1. In This Week’s “The EDGE”
• Millennials Face an Uphill Climb to Homeownership
• Economist Ted Jones Sees Positive Indicators for 2018
• Houston Market Movements
• Voter Registration Deadline Looms
• HAR TREPAC Hosts First Lake Houston Bowl-a-Thon
• 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.

2. Millennials Face an Uphill Climb to Homeownership
Millennials finally entered the housing market in force in 2017, making up 71 percent of first-time buyers and 42 percent of all buyers who purchased a home in the last year. 
Despite driving much of buyer demand and activity, this group of 18- to 37-year-olds still faces a number of roadblocks on their way to homeownership — namely student loan debt and rising home prices.
According to a recent study by Apartment List, since 1980 the median home value has jumped by 60 percent and the average cost of undergraduate tuition has grown by 160 percent. Meanwhile, wages have only grown by 25 percent, leaving millennials to struggle with juggling inadequate income, ballooning student loan debt and skyrocketing home prices.
Recent college graduates have an average of $34,000 of debt — up 70 percent from But on average, these graduates are only making 57 percent more than those with a high school degree.
Apartment List found it will take college graduates with no debt 7.6 years to save a 20-percent down payment for a median-priced condo. For college graduates with debt and those without a college degree, it will take 11.9 and 16.7 years to save, respectively.
Read the complete Apartment List study HERE.

3. Economist Ted Jones Sees Positive Indicators for 2018
If you missed Stewart Title Chief Economist and former HAR Chairman Dr. Ted C. Jones’ 2018 economic forecast for the Houston market earlier this month, you’ll find his complete presentation HERE! Dr. Jones also talks about the new tax landscape on HAR-TV.

4. Houston Market Movements
Existing home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 1.1 percent nationally to 5.5 million sales in 2017 compared to 2016 – the best performance in 11 years. Overall, the housing market performed well in 2017 within a strong economy. Homeowners made healthy price gains at sale, and distressed property sales have returned to historically low marks.
In the Houston region, for the week
ending January 21:
• New Listings decreased 8.9% to 2,056
• Pending Sales increased 7.5% to 1,652
• Closed Sales decreased 7.4% to 889

5. Voter Registration Deadline Looms
The March Primary Elections are coming up soon! In fact, the last day to register to vote is next Monday, February 5.
Click here to see if you are registered to vote.
Primaries are the elections to select which Republican or Democrat candidate will be on the ballot in November. You must choose only one party in which to vote for when you go to your polling location.

6. HAR TREPAC Hosts First Lake Houston Bowl-a-Thon
— Friday February 23 —
Teams & Sponsorships still available!
Contact the HAR TREPAC department at with questions or visit the event website at for more information.

7. Designate Yourself for Success 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