Homes Sales for July

RVAR Standard Form Revisions

RVAR rolled out revisions to the following forms, plus one new form, on Wednesday, August 14^th. The revised forms are available in the RVAR library in zipForms and SkySlope. Many of the revisions, but not all, are requirements of the national Settlement Agreement.

Click on the links below to the training videos on RVAR’s YouTube channel. Special thanks to Kit Hale, a member of RVAR’s Standard Forms Committee, for recording the videos.

August, 2024 Revisions to the Exclusive Right to Represent Seller Agreement and Exclusive Right to Represent Buyer Agreement

Exclusive Right to Represent Buyer Agreement & Exclusive Right to Represent Seller Agreement

August, 2024 Revisions to RVAR Purchase Agreement

Purchase Agreement

August, 2024 Revisions to Subject to Sale Form

Subject to Sale, Kick-Out, Subject to Consummation

August, 2024 New Compensation Agreement Form

Compensation Agreement

Join RVAR’s BOD in 2025

Are you ready to give back to the REALTOR® community? Do you have fresh ideas for change? Interested in a leadership role in RVAR?

RVAR's Board of Directors has announced the following leadership openings for 2025: President-elect, Vice President and 4 Director positions. The process for applying for a Director or Officer position is simple:



• The application period began Thursday, August 1st and ends on Tuesday, October 1^st
• A period of RVAR membership is required in order to apply: 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:
• ·        Must have served on an RVAR Committee, Work Group etc. within the previous 10 years;
• ·      No Virginia Real Estate Board violation within the previous 2 years;
• ·  No Code of Ethics violation within the previous 2 years.

To date, the Credentials Committee has verified the applications filed by Todd Wampler (Century 21 Wampler Realty) for President-elect and by Stan Spiewak (BHHS Premier, REALTORS®) for Director. 

The Board is a hardworking body of 12 REALTORS® who set policy for VAR. The group 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 Jay Kilby or CEO Laura Benjamin.

Slated to continue their service on the 2025 Board will be: President Julie Kingery (Mountain to Lake Realty); Immediate Past President Jay Kilby (RE/MAX All Stars Realty); and Directors Amber Mason (MKB, REALTORS®); Glenda Morris (Long & Foster, REALTORS®); and Mac Westland (Mac Westland Real Estate Group.) 

RVAR Golf Classic

The 2024 RVAR Golf Classic returns to Roanoke Country Club on Monday, 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 $100.00 per player/$400.00 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!

Click here to register your team.

Save the Date...

RVAR Fall Tailgate

Grab your favorite jersey and join us for the RVAR Fall Tailgate scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th from 5pm-7pm. Stop by the RVAR office and enjoy great food, drink and networking with your favorite RVAR members.

For the third year we will also be holding a Cornhole Tournament. 20 (two person) team limit with a cash grand prize. The cost of the Tournament is $40/per team until Tuesday, October 8. The cost from October 9-15 will be $50/team. So, sign up early! The Cornhole Tournament benefits the RVAR Community Service Committee.

Registration for the Cornhole Tournament starts on August 27th.

DON’T MISS IT!!

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 2024!

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 8th.  

Fair Housing – Protected Classes

Virginia’s Fair Housing Law and Regulations apply to (1) rental transactions (trying to rent an apartment or house); (2) sales transactions (trying to purchase a home): (3) financing transactions (trying to obtain a mortgage); (4) insurance transactions (trying to obtain homeowners or rental insurance); and (5) advertising transactions (how individuals, companies and newspapers advertise about rental vacancies or homes for sale).

The Virginia Fair Housing Office provides the following examples of Virginia’s protected classes:

Race: It would be illegal to deny someone a housing opportunity because they are black or white.

Color: Some people have darker complexions than others. It would be illegal to deny someone a housing opportunity on that basis.

Religion: A housing provider could not refuse to sell or rent to someone because they practice Islam or Christianity.

National origin: A housing provider could not refuse to sell or rent to someone because they are Asian.

Sex: Except for shared living spaces, it would be illegal to rent to one sex (gender) and not the other. Click here for more information on sexual discrimination.

Elderliness: Elderliness means an individual who has attained his 55^th birthday. Under this protected class, a housing provider could not deny a housing opportunity to someone because they are age 55 or older.

Familial status: Familial status means having children who are under age 18. Unless a facility is a senior/retirement facility, it may not refuse to rent to families with children. In terms of occupancy standards, as they relate to families and children, the general guideline is that housing providers should allow at least two people per bedroom. A housing provider should not dictate what floor families with children should live on.

Disability: The law makes it illegal to deny housing opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information about housing and disabilities.

Source of funds: Any source that lawfully provides funds to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including any assistance, benefit or subsidy program. Click here to view the Guidance Document on this protected class.

Sexual orientation: A person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality.

Gender identity: The gender-related identity, appearance or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, with or without regard to the individual’s designated sex at birth.

Military status: A member of the uniformed forces or reserves, a veteran or a dependent as defined under the law.

Broken Lockbox?

