Business Resources
Resources for your real estate business.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.

Virginia REALTORS® Updates Standard Forms
On July 1, 2018, Virginia REALTORS® released five new standard forms and eleven revised standard forms. General changes to all forms include updating references to VAR and Virginia Association of REALTORS® to Virginia REALTORS® and language was added to the electronic signatures paragraph, where present, to include use of electronic signatures of any addenda or amendments for the agreement. Questions about the forms should be directed to the Virginia REALTORS® Legal Hotline.
Read more here
Virginia REALTORS® provides a full library of free forms, which are reviewed and updated regularly, for all members. The standard forms library is organized alphabetically by form name, with the form numbers following the title. Forms may also be filtered by the type of form using the “Filter by Category” drop down menu, or a search by key words.
A Standard Clause Booklet is provided to aid members with crafting lesser-used contract clauses in areas including disclosure, contingencies, escalation, inspections, and more.
Direct any questions regarding forms, or suggestions for new or revised forms, to forms@virginiarealtors.org.

New and Revised NVAR Forms for July 1, 2018
NVAR Standard Forms Changes: Effective July 1, 2018
By Matthew L. Troiani, Esq.
The NVAR Board of Directors has approved the following new forms and forms changes, as proposed by NVAR’s Standard Forms Committee. Click on the title to download the form or download all the forms here.
- K1375 – Assistance Animal Addendum – This is a new form which was created to provide a lease addendum where the landlord has approved a request for an assistance animal in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act, and is not the same as the Pet Addendum. The addendum permits a tenant to have an assistance animal in the dwelling, subject to certain tenant responsibilities for the animal.
- K1376 – Assistance Animal Approval Notice – This is a new form which was created to provide a formal notice by which a landlord can approve a tenant’s request for a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal.
- K1377 – Assistance Animal Denial Notice – This is a new form which was created to provide a formal notice by which a landlord can deny a tenant’s request for a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal.
- K1378 – Request for Reasonable Accommodation/Rule or Policy – This new form was created to provide a formal request by a tenant or applicant for a reasonable accommodation to a rule or policy. This form will allow the landlord to review and either approve or deny the request. This form will work in conjunction with K1376 and K1377.
- K1379 – Reasonable Modification Addendum/Physical Structures – This new form was created to provide a formal request for a tenant or applicant to make a modification to the physical structure of a dwelling in order to reasonably accommodate a disability. The form is to be provided by the landlord upon request, and incorporated into the lease as an addendum if the modification is approved.
- K1380 – Verification of Disability – This new form was created for a tenant or applicant to complete with the assistance of a verifier who has a therapeutic relationship with the tenant/applicant in situations where a disability is not readily apparent. Once completed, the form will be submitted along with the Request for Reasonable Accommodation/Rule or Policy.
- K1382 – Notice – Lease – This new form was created to provide a blank form in which parties can provide notice under the VRLTA and Common Law Leases.
- K1273 – Notice Sale – This form was updated to distinguish it from the new Notice – Lease form, and to update changes in terminology since 2015.
- K1017 – Property Management Agreement – This form was significantly updated to reflect changes in the law, required disclosures, and property management practice since 2001. The form was also reorganized for convenience of use.
- K1374 – Property Management Information Form – This form was updated to reflect changes in the law, Property Management Agreement, and property management practice.
- K1333 – Lease Common Law – This form was updated to create a new separate Paragraph 11 addressing smoking on the Premises, including electronic cigarettes. Paragraph 31 (formerly Paragraph 30) was updated to provide notice to the parties, not just to the tenant, that separate commission may be owed if the tenant purchases the property. The Assistance Animal Addendum was added as an option in Paragraph 38. Paragraph 43 was added to provide the statutorily-required notice that one or more parties may be real estate licensees. Brokerage Information was added to the end in the same manner as the Residential Sales Contract.
- K1354 – Lease VRLTA – This form was updated as follows:
a) To create a new separate Paragraph 11 addressing smoking on the Premises, including electronic cigarettes.
b) Paragraph 31 (formerly Paragraph 30) was updated to provide notice to the parties, and not just to the tenant, that separate commission may be owed if the tenant decides to purchase the property.
c) The Assistance Animal Addendum was added as an option in Paragraph 40.
d) A new Paragraph 45 was added to provide the statutorily-required notice that one or more parties may be real estate licensees.
e) Brokerage Information was added to the end in the same manner as the Residential Sales Contract.
- K1321 – Residential Sales Contract – This form was updated in four areas:
- Paragraph 4 – The clause requiring that the Settlement occur on the prior business day in the event the Settlement Date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday was moved from Paragraph 33(E) to Paragraph 4.
- Paragraph 13 – Clarifies that while wall mounted electronic components/devices do not convey with the property, related mounts, brackets and hardware do convey with the property unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. This is intended to clarify conveyance and to address disputes between parties regarding the removal of the mounts and the adequacy of repairs of the holes left behind when mounts are removed.
- Paragraph 20 – Adds a check box for situations where no Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection is required or requested by a lender or the parties.
- K1282 – Exclusive Right to Represent Tenant – These changes were administrative in nature to correct a typographical error in Paragraph 15.
Click here to download all of the forms

