MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR® 1,301
Offices 131
Affiliate 273
Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
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September is REALTOR® Safety Month
Did you know that:
- 44% of female REALTORS® and 25% of male REALTORS® have experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety. The most common situations that caused fear: open houses, vacant or model homes, unlocked properties and properties in remote areas.
- 44% of members use a smart phone app to track their whereabouts in order to alert colleagues in case of an emergency. (The Find My iPhone app is the most widely used app.)
- 39% of members have participated in a self-defense class; 20% have attended a REALTOR® safety class.
These statistics come from NAR's recent REALTOR® Safety survey.
REALTORS® interact with strangers for a living. Make safety a priority in all of your interactions.
Click here for a collection of NAR's safety tips - ranging from open houses to showing rural properties.
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2019 Dues Confirmed
The 2019 dues amount has been set at $610:
NAR $185 (a $30 increase)
VR $155 (a $35 increase)
RVAR $270 (no increase)
Anyone who pays dues by
Thursday, November 1st (includes a November 1st postmark) can take advantage of a
$50 discount provided by RVAR. The final date to pay 2019 dues is
Monday, January 14th.
The dues bill will include a request for a voluntary contribution of $30 to RPAC (REALTORS® Political Action Committee.)
Click on these links for more information on the dues increases by
NAR and
VR.
Watch your inbox the last week of September for an email with instructions on how to access and pay your dues bill online. Dues bills will NOT be mailed. However, any member may request to receive a hard copy invoice by mail. Questions? Contact
Susan Edwards at the RVAR office.
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Leadership Openings on the 2019 RVAR BOD
Interested in a leadership role in RVAR? Are you ready to give back to the REALTOR® community? Do you have fresh ideas for change?
RVAR's Board of Directors has announced the following leadership openings for 2019:
President-elect,
Vice President and
4 Director positions. The process for applying for a Director or Officer position has been streamlined:
- The application period began Wednesday, August 1st and ends on Monday, October 1st.
- A period of RVAR membership is required: 2 years for Directors, 3 years for Vice President and 4 years for President-elect.
- No more than 2 members from the same firm may serve at the same time on the Board of Directors, with the exception of the Immediate Past President.
- All applicants must meet the following objective criteria:
o Must have served on an RVAR Committee, Task Force etc. within the previous 10 years;
o Must not have had a Virginia Real Estate Board violation within the previous 2 years;
o Must not have had a Code of Ethics violation within the previous 2 years.
To date, seven Director candidate applications have been verified by the Credentials Committee:
Dana Berenbaum of MKB, REALTORS®;
Veronica Faz, of BHHS Premier, REALTORS®;
Jeff Fletcher of BHHS Premier, REALTORS®;
Shannon Hines of Long & Foster, REALTORS®;
Jay Kilby of RE/MAX All Stars;
Julie Kingery of RE/MAX Mountain to Lake Realty and
Lori Shultz-Moore of Wainwright & Co., REALTORS®. In addition, the Vice President application submitted by
Ashley Donahue of Wainwright & Co., REALTORS® and the President-elect application submitted by
Walter Grewe of Long & Foster, REALTORS® have been verified.
If you are interested or have any questions about the requirements and benefits of serving on the Board of Directors, please contact President
Connie Hash or CEO
Laura Benjamin.
Click here for more information on the candidate application process, including the application form.
Continuing their service on the 2019 Board will be: President
Neil Conner (The Real Estate Group); Immediate Past President
Connie Hash (MKB); and Directors
Barry Bridges (Weichert Bridges & Co.);
Jerry Cohen (Park Place Realty) and
Meg Smith (MKB, REALTORS®).
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RVAR Supports McNamara in 8th House District Race
RVAR's Board of Directors voted to endorse
Joe McNamara for Virginia's 8th House District race. The 8th House District includes Craig County, part of Montgomery County, part of Roanoke County and the City of Salem. This is a special election to fill the seat vacated by Greg Habeeb.
The candidates were asked the same questions about the top issues facing the district, the role of economic development and tourism, ideas to promote the region, the expansion of broadband, transportation infrastructure and funding, and how best to use tax revenue from the Internet tax. Virginia REALTOR®'s RPAC Trustees will make a $1,000 contribution to McNamara's campaign.
The special election will take place on
Tuesday, November 6th.
