"I think Texas is poised for an all-out boom for the next 25years," Dr. James P. Gaines, research economist for the CollegeStation-based real estate center, told nearly 175 professionalsattending yesterday's CoreNet Global Southwest meeting in AddisonConference Center at 15650 Addison Rd. In a macro- to micro-look atthe US and Texas, Gaines says the state's good fortune to begaining while others lose comes with a cost: pressure oninfrastructure, government services and public finance.

Population projections show the state will add 13.6 millionresidents by 2030, more than the current populations of Dallas/FortWorth, Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. The stats showthree million to seven million people will land in Dallas/FortWorth, with Gaines betting the final tally will push the high endof the 2030 projection.

Gaines credits the state's strong showing, today and in thefuture, to job growth, which is leading the US, non-union labor andpro-growth attitudes. Still, he says it doesn't mean Texas willescape unscathed from the nation's economic upheaval. "Texashousing markets are going to be spotty," he forewarns. "Rents andoccupancies for commercial real estate will continue to rise fornow." And in Dallas/Fort Worth, he says absorption is positivealthough "we're seeing some early, early strain of overbuilding,but there's still investor interest."