Across the country, real estate is softening, but the Houston market is continuing its slow and steady growth. [See Houston Association of Realtors' (HAR) July 2006 Market Report.]

Commentators have been quick to point out that the boom experienced elsewhere did not come to Houston. So now, we are getting our just desserts.

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But other factors have played a role. Rising interest rates should hurt any housing market, but our stronger-than-national average job growth, our strong population growth appear to be outweighing the "cost of money."

The property tax cut, even as miniscule as it is, is likely to be helping spur buyers as well.

HAR did revise last month's numbers down, but July's numbers appear to be record-setting again.

Below is a summary of milestones, according to HAR:

-Reached the highest average sales price for single-family homes for July.
-Marked the all-time highest median sales price for single-family homes.
-Marked the highest dollar volume of sales for July.
-Recorded the highest number of single-family homes ever sold in July.


If you are looking for a reason why Houston real estate is slowing down, this month's report does not provide it.