A recent study by CoreLogic Inc. shows Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos has the lowest in the nation at 4.2 months. San Antonio-New Braunfels is next at 4.7, followed by Fort Worth-Arlington at 6.3. Dallas-Plano-Irving has the fifth-lowest inventory at 6.7 months, while Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown is seventh with 7.3 months.

Shadow inventory homes are properties that have been foreclosed on or are in the process of foreclosure but are not currently listed for sale, writes Dallas Morning News real estate writer Steve Brown.

Texas' average shadow home inventory is 5.5 months. The average inventory among the 50 largest U.S. cities included in CoreLogic's study is about 16 months.

Mark Fuller is a leading real estate professional specializing in Luxury Homes In Houston Texas.