The document discusses recent record low mortgage rates below 4.0% for seven straight weeks which home builders hope will boost home sales in 2012, it then provides a safety advisory about two burglaries during open houses with a description of the suspect, and asks agents to remind sellers to secure valuables and be cautious during showings.

1. Mortgage Rates: How Low Can They Go?
• Another week brings another record low, as the average rate on
a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage ticked down to 3.88% for the
week ended January 19 from 3.89% the prior week.
• A year ago, the 30-year rate was at 4.74%.
• The average for the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has now been
below 4.0% for seven straight weeks.
• Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage ticked higher to
3.17% in the latest week from a record low of 3.16% the prior
week.
• Home builders are hopeful that the low mortgage rates could
boost 2012 sales, as low rates were cited as a key reason the
National Association of Home Builders’ survey of builder
sentiment rose strongly in December and January.

2. HAR Safety Advisory
• HAR has received reports about two burglaries that took place
in the last few days during open houses. The first one
occurred last Thursday, January 19, in the close-in Memorial
area, while the second one took place during the weekend in
West University Place. In both instances, jewelry was stolen
from the homes.
• Both burglaries involved a white male in his 50s with short
gray hair claiming to be from Dallas. Also, in both cases, the
suspected perpetrator was parked in a car outside the home
before the open house began, when the agent arrived. In one
case, the alleged thief was caught in the act and pushed the
agent out of the way to escape.

3. HAR Safety Advisory (continued)
• Please remind your sellers that valuables should be locked in a safe or
otherwise secured during open houses and showings. Also, be extra
careful when holding open houses. Burglars may be working alone or
with others. Have your phone with you, and call for help immediately if
suspicious persons are present. Your personal safety is our primary
concern.
• Thank you, and please let us know if you hear of any similar incidents so
we may help inform your fellow REALTORS® to try to keep you and your
clients safe.
• Here is a composite sketch of the suspect,
courtesy of IQ Biometrix, Inc.:

4. Weekly HAR Market Stat
Last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage applications
increased more than 23% from the week prior. The fine print stated that most of the
increase was driven by refinancing activity, given record low rates. Residential
construction data also provided glimmers of hope. By now, many have surely noticed
that the supply-demand balance is changing.
In the Houston region, for the week ending January 1:
In the Houston region, for the week ending January 15:
• New Listings decreased 13.6% to 1,951
• Pending Sales increased 29.3% to 1,241
• Closed Sales decreased 10.9% to 612

5. Open Your Mind to Learning
Accredited Staging Professional
Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, January 31-
February 1
Time: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: HAR Central
Investment: $295
Register Online at www.har.com/edu Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6