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#MemberMonday | Meet REALTOR® Carol Sondrini
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® Member Spotlight feature allows members of the community to get to know each other before working with each other in a transaction. Each member answers a series of questions to reveal more about themselves as people. It is FAAR’s hope that learning about an individual may spark connections that blossom via email, phone conversations or in-person meetings at events and classes.
Name
Carol Sondrini
Hometown
Kohler, Wisconsin
Current Location
King George, VA
Title
REALTOR® at Coldwell Banker Elite , Mom, and Noni ;0)
Number of Years in the Industry
3+
Why do you love working in real estate?
I love helping people, I love that each day brings something different and I work with so many awesome people.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I am most proud to be a Governor on the Realtors Foundation and being able to help so many in such a tangible way in our community.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
Besides the Foundation, I am also the Kitchen Coordinator for Love Thy Neighbor in King George. We are a soup kitchen and food pantry and I am in charge of providing a delicious meal at our event once a month.
Fun Fact
I have lived in 22 places, but none nearly as long as King George! My favorites, other than Virginia, are Wisconsin, Fort Lauderdale, Upstate New York and Guam!


FAAR Adds Orange County to its Jurisdiction
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) added Orange County to its jurisdiction. The County was previously assigned to Greater Piedmont REALTORS® (GPR). A majority of agents who live and/or work in Orange County are already members of FAAR and participate in the activities and services of the Association. The transfer made sense to GPR, who approached FAAR with the suggestion, and FAAR’s Board of Directors agreed. The National Association of REALTORS® assigns localities to associations, approved the move. FAAR welcomes Orange County to its footprint and to agents who may join FAAR. Agents who are already members of FAAR will appreciate the Association’s outreach to the locality. FAAR will establish relationships with the County government as it has with the jurisdictions already under its umbrella- the City of Fredericksburg, and the Counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline and the Colonial Beach area of Westmoreland.
Help FAAR Achieve the RPAC Triple Crown!

Invest today and help us get the Triple Crown!
The Virginia Realtors and NAR set goals so that we have enough RPAC funds to elect Realtor-friendly candidates that will support our industry on issues such as net neutrality, tax reform, mortgage availability, sign restrictions, land use, and much more!
2018 Goals Current Status
Fundraising: $48,216 $42,500
Participation: 580 583
Major Investors: 16 17
We have made our participation and Major Investor goals (thank you, FAAR members!), and now we need to focus on our fundraising goal. Consider investing in RPAC as a way of protecting your business from unnecessary regulation and helping to elect candidates that understand the value of real estate to the local economy.
There are 2 easy ways to contribute.
If you haven’t paid your dues yet this year, you can elect to include your $30 Fair Share investment as part of that payment. If you have already paid your dues, you can invest directly in RPAC through a secure webform. Have questions? Contact FAAR Public Policy Director Kim McClellan here.

NAR’s Board of Directors passes a number of motions that impact the organization and its members
On November 5, at NAR Convention in Boston, the Board approved a five-year strategic framework to provide a more business-oriented approach to critical arenas related to real estate. The body also favors remote notarization and supports laws, regulations and standards that focus on getting the notarial act done regardless of the technology. Perhaps the most impactful is the policy that reinforces cooperation and brings MLS policy in line with the Code of Ethics. Under the rule, listing brokers will be required to provide written affirmation or notification to cooperating brokers on the disposition of their offer.
To read up on all the topics reviewed and approved by the NAR Board of Directors, view the recent press release.

Commit to Excellence with the new C2EX Program from NAR
Be an advocate for the future of our industry. Be committed to excellence.
The National Association of REALTORS® proudly introduces Commitment to Excellence (C2EX), a program that empowers REALTORS® to demonstrate their professionalism and commitment to conducting business at the highest standards.
The Commitment to Excellence Program encourages professionalism in REALTORS® by utilizing a multifaceted approach aimed at offering opportunities for continuing education and professional growth. A member’s Commitment to Excellence is a cultural mindset shift, and a lifelong commitment to becoming the best possible professional and providing superior customer service.
REALTORS® defined professionalism in this industry more than 100 years ago when they created the Code of Ethics. C2EX takes professionalism to the next level by enabling NAR members to assess their expertise in 10 (11 for brokers) elements of professionalism ranging from customer service to use of technology.
This innovative engagement tool encourages participation in all levels of the REALTOR® organization. It’s not a designation or a course. It’s not a requirement, but a benefit available to all NAR members at no additional cost.
To get started, log in to www.C2EX.realtor and take the self-assessment that measures your proficiency in each of the elements of professionalism, known as the C2EX Competencies. Based on your results, the platform will generate customized learning paths, recommend experiences, and provide tools and resources to increase your knowledge and enhance your skillsets.
Watch this video to learn more about the Commitment to Excellence program:

