Business Resources

Resources for your real estate business.

#MemberMonday | Meet REALTOR® Sue Pash

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
Sue Pash

Hometown
Buffalo

Current Location
Stafford

Title
REALTOR® with Century 21 Redwood Realty

Number of Years in the Industry
8

Why do you love working in real estate?
It’s so rewarding watching how happy my clients are when I hand them the keys to their dream home. They don’t even think about the money they just spent…only the journey that finally took them to settlement. It doesn’t get any better than that. Life is Good!

Favorite Work Story
While backing out of a driveway of a house I just previewed for a client, I inadvertently backed into a ditch. I was in a hurry and wasn’t paying attention. I was stuck! A young Marine driving down the street stopped to help me. He and his wife were driving around looking at houses and didn’t have a REALTOR. While waiting for the tow truck, I got to know them very well and they asked me if I could help them find a house. They closed on their first home six weeks later and since then have given me three referrals!

What are you most proud of in your career?
Real Estate has helped me to be ever mindful of needs of others. I love when I can make a difference in someone’s life. Real Estate has taught me to pay it forward. Giving back to those that are less fortunate brings a smile to my face. That is why I volunteer.

Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time? 
I serve as Governor on FAAR’s Foundation. I’m also the Chairman of Par for FAAR. This is our largest charity event and it’s important to me that it’s successful. The money we make from the tournament, we are able to give back to the community with Grants.

Fun Fact
If you dream it, you can live it!

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!

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.

IRS summary.

IRS rule.

NAR tax reform summary and resources.

The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) adds REALTOR® Discounts

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

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.

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

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

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.

  1. K1375 – Assistance Animal AddendumThis 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.

 

  1. K1376 – Assistance Animal Approval NoticeThis 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. K1378 – Request for Reasonable Accommodation/Rule or PolicyThis 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. K1273 – Notice Sale – This form was updated to distinguish it from the new Notice – Lease form, and to update changes in terminology since 2015.

 

  1. K1017 – Property Management AgreementThis 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.

 

  1. K1374 – Property Management Information FormThis form was updated to reflect changes in the law, Property Management Agreement, and property management practice.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. K1321 – Residential Sales Contract – This form was updated in four areas:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. Paragraph 20 – Adds a check box for situations where no Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection is required or requested by a lender or the parties.

 

  1. 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®

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.

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

  1. Log in to your personal Facebook account
  2. Go to “Create a Page.”
  3. Select your business category (local business)
  4. Upload your profile picture
  5. Fill in your company information (link to your website and other social sites here)
  6. Add in a cover photo (link to your website and other sites in the description here too)
  7. 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!

Press Releases

2018 Local Housing Market Posts Modest Gains

The 2018 real estate market posted gains in total sold dollar volume and median price, but saw a slight reduction in units sold.  The year closed out with a total sold dollar volume of $1.925 billion which represents a 3.7% increase over the year-end...

November Real Estate Market Sees Typical Seasonal Slowdown

The November real estate market experienced a typical seasonal slowdown with decreases in total sold dollar volume and units sold and an increase in median sales price.  Total sold dollar volume came in at $120.3 million, representing a nearly 3.8%...

Local Real Estate Market Rebounds Slightly in October

The October real estate market posted increases in total sold dollar volume and median price, while units sold came in at the same amount as 2017. Total sold dollar volume increased from $128.8 million in October of 2017 to $138 million in October of 2018,...

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...

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