Dallas vs SA vs Houston

[Kenneth McKeown]

Hey all! I've been active for the past 6 months on this forum and nearly had a few first investment purchases work out... but I ended up resigning from the current job at (teaching) to pursue other options. This has halted my ability get approved for a mortgage loan - but I look to purchase immediately as soon as I get an offer for the next school year. 

My question is what are your thoughts on these three major cities? I'm pretty familiar with the business in San Antonio, having lived here the past year and am in the midst of getting my real estate license as we speak, but was curious if Dallas or Houston would be potentially decent cities to invest in as well if a job took me in that direction. Any thoughts would be great! You can also comment on which cities would be best to become an agent in as well - as that's my goal in a year or two is to transition from a full time teacher + part time realtor to a full time realtor. Thanks!

[Account Closed]

Hi Kenneth, I would work the city I live in. Usually just a few zip codes is enough to make a pretty good living if you are a good real estate agent or investor. It's far easier to work an area you know than to have to learn a new one. And, it is likely that the people you know want to buy in the area they currently live in. Being a real estate agent is "relationship selling". San Antonio is huge, it is a very active market and prices are affordable. Dallas & Austin have terrible traffic and very high prices, but can be very, very profitable. I haven't been to Houston for a while, been too busy on the I35 corridor. Wherever you land, make it home for a number of years if you want to be a real estate agent. If you want to be an investor, it's different, you can live in one of the places or live somewhere in between them and invest in all three, though that is hardly necessary.