RVAR is Hiring!

As many of you know, Louann Pagans will be retiring as of February 28. Susan Edwards, our Membership/SUPRA Coordinator, will transition into Louann’s position. RVAR will be seeking a person to fill the full-time position of Membership/SUPRA Coordinator. This position will manage and respond to all membership inquiries, process membership applications for the Association, manage membership renewal and payment processes, as well as maintaining the membership database. This position will also manage the SUPRA Lockbox program which assigns and maintains lockboxes and keys for members.

Do you know someone who might be interested in this dynamic role? The ideal candidate is a team player who has strong customer service skills, is detailed-oriented, energetic, and possesses the ability to multi-task. This individual should be a strong communicator with a talent for building strong relationships between members and the organization. Candidates should also possess a strong knowledge of Microsoft applications.

NOTE: RVAR employees are not permitted to have active real estate licenses. 

The RVAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Anyone interested should submit a resume and salary requirements to Jim Sweetwood at the RVAR office.

Homes Sales for January

RVAR's President Update

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

Real Estate Scams on Increase

Virginia REALTORS® has issued a scam alert about the uptick in criminals attempting to sell properties they do not own. In this latest scam, criminals are contacting real estate agents to list properties they do not own. Typically, the criminals are looking to sell properties that do not have a mortgage – commonly in the form of vacant lots – below market value, for cash, and quickly. By targeting properties that do not have a mortgage or other lien, scammers hope to complete the transaction before the true owner gets tipped off by the lender.

These criminals often claim some sort of emergency is keeping them stuck abroad or out of the area to explain why they are looking to sell so quickly. “We’re hearing of a lot of cases in which the phony sellers use a medical or family emergency to explain why they’re unable to conduct the transaction in person,” says Virginia REALTORS® General Counsel Laura Murray. “Often, they will insist on conducting the entire transaction virtually.” In many of these cases, the digital images of photo IDs provided by the criminals are intentionally made to be barely legible.

Certain steps can be taken to help agents protect themselves and their clients from scammers:

• Conduct independent research on property ownership through county land records
• Insist on meeting with sellers – either in person or by video call
• Insist on a known settlement company or attorney being involved in the transaction

Virginia REALTORS® 2023 President Katrina Smith reminds agents, “It is imperative to trust your intuition. If something seems off, make sure to speak with your broker about further steps you can take before taking any actions with the consumer."

MLS Service Area Defined

The MLS Board of Directors has approved the following change, which went into effect February 15th:

MLS Service Area Defined: The MLS Service Area has been defined as the following municipalities: City of Roanoke, City of Salem, Counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Bedford, Franklin and Craig.

Any MLS member who has a residential, farm, lot/land and/or multi-family listing in those municipalities must enter the listing into the MLS. The only exception is when an MLS Listing Exemption has been submitted to the MLS, indicating that the Seller does not want the listing entered into the MLS. Commercial and rental listings are not required to be entered in the MLS.

Questions? Contact RVAR CEO Laura Benjamin.

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: Ashley Donahue, Wainwright & Co., REALTORS®
• Medium firm: Vic Coffey, RE/MAX All Stars Realty
• Small firm: Jack Frye, Young Realty

Continuing to serve on the 2023 MLS Board are: Large firm – Kit Hale (MKB, REALTORS®); Medium firm – Tom Wilson (BHHS Premier, REALTORS®); Small firm – Betty Kingery (Mountain to Lake Realty); and RVAR CEO Laura Benjamin. 

Lockbox Access Hours to Change

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 12th. 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.

PUT A SOCK IN IT!

In what you may ask? Why, in our RVAR Sock Drive collection box. Beginning on March 1st the RVAR Community Service Committee will be conducting a sock drive benefiting the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Collection boxes are located at the RVAR, in the main lobby and in the RVAR Training Room, at the back of the building. So, each time you come to the RVAR bring along a pair of new, unworn socks to help fill our collection boxes. We have a goal of 5000 pairs of socks. The drive will last until October 1st. 

RVAR Community Service Day

The 2023 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 Thursday, March 16. There are two opportunities to volunteer, 9:00am - 12:00pm or 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Choose one or, better yet, both!

Click here to register for the 9am – 12pm shift

Click here to register for the 1pm – 4pm shift

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: eliminating 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. 

2023 REALTOR® & Affiliate Night

If you could move in time, where would you go? That is the question as the 2023 Affiliate Committee asks you to step into our ‘Time Machine’. That is the theme for the 2023 REALTOR® & Affiliate Night scheduled for Tuesday, April 18th from 5pm-8pm! Also, the event will be moving to the Roanoke Country Club. 

