1. Houston Bucks Apartment Rental Trends
• The average rent for apartments in Houston decreased 1.1 percent over
the past year, according to a new report from TransUnion.
• Houston’s average rent was $881 in the first quarter of 2012, down from
$891 in the same quarter a year earlier.
• The average rent nationwide was $865 in the first quarter, up 4.4 percent
from the $829 average recorded in 2011. That increase is not surprising
given that vacancy rates reached their lowest level since 2001,
TransUnion’s Mike Mauseth said in the company’s statement.
• However, the average rent declined in six of the 10 major markets that
TransUnion analyzed for its report with the largest declines in Denver,
Chicago and Los Angeles.
• Mauseth noted differences even in large metro areas situated relatively
close to each other, as prices decreased in Houston and Los Angeles but
increased in Dallas and San Diego.

2. Mortgage Rates Approach Record Low
• The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has dipped
to near its record low, keeping homebuying and refinancing
affordable.
• Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac announced last Thursday
that the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.88 percent,
down from 3.9 percent. In February, the rate hit 3.87
percent, the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the
1950s.
• The average on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, a popular
refinancing option, dipped to 3.12 percent, down from 3.13
percent the week prior. The national average hit an all-time
low of 3.11 percent in early April.

3. Weekly HAR Market Stat
There's that sound again – the message you used to hear back in the day on the TV
and radio or read in newspapers and on the Internet. Real estate stories are mostly
being cast in a generous light. That's all well and good, but is now the time to list or
buy? Answering that question still depends on many specific, localized, determining
factors, but we have reached a place where the process is generally more positive and
enjoyable. The American dream of homeownership is no longer haunted by night
terrors.
In the Houston region, for the week ending April 22:
• New Listings increased 3.7% to 2,430
• Pending Sales increased 59.7% to 1,877
• Closed Sales increased 18.9% to 1,206

4. Negotiate Your Way to Success
Advanced Negotiations
for Sellers
Date: Wednesday, May 9
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: HAR Central
Investment: $99 Negotiations
Generational/Cultural Factors
Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: HAR Central
Investment: $99
Register Online at www.har.com/edu Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6