2018 Halloween Mixer Winners & Photos
Over 100 fa-boo-lous REALTORS®, affiliates, and guests turned out for this bewitching event at Wilderness Run Vineyards. Live band Desert Wind was a delight to hear with a fun mix of covers and original songs as we enjoyed a festive fall night surrounded by friends. Congratulations to our costume contest winners—Tina McElroy stunned and took home 1st place individual costume with her rendition of Winifred Sanderson from Hocus Pocus. For the third year in a row, Holt for Homes took home the group prize for best costume with a fun play on house types! Did we mention the 15,000 boxes of cereal local agents were able to collect from their spheres? All of those boxes will go to feed local residents thanks to your hard work! Read more about the 2018 Cereal Drive results. Lastly, give a big thank you to all our mixer sponsors: C&F Mortgage, Suntrust Mortgage, Alcova Mortgage, Universal Title, Fidelity Bank Mortgage, & Affordable Home Loans

2018 REALTOR® Cereal Drive Results
We still have cereal pouring in but give yourself a huge pat on the back if you participated this year! We’re estimating the final total to be around 15,000 boxes all going to local area food banks and residents in need.
Who won?
Affiliate collecting the most Boxes
Mac Church with Atlantic Coast – 486 boxes
Most Cereal Per Agent
1st Choice Better Homes and Land – 206 boxes per agent
Most Improved
Long and Foster – from 210 boxes in 2017 to 2,308 boxes in 2018
Runner-up Most Cereal
Century 21 New Millennium – 2,772 boxes
Grand Prize
1st Choice Better Homes and Land – 4,162 boxes
Participants
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Century 21 New Millennium
Long and Foster Fredericksburg
Coldwell Banker Elite Stafford
United Real Estate Premier
Nest Realty Fredericksburg
Mac Church with Atlantic Coast Mortgage
Century 21 Redwood Locust Grove
Keller Williams Fredericksburg
Spring Arbor Senior Living
Century 21 Redwood Fredericksburg
Keller Williams Capital
Holt for Homes
CTI Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Elite Massaponax
Title Professionals
Virginia Credit Union Realty
The Gillies Team
Mike Lee with Summit Mortgage
Realtor® Advocacy: Helping you find a home and get back there after work!
That’s why we’ve been advocating for years for increased funding for transportation infrastructure because sitting on I-95 for three hours before getting back to that perfect place makes it lose a little bit of it’s luster!
So what are we doing to keep you moving?
FAAR has engaged on many levels to move the needle on transportation.
1. Legislative Advocacy:
Each year, FAAR issues policy statements that highlight our agents’ most important issues. For the 2019 General Assembly session, FAAR has a robust transportation platform that advocates for reforms to the SmartScale process so that this region continues to receive funding on par with Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to deal with our severely congested highway and secondary roads. In addition, FAAR advocates for legislation that would allow this region to explore the option of creating a regional transportation authority to raise local dollars to leverage infrastructure projects. Click the document below to read the full policy statements.
2. Public Outreach:
FAAR members have penned Letters to the Editor and will continue to do so each quarter to bring a greater focus to how our transportation crisis impacts our local real estate economy, our citizens, and our area’s quality of life. In addition, local Realtors® and the public need to continuously communicate with our local elected officials about the cost that the transportation crisis is inflicting on our businesses and personal lives. FAAR has launched “Gridlock Grumbles” as an outlet for personal stories that will be communicated to our elected officials.
3. Education:
FAAR partnered with VDOT to produce a video that details many of our local transportation projects. Watch the video to learn what these projects will accomplish, when they will be done, and how it will impact your drive.
Check out some testimonials….
Read some thoughts about transportation from our local Realtors® and citizens. Then pen your own in the submission box at the bottom of the page.
“Time stuck in traffic affects (1) Gasoline consumption, gas per mileage and pollution (2) Personal Productivity (2) Quality of life (3) Wear and tear on the car engine as it operates at a higher temperature.”
“Efforts should be made in VA (irrespective of MD efforts or objections) to construct the lower half of a second Beltway around Washington, DC and feeders into MD from Richmond along state road 301 which runs through Dahlgren and Bowling Green.”
“How is it possible that traffic on the weekends is actually the MOST congested from Thornburg to Stafford County and actually improves the closer you get to Washington, DC? After a fabulous trip to the Outer Banks, our fun was virtually erased by the 8-hour trip home with a good chunk of it spent on I-95 in bumper-to-bumper traffic from Richmond to Fredericksburg. This kind of congestion is soul-sucking for people, disruptive for business, and dangerous for emergency responders. Please help fix this!”
“The traffic has become an increasing problem for the daily commuters. What should be a 20 minute drive is taking upwards of an hour. Getting down Route 3 is never easy, even on light traffic days. The amount of accidents on Rt. 3 seems to keep growing daily. Friday’s have turned into even more hassle than it already is on I-95 and major exits Rt.3 & Rt. 17.”
“I-95 is horrible during the afternoon. No doubt about it. Rt. 3 from Stafford into Fxbg into Spotsy is a nightmare on most evenings around 4PM to 6PM, same with Rt. 17 coming from Geico. I try to schedule showings around it or allow for tons of extra driving time — but even then, we can be late to showings due to traffic — which negatively effects buyers, sellers, and both agents and can start a home purchase out on the wrong foot. The CD lanes on 95 (from 134 to 130) can’t come soon enough and the construction should be taking place 24 hours a day until completed. Seems to take way too long to really feel like there’s been any noticeable improvements. Sure hope we don’t get the title of “Worst Traffic in America” two years in a row! I’m sure folks will want to move elsewhere if we can’t get our traffic under control.”

