Chaille Ralph, chairwoman of the Houston Association of REALTORS board, has worked as a licensed real estate broker since 1982. The native Houstonian began her career by managing and marketing commercial office buildings, and then she grew to include commercial construction and project management, before shifting to residential sales in the mid-1980s. Ralph would later expand her skill set to relocation services and sales management. Ralph often helps train aspiring and well-seasoned real estate agents, and she combines state-of-the-art technology solutions along with support for her sales associates to bring a high level of service to customers. Through her career Ralph has served on numerous committees and task forces and has held leadership positions with the Houston Association of Realtors. Today Ralph serves at the 2014 Chair of the HAR board, and she holds director positions with both the Texas and National associations of Realtors.

How long is the Houston area expected to be a seller's market?

We expect that certainly throughout 2014 and into 2015 that we are going to see pretty much a seller's market. We think the market will stay strong well into 2015. Sales are strong right now; they continue to be strong on a monthly basis. If property is priced right it tends to move very quickly. Inventory is still low as of the end of January. Our January numbers showed 2.6 months of inventory throughout the Greater Houston area currently on the market. You can drill down into price point, you can drill down into neighborhoods, and so we really encourage people to consult with a Realtor if you have questions about what's happening in a specific area.

Is Houston overbuilding its residential developments?

We really think...that we have learned our lesson in the overbuilding. I think we have probably started a little slow in the last couple of years building because the market was still coming back. I think you will start to see again, probably in 2015-16, a lot of that catch-up because right now they can't keep up with the demand.

How do multifamily developments typically affect the community?

Certainly when you have the high density your traffic patterns are going to change somewhat. It brings more people to the grocery stores, it brings more people to the restaurants, it brings more people to the facilities in the area, so it has a positive impact on the economy.

What are some of the major factors that drive housing costs?

Certainly inventory is going to drive prices up. When you have lower inventory your prices for land go up as well. When you have a market such as we are in, you also end up with issues with supply. You have issues with contractors to do the work, and the cost of materials goes up.

Sugar Land and Missouri City have seen a large amount of commercial and industrial development. What effect can this have on housing?

I have a friend who recently purchased in Missouri City last year, and I was so surprised with the development they have seen out there. Commercial has expanded greatly. The residential—they are [selling] as fast as they can set them up.