Home » Archive for January, 2011
Zillow Launches Agent Ratings
Zillow.com has launched a ratings tool that allows consumers to evaluate agents they’ve worked with in the past – but only if the agent and client have both activated profiles on the site.
Although Zillow is touting its agent ratings system as “an incredibly useful tool for consumers,” it’s also been carefully designed not to provoke agents.
Zillow says it will vet each review before it’s...
Green Air is Clean Air
Often relegated to the shadows of Energy Efficiency, (the best known characteristic of a green building), Indoor Air Quality is slowing coming into its own as a leading feature of green-built homes. My experience shows that when asked what green building means to them, health concerns about allergies and indoor pollutants, second only to energy efficiency, are the leading concerns our clients have...
Celebrating the Great Real Estate Professionals
In Groundswell, her 2008 best selling book about social media, Charlene Li taught us that being a critic was one of the favorite activities connected with our contemporary society. She pointed out that at any given time, only about 18 percent of individuals interacting through social media channels were engaged in creative and innovative thought while a whopping 25 percent were focused on being critical.
So...
2011: The Year Ahead for HAR’s International Advisory Group
As we leave behind a successful and rewarding year, we move forward into another challenging year filled with activities, events and opportunities for our international membership. Our primary focus is to continue to provide added value to the international membership, and create awareness about the benefits and opportunities of thinking globally and working locally. Here are some of the activities...
New HAR Members Only Site Goes Live
After months of redesign and development a new HAR Members Only Portal has been launched. This cleaner, more modern look will help you find information more easily and efficiently.
Since we know change can be difficult, we are leaving the current version as the default, with the option to view and switch to the new version now. Otherwise, the new design will become the default at the beginning of next...
HAR Would Like to Thank the 2010 MLS Advisory Group
2010 MLS Advisory Group Members
Chair – Lorraine Abercrombie, Greenwood King Properties
Vice-Chair – Pattie Huey, Prudential Gary Greene, REALTORS®
Marilyn Arendt, Marilyn Arendt Properties
Doris Au, Bridgecrest Properties
Bill Baldwin, Boulevard Realty
Christi Borden, Prudential Gary Greene, REALTORS®
John Chapman, Haginas & Chapman
Robert Cook, Cobalt Residential
Heather Davis, H D Realty,...
REALTOR® Icon Beth Wolff Honored by Two Houston Women’s Groups
The holiday season brought numerous galas and luncheons for REALTORS® to attend, but for Beth Wolff, two of these events also brought much-deserved recognition for her contributions to Houston’s community.
The Greater Houston Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) hosted Red, Hot and Rhythm Gala on Saturday, November 20. Beth Wolff, owner of Beth Wolff REALTORS®, and her son Ed...
HAR CEO Named Among Most Influential Real Estate Leaders
HAR President and CEO Bob Hale was just included on the 2010 Inman News 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders list, which is the sixth year in a row that he has received the prestigious honor.
Among the others on the list are: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, NAR CEO Dale Stinton, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, U.S. Representative Barney...
Your 2011 Social Media Top-5 To-Do List
Recently, a member walked into HAR with a brand new iPad and asked me, “Can you please help me conduct real estate business with this? How can I use my new iPad to improve my business and impress my clients? And, my goal is going to be for my clients to use my iPad while I’m with them showing property.”
I have found that many REALTORS® are interested in social media and technology and believe...
Houston Home Prices Reach a November High While Sales Volumes Remains Cool for the Fifth Consecutive Month
For the fifth month in a row following expiration of the 2010 homebuyer tax credit, sales of single-family homes across Greater Houston declined in November while the prices of those homes rose. Despite the lingering sales chill, the market enjoyed boosts in both the average and median price, achieving the highest levels ever seen in a November.
According to the latest monthly data compiled by the...
