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 Home Sales Hit a Record High in 2016
• Last Call for the Smartest Event of the Year
• Houston Market Movements
• Help Your Community With Affordable Housing
“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 Home Sales Hit a Record High in 2016
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Houston Home Sales Hit a Record High in 2016
HAR will release December and Full-Year 2016 MLS statistics this Wednesday, January 11. Here is a sneak-peek at some highlights of the MLS report :
Despite strains within the oil patch, 2016 was a record year for Houston real estate, with 76,449 single-family homes sold. That is up 1.3 percent from the previous record of 75,470 sold in 2014.
The single-family home median price rose 2.3 percent to a December high of $225,903, while the average price increased 4.3 percent to $294,512 – also a December high.
Months of inventory grew fractionally to a 3.3-months supply compared to 3.2-months in December Housing inventory nationally stands at a 4.0-months supply, according to NAR.
Rentals of single-family homes rose 5.2 percent year-over-year, and the cost of renting those homes decreased slightly to $1,690.
For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other HAR news releases.

3. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Last Call for the Smartest Event of the Year –
2017 Houston Economic Forecast
THIS WEDNESDAY
January 11, 2017
11:30 a.m.
Norris Conference Center –CityCentre
$25 Individual • $300 Table of 10
Info:
Register at
Ticket price non-refundable, transferable.
Complimentary parking on roof level only.

4. Houston Market Movements
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Houston Market Movements
At the outset of 2017, we are watching for upward movement in some key national housing measurements. Inventory remains a valuable metric, as continued declines may push out potential buyers, especially if mortgage rates continue to rise. However, buying a home is still considered more affordable than renting in two-thirds of the country, according to the 2017 Rental Affordability Report by ATTOM Data Solutions.
In the Houston region, for the week ending January 1:
• New Listings increased 5.3% to 1,258
• Pending Sales increased 27.6% to 1,050
• Closed Sales decreased 0.4% to 1,891

5. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Help Your Community With Affordable Housing
The 2017 Dog House Extravaganza
The 2017 Houston Association of REALTORS®’ TRLP class presents the Dog House Extravaganza. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of and donations for New Hope Housing of Houston.  New Hope Housing helps build lives by building beautiful, safe housing at affordable rates. Join us for a night to delight! View custom-made dog houses provided by local Houston donors and judged by celebrity judges! Enjoy complimentary hours d’oeuvres and a silent auction. This year’s TRLP class is excited to partner with New Hope Housing because we believe everyone needs a "woof" over their head.
Date: Thursday, March 30
Promo Video:
Event Website:
Questions? Call ext. 6