Homes Sales for June

RVAR's President Update

Click on President Meg Dorsey's photo to watch the latest video update from RVAR's Board of Directors.

Hale Appointed to VREB

Governor Glenn Youngkin has appointed Kit Hale (MKB, REALTORS®) to the Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB). This gubernatorial appointment to the VREB will last through 2027.

Kit has a long history of service at all levels of the REALTOR® Association. He served as RVAR President in 2001 and President of Virginia REALTORS® in 2006. In 2019, NAR selected him as the 95^th recipient of NAR’s Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor an NAR member can receive.

RVAR members who have previously served on the VREB include Bill Gearhart (Coldwell Banker Townside), Ed Hall (Hall Associates) and Steve Hoover (MKB, REALTORS®️).

Join RVAR’s BOD in 2024



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 2024: President-elect, Vice President and 3 Director positions. The process for applying for a Director or Officer position is simple:

• The application period begins Tuesday, August 1st and ends on Monday, October 2nd
• 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:

1. Must have served on an RVAR Committee, Work Group etc. within the previous 10 years;
2.  No Virginia Real Estate Board violation within the previous 2 years;
3. No Code of Ethics violation within the previous 2 years.

 The Board is a hardworking body of 12 REALTORS® who set policy for RVAR. 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 Meg Dorsey or CEO Laura Benjamin.



Slated to continue their service on the 2024 Board will be: President Jay Kilby (RE/MAX All Stars); Immediate Past President Meg Dorsey (MKB, REALTORS®); and Directors Cathie Daniel (BHHS Smith Mountain Lake); Thomas Fellers (MKB, REALTORS®); Stan Spiewak (BHHS Premier, REALTORS®); and Todd Wampler (Century 21 Wampler Realty.) 

MLS Change August 1^st

The MLS Board of Directors approved the following change, which FlexMLS will implement on Tuesday, August 1^st:

That the four contingency designations in FlexMLS will apply ONLY to Active listings:



• K = Kickout Contingency
•  RCAS = Relocation Company Awaiting Signatures
•  PLHA = Pending Lien Holders Approval
•  REOP = REO Pending Bank Signature

MLS Tip of the Month

The following tip is offered by the MLS Policy Committee.

Read the Remarks, both Public and Private Remarks, as they often contain critical information on the Property, Seller preferences, safety and instructions for submitting an offer. Know before you go!



• NOTE: The Private Remarks are viewable on the FlexMLS mobile app under Showing Info.

Family Fun Night

Summer brings so many great things! The beach, time at the lake, hikes and…..BASEBALL! Join us for our RVAR Family Fun Night at the Ballpark on Thursday, August 10. The picnic starts at 6pm with the first pitch at 7:05pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Your ticket includes your seat and the picnic. Bring the entire family (and friends)!

Click here to register today!

We can’t wait to see you at the Ballpark!!

The 2023 RVAR Golf Classic returns to Roanoke Country Club on Friday, September 8th. 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!

Click here to register!

Save the Date

Pinball and Pizza

Join us for an evening of fun, nostalgia and...PIZZA! That's right, it's Pinball and Pizza at the Roanoke Pinball Museum, at the Center in the Square, Thursday, September 14th from 5pm-7pm.

Registration begins in August!

RVAR School Supply Drive

The RVAR Community Service Committee is proud to announce our 2023 RVAR School Supply Drive benefiting the Boys & Girls Club.

Donations will be through a Drive up, Drop off, & Drive away event scheduled for Wednesday, August 2 (8am-5pm) and Thursday August 3 (8am-5pm) here at the RVAR Office, in the front of the building.

Click here for a full list of needed school supplies.

We look forward to our members stepping up and helping the needful youth of our community!

PUT A SOCK IN IT!

In what you may ask? Why, in our RVAR Sock Drive collection box. The RVAR Sock Drive, benefiting the Roanoke Rescue Mission, continues! Collection boxes are located at the RVAR, in the main lobby and in the RVAR Training Room, at the back of the building. So, each time you come to the RVAR bring along a pair of new, unworn socks to help fill our collection boxes. We have collected over 2000 pair on the way to our goal of 5000 pair of socks. The drive will last until October 1st. 

New NAR Mobile App  

The new NAR Mobile App gives you full access to information you need – anytime you want – even while you are on-the-go! Set up your personal parameters, tap the app, and quickly access valuable real estate industry facts at your fingertips.



With the app, you can easily access:

• Latest industry news and research
• Education courses
• Marketing resources
• Member benefits and the latest discounts
• Podcasts and videos
• Searchable member directory
• Your member profile

Just download the free app – NAR Mobile – from the Apple App Store or Google Play. 

NAR Member Profile – How Do You Compare?

NAR recently surveyed a sampling of REALTORS® nationwide to determine the characteristics of today’s typical REALTOR®. How do you compare?

• Eleven years of experience
• Typically been with the same firm for 6 years
• 55% affiliated with an independent firm
• 62% of REALTORS® are women
• Most REALTORS® had 12 transaction sides in 2022
• 70% report their primary specialty as residential brokerage
• Median business expenses totaled $8,210, with the largest single expense category being vehicle expense
• Most REALTORS® work 30 hours per week
• 76% are very certain will remain in the business at least two more years

Click here to read more highlights from NAR’s Member Profile.

VAR Summer Series



Virginia REALTORS® is wrapping up its Summer Speaker Series! The final class in VAR’s 2023 Summer Speaker Series is on August 8^th, 2:00-3:30PM, with Top Ten Tax and Investment Tips for 2023 presented by Chris Bird.

This course includes detailed coverage of the most important tax issues that REALTORS®️ need to be aware of in dealing with their clients and customers. Specifically included are; the latest in depreciation guidelines from the IRS, the 20% Qualified Business Income Deduction, the importance of Cost Segregation Studies, the benefits of the S Corporation status, the current issues with the 1031 Real Estate Exchange, and the tax savings from the status of the Real Estate Professional, the issue of STEPPED UP BASIS for inherited assets, and much more. Chris will explain these issues from a common sense, practical standpoint that the participants will clearly comprehend. Click here to register for this live web event. (This session costs $10.)

VAR PMX 2023: Property Management Conference

PMX is the largest event targeted specifically to Virginia’s property managers. PMX 2023, the Virginia REALTORS® annual Property Management Conference is a can’t miss event specifically 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 18^th – Friday, October 20^th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels in Williamsburg. Click here to register and/or review the schedule. Early bird pricing is available before August 3^rd.

Upcoming Education

Social Media Marketing: Success Stories: Learn from a panel of REALTORS® who use social media successfully in their business. A quick review of the rules governing social media marketing will also be provided at this class on Tuesday, August 29^th, 11AM-12:30PM. The panelists will be:

• Katy Cookston – Instagram / Reels

Keller Williams Realty Roanoke

• Alyshia Merchant – Facebook

Nest Realty Roanoke

• Andy Griesinger – Videos

eXp Realty LLC Ballantyne (Charlotte, NC)

This class is offered by RVAR’s Technology Committee. Click here to register for this FREE class. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (max of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom.

50 Shades of POA (the Property Owners Association Act): Attorney Jim Gilbert of Gilbert Law PC will address all aspects of the POA Act on Wednesday, September 13^th, 11AM-12:30PM. Learn what properties fall under the POA Act. Learn the difference between the POA Act and a road maintenance agreement. And learn the buyer rescission rights under the POA Act. NOTE: This class was originally scheduled for May 24^th; however, changes to the POA Act went into effect July 1^st. The September class will encompass the latest changes to the Act.

Click here to register for this FREE class. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (max of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom.

RPR: Your Best Mobile Friend: RPR is the REALTORS® Property Resource, the nation’s largest public records database, with complete MLS data plus additional data from other sources, exclusively for REALTORS®. And it’s a FREE benefit from NAR.

Join Jay Kilby (RE/MAX All Stars) on Tuesday, September 26^th, 11AM-12:30PM to learn how he uses RPR’s mobile app. He claims this will become your favorite real estate app!

Click here to register for this FREE class. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (max of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom. 

Virtual GRI Classes: RVAR has partnered with Virginia REALTORS® to offer virtual GRI classes throughout 2023. Each class is offered in two half-day sessions. Below are the classes offered through October. 



GRI 504 Working with Buyers

August 1st 9AM-12:30PM

August 2nd 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. Click here to register.

GRI 505 Working with Sellers

August 23^rd 9AM-12:30PM

August 24^th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Doug Wolfe

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. Click here to register.

GRI 502 Sales Contracts

September 6^th 9AM-12:30PM

September 7^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. Click here to register.

GRI 507 Ethics & Professional Responsibility

October 4th 9AM-12:30PM

October 5th 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. Click here to register.

GRI 508 Real Estate Law & Virginia Regulations

October 24^th 9AM-12:30PM

October 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 = 8 hours Legal Updates with Flood Content; PL Approved = 6 hours Real Estate Law and Board Regulations. Click here to register.

Our RVAR Family

Sympathy

RVAR offers its sympathy to Dexter Rakes (MKB at the Lake) upon the death of his brother.

Correction: RVAR apologizes for an error in the June newsletter. The sympathy notice should have referenced the recent passing of Amelia Gerner (BHHS Smith Mountain Lake). 

Upcoming Events

2023 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor