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 The Paperless Brokerage Don’t Miss REALTOR ® Lobby Day! Houston Market Movements Become a Master at Negotiation “The Edge” is a weekly tool for managers to use to inform their agents and stay current and up-to-date about 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 A FRESH Look at Houston Housing Here is HAR’s First Real Estate Snapshot of Houston (FRESH) report on the latest trends in the Houston housing market as of March 31, The complete monthly MLS report for March will be distributed this Wednesday, April 8. As always, HAR will provide you with updated coverage in The EDGE.

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business The Paperless Brokerage Have you signed up for the free Inman Select subscription you get as an HAR member? If not, you missed a helpful story last Friday about moving to the paperless brokerage, and the business advantages of doing so. Minnesota REALTOR ® Teresa Boardman wrote about steps she’s taken with her new brokerage to operate efficiently and competitively using paperless technology. “My back office is now complete with the ability to add forms and clauses and share forms with my agents, and I can look at transactions that have been completed and make sure everything is OK. I can put procedures and checklists into the system so that I don’t have to hire an office administrator right away. Instead, I can pay someone to help with marketing and lead generation.” “There are many real estate agents in my market who don’t fully utilize the electronic forms. From a business point of view, I don’t see a downside to using technology instead of renting more space or hiring more people. ” Read more at As an HAR member, be sure you’ve signed up for your free Inman Select subscription at

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Don’t Miss REALTOR ® Lobby Day! It’s coming up next Tuesday, April 14! Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet REALTORS ® from across Texas and to meet your elected officials face to face! 6 bus locations throughout the Houston area $15 at sign-up buys your lunch the day of the event $110 TREPAC pledge can be paid throughout the year until September 15 What happens on the bus, stays on the bus! If you have more questions, please contact HAR Director of TREPAC Karen Driscoll at or ext

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business While there may be bubbly prices on the left and right coasts, the bulk of the U.S. is in great shape this spring. Homeownership is a positive prospect in the face of rising rents in even the most affordable rental markets, while new home sales continue to bloom along with flowers and tree buds. In the Houston region, for the week ending March 29: New Listings increased 10.6% to 2,458 Pending Sales increased 17.6% to 2,087 Closed Sales decreased 19.2% to 1,523 Houston Market Movements

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE3) In this course you will learn how to: Use the “ACCE®” negotiation methodology to negotiate better results in ALL of your negotiations. Achieve better results and a higher level of protection for your sellers. Attract more sellers by offering greater value as a trusted advisor. Increase your negotiation POWER in ways you’ve never thought of before. “Think Double” to anticipate and prepare more effectively. Use a “Seller Offer/Counter Offer Worksheet” for greater credibility and success in your negotiations. Develop an effective listing offer price to improve the odds of success in your negotiations. And much, much more. Date: Wed. & Thurs., April 22 & 23 Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $249 Register at Call ext. 6www.har.com/edu Become a Master at Negotiation