In This Week’s “The EDGE” The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business In This Week’s “The EDGE” • Houston Home Sales End 2015 in the Red • Did Donald Trump Just Offend 1.2 Million NAR Members? • Houston Market Movements • Become a Social Media Pro “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.

Houston Home Sales End 2015 in the Red The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Houston Home Sales End 2015 in the Red The December and full-year 2015 MLS statistics will be released this Wednesday, January 13, and here are some highlights of the report: Houston home sales fell 9.7 percent year-over-year in December, with a total of 5,879 single-family units sold versus 6,507 a year earlier. 2015 Year-to-Date home sales registered a 2.4 percent decline versus 2014. Months of inventory grew to a 3.2-months supply compared to a 2.5-months supply in December 2014. The single-family home average price was $280,201 while the median price was $216,000. The median figure represents a record highs for a December. December rentals of single-family homes rose 2.9 percent year-over-year, while the cost of renting those homes was flat at $1,710. For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other HAR news releases.

Did Donald Trump Just Offend 1.2 Million The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Did Donald Trump Just Offend 1.2 Million NAR Members? When presidential candidate Donald Trump made a disparaging remark about real estate agents and brokers during a campaign rally last month, many may not have realized that “The Donald” is one of their own. The Republican presidential frontrunner is himself a licensed real estate broker and the Trump Organization owns luxury New York brokerage Trump International Realty. At a late December political rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Trump said: “These PACs, the money is all being stolen from inside cuz the consultants are like bloodsuckers. They’re ten times worse than a real estate salesman or broker, ten times, which is saying pretty bad stuff,” he said. Read the complete story on Inman Select at http://bit.ly/1W0J3Bi. If you don’t have an Inman Select subscription, remember that it’s free as an HAR member. Sign up today at http://bit.ly/1Ac43g6.

Houston Market Movements The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Houston Market Movements Falling oil prices are taking a toll on Houston real estate as we glide into the new year, but most agree that the market has enough employment diversity to weather the storm. You won’t want to miss Stewart Title Chief Economist Dr. Ted Jones’ 2016 Economic Forecast this Friday, January 15, at 11:30 a.m. at the Norris Conference Center – City Centre. For information, contact roz@har.com. Here is the latest Houston market snapshot: In the Houston region, for the week ending January 3: • New Listings decreased 41.6% to 724 • Pending Sales decreased 17.0% to 728 • Closed Sales increased 9.0% to 1,791

Become a Social Media Pro Social Media Pro Boot Camp The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Become a Social Media Pro Social Media Pro Boot Camp This hands-on course will help REALTORS® better understand the marketing capabilities that social media can provide. Students will learn how to brand themselves and use social media to get more exposure for their listings. This course will cover a broad array of different social media platforms and mobile applications, giving REALTORS® multiple options for marketing. Upon completion of the course, students will receive their Social Media Pro (SMP) certification. Laptops or tablets are required for SMP classes held at the Fort Bend location, and welcome but not required at all other HAR locations. Date: Thursday - Friday, January 21 & 22 Location: HAR Central Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Investment: $149 Register at www.har.com/edu Questions? Call 713.629.1900 ext. 6