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Claim your free Placester site
Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® is proud to share that all Realtors have access to a free Placester IDX website through the NAR Realtor Benefits Program!
Your free website includes a mobile-ready design, IDX listing integration, custom domain mapping, editable “About” and “Testimonial” pages, mortgage calculator widget, and social media icons to highlight your social profiles.
In addition to the free website, Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® has partnered with Placester to provide you access to a vast library of educational resources, webinars and podcasts about how to brand yourself online and grow your business.
Please visit https://learn.placester.com/fredericksburg-area-association-realtors/ to claim your FREE site today. Participation is completely optional.
We hope you enjoy this member benefit!
I aspire to be like Chick-fil-A
by C. Lynn Lenahan, Associate Broker
1st Choice Better Homes and Land, LLC
Hey everyone, it’s Lynn Lenahan, Assoc. Broker/REALTOR® of 1st Choice Better Homes & Land. I am honored to also vice-chair the 2018 Professional Standards Committee.
I am very passionate about Professionalism and what it means for us as REALTORS®. I’m so passionate, it put me in the hot seat to write a brief article on Professionalism. Wow, to me that’s like saying, write a brief about the United States. Really?? Professionalism…brief… the word brief and Professionalism shouldn’t EVEN be allowed in the same sentence.
Ok, where to start…
For a topic so broad, I thought, get to the basics Lynn…definition. The dictionary (on line) should cut to the chase. So…according to Oxford Dictionaries, “Professionalism is the competence or skill expected of a professional.”
I really wish they hadn’t used “professional” in the definition of professionalism, it kind of defeats the purpose to me. Ok, let’s see if we can make it more specific to real estate and see what might jump out.
Re-Phrase: A REALTOR® is a professional who is expected to be competent and skilled at their craft. Boom! Hmmmmmm…. Expected. Ah—ha! That’s the key word, expected. It isn’t hoped or wished, it’s expected. It is EXPECTED of us to be competent and skilled.
So, we have the Code of Ethics which is a clear guide of do’s and don’ts. I think you’d agree, it’s very clear and concrete. That’s not saying some of the scenarios we find ourselves in don’t get us unintentionally tangled up.
But what is expected of us is clear.
We will often hear, above all else, follow “The Golden Rule”. Treat others the way you want to be treated. If you follow the Golden Rule, you can’t lose. Professionalism definitely includes the Golden Rule.
But…Professionalism also includes the Code of Ethics and highlighted in that is respect. That’s right, R-E-S-P-E-C-T…or the public, property, and peers. It’s paramount. Again, stay with me. Let’s put this all together and step out of the box for an example.
Consider with me a very successful and relevant business model: Chic Fil A. No, I’m not off my rocker. Come on…admit it. Wouldn’t you agree: Chic Fil A’s got it going on! They are somehow able to be closed on Sundays, and still, the consumer is loyal and supportive…returning with business time and time again.
What? With all the restaurants out there, closed Sundays yet a smashing success! When I consider my own personal experience, I can say the following: I can count on them, I always know what to expect, they don’t disappoint. I know when they will be there and when they will not. Their stores are clean and tidy, the associates always ask how they can serve me.
My order is accurate and consistent. They say to me it was a pleasure serving me. They are confident; they are accommodating to special requests and needs. They are timely. On the rare occasion they are delayed, be it because of me or someone else (usually me), I am sure to receive a gift card in appreciation of my wait.
They are kind to each other. They work together like a well-oiled machine, looking to make my time with them as special as possible. This model embodies a thoroughly thought out process, a model and people working that model who are confident in their craft and skilled from start to finish. It’s a perfect working example of Professionalism. E…VER…Y…TIME.
I know, we are Real-Estate-Long-Major-Life-Decision not Chic-Fil-A-Fast-Food. Either way though, isn’t it still all about the art of being Professional? Professionalism…one who is expected to be competent and skilled at their craft, with all that it embodies.
Food for thought (no pun intended but it happened and I like it so, yes, intended). Pathways to Professionalism https://faarmembers.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Pathways-to-Professionalism.pdf. Bookmark it. Follow it. Embrace it. Good things are sure to happen on the flip side!
Download the May 2018 FAARside Newsletter
Your copy of the May Newsletter, the FAARside is here! Crack open a copy to learn all about the most recent projects at the Association, a sneak peak of the expo, and more!
This edition includes
- New Member Welcome
- A special gift from the Fredericksburg Area Museum
- An update on DPOR credit status
- General Assembly Session wrap-up
- 2019 Board of Directors Candidate Application
- REALTOR Code of Ethics Campaign Overview — Are you living up to the promise?
- Member Monday Features —Recognize these REALTORS®?
- Affiliate Marketing Partners
and more!
Right click here or the image and click “Save as” to download
#MemberMonday | Meet Sandi Hamill
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
Sandra Hamill
Hometown
Florence, OR
Current Location
Fredericksburg
Title
REALTOR® at Nest Realty Group
Number of Years in the Industry
almost 7
Why do you love working in real estate?
The joy that someone feels when they get a home especially a first time buyer is beyond compare, I know I remember my first home. Helping people get to that goal no matter what the circumstance is what keeps me going every day.
Favorite Work Story
Actually it is a FAAR Meetup story. I have developed somewhat of a reputation with my gifts to clients and at gift exchanges at the Christmas Meetup- I love Glitter. I remember one year everyone was fighting or my gift, cause it had fabulous truffles in it, and in the end they were all covered in glitter if they touched the box or ribbon. Barry Moore said he had glitter in places it should never be for days!!
What are you most proud of in your career?
I am most proud of being able to help young people realize the goal of getting their credit right and being able to buy a house. No transaction is too small if it makes someone happy. Especially when they thought they could never achieve the dream of owning a home.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
I love going to Habitat Events. I have worked the Women’s Build and other things throughout my years here. My favorite cause though to donate to attend events for is Domestic Violence. I have worked to end this for 20 yrs.
Fun Fact
As a member of Toastmasters a few years ago I won so many trophies my husband thought he was going to have build a seperate room for them. I guess it pays to get a BS in BS!!!
FAAR Holds Annual Awards and Fundraising Event
Fredericksburg, VA—(April 25, 2018) The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) held its annual Awards Gala on April 18, 2018 at Stevenson Ridge. Approximately 150 members were in attendance for the festivities, which included an awards ceremony and fundraiser.
Proceeds from the fundraiser benefitted the Fredericksburg REALTORS® Foundation, whose efforts go to support local non-profit organizations that help individuals and families secure and retain shelter. Thanks to donations from FAAR’s REALTOR® and affiliate members, the Foundation was able to raise over $800.
In addition to the Foundation fundraiser, awards were handed out for Rookie Salesperson of the Year, Manager of the Year, REALTORS® Choice, REALTOR® of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Melanie Thompson Award. In addition, 28 members were recognized for achieving the Professional Honor Role for 2017. The Honor “Role” award spotlights members who have made contributions to the real estate industry, the Association, and the community.
The following individuals received awards for 2017:
REALTOR® of the Year
Linda Fosdick, Dockside Realty
Rookie Sales Person of the Year
Ruth Campbell, 1st Choice Better Homes and Land
Manager of the Year
Kevin McGrath, Long & Foster
REALTORS® Choice
Clay Murray, Coldwell Banker Elite
Educator of the Year
Michele Freemyers, Ekko Title
Melanie Thompson Award
Clay Murray, Coldwell Banker Elite
2017 Professional Honor “Role”
Tricia Barnes, ABR, GRI, CRB, ABRM
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Milton Branch, GRI
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Suzanne Brady, ABR, SRS
Century 21 Redwood
Jennifer Caison
Coldwell Banker Elite- Massaponax
Jennifer Church, ABR, SRS
Holt for Homes
Carrie Danko
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Valerie Dellandre, SRS
Virginia C.U. Realty
Linda Fosdick, CRS, GRI, ABR, SRS
Dockside Realty
Drew Fristoe, ABR
Coldwell Banker Elite- Massaponax
Janet Holt
Holt for Homes
Natalie Holt
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Linda Laub-Canty, ABR, GRI, CRS, SRES
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Cindy LeBrun, ABR, CRS, SRS, SRES
Exit Realty Expertise
Lynn Lenahan, ABR, GRI
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Erin Lewis
Nest Realty Group
Andrea Maitland, CRB, CRS, GRI
Century 21 Redwood- Spotsylvania
Brooke Miller, GRI, CRS
Long & Foster- Fredericksburg
Sandy Pearce, ABR, SRES, PMN
Coldwell Banker Elite- Spots.
