July 2008 Archives

As Chairperson of the Board of DAAR, I am writing this email in response to a Petition sent to you earlier this week.

The BOD and the Lockbox Committee have been studying the issues surrounding a possible conversion from Supra to Sentrilock for several months. We have had presentations from both vendors and have had a meeting with approximately 24 brokers from the area to give them details on both products, and more importantly to get their input. Currently the Finance and Budget Committee is quantifying all options available to us. Once the information is made available to the BOD, we will reach out to all of the members for their input regarding this serious issue.

Having said that, it is critical to point out that while technology and conversion cost to the association are important and should be analyzed, the most critical issue is the impact that DAAR staying with Supra, while all the surrounding associations, with the exception of Blue Ridge convert to Sentrilock, will have on our members ability to have their listings shown and the difficulties that will be faced when trying to show properties listed by members of other associations. Failure to focus on this issue first and foremost, not only ignores the realities of how you do business, but also places the future of DAAR itself in jeopardy.

I want to assure you that the Board of Directors is keenly aware of this fact and is committed on making a decision that best serves our members and facilitates their ability to do business.

Attention Commercial Members: There will be a webinar on how to leverage the listing features on CommercialSource.  Topics include data agreements and uploading.  Attendees can also submit questions.  The webinar takes place August 13th, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm EDT, and is hosted by the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance.

The Loudoun County Department of Economic Development (LCDED) launched Small Spaces in Loudoun's Places, a new website with a searchable database of office and retail space 5,000 square feet or smaller located in Loudoun County.  The LCDED staff can create an account for individual REALTORS®, brokers and property owners who are interested in entering and providing more exposure for their commercial listings.  For more information, contact Philip Denino, Community Development Manager, LCDED, 703-777-0585, philip.denino@loudoun.gov.

The Board of Directors is urging caution regarding the new MRIS Policy mandating the disclosure of "potential short sales".  It is the belief of the Board that this policy may be in conflict with Virginia Regulations.  Virginia Regs state that you may not disclose financial information about your seller without written permission.  Indicating something is a "short sale" may be construed by the courts as financial information that could bring harm to your client.  DAAR is in contact with MRIS over this policy and it is being reconsidered.  You are reminded that the MRIS Policy also indicates that any part of their regs that are in conflict with state law is not enforceable.  We strongly urge that you consult with your Broker before you disclose any financial information about your client without written permission.

Jeanette Newton, CEO of the Dulles Area Association of Realtors, was asked by Channel 9 News to speak about the state of the real estate market in Loudoun County, watch the video below. For more information on the condition of the real estate market in Loudoun County, visit our Market Statistics section.

At a meeting with DAAR Brokers the Board of Directors received valuable input on what needs to be considered and evaluated before any decision could be reached by the Board of Directors.  We have three options before us; 1. Continue with our existing Supra contract and consider our options in 2011, 2. Upgrade our existing contract to the "Active Key", without extending it and consider our options in 2011, and 3. Buyout our existing contract and convert to Sentrilock in January 2009.  The Brokers asked for additional research on the financial implications of all options.  The Lockbox Task Force and the Budget & Finance Committee will begin that process.  In the meantime, click here for a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that was developed by the Lockbox Task Force and provided to the Broker's at their meeting.  Stay tuned as developments arise.

At the end of June 2008, existing home sales rose 8% from May and 19% from the same time last year.  Loudoun County's inventory levels and average days on market decreased since May while median home sale prices - the point at which half of the homes sell for less and half for more - rose slightly.  For more information on these promising numbers, click here.

 

DAAR Recognizes REALTOR® of the Year and Honor Society Members  DAAR recognized several REALTORS® who rose to the top of their industry in 2007 terms of sales, community service, education and association involvement.  The following REALTORS® celebrated their achievements at the 2008 DAAR Honor Society Induction Reception on March 13th at Vintage 50 in Leesburg, VA:

Simon Warner, Market Advantage Real Estate, LLC, Sterling was named DAAR REALTOR® of the Year.

Honor Society:

Pat Billheimer, Long & Foster Real Estate, Sterling
Brad Boland, Jobin Realty of Reston
Beckwith Bolle, Coldwell Banker Residential, Leesburg
Candice Bower, Carter Braxton, Leesburg
Marcy Cantatore, Weichert Realtors, Purcellville
Mary Conover, RE/MAX Renaissance, Leesburg
Edna Cross, Prudential Carruthers, Leesburg
Sandy Fletcher, Coldwell Banker Residential, Leesburg
Dan Freire, Long & Foster Real Estate, Ashburn
Mary Gibson, Walsh & Associates, Purcellville
Tania Gonda, Weichert Realtors, Dulles
Carol Kearney, Momentum Realty, Potomac Falls
Karen Kidwell, Long & Foster Real Estate, Herndon
Sandy Loftis, Weichert Realtors, Dulles
Brenda MacEoin, ERA Teachers, Herndon
Melissa Mackimm, RE/MAX Renaissance, Leesburg
Lisa Marsh, Long & Foster Real Estate, Ashburn
Jamie Munizza, RE/MAX Allegiance, McLean
Beverly O'Toole, Long & Foster Real Estate, Sterling
Pat Patino, Long & Foster Real Estate, Ashburn
Sue Puleo, Prudential Carruthers, Hamilton
Rachael Remuzzi, Coldwell Banker Residential, Leesburg
Nicole Richards, Keller Williams Realty, Sterling
Kristen Roberts, Long & Foster Real Estate, Leesburg
James Sonnhalter, Keller Williams Realty, Sterling
Linda Sonnhalter, Weichert Realtors, Dulles
James Trawick, Long & Foster Real Estate, Leesburg
Prathap Valluri, Ikon Realty, Annandale
Simon Warner, Market Advantage Real Estate, LLC, Sterling
Holly Weatherwax, Momentum Realty, Potomac Falls
Ron Williams, RE/MAX Renaissance , Leesburg
Gail Williams, RE/MAX Renaissance, Leesburg
Leslie Wilson, Coldwell Banker Residential, Leesburg
 

DAAR would like to thank the following affiliate members for sponsoring the event:  Countrywide Home Loans,  First Horizon Home Loans, Bank of America, Relocation Systems, Farm Credit, Tah - Da! and Old American Title.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dulles Area Association of REALTORS® (DAAR) is pleased to announce that one of its members has been recognized by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for their long-time commitment and service to the real estate industry.

 

Jerry G. Sardone, a REALTOR® with Long and Foster REALTORS® in Reston, Virginia, was approved for REALTOR® Emeritus status at the NAR Midyear meetings last month in Washington, D.C.  The 1.3 million member national REALTOR® group, which recently celebrated 100 years of existence, awards the status to REALTORS® who have served the real estate industry, community and the REALTOR® association for forty cumulative years.

 

"We are keenly aware that the long and faithful service, for which you are being honored, reflects a myriad of efforts and activities on behalf of the association" said Richard F. Gaylord, President of the NAR.

 

Seven years after DAAR received its charter as a local REALTOR® board, Sardone became active as a member and later in numerous committees and community affairs.  "As an active member who has been with DAAR from nearly the beginning, we truly appreciate Jerry's continuing years of service and involvement in the industry and association" adds Candice Bower, 2008 DAAR Chair.

 

For more information on the Dulles Area Association of REALTORS® visit www.dullesarea.com or the National Association of REALTOR® visit www.realtors.org.