September MLS Sales StatisticsThe September 2013 MLS statistics will be released on Tuesday morning, and here are some quick takeaways:

•September sped into the history books as the 28th consecutive month of positive sales, with single-family sales volume rising 23.5 percent versus one year earlier.

•Contracts closed on 6,168 homes and inventory declined slightly to 3.2 months from 3.3 months in August (but down compared to 4.7 months in September 2012).

•Prices recorded the highest levels for a September, with the single-family home median price reaching $181,570 while the average price was $248,256.

•Total dollar volume reached $1.75 billion, a 40.2 percent increase over September 2012, when total dollar volume was $1.25 billion.

•For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom for this and all other news releases.

Consumer ReferralsFor more than two years, the HAR.com Consumer Research Panel has provided HAR members with information designed to help them operate more competitively in the marketplace. The value of consumer referrals is among many survey findings available online at http://www.har.com/consumerresearch/.

HAR Tool of the Week

•HAR-ETS, powered by SureClose, is a transaction management system that allows all parties involved in a transaction 24/7 online access to documents that pertain to them.

•Buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, escrow officers, title agents and lenders alike are able to view step-by-step transaction information from any Windows-based PC with Internet capability – providing customers a new level of service and peace of mind.

•With HAR-ETS, customers are able to review and approve documents before the closing date – at a convenient time and place.

•Security features ensure that buyers and sellers see only the documents specific to them. HAR-ETS operates via a password-protected website. And with ‘round- the-clock access, office hours and time zones are no longer factors for doing business.

•Learn more about HAR-ETS at http://har-ets.sureclose.com/products-SureClose.asp

Weekly HAR Market StatHome price gains and housing demand are still a year-over-year improvement, but activity is beginning to moderate as the seasons change. With the possibility of further rate and price increases, some buyers are still motivated, but urgency tends to wane when holiday decorations start going up. Recovery continues, but the pace is stabilizing. Yet that's a good thing since harmful corrections usually follow when the market moves too far too fast.

In the Houston region, for the week ending October 6: • New Listings decreased 1.7% to 1,909

• Pending Sales increased 20.1% to 1,578• Closed Sales increased 51.9% to 1,621

Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6

Put Social Media to Work for You

Register at www.har.com/edu

Social Media Pro Boot Camp

This course will help REALTORS® better understand the marketing capabilities that social media can provide. Students will learn how to brand themselves and use social media to get more exposure for their listings. It will cover a broad array of different social media platforms, giving REALTORS® multiple options for marketing purposes. Upon completion of this course, students will receive their Social Media Pro certification.

Laptops are recommended for hands-on course work.

Date: Tues. & Wed., Oct. 29 & 30Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Location: HAR CentralInvestment: $149