Bonnie Ramey, GRI
Nest Realty Group
Mary Beth Rich, ABR
Century 21 New Millennium- Fredericksburg
Anthony “Tony” Shade, ABR
RE/MAX Allegiance
Sharon Shade, ABR, ABRM
RE/MAX Allegiance
Christine Singhass
United Real Estate Premier
Sarah Stelmok, GRI
Nest Realty Group
Chip Taylor
Long & Foster- Fredericksburg
Penny Traber, ABR, GRI, CRS, SRS
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Ginny Vickers, ABR, SRS
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Sha Williams- Hinnant, ABR, CRS, GRI, CIPS, PMN, SRES
1st Choice Better Homes & Land
Ethics Training FAQ
REALTOR® Ethics
REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time within two-year cycles.
What is the goal of this requirement?
Mandatory ethics training requirements for new and continuing REALTOR® members was established by the National Association’s Board of Directors at the 1999 Annual Convention with the following goals:
- to heighten member awareness of the key tenets of the Code of Ethics;
- to create an awareness of and appreciation for the role the Code can and should play in their professional lives;
- to enhance professionalism and competency; and
- to encourage REALTORS® to view their Code of Ethics as a living, viable guide in their daily dealings with clients, customers, and the public.
Am I in compliance? Here’s how to check.
Check your ethics date by logging in to your account at faarmembers.com/myaccount and look for the two fields called “Code of Ethics Cycle End Date” and “Current Code of Ethics Cycle Complete”. The first field will tell you the last day of the current cycle and the second field will display “yes” if you have completed the training within the listed cycle and “no” if you have not completed the training.
Where can I take Ethics courses?
An NAR-approved ethics course can be taken online or in the FAAR classroom—If taken online, please forward your completed class certificate to Membership Services Director, Lori at lhillardwehr@faarmembers.com. Ethics in the classroom is held every other month as part of the CE/PL seminars and also at the beginning of those months in conjunction with new member orientation (not advertised).
NOTE: DPOR, the state licensing board, does not require any specific ethics for an agent to renew their license. NAR and FAAR require the NAR code of ethics which is a specific ethics training geared towards Realtors®. Please check when selecting an ethics class that it includes the NAR code of ethics and when you get your certificate after completing the class, forward it to FAAR so that your record can be updated.
This short article describes what happens to your membership when your ethics date is out of compliance.
Register for FAAR classes including Ethics at faarmembers.com/calendar
The REALTOR® Code of Ethics promises exemplary conduct. Are you living up to the promise?
There is an ongoing discussion about what is professionalism.
For those in business, it refers to common courtesies extended to one another. Most commonly known as the Golden Rule. Business courtesies also apply to REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) specifically outlines those courtesies in Pathways to Professionalism.
REALTORS® are expected to reach even higher in their real estate transactional business. That higher reach is the Code of Ethics. NAR spells out those expectations in the 17 Articles of the Code of Ethics and provides the practical meaning of each Article in the accompanying Standards of Practice.
The Professional Standards and Grievance Committees who implement FAAR processes for professional behavior and a group of brokers met to discuss declining professionalism. Everyone agreed that there is an alarming trend of ignoring the Code of Ethics, as well as, the courtesies listed in Pathways to Professionalism. While no one believes that many FAAR members are intentionally ignoring the rule, everyone agreed that many agents are just not aware of crossing the line to unprofessional behavior.
Virginia licensing regulations include best business practices. Licensing renewal classes provide updates every two years. NAR requires training on the Code of Ethics very two years.
Despite the mandatory updates, why is professionalism declining? The group agreed that haste and ignorance were the top two reasons. Who is to blame? Is it brokers who provides little supervision of their agents? Is it demanding clients, misinformed customers? Is it the agent population looking to cut corners? The answer is yes, yes and yes. All contribute to the downturn in professionalism.
The leadership of FAAR believes the association can play a part in improving professionalism by creating awareness to the Code of Ethics and Pathways to Professionalism.
In an effort to raise the awareness of both, FAAR is launching a year-long campaign to educate the members on what they may have forgotten, never knew or just are not connecting the rules to everyday situations.
The campaign includes a review of each Article along with its Standard(s) of Practice. Those well versed on the Code, will pen articles providing the meaning of each and the potential violation.
The main aggregator of information for the campaign is faarmembers.com but information will also be pushed out in emails, social media posts, the FAARSide newsletter and several videos. Brokers will receive the information to use in sales meetings. Open discussion classes will play out unprofessional scenarios.
The campaign is called-
The REALTOR® Code of Ethics promises exemplary conduct. Are you living the promise?
Let’s get started. The first article is about the annual professional standards services provided by FAAR. Links will take you to specific documents. The second article is by Professional Standards Committee Vice Chair, Lynn Lenahan who will comment on the level of service REALTORS® should provide to each other as outlined in the usefulness of Pathways to Professionalism.
What’s coming up next? – The introduction to the Code of Ethics, why it is call the Gift of Vision, the message in the Preamble and a discussion on Article 1 and the related Standards of Practice.
For 25 weeks a new topic will be introduced. Here is the tentative schedule
Schedule- April through November
1 Introductory article with overview on campaign and video by Lynn Lenahan & Alicia Angstadt
2 “Fee to File an ethics complaint? No!” by Pat Breme
3 Pathways to Professionalism article by Lynn Lenahan and introduce NAR Video Series
4 Video Series continues- “Respect for the Public” & “Respect for Property”
5 “Respect for Peers” & “Conclusion”
6 Code of Ethics: A Gift of Vision, Preamble & a Quiz on the Code
7 Code by Article/Standard of Practice/a Case interpretation by contributing author starting with Article 1
8 Article 2
9 Article 3
10 Article 4,5
11 Articles 6, 7
12 Articles 8, 9
13 Article 10
14 Article 11
15 Article 12
16 Articles 13, 14
17 Article 15
18 Article 16
19 Article 17
20 “What happens in an ethics hearing?” by Lynn Lenahan
21 “Why Mediate” by Alex Long
22 “Why is an Ombudsman program helpful diffusing disagreements in a transaction?” – by Elsa Rake
23 Citation program and link to FAAR brochure
24 Forms for Filing and link to faarmembers.com/forms
25 NAR’s new Code of Excellence program- when it launches
_________________________________________
Distribution Channels
FAARside articles
Email Updates
Social media posts
Videos #1 Introduce campaign-
Classes (2)- Topic TBD
Signage at FAAR and offices- logo/slogan
Resource pages:
Pathways to Professionalism- realtor.org
2018 Code of Ethics- realtor.org
Case interpretations- realtor.org
Forms- faarmembers.com/forms
Citation program- faarmembers.com
Ombudsman program- faarmembers.com
Arbitration Guidelines- realtor.org
Mediation- realtor.org
VR Legal Hotline- varealtors.com
Fee to file an Ethics Complaint? No!
by Pat Breme, RCE, CIPS
Chief Executive Officer
Let me start off by dispelling a misconception regarding filing an ethics complaint with FAAR. THERE IS NO FEE, however, members must complete a form, attach a narrative detailing the situation and file within 180 days of the occurrence or knowledge of the occurrence. Additionally, there is no fee if the complaint is processed through the Citation System. The mediation process has no fee.
There are, however, fees for the following-
- A $250 Processing Fee is imposed on a member who is found in violation of an Article of the Code.
- A Broker who requests an arbitration and the responding broker are levied a $350 Filing Fee. The party who prevails is refunded the Filing Fee.
- Appealing an Ethics Hearing Decision- $250
- Requesting a Procedural Review- $250
- Dispute Resolution Fee- $250 from the primary parties
The fees are not a revenue source to FAAR, but covers staff time involved in the administration of each service- scheduling and attendance at meetings, paperwork, research/procedure compliance, communications, etc.
What happened to the golden rule?
Pathways to Professionalism- Do unto others…
Created by the National Association of REALTORS®, Pathways to Professionalism, is a useful, common sense guide to simple courtesy. For example,
– Never allow buyers to enter listed property unaccompanied.
– Respond to other agents’ calls, faxes, and e-mails promptly and courteously.
The Law of the REALTOR® world… The Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics is a REALTOR’S® compass for professional behavior. It is composed of 17 Articles covering duties to clients and customers, the public and to REALTORS®. The Code goes beyond common sense niceties to what REALTORS® pledge to abide by in their business activities. For REALTORS® it is the law!
The short sale/foreclosure market has spawned many transaction difficulties, odd scenarios, and stress. The Code has been twisted, misinterpreted and in some cases, ignored altogether.
Observing unprofessional behavior…
Filing an ethics complaint- Is it really snitching?
Some describe filing an ethics complaint as ratting out, snitching, and view the whole process as unsavory. For the Complainant, time is spent on writing a narrative, citing Articles and gathering information. From the Respondent’s point of view, time is spent on gathering documents to defend his or her motives and actions.
When a complaint is sent to FAAR, a Grievance Committee meeting is convened to examine the complaint to see if it has been properly filed. They do not review the information from the Respondent. The Grievance Committee bases its decision on the facts of the complaint and the final question they ask themselves is, “If the facts alleged in the complaint were taken as true on their face, is it possible that a violation of the Code of Ethics occurred?”
In most cases the complaint is moved on to a hearing because the answer is usually, yes. Why doesn’t the Grievance Committee look at the Respondent’s view of the situation? When a group has both sides presented it is too easy to draw conclusions and determine outcomes. That is not the role of the Grievance Committee. It acts like a Grand Jury and only looks at the complaint’s viability. It can also dismiss a complaint.
The Citation System
With the adoption of the Citation System, the Grievance Committee may decide a complaint fits the criteria and ask the Respondent whether he or she wants the issue to proceed to a hearing or, without admitting guilt, pay a fine and/or attend mandatory education for the alleged violation. The program only covers certain Articles of the Code- 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 14, 16. The fines range from $150 to $950.
Complaints coming from other participating Associations- PWAR, DAAR, NVAR, BRAR and GPAAR, will be treated in the same way as outlined. Is it like getting a traffic ticket? Yes. The Respondent accepting the fine avoids an uncomfortable and often times a consuming hearing process. The Complainant still believes justice has been served by drawing attention to unprofessional behavior.
https://faarmembers.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Citation-Brochure-2017.pdf
The Ombudsman Program
The Ombudsman Program in its simplest definition is informal telephone mediation. In some cases it can address and solve minor complaints from the public. The ombudsman can also solve inter-REALTOR® conflicts before they become serious problems. Some complaints do not allege specific articles of the NAR Code of Ethics and many times they are transactional, technical and procedural questions that can be addressed by communication. Like a mediator, an ombudsman helps parties find solutions that everyone can be happy with.
Where’s my commission?
Another service the REALTOR® Association offers is arbitration of contractual disputes. Most often disputes are over commissions- who was the procuring cause of the sale? This is a broker-to-broker issue but the agents who are party to the transaction are involved and usually present at the hearing. There are no cookie cutter answers to an arbitration involving procuring cause. The answer to “who did the work” question is colored by many things, such as, client behavior, lapses in service, lack of communication between all parties, etc. Some disagreements can be resolved and the formal process averted if brokers are willing to agree to a resolution.
