Mexican Nationals Fleeing Violence Boost Housing Market

Reported by: Erica Proffer
Last Update: 10:14 am

MCALLEN - Mexican nationals trying to escape the growing violence in their country are providing a huge boost to the Valley housing market.

"There are a lot of people from Mexico coming in, settling in. They're investing a lot here," says Javier Castineda.

Castineda works in construction. He says the influx of people escaping the violence has helped his company grow in the past year.

"I've been a lot busier. I've been giving a lot of quotes out and basically, so, it's a lot different than a couple of years ago," he says.

The boost isn't just good for construction; it's helping current home sales, too.

Homes are no longer sitting on the market for months. Mexican investors are buying up homes quick.

"I feel very bad that this is happening on the other side, but at the same time, it's benefiting the Rio Grande Valley," says Grizelda Montavalo.

The sales give those fleeing the drug war and Valley businesses new life.

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