First things first: What is EMERGE? 

EMERGE is a group of young real estate professionals focused on promoting professional relationships, networking opportunities, community involvement and leadership in FAAR.  This FAAR work group is tailored to members in their 20s and 30s, but all are welcome to attend.  It is also not just a group for REALTORS.  EMERGE is open to anyone working in a real estate related field including developers, builders, attorneys, title companies, and lenders. 

For more information about EMERGE, please contact Sarah Stelmok, Chair         Sarah@BuyInFredericksburg.com

Inaugural Event

Join EMERGE on August 16, 2008 (7-9pm) at Maury Commons.  We will be enjoying a cocktail party in one of the Maury Commons units while listening to the Martinsburg Jazz Orchestra, performing for the Bluemont Concert Series.  Beer, wine, and hors d’œuvre will be served.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a $5 donation which will be presented to the Bluemont Concert Series.  (Bluemont supports music programs in our local school systems). 

Parking is available at both Coldwell Banker, Carriage House Realty’s parking lots, located on William Street and George Street, and street parking is available.  Please do not park in the Maury Commons parking lots, as these spaces are reserved for residents. 

Please RSVP by August 14

Registration online at www.faarmembers.com/Events     

The 2008 VAR Conference is taking place September 25-28 in Baltimore, Maryland and here are 8 reasons why you should attend!

1.  Peer Pressure - Ummm… all the cool kidz are doing it!  This should be your #1 reason. 

2.  The Great Virginia Tweet-Up of 2008 - Are you a Twealtor, Twitterbug, Tweet, Twit or a combination of any of these?  Have you ever wanted to meet the people you have been talking to in a 140 characters or less?  Well, now you can! 

3.  Networking Opportunities - There will be plenty of opportunities to netowrk the old fashioned way, face to face.  VAR has even set up a Speed Networking Event on Saturday, September 27 at 4pm.  Don’t forget your business cards!

4.     EMERGE’s State Premier - Come suppport FAAR’s newest young professional initiative!  In conjunction with Richmond Rapport and VAR, EMERGE will be co-promoting the unofficial post-reception party at Roy’s Hawaiin Fusion restaurant and bar on Friday, September 26 at 7pm. 

5.  Meet the President! - Well, the President of VAR.  Who doesn’t want to join VAR’s 2009 President, John Powell, on a harbor cruise?  Baltimore will provide the views; VAR will provide the entertainment!

6.  Vacation From the Family - Need some time away?  This year’s conference hotel is lux.ur.ious!  The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel features an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and stunning Inner Harbor views.

7.  Education - Need to renew your license?  The VAR Conference is the perfect place to get your CE and PL credits.  This is an amazing opportunity to learn from dynamic national speakers.

8.  Can You Say FREE STUFF!?! - You know you can always use another post-it note pack, koozie, pizza cutter, and variety of pens!  The Expo will be open Friday and Saturday.  I highly recommend bringing a bag on wheels to tote all your freebies around!

Here starts a series to help inform you of the real estate changes taking affect July 1^st, 2008 as passed and approved by the Virginia General Assembly and Governor Kaine.  It will be a five part series starting with the changes made to the Property Owners Association Act (POA) and Condominium Act (COA); bill number is HB 516. 

The POA/COA Change 

One of the two corner pieces to this legislation was the creation of the Virginia Common Interest Community Board.  The Board will consist of appointees who will investigate complaints about community association manager who will now have a licensure requirement through DPOR; the only exception to licensure is if the POA/COA doesn’t contract out to management and does not pay a staff to run the association. 

The second largest change to the POA/COA is to the fee structure and delivery of the disclosure packet.  The new law will now permit sellers, or their agents, to request electronic delivery of the disclosure packet; they can also request two additional recipients to receive the electronic packet at no additional charge. 

The NEW Fee Structure 

The POA/COA is no longer allowed to charge fees beyond its declaration of covenants and restrictions or else provided by law.  The limits are not to go beyond: 

$100 for a property inspection 

$150 for two copies of the disclosure packet in hard copy, and 

$125 for two electronic copies 

$50 for an expedite fee 

$25 for an additional hard copy 

$50 for a post-closing fee 

No more than the actual cost of a commercial delivery service for hand delivery; i.e. UPS, FedEx, etc. 

Also, 

For no more than $50, an update, delivered within 10 days of a written request, may be requested if a packet or resale certificate was issued within the previous 12 months. 

Fees are not paid up front but are deferred to the time of closing 

These changes only apply to associations who have hired a management company or have a full-time staff. 

Come back to FAAR Forum to hear about changes to AVM’s, the Wet Settlement Act, listing and leasing agents disclosure, firm ownership, vested rights, and overcrowding enforcement.