[Dubya]

But another factor behind our slow growth in prices will pain the average Joe: The other key costs of homeownership -- taxes, insurance and utilities -- are so high in Texas that they probably hurt values.

Which means we both make less on our homes and pay more to own and operate them than in most other parts of the country.

[Dubya]

Property taxes and homeowners insurance are roughly double the national averages. And our electric bills are second only to Hawaii's because Texans use a lot of electricity and pay high rates for it.

[neodad]

Another factor that I didn’t see in the article is the absence of state income taxes.

[Dubya]

Why have foreclosures in the area been rising at double-digit rates for the past five years? All of it can't be blamed on subprime lending and adjustable mortgages.

[kittymyrib]

Texans are being swindled by the electric companies. Our bill in Sept. for a 1,600 Sq.Ft. home was $138, with a fuel adjustment surcharge of $92 added to it. You can buy a lot of natural gas for generation with that hefty extra charge. Imagine having that added to thousands of utility bills, and you know they are gouging the consumers.
Texas utility companies are one of the most effective lobbying groups in Austin, and that’s all that matters to the politicians. We really need to clean house next year.

[PAR35]

I moved from Mississippi to Texas a few years ago. My car tag went from over $600 to over $50.

The big expense in Texas is school taxes. Of course, in Mississippi, you pay lower school taxes, but you have to pay private school tuition on top of that. In many parts of Texas, you can actually use the public schools.

[neb52]

“$3 Property tax rate per $100 of assessed value in 2005 in Texas”

This is incorrect, property taxes in and around DFW is plus or minus $1 per $100. Who pays $3 per $100? Austin?

[neb52]

The low rise in home values in Texas is exactly tied to to many housing options. We have plenty of housing and space to build more to meat the demand. Right now we have a little to much supply.

[neb52]

The low rise in home values in Texas is exactly tied to to many housing options. We have plenty of housing and space to build more to meat the demand. Right now we have a little to much supply.

[chuckles]

In the area of east Texas I live in the property value has TRIPLED in the last couple of years. Land that cost $900 and acre 5 years ago is now $3000+. Houses aren't growing in value, but raw land is like gold. The oil leases and timber money is through the roof. The only problem now is the mineral rights no longer go with the land and the price of lumber is falling with the housing slump. They still want mucho denero for acreage.

I'm hoping for a decrease so I can get some acreage for hunting and retirement. I tell the agents that I shouldn't have to pay for mineral rights I don't get and trees are trash right now, but they just smile and sell it to another yankee snowbird that acts like it's practically free. I guess land in Delaware or New Jersey is more than $3k an acre.