Houston is a Top City for 20-Somethings Houston is one of the nation’s top cities for people in their twenties, according to a new study by CreditDonkey.com. Houston took the No. 9 slot, behind Austin at No. 1 and San Antonio at No. 5. Among the features that sets Houston apart from cities less attractive to twentysomethings is its outdoor performance venues and active arts scene, the study said. Other factors, including rent prices, unemployment rate and population growth, weighed in. “There must be something in the Texas water, because Houston is the third city from the Lone Star State on our list. Though unemployment is higher than Austin’s, the average rent is more than $100 cheaper in Houston – and the city is thrivin Last month, Forbes proclaimed Houston “America’s next great global city.” Forbes made the prediction in its article, “A Map of America’s Future: Where Growth Will Be Over the Next Decade.”

HAR Tool of the Week HAR Client Experience Rating The HAR Client Experience Rating program empowers home buyers and sellers throughout the greater Houston area to evaluate their REALTORS® on a five-point rating system following a transaction. HAR was the first real estate trade association in the U.S. to provide this service when it was introduced in HAR members who participate in the program have their ratings promoted to consumers on HAR.com on their property listings, HAR member website and in the HAR Member Finder. Once a listing’s status is changed to sold, the buyer and seller’s REALTOR® each receive an asking for their client’s address. An is then automatically sent on the REALTOR®’s behalf to their client asking them to complete a quick survey rating their REALTOR® on four service categories: Competency, Market Knowledge, Communication and My Experience. More information about the HAR Client Experience Rating program is available at

Weekly HAR Market Stat As tricks and treats are planned, housing starts its preparation for a holiday season hibernation. Though activity hasn't come to a complete halt – there are still year-over- year gains being posted for listings, sales and prices – the liveliness of the summer months has begun to wane. Watch movements from the Fed on economic indicators outside of housing and on the legislative tug-of-war. Each may play a part in predicting how the rest of the fourth quarter of 2013 goes. In the Houston region, for the week ending October 13: New Listings increased 8.7% to 1,908 Pending Sales increased 31.4% to 1,693 Closed Sales increased 15.4% to 1,170

ext. 6 Get a New Lease on Learning Leasing 101: Understanding the Basics of Leasing While real estate licensees are authorized to represent clients in lease transactions, few licensees perform lease transactions with any regularity. As a result, when a client comes to licensees for representation on a lease, many licensees are not equipped to offer adequate service to their clients. This course is designed for the real estate licensee who needs the fundamentals of leasing representation. Students will learn how to adequately represent landlords and tenants and be taught how to use forms associated with applying for lease agreements. Please be on time as class will start promptly at 9 a.m. Date: Thursday, Oct. 31 Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: HAR Central Investment: $39