Keith Patridge – McAllen EDC and Fred Sandoval – Pharr EDC

Keith Patridge, President & CEO of McAllen Economic Development Corporation and Fred Sandoval, Executive Director of Pharr Economic Development Corporation have accepted an invitation to participate in the 8th Annual State of Real Estate Forum sponsored by Edwards Abstract and Title Co. The Forum is scheduled on Tuesday, February 14 at the McAllen Country Club. They will speak during the Economic Development Update and segment of the Forum.
The McAllen Economic Development Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation under contract with the City of McAllen to create jobs by attracting new industry and helping existing companies expand within the city and in Reynosa, MX.
The MEDC team works with prospective industrial clients, handles marketing and public affairs and provides corporate support to existing manufacturing and supplier companies. Industrial clients are individuals who represent companies or industries looking for a site to expand or relocate their plant or service operation. They include the full realm from suppliers to manufacturers.
With a healthy economy and steady growth, Pharr is the hub of transportation for the region and a major gateway for NAFTA-oriented businesses. It is strategically located to reap the benefits of explosive growth in commerce and trade. The Pharr area offers a top-quality workforce on both sides of the border.
Over the last decade, Pharr has experienced unprecedented growth and economic development. Its population has steadily increased to over 60,000 people. Businesses continue to locate and expand services to Pharr and the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge traffic connects commercial traffic to and from the U.S. The sales tax base continues to increase and more jobs have been created.
Patridge and Sandoval will speak on current and ongoing economic development efforts and various projects in the pipeline for 2012. Dr. Ted C. Jones, Sr. Vice President & Chief Economist with Stewart Title Guaranty Corporation will headline the 8th Annual State of Real Estate Forum. His focus will be on economic trends of the national, state and local economies.
Registration begins at 8:30 and the program will start at 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the McAllen Country Club. Reservations to attend the Forum are requested by contacting your nearest Edwards Abstract and Title Co. office in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. You may also contact Elva Jackson Garza, Vice President/Marketing Manager at elva.garza@edwards-titleco.com or 383-4951.

Texas Poised to Outpace Nation (Again)

By Nancy McQuistion, Managing Editor, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

Jan. 4, 2012/Release No. 11

COLLEGE STATION, Tex. (Real Estate Center) – Texas’ economic outlook for 2012 is positive. Job growth is occurring in several sectors, and a low cost of living is enticing businesses to move to the Lone Star State.

It will be tougher going for the nation, however, because of several factors. The housing market needs to clear a high number of foreclosures. Consumers need to pay off their debt. The banking system needs to write off bad debt. Small businesses need to start hiring again.

Writing for the January issue of Tierra Grande magazine, Real Estate Center Chief Economist Dr. Mark Dotzour says, “Fortunately, Texas is poised to outperform the U.S. averages. Home sales volume in Texas should show modest improvement over 2011, and prices should be stable throughout 2012.” Dotzour’s economic outlook is titled “Texas Sails On: Nation Battles Headwinds.”

Other articles detailing findings from the nation’s largest publicly funded real estate research organization are in the issue scheduled for mailing in late January.

· “Beyond a Reasonable Drought” by noted agricultural expert Dr. Joe Outlaw and Center Research Economist Dr. Charles Gilliland. Farmers, ranchers and service businesses that support them are suffering negative effects of the drought. To make matters worse, federal agricultural programs are on the chopping block to reduce the deficit.

· “The Great Recession: Why Intensity and Duration Varied” by Center Research Economist Dr. Ali Anari. Why did some Texas metros fare better in the Great Recession? Results from the Center’s business cycle research program pinpoint several reasons. These included shares of employment in the government sector, education and health services industry, mining and construction industry, and the metro’s level of educational attainment.

· “Dialing Down Debt: Road to Recovery Begins at Home” by Center Research Analyst Gerald Klassen. It will hurt, but American households will have to liquidate their assets and reduce debt if they want the economy to recover. This means selling luxury items including vacation homes, boats and RVs, as well as selling investments, declaring bankruptcy or suffering through foreclosure.

· “For the Record: When to Toss Old Tax Records” by Center Research Fellow Dr. Jerrold Stern. At a minimum, tax records should be kept three years. However, a period of seven or more years is recommended. Tax and nontax factors play a role in the decision.

· “Vested Rights: Project Protection for Developers” by Houston attorney Reid C. Wilson. Vested rights freeze land use regulations affecting property classification, building size, lot size-dimension-coverage and certain other matters once the owner or developer files a permit application for that project.

· “The Trouble with Troubled Assets” by Center Research Economist Dr. Harold Hunt. The volume of distressed property sales was expected to be much higher by this time. So far, everyone is still waiting. However, according to commercial real estate insiders, distressed sales are on the way up.

· “Terminated: Transfer Fees Outlawed” by Center legal expert Judon Fambrough. Transfer fees, money paid for transferring interest in real property, were implemented in 2007 legislation. Four years later, that law was repealed, prohibiting any future transfer fees and terminating existing fees that do not comply with the new legal requirements.

Tierra Grande is a quarterly magazine published by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. Texas real estate licensees pay for it through their annual state fee. Subscriptions to nonlicensees are $20 for one year or $13 each for two or more years.

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Note to Editors

Additional research information:

Dr. Mark Dotzour, 979-862-6292 (chief economist)

Dr. Charles Gilliland, 979-845-2080 (rural land)

Dr. Harold Hunt, 979-847-9021 (commercial)

Dr. James Gaines, 979-845-2079 (residential)

Judon Fambrough, 979-845-2007 (legal issues)

For information on the Real Estate Center, contact Senior Editor David S. Jones at 979-845-2039 (voice), 979-845-0460 (fax) or d-jones@tamu.edu. Or contact Associate Editor Bryan Pope, 979-845-2088 (office) or b-pope@tamu.edu.

Dr. Ted C. Jones, PhD will headline the 8th Annual State of Real Estate Forum on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 as a special service provided by Edwards Abstract and Title Co. serving Cameron and Hidalgo counties.

During the past eight years, Edwards Abstract and Title Co. has made a commitment to real estate industry professionals by holding the State of Real Estate Forum each year. 2012 will be no different as Dr. Ted C. Jones, Senior Vice President-Chief Economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Company and also Director of Investor Relations for Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE-STC) will once again visit the Rio Grande Valley.
The 8th Annual State of Real Estate Forum is scheduled on Tuesday, February 14 at the McAllen Country Club from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The State of Real Estate Forum was been an important part of Edwards Abstract and Title Co.’s business plan and was created as a unique program that provides the latest data related to the local, state and national economy and real estate industry.
“We are committed to serve as a resource to the hundreds of leaders in the real estate industry by coordinating the 8th Annual State of Real Estate Forum,” said Byron Jay Lewis, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Edwards Abstract and Title Co.
Ted C. Jones, PhD has been the special invited guest and key note speaker for the past six years. His recognized specialty is applied real estate research. An accomplished speaker, he typically gives more than 150 presentations on real estate and the economic outlook each year. Jones will target his presentation on national, state and housing market issues. An important key to the rebounding of the national economy continues to be the stability of the housing market.
Edwards Abstract and Title Co. is the largest independently owned title insurance provider in the South Texas region with seven locations. In 2010, the addition of three full service branch offices in Cameron County expanded the company’s service area to Harlingen, Brownsville and South Padre Island and the surrounding communities. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. also operates four branch offices in Hidalgo County, one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, with full service locations in Edinburg, Weslaco, McAllen and Mission.
For more information regarding the 8th Annual State of Real Estate Forum, contact Elva Jackson Garza, Vice President/Marketing Manager at elva.garza@edwards-titleco.com or 383-4951.

Located in McAllen and Mission

Contact: Hilda G. Navarro, Sales Agent – RIOCO

Welcomes New Team

Pamela Kay Dean

South Padre Island Branch Manager
Senior Escrow Officer

Pam Dean has grown up in the title industry. Her career started as a runner in 1981 and has advanced as manager of the day-to-day operations of a title insurance branch office. Pam’s positive attitude motivates everyone around her. In addition to being a Branch Manager, she is a Senior Escrow Officer and has the knowledge and experience to close any transaction. She has developed a loyal customer base over the years because of her experience in closing commercial, farm and ranch and one to four family residential transactions. Pam is the perfect fit for the South Padre Island office due to her ability in handling closing transactions for condominiums. During her thirty years in the title insurance industry, she has worked in Brownsville, South Padre Island and Harlingen, where she started her career many years ago. Pam has not only dedicated her life to the title insurance industry, she has also been a member of the Rotary Club for the past 12 years where she has served on the Board of Directors for the past 3 years. She has received the prestigious “Paul Harris Award” twice for her outstanding service and commitment to the organization.

Rita Garcia
Escrow Officer
Rita Garcia graduated from Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca,Texas in 1983. She moved to South Texas and attended Texas South most College in Brownsville. Her career began in the title insurance industry in 1996 and fifteen years later, she is an Escrow Officer with Edwards Abstract and Title Co. Rita is always willing to pitch in and help no matter what the duties are. Rita takes pride in her work and offers the best customer service possible to her customers. Rita says, “My motto is service, service, service.”

