Homes Sales for August

Openings on 2024 RVAR’s BOD



Applications are currently being accepted for the following openings for 2024: President-elect, Vice President and 3 Director positions. The application period ends on Monday, October 2^nd.

The qualifications for applications are simple:

•  Applicant must have served on an RVAR Committee, Work Group etc. within the previous 10 years;
•  No Virginia Real Estate Board violation within the previous 2 years;
•  No Code of Ethics violation within the previous 2 years;
•  No more than 2 members from the same firm may serve at the same time on the BOD with the exception of the Immediate Past President.

To date, the Credentials Committee has verified the applications filed by Julie Kingery (Mountain to Lake Realty) for President-elect; Todd Wampler (Century 21- Wampler Realty) for Vice President; Chelsea Dyer (Divine Fog Realty) for Director; Amber Mason (MKB) for Director; Glenda Morris (Long & Foster) for Director and Mac Westland (Keller Williams Realty Roanoke) for Director.

If you are interested or have questions about the requirements and benefits of serving on the Board of Directors, contact President Meg Dorsey or CEO Laura Benjamin. 

Renew Your RVAR Membership: 2024 Dues

The 2024 dues amount has been set at $662:

  NAR  $201 (a $6 increase)

  VAR  $191 (a $6 increase) 

  RVAR $270 (no increase) 

Anyone who pays dues by Wednesday, November 1st (includes a November 1st postmark) can take advantage of a $50 discount provided by RVAR. By taking advantage of the $50 discount, you will pay $612. The final date to pay 2024 dues is Friday, January 12th. 

The dues bill will include a request for a voluntary contribution of $30 to RPAC (REALTORS® Political Action Committee.) 

All members should have received an email on September 27^th 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.  

For your convenience, there are four ways to pay:

(1) Pay online at RVAR.com. Credit cards accepted are: VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

(2) Mail an invoice with your check or credit card information to RVAR, 4358 Starkey Rd., Roanoke VA 24018.

(3) Drop off a printed copy of your invoice with your check or credit card information to RVAR between 8AM-4:30PM OR use the drop box outside RVAR's front door during or after hours.

(4) Fax a printed copy of your invoice with your credit card information to RVAR at (540) 772-8058.

VAR Hall of Fame Award for Dykstra

Virginia REALTORS® inducted Mary Dykstra of MKB, REALTORS® into the 2023 Virginia REALTORS® Hall of Fame at the recent VAR Convention. The Virginia REALTORS® Hall of Fame award honors those Virginia REALTORS® who have made extraordinary and distinguished contributions to the real estate profession and markets in Virginia over a period of twenty-five years or more. Mary Dykstra served as RVAR’s President in 2005 and VAR’s President in 2013. She has received the REALTOR® of the Year award from both associations.

Housing Virginia Award for Hale

Virginia Housing presented its first Lifetime Supporter Award to Kit Hale of MKB, REALTORS® at the recent VAR Convention. Virginia Housing is a state agency focused on safe, affordable housing for all Virginians. Hale served on the Virginia Housing Board for over 10 years, appointed by three Virginia governors. He chaired the Virginia Housing Board twice.

Healthcare Options for Virginia REALTORS®



Click here for VAR’s resource page, showcasing two healthcare options now available for REALTORS® in Virginia. Please contact the companies directly with any questions

RVAR's Fall Tailgate

It’s the best time of the year! There’s a chill in the air, and the sky starts to glow from the color of the trees. Join us on Thursday, October 12 at the RVAR office from 5pm -7pm for the RVAR Fall Tailgate.

Three Li’l Pigs Barbeque will be serving some great food, and Brady’s Distillery will be on hand for bourbon tastings. Come out and spend the evening with your favorite RVAR members! We will even have some prizes to give away. Also, since it is that time of year, we would love to see everyone wear your favorite team jersey!

Register here today!!!!

And while you are at the Fall Tailgate you can enjoy……

The 2nd annual RVAR Cornhole Tournament!! The Tournament is sponsored by the RVAR Community Service Committee, and the proceeds will benefit RVAR charities.

