June 17, 2015
  

 
ROANOKE VALLEY REALTOR®                  Online  

 Roanoke Valley  Associathion of REALTORS

   

Greetings!

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

   

Member Type | Count

-------------------  

REALTOR®         1,148

Offices                 134

Affiliate                150

      

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

In This Issue
NAR Member Profile
RVAR Ends Affiliate Key Program
Housing on Track for Best Year Since 2006
Standard Forms Update
Are You A Leader?
Recent BOD Actions
Tech Lunch & Learn Classes
RVAR Community Service Days
Office Suite Available in RVAR Building
9 Tips for REALTOR® Safety
VAR Relocation Day
CCIM Class
Wanted: Your Title Insurance "War Stories"
Upcoming Education
REALTOR® Conventions in the Fall
Notice Regarding Commission and Compensation
NAR Member Profile--How do you compare?  
NAR recently surveyed a sampling of REALTORS® nationwide to determine the characteristics of today's typical REALTOR®. Twelve years of experience, 11 transaction sides in 2014, 20% of business from past clients and customers.  Click here to check out how you compare. 

RVAR Ends Affiliate Key Program

RVAR's Board of Directors has terminated the Affiliate key program. Last month, RVAR suspended its Affiliate key program due to a recently discovered security glitch related to Supra's cbs codes. RVAR met with Supra last month to address this issue. Supra was previously unaware of this glitch, which turned out to be more complicated than expected.

 

Affiliate keyholders have been notified of the termination of this program.

 

NOTE: The Supra keys used by REALTORS® are not affected by this glitch.

Housing on Track for Best Year Since 2006

The residential real estate market is on track for its best year since the peak of the housing bubble in 2006, notes realtor.com® Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. But as Smoke is quick to point out, this time it's not a housing bubble. That's because job growth is fueling the most recent climb in demand for homes.

 

As job growth increases, demand has followed. Homes are selling more quickly and median home prices are rising nationwide. At the national real estate market's current level of growth, total home sales this year could near 6 million, which is near the peak seen in 2006, Smoke notes.

 

The Roanoke Valley MLS just released its May home sales statistics, which reflect 456 homes closed in May -- the highest number of May closings since May, 2006. Click here for the May home sales statistics, including a four-year comparison. 


Standard Forms Update: July 1st Changes

Three new forms will be added to the RVAR forms library in zipForms as of July 1st. These forms are being added for your convenience, so you do not have to switch over to the VAR forms library to access these forms:
  • Removal of Contingency
  • Release of Contract
  • Termination of Contract

A revision is also being made to the Exclusive Right to Represent Seller Agreement, Paragraph 11, to eliminate the reference to Affiliate keys. 


Are You A Leader?   

Do you enjoy serving others around you?  Do you like to be among the very first to hear about trends affecting your business?  Do you like to be plugged in?  Are you looking for a challenging way to give back to your Association?  Then you should consider a position as a member of RVAR's Board of Directors.  It is one of the most rewarding and educational opportunities you will experience in your business! 

 

RVAR's Board of Directors has announced the following leadership openings for 2016: President-elect, Vice President and 3 Director positions.


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. 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.

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.

 

Recent BOD Actions

Have you ever wondered what RVAR's Board of Directors does? Here's a summary of actions taken by the Board at their May and June meetings:

 

  • Approved the addition of four new forms to the RVAR forms library in zipForms (Removal of Contingency; Release of Contract; Termination of Contract; and Summary of Rights and Obligations).
  • Approved revisions to the Seller Listing, Purchase Agreement and Lot/Land Purchase Agreement.
  • Approved expanding the data provided by the MLS to Realtor.com to include two years of sold data.
  • Voted to terminate the Supra Affiliate Key program, due to a Supra security issue affecting cbs codes.
  • Approved candidate interviews to be held in the contested races for the 19th and 21st Senate districts; also approved interviews in the contested races for Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
  • Upheld the decision of a recent ethics hearing panel.
  • Endorsed the nomination of Kit Hale for election to another term as a Director of the National Association of REALTORS®.
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.

Click to register for the Basic Class or the Advanced Class. (Feel free to register for both!) 

RVAR Community Service Days 
Join In & Help Make A Difference!    

The Community Service Committee established four RVAR Community Service Days for 2015 with the goal of helping one of our supported charities each quarter.  Join in and help make a difference by donating just a few hours of your time with each project.  Collectively, we believe our REALTOR® and Affiliate members can make a huge impact on our community and the people that live here.

 


Our third quarter RVAR Community Service Day will be Thursday, August 20th at the Rescue Mission's Distribution & Recycling Center (1909 Salem Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24016).  There will be two opportunities to volunteer that day either from 9:00AM - 12 Noon or 1:30PM - 4:30PM and lunch will be provided to all volunteers.   


Our primary service will be helping to sort clothing, toys and home accessories; tagging items to be sold; and cleaning and/or repairing furniture.  These items end up at the Rescue Mission Thrift Stores for sale to support the many services of the Rescue Mission.  Please click here to sign up for the AM Shift.  Please click here to sign up for the PM Shift. Or call RVAR to have us register you for a shift of your choice.


Since 1948, the Rescue Mission has continued a tradition of comprehensive care to those in crisis. 
The programs are holistic and involve the elements of personal responsibility, self-determination and an internal transformation of values and vision resulting in a restoration of self-respect. The homeless, the hungry, the sick, the addicted, the abused and the hopeless have all found a warm welcome at the Rescue Mission.
 