2009 Padre Blvd South Padre Island, Texas 78597 761-6777 (office) 761-4613 (fax)

Edinburg – The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation currently operate from the historic train depot that was open to the public in 1927. Recently, Rick Diaz from KRGV Channel 5 visited the depot to talk about the historic attributes of the building and to film a segment for the television show “Con Mi Gente”.
The depot was purchased by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce in 1994. The community and city leaders joined together to help fund the purchase and to restore one of Edinburg’s most beautiful buildings. Three fundraisers or “Hobo Hap’nin’s” were held that enabled the Chamber to bring the building to its grand status in the community in 1997. “The historic facility is now in need of some new paint and other repairs. I’m glad that Rick Diaz has an interest in Valley history and that he will showcase the depot project on Con Mi Gente,” said Elva Jackson Garza, chairman for the Depot Restoration Committee.
The committee has been working with one of the original architects of the project, Ruben Escobar of Diseno, Inc. With his guidance and recommendations plus the involvement of past organizers, the committee is confident that the funds will be raised. As with any unique and historic building, upkeep of the facility is a continuous effort, but well worth it as the depot is located in the heart of Edinburg’s downtown and business districts.
The committee has finalized plans for the Hobo Hap’nin Reunion scheduled on September 17th, 2011 at the Depot located at 602 W. University Drive. “The community support as well as past and current leaders of the Chamber will be instrumental in the success of the Hobo Hap’nin’ Reunion. We will host a live and silent auction that are chaired by Maggie Kent and Elias Longoria. Live entertainment will be provided by River Rock Band and we will host a dinner and much more,” said Letty Gonzalez, president of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. For more information on preserving the depot, please contact Elva Jackson Garza at 956-383-4951 or elva.garza@edwards-titleco.com .

Pictured promoting the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Luncheon featuring Economic Development are from left to right: Mark Pena, Board Member with the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and the Law firm of Lewis Monroe & Pena; Elva Jackson Garza, Vice Chair for the Public Affairs Committee (and representing Edwards Abstract and Title Co.); Pedro Salazar, Executive Director of the EEDC; Kathy Salazar, Purchasing Agent and Agustin Hernandez, Jr., Attorney with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP; Melissa Rodriguez, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and Johnny Rodriguez, Chairman of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce (representing Austin Personnel Service).

Edinburg – The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce will host the Public Affairs Luncheon on Wednesday, May 18th from 11:30am-1:00pm at the Echo Hotel and Conference Center located at 1903 South Closner in Edinburg, Texas. Cost to attend is $15 per person and includes lunch.
The Public Affairs Luncheons are an initiative introduced in 2006, and since then have covered popular topics with speakers that cover important community and legislative issues. The vision is to inform, involve and educate Chamber investors and civic leaders. The event also allows business people to meet, network and create opportunities for the companies they represent. The sponsor for the Public Affairs Luncheon is Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, L.L.P.
The topic of discussion will be “Economic Development” with Pedro Salazar, Executive Director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. “The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation will highlight several major projects that are currently underway. Through the efforts of the board of directors and EEDC staff, the city of Edinburg will benefit by the creation of hundreds of jobs in 2011,” said Elva Jackson Garza, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair.
The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) plays a key role in assisting companies to expand, while helping to attract new business and industry to Edinburg. The EEDC provides the following services: site selection assistance, real estate database of properties and buildings, business seminars, job training assistance, data information center, coordination of state and local assistance and access to business start-up resources.
In addition, the EEDC can arrange custom tours, schedule meetings with community leaders, arrange introductions to necessary business contracts, and serve as an advocate with state and local governmental entities.
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Public Affairs Committee wishes to extend their appreciation to the sponsor, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, L.L.P. Please call 956-383-4974 or by email to chamber@edinburg.com to RSVP.

Edinburg – The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Building Restoration Committee recently met to discuss plans for the Hobo Hap’nin Reunion for September 17th, 2011.

Hobo Hap’nin is a fundraising event to assist in the restoration of the Historic Train Depot, in which the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and Edinburg CVB currently operate from.

Did you Know: In 1994 The Depot was purchased by the Chamber of Commerce and construction began in 1996 then opened its doors in 1997? With your time, efforts and generous support, we can give the historic depot a much needed “face lift” to help restore the building’s original integrity.

For more information, please contact committee chairman, Elva Jackson Garza at 956-383-4951.