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| News & Features |
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| You Can Make a Difference – Get Involved |
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Volunteer for one of the many HAR advisory groups. Sign up online today.
More
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| November 2009 |
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| A Letter from 2010 Chair of the Board Margie Dorrance |
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It's an incredible honor for me to serve
as 2010 Chair of the Board of the largest local REALTOR® association in
the U.S. However, it doesn't take a No. 1 ranking to know that HAR is
the best REALTOR® association in the country, serving the real estate
needs of a world-class city.More
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| November 2009 |
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| HAR Social Media – Become a Fan, Follower and Subscriber Today |
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Facebook
You've heard all of the chatter from the media, friends and colleagues
about Facebook. You have heard that it has 300 million active users,
but you still aren't sure it's right for you.More
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| November 2009 |
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| The New Houston REALTOR® Magazine |
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As I'm sure you noticed last month, HAR revised and redesigned the Houston REALTOR® magazine that is distributed as one of the many benefits of membership.More
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| November 2009 |
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| MLSCloud, a Network of Public MLS Web Sites, Now Represents Nearly 600,000 REALTORS® |
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New online resource connects consumers to a growing number of real estate professionals, providing valuable information about dozens of U.S. housing markets
Less than six months after its launch, MLSCloud (www.mlscloud.com) now
puts nearly 600,000 REALTORS® within easy reach of real estate
consumers looking to buy and sell property from coast-to-coast and in
Hawaii.
More
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| November 2009 |
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| Taqi Rizvi Wins NAR Realtor® Technology Spotlight Award as VISIONARY |
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The NAR Center for REALTOR® Technology (CRT) announced last year at the
NAR Conference & Expo that it would be giving the 1st annual
REALTOR® Technology Spotlight Award this year.More
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| November 2009 |
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| HAR Extends Lead as Largest Local REALTOR® Association in U.S. |
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HAR overtook the Long Island Board of
REALTORS® (LIBOR) as the largest local REALTOR® association in the
country in August 2009. More
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| November 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here's a look
at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the
past few weeks.More
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| November 2009 |
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| NAR Update: Tax Credit Extension/Expansion Gains Momentum |
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On Tuesday, October 20, HAR Chair Vicki Fullerton joined NAR President
Charles McMillan and REALTORS® from around the country in Washington,
D.C. to press Congress for an extension and possible expansion of the
$8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.More
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| November 2009 |
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| Houston Area Real Estate Community Supports Breast Cancer Research |
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On October 6, more than 600 people attended the Eighth Annual Nancy
Owens Memorial Foundation (NOMF) Luncheon at The Westin Galleria.More
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| November 2009 |
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| A Letter from HAR Recommended Candidate for Mayor Gene Locke |
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Dear HAR
Members,
I
wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Houston Association of Realtors®
for its recommendation of support of my candidacy to become the next Mayor of
Houston. This election is vital to
the progress of the City for the next six years—and perhaps even longer—as the
projects put in place during the next few years will have long-term impact on
our City and our region.
More
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| October 2009 |
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| You Can Make a Difference |
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Volunteer
for one of the many HAR advisory groups.
Sign up
online today!
Log on
to www.har.com/getinvolved (Deadline
is December 4, 2009)More
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| October 2009 |
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| Harris County Permits Map Information Service |
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Flood
Insurance Rate Map Zone Information
Harris
County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have updated all of the
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Unincorporated Harris County. We have adopted the effective FIRMs
dated June 18, 2007.
As a
public service, Harris County Permits Group will provide you with the following
unofficial floodplain map information upon request:More
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| October 2009 |
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| Has HVCC Cost You and Your Clients Money? |
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Have you
had transactions delayed or fall apart because of inaccurate or out-of-the-area
appraisers?
Let us
know about your Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) experiences. U.S. Representative Al Green serves on
the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac. He has specifically asked for
stories about HVCC from HAR members that he may share with his committee
members when debating HVCC and H.R. 3044, which would impose an 18-month
moratorium on HVCC.
More
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| October 2009 |
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| FHA Changes Align Appraisal Rules Agency Tightening Standards to Stem Losses |
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The Federal Housing Administration will tighten credit
standards and implement new rules for appraisals on Jan. 1, saying a study to
be published in November is expected to show FHA's capital reserve ratio
slipping below mandated minimums.More
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| October 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making
headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our organization has
received over the past few weeks.More
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| October 2009 |
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| Houston Association of REALTORS® Syndicates Listings to Trulia |
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HAR becomes the largest consumer facing MLS site to provide direct feeds of property listings to Trulia.com
HAR and Trulia, Inc., recently released
announced a partnership that enables the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
to automatically feed more than 50,000 for-sale property listings
throughout the greater Houston area to Trulia.com.More
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| September 2009 |
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| Welcome 2010 Newly Elected Board of Directors Members |
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Congratulations to the newly elected 2010 HAR Executive Committee and Board of Directors members. More
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| September 2009 |
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| HAR Becomes Nation’s Largest Local REALTOR® Organization |
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HAR has officially become the largest
local REALTOR® board in the United States following a recent rise in
membership and a decline in membership at the Long Island (New York)
Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR).More
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| September 2009 |
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| All-New Houston REALTOR® Magazine Coming Next Month |
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You spoke, and we listened. Based on a
member survey conducted earlier this year, the HAR Communications
Department has redesigned—and resized—the Houston REALTOR® magazine
that goes out to about 26,000 real estate professionals each month.More
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| September 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here’s a look
at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the
past few weeks.More
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| September 2009 |
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| Receive More Without Paying More? |
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Whether at the grocery store, the car
dealer or perhaps as a member of an association, it is a common
question to ask "what you are getting for your money? Especially in
today's more uncertain economic climate, every dollar matters.More
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| August 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is
making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our
organization has received over the past few weeks.More
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| August 2009 |
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| APPRAISAL ISSUES: IMPACT of Home Valuation Code of Conduct |
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A preliminary analysis indicates that
the implementation of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) appears
to be having adverse impacts on the housing markets.More
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| August 2009 |
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| HAR’S First Digital Media Summer Camp Hailed as a Huge Success |
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A ballroom at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel
in the Galleria area became an electronic campground on July 22, as
nearly 300 HAR members turned out bright and early in comfy camping
attire for HAR's first Digital Media Summer Camp.More
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| August 2009 |
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| Bob Hale Becomes New Chairman of Rapattoni Magic Users Group |
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Rapattoni Corporation is pleased to announce that Bob Hale, president and CEO of the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR), is the new chairman of the Rapattoni Users Group for its Magic and NetMagic Association Management Software.
