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”
• Home Sales Ease Up in September
• The Time to Engage is NOW
• Have You Scheduled Your Supra Exchange?
• Houston Market Movements
• Become Certified
“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. Home Sales Ease Up in September
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Home Sales Ease Up in September
HAR will release September 2016 MLS statistics this Thursday, October 13, and here are some highlights of the monthly report:
Home sales across greater Houston declined a fractional 0.5 percent year-over-year in September, with a total of 6,652 single-family units sold versus 6,685 in September 2015.
The single-family home median price rose 4.8 percent to a September high of $219,990 while the average price increased 2.4 percent to $277,849 – also a September high.
Months of inventory climbed to a 3.9-months supply compared to a 3.5-months supply in September Housing inventory nationally stands at a 4.6-months supply, according to NAR.
Rentals of single-family homes rose 5.4 percent year-over-year and the cost of renting those homes decreased slightly to $1,764.
For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other HAR news releases.

3. The Time to Engage is NOW
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
The Time to Engage is NOW
Only a few tickets remain for the most talked about HAR event of the year, The BIG e: HAR Engage, happening this Thursday, October 13 at CityCentre! If you haven’t purchased your tickets, you need to ACT NOW!
The all-day program features 17 sessions geared towards methods that can earn the agent more money in today’s fast-paced world.
All attendees are eligible to receive six hours of CE credit.
The cost is $99 per person, which includes a seated luncheon featuring Alex Brennan-Martin talking about delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Free parking! Spaces have been reserved for conference attendees on the roof of the Norris Conference Center parking garage; show a business card or registration form to the security officer for access.
You may also valet park next door at the Hotel Sorella
or park in a nearby garage at CityCentre.
Register now at

4. Have You Scheduled Your Supra Exchange?
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Have You Scheduled Your Supra Exchange?
HAR and Supra are bringing new and improved lockboxes to town the week of November 14.
The new iBox BT LE features longer battery life, larger key container and supports Bluetooth® technology, so smart phone eKEY users will no longer need a FOB to access lockboxes.
All existing boxes registered in the HAR system MUST BE EXCHANGED by December 1.
During the week of November 14, HAR members will receive a FREE “one for one” trade-out. That means for every old lockbox registered in your name, Supra will exchange it for a new iBox BT LE.
An exchange fee will apply AFTER November 18.
Schedule your exchange appointment NOW at

5. Houston Market Movements
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Houston Market Movements
As the struggle to maintain adequate inventory levels continues in much of the country, several influences have been named as factors in the housing shortage. One probable cause is the large decline in negative equity on homes that were bought before the recession. As prices continue to go up, those homes are either placed on the market and snatched up quickly or may even have risen to a less affordable price for today's home shoppers.
In the Houston region, for the week ending October 2:
• New Listings increased 5.3% to 2,390
• Pending Sales increased 15.3% to 1,785
• Closed Sales increased 0.9% to 2,122

6. Texas Affordable Housing Specialist
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Become Certified!
Texas Affordable Housing Specialist
The Texas Affordable Housing Specialist certification equips REALTORS® with the knowledge to help increase sustainable homeownership across Texas. It aims to educate you about state programs available to assist buyers and to provide information to help at-risk homeowners manage their current situation. The more you know about affordable housing programs, the better you can assist your clients in making homeownership a reality. The better your understanding of processes surrounding short sales and foreclosures, the more guidance you can provide on either side of these transactions. Together, the certification will enable REALTORS® to help clients find solutions that will meet their financial needs while best serving their long-term goals. 
Date: Tuesday & Wednesday, Oct. 18 & 19
Location: HAR Central
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Investment: $150
Register at Questions? Call ext. 6