MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR® 1324
Offices 133
Affiliate 303
Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
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Join RVAR's BOD in 2020
Interested in a leadership role in RVAR? Are you ready to give back to the REALTOR® community? Do you have fresh ideas for change?
RVAR's Board of Directors has announced the following leadership openings for 2020:
President-elect,
Vice President and
3 Director positions. The process for applying for a Director or Officer position is simple:
* The application period begins Thursday, August 1st and ends on Tuesday, October 1st.
* A period of RVAR membership is required: 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:
o Must have served on an RVAR Committee, Task Force etc. within the
previous 10 years;
o No Virginia Real Estate Board violation within the previous 2 years;
o No Code of Ethics violation within the previous 2 years.
The Board is a hardworking body of 12 REALTORS® who set policy for RVAR and the MLS. The group meets 10 times each year to consider issues, set the direction and manage the funds of the Association and MLS. If you are interested or have any questions about the requirements and benefits of serving on the Board of Directors, please contact President
Neil Conner or CEO
Laura Benjamin.
Continuing their service on the 2020 Board will be: President
Walter Grewe (Long & Foster); Immediate Past President
Neil Conner (The Real Estate Group); and Directors
Dana Berenbaum (MKB),
Jay Kilby (RE/MAX All Stars),
Julie Kingery (RE/MAX Mountain to Lake) and
Lori Shultz-Moore (Wainwright).
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New MLS Feature: Integrated Property Tax Records
RVAR selected CRS Data to integrate property tax records into our FlexMLS system. Effective June 4th, tax assessor data will be available within FlexMLS for the following municipalities:
Foreclosure data, census and school reports and FEMA flood maps will also be available. Prospecting features, including exports and mailing labels, are also included with this new MLS feature.
Make plans to attend one of the nine training classes being offered: (click below to register online or for a registration flyer)
Monday, June 17th 9:00-10:45AM The Franklin Ctr, Rocky Mount
Monday, June 17th 11:15AM-1:00PM The Franklin Ctr, Rocky Mount
Monday, June 17th 2:30-3:45PM RVAR office
Tuesday, June 18th 9:00-10:45AM RVAR office
Tuesday, June 18th 11:15AM-1:00PM RVAR office
Tuesday, June 18th 2:30-3:45PM RVAR office
Wednesday, June 19th 9:00-10:45AM RVAR office
Wednesday, June 19th 11:15AM-1:00PM RVAR office
Wednesday, June 19th 2:30-3:45PM RVAR office
Special thanks to the Work Group who selected CRS data and tested this product: Chair Jay Kilby, Liz Bowles, Kathy Chandler, Damon Gettier, Adam Lynch, Meg Smith and Brad Thomas.
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Advocacy @ Work
Advocacy @ Work is an article aimed at updating members on what is happening in our region regarding Economic Development and/or Governmental Affairs.
Each May, the National Association of REALTORS® holds its Legislative Meetings in Washington, DC. Last week, REALTORS® from around the country - including the RVAR, spent time in DC networking with peers and taking the REALTOR® message directly to elected officials.
I joined other Virginia REALTORS® in meetings with Congressmen Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith, and Congressman Denver Riggleman's Legislative Director (Congressman Riggleman was in a Committee meeting). We discussed how real estate remains a critical major driver of the U.S. economy and stressed that buying and selling real property is the foundation of wealth building for the middle class.
* Real estate accounts for 1/5th of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 --
1/5th!
* Commercial real estate supported 8.3 million American jobs in 2018.
* A typical homeowner's wealth is estimated to reach $262,500 in 2019. Far
exceeding that of renters.
Besides taking our message of
"That's Who We R" to lawmakers, REALTOR® volunteer leaders discussed the following issues with Members of Congress:
Supporting Fair Housing - Fair Housing is integral to our ability to buy, lease and occupy real estate in America. NAR has supported the Equality Act which adds fair housing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. NAR added these two protections to our Code of Ethics several years ago.
While in DC last week, the House passed this Act and it now goes to the Senate for a vote.
Supporting the National Flood Insurance Program - NAR is encouraging Congress to reauthorize the extension of the NFIP, which is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2019. Without reauthorization, NFIP cannot issue or renew flood insurance policies, including areas around the Roanoke region. NAR is working with Congress and advocating for meaningful reforms to strengthen the program including making the flood mapping more accurate, aligning insurance rates to risk, providing property risk mitigation resources, and opening the door to private flood insurance.
While in DC last week, the House passed an extension until September 30th to give time for continued discussion on reforms. The extension now goes to the Senate for a vote.
Supporting Qualified Opportunity Zones - The Qualified Opportunity Zone program aims to encourage development and job creation in economically distressed communities through tax incentives for investors in these zones. REALTORS® support this program and are active with helping the Treasury and the Administration make it a success by further defining the rules and promoting an extension of the program beyond 2026.
RVAR REALTOR® volunteers work hard and make sacrifices to advocate for home ownership and property rights on behalf of us all. Thank you for being involved, taking time away from your families and business to get
our message out.
Article provided by Joe Sutliff, RVAR Director of Economic & Governmental Affairs.
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The REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is
"a work in progress...to empower your success and protect property rights!"
RPAC's success each year depends on you. So far this year members have contributed/pledged $24,492 (goal of $40,516) from 139 REALTOR® & Affiliate Members (goal of 464 members).
Click here to see if you are part of the list of 2019 RPAC contributors so far!
Contribute now or contact
Joe Sutliff to pledge now and pay with your dues this fall. Get your name on the list!
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Recap from May BOD Meeting
Click on the picture above to watch the next installment of President Neil Conner's video recap of what RVAR's Board of Directors accomplished at its May 9th meeting.
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April Home Sales
The 487 homes sold in April represents a 9% increase over March sales. The 647 homes plac
ed under contract represents the highest monthly total of pendings since July, 2005. A link to the April 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.
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Start off your Memorial Day weekend early with the RVAR! 5 O'clock Hops will be in Botetourt on Thursday, May 23rd at Ballast Point Brewing Company, (555 International Parkway, Daleville, VA 24083) from 5:00PM 'til 7:00PM.
No Registration Required for 5 O'clock Hops - just show up! And bring a friend!
* Appetizers Provided!
* Enjoy Ballast Point's beer and wine selections! Or something non-alcoholic, if you prefer.
(First round is on us!)
* Door Prizes for REALTORS® & Affiliates! Bring a business card!
This event is sponsored by our outstanding 2019 Partner/Sponsors.
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June Tech Lunch & Learn
Plan to join RVAR's Technology Committee for its
Thursday, June 6th Lunch & Learn (11:30AM-1:30PM) -
Apps to Add to Your REALTOR® Toolkit. Tech Committee members will share their favorite apps - for both iPhones and Androids - plus most are free! The types of apps will range from photo editing to safety to mortgage calculators. Come prepared to share your favorite apps!
Bring your lunch and phone or tablet - RVAR will provide drinks, chips and dessert!
Click here to register for this
FREE event. (NOTE: This session was rescheduled from May 7th.)
And the next Tech Lunch & Learn has already been scheduled for August 21st!
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Family Fun Night
 Don't miss our next Family Fun Night with the Salem Red Sox on Thursday, August 8th!
Join us for a picnic under the Roanoke Times Pavilion then stay and cheer on your Salem Red Sox!
Tickets go on sale in June. We hope to see you at the ball park!
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Affiliates and REALTOR® Night
Gas up the car and come with us on....
Tuesday, October 15 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Hidden Valley Country Club,
2500 Romar Road, Salem, VA 24153
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NAR Member Profile -- How Do You Compare?
NAR recently surveyed a sampling of REALTORS® nationwide to determine the characteristics of today's typical REALTOR®. Eight years of experience, 11 transaction sides in 2017, with a sales volume of $1.9 million. The number of members who are very certain they will remain in the real estate business for the next two years is 80%.
Click here to check out how you compare.
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Save the Dates for Fall Events
RVAR Golf Tournament: Friday, September 6th, Roanoke Country Club
Legal Update: Thursday, September 26th, South Country Library, 9AM-Noon
Affiliate & REALTOR® Night: Tuesday, October 15th, Hidden Valley Country Club, 5-8PM
Installation & Awards Breakfast: Friday, December 13th, Hotel Roanoke, 8:30-10:30AM
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Momentum 2019: Keep Your Business Moving 
The Virginia REALTORS® Annual Convention returns to
Williamsburg, September 17th - 19th. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore, discover and connect with fellow REALTORS®. Momentum 2019 will feature sessions on marketing your business, trends in business and sales, legal updates and housing forecasts. PLUS the Convention offers top quality CE and Broker Management classes.
Click here for more information - including the complete schedule of speakers and classes. Register today for just $99.
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Virginia REALTORS® Committees for 2020
The Virginia REALTORS® is now accepting applications for 2020 Committee volunteers. Expand your horizons by working with REALTORS® from across the state.
Click here to learn more about the Committee options. The deadline to apply is June 28th. Questions? Contact RVAR's CEO
Laura Benjamin.
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Upcoming Education
Code of Ethics Training - This Wednesday, June 12th (9:00AM-Noon) class, taught by John Dickinson, not only provides 3 hours of CE credit for license renewal, but also meets NAR's ethics training requirement. NAR requires all REALTORS® to complete 3 hours of Code of Ethics training every two years. Click here to register. (Can't make this class? RVAR will offer this class again on November 20th.)
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Fair Housing - RVAR's Education Committee presents this class in conjunction with the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate, Thursday, August 15th, 2:00-4:00PM 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. (Can't make this class? RVAR will offer this class again on November 7th.)
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Our RVAR Family
Sympathy
RVAR offers condolences to Pat Joiner of MKB, REALTORS® upon the death of her father.
Congratulations
RVAR salutes Kit Hale of MKB, REALTORS® upon being named by the National Association of REALTORS® as the newest recipient of NAR's Distinguished Service Award. This award is the highest honor NAR bestows on REALTOR® volunteers for exemplary service at the local, state and national association levels plus community service.
Congratulations to Wes Naff of Meadow Spring Land Company and Richard Wimberley of RE/MAX All Points, who have been awarded the REALTOR® Emeritus designation by NAR. 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 those recently named "2019 Best Of" by The Roanoker Magazine, which included categories for real estate firms and agents. Some of RVAR's Affiliate members were recognized, too!
Best Real Estate Firm: Platinum - MKB, REALTORS®; Gold - RE/MAX (no specific office named); Silver - Long & Foster, REALTORS®
Best Real Estate Agent: Platinum - Brad Thomas (Mount View Real Estate LLC); Gold - Norm Pullen (MKB, REALTORS®); Silver - Jodi Stiles (Long & Foster, REALTORS®)
Best Credit Union: Platinum - Member One FCU; Gold - Freedom First FCU
Best Mortgage Lender: Platinum - Jonathan Sweat (Alcova Mortgage); Gold (TIE) Jamie Bailey (Alcova Mortgage) and Kent Blackburn (Integrity Home Mortgage Corp.)
Best National Bank: Platinum - Wells Fargo; Gold - SunTrust; Silver - BB&T
Best Regional/Local Bank: Platinum - HomeTown Bank (now American National Bank); Gold - Bank of Botetourt
Best Local Insurance Provider and Agent: Platinum - Bill Meador Insurance Agency
Let RVAR know
if you have news to share.
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Upcoming Events
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May 23rd
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5 O'clock Hops |
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May 27th
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RVAR Office Closed for Holiday
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June 12th
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Class: Ethics
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June 17th
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MLS Tax Records Classes (3)
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June 18th
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MLS Tax Records Classes (3)
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June 19th
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MLS Tax Records Classes (3)
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July 4th
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RVAR Office Closed for Holiday
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August 8th
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Family Fun Night with Salem Red Sox
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August 15th
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Class: Fair Housing
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
Proudly Recognizes Our 2019 Partner / Sponsors
Platinum Level Partner / Sponsor
Diamond Level Partner / Sponsor
Gold Level Partner / Sponsor
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