More
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| July 2009 |
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| HAR In The News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks.
Houston Business Journal
May 29 – HAR assisted the editor of the Residential Real Estate section with a feature about how REALTORS® counsel their clients who are relocating to Houston. The story contained extensive quotes from HAR board members Amy Smythe Harris and Veronica Mullenix, and former HAR International Advisory Group member Mariana Seldaña.
More
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| July 2009 |
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| Digital Media Summer Camp |
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Wear your flipflops and bring your laptops to HAR's Digital Media Summer Camp.
Come learn how to use social media from actual real estate pros. Facebook, Twitter, blogging, LinkedIn—it will all be covered. What's the "Groundswell," and why do you need to catch the wave?
More
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| July 2009 |
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| Texans May Now Use the $8,000 Tax Credit for Their Down Payment and Closing Costs—If They Qualify |
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Following the announcement by the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in May that the Federal Housing Administration would allow its lenders to monetize the $8,000 tax credit that was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the only remaining issue was that the State of Texas did not have a program in place that would allow Texans to take advantage of this opportunity.
That has now changed.
More
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| July 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks.
More
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| June 2009 |
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| NRG Hosted Community Service Project |
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HAR’s NextGen Realtor Group (NRG) hosted its first community service project on Saturday, May 9. In partnership with Rebuilding Together Houston, more than 15 NRG members and HAR Chair-elect Margie Dorrance replaced siding on an elderly couple’s home. The project was planned by NRG Community Service Chair Terri Lyons of Keller Williams Realty Greater Northwest.
More
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| June 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here's a look
at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the
past few weeks.More
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| May 2009 |
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| Houston Named Ambassador City for Increasing Affordable Housing, Revitalizing the Community |
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The National Association of REALTORS®
and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have named Houston a 2009 Ambassador
City for its Houston HOPE Homes program, an initiative to reinvest in
some of Houston's historic neighborhoods with housing development and
infrastructure improvements. More
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| May 2009 |
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| Opportunity 2010: Imagine Yourself as a Member of the HAR Leadership Team |
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As a leader of one of the most
prestigious REALTOR® associations in the country, HAR directors are
recognized within the Houston community and nationally for the real
difference they make in the lives of HAR's more than 23,000 members
through the decisions they make and the standards that they set.More
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| May 2009 |
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| Are You Ready to be Recruited? |
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Every day we listen to the news and hear
more about the unemployment crisis across the nation. Aren't you glad
that you live in Houston and that you are a REALTOR®? More
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| May 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is
making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our
organization has received over the past few weeks.More
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| April 2009 |
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| Generating Positive Buzz for Real Estate |
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Last month, HAR hosted two sessions we called "Generating Positive Buzz for Real Estate." More
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| April 2009 |
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| Promoting the Industry in Tough Economic Times and Beyond |
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Leaders of more than a dozen Houston-area real estate professional
organizations gathered on Tuesday, January 27, and pledged continued
cooperation to promote their industry throughout the recession and
beyond.More
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| April 2009 |
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| How to Move Up in a Down Market |
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Times are tough for everyone, and REALTORS® are certainly no exception. More
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| April 2009 |
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| Stephens Named TAR Realtor® of the Year |
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George C. Stephens, current HAR board member and broker/owner of ERA Stephens Properties, was honored with the REALTOR® of the Year Award at the recent Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) winter meeting in Austin.
More
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| March 2009 |
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| Client Experience Rating Coming to HAR.com This Month |
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What is the Client Experience Rating and why should I care? Now, maybe
you aren't quite so cynical, but with so many ratings programs out
there these days it makes sense that you might have questions.
More
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| March 2009 |
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| HAR Area Networking Groups: A Great Resource for HAR and Affiliate Members |
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HAR Area Networking Meetings facilitate
communication between members, provide educational programs and
fellowship among the members, and promote association activities.More
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| March 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is
making headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our
organization has received over the past few weeks.More
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| March 2009 |
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| Make the Most of Your Chance to Leave a Lasting Impression |
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I recently went to lunch with a friend I
had not seen in years—since college at The University of Texas at
Austin. She had just moved to Houston with her husband who is an
associate at a major downtown law firm.More
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| February 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is
making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our
organization has received over the past few weeks.More
|
| February 2009 |
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| The Houston Real Estate Association Kicks Off 60th Year Celebration at Annual Awards & Installation Banquet |
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The Houston Real Estate Association
(HREA), the local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate
Brokers (NAREB), will be commemorating its 60th year of service to the
community at their Annual Awards & Installation Banquet on January
23, 2009 at the Houstonian Hotel.More
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| January 2009 |
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| You Can’t Please Everyone, All of the Time |
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The economy is in bad shape. The
financial markets require Pepto-Bismol to be able to get through the
day. Through all of this, the real estate market in the greater Houston
area has held up better than most other areas of the country.More
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| January 2009 |
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| Houston Association of Realtors® Welcomes Its 2009 Board of Directors |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS®
(HAR) has installed its 2009 board of directors with Vicki Fullerton of
RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring beginning a one-year term as chair
effective January 1, 2009.More
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| January 2009 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here's a look
at some of the media coverage our organization has received during the
past few weeks.
More
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| January 2009 |
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| Any Way You Look at it... HAR is a Great Deal |
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Dear HAR Member,
What an honor it is for me to serve as
your 2009 HAR Chair of the Board. HAR is truly the best REALTOR®
association in the country and proves that every day.More
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| December 2008 |
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| Realtor Expo Wrap Up |
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Reliant Center on October 23 for the
2008 REALTOR® Expo. But the real heroes were the nearly 3,000
attendees. After all, this is the year in which HAR has celebrated "the hero in all of us.”More
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| December 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received during the past few weeks.
More
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| December 2008 |
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| Houston Area Real Estate Community Supports Breast Cancer Research |
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On October 21, more than 850 people
attended the Seventh Annual Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation (NOMF)
Luncheon at The Westin Galleria.More
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| December 2008 |
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| Don’t Miss Out on All the Fun at Realtor® Celebration! |
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It's that time of year again—REALTOR® Celebration! This year's event promises to be the most entertaining celebration yet.More
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| December 2008 |
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| Internet Advertising and You |
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With national economic conditions still
being somewhat unpredictable and this being budget time for many
companies and people, we thought this would be an opportune time to
issue a report that might help you a little bit with your advertising
decisions.More
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| December 2008 |
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| Management Central Advisory Group Contributes to Leadership |
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"The conventional definition of
management is getting work done through people, but real management is
developing people through work.”
– Anonymous
This quote appears on the Management
Central Web site as a reminder to more than 4,500 sales managers and
brokers of just how influential they are in the growth and success of
HAR’s more than 26,500 Realtors®.More
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| December 2008 |
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| Tax Benefits for Historic Landmarks |
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Did you know there are some great tax
benefits for City Historic Landmarks that you can use as a sales tool?
Houston has 13 Historic Districts and over 250 Landmarks (more than
3,000 historic homes.)More
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| December 2008 |
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| Houstonians Rank Among the Most Influential Women in Real Estate Leadership |
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The Most Influential Women in Real
Estate Leadership for 2008 have been anounced and a number of
Houstonians are among the honorees.More
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| November 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is
making headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our
organization has received over the past few weeks.More
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| November 2008 |
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| REALTOR® Christmas Carols |
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REALTOR® Stacy Jenkins shares some special REALTOR® Christmas Jingles.More
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| November 2008 |
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| Get Involved in 2009 and Make a Difference! |
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You can make a difference by volunteering for one of the many HAR advisory groups. Sign up online today!
Log on to www.har.com/getinvolved. (Deadline is December 1, 2008) More
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| October 2008 |
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| In the Wake of Hurricane Ike: A Houston Real Estate Market Outlook |
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The Houston housing market has traveled an interesting road in 2008, to
say the least. While sales have been down for 12 straight months
compared to record-setting performances in 2006 and 2007, we've managed
to steer clear of the real estate ills plaguing other parts of the
country primarily because our market never experienced a pricing bubble.More
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| October 2008 |
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| TREC Passes Emergency Rules |
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The Texas Real Estate Commission passed emergency rules granting an
additional four months to complete the license renewal or application
process for licensees and existing applicants who reside or maintain
offices in the 29 counties declared disaster areas due to Hurricane Ike
and who have either begun the application process or have a license
expiring during the period of September 30, 2008 and February 28, 2009.
More
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| October 2008 |
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| Women in the Driver’s Seat of Real Estate |
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For the fourth year in a row, the Houston Intown Chamber of Commerce will host "Women in the Driver’s Seat of Real Estate.”More
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| October 2008 |
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| |
| HAR in the News |
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|
The Houston Association of REALTORS® is
making headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our
organization has received over the past few weeks.More
|
| October 2008 |
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| HAR Undergoes Sign-oplasty |
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Since plastic surgery is all the rage, we thought it was time for a
little nip/tuck for HAR as well. The HAR building has a great location
on Southwest Freeway that has hundreds of thousands of people pass it
every day. And due to that traffic, the HAR sign in front of the
building serves as another great branding opportunity for the
association and REALTORS®.More
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| October 2008 |
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| HAR to Offer Free Video Shoots at Realtor® Expo |
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This is the first year that HAR will have video professionals on hand
at REALTOR® Expo to record a 60-90 second video that will be uploaded
to YouTube to help promote you and your business.More
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| October 2008 |
| |
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| |
| HAR in the News |
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|
|
The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks.More
|
| September 2008 |
| |
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| |
| 2008 REALTOR® Expo: Heroes |
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Don't miss out on all the fun and excitement of REALTOR® Expo. Register today!More
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| September 2008 |
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| REALTOR® Safety Week |
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The safety of our more than 1.2 million members is always a top priority for NAR. We are committed to helping our members stay safe while on the job, at home and on the road. To raise awareness about this important issue, September 14–20 has been officially designated as the fifth annual REALTOR® Safety Week.
More
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| September 2008 |
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| |
| Five Safety Tips for Showing Commercial Sites |
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If your business includes managing and showing commercial properties, you should be aware that this may be one of the most potentially dangerous careers in real estate. You're typically showing a vacant property to a prospective customer, and may be far from other people and buildings, putting you in a very vulnerable position.More
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| September 2008 |
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| Houston Association of REALTORS® Announces 2009 Board of Directors Election Results |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) annual Board of Directors election has concluded with a new slate of Executive Committee members and directors for 2009.
More
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| September 2008 |
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| |
| Be a REALTOR® Rock Star! |
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|
HAR and Millennium Audi are hosting a Member Mixer to kick-off REALTOR® Expo and to celebrate the Audi Car Contest* at REALTOR® Expo. As part of the mixer, Houston area REALTORS® will have the chance to compete as part of HAR's REALTOR® Rock Star.More
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| September 2008 |
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| Houston Hope |
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Vision The Houston HOPE vision is to substantially reduce poverty and create hope for the residents of Houston's poorest and most blighted neighborhoods. More
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| September 2008 |
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| Brokers May Opt to Withhold Listing Display from Non-REALTOR® Advertising Sites |
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The Board of Directors of the Houston Realtors® Information Service (HRIS) has adopted a new policy that permits a broker to "Opt-Out" of having their listing displayed on one or more of the various advertising Web sites that HRIS has agreements for the display of broker listings.More
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| September 2008 |
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| Women in the Driver's Seat |
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The "Women in the Driver's Seat" fundraising luncheon and style show will take place on Friday, October 17. The featured speaker is society columnist Shelby Hodge who will be interviewed by former White House spokesperson Peter Roussel. Funds raised from the event will be directed to The Frankie Jefferson Scholarship Fund at the Houston Community College Foundation. The scholarship will benefit women who are pursuing Real Estate Degrees at HCC.
More
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| September 2008 |
| |
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| |
| Harris County Permits Map Information Service |
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|
|
SUBJECT: Flood Insurance Rate Map Zone Information
Harris County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have updated all of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Unincorporated Harris County. We have adopted the effective FIRMs dated June 18, 2007.
More
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| August 2008 |
| |
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| |
| HAR CEO Bob Hale Named Inman Innovator of the Year |
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|
In front of a crowd of 700 people at the annual Inman Real Estate Connect Conference in San Francisco, HAR President and CEO Bob Hale was named Inman News’ Innovator of the Year for 2008. More
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| August 2008 |
| |
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| |
| HAR in the News |
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|
|
The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few week More
|
| August 2008 |
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| |
| Blogging recipe: 4 parts listening,1 part writing |
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|
Ben Martin, director of communications and new media at the Virginia Association of Realtors®, has a recipe for blogging.More
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| August 2008 |
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| |
| “Har.com” Ranks Among the Nation’s Most Popular Real Estate-related |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS®’ Web site, HAR.com, is among the top 30 online search terms for Internet users seeking real estate-related information, according to Web metrics company HitwiseMore
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| August 2008 |
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| |
| Did You Know? |
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About 162,000 homes have curb-side recycling available within the City of Houston, but many of those homes do not utilize this service.More
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| August 2008 |
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| Green Your Move |
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If you’re concerned about the impact your move may have on the environment, take heart.More
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| August 2008 |
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| City of Houston’s Recycling Partner Announces Expanded Capabilities |
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AbitibiBowater, the City of Houston’s recycling processing company, announced that it will convert its existing Houston-based recycling plant from dual stream to single stream, which will allow additional items to be collected and make the process more efficient for the City.More
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| August 2008 |
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| Houston Area Real Estate Community Supports Breast Cancer Research |
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The Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation is excited to announce its Seventh Annual Luncheon to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at The Westin Galleria (5060 West Alabama Street, 77056).More
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| August 2008 |
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| Meet the 2009 Board of Director Candidates |
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As leaders of one of the most prestigious REALTOR® associations in the country, HAR directors are recognized within the Houston community and nationally for the real difference they make in the lives of HAR’s 25,000 members through the decisions they make and the standards that they set. More
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| July 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of REALTORS® is making headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks.More
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| July 2008 |
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| Opportunity 2009: Imagine Yourself as a Member of the HAR Leadership Team |
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As a leader of one of the most prestigious Realtor® associations in the country, HAR directors are recognized within the Houston community and nationally for the real difference they make in the lives of HAR's more than 25,000 members through the decisions they make and the standards that they set.More
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| June 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks.More
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| June 2008 |
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| Live Chat With HAR Staff |
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Q: What is HAR Live Chat?
A: Read below and find out More
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| June 2008 |
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| HAR’s NextGen Realtor® Group Holds Event in Fort Bend County |
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The Vineyard on Sugar Land's Town Square was the site of HAR's NextGen Realtor® Group (NRG) premiere event in Fort Bend County on April 22.More
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| June 2008 |
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| Governor Perry Names HAR Member Eckstrum Presiding Officer of Texas Real Estate Commission |
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Gov. Rick Perry appointed John Eckstrum of Montgomery as presiding officer of the Texas Real Estate Commission for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor.More
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| June 2008 |
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| Bob Hale Inducted Into National Leadership Society |
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HAR CEO Bob Hale joined an elite group of association leaders, as he was inducted into the prestigious Bud Smith Leadership Society at the NAR mid-year meeting in Washington, D.C. in May.More
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| June 2008 |
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| Editorial: Internet Killed the MLS |
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MLSs around the country are missing out on an amazing opportunity to maintain relevance as online companies continue to build up a marketplace without them.More
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| June 2008 |
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| NAR Advances Plan for Property Database |
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Meeting in Washington, D.C. recently the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Board of Directors took a major strategic leap, authorizing the association to work with a technology company to create a broker-controlled national repository or "library" of property data that would provide members-only access to detailed information on all properties in the United States.More
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| June 2008 |
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| NAR, DOJ Agree on MLS Policy: REALTORS(r) Compete, Consumers Win; No Effect Expected in Houston |
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NAR has reached a favorable settlement with
the U.S. Department of Justice, resolving the litigation between them
over the display of listings from the MLS on brokers' virtual office
Web (VOW) sites.More
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| June 2008 |
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| 7th Annual NOMF Luncheon |
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| June 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks. [more]More
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| May 2008 |
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| CenterPoint Energy Reminds Customers to Plant The Right |
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Earth Day and Arbor Day may be behind us, but it’s still a great time to "think green.” CenterPoint Energy reminds Texans that if you plan to plant a tree, be sure to call 811 before you dig to locate underground utility lines. [more]More
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| May 2008 |
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| Opportunity 2009: Imagine Yourself as a Member of the HAR Leadership Team |
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As a leader of one of the most prestigious Realtor® associations in the country, HAR directors are recognized within the Houston community and nationally for the real difference they make in the lives of HAR's more than 25,000 members through the decisions they make and the standards that they set. [more]More
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| May 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making
headlines! Here’s a look at some of the media coverage our organization has
received over the past few weeks.More
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| April 2008 |
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| 1.2 Billion Hits for YOU! |
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In both
January and February, HAR.com received approximately 1.2 billion hits,
generated by more than one million unique visitors. The site was ranked among the top 20 most frequently visited
real estate sites in the country by multiple Internet tracking companies. But what does all of this mean to you?
