February 21, 2019 


Roanoke Valley Associathion of REALTORS  
    R OANOKE VALLEY REALTOR® ONLINE   

   You are receiving this online enewsletter as a benefit of being a member of the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®. 
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MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR®            1280 Membership Update Logo
Offices                    133
Affiliate                   312
Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
Get REal! Summit real  
 
   
The first Get REal! Summit will be held on Wednesday, April 10th at the Holiday Inn - Tanglewood. Registration starts at 8:30AM and includes a deluxe continental breakfast. The program will be from 9:00AM to 12 Noon. This informative and educational economic summit will feature four outstanding speakers /presenters. They will focus on the important role and impact of both residential and commercial real estate in local economic development.

Tickets are just $15 if purchased by April 5th ($20 between April 6-10) and includes the deluxe continental breakfast, snacks at breaks and beverages.
 
This is an event you will not want to miss! Seats are limited, so register early! Click here to register today! This event is presented by the Economic Development Committee and sponsored by our fantastic Partner / Sponsors!  
econ   
The "Economic Update" presents updates on timely topics that have an impact on you and your business.  
 
The first "Economic Update" for 2019 will be held on Tuesday, March 19th with Bob Cowell, Roanoke City Manager as our presenter.  Bob has served as Roanoke City Manager since September, 2017. Bob will provide a brief update about what is happening in Roanoke including the Comprehensive Plan currently being revised. Make plans to attend this informative and helpful update about what is taking place in Roanoke.  Don't miss this opportunity!  
 
The "Economic Update" will start at 8:45AM with coffee, juice and pastries provided.  The presentation will begin at 9:00AM at the RVAR office with a brief welcome followed by Bob Cowell's presentation and include time for questions & answers.  We will conclude no later than 10:00AM.  
 
There is NO CHARGE to attend this event, but seating is limited.  Click here to register or contact the RVAR office. 
 
The "Economic Update" has the goal of providing local, informative presentations regarding topics that affect you and your business. All REALTOR® and Affiliate members are encouraged to attend.
Advocacy @ Work work    
Advocacy @ Work is an article aimed at updating members on what is happening in our region regarding Economic Development and/or Governmental Affairs.

Virginia's General Assembly will conclude this year's 45-day session this Saturday, February 23rd. Aside from all the scandals, accusations and distractions that have surrounded this session and our Commonwealth, Legislators have continued to do their work.

On Wednesday, February 6th, 18 RVAR REALTORS®, Affiliate members and staff attended Virginia REALTORS®' "Economic & Advocacy Summit" in Richmond.  We had the opportunity to meet with some of our region's Legislators to discuss issues of interest to us. Those issues included funding options to improve I-81 and the possible regional economic impact of casinos in Bristol and Danville, if approved.

Virginia REALTORS® has several bills making their way through the General Assembly.  Three of these bills are of particular interest to mention:

*    Delivery of Incomplete POA/COA Packets - Recent conflicting court rulings in Virginia raised the question of whether the delivery of an "incomplete" disclosure packet in a Property Owners Association (POA) or resale certificate in a Condo Owners Association (COA) begins a buyer's ability to cancel the contract within the three-day right of rescission.  This bill clarifies that the delivery of an "incomplete" packet begins the three-day right of rescission.

*    Consumer Protection Act - This Virginia REALTORS®' bill will add unlicensed real estate activity to Virginia Consumer Protection Act to allow for greater consumer protection against this illegal activity.

*    Health Insurance Legislation - Virginia REALTORS® supported legislation that will allow multi-member LLCs to access the small group health insurance market to obtain better and less expensive health insurance coverage.  This legislation will greatly benefit Virginia REALTORS® and other Virginia small businesses. This bill has passed both the House and Senate and will go to the Governor for his approval.

Additionally, Virginia REALTORS® is still working with other trade associations in supporting legislation that would allow associations to provide health benefit plans to their members. This could be a huge benefit for many of our members. There is some opposition to this legislation, so stay tuned if Virginia REALTORS® issues any Calls for Action to support this important bill.  

Article provided by Joe Sutliff, RVAR Director of Economic & Governmental Affairs.
BOD Recaprecap 
Click here to watch the first installment of President Neil Conner's video recap of what RVAR's Board of Directors accomplished at its February 14th meeting.
January Homes Sales sales 
2019 is off to a strong start, with 465 homes placed under contract in January - a 19% increase over January, 2018 and the highest number of January contracts signed since 2005. A link to the January  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.    
March 13th Deadline to Pay Supra Display Key Invoice supra  
Display Key Users: Be sure to pay your annual Supra Display Key invoice by the deadline - Wednesday, March 13th. The amount of the annual invoice is $189.40 (including tax and personal property tax.) Agents can go online to www.supraekey.com for billing information - or to pay online - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have any questions about your invoice, contact Supra support at 877-699-6787.
 
Please note - this ONLY applies to agents who use the Display Key. Agents who have switched to the eKey (the app on your smartphone) are charged monthly by Supra. The new monthly amount charged will be $14.63 (including tax) starting with your March charge.
Lockbox Access Hours to Change lockbox 
Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 10th. Standard lockbox access hours will change to 9:00AM - 9:30PM. This will not be reflected on any Supra reports - which will show hours of 8:00AM - 8:30PM. 
That's Who We R®who 
Watch for NAR's new national ad campaign - That's Who We R® -- launching February 25th. "The campaign sends a powerful message that I believe will resonate with both consumers and our members," states NAR President John Smaby. "It sets REALTORS® apart from non-members and demonstrates the consultative service that REALTORS® deliver - which no listing app can match. Stories that exemplify the REALTOR® experience are a central theme to the campaign. I'm confident it will make members proud."

