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Do you want to win tickets to A Downtown Affair To Go?
FAAR members, do you want to be a part of this year’s A Downtown Affair To Go? FAAR is giving away 2 sets of tickets complete with 5-course meal, delivery, AND an extra bottle of prosecco! Enjoy your meal complete with wine, dessert, and flowers from the comfort and safety of your own home.
Take a quick RPAC quiz, invest your $50 in RPAC, and your are entered to win! Winner announced on September 18.
A Downtown Affair To Go
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Dinner Delivered by 5:00pm
#Member Monday | Meet REALTOR® Monica O’Donnell
Name
Monica O’Donnell
Hometown
Maracaibo, Venezuela
Current Location
Fredericksburg, VA
Title
REALTOR®, Long and Foster
Number of Years in the Industry
1st time in 2005. Now Active for 2 months
Why do you love working in real estate?
I have been an entrepreneur for 18 years and own a local business in the City of Fredericksburg for the last 13 years.
I love to interact with people, and Real Estate allows me to do that.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Came as immigrant 21 years ago, without speaking word of english, at age 30, and to be able to be financially independent and become an entrepreneur in just 3 years after arriving, I have definitely reached the American Dream.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
I’m active member of Saint Mary’s Catholic church, I serve as lector jointly with my son who is an Altar Server, and assistant in RICA for adults in spanish, also I’m the president of a nonprofit organization SINOVA, being the main purpose to Network the spanish community in their different needs as legal, education and health.
Fun Fact
I still have a strong accent when I speak, and I love when some people are not paying attention when I speak and say to me “I don’t speak Spanish” and I replied “I’m speaking English” is funny to see their faces. LOL
Elections are coming, are you ready?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, how are you going to cast your vote?? Get all the info on 2020 voting options!
This year’s election is no doubt a big one and many people are concerned about how to cast their vote. Will you vote in-person at your polling place or join the ranks of people expected to vote absentee by mail due to the pandemic? Check out some options below for voting and choose what is right for you. The ballot will include President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and Virginia Constitutional Amendments.
Voters are able to request an absentee ballot now. Absentee Ballots for the November 3, 2020 Election will begin to be mailed out the week of September 16, 2020 and continuously through the application deadline of October 23, 2020. Absentee ballot applications are processed daily.
Friday, September 18 Early Voting begins
Tuesday, October 13 Last day to register/update registration to vote in the November 3 election
Friday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m. Application deadline to request Vote by Mail ballot be mailed to you
Saturday, October 24 8:30am-4:30pm Early voting in the Registrar’s office
Monday-Saturday, October 26-October 31 8:30-am-4:30pm Early voting in the Registrar’s office
Tuesday, November 3 Election Day Polls will be open from 6:00am-7:00pm
For more information, to check your registration status, or to request an absentee ballot, visit the Virginia Department of Elections.
Sentriconnect or One Day Code – What’s the Difference?
SentriConnect™
- Allows Listing Agent, Listing Office, or One with Lockbox Owner Privileges to grant access to a lockbox that has been assigned to a property during a specific time frame.
- This can be used for providing non-SentriLock REALTOR users (i.e. REALTORS who don’t have SentriSmart access through their current MLS) with access to your listings.
- The time frame is setup by the Listing Agent/Listing Office/Lockbox Owner and can be for as little as 30 minutes or up to several days.
- Access can also be granted to Non-SentriLock/non-REALTOR users (i.e. Home Inspectors, Cleaning Services, etc…) as approved by the seller.
- This type of access requires the one granting the access (the Lockbox Owner) to enter the recipient’s email address into the program. This is then recorded and used in access reports.
- To use the SentriConnect app, the end user must download the app, create an account, and be granted access to the specific property by the Listing Agent or Listing Office.
- Showing Notifications are generated for SentriConnect access.
- SentriConnect access can be revoked at any time by the Listing Agent, Listing Office, or Lockbox Owner.
One Day Code
- Allows the Listing Agent, Listing Office, or One with Lockbox Owner Privileges to grant access to a lockbox that has been assigned to a property on a specific day.
- No time frame for that day is associated with the One Day Code.
- One Day Codes can be used to provide non-SentriLock REALTOR users (i.e. REALTORS who don’t have SentriSmart access through their current MLS) with access to your listings.
- The One Day Code expires 60 minutes after it is used.
- One Day Codes cannot be revoked.
- This type of access only requires the one granting the access (the Lockbox Owner) to enterminimal information into the app, which is then recorded and shows in the access reports.
How-To Use SentriConnect®
1) Launch the App Store
2) Search for SentriConnect®
3) Install the App
4) Launch the SentriConnect® App
5) Tap the “Create Account” Icon
6) Enter the required information and tap “Send Activation” button
7) Make sure to provide your Email & Phone Number to the listing agent so that they may grant you access.
