Whether raising a family or as a retirement destination, east Texas offers the home buyer many options. One can choose a more rural lifestyle while being close to a quaint smaller community with good schools a good shopping opportunities. Recreation options in east Texas are mostly geared to outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing and is home to world class fishing lakes such as Lake Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend Reservoir where the family or retiree can find camping and fishing at it's best.

New and existing home prices are below the national average market value and appear to be holding steady even in the recent economic downturn. East Texas has not fully experienced a recession related housing market. In the smaller communities, new home builders have not sustained a large inventory such as the larger cites, keeping the supply and demand for new and existing homes more evenly balanced.

Financing of new and existing homes is difficult at this time without an A-1 credit rating as money has tightened in all banks and mortgage companies. In my opinion, this situation is temporary and should see more lending in the 4th quarter of this year.

Employment opportunities are adequate but not at it's best due to the national economic scene. Some employers are indeed laying off workers in an effort to survive the present economic situation. However the general picture is brighter in east Texas than other parts of the country.