HAR.com Soars Nationally HAR.com was the only Multiple Listing Service to rank among the top 20 real estate websites in the United States, according to a new survey by Experian Marketing Services. Inman News, in its February 4 edition, reported that HAR.com came in at No. 19 in the survey. Total visits to U.S. real estate websites shot up 25 percent from December to January, to more than 364 million. Homes.com, Apartment Guide and Rent.com all moved up in the rankings of top real estate websites in January, surging past MSN Real Estate. Century 21 maintained its position as the only franchisor website in the top 20, and Redfin and ZipRealty were the top brokerage websites on the list. Movoto — which obtains listings data as a licensed broker in California and 35 other states, but which operates primarily as a referral site for agents at other brokerages — was the only other brokerage site in the top 20.

Real Estate Scams Persist HAR cautions members and consumers alike to beware of unscrupulous individuals who continue to prey on unsuspecting real estate consumers in our market. REALTORS ® are also victimized in many of these scams that involve property listings posted on Craigslist, Trulia and other sites, which is why HAR promotes the use of HAR.com and urges consumers to always seek the services of a REALTOR ® when buying, selling or renting a home. Properties leveraged in scams are typically homes for sale that are misrepresented as rental properties. Fox 26 News reporter Isiah Carey profiled the latest scam in a story last week and he shared tips on how best to protect oneself, including consulting HAR.com. Watch his report at

Weekly HAR Market Stat While the housing market may have completed most of its back-flips and jaw-dropping acrobatics, it is now showcasing steady knees and good traction. That may mean fewer riskier tricks on the half-pipe but more endurance and stability over the long haul. After several years of uncertainty followed by grueling rehabilitation, steadier performance that matches expectation resonates well with both current and prospective homeowners. In the Houston region, for the week ending February 2: New Listings decreased 11.2% to 1,889 Pending Sales increased 6.4% to 1,706 Closed Sales increased 0.3% to 1,421

ext. 6 Open Your Mind to Learning Leveraging Consumer Expectations for Real Estate Success This course will help real estate agents understand who today's consumer is and what he or she wants and needs during the home buying or selling process. This course will also identify the key areas that real estate agents need to focus on to stay relevant before, during and after the transaction. This class will provide agents with tools they can utilize to create a successful business practice and a positive consumer experience. Date: Tuesday, February 18 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $35