Homes Sales for December

Forms Revisions Coming January 30^th  

RVAR will roll out revisions to the following forms on Tuesday, January 30^th. The revised forms will be available in the RVAR library in zipForms and SkySlope on January 30^th.

• Purchase Agreement (both Residential and Lot/Land)
• Exclusive Right to Represent Buyer Agreement
• Non-Exclusive Right to Represent Buyer Agreement

Click on the links below to the 3 training videos on RVAR’s YouTube channel. Special thanks to Kit Hale, a member of RVAR’s Standard Forms Committee, for recording the videos.

January 2024 Revisions to the RVAR Purchase Agreement (youtube.com)

January 2024 Revisions to the RVAR Exclusive Right to Represent Buyer Agreement (youtube.com)

January 2024 Revisions to the RVAR Non-Exclusive Right to Represent Buyer Agreement (youtube.com)

MLS Listing Exclusion Form Revised



The MLS will also roll out revisions to the MLS Listing Exclusion Form on Tuesday, January 30^th. The MLS rules related to listings excluded from the MLS by authorization of the Seller have not changed. The form has been revised to better inform the Seller that (1) an excluded listing will not be publicly marketed to most MLS agents and their clients and (2) an excluded listing cannot be publicly marketed by the listing agent and/or Seller.

According to NAR, the following public marketing is prohibited: yard signs, flyers displayed in windows, digital marketing on public facing websites including IDX displays, email blasts and private Facebook groups (with members from two or more brokerages.)

MLS Snapshot of MLS "Listing Check" Reports

During 2023, 381 “Listing Check” messages were sent through FlexMLS to Listing Agents and Listing Brokers. The MLS Monitoring Committee encourages you to review the most common issues reported:



• 141 = Wrong data (wrong area, schools, acreage, style, mapping, attached vs. detached)
• 46 = Missing data (Owner’s legal name, Other See Remarks with no explanation in Remarks)
• 38 = Wrong square footage
• 32 = Photos (missing front photo, LA sign in photo, photos not accurate portray of property) 

2024 REALTOR®️ & Affiliate Night

The 2024 REALTOR®️ & Affiliate Night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 from 5pm-7pm at the Roanoke Country Club! The Affiliate Committee is very excited about our ‘Black & White’ theme this year! How do you think our Affiliates will present their booths? All black, all white, black and white photos, use a black & white movie as a theme, the history of the Oreo cookie, or will they make it a formal affair? We can't wait to see!

Tickets go on sale February 13! Don't miss it!

RVAR's Family Fun Night on the Ice

Join us for a night of fun and fast-paced hockey with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs on Friday, February 9th.  

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children (under 12) and include admission and a meal voucher to be used at the concession area.  

Order as many tickets as you would like - bring your family & friends for a fun, exciting evening at the Berglund Center!! The puck drops against the Macon Mayhem at 7:05PM.

These will be pre-purchase only tickets and must be ordered by 2:00PM Monday, February 5th. Tickets can be picked up at the "Will Call" window on game day.

Click here to purchase your tickets!

RVAR Wins RPAC Triple Crown for 2023 RPAC Success!



A huge “Thank you” to the 565 REALTORS®, Affiliates and RVAR staff who contributed to the 2023 REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) fundraising campaign! For the ninth year in a row, RVAR has achieved the Triple Crown Award for exceeding all its RPAC goals set by Virginia REALTORS®. RVAR raised over $52,000, including contributions from 25 Major Investors (contributions of $1,000 or more.)

NAR’s Center for Financial Wellness: Virtual Tax Summit

NAR’s Center for Financial Wellness is offering a four-part series in February. The series is tailored for REALTORS®, providing crucial insights to maneuver the evolving tax landscape for the 2023 filing year. Learn from a tax strategist about the tips needed to save time and money.

• A registration fee of $50 will give you access to all four Zoom sessions:
• SMART From the Start – Accounting & Tax Tips (February 7^th, 1-2PM)
• 2023/24 Tax Update – REALTOR® Edition (February 14^th, 1-2PM)
• Advanced Tax Strategies for Agents (February 21^st, 1-2PM)
• Tax Advantages for Agents Investing in Real Estate (February 28^th, 1-2PM)

Click here to register.

RVAR: A Decade or Two Ago



Take a look back a decade or two ago at what was happening in the Association and area real estate market.

2004

• Beth Wilson served as RVAR’s 2004 President.
• 2004 began with 1,238 REALTORS®, 120 firms and 204 Affiliate members.
• The total number of residential listings in the MLS in January, 2004 was 1,925. Homes sold through the MLS in 2004 totaled 5,393, with an average price of $179,883.
• Tom Wilson was named RVAR’s 2004 REALTOR® of the Year.
• Homestead Settlement was named RVAR’s Affiliate of the Year.
• NAR’s membership reached one million members.

 2014

• Donna Greer served as RVAR’s 2014 President.
• 2014 began with 1,045 REALTORS®, 136 firms and 175 Affiliate members.
• The total number of residential listings in the MLS in January, 2014 was 2,784. Homes sold through the MLS in 2014 totaled 4,084, with an average price of $193,815.
• FlexMLS released its mobile app.
• RVAR stopped printing its standard forms.
• Betty Kingery was named RVAR’s 2014 REALTOR® of the Year.
• Mary Dykstra was named the Virginia REALTORS® 2014 REALTOR® of the Year.
• Jerry Cohen was awarded the 2014 Good Neighbor Award.
• Tessa Rider, Freedom First Credit Union, was named Individual Affiliate of the Year.
• Atlantic Bay Mortgage was named Affiliate Company of the Year.

Upcoming Education

Virginia Housing Training – Limit Increases, New Expanded Limits & More Workshop: Join Virginia Housing instructor Frank Webster to learn about changes to their programs which will help both first time and repeat homebuyers! Income limits have been increased significantly. Sales price limits have been eliminated for non-bond loans and increased significantly for bond loans. Learn about ‘no money down’ and closing cost assistance for your qualified buyers.

Click here to register for this class on Wednesday, March 20^th, 11:00AM-12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (limit of 40) or (2) attend via Zoom. Once training is complete, you will qualify to join Virginia Housing’s Real Estate Connection program.

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 April, 2024. Click here for more information about the GRI program and to register for GRI classes.

GRI 504 Working with Buyers

February 6^th 9AM-12:30PM

February 7^th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Tim Vohar

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.

GRI 505 Working with Sellers

February 27^th 9AM-12:30PM

February 28^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 502 Sales Contracts

March 13th 9AM-12:30PM

March 14th 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. 

GRI 507 Ethics & Professional Responsibility

April 4th 9AM-12:30PM

April 5th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Donna Austin

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.

Upcoming Events

2023 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor