Get Involved
Events and opportunities you can get involved in2024 REALTORS® Consumer Advocacy Outreach Program Results
In 2024, FAAR received a $30,000 National Association of REALTORS® Consumer Advocacy Outreach Program grant to conduct a public awareness campaign on the importance of housing affordability.
The campaign included a landing page showcasing local market data and highlighting the need for a wide variety of housing price points. FAAR also recorded a testimonial video with a prospective buyer and a local housing advocate to provide a first-hand account of our challenging market.
Both the information page and the video were promoted through Facebook and YouTube ads shared through the FAAR social media channels.
Look below for images and results from the campaign.
Fair Housing Training Requirement: What You Need to Know
Starting in 2025, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) requires all REALTOR® members to complete two hours of fair housing training every three years as a condition of REALTOR® membership. This new requirement aligns with the existing Code of Ethics training cycle and applies to both new applicants and existing members.
How to Meet the Requirement
You can satisfy this requirement by completing one of the following courses:
- At Home With Diversity: Focuses on working successfully in diverse marketplaces.
- Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing: Helps identify and interrupt stereotypes to avoid fair housing violations.
- Fairhaven: NAR’s updated online fair housing simulation (qualifies as the free option).
- Qualified Equivalent Courses: Approved courses provided by state/local associations, NAR institutes, societies, councils, or state licensing authorities.
- Non-Residential Practitioner Course: A forthcoming training on bias and anti-discrimination.
This initiative is part of NAR’s Fair Housing Action Plan (ACT!), which emphasizes accountability, culture change, and training to protect housing rights across the country.
How It Reflects on Your FAAR Account
At faarmembers.com/myaccount, your dashboard profile now includes a field labeled “Fair Housing Cycle Complete”.
- If you have met the fair housing training requirement for the current three-year cycle, this field will display “Yes.”
- If the requirement is incomplete, it will display “No.”
This feature allows you to quickly verify your compliance status and ensures a seamless way to track your progress.
FAAR will offer Fair Housing and Ethics classes free every other month beginning February 2025 to help members meet this requirement. Stay proactive by completing your training early in the cycle to maintain your REALTOR® membership without interruptions.
For more information, visit NAR Fair Housing or contact FAAR.
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) Celebrates the Installation of its 2025 Board of Directors
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) celebrated the installation of its 2025 Board of Directors at Stevenson Ridge on December 5, 2024. Under the leadership of 2024 President Randy Walther, the Association served more than 1,700 REALTORS® throughout the region with exceptional educational offerings, robust networking opportunities, and steadfast advocacy to protect and promote the real estate industry.
Walther presented the President’s Award to Immediate Past President Carol Sondrini, recognizing her for her leadership and dedication throughout her presidency.
Looking ahead to 2025, incoming President Lauren Tate outlined her vision for the year, emphasizing the importance of fostering community and championing innovation in a time of industry change.
The installation ceremony was officiated by Sherry Bailey, who administered the oath of office. Tate was installed as President by Kevin McGrath and Chip Taylor.
The 2025 FAAR Leadership team is as follows:
Officers
- President: Lauren Tate, Long & Foster
- President-Elect: Matthew Rathbun, Coldwell Banker Elite
- Vice President: Gary Gardiner Jr., Coldwell Banker Elite
- Secretary/Treasurer: Tamar Myers-Moffatt, Samson Properties
- Immediate Past President: Randy Walther, River Fox Realty
Directors
- Jennifer Caison, Coldwell Banker Elite
- Heather Ferris, Coldwell Banker Elite
- Rachel Flynn, Nest Realty
- Meghan Kala, Pathway Realty
- Denise Smith, Century 21 Redwood
Affiliate Director
- Phillip Blake, MBH Settlement Group
FAAR is poised to continue its mission of supporting REALTORS®, protecting the real estate industry, and giving back to the community under this dedicated leadership team.
November real estate market picked up steam
As 2024 draws to a close, the Fredericksburg regional housing market saw big increases in median price and units sold, while active listings continue to slowly expand. Total sold dollar volume increased a whopping 46% in November, coming in at approximately $244 million compared to $167.4 million last year. Units sold were up over 25% year-over-year, with 359 homes transacted last November compared to 451 this year. Median price sold price increased nearly 6% last month, coming in at $465,000 compared to $439,900 in November of 2023.
Caroline County posted its second highest median price on record, approaching the $400,000 mark. In November of 2024, buyers saw the region’s most affordable housing market soar to $391,500 compared to $354,000 the year before.
“With the federal elections behind us, clients are starting to come back out and are getting ready to make moves starting as soon as the new year begins by starting their searches now,” comments FAAR Board of Directors member Denise Smith. “This month has already been a busy month, but we are in need of more homes in first-time homebuyer range. There just isn’t enough inventory in that category. There is pent-up demand from buyers out there and if we get any slight interest rate reduction, listings will move quickly again.”
Days on market, the time it takes from when a listing enters the market until it receives a ratified contract and is removed from active status on the multiple listing service, was up about 7% with homes averaging 31 days on the market this November compared to 29 days last year.
Inventory was up by nearly 16% in November of 2024, but the region is still seeing a seriously constrained supply and remains stubbornly under 1,000 homes on the market. November closed out the month with 943 homes for sale compared to 815 last year. New listings were up nearly 11% with 425 new homes coming on the market this November versus 384 last year. Despite the strong sales activity of closed sales in November, the month closed out nearly 9% down on new pending contracts, with 367 transactions pending compared to 402 last year.
###
City of Fredericksburg considers expanding housing affordability
The City of Fredericksburg is hosting a public hearing and potential final vote on the affordable housing project, Jeremiah Community, proposed by Micah Ecumenical Ministries. Micah Ministries is looking to build 100+ affordable units off Fall Hill Avenue and the project must request a rezoning to allow that kind of development. For more information on this project, visit https://www.jeremiahcommunity.org/.
While FAAR does not endorse individual projects, the Association has been strongly supportive of expanding housing afforability through greater supply and choice of a variety of homes in our region. 2024 FAAR President Randy Walther recently sent a letter to the City Council in support of greater access to afforable housing.
If this issue is important to you, consider sending a message to the City Council or attending the public hearing to let your voice be heard.
Fredericksburg City Council Public Hearing on Jeremiah Community
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
7:30pm
Council Chambers
715 Princess Anne Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Not able to attend the meeting? Submit your comments through the City’s Form Center or use the City Council email addresses pasted below. Bonus points for emails from City residents!
Submit your comments
| Mayor | Kerry | Devine | kpdevine@fredericksburgva.gov |
| Councilor | Will | Mackintosh | wbmackintosh@fredericksburgva.gov |
| Councilor | Jannan | Holmes | jwholmes@fredericksburgva.gov |
| Councilor | Jason | Graham | jngraham@fredericksburgva.gov |
| Councilor | Jon | Gerlach | jagerlach@fredericksburgva.gov |
| Councilor | Tim | Duffy | tpduffy@fredericksburgva.gov |
| Councilor | Charlie | Frye | clfrye@fredericksburgva.gov |
Volunteers needed for the Annual Candlelight Tours
Volunteer for the Candlelight Tours & receive discounted tickets!
Dec. 14th and 15th in downtown Fredericksburg
Break out your favorite holiday sweater & be a part of something big this holiday season!
The Candlelight Tours is a long-standing tradition (over 50 years!) of professionally decorated holiday home tours organized by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation. Inc. (HFFI). HFFI has teamed up with FAAR to find volunteers for 1204 Princess Anne Street and the 1203 Prince Edward Street stops.
As a volunteer, you will guide attendees through these magnificent homes, sharing their rich history and the talented decorators and florists behind the holiday designs (scripts provided). This is a wonderful chance to showcase your support for the community, engage with the public, and get into the festive spirit!
Tour Hours & Volunteer Shifts
Tour hours are Saturday and Sunday, December 14th and 15th, from 10 am to 5 PM. Volunteer shifts are 3.5 or 4 hours long and 60 shifts are available between the two houses throughout the weekend.
Additional Information
Learn more at http://hffi.org/holiday-candlelight-tour/.
Deck the Realtor Halls!
The 2024 holiday season has begun! As you begin to decorate your home or office, don’t miss the chance to show off pride in your profession with this 2024 Holiday Keepsake.
For a $30 contribution to RPAC, you will receive the 2024 Virginia REALTOR®-branded pewter holiday keepsake.
At just $30, this holiday keepsake is a great way to show your REALTOR® pride all season long. This annual keepsake also makes a great gift for colleagues, employees, and friends!
‘Tis the season to show pride in your REALTOR® brand, so don’t miss the chance to do so with a special REALTOR® gift. Get yours today!
Price, Inventory Up as Units Sold Remains Steady
The regional median home price was up year-over-year for the 18th month in a row this October, though at a lower percentage than many previous months. The median sold price settled at $455,000 in October of 2024 compared to $440,000 in October of 2023, representing a nearly 3% year-over-year increase. Units sold remained nearly static with a 1% year-over-year decrease from 410 homes sold in October of 2023 compared to 404 homes this year. Total sold dollar volume was up nearly 4%, posting approximately $202.6 million in sales for October of 2024 compared to $195.5 million in sales last year.
The City of Fredericksburg posted its highest median price on record, and also for the region, coming in at $615,000 for this October compared to $412,665 last year. That median price was derived from 17 homes sales in the month with the highest closed price at nearly $2 million.
Days on market, the time it takes from when a listing enters the market until it receives a ratified contract and is removed from active status on the multiple listing service, increased again last month by nearly 4%. Houses were on the market for an average of 27 days this October compared to 26 days last year.
Inventory ticked up across the board in October, approaching 1,000 active listings for the first time since 2022. October of 2024 finished out the month with 969 active listings compared to 900 last year, a nearly 8% increase. New listings were up nearly 11% from last year with 569 homes coming on the market in October of 2024 compared to 514 last year. New pending sales were up solidly this month, with 481 pending contracts compared to 424 last year, a nearly 14% gain.
FAAR Board of Directors member Dawn Curry comments, “For me and my clients, the market has been consistent with a typical seller’s market. Housing prices have remained strong with appraisals coming in at value. Days on market have been longer than we’ve been used to over the past year, but it seems we have fewer qualifying buyers. “
FAAR REALTORS® and Affiliates Collect Thousands of Cereal Boxes for Community Support
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) is pleased to announce the great success of this year’s cereal drive, showcasing the dedicated efforts of its REALTOR® and Affiliate members. Together, members and supporters rallied to collect 6,603 boxes of cereal, ensuring essential food resources reach families in need throughout the community.
FAAR extends sincere thanks to the following offices and individuals for their contributions to the drive:
| Burrell & Associates Realty | Long and Foster Fredericksburg |
| Coldwell Banker Elite | Long and Foster Lake Anna |
| Cropper Home Sales | MBH Settlement Group |
| CTI Real Estate | Nationwide Mortgage Bankers |
| eXp Realty, Gillies Team | Penfed Realty |
| eXp Realty | RE/MAX Supercenter King George |
| JJG Real Estate | The Title Professionals |
| Keller Williams Capital Properties | Topside Federal Credit Union |
“This year’s drive truly embodies the spirit of our members and their dedication to the communities we serve,” comments 2024 President Randy Walther. “With over 6,500 boxes of cereal collected, our REALTORS® and Affiliates have once again shown that giving back is at the heart of what we do.”
The collected cereal will go to numerous facilities to be distributed including the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank which serves pantries in Locust Grove, Stafford County, Caroline County, Spotsylvania, King George County, and the City of Fredericksburg through a network of 159 community partners operating more than 250 food assistance programs, King George County food pantries including Love Thy Neighbor, St. Anthony of Padua Mission Catholic Church , the King George Church of God, Montague, Little Ark, Round Hill and Oakland Baptist Churches, and the Caroline County Department of Social Services.
FAAR sends letter of concern on Stafford County impact fees
Stafford County is currently considering a change to its current Transportation Impact Fee of $2,999. FAAR is concerned that the exorbitant fee will further impact housing affordability in the County and place an undue burden on purchasers of new home construction.
The County’s Impact Fee Study includes a recommendation of a maximum transportation impact fee of $17,126.40 per residential dwelling unit in the area designated North and $13,516.64 in the area designated South. This fee will impact every new home built in the County and will be directly passed along to consumers in the form of higher housing costs. According to recently closed home sales, the median price of a newly built home in Stafford County is already more than $780,000 and these exorbitant fees will only push that price higher.
In addition, the cost estimates for potential future road improvements provided in the study often run into the tens or, even hundreds, of millions of dollars, begging the question of actual viability as a project. FAAR is concerned about the fairness of placing the burden of these huge projects so heavily on purchasers of new construction.
Considering the significant burden these fees will place on home purchasers, FAAR encourages the Board of Supervisors to reject the onerously high transportation impact fees that are being proposed. Click the link below to read the full letter to the Board of Supervisors.