8) After creating an account with the SentriConnect® application, open the Registration link sent to in your inbox.
9) Please check your SMS messages for an activation link to complete your registration and setup.
10) Open and log into the SentriConnect® application
11) Press the ENT button on the lockbox keypad that you want to open.
12) Enter your PIN into the application and tap the Open Lockbox button.
13) The lockbox will open and you will receive a message confirming your access.
How to Use SentriSmart® to Grant SentriConnect® Access
1) Launch SentriSmart®
2) Select the “Lockbox Tools” tab, then choose the lockbox you’d like to access.
3) Select “Grant SentriConnect”
4) Enter SentriConnect® User’s email address and identify the Start and End time.
5) After the information is entered, Select “Grant Access” and enter your PIN
6) You will receive a success message confirming that access was granted.
7) You may go to the “message” tab to review or revoke lockbox accesses
August Newsletter Now Available: Walk a Mile in My Shoes, Sample Ballot, Candidate Bios, and more!
Your copy of the FAAR 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 2021 Leadership, and more!
This edition includes
- Sample Leadership Ballot
- Walk a Mile in My Shoes by Sha Williams-Hinnant, Chair of the Diversity Committee
- Fair Housing Resources
- Are you ready for some Golf? A message from Anne Overington, Foundation President
- Affiliate Marketing Partners
and more!
Right click here or the image and click “Save as” to download
Let’s Crush Hunger with the 2020 REALTOR Cereal Drive
Go coo-coo for cereal collection!
2019 was a FANTASTIC year for the annual REALTOR® cereal drive. Help us reach the 2020 goal of 18,000 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 Mackenzie Rathbun with your office and contact information by September 26th.
Cereal Drop Off & Cash Donations
Collected cereal can be dropped off at FAAR between 9AM and 5PM on 10/29 and 10/30 or for large pick-ups, the Fredericksburg food van can be scheduled to pick up from your location. Please email MacKenzie at mrathbun@faarmembers.com with your final box tally by October 30th. If you, or someone donating on your office’s behalf, selects to donate money directly to the food bank we would just need a receipt to have it counted as part of your final total. Each dollar donated to local food banks is equal to two boxes of cereal!
Cereal Drive Results
Results of the cereal collection will be announced November 2nd. Scroll down to see who participated in last year’s cereal drive!
2020 Realtor Cereal Drive
Sign up here to be included in communications regarding the annual cereal drive that lasts throughout the month of October!
Key items to remember:
October 1-29—Collect cereal! Let MacKenzie Rathbun (mrathbun@faarmembers.com) know if you need postcards.
October 29—If you have more than 250 boxes, just let MacKenzie know and she will arrange pick up. if you had your cereal picked up — PLEASE CONTACT MACKENZIE WITH BOX COUNT
October 29 & 30— Drop off cereal (less than 250 boxes) to FAAR. Cereal can be dropped between 9 AM and 5 PM
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 2019?
Affiliate collecting the most Boxes
Sandra and Phillip Blake with MBH Settlement with 156 boxes
Most Improved
Long and Foster – from 2,308 boxes in 2018 to 3,861 boxes
Grand Prize
1st Choice Better Homes and Land – 5,214 boxes
All 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
Holt for Homes
Thank you all!
Stafford County Downzoning: What YOU need to know
What’s happening?
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is anticipated to consider downzoning properties in the A-1 zoning category. Under current regulations, landowners are permitted to subdivide their acreage into minimum lot sizes of 1 home per 3 acres. The Board is looking to significantly increase that minimum lot size with the potential to change it to as much as 1 home per 10 acres.
For example, if you own 25 acres in the A-1 zoning category, you can subdivide that land into 8 lots right now. If downzoning went into effect at a 10-acre minimum, you would only get 2 lots.
Why should I be concerned?
FAAR is a staunch defender of private property rights and commends Stafford County for its long history of cultivating a culture that encourages strong economic growth through reasonable zoning restrictions. Discussions of downzoning thousands of properties throughout the County runs counter to that long history.
FAAR is specifically concerned about what impact downzoning will have on the value of rural properties and property owners’ ability to do as they see fit with their land. Many rural landowners have developed long-term retirement plans that involved the value of their properties under current uses and acreage rules. Efforts to downzone could erase decades worth of wealth creation that cannot be recovered. In addition, many landowners intended to utilize family subdivisions to provide a legacy for their children and grandchildren, which they may not be able to realize if their land is unilaterally downzoned.
Background Information
In 2019, Stafford County conducted a series of public meetings centered around the topic of “healthy growth” and reducing new home construction in rural areas. This Healthy Growth Initiative brought together stakeholders from across the county to discuss challenges with growth and development and find ways to channel growth into Targeted Growth Areas while not impacting taxation. A consultant to the County collected public input and put forward a series of potential strategies for the County to consider.
At a retreat for the Board of Supervisors in early 2020, the Board directed the staff to look at the impact on development of three options for downzoning in the rural areas outside of the Urban Services Area:
- No change, retain 3 acres per dwelling unit
- Increase to a minimum lot size of 1 home per 6 acres
- Increase to a minimum lot size of 1 home per 10 acres
There was discussion as part of the Healthy Growth Initiative that downzoning coupled with an expansion of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program would keep rural landowners whole financially by allowing them to transfer their current development rights to receiving areas in other parts of the county within the Urban Services Area. But the Board expressed concern about expanding TDR since construction in the receiving area would be by-right and not subject to Board approval and not have proffers associated with it. At this point, it’s not clear if TDR will go hand-in-hand with downzoning, leading to fears that downzoning would happen first and then TDR to follow so that landowners would in fact lose their development rights and be financially impacted.
Get Involved
Any downzoning changes will require a vote by the Board of Supervisors and will also require public hearings to gather input from those most impacted. If you are concerned about what downzoning will do to the value of your property, you will have the chance for your voice to be heard.
Stafford Board of Supervisors Actions
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will host a joint public hearing on downzoning on Thursday, October 29 at 6:30pm at Colonial Forge High School. This is the meeting where the decision will be made so mark your calendars!
From the Stafford County website:
The joint public hearing will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Colonial Forge High School, 550 Courthouse Road, Stafford, Virginia. All parties are invited to appear and state their views. The auditorium will accommodate 65 individuals with minimal overflow seating in the cafeteria next to the auditorium. In-person speakers will receive a number and will listen for their number to be called up. The meeting will adhere to all required Coronavirus protocols such as social distancing and face coverings. Public hearing comments are also being accepted online by visiting www.staffordcountyva.gov/publichearings; please provide comments before 4:30 p.m. on October 28. The meeting will be streamed online via www.staffordcountyva.gov and viewable on Facebook Live and cable access channels. The proposed amendments and Q&As are also available online at https://staffordcountyva.gov/2181/Healthy-Growth-Initiative.
UPDATE ON BOARD ACTION TAKEN ON OCTOBER 29, 2020: The Board voted 4-3 to defer action on a 10-acre downzoning until their Tuesday, December 15 meeting to allow more time for staff and Supervisors to work out a compromise that will be less onerous for rural landowners. FAAR will be a strong voice to protect family subdivisions and the value of rural land, especially for those with smaller parcels.
Downzoning on the agenda for Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 3:00pm! The Stafford Board of Supervisors will consider moving ahead with a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission to consider downzoning. Access the Board agenda by clicking here.
UPDATE ON BOARD ACTIONS TAKEN ON SEPTEMBER 1: The Board approved on a 5-2 vote moving ahead with a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission. The approach they adopted proposes a unilateral downzoning of all A-1 land to a minimum lot size of 10 acres per parcel, up from 3 acres per parcel. The Board has the authority to adopt a lower minimum lot size, but cannot go any higher than 10 acres and cannot consider any alternative proposals. The next step is for the County staff to select a date, secure an alternate location to accommodate physical distancing, ensure the Planning Commission can have a quorum present, and provide a 30-day notice to property owners. It is anticipated this meeting will take place in mid-October and will be held as a stand-alone meeting with no other Board business being conducted. Watch the Board discussion from the meeting by clicking here.
If you are opposed to downzoning, use FAAR’s sample letter below to send a message to the Board of Supervisors alerting them to your concerns.
Downzoning Resources
Stafford Board Member Contact Information
Want to get involved and let your voice be heard? Then use our sample letter to the right and send your elected officials an email! Simply copy and paste the text into your email message and be sure to fill out the red text with specific information.
Supervisor Meg Bohmke, Falmouth District
mbohmke@staffordcountyva.gov
Supervisor Tom Coen, George Washington District
tcoen@staffordcountyva.gov
Supervisor Cindy Shelton, Aquia Distsrict
cindyshelton@staffordcountyva.gov
Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer, Garrisonville District
mdudenhefer@staffordcountyva.gov
Supervisor Tinesha Allen, Griffis-Widewater District
tallen@staffordcountyva.gov
Supervisor Gary Snellings, Hartwood District
gsnellings@staffordcountyva.gov
Supervisor Crystal Vanuch, Rock Hill District
cvanuch@staffordcountyva.gov
#Member Monday | Meet REALTOR® Ruby Brabo
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
Ruby Brabo
Hometown
Baton Rouge, LA
Current Location
King George & Stafford
Title
REALTOR®, Long & Foster Fredericksburg
Number of Years in the Industry
1 month
Why do you love working in real estate?