RVAR Community Service Day Projectproject  
 
Join us in helping make a difference
 
The 2019 Community Service Committee would like you to join us as we kick off the new year with our first Service Day Project.
 
RVAR will be volunteering with Feeding America (1025 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153) on Friday, March 15. There are two opportunities to volunteer, 9:00am - 12:00pm or 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Choose one or, better yet, both! Breakfast snacks and lunch will be available.

If you would like to join us click here to sign up for the AM shift or click here for the PM shift.

You can also call the RVAR at 540-772-0526 to have us register you for the shift of your choice.

Feeding America Southwest Virginia was founded in 1981 and proudly commemorates 38 years of fighting hunger and changing lives through community partnerships.

The Food Bank is an affiliate member of Feeding America and for the last three decades the Food Bank's ultimate mission has remained the same: eliminate hunger in the region.
 
The primary function of the Food Bank is to secure large quantities of food for the hungry. Over $28 million worth of food and grocery related products are channeled through a network of 353 partner feeding programs in our 26-county, 9 city region that provide food or meals to those in need.
 
If you would like to donate or get more information for Feeding America SW Virginia please log on to their website at www.faswva.org.  
Save the Date...  
RVAR Community Service Day Project reno  
 
 
 
 
 
 
RVAR's second Community Service Day is being held on Saturday, April 27th as we support Renovation Alliance for their Community Renovation Day, an effort dedicated to rebuilding the homes of low-income homeowners across the Roanoke Valley. These projects usually consist of both some interior and exterior repairs, doing some painting, carpentry work as well as general clean up, lawn and garden work.  
 
There will be AM, PM or All day shifts available. We hope you can join us! 
 
Registration will begin soon! 
Save the Date...2019 RVAR Spring Golf Tournament golf    
NEW FOR 2019!! RVAR is excited to announce this new addition to our event calendar! The 2019 RVAR Spring Golf Tournament will be held at Waterfront Country Club at Smith Mountain Lake on Monday, May 13th. The day will start with check-in and a box lunch at 11:00AM and shotgun start at 12:00. It's going to be a great day of golf with great prizes and giveaways! Plus, what better way to start off your week!  

Registration will begin on March 1st! 
Save the Date...
REALTOR® After Hours @ the Lakerah 
 
Grab your flip-flops and join us on Thursday, April 25th from 5:00 until 7:00PM at Bridgewater Bay Clubhouse in Moneta for our Luau-inspired REALTOR® After Hours! There will be great food, music, door prizes, 50/50 cash raffle, lively conversation and... assorted beverages! Thanks to our fantastic 2019 Partner/Sponsors this is a FREE event !
 
Registration begins in March! 
Upcoming Educationed 
License to Price: Learn from the experts on how to price your listings, including pricing unique properties and convincing your Seller to accept your target price. On Wednesday, March 20th (10AM-Noon), Curtis Burchett (MKB) and Ken Smith (Long & Foster) will share their proven techniques for pricing listings. And Richard Varney (Floyd & Varney) will share an appraiser's perspective. This class is always so popular, it has been moved to the South County Library to provide room for more attendees. Click here to register for this FREE class.

A Local View on Using Social Media: Learn how to manage your presence on social media, including posting photos and using video to maximize your exposure. Plus learn how to follow the social media rules. Join the following presenters on Tuesday, April 2nd (10-11:30AM) at the RVAR Office: Walter Grewe (Long & Foster); Karen Hankins (Atlantic Bay Mortgage); and Wanda Richards (Long & Foster). Click here to register for this FREE class.

Agency / Contracts: Earn the required CE credits for agency and contracts on Thursday, April 11th (1:30-3:30PM) at the RVAR office with instructor John Dickinson of the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate. Click here to register.

Fair Housing - RVAR's Education Committee presents this class in conjunction with the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate, Friday, April 12th, 9:00-11:00AM at the RVAR office.
          New members: This class is free - earn 2 hours PL or CE credit.
          Existing members: Pay $10 at the door for 2 hours CE credit.
Click here to register.

GRI 506 Risk Management: Tim Vohar returns to conduct this class on Thursday, April 25th (9:00AM-4:30PM) at the RVAR office. Learn to protect yourself and your business. Students will get a crash course on risk  management, escrow, equal services, environmental concerns and state / federal regulations such as lead paint and antitrust. CE credits = 6 hours Legal Update with Flood Content; PL credits = 3 hours Risk Management and 3 hours Escrow Management. Click here to register.

Already have your GRI designation? Contact Louann Pagans to register for this class at the reduced rate of $45, includes materials and CE credits, but no exam.

Radon in Virginia Real Estate Transactions: Radon is common in the Greater Roanoke Valley. Learn all about radon from Ryan Paris, Radiation Safety Specialist and Radon Coordinator for the VA Department of Health. This Wednesday, May 15th class (9:00-11:00AM) will explain how to test for radon and how to mitigate the radon levels. Click here to register for this FREE class.

Need CE/PL credit? Just pay $10 at the door for 2 hours CE credit (Real Estate Related) or 2 hours PL credit (Current Industry Issues/Trends.)

GRI 505 Working with Sellers: Well-known instructor LeRoy Houser returns to conduct this class on Wednesday, May 22nd (9:00AM-4:30PM) at the RVAR office. Learn proven strategies for lead generation for Sellers. Learn tips for listing presentations and a 'how to' for marketing listings in your local area. Strengthen your communication skills with sellers. PL credits = 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends). Click here to register. 
Our RVAR Family family
Sympathy
RVAR offers condolences to Debbie Elig of Virginia Title Center upon the recent death of her husband and to Glenn Reed of the Real Estate Group upon the death of his mother.
   
Let RVAR know if you have news to share. 
Upcoming Events events

Contact:

ROANOKE VALLEY
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®  |  540.772.0526