Recently, Forbes.com posted as article entitled “Trulia’s Real Estate Crystal Ball for 2012,” in which Trulia’s chief economist, Jed Kolko, gave his thoughts on where the housing market will go in 2012. One of his predictions applauded Texas, specifically Austin, Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio, for their steady job growth and construction revival.

Kolko writes:

“Smart cities are hot. In 2012, the local housing markets that will enjoy rising prices, new construction or both, are those that start the year with stronger job growth and fewer empty homes holding back the market. Based on these factors, along with other leading indicators, here are my top five cities to watch:

• Austin, TX, and Houston, TX. The bloom’s not off the yellow rose of Texas. Steady job growth and a construction revival make Austin and Houston two of my five cities to watch. Texas isn’t hung over from the housing boom like the other big states of the South and West, so there’s little to hold back growth. Honorable mention to Fort Worth and San Antonio.”

To see the other four cities, and read the entire article, click here.