Up, up and up: The median home sale price rose locally, according to the October Hampton Roads Market Indicators Report from Virginia REALTORS® and HRRA. What a benefit! This custom report is prepared by Virginia REALTORS® for our members.

Existing-home sales on the rise nationally: According to the latest National Association of REALTORS® stats, existing-home sales rose 0.8% in October from September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.34 million, sustaining the prior month’s sales growth. Additionally, the median existing-home sales price increased 13.1% year-over-year to $353,900. First-time buyers were responsible for 29% of all sales in October, up from 28% in September.

Dreaming of a vacation? Check out the new NAR Travel Club. NAR has partnered with Panorama Travel Solutions on this exclusive travel experience platform with access to full-service travel booking capabilities, including hotel, resort, car and air. It's a new new REALTOR® benefit.

Tech Tip of the Week Nominations are open for HousingWire's 2022 Tech100 Real Estate award. The top 100 technology organizations that are changing the home sales process will be recognized. The deadline is Dec. 17. Make your nomination here. 

Relief for Suffolk residents Those with past-due utility bills could get a helping hand. Read about it here.

Apartment rezoning request on hold Suffolk's Planning Commission has recommended against zoning changes to allow for a proposed 204-unit apartment complex off Nansemond Parkway. Read more here.

A special invitation to HRRA members The Women's Council of REALTORS® - Coastal Virginia, led by HRRA member Marilyn Rivera, invites HRRA members to its 2022 Governing Board Installation on Dec.1. Learn more and get tickets here.

City Managers Forum Join the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce for its 2021 City Managers Forum on Dec. 2. Learn more and get tickets here.

It's never too early to prepare for HRRA's Circle of Excellence awards application process. Register now for this Zoom tutorial at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at https://hrra.com/apptraining/. Applications are now open for all awards.

That's a wrap! Join HRRA's Community Involvement Group at 10 a.m. Dec. 7 for its year-end Holiday Gift Drive Wrapping Party at HRRA as REALTORS® Have a Heart volunteers make the season bright for Norfolk schoolkids in need. Please bring scissors and tape if you sign up. Special thanks to party sponsors Beacon Property Inspections and WhiteRidge Visuals. Learn more via this video.

This has been an outstanding HRRA year, and soon it’ll be time to celebrate 2021 and prepare for 2022! Register for the Installation and Service Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Chesapeake Conference Center: https://hrra.com/INSTALLATION2022/. Watch Chairman of the Board Tanya Monroe via video here with 2021 reflections and your invitation. We’ll see you there!

Are mortgage rates poised to rise? Although they're still near historic lows, there are are signs that mortgage rates could be rising soon. Let's delve into the data.

It's the gratitude issue! With Thanksgiving almost here, check out the November issue of HR REALTOR® magazine, featuring industry trends, association coverage, articles by REALTOR® leaders and HRRA Affiliates, large photo spreads of association activities and much more.

Tick tock! Pick up your RPAC Major Investor Award from 2020 or earlier. HRRA has many Major Investor Awards from 2020 (and going back several years) that have not been picked up. Please stop by HRRA before Nov. 30; those not retrieved will be discarded. HRRA is grateful for your RPAC support.

HRRA will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26, in observance of Thanksgiving. Have a safe and happy holiday as you give thanks and "gobble 'til you wobble."

HRRA's payment plan required members to pay 2022 National Association of REALTORS® and Virginia REALTORS® dues a year in advance. The HRRA Board of Directors has voted to end the dues payment plan. You will receive a paper invoice in the mail for HRRA 2022 dues only; it is anticipated that HRRA dues will remain the same pending approval of the 2022 HRRA budget. The Board also voted to discontinue the deferral plan. Dues must be paid in full by Jan. 31, 2022, or you will be assessed a $75 late fee.