December 17, 2015
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ROANOKE VALLEY REALTOR�                  Online  

 Roanoke Valley  Associathion of REALTORS

   

Greetings!

You are receiving this online newsletter as a benefit of being a member of the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS�.

We wish you a Happy & Safe Holiday Season!

Membership Update Logo

   

Member Type | Count

---------------------------

REALTOR@        1148 

Offices                135

Affiliate               174

      

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

In This Issue
Greer Named REALTOR® of the Year
Harris Installed as RVAR President
Hannabass Receives RVAR Community Service Award
Eight Firms Win Distingished Service Awards
2016 Dues Reminder
RPAC Exceeds Goals for 2015
2016 Code of Ethics Revision
Online Rental Scams Continue
NAR's Remodeling Impact Report
REALTORS® Share Safety Tips
Upcoming Education
Our RVAR Family
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
Greer Named REALTOR� of the Year 
Donna Greer, Managing Broker for Long & Foster's offices at Smith Mountain Lake and Rocky Mount, received RVAR's REALTOR� of the Year award at RVAR's December 11th Installation and Awards Breakfast.

Greer has been a REALTOR� for 11 years, serving in many volunteer capacities for RVAR and VAR. She served as RVAR's President in 2014 and continues to serve, chairing two RVAR Committees in 2015.

The REALTOR� of the Year award is RVAR's highest honor, recognizing a local REALTOR� who demonstrates outstanding REALTOR� spirit, business accomplishments and community involvement.  
Harris Installed As RVAR President
Donna Marie Harris of Long & Foster, REALTORS� was installed as RVAR's President on December 11th at RVAR's Installation and Awards Breakfast. Also installed were Kathy Chandler of MKB, REALTORS� as President-elect and Connie Hash of MKB, REALTORS� as Vice President.
 
Three new Directors were also installed: Jerry Cohen of Park Place Realty; Neil Conner of The Real Estate Group and Walter Grewe of Long & Foster, REALTORS�. Your 2016 Board of Directors stands ready to serve you!
   
RVAR welcomed VAR President Bill White of Richmond to conduct the Installation ceremony. Bill began his real estate career in Roanoke and served as RVAR's President in 1983.
Hannabass Receives RVAR Community Service Award  
Tina Hannabass of MKB, REALTORS� received RVAR's REALTOR� Community Service Award at RVAR's December 11th Installation and Awards Breakfast.

Hannabass was recognized for her many volunteer efforts on behalf of The Rescue Mission. In addition to recognizing Hannabass, RVAR made a $1,000 contribution to The Rescue Mission in her honor.

The REALTOR� Community Service Award recognizes a local REALTOR� who gives of his or her time to an organization that improves the quality of life in the greater Roanoke Valley.
Eight Firms Win Distinguished Service Awards
Each year, RVAR recognizes those firms whose agents have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the real estate profession by attending RVAR educational classes, serving on RVAR/VAR/NAR Committees, earning professional designations, contributing to RPAC and attending RVAR/VAR/NAR events. The Distinguished Service Awards were presented to the following firms at the December 11th RVAR Installation and Awards Breakfast:
 
Small Firms (1-15 agents)
Mountain to Lake Realty
Park Place Realty, LLC
 
Medium Firms (16-35 agents)
RE/MAX All Points
RE/MAX All Stars
The Real Estate Group
 
Large Firms (36 or more agents)
BHHS Premier, REALTORS�
Long & Foster, REALTORS�
MKB, REALTORS�

2016 Dues Reminder 
To date, 748 members have already paid their 2016 dues (which includes dues for RVAR, VAR and NAR.) The final date to pay 2016 dues is Tuesday, January 5th. (Dues payment must be received by RVAR by that date.) Questions or want a dues bill emailed to you? Contact Susan Edwards at the RVAR office.
 
On Wednesday, January 6th, RVAR will begin the process of terminating the membership of any REALTOR� whose dues remains unpaid. Then on Thursday, January 7th, MLS access will be terminated and Supra keys deactivated.
 
There are many ways for you to pay: (1) Pay online at RVAR's website, (2) Fax completed invoice to (540) 772-8058,  (3) Mail completed invoice to Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS�, 4358 Starkey Road, Roanoke VA 24018, or (4) drop your payment off at the RVAR office between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:30PM (RVAR also has a drop box for after hours payments). If paying by check, please make payable to RVAR.
 
Once membership is terminated for non-payment of dues, payment of the annual dues plus a reinstatement fee of $150 shall be required to reinstate membership in RVAR, provided reinstatement is made within 60 days following termination. After that, application as a new member is required to restore membership in the Association.
RPAC Exceeds Goals for 2015
Thank you to the 477 REALTORS�, Affiliates and RVAR staff who contributed to the 2015 RPAC fundraising campaign. RVAR exceeded all of the goals set for us by VAR, raising over $48,358, including 21 Major Investors (contributions of $1,000 or more.) Click here to see those who contributed more than their fair share.
 
Special thanks to Mary Dykstra of MKB, REALTORS� who chaired RVAR's RPAC Fundraising campaign. Thanks also to Kit Hale of MKB, REALTORS� who traveled around the country raising RPAC funds as NAR's REALTOR� Party Liaison.
2016 Code of Ethics Revision
The National Association of REALTORS� has adopted one revision to the Code of Ethics, which will go into effect January 1, 2016. NAR will post an online version of the 2016 Code of Ethics soon.
 
