Word is getting out about the changes to the DAAR Honor Society.  The new form is easier to complete, and applicants can now qualify even if they meet the minimum point requirements in only two out of three areas thanks to a new tiered qualification structure.  Our response rate has been comparable to last year, but we want to make sure everyone has a chance to hear about the changes.  Therefore, the Awards Committee has decided to extend the deadline for submitting your Honor Society Application to Friday, February 19th.

If you had at least $2M in production in 2010 and have done any CE courses in the last year, attended any DAAR events, or been at all involved in your community or charitable organizations, you should apply.

February is REALTOR® Professionalism month at DAAR.  Join us on Wednesday, February 24th at noon for a Lunch Matters we're calling "One Bad Apple Spoils the Bunch".  This Lunch Matters class will include real stories from DPOR to help you avoid the same pitfalls as well as time to talk as a group about what unprofessional behavior you're seeing and what can be done to improve REALTOR® professionalism.

Staff from the Loudoun County Assessor's office provided the latest on property assessments to members during DAAR's Lunch Matters this week. Todd Kaufman, Loudoun County's Assessor, Jennifer Sanderson, CAMA Administrator and Jim White, Supervising Appraiser, provided a snapshot of residential and commercial property assessments along details of their new cost-effective, award-winning streamlined appeals process. To learn more, please see the presentations from the event.  Thank you to Charles Fincher, Monarch Title, Leesburg, VA for sponsoring the event and providing lunch.

Don't forget to take advantage of our Buy 8 Get 8 program for CE and PL.  Even if your license doesn't expire this year, get a jump on your requirements with this $96 savings, just for DAAR REALTOR® members.

Broker Management Course for your broker's license continues into February.  On March 22nd we will begin the Broker Appraisal 45 hour course, sign up now if you are thinking of getting your Broker's License

Last year, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted to move forward with opting into portions of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Loudoun County is not a tidewater county and is not required to impose the Bay Act regulations on property owners.  The proposed regulations aim to reduce pollution runoff into the Chesapeake Bay by implementing certain restrictions on agriculture and other land uses in Loudoun County. 

After months of debate, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (LCBOS) is set to vote on adopting a Limestone Overlay District (LOD) intended to alter the way property owners use their land on over 14,000 areas north and south of Leesburg.  The proposed regulations  prohibit "land disturbing activities" and require property owners to conduct expensive geological studies before constructing barns, additions, swimming pools or large gardens.