Chairman Letter

It is such an honor and privilege to serve as your HAR Chair of the Board for 2025. It is probably an understatement to say the past few years have been challenging for many of us personally and professionally—a global pandemic, economic headwinds and the recent real estate rule changes. Without a crystal ball, I can’t possibly tell you what challenges may lie ahead for 2025, but as they say, every challenge presents an opportunity.

Now is the time to demonstrate your unique value as a REALTOR® to your clients. HAR is supporting our members by highlighting the positive impact you have on people’s lives through 10 commercials that will be airing soon. These commercials feature real clients of some of our HAR members and reinforce the importance of using a REALTOR® in a transaction. The spots will air on TV and streaming services across the Greater Houston area.

HAR also has an array of tools and services to help you stand out and market your services, and the HAR Technology team is continuing to develop cutting-edge AI tools to help market your business and listings. From AI-generated property and photo descriptions to photo tags, agent profile highlights and more. There are even more innovative tools in the works that will help streamline your workflow and save you time.

I’m incredibly proud of these achievements and the tireless work HAR puts in year-round to promote the industry and develop innovative tools benefiting members and consumers alike. Our membership has grown to nearly 50,000 this year! That is truly remarkable considering all the challenges we’ve faced.

The past year has been quite a ride with the housing market enduring many economic fluctuations while also navigating the real estate rule changes. We made it through all of it, so I know we can conquer anything! That has everything to do with the dedication and commitment of all of us to promote homeownership and renting along with our love of the Greater Houston area that we call home.

With that said, I am thrilled to announce that for the 22nd consecutive year, the HAR Board of Directors has voted to leave the current dues level unchanged. Your HAR membership will not cost one cent more in 2025!

Only with the strength and support of every one of HAR’s more than 49,000 residential and commercial members can we remain a successful and impactful REALTOR® community! I want to personally thank each one of you for membership in YOUR Association. This Association only exists because of your participation, so please know that HAR is always here to support you – in 2025 and beyond.

 

Shae Cottar
2025 Chairman, Board of Directors
Houston Association of REALTORS^®