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Special thanks to RVAR's Governmental Affairs Committee for its efforts to conduct the interviews with both candidates.
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REALTOR® & Affiliates Night
The Affiliates Committee has your seat reserved for this year's REALTOR® & Affiliates Night at Hidden Valley Country Club on
Tuesday, October 16th from 5pm-8pm. We are proud to announce that this year's theme is a
Night at the Movies. Don't miss the excitement as we enjoy an evening of fun,
'movie theater' inspired culinary treats and the opportunity to support our fantastic cast of Affiliate members! Tickets are just $15 if purchased by October 9th ($20 between October 10-16) and includes 2 drink tickets. Make plans now to attend and be sure to bring lots of business cards for a chance to win some fantastic prizes!
Click here for all the details and to order your tickets now! Let's give this year's event two thumbs up!
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Advocacy @ Work
Advocacy @ Work is an article aimed at updating members on what is happening in our region regarding Economic Development and/or Governmental Affairs.
I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan
We all know that something needs to be done to improve I-81. But, what needs to be done and how will we pay for it?
VDOT is conducting a study of the entire length of the I-81 corridor. The study team has held two of three planned public meetings and is working to identify targeted improvements and potential revenue sources.
How can you get involved? Study representatives will review and evaluate any information received from the public. You can find out more about the study by going to
VA81Corridor.org and taking the
Online Survey before September 30th. The last public meetings will be conducted in October. Stay tuned for dates and locations.
Meetings with Area Legislators
Each summer, members of the Governmental Affairs Committee arrange meetings with area legislators to help build important relationships and to get hints at what might be on the horizon for the General Assembly. These informal meetings serve as an opportunity to connect with each legislator without the pressures of the General Assembly looming over the conversations.
Some of the topics discussed have focused on I-81 and area transportation needs, expanding broadband and affordable workforce housing. Meetings have been held with Delegates Terry Austin, Chris Head, Charles Poindexter, and Sam Rasoul, and Senators John Edwards, Steve
Newman and David Suetterlein.
Article provided by Joe Sutliff, RVAR Director of Economic & Governmental Affairs
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Election day is just 47 days away! Are you registered & ready to vote?
Every election is important. This year is no different. When REALTORS® vote, our elected leaders notice. As a REALTOR® member, make certain your voice is heard before decisions are made that affect your business.
Registering to vote or updating your address is quick and easy! The deadline for registering / address changes is
Monday, October 15th.
Click here to check your voting information today! You can also submit for an absentee ballot from this site. You can even send the link to your clients!
Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, November 6th!
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RPAC &
You!
 RPAC
is the REALTORS® Political Action Committee.
If you have already contributed to RPAC for 2018, we say
"Thank you!!"
If you haven't contributed to RPAC in 2018, you have been included on emails from
Connie Hash, 2018 RVAR President, over the last few weeks.
Through her emails, Connie has encouraged members to "invest in yourself. Invest in RPAC!" She has highlighted that there are folks working tirelessly to protect you and your business.
She has encouraged you to be
"IN" and "invited you to get involved and be included in RPAC". Connie wants to know if she "can count on your support of RPAC?"
Your contribution, as small as $15, will make a difference.
Click here to contribute today or include RPAC when you pay your 2019 dues!
The issues that impact your bottom line are the RPAC issues. Those are the issues we advocate for - to empower your success and protect your opportunities.
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The 513 homes sold during the month of August reflects a 7% decrease from August, 2017. A link to the August 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.
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October Broker Breakfast
Join us for RVAR's Broker Breakfast on Wednesday, October 24th, 9:00-10:30AM at the RVAR office (coffee and pastries begin at 8:30AM.) All Brokers and Managers are welcome to attend this FREE event.
Special guest speaker Steve Hoover, Chair of the Virginia Real Estate Board, will address the most common Broker issues DPOR sees. The latest NAR and Virginia REALTORS® news will be shared, plus RVAR President Connie Hash will provide an RVAR / MLS update.
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Lesson Learned: Canceled vs. Withdrawn
Standard of Practice 16-4 of the Code of Ethics states: "REALTORS shall not solicit a listing which is currently listed exclusively with another broker."
It is important to understand the definition of different MLS statuses so you will know when you can and cannot contact a seller to solicit a listing.
Canceled: When a listing is 'canceled' in the MLS, the listing broker/agent
and seller have agreed to terminate the listing agreement. (See MLS Rules
& Regulations 4.4.8) Contact with this seller is permitted, since the seller's
property is no longer exclusively listed.
Withdrawn: When a listing is 'withdrawn' in the MLS, the listing broker/agent continue to
have an exclusive listing agreement in effect. (See MLS Rules & Regulations 4.4.7) Contact
with this seller is not permitted, since the seller's property continues to be exclusively listed.
A withdrawn listing will expire in the MLS based on its expiration date.
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REALTOR® After Hours 
Expand your mind and your network by joining us for REALTOR® After Hours,
Thursday, November 8 - 5:30 'til 7:30 at the Science Museum of Western Virginia at Center in the Square, 1 Market Square, SE, Roanoke, VA 24011
Food *Beverages *Networking *
Interactive Exhibits
Be a WINNER .... CASH PRIZES!
Bring a business card for a chance to win! Drawings for REALTORS® ($100-$50-$25-$25) and Affiliates ($50-$25-$25)
50/50 Raffle for our Charities -Hosted by Community Service Committee
Click here to register or print out a fax-in registration form. For info contact:
Jim@rvar.com.
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Charity of the Month
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley is part of a global, non-profit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God's love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley has an open-door policy: all who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are invited to help with our work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
The Habitat ReStore, located at 3435 Melrose Avenue NW, offers a variety of products, both used and brand new. From used, but "refurbish-able" kitchen cabinets to brand new leather sofas, you'll likely find what you're looking for in the ReStore!
Donors and customers of the Habitat ReStore play an important role in carrying out Habitat for Humanity's mission. Revenue generated by the store helps build homes in the Roanoke Valley.
For more information or to donate please visit their website at
http://habitat-roanoke.org/.
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VR BrokerPlus 2018
Brokers and Managers should plan to attend VR's BrokerPlus 2018: Trends & Training for Industry Leaders on
Thursday,
October 17th,
9AM-4PM in Richmond. The keynote speaker is Steve Murray, REAL Trends founder, the nation's leading trends and research organization. He will conduct two sessions: What's Working and What's Not in Real Estate Today and Effective Realty Leadership. Each of his sessions are approved for 2 hours of Broker Management CE credit. VR General Counsel Laura Farley will present 2018 Broker Updates, Trends and Resources, approved for 1 hour Broker Management CE credit. Cost to attend is $135.
Click here for more information or to registration.
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PMX 2018: Property Management Conference
Property managers should make plans to attend the Virginia REALTORS® Annual Property Management Conference, November 14 - 16, 2018 in Harrisonburg at the new Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center. This Conference is an annual sell-out that combines the most up-to-date information with networking opportunities among fellow property managers. The schedule is packed with classes -- most of which qualify for CE / PL / Broker Management credit. Click here for more information or to register.
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REALTORS®: Do You Know How to Use This Trademark?
Which of the following are incorrect uses of the term REALTOR® (answers appear below):
Jones REALTORS® Inc.
Realtor
Franklin County REALTOR®
@botetourtrealtor
Trademarks are unique terms and/or symbols that communicate a specific message to the public. The term "COKE", for example, is a trademark which identifies a specific soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company. History teaches that trademarks not properly protected can be lost forever. The words "escalator" and "aspirin" were once trademarks, but for lack of protection and promotion are now words of ordinary use.
The National Association of REALTORS® aggressively protects and promotes the REALTOR® trademark, first coined in 1916, which signifies membership in the National Association. NAR requires the following when using the REALTOR® trademark: (1) all capital letters, (2) separating punctuation where necessary and (3) the use of the federal registration symbol "®".
NAR has adopted two exceptions for use of the REALTOR® marks on the Internet. First, because the public has adopted the use of all lower-case letters in domain names and email addresses, the requirements to use capitalization and the registration symbol are relaxed. And second, no punctuation is required to separate the member or firm name from the term REALTOR® in a domain name or email address.
As for the examples above,
all are incorrect.
- Jones, Inc., REALTORS® is an example of proper usage. The terms REALTOR® or REALTORS® can not be incorporated within a firm name, but may appear adjacent to a firm name, separated by punctuation.
- REALTOR® is proper usage of the term.
- No descriptive words may be used with the term REALTOR®. This applies to website addresses, email addresses, twitter accounts etc.
