David Moore is a Realtor and owner of Innovative Realty Group working in Houston.

Every week, we ask a Houston real estate professional for their thoughts on the top three stories from the week before. This week, we spoke with David Moore, a Realtor and owner of Innovative Realty Group. 

Houston Agent (HA): A majority of your clients come by way of referral. What advice can you give to more rookie agents looking to build their referral base?

David Moore (DM): Hard work and focus. When I got into the business, I worked 80 to 90 hours a week and was fortunate to be in an office where there were lots of leads to go around initially. However, I had to build relationships with these leads and do a good job and follow up after the sale so to speak. Always asking for referrals is important – if you don’t ask you don’t get! Also, get involved in networking groups like BNI, seek out industry trade groups and get involved in your community.

HA: Houston rents are on the rise, which may push more people into home ownership. For the renters in Houston, where are the best neighborhoods to start their search and why?

DM:  You have to establish a price range, as well as many other factors specific to each client, before you can start to recommend specific markets or neighborhoods. Houston has a lot to offer renters from all brackets.

HA: Despite dips in home sales in February, March sales were up, as were home prices, according to HAR. With such a low inventory, are you at all worried that prices will rise too much and the city will be stuck in a bad situation where sellers have too much power over prices, why or why not?

DM:  Only as a buyer’s agent! Seriously, though, I do not expect this inventory issue to last passed the year. Builders are building but there have been some job losses in the oil and gas sector. However, with the spring and summer coming along, things should improve. The forecasters expect prices to level off at the end of this year, but it is hard to tell at this point. Also, there are many submarkets in Houston and some will be affected more than others.