March 21, 2019 


Roanoke Valley Associathion of REALTORS  
    R OANOKE VALLEY REALTOR® ONLINE   

   You are receiving this online enewsletter as a benefit of being a member of the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®.
 
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MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR®            1291 Membership Update Logo
Offices                     134
Affiliate                   299

  Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
Get REal! Summitreal 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The first Get REal! Summit will be held on Wednesday, April 10th at the Holiday Inn - Tanglewood. Registration starts at 8:30AM and includes a deluxe continental breakfast. The program will be from 9:00AM to 12 Noon. This informative and educational economic summit will feature four outstanding speakers /presenters. They will focus on the important role and impact of both residential and commercial real estate in local economic development.

*    Beth Doughty - Executive Director, Roanoke Regional Partnership.
*    Dr. John Provo - Director of Virginia Tech's Office of Economic Development.
*    Joe Hines - Economic Specialist, The Timmons Group, Richmond.
*    Dr. Lawrence Yun - Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the National  
      Association of REALTORS®.

Tickets are just $15 if purchased by April 5th ($20 between April 6-10) and includes the deluxe continental breakfast, snacks at breaks and beverages.
 
This is an event you will not want to miss! Seats are limited, so register early! Click here to register today! This is event is presented by the Economic Development Committee and sponsored by our fantastic Partner / Sponsors!


Advocacy @ Workadvocacy    
Advocacy @ Work is an article aimed at updating members on what is happening in our region regarding Economic Development and/or Governmental Affairs.
While the General Assembly adjourned on February 23rd, the Governor is now in the process of signing or vetoing bills. Senate Bill 1689 would open the door for associations, like the Virginia REALTORS®, to pool together to offer members health insurance options in the large group health insurance market. This could save our members lots of money and give them better health insurance options.
 
More than 7,000 Virginia REALTORS® have had to make the unfortunate decision to go without health insurance because of the high costs and limited options available to them. You may be one them! Many others have plans that place a high financial burden on their families. This is a coverage gap that we need to close.

SB 1689 passed the General Assembly with strong, bi-partisan support, but now we need Governor Northam to sign the bill into law. Virginia REALTORS® issued a Call for Action to members to ask the Governor to sign this bill. He has until Tuesday, March 26th to act on this bill. If he chooses to veto the bill, it will go back to the General Assembly to take up when they reconvene on April 3rd.

We need your help now. Take time to respond to the Call for Action by clicking here now. The time is now to send a strong message to the Governor to sign this bill!  
 
Get REal! Summit - I hope you will take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and attend the inaugural Get REal! Summit being held on Wednesday, April 10th at the Holiday Inn - Tanglewood. This event is being planned by the Economic Development Committee and we are very fortunate to have Dr. Lawrence Yun, National Association of REALTORS®' Chief Economist as one of our presenters. Dr. Yun is an entertaining presenter and a wealth of knowledge and this is the first time we have hosted him.

Don't miss this event! Take time to register now. See you there!
 
Article provided by Joe Sutliff, RVAR Director of Economic & Governmental Affairs. 
Recap from March BOD Meetingbod 
 
Click on the picture above to watch the next installment of President Neil Conner's video recap of what RVAR's Board of Directors accomplished at its March 14th meeting.
February Home Salesfeb 
The 324 homes sold in February represents the highest number of February sales since 2008. The 471 homes placed under contract represents the highest February pendings since 2005.  A link to the February  home sales statistics, including a 4-year comparison, is provided on the front page of RVAR.com. The MLS releases its monthly home sales statistics around the 15th of the following month.    
Coming Soon Rules are Comingsoon  
"Coming Soon" is an industry term for marketing a property before it is officially offered for sale. RVAR's Board of Directors has approved a new set of MLS rules which will accompany a new 'coming soon' status in FlexMLS. A new Coming Soon Addendum has also been approved.

The new 'coming soon' status will provide a method for listing agents and brokers to notify other MLS users of properties that will be made fully available for showing and marketing after preparations have been completed.

Once the new 'coming soon' status becomes available in FlexMLS, there will be a 30-day grace period to allow listing agents who currently have an MLS Listing Exclusion form on file with the MLS to enter the listing into the MLS in a 'coming soon' status.

Watch this newsletter and the MLS Bulletin Board for further details, including the date the 'coming soon' status and related rules will go into effect. Questions? Contact RVAR's CEO  Laura Benjamin.  
 

Join us on Thursday, April 25th from 5:00 until 7:00PM at Bridgewater Bay Clubhouse in Moneta for our Luau-inspired REALTOR® After Hours! There will be great food, music, door prizes, 50/50 cash raffle, lively conversation and... assorted beverages! This event is made possible by our fantastic 2019 Partner/Sponsors!  
 
Bring a business card for a chance to win terrific cash door prizes.  
 
Grab your grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts and plan to join your REALTOR® & Affiliate friends for a fun evening... at the Lake! Click here to register and for details about this free event!  
NEW FOR 2019!! RVAR is excited to announce that registration is now open for the newest addition to our event calendar! The 2019 RVAR Lake Golf Tournament will be held at Waterfront Country Club at Smith Mountain Lake on Monday, May 13th. The day will start with check-in and a box lunch at 11:00AM and shotgun start at 12:00PM. It's going to be a great day of golf with great prizes and giveaways! Plus, what better way to start off your week! 

Click here to register yourself or your foursome today! 
Start off your Memorial Day weekend early with the RVAR! 5 O'clock Hops will be in Botetourt on Thursday, May 23rd at Ballast Point Brewing Company, (555 International Parkway, Daleville, VA 24083) from 5:00PM 'til 7:00PM.  
No Registration Required for 5 O'clock Hops - just show up! And bring a friend!

*    Appetizers Provided!
*    Enjoy Ballast Point's beer and wine selections! Or something non-alcoholic, if you prefer.      
     (First round is on us!)
*    Door Prizes for REALTORS® & Affiliates! Bring a business card!    
 
This event is sponsored by our outstanding 2019 Partner/Sponsors.  
  RVAR Community Service Day Projectproject
 
RVAR's next Community Service Day is being held on Saturday, April 27th as we support Renovation Alliance for their Community Renovation Day, an effort dedicated to rebuilding the homes of low-income homeowners across the Roanoke Valley. These projects usually consist of both some interior and exterior repairs, doing some painting, carpentry work as well as general clean up, lawn and garden work.

Would you help make a difference in our community by donating just a few hours of your time to join your fellow REALTORS® & Affiliates for a worthwhile and rewarding day?  Your help is needed no matter your skill level! You can stay for part of the day or all day and lunch will be served for all volunteers. Sign up to help out by clicking here to complete the volunteer form. This charitable effort is organized by RVAR's Community Service Committee and sponsored by our 2019 Partner/Sponsors. Contact Jim at the RVAR Office with any questions.
You can also call the RVAR at 540-772-0526 to have us register you for the shift of your choice.
May Tech Lunch & Learnlearn 
 
Plan to join RVAR's Technology Committee for its Tuesday, May 7th Lunch & Learn (11:30AM-1:30PM) - Apps to Add to Your REALTOR® Toolkit. Tech Committee members will share their favorite apps - for both iPhones and Androids - plus most are free! The types of apps will range from photo editing to safety to mortgage calculators. Come prepared to share your favorite apps!

Bring your lunch and phone or tablet - RVAR will provide drinks, chips and dessert! Click here to register for this FREE event. 
NAR Report: Majority of Real Estate Firms Optimisticnar 
NAR's 2019 Profile of Real Estate Firms finds real estate firms optimistic about the future, with almost 60 percent expecting profits to increase in the next two years. The evolving technological landscape, competition from nontraditional market participants and housing affordability continue to be among the biggest challenges facing firms in the next two years. 
 
The report finds that:
  • 81 percent of firms had a single office, typically with two full-time real estate licensees
  • 86 percent of firms are independent non-franchised firms
  • 82 percent of firms specialize in residential brokerage
  • The typical residential firm has been operating for 14 years, whereas commercial firms have typically been operating for 23 years.
NAR REALTOR® Expo in DC 2019expo 
NAR's Midyear Trade Expo will be held May 15th and 16th (10AM - 6PM) at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. The Expo features the latest in real estate products
and services from over 100 industry-leading companies. There is something for every REALTOR®, such as lead generation systems, Internet prospecting solutions, virtual tour technology, financial services and more. Plan to stop by the show and walk away with profitable ideas to gain an edge in today's market. Admission to the Expo is FREE for all REALTORS®. Click here for more information or to register.

And NAR's Annual Convention is in San Francisco November 8th - 11th. Why not plan to treat yourself after a successful year! Registration will open May 1st.
Upcoming Educationeducation 
A Local View on Using Social Media: Learn how to manage your presence on social media, including posting photos and using video to maximize your exposure. Plus learn how to follow the social media rules. Join the following presenters on Tuesday, April 2nd (10-11:30AM) at the RVAR Office: Walter Grewe (Long & Foster); Karen Hankins (Atlantic Bay Mortgage); and Wanda Richards (Long & Foster). Click here to register for this FREE class.
 
Agency / Contracts: Earn the required CE credits for agency and contracts on Thursday, April 11th (1:30-3:30PM) at the RVAR office with instructor John Dickinson of the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate. Click here to register.

Fair Housing - RVAR's Education Committee presents this class in conjunction with the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate, Friday, April 12th, 9:00-11:00AM at the RVAR office.
          New members: This class is free - earn 2 hours PL or CE credit.
          Existing members: Pay $10 at the door for 2 hours CE credit.
Click here to register.

Making Manufactured or Modular an Option: Learn the difference and the details of manufactured and modular homes, including financing options, at this class on Wednesday, April 24th (10:00-11:30AM) at the RVAR office. Speakers include: Randy Grumbie (VA Manufactured & Modular Housing Association); Ed Tolley (Professional Civil Engineer); and Gail Perry (American National Bank.) Click here to register for this FREE class.

GRI 506 Risk Management: Tim Vohar returns to conduct this class on Thursday, April 25th (9:00AM-4:30PM) at the RVAR office. Learn to protect yourself and your business. Students will get a crash course on risk  management, escrow, equal services, environmental concerns and state / federal regulations such as lead paint and antitrust. CE credits = 6 hours Legal Update with Flood Content; PL credits = 3 hours Risk Management and 3 hours Escrow Management. Click here to register.

Already have your GRI designation? Contact Louann Pagans to register for this class at the reduced rate of $45, includes materials and CE credits, but no exam.
 
Evaluating Rental Properties: Are you or your clients looking for investment properties? Learn how to evaluate rental properties on Friday, May 10th, 8:30AM-12:30PM. Instructor John Dickinson will address financing options, cash-flow analysis, impact on taxation and strategies to reduce taxes. CE credits = 4 hours Real Estate Related. Click here to register.

Radon in Virginia Real Estate Transactions: Radon is common in the Greater Roanoke Valley. Learn all about radon from Ryan Paris, Radiation Safety Specialist and Radon Coordinator for the VA Department of Health. This Wednesday, May 15th class (9:00-11:00AM) will explain how to test for radon and how to mitigate the radon levels. Click here to register for this FREE class.
 
Need CE/PL credit? Just pay $10 at the door for 2 hours CE credit (Real Estate Related) or 2 hours PL credit (Current Industry Issues/Trends.)
 
GRI 505 Working with Sellers: Well-known instructor LeRoy Houser returns to conduct this class on Wednesday, May 22nd (9:00AM-4:30PM) at the RVAR office. Learn proven strategies for lead generation for Sellers. Learn tips for listing presentations and a 'how to' for marketing listings in your local area. Strengthen your communication skills with sellers. PL credits = 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends). Click here to register.
 
Our RVAR Family family
Congratulations
RVAR congratulates Dennis Cronk of Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group upon being named one of Virginia's most influential people by Virginia Business Magazine
 
Sympathy
RVAR offers condolences to the friends, family and colleagues of Teresa Roberts, Broker of West Lake Realty, upon her recent death. RVAR also offers condolences to Dan Brugh of The Real Estate Group upon the death of his mother, to Tammie Jo Ferguson of Rocky's Mom Realty upon the death of her mother, to Chris Hollish of Colonial Mortgage upon the death of his mother, to Sheila States of Wainwright & Co. upon the death of her brother and to Dennis Cronk of Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group upon the death of his mother.

Let RVAR know if you have news to share. 
Upcoming Events Upcoming

April 2nd
Class: Local View on Using Social Media
April 10th 
Get REal! Summit 
April 11th
Class: Agency/Contracts  
April 12th 
Class: Fair Housing  
April 19th 
RVAR Office Closed for Good Friday 
April 24th  
Class: Making Manufactured or Modular an Option  
April 25th 
Class: GRI 506 Managing Risk
April 25th
REALTOR® After Hours at the Lake
April 27th
Community Service: Renovation Alliance
May 10th
Class: Evaluating Rental Properties
May 13th
Lake Golf Tournament
May 15th
Class: Radon
May 22nd
Class: GRI 505 Working with Sellers
May 23rd
5 O'clock Hops

 
Contact:

ROANOKE VALLEY
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
  |  540.772.0526