June MLS Sales StatisticsThe June 2012 MLS statistics will be released on Tuesday morning, and here are some quick takeaways:

•June sales of single-family homes climbed 14.4 percent versus one year earlier, accounting for the 13th consecutive month of positive sales.

•Sales volume was the highest it has been since August 2007.

•Pricing levels set new historic records, with the average home price up 4.6 percent to $236,656 and the median home price up 6.9 percent to $171,000.

•Local months inventory held at its lowest level in more than five years (5.5 months versus 7.9 months in June 2011), outperforming the national months inventory of 6.6 months reported by NAR.

•For more detailed information, please visit the HAR Online Newsroom at www.har.com/newsroom for this and all other news releases.

REALTORS® Vote 2012: July 31 Primary Runoff Elections

• REALTORS® still need to head to the polls for the primary runoff elections on Tuesday, July 31.

• Early voting runs from Monday, July 23 - Friday, July 27, 7am-7pm.

• HAR has 4 Recommended Candidates in runoff elections and more detailed information can be found on www.HARConnect.com. – David Dewhurst, Candidate for U.S. Senate– Greg Bonnen, Candidate for Texas House District 24– Jacquie Chaumette, Candidate for Texas House District 26– Gene Wu, Candidate for Texas House District 137

• Consider voting in the runoff election by ballot.– To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:

• be 65 years or older; be disabled; be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

– You may open this form (PDF), print the application, fill in the information, sign and date it. You will then put it in an envelope, add postage, and mail to the Early Voting Clerk in your county. The last day to apply for ballot by mail is July 24.

Mortgage Rates Hit New Lows• Average rates on fixed mortgages fell again to record lows,

giving would-be buyers more incentive to enter the housing market.

• Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate on the 30-year loan fell to 3.56%. That's down from 3.62% the previous week and the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s.

• The average rate on the 15-year mortgage, a popular refinancing option, dipped to 2.86%, even lower than the prior week's record-setting level of 2.89%.

• The rate on the 30-year loan has fallen to or matched record low levels in 11 of the past 12 weeks.

Weekly HAR Market StatWith the second quarter now in the books, seasonal peaks and valleys should start to become apparent. Even if activity begins to slow for the remainder of 2012, gains are still likely when compared to the same time last year. Housing demand has been strong, supply levels have been falling and prices are turning a corner in many local markets. Keep a watchful eye toward market times, percent of list price received at sale and months of supply. Percent of new listings and closed sales that are in foreclosure or short sale status also serve as market indicators.

In the Houston region, for the week ending July 8: • New Listings increased 3.0% to 2,070

• Pending Sales increased 46.6% to 1,588• Closed Sales increased 26.4% to 990

Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6

Get a New Lease on Learning

Register at www.har.com/edu

Leasing Basics

Date: Wednesday, July 18Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Location: HAR CentralInvestment: $39