Homes Sales for September

Dues Discount Reminder

Anyone who pays 2023 dues by Tuesday, 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. OR drop by the RVAR office with your check or credit card 8AM-4:30PM M-F OR use the drop box outside RVAR’s front door.

The final date to pay 2023 dues is Thursday, January 12th. Any member may contact Susan Edwards to request a dues bill via email or mail.

RVAR's President Update

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

Fall Election for RVAR Board of Directors

RVAR's 2023-2024 Board of Directors has 4 open Director positions. Six candidates have applied for these 4 positions:  

Cathie Daniel, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

Veronica Faz, BHHS Premier, REALTORS®  

Thomas Fellers, MKB, REALTORS®  

Stan Spiewak, BHHS Premier, REALTORS®

Krystal Ulmer, Five Stone Realty Group  

Todd Wampler, Century 21 Wampler Realty

Electronic ballots will be delivered via email on Monday, October 24th. Voting will end at Midnight on Monday, November 7th.  

Congratulations to Jay Kilby of RE/MAX All Stars who has been elected to serve as the 2023 President-elect and Julie Kingery of Mountain to Lake Realty who will serve as 2023 Vice President, since no additional candidate applications were received for these positions.

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.)

RVAR Needs Volunteers in 2023

RVAR needs you in 2023! When you volunteer to serve on one of RVAR’s 12 Committees, you will be better informed, better networked and better able to impact decisions made. We need your time, talent and ideas!

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 28th. Committee appointments will be made in mid-December.

2022 Installation & Awards Breakfast

The 2022 Installation & Awards Breakfast is scheduled for Friday, December 9 from 8:30am-10:30am at the Hotel Roanoke. 

Registration begins on Tuesday, November 1. 

Legislative Breakfast

RVAR is pleased to partner with the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association and the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce to sponsor a Legislative Breakfast on Wednesday, November 30th, from 7:30-10:00AM in The Community Room at the Salem Civic Center. The program includes a hot breakfast followed by a panel style question and answer session with area State Legislators about the upcoming 2023 General Assembly Session.

This event, including breakfast, is free. Click here to register. Registration closes November 23rd (or when capacity is reached). Questions...email contactus@rvar.com.

CRS Data's MLS Tax Suite Training

CRS integrates property tax records into FlexMLS for 22 area municipalities. Plus CRS provides foreclosure data, census and school reports and FEMA flood maps. Make the most of this MLS benefit by attending one – or both -- of these classes, scheduled for Wednesday, December 14th.

Class 1 Learning the Basics and Beyond (10-11AM): Learn simple searching and key features of the Property Report. Then learn more advance searching, such as searching by map or schools. Click here to register via Zoom or in person.

Class 2 Creating a CMA + Prospecting (11:30AM-12:30PM): Learn to create a Quick CMA and Custom CMA options. Then dig into the Prospecting Tool; learn to create mailing lists, labels and export your data. Click here to register via Zoom or in person.

Be a Part of the Magic

Join us for our 2022 Virtual Angel Tree benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of SWVA. Simply click here, beginning on Monday, November 1, and you will be transported to the Boys & Girls Club of SWVA's Amazon Wishlist, choose your gift and checkout. Amazon will deliver the package directly to the Boys & Girls Club. The staff of the Boys & Girls Club will wrap it and make sure it reaches the intended boy or girl. 

Be the reason someone smiles this holiday season! 

REALTORS® Relief Fund

Within hours of the September 11^th attacks, NAR launched efforts to secure contributions to aid those impacted. Soon thereafter, NAR established the REALTORS® Relief Fund to provide housing support for victims of natural disasters. 100% of administrative costs are covered by NAR. Every dollar contributed goes directly to add victims.

RVAR makes an annual contribution to the REALTORS® Relief Fund. In light of many recent disasters, please consider making a contribution. Click here to contribute.

Safety Procedures

NAR’s latest Member Safety Report details how REALTORS® feel about their safety in residential real estate and what steps they are already taking to protect themselves.

• The typical respondent (of NAR’s survey) meets prospective clients whom they have never met before either at their office or in a neutral location 66% of the time.
• Seventy-three percent have personal safety protocols in place that they follow with every client. This is more likely among females (76%) than among males (67%).
• Forty percent of residential REALTORS® said they have participated in a self-defense class.
• Forty-three percent of men and 54% of women carry a self-defense weapon or tool.

Good Neighbor Award

Each year the RVAR, in association with its Community Service Committee, accepts applications for our Good Neighbor Award, presented to a REALTOR® and an Affiliate for their charitable work in our community. We are excited to offer these awards again for 2022!

The recipient will receive recognition for their efforts as well as $1,000 for their respective charity.

If you know someone that has made a difference in our community and you would like to nominate them for these awards, please contact Jim Sweetwood at jim@rvar.com or 540-772-0526 for more information on the nominating process. Deadline for nominations is Tuesday, November 15.  

REALTOR® of the Year Award

Do you know a REALTOR® who is well respected, known for professionalism and volunteers time to RVAR and / or the community? If you do, then you should take a moment to nominate that deserving REALTOR® for RVAR’s most prestigious award. The nomination process is as simple as sending an email to RVAR’s CEO Laura Benjamin explaining who you want to nominate and why. RVAR will contact all nominees to obtain their resumes. The nomination deadline is Tuesday, November 15th. The winner will be selected by the past five recipients of this award. Click here to see who has already won this prestigious award.

Save the Date...

2023 REALTOR® & Affiliate Night

The 2023 REALTOR® & Affiliate Night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18 from 5pm-8pm. That’s not all, next year’s event also has a new home. Roanoke Country Club will be hosting in 2023!

The 2023 theme for REALTOR® & Affiliate Night will be announced in the November newsletter.

Upcoming Education

Virginia Housing Training - The Key to Serving First-Time Homebuyers:

Join Virginia Housing instructor Frank Webster to learn about the various forms of down payment and closing cost assistance that can help reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a home. Also learn about mortgage tax credits and reduced cost mortgage insurance that can help lower monthly expenses. 

Click here to register for this class on Tuesday, November 1st, 11:00AM-12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (limit of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom. Once training is complete, you will qualify to join Virginia Housing’s Real Estate Connection program.

Legal Update: This annual session, offered by RVAR’s Education Committee in conjunction with Virginia REALTORS®, will be offered via Zoom on Wednesday, November 9th, 10AM-Noon. VAR General Counsel Laura Farley will address the following topic:

Common Legal Hotline Q&A – This course will focus on questions most frequently asked of the VAR Legal Hotline. Topics will include advertising, disclosure, earnest money deposits, compensation, contract termination vs. release and the POA Act. 2 hours Legal Update CE / 2 hours Broker Management / 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends PL.

Cost to attend this class is $10. Click here to register. Class attendance is limited to 95.

Shoreline Management Plan: Navigating the Dock Process: AEP Senior Environmental Coordinator Neil Holthouser will provide an overview of the Shoreline Management Plan. He will focus on existing docks (both conforming and non-conforming) and permits for new docks, as well as inspections. There will also be time for Q&A.

Click here to register for this class on Wednesday, November 16th, 11:00AM-12:30PM. This class provides two options to attend (1) attend class in person (limit of 35) or (2) attend via Zoom. 

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 year.

GRI 507 Ethics and Professional Responsibility

November 2nd 9AM-12:30

November 3rd 9AM-12:30

Instructor Tim Vohar & Donna Austin

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 503 Business Planning

November 9th 9AM-12:30PM

November 10th 9AM-12:30PM

Instructor: Jeff Wu

Do you have a well-laid plan for business success? This course covers the foundational skills for establishing a successful business. Learn how to develop your personal brand, identify your market niche and set goals for the future. PL Approved = 2 hours Current Industry Issues / Trends. Click here to register.

GRI 502 Sales Contracts

December 7th 9AM-12:30PM

December 8th 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.

Our RVAR Family

Sympathy

RVAR offers its sympathy to Jason Bialek of Guaranteed Rate Mortgage upon the death of his father; to Lisa Martin of BHHS Premier, REALTORS® upon the death of her sister; and to Carl Swanson of BHHS Premier, REALTORS® upon the death of his son.

Congratulations

RVAR congratulates those who have been appointed or elected to serve on NAR Committees and groups in 2023:

Laura Benjamin – RPAC Major Investor Council

Dennis Cronk – Board of Directors; Past Presidents Advisory Group

Meg Dorsey – Consumer Communications Committee

Mary Dykstra – Board of Directors; Leading Edge Advisory Board

Kit Hale – Board of Directors; Executive Committee

Steve Hoover – Board of Directors

Betty Kingery – Multiple Listing Issues & Policies Committee

Kelly Soriano – Broker Engagement Council

RVAR also congratulates those recently named “Readers’ Choice Awards” by SWVA Living Magazine, which included categories for real estate firms and agents. Some of RVAR's Affiliate members were recognized, too!

Best Real Estate Agency: Category Winners – Lichtenstein Rowan, REALTORS® and MKB, REALTORS®; Category Favorite – Keller Williams Realty

Best Real Estate Agent: Category Winner – Brad Thomas (Mountain View Real Estate); Category Favorites – Jeannine Hanson (Long & Foster, REALTORS®) and Erik Olson (MKB, REALTORS®)

Best Auctioneer: Category Winner – Mountain City Realty & Auction 

Best Bank: Category Winner – Truist; Category Favorite – Bank of Botetourt 

Best Credit Union: Category Winner – Member One Federal Credit Union; Category Favorites – Blue Eagle Credit Union and Freedom First Credit Union

Best Insurance Agent: Category Winner – Bill Meador (Bill Meador Insurance Agency); Category Favorite – Derek Wiley (Derek Wiley Agency

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

2022 Platinum Level Partner/Sponsor