The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business In This Week’s “The EDGE” REALTOR ® Safety Alerts Runoff Election is Tuesday, May 24 MLS Platinum Features Real Estate Blogs Houston Market Movements Open Your Mind to Learning “The Edge” is a weekly tool for managers to use to inform their agents and stay current and up-to-date with important real estate industry issues. Brought to you by the HAR Communications Department.

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business HAR and the Galveston Association of REALTORS® (GAR) want you to be aware of a safety concern involving phone calls from a blocked number to female agents holding open houses. Female agents in the Galveston area have reported receiving calls during open houses from a man questioning the type of flooring in the house and what kind of shoes the agent was wearing. He sometimes asks the agent to put the phone near their shoes and walk on the floor. The suspect calls from a blocked number and identifies himself as Danny or Kenneth. We have been asked that you report any such activity to the Galveston Police Department (GPD), which is treating the caller as a sexual predator and is actively investigating. GPD urges agents to ignore calls with blocked IDs and avoid holding open houses alone and always use the buddy system. GPD also urges anyone who receives a harassing call to file a complaint at Separately, a large Houston brokerage has notified HAR that several of its female agents have received calls from a man requesting that they show him vacant investment homes. Obviously while no crime has been committed, it is critical that you exercise caution at all times and avoid any situation that puts you in harm’s way – namely conducting a home showing alone, especially under suspicious circumstances like this. HAR and GAR believe in safety first. ALWAYS! REALTOR ® Safety Alerts

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business The HAR Governmental Affairs team reminds you that the 2016 runoff election is coming up this Tuesday, May 24. You may find information about your TAR and HAR recommended candidates at A complete list of polling locations is available at Runoff Election is Tuesday, May 24

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business MLS Platinum Features Real Estate Blogs At HAR, our goal is to continuously improve the value you receive from the MLS Platinum package by enhancing the current suite of tools you’ve come to rely on to grow your business. We recently updated the Real Estate Blog section to give it a more contemporary look and feel. Features: Bloggers in the same company are now grouped together on their company website’s blog page. Build a more personal relationship with your customers and become a knowledgeable source. Engage new clients and market your listings more effectively. View a complete list of products and services with the MLS Platinum packageView a complete list of products and services with the MLS Platinum package. Remember, this package goes live on July 1. Sign up today to ensure your continued access to all of these great tools!

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business The U.S. housing market continues to churn out positive year-over-year sales numbers, but some markers of hesitation are worth watching. Some sellers hesitate to list their homes because they are not sure that they will find an attractive replacement for their own fast-selling home. Many young consumers, saddled with student loan debt and having transient tendencies, hesitate to commit to a home purchase longer than previous generations. Nevertheless, home starts are on the rise, and the market remains strong during the busiest weeks of the year. In the Houston region, for the week ending May 15: New Listings increased 7.4% to 3,040 Pending Sales increased 18.5% to 2,205 Closed Sales decreased 10.0% to 1,520 Houston Market Movements

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) (THIS IS A VIDEO CONFERENCE COURSE) Completion of the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation course is an essential step for REALTORS ® in understanding the distinct real estate goals, concerns and needs of seniors today. This course looks at key differences in housing options, from age-restricted communities to age-in-place design to assisted living; applications of the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA); the ins and outs of reverse mortgages; the use of pensions, 401(k) accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions; and developing a team of senior specialists, including estate planners, reverse mortgages lenders, clutter and staging specialists, and more. THE COURSE FEE INCLUDES YOUR FIRST YEAR DUES FOR THE SRES COUNCIL OF $99. Date: Wednesday & Thursday, June 1 & 2 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $179 Register at Call ext. 6www.har.com/edu Open Your Mind to Learning