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

Congratulations to Roanoke City, named #6 on the Top 10 Best Places to Retire list, by Livability.com, a national website that ranks quality of life and travel amenities of America's small and mid-sized cities. Roanoke was the only Virginia City to make this list.

Roanoke was chosen "because it exposes older adults to new experiences -- keeping them active, engaged, healthy and inspired. The City offers a host of quality of life amenities appealing to seniors -- from arts and cultural activities, outdoor recreation opportunities, top-notch medical facilities to economic assets, such as continuing education and lower cost of living."

Join us as we celebrate the successes of 2013 and install our 2014 leaders. The Installation & Awards Breakfast will be held Friday, December 13th at the Hotel Roanoke -- Ballrooms A & B -- from 8:30 until 10:30 AM. We will also be giving special recognition to our Community Service and Distinguished Service Award recipients. Click here to register or find a printable flyer.

Platinum Level:	Atlantic Bay Mortgage Freedom First Mortgage
Diamond Level:	Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Gold Level:	Acquisition Title & Settlement Bank of America Mortgage Long & Foster, REALTORS® Valley Bank Mortgage

Volunteering benefits not only RVAR, but also your business. You will be better informed on industry trends, expand your network and have a hand in shaping the Association's direction.

Join a Committee and let RVAR help improve your business! Both REALTORS® and Affiliate members are welcome to serve. Click here for instructions on how to sign up for a Committee, including a complete description of each RVAR Committee.

To date, 655 members have already paid their 2014 dues (which includes dues for RVAR, VAR and NAR.) The final date to pay 2014 dues is Monday, January 6th. Questions? Or need another copy of your dues bill? Contact Susan Edwards at the RVAR office.

VAR is proud to announce its partnership with the Virginia Tech Program in Real Estate and the launch of a new student internship program for Virginia Tech students and Virginia REALTOR® brokerages. Enrollment is now open until Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

The program is designed to give students seeking a degree in real estate an opportunity to obtain first-hand, practical knowledge of the real estate industry through direct exposure to the operations of brokerages throughout the state. Through this program, students will learn the challenges and the rewards of a career in real estate.

Click here to learn more about the program and to sign up to participate.

This opportunity was developed by the 2013 Class of the Virginia REALTOR® Leadership Academy. Special thanks to Adam Lynch of Prudential Waterfront Properties, a recent graduate of the 2013 VLA class, for his work on this project.

This year's "Do Not Attend Charity Halloween Ball" received 50 contributions going to six charities RVAR supports! Special thanks to the Community Service Committee for its hard work for this event -- that no one attended!  Thanks to everyone who didn't show up, but made a donation instead!

The donations this year of $1,960 included donations to specific charities by individuals and some funds that came into RVAR throughout the year and were distributed as follows:          

Angels of Assisi	$280
Apple Ridge Farm	$280
Bradley Free Clinic	$280
Rescue Mission	$560
RVSPCA	$280
Salvation Army	$280

             

• Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group
• BB&T Mortgage
• David Bullington Law Firm
• First American Home Buyers Protection
• Floyd & Varney
• Freedom First Credit Union
• Freedom First Title & Settlement
• Performance Title & Settlement
• Preferred Settlement & Title
• Primary Residential Mortgage
• The Roanoke Times
• Valley Bank

Why not make your first New Year's Resolution now -- earn a designation in 2014! Take advantage of one or more of these designation offerings next year.

CRS 200 Business Planning & Marketing: RVAR is bringing back well-known instructor LeRoy Houser to Roanoke to offer this two-day course, January 22nd and 23rd at the RVAR office. This very practical course includes topics such as budgeting, goal setting, business models, branding, marketing/prospecting and wealth building.

ABR Two-Day Class: The New River Valley Association of REALTORS® is offering the two-day ABR class, February 19th and 20th, featuring well-known instructor Adorna Carroll. This class will be offered at the New River Valley office in Christiansburg and provides 16 hours of CE/PL credits.

GRI 410 The Code of Ethics is Good Business: This all-day course, April 8th at the RVAR office, is required to earn the GRI designation. This course satisfies NAR's Quadrennial Ethics Training requirement and provides CE and PL credit.

GRI 411 Successful Settlement - Managing the Transaction: This all-day course, May 13th at the RVAR office, is required to earn the GRI designation and provides both CE and PL credit.

GRI 403 Personal Promotion: This all-day course, October 14th at the RVAR office, is an optional course for the GRI designation.

Mark your calendar. Details and registration information on these offerings will be available on RVAR.com soon.

RVAR expresses sympathy to Candy Leftwich of Prudential Premier, REALTORS® upon the recent death of her brother.

Congratulations

RVAR congratulates J. C. Taylor of Young Realty, recently elected President of the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke.

Congratulations to Bryan Musselwhite of Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group upon earning the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation.

Let RVAR know if you have news to share.