The Vail Board of Realtors® is happy to share that we are offering the benefit of a FREE CREC Annual Update Course to our members again for 2021. Be sure to sign up below under "Education Opportunities." These classes will be hosted live online on Zoom, and we encourage you to get this requirement completed in the early part of the year so you are prepared for 2021.  
 
We miss seeing everyone at the VBR Holiday Party this year, and we wish everyone a happy holiday season. The VBR Board of Directors met last week and decided to help those in need this year with our originally budgeted funds for the Holiday Party. We are donating $7,500 to both the Vail Valley Salvation Army and Eagle Valley Community Foundation. These organizations have supported those out of work and needing food and housing assistance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that many are still needing help throughout this holiday season and we are happy to support those in need.
 
Happy Holidays,
Erica Kirk
VBR COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Financial assistance given in 2020 by Vail Valley Salvation Army

This year has brought incredible demands for service to the Human Services Charities. In a normal month, we help 6 to 10 families per month with Rental Assistance. This year, since mid-March, it has been more like 90 households per month. The floodgates opened, and although there was a bit of a lull this summer, there are still many workers in our valley impacted by Covid. Some people lost their jobs permanently, and others went back to work with fewer hours, and some faced quarantines and businesses closing.

Our food distributions tripled. Many of the people coming to us for help since March previously were doing fine, with full-time work and health insurance. When something like the pandemic hits, it affects everyone.

March through November 2020
Rental assistance: $520,000 for 462 households
Utility assistance: $29,000 for 82 households
Food assistance: $124,000 for 4900 households
Assistance given in 2020 by Eagle Valley Community Foundation

The Community Market has rallied to help feed over 3,800 local people each week since Covid-19 hit. That is almost four times more people every week coming in for free groceries than at this time last year. That equates to over 857,000 meals in 2020. Worry about where their next meal is coming from is a reality for many of our local community members and families in Eagle County who struggle to put food on the table.

At Eagle Valley Community Foundation, we believe it is every human's right to have access to nutrient-rich foods on a consistent daily basis.

Your support helps make that a reality for the service workers in our community.

The Community Market provides low-income communities with access to healthy food as well as to prevent food from going to waste. The Community Market has recovered almost 400,000 pounds of food from local groceries, preventing it from ending up in the landfill.
The Salvation Army Vail Valley and Eagle Valley Community Foundation are both VBR Affiliate Members. Visit VBR's Affiliate Directory to see a full list of non-profit members serving our community!
VBR OFFICE UPDATES
During our office renovation, the VBR staff is working remotely. Please contact the VBR team by phone or email. The Realtor® Hub Locker system is available for members to pick up items like lockboxes and power paddles bags during the project. 

The renovation will be completed in early 2021 and will provide our members with a modern, functional, and upgraded space.
Association Executive

MLS Director

Membership & Office Coordinator

Education & Marketing Manager
Mike Fox, MLS Director, will be out of the office until January 4. The VBR Team will work together to run the MLS in his absence. If you need assistance, please contact Erica Kirk at ekirk@vbr.net and we will assist you.

Helpful support lines:
Flexmls Support: support@flexmls.com or 1-888-525-4747
Sentrilock: 877-736-8745
Tech Helpline: Phone: 866-619-8170
WELCOME HOME BAGS
The Welcome Home Bag Program is temporarily on hiatus. Our goal is to resume distributing bags in early 2020. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we'll make an announcement as soon as we can resume distribution.
BEST OF THE BLOGS

If you want to up your business' success and make a splash next year, you have to tap into your inner entrepreneur. Here are a few ways to get into the right mindset. Inman.com.

The project brings together dozens Colorado leaders from a wide range of industries to develop recommendations for getting Colorado back to work. From CAR.

“The path of the economy will depend significantly on the course of the virus,” the Federal Reserve said in a statement. From NAR.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
For any online classes hosted by the VBR, links to attend will be sent to registrants prior to the class. NOTE: Attendees MUST be on camera for the entire duration to receive CE credit (per DORA).
UPCOMING VBR CLASSES
As a benefit to our Realtor® members, the VBR once again will offer FREE CREC Update classes!
Note: The class must be taken through the VBR, or online with Thrive Real Estate Education. A few classes are listed below, and Thrive will have its class listed after January 1.
2021 CREC Annual Update (Live Online)
Wednesday, January 13
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Instructor: Connie Tremblay
4 CE credits
2021 Contracts & Forms (Live Online)
Wednesday, January 13
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Instructor: Connie Tremblay
3 CE credits

Connie reviews best practices, 2021 Redline updates and the COVID Addendum. 
2021 CREC Annual Update (Live Online)
Thursday, January 21
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Instructor: John Gillam
4 CE credits
2021 CREC Annual Update (Live Online)
Tuesday, January 26
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Instructor: John Gillam
4 CE credits
TECH TIPS
Six ways to share holiday photos with family and friends

Whether you’re using your smartphone or a DSLR camera, the pictures don’t mean much if you don’t share them with your friends and family. Here are six different ways you can share the holiday spirit with your loved ones.
A bonus method to share those special photos.
AFFILIATE CORNER
AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT
Vacasa is a full-service short-term rental property management company that unlocks the possibilities and simplifies the experience of renting out a vacation home. Contact Claire Ewing with Vacasa today for info on the Preferred Agent Network!
Find trusted industry related partners in
VBR's affiliate directory. 
Welcome to our newest Realtor and Affiliate members!
AFFILIATE & THIRD PARTY CLASSES
Realtors®: Do you need your 2020 CREC Update?

There is a FREE class online with Thrive Real Estate Education. You can take this course at any time between now and December 31, 2020.
VBR FOUNDATION
Vail Board of Realtors® Foundation is registered with AmazonSmile, an easy way to help fund our efforts.

  1. Visit AmazonSmile.com
  2. Enter your Amazon.com log in and password
  3. Choose the VBR Foundation
  4. Shop away to support the cause!

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible smile.amazon.com purchases to the charities selected by customers.

VBRF's mission is to assist the community and association members with need-based financial assistance, not-for-profit support, education, and disaster relief.
SAVE OUR SEASON
Take the pledge to Save Our Season, Stop Our Spread

The “Save Our Season” initiative is a grass-roots, business-led initiative that is designed to supplement (not replace) the Eagle County COVID resources and tools. Eagle County has signed off in support.

You can download free assets and promotional tools via Dropbox at SOS Promo Kit Vail Valley. This includes posters, social media resources, and stickers. 
COVID RESOURCES
Eagle County's Public Health order was recently revised to adopt statewide orders, along with additional requirements specific to the local community. 
SAFE SHOWING PLEDGE & OPEN HOUSES
Join us in sharing with our neighbors your commitment to the “Safe Showing Pledge” for showings and open houses!

VBR's "Safe Showing Pledge" provides additional clarity on industry and business-specific safety measures, and to share all the extra precautions taken for showing properties by following the “safer at home” guidelines.
The Division of Real Estate continues to receive complaints concerning real estate brokers not following state and county-issued guidance regarding COVID-19 restrictions when performing real estate activities. Please be aware that many Orders are still in effect and you should be vigilant to stay in compliance of those Orders for the safety of yourself and others.

Open houses currently are allowed in Colorado.
Please review the order below, specifically Appendix B & D. In-person real estate showings and marketing services must adhere to Social Distancing Requirements with cleaning and disinfection between each showing. Open houses must follow the Indoor Event requirements in Section I.H.4 of this Order (page 6-7).
UPDATED COVID MATERIALS
New Posters to Put Up at Your Business

The COVID Dial Poster and the Mask Poster should be posted by all businesses and organizations. Be sure to read through the brand guide. The intention is to direct everyone to the eaglecountycovid.org website for the latest information.

Businesses can pull down all old posters, social distancing protocols and notices. Replace everything with the COVID Dial and Mask Posters.
EDUCATION QUICK LINKS
REQUIREMENTS
ONLINE OPTIONS



FREE Online Classes
at Thrive (including a free CREC Update class)
DESIGNATION QUICK LINKS
EARN YOUR VAIL PRO DESIGNATION
Increase your local knowledge in the real estate industry and become a local expert! The Vail Pro Designation is an educational program open to all VBR Realtor and Affiliate members!
BENEFITS & PROGRAMS
SECURITY TOOL
Forewarn is a FREE proactive safety and lead intelligence service for all VMLS members. You can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records all in one place, leading to safer and more productive interactions.
HUB LOCKER PICKUPS
VBR's new Hub Locker pickup service is an awesome convenience available to our members! VBR's Hub Lockers allow members to pick up items when we are not around and to limit interaction during this uncertain time.
NAR & CAR Benefits
WELCOME HOME BAG PROGRAM
The Welcome Home Bag Program is temporarily on hiatus. Our goal is to resume distributing bags in early 2020. We apologize for the inconvenience.

VBR's "Welcome Home Bag" Program is a FREE benefit for VBR REALTOR® members. The bags are great client gifts, and each cooler bag includes a picnic blanket, cutting board, set of wine tumblers, and a reusable shopping tote.
Thank you to our sponsors, Closet Factory, Fireside Properties, FirstBank, Stewart Title, Title Company of the Rockies, TurnKey Vacation Rentals, and Walls + Floors/ The Paint Bucket.
MASK UP WITH THE VBR
Proudly sport the REALTOR® logo with a FREE mask from the VBR! Each black cotton mask has adjustable ear loops and covers the face from nose to chin - securing a comfy fit. 

Contact us for your free mask, or pick up several for your office!
HOME MAGAZINE DISCOUNT
VBR members receive special pricing for advertising in HOME Magazine! Contact Carole Bukovich of Colorado Mountain News Media for info. Click below to read HOME.
HELPFUL CONTACT INFO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUPPORT LINES
VAIL BOARD OF REALTORS
275 Main Street, Suite G004
Edwards, CO 81632
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