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Roanoke Valley REALTOR®
Online
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Greetings!
You are receiving this online newsletter as a benefit of being a member of the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®.
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Member Type | Count ------------------- REALTOR® 1,100 Offices 125 Affiliate 153 Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently. |
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Technology Forum
RVAR's Technology Committee brings you a free opportunity to update your tech skills. The annual Technology Forum, Wednesday, March 14th, 9:30AM-1:00PM at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood, will offer three free classes:
- FlexMLS -- Mobile Access and Customizing Portals for Your Buyers
- REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR) -- A New World of Research and Valuation Tools Coming to the MLS
- Energize Your Business with Video Marketing
Click here for more information or to register. Bring your business cards for prize drawings.
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RPR is Coming!
REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR) will be available through FlexMLS soon. RPR is NAR's exclusive online real estate database, with data on every parcel of property in the United States. This NAR member benefit is free of charge -- and for REALTOR® eyes only.
RPR provides a detailed view of every parcel of property (residential and commercial) in the US, including: public record and assessment information, details of prior transactions and sales history, zoning, permits, mortgage and lien data, neighborhood demographics and schools. RPR also helps REALTORS® produce valuable reports for clients and customers.
Access to RPR will be via FlexMLS. Plan to attend the March 14th Tech Forum to be amongst the first to learn how to take advantage of RPR. Watch the MLS Bulletin Board for RPR updates.
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Open House Website Debuts
Last spring, RVAR added to our website the Open House button, providing the ability for the consumer to search for listings that have an upcoming open house. Since then our open house data has made its showing on REALTOR.com® and the REALTOR.com® Smartphone app. Members have come to rely on the added exposure to their listings. However, RVAR's PR Committee believes that the time has come to brand the open house data with its own identity, and to build name recognition within the public.
The name: RoanokeValleyOpenHouse.com
RoanokeValleyOpenHouse.com, unlike RVAR.com, is designed solely for the eye of the consumer. It takes the consumer side of RVAR.com and presents it in a clean, simple, and visually appealing design, including a slideshow of open house properties.
Although MLS members may register their open houses in FlexMLS far in advance, only open houses occurring within the next seven (7) days will display on RoanokeValleyOpenHouse.com. Open houses automatically expire in FlexMLS.
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Supra Invoice Notice
RVAR has extended its contract with Supra for another 6 months, as negotiations continue for a lockbox exchange. Supra has just mailed out a 6-month invoice (3/12/12 to 9/11/12) for $67.23 for use of Supra Display Keys. Payment is due on March 12th. This invoice was mailed to each agent's primary address, as recorded in the Supra system. A separate bill for $25 was mailed to those agents who opted for insurance.
Around April 3rd, Supra will deactivate keys for which payment has not yet been received. Supra will send out a second notice (to agent's home address, if recorded in the Supra system) with the exact cut-off date.
Payment can be made online OR by mail. Agent Web Pay is available at supraweb.suprakim.com or at supraekey. If mailing your payment, be sure to return your payment with the payment coupon (only one payment per check, per envelope.) Payments must be made to Supra directly and cannot be made at the RVAR office.
REMINDER: Agents who leave the business must return their Supra Key and cradle to the RVAR office prior to the March 12th due date or Supra will continue to charge the agents on a monthly basis until the key and cradle are returned. Any agent who wishes to add insurance can do so by either bringing their key into the RVAR office or by logging into their Supra account.
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Green Building and Energy Ratings
Next month, the MLS will be introducing additional fields related to green building and energy ratings. (These MLS changes will become effective 3/28/12.) To help you become more knowledgeable about these changes, RVAR's Education Committee, in conjunction with the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association, will be offering free training classes. (The class will be offered twice at the RVAR office and once at Westlake Country Club.)
The 90-minute class will focus on four green building certification programs: EarthCraft, LEED, Passive House and National Green Building Standard. The class will also cover two energy rating systems (which are not exclusive to new construction): HERS Score and Energy Performance Score. The instructor for these classes will be Rich Backus of Timber Ridge Craftsmen.
Click here for more information or dates below to register for one of the following classes:
At RVAR Office At Westlake Country Club
March 27th 9-10:30AM or April 4th 9-10:30AM April 3rd 2-3:30PM
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Speakers Council Announces March Speaker
The RVAR Speakers Council is pleased to announce Tom Carr, Roanoke City's Director of Planning and Development, as the guest speaker for its March 16th meeting, to be held at the RVAR office. Coffee and pastries begin at 8:15, and the meeting commences at 8:30AM and typically lasts for one hour.
The Speakers Council hosts community leaders from Roanoke and surrounding areas at nine meetings each year. Speakers, who are involved in local issues, share ongoing projects and future plans that may affect economic development and the real estate market.
For anyone who wishes to be a member of the Council, there is a $20 annual fee to cover the cost of morning snacks. Or you may choose to visit for $5 per meeting. Registration is required, either online at rvar.com or by emailing Jan Settle.
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Update Your Purchase Agreements
As of February 1st, RVAR offers only one version of its Purchase Agreement and Inspection Addendum -- the 2012 version. Questions have arisen, as older versions are still being used by some members. All members are advised to update to the 2012 version of the Purchase Agreement and Inspection Addendum. |
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Upcoming Education Offerings
GRI 408 Tax & Investment Strategies for Real Estate: This March 29th course offers useful advice and strategies on tax issues for real estate professionals, homebuyers, sellers and investors. (CE 7 hours real estate related; PL 7 hours elective credit)
Fair Housing: Roanoke City's Fair Housing Board is offering a free Fair Housing Course open to all REALTORS® on April 19th, 1-4PM at the Jefferson Center. (CE/PL 3 hours fair housing) Click here for more information or to register.
Get the Price Right with LeRoy Houser: LeRoy will be back in town on April 26th for this two hour 'express seminar' -- which is 50% lecture and 50% workshop. This seminar will focus on pricing calculations and presentations in a buyers market. Stay tuned for details.
GRI 414 Negotiation: Working for a Yes: This May 24th course focuses on various types and styles of negotiations and negotiators, using real-life scenarios. (CE 7 hours real estate related; PL 4 hours elective credit)
Mandatory Agency Training: For licenses renewing after July 1, 2012, all REALTORS® will be required to take a mandatory Agency Training class to renew. VAR Vice President of Law & Policy Jay DeBoer will be at RVAR on June 21st to teach this 3-hour class, which will cover the agency changes going into effect July 1st.
Fair Housing: Instructor John Dickinson will teach this 3 hour CE/PL course on June 28th, 9-Noon, at the RVAR office.
And here's a taste of what is already scheduled for the second half of the year:
- September 27th, Annual Legal Update, 9-Noon, with VAR Counsel Blake Hegeman.
- October 11th, GRI 406 What Did I Agree To? (CE 3 hours real estate law; 3 hours contracts; 1 hour real estate related OR PL 3 hours mandatory residential real estate: offer to purchase and 3 hours mandatory residential real estate: real estate law).
- October 24th, "Practical Landlording" with Instructor Gary Dogan (CE 2 hours real estate related).
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Already Have Your GRI Designation?
If you already have your GRI designation, you can take advantage of the GRI Plus program and attend any one-day GRI class at a reduced rate of $35. It's a great way to earn CE credit from top-notch instructors. You do not have to take the exam, but do have to attend all day (up until the exam) in order to earn continuing education credit. Contact Louann Pagans to sign up for the March 28th GRI 408 Tax class.
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VAR's 2011 Year-End Housing Report
The Virginia Association of REALTORS® just released its Pieces of Home: 2011 Virginia Housing Report. The Report includes housing market data (both statewide and regional), trends and comparisons plus articles by real estate experts from across Virginia. An American housing timeline centerfold provides decade by decade milestones in the development of this country's real estate market as well as interest rates, cultural dates and legislative decisions. Click here to read the report.
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Myths and Facts About FHA
FHA plays a critical role in today's housing market. NAR supports FHA reforms designed to strengthen the overall soundness of the program. NAR recently created a myth vs. fact presentation, to debunk common myths such as:
- Myth: FHA is bankrupt
- Myth: Higher loan limits put FHA at greater risk
- Myth: FHA borrowers are poor risks
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Community Service Spring Pet Food Drive
The 2012 Community Service Committee will kick of the year's activities by holding a Pet Food Drive throughout the month of March. Click here for a list of needed items. You may take donations to your office, where they will be picked up the week of April 2nd, or you may drop donations by RVAR. Food and supplies collected will be shared between our two animal related charities: the local SPCA and Angels of Assisi.
In the current economic environment both of these organizations are experiencing a much greater number of abandoned pets who need food, medical care and safe homes. Help them by donating food and supplies to the Pet Food Drive. Questions may be addressed to Jan Settle or by calling any member of the Community Service Committee.
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The Rumor Isn't True
Rumors continue to circulate that health care reform legislation included a 4% tax on home sales. Not true, according to NAR.
NAR provides the following facts: Beginning January 1, 2013, a new 3.8% tax on some investment income will take effect. Since this new tax will affect some real estate transactions, it is important for REALTORS® to clearly understand the tax and how it could impact clients.
This tax was passed by Congress in 2010 with the intent of generating an estimated $210 billion to help fund President Obama's health care and Medicare overhaul plans. This tax WILL NOT be imposed on all real estate transactions, a common misconception. Rather, when the legislation becomes effective in 2013, it may impose a 3.8% tax on some (but not all) income from interest, dividends, rents (less expenses) and capital gains (less capital losses). The tax will fall only on individuals with an adjusted gross income (AGI) above $200,000 and couples filing a joint return with more than $250,000 AGI.
To get you up to speed about this new tax legislation, the National Association of REALTORS® has developed this informational brochure which provides different scenarios in which this new tax could apply to your clients.
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Our RVAR Family
In Sympathy
Sympathy is expressed to Lynn Bonham of Colonial Mortgage Company upon the death of her husband.
Congratulations
Congratulations to John Dickinson of Hall Associates who was recently elected to serve as NAR's 2014 Regional Vice President, representing Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. John was also recently inducted into the Omega Tau Rho fraternity, for outstanding dedication and service to the REALTOR® organization.
Congratulations also to Joe Sutliff of RE/MAX All Stars who was recently elected to serve as one of four At-Large members on VAR's Nominating Committee.
Let RVAR know if you have news to share. |
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Upcoming Events and Deadlines
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March 14th
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Annual Technology Forum
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March 15th
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Speakers Council
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April 26th
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LeRoy Houser Express Seminar
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
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