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” • A FRESH Look at Houston Housing • Houston Market Movements • Make Safety Your Top Priority • Register to Vote • Don’t Miss Your Launch Window “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.

A FRESH Look at Houston Housing The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business A FRESH Look at Houston Housing Here is HAR’s redesigned First Real Estate Snapshot of Houston (FRESH), showing the latest trends across the greater Houston housing market as of December 31. The complete MLS report for December/Full-Year 2017 will be distributed this Wednesday, January 10. As always, HAR will provide you with updated coverage in The EDGE.

Houston Market Movements The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Houston Market Movements As we close the books on 2017, it is clear that there is an ongoing national housing shortage. Year-over-year inventory levels have been down in most markets for several years now, and that trend is expected to persist in 2018. Even if there are occasional increases in the number of homes for sale from week to week, home supply is too low to achieve a balanced market. That said, consumers are most definitely purchasing homes quickly and often above asking price. Demand is strong, and there is plenty to feel optimistic about in 2018. In the Houston region, for the week ending December 31, 2017: • New Listings decreased 30.8% to 889 • Pending Sales increased 0.8% to 955 • Closed Sales decreased 4.3% to 1,921

Make Safety Your Top Priority The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Make Safety Your Top Priority HAR reminds members to make safety the top priority for you and your clients throughout the year. Working in real estate involves many inherent risks. From showing clients vacant properties to hosting open houses and disclosing personal information in your online marketing, your well-being is at stake every time you go out into the field. But safety is just as important an issue for your clients as it is for yourself. Thinking more critically about your work environment can help you be better prepared for potentially dangerous situations and inform your conversations with clients about safeguarding their valuables during showings. Please take a moment TODAY to review these helpful safety tips from Inman News and refer back to them from time to time. NAR also has a wealth of resources, including articles, videos, webinars, and courses to help agents, brokers and associations better understand and educate each other about the risks they face. You'll find a set of helpful links on this page. All of us at HAR wish you a healthy, SAFE and prosperous new year!

Click here to see if you are registered to vote. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Register to Vote The March Primary Elections are coming up and the last day to register to vote is Monday, February 5. Click here to see if you are registered to vote. Primaries are the elections to select which Republican or Democrat candidate will be on the ballot in November. You must choose only one party in which to vote for when you go to your polling location.

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Don’t Miss Your Launch Window HAR REALTOR® Launch: Your Path to Success HAR is proud to announce a new initiative to assist REALTORS® in their career path to success! “HAR REALTOR® Launch—Your Path to Success” is a five-day class held over a four-week period (once a week for three weeks and back-to-back days the fourth week). In this intensive course, you will gain insights into how to handle your transaction from contracts to closing. The program include tools such as Prospecting - How to Create Business - Buyers and Seller's Expectations - Understanding Your Role before, during and after the transaction - Insight in the ancillary roles by subject matter experts such as appraisers, inspectors, lenders, title companies, home warranty reps and much more. You will receive hands-on, interactive experience to help you with your business before you even have business. Dates: January 16, 23, 30 and February 6, 7 Location: HAR Central Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Days 1-4); 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Day 5) Investment: $199 Register HERE. Questions? Call 713.629.1900 ext. 6