1. 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”
• Beware of Drug Thieves at Showings and Open Houses
• Quality Schools Boost Home Values
• Houston Market Movements
• Set Your Sights on International
“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.

2. Beware of Drug Thieves at Showings
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Beware of Drug Thieves at Showings
and Open Houses
HAR has been alerted to a second incident in as many weeks involving the theft or attempted theft of prescription drugs during a home tour. The most recent incident took place at a showing in the Villages of Cypress Lakes in Cypress. A female guest was caught on video removing a medication bottle from a kitchen cabinet and placing it in her purse. She drove away in a white, late model Infinity. We’re told she claimed she was supposed to meet her sister at the showing, but that her sister was caught in traffic. The guest apparently pretended to be on the phone with her sister the whole time she was in the home.
In late July, a male guest at an open house in Briargrove was caught going through the medicine cabinet in search of prescription drugs. He is described as a white male, about 6’1” in his mid- to late-30s, with a crew cut and thick beard, driving a black SUV with NY plates. A girl, about 7 or 8 years old, was with him.
Remember to always exercise caution during open houses and showings. Use the buddy system and report all suspicious activity to the police.

3. Quality Schools Boost Home Values
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Quality Schools Boost Home Values
Home values can get a big increase from having a highly rated school nearby. According to the new ATTOM Data Solutions 2016 Schools and Housing Report, homes in ZIP codes with at least one good elementary school have values about 77 percent higher than in ZIP codes without highly ranked schools close by.
Researchers looked at home values and price appreciation against 2015 average test scores in nearly 19,000 elementary schools across 4,435 ZIP codes. They considered a “good school” to be one that had an overall test score that was at least one-third above the state average.
The research team found that out of 1,661 ZIP codes with at least one good school, the average estimated home value was $427,402 – 77 percent more than the home value of $241,096 in 2,774 ZIP codes without any “good schools.”
Read more of this story at

4. Houston Market Movements
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Houston Market Movements
Most housing markets across the nation have hit full recovery and are even approaching or achieving categorical highs in sales and prices, yet builders are still focusing on higher-end homes over starter homes in order to combat high land and building permit costs. Until there is more entry-level inventory on the market, sustainable balance will be difficult.
In the Houston region, for the week ending August 7:
• New Listings increased 5.3% to 3,006
• Pending Sales increased 7.5% to 1,963
• Closed Sales increased 0.7% to 1,539

5. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Set Your Sights on International
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
NAR’s Certified International Property Specialists (CIPS) designation is a great resource if you are looking to expand your global reach. After you complete the CIPS coursework and apply for the designation, you become part of the CIPS referral network, comprised of over 2,800 agents from 50 different countries. Designees are profiled in the CIPS directory where consumers and other agents can search to find experienced international practitioners. Additionally, CIPS designees are invited to join a private Facebook group where agents network and exchange referrals. These can be extraordinary tools to help you grow your business, both inbound and outbound.
Date: August 25, 26, 29, 30 & 31
Location: HAR Central
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Investment: $749
Register at Questions? Call ext. 6