VAR Member Login

Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
NEW: Commercial forms for Virginia REALTORS®
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Virginia Association of Realtors is pleased to announce the addition of commercial forms to its Forms Center! Through a licensing agreement with Central Virginia Regional MLS, VAR will now provide the following forms:Commercial Purchase Agreement – Form 700;Commercial Listing Agreement – Form 710;Commercial Letter of Intent for Purchase – Form 720; andCommercial Letter of Intent for Lease – Form 730.We offer...

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
IMPORTANT: New law affecting property managers pulling credit reports
Friday, September 23, 2011
If you are a property manager who uses potential tenants’ credit reports as part of your rental process, you need to be aware of a significant change to the law.This is straight from NAR’s September “Did You Know?”:
Important: VAR property management forms have been revised
Friday, August 26, 2011
Yes, you read that right: Nine of our property management forms — leases, addenda, disclosures, etc. — have been updated.This is a major overhaul done in collaboration with the Northern Virginia and Richmond associations along with VAR’s Standard Forms Working Group to make these forms more user friendly, and to ensure accuracy.If you do any work in property management you need to head to VAR’s Forms Center and get...
Virginia is setting the stage for a strong second half of 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Richmond, VA, July 21, 2011- Despite slower home sales during second quarter 2011, compared to second quarter of 2010, the housing market in Virginia may be ready to surge forward in the third and fourth quarters. Other good news is that we can see a clear increase in sales from first quarter 2011 to second quarter 2001. 

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
NEW: Commercial forms for Virginia REALTORS®
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Virginia Association of Realtors is pleased to announce the addition of commercial forms to its Forms Center! Through a licensing agreement with Central Virginia Regional MLS, VAR will now provide the following forms:Commercial Purchase Agreement – Form 700;Commercial Listing Agreement – Form 710;Commercial Letter of Intent for Purchase – Form 720; andCommercial Letter of Intent for Lease – Form 730.We offer...
Important: VAR property management forms have been revised
Friday, August 26, 2011
Yes, you read that right: Nine of our property management forms — leases, addenda, disclosures, etc. — have been updated.This is a major overhaul done in collaboration with the Northern Virginia and Richmond associations along with VAR’s Standard Forms Working Group to make these forms more user friendly, and to ensure accuracy.If you do any work in property management you need to head to VAR’s Forms Center and get...
Virginia is setting the stage for a strong second half of 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Richmond, VA, July 21, 2011- Despite slower home sales during second quarter 2011, compared to second quarter of 2010, the housing market in Virginia may be ready to surge forward in the third and fourth quarters. Other good news is that we can see a clear increase in sales from first quarter 2011 to second quarter 2001. 

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Virginia is setting the stage for a strong second half of 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Richmond, VA, July 21, 2011- Despite slower home sales during second quarter 2011, compared to second quarter of 2010, the housing market in Virginia may be ready to surge forward in the third and fourth quarters. Other good news is that we can see a clear increase in sales from first quarter 2011 to second quarter 2001. 
New Laws have taken affect in Virginia
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The 2011 Session of the General Assembly, like every other session, produced many changes in Virginia law. Most of these will take effect on July 1. VAR’s legislative team was able to secure many changes during this year’s General Assembly session that will have a profound effect on your real estate business.
BREAKING: Disclosure forms for MARS transactions now available
Friday, May 6, 2011
Negotiations between NAR and the Federal Trade Commission over the MARS Rule have not yet produced the desired exemptions for Real Estate Professionals. The MARS Rule remains in effect. (See earlier article HERE) (excerpt below)If you work with clients who are doing short sales, thinking about short sales, or who you believe should be thinking about short sales, the Federal Trade Commission might be interested in...
Virginia home sales stabilize in first quarter 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
April 29, 2011 – Virginia residential home sales in the first quarter of 2011 have followed the general trend of the last several years with year-to-date sales 0.3% above last year.  January and February home sales in 2011 exceed the same month the prior year (by 2.5 % and 3.5%) according to the Virginia Association of REALTORS®’ Home Sales Report.  For the complete Virginia Quarterly Home Sales...

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
NEW: Commercial forms for Virginia REALTORS®
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Virginia Association of Realtors is pleased to announce the addition of commercial forms to its Forms Center! Through a licensing agreement with Central Virginia Regional MLS, VAR will now provide the following forms:Commercial Purchase Agreement – Form 700;Commercial Listing Agreement – Form 710;Commercial Letter of Intent for Purchase – Form 720; andCommercial Letter of Intent for Lease – Form 730.We offer...
New Laws have taken affect in Virginia
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The 2011 Session of the General Assembly, like every other session, produced many changes in Virginia law. Most of these will take effect on July 1. VAR’s legislative team was able to secure many changes during this year’s General Assembly session that will have a profound effect on your real estate business.
CoStar Group to buy LoopNet for $860 million
Sunday, May 1, 2011
CoStar Group, a Washington D.C.-based commercial real estate research firm, is set to acquire LoopNet, a San Francisco-based commercial real estate marketing firm for $860 million. CoStar operates the largest commercial real estate marketing database, with this merger potentially boosting CoStar's subscribers to 160,000 and putting its active listings at 2 million. LoopNet.com is the largest and most heavily...

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
IMPORTANT: New law affecting property managers pulling credit reports
Friday, September 23, 2011
If you are a property manager who uses potential tenants’ credit reports as part of your rental process, you need to be aware of a significant change to the law.This is straight from NAR’s September “Did You Know?”:
Important: VAR property management forms have been revised
Friday, August 26, 2011
Yes, you read that right: Nine of our property management forms — leases, addenda, disclosures, etc. — have been updated.This is a major overhaul done in collaboration with the Northern Virginia and Richmond associations along with VAR’s Standard Forms Working Group to make these forms more user friendly, and to ensure accuracy.If you do any work in property management you need to head to VAR’s Forms Center and get...
New Laws have taken affect in Virginia
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The 2011 Session of the General Assembly, like every other session, produced many changes in Virginia law. Most of these will take effect on July 1. VAR’s legislative team was able to secure many changes during this year’s General Assembly session that will have a profound effect on your real estate business.

View all

Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
Virginia is setting the stage for a strong second half of 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Richmond, VA, July 21, 2011- Despite slower home sales during second quarter 2011, compared to second quarter of 2010, the housing market in Virginia may be ready to surge forward in the third and fourth quarters. Other good news is that we can see a clear increase in sales from first quarter 2011 to second quarter 2001. 
New Laws have taken affect in Virginia
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The 2011 Session of the General Assembly, like every other session, produced many changes in Virginia law. Most of these will take effect on July 1. VAR’s legislative team was able to secure many changes during this year’s General Assembly session that will have a profound effect on your real estate business.
Virginia home sales stabilize in first quarter 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
April 29, 2011 – Virginia residential home sales in the first quarter of 2011 have followed the general trend of the last several years with year-to-date sales 0.3% above last year.  January and February home sales in 2011 exceed the same month the prior year (by 2.5 % and 3.5%) according to the Virginia Association of REALTORS®’ Home Sales Report.  For the complete Virginia Quarterly Home Sales...

View all

Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
New Laws have taken affect in Virginia
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The 2011 Session of the General Assembly, like every other session, produced many changes in Virginia law. Most of these will take effect on July 1. VAR’s legislative team was able to secure many changes during this year’s General Assembly session that will have a profound effect on your real estate business.
Take part in VAR's 2011 Member Survey
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Virginia Association of REALTORS® wants to serve you better. To do that, we need to know what we do that works, what we do that doesn’t, and what else we should be doing.  Further, we want to know how you feel about important services and representation VAR provides that you can’t get somewhere else. To do that, we’ve created this survey. Please help us by taking a few minutes (actually, more like 10-15...
Governor's Legislative Agenda Includes Protection of Private Property Rights
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Governor McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and House and Senate Republican Leadership announce joint agenda for 2011 legislative session.From Governor's press release:Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli discussed individual property rights and their importance to the people of Virginia, stating, “There are legitimate reasons the government utilizes its power of eminent domain – for...

