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HOUSTON — (May 30, 2023) — The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) is marking a major management milestone as it honors President and CEO Bob Hale for 50 years of service, 35 of them at the helm. In 1973, the HAR board of directors hired Hale as legal counsel, and in 1988, he was tapped as president and CEO – the position he continues to hold today.

 

Hale is credited with making HAR, with its more than 46,000 members, one of the most innovative real estate associations in the United States and a household brand throughout Greater Houston. He spearheaded the 1997 launch of HAR.com, which draws an estimated 8 million visitors each month. As an example of the regard that Hale has earned in the industry, at a recent national conference, he was referred to as the “godfather” of real estate.

 

Hale has received countless real estate and communication industry honors over the years. Most recently, he was 30th in the prestigious 2023 Swanepoel Power 200 (SP 200), which ranks the most powerful and influential executives in the residential real estate brokerage industry. In 2003 and 2006, Hale was named by the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) REALTOR® magazine “25 Most Influential People in the American Real Estate Industry.” In 2008, Inman News named him “Innovator of the Year.” Every year from 2005 through 2012, Hale was designated by Inman News as being among the “100 Most Influential Real Estate People.” In 2010, Hale won the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)-Houston Communication Leadership Award and in 2011, he was honored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)-Houston as CEO Communicator of the Year. 

 

“Bob is recognized and respected as an industry visionary and thought leader and we are fortunate to be the benefactors of his incredible talents in the Houston market,” said HAR Chair Cathy Treviño. “Under Bob’s leadership, HAR became the largest trade association in Houston and the second largest local Realtor association in the U.S. He championed the creation of HAR.com and demanded transparency that led to the most innovative online tools available to real estate consumers today. These are monumental achievements.”

 

Hale has been lauded as the driving force behind the use of multiple marketing communications platforms, including an online advertising campaign promoting the value of a Realtor, HAR’s use of social media, its HAR-TV video production service that has produced thousands of programs posted on YouTube, and the HAR.com Consumer Research Panel – made up of more than 11,000 home buyers, sellers, owners and renters who regularly share their experiences and opinions about the real estate industry. He also took HAR.com statewide by entering into agreements with the largest franchises in the country and with other Texas MLSs.

 

Hale successfully pushed for establishment of the five-star agent rating system that enables consumers to evaluate a Realtor’s performance after each transaction. He also spearheaded creation of the Next Generation Realtor Group (NRG), which fosters professional development among Houston-area Realtors age 40 and younger—or young at heart. During the pandemic, Hale converted HAR into a hybrid workforce that delivered virtual member services, training and technology tools. In early 2021, he guided the in-house development and launch of ShowingSmartTM, a property showing service with a staffed call center for HAR MLS subscribers—at no additional cost.

 

In a recent interview Hale said, “My main goal has been to make HAR the most innovative and member-valued association. I want the members to see HAR as the greatest thing that ever happened to them. The best value, the best price and the best services. In my opinion, that's what makes us stand out." 

 

Hale attributes his success to Susie Hale, his wife and partner of more than 30 years. 

 

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued a proclamation naming May 18, 2023 Bob Hale Day in Houston.

 

Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of Realtors®(HAR) is a 46,000-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 dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of Realtors® in the United States.