MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR® 1392 
Offices 142
Affiliate 321
Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
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Applications will be accepted through Thursday, October 1st for openings on the 2021 Board of Directors: President-elect, Vice President and 4 Director positions. The process for applying for a Director or Officer position is simple:
* A period of RVAR membership is required: 2 years for Directors, 3 years for Vice President and 4 years for President-elect.
* No more than 2 members from the same firm may serve at the same time on the Board of Directors, with the exception of the Immediate Past President.
* All applicants must meet the following objective criteria:
o Must have served on an RVAR Committee, Task Force etc. within the
previous 10 years;
o No Virginia Real Estate Board violation within the previous 2 years;
o No Code of Ethics violation within the previous 2 years.
To date, five Director candidate applications have been verified by the Credentials Committee: Dana Berenbaum (MKB, REALTORS®), Jay Kilby (RE/MAX All Stars Realty), Julie Kingery (RE/MAX Mountain to Lake Realty), Lori Shultz-Moore (NextHome Right Choice) and Todd Wampler (Century 21 Wampler Realty.) With five applications for four Director openings, RVAR will be holding an election! Watch for election details next month.
The Credentials Committee has also verified the application filed by Ashley Donahue (Wainwright & Co.) for a second term as President-elect and Meg Smith (MKB, REALTORS®) for a second term as Vice President. The RVAR Bylaws state that all Officers are eligible for re-election for one additional term.
NOTE: If Ashley Donahue and Meg Smith are elected to second terms as President-elect and Vice President, respectively, then Walter Grewe (Wainwright & Co.) will automatically serve a second term as President and Neil Conner (The Real Estate Group) will automatically serve a second term as Immediate Past President.
The Board is a hardworking body of 12 REALTORS® who set policy for RVAR. The group typically meets 10 times each year to consider issues, set the direction and manage the funds of the Association. If you are interested or have any questions about the requirements and benefits of serving on the Board of Directors, please contact President Walter Grewe CEO or Laura Benjamin.
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Recap from September BOD
Click on President Walter Grewe's photo to watch the next installment of the video recap of RVAR's September 10th Board of Directors meeting.
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2021 Dues Confirmed
The 2021 dues amount has been set at $630:
NAR $185 (no increase)
VAR $170 (a $5 increase)
RVAR $270 (no increase)
Anyone who pays dues by Monday, November 2nd (includes a November 2nd postmark) can take advantage of a $50 discount provided by RVAR. By taking advantage of the $50 discount, you will pay $580. The final date to pay 2021 dues is Tuesday, 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) Fax a printed copy of your invoice with your credit card information to RVAR at (540) 772-8058. (4) Drop off a printed copy of your invoice with your check or credit card information to RVAR between 9AM-4PM OR use the drop box outside RVAR's front door during or after hours.
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August Home Sales
The 648 homes sold during August represents an 11% increase over homes sold in August, 2019, with a 25% increase in the average sales price of $303,347. A link to the August home sales statistics, including a 4-year comparison, is provided on the front page of RVAR.com. The MLS releases its monthly home sales statistics around the 15th of the following month
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"Thank You" 2020 RPAC Major Investors!
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Supra Lockbox Exchange
Thank you to the 868 REALTORS® who have exchanged 6,628 lockboxes. RVAR has concluded the exchange.
iPhone Users: You no longer need to carry a Fob to open the new BTLE iBoxes.
Display Key Users: Supra and RVAR will be retiring Display Keys in November. Supra will conduct a remote exchange for Display Key users November 16th - 24th. Display Key users will have two choices:
- Switch to the new XPress Key (which updates automatically over cellular networks and provides the same real-time showing notices as the eKey)
- Switch to the eKey app on your smart phone
Details of this exchange will be available next month. Display Key users are welcome to switch to the eKey app sooner. Just contact Susan Edwards at the RVAR office.
Non-Member Access: Efforts are underway to finalize plans to roll out a new Supra feature which allows Listing Agents (lockbox owners) to provide secure access via a Supra app to non-members (e.g., inspectors, contractors, out of area REALTORS® etc.). The Listing Agent can set a window of access ranging from 2 - 72 hours. Stay tuned for the roll out of this new feature!
