Austin took the #2 spot in this national top-40 list for its economic strength.  Interestingly, 8 of the remaining top 10 on this list are in driving distance of Austin.  It’s no accident that these areas continually make these top-10 lists from various sources, the Texas area has economic strength and stability!  It’s what draws so many to the area as well.

1. San Antonio, TX
2. Austin, TX
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
6. Baton Rouge, LA
7. Tulsa, OK
8. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
9. Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, TX
10. El Paso, TX

Austin, a high-tech center, is also home to the University of Texas. Employment in the Austin metro peaked in the fourth quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product peaked in the second quarter. Home prices grew 2.5% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 7.1%, up 2.6 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 2
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 2
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 16
Home price change (year over year) rank: 18

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As you probably know, I love technology. I always have, and I love finding new ways to use technology in my daily life and business world. As you can tell from the current state of my website, there are always new things to learn complete with new quarks to perfect. The challenge of implementing technology is one that I love.

So while I take a break from coding my website, I’d like to share a few things I’ve discovered lately that may make your online life more fun.

First of all, I’ve finally learned to embrace Twitter. Although it really took off during the 2007 SXSW Festival here in Austin, it wasn’t until recently that I joined. Although I’ve used status updates on Facebook, I didn’t really understand why you would need an entire social networking site devoted to them. Then I realized, it’s yet another fun way to keep in touch. You don’t have to be a Twitterholic updating everything from “just woke up” to “taking a bathroom break” to use it. I am using it for updates about what I am currently working on, which currently is my Austin Real Estate Website.

I encourage you to try Twitter and see what you think. Feel free to follow me using this link. And be ready to watch my Twitter page (or the RSS feed) to see when there are new updates to my website, business, and for new listings!

Have a wonderful rainy Tuesday,

Aria Schoenfelt
BridgeOne Properties