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.
9 Tips for REALTOR® Safety 
Make your safety a consistent priority. Add these 9 tips to your personal REALTOR® safety plan.

RVAR is providing monthly safety tips to assist you in developing your own safety plan. 

VAR Relocation Day: August 13th
VAR's Relocation Day Conference, Thursday, August 13th 9AM-5PM at the Hilton Richmond Hotel, is a must for anyone who is involved in relocation whether it's with corporate clients, government groups or those who are moving for a promotion or new job. Featured speakers will include Mark Given and Pandra Richie. Click here for more information or to register. 
CCIM Class: Market Anaylsis    

The CCIM Institute is bringing another class to Virginia. CI 102: Market Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate will be offered August 3-6, 2015 at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. CI 101 Financial Analysis is a course prerequisite. Click here for more information. 

Wanted: Your Title Insurance "War Stories"    
RVAR's Education Committee is planning to offer a future session on title insurance. Please share "war stories" from your past transactions where title insurance came in handy or saved the deal. Send your stories to Laura Benjamin
 
Upcoming Education

Are you ready for the August 1st changes in the settlement process? RVAR's Education Committee is offering two classes to prepare you for the August 1st changes that will impact the loan application and settlement process. Though the two classes have different titles and different instructors, the subject matter is the same. Both classes are FREE and provide 2 hours of CE credit.

 

Thursday, June 25th, 10-Noon at the RVAR Office: Impact of New Regulations on the Settlement Process (this class offered in conjunction with BB&T Home Mortgage and Bridgetrust Title Group, featuring speaker Kay Creasman of Old Republic National Title.)

 

Wednesday, July 15th, 10-Noon at Westlake Golf Club: The New Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure Explained (this class features speaker Helen Spence, VA/WV Underwriting Counsel for Fidelity National Title Insurance Co.)


Click on the class title above to register.

 

Coming this fall:
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 

 
REALTOR®Conventions in the Fall 

VAR's Annual Convention, the REal Show, moves to the Williamsburg Lodge, October 6th-8th. Network with REALTORS® from across Virginia and meet key real estate vendors at the Expo. VAR will be announcing its lineup of speakers soon!

 
NAR's Annual Convention will be held in San Diego, November 13th -- 16th. 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 award winning recording artist John Legend and a keynote speaker Emmitt Smith, three-time Super Bowl champion.
 

Notice Regarding Commission and Compensation

Under the long-established policy of the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®, the Virginia Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®:

  1. The broker's compensation for services rendered in respect to any listing is solely a matter of negotiation between the broker and his or her client, and is not fixed, controlled, recommended or maintained by any persons not a party to the listing agreement.
  2. The compensation paid by a listing broker to a cooperating broker in respect to any listing is established by the listing broker and is not fixed, controlled, recommended or maintained by any persons other than the listing broker.
Our RVAR Family 
Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy to the family and colleagues of REALTOR® Mike Helvey of Barker Realty upon his recent death. RVAR also expresses sympathy to Betty T. Anderson of RealStar upon the death of her brother and to Kevin Crouch of Scott & Bond upon the death of his wife.

 

RVAR mourns the recent passing of former staffer Jan Settle. Jan retired from RVAR in February, 2013 after 18 years of service.

   

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 Botetourt 2015:


Best real estate agents

1. Pete Wood (RE/MAX All Stars)             
2. Shannon Hines (Long & Foster             
3. Todd Wampler (Wampler Realty)  

Best of Salem 2015:

Best real estate agents
1. Egon Hofmann (Barker Realty)
2. Rob Robinson (RE/MAX Real Estate One)
3. Scooter Darnall (RE/MAX Real Estate One) 



Best real estate firms

1. RE/MAX All Stars
2. Long & Foster
3. Wampler Realty



Best real estate firms
1. Baker Realty
2. RE/MAX Real Estate One
3. Young Realty 

In the best Lawyer category, Skip Lautenschlager took second place.

Varsity Landscaping & Grounds
took first place in the Best Lawn or Landscaping Service category.

 
Best of SWoCo 2015:

Best real estate agents                            
1. Robert Lichtenstein (Lichtenstein Rowan)  
2. Rod Rowan (Lichtenstein Rowan)          
3. Ben Johnson (Advantage Real Estate)



Best real estate firms
1. Lichtenstein Rowan
2. Long & Foster, REALTORS®
3. MKB, REALTORS®
In the Best Places to Go for Financial Advice category, HomeTown Bank took top honors, followed by Alcova Mortgage in second place and Atlantic Bay Mortgage took third place.

Varsity Landscaping & Grounds took second place in the Best Lawn or Landscaping Service category. 

David Bullington was ranked third in the Best Lawyer category.

   

Let RVAR know if you have news to share. 

UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES          

 

June 24th
Lunch and Learn: FlexMLS
June 25th

Impact of New Regs on Settlement Process

 

July 3rd

RVAR Office Closed for Holiday

 

July 15th
New Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure Explained
August 3rd

Deadline for Nominations for BOD Openings

 

September 11th
Golf Tournament, Roanoke Country Club
 
                   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  

 

 Thank You!!  

Your Member Input Is Important    


Click here to offer your input or a suggestion for the Association.
 
Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS® 
 www.RVAR.com |
(540) 772-0526 | Email