6th Annual State of Real Estate Forum Draws Large Attendance

6th Annual State of Real Estate Forum Draws Large Attendance

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

TexasBorderBusiness.com

Edwards Abstract and Title Co. has taken the lead in providing the latest economic data affecting the Valley’s economy. The 6th Annual State of Real Estate was held on Friday, January 22 where almost 230 real estate professionals were in attendance.

The Forum was headlined by national economist Dr. Ted C. Jones, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Company. During his presentation, Dr. Jones informed the group that the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg MSA was one of only 15 out of 366 metropolitan statistical areas that had job growth from November 2008 to November 2009. The McAllen-Mission-Edinburg MSA ranked 6th best in the country out of 366 MSAs across the nation.

Dr. Jones also reported that the according to Campbell Surveys, a division of Campbell Communications, during the first seven months of 2009 an estimated 610,000 homes were sold due to the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

Congressman Ruben Hinojosa was invited ...

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Mike Blum with NAI RGV Comments on the New 5 Story Hotel Being Built in McAllen

New 5 Story Hotel Being Built in McAllen

By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez

TexasBorderBusiness.com

A new 5 story hotel is being built by local businessmen; its location is possibly one of the most strategic locations in McAllen, easy to get in and easy to get out, close to everything that is important for any traveler. The new Hampton Inn & Suites hotel is being built on the corner of Col. Rowe (2nd Street) and Expressway 83, just a few steps east of the overpass.

The owners are Castle Hospitality locally owned by Larry Fallek, Michael Fallek, Bob Wallace, and Rick Guerra. They also own and operate the Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and Tony Roma's in McAllen. In Laredo, they own and operate Embassy Suites, Fairfield Inn and Tony Roma's.

Mike Blum, NAI-RGV managing partner was the one who put together this deal and worked on it for about a year before it became a reality. “These 3 acres of land are in the center of McAllen, along the Expressway, in the heart of the medical center and between the Pharr exit and the Mission exit plus they are surrounded by high-end development and retail shopping. This is one of the most prime real estate pieces left on the Expressway in McAllen,” Blum stated.

Bill Moschel and Jim Moffit were the previous owners and Blum did a Master plan for them back in 1993. They have owned the property for the last 20 years or more. “I think that the fact that this property is owned, developed, built, banked and sold by local people; when you look at the economic multipliers, the strength of the local economy is felt,” Blum stated. He added that this transaction resulted in multiple transactions and became huge so he does not know the number of multipliers in this single transaction.

Rick Guerra is the Vice President of Operations of Castle Hospitality and the management company that runs the hotels and is also ...

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Bass Pro Shop coming to Harlingen?

Bass Pro Shop coming to Harlingen?

Valleycentral.com Powered by Action 4

By Rafael Carranza

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 11:23 p.m.

A major store chain could make its way to the Harlingen.

Action 4 News received several calls about the possibility of a Bass Pro Shop coming to Harlingen.

Action 4 News contacted Harlingen's Economic Development Corporation CEO Bill Martin and Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell.

Both told Action 4 News they could not discuss the matter. However, Martin did confirm there was a board meeting Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m.

But Martin ...

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