DALLAS–As GlobeSt.com reported earlier this month, LosAngeles-based Karlin Real Estate has expanded by opening an officein Dallas. As part of that expansion, John Holt has been brought onas the director of structure finances. GlobeSt.com caught up withHolt to get his take on the market and why Karlin in enteringDallas now.

GlobeSt.com: In your opinion what is the current stateof the Texas and Southwest markets?

Holt: The real estate industry inTexas has benefitted more from this recovery than most otherregions of the US because of fundamentals. Our diversified economy,low cost of living, and most importantly the restraint we showedduring the last real estate boom helped us come out of therecession in a better position than in other parts of the country.In the past 12 months we have added 375,00 new nonagriculturaljobs, which led to a healthy 3.4% job growth in Texas -- doublethat of the US average. With no personal or corporate income taxand a pro-business regulatory environment, the State has beensuccessful in attracting large and small companies from both endsof the country. This bodes well for continued growth in the realestate sector.