1. December/Full-Year 2014 MLS Sales Statistics The December/Full-Year 2014 MLS statistics will be released this Wednesday morning, and here are some quick takeaways: December marked another month of positive sales, with single-family sales volume rising 11.6 percent versus one year earlier. Contracts closed on 6,451 homes, shrinking inventory to a 2.5-months supply, the lowest level of all time. Prices rose to the highest levels for a December, with the single-family home median price reaching $209,590 while the average price was $280,863. Total dollar volume for full-year 2014 reached a record high, jumping 18.1 percent to nearly $24 billion compared to $21 billion in full-year 2013. For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other news releases.HAR Online Newsroom

2. Inman News Honors HAR’s Bob Hale Inman News last week announced its distinguished list of 33 individuals who are changing the industry, and it is little surprise that HAR President and CEO Bob Hale is among them. Notables include Gary Keller, Dottie Herman, Pete Flint, Spencer Rascoff, Sherry Chris, Alex Perriello, Austin Allison, Dave Liniger, Marc Davison, and Mauricio Umansky (for those who may watch “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”). Bob is the only MLS/association executive on the entire list. You may read the article here: http://bit.ly/1ArpavB.http://bit.ly/1ArpavB If you haven’t already taken advantage of your free subscription to Inman Select as an HAR member, be sure to do so at the following link, and stay on top of the latest real estate industry news: https://www.inman.com/select/?invite=9467225860be60b0d1d4MjE 1OA==92aeefaf97045c922a1e https://www.inman.com/select/?invite=9467225860be60b0d1d4MjE 1OA==92aeefaf97045c922a1e

3. Weekly HAR Market Stat Ye olde 2014 data will likely be retrospective analysis for the next few months, but 2015 is already stirring up rumors of potential trends as we charge into the new year. The buzzworthy hot topic, low interest rates, should keep bolstering home sales as it is speculated to become a friendlier market in the coming year for many types of buyers. In the Houston region, for the week ending January 4: New Listings decreased 9.9% to 1,220 Pending Sales increased 6.6% to 1,003 Closed Sales increased 18.8% to 1,493

4. Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6 Get the Social Media Advantage Social Media Pro Boot Camp This hands-on course will help REALTORS ® better understand the marketing capabilities that social media can provide. Students will learn how to brand themselves and use social media to get more exposure for their listings. This course will cover a broad array of different social media platforms and mobile applications, giving REALTORS ® multiple options for marketing. Upon completion of the course, students will receive their Social Media Pro (SMP) certification. Laptops or tablets are required for SMP classes held at the Fort Bend location, and welcome but not required at all other HAR locations. Date: Wed. & Thurs., January 14 & 15 Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: HAR Montgomery Investment: $149 Register online today: http://www.har.com/edu/dispCourseClasses.cfm?course_id=708