1. Houston Named No. 1 Real Estate Market to Watch in 2015 Houston's real estate market has caught the eye of global investors worldwide, with one calling the Bayou City the "perfect storm for commercial real estate," according to a new report from the Urban Land Institute and PwC. The Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2015 report ranked Houston the nation’s No. 1 market to watch next year. That's up from No. 2 in 2014 and No. 5 in 2013. Houston ranked No. 1 in both investment and development prospects, and it came in second to Austin for homebuilding prospects. When looking at specific property types, the Bayou City also took the top spot in the industrial and retail sectors, and it ranked No. 2 for office and multifamily. Its hotel sector ranked No. 4 nationwide. Not surprisingly, investors cite the energy industry as a major driver of Houston's growth in 2015. You may read the complete report here: http://uli.org/press- release/emerging-trends-real-estate-2014/http://uli.org/press- release/emerging-trends-real-estate-2014/

2. Early Voting for Nov. 4 General Election Ends this Friday, Oct. 31 Texas REALTORS® have one week left of early voting before election day, so if you haven’t already cast your ballot, try to make it this week. Early voting is the easiest and most convenient way to make your REALTOR® voice heard! Early Voting: Monday, October 27 - Friday, October 31 (most polls open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.) Election Day: Tuesday, November 4 (polls open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.) Click HERE for more election information.HERE

3. Proposition 1: What You Need to Know On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Texans have the opportunity to address the state’s growing transportation-funding problem by voting yes on Proposition 1. It is found at the bottom of your ballot, so make sure to look before you cast your final vote. What is Proposition 1? Proposition 1 is a statewide ballot measure that would direct the Texas Comptroller to credit part of proceeds from the oil and gas severance tax to the State Highway Fund. These funds could be used only for acquiring rights-of-way, constructing, and maintaining public (non-tolled) roads. Proposition 1 is money for non-tolled roadways with no new taxes and no new debt. Proposition 1 will help: Make Texas roadways safer Ease congestion Reduce wear and tear Lessen the state’s reliance on debt For more information, go to www.texansforprop1.comwww.texansforprop1.com

4. Weekly HAR Market Stat The steady pace of home sales and rising prices have combined to keep inventory levels relatively stable. Although factors like student debt and lethargic wage growth may provide obstacles for first-time home buyers all around the country, those on the hunt for homes are still graced by relatively low inflation and low mortgage rates. The seasonal slows will likely settle in soon, but the market remains largely content. In the Houston region, for the week ending October 19: New Listings increased 1.9% to 1,917 Pending Sales increased 27.8% to 1,757 Closed Sales decreased 1.1% to 1,340

5. Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6 Designate Yourself for Success Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) Designation Regardless of how long a real estate agent has been in the business, the seller agency has been available. More importantly, it remains the primary focus for agents across the country. However, since the advent of buyer agency and the emphasis on training to be an effective buyer representative, it has become apparent that we can no longer assume seller agents have the same level of effectiveness. The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) course is a 14-hour program designed to take a new agent to an accomplished level sooner and an already successful agent to an even higher level of competency. It focuses on the skills necessary to properly represent a property owner, including agency, marketing and servicing the client. Date: Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 3 & 4 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $199 Register at www.har.com/eduwww.har.com/edu