Homes Sales for January

February RVAR's President's Update

Click on President Ashley Donahue's photo to watch the latest video update from RVAR's Board of Directors.

NAR Ad Campaign: "That's Who We R"

NAR has just launched its 2022 national advertising campaign, with video and radio commercials. The campaign features REALTORS® going the extra mile and staying true to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. Click here to view the four TV spots.

RVAR Community Service Day

The 2022 Community Service Committee would like you to join us as we kick off the new year with our first Service Day Project.

RVAR will be volunteering with Feeding SW Virginia (1025 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153) on Wednesday, March 23. There are two opportunities to volunteer, 9:00am - 12:00pm or 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Choose one or, better yet, both!

If you would like to join us click here to sign up for the AM shift or click here for the PM shift.

You can also call the RVAR at 540-772-0526 to have us register you for the shift of your choice.

Feeding Southwest Virginia was founded in 1981 and proudly commemorates 41 years of fighting hunger and changing lives through community partnerships.

The Food Bank is an affiliate member of Feeding America and for the last three decades the Food Bank's ultimate mission has remained the same: eliminate hunger in the region.

If you would like to donate or get more information for Feeding SW Virginia please log on to their website at www.feedingswva.org. 

REALTOR® & Affiliate Night – April 19th

The Affiliates Committee just can’t wait for this year's REALTOR® & Affiliate Night. So, we are moving it! We are excited to return to Hidden Valley Country Club on Tuesday, April 19th from 5pm-8pm. The Committee is proud to announce that this year's theme is ‘GAME NIGHT’. What is your favorite board game? Have a favorite game show? Favorite game of chance? Don't miss the excitement as we enjoy an evening of fun, amazing culinary treats and the opportunity to support our fantastic group of Affiliate members! Tickets are just $15 if purchased by April 12th ($20 between April 13-19) 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 tickets!

2022 RVAR Spring Golf Tournament

The 2022 RVAR Spring Golf Tournament will be played on Friday, May 13th. This year our Tournament will be held at Botetourt Country Club.

Get your team together and come out to the course! Great food, great prizes ($15,000 Hole in One Contest), and more!!

Registration begins on March 15th!    

We are excited to announce the date for the 2022 RVAR Golf Classic! This year’s event will be held on Friday, September 9 at Roanoke Country Club.

Stay tuned for more information!

MLS BOD Elected



Congratulations to the following who have been elected to serve a 2-year term on the MLS Board of Directors, beginning April 1st:

• Large firm: Kit Hale, MKB, REALTORS®
• Medium firm: Tom Wilson, BHHS Premier, REALTORS®
• Small firm: Betty Kingery, Mountain to Lake Realty

Since only one application was received for each of the firm-size openings, no election by ballot was required.

Continuing to serve on the 2022 MLS Board are: Large firm – Ashley Donahue (Wainwright & Co.); Medium firm – Vic Coffey (RE/MAX All Stars Realty); Small firm – Jack Frye (Young Realty); and RVAR CEO Laura Benjamin.

MLS Rules as of March 1st



The following MLS rules are mandated by the National Association of REALTORS® and will become effective March 1st.

Services Advertised as “Free”: MLS Brokers and Agents are prohibited from representing that their brokerage services to buyer clients or customers are free or available at no cost to their clients or customers, unless the Broker or Agent will receive no financial compensation from any source for these services. (NAR made a similar change to the Code of Ethics, Standard of Practice 12-1.)

Non-Filtering Listings Based on Offers of Compensation or Name of Firm or Agent: MLS Brokers and Agents are prohibited from filtering out or restricting listings, in listing information that is searchable by or displayed to consumers, based on the level of compensation offered to the cooperating agent or the name of a firm or agent. In addition, MLSs are prohibited from enabling the ability to filter out listings based on compensation or name of firm or agent. FlexMLS will be making changes to its system to prohibit any such filtering. Related changes are also being made to IDX and VOW policies; though Brokers are not prohibited from sorting listings to show their own listings first on their IDX sites or Virtual Office Websites.

Display of Listing Broker Offer of Compensation: The Buyer Agent and Sub-Agent compensation fields have always been private fields. However, as of March 1st, the MLS must include these fields in data feeds for IDX and VOW sites. Brokers and Agents may choose, but are not required, to display these compensation fields on their IDX and VOW sites. The MLS must display these compensation fields on the MLS’ consumer-facing website. Information about offers of compensation must be accompanied by a disclaimer stating that the offer is made only to Brokers and Agents of the MLS where the listing is filed.

