A Crystal Ball for 2015 Many have been asking HAR what 2015 holds for the Houston real estate market, especially in light of dropping oil prices, and without the benefit of a crystal ball, we turned to the experts for their insights. Stewart Title Chief Economist and former HAR Chairman, Dr. Ted C. Jones, expects home sales to decline by percent, while prices continue to rise by between three to six percent. Jones also expects months’ inventory to rise to about 5.6 months in 2015, up from 2.5 months at the end of “Instead of a dramatic collapse, what we are likely seeing is a reversion to the mean – we are moving out of an exceptional market with unsustainable performance to a market that is healthier and normally functioning,” said Scott Davis, regional director of Metrostudy. Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries recently published a report that projected Houston home prices would rise 2.1 percent in 2015, slowing from 2014 levels primarily due to a growing supply of new construction homes. Read more projections in the February edition of Houston REALTOR ® magazine and on HAR Connect.

Renters Gonna Rent The majority of U.S. renters plan to remain renters for the next three years, and 91 percent of renters viewed homeownership as something of which to be proud, according to a recent Freddie Mac survey. The study, commissioned by Freddie Mac and conducted by the Harris Poll, surveyed 2,000 adults through an online poll in August. Nearly half of renters (45 percent) were “just getting by” living paycheck-to-paycheck or struggling to get by, the study found. About 62 percent of renters between the ages of 25 and 34 indicated they will continue to rent for the next three years because they cannot afford a down payment for a mortgage. Sixty percent of those surveyed in the age range of 35 to 44 years old also said they couldn’t afford a down payment for a home. The rest of the survey can be found at

Houston Market Movements New Year's resolutions may have already faded out, but the housing market is just getting started. Even though it may take a while for new trends to emerge, the housing crisis that was a bear a few years ago has been making mostly positive gains as of late. The common thought is that this will be another year of recovery and further stabilization. Onward and upward it is. In the Houston region, for the week ending January 18: New Listings decreased 1.5% to 2,071 Pending Sales increased 10.1% to 1,561 Closed Sales decreased 0.7% to 1,004

Questions? ext. 6 Let HAR Prep Your Career for Blastoff HAR REALTOR ® Launch: Your Path to Success HAR announces a new initiative to assist REALTORS ® in their career path to success! This intensive three-day class offers insights into how to handle your transaction from contract to closing. The program will include tools such as: Prospecting - How to Create Business Buyer and Seller Expectations - Understanding your role before, during and after the transaction Insight into the ancillary roles by subject matter experts such as appraisers, inspectors, lenders, title companies, home warranty reps and much more. You will have hands-on, interactive experience to help you with your business before you even have business. A light breakfast and lunch are included in the program. Date: Wed. - Fri., February 18, 19 & 20 Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $129 Register at