Homes Sales for August

RVAR's President Update

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

Openings on RVAR's BOD in 2023

There is still time to apply for one of 6 openings on the 2023 Board of Directors: President-elect, Vice President and 4 Director positions. The requirements and process for applying are simple. 

The application period ends on Monday, October 3rd. All applicants must meet the following objective criteria:

• 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 Jay Kilby (RE/MAX All Stars) for President-elect; Julie Kingery (Mountain to Lake Realty) for Vice President; and Cathie Daniel (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake); Veronica Faz (BHHS Premier); Thomas Fellers (MKB, REALTORS®); and Todd Wampler (C21 Wampler Realty) for Director. 

Simply complete the BOD application form and submit it to CEO Laura Benjamin. application form.

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

Renew Your RVAR Membership: 2023 Dues

The 2023 dues amount has been set at $650:

  NAR  $195 (a $10 increase dedicated to NAR’s Consumer Ad Campaign)  

  VAR  $185 (a $5 increase) 

  RVAR $270 (no increase) 

Anyone who pays dues by Monday, 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 $600. The final date to pay 2023 dues is Thursday, January 12th. 

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

Watch your inbox on September 30th 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.  

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.

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 20 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 here, you can participate in……

The first 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 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

Save the Date...

The 2022 RVAR Installation and Awards Breakfast will be held on Friday, December 9 from 8:30am-10:30am at the Hotel Roanoke. Registration will begin in early November.

Supra's New Single Access

Supra has rolled out an improved service – Single Access – to allow listing agents to provide secure, limited access for users such as contractors, inspectors, painters and out of area REALTORS®.

• Listing Agents are able to grant access via their eKey app.
• Listings Agents are able to designate a time window (2-72 hours). Access can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance.
• Listing Agents are able to run reports on recent access invitations granted, pending and cancelled.
• Supra has confirmed the new Single Access feature will eliminate the problems Lynchburg agents have experienced when trying to use our previous access codes.

There are several ways to learn more about Single Access:

Click here for Supra’s step by step instructions for granting access and running repo

Click here for Supra’s step by step instructions for end users

Click here to register for one of Supra’s Single Access webinars: September 30th and October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. 

Questions? Contact Susan Edwards at RVAR. 

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 2022!

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 Tuesday, November 15.  

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 Tuesday, November 15th. The winner will be selected by the past five recipients of this award. Click here to see who has already won this prestigious award.

Did You Know? 

FSBOs made up just 7% of home sales in 2021 – the lowest share since 1981, according to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. FSBO listings sold at a median of $260,000 in 2021, almost $60,000 lower than agent-assisted homes.

New MLS Rule: REALTOR® Sold FSBO Listings

The MLS allows buyer agents to enter a REALTOR® Sold FSBO listing after closing. The MLS Board of Directors just adopted the following MLS rule to spell out the logistics of how to add such a listing to the MLS:

Participants and Authorized Users may represent buyers in the purchase of real estate where the seller was unrepresented. The selling agent may enter the property in the MLS with the Listing Type of REALTOR® Sold FSBO, within ten (10) business days of the settlement date of the transaction.

When entering a REALTOR® Sold FSBO listing, the selling agent must complete all required fields, upload a front view photo and comply with all MLS Rules. After entering the listing in the MLS, the selling agent must promptly notify MLS staff who will correct the fields for listing agent, list date, ratified contract date and sold date.

Questions? Contact Laura Benjamin at the RVAR office.

2022 Is Not 2008

It might feel like we’re headed in the same direction, but it’s important to keep in mind . . .

Brought to you by the Virginia REALTORS® Research Team. Get more research at virginiarealtors.org/research

NAR Launches Tree Planting Initiative

NAR has just announced its partnership with the National Forest Foundation to plant 1.575 million trees across the United States, the equivalent of at least one tree for each REALTOR® by the end of 2025.

Planting 1.575 million trees reduces 750,000 metric tons of carbon in the atmosphere. That is equivalent to 145,931 homes’ electricity use for one year or the annual operation of over 160,000 gas-powered cars, according to EPA calculations. Determinations on when and where trees will be planted will be made based on repopulation needs in areas affected by events like wildfires, drought or deforestation. 

