns as well as down-turns
• Priced well
• Appealing with a reasonable amount of resources or sweat equity

Well, my investor went to look at a home that matched his above mentioned criteria. On arrival we discovered the home to be in really pretty good shape -- new paint inside and out, no interior areas in need of new sheet rock or flooring. Hmmm! So we walked around, studied the seller's disclosure and walked around some more.

OK, my seller thought this will work. The price is right, the location was where he wanted and he would not have to put too much sweat equity into the home. As we continued to linger at the property, a neighbor comes out and gives us the shock of the day. "Did you know this home was a METH HOME?"

In Texas it's required to note any Meth activity on our seller's disclosure. No mention.

Neighbor advises us to contact the local police or county health department for verification. We did and they confirmed what the neighbor shared with us. Here is a helpful site when in doubt.

Not only was it a Meth home -- we learned there are two different kinds of Meth homes – a super Meth home and a ma and pa Meth home. Both are bad, but the ma and pa are worse. Seems the chemicals penetrate the walls more with the ma and pa establishments.

Had my investor purchased the home, all of the sheetrock would need to be removed among other things. And then there is the “stigma”.

Realtors and investors beware! Talk to the neighbors and check with your local police and/or drug enforcement if you have cause for pause.

NEXT!

The recent Bastrop fire that broke out Labor Day weekend has now been named the costliest wildfire in Texas history.

I happen to be showing homes Labor Day and as I drove back into the city on one of our “sort of new” toll road fly-over’s, I couldn’t believe my eyes. From the high-up vantage point I could see the billowing, black and white smoke from all of the wildfires that were ignited that day. It was as though there were four smoke stacks ranging in area from Bastrop to the east, Spicewood, Steiner Ranch to the west and Leander to the north. The smoke was just beginning to invade our blue skies and the only day of decent temperatuares -- only a high of 94.

As the afternoon progressed it became abundantly clear, homes were being burned to the ground and people were being evacuated. This was not anything like the typical grass/brush fires that dot the Texas landscape during dry spells. Nearly 1,500 homes burned in Central Texas that week along with thousands of acres of timber, fields and brush. Sadly two lives were lost.

Sunday, September 25 – another fire scare. This one was much closer to Central Austin, located in the Southwest part of the city. Fortunately no homes were burned; however a fireman was hurt battling the blaze.

The Central Texas Landscape is scorched. As I look across the normally beautiful hills, all I see are dead or dying trees and golden brown road sides, fields and parks. If you didn’t know any better, one would think the unusual colors of leaves on the trees were occurring because of Fall; I wish that were the case.

Every month in Austin is action packed, some more than other but September is one of the BIG fun months. While UT football reigns supreme in A-Town, the most attended and talked about event is Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival. We are hopeful that this horribly HOT weather will make a quick exit by September 16 and cooler temps and even some rain will come our way. 122 Bands will be playing during the festival including one of favorites -- Stevie Wonder.

First Thursday occured last night - crazy, fun times were had on South Congress. Stores galore had awesome sales, most of which are continuing throughout the Labor Day weekend. Do if you in town for the holiday weekend - head for South Austin (SoCo) and enjoy the bargains and the holiday.

First Thursday Jazz Brunch KVET Free Texas Music Family Movie Night

Art House Texas Journey, Foreigner Concert Cactus & Succulent Show

Farmers Market Fantastic Fest UT Tower Tour Cross Training Boot Camp

Old Pecan Street Festival Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Third Thursday Austin Museum Day AMOA free day

ACL Music Festival Motown Monday Nerd Night Westcave Tours

Spoken Word Open Mic Dine out for the Cure The Derailers

Where to Dance in Austin Moonlight Prowl Talk like a Pirate Day

Marshall Ford Swing Band UT Home Game Rain-Beatles Tribute

Ballet Austin