R
eal estate economist Ted C. Jones spoke at the 2025 State of the RGV Real Estate forum in McAllen, Texas. As a renowned expert who delivers over 150 presentations annually on economic and real estate trends, Jones highlighted the Brownsville-Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area as one of the top-performing MSAs in the nation.
Realtor Ryan Peterson was impressed with Jones' insights, noting that key takeaways included:
* The Brownsville-Harlingen MSA ranks fourth among the top-performing MSAs nationwide.
* The McAllen MSA housing market has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with home values increasing 46.9% from 2020 to 2024, outpacing Austin's growth.
* Commercial real estate is experiencing a resurgence, requiring creative strategies to navigate opportunities.
Peterson also identified challenges and opportunities ahead:
* Interest rates are expected to remain between 6-8% for the next two to three years.
* Housing affordability remains a concern despite steady home values.
* Texas ranks seventh in state competitiveness but has the worst property tax rates nationwide (40th).
Peterson emphasized that now is the time for innovative real estate solutions, citing vacant big-box spaces and thawing capital markets as opportunities. He stressed that timing is crucial, with housing stable, commercial recovering, and smart investors positioning themselves for growth.
Jones' expertise lies in applied real estate research, and he has completed numerous high-profile assignments. A past board member of the National, Texas, and Houston Association of Realtors, Jones' presentation was recorded by the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.