There is a 20 (2 person) team limit so sign-up today! The fee to enter is $4o before October 1 ($50 after October 1) and we will payout 1st and 2nd place. Get your partner and register today! We’re going to have great time competing and raising money for our fine RVAR supported charitable organizations.

Angels of Assisi              Feeding SWVA   

Boys & Girls Club of SWVA      Renovation Alliance 

Center in the Square Rescue Mission of Roanoke

Community Christmas Store   Roanoke Valley SPCA

The “Economic Update” presents updates on timely topics that have an impact on you and your business. 

Pete Eshelman, Director of the Roanoke Outside Foundation, will be our guest presenter.

The “Economic Update” will be held on Tuesday, November 7th from 9am - 10am. The presentation will be a hybrid event and will begin with a brief welcome followed by Pete's presentation and include time for questions & answers.

Click here to register or contact the RVAR office. 

The “Economic Update” has the goal of providing local, informative presentations regarding topics that affect you and your business. All REALTOR® and Affiliate members are encouraged to attend. 

SAVE THE DATE...

The 2023 RVAR Installation and Awards Breakfast will be held on Friday, December 8 from 8:30am-10:30am at the Hotel Roanoke. Registration will begin in early November.

Good Neighbor Award   

Each year the RVAR, in association with its Community Service Committee, accepts applications for our Good Neighbor Award, presented to a REALTOR® and an Affiliate for their charitable work in our community. We are excited to offer these awards again for 2023!

The recipient will receive recognition for their efforts as well as $1,000 for their respective charity.

If you know someone that has made a difference in our community and you would like to nominate them for these awards, please contact Jim Sweetwood at jim@rvar.com or 540-772-0526 for more information on the nominating process. Deadline for nominations is Thursday, November 9th.  

REALTOR® of the Year Award

Do you know a REALTOR® who is well respected, known for professionalism and volunteers time to RVAR and / or the community? If you do, then you should take a moment to nominate that deserving REALTOR® for RVAR’s most prestigious award. The nomination process is as simple as sending an email to RVAR’s CEO Laura Benjamin explaining who you want to nominate and why. RVAR will contact all nominees to obtain their resumes.

The nomination deadline is Thursday, November 9^th  The winner will be selected by the past five recipients of this award.

Visit Fairhaven today – and earn 1 hour of free CE!

Virginia REALTORS® is offering 1 hour of free real estate related CE credit for this self-paced course, available on demand. Fairhaven is a scenario-based training program created by the National Association of REALTORS®. Agents will confront discrimination in real estate transactions from the point of view of both agent and client.

In the training, agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, confronting various scenarios in which discrimination gets in the way. Agents make choices about how to handle each scenario, advancing through the simulation based on their answers. At each step, the course provides actionable feedback to give agents the tools to prevent and address discrimination in their daily business transactions.

Click here to learn more and/or register for this course.

NOTE: Only Fairhaven training taken through the Virginia REALTORS® Learning Center will qualify for credit. This course is not approved for Post License education as it does not meet the time requirement. 

Upcoming Education

Social Media Marketing: MORE Success Stories: Learn from another panel of REALTORS® who use social media successfully in their business. Join us on Wednesday, October 11^th, 11AM-12:30PM. The panelists will be:

• Hal & Kris Cone - Videos

eXp Realty

• Heather Watson - Reels

Divine Fog Realty (Lynchburg)

This class is offered by RVAR’s Technology Committee. Click here to register for this FREE class. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (max of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom.



Virtual GRI Classes: RVAR has partnered with Virginia REALTORS® to offer virtual GRI classes throughout 2023. Each class is offered in two half-day sessions. Below are the classes offered through December:

GRI 507 Ethics & Professional Responsibility

October 4th 9AM-12:30PM

October 5th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Doug Wolfe

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

October 24^th 9AM-12:30PM

October 25^th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Donna Austin

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

November 8^th 9AM-12:30PM

November 9^th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Jeff Wu

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.

GRI 501 Agency in Virginia

December 7^th 9AM-12:30PM

December 8^th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Nancy Pav

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.

Upcoming Events

2023 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor