HOUSTON-AREA REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVES COLLABORATE TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES AND BEYOND

Leaders welcome 2009 HAR Chair Vicki Fullerton during annual reception

HOUSTON — (Feb. 3, 2009) — Leaders of more than a dozen Houston-area real estate professional organizations gathered on Tuesday, January 27, and pledged continued cooperation to promote their industry throughout the recession and beyond.  Executives of the Real Estate Association Latinos (R.E.A.L.) Houston chapter and other real estate groups representing a wide range of ethnicities participated in the annual Crayons ’ Reception, saluting 2009 Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) Chair Vicki Fullerton.  Fullerton said emphasizing customer service and collaborating with Texas lawmakers on pro-real estate initiatives during the current legislative session are critical to surviving the current economic downturn.

“We look forward to working with Vicki Fullerton at HAR and the other Houston-area real estate groups to overcome the challenges that the national recession poses to our industry,” said R.E.A.L. Houston President Ed Gonzales.  “Vicki’s vision and political involvement serve our industry well and, together, we can ensure that the Houston real estate market comes through these tough economic times stronger than ever.”

Gonzales noted that since the first Crayons’ Reception four years ago, the number of participants has tripled and now includes groups like the Women’s Council of REALTORS® and Greater Houston Builders Association.  Among the original groups are the Asian American Real Estate Association, Houston Independent Real Estate Broker Association and National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

Trendmaker Homes sponsored this year’s event, which was held at the Junior League of Houston.  

Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) is a 26,000-member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual membership trade association in Houston, as well as the second largest local association/board of Realtors® in the United States.