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| The 'H' in HAR Should Stand for Heroes |
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This is my first column as the 2008 HAR Chairman so I feel such pressure to make it good. I feel the pressure to ensure everything that we do good, but take comfort in knowing that I have the best association membership and staff in the country behind me to help make it continue to happen.
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| November Housing Numbers Show Houston Largely Resistant To National Effects Of Market Downturn |
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Average and median single-family homesales prices are on the rise
While much of the nation wrestles with the persistent effects of the real estate market downturn, Houston continues to hold its own when it comes to home sales and prices as the end of 2007 nears. The latest monthly housing figures compiled by the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) reflect comparative stability, with area sales and pricing performance still outpacing that recorded in 2005. [more...]
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| MLS Highlights from 2007 |
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2007 MLS Advisory Group
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The Houston Association of Realtors® would like to thank the volunteer leaders who served on the 2007 MLS Advisory Group. These dedicated professionals have graciously given their time and energy throughout the year to help establish and maintain MLS policy that is in the best interest of HAR's nearly 29,000 members. [more...]
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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...]
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| Old vs. New: A Pencil and Paper or a PDA? |
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The latest tech tools can boost productivity, but are they always the best solution? Experts share tips for determining when it's better to take the low-tech route.
When Tammie Fleming, GRI, started her job as managing broker of Prudential One Realty Centre in Granite City, Ill., she wanted all the practitioners to adopt her enthusiasm for using technology.
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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.
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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.
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| Social Bookmarking: A Better Way To Bookmark |
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Did you know that there are more than 15 billion Web pages? All of the searching and browsing results in finding lots of very useful information. Traditionally we use a bookmark or add a page to our favorites feature in Web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Firefox) when we find something of interest we would like to save or revisit at a later time. However these bookmarks are stored in your computer in your office or home, but you do not have access to those bookmarks when you are away from your computer. So the question is how can you access those bookmarks anywhere you are? There is a way. [more...]
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| The Houston Association of REALTORS® Welcomes its 2008 Board of Directors: Michael Levitin is new chairman |
Former college roommate Danny Holland (left) swears in Michael Levitin (right) as 2008 HAR Chairman.
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The Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) has installed its 2008 Board of Directors with Michael Levitin, broker/owner of HTownRealty.com, beginning a one-year term as chairman effective January 1.
Levitin launched his real estate career in 1980 selling homes in The Woodlands. In 1988, he established a full-service real estate company selling foreclosed Houston homes to out-of-state investors.[more...]
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| Local Members Receive Statewide Recognition |
Earlier this year, the Texas Association of Realtors® Political Communications Subcommittee presented 75 Realtors® from across the state with the first ever TAR Strike Force Award. This award celebrates Realtors® that were an integral part of the association’s 2006 election success and grassroots involvement.
HAR would like to thank these members for being so involved in our local and state political process. [more...]
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| 2008 TREPAC Investors |
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**All investments as of December 4, 2007** [more...]
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| Standing Room Only at Lampson’s Bay Area Meeting |
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Congressman Nick Lampson (right) with HAR Director John Nugent (left), FBI Special Agent Ron Cutlip, FBI Special Agent Rodney Miller, HAR Director and TREPAC Trustee Chaille Ralph, TREPAC Trustee Billy Burt, and Doris Au.
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With more than 75 people crowding into the Nassau Bay City Hall, standing room only was available for those arriving for a town hall meeting co-hosted by Congressman Nick Lampson and the Houston Association of Realtors®. Realtors® Billy Burt, Chaille Ralph, John Nugent, Mary Starr, Maria Vitale, and Doris Au attended as well as residents and concerned homeowners of Congressional District 22. [more...]
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| HAR Recommended Candidates are the New Members on Council |
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Congratulations to HAR’s recommended candidates, Wanda Adams, Mike Sullivan, and Jolanda Jones, who defeated their opponents in the City of Houston runoff election held on December 8, 2007. These newly-elected Council Members, including James Rodriguez, as well as incumbent Council Members Toni Lawrence, Jarvis Johnson, Anne Clutterbuck, M. J. Khan, Pam Holm, Adrian Garcia, Peter Brown, Sue Lovell, Melissa Noriega and Ronald Green will be sworn into office on January 2, 2008, at Discovery Green. Houston Mayor Bill White and Controller Annise Parker will also take the Oath of Office and serve their last two-year terms. [more...]
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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:
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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...]
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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.
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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...]
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| Calling all Heroes! |
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2008 HAR Chairman Michael Levitin Wants YOU!...to be recognized for the great things you do in the community.
Michael's theme for 2008 is Heroes, and he wants to highlight some of the amazing ways each of you gives back to the community.
Each month, an HAR member will be recognized as the "HAR Hero of the Month." [more]
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| Congratulations 2007 Houston CIPS Designees! |
These members of HAR received the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation in 2007. They were required to take a 2 day pre-requisite course on international matters and once they passed the exam could take the 5 day Institute of classes. They will be included in the international CIPS database on the NAR Web site. [more...]
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| Ask Mike |
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Q: I'm a new member to HAR. What classes do I have to take? Are there any that you would recommend? [more...]
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| 2008 Predictions for Salespeople |
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How will it go for you in 2008? What will you achieve in your sales life and in your personal life?
I’ve gathered some sales predictions from my crystal ball, a bunch of people you think are hot prospects, a few irritated customers, a couple tightwad purchasing agents, and a sales manager in a pear tree. Some are tongue-in-cheek -- or are they? Some are painful. Some are a cold slap in the face, while others will give you all the confidence you need to make it your best year ever. [more...]
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| Are You Ready To Deal With Frugal? |
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With the weak market a universal state of affairs across the American real estate landscape, most brokers and agents are experiencing first hand the challenge of living and working on less. For the vast majority of these folks, living cheap is a far cry from the relative prosperity of the past eight to twelve years and is seen as a temporary lifestyle pending the return of a sustainable market 18 to 20 months from now. [more...]
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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...]
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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...]
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| Prudential Gary Greene Realtor® Receives Political Action Honor |
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Larry Littlejohn
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Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors®’ Larry Littlejohn was recently honored with the Strike Force Award from the Texas Association of Realtors® for his enthusiasm and involvement in local politics. [more...]
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| Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter of CCIM Announces Winners of 2008 Scholarship Competition |
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The Houston/Gulf Cast Chapter of CCIM today announced the four winners of its recent competion for scholarships to be used toward course work in pursuit of the prestigious CCIM designation. [more...]
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| GroundBreakers: Perry Homes Introduces Realtor® Relations Coordinator |
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Shannon Vining, Perry Homes Realtor Relations Coordinator
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HAR is introducing a new monthly feature to the Houston Realtor® called "Ground Breakers,” which will showcase the new communities and news from our builder and planned community advertisers. As an added benefit to our builder/planned community advertisers, their communities will be featured in an editorial spotlight to introduce our 28,000 members to the new and exciting products and services they have to offer.
For more information on "Ground Breakers,” please contact Emi Lee Norris at (713) 629-1900 ext. 204 or via e-mail at emilee@har.com. [more...]
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