Ever wondered "Where do I take a broken lockbox to have my key removed?" or "Who can I call to have a broken lockbox removed from a door?" RVAR has contracted with the following area locksmiths, who will remove the key or box and invoice RVAR for the service. 

In the Roanoke area, Security Lock & Key 

  540-343-7600, 3736 Franklin Rd., SW, Roanoke 

In the Rocky Mount area, Virginia Shoe & Lock Services (ask for Kevin) 

  540-483-5435, 143 Franklin St., Rocky Mount 

 In the SML area, Bill's Lock & Key 

  540-297-2946, 2532 Radford Church Rd., Moneta 

 Return your broken lockbox to the RVAR office for a replacement lockbox, at no charge.  

Did you know that the Census Bureau offers a tool specifically designed to provide selected demographic, socioeconomic, and housing data from the American Community Survey? This tool, called the Census Business Builder (CBB), allows users to explore the diverse and unique characteristics of our regions in greater detail. REALTORS® could use this tool to further showcase an understanding of our local economy. Examples of the breadth of this tool include of the 8,341 employers in the Roanoke Metro area, 4,292 are establishments with fewer than 5 employees and 84.3% of households in our region have broadband internet subscriptions.

Virginia REALTORS® is offering you a NEW complimentary member benefit. FOREWARN gives you the ability to gain instant insight on a prospective client (within seconds, without exposing any protected class information) using only a phone number. Click here for step by step instructions to set up your account.

If you already have a FOREWARN account, you are all set. Services will not be interrupted and Virginia REALTORS® will cover your account.



NOTE: Your FOREWARN searches must be limited to professional uses only. FOREWARN activity is actively monitored (search terms and volume) to ensure proper use by Subscribers.

NAR Offers Free ABR Class

NAR is offering the popular Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation course, which typically costs $295, available to REALTORS® at no cost through the end of 2024. The ABR course is the first step toward earning the ABR designation and focuses on the key information and skills agents need today when working with buyers. This course will help you articulate and demonstrate your value to buyers.

This free course is available two ways: (1) via live interactive webinars scheduled through the end of the year or (2) via online course taken at your own pace.

Steps needed to earn the ABR Designation: (1) Be an NAR member; (2) Complete the ABR Designation Course; (3) Complete an ABR elective course; (4) Complete 5 transactions as a buyer's representative in your career; (5) Then submit your application to become an ABR through the online form. Annual ABR dues $110.



Click here to learn more or get started!

VAR PMX 2024: Property Management Conference

PMX 2024, the Virginia REALTORS® annual Property Management Conference is a can’t miss event for property managers! You will learn things you need to grow and maintain a thriving property management business. Take advantage of unparalleled growth and networking opportunities that includes the ability to earn CE credits with classes targeted specifically to your needs as a property manager.

This conference will be held Wednesday, October 16^th – Friday, October 18^th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg. Click here to register and/or review the schedule. 

Reallocation of CE Hours

Salespersons and Brokers are expected to meet the new CE requirements in their next full license cycle, expiring July, 2026 or later. The total number of CE hours required remains the same. The change reduces the number of elective hours by 3 and instead, adds 3 more mandatory hours – 1 each for legal updates, agency and contracts

UPCOMING EDUCATION

Appraisal Class: Join us for this always popular class. Appraisers Ryan Lusk (Valley Wide Appraisal Service) and Terri Parenti (SML Premier Appraisals) will address appraisal issues, including accessory dwellings, unique properties and what does and does not add value – plus answer your questions.

Click here to register for this class on Wednesday, September 25^th, 11:00AM – 12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend in person (limit of 40) or (2) attend via Zoom. 



Septic Systems: Dirty Little Secrets: Join us to learn all there is to know about septic systems. Rodney Pierson (Pierson Septic Services) and Chad Sink (Sink’s Septic & Drain Services) will address both traditional and non-traditional systems. PLUS installation, operation, inspections and maintenance.

Click here to register for this class on Tuesday, October 15^th, 11:00AM – 12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend in person (limit of 50) or (2) attend via Zoom. 

Virtual GRI Classes: RVAR is partnering again with Virginia REALTORS® to offer virtual GRI classes throughout 2024. Each class is offered in two half-day sessions. Below are the classes offered through October, 2024. Click here for more information about the GRI

GRI 505 Working with Sellers

September 4^th 9AM-12:30PM

September 5^th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Nancy Pav

Students will learn proven strategies for lead generation for Sellers, plus tips for listing presentations and marketing listings. PL Approved = 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends.

GRI 508 Real Estate Law & Virginia Regulations

September 24^th 9AM-12:30PM

September 25^th 9AM-12:30PM

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 = 1 hour Legal Updates with Flood Content and 5 hours Real Estate Related; PL Approved = 6 hours Real Estate Law and Board Regulations. 

GRI 507 Ethics & Professional Responsibility

October 2^nd 9AM-12:30PM

October 3^rd 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Doug Wolfe

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.

GRI 502 Sales Contracts

October 29^th 9AM-12:30PM

October 30^th 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. 

Upcoming Events

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