A 1983 survey of Texas homebuyers reveals a high degree of mismatch between the preferred and actual residence of homebuyers. Such mismatch is examined using social/psychological, life-cycle, racial, socioeconomic, and occupational factors as possible explanations. Questionnaires mailed to a stratified random sample of 960 homebuyers across 12 geographical areas of the state yielded 432 usable responses. Their analysis indicates that the logic of fulfilling residential preference is largely determined by the types of areas in which one prefers to live, neighborhood satisfaction, and the age of homebuyers. Preferred and actual residence mismatch is most common among homebuyers who prefer a suburban location, less so for people who prefer nonmetropolitan residences, and is lowest among people who prefer to live in central cities. The psychological argument that people tend to modify their preference in congruence with their neighborhood living experience is also supported; the proportion of fulfilled persons is highest among those who are highly satisfied with their current neighborhood. Finally, younger persons suffer a higher degree of residence mismatch than older persons. Such findings corroborate theoretical arguments advanced by students of population mobility. Some possible reasons are suggested to explain the failure to find evidence to support racial and socioeconomic arguments. (Author/NEC)