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FAAR Public Policy Director, Kim McClellan, Receives Prestigious RCE Designation from NAR
Kim McClellan, Public Policy Director of the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS®, is being honored by the National Association of REALTORS® with the REALTOR® Certified Executive (RCE) designation, which recognizes exceptional efforts made by REALTOR® association executives and professional staff. McClellan is one of over 500 REALTOR® association executives and professional staff who have achieved this mark of excellence.
Prior to becoming a candidate for the RCE designation, applicants must document their association management and academic experiences. Once they have completed this first step, eligible candidates must successfully complete a multiple-choice exam, which is based on a comprehensive understanding of association operations and management practices. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of areas critical to REALTOR® association management including association law, governance, and issues related to member services. To retain the designation, RCEs must be re-certified every four years
Did Someone Say BINGO?!
On February 11th, over 65 FAAR Members came out to the FAAR Academy classroom for a night of fun and in support of the Fredericksburg REALTORS® Foundation. Donna Schmidt added to the fun of the evening entertaining the full house with her BINGO calling skills. The $2,017 in proceeds from the event will be used by the Foundation for housing related charities in the local area. The lucky winner of the Fredericksburg REALTORS ® Foundation 50/50 raffle was Tracey Bilodeau of Berkshire Hathaway Select Realty.
How Do You Recognize Housing Discrimination?
Under the Fair Housing Act, It is Against the Law to:
- Refuse to rent to you or sell you housing
- Tell you housing is unavailable when in fact it is available
- Show you apartments or homes only in certain neighborhoods
- Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
- Provide different housing services or facilities
- Advertise housing to preferred groups of people only
- Refuse to provide you with information regarding mortgage loans, deny you a mortgage loan, or impose different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan
- Deny you property insurance
- Conduct property appraisals in a discriminatory manner
- Refuse to make reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability if the accommodation may be necessary to afford such person a reasonable and equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling
- Fail to design and construct housing in an accessible manner
- Harass, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising or assisting someone else with his/her fair housing rights
If You Believe Your Rights Have Been Violated. . .
Call the State of Virginia Council on Human rights at 804.225.2292
Realtors® Respond as Federal Court Strikes Down AHP Expansion
WASHINGTON (March 29, 2019) – NAR President John Smaby issued the following statement after District Court of Columbia Judge John Bates struck down a Department of Labor attempt to expand association health plans earlier this week.
“As independent contractors, Realtors® have long struggled to find and secure affordable health insurance options,” said Smaby, a second-generation Realtor® from Edina, Minnesota. This is why NAR strongly supports the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule expanding access to Association Health Plans.
“This rule has been successful and is growing in many states, providing high quality, lower cost coverage alternatives to many of NAR’s 1.3 million members and their families.
“We are extremely disappointed in this week’s District Court decision, which threatens the progress Realtor® Associations have made in offering much needed health insurance solutions. NAR is reviewing this ruling to determine its potential nationwide impact and we vow to continue to fight for more affordable, quality health insurance options for our members.”
The National Association of Realtors® is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Join the ranks of FAAR Professional Honor “Role” Achievers
PHR and what it means
You could be eligible for Professional Honor Role and not even know it! Professional Honor Role was presented for the first time in 2008 to recognize the achievements of Realtor® recipients. The Honor “Role” award spotlights members who have made contributions to the real estate industry, FAAR, and the community. Points are assigned to 6 categories – Association Activities, Networking Events, Educational Activities, VAR & NAR Designations and Councils, Service/Civic Activity and real estate Production. Applications are due annually in February.
What are you waiting for? Get started today at faarmembers.com/awards!
Benefits of FAAR Professional Honor Role
All recipients are featured in The FREE Lance Star ad and in the Real Estate Showcase.
All recipients receive a certificate or a trophy ($25 fee)—Recipient’s choice.
The names of all the recipients will be added to a plaque displayed in the FAAR office.
The names of all the recipients are listed at the faarmember.com website.
All recipients receive an electronic logo of the Professional Honor Role to use in marketing.
2020 Professional Honor Role Recipients
Tricia Barnes
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
DeAnna Hamn
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Carrie Danko”
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Penny Traber
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Ginny Vickers
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Lynn Lenahan
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Sha Williams Hinnant
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Bethany Pannell
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Corrine Macon
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Linda Williams
Century 21 New Millennium
Linda Dort
C21 New Millennium
Valerie Dellandre
C21 New Millennium
Tony Shade
RE/MAX Allegiance
Sharon Shade
RE/MAX Allegiance
Drew Fristoe
Coldwell Banker Elite
Jennifer Caison
Coldwell Banker Elite
Chip Taylor
Long & Foster, Inc.
2019 Professional Honor Role Recipients
Sabrina Anderson
Exit Realty Group
Marla Aste,
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Tricia Barnes
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
LeAnn Black
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Suzanne Brady
United Real Estate Premier
Jennifer Caison, ABR
Coldwell Banker Elite- Massaponax
Jennifer Church, ABR, SRS
Holt for Homes
Valerie Dellandre
Virginia CU Realty
Linda Dort
Century 21 New Millennium
Drew Fristoe,
Coldwell Banker Elite- Massaponax
Janet Holt
Holt for Homes
Linda Laub-Canty
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Cindy LeBrun
Exit Realty Group
Lynn Lenahan
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Brooke Miller
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Laura Monaghan
eXp Realty
Bonnie Ramey
Nest Realty
Mary Beth Rich
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Anthony “Tony” Shade
RE/MAX Allegiance
Sharon Shade
RE/MAX Allegiance
Carol Sondrini
Coldwell Banker Elite- King George
Chip Taylor
Long & Foster, Inc.
Penny Traber
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Ginny Vickers
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Randy Walther
Nest Realty
Sha Williams- Hinnant
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
2018 Professional Honor Role Recipients
Sabrina Anderson
Exit Realty Group
Tricia Barnes
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
LeAnn Black
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Marla Aste
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Suzanne Brady
United Real Estate Premier
Valerie Dellandre
Virginia CU Realty
Linda Dort
Century 21 New Millennium
Linda Fosdick
Dockside Realty
Janet Holt
Holt for Homes
Pam Kuper
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Linda Laub-Canty
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Cindy LeBrun
Exit Realty Group
Lynn Lenahan
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Brooke Miller
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Laura Monaghan
Green Tree Realty
Mary Beth Rich
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Anthony “Tony” Shade
RE/MAX Allegiance
Sharon Shade
RE/MAX Allegiance
Sarah Stelmok
Nest Realty Group
Chip Taylor
Long & Foster, Inc.
Penny Traber
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Ginny Vickers
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Sha Williams- Hinnant
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
2017 Professional Honor Role Recipients
Tricia Barnes, ABR, GRI, CRB
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Lisa Berry, ABR
Nest Realty Group
Suzanne Brady, ABR, CRB
Century 21 Redwood Realty
Jennifer Caison, ABR
Coldwell Banker Elite- Massaponax
Jennifer Church, ABR, SRS
Holt for Homes
Valerie Dellandre, ABR
Long & Foster, Inc. – Fredericksburg
Linda Dort, ABR, GREEN, SRES
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Drew Fristoe, ABR, e-PRO
Coldwell Banker Elite- Massaponax
Linda Fosdick, CRS, GRI, ABR
Dockside Realty
Janet Holt
Holt for Homes
Natalie Holt
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Debbie Klingensmith
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Linda Laub-Canty, ABR, GRI, CRS
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Cindy LeBrun, ABR, CRS
Coldwell Banker Elite- Massaponax
Lynn Lenahan, ABR, GRI
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Erin Lewis
Nest Realty Group
Andrea Maitland, CRB, CRS
Century 21 Redwood- Spotsylvania
Brooke Miller, GRI
Long & Foster, Inc.- Fred.
Sandy Pearce, ABR, SRES, PMN
Coldwell Banker Elite- Spots.
Mary Beth Rich, ABR
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Melissa Rose
Nest Realty Group
Anthony “Tony” Shade, ABR
RE/MAX Allegiance
Sharon Shade, ABR, ABRM
RE/MAX Allegiance
Christine Singhass, ABR
Caroline’s Realty
Sarah Stelmok, ABR, GRI, e-PRO
Nest Realty Group
Chip Taylor
Century 21 Battlefield
Penny Traber, ABR, GRI, CRS
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Ed Tennstedt
Long & Foster, Inc.- Fredericksburg
Ginny Vickers, ABR
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Barbara Waite, GRI, SRES
Nest Realty Group
Kristie M Walker, ABR
Nest Realty Group
Sha Williams- Hinnant, ABR, CRS, GRI
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Update on NAR Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit
**This is an update on the class action lawsuit filed against NAR and a number of brokerages in March 6 that alleges anti-trust violations. NAR will provide regular updates from Katie Johnson, General Counsel for NAR. If you have specific questions about the lawsuit, please email Kim McClellan, FAAR Public Policy Director. ***
There has been considerable media interest in the litigation filed on March 6 challenging the MLS system and the way that broker commissions are paid. The primary allegation is that home sellers are unfairly being required to pay the commissions of buyers’ brokers. The legion of class action law firms that represent the plaintiff claim that these commissions are not subject to negotiations and they question the value that buyer brokers deliver in the home buying and selling process.
NAR believes that the lawsuit is a misguided effort to undermine the MLS system which has long-served both home sellers and home buyers very well. In short, the MLS system is designed first and foremost with the buyer and seller in mind. In the best interests of consumers, we will aggressively and persuasively point out the merits of the overall system.
We plan to file a motion to dismiss the case. In that motion, we will point out that the commission offered to the buyer’s broker is determined by the seller – not by NAR or the MLS. It can be a percentage of the purchase price or a fixed amount, as little as one dollar. And, contrary to what the class action law firms allege, the commission is subject to negotiation. We will also point out that courts have repeatedly held that the MLS system increases the efficiency of the market and thus serves the best interests of sellers and buyers alike.
Please note that courts are often reluctant to grant motions to dismiss. If our motion to dismiss is denied, the litigation will then be a long and expensive process. However, we will continue to aggressively defend ourselves, along with the right of the American home buyer to continue to have access to a highly efficient home buying market.
Meanwhile, following are points we’ve been sharing with media and other external parties, and we welcome you to adopt this as your own:
- The MLS system works in the best interests of both buyers and sellers, and the way commissions are paid plays a key role in maximizing this benefit. The MLS system is pro-competitive and pro-consumer. It works in the best interests of buyers and sellers alike, as it results in a highly efficient residential real estate market. The system yields the maximum number of qualified buyers who may be interested in the sellers’ property.
- Brokers play a crucial role in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. As more information has become available through MLS and interactive real estate websites, it is more crucial than ever before to have trained, local brokers available to help consumers sort through it all to arrive at the best possible decisions. In fact, 78 percent of homebuyers agree that their broker was an important source of information for buying a new home.
- Home buyers are very satisfied with their home buying experience and home buyers are brokers’ best referral source. According to our most recent Homebuying Survey, 62 percent of home buyers were very positive about the home buying process, and almost 90 percent would recommend their broker to a family member or friend.
- The allegations by the plaintiffs are false. The allegations by the plaintiffs are simply false. The fact is, when sellers have asked brokers to negotiate, brokers have reduced their fees more than 20 percent of the time.
- Years of judicial precedents have upheld the benefits of the MLS system. Legal precedents have upheld the central tenets of the MLS system, and we’re confident that the courts will once again affirm the pro-consumer, pro-competitive aspects of this system.
NAR has prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions about the lawsuit. Feel free to use this resource with fellow agents, clients, and customers. NAR will continue to provide updates as this lawsuit progresses.
Commitment to Excellence: Testing Your Knowledge
by Pat Breme, RCE, CIPS
CEO
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) created a program, the Commitment to Excellence, to raise the bar of professionalism in order for REALTORS® to serve clients better.
The end game is equipping members with tools to enrich their knowledge base, therefore holding themselves to a higher degree of accountability.
The initial activity is a series of quizzes to assess your knowledge on 10 topics. I decided to take the assessment and thought it would be fairly easy since I have spent over 25 years in the REALTOR® association world. Yes, I have working knowledge of the Code. Yes, I contribute to RPAC and understand what it does. Yes, I am not a licensee but I have working knowledge of the business of real estate. How did I do?
I finished Learning Topics, Code of Ethics, and Advocacy and fared pretty well. I am just getting into Areas of Practice which will be harder for me.
C2EX tests knowledge in 10 Areas
- Advocacy
- Areas of Practice
- Client Service
- Professional Reputation
- Real Estate Law
- Code of Ethic.
- Article 10
- Trust & Integrity
- Technology
- Safeguard Privacy
Miss a question, no problem
If you miss a question there is a follow-up Learning Plan that provides the correct information so the process is customized to your needs. The questions are not difficult but because they are multiple choice, there is always the possibility (fear) of a trick answer. You can stop and come back and the program tells you where you left off.
The process is not drudgery!
It is fun and the information is presented in a concise way. Completing all the Learning Topics and the Tasks will take some time but it is so well organized, stopping and resuming is not difficult. It is user friendly, the attitude is supportive. It is not a drudgery! It is a challenge but I found that I was motivated to see how much I knew.
NAR has been working on the Commitment to Excellence program since 2014 and I can see why. The integration is quite impressive! Companion to the Learning Topics are the Tasks which is a long list of activities that put knowledge into actions. Some of the Tasks are required to gain the endorsement, for example, responding to a call to action is required. Attending a fair housing conference is recommended but not required. The other major category is Surveys. To determine performance levels, you can provide client names, email addresses and send a selected a survey type, for example, a post-open house or post-closing survey. Under Engagements there are other activities and resources.
Attain the bragging rights, get the badge!
AT LEAST, take the assessment in each Learning Topic. You will be surprised at how much you know and at the same time, surprised at the items you misunderstand! FAAR plans to peak interest by periodically posting various questions/answers in social media posts and in weekly Updates.
You could win…
Commit to checking out the process. Go to c2ex.realtor. FAAR will do a drawing for a prize of those who achieved the badge in 2019. Brokers, issue a challenge to your agents! The effort is fun and it is an outstanding way to brush up on your knowledge whether you have been in the business one year or 20 years.
Bright MLS April YouTube Training Schedule
Did you know? We have training classes on Bright’s YouTube channel every week. Learn how to perform basic tasks, gain useful tips, and ask questions to a member from our Bright training team. In April, Bright Training Classes will move to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Join us anywhere you have Internet.
Join us for Tech Tip Tuesdays! Every Tuesday in April from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
During this half hour session, we’ll cover the latest system enhancements and top technology tips for Bright subscribers. This session is geared toward agents and can be shared during office meetings.
Thursday Hour-Long Clinics! Every Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 4th: New Agent? (Part 2)
Now that your account is set up, join us as we teach you more about Searching (Map & Results), Auto Email, Contacts, Printing, Public Records and more. If your account is not yet set up, see our first class here: “New Agent? Start Here!”
Thursday, April 11th: Working with Buyers
Build a lifelong relationship when you use these tips and tricks for working with buyers. After this class you’ll have the tools for setting up contacts, auto email, estimated buyers closing costs, and collaborating through the portal.
Thursday, April 18th: Managing Your Listings (Part 2)
You’ve entered your first listing, now what? Join us as we explore hit counters, reverse prospecting, adjusting a price, changing a status, understanding DOM, and so much more. Need to add a listing? Head to our first listing class: Adding a Listing with Maximum Exposure.
Thursday, April 25th: Product Spotlight: Showingtime (Part 2)
This session we will show you how to customize feedback, pull reports, and manually enter listing appointments in Bright using ShowingTime. New to ShowingTime? Check out our first look here: ShowingTime Product Spotlight.
How do I join a YouTube training?
Registration is not required. To participate, visit Bright’s YouTube Channel here. If you want to ask the trainer questions during a clinic, you will need to create your own YouTube Channel. Click here to create your own channel.
Please share your feedback on our YouTube training
FAAR Officially Welcomes Orange County
FAAR officially welcomed Orange County into the FAAR service territory with a welcome lunch and road show class attended by over 40 people, including two Orange County elected officials. Supervisors Lee Frame and Jim Crozier attended the lunch and tackled such issues as the Germanna Wilderness Plan and broadband. FAAR looks forward to coming back out to Orange County for future events and engaging on a deeper level with elected officials and agents.
February Picks Up the Pace in Local Real Estate Market
While February statistics tracked fairly closely to 2018 numbers, pending sales indicate a warming in the local real estate market. Total sold dollar volume increased 2.4% in February, coming in at $106.4 million compared to nearly $103.9 million in February of 2018. The number of units sold increased year-over-year almost 2.6%, going from 348 last year to 357 this February. Median sales price fell by close to 5%, declining from $287,750 in February of 2018 to $274,000 in February of 2019.
Days on market, the time it takes from when a listing enters the market until it receives a ratified contract and is removed from active status on the multiple listing service, fell 8.5% with houses averaging 86 days on the market in February of 2019 compared to 94 days in February of 2018.
Inventory posted the biggest story in the February real estate numbers. Active listings were up nearly 19%, going from approximately 1,100 available properties in February of 2018 to nearly 1,400 for this year. Overall, inventory gains have been so small that most buyers in the market wouldn’t notice, but having 200 more homes to choose from this February compared to last can make a difference. In addition, February pending home sales portend a solid March with an over 47% year-over-year increase compared to last year. In February of 2018, the market ended the month with 230 homes under contract compared to the 339 that are currently under contract.
The commercial real estate market is also an integral part of our local economy. “The commercial market is moving along nicely,” according to commercial Realtor® and FAAR Board Member Ben Keddie. Most major commercial statistics show that the region is performing well and has been for a number of years. Keddie continues, “What we are expecting in 2019 includes some of the marquee projects that have been in discussion for a few years finally making great progress including Liberty Place, the new baseball stadium, and hopefully a local Veterans Administration clinic.”
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