1. In This Week’s “The EDGE”
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
In This Week’s “The EDGE”
• July Marks Another Strong Month for Home Sales and Rentals
• Houston Market Movements
• A Flood of Support is Needed for NFIP
• TREPAC Honors Two HAR Members During Bay Area Casino Night
• Extend Your Real Estate Reach
“The Edge” is a weekly tool for managers to use to inform their agents and stay current and up-to-date with important real estate industry issues.
Brought to you by the HAR Communications Department.

2. July Marks Another Strong Month for Home Sales and Rentals
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
July Marks Another Strong Month
for Home Sales and Rentals
HAR released July 2017 MLS statistics last week, and here are some highlights in case you missed the monthly report:
Home sales across greater Houston increased 5.0 percent in July, with a total of 7,440 single-family units sold versus 7,083 in July 2016.
The single-family home median price was statistically flat at $230,000 while the average price increased 2.4 percent to $299,131.
Months of inventory grew to a healthy 4.5-months supply – the highest level in five years. National housing inventory currently stands at a 4.3-months supply, according to NAR.
Single-family home rentals soared 15.6 percent year-over-year while townhome/condo rentals jumped 12.3 percent.
For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other HAR news releases.

3. Houston Market Movements
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Houston Market Movements
New listings and sales performed well across the country last week. As we reach into August, we'll begin to see the volume of activity wane in anticipation of the school year. Although not every buyer or seller has children, it's no secret that homeownership is a popular housing option for those with kids. In bulk, this has historically been enough of a factor for turning down the summer's market heat before lower temperatures take hold.
In the Houston region, for the week ending August 6:
• New Listings increased 5.7% to 3,202
• Pending Sales increased 18.8% to 2,043
• Closed Sales increased 18.3% to 1,911

4. A Flood of Support is Needed for NFIP
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
A Flood of Support is Needed for NFIP
Next Tuesday, August 22, NAR will issue an all-member Call For Action on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This Call For Action will target the U.S. House of Representatives to ask for passage of the HR 2874 (the 21st Century Flood Reform Act).
Key issues surrounding this call for action:
Make sure the program does not lapse on September 30; past lapses have stalled 1,400 transactions each day.
Ask for a five-year reauthorization of the NFIP
Bring up and pass the "21st Century Flood Reform Act" in the House of Representatives (includes seven bills) at the first opportunity.
For more information, please read NAR’s talking points on Flood Insurance.

5. Complete event details are at www.har.com/casinonight
The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
TREPAC Honors Two HAR Members During 2017 Bay Area Casino Night on Friday, August 18.
Complete event details are at
Questions? Contact HAR Director of TREPAC Karen Driscoll at

6. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business
Extend Your Real Estate Reach
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
HAR presents Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation classes August 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30th. NAR’s CIPS designation is an excellent resource if you want to expand your global reach. After you complete the CIPS coursework and apply for the designation, you become part of the CIPS referral network, comprised of over 2,800 agents from 50 different countries. Designees are profiled in the CIPS directory where consumers and other agents can search to find experienced international practitioners.
Date: August 24, 25, 28, 29 & 30th
Location: HAR Central
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Investment: $749
Register at Questions? Call ext. 6