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”
• Houston Real Estate Shows Stability in April
• MLS Platinum Features New Agent and Company Website
• Houston Market Movements
• Get Your Contracts 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.

2. Houston Real Estate Shows Stability in April
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Houston Real Estate Shows Stability in April
HAR will release the April 2016 MLS statistics this Wednesday, May 11, and here are some highlights of the monthly report:
Houston home sales decreased less than one percent year-over-year, with a total of 6,310 single-family units sold.
Months of inventory grew to a 3.6-months supply compared to a 2.9-months supply in April For perspective, housing inventory across the U.S. stands at a 4.5-months supply, according to NAR.
The single-family home average price was down 1.0 percent to $278,544 while the median price rose 3.3 percent to $217,000 (a record high for an April).
April rentals of single-family homes shot up 18.1 percent year-over-year and the cost of renting those homes climbed 2.6 percent to $1,811.
For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other HAR news releases.

3. MLS Platinum Features New HAR Agent and Company Website
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
MLS Platinum Features New HAR
Agent and Company Website
At HAR, our goal is to continuously improve the value you as members receive from the MLS Platinum package by adding exciting new tools. We have upgraded the MLS Platinum package to include the newly redesigned Agent and Company Website. We’ve redesigned your current sites and have given them a slick, modern design coupled with a powerful property search engine. We think you’re going to love it.
Features:
A fully branded website powered by HAR.com, with more customization options than ever.
A greatly improved backend administrative section with loads of customization options.
Create individual content pages within your website and directly link to outside sites.
Benefits to Customers:
Create a free account with the same benefits of HAR.com.
Work directly with an agent and contact them directly through their website.
Receive notifications when listings match search criteria.
View a complete list of products and services with the MLS Platinum package. Remember, this package goes live on July 1. Sign up today to ensure your continued access to all of these great tools!

4. Houston Market Movements
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Houston Market Movements
The home-purchasing season may get a bit competitive this year thanks Median Sales Price to low mortgage rates and pent up demand. With pending sales on the rise in many markets combined with a relatively low number of homes for sale, buyers need to act quickly once they find their ideal home.
In the Houston region, for the week ending May 1:
• New Listings decreased 4.6% to 2,820
• Pending Sales increased 14.7% to 2,229
• Closed Sales decreased 7.1% to 2,246

5. Get Your Contracts for Success
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Get Your Contracts for Success
HAR Contract Series
HAR now offers a contract review and workshop series. Each class is approved for three hours of CE credit.
Contracts 101: From Customer to Client
Contracts 101: Listing & Buyer Rep. Agreement Workshop
Contracts 201: From Client to Contract
Contracts 201: The 1-4 Family Contract Workshop
Date: Ongoing
Location: HAR Central and Branch Locations
Investment:  $25
Register at Questions? Call ext. 6