VBR Weekly Newsletter. The latest news for you!

Today I would like to remind everyone to review your membership profile information and make sure it is up to date. It is important to make sure your phone number, email, and address are accurate so that we can contact you along with your clients that might be looking for your information online. If you notice that something needs to be adjusted, please email Jen Beckley at [email protected] , and she will update this information for you.

Next week we are hosting a doubleheader CREC Annual Update course on Jan 15 ^th . Make sure to sign up for our class to receive your free credit for this course. It is recommended to take this course early in the year, so get you requirement out of the way.

Erica Kirk

Median Sales Price increased across the board,

and Days on Market decreased.

Wages continued to improve, but haven't (on average) kept pace with home price increases. This created an affordability crux in the second half of 2018. Housing affordability will remain an important storyline.

Click the photos to view more stats.

FCC rule change should make you want to stop text messaging

The rules have changed when it comes to text messaging and your privacy is now at risk – time to reconsider your habits.

REALTOR® advocacy continues despite government shutdown

NAR continues to work with congressional leaders and White House officials to minimize impacts of the shutdown on the housing market.

RPR use spikes dramatically (plus new features, slimmer operating budget)

Having a free data tool like RPR is a lifesaver for you – having an industry more readily relying on it means better service to homeowners as a whole.

2019 scheduled courses

January 15

CREC Updates with John Gillam

Both 4 CE

8:30am to 12:30 pm

Or afternoon

1:00 to 5:00 pm

January 16

"Why in the Blank?"

2019 Contracts with Connie Tremblay

6 CE

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

February 7

CREC Update with Tod Franklin

4 CE

8:30 am to 12:30 pm

February 7

2019 Contracts Section by Section with Tod Franklin

3 CE

1:30 to 4:30 pm

February 8

Procuring Cause with Tod Franklin

3 CE

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Designated Realtors® are required to complete Procuring Cause training once within a three-year cycle. The current cycle is March 1, 2017to Dec. 31, 2019.

February 20

NAR Ethics with Tod Franklin

4 CE

8:30 am to 12:30 pm

February 21

CREC Update with Bob Howe

4 CE

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Win-Win Negotiation Techniques - CRS course in February

February 14

Win-Win Negotiation Techniques

with Monica Neubauer

8 CE

8:30 am to 5:00 pm

This Certified Residential Specialist course course provides negotiation strategies to help you achieve mutually satisfying results rather than haggling over issues that can derail transactions.

More info on Win-Win Negotiation

Join us on Friday, March 8 for our General Membership Meeting at Donovan Pavilion in Vail. The morning includes a breakfast buffet, Affiliate Expo, prizes and our special speaker, Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist and Senior Vice President.

This event is free to all VBR members. Please click below to log in and register, or contact our offices at 766-1028.

Friday, March 8

8:30 to 11:30 am

Donovan Pavilion, Vail

Inaugural U.S. Mountain

Community Summit

Register today for the U.S. Mountain Community Summit. VBR is proud to sponsor the first-time event, being hosted January 14 through 17, 2019 at The Lodge at Vail. The 2019 Summit will leverage public-private partnerships for innovative housing solutions for our mountain communities.

View details & programming

Working with Appraisers

This month’s Window to the Law video discusses the best practices for working with appraisers and the kind of communications that real estate professionals can have with appraisers.

Heidi of HK Mountain Marketing is a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience. Heidi has done work with some of the largest companies in Eagle County. She enjoyed those roles so much that she started her own business - to help companies (and Realtors like you) be successful through their marketing efforts. Click the link below to find out about her monthly digital plan for realtors, and how you can save 10% on your listing photography.