Consumers looking at Realtor® listings more than 11 million times per month for
starters.
More
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| April 2008 |
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| Fair Housing in the 2008 Real Estate Office |
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On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the
Civil Rights Act of 1968, which was meant as a follow-up to the Civil Rights
Act of 1964. The Fair Housing Act (the Act) prohibits discrimination because of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status in
most housing related transactions. Further, the Act makes it unlawful to
indicate any preference or limitation on these bases when advertising the sale
or rental of a dwelling. The Act also prohibits harassment of anyone exercising
a fair housing right and retaliation against an individual because she or he
has assisted or participated in any manner, in a fair housing investigation. More
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| April 2008 |
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| Hale to the Chief -Bob Hale Marks 20 Years at the Helm of HAR |
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This month, HAR President and CEO Bob Hale celebrates 20 years as leader of one of the largest and most respected real estate trade organizations in the country and around the world. [more]More
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| March 2008 |
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| Have You Heard There is a NEW HAR.com? |
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If you've been living under a rock in the last month–and didn't look at the cover of the magazine before jumping to read this column–then you might not know that HAR launched a new, redesigned Web site in February. [more]More
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| March 2008 |
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| Houston Association of Realtors® Captures Marketing Honors |
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The American Marketing Association's (AMA) Houston chapter recently named the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) one of 26 companies to receive "Best-of-Category" honors for their 2007 marketing programs. [more]More
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| March 2008 |
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| Realtor® Bill Perlmutter Digs His New Wheels |
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Bill Perlmutter of William Perlmutter, Realtors®, has driven in comfort and style to many appointments since winning his 2008 Audi Q7 SUV at last October's Realtor® Expo. [more] More
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| March 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks. [more]More
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| March 2008 |
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| Survey Says |
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HAR recently released the new 2007 HAR Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers, which is packed full of useful information about your clients in the greater Houston area. [more]More
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| March 2008 |
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| There Is Always A Silver Lining...And HAR Shines The Light On It |
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Expectations are hard to manage in any business, but each of you is responsible for the most expensive asset your clients probably own, so there are many things that have to be managed throughout the process—and expectations are not the least of them.
Obviously, we all want anyone who is able to purchase a home to do so. Not because we want to collect a commission, as some others might think, but because we genuinely believe in the American Dream of homeownership. [more...]More
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| January 2008 |
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| Fingerprinting and Background Checks Now Mandatory for New and Renewing Texas Real Estate License Applicants |
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2008 brings a whole new process by which Texas real estate brokers and salespeople apply for new licenses and renew existing ones.You will now be required to undergo fingerprinting and background checks.
[more...] More
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| January 2008 |
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| Small Talk, Big Results |
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Conversation starters are more important than you think. Here are some topics and techniques to help you get going—and get out when you want to.
For years, people have denigrated small talk as phony and boring. However, my research shows otherwise. I surveyed 100 great conversationalists and found two stunning results.
[more...] More
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| January 2008 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage our organization has received over the past few weeks:
[more...] More
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| January 2008 |
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| An Unwelcome Sign |
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New Legislation Reinforces Rules Banning Signs From Rights-of-Way
Frustrated. Angry. Confused. Many Realtors® around the state have found themselves in one of those moods over new legislation related to signs in public rights-of-way. Agents are concerned that this bill makes it illegal to place directional signs in the public right-of-way, and they will no longer have a means to point potential buyers to their listings and open houses. [more...]More
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| January 2008 |
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| HAR Keeps You in the Know…Now! |
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The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest designation awarded to Realtors® in the residential real estate field. Recognizing both professional and educational accomplishments, the CRS designation is awarded by the Council of Residential Specialists, an organization affiliated with the National Association of Realtors®. The Council provides an array of benefits that allows its members to maximize their professional performance.
[more...] More
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| January 2008 |
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| Survey Says… |
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HAR recently released the NEW 2007 HAR Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers, which is packed full of useful information about your clients in the greater Houston area. HAR commissioned the University of Houston Center for Public Policy to conduct a survey of recent home sellers and buyers about their attitudes and perceptions of the home buying or selling process. Much of the survey was focused on their interaction with their Realtors®, if they wisely utilized the services of a Realtor®, or their reasons for not using a Realtor®, if they did not. [more...]More
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| January 2008 |
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| Top Three Short Sale Trends |
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On any given day, I receive three to four calls from people who are in foreclosure and find themselves in a frightening whirlwind of red tape, debt and decisions most feel too overwhelmed to absorb. Many I meet have been met with brick walls, intimidation and apathy and are truly desperately in need of an ally. Those are the days when you know that having a job that helps people can be extraordinarily rewarding and that providing solutions can and does make a difference. [more...]More
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| January 2008 |
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| Time Management |
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I think we all often get overwhelmed by the amount of ink on our calendars. But effective time management can help you regain control. Time management is crucial - you’re not just managing time, you’re actually managing your business. [more...]More
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| January 2008 |
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| Tis is the Title |
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This area is very important to addMore
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| January 2008 |
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| Keep Selling Through the Holidays…..Jingle All the Way Through 2008! |
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Around this time of year, it is common to put your real estate career on cruise control or just coast down the hill. We have it in our minds that business is going to be slow this time of year so we check out – take a mental vacation if you will. However, there are important reasons to stay active in real estate. [more...]More
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| December 2007 |
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| Realtors® Can Benefit from Promoting their Multilingual/Multicultural Skills |
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In a region as culturally and ethnically diverse as greater Houston, speaking a second or third language has huge advantages. It's a skill that provides an important communication and social connection to a rapidly growing segment of our population. But it can be particularly beneficial to businessmen and women by enabling them to reach customers they might otherwise miss. [more...]More
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| December 2007 |
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| HAR in the News |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® is making headlines! Here's a look at some of the media coverage your association has received over the past few weeks:
"Houston's real estate market is on pace for its second best year on record with home sales slowing in October. Prices continue to hold up, though."
KPRC-TV (NBC 2) November 21, 2007 [more...]More
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| December 2007 |
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| HAR Bay Area Open House |
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The HAR Bay Area Branch has moved into new and more spacious quarters to meet the growing needs of the approximately 5,000 members it serves. And it's easy to find the new office because it's adjacent to the original location on Buccaneer. [more...] More
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| December 2007 |
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| New in 2008: Background Checks for New and Renewing Texas Real Estate License Applicants |
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The new year will bring important changes for Texas real estate brokers and salespeople—all in the name of safety.
Anyone applying for or renewing a broker or salesperson license on or after January 1, 2008 must be fingerprinted as part of the application process. This new procedure, mandated by the Texas Legislature, clears the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to perform a criminal background check with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for every licensee. This background check will be conducted on every applicant for a license and every time a real estate salesperson or broker license is renewed. The good news is that once fingerprints are on file with DPS, a licensee will not need to be fingerprinted for future renewals. [more...]More
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| December 2007 |
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| Brokers Beware Of Foreclosure Contract Terms |
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Reports of increasing foreclosures in the U.S. housing market are far and wide. Fortunately, Houston's market remains pretty strong, bucking the national trend. Nonetheless, everyone knows foreclosures are on the rise.
What isn't widely known or reported are some rather onerous contract terms certain lenders employ in selling their real estate owned properties. The effect of these terms is to make the buyer's broker part of the contract for sale and should there occur a delay in the closing: [more...]More
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| December 2007 |
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| And the Survey Says… |
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HAR recently released the NEW 2007 HAR Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers, which is packed full of useful information about your clients in the greater Houston area. HAR commissioned the University of Houston Center for Public Policy to conduct a survey of recent home sellers and buyers about their attitudes and perceptions of the home buying or selling process. Much of the survey was focused on their interaction with their Realtors®, if they wisely utilized the services of a Realtor®, or their reasons for not using a Realtor®, if they did not. [more...]More
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| December 2007 |
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| It’s a Jungle Out There… Good Thing Realtor® Expo was Indoors |
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The 2007 HAR Realtor® Expo is being hailed as the best yet by all in attendance. More than 2,000 attendees packed Reliant Center to learn, network and possibly win some great prizes.More
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| November 2007 |
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| HAR…A Bargain At Any Price |
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Did you know that HAR has not raised its dues in three years? And at the same time, HAR has vastly increased the number of services and tools that it provides to you at no additional cost.More
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| November 2007 |
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| Realtor Celebration 2008 |
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Realtor® Celebration!
Wednesday, Dec. 5
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Hilton Americas Hotel More
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| November 2007 |
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| Chris Gardner Guest Speaker at Realtor® Celebration |
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Christopher Gardner is the owner and CEO of Christopher Gardner International Holdings with offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. More
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| November 2007 |
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| Designations: Earning Your Client’s Respect |
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Did you know that November is "Realtor® Designation Awareness Month”? HAR and NAR celebrate each November by recognizing and encouraging Realtors® to enhance their business by earning professional designations.More
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| November 2007 |
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| HAR Annual Membership Meeting |
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The Houston Association of Realtors® Board of Directors has approved changes to the HAR Bylaws (see copy of proposed Bylaws changes below.)More
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| November 2007 |
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| Bob Hale Included on 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders List |
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Inman News has compiled a list of the 100 most influential people in real estate in 2007, reflecting the industry's best and brightest, as well as outside figures whose actions influence the home buying and selling business.More
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| November 2007 |
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| Young Realtors® Let Their Voices Be Heard |
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What would happen if a survey was sent out to all HAR members who are below the age of 40? What if you asked them how they felt about starting a young Realtor® group that would be more focused on the needs of Gen X and Gen Y members?More
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| October 2007 |
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| Mortgage Foreclosure Scams on the Rise, Warns the BBB |
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Foreclosure "rescue" companies may promise to save your home, but only empty your wallet
Across the U.S., homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure are being scammed by foreclosure "rescue" companies promising to save their house but that only take their money.More
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| October 2007 |
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| And the Survey Says |
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Even in this advanced age of technology, the telephone is the primary method of communication for most home sellers. While you might think e-mail or text messaging would catch on as a more convenient way to talk to your client, Alexander Graham Bell would be glad to know his invention is still carrying the weight of communication for real estate transactions.More
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| October 2007 |
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| Flood Insurance Rate Map Zone Information |
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Harris County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have updated all of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Unincorporated Harris County. They have adopted the effective FIRMs dated June 18, 2007. More
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| October 2007 |
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| Sixth Annual Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation Luncheon |
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On September 27, more than 900 people attended the Sixth Annual Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation (NOMF) Luncheon at The Westin Galleria.More
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| October 2007 |
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| MLS Public Listing Sites Gain Support |
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Consumer-facing multiple listing service Web sites – once taboo and controversial in some markets – are gaining interest again as MLSs scramble to define their value and role in future real estate markets.More
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| September 2007 |
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| Congratulations to the 2008 Newly Elected Board of Directors |