Log on to RVAR.com to purchase tickets or click here to download the registration form.

2023 RVAR Spring Golf Tournament

The 2023 RVAR Spring Golf Tournament will be played on Friday, May 19th. This year our Tournament will be held at Ashley Plantation Country Club.

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

Click here to download the registration form.  

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

Ryan Price, Chief Economist for Virginia REALTORS®, will be our guest presenter. Ryan will provide us with an update on the outlook for our region in 2023 and throughout Virginia.

The “Economic Update” will be held on Tuesday, April 4th. The presentation will a hybrid event (up to 35 in-person) and will begin at 9:00AM with a brief welcome followed by Ryan’s presentation and include time for questions & answers. We should conclude no later than 10:00AM.  

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. 

CRS Data's MLS Tax Suite Training

CRS integrates property tax records into FlexMLS for 22 area municipalities. Plus CRS provides foreclosure data, census and school reports and FEMA flood maps. Make the most of this MLS benefit by attending one – or both -- of these classes, scheduled for Friday, April 14th.

Class 1 Learning the Basics and Beyond (10-11AM): Learn simple searching and key features of the Property Report. Then learn more advance searching, such as searching by map or schools. Click here to register via Zoom or in person.

Class 2 Creating a CMA + Prospecting (11:30AM-12:30PM): Learn to create a Quick CMA and Custom CMA options. Then dig into the Prospecting Tool; learn to create mailing lists, labels and export your data. Click here to register via Zoom or in person.

Upcoming Education

Understanding the Closing Process: Understand the closing process from start to finish, including tips for a smooth closing. Topics include: the importance of title insurance; the difference between a Closing Disclosure and HUD-1; how to prevent wire fraud; and what to expect on closing day.

Virginia Title Center, LLC is providing the presenters for this class: Patti Dickerson, Director of Operations & Marketing; Angie Smith, Settlement Processor; and Dawn Finney, Notary/Professional Mobile Closer on behalf of Virginia Title Center, LLC.

Click here to register for this FREE class on Wednesday, March 15th, 11AM-12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (max of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom.

Making Manufactured or Modular Homes an Option: Randy Grumbine, Executive Director of the VA Manufactured and Modular Housing Association, returns to Roanoke on Wednesday, April 12th, 11AM-12:30PM. Learn the difference between manufactured and modular, on frame vs. off frame, plus information on foundations and HUD tags.

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.

Setting Expectations for Sellers: Instructor Curtis Burchett (MKB, REALTORS®) will explain how to price a house in today’s market and help your Sellers understand the Buyers’ perspective. Instructor Mac Westland (Keller Williams Realty Roanoke) will demonstrate how to use MLS charts and statistics to educate your Seller.

Click here to register for this class on Tuesday, April 25th, 11AM-12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (max of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom.  

RVAR’s Education Committee is finalizing plans for more classes:

• POA Act Class; May 24th, 11AM-12:30PM
• Shoreline Management Plan: Docks and Vegetation Removal; June 14th, 11AM-12:30PM
• Septic Systems: Dirty Little Secrets; date pending

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 May 2023. 

GRI 502 Sales Contracts

March 14th 9AM-12:30PM

March 15th 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 4th 9AM-12:30PM

April 5th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Tim Vohar

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 26th 9AM-12:30PM

April 27th 9AM-12:30PM

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 23rd 9AM-12:30PM

May 24th 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

Our RVAR Family

Sympathy

RVAR offers its sympathy to Pat Dew of Barker Realty upon the death of her father; to Nancy Duffy of Barker Realty upon the death of her husband and her father; to Dinah Moser of Long & Foster upon the death of her sister; to Peggy Overstreet of Lake Homes Realty upon the death of her brother; to John Creekmore of Piedmont Appraisal Service upon the death of his father; to Kennie Bowen of EXP Realty DGA upon the death of her sister; and to Tim Thompson of MKB, REALTORS® upon the death of his mother. 

Congratulations

RVAR congratulates Patti Dickerson upon receiving the 2022 Associate of the Year Award from the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association.

RVAR also congratulates Joe Sutliff upon being named the Association Executive for the New River Valley Association of REALTORS®, beginning March 6^th. Joe currently serves in that capacity for the High Point Regional Association of REALTORS® in North Carolina. Prior to that, Joe served as RVAR’s President in 2011 and RVAR’s Governmental Affairs Director.

Upcoming Events

2023 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor