Looking ahead, it will be important to maintain the affordability, access to natural resources & quality of life that have drawn so many homebuyers to Texas, which is a continued focus of the Texas Association of Realtors.  Sales this quarter are comparable to levels in 2002 & 2003, indicating the market is returning to a more normal sales pace, according to Dr. Jim Gaines, an economist with the Real Estate Center at TX A&M University.  Texas has a 7.4 month inventory in the 3rd quarter of 2011, but a higher inventory in our area.  There is still a backlog of foreclosures, but less in TX, but they will cause our inventory to fluctuate in the coming months.  It is better if the inventory is down to 6 or less months for a balanced market.  18% more sales in 3rd quarter 2011, then same period in 2010, partly due the tax credit off.