Texas is the largest state in the lower forty-eight United States, and it has the most real estate options as well. If you're moving to Texas and looking to invest in some land, or perhaps make a permanent move, here is a starter guide on some facts about property in the Lone Star state.

Houston

H-town, as it is affectionately known, is in constant competition with Dallas. Houston is based on the boom or bust nature of the affluent oil industry. When things are in the upswing, Houston is very prosperous and grows in every way. When times are bad and the economy is suffering like it is now, the residents suffer as well. This feast or famine nature of this city has lead to an overbuilding of this sprawling city.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a big city with s small town feeling. The Riverwalk downtown is a popular attraction for many residents and tourists. It also attracts many Air Force airmen, as Lackland Air Base is located nearby. It is not dependent on the oil business as Houston is and is now the eighth biggest city in the U.S. It is definitely an up and coming city. San Antonio is one of my favorite cities in all of Texas.

Austin

Austin is home to the University of Texas. It is a perennial powerhouse in the realm of college football. It has a college town feel where one can experience a strange mix of a big city and the free thinking of college aged kids. It is known for it's live music scene, where you can visit any of the downtown bars and always catch a live set of music. Austin also hosts many conventions in the many hotels it has to offer. The American Institute of Architects has hosted its spring event at the Radisson many times.

Dallas

Dallas is a large metropolis with a heavy dependence on the oil industry. It has many services and unique attributes to offer, and most people enjoy living there. Living in Dallas is a big step for small town Texans, and you have to be ready for it. Along with the benefits of living in such a large city, come with some not so great things. There is the usual traffic that one must deal with when traveling from one place to another. One surprising characteristic about Dallas is the real estate. You can find great bargains on many different types of real estate in this town.

Houses, Apartments, and Land in Texas

You are in for a treat if you are looking for some acreage or tracts of land for sale in Texas. It is all very reasonable priced. The average price of a home in Austin in $200,000 while the price of a home dwelling in Dallas is $260,000. A single family home is a bargain at an average price of $150,000. Land and homes in San Antonio is just a little bit more, coming in at around $220,000 for a home there.

One negative thing to keep in mind with land and housing in Texas is the appreciation rate. Texas has one of the lowest real estate appreciation rates in the country. The rate is around 5 percent.

In closing, if you are pondering a move to the "lonestar state" or are looking to acquire some Texas real estate, you are in for a treat. The people are nice and there is plenty of room to spread your wings. There are ample amounts of houses, apartments, properties, and small portions of land that are available for purchase if you are in the market.