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Stearns Installed as 2010 PWAR President

Lee Odems, 2009 PWAR President, bid his supporters farewell and congratulated them on a fantastic year. “It has been my pleasure to serve as the PWAR President this year,” Odems said. Read his speech here Wes Stearns was then installed as 2010 PWAR President, the first Gen X PWAR President. “I am honored to be part of this Leadership team,” Stearns said. Read his installation speech His father, Mo Wilson, administered the oath of President. Liz Hernandez and Guy Allen were awarded the Presidential Award of Excellence for their work on PWFind.com. His wife, Lisa Stearns, pined him with the official Presidential pin. Lonnie Plaster, 2004 PWAR President, administered the oath to the Directors and Directors. The following were installed into office:

2010 PWAR Officers/Directors:
President-Elect: Forrest Odend’hal
Immediate Past President: Lee Odems
Vice Presidents: Liz Hernandez, Dee Spraker
Directors:
Guy Allen
Scott Jacobs
Pam Sarver
Gwendolyn Walton

Continuing Directors:
Bev Frowen
Michael Hill
Kathleen Kennedy
Judy Newell
John Pagan

You are Ethical. But are you Professional?

Agents are well aware of the Code of Ethics. But are you familiar with the Pathways to Professionalism This is a concise guide of all the Professional Courtesies you should extend to your fellow agents and the Do's and Don'ts of your practice. Take a look and critique your own professionalism. Questions/comments to Denise Roosendaal

Tailgate Party a Success!

Over 75 members attended PWAR's tailgate party at the end of September who deemed the event a great success. Great food, great music, great fun. Many thanks goes out to the local chapter of VMLA who co-sponsored this event and to Abundant Manna Catering who cooked the delicious bar-b-que. Even the rain cooperated and stayed away. More parking lot parties are planned for 2010. If you are interested in helping to plan these events, please send an email to Denise

Stackhouse Installed as 2010 VAR President

PWAR?s own Cindy Stackhouse (PWAR ?08 President) was installed as the 2010 VAR President on Thursday, September 17 at The Homestead Resort at the VAR annual convention. ?This is an exciting time for PWAR. Our first ever state president,? said PWAR 2009 President Lee Odems. A delegation of about 15 PWAR members were on hand for her installation. (See photos)

2010 PWAR Election Results

Congratulations to the following individuals for being elected:
• Pres-Elect: Forrest Odend?hal
• VP: Liz Hernandez, Dee Spraker
• Directors (2yr term): Bev Frowen, Michael Hill, Gwendolyn Walton
• Director (1 yr term): Guy Allen
• Commercial Seat: Scott Jacobs

VHDA Launches Homebuyer tax credit plus loan program

One of the biggest obstacles facing first-time homebuyers is gathering the funds for the down payment and closing costs. To help prospective homebuyers meet this challenge, the Virginia Housing Development Authority has designed a new loan program ? Homebuyer Tax Credit plus.

Click here to learn more

New Residential Disclosure Form ? effective 7/1/09

The VREB revised the Residential Disclosure Form with language on stormwater retention as directed by the General Assembly this past session. The effective date is July 1, 2009. Please download the new form here: New Residential Disclosure Form

How to Resolve Shorts Sales Commission Issues

NAR has prepared a document to assist members with the ever-frustrating short sales commission disputes. Click Here to See It

Got Legal Questions?

Review these Legal Articles and Legal Hotline archives by Lem Marshall. They are organized by topic and revew the most commonly asked legal questions in the real estate community. To contact the Legal Hotline, the broker of an office must register and make the calls. VAR Legal Hotline

NAR Presents RESPA Webinar on Busby Case

On June 23, 2009, NAR hosted a RESPA webinar on the recently decided Busby case, featuring nationally recognized RESPA expert, Phil Schulman, Esq. Mr. Schulman discussed the court's ruling and how it will affect NAR members. On April 20, 2009 the United States 11th Circuit District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, filed a memorandum opinion in Busby v. JRHBW Realty, Inc. d/b/a Realty South. The court concluded that a $149 Administrative Brokerage Fee charged by Realty South violated Section 8(b) of RESPA. Click here to view the Webinar: (please note: to see the webinar you must scroll down then log in) Scott Rinn 202-383-7508, Marcia Salkin 202-383-1092, Kenneth Trepeta 202-383-1294

CBS v. Day Codes

PWAR offers Affiliate Sentrilock Keycards which use the CBS (Call Before Showing) Code System which is similar to the Supra CBS system. Please be sure you understand the difference between CBS Codes and Day Codes. Please read/download this one page article and share with the agents in your office.

Changes to Regional Sales Contract

The Regional Associations recently made some significant changes to the regional contract. Please be sure you are aware of these changes. Read this document written by NVAR

Congratulations Graduates

The following individuals graduