MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR® 1,251
Offices 129
Affiliate 269
Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
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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.
Last week, REALTORS® from around the country - including the RVAR, spent time in Washington, DC networking with peers and taking the REALTOR® message directly to elected officials. While there, RVAR Leadership, along with over 100 Virginia REALTORS®, met with Senator Tim Kaine to stress the importance of home ownership and working to maintain and protect a robust real estate market.
Some of the issues that REALTOR® volunteer leaders discussed with lawmakers included:
Supporting Strong Net Neutrality Protections - Net Neutrality is the concept that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use. Net Neutrality requires that broadband networks be free of restrictions on content, sites or platforms. While in DC last week, the Senate passed a bill to reinstate Net Neutrality, though there is no time frame for the House to take up the issue. Net Neutrality is important to small businesses, like REALTORS®, that depend on open Internet access to run their businesses and serve their clients.
Supporting Further Tax Policy Reforms - The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 made significant changes to the treatment of residential real estate. Three areas the National Association of REALTORS® continues to work at changing include: 1. Encouraging Congress to support legislation to index tax limits to inflation; 2. Making the provisions permanent that excludes being taxed on the amount of mortgage debt forgiven in a short sale, mortgage restructure or when a deed is given in lieu of foreclosure; 3. Extending the deduction for incentivizing energy-efficient commercial construction and rehabilitation.
Supporting Equal Access to Housing Opportunities - As REALTORS® celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, NAR is urging Congress to support the adoption of fair housing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Senator Kaine is the sponsor of this legislation in the Senate.
Supporting the National Flood Insurance Program - NAR is encouraging Congress to reauthorize the extension of the NFIP, which is scheduled to expire (again!) on July 31, 2018. Without reauthorization, NFIP cannot issue or renew flood insurance policies, including areas around the Roanoke region.
RVAR REALTOR® volunteers work hard and make sacrifices to advocate for home ownership and property rights on behalf of us all. Thank you for being involved, taking time away from your families and business, and the courage to meet face to face with our elected officials to get our message out.
USDA Eligibility Maps - UPDATE
Last month, we reported that the Hollins (Roanoke County) area will no longer be eligible for the USDA Rural Development Housing Loan Program after June 4th. Since that publication, we have learned that the area around Brambleton Avenue (south of Route 419 in Roanoke County towards Ran Lynn & Crystal Creek) will also no longer be eligible for USDA Rural Development Housing Loan Program as well.
USDA routinely evaluates various areas that might no longer be considered rural. The changes to the covered areas will be effective June 4th. The USDA eligibility maps are address specific and you can check the
USDA site, if you are seeking to use the USDA loan program.
Article provided by Joe Sutliff, RVAR Director of Economic & Governmental Affairs
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Join RVAR's BOD in 2019
Interested in a leadership role in RVAR? Are you ready to give back to the REALTOR® community? Do you have fresh ideas for change?
RVAR's Board of Directors has announced the following leadership openings for 2019:
President-elect,
Vice President and
4 Director positions. The process for applying for a Director or Officer position is simple:
* The application period begins Wednesday, August 1st and ends on Monday, October 1st.
* 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.
The Board is a hardworking body of 12 REALTORS® who set policy for RVAR and the MLS. The group meets 10 times each year to ponder issues, solve problems and manage the Association and MLS funds. If you are interested or have any questions about the requirements and benefits of serving on the Board of Directors, please contact President
Connie Hash or CEO
Laura Benjamin.
Continuing their service on the 2019 Board will be: President
Neil Conner (The Real Estate Group); Immediate Past President
Connie Hash (MKB); and Directors
Barry Bridges (Weichert Bridges & Co.),
Jerry Cohen (Park Place) and
Meg Smith (RE/MAX Valley).
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Start off your Memorial Day weekend early with the RVAR! 5 O'clock Hops will be in downtown Roanoke on Thursday May 24th at Big Lick Brewing Company, (409 Salem Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016) from 5:00PM 'til 7:00PM. You are welcome to bring your significant other or friends!
No Registration Required for 5 O'clock Hops - just show up! And bring a friend!
* Appetizers Provided!
* Enjoy Big Lick's beer selection! Or something non-alcoholic, if you prefer. (First round is on us!)
* Door Prizes for REALTORS® & Affiliates! Bring a business card!
This event is sponsored by our outstanding 2018 Partner/Sponsors.
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June 20th Membership Meeting
Plan to attend RVAR's Membership Meeting,
Wednesday, June 20th, 11:30AM - 2:30PM at the South County Library. Learn the latest RVAR and MLS news, PLUS Virginia REALTORS® President Jay Mitchell will share the latest Virginia REALTORS® benefits and updates. Box lunches will be provided.
Then stay for a 2 hour CE class taught by John Dickinson of Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate (this class will provide required credit 1 hour Agency; 1 hour Contracts.) Attend the entire event (including lunch and CE class) for $10; or attend the presentations and lunch (no class) for free. Thank you to RVAR's Partner / Sponsors for providing the box lunches.
Click here to register.
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Broker Breakfast
Join us for RVAR's Broker Breakfast on
Tuesday, June 5th, 9:00-10:30AM at the RVAR office (coffee and pastries begin at 8:30AM.) All Brokers and Managers are welcome to attend this
FREE event.
Special guest speaker
Jay DeBoer,
Director of DPOR, will address legislative changes going into effect July 1st, plus the most common Broker issues DPOR sees. The latest NAR and Virginia REALTORS® news will be shared, plus RVAR President Connie Hash will provide an RVAR / MLS update.
Click here to register for this
FREE event.
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MLS Rule Change Re: Owner of Record
The MLS rules currently require any listing entered into the MLS to show the name of the legal owner or legal owner's authorized representative. Listings with "Owner of Record" or any variation other than the legal owner or legal owner's representative's name (e.g., corporate owner, relocation company etc.) are not allowed in the MLS.
Effective June 1st, one exception will be permitted, which applies to judges, law enforcement etc. The new rule will state:
In cases where a municipality withholds the property owner's name from the public records, then the owner name field in the MLS may reflect same. REMINDER: This is the ONLY exception permitted.
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RVAR &
You!
 What is the value of RVAR to you and your business? Do you believe the RVAR is important to your business?
Barry Bridges believes the answer is
"Yes" the RVAR is important and has tremendous value to our businesses. Barry has been in real estate for 17 years. He believes the RVAR adds value to his business every day. Barry points to the numerous education opportunities, management of the MLS for the benefit of all members and New Member orientations as some of the key values of the RVAR.
Barry says, "organizing and hosting the Broker Breakfast and Broker Council events is extremely valuable for Brokers to continue to learn and understand from each other about what is happening in our business. Offering social events for networking gives us the opportunity to get to know other REALTOR® and Affiliate members, so we can all work better together and better serve our clients."
Barry continues, "RVAR supports and helps with the enforcement of the Code of Ethics so we can all be more professional in what we do. The RVAR Staff is always there to provide ancillary support with lockboxes, signs and MLS questions. That is the value of RVAR!"
Barry is the Broker/Owner of Weichert, REALTORS® Bridges & Co. He currently serves on the RVAR Board of Directors and on the Lake Council.
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NAR Requires Ethics Training by December 31st...
Don't let your time run out . . . this is an NAR requirement! According to RVAR records, 890 members still need to take this training (or let RVAR know that they have taken the training)!
NAR requires all REALTORS® to complete 3 hours of REALTOR® Code of Ethics training every two years. The current two-year cycle will end 12/31/2018. Failure to meet the requirement is a violation of NAR's membership requirements and will result in suspension of membership until the requirement is met or until membership is automatically terminated.
If you have already completed the REALTOR® Code of Ethics training for your license renewal, just send a copy of the certificate of completion to Susan Edwards. If you have joined within the last 6 months and have not yet attended New Member Orientation, you will receive ethics training credit at Orientation.
RVAR has three more Code of Ethics training classes scheduled this year: June 25th (1-4PM); October 12th (9AM-Noon) and December 13th (1-4PM). The ABR designation class offered October 4th and 5th also provides 3 hours of Code of Ethics training.
Click here to register for the June 25th class.
Also, you can go to NAR's website for this class! NAR provides two options -- either with CE credits ($29.95 cost) or without (which is free and only meets NAR's requirements.)
Click here to access NAR's ethics training options.
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Affiliates and REALTOR® Night
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Charity Spotlight of the Month
Each month we will highlight one of the 12 charities that RVAR supports through volunteering, donations and awareness. With the assistance of our Community Service Committee, we strive to give back to our communities and citizens that make up the beautiful Roanoke Valley.
Providing free
 health care since 1974...
The Bradley Free Clinic provides free medical, dental and pharmacy care to the Roanoke Valley's working uninsured, temporarily unemployed and their families through volunteer health care professionals, many of whom are among the most respected in the field throughout the region. Over the years, a lot has changed. We've grown in size, scope and vision. But the core of why we exist remains. We believe everyone deserves quality health care. We understand the dynamics of a strong free clinic being an indispensable part of a healthy community. And we are privileged to serve and grateful to all who help us in this mission.
For more information please visit their website at
http://bradleyfreeclinic.com/.
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Family Fun Night
 Don't miss our next Family Fun Night with the Salem Red Sox on
Thursday, August 9th!
Join us for a picnic under the Roanoke Times Pavilion then stay and cheer on your Salem Red Sox!
Tickets go on sale in June. We hope to see you at the ball park!
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RVAR Golf Tournament: Friday, September 7th, Roanoke Country Club.
Legal Update: Thursday, September 20th at South Roanoke County Library, 9AM-Noon.
Affiliates & REALTOR® Night: Tuesday, October 16th at Hidden Valley Country Club, 5-8PM.
Installation & Awards Breakfast: Friday, December 14th at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel, 8:30-10:30AM.
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ACCELERATE 2018 is a must-attend opportunity to grow your business through powerful education from the nation's real estate stars and relationship building with Virginia's most successful members. This year's lineup includes keynote addresses from CNBC Senior Analyst and Financial Industry Expert Ron Insana and acclaimed negotiation expert Chris Voss. The Convention will be held in Norfolk at The Main, September 25th - 27th.
Click here for more information and to register.
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Upcoming Education
Code of Ethics Training - This Monday, June 25th (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 two years. The current two-year cycle ends December 31, 2018. Click here to register. Can't attend? This Code of Ethics Training class will be offered next on Friday, October 12th, 9AM-Noon.
Is Work / Life Balance a Myth? Learn how to reclaim your mojo! RVAR's Education Committee presents this FREE class, taught by Michelle Holling-Brooks, Certified Life Coach, on Thursday, August 16th (10:00-11:30AM). Learn the 5 simple steps to avoid negativity and how to recharge to feel like your authentic self. Click here to register.
REALTOR® Safety Class: Don't Be the Next Statistic- Learn how to increase your safety with tips to consider before every showing, including watching for danger signs. This Thursday, August 23rd (10AM-11:30AM) class will also demonstrate several self defense techniques. Instructor Bob Chandler (MKB, REALTORS®) will share his experience based on 25+ years on the Roanoke City Police force. Click here to register for this FREE class.
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Our
RVAR Family
Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy to
Seth Hillis of Lichtenstein Rowan, REALTORS® upon the recent death of his father; to
Bob Parcell of RE/MAX Mountain to Lake Realty upon the death of his father; to
Doris Smith of Barker Realty Co. upon the death of her husband; to
Rhonda Spangler of Red Key Realty, Inc. upon the death of her father; to
Mark Wolford of RE/MAX All Stars upon the death of his father and to
Karlen Tinti of Lake and Land Realty upon the death of her mother.
Congratulations
RVAR congratulates
Steve Hoover of MKB, REALTORS® upon his election as Chair of the Virginia Real Estate Board.
Congratulations to
Mary Dykstra (MKB, REALTORS®) upon being named by NAR as a 2018 Golden R President's Circle Hall of Fame Major Investor, for her significant contributions as an RPAC Major Investor.
Congratulations to those recently named "2018 Best Of" by
The Roanoker Magazine, which included categories for real estate firms and agents. Some of RVAR's Affiliate members were recognized, too!
Best Real Estate Firm: Platinum -- MKB, REALTORS®; Gold -- RE/MAX (no specific office named); Silver -- Long & Foster, REALTORS®
Best Real Estate Agent: Platinum -- Norm Pullen (MKB, REALTORS®); Gold - Brad Thomas (Mountain View Real Estate LLC); Silver - Steven Silcott (RE/MAX Real Estate One)
Best Credit Union: Platinum -- Member One FCU; Gold -- Freedom First FCU; Silver -- Blue Eagle Credit Union
Best Moving Company: Platinum -- Virginia Varsity Transfer
Best National Bank: Platinum -- Wells Fargo; Gold -- SunTrust; Silver -- BB&T
Best Regional/Local Bank: Platinum -- HomeTown Bank; Silver - Bank of Botetourt
Best Local Insurance Provider: Gold - Bill Meador Insurance Agency
Best Local Insurance Agent: Platinum - Bill Meador; Gold - Chance Miller (State Farm)
Let RVAR know
if you have news to share.
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Upcoming Events
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May 24th
May 28th
June 5th
June 20th
June 25th
July 4th
August 9th
August 16th
August 23rd
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5 O'Clock Hops at Big Lick Brewing Company
RVAR closed for Memorial Holiday
Broker Breakfast
Membership Meeting
Code of Ethics Training
RVAR Office Closed for Holiday
Family Fun Night
Is Work/Life Balance a Myth?
Safety: Don't Be the Next Statistic
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
Proudly Recognizes Our 2018 Partner / Sponsors
Platinum Level Partner / Sponsor
Diamond Level Partner / Sponsor
Gold Level Partner / Sponsor
Acquisition Title & Settlement Agency, Inc.
Blue Eagle Credit Union
Colonial Mortgage Company
Colonial Title & Settlement Agency, LLC
Consolidated Construction Services, Inc.
First Citizens Bank
Southwest Virginia Moving & Storage
Union Mortgage Group
Virginia Title Center, LLC
Silver Partner / Sponsor
Bug Man Exterminating, Inc.
First American Home Warranty
HMS National Home Warranty
Lawrence Moving & Storage
Old Republic Title
Seal-Tite Basement Waterproofing Co.
Sticks & Bricks Home Inspections, LLC
VIA Insurance Agency, LLC
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