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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® 1,143 Offices 134 Affiliate 150 Click here to see which RVAR members have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
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Advertising Violations Increase
The busy real estate market has led to increased advertising. RVAR has noted
an increase in advertising violations. Here are the most common advertising violations so far this year:
In print ads: Failure to disclose firm name. The Virginia Real Estate Board and RVAR's Advertising Rules require the firm name to be "clearly and legibly displayed on all advertising."
In online ads: Failure to include the 3 online advertising disclosures required by the Code of Ethics, the Virginia Real Estate Board and RVAR's Advertising Rules:
- 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
These online advertising requirements apply to all types of online advertising (e.g., Craigslist, Facebook, websites etc.)
Questions? Contact Laura Benjamin at the RVAR office.
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New Laws Going into Effect July 1st
The Virginia Association of REALTORS® has compiled an overview of the new laws going into effect July 1, 2015, which impact REALTORS®. The overview is broken into three categories: license laws; general real estate laws; and property management laws. Click here for VAR's overview. |
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Leadership Openings on 2016 RVAR BOD
RVAR's Board of Directors has announced the following leadership openings for 2016: 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. Monday, August 3rd 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 2016 Board will be: President Donna Marie Harris (Long & Foster); Immediate Past President Vic Coffey (RE/MAX All Stars); and Directors Becky Fields (BHHS Premier); Fred Hall (BHHS Premier); Adam Lynch (Berkshire Hathaway Smith Mtn. Lake); and Renee Wiggins (RE/MAX All Stars). Any questions about leadership responsibilities or the nominations process should be addressed to Nominating Chairman Betty Kingery or Chief Executive Officer Laura Benjamin. |
Lake Forms Revisions Being Considered
Last fall, RVAR introduced two new Lake forms -- the Lake Disclosure (to be used with listings and contracts) and the Lake Addendum (to be used with contracts). Now that these forms have been in use for six months, RVAR's Standard Forms Committee is considering any needed revisions to these forms. If you have used either of these forms and have suggestions for improvement, please email Laura Benjamin.
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Tech Lunch & Learn Classes: Flexing UR MLS
RVAR's Tech Committee continues its Lunch & Learn Series on Wednesday, June 24th with two FREE classes taught by Flex trainer Josh Hernandez (Josh was a popular speaker at the recent Tech Forum): - 10:30AM-Noon Basic MLS: Customizing Your Dashboard & Using Quick Search
- 12:45-2:30PM Advanced MLS: Map Searching, Mobile Apps and Portals
Bring your lunch and laptop ... RVAR will provide drinks, chips and cookies.
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Office Suite Available in RVAR Building
RVAR has available for lease a second floor, 1200 SF office space, directly above the RVAR offices. Current floor plan has a reception room, kitchenette and 3 offices, two of which have been subdivided to accommodate 2 desks each. This suite has its own private entrance and restroom. Tenant pays electricity and own janitorial service. RVAR provides water and sewer. Signage available on building and at street. $1,000/month based on a 3 year lease. For further information, contact leasing agent Henry Scholz of MKB, REALTORS® or RVAR's CEO Laura Benjamin. |
10 Tips for REALTOR® SafetyMake your safety a consistent priority in all of your interactions. Add these 10 tips to your personal REALTOR® safety plan.
RVAR is providing monthly safety tips to assist you in developing your own safety plan.
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The Speaker's Forum Presents...
The Speaker's Forum presents Marc Nelson, Special Projects Coordinator with the Department of Economic Development for the City of Roanoke. Economic development for the Roanoke region has been in the spotlight following the recent Norfolk Southern announcement. Marc will provide an update about the City's efforts for future economic development and its impact on your business. The Speaker's Forum will be held on Tuesday, June 2nd at the RVAR office starting at 8:45AM with coffee, juice and pastries provided. From 9:00 - 9:45 we will have a brief welcome followed by Marc Nelson's presentation. There is NO CHARGE to attend this event, but seating is limited. Click here to register or contact the RVAR office. The Speaker's Forum helps to provide local, informative presentations regarding topics that affect our businesses. The Forum welcomes any REALTOR® and Affiliate members and there is no charge to attend. Additional Forum meetings for 2015 are scheduled for September 22nd and November 19th.