Mediation, a reasonable compromise
FAAR offers mediation to the parties after the Grievance Working Group has determined an issue is an arbitral matter or has determined that an ethics complaint needs to advance to a hearing. Both parties must agree to come to the table to try to resolve the matter. If mediation fails or one party declines the offer to mediate, the case moves on to the hearing process.
The hearing
Due process is the goal of the hearing because both sides have an opportunity to present their case, call their witnesses, and cross-examine. Only after both the Complainant and Respondent have their say does a panel of peers decide whether a violation has occurred. It is a fair process and much is disclosed during the process. The truth usually rises to the surface. If an agent is found in violation the panel serves a disciplinary action ranges from taking a class on a particular subject to expulsion from the Association.
The Association cannot take a license away, that is the responsibility of the Virginia Real Estate Board, who by the way, has its own complaint process independent of whatever action the Association takes.
Broker to broker problem solving
Often unprofessional activities or commission disputes are resolved if brokers take it upon themselves to communicate with each other. Often problems don’t have to become formal complaint requests for arbitration or worse, not addressed at all, if brokers step in and resolve issues.
Ignoring the problems
Unprofessional behavior ultimately harms everyone in the business. The public, who may be a victim is observing the behavior and forming negative opinions about REALTORS® in general.
If warranted use the professional standards services of the Association but always be mindful of the standards REALTORS® pledge themselves to observe.
I PLEDGE MYSELF
TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHT OF REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP
AND TO WIDEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY IT;
TO BE HONORABLE AND HONEST IN ALL DEALINGS;
TO SEEK TO BETTER REPRESENT MY CLIENTS
BY BUILDING MY KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCE;
TO ACT HONESTLY TOWARDS ALL IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GOLDEN RULE;
TO SERVE WELL MY COMMUNITY, AND THROUGH IT MY COUNTRY;
TO OBSERVE THE REALTORS’® CODE OF ETHICS
AND TO CONFORM MY CONDUCT TO ITS LOFTY IDEALS.
Go to faarmembers.com, Tools, click on Ethics– https://faarmembers.wpengine.com/ethics
FAAR Announces Endorsements for 2018 City of Fredericksburg Elections
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® announces endorsements Fredericksburg City Council races on the ballot for the May 1st general election.
“Regardless of whether you live or work in the City of Fredericksburg, a vibrant downtown benefits us all throughout the region, serving as a hub of economic, cultural, and academic opportunities,” states FAAR Public Policy Committee Chair Robert Cooper. “The Committee conducted interviews with all of the endorsed candidates and was impressed by their dedication to the job and depth of knowledge regarding issues of concern to the real estate industry. In addition, the Committee appreciated their commitment to keep the City growing with a strong focus on economic development, expanded amenities for residents and visitors alike, and increased housing options for prospective buyers in all income brackets. We look forward to working with the City Council to make Fredericksburg the best place it can be.”
FAAR has endorsed the following candidates running for office in the City of Fredericksburg:
Brad Ellis, Ward 1
Billy Withers, Ward 2
Tim Duffy, Ward 3
Need information on voting? Click here to visit the City’s Voter Registrar website.
2018 Community Service Day Waiver
2018 Community Service Day Waiver
I understand that this event is being done on a voluntary basis through the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors® (FAAR) and in partnership with the 516 Project, Inc. I hereby acknowledge that working on the 516 Project, Inc. home repair program involves some risk of personal injury and/or death. I hereby acknowledge that FAAR and 516 Project, Inc. has made no representations about the conditions of the premises on which I will be working or the activities in which I choose to engage. I hereby release and hold harmless FAAR and 516 Project, Inc., its officers and directors and others working on this project, including the homeowners where I will volunteer, from any and all liability which might result from my working on this project. I hereby acknowledge that I assume the risk of any injury which might occur as the result of working on this project. This also includes the transportation to and from the assigned work location. I hereby acknowledge that my photo / video may be taken during activities involved with my volunteer work with FAAR and 516 Project, Inc. I understand and allow these images / videos be used by FAAR and/or the 516 Project, Inc. in print and/or digital media at the discretion of both organizations.
Press Releases
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