Thank you so much to those of you who joined us on the bus to travel to Austin to make our voices heard with our state legislators. It is one thing to write a letter. It is another to make a phone call. It is even more powerful to see your state elected officials in person, especially when joined by thousands of other REALTORS® from across the state. You may read about the visits and see pictures here.
The work is not done though. Now that we are past the Austin hill visits, we now have the Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill visits in May. This is the opportunity to meet with our federal elected officials to discuss issues like the mortgage interest deduction, flood insurance availability and qualified residential mortgages (QRM) and more. These are issues that are vital to our industry and to our clients. You may read more about the visits here.
The Houston real estate market continues to be something people are watching very closely. With the decline in oil prices from last year’s highs, some expected sales to slow. We have had mixed results so far this year, with prices continuing to rise due to continued low inventory. It is simple economics that low supply will likely keep prices climbing. Areas of town are seeing weakness, while others are still going strong. This is why we inform consumers that the REALTOR® is the best source of information for the particular market in which they are looking. You may review the latest real estate statistics for the overall market here.
We aren’t even half way through the year, and it is already time for those interested in running for the 2016 HAR board of directors to file their candidacy forms. It is one of the most professionally rewarding things you can do, and the form may be found here. It is a major responsibility to help direct the largest trade association in Houston and the second largest local REALTOR association in the country, so make sure you read the responsibilities before you submit your candidacy form.
Speaking of candidates, we are proud to be hosting the HAR Houston Mayoral Forum on Thursday, June 25 at the River Oaks Country Club. This is the first opportunity of which we are aware that people will have the chance to hear from each of the declared candidates for the mayor of the City of Houston. You may find out more about the event and how to purchase tickets here. This is one you are not going to want to miss.
We also want to encourage our members who live in Missouri City, Pearland or Montgomery County to remember to vote in their municipal elections that will be held on Saturday, May 9. Early voting runs from April 27 through May 5. You may review the HAR recommended candidates and positions here.
Until next month,
Nancy Furst
HAR Chair of the Board