The following revision has been made to Standard of Practice 12-5 related to advertising (the revised language is underlined):
 
REALTORS� shall not advertise nor permit any person employed by or affiliated with them to advertise real estate services or listed property in any medium (e.g., electronically, print, radio, television, etc.) without disclosing the name of that REALTOR�'s firm in a reasonable and readily apparent manner either in the advertisement or in electronic advertising via a link to a display with all required disclosures.
Online Rental Scams Continue
Online rental scams continue to be a problem. Such a scam was recently reported in the Roanoke area where a prospective tenant paid a deposit for a purported rental, which turned out to be a scam.
 
Click here for guidance on what REALTORS� should do, including tips for your buyers and sellers.
NAR's Remodeling Impact Report
"REALTORS� know what remodeling projects bring the biggest bang for the buck," according to NAR President Tom Salomone. The 2015 Remodeling Impact Report, the first of its kind from NAR, assists homeowners who are preparing to sell in choosing the best projects to attract buyers. The Report also focuses on which projects bring homeowners the most satisfaction.
 
REALTORS� named kitchen upgrades, complete kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations and new wood flooring as the interior projects that most appeal to potential buyers. When looking at the interior projects that yield the biggest financial results upon resale, REALTORS� ranked hardwood flooring refinishes (100% of project cost recovered upon resale), insulation upgrades (95% recovered), new wood flooring (91% recovered) and converting a basement to a living area (69% recovered) as projects to consider.
 
With regards to exterior projects, REALTORS� said new roofing, new vinyl windows, new garage doors and new vinyl siding are most appealing to potential buyers and are highly valued upon resale.
 
The report also revealed that 38% of homeowners did the remodeling project themselves; 28% hired a professional.
REALTORS� Share Safety Tips
RVAR has published safety tips every month in 2015. NAR has also focused on REALTOR� safety this year, collecting safety tips from REALTORS� nationwide. Click here for a sampling of practical tips used by REALTORS�. 
Upcoming Education
Let Social Media Work For You: Instructor Stacey Wanish with Atlantic Bay Mortgage returns to focus on the topic of using social media to expand your real estate business, Wednesday, January 13th, 10AM-Noon at the RVAR Office. Though this class is FREE, advance registration is appreciated. Click here to register.
 
The Psychology of Peak Performance: The Blue Ridge Mortgage Lenders Association invites REALTORS� to begin your year by attending The WIN Method: The Psychology of Peak Performance. This class will equip you with the mental skills and strategies necessary for optimizing your performance at work and in your daily life. This class will be offered on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Salem Civic Center. Click here for the registration form. The special registration fee of $15 includes both the presentation and lunch.

Roanoke County GIS Update: The Roanoke County Economic Development Department is hosting an update to the Roanoke County GIS enhancements on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the South County Library Auditorium (6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, 24018). The new "Site Selector" application is an online interactive, user friendly tool that helps agents search for buildings and sites, while combining your property searches with key community and demographic information.
 
There is no charge to attend. Click here for registration and class information.
Our RVAR Family 
Congratulations
RVAR congratulates Brian Mason of Atlantic Bay Mortgage upon being inducted into the MS Society Hall of Fame.
 
RVAR also congratulates Corbin Prydwen of Wainwright & Co. for receiving a Preservation Award from the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation for his neighborhood revitalization work in West End.

Hats off to Alcova Mortgage for being honored by the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association for donating the most toys in the Association's annual Toys for Tots campaign.

Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy to Pat Dew of Barker Realty upon the death of her daughter; to Joyce Donoho of Lichtenstein Rowan, REALTORS� upon the death of her mother; to Fawn Foley of Long & Foster, REALTORS� upon the death of her father; to Kathy Storberg of MKB, REALTORS� upon the death of her sister and to Gary Flora of MKB, REALTORS� upon the death of his mother.

Let RVAR know if you have news to share. 
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES          

December 24th
RVAR Office Closes at Noon
December 25th
RVAR Office Closed for Holiday
December 31st
RVAR Office Closes at Noon
January 1st
RVAR Office Closed for Holiday
January 5th
Final Date to Pay 2016 Dues
January 13th
Social Media Class
January 14th
Peak Performance Class
January 18th
RVAR Office Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
 
  2015 RVAR Partner / Sponsors  

 

The RVAR proudly recognizes our

2015 Partner / Sponsors

for their generous support this year!

 

Platinum Level Partner / Sponsors

 

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group

Corridor Mortgage Group 

Freedom First Federal Credit Union  

Southwest Virginia Moving & Storage

SunTrust Mortgage 

Virginia Varsity Transfer & Self Storage

 

Diamond Level Partner / Sponsors

 

Alcova Mortgage 

First Choice Title & Settlement, LLC

Integrity Home Mortgage Corporation

Performance Title & Settlement, Inc. 

Union Mortgage Group 

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

 

Gold Level Partner / Sponsors

 

Acquisition Title & Settlement Agency, Inc.

Bank of North Carolina Mortgage Division 

Bill Meador Insurance Agency

Colonial Mortgage Company

Consolidated Construction Services 

Laura R. Wright, Attorney at Law

Movement Mortgage, LLC 

The Bullington Law Firm

Virginia Title Center

 

Silver Level Partner / Sponsors

 

Bank of Floyd

BB&T Home Mortgage

Bug Man Exterminating, Co. Inc. 

Colonial Title and Settlement Agency, LLC 

First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation 

First Citizens Bank

HMS Home Warranty

HomeTown Mortgage 

Member One Federal Credit Union

Seal-Tite Basement Waterproofing Co.

Virginia's All American Movers  

 

 Thank You!!  
 
Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS 
 www.RVAR.com |
(540) 772-0526 | Email