RVAR Member Survey

The RVAR is dedicated to bringing quality educational classes and exciting social events to our members. In an effort to better serve our members we need to hear from you. Please click here to take our member survey. It should only take 5 minutes of your time. You can also be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 Visa gift cards. Thank you!

Homes Sales for May

RVAR's President Update

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

Purchase Agreement Revisions Coming July 13th

The RVAR Purchase Agreement will be revised effective July 13th. The revisions focus on the inspection process.

The Standard Forms Committee and Broker Council established the following goals which were incorporated into the revisions:

• Change focus of home inspection from primary dwelling to four corners of the property
• Change to a due diligence period, without checklist of inspections or details of each type of inspection
• Make all inspections Purchaser options – other than the Inflow & Infiltration Inspection which will remain a Seller inspection
• Focus on what is NOT a defect, rather than trying to define what IS a defect
• Add Buyer option for right to terminate after inspection(s)
• Incorporate inspection process into Purchase Agreement, which will eliminate Inspection Addendum

The link to RVAR’s YouTube Channel will take you to where you will find 8 training videos related to these revisions. The first video provides the history and rationale; the other 7 videos focus on a paragraph or subparagraph. Each video is brief, with a total runtime of 35 minutes for all 8 videos. (video link)

Click on the following links to view the revised Purchase Agreement and the new Repair Addendum. The revisions to the Purchase Agreement are focused on paragraphs 14-18.

July 1st Form Changes

DPOR’s Summary of Rights & Obligations form will include the following addition as of July 1st:

The owner makes no representation with respect to current lot lines or the ability to expand, improve, or add any structures on the property, and purchasers are advised to exercise whatever due diligence a particular purchaser deems necessary, including obtaining a property survey and contacting the locality to determine zoning ordinances or lot coverage, height or setback requirements on the property.

There will also be one new DPOR disclosure form for a new Seller-required disclosure if Seller has actual knowledge of pending legal action filed against the property. NOTE: RVAR will add this form to the RVAR forms library once DPOR releases the new form.

MLS Photos Must Be Accurate



The MLS is receiving increasing complaints about MLS photos that are not representative of the listed property. The MLS Rules require photos to “accurately represent” the listed property (see details below.) The Code of Ethics, Article 12, requires REALTORS® to “present a true picture in their advertising, marketing and other representations.”

1. The MLS Rules require that photos (including videos and virtual tours) submitted to the MLS for all property types should accurately portray the interior and exterior condition of the property during the Active listing period for the property. Any material changes to the interior or exterior of the property should be updated in the MLS. (The requirement to update does not apply to personal property or seasonal changes.)

2. The MLS Rules also require at least one photo, image, scanned drawing or plat (representing the property) on all listings, in all property types and areas. Also required at the time a listing is entered into the MLS is a front view photo, though the front view photo is not required to be the primary photo. For Land listings, the front view photo can be a street view, aerial or drone view or Lake view.

3. The primary image must be of or from the specific property. If the listing is proposed construction, the primary image may be of a similar structure, if so disclosed in the Public Remarks.

4. Photos taken with a wide-angle lens often distort the size or dimensions, making the house, the living room, the fireplace, the refrigerator etc. appear larger. Such distorted photos are not accurate representations.

5. Virtual staging is permitted, but only if disclosed. The MLS recommends displaying a photo of the room in its actual condition, next to the photo of the room virtually staged.

Questions? Contact RVAR CEO Laura Benjamin.

RESPECT: An Etiquette Refresher

The intensity of the real estate market seems to have chipped away at professional courtesies. Lack of responsiveness and lack of showing etiquette are frequent examples of what is happening in the marketplace.

NAR’s Pathways to Professionalism is a list of 42 professional courtesies, focused on Respect for the Public, the Property and Your Peers. Check out these common courtesies. Are these courtesies part of your regular interactions with your clients and fellow REALTORS®?

NAR intends these professional courtesies to be used by REALTORS® on a voluntary basis. These NAR courtesies cannot be used for the purpose of filing an ethics complaint.

RVAR School Supply Drive

The RVAR Community Service Committee is proud to announce our 2022 RVAR School Supply Drive benefitting the Boys & Girls Club and the Roanoke Rescue Mission. There will be two ways for you to donate.

First, if you would like to donate to the Boys & Girls Club please click here. The link will connect you to an Amazon wish list set up specifically for this event. Simply make your choice, pay, and your donation will be sent directly to the Boys & Girls Club.

The second way to donate will be through a Drive up, Drop off, & Drive away event scheduled for Wednesday, August 3 (8am-5pm) and Thursday August 4 (8am-3:30pm) here at the RVAR Office. This event will benefit the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Click here for the Rescue Mission’s list of needed school supplies.

We look forward to our members stepping up and helping the needful youth of our community!

Family Fun Night

Summer brings so many great things! The beach, time at the lake, hikes and…..BASEBALL! Join us for our RVAR Family Fun Night at the Ballpark on Wednesday, August 3. The picnic starts at 6pm with the first pitch at 7:05pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Your ticket includes your seat and the picnic. Bring the entire family (and friends)! Click here to register today!

We can’t wait to see you at the Ballpark!!

2022 RVAR Golf Classic

The 2022 RVAR Golf Classic returns to Roanoke Country Club on Friday, September 9th. Tournament Day will start with check-in and a box lunch at 11:00am and a shotgun start at 12 noon. Roanoke Country Club has done an outstanding job hosting our event and we're excited to return. Plus, it's a great way to start your weekend!

The price for this year's event will be $75.00 per player/$300.00 per team. The cost will include lunch, range balls, golf, a Mulligan package (including one (1) each of a Mulligan, Red Tee & Grenade Lob) and a post play reception with great prizes.

The Community Service Committee will again be holding a 50/50 raffle to assist in supporting RVAR charities, so bring some cash.

Start putting your team together today! Come and play for $1,000.00 in CASH prizes (plus some braggin' rights) to the top two Net and Gross scoring teams. We will also have a Hole In One contest for a chance to win $20,000.00!

Registration begins June 29!

Fall Conventions

Make plans to attend Onward 2022: Virginia REALTORS® Annual Convention, September 20th – 22nd, in downtown Richmond. VAR’s Annual Convention is a must-attend opportunity to grow your business through powerful education from the nation’s industry stars and relationship building with our state’s most successful members. Keynote speakers include Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and Tiki Barber, Roanoke native and UVA and NFL football start.

NAR’s Annual Convention will be held November 11th – 13th in Orlando. The Convention has been reimagined, retooled and reinvented to better meet your needs, bring more value and exceed expectations. Attend the all-new NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, along with 10,000 attendees, 250+ exhibitors and 100+ dynamic speakers.

Notice Regarding Commissions and Compensations

Under the long-established policy of the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®, the Virginia REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®:

1.The broker's compensation for services rendered in respect to any listing is solely a matter of negotiation between the broker and his or her client, and is not fixed, controlled, recommended or maintained by any persons not a party to the listing agreement.

2. The compensation paid by a listing broker to a cooperating broker in respect to any listing is established by the listing broker and is not fixed, controlled, recommended or maintained by any persons other than the listing broker.

VAR Summer Series

Virginia REALTORS® is excited to announce its FREE Summer Speaker Series, with speakers who share business tools, with a WHOLE lot of motivation!

The next offering in VAR’s 2022 Summer Speaker Series is on July 12th 2:00-3:30PM, with Actionable Safe Practices and Build Your Business presented by Tracey Hawkins. Tracey is known as the “Safety Lady” and has traveled the country for nearly three decades spreading the word about the importance of safety. She places a great deal of emphasis on the importance of agents staying diligent. The session will include a live Q&A. Click here to register.

The final speaker in the series features:

August 9th (2:00-3:30PM) Burton Kelso: Essential Technology Tools that Every Real Estate Agent Needs for Success. How to use technology to achieve your personal and professional goals. Click here to register.

Upcoming Education

Explore the Benefits of RPR: If you were not able to attend the June 22nd RPR class, click here to view the recording. Presenter Jay Kilby (RE/MAX All Stars) addressed how to use the REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR), the nation’s largest public records database, with complete MLS data, exclusive available to REALTORS®. (This recording will be available until July 31st.)

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 September.

GRI 501: Agency in Virginia

June 28th 9AM-12:30PM

June 29th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor:   Doug Wolfe

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 508 Real Estate Law & Virginia Regulations

July 26th   9AM-1PM

July 27th   9AM-1PM

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 506 Risk Management

August 3rd    9AM-12:30PM

August 4th    9AM-12:30PM

Instructor:    Tim Vohar

Students will get a crash course on risk management, escrow, equal services, environmental concerns, and state and federal regulations such as lead paint and antitrust. CE Approved = 6 hours Legal Update with Flood Content; PL Approved = 3 hours Risk Management and 3 hours Escrow Requirements. Click here to register.

GRI 504 Working with Buyers

September 27th 9AM-12:30PM

September 28th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor:   Reggie Copeland

Consumer trends have changed dramatically as new generations enter the marketplace. Students will learn the categories of active buyers, techniques for lead generation, components of the home showing process and negotiation strategies. The class will also review the mortgage process and financing options, including options for first time buyers. CE Approved = 6 hours Real Estate Related; PL Approved = 2 hours Real Estate Finance. Click here to register.

Our RVAR Family

Congratulations

RVAR congratulates Meg Dorsey of MKB, REALTORS® upon her appointment to the Roanoke City Board of Zoning Appeals.

Sympathy

Upcoming Events

2022 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor