As we near the end of the year, the real estate market in the greater Houston area continues to shine. While a recent report from one of the third-party real estate sites ranked Houston as the eighth most overvalued real estate market in the country, a competing third-party site just released a separate report saying that Houston will continue to boom for two more years before slowing. No one has a crystal ball, but with the job growth and associated population growth, there’s no place else where I would want to live or work. You may read more about the current state of the real estate market here.

Part of my optimistic outlook is because of the young people we have moving up the ranks and making their mark to improve the industry. Some of those people were honored with the 20 Under 40 Rising Star in Real Estate, and you may see short bios about each of these impressive REALTORS® here. Joining with the prior recipients of this award, this is a group to watch.

I encourage each of the 20 Under 40 honorees to get more involved with the Association, and I encourage each of you to do the same. Our Association is only as good as the involvement and input from our members. You can help shape the direction of the Association by applying for one of the many advisory groups or area networking groups. This is where the ideas are generated. You can read more about what groups exist and how to apply here.

Many of the people who will be sworn in to office on the HAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee started out serving as a volunteer on an advisory group. The 2015 board and officers will be recognized at REALTOR® Celebration at the River Oaks Country Club on Wednesday, December 10. We have much to celebrate, and we hope you will join us. You may find out more information and how to purchase tickets here. Plus, you’ll be able to see who the REALTOR® of the Year and the John E. Wolf Community Service Award recipients are.

Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. That saying might not come into play with historic preservation, but our members should be up-to-date on all of the requirements if you are helping a buyer (or seller) in an area affected by the City of Houston’s ordinance. You may read more about the ordinance and what has been learned in the four years since it passed here.

Until next month (my last as chair),

Chaille Ralph
HAR Chair of the Board