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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® 1,084 Offices 136 Affiliate 147 Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently. |
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NAR Member Profile -- How do you compare?
NAR recently surveyed over 58,000 REALTORS® to determine the characteristics of today's typical REALTOR®. Thirteen years of experience, 12 transaction sides in 2012, 21% of business from past clients and customers. Click here to determine how you compare. |
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Coming MLS Changes
Several MLS system changes are scheduled to be implemented around July 1st: - "Laminate" will be added as a selection for floors.
- A new status will be added: REO Pending -- Awaiting Bank Signature (REOP).
- Bedford City will revert to a Town as of July 1st. This municipality change will be reflected in the MLS -- and will automatically be updated in all MLS listings (all statuses). No action will be needed of listing agents and MLS Secretaries.
Any updates regarding implementation of these changes will be announced on the MLS Bulletin Board. |
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Important Post-licensing Changes
If you are a relatively new REALTOR® -- or the Broker of a new REALTOR® -- then you need to be aware of important changes in the post-licensing curriculum. The PL curriculum is changing from three tracks (residential, property management, commercial) to a single-track system. - The old system will be in place until December 31, 2013.
- The new system will be available starting July 1, 2013.
New licensees must take 30 hours of PL education within a year of getting their license. Those 30 hours must be taken either under the current system or the new system -- you cannot mix credits in both systems.If you have been meeting your PL requirement using the current three-track system, then you have until December 31st to complete it. Come January 1, 2014, if you have completed fewer than 30 hours, then your PL credits will reset to zero. Or you can wait until July 1st to begin using the new curriculum, just be aware of your one-year deadline. |
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Realtor.com Offers Free Branded Mobile App
You can now unlock powerful Agent Features in the Realtor.com mobile app. Agent Branding allows you to invite your clients to use a version of the REALTOR.com mobile app branded with your photo and contact info. All primary inquiry actions will be routed to you, and you will receive immediate notifications on your iPhone, iPad or Android. You will also be able to easily suggest one or more listings to one or more clients. Your clients can also request showings from you for the properties they want to see. And you can both have instant messaging conversations right in the app on each listing. Click here to get started! |
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2014 RVAR BOD Openings -- August 1st Deadline to Apply
The following leadership openings are available on RVAR's 2014 Board of Directors: 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.
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Recent BOD Actions
RVAR's Board of Directors meets almost every month. Here's a summary of the actions taken at its June 20th meeting.
- Approved comprehensive revisions to the IDX Business Rules, expanding the data that can be displayed in IDX and streamlining the compliance and enforcement process. Details will be provided to Brokers in the coming weeks. The expanded data is slated to become available in early September.
- Approved the Standard Forms Committee's proposed revisions to RVAR's Exclusive Right to Represent Seller Agreement. A summary of the revisions will be made available in August, with the revised form available in zipForm® in September.
- Voted to endorse Joe Sutliff's candidacy for a seat on VAR's Board of Directors in 2014.
- Approved the Governmental Affairs Committee's request to submit two issues to VAR for inclusion in its 2014 Legislative Package: (1) that a high school diploma or GED be required to obtain a real estate license, with all existing licensees grandfathered and (2) that the recently enacted changes to the agency law be revisited with respect to commercial practitioners -- who often meet, work with and show property to corporate representatives with no authority to sign any documents, including an agency disclosure form.
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REALTOR® Conventions in the Fall
VAR's Annual Convention, the REal Show, returns to Virginia Beach, October 4th and 5th. Education tracks include: biz & tech, risk management, client connections and market matters. Networking opportunities plus an Expo featuring key real estate vendors. NAR's Annual Convention will be held in San Francisco, November 8th-11th. Choose from more than 100 education sessions during the four days, plus the largest real estate trade show in the world, featuring nearly 400 exhibitors with the latest innovations and products. Plenty of networking opportunities plus a celebrity concert featuring Foreigner.
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NAR Alert: Beware of Patent Troll
NAR members around the country have been hit with letters demanding payment of a patent licensing fee for sending documents via e-mail from a multifunction copier machine. The companies demanding the fee are linked to a parent company that fits the definition of a Patent Troll, a company whose business model is based on extracting fees for patents it holds on certain processes. Should you receive such a letter, you should discuss your options with your legal counsel. Click here for more information, including NAR's recommendations as to your options. Update: President Obama just issued executive orders to help curb patent lawsuit abuses by Patent Trolls whose business model is based on leveraging broad-based patents to extract fees from product users. The executive orders come as Congress is writing legislation to combat abuses. NAR is working with lawmakers to help ensure legislation is strong enough to curb abuses. |
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GRI Equivalency Program: You may be closer to earning your GRI than you think
The Virginia Association of REALTORS® has recently launched a GRI equivalency program, whereby other designations or experience can be submitted for credit for some of the GRI courses.
For example, if you have earned the CRS, ABR, SRES or ePro designations, you can submit your credentials for GRI credit. If you have obtained your broker's license, you can receive GRI credit. Plus, if you have closed 10 transactions within the past two years, you are eligible for GRI credit.
Click here for more information, including the equivalency application form.
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Upcoming Education Offerings
GRI 409: Business Development: Learn how to improve your business by practicing goal setting and business planning. This August 13th course is REQUIRED to earn the GRI designation and qualifies for CE 7 hours electives OR 7 hours PL electives. Pam Ermen is the instructor for this course. Click here for more information or to register. (VAR is handling the registration for this particular class.) ABR Class: The New River Valley Association of REALTORS® is offering a two day ABR class, September 18th and 19th, featuring well known speaker Adorna Carroll. The class will be offered at the New River Valley Association office in Christiansburg. Registration opens July 1st. Click here for registration information. 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. Specific topics will be: Real Estate Laws You Need to Know (2 hours) and Sneaky Regs (1 hour.) Click here for more information or to register. GRI 402: Financing Alternatives: Attend this course to get up to speed on loan limits, finance options, avoiding common potholes and tips for navigating the difficult deal. This October 10th course is REQUIRED to earn the GRI designation and qualifies for CE 7 hours electives or 7 hours PL electives. Pam Ermen is the instructor for this course. Registration will open in August. 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.)
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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. This year's event will have a Casino Party theme and will be located at Hidden Valley Country Club in Salem. Registration information will be available soon.
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Our RVAR Family
In Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy toWayne Amos of Long & Foster, REALTORS® upon the recent death of his mother.
Let RVAR know if you have news to share.
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Upcoming Events
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June 26th
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Brokers Breakfast
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July 4th
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RVAR Office Closed for Holiday
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August 1st
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Deadline for filing for openings on RVAR's 2014 BOD
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August 13th
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GRI 409
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September 2nd
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RVAR Office Closed for Labor Day
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September 9th
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Golf Tournament
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September 17th
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Affiliates & REALTORS® Night
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September 26th
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Legal Update
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
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