The October 2011 MLS statistics will be released on Wednesday morning (one day later than usual due to the Annual NAR Conference), and here are some quick takeaways: The Houston real estate market has added reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving season after logging a fifth straight month of positive home sales in October. October sales of single-family homes rose 9.1 percent versus one year earlier. All segments of the housing market, from the sub-$80,000 to the $500,000 and above, experienced growth. On a year-to-date basis, sales were up 3.4 percent. The average price of a single-family home rose 1.1 percent from October 2010 to $208,506, the highest level for an October in Houston. The October single-family home median price was unchanged from the October high of $150,000 it reached in For more detailed information, please visit for this release and all other news releases. October MLS Sales Statistics

For the second time in history—and the second time in as many months— average rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell below 4%. After falling to an average 3.94% on a 30-year fixed mortgage in the week ending Oct. 6, rates had ticked back up over the past month. Now, amid mixed signals about the health of the U.S. economy, rates on the 30- year mortgage fell to average 3.99% for the week ending Nov. 10, down from 4% last week and 4.17% a year ago, according to Freddie Mac's latest survey of conforming mortgage rates. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also dropped slightly, averaging 3.3% this week, down from 3.31% last week and 3.57% a year ago. Low home prices and mortgage rates have kept affordability high, adding that the National Association of REALTORS®’ housing affordability index in September hit its third highest reading on record, said the Freddie Mac Chief Economist. Mortgage Rates Drop Back Below 4%

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Weekly HAR Market Stat Pending home sales were off to the races as buyers eagerly entered more contracts than during the same week in Sellers pulled back a bit as they listed fewer new properties than last year at this time. By and large, inventory declines have been the 2011 tale to tell, but a handful of alternative leading indicators suggest that the Spring 2012 market could present a changing landscape. In the Houston region, for the week ending November 6: New Listings decreased 12.6% to 1,757 Pending Sales increased 8.5% to 947 Closed Sales increased 2.8% to 670

Register Online at Questions? ext. 6 No One Wants to Take Unnecessary Risks International Risk Reduction Date: Tuesday, November 29 th Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm Location: HAR Central Investment: $40 Designed for real estate professionals who have international clients and customers who buy or sell real estate in the U.S., this program trains agents and brokers on legal issues such as the Patriot Act, interstate commerce laws, reporting and withholding requirements, and more. Avoid risk and take advantage of expanding international business opportunities and understand how U.S. regulations impact real estate transactions locally.