Houston remains a popular moving destination, ranking third nationally for inbound shipments in early 2018 due to its reasonable cost of living, job opportunities, and housing prices. Texas is also highly rated for retirement, with no state income tax, low costs, and protections for seniors. Mortgage rates hit new record lows in June, with 30-year fixed rates falling to 3.67% and 15-year fixed rates declining to 2.94%.

1. Houston is a National Draw
• Houston remains one of the top moving destinations in the
U.S., according to the American Moving and Storage
Association.
• Yahoo Real Estate reports that Houston ranked No. 3 on the
association’s list of popular moving destinations from January
to March of this year, based on inbound shipments.
• The cities on the list share some common characteristics,
such as a reasonable cost of living and plenty of activities for
singles, couple and families.
• The article also cites reasonable housing prices and plentiful
job opportunities, particularly in the energy and chemical
industries, as factors drawing people to Houston.
• The complete article is available here: http://yhoo.it/LRCuum.

2. Texas Among the Best States for Retirement
• Texas is the nation’s No. 2 state to retire, according to a new
survey by TopRetirements.com.
• Among the reasons cited for this ranking are the fact that
there is no income tax in Texas, the cost of living is low and
the climate is warm.
• While TopRetirements.com acknowledges that Texas’
property taxes are higher than in other states, it notes that
there are protections for seniors.
• In addition, the Lone Star State boasts 40 certified retirement
cities.
• The report also indicates that each retiree household that
moves to Texas creates 1.5 jobs.
• The complete article is available here: http://bit.ly/KwOtDI.

3. Mortgage Rates Drop Even Lower
• Mortgage rates hit new record lows in the week ending June
7, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage average declining to
3.67% from 3.75% in the prior week, Freddie Mac said in its
weekly report last Thursday. The rate was 4.49% a year
earlier.
• "Fixed mortgage rates reached new record lows for the sixth
consecutive week as long-term Treasury bond yields declined
further following downwardly revised economic growth and
job creation data," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac's chief
economist.
• The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also hit a record low in the
most recent week, falling to 2.94% from 2.97% in the prior
week.

4. Weekly HAR Market Stat
Last year at this time, the housing market was in a holding pattern of uncertainty and
negativity. This year, it is acceptable to have hope again. Sellers have listed less
inventory and buyers are absorbing existing inventory. Foreclosures, while still present,
are having a less detrimental impact since low-priced inventory has already been
purchased, forcing consumers up the price ladder. Homes are now selling quicker and
for closer to list prices in many submarkets. The short sale process, loan availability
and some appraisals continue to threaten a quicker recovery, but less so recently.
In the Houston region, for the week ending June 3:
• New Listings decreased 6.8% to 2,137
• Pending Sales increased 43.2% to 1,737
• Closed Sales increased 43.9% to 1,735

5. You Can’t Afford to Miss This Course
Texas Affordable Housing Specialist
The Texas Affordable Housing Specialist certification helps to equip you with
the knowledge to help first-time homebuyers and increase homeownership
and retention in Texas. This certification boasts 12 MCE hours, including The
Texas REALTOR® TAHS Elective Training, an 8-hour course, as well as the 4-
hour United Texas: Housing Initiatives that Work course. Texas REALTORS®
who have earned the title of Texas Affordable Housing Specialist are listed by
city on the TexasRealEstate.com Web site under “Affordable Housing.
United Texas TAHS Elective Training
Date: Monday, June 18 Date: Tuesday, June 26
Time: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. or 1–5 p.m. Time: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Location: HAR Central Location: HAR Central
Investment: $40 Investment: $35
Register: education@texasrealtors.com
or by calling 1-800-873-9155 Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6