July 19, 2018  


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®            1,270 Membership Update Logo
Offices                     130
Affiliate                    270

Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
You Still Have Time To Take Action! flood    
NAR has issued a Call for Action to encourage Congress to reauthorize the extension of the National Flood Insurance Program, 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.  

We have seen and experienced the devastation of flooding in our area recently. This is an important issue for our area that will affect many of your clients if the NFIP is not reauthorized.

Our goal is to keep Congress' attention on the July 31st deadline, and get an extension and to raise awareness in Congress not to let the program shut down. Urge Congress to extend the NFIP and pass meaningful reforms to ensure long-term viability of the program.

It's not too late to take action. Click here to take action now! Tell Congress to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program before it expires on July 31st. Please respond to this NAR Call For Action now! 
RVAR & You!  rpac 
 
What is the value of RVAR to you and your business?

Kathy Bibb, an agent with MKB, REALTORS®, says, "there are countless ways that the RVAR provides value to its members.  I think the most valuable and important facet of RVAR for me are the volunteer opportunities the Association provides.  I always feel that I get back far more than I contribute when I volunteer.  Volunteering on committees allows me to be a part of the bigger picture and hopefully make a difference in the REALTOR® world, and with my clients."

Kathy also believes the RVAR is important to her business. She says, "the Association plays an integral part of my business development by providing educational opportunities, most of which are at no cost, that can help me grow my business or become better and more knowledgeable at what I do."

She adds, "our Affiliates Night is always fun and a top-notch event, and the RVAR staff are the best."

Kathy currently serves on the RVAR Economic Development and Grievance Committees. 
The 2,654 homes sold during the first half of 2018, with an average price of $215,362, is the highest number since the first half of 2006. A link to the June 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.
REALTOR® Emeritus Designees Announceddesignees  
NAR's REALTOR® Emeritus program recognizes those members who have been REALTORS® for 40 or more years PLUS have volunteered their service for at least one year at the local, state or national level. Congratulations to the following who were recently awarded the REALTOR® Emeritus designation by NAR:

    Betty T. Anderson (REALSTAR, REALTORS®)
    Cheryl Ham (Long & Foster, REALTORS®)
    Jerry Helm (Long & Foster, REALTORS®)
    Dinah Moser (Long & Foster, REALTORS®)
    Anne Lee Stevens (MKB, REALTORS®)
Family Fun Night fun   
The crack of the bat, the cheering fans, the smell of popcorn and roasted peanuts...What's more American than summer and baseball?!

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!

To purchase tickets click here. We will see you at the ball park!
2018 Annual RVAR Golf Tournamentgolf  
 The 2018 RVAR Golf Tournament returns to Roanoke Country Club on Friday, September 7th. 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!

Don't wait! We anticipate a sell out so sign up today! Click here for all the details and the registration form. 
Economic Update economic

  The "Economic Update: All About YOU & Your Business" is excited to present updates on timely topics that have an impact on you and your business.

Landon Howard, President of Virginia's Blue Ridge, will be our presenter and will provide information on how Virginia's Blue Ridge is marketing the region to tourists and visitors, with a positive impact on your business.  

The next "Economic Update" will be held on Tuesday, September 18th at the RVAR office starting at 8:45AM with coffee, juice and pastries provided.  The presentation will begin at 9:00AM with a brief welcome followed by Landon Howard'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. 
Affiliates and REALTOR® Night night 
 



REALTOR® Conventions in the Fall  conventions 
Virginia REALTORS® Convention heads to Norfolk, September 25th - 27th. 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.

NAR's Annual Convention will be held in Boston, November 2nd - 5th. Choose from more than 100 education sessions during the four days, plus the world's largest real estate trade show, featuring over 400 exhibitors with the latest innovations and products. Plenty of networking opportunities plus a celebrity concert featuring Fall Out Boy.
School Supply Driveschool
Remember what it was like as a kid, getting all new stuff for school? How about the excitement of having bright, unbroken crayons; pencils to sharpen; and the fun backpacks? More than 50 percent of the students in this area are from homes below the poverty level, and they deserve to feel the same excitement about school. They need your help.

Join the RVAR, in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club of SWVA, help make things happen in our community- like helping kids who need school supplies but can't afford them.

The supplies teachers ask for the most includes, but is not limited to:
  • Paper: lined paper, copy paper, construction paper, spiral notebooks, composition books, index cards
  • Pencils & Pens: blue or black pens, #2 pencils, colored pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, pencil case, colored markers, crayons, highlighters, dry-erase markers
  • General Supplies: dry-erase boards, paper clips, 3-ring 2" binders, pocket folders, report covers
  • Classroom staples: stapler, staples, rulers, protractors, glue sticks, scissors, tape, calculators
  • Things you can never have too much of:  tissues, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer
  • Bookbags
  • Lunch Boxes
Donation bins will be located in the lobby of RVAR and several REALTOR® and Affiliate offices throughout the Roanoke Valley and will be up beginning August 1st through September 15th. If your office would like to participate please contact Jim Sweetwood at [email protected] or call 540-772-0526 to request a bin for your office. Monetary donations are also accepted. Simply write your check to Boys and Girls Club of SWVA and drop it off at the RVAR office. Thank you in advance for your help!
Charity Spotlight of the Month charity
Center in the Square
 
Center in the Square is a unique home for regional arts & cultural organizations, creating and driving opportunities that enhance education, economic development and quality of life.

We are dedicated to an active participation in economic development, both locally and regionally, by helping assure the financial health of vital elements of western and central Virginia's cultural quality of life.

Center in the Square is owned and operated by the Western Virginia Foundation for the Arts and Sciences, a 501(c)3 independent, private non-profit organization. We provide a free home, utilities, security, and custodial services to our resident organizations funded through a combination of grants, corporate donations, and individual support. In addition to providing this support for resident organizations, WVFAS also provides similar support to off-site cultural organizations housed at independent locations: the O. Winston Link Museum, Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Ballet Theatre and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.

For more information on Center in the Square please visit their website at 
www.centerinthesquare.org. 
Upcoming Educationeducation
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.

Annual Legal Update - Join us on Thursday, September 20th (9AM-Noon) for this annual educational session at the South Roanoke County Library. The cost is $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Topics to be covered this year by Virginia REALTORS® Associate General Counsel Erin Barton will be:
  • 2018 New Laws - New laws passed by the 2018 General Assembly and how they will impact your business.   
  • Disclosure Shall Set You Free - Clear up common misconceptions in the often murky area of disclosures, including agency disclosure, property condition disclosure and material adverse facts.
The Legal Update counts for 3 hours Legal Updates with Flood CE; 1 hour Broker Management CE; 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends PL.  Click here to register.

Farm and Land Class: Learn how to be outstanding in your 'field', with everything you need to know about listing and selling farm and land properties. This Wednesday, September 26th (10AM-Noon) class, taught by David Hurt of MKB, REALTORS® and Joey Cornwell of Farm Credit / Country Mortgage, will cover topics including: conservation easements, surveys and right of way, land use taxation, staging land listings and financing options. Click here to register for this FREE class.

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Classes:

ABR Designation Class, October 4th and 5th, 8:30AM-5PM
with instructor Donna Austin.

Code of Ethics Training, Friday, October 12th 9:00AM - Noon
with instructor John Dickinson.

GRI 503 - Sales Contracts, Tuesday, October 30th, 9AM-4:30PM
with instructor Michael Guthrie. (NOTE DATE CHANGE)

Our RVAR Family family   
Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy to Rachel Hancock of RE/MAX All Stars upon the death of her brother and to Teresa Criner of Wainwright & Co. upon the death of her daughter.  
 
Let RVAR know if you have news to share. 
Upcoming Events Upcoming

August 9th
Family Fun Night
August 16th
Is Work / Life Balance a Myth?
August 23rd
Safety: Don't Be the Next Statistic
September 3rd
RVAR office Closed for Labor Day
September 7th
RVAR Golf Tournament
September 16th
Economic Update
September 20th
Legal Update
September 26th
Farm & Land Class
 
Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS® 
Proudly Recognizes Our 2018 Partner / Sponsors partner 
 
Platinum 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
The Federal Savings Bank   
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 
Contact:

ROANOKE VALLEY
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
  |  540.772.0526