MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR® 1455 
Offices 144
Affiliate 287
Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
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 Every April, REALTORS® commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. Article 10 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, the 'Fair Housing Article', also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Fair housing is more than a list of dos and don'ts, rights and penalties, and mandatory continuing education. As stewards of the right to own, use and transfer private property, fair housing protects our livelihood and business as REALTORS® and depends on a free, open market that embraces equal opportunity.
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This month marks the centennial anniversary of the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®! We have some exciting things in the works to help us honor this occasion and celebrate together throughout the year.
On April 27, our "official" anniversary date recognized by NAR, we will launch www.rvar100.com, a website dedicated to sharing stories of our Association's accomplishments over the past 100 years through video storytelling.
Very few organizations last 100 years. We're thrilled to have thrived, entering a new century with excitement and gratitude to all who have supported us along the way. We look forward to celebrating together in the coming months!
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April MLS Changes
MLS Changes Implemented April 15th:
- CDOM: Cumulative Days on Market tracks how long a property is on the market, even if the property changes listing firms. Previously, CDOM reset to zero only after the property was off the market for 90 days. As of April 15th, CDOM resets after 60 days off market.
- MLS Exclusions: As of April 15th, listings for which an MLS Listing Exclusion form has been submitted to the MLS may be entered into the MLS after closing - with the Seller's authorization. The MLS Listing Exclusion form was also revised to allow for Seller's authorization. The change also authorizes MLS staff, upon request, to enter the correct transaction dates when an excluded listing is entered into the MLS after closing.
- Error Reporting System: Every listing in FlexMLS has a button (in the upper right hand corner of the listing) that allows any MLS member to send an anonymous message to the Listing Agent and Listing Broker regarding the listing. As of April 15th, this button was renamed "Listing Check". (NOTE: MLS staff receives copies of these messages.)
MLS Change Implemented April 22nd: - Septic Field: The Sewer Description field is being streamlined. Instead of the many different septic choices that have been available - including 'unknown' and 'unavailable' - 'private septic' will be the only private septic choice. All other choices in the Sewer Description field remain unchanged. This septic change ONLY impacts ACTIVE listings in 4 property types: Residential, Farms, Multi-Family and Rentals. FlexMLS will automatically update the ACTIVE listings affected by this change. Off-market listings (including Pendings) will NOT be affected by this change.
'Source of Funds' Clarification
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'Source of Funds' Clarification
On July 1, 2020, 'source of funds' was added as a protected class under the Virginia Fair Housing Law. Questions quickly arose regarding the impact on real estate transactions where source of funds is regularly a key consideration.
Key highlights of this Guidance Document include:
- It is NOT unlawful for a seller to consider the financial terms and conditions, including the loan amount, loan program or type of loan stated in a purchase contract submitted by a prospective purchaser.
- A housing provider is still able to determine the ability of any potential purchaser or renter to pay a purchase price or pay rent by verifying the source and amount of income. Any policies must be consistently applied for all tenant applicants.
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NAR Report: Impact of Staging
As the spring home buying season is in full swing, a new survey from NAR shows that 82% of buyer agents say that staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home. Other insights from NAR's 2021 Profile of Home Staging:
- The most common rooms that were staged included the living room (90%), kitchen (80%), master bedroom (78%) and the dining room (69%).
- Sixty-one percent of respondents said that TV shows set higher expectations of how homes should look. Seventy-one percent of respondents said that TV shows depicting the buying process impacted their business by setting unrealistic or increased expectations.
- Both buyer and seller agents reported a 1-5% price increase on offers for staged homes compared to other similar homes on the market that are not staged.
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Sign Up REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts!
We are stronger together! Our voice is heard when REALTORS® work together in support of policies and regulations that promote homeownership and the real estate industry through the REALTOR® Party. The REALTOR® Party is the only organization in America that fights exclusively for homeownership, real estate investment, strong communities and private property rights.
REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts, NAR's advocacy texting platform, offers REALTOR® Associations and REALTORS® a way to stay connected directly from their cell phone or tablet. When a national or state legislative call for action is launched, subscribers get a short text message, containing information to take action.
You can sign up for REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts by texting the word REALTORS to 30644. That's it! Now, you are ready to take action!
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2021 Spring Golf Tournament
Registration is now open for the 2021 RVAR Spring Golf Tournament to be held on Friday, May 14. We are excited that this year's event will be played at the Copper Cove Golf Club (formerly Westlake GC). The day will begin at 11:00am with registration and lunch followed by a 12:00pm shotgun start.
$1,000 in prize money, giveaway prizes, and a $15,000 Hole in One contest are highlights of the event. Register today to secure your spot!
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VAR PMX: Spring Update
Learn the latest property management updates at this year's virtual event, May 19, 2021, 10AM-Noon, at the low price of $29. Key topics include:
- VRLTA Updates
- Property management form updates
- Popular Q&A session with Virginia REALTORS® Legislative Counsel Chip Dicks and Depute Legislative Counsel Erin Barton.
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Upcoming Education
Virtual GRI Classes: RVAR has partnered with Virginia REALTORS® to offer virtual GRI classes throughout 2021. Each class is offered in two half-day sessions. Below are the classes offered through the end of May. Click here for the complete 2021 GRI calendar. GRI 503 Business PlanningMay 26th 9:00AM-12:30PMMay 27th 9:00AM-12:30PMInstructor: Larry AndersonThis course covers the foundational skills for establishing a successful business, including developing your personal brand and setting goals for the future.
No CE approved; PL Approved = 2 hours Current Industry Trends. Click here to register.
GRI 501 Agency in Virginia
June 29th 9:00AM-12:30PM
June 30th 9:00AM-12:30PM
Instructor: Doug Wolfe
This course will provide a detailed guide on important issues dealing with agency. Topics include brokerage relationships, agency disclosure, confidentiality and Code of Ethics requirements.
CE Approved = 3 hours Real Estate Agency; 3 hours Real Estate Related; PL Approved - 3 hours VA Agency Law. Click here to register.GRI 508 Real Estate Law & Virginia RegulationsJuly 22nd 9:00AM-12:30PMJuly 23rd 9:00AM-12:30PMInstructor: Doug Wolfe
This course offers the most up-to-date Virginia law changes and Virginia Real Estate Board regulations.
CE Approved = 8 hours Legal Updates with Flood Content; PL Approved = 6 hours Real Estate Law & Board Regulations. Click here to register.
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Our RVAR Family
Sympathy
RVAR offers its condolences to Donna Wright of Wainwright & Co. upon the death of her mother and to Harry Surratt of United Country Blue Ridge Land upon the death of his mother.
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Upcoming Events
May 14th
| RVAR Spring Golf Tournament - Copper Cove Golf Club (formerly Westlake Golf Club)
| May 19th
| VAR PMX: Spring Update
| May 26th & 27th
| GRI 503 Business Planning
| May 31st
| RVAR Office Closed for Memorial Day Holiday
| June 29th & 30th
| GRI 501 Agency in Virginia
| July 22nd & 23rd
| GRI 508 Real Estate Law & Virginia Regulations
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
Proudly Recognizes Our 2021 Partner / Sponsors
Platinum Level Partner / Sponsor
Diamond Level Partner / Sponsor
Gold Level Partner / Sponsor
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