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October 26, 2017 


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®.
 

MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR®           1,212 Membership Update Logo
Offices                     131
Affiliate                    248

Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
Dues Discount Reminderdues 

Anyone who pays 2018 dues by Wednesday, November 1st (includes a November 1st postmark) can take advantage of a $50 discount. Simply go to www.RVAR.com and click on User Login (upper right hand corner). Follow the instructions to log in to access and pay your dues bill online. The final date to pay 2018 dues is Friday, January 12th.
 
Dues bills were NOT mailed to offices this year. However, any member may contact Susan Edwards to request a dues bill via email or mail.
RVAR's 2018-2019 Board of Directors has 3 open Director positions. Five candidates have applied for these 3 positions:
 
            Barry Bridges, Weichert, REALTORS® Bridges & Co.
            Jerry Cohen, Park Place Realty
            Cece Currie, Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group
            Phyllis Johnson , RE/MAX Lakefront Realty
            Meg Smith , RE/MAX Valley
 
Electronic ballots will be used, delivered via email on Tuesday, October 31st. Voting will end at Midnight on Tuesday, November 14th.
 
Congratulations to Neil Conner of The Real Estate Group who has been elected to serve as the 2018 President-elect and Walter Grewe of Long & Foster, REALTORS® who will serve as 2018 Vice President, since no additional candidate applications were received for these positions.

Continuing their service on the 2018 Board will be: President Connie Hash (MKB); Immediate Past President Kathy Chandler (MKB); and Directors Bitsy Davis (Long & Foster), Becky Fields (BHHS Premier), Jeff Fletcher (BHHS Premier) and Renee Wiggins (RE/MAX All Stars). Ashley Donahue (Wainwright) has been appointed to serve again as the Broker representative on the 2018 Board.
2017 Affiliate of the Year Awardsaffiliates  

Karen Hankins, Business Development Manager for Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, received RVAR's 2017 Affiliate Individual of the Year award. This award was presented on October 17th at RVAR's Affiliate and REALTOR® Night.
 
Freedom First Credit Union was honored with RVAR's 2017 Affiliate Company of the Year award.
 
Both awards were given in recognition of outstanding support of RVAR, as exhibited by event attendance, sponsorships and volunteer efforts.
2018 Awards & Installation Breakfast -- Save the Date!date

Mark your calendar now and make plans to join us as we celebrate the many successes of 2017 and install our 2018 Officers and Directors including our 2018 RVAR President, Connie Hash. Our Installation & Awards breakfast will be held on Friday, December 8th at the Sheraton Hotel Roanoke from 8:30 until 10:30 AM. The cost is $15 to attend which includes breakfast. We will also be giving special recognition to our REALTOR® of the Year, and the Community Service and Distinguished Service Award recipients. More details and online registration will be available soon.
MLS Changes in November: A variety of MLS changes will be made in November (current target date is November 15th). A new field will be added for Leased Equipment. Additional options are being added - such as another Lockbox option for Private Box, See Remarks. Click here for a summary of the November changes. Watch the MLS Bulletin Board for an announcement of the exact date these changes will go live.
 
SQFT Guidelines: In April, square footage in the MLS was separated into Above Grade and Below Grade, with fields provided per level. Click here for guidelines on the SQFT per level for each style of home in the MLS.
 
Advertising Listings: Advertising listings online is easier than ever, with 'share' features that make it easy to share a listing on Facebook, for example. The MLS Policy Committee reminds you that advertising the listing of another agent requires you to obtain permission from the listing agent, per the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

REALTOR® After Hoursafter 

Always dream of being a PINBALL WIZARD? Here's Your Chance! Loosen up those fingers and join us for REALTOR® After Hours, Thursday, November 16 - 5:30 'til 7:30 pm @ Roanoke Pinball Museum, Center in the Square, 1 Market Square, SE,Roanoke, VA 24011

Food *Beverages *Networking * FREE Pinball
Be a WINNER .... CASH PRIZES! Bring a business card for a chance to win! Drawings for REALTORS® ($100-$50-$25-$25) and Affiliates ($50-$25-$25)
50/50 Raffle for our Charities -Hosted by Community Service Committee

  Click here to register or print out a fax-in registration form.  For info contact: Jim@rvar.com
Speakers Forum Presents!speakers 

Our next Speakers Forum will welcome Salem City Manager, Kevin Boggess and Vice Mayor Bill Jones.  Salem is doing some major improvements to the downtown area and working to attract new businesses.  Mr. Boggess and Vice Mayor Jones will give us an update on the progress and future plans for Salem.
 
The Forum will be held on Wednesday, November 15th at the RVAR office. We will start at 8:30AM with coffee, juice and pastries provided.  From 8:45 - 9:45AM we will have a brief welcome followed by Mr. Boggess' and Vice Mayor Jones' presentation with time for questions.  There is NO CHARGE to attend this event, but seating is limited.  Click here to register or contact the RVAR office.  

The Speakers Forum helps to provide local, informative presentations regarding topics that affect our businesses. The Forum welcomes all REALTOR® and Affiliate members and there is no charge to attend. 

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 recipients of the REALTOR® Emeritus designation:

    Galen Conner (Olde Colony Realty)
    Jim Cornett (RE/MAX All Stars Realty)
    Dennis Cronk (Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group)
    Jack Frye (Young Realty)
    Bill Gearhart (Coldwell Banker Townside)
    Ed Hall (Hall Associates)
    Steve Hoover (MKB, REALTORS®)
    Jim Lugar (RE/MAX All Points)
    Joe Ramsey (Long & Foster, REALTORS®)
    Dickie Roe (Long & Foster, REALTORS®)
    Doug Sawyer (Sawyer Properties)
    Tom Stover (RE/MAX Valley)
    Ann Thompson (recently retired from BHHS Premier)
    Jim Woltz (Woltz & Associates)

Friday, November 17th is the deadline for two important RVAR awards. Both  awards have the same deadline - and will be presented at the December 8th Installation and Awards Breakfast.
   
REALTOR® of the Year: If you can think of a fellow REALTOR® who is well respected, known for professionalism, volunteers time to RVAR and/or the community, then you should take a moment to nominate that deserving colleague for RVAR's most prestigious award. The nomination process is as simple as writing a letter to RVAR's CEO Laura Benjamin explaining whom you want to nominate and why. RVAR will contact all nominees to obtain their resumes. The winner will be selected by the past five recipients of this award. Click here to see who has already won this prestigious award.

Community Service Award : RVAR created this award in 2005 to honor one REALTOR® each year who has contributed to improving our community by volunteer service to a local program or organization (not necessarily related to housing). The nomination process is simple - just write a letter to Jim Sweetwood at RVAR explaining whom you want to nominate and why. RVAR will contact all nominees to collect the necessary information. RVAR will donate $1,000 to the award recipient's charity of choice. Click here to see who has already won this award.
Brokers: Distinguished Service Awardsdistinguished

The Distinguished Service Award is presented each year by RVAR to those firms whose agents have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Association through Committee service and attendance at RVAR classes and events. The deadline for Brokers to submit an award application is Friday, November 17th, for the award period November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2017.   Click here for the application form. RVAR will be able to provide firm attendance/Committee service/RPAC records during the award period by November 2nd. Contact Laura Benjamin at RVAR with any questions about this award. 

RVAR's Board of Directors voted to support the three incumbent candidates in contested House elections in our area. Special thanks to RVAR's Governmental Affairs Committee for its efforts to conduct meetings with candidates for these seats.
 
The Board supports the following candidates:
 
           Delegate Greg Habeeb -- Virginia's 8th District House of Delegates Seat
        
           Delegate Charles Poindexter -- Virginia's 9th District House of Delegates Seat

           Delegate Chris Head -- Virginia's 17th District House of Delegates Seat
           
The candidates were asked about issues related to transportation infrastructure, the expansion of Broadband, attracting skilled workforce and strengthening our regional legislative delegation. Virginia RPAC Trustees made contributions to each of these campaigns in June.