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Feeding America Food Drive
Join us on Wednesday, October 21 (8am-6pm) & Thursday, October 22 (8am-3pm) for the 2020 RVAR Holiday Food Drive benefiting Feeding SWVA. This has been an extraordinarily tough year for so many in our area. Let us lend a hand to make sure everyone has food on their table for the holidays.
This will be a drive up/drop off event. Simply pick up some yummy (non-perishable) holiday food items from your favorite store, drive up to the RVAR Offices and drop it off. Volunteers will be available to assist you.
Monetary donations are welcome as well.
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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 2020! 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 Friday, November 13.
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Advocacy @ Work
Advocacy @ Work is an article aimed at updating members on what is happening in our region regarding Economic Development and/or Governmental Affairs.
CDC Eviction Moratorium
On September 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared a "temporary halt to residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19," which applies to all residential housing. This moratorium ends on December 31, 2020. This may seem helpful to renters in the short-term, but does not relieve residents from their rent obligations, and landlords may charge late fees, penalties and interest on missed rental payments.
This moratorium will likely have huge negative effects for both renters and housing providers. The current eviction moratorium will leave housing providers and renters alike struggling and may have a significant impact on our national economy.
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) along with coalition partners, is asking Congress to make rental assistance necessary for renters AND housing providers. NAR is asking Congress to enact an emergency rental assistance program that addresses the challenges for housing providers and renters alike. More action is coming on this issue, so please stay tuned.
Flood Insurance Update
As you may recall from last year, after many short-term extensions in the past, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) was able to get the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reauthorization through September 30th. The NFIP is hitched to the "must-pass" omnibus appropriations legislation that funds the federal government. At this time, NAR believes that the NFIP will be reauthorized with a short-term extension at least through the election. Stay tuned for any updates.
Remember to Vote!
Article provided by Joe Sutliff, RVAR Director of Economic & Governmental Affairs.
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"Your Vote is Your Voice!"
Election day 2020 is quickly approaching! Are you registered & ready to vote?
Every election is important. This year is no different. There is, of course, a Presidential election, but there is also an election for three seats on Roanoke City Council and for Mayor.
As a REALTOR® member, make certain your voice is heard before decisions are made that affect your business. When REALTORS® vote, our elected leaders notice.
Registering to vote or updating your address is quick and easy! The deadline for registering / address changes is Tuesday, October 13th. Click here to check your voting information today! You can also submit for an absentee ballot from this site. Helpful hint: Send this link to your clients as a reminder to change their address and check their registration!
Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, November 3rd!
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September is REALTORS® Safety Month 
Did you know that:
* 31% of REALTORS® have felt unsafe during an open
house or showing.
* 27% of REALTORS® have felt unsafe while meeting a
new client for the first time at a secluded location /
property.
* 27% of REALTORS® have felt unsafe after receiving a
threatening or inappropriate email, text message or
phone call.
* 49% of REALTORS® choose to carry self-defense
weapons such as pepper spray or a firearm.
* 58% of REALTORS® use a smart phone app to track
their whereabouts in order to alert colleagues in case of an emergency. (The Find My iPhone
app is the most widely used app.)
These statistics come from NAR's 2020 REALTOR® Safety survey.
REALTORS® interact with strangers for a living. Make safety a priority in all of your interactions. Click here for a collection of NAR's safety tips.
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2020 NAR Convention is Going Virtual
NAR has transitioned its 2020 REALTOR® Convention, previously scheduled to be held in New Orleans, to a fully virtual format. A registration fee of $199 will allow you to attend every session and event. The low registration fee, plus no travel costs, makes this an excellent opportunity. Click here for more information, including a list of the sessions.
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Upcoming Education
Through the end of the year, some RVAR classes will be offered online via Zoom, other classes will be offered in-person at the RVAR office. The capacity for in-person classes may be limited due to COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing. Masks are required at the RVAR office.
Code of Ethics Training: This Thursday, September 24th (1:00-4:00PM) class, taught by John Dickinson, not only provides 3 hours of CE credit for license renewal, but also meets NAR's ethics training requirement. NAR requires all REALTORS® to complete 3 hours of Code of Ethics training every three years. Click here to register. This class will be held in-person at the RVAR office. Class attendance is limited due to social distancing requirements.
Legal Update: This annual session will be offered via Zoom on Wednesday, October 7th, 9-11AM. Virginia REALTORS® General Counsel Laura Farley will cover the following topics:
- 2020 New Laws: New laws passed by the 2020 General Assembly and how the new laws impact your business. 1 hour Legal CE / 1 hour Broker Management CE.
- Contracts - Back to Basics: This course provides the building blocks needed to understand how contracts work in the real estate business. It includes a breakdown of what elements are needed to create an enforceable contract, what happens if a contract is breached and how to get out of a contract without breaching it. 1 hour Real Estate Contracts CE.
Cost to attend this class is $10. Click here to register. Class attendance is limited to 95. Environmental Hazards: Learn how to address common environmental hazards such as asbestos, lead paint, mold vs. mildew and buried oil tanks on residential properties. The presenters for this Wednesday, October 21st (10AM-Noon) class are ECS Limited and Top Hill Contractors. Click here to register for this FREE class. This class will be offered via Zoom.
Virtual GRI Classes: Virginia REALTORS® is partnering with RVAR and three neighboring Associations (New River, Lexington and Martinsville) to offer two virtual GRI classes this fall. Each class will be offered in two parts via Zoom.
Do you have a well-laid plan for business success? Learn the foundational skills of establishing a successful business. Learn how to develop your personal brand, set goals for the future and identify your market niche. Click here to register for this class. This class is approved for 2 hours of PL Current Industry Issues / Trends.
GRI 502 Sales Contracts with Instructor Michael Guthrie
November 4th 9:00AM-12Noon
November 5th 9:00AM-12Noon
Forms and contracts are all the same, right? Think again! This class will provide guidance and tactical skills for writing and presenting a variety of real estate agreements, such as sales contracts, deposits and title insurance. This course will also cover, in detail, disclosure forms and
contingencies associated with the sales contracts. You will receive the hands-on experience with the basics of sales contracts along with the best ways to serve and protect clients. Click here to register for this class. This class is approved for 6 hours CE for Real Estate Contracts and 6 hours PL for contract writing.
Zoom Zoom - The Virtual Class: This class was so popular in August - we are offering it again! Whether you are attending an online class or holding a virtual meeting with your clients, learn how to use Zoom and make the most of its features. Click here to register for this FREE class, Tuesday, November 17th 10:00-11:00AM, conducted by Kelly Soriano of Wainwright & Co., REALTORS®. This class will be offered via Zoom.
Curb Appeal - Appearance Matters: This Wednesday, November 18th (9:00 - 10:30AM ) class will help you educate your sellers on the importance of curb appeal, including the best bang for the seller's buck. Before and after examples will be shared. Presenters include a landscape designer and two renovators. This class will be presented in-person and via Zoom. Registration will open soon.
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Our RVAR Family
Sympathy
RVAR offers its sympathy to the family, colleagues and friends of Robin Dent of MKB, REALTORS® upon his recent passing. RVAR also expresses its sympathy to Bonnie Cecil of Long & Foster, REALTORS® upon the death of her mother and to Dot Fleshman of MKB, REALTORS® upon the death of her father.
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Upcoming Events
September 24th
| Class: Code of Ethics
| October 7th
| Class: Legal Update
| October 13th & 14th
| Class: GRI 503 Business Planning
| October 21st
| Class: Environmental Hazards
| October 21st-22nd
| Food Drive for Feeding America
| November 4th & 5th
| Class: GRI 502 Sales Contracts
| November 17th
| Class: Zoom Zoom
| November 18th
| Class: Curb Appeal
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
Proudly Recognizes Our 2020 Partner / Sponsors
Platinum Level Partner / Sponsor
Diamond Level Partner / Sponsor
Gold Level Partner / Sponsor
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