As a former local elected official, I enjoyed meeting all kinds of people and helping to solve issues. Real estate allows me to continue to meet all kinds of people and help them in a different way.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Being so new, at this point I am just excited about the new opportunity I have chosen to pursue.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
I support the Dahlgren Heritage Railroad Trail whenever possible. It is one of the greatest assets of King George County for outdoor recreation.
Fun Fact
I serve on the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Virginia Rural Center Board of Directors. I enjoy running, biking and hiking.
Fredericksburg Area Real Estate Market Continues to Sizzle
The local real estate market continues to sizzle fueled by plummeting inventory and skyrocketing demand as many prospective buyers look for more space, more yard, and more in-home amenities like pools and playscapes. Total sold dollar volume was up over 30% from last year, coming in at approximately $320.4 million this July compared to $245.6 million last July. The region’s median price increased for the 16th straight month, soaring nearly 8% year-over-year going from $324,900 in July of 2019 to $349,900 in July of this year. Units sold also increased significantly, rising over 18% with 849 homes sold this July compared to 719 last year.
“As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, most buyers and sellers are adjusting and accepting social distancing and adhering to the COVID-19 CDC guidelines,” comments FAAR Board Member Cindy LeBrun. “Some sellers are pricing to get multiple offers with buyers not asking for closing costs or forgoing the home inspection which could be a mistake later down the line. Buyers are now realizing that they need to move quickly to get pre-approved with a lender to be able to make their offer stronger to the seller. The historically low mortgage rates have been a game changer and most lenders predict the low rates continuing through December, which should keep the housing market busy.”
Two of the region’s localities approached the $400,000 median price mark in July, adding even more fuel to the regional sales price increase. The City of Fredericksburg saw a 16% rise in median price from last year, settling at $394,900 while Stafford County just missed hitting $400,000 with an 8% median price increase to $399,000. Every jurisdiction in the FAAR footprint saw significant increases in units sold but Caroline County led the pack with a whopping 71% increase, going from 42 homes sold last July to 72 this July. Caroline’s affordability and wide-open spaces are proving attractive to many prospective buyers.
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, fell over 9% with houses averaging just 30 days on the market in July 2020 compared to 33 days in July 2019.
The region’s supply issues continue to frustrate buyers as the market saw another huge drop in active listings compared to last year at the same time. The region closed out July with just 740 homes on the market, an astonishing 57% decrease from last July. New listings provided a glimmer of hope that sellers are feeling a little comfortable listing their homes with July posting only a single digit loss in new listings compared to the previous year. The market had been experiencing double digit decreases in new listings each month since the start of the pandemic. New pendings were up nearly 20% indicating that this trend of a very active market is set to continue for the rest of the summer.
Women’s Council of Realtors Economic Roundtable
On Tuesday, August 10, 2020, the Women’s Council of Realtors® hosted an economic roundtable with officials from all six jurisdictions in the FAAR footprint. The wide ranging discussion touched on aid to small businesses impacted by the coronavirus, new prospects that continue to demonstrate strong interest in our region, new housing projects under constructions, and broadband deployment. Catch the entire conversation by clicking on the image above. Want to contact one of the speakers directly? Use the information below to reach out with your questions.
Fredericksburg Regional Economic Development Contacts
Gary Wilson
Caroline County
Director
Economic Development
gwilson@co.caroline.va.us
Bill Freehling
City of Fredericksburg
Director
Economic Development & Tourism
bfreehling@fredericksburgva.gov
Nick Minor
King George County
Director
Economic Development & Tourism
nminor@co.kinggeorge.state.va.us
Rose Deal
Orange County
Project Manager
Economic Development
rdeal@orangecountyva.gov
Debbie Sanders
Spotsylvania County
Interim Director
Economic Development & Tourism
dsanders@spotsylvania.va.us
John Holden
Stafford County
Director
Economic Development & Tourism
jholden@staffordcountyva.gov
Press Releases
FAAR Holds Annual Awards Event
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) held its annual Awards Gala on April 10, 2019 at the Fredericksburg Country Club. Approximately 130 members were in attendance for the festivities, which included an awards ceremony and fundraiser....
FAAR Public Policy Director, Kim McClellan, Receives Prestigious RCE Designation from NAR
Kim McClellan, Public Policy Director of the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS®, is being honored by the National Association of REALTORS® with the REALTOR® Certified Executive (RCE) designation, which recognizes exceptional efforts made by...
February Picks Up the Pace in Local Real Estate Market
While February statistics tracked fairly closely to 2018 numbers, pending sales indicate a warming in the local real estate market. Total sold dollar volume increased 2.4% in February, coming in at $106.4 million compared to nearly $103.9 million in...
FAAR Partners with Local Housing Non-Profits to Expand Affordable Housing Opportunities
On any given day, 200 adults and children are homeless in our community. Homelessness is often a root cause of many other issues such as poor health, trouble in school, and lack of employment. No one can feel stable without a place to call home. The...