The EDGE - Real Estate Information and News

1. The EDGEInformation and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business • HAR Introduces MLS Platinum • Register Now for H-Town Day 2016 • Houston Market Movements • All Aboard for Certification In This Week’s “The EDGE” “The Edge” is a weekly tool for managers to use to inform their agents and stay current and up-to-date with important real estate industry issues. Brought to you by the HAR Communications Department.

2. HAR Introduces MLS Platinum • Over the past two decades, HAR has developed an extraordinary package of products and services to make our members successful. HAR is nationally recognized for its commitment to provide its members with the most innovative and productive tools in the industry. This effort continues today, and we remain committed to providing leading edge tools into the future. • Since 1997, all HAR-developed tools have been incorporated into a single MLS package without raising MLS fees. • National industry politics and federal law have resulted in NAR policy changes that require local MLSs to unbundle MLS services. Effective July 1, 2016, HAR will comply with these new NAR policies by providing an additional package of services. • All MLS Subscribers will continue to receive those services defined by NAR as "substantially related to the function of a MLS" in a MLS Standard package. • A new MLS Platinum (optional) package of services has been developed by HAR designed to drive leads to your business and maximize your marketing exposure. • Learn more about MLS Platinum HERE. The EDGEInformation and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business

3. Register Now for H-Town Day 2016 The EDGEInformation and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind program with updates directly from City of Houston Controller Chris Brown, Harris County Commissioner Gene Locke, area school district representatives, transportation experts and other local officials.  Thursday, April 78:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Houston Country ClubSeating is limited, so please register today!www.har.com/htownday

4. Houston Market Movements Spring has officially sprung and with it, the spring home buying season. However, it remains to be seen how the ailing energy industry will affect Houston home sales during what traditionally has been the time of year when consumers begin house-hunting. HAR has your weekly market snapshot to help put local trends into perspective. In the Houston region, for the week ending March 13: • New Listings increased 17.8% to 2,707 • Pending Sales increased 23.9% to 2,010 • Closed Sales decreased 9.2% to 1,226 The EDGEInformation and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business

5. All Aboard for Certification Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) Regardless of how long a real estate agent has been in the business, the seller agency has been available. More importantly, it remains the primary focus for agents across the country. However, since the advent of buyer agency and the emphasis on training to be an effective buyer representative, it has become apparent that we can no longer assume seller agents have the same level of effectiveness. The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) course is a 14-hour program designed to take a new agent to an accomplished level sooner and an already successful agent to an even higher level of competency. It focuses on the skills necessary to properly represent a property owner, including agency, marketing and servicing the client.Please confirm your eligibility and review the requirements necessary to earn this designation by visiting the designation holder’s site or contacting the HAR Professional Development Dept. Date: Monday & Tuesday, April 4 & 5 Location: HAR Central Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Investment:  $199 Register at www.har.com/eduQuestions? Call 713.629.1900 ext. 6 The EDGEInformation and news that gives you an edge in the real estate business