State Farm is increasing homeowners insurance rates in Texas by an average of 20% effective November 1st for new customers and December 1st for existing customers. The company cited increased claims volumes and costs, with roofing prices alone spiking almost 90% in the past five years. The announcement came as State Farm faces a new criminal investigation and lawsuit related to hurricane claims in Texas.

1. State Farm Hikes Homeowners
Insurance Rates in Texas
• State Farm Lloyds says it has submitted a rate filing to the Texas
Department of Insurance that will result in its Texas customers
seeing increases in homeowners insurance premiums of an
average of 20 percent.
• The changes are effective Nov. 1 for new customers and Dec. 1 for
existing customers.
• State Farm said the changes are due to the volume of claims and
increasing costs per claim. Roofing prices alone have spiked almost
90 percent in the past five years, the company noted in a news
release.
• The rate hike announcement came on the same day as an ABC
News report that said State Farm is facing a new criminal
investigation and lawsuit related to hurricane claims in Texas.

2. Voter Registration Deadline for
This November’s General Election
• General Election: Tuesday, November 6
• If you’ve moved recently or are not sure whether you’re
registered to vote, confirm your registration today or register
online at http://www.votetexas.gov.
• The last day to register to vote in the November General
Election is Tuesday, October 9.
• Did you move within your county? If you moved from one
place to another in the same county, you can change your
information online at http://bit.ly/iB0GN1.
• Did you move to another county? If you moved to another
county, YOU MUST RE-REGISTER! Fill out and mail a new
application, or take it in person, to the voter registrar of your
new county (http://bit.ly/3VzI4e).

3. Weekly HAR Market Stat
Signals are everywhere. From the flow of traffic on Main Street to the movement of
electrons inside a microchip, we take our cues from trusted indicators. Recently,
housing data have signaled increased momentum toward recovery. It doesn't really
matter what signals you're watching either. From new starts, existing sales and prices
to market times, seller concessions and the supply-demand balance, all signals point to
healing. It won't necessarily be quick or felt evenly across all cities or states. But the
trend is your friend. And our friend is signaling a thumbs-up.
In the Houston region, for the week ending September 2:
• New Listings increased 5.3% to 2,032
• Pending Sales increased 41.4% to 1,526
• Closed Sales increased 7.5% to 1,886

4. Plan for Success
CRS #200 Business Planning &
Marketing for the Residential Specialist
A strong foundation is the key to building a successful real estate career. This
Business Planning & Marketing course helps students learn the fundamentals of
business planning. After completing this course, students will be able to identify
the benefits of a business plan, develop income goals using the budgeting
process and create a marketing plan to meet their goals and objectives. These
business essentials will generate increased profit and productivity. Course
content: Business Plan Development, Budgeting and Cost Analysis, Prospecting
Techniques and Personal Promotion Techniques
Date: Thursday & Friday, Sept. 13 & 14
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Central
Investment: $275
Register @ www.har.com/edu Questions? 713-629-1900 ext. 6