"Houston's office market has definitely held up better thanother cities across the US," says Chip Clarke, president ofTranswestern's Gulf Coast Region & Mountain Region."In-migration is still positive, and the region has realidentifiable job creators with the Port of Houston, the MedicalCenter and the energy sector. All three of these big economicdrivers have good prospects for the future on a national andinternational level."

In fact, Forbes magazine ranks Houston fourth among 10 major USmetro areas where it appears that the recession is easing. The topcities generally depend on industries that are less affected by anunsteady economy.

Although Houston lost 66,500 jobs in 2009 and the Houston metrounemployment rate rose to 8.8% in January 2010, it still ranked farbelow the national unemployment rate of 9.7% for the same period.The report suggests that Metro Houston's economy will likelycontinue its steady but gradual recovery through 2010, as consumerspending picks up and core industries strengthen.