Gridlock Grumbles
Sick and tired of traffic throughout the Fredericksburg region? Tell us how being stuck in congestion impacts you and your business. FAAR will share these stories with the public and with our elected officials.

2018 Young Professionals Network Pub Crawl Photos are Here
Skylines and good times! The 7th Annual YPN Pub Crawl took us to Castiglia’s Sky Bar and Jay’s Downtown Sports Lounge. Proceeds benefited local teachers and students through the Adopt-a-Classroom Program—your generous donations were able to raise $870 for local classrooms! Thank you to everyone who came and especially to our sponsors. In the meantime, check out the photos here!
2018 PAR for FAAR Foundation Golf Tournament Photos
What a fabulous day out at Augustine Golf Course in Stafford—Thank you to all of our attendees and sponsors who helped make the 3rd annual Par for FAAR Foundation Golf Tournament a resounding success! More details coming soon on the total amount raised. In the meantime, look how much fun we had!
Thank you Sponsors
Bayfield Home Loans
Alcova Mortgage
Winning Image Salon
Highland Title & Escrow
Century 21 Redwood Realty
Priority Financial
Price Rich and Associates
Harry’s Ale House
James Photography Group
Homeworx
AHS
Poet’s Walk
Assurance Financial
SunTrust Mortgage
Affordable Home Loans
Universal Title
PermaTreat
Professional Plumbing Solutions
Joshua Lawrence SalonXtreme Heating
Century 21 Redwood Realty
Donna Chandler
Carole Riddle
First County Mortgage
Bay County Settlements
Dannex Construction
Atlantic Coast Mortgage
Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity
Sona Homes
Lisa Ross with C21 Redwood
Fredericksburg Area Rentals and Property Management
Berens Realty Group
Century 21 Redwood Realty
Wheelbarrow of Cheer | Fredericksburg Realtors® Foundation
Tom Brady Signed Football | Sue Pash
Augustine Membership | David Weider
Golf Foursome | Augustine Golf Course
Golf Foursome at River Creek | Geoff Brandquist
Wedding Fireworks Package | Southern Exposure Pyrotechnics
Washington Capitals Tickets | Kevin Daniels
Washington Capitals Tickets | Richard Wallace
Washington Wizards Tickets | Richard Wallace
Stephen Strasburg Baseball | Washington Nationals
Nick Sundberg Photo | Washington Redskins
Markieff Morris Photo | Washington Wizards
Brett Connolly Photo | Washington Capitals
Al Bumbry Photo | The Card Cellar
Frank Howard Photo | The Card Cellar
Wine Picnic Basket | Sue Pash
Local Goodies Basket | Olde Virginia Gourmet
Tower of Virginia Peanuts | Olde Virginia Gourmet
Crab Bottle Cap Art | Ed Schiavoni
Lobster Bottle Cap Art | Ed Schiavoni
Golf Basket | Della Robb
Designer Handbag and Scarf | Lady Legacy
Wine Gift Basket | City Vino
Growler and Gift Card | Fredericksburg Brew Exchange
Art on Canvas | Raelyn Marketing Promotions
Press Releases
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