1. The April 2011 MLS statistics will be released on Tuesday morning, and here are some quick takeaways: The boost that the federal home buyer tax credit gave the Houston housing market in April 2010 continues to overshadow local home sales one year later. Sales of homes declined in April 2011 along with average and median prices, however volume rose among rental properties. The average price of a single-family home dipped 0.6 percent from April 2010 to $202,545, while the April single-family home median price declined 2.2 percent year-over-year to $148,000. April single-family home sales fell 14.2 percent versus one year earlier. Compared to April of 2009, a year with no unusual market factors such as Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the 2010 tax credit, single-family home sales were up 10.1 percent. For more detailed information, please visit www.har.com/newsroom/ for this release and all other news releases.www.har.com/newsroom/ April MLS Sales Statistics

2. HAR has entered into a partnership with zipLogix to provide its Digital Ink electronic signature product for free to all HAR members who subscribe to the MLS or Commercial Information Exchange. Every HAR member now has unlimited usage of the zipLogix Digital Ink signature through zipForms 6. Those members who have existing accounts with another electronic signature provider may continue to use that service (and continue to pay your agreed upon rate) or may switch to Digital Ink as a subscriber benefit. You may visit http://support.zipform.com/digitalink/KBA-01619.asp to learn how to switch your default electronic signature provider. http://support.zipform.com/digitalink/KBA-01619.asp Comparing the published discounted REALTOR® rates for the leading competitor’s product, each MLS/CIE subscriber would save between $180 and $300 per year due to this free benefit. For any technical/customer support for the Digital Ink product, you may visit: http://support.zipform.com/digitalink/support.asp http://support.zipform.com/digitalink/support.asp HAR Offers zipLogix Digital Ink Electronic Signature to All HAR Members

3. This past weekend, the NAR Board of Directors approved the proposal to fund the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative (RPPSI) through a dues increase that will go into effect in January 2012. In remarks preceding the initial vote to approve RPPSI, 2003 NAR President Cathy Whatley pointed out that 73 percent of the funds will go to supporting specific political issues — such as defending the mortgage interest deduction — and member mobilization. “This initiative does not replace RPAC,” Whatley said. “Our voluntary contributions are still critical.” HAR’s Board of Directors surveyed our members who were 75 percent against the dues increase and 17 percent in favor. Those results were shared with the NAR leadership prior to the NAR board meeting. You may read more about the Initiative at: http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/rppsi/rppsifaqs.html http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/rppsi/rppsifaqs.html NAR Passes REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative; Raises NAR Dues $40 Beginning 2012

4. Weekly HAR Market Stat Now that the credit period no longer appears in the baseline of year-over-year comparisons, the story has changed dramatically. In the Houston region, for the week ending May 8: New Listings increased 7.6% to 2,100 Pending Sales increased 75.2% to 1,393 Closed Sales decreased 12.5% to 844 Gains in several metrics should resume in the coming weeks and months. Well-balanced and highly appealing local markets will continue to see significant improvements.

5. Register Online at www.har.com/eduwww.har.com/edu Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6 Negotiation is One of Top Reasons Clients Hire REALTORS ® Negotiations Generational & Cultural Factors Date: Thursday, May 19 Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $99 Mastering Email Negotiations Date: Friday, May 20 Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $99