Here’s to longer days, warmer weather, increased vaccinations, and the coming of spring!

You’ll see that, with this issue, our newsletter appears in a new format, enabled by our new SCVBR website. You can view all topics at a glance, then click on “Read more” for the full pieces, archived on our website. The board hopes that you find these new resources to be useful and user friendly. If you haven’t explored the website yet, please do, and let us know what you think about both.

This is a good time of year to catch up on CE credits, and VAR has been providing some terrific online opportunities. In this month’s “From the Field” column, I’ve asked VAR President Mark Montross to write about Certifications and Designations which can add real value to your brand. And if you haven’t registered for the Mandatory Course offered by Randy Mayhew on GoToMeeting at no cost exclusively to SCVBR members, contact Education co-chair Robin Apps for one of the remaining spots.

At a recent meeting of Principal and Managing Brokers, I was asked to remind us all that in these busy times and with many new Realtors® joining us, Professional Courtesy remains important. At the core is our ongoing communication with cooperating agents, rather than contacting clients, attorneys, lenders, inspectors or appraisers on the other side of a transaction. NAR has a helpful refresher on this topic. READ MORE

Enjoy this month’s news, stay busy and stay well,

Steve Stettler, President

South Central Vermont Board of Realtors®

Membership Meeting on Zoom

As Realtors®, we must shape our roles interacting with the public. Realtors® must demonstrate their continued relevance and expertise in navigating clients through the buying and selling process.

With buyers and sellers having more access to numerous resources online than ever before, our roles have shifted. We are appointed to filling the roles of advisor and interpreters. We are an avenue of guidance and a valuable resource of information to our clients through technology and other marketing and strategic methods. With an abundance of resources at consumer's fingertips, how do we continue to be relevant in this changing world? READ MORE

As announced in an email to all members, SCVBR's Board of Directors voted to cover the cost of the 4-credit Mandatory Course for its Realtor® members out of surplus funds from 2020. We agreed with Randy Mayhew to offer a choice of dates exclusively for SCVBR members. Registration for the remaining dates is still open:

March 24: 12:30-4:45pm | April 6: 12:30-4:45pm | April 21: 8:30am-12:45pm

Members who have already taken or registered for another Mandatory Course can be reimbursed up to the cost of the class we are offering. READ MORE

We are thrilled to announce that SVBR is launching a new website! This site replaces a landing page on the VAR site and provides SCVBR's first ever independent website. It has many advantages over the limited online presence we had before, and we are excited about the future possibilities that this will open the door to.

Although primarily for our Realtor® members, the site includes a contact list of our affiliate members and a link for consumers with information about buying and selling property, the advantages of working with an agent, and how to find an agent. It also has handy links to our Facebook page, VAR Connect, and to the VAR and NAR websites.

Some of its great features include:

We encourage you to use our new website as a valuable resource and to give us your feedback.

Don’t forget to like and follow our Facebook page! Invite your friends and colleagues as well. We welcome your participation in growing our voice in the community!

I send my full State Director's report to the membership directly, but here are a few highlights. The full report will also be archived in VAR Connect in the SCVBR Community Library downloads.

SCVBR members are encouraged to take advantage of NAR's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs (look for more information later this month in preparation for Fair Housing Month in April).

Broadband – Using one-time Cares Funding, the Governor's budget has allocated $2.2M funding for broadband development.

Act 250 – It has been reports that House leadership has asked House Natural Resources to not take up Act 250 this year.

Forms – P&S and SPIR have been reviewed and proposed changes sent to VAR's legal counsel.

With "Crossover" complete, the Vermont Legislature focuses on short term rental bills and federal stimulus funding. A Burlington charter change prohibiting eviction without "just cause" will also be considered.

Lawmakers may also need to vote on a potential Montpelier charter change that would require mandatory energy performance disclosure by sellers. READ MORE

SCVBR is pleased to introduce three new members. Learn more about them on our website. READ MORE

The easiest way to make friends is through activities you perform together. Not only would you be helping the ones in need, but you would also be able to meet some other volunteers. We've got an overview of community events and organizations worthy of your involvement. READ MORE