"Your Vote is Your Voice!"vote 

Election day is Tuesday, November 7th. Every election is important. This election is no different. Virginians will be deciding on a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and all 100 House of Delegates seats (though not all are contested).

When REALTORS® vote, our elected leaders notice. As a REALTOR® member, make certain your voice is heard before decisions are made that affect your business.

Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, November 7th!

   
Advocacy @ Workadvocacy  
Advocacy @ Work is an article aimed at updating members on what is happening in our region regarding Economic Development and/or Governmental Affairs.
 
NAR Call For Action
 
The National Association of REALTORS®, last week, issued a Call For Action to all its members to take action and tell Congress to reform our tax code AND protect middle class homeowners.
 
As a REALTOR® you have no doubt heard about tax reform plans from Washington, DC. Now Congress is threatening tax incentives for homeowners, like the mortgage interest deduction and the state and local property tax deduction. These incentives are critical for a strong housing market that creates jobs and builds stable communities. 
 
Tell Congress to reform our tax code AND protect middle class homeowners. Do not let tax reform become a tax increase for middle class homeowners.
 
Please respond to the NAR Call For Action! It is a very quick and easy process. Either respond to the email you received from NAR or simply click here for a link to respond.
 
Article provided by Joe Sutliff, RVAR Director of Economic & Governmental Affairs.
RVAR NEEDS YOU in 2018volunteer
 
When you volunteer for one of RVAR's Committees, you serve not only your Association but yourself as well! Research shows that members who work on Association committees are:
 
1. Better informed (that's good for business)
2. Better networked (ditto)
3. Better prepared to act on trends and regulations impacting their business

Join a Committee and let RVAR help improve your business! Both REALTORS® and Affiliate members are welcome to serve. Click here to volunteer for a Committee, plus review a description of each Committee's purpose and how often it meets. Please submit your request by Monday, November 20th!

VR Property Management Conferenceproperty 

Property managers should make plans to attend the Virginia REALTORS® Annual Property Management Conference, November 15 - 17, 2017 in Charlottesville. The schedule is packed with classes -- most of which qualify for CE / PL / Broker Management credit. Topics include: Fair Housing for Property Managers, Policies on Assistance / Service Animals, Criminal Background Checks, an update on VR's Property Management forms and a 2017 VRLTA Update. Click here for more information or to register.   
The Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB) has just implemented a continuing education (CE) credit carryover process, beginning with licenses that expire on November 30, 2017. Real estate licensees who have completed all of their required CE credit hours - 16 for a Salesperson and 24 for a Broker - in the previous licensure term and who have completed extra credit hours in the last six months of that same licensure period may qualify to carry over extra CE credit hours and apply them to their current licensure period.

In order to take advantage of this new carryover process, a licensee must submit a worksheet to VREB staff since the VREB computer system is not capable of automatically calculating the amount of CE eligible for carryover. VREB staff will evaluate the information submitted to ascertain if the licensee qualifies for CE carryover. If the licensee has eligible CE credits, staff will enter those credits into the licensing database and the CE credits will appear on the License Lookup webpage. Click here for VREB's description of the process, including a link to the required worksheet.

"My RVAR Commitment Matters": Ray Sprinklemy  

Ray Sprinkle, with RE/MAX All Stars, says RVAR "is an important part of what we do. RVAR is our link not only to other agents, but to the State, to National and to the public."
 
RVAR allows me to "meet many different REALTORS®, which puts a face with a name and broadens my horizons with other agents."
 
Ray has especially enjoyed his long-time involvement with RVAR's Governmental Affairs Committee. "What RVAR does in the governmental affairs arena has serious influence on what happens in our Valley and in our business." Ray is also a member of RVAR's Grievance Committee
Upcoming Educationeducation
 
Understanding New Construction --  RVAR's Education Committee offers this FREE two-part series, taught by Brian Wescott of David James Homes.

     *The first session was taught on October 26th focused on exterior components of new   

       construction.

     *Interior - Thursday, November 2nd, 10AM - Noon                                                 

      Ceilings, flooring, wall coverings, countertops, water heaters, HV/AC

 

Click here to register for the Interior class.

GRI 503 Business Planning - November is the perfect time to create your business plan for 2018. Join instructor LeRoy Houser for this class on Thursday, November 9th (9AM-4:30PM) at the RVAR Office. Learn to develop your personal brand, set goals for the future and identify your market niche. Plus learn how to hire the perfect administrative support. This class is required for the GRI designation and provides 2 hours PL credit (current industry issues/trends).  Click here to register.

Already have your GRI designation? Contact Louann@rvar.com to register for this class at a reduced rate of $45 (includes materials and filing of CE credit, but no exam required.)

Fair Housing -- RVAR's Education Committee presents this class in conjunction with the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate, Wednesday, November 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.  
 
Code of Ethics -- This Wednesday, November 29th (9AM - 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. The current two-year cycle ends December 31, 2018.  
Click here to register.     
 
Our RVAR Familyfamily

Congratulations 

Congratulations to Valeria Alphin of Long & Foster's Roanoke Office upon graduating from the Virginia REALTORS® 2017 Virginia Leadership Academy class. The graduation ceremonies were held during the recent Virginia REALTORS® Convention at the Hotel Roanoke. Valeria was one of only twelve REALTORS® accepted into the Class of 2017.

RVAR also congratulates SERVPRO of South Roanoke County upon receiving the Roanoke Regional Chamber's Small Business Award in the business-to-consumer services category.

Congratulations to the following for their appointments to serve on NAR Committees in 2018:
    Dennis Cronk    Global Business Alliances Committee, Past Presidents' Advisory Group
    Bitsy Davis        Resort & Second Home Real Estate Committee
    Mary Dykstra     Multicultural Real Estate Leadership Advisory Group
    Kit Hale             Executive Committee
    Betty Kingery    Resort & Second Home Real Estate Committee

RVAR also congratulates the following for their appointments to serve on Virginia REALTORS® Committees in 2018:
    Valeria Alphin     Member Communications Committee
    Vic Coffey            Risk Management Committee
    Bitsy Davis           Chair, Member Communications Committee
    Mary Dykstra        Investment Management Committee
    Bill Gearhart         Public Policy Committee; Strategic Funding Committee
    Adam Lynch         Public Policy Committee
    Laura Benjamin    AE Liaison to Strategic Funding Committee
 
Sympathy

RVAR expresses sympathy to Edna Jamieson of Wainwright & Co. (Lake) upon the death of her husband.


Let RVAR know if you have news to share. 
Upcoming EventsUpcoming 

November 2nd
November 9th
November 10th
November 15th
November 15th 
November 16th  
November 23rd & 24th
November 29th
December 8th 
Understand New Construction - Interior
GRI 503: Business Planning
Office Closed for Veterans Day
Speakers Forum  
Fair Housing
REALTOR® After Hours at Pinball Museum
Office closed for Thanksgiving
Code of Ethics Class
Installation and Awards Breakfast 

Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
Proudly Recognizes Our 2017 Partner / Sponsors 
  
Platinum Level Partner / Sponsor 
    
Diamond Level Partner / Sponsor  
BB&T Home Mortgage  
The Roanoke Times  
Virginia Mountain Mortgage 

Gold Level Partner / Sponsor 
Acquisition Title & Settlement Agency, Inc.
Bill Meador Insurance Agency 
 Blue Eagle Credit Union 
Colonial Mortgage Company 
Consolidated Construction Services, Inc.  
Integrity Home Mortgage Corporation  
Southwest Virginia Moving & Storage  
Virginia Title Center, LLC  
Virginia's All-American Movers

Silver Partner / Sponsor
 
Bug Man Exterminating, Inc. 
Colonial Title & Settlement Agency, LLC
First American Home Buyers Protection  
First Citizens Bank
HMS National Home Warranty
HWA (Home Warranty of America)
Seal-Tite Basement Waterproofing Co.
VIA Insurance Agency, LLC 
Contact:
ROANOKE VALLEY
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
  |  540.772.0526