First Real Estate Snapshot of Houston (FRESH) Here is HAR’s snap- shot of the Houston housing market as of August 31, The complete August MLS report comes out on Wednesday, September 10. We will provide you with an update in The EDGE.

MLS-Connect ® Add-On to ZipForms Another benefit is coming to HAR MLS members next week. It’s MLS-Connect ® for ZipForms. MLS-Connect ® gives ZipForms users the ability to import data directly from the MLS database into their ZipForm transaction in three simple steps. The cost for this new service is $20 per year. MLS-Connect ® is compatible with all versions of ZipForms. For more information about MLS-Connect ®, be sure to visit

Mortgage Rates Hover at 2014 Lows Mortgage rates hovered at their lowest levels of the year for the third straight week last week, according to a survey published on Thursday by Freddie Mac. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 4.1% for the week ending last Wednesday, according to Freddie’s survey. To get that rate, borrowers had to pay fees equal to around 0.5% of the loan amount. Mortgage rates have drifted down in recent weeks as bond yields on 10-year Treasury notes have fallen. Investors have bought government debt amid rising concerns over geopolitical instability. Few expected rates would be this low at the beginning of the year. Indeed, one of the biggest surprises of 2013 came in the spring, when mortgage rates jumped suddenly as anxious investors sold off Treasury securities amid signs that the Federal Reserve was thinking about slowing down its bond-buying program.

Weekly HAR Market Stat The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in August that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by more than 200,000 in July, and the national unemployment level is holding relatively steady at 6.2 percent. Combined with a reported increase in consumer confidence by Reuters, the U.S. economy is looking pretty spiffy. So long as jobs continue to be added to the mix – and we continue to see that in Houston – and housing policy remains welcoming to those who want to buy and sell, there is reason to remain optimistic about residential real estate. In the Houston region, for the week ending August 31: New Listings increased 4.5% to 2,113 Pending Sales increased 27.0% to 1,934 Closed Sales decreased 2.5% to 2,409

Questions? ext. 6 HAR Consumer Webinar Series Buyers’ Expectations: How to Give Them What They Want Whether you represent the buyer, seller or just need some extra tools to sharpen your real estate skills, this is the webinar series for you! Join real estate consumer training experts Katrina Barnes and Tara Whitting as they guide you through a series of one-hour webinars based on real feedback and statistics from local home buyers and sellers. This course will help you understanding what the consumer wants from a REALTOR ® before, during and after a transaction. This is the key to creating a lasting relationship in today’s hot market. This webinar will provide you with tips and tools to enhance your clients experience throughout the buying process. Date: Wednesday, Sept. 10 Time: 9 – 10 a.m. or 12 – 1 p.m. Location: Online Investment: $10 Register online today at