RVAR - The Roanoke Valley REALTOR Online

05/14/2013

Roanoke Valley REALTOR®

Online

Greetings!

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

Member Type | Count

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REALTOR® 1,079

Offices 136

Affiliate 147

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

Becoming a Paperless Agent Workshop

Bring your iPad or tablet to an in-depth workshop focused on 'must have' apps and how to use them, from your first meeting with buyers or sellers all the way to closing. Back by popular demand from the March Tech Forum, Instructor Stacey Wanish will focus on iPad/iPhone technology -- though Droid users may benefit since some Droid apps are similar.

RVAR's Technology Committee is offering two identical workshops: June 4th (1-5PM) and June 5th (9AM-1PM) at the RVAR office. And thanks to sponsor Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, these workshops are FREE. Click here for more information or to register for the Tuesday class or Wednesday class.

2013 Technology Trends for Real Estate

Stefan Swanepoel is recognized as a leading visionary on real estate business trends. With technology playing an increasing role in real estate, Swanepoel names seven key technology trends affecting real estate in his new 2013 Technology Report.

Streamlined Licensee Transfer Process Announced

Last week, the Real Estate Board approved a streamlined transfer process that allows a licensee to begin work at his/her new firm on the day the transferring agent and new broker sign and submit a fully completed application to DPOR.

The new transfer application process requires the following:

1. The new broker must affirm that the transferring agent's license is active and has
not expired.

     2. The new broker must agree to assume supervisory responsibility of the transferring
   licensee, effective as of the date the new broker signs the fully completed transfer
         application. The new broker must also affirm his/her belief that the licensee is of
         good character and competent to practice real estate.

3. The transferring licensee, by signing the transfer application, certifies that he/she
has notified the 'old' firm of the transfer.

The streamlined transfer application and accompanying guidance document are available on the Real Estate Board website. Thank you to the Real Estate Board, VAR staff and DPOR staff for this streamlined process.

Does Your Facebook Page Comply?

Do you use your Facebook page to promote your real estate business and/or promote individual listings, open houses etc.? If so, then your Facebook page MUST contain the following online advertising disclosures required by the Code of Ethics and the Virginia Real Estate Board:

Firm name
City and State of Firm's main office (or, if applicable, Firm's branch with which REALTOR® is affiliated)
State(s) of licensure

You must either (1) include the required online disclosures on the first screen people see when they reach your Facebook page OR (2) include a link on your Facebook page that is one click away to a website with the required disclosures clearly displayed (usually an agent's website.) Questions? Contact Laura Benjamin at the RVAR office.

NOTE: These same disclosure requirements apply should you make real estate-related or listing specific postings on Twitter.

Leadership Openings on 2014 RVAR BOD

RVAR's Board of Directors has announced the following leadership openings for 2014: President-elect, Vice President and 3 Director positions. The only stipulation for applicants is that there can be no more than two REALTORS® from the same firm serving on the Board at any given time. NOTE: The Immediate Past President is exempt from this requirement.

August 1st is the deadline for receipt of written applications. The Nominating Committee will request a personal interview with each candidate in early August and recommend a slate of Officers and Directors to the Board of Directors. The membership will be notified of this slate in early September. Petition candidates may also file during September. Should there be any contested positions, an election by ballot will be held in the fall.

Continuing their service on the 2014 Board will be: President Donna Greer (Long & Foster Lake Office); Immediate Past President Betty Kingery (Mountain to Lake); and Directors Kathy Chandler (MKB), Fred Hall (Prudential Premier), Donna Marie Harris (Long & Foster) and Adam Lynch (Prudential Waterfront).

Any questions about leadership responsibilities or the nominations process should be addressed to Nominating Chairman Joe Sutliff or Chief Executive Officer Laura Benjamin.

Recent BOD Actions

RVAR's Board of Directors meets almost every month. Here's a summary of the actions taken at its May 9th meeting.

Voted to endorse Henry Scholz's candidacy for VAR Vice President.
Approved revisions to RVAR's Operations & Policy Manual.
Approved a proposal from the MLS Policy Committee to add "laminate" as a selection for floors. (Scheduled to be implemented by July 1st.)
Approved a proposal from the MLS Policy Committee to add a new status: REO Pending Bank Signature. (Scheduled to be implemented by July 1st.)
Approved a proposal from the Affiliates Committee to revive the Affiliates Expo, including plans for an event this fall on September 17th.

A summary of Board actions is posted on RVAR.com each month. Click here to see all the actions taken by the Board so far this year.

HOUSING 2020 Just Released

What demographic, economic, financial and green building trends are going on today that will create the housing realities of tomorrow? How can Virginia's communities and housing industry prepare for tomorrow's realities?

A new web-based policy project from Housing Virginia, HOUSING 2020, provides a comprehensive, multi-media analysis of trends that will determine the future of affordable housing in Virginia.

Next Brokers Breakfast June 26th

All Brokers and Managers are invited to attend RVAR's Brokers Breakfast on Wednesday, June 26th at the RVAR office. (Coffee/continental breakfast 8:30-9:00AM, folllowed by the program 9:00-10:30AM.) The primary purpose of this Breakfast is sharing -- RVAR with Brokers, Brokers with RVAR and Brokers with each other. Agenda topics so far include broker audits, the upcoming Affiliates Expo and revisions to RVAR's Seller Listing Form (which are expected to be approved by that time.) Click here to register.

REALTORS® Serving Our Community -- Relay for Life

RVAR's Community Service Committee is sponsoring a team in the Roanoke RELAY FOR LIFE, June 14th and 15th at the Reserve Avenue Athletic Fields (old Victory Stadium site). We need your support! Come walk with us or make a donation to help us reach our goal. Contact any member of the Community Service Committee or Susan Edwards at the RVAR office for more information. Click here to make a donation to RVAR's team. Your online donations benefit Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

Upcoming Education Offerings

GRI 404: Cyber REALTOR®: Learn the smartest choices to make for hardware, software and communications tools in this June 24th class. This course is REQUIRED to earn the GRI designation and qualifies for CE 7 hours electives OR PL 4 hours electives. Click here for more information or to register.

GRI 409: Business Development: Learn how to improve your business by practicing goal setting and business planning. This course is REQUIRED to earn the GRI designation and qualifies for CE 7 hours electives OR 7 hours PL elective. Online registration for this course will open in June.

Already earned your GRI?

You may attend any GRI class for only $35. Great way to update your knowledge and earn CE. (No test required.) Contact Louann Pagans for more information.

RVAR's Speakers Council To Feature Cyrus Pace

RVAR's May 21st Speakers Council will feature Cyrus Pace, Jefferson Center Executive Director. The meeting is held at the RVAR Office, beginning at 8:15AM and ending by 9:30AM. Breakfast is provided. The cost to attend is $5 -- or you can join the Council for an annual cost of $35. Click here to register for this session.

RVAR's Speakers Council meets nine times a year, with a featured speaker usually related to economic development or quality of life issues in the greater Roanoke Valley.

Save the Dates for September Events

RVAR Golf Tournament: Monday, September 9th is the date for RVAR's Annual Golf Tournament. Location and details will be announced soon.

Affiliates & REALTORS® Night: RVAR's Affiliates Committee is reviving a special event (formerly known as Affiliates Expo) September 17th 5-8PM. Location, theme and details will be announced soon.

Legal Update: Mark your calendar for September 26th, 9AM-Noon at the South Roanoke County Library. VAR Counsel Blake Hegeman will return with the latest legal news from around the state and country. Details will be available soon.

Our RVAR Family

Congratulations

Congratulations to those recently named in the 'Best Of' online contest sponsored by The Roanoke Times, which included categories for best real estate agents and best real estate firms. Some of RVAR's Affiliate Members were recognized, too!

Best of SWoCo 2013:

Best real estate agents Best real estate firms

1. Glenna Bannister (Long & Foster) 1. Lichtenstein Rowan, REALTORS®

2. Beth Wilson (Prudential Premier) 2. Prudential Premier, REALTORS®

3. Vickie Clarke (Long & Foster) 3. Long & Foster, REALTORS®

And in the Best Landscaping category, Varsity Landscaping took the top honors.

Best of Salem 2013:

Best real estate agents Best real estate firms

1. Egon Hofmann (Barker Realty) 1. Barker Realty

2. Scooter Darnall (RE/MAX R E One) 2. Young Realty

3. Jack Frye (Young Realty) 3. RE/MAX Real Estate One

Best of Botetourt 2013:

Best real estate agents Best real estate firms

1. Pete Wood (RE/MAX All Stars) 1. RE/MAX All Stars

2. Todd Wampler (Wampler Realty) 2. Wampler Realty

3. Jane Harris (James River Realty) 3. James River Realty

Congratulations to those recently named in the 'Best of Roanoke' edition of The Roanoker Magazine.

Best real estate agents Best real estate firms

Platinum Callie Dalton (Long & Foster) Platinum MKB, REALTORS®

Gold Bob Hartman (RealStar) Gold RE/MAX Valley, REALTORS®

Silver (tie) Curtis Burchett (MKB) Silver Long & Foster, REALTORS®

Jerry Cohen (Park Place, REALTORS®)

Best Landscaping: Platinum - Varsity Landscaping

Best Local Bank: Platinum - Valley Bank, Gold - Hometown Bank, Silver - Member One Federal Credit Union

Best National Bank: Platinum - BB&T, Gold - Suntrust Bank, Silver - Wells Fargo

Best Moving: Platinum - Virginia Varsity

Best Exterminator: Platinum - Bug Man Exterminating, Gold - Perdue Exterminators

Let RVAR know if you have news to share.

Upcoming Events

May 27th	RVAR Office Closed for Memorial Day
June 4th (PM)	Tech Workshop: Paperless Agent
June 5th (AM)	Tech Workshop: Paperless Agent
June 24th	GRI 404
June 26th	Brokers Breakfast

Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®

www.RVAR.com | (540) 772-0526 | Email