I don’t know about you, but I am relieved that the pollen has finally stopped coating my car the moment I’m done washing it. If I wanted a green car, I would have bought one! Now if only everyone’s allergy symptoms would finally clear up!

Speaking of spring and everything that’s blooming, I was very happy to see how home sales and rentals throughout greater Houston blossomed in March. Our market also benefited from a nice uptick in inventory, which is critical to insuring that the positive momentum continues. Be sure to read the March MLS Report here for all the stats. If you don’t already know, these reports and other press releases reside in the HAR Online Newsroom at har.com/newsroom, where they may be conveniently downloaded for use in your brokerage communications. You may also find them in HAR Connect.

As we all know, ‘tis the season for appraisals. I had the
privilege of appearing as a guest on KHOU-TV/ Channel 11’s “Great Day Houston” talk show with host Deborah Duncan last month to discuss appraisals and how homeowners can protest them. I used the opportunity to promote the value that REALTORS® bring to real estate consumers, including serving as an excellent resource during appraisal season with comps. It’s a great service to provide and helps build new business relationships while enabling agents to reconnect with past clients.

Were you aboard one of the six buses traveling from Houston to Austin last month for REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol? Turnout was phenomenal for this valuable opportunity to have facetime with our elected officials about important public policy issues under debate in the Legislature. Check out the photo spread here. Next stop is Washington, D.C. on May 17 and 18 for the annual Hill Visits. Read all about that here, and by all means, please let us know if you want to join us for this meaningful experience.

Our journey through HAR’s great history continues in this edition of Houston REALTOR® as we share reflections from past leadership during HAR’s 100th anniversary. The latest installment of “A Moment in HAR History…” may be found here. This is a series that continues throughout the rest of 2017, and I hope that you are finding it every bit as fascinating as I do.

And finally, if you haven’t already taken one of our Matrix Essentials classes, please don’t delay any longer! Tempo and Fusion go away forever in November, and based on how quickly this year is already flying by, that will be here before you know it! Matrix classes are being added at all HAR locations as member demand warrants. Be sure to sign up today at har.com/edu!

Until Next Month,
Cindy Hamann
2017 HAR Chair