We are pleased to announce that one of our members has been recognized by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for their long-time commitment and service to the real estate industry.  Mary Lou Raymond, ABR, GRI, CRB, CRS, a REALTOR® with Prudential Carruthers in Hamilton, Virginia, was approved for REALTOR® Emeritus status at the NAR Convention last month in Orlando, FL.  One year after DAAR received its charter as a local REALTOR® board, Raymond became active as a member in numerous committees and served as DAAR Chairman in 1974.  "As an active member who has been with DAAR from nearly the beginning, we truly appreciate Mary Lou's continuing years of service and involvement in the industry and association" adds Candice Bower, 2008 DAAR Chair.

It's almost here! DAAR will be upgrading all of its members to the new Supra ActiveKey - the only lockbox system that doesn't require daily cradling or key swiping during the first week of December. The ActiveKey Upgrade flyer details everything you need to know about the conversion, including when you should plan to come to the Holiday Inn Carradoc Hall to get your ActiveKey. Note that agents who are currently using the eKey do NOT need to attend the conversion.  Appointments are being set in 15 minute increments alphabetically by last name. You should plan to spend 30-45 minutes to complete your appointment.

DAAR is very aware of the impact the upcoming lockbox conversion by the neighboring associations will have on REALTORS(R).  We have been working hard with all the associations in Northern Virginia to minimize this impact as much as possible.  To that end, the associations have agreed to allow agents to obtain a "Key Only" membership that will provide them with keys and lockboxes for the "other" lockbox system at the lowest possible costs.  Click through to the Updated Key Only Membership Costs (2).pdf spreadsheet to see which lockbox system each association will be using after the conversion and how much they will be charging agents who obtain a Key Only membership to them.

NVAR representatives will be at the DAAR office in Leesburg on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 to sell Key Only memberships to DAAR agents.  PWAR will also be sending representatives to sell their Key Only memberships; however, we do not have a date yet.

If you have any questions about the upcoming lockbox conversion or Key Only memberships, please contact Alecia Moroz, Director, Membership Services at 703.579.0302 or via email to amoroz@dullesarea.com.  Check out our FAQ's, click here.

Kenneth Shall, a Registered Financial Planner with First Financial Group will show you how to invest effectively to ensure financial success during DAAR's free monthly Lunch and Learn on Friday,  December 5th, 12-1:30 p.m. Shall will discuss investment strategies, protecting your retirement account from dropping in value, creating a steady cash flow with fluctuating income, protecting your most valuable asset, avoiding retirement taxation traps and breaking down financial terminology.  Thank you to Farm Credit Country Mortgage  for sponsoring the event. For more information, download the flyer  Sign-up today!

DAAR's Education Department, led by Allan Marteney, Director of Professional Development and Standards, is committed to your education needs and mindful of your busy schedule. From this point forward, all of our Continuing Education and Post License classes will be held as scheduled regardless of the number of attendees. Whether we have one student or one hundred students, our classes will go on as planned EXCEPT for inclement weather precluding safe travel to class.

Delegate David Poisson is scheduled to meet with members of the Government and Political Affairs Committee (GPAC) on Friday, December 5th at 10:00 a.m. at the DAAR offices in Leesburg to discuss real estate issues of concern.  Delegate Poisson who represents the 32^nd district in the House of Delegates serves on the Counties, Cities and Towns and the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committees within the Virginia General Assembly.  DAAR GPAC meetings and public official discussions are open to ALL DAAR members.  If you are interested in attending, please email Christine Windle

The Virginia Homeowners Alliance (VHA) program is an exciting new FREE service to homeowners provided by the Virginia Association of REALTORS® to help protect their most treasured investment, their home.   By joining VHA, homeowners can stay informed of all the latest news relating to real estate taxes, property assessments, new residential and commercial developments, transportation, school construction and a host of other issues affecting their home.