VAR PMX 2022

PMX is the largest event targeted specifically to Virginia’s property managers. PMX 2022, the Virginia REALTORS® annual Property Management Conference is a can’t miss event specifically for property managers! You will learn things you need to grow and maintain a thriving property management business. Take advantage of earning CE credits with classes targeted to your needs as a property manager.

This in-person conference will be held Wednesday, October 19th – Friday, October 21st at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels in Williamsburg. Click here to register and/or review the schedule.

Upcoming Education

Virginia Housing Training - The Key to Serving First-Time Homebuyers:

Join Virginia Housing instructor Frank Webster to learn about the various forms of down payment and closing cost assistance that can help reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a home. Also learn about mortgage tax credits and reduced cost mortgage insurance that can help lower monthly expenses. 

Click here to register for this class on Tuesday, November 1st, 11:00AM-12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (limit of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom. Once training is complete, you will qualify to join Virginia Housing’s Real Estate Connection program.

Legal Update: This annual session, offered by RVAR’s Education Committee in conjunction with Virginia REALTORS®, will be offered via Zoom on Wednesday, November 9th, 10AM-Noon. VAR General Counsel Laura Farley will address the following topic:

Common Legal Hotline Q&A – This course will focus on questions most frequently asked of the VAR Legal Hotline. Topics will include advertising, disclosure, earnest money deposits, compensation, contract termination vs. release and the POA Act. 2 hours Legal Update CE / 2 hours Broker Management / 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends PL.

Cost to attend this class is $10. Click here to register. Class attendance is limited to 95.

Shoreline Management Plan: Navigating the Dock Process: AEP Senior Environmental Coordinator Neil Holthouser will provide an overview of the Shoreline Management Plan. He will focus on existing docks (both conforming and non-conforming) and permits for new docks, as well as inspections. There will also be time for Q&A.

Click here to register for this class on Wednesday, November 16th, 11:00AM-12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (limit of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom. 

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 year.

GRI 501 Agency in Virginia

October 4th 9AM-12:30PM

October 5th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Larry Anderson

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 507 Ethics and Professional Responsibility

November 2nd 9AM-12:30

November 3rd 9AM-12:30

Instructor Tim Vohar & 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 503 Business Planning

November 9th 9AM-12:30PM

November 10th 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 502 Sales Contracts

December 7th 9AM-12:30PM

December 8th 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.

Our RVAR Family

Sympathy

RVAR offers its sympathy to Tina McDaniel of Wainwright & Co. upon the death of her father.

Congratulations

RVAR congratulates Meg Dorsey (MKB, REALTORS®) upon graduating from the Virginia Leadership Academy.

RVAR congratulates Vic Coffey (RE/MAX All Stars) upon his appointment to the 2023 Board of Directors of Virginia REALTORS®.

RVAR congratulates those recently named “Reader Favorites” by The Roanoke Valley HOME Magazine, which included categories for real estate firms and agents. Some of RVAR's Affiliate members were recognized, too!

Favorite Real Estate Firm: Platinum – MKB, REALTORS®; Gold – Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®; Silver – Long & Foster, REALTORS®

Favorite REALTOR®: Platinum – Bill Gearhart (Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS®; Gold – Susan Bailey (Long & Foster, REALTORS®); Gold – Norm Pullen (Keller Williams Roanoke); Gold – Curtis Sheets (Wainwright & Co.); Silver – Amy Cullen (MKB, REALTORS®)

Favorite Mortgage Lender: Platinum – Freedom First Federal Credit Union; Gold – Member One Federal Credit Union; Silver – Atlantic Bay Mortgage

Favorite Loan Officer: Platinum – Tessa Rider (Freedom First Federal Credit Union); Gold – Julie Nicely (Member Once Federal Credit Union); Silver – Bob Williams (Atlantic Bay Mortgage)

Favorite Bank: Platinum – Freedom First Federal Credit Union; Gold – Bank of Botetourt; Silver – American National Bank & Trust

Favorite Credit Union: Platinum – Member One Federal Credit Union; Gold – Freedom First Credit Union

Favorite Moving & Storage: Platinum – Virginia Varsity Transfer & Self Storage

Favorite Pest Control: Gold – Bug Man Exterminating

Favorite Home Insurance: Platinum – Bill Meador Insurance Agency

Favorite Water / Fire Restoration & Clean Up: Gold – Consolidated Construction Services

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

2022 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor