Homes Sales for April

The 516 homes sold in April, 2022 is the highest number of April sales in the history of the MLS.

RVAR's President Update

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

Join RVAR's BOD in 2023

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 2023: President-elect, Vice President and 4 Director positions. The process for applying for a Director or Officer position is simple:

• The application period begins Monday, August 1st and ends on Monday, October 3rd.
• 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:

          o   Must have served on an RVAR Committee, Work Group 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. 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 President Ashley Donahue or CEO Laura Benjamin.

Slated to continue their service on the 2023 Board will be: President Meg Dorsey (MKB, REALTORS®); Immediate Past President Ashley Donahue (Wainwright & Co.); and Directors Shannon Hines (Long & Foster); Rob Logan (The Real Estate Group); and Kelly Soriano (Wainwright & Co.) 

Check Your Listings for Common Errors

Since January 1st, 156 error reports have been submitted through FlexMLS. The FlexMLS ‘error report’ button, which appears in the upper right hand corner of each listing, was renamed ‘check listing’ last year.

The most common errors / issues reported so far this year are:

68 = Wrong data (wrong area, schools, taxes, style, #beds/baths, mapping, attached vs. detached, residential vs. land type)

19 = Wrong SQFT

15 = Photos (Listing agent sign in photo, missing front photo) REMINDER: Photos submitted to the MLS must NOT show a yard sign or have any office or agent promotion. Also, one photo must show the front view of the property, which must be entered at the time the listing is entered into the MLS (though does not have to be the primary photo). For Land listings, the front view photo can be a street view, aerial or drone view or Lake view.

15 = Missing data (owner’s phone # when showing instructions are to call Seller, owner’s legal name, directions, Other See Remarks with no explanation)

8 = Cannot be shown The MLS does NOT allow a listing to be entered into the MLS system in an Active status unless the listing is available to be shown. Consider entering the listing in the Coming Soon status if the property is not yet ready to be shown.

Competition.Realtor

Check out NAR’s new website – competition.realtor – which is focused on the positive aspects of the competitive nature of the REALTOR® world. The website explains commissions, the value of local MLS and how the public benefits.

Save the Date

Join us on Wednesday, August 3 for our annual Family Fun Night with the Salem Red Sox.

Tickets go on sale in June. 

2022 RVAR Golf Classic

Make plans to join us for the 2022 RVAR Golf Classic to be held on Friday, September 9th at the Roanoke Country Club.

Registration will begin in June. 

The RVAR Spring Golf Tournament

Congratulations to our RVAR Spring Golf Tournament winners! And a huge THANKS to all of the participants, volunteers and especially our Partner/Sponsors for making it such a great event!

Roanoke Rescue Mission - Welcome Home Kits



The RVAR is proud to have supported the Roanoke Rescue Mission over the years and we are always looking to find new ways to help. A Welcome Home Kit is a basic list of items for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, to assist individuals in setting up a new home once they leave the Rescue Mission. The RVAR Community Service Committee is dedicated to supplying Welcome Home Kits to the Rescue Mission and we need your help.

For a donation of $120 you will be giving an individual the basics to begin a new life in a new home. If you would like to donate, please contact Jim Sweetwood at jim@rvar.com or call at 540-772-0526. Donations may be made by cash, credit card or check made payable to the RVAR.

We would like to thank Renee Wiggins (RE/MAX All Stars)for her donation in May.

 *A donation for a Welcome Home Kit is not tax deductible.

Roanoke County Needs Volunteers on Election Day



Roanoke County reached out to RVAR to seek volunteers to work at polling places on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8th). You must be a registered voter in Virginia who is at least 18 years old. You do not need to live in Roanoke County.

You would be required to take a one hour training class prior to the Election. You would be paid $195 for your one day of work. If you are interested or have questions, contact the Roanoke County Registrar’s Office at 540-772-7500 (ask for Delores) or email elections@roanokecountyva.gov.

Virginia REALTORS® Committees for 2023



The Virginia REALTORS® is always looking for great volunteers to serve on its Committees. VAR is now accepting applications for 2023 Committee volunteers. Expand your horizons by working with REALTORS® from across the state. Click here to learn more about the Committee options and/or submit your application. (You will need your NRDS number to log in.) The deadline to apply is June 30th. Questions? Contact RVAR’s CEO Laura Benjamin.

VAR Summer Series

Virginia REALTORS® is excited to announce its FREE Summer Speaker Series! Three fantastic speakers will share business tools, with a WHOLE lot of motivation!

VAR’s 2022 Summer Speaker Series kicks off on June 14th, 2:00-3:30PM, with The Power of Believing presented by Micah “Bam Bamm” White. Through his various efforts as a comedian, host and philanthropist, White’s mission is simple: to use comedy and entertainment to find common ground by bridging racial, religious, socioeconomic and generational gaps. The session will include a live Q&A. Click here to register.

The rest of the series features:

July 12th (2:00-3:30PM) Tracey Hawkins: Actionable Safe Practices and Build Your Business

August 9th (2:00-3:30PM) Burton Kelso: Essential Technology Tools that Every Real Estate Agent Needs for Success

Upcoming Education

Environmental Hazards Class: If you were not able to attend the May 24th Environmental Hazards class, click here to view the recording. Presenters Alexandra Moon (ECS) and John Stump (Hill Top Contractors) addressed asbestos, mold, lead paint and radon, as well as buried oil tanks on residential properties. (This recording will be available until June 30th.)

Explore the Benefits of RPR: RVAR’s Tech Committee offers its next Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, June 22nd, 11AM-12:30PM. RPR is the REALTORS® Property Resource, the nation’s largest public records database, with complete MLS data, exclusively for REALTORS®. And it’s a FREE benefit from NAR. Jay Kilby will demonstrate how to use RPR, including creating easy CMA’s. This class provides two options to attend: (1) Attend class in person (limit of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom. Click here to register for this FREE class.

Virtual GRI Classes: RVAR has partnered with Virginia REALTORS® to offer virtual GRI classes throughout 2022 Each class is offered in two half-day sessions. Below are the classes offered through the end of the August.

GRI 501: Agency in Virginia

June 28th 9AM-12:30PM

June 29th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor:   Doug Wolfe

This course will provide a detailed guide on important issues dealing with agency. Topics include brokerage relationships, agency disclosure, confidentiality and Code of Ethics requirements. CE Approved = 3 hours Real Estate Agency; 3 hours Real Estate Related; PL Approved - 3 hours VA Agency Law. Click here to register.

GRI 508 Real Estate Law & Virginia Regulations

July 26th   9AM-1PM

July 27th   9AM-1PM

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.

GRI 506 Risk Management

August 3rd    9AM-12:30PM

August 4th    9AM-12:30PM

Instructor:    Tim Vohar

Students will get a crash course on risk management, escrow, equal services, environmental concerns, and state and federal regulations such as lead paint and antitrust. CE Approved = 6 hours Legal Update with Flood Content; PL Approved = 3 hours Risk Management and 3 hours Escrow Requirements. Click here to register.

Our RVAR Family

Congratulations

RVAR congratulates Robert Fralin of R. Fralin & Associates upon his election to the Roanoke College Board of Trustees.

RVAR congratulates Tom Wilson (BHHS Premier, REALTORS® ) and Vic Coffey

(RE/MAX All Stars) on their election to serve as President and Vice President respectively

of the MLS Board of Directors.

RVAR congratulates those recently named "2021 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 - Lichtenstein Rowan, REALTORS®; Gold - MKB, REALTORS®; Silver – Keller Williams Realty Roanoke

Best Real Estate Agent: Platinum - Frazier Hughes (Keller Williams Roanoke); Gold - Hal Cone (eXp Realty Fredericksburg); Silver - Brad Thomas (Mountain View Real Estate LLC)

Best Credit Union: Platinum - Member One FCU; Gold - Freedom First FCU; Silver - Blue Eagle Credit Union

Best Local Based Mortgage Company: Platinum – Alcova Mortgage; Gold – Intercoastal Mortgage Company; Silver – Virginia Mountain Mortgage

Best Mortgage Lender: Platinum - Alexander Dykes (Intercoastal Mortgage Co.); Gold – Rene’ Chapman (Tidewater Mortgage Services, Inc.); Silver – Nikki Griffin, (Virginia Mountain Mortgage)

Best National Bank: Platinum - Truist Financial (SunTrust/BB&T); Gold - Wells Fargo; Silver – First Citizen’s Bank (TIE) American National Bank & Trust (TIE)

Best Regional / Local Bank: Platinum - Bank of Botetourt; Gold – Freedom First Credit Union; Silver – American National Bank

Best Local Insurance Provider and Agent: Platinum - Bill Meador Insurance Agency; Gold – Derek Wiley Insurance Agency; Silver – State Farm (no specific office named)

Best Local Companies That Give Back: Platinum - Freedom First Credit Union

And, three of the charities that RVAR supports were recognized as Most Worthy Groups to Donate to: Platinum - Angels of Assisi; Gold - Roanoke Rescue Mission; Silver – Roanoke Valley SPCA 

Upcoming Events

2022 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor