1. In This Week’s “The EDGE”
• The Houston Real Estate Market Enjoys a Healthy Start to 2018
• Federal Budget Deal Delivers Real Estate Victories
• Primary Elections are Fast Approaching
• Secure a New Designation for Yourself
“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. The Houston Real Estate Market Enjoys a Healthy Start to 2018
HAR will release January 2018 MLS statistics this Wednesday. Here is an advance look at some of the key take-aways:
The Houston real estate market began 2018 on solid footing overall, with 4,469 single-family homes sold versus 4,104 a year earlier. That represents a nearly nine percent increase.
The single-family home median price rose 3.8 percent to a January high of $218,000 while the average price declined 2.1 percent to $270,303.
Months of inventory was unchanged year-over-year at a 3.3-months supply. Housing inventory nationally stands at a 3.2-months supply, according to NAR.
January leases of single-family homes rose nearly two percent year-over-year while leases of townhomes and condominiums fell 5.3 percent.
For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other HAR news releases.

3. Federal Budget Deal Delivers Real Estate Victories
The bipartisan budget deal signed into law last Friday morning following a six-hour government shutdown, briefly extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for a few weeks, while lawmakers race to reform the ailing, 49-year-old insurance plan through legislation currently stalled in the Senate. 
The extension, until March 23, was among a half-dozen small victories for the real estate industry buried inside the 600-page budget bill.
Besides infrastructure and disaster relief funding–which are expected to spur new development — the bill will now extend a series of mortgage- and energy-related tax credits thought to be in jeopardy after their exclusion from last year’s tax overhaul.
Read more about the legislation on Inman Select.
If you’re not already enjoying the FREE Inman Select subscription that comes with your HAR membership, sign up HERE today!

4. Primary Elections are Fast Approaching
HAR reminds you to vote on Tuesday, March 6, in the primary elections!
Click here to see if you are registered to vote.
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW HAR RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW TAR RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES
Primaries are the elections to select which Republican or Democrat candidate will be on the ballot in November. You may choose only one party in which to vote upon arrival at your polling location.
Early voting continues through Friday, March 2.
Click here to find election information for your county.

5. Secure a New Designation for Yourself GRI: Real Estate Marketing
HAR presents the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) Real Estate Marketing class over four days in late February. GRI is the most widely recognized of the national real estate designations. Topics include seller and buyer services, technology, environment and green building. Classes may be taken in any order and satisfy 10 hours of elective CE or 30 hours of SAE. Please confirm your eligibility and review the requirements necessary to earn this designation by visiting the designation holder’s site or contacting the HAR Professional Development department.
Date: February 22, 23, 26 & 27
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: HAR Montgomery
Investment: $295
Register HERE today! Questions? Please call ext. 6