Community Service
Our effort to improve local community living.#MemberMonday Meet REALTOR® Terin Merriman
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
Terin Merriman
Hometown
Alexandria, Virginia
Current Location
Stafford, Virginia
Title
Realtor® at Coldwell Banker Elite
Number of Years in the Industry
3 Years
Why do you love working in real estate?
My passion for real estate is more than a paycheck. It’s the thrill of negotiating a deal and guiding my clients through 1 of the biggest milestones & investments of their life. I love gaining all of the new knowledge and experience that each unique transaction provides. Real estate is ever-changing and never fails to captivate me.
What are you most proud of in your career?
A moment in my career that I am most proud of is surpassing my goal and selling over $1 million dollars worth of real estate in my first year of being licensed.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
I have a huge soft spot for animals. After adopting my own pup, Henry Theodore, from the Stafford Animal Shelter I really seen first hand what tough transitions homeless animals go through. I often donate to my local animal shelters and SPCAs across the U.S. helping not just domesticated animals but wildlife as well.
Fun Fact
Most of the employees at my local Target know me by name.
#MemberMonday Meet REALTOR® Janny Sims
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
Janny Sims
Hometown
Cleveland, Ohio
Current Location
Fredericksburg
Title
REALTOR® at Long and Foster
Number of Years in the Industry
3
Why do you love working in real estate?
It doesn’t feel like a job. I love it! When you get rid of any ego, it’s about the family/ people you are working with, whether buying or selling, and helping them get to their next destination. It’s a very gratifying feeling knowing that you have helped in this big decision, and they trust you to do it!
Favorite Work Story
My first listing.
It was a unique property, which is typically a little bit harder sell. The owner knew I was brand new, and had the confidence in me to list the property. After 9 months, they decided to go with another agent to list their home. I knew that I had given 110%, but understood their frustration. After another 9 months with the new agent, the home still did not sell. I called the owner and told her it killed me that I did not sell their home, and please give me another try. They did, and the house sold! That was a great feeling!
What are you most proud of in your career?
I realize that I love a challenge, but most appreciate that my clients trust me.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
Loisann’s Hope House, no family goes homeless! I have been involved with this organization for about 10 years and am on The Board of Director’s. It’s amazing to me how we don’t realize how homelessness is right in our backyard. I was actually selling a home two years ago, and they had a renter in an apartment on The property. One day I met the renter, who I was told lost everything, and the church was paying the rent money. I knew the man, and his two sons, they went to school with my son a few years back. I had no idea, no one did. That was a huge eye opener! There are many many people we can help.
Fun Fact
Years ago I was a hairdresser, and I assisted the artist who did all the hair on the mannequins at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That was amazing!
Do you have a favorite local housing charity?
Do you have a local housing charity that you work with and would like to see considered for funding from the Fredericksburg Realtors® Foundation? Then we want to hear from you! We work with lots of local non-profits, but we know there are even more and we love the opportunity to get to know new folks doing great things in our region. Submit the charity’s information below and we will reach out to see if the organization would be a good fit for our funds.
#MemberMonday Meet REALTOR® Melissa Longton
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
Melissa Longton
Hometown
Saratoga NY
Current Location
Stafford Va
Title
Real estate agent on the Give Back Team of Coldwell Banker Elite
Number of Years in the Industry
2
Why do you love working in real estate?
I love the challenge of completing a deal to the very best of my ability. When I have exceeded my clients expectations and get a great review it makes it all worth it. I have met some amazing people.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I am most proud of the goals I have set for myself as a new agent. I love challenging myself and learning new things everyday.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
I’m on the Give Back Team of Coldwell Banker Elite in Stafford. We do lots of community support for local charities. In addition to volunteering our time we donate a portion of all commissions to a charity of our clients choice.
Fun Fact
Never ever underestimate the importance of having fun. #GBTFAVORITEAGENT
Fredericksburg Realtors Foundation Awards 2 Grants
The Foundation was very thankful last week to be able to deliver not one but TWO checks for local charities that assist our citizens with housing needs. The Foundation granted $2,500 to Rappahannock United Way to continue assisting with their eviction diversion program. The program assists those in danger of eviction with catching up on back-rent and paying off any fees so that they can stay in stable shelter.
SAWs of Virginia, which stands for Servants at Work, Inc, is a newcomer to this area and is already doing amazing work. They build inexpensive, durable wheelchair ramps to help free those housebound with disabilities or mobility issues. The Foundation awarded the group $1,500 to continue building more ramps throughout our region.
FAAR Cereal Drive Success
Each year, the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors® (FAAR) collects cereal to donate to area food banks. This year, FAAR members collected over 17,000 boxes of cereal. FAAR would like to recognize the members and volunteers who worked so hard to collect so much cereal for those in need.
Affiliate collecting the most boxes: Sandra and Phillip Blake with MBH Settlement with 156 boxes
Grand Prize: 1st Choice Better Homes and Land with 5,214 boxes
Most Improved: Long and Foster, Fredericksburg with 3,861 boxes
Participants: 1st Choice Better Homes and Land, Century 21 New Millennium, Long and Foster Fredericksburg, Coldwell Banker Elite Stafford, United Real Estate Premier, Century 21 Redwood-Locust Grove, Lake Anna Realty, Coldwell Banker Elite Massaponax, Nest Realty, Coldwell Banker Elite Spotsylvania, MBH Settlement, The Gillies Team with RE/MAX Real Estate Connections, Century 21 Redwood Fredericksburg, Keller Williams Fredericksburg, Coldwell Banker Elite Fredericksburg, Spring Arbor, RE/MAX Legacy, FAAR, The Title Professionals, Century 21 Redwood Stafford, Virginia CU Realty, Exit Elite Realty, Exit Realty Group, Weichert Realtors, Atlantic Coast Mortgage, RE/MAX Supercenter, Coldwell Banker Elite King George, Keller Williams Capital Properites, CTI Real Estate, and Holt for Homes.
FAAR would like thank everyone who participated and all of those who donated cereal. According to estimates from the Food Bank, we have stocked their shelves and those of other food pantries for nearly three weeks.
#MemberMonday Meet REALTOR® Carmella Tritt
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
Carmella Tritt
Hometown
Northern Virginia
Current Location
Fredericksburg
Title
REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeService Select Realty
Number of Years in the Industry
13.5
Why do you love working in real estate?
Nothing is more gratifying than assisting clients whether its the first time buyer or repeat clients with the biggest purchase in their lives. Being able to be there as their agent, shoulder to vent too, share happy joys and family life. Something about serving that is truly gratifying. I have been in sales my whole life and this by far is the most rewarding. Being brought up here in Virginia also helps us navigate our clients on the best location for their needs…
Favorite Work Story
Well we have a lot at this point. I think I would need more time . I would have to get our clients to give us permission on some of the really funny ones. LOL
When I met my husband and now we work together. I get to work with my best friend : )
What are you most proud of in your career?
I’m most proud that all of our clients are now friends. And the one thing we constantly talk about is that there is not enough time to get with every one. When you get asked to their family events, out to dinner or their house. When they refer one of their friends or family members. That to me says a lot about the type of person you are and how they see you. The fact that we work with so many military families is truly a blessing.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
We love working with young adults. Volunteering at church. We also feel a strong pull to help military families get situated when located here. Help them get started and set up. We are like their extra family.
Fun Fact
I love to cook! From scratch and if it is a challenge even better!!! Hang out with my husband and enjoy our kids! And of course our grandsons are our biggest reward : )
#MemberMonday Meet REALTOR® Tracey Farmer
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
Tracey Farmer
Hometown
Fredericksburg
Current Location
Fredericksburg
Title
REALTOR® at Century 21 Redwood
Number of Years in the Industry
16
Why do you love working in real estate?
Real estate has been quite rewarding to me personally and professionally. I love the opportunity to assist folks with one of their biggest investments but more importantly I relish the opportunity of making these relationships with folks that last and build upon for a lifetime. In addition, I have grown to love the relationships made with my colleagues industry wide.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I treasure that this one of few career’s that you somewhat control your destiny. Most of the time, the harder you work/more time put into work – the more rewarding this business can be. Again, the most rewarding to me is the relationships made along the way. Also, as an agent, you are warranted the opportunity to be aware and participate in so many ways to give back to our community (i.e. timewise as well as financially).
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
My company offers many ways to contribute to our community via “Redwood Gives Back”. I also participate with the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Dept with the “Operation Blue Christmas” to assist with many children’s Christmas as well as the Senior Lunches for the Spotsylvania County and the Thurman Brisben Center.
Fun Fact
I love helping people!
Want to serve on the Fredericksburg Realtors Foundation?
Do you have a passion for real estate AND for giving back to the Community? Then apply to be a Fredericksburg Realtors Foundation Governor! We will have vacancies at the end of this year and are looking to seat several new members in January of 2020. Governor terms run for three years and the only requirement for membership is a desire to help those in need in our community find stable housing.
The Foundation’s mission is to steward and inspire philanthropy in connection with the real estate industry to fund local charities assisting those in need to retain and secure shelter. In practice that means that we raise money from within our membership and from the general public that we then grant out to local housing non-profits. We have worked with numerous charities in the region including Habitat for Humanity, Hope House, the 516 Project, Rebuilding Together, Mental Health America, and many more.
We need your enthusiasm and energy so apply today! All FAAR members are welcome, both Realtors and affiliates.
Collect Cereal for Local Food Banks this October
Go coo-coo for cereal collection!
2018 was another great year for the annual REALTOR® cereal drive. Help us reach the 2019 goal of 16,000 boxes, all of which go to the local area food banks.
Use the cereal drive as a touch point.
The cereal drive is a fantastic way to reconnect with your sphere— Look for REALTOR®-branded marketing pieces (post-card and flyer) to enhance efforts of collecting cereal from clients and friends.
Tell us if you’re participating.
Let us know if your office plans to participate by filling out the form below or emailing Barbara Castillo with your office and contact information by September 25th.
Final cereal counts will be announced at 10/24 mixer.
Collected cereal can be dropped off at the October 24th Halloween Mixer at Wilderness Run Winery from 5-7 PM or for large pick-ups, the Fredericksburg food van can be scheduled to pick up from your location. Please email Barbara bcastillo@faarmembers.com with your final box tally sometime before the 10/24 Halloween Mixer where we will announce the winners. Scroll down to see who participated in last year’s cereal drive!
Marketing Flyer
Spread the word with this letter-sized flyer. It’s…..GRRRRReat!
Square Graphic
This square image is oh so share-able! Use it on social or in your emails!
Key items to remember:
October 1-24- Collect cereal! Let Barbara Castillo (bcastillo@faarmembers.com) know if you need postcards.
October 21- If you have more that 250 boxes, just let Barbara know and she will arrange pick up.
October 23- if you had your cereal picked up — PLEASE CONTACT BARBARA WITH BOX COUNT
October 24- Drop off cereal (less than 250 boxes) to the FAAR Halloween Mixer at Wilderness Run Winery. Cereal can be dropped between 4-7 PM
October 24th, 7:15 PM Winners and totals announced!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, and please post lots of fun pics and video on your cereal gathering and displays of cereal on social media to get all FAAR members excited about this very worthwhile cause!
Who participated in 2018?
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
All 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