The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business In This Week’s “The EDGE” Houston Home Sales Off Slightly in January Will Climate Change Be Real Estate’s Next Big Disruption? Early Voting Begins Next Week Houston Market Movements Designate Yourself For Success “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 The January 2016 MLS statistics will be released this Wednesday, February 10, and here are some highlights of the report: Houston home sales declined 2.1 percent year-over-year in January with a total of 4,024 single-family units sold. Months of inventory grew to a 3.3-months supply compared to a 2.5-months supply in January For perspective, housing inventory nationally stands at a 3.9-months supply. The single-family home average price was $262,663 while the median price was $200,000. Both figures represent record highs for a January. January rentals of single-family homes rose 2.8 percent year-over- year and the cost of renting those homes climbed 4.2 percent to $1,742. For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other HAR news releases.HAR Online Newsroom Houston Home Sales Off Slightly in January

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Climate change will cause more disruption to real estate than any man- made technology. That’s according to a February 5 Inman News story by contributor Teresa Boardman, a Minnesota real estate broker-owner. Boardman writes, “We can ignore the occasional stormy weather, floods, winds and snow storms that change travel plans, but as they become more frequent, they will disrupt our businesses and our lives, and force changes.” She adds that water shortages, floods and fires will be a more prominent part of our lives as weather patterns change. Of real estate’s role in addressing these new realities, Boardman writes, “Our operations need to have flexibility and be adaptable to changes.” She notes that household sizes are getting smaller in the U.S. and that “that might have a bigger impact on housing and real estate than apps and the Internet combined.” Read the complete story HERE.HERE If you don’t already have an Inman Select subscription, remember that it’s FREE as an HAR member. Sign up today HERE.HERE Will Climate Change Be Real Estate’s Next Big Disruption?

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business The 2016 Primary Election is coming up on Tuesday, March 1. Early Voting runs from Tuesday, February 16 through Friday, February 26. For information about the election, including a complete rundown of the candidates, go to HAR Connect.HAR Connect Early Voting Begins Next Week

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business At the close of January, indicators show steadiness across the U.S. real estate market. Higher home prices are predicted for the remainder of 2016, and there is a continuing shortage of inventory. However, we should also see a strengthening labor market and further interest in home buying among millennials, keeping things relatively balanced. In the Houston region, for the week ending January 31: New Listings increased 1.0% to 2,386 Pending Sales increased 16.3% to 1,772 Closed Sales decreased 6.2% to 1,486 Houston Market Movements

The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Graduate, REALTOR ® Institute (GRI-2 Marketing) The GRI designation is the most widely recognized of the national real estate designations. Consisting of three courses, each is taught by experts in their respective fields. This module consists of Seller Services, Buyer Services, Technology and Environment & Green Building. GRI courses may be taken in any order and satisfy your 9 hours of non-legal MCE requirements. TREC rules mandate that each student be on time. Make sure to have your license number. TAR provides a one-time, $50 coupon for qualifying students. This coupon may be downloaded from the TAR website. Students pay full price and the coupon to HAR’s Professional Development department to receive a credit. All other courses are full-price. Date: February 18, 19, 22 & 23 Location: HAR Montgomery Time: 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Investment: $295 Register at Call ext. 6www.har.com/edu Designate Yourself for Success