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Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
NEW: Commercial forms for Virginia REALTORS®
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Virginia Association of Realtors is pleased to announce the addition of commercial forms to its Forms Center! Through a licensing agreement with Central Virginia Regional MLS, VAR will now provide the following forms:Commercial Purchase Agreement – Form 700;Commercial Listing Agreement – Form 710;Commercial Letter of Intent for Purchase – Form 720; andCommercial Letter of Intent for Lease – Form 730.We offer...
VARbuzz: Inventory, foreclosures, and tidal waves
Monday, January 30, 2012
A couple of interesting pieces Out There about housing inventory. Keep in mind as you read them, of course, that so much about inventory is estimates; take it all with a grain of salt.First there’s good ol’ “shadow inventory,” aka the foreclosure pipeline: homes that are not on the market yet, but are in or near foreclosure and thus will soon be available. There is much hand-wringing about how this lurking wave of...
VARbuzz: Virginia housing market shows signs of returning stability
Thursday, January 26, 2012
We’ve released the 4th Quarter 2011 Virginia Home Sales Report, and for the second consecutive quarter there has been an increase in the annualized pace of home sales in Virginia.Despite the improvement in the long-term sales pace, as shown above, median home prices have continued to decline in most regions of the state.The increases in the pace of home sales have all taken place in price ranges under $200,000 –...
VARbuzz: Obama on housing in State of the Union
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a significant new law to help struggling homeowners reduce their debt load.He asked for new legislation that would give all homeowners who are current on their mortgages — not just those whose loans are backed by Fannie and Freddie — the opportunity to refinance at record low mortgage rates. (“No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks.”)Right now...

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
Legal Hotline FAQs Episode 6 – Commissions
Monday, January 23, 2012
Want to see more Legal Hotline FAQs? Click here to see VAR's legal videos library.
Buyer’s down payment comes from a gift? Remember the rules
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
According to NAR, more than a quarter of first-time home buyers used a gift (from a friend or relative) as their down payment last year. That’s fine and dandy, but, this being America and all, there are rules that must be followed.For example, buyers probably need to come up with at least some of the down payment themselves. And they should document the gift — have a letter explaining that it’s not a loan.Read more...
Legal Hotline FAQs Episode 5: A Grab Bag of Issues
Monday, November 14, 2011

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
VARbuzz: More people are moving into Virginia than out
Monday, January 30, 2012
In another positive sign for Virginia’s economy and thus housing market, there seem to be more people moving into Virgina than out of Virginia.Of note, Virginia is one of only 9 states where this is the case!Source: KCM Blog
VARbuzz: “New Normal” = “Normal” in the Real Estate Market
Monday, January 30, 2012
“Normal” is “now”.Human settlement patterns (where people are living and working)Gas pricesExpectation of permanence/transienceInterest ratesProperty tax ratesMonetary supplyThe internet’s availability and impact
VARbuzz: Inventory, foreclosures, and tidal waves
Monday, January 30, 2012
A couple of interesting pieces Out There about housing inventory. Keep in mind as you read them, of course, that so much about inventory is estimates; take it all with a grain of salt.First there’s good ol’ “shadow inventory,” aka the foreclosure pipeline: homes that are not on the market yet, but are in or near foreclosure and thus will soon be available. There is much hand-wringing about how this lurking wave of...
VARbuzz: Virginia housing market shows signs of returning stability
Thursday, January 26, 2012
We’ve released the 4th Quarter 2011 Virginia Home Sales Report, and for the second consecutive quarter there has been an increase in the annualized pace of home sales in Virginia.Despite the improvement in the long-term sales pace, as shown above, median home prices have continued to decline in most regions of the state.The increases in the pace of home sales have all taken place in price ranges under $200,000 –...

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
VARbuzz: Inventory, foreclosures, and tidal waves
Monday, January 30, 2012
A couple of interesting pieces Out There about housing inventory. Keep in mind as you read them, of course, that so much about inventory is estimates; take it all with a grain of salt.First there’s good ol’ “shadow inventory,” aka the foreclosure pipeline: homes that are not on the market yet, but are in or near foreclosure and thus will soon be available. There is much hand-wringing about how this lurking wave of...
Why did the Fed ignore the housing bubble? No one thought it would be THIS bad
Monday, January 23, 2012
Worthwhile reading from today’s Washington Post op-ed page, “Why the Federal Reserve slept before the housing crisis.” Unlike the typical blame-the-people-whose-politics-I-disagree-with piece, this one points to a much more mundane explanation of why, in 2006, the Fed apparently ignored all the signs of a major problem.
A principal reduction update
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Principal reduction is back (still?) in the news. Here’s a quick update.The basic idea is that, as part of a workout package with homeowners, lenders would reduce the principal owned along with or instead of the interest rate. But it’s not simply a matter of homeowners asking for a handout. (One way to think of it is a short sale — to the same owners.)More and more economists are saying that, if we want out of the...

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The numbers are in
Monday, February 21, 2011
Real estate is about numbers. Prices, rates, area, bedrooms, and of course, sales. There’s nothing wrong with a good anecdote — or 10 — but our business is one like, say, baseball: Stories are fun, but you learn more by looking at the numbers than by listening to the tales. That’s why we compile them and ponder them, massage them and fret over them, and seek out the trends that will tell us that things are looking...
Take part in VAR's 2011 Member Survey
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Virginia Association of REALTORS® wants to serve you better. To do that, we need to know what we do that works, what we do that doesn’t, and what else we should be doing.  Further, we want to know how you feel about important services and representation VAR provides that you can’t get somewhere else. To do that, we’ve created this survey. Please help us by taking a few minutes (actually, more like 10-15...
Latest Commonwealth thanks RPAC contributors
Thursday, January 6, 2011
You may have noticed that this issue of Commonwealth has more than one cover. If you invested in RPAC in 2010, yours offers "Thanks for everything." (If you invested $99 or more it has a gold border to boot.)And if you didn't invest? Let's just say the cover image isn't quite as friendly. If you didn't contribute in 2010, we included a handy envelope to get you started in 2011. For brokers, we even threw in a...
zipForm introduces Mobile Web Edition
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
zipForm has introduced a Mobile Web Application as a companion application to zipForm 6 Professional (online version). Smartphone users you can now keep important transaction information readly available at your fingertips. Current zipForm users can order the new application in their zipForm 6 Professional account. New users can order both the Web and Mobile Web applications here. The new application allows you to:
VHDA.com has a new military programs page
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Got a strong military clientele? The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) has a website just for you and your clients.

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Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 is REALTOR® Day on the Hill. You won't want to miss this important chance to talk directly with your legislators on issues that affect your business. Stick around for the Housing Policy Forum later in the afternoon, then make your way to the Jefferson for our can't-miss Legislative Reception. On Wednesday, the annual Political Advocacy Luncheon with special guest speaker David Stevens, who is...
Press play: Capitol Connections 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
VAR’s legislative package this year comes from three main sources:findings and work products of the Professionalism Workgroup,issues remaining from previous legislative sessions, andnew issues brought to the attention of VAR by local Realtor associations.VAR will sponsor 8 bills in the 2012 Session – some of these may change, and some might be combined with others during the process.  We will use these broad...
Upgrade yourself with a GRI designation
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Realtors® who earn their GRI designation earn an average of twice as much as those without a designation.Many of the courses you take for your GRI count toward your post-licensing and continuing education requirements.What are you waiting for?The Graduate, Realtor® Institute is the most popular designation among successful Realtors®. While your licensing courses and most PL teaches you how to manage your risk and...
Legal Hotline FAQs Episode 6 – Commissions
Monday, January 23, 2012
Want to see more Legal Hotline FAQs? Click here to see VAR's legal videos library.
Rebenchmarking: What’s the deal?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Here’s everything you need to know about the revised — “rebenchmarked” — figures NAR released for existing-home sales.(Quick recap: In early 2011, it came to light that NAR’s national home sales data was inaccurate — it seemed to overestimate the number of existing homes sold from 2007 through 2010 by as much as 10-20 percent. Why?Because exact national data is impossible to get thanks to MLS overlap, lack of data...

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VARbuzz: More people are moving into Virginia than out
Monday, January 30, 2012
In another positive sign for Virginia’s economy and thus housing market, there seem to be more people moving into Virgina than out of Virginia.Of note, Virginia is one of only 9 states where this is the case!Source: KCM Blog
VARbuzz: Inventory, foreclosures, and tidal waves
Monday, January 30, 2012
A couple of interesting pieces Out There about housing inventory. Keep in mind as you read them, of course, that so much about inventory is estimates; take it all with a grain of salt.First there’s good ol’ “shadow inventory,” aka the foreclosure pipeline: homes that are not on the market yet, but are in or near foreclosure and thus will soon be available. There is much hand-wringing about how this lurking wave of...
VARbuzz: Obama on housing in State of the Union
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a significant new law to help struggling homeowners reduce their debt load.He asked for new legislation that would give all homeowners who are current on their mortgages — not just those whose loans are backed by Fannie and Freddie — the opportunity to refinance at record low mortgage rates. (“No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks.”)Right now...
Why did the Fed ignore the housing bubble? No one thought it would be THIS bad
Monday, January 23, 2012
Worthwhile reading from today’s Washington Post op-ed page, “Why the Federal Reserve slept before the housing crisis.” Unlike the typical blame-the-people-whose-politics-I-disagree-with piece, this one points to a much more mundane explanation of why, in 2006, the Fed apparently ignored all the signs of a major problem.
Ready for your close-up? HGTV’s "House Hunters" looking for Realtors, clients
Thursday, January 19, 2012
If you have a house in escrow and the buyers are good looking, HGTV might want to use you for an episode of House Hunters.Roni Spitzer, a casting producer for the show, is heading an open casting call for Realtors® across the country. (It’s an ongoing show, so there isn’t a deadline.)What are they looking for? I’ll quote Ms. Spitzer:“The property would need to be in escrow with a closing date with buyers that are...

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Arizona Association buys largest regional MLS in the state
Monday, August 15, 2011
 The board of the Arizona Association of Realtors voted to acquire the state’s largest MLS, the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc. (ARMLS), for $4.75 million. The plan is to work with the state’s 13 other MLSs to create a single entity covering the entire state: the Arizona Multiple MLS. (Yes, that’s “Arizona Multiple Multiple Listing Service.”) Much of the work is already done, at least from an...
CoStar Group to buy LoopNet for $860 million
Sunday, May 1, 2011
CoStar Group, a Washington D.C.-based commercial real estate research firm, is set to acquire LoopNet, a San Francisco-based commercial real estate marketing firm for $860 million. CoStar operates the largest commercial real estate marketing database, with this merger potentially boosting CoStar's subscribers to 160,000 and putting its active listings at 2 million. LoopNet.com is the largest and most heavily...
NAR's Realtor Party Political Survival Initiative
Thursday, April 7, 2011
As you may know by now, NAR recently rolled out plans for a proposal called “the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative.” In the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that will allow corporations to contribute unlimited funds into the political system, the NAR initiative is intended to maintain and cement REALTORS®' place among the most influential advocacy groups in America. 
CoreLogic reports drop in foreclosure shadow inventory
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Foreclosure shadow inventory (mortgages in 90+ days of deliquency) are a considerable factor against the recovery of the housing market. The estimates put the current inventory around 1.8 million homes equating to a nine-month supply; a six-month supply is considered healthy. CoreLogic reports that this is an 11 percent drop in this inventory from one year ago. Read the full story on Housing Wire here...
David Stevens heads to top position at Mortgage Bankers Association
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today announced that John A. Courson, the association’s President and CEO, will be leaving the association, effective June 1, 2011.  Courson will be replaced by David H. Stevens, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in May.  Stevens had...

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Upcoming Meetings & Events

See all events...
VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference
February 14, 2012 - 9:30am - February 16, 2012 - 1:15pm
The Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 South 12th Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Get Active: VAR's Legislative Advocacy Conference The real estate networking & political event of the year. Attend this event and meet with your legislators on THEIR turf.  Learn the latest on trends and issues impacting your business. Early bird ends February 6--register now and save!

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