News
Recent news, business resources and press releases.New Real Estate Podcasts
Listen to hot topics in real estate whether you’re on the go or lounging at home!
#MemberMonday | Meet REALTOR® Alexander Camacho
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
Alexander Camacho
Hometown
Montgomery County
Current Location
Germantown
Title
Engineer /REALTOR® with United Real Estate Premier
Number of Years in the Industry
6 months
Why do you love working in real estate?
I love working in real estate because I love helping people! Buying and selling a home is one of the biggest decisions we make in our lifetime. With that said, I strive to represent my clients to the best of my ability. To bring more value to them, I constantly look for ways to strengthen that ability. We owe it to our clients, they allow us to have the freedom in our lives to run our own business. Also, I strongly believe that real estate is a great field to invest in. Whether it is for retirement, college, or a lifelong dream to own multiple properties. The residual income and equity you can build through real estate is unique!
What are you most proud of in your career?
To have helped a wide range of clients. I have met clients with very unique circumstances. No case is ever too complicated for me. If you need help, that’s what I will do.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
I get involved with outreach programs with Montgomery county schools to promote STEM interest for youth. I commit to donating 5% of my real estate income to fight cancer!
Fun Fact
I am 25, have 2 children (6 and 1 year old), have a degree in mechanical engineering, do business in western Maryland and Richmond Virginia (yeah… those 2 markets are completely different). Also, I come from a family of investors and realtors, so I know more than the average new agent!
July Posts Modest Gains in Local Real Estate Market
Rain continued to be the story of our region throughout July with severe weather potentially impacting the pace of home sales. “July was a challenging month,” states FAAR Board Member Mark Geslock. “The rains slowed open houses and some showings were postponed or cancelled due to flooding. Listings were deleted because professional photos had to be rescheduled,” continued Geslock. Despite the soggy conditions, the market managed to post modest gains in total sold dollar volume, median sold price, and units sold.
Total sold volume increased over 6%, increasing to $208.7 million in July of 2018 from $196.5 million in July of 2017. Median price saw a nearly 3.4% year-over-year increase going from $301,000 in July of last year to $310,000 in July of this year. Units sold increased from 622 in July of 2017 to 639 in July of 2018, representing a 2.7% jump in sales.
Days on market, the time it takes from when a listing enters the market until it receives a ratified contract, fell at a slower pace in July than in previous months. The market has been experiencing year-over-year reductions in days on market exceeding 20%, but July came in at a more modest 8.7% decrease. In July of 2017, homes spent an average of 46 days on the market compared to 42 days in July of 2018.
A bright spot in July’s statistics was the over 10% increase in new listings entering the market. In July of 2017, 839 new homes came on the market but in July of 2018 there were nearly 100 more at 925, representing a 10.25% increase. Active listings remained static in July with a negligible 0.12% increase by adding just two more homes to the active inventory compared to last year. In July of 2018, buyers in the market had 1,728 homes to choose from.
2018 August FAARside Newsletter now available!
Your copy of the August Newsletter, the FAARside is here! Crack open a copy to learn about what’s going on at the Association including a letter from the President, the candidate bios for 2019 Leadership, and more!
This edition includes
- Sample Leadership Ballot
- Why is there no competition on the ballot?
- What has the Foundation done for me lately?
- Introducing the New Icon Award this Fall
and more!
Right click here or the image and click “Save as” to download
IRS Guidance Out on 20% Business Income Deduction
From NAR…
The Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations today for a new provision allowing many owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, trusts and S corporations to deduct 20 percent of their qualified business income. The new qualified business income deduction is available for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017. Taxpayers can claim it for the first time on the 2018 federal income tax return they file next year.
The deduction will have a significant, beneficial impact on NAR’s membership. The National Association of Realtors® believes that this deduction, included in today’s IRS and Treasury Department release of proposed regulations, will be available to a wide range of real estate professionals, including those who are self-employed as well as those operating through partnerships, LLCs, and S corporations. We will continue thoroughly reviewing the rule and will be releasing more information when that process is completed.
#MemberMonday | Meet REALTOR® Tatyana Ganeyeva
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
Tatyana Ganeyeva
Hometown
Chebarkul
Current Location
Fredericksburg
Title
REALTOR® at Fathom Realty
Number of Years in the Industry
1
Why do you love working in real estate?
Real estate gives me opportunities to meet new people and, most importantly, to help people with one of the most important transactions in their lives.
Favorite Work Story
Just recently, I got to help dear friends buy their first home. It was very special, and I am so happy for them!
What are you most proud of in your career?
I am very thankful when my friends and clients recommend my services to others.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
Our family has had a privilege to be a part of Christian Youth Theater in Fredericksburg for many years. We also love going on mission trips in the US and overseas.
Fun Fact
Since I grew up in Russia, negotiating and finding best deals is a second nature to me.
Fredericksburg REALTOR® Inducted to the 2018 REBAC Hall of Fame
Michael Straley Supervising Broker of Stafford Market Center, eXp Realty has been inducted to the 2018 Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) “Hall of Fame” presented by REBAC of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR).
Michael Straley was nominated for the 2018 REBAC Hall of Fame by fellow REBAC members and was selected by an independent panel of real estate industry leaders. He has been an outstanding leader in the real estate community. Mr. Straley serves a “client base” of thousands, and provides a multifaceted array of assistance and services. He has also made a visible difference for buyer’s representation needs in his local community or nationally. Michael Straley is an instructor for Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council and several other national organizations, promoting success of fellow REALTORS® and the industry. He has demonstrated his source of knowledge and experience in working with buyer’s and has shown high principles and furtherance of the principles of good practice among REALTORS®.
Michael is a national instructor and holds the following designations/certifications: Accredited Buyer Representative [ABR], Residential Real Estate Council [RCC], Short Sale Foreclosure Resource [SFR], Pricing Strategy Advisors [PSA], and Performance Management Network [PMN]. Attending REALTOR® University, Michael expects to receive his Master’s Degree in Real Estate, May 2019.
Michael Straley is a member of the Fredericksburg Association of REALTORS®. Michael Straley received Virginia Women’s Council of REALTOR® Member of the Year in 2015 after serving on the WCR State Board and President of the Fredericksburg Network.
Michael Straley will be inducted into the ABR REALTOR® Hall of Fame at the REALTOR® National Convention, in Boston, on November 3, 2018.
The Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, REBAC, was founded in 1988 to promote superior buyer representation skills and services. An affiliate of THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® since 1996, REBAC’s membership now numbers well over 30,000 and is the world’s largest organization of real estate professionals concentrating on buyer representation. Members who meet all course and professional experiential requirements are awarded the ABR® (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) This is the only designation of this type recognized by NAR.
You may contact REBAC by telephone, (800) 648-6224, by e-mail, [REBAC@realtors.org], or by visiting the REBAC Web site, [www.REBAC.net]. You may contact Michael Straley by telephone, (540) 834-6263, by e-mail, [Info@GoStraley.com], or by visiting GoStraley.com and/or GoStraleySeminars.com
The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) adds REALTOR® Discounts
A special gift from the FAM
The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) is offering FAAR members special membership pricing!
A membership to the FAM is a great new-home gift for clients and supports the FAM’s mission to collect, teach, and preserve the history and culture of the Fredericksburg region. FAAR members can purchase a pack of 5 Family memberships for $150 (a 50% discount) or a single Family membership for $50 (a $20 discount). Family memberships extend to everyone living in the same household and include:
• Free admission to the museum for one year
• 20% off food at Splitsville
• Inclusion in the Time Travelers network (200+ museums)
• Discounts to FAM events and programs
• Free architectural walking tours (April – October)
• Invitations to exclusive member-only events
Memberships start when membership paperwork is received and processed.
Interested Realtors:
Please fill out the attached form and mail, along with a check (made out to FAM), back to:
PO Box 922
Fredericksburg VA 22404
You will then receive by mail the requested number of gift memberships, in gift envelopes, to be given to your clients.
Your client will then fill in their personal information and mail that form back to FAM in the provided envelope for membership processing.
Thank you so much for your support!
Top Ways REALTORS® are Using RPR
How are top REALTORS® using RPR? In every facet of real estate. Listing presentations, open houses, buyer tours, and neighborhood prospecting, among other key aspects of an agent’s daily life, all require a unique approach to data and reporting. And it’s all covered through RPR, an NAR benefit already included in your member due.

House Passes NFIP Extension, Senate needs to take action
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that includes a 4-month extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. The program will continue without any changes to how it operates and will be set to expire again on November 30. We will avoid any immediate disruptions to the real estate market due to a lapsed NFIP, but will face the same situation again.
We’re not out of the woods yet though, the Senate needs to pass their version before it can become law. So if you haven’t taken action yet, please do it today and join over 105,000 of your fellow Realtors in letting your voice be heard!
Sample Ballot and Candidate Petitions for 2019 Leadership
“Additional candidates for the offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by signed petition of at least twenty percent* of the REALTOR® members. The petition shall be filed with the Secretary (Chief Executive Officer) by August 20, 2018. The Secretary (Chief Executive Officer) shall send notice of such additional nominations to all REALTOR® members before the election.” (As of 6/17/18 there are 1639 REALTOR® members. 327 names are needed to complete the petition requirement and be sent to FAAR by August 20, 2018.)
Sample Ballot
Slate of Candidates- 2019 Leadership
Election September 12, 2018
FAAR offers electronic voting and the ballot will be sent in an email to each REALTOR® member on Monday, August 27. Those who want to vote with a paper ballot can do so by going to the Election table in the Lobby of the Expo at the September 12 Expo from 9 am to 1 pm.
Election results will be announced after 2 pm at the Expo on September 12.
Candidates for 2018 Election for the Year 2019
President Drew Fristoe, Coldwell Banker Elite, Massaponax
President-Elect Arlene Mason, Coldwell Banker Elite, Fredericksburg
Vice President Mark Geslock, Century 21 Redwood
Secretary Pam Kuper, Century 21 New Millennium
Treasurer Carrie Danko, 1st Choice Better Homes & Land, Fredericksburg (Second year of a two-year term)
Immediate Kevin McGrath- Long & Foster, Inc.
Past President
Directors- Four candidates for four positions. Select up to four.
__ Cindy LeBrun, Exit Realty Group
__ Carol Sondrini, Coldwell Banker Elite, Massaponax
__ Deb Ellis, Coldwell Banker Elite
__ Jessica Anthony, Exit Realty Expertise, King George
One candidate for 1 affiliate position. Select one.
__ Phillip Blake, MBH Settlement Group
Read the candidate’s bios in the latest FAARside
REALTOR® voting for 2019 Leadership now open
From August 27 through September 12th at 1 PM
In order to make it as easy and secure as possible for our members, we have created an on-line ballot for you through our voting service, ezVoteOnline. This voting system is secure, authenticating you as an eligible voter and verifying that only you can cast your vote.
1. To begin, click on the link below which takes you to the “Login with Email and NRDS number” screen. You will be asked to enter your email address and NRDS ID number that we have on file for you. Use the same email address to which this email was sent. Press the “Login” button and immediately begin voting.
2. Enter your choices of candidates/answers. NOTE: Once you hit submit, you will not be able to change your vote.
3. You will be able to review your ballot immediately for accuracy, and request an email receipt of your ballot answers.
4. At the end of your ballot, simply hit COMPLETE to submit your completed ballot.
Get started on your ballot
Get started on your ballot at
Prefer to vote on paper? Vote in person in the lobby at the 9/12 FAAR Expo. Voting at the expo closes at 1 PM.
Thank you for participating in Fredericksburg Area Associations of REALTORS election process.
Press Releases
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