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As a leader of one of the most prestigious Realtor® associations in the country, HAR directors are recognized within the Houston community and nationally for the real difference they make in the lives of HAR's 25,000 members through the decisions they make and the standards that they set.More
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| September 2007 |
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| Cancer Doesn’t Stand a Chance in Texas |
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In honor of the Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation Luncheon to be held on Thursday, September 27, 2007, we asked Texas State Representative Ellen Cohen to submit an article to Houston Realtor® magazine. As a cancer survivor, someone whose husband fought a long battle with cancer and after finishing her first term in the Texas House, she has very strong views on cancer research and how the state should be helping its citizens. More
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| September 2007 |
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| Houston Area Real Estate Community Supports Breast Cancer Research |
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The Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation is excited to announce its Sixth Annual Luncheon to be held on Thursday, September 27, 2007, at The Westin Galleria (5060 West Alabama Street, 77056).More
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| September 2007 |
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| And the Survey Says… |
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Real estate is local. One particular area of the city might be doing very well, while another is slowing. There are different parks, shops, hospitals and schools. All of these factors go into the decision of where a buyer will ultimately move.More
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| September 2007 |
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| Safe Steps for Meeting a New Client |
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Here are 10 steps you can follow to help take the risk out of meeting prospects and clients:More
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| September 2007 |
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| Safety on the Road |
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As a Realtor®, you spend a great deal of time in your car. These tips may help protect you from dangerous situations on the road or while waiting in your car.More
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| September 2007 |
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| HAR Area Networking Meetings |
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Enjoy a pictorial recap of recent HAR Networking Meetings.More
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| September 2007 |
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| Win an Audi at Realtor Expo |
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HAR and Millennium Audi located in north Houston have partnered together to bring you a once in a lifetime opportuntity!More
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| August 2007 |
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| 2007 Realtor Expo 2007 Jungle Adventure |
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Make plans to attend Realtor Expo 2007!More
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| August 2007 |
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| And the Survey Says… |
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HAR released the 2005 HAR Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers last year to great acclaim, and each month we are highlighting one of its findings.More
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| August 2007 |
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| Notice from City of Houston Sign Administration |
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Bandit signs are lightweight, inexpensive advertising signs that are illegally placed on public property or in the righ-of-way. Sign Administration is responsible for removal and enforcement.More
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| August 2007 |
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| Relocation: Always on the Move |
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If you like referrals but don't like the referral fees, maybe this is an article for you,
You may not like the ever increasing referral fee, but you do like the commission which the business provides. More
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| August 2007 |
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| Quality Service Certified |
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Are you Quality Service Certified like these members? More
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| August 2007 |
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| Three Things You Didn’t Know About E-mail Marketing |
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It gets harder every day to send legal marketing e-mails to customers or clients. Spam filters, ISP restrictions, and consumers very sensitive about protecting their e-mail addresses mean your message must navigate a minefield to get to its intended recipients.More
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| August 2007 |
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| Searching Tips For TEMPO |
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I have found that I can give a group of 20 agents the same search criteria, and they come up with at least three different sets of listings, depending on how well they know how to use Tempo.More
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| July 2007 |
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| And the Survey Says... |
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HAR released the 2005 HAR Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers last year to great acclaim, and each month we are highlighting one of its findings.
More
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| July 2007 |
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| Common Errors with Contracts and Tips For Better Risk Management |
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In reviewing and approving all transaction files for our firm, I am consistently finding two areas of misunderstanding.
1. Agents are using the incorrect form to disclose the "STATUTORY TAX DISTRICTS," as required by Chapter 49 of the Texas Water Code and the "ANNEXATION NOTICES" §5.011 of the Texas Property Code and included in "NOTICES: 6 E (3) and 6 E (5)" of the TREC Contract forms.
2. Survey: 6 C 1 of the TREC contract forms. Agents and often Title Companies are misinterpreting this paragraph.
More
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| July 2007 |
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| Houston Realtors® Receive National Consumer Rating Award |
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Eight Honored for Exceptional Service
In today’s marketplace, consumer ratings are high praise, and that praise is measured and quantified in nearly every industry, including real estate. Consumers rate books, hotels, products, trips and now, real estate professionals. The organization known for creating the ultimate real estate industry rating system is Quality Service Certification (QSC). The QSC service awards are the only awards in the real estate industry based on independently validated, measurable service results. More
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| June 2007 |
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| Quality Certified |
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Rating Realtors®
From books on Amazon to sellers on eBay, Web-savvy consumers have become ratings happy. And why shouldn’t they be? What better way to make an informed purchase than to read reviews from like-minded consumers? The review frenzy is not limited to goods, either. More and more consumers are looking for positive reviews to bolster their belief that they’re hiring the best architect, plumber, or (ahem) real estate practitioner.
With this in mind, the California, Virginia, and Houston associations of Realtors® are promoting rigorous customer satisfaction programs for their members—programs that not only train and certify Realtors®, but also survey the Realtors®’ customers and post the feedback online. More than 1,500 CAR members and nearly 500 HAR members have completed the training. More
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| June 2007 |
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| NOW CASTING! |
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TLC, the network that brought you Trading Spaces and While You Were Out, is now producing 13 fresh new episodes of its breakout home design hit, Moving UP. We are looking for people who are moving between June and August of 2007.
Each episode follows three families as they move into their new houses, while struggling to leave their old homes behind. We will watch as they each spend the next few months remodeling, decorating and transforming their new spaces into their own. Moving UP is ultimately about the choices we make to turn a house into a home. After a few months, we will bring the former owners back to see what they make of the new changes.More
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| June 2007 |
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| Sold! Realtors® Raise the Gavel on Home Sales by Auctions |
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Auctions are often associated with cars, furniture and jewelry. In recent years, however, real estate auctions have gained popularity as a way for sellers to sell their homes quickly. That was the message delivered by Realtor® Valerie Gehringer, Keller Williams Realty, Winchester, Va., at a forum held at the National Association of Realtors® 2007 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.More
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| June 2007 |
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| How The Subprime Scandal Will Affect Your Bottom Line |
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Can brokers reverse the damage done?
Turmoil in the subprime mortgage market, what some call a correction or natural adjustment, has cast an air of caution over the lending industry.
Gone are the go-go days of excessively "layering risks,” a practice that has contributed to recent spikes in defaults and foreclosures. Today, tighter credit standards are increasingly becoming the norm at a time when falling home prices, a glut of properties, and higher mortgage interest rates have already combined to dampen home sales. The confluence points to a dip in the revenue streams of mortgage lenders, including realty affiliates. More
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| June 2007 |
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| Houston Area Realtors® Look for Solution to Bandit Sign Issues |
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RE: State Laws re. Bandit Signs
"It was moved and seconded to submit a request to the TAR Leadership Team to form a task force that will examine a more Realtor-friendly and therefore consumer-friendly alternative to enforcement and/or lack of enforcement of Texas statutes by various local jurisdictions that prohibit the placement of "bandit signs” on public right-of-ways. More
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| June 2007 |
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| And The Survey Says... |
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HAR released the 2005 HAR Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers last year to great acclaim, and each month we are highlighting one of its findings.
Networking is one of the best ways to generate new clients for your business. Going to various organizational meetings or events allows you more exposure with people who have a particular interest. It doesn’t have to be anything related to real estate, but if you share the interest with the other people at the event and you mention you are a Realtor®, then you are more likely to receive the call when that person you met decides now is the time to buy or sell a home.
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| May 2007 |
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| Look What HAR Members Are Saying About Quality Service Certification… |
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76% of sellers who participated in the "2005 HAR Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers” indicated they would benefit from accessing Realtor® ratings by previous customers.
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| May 2007 |
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| Celebrating 50 Years in Real Estate! |
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It is a rare occasion that we honor HAR members who have been continuously licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission for 50 years or more. But at HAR’s April 16th Board of Directors meeting we paid a special tribute to HAR members Henry Gavens, James Jax, Thomas Mabray, Donald Ollenburger and Carl Taylor for their decades of service in the real estate industry. The awards were presented by Wayne Thorburn of the Texas Real Estate Commission.
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| May 2007 |
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| New Member of HAR Wins Survey Drawing!! |
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We asked about you and 7,420 of you answered! The HAR Member survey beat all expectations with a 30% response rate and as surveys go, this is extremely high.
This first online member survey included a drawing for participants to win a $500 American Express Gift Card. Rita M. Hejl of Coldwell Banker United Realtors® office in The Woodlands is the winner.
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| May 2007 |
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| The Furniture Bank: One HAR Member’s Unforgettable Experience |
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After our story about The Furniture Bank in the April issue of the Houston Realtor®, we received a request from a member who wanted to share his story about dealing with The Furniture Bank and how it has made a personal difference in his life.
Tim Surratt, a top producer with Greenwood King Properties, knows first-hand how valuable The Furniture Bank can be.
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| May 2007 |
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| FIRST CHECK PRESENTED TO COUPLE AS PART OF THE GOOD NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR PROGRAM |
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Homebuyer receives $40,000 Check for Down Payment
Mayor Bill White, joined by Houston Housing Director Richard Celli, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials, and members of the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation presented the first down payment assistance check to a Houston area teacher through the "Good Neighbor Next Door" program. Houston area teacher Kenneth Sanders is purchasing a home in the city's Fifth Ward, one area targeted by the Mayor for affordable redevelopment, through the Houston Hope program.More
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| April 2007 |
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| Got Stuff? Donate it to The Furniture Bank and Help Those in Need |
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Every day across Houston, Realtors® deal with people moving from one home to another. Packing up and moving always results in sorting out what's needed and what can be left behind.
One person's stuff is another family's treasures.More
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| April 2007 |
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| Three Things Not to Overlook When You Prepare Your Taxes |
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When tax time rolls around, taking care of certain details can save you money and trouble. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare your return.
You can deduct $78 of TAR dues you paid in 2006 (the nondeductible portion is disallowed because it goes toward lobbying the government) and $50 of the dues you paid to NAR for 2006 dues. You can also deduct the full $20 you paid for NAR’s public awareness campaign. (If you paid your 2007 dues in 2006, the numbers are $77 for TAR, $50 for NAR, and $30 for the NAR public awareness campaign.) You may also deduct $116 of your HAR dues as an ordinary + necessary expense.More
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| April 2007 |
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| QSC… Why do it? |
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A recent HAR consumer survey reflected that more then three-fourths of sellers believe they would benefit from accessing Realtor® ratings by previous customers. How much louder can the message be?
Consumers are hungry for information, and with the technology available today, they are getting it. The burning question is, do we want to be in control of the integrity of this information, or are we going to continue to allow others outside of our industry to control it?More
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| April 2007 |
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| And the Survey Says... |
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Keeping with this month's cover topic of using the Internet in your business, 76 percent of home buyers said that they are likely or very likely to use the Internet for a future home purchase. If you are a listing agent and you want to expose your listings to as many people as possible, the Internet needs to be an integral part of your marketing plan.More
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| March 2007 |
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| Real Estate Center Economist Warns of Foreclosure ‘Rescue’ Scam |
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Convinced that home foreclosures will rise dramatically in the next two years, the chief economist for the Real Estate Center at | | | | |