It is one of the great professional achievements of my life that I am able to serve each of you as the HAR chair for 2014. When speaking to REALTORS® and industry leaders from across the country, it is amazing to hear the admiration and respect that HAR has.

One measure of that respect was shown when the Swanepoel Power 200 list was recently released. HAR President & CEO Bob Hale was ranked 23rd overall and number two in the Trade category, behind only NAR President Dale Stinton. HAR was well represented with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene managing partner Mark Woodroof (former HAR Chairman), Stewart Title chief economist Dr. Ted C. Jones (former HAR Chairman), Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® owner Richard A. Smith (former HAR Director), Keller Williams CEO Mark Willis (former HAR Director), among others were included on this prestigious list. You may read all about the Texans who made the list and where they ranked here.

One of the things that all of the above people have in common is that they believe in the need for REALTORS® to vote. Even though we just had elections in November, we have important primary elections coming up in March. Our incredible Political Affairs Advisory Group members took countless hours screening each of the candidates to make recommendations about who would best represent the REALTOR® Party when elected. You may see a list of the recommended candidates and learn more about the upcoming elections here.

It is important that you educate yourself about which candidates are the best—and it is important for you to educate yourself to be the best REALTOR® you can be. HAR’s Professional Development department has so many opportunities available to help you make 2014 even better than 2013 was. You may read about just a handful of the upcoming courses here.

2013 was a great year for Houston real estate, with several records being set along the way. While 2014 shows signs of slowing down slightly, it is still likely to be one of the best years on record. With inventory levels so low right now, you will want to know how to communicate what that means for your clients—buyers or sellers—and how you are able to help them through the process. You may read about the latest market statistics on pages here so you’ll be up on the very latest information.

We say it often, but this really is YOUR Association. And we really are here to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at chaille@har.com if you have any questions or comments. If I don’t know the answer, I will put you in touch with an HAR staff person who does.

Until next month,

Chaille Ralph
2014 HAR Chair of the Board