Click here for more NAR guidelines on using the REALTOR® trademark.
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Upcoming Education
Farm and Land Class: Learn how to be outstanding in your 'field', with everything you need to know about listing and selling farm and land properties. This
Wednesday, September 26th (10AM-Noon) class, taught by
David Hurt of MKB, REALTORS® and
Joey Cornwell of Farm Credit / Country Mortgage, will cover topics including: conservation easements, surveys and right of way, land use taxation, staging land listings and financing options.
Click here to register for this
FREE class.
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2-Day ABR Course: This 2-day course,
October 4th and 5th, taught by instructor
Donna Austin, is required to earn the ABR designation. Plus the course offers the following credit. CE credits = 3 hours Ethics, 3 hours Agency, 3 hours Real Estate Related, 2 hours Fair Housing, 1 hour Legal and 1 hour Contracts. PL credits = 3 hours Ethics, 2 hours Fair Housing and 2 hours Current Industry Trends.
Click here to register. Check out
REBAC.net to learn more about the ABR designation.
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Code of Ethics Training - This
Friday, October 12th (9:00AM-Noon) class, taught by
John Dickinson, not only provides 3 hours of CE credit for license renewal, but also meets NAR's ethics training requirement. NAR requires all REALTORS® to complete 3 hours of Code of Ethics training every two years.
The current two-year cycle ends December 31, 2018.
Click here to register.
Can't attend? This Code of Ethics Training class will be offered next on Thursday, December 13th, 1:00-4:00PM.
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GRI 502 Sales Contracts - Charlottesville instructor Michael Guthrie will conduct this class on Tuesday, October 30th (9:00AM-4:30PM) at the RVAR office. You might be able to market a house, but can you close a deal? This course covers a variety of real estate agreements, such as contracts and disclosure forms. CE credits = 6 hours Real Estate Contracts; PL credits = 6 hours Contract Writing. 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. |
Understanding New Construction -- RVAR's Education Committee offers this FREE two-part series, taught by Brian Wescott of David James Homes.
- Exterior - Thursday, November 8th, 10AM - Noon - Types of construction, foundations, insulation, roofing and siding
- Interior - Thursday, November 15th 10AM - Noon - Ceilings, flooring, wall coverings, countertops, water heaters, HV/AC
Click here to register for the Exterior class. OR click here to register for the Interior class. |
Fair Housing -- RVAR's Education Committee presents this class in conjunction with the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate, Friday, November 16th, 2:00-4:00PM 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. |
| Save the Date: Treat Your Business Like a Business class, Friday, November 9th, 9:00AM-Noon FREE |
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Our
RVAR Family
Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy to Brian Rotenberry of Movement Mortgage upon the death of his father.
Congratulations
RVAR congratulates those who have been appointed to serve on Committees for the Virginia REALTORS® in 2019:
Vic Coffey (RE/MAX All Stars) - Risk Management Committee
Donna Marie Harris (Long & Foster) - Member Communications Committee
Connie Hash (MKB) - Professional Development Committee
Adam Lynch (Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Smith Mountain Lake
Real Estate) - Public Policy Committee
Laura Benjamin (RVAR) - Risk Management Committee
Let RVAR know
if you have news to share.
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Upcoming Events
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September 26th
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Farm & Land Class
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October 4th & 5th
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ABR Designation Class
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October 12th
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Code of Ethics Training
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October 16th
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REALTOR® & Affiliates Night
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October 30th
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GRI 502 - Sales Contracts
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November 8th
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REALTOR® After Hours
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
Proudly Recognizes Our 2018 Partner / Sponsors
Platinum Level Partner / Sponsor
Diamond Level Partner / Sponsor
Gold Level Partner / Sponsor
Acquisition Title & Settlement Agency, Inc.
Blue Eagle Credit Union
Colonial Mortgage Company
Colonial Title & Settlement Agency, LLC
Consolidated Construction Services, Inc.
First Citizens Bank
Southwest Virginia Moving & Storage
The Federal Savings Bank
Virginia Title Center, LLC
Silver Partner / Sponsor
Bug Man Exterminating, Inc.
First American Home Warranty
HMS National Home Warranty
Lawrence Moving & Storage
Old Republic Title
Seal-Tite Basement Waterproofing Co.
Sticks & Bricks Home Inspections, LLC
VIA Insurance Agency, LLC
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