VAR

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 current CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association and former Federal Housing Administration commissioner. Following lunch, nationally syndicated Washington Post real estate columnist Ken Harney will emcee a special housing policy forum for Virginia REALTORS. Panelists for that forum include Mr. Stevens, National Association of REALTORS’ past president Ron Phipps, and George Mason University economist and Housing Wire contributor Dr. Anthony Sanders. Then, following the panel, we’ll host our 2012 Legislative Reception at the Jefferson Hotel. 

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, and
• new 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 topic headings for clarity.

1. Realtors® who earn their GRI designation earn an average of twice as much as those without a designation.
2. Many of the courses you take for your GRI count toward your post-licensing and continuing education requirements.
3. 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 complete transactions, GRI teaches you the skills you need to really be successful in your field.