Creating an Online Presence: A Guide for New REALTORS®
Build your digital presence fast and cost effectively
WEBSITE
Claim your free REALTOR Branding Kit at get.realtor/partners/faar. The branding kit ($69.95 total retail value) includes
- FREE .realtor™ domain using your name for the first year ($39.95 value)
- FREE matching email address for the first year ($30 value).
- FREE Professional Website, a customizable professional single page web site.
- Example website: https://www.dealcloserdoug.realtor.
Whether you use the professional website offered here, connect your domain to your realtor.com profile page, or point it to an existing site …The branding kit includes simplified step by step directions and videos to show you how to take your branding to the next level.
Services like Placester ($59.99/month) or WordPress ($25/month) may also be efficient and budget-friendly website management solutions for your website.
Pay MRIS / Bright MLS for your data feed “idx” ($10/month or if multiple sites, $12.50/month). Embed feed in website.
EMAIL MARKETING
Capture emails of potential clients with Mailchimp, a free (up to so many contacts) mass email service that manages collecting emails, allowing you to build and send emails and email templates, and aiding in keeping your emails CAN-SPAM compliant. Emails to over 500 recipients must contain your business address, an unsubscribe link, and you must honor a contact’s unsubscribe within 10 days. Mailchimp will generate the email capture tool you can embed in your website, the best location to drive your contacts and collect leads.
BUSINESS FACEBOOK PAGE
- Log in to your personal Facebook account
- Go to “Create a Page.”
- Select your business category (local business)
- Upload your profile picture
- Fill in your company information (link to your website and other social sites here)
- Add in a cover photo (link to your website and other sites in the description here too)
- Start sharing engaging updates that drive your audience to your email capture and idx feed
OTHER ONLINE PROFILES
The online portal Realtor.com operates in tandem with NAR through an operating agreement. Claim your Realtor.com profile and fill in your bio and picture. Why? Customers are spending more time on REALTOR.com per session than any other sites excluding amazon, youtube, facebook. They search for realtors by zip code, then highest recommendation or highest rating (so start getting those recommendations and ratings!).
Establish a presence on Zillow and Trulia so you know what consumers are seeing on these sites
Establish a presence on Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, or wherever your target audience is present (Manage up to 3 accounts with a tool like Hootsuite.com or set up the tool “If This Then That (ifttt)” to autopublish from one channel to another)
EXPENSE AND MILEAGE TRACKING
Track your mileage and/or expenses easily with apps like Expensify, MileIQ, Everlance, Hurdlr (premium versions cost $60 annually)
REALTOR® EXCLUSIVE TOOLS
Need to run Comps? REALTORS Property Resource (RPR) and RPR mobile are two exclusive REALTOR® tools offered by NAR.
Spread the word—Photofy is a social media sharing application that makes it easy to share NAR’s “That’s Who We R” campaign graphics customized with your contact information.
The Virginia REALTORS® Tech Helpline offers support for hardware, software, networking and digital devices. Members can contact friendly and knowledgeable analysts via phone at 1-800-276-4216, e-mail, or online chat for help with any device. The Tech Hotline will troubleshoot problems and offer solutions, often by ‘remoting in’ to your computer while you relax. The customer care team can advise you on hardware and software purchasing, and most importantly, they are especially attuned to your needs as a REALTOR®.
The Virginia REALTORS® Legal Hotline is a member benefit and the fastest way to get vital answers on questions about Virginia real estate law as well as timely information on legal and regulatory issues concerning the real estate industry.
The FAAR Technology Committee facilitates a Tech Time workshop every other 2nd Tuesday of the month from 10 am-noon. Bring your projects, tech issues, or plan to shoot a video in the Studio—-We’re here to help!
Getting the most out of REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR) and zipForm Webinars


Streamline Your Business
RPR and zipForm have come together to help you get the most of out of these two powerful REALTOR business tools. RPR is NAR’s wholly owned subsidiary and is a national property database, offering a large range of data, tools and reports to better serve your clients and customers. zipForm® is the Exclusive and Official forms software of the National Association of REALTORS®.
We’ll show you how to seamlessly move between RPR and zipForm to improve your business efficiencies.

The Code of Ethics – Stopping Robber Barons since 1913
by Pat Breme, RCE, CIPS
CEO
A Gift of Vision, that sounds pretty lofty coming from NAR in 1978 but Bill North the Executive Vice President at the time, thought members needed to be reminded of the Code’s significance. The Code was adopted in 1913 and made a condition of membership in 1924. In his article, North describes the Code as a Gift of Vision, a living document. It is the vision of those members in the early 1900’s who dreamed that the business of real estate could become a profession… that the highest and best use of the land required the highest and best measures of professional responsibility. Those members also believed that private property ownership of the land was indispensable to political democracy and a free and prosperous citizenry.
It was not the threat of government sanctions that moved REALTORS® of the time to make a commitment to business integrity and fair dealing. The Code of Ethics was created as a rejection of the fraudulent real estate practices exemplified by the Robber Barons whose motto was Let the Public be Damned. At the time only law, medicine and engineering had ethical standards. Over the years, the Code proved to be a guide in NAR’s growth and development, an impetus for education of its members. It also bound local, state and the national association together in an interdependent relationship.
The Code has evolved and will continue to evolve, reflecting the changes in the business. Its principles will be strengthen, not deluded, to ensure REALTORS® are held to a higher standard. The Code must remain constant, enforceable without being oppressive, meaningful without being dogmatic. The Code is a living document because each Article has a single premise, service to the public. It is the means to that end.
As a condition of membership, REALTORS® agree to uphold the Code but it is not the law and does not supersede licensing regulations. The Code’s relationship to the law is a follows-1. It defines those duties and obligations required in the public interest which are beyond the capacity or power of the law to mandate. 2. The Code supports the law by requiring a higher sensitivity of the duties and obligations which it imposes. The Code is independent of the law but it cannot survive if misused or misapplied. A diligent and fair search for the truth is mandatory and there are procedures in place to ensure that due process is applied to all parties.
To REALTORS®, the Code of Ethics offers the lessons of hindsight, the guidance of foresight and the understanding of insight- a RARE Gift of Vision.
Read the entire article penned by Bill North here.

Test your Knowledge of the Code with this quiz by REALTOR® Magazine
The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice establishes rules for the highest ethical conduct and professionalism. It’s what distinguishes you as REALTORS® from other real estate licensees. Take this quiz to see how well you know your Code. Send FAAR (lzuza@faarmembers.com) a screenshot, picture, or pdf of your 13/13 completed quiz and be entered in a drawing for a $50 visa gift card!

The Technology Committee has got your back!
But I’m not Tech Savvy.
For some of us, technology is scary and intimidating. For some of us, the thought of being on a “Technology Committee” is even scarier.
But here’s where the FAAR Technology Committee can help you.
The Technology committee holds an informal monthly meeting (9 AM) and open workshop (10 am-Noon) every 2nd Tuesday of the month. Just one morning, that’s it.
When you talk about the consumer trends and real estate technology out there and get more comfortable using the latest digital resources, everyone wins! You have more confidence, you use tech more safely, and you can perform tasks in ways you never could before!
Build your Instagram, discover the latest in real estate tools, shoot a video in the studio—the technology committee is here to help overcome your tech intimidation and empower you to harness technology in your business.
Read how Tech Time helped local broker, Kat here!

Pricing Strategies Advisor Certification Class offered August 20, 2018
About the Pricing Strategies Advisor Course
This PSA course is specifically designed to help residential real estate agents and brokers enhance their skills in pricing properties, creating comparative market analyses (CMAs), and guiding clients through the complexities of valuation.
The course begins by putting the CMA in context on the spectrum of valuation services—which also includes appraisals, automated valuation models (AVMs), and broker price opinions (BPOs). In addressing the core CMA activity of determining selling and offer prices, the course offers substantial guidance on comparables and adjustments, including using RPR® tools for these purposes.
Pricing Strategies: Mastering the CMA pays special attention to Article 11 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, which defines the roles and responsibilities that REALTORS® must honor and uphold as they prepare their opinions on property value and price. In addition, the course provides step-by-step guidance on how to prepare and deliver a comprehensive CMA Report, work with appraisers and appraisal reports, and how to keep one’s pricing skills up-to-date and honed.
This course is the main requirement for the Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification and is an approved elective for the Accredited Buyer’s Representative® (ABR®) designation and the Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation.
Register for this class today to start pricing homes more confidently!
More about Instructor Rebecca Straley
Rebecca Straley is a real estate entrepreneur with decades of experience as a REALTOR®, broker, appraiser, and auctioneer! Always seeking to ring the bell to bring our clients to the market and increase the productivity and professionalism of the REALTOR®, Rebecca is a top producing agent, Good Neighbor of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Ethics Award Winner. As Broker of multiple high growth companies, Rebecca has managed nearly 400 agents in multiple market centers of VA & DC while continuing to study and grow; successfully authoring CE classes – instructing NAR Certifications and Designations, and customizing keynote and workshops for the brokerage, the association, and the Region! As a Leader in the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, Rebecca’s first wish is always to lead by building relationships.

I Have No Time…
By Pat Breme, RCE, CIPS
Chief Executive Officer
In my 25 plus years with FAAR I have heard that comment often from members who say no when asked to consider a leadership role at FAAR. The comment has merit… who has TIME for anything extra in their lives? Absolutely no one, yet some do make the time to get involved in the community of real estate.
The ask is for a commitment of time, energy and ideas but the upside is get a front row seat to the industry, the trends, the FUTURE! This view can and should guide you in making decisions about your business… where are you and where do you want to be in terms of productively, opportunities, and longevity. It is not just FAAR that benefits through your participation, you benefit!
Current Board members and past presidents provided answers to, two simple questions.
- Why I decided to do it?
- What are the expected or unexpected, positive consequences of serving?
Here are a few replies- For the complete list check out the May FAARSide Newsletter.
- I decided to do it because I like the opportunity to both learn from accomplished peers in our industry in hopes of following in their footsteps and to enjoy the privilege of having a seat at the table with a goal of always improving the associations’ service to members like me. If I’m a due paying member, shouldn’t I be involved and utilizing everything that’s offered? BOD is just an extension of that thinking.
- It’s pretty interesting stuff and it opens a huge network of encouraging, successful, enlightening people (staff, agents, affiliates) that help me strengthen my business, while focusing on the big picture for agents as a whole. I really like being able to tackle our collective goals as an industry with many voices being heard. Learning with and from one another only makes me a better agent, thus making my clients happier and more successful.
Clay Murray, Coldwell Banker Elite, current Board Member, 2017 REALTORS® Choice and Melanie Thompson award recipient
- Honestly – did it because I was “Asked”.
- Three unexpected consequences:
- It has fundamentally and positively impacted my career growth. I now value my and understand what it truly means to be a REALTOR®.
- My sphere of professional, engaged and very close friends has grown infinitely larger. Cherish these relationships.
- It’s made me a better me. Both professionally and personally. What time I’ve given to FAAR could never come close to matching how much I’ve gained in return.
Chip Taylor, Long & Foster, Inc., current Director and 2012 President
- I decided to do it because I was asked. It was an honor to be considered for the position.
- I can now say I have served my profession. To newer agents, it shows respect from the REALTOR® community. I get to serve with great leaders and learn from them.
Mark Geslock, Century 21 Redwood, current Secretary
2017 President Linda Fosdick heads up the Nominating Committee this year. Contact her (linda@discoverlakeanne.com) or me (pbreme@faarmembers.com) if you have any questions.
The application forms needed to be completed are The Candidate Profile and the Code of Conduct.
Press Releases
January Real Estate Market Kicks 2018 Off with a Bang
January kicked off a good start to the year in the local real estate market posting significant gains in total sold dollar volume, median sold price, and units sold. Days on market, which has been continually declining compared to the prior year, decreased...
Fredericksburg REALTORS® Foundation Awards $1,200 Grant
The Fredericksburg REALTORS® Foundation provided a $1,200 emergency housing assistance grant to Mental Health America of Fredericksburg (MHA). The grant was used to repair the home of a client of the organization participating in their Senior Visitors Program. The...
December Closes Out a Strong 2017 for Local Real Estate Market
The 2017 real estate market posted a significant increase in total sold dollar volume and modest increases in both median sold price and units sold. The year closed out with a total sold dollar volume of $1,856,321,321 which represents an 11.5% increase over the...
November Posts Modest Gains in Local Real Estate Market
November posted modest gains for the local real estate market with slight increases in total sold dollar volume and median price and decreases in units sold and days on market. Total sold dollar volume increased nearly 3%, coming at $125,014,068. This increase was...