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Brokers Breakfast June 17th
All Brokers and Managers are invited to attend RVAR's Brokers Breakfast on Wednesday, June 17th at the RVAR office. (Coffee/continental breakfast 8:30-9:00AM, followed 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.
RVAR's agenda topics include:
August 1st RESPA/TILA Changes
Speakers: RVAR Counsel David Bullington and representatives of the Blue
Ridge Mortgage Lenders Association (Scott Vaughan of Union Mortgage
Group and Dave Henry of Atlantic Bay Mortgage)
NAR/RPR Partnership with Upstream
Speaker: Kit Hale, MKB, REALTORS®
VAR Update
Speaker: Dan Vollmer of Lynchburg, member of VAR's Board of Directors
The Broker Breakfast is a FREE event, though advance registration is appreciated.
Click here to register.
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VHDA Train the Trainer Class in Roanoke
Anyone applying for a VHDA home loan is required to take VHDA's free Home Buyer Class. Interested in teaching VHDA's Home Buyer Class? Register to attend VHDA's Train the Trainer class, Thursday, June 18th, 9AM-1PM at the RVAR Office. Click here to register.
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Upcoming Education
Impact of New Regs on the Settlement Process: Be ready for the August 1st changes! This class is offered by RVAR's Education Committee in conjunction with BB&T Home Mortgage and Bridgetrust Title Group, and will feature speaker Kay Creasman of Old Republic National Title. This class is FREE and provides 2 hours of CE. Click here to register. Coming Soon: RVAR's Education Committee has just scheduled the following class -- watch for more details soon: Real Forestry for Real Estate, October 14th, 9AM-5PM, RVAR Office
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Save the Dates for Fall Events
RVAR Golf Tournament: Friday, September 11th, Roanoke Country Club.
REALTOR® After Hours at RVAR: Tuesday September 29th, 5-7PM
Legal Update: Tuesday, October 20th at South Roanoke County Library, 9AM-Noon, featuring VAR's Deputy General Counsel Blake Hegeman.
Affiliates & REALTOR® Night: Thursday, October 22nd at Hidden Valley Country Club, 5-8PM.
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Our RVAR Family
Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy to Shelia Wright of Aliehs Gold Realty upon the recent death of her mother.
Congratulations
RVAR congratulates Mary Dykstra of MKB, REALTORS®, recipient of The Children's Trust Roanoke Valley's Golden Halo Award in the 'community volunteer' category. Congratulations to those recently named "2015 Best Of " by The Roanoker Magazine, which included categories for real estate firms and agents. Some of RVAR's Affiliate members were recognized, too! Best National Real Estate Agency: Platinum - RE/MAX; Gold - Long & Foster; Silver - Coldwell Banker Best Local Real Estate Agency: Platinum - MKB, REALTORS®; Gold - Lichtenstein Rowan, REALTORS®; Silver - Olde Colony Realty Best Individual Real Estate Agents: Platinum - Suni Heflin (RE/MAX All Stars); Gold - Vickie Clarke (Long & Foster); Silver - Scott Avis (MKB) Best Bug Exterminator: Platinum - Bug Man Extermination; Silver - Superior Exterminating Best Credit Union: Platinum - Member One FCU; Gold - Freedom First FCU Best Landscape/Professional Grounds Care: Platinum - Varsity Landscape & Grounds Best Moving Company: Platinum - Virginia Varsity Transfer Best National Bank: Platinum - Wells Fargo; Gold - SunTrust; Silver - BB&T Best Regional/Local Bank: Platinum - HomeTown Bank; Gold - Valley Bank
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UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
June 2nd
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June 5th
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New Member Orientation
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June 17th
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Brokers Breakfast
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June 18th
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VHDA Train the Trainer Class
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June 24th
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Lunch and Learn: FlexMLS
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June 25th
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Impact of New Regs on Settlement Process
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July 3rd
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RVAR Office Closed for Holiday
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August 3rd
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Deadline for Nominations for BOD Openings
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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.
Bill Meador Insurance Agency
Colonial Mortgage Company
Consolidated Construction Services
Laura R. Wright, Attorney at Law
The Bullington Law Firm
Valley Bank Mortgage
Virginia Title Center
Silver Level Partner / Sponsors
Bank of Floyd
BB&T Home Mortgage
Bug Man Exterminating, Co. Inc.
Colonial Title and Settlement
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
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Your Member Input Is Important
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Click here to offer your input or a suggestion for the Association.
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Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
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