Property Address Required: Listings entered into the MLS must include a property address. If an address does not exist, a Tax ID number can be used. If neither an address nor Tax ID number is available, the information filed with the MLS must include a legal description of the property sufficient to describe its location.

Brokerage Back Office Feed: MLSs must provide MLS Brokers a brokerage back office feed upon request. NAR has defined the data, use and terms of such a feed. NAR has confirmed there is no option for other Brokers to opt out of having their listings included in a brokerage back office feed. 

Lockbox Access Hours to Change

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 13th. Standard lockbox access hours will change to 9:00AM - 9:30PM. This will not be reflected on any Supra reports - which will still show hours of 8:00AM - 8:30PM.

First-Time Buyer Series

The second season of First-Time Buyer by the National Association of REALTORS® is now available to stream on Hulu. NAR created the docuseries to provide the most realistic portrayal of the American homebuying process while highlighting the vital role that REALTORS® play in helping consumers achieve the dream of homeownership.

Each of the eight new episodes follows different individuals, couples and families through their first homebuying journey.

All episodes from season one are also currently available to stream for free at https://firsttimebuyer.realtor and on YouTube and Facebook.

Warning: Fake Insurance Calls



REALTORS® across the country are again receiving unsolicited phone calls claiming to represent “NAR health insurance”. These calls and texts do not originate from NAR. NAR does not sell or provide members’ telephone numbers to any third-party vendors. NAR will not make unsolicited calls to enroll members in an insurance program or otherwise solicit their personal information.

Upcoming Education

Is It Worth It? Government Appraisals v. Conventional Appraisals. RVAR’s Education Committee will offer its next Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, March 15th, 11AM-12:30PM. Presenters Richard Varney (Floyd & Varney, LLC) and Scott Vail (Vail Appraisals, LLC) will address:

• Home features that do / don’t address value
• How quality of home improvements affect value
• How to prepare clients for appraisal process
• How to challenge an appraisal
• Plus get your questions answered

Attend this class via Zoom, click here to register.

Watch for Next Classes: RVAR’s Education Committee is finalizing plans for its next two classes. Watch for announcements soon!

• Lender Panel, targeted for April
• Environmental Hazards, targeted for May

Virtual GRI Classes: RVAR has partnered with Virginia REALTORS® to offer virtual GRI classes throughout 2022 Each class is offered in two half-day sessions. Below are the classes offered through the end of the May.

GRI 502 Sales Contracts

March 8th 9AM-12:30PM

March 9th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Michael Guthrie

Students will receive guidance and tactical skills for writing and presenting a variety of real estate agreements, such as disclosure forms and sales contracts, including contingencies. CE Approved = 6 hours Real Estate Contracts; PL Approved = 6 hours Contract Writing. Click here to register.

GRI 507 Ethics & Professional Responsibility

April 12th 9AM-12:30PM

April 13th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Donna Austin

This course will clarify how the Code of Ethics helps your business and the reputation of all REALTORS®. Case studies will provide a hands-on opportunity for learning how to apply the Code in business every day. CE Approved = 4 hours Ethics and 2 hours Fair Housing; PL Approved = 3 hours Ethics & Standards of Conduct and 2 hours Fair Housing. Click here to register.

GRI 508 Real Estate Law & Virginia Regulations

April 28th 9AM-1PM

April 29th 9AM-1PM

Instructor: Jeff Wu

This course offers the most up-to-date changes to Virginia law and Real Estate Board regulations. Case studies will help you understand how the laws apply to you and protect the interest of your clients. CE Approved = 8 hours Legal Updates with Flood Content; PL Approved = 6 hours Real Estate Law and Board Regulations. Click here to register.

GRI 503 Business Planning

May 25th 9AM-12:30PM

May 26th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Michael Guthrie

Do you have a well-laid plan for business success? This course covers the foundational skills for establishing a successful business. Learn how to develop your personal brand, identify your market niche and set goals for the future. PL Approved = 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends. Click here to register.

Our RVAR Family

Sympathy

RVAR offers its sympathy to Van Daniel of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake upon the death of her father and to Nancy Bissonette of Long & Foster, REALTORS® upon the death of her husband.

Upcoming Events

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