1. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business In This Week’s “The EDGE” A FRESH Look at Houston Housing Inman Connect is Just a Click Away Houston Market Movements All Aboard for Certification! “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. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business A FRESH Look at Houston Housing Here is HAR’s First Real Estate Snapshot of Houston (FRESH) report on the latest trends in the Houston housing market, as of July 31, 2015. The complete monthly MLS report for July will be distributed next Wednesday, August 12. As always, HAR will provide you with updated coverage in The EDGE.

3. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business Inman Connect Is Just a Click Away Inman Connect kicks off on Tuesday, August 4, and with it, so does Connect Live Stream. HAR members and associates can watch over 30 keynote and general sessions LIVE by logging in. Agent Connect Live Stream: http://www.inman.com/2015-acsf-live/ Tuesday, August 4, 9 a.m. Pacifichttp://www.inman.com/2015-acsf-live/ Inman Connect Live Stream: http://www.inman.com/2015-icsf-live/ Starting Wednesday, August 5, 8:30 a.m. Pacific and continuing on Thursday and Friday morningshttp://www.inman.com/2015-icsf-live/ Download the Live Stream Agenda at http://bit.ly/1IkvULe.http://bit.ly/1IkvULe For FREE access to all Inman Select content, please visit www.har.com/inmanselect. This is a free benefit as a member of HAR. www.har.com/inmanselect

4. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business According to the U.S. Census, homeownership is at 63.4 percent for the second quarter of 2015, down 1.3 percent from the second quarter of 2014. This is the lowest rate of homeownership since 1967. To put that in greater context, homeownership peaked at 69.2 percent in 2004, and the 50-year average is 65.3 percent. Although the data may be indicating otherwise on a macro level, mortgage applications have kept REALTORS® busy throughout the summer. In the Houston region, for the week ending July 26: New Listings increased 13.2% to 2,855 Pending Sales increased 22.7% to 2,198 Closed Sales decreased 2.4% to 1,778 Houston Market Movements

5. The EDGE Information and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business CRB: The Power Negotiator’s Playbook You will soon realize that the "win-win" objective is merely a perception. Power comes from leveraging your options and alternatives so that the client has the best possible choices to consider and knows what the downside could be for each choice presented. The real estate professional will learn when and how to negotiate, how to craft a plan/strategy for any situation while recognizing the patterns and negotiation tactics being used. Communication styles, principles of persuasion, effectively negotiating face-to-face, on the phone or through email and other media will be discussed. Train the license holder on how to negotiate from a position of strength for the benefit of their client. In preparation, being open to options and knowing how to effectively work with tradeoffs. Learn to compromise without giving away essential components of the deal while reaching a resolution that’s acceptable to the client. Please confirm your eligibility and review the requirements necessary to earn this designation by visiting the designation holder’s site or contacting HAR’s Professional Development Dept. Date: Thursday, August 13 Location: HAR Central Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Investment: $129 Register at www.har.com/eduQuestions? Call 713.629.1900 ext. 6www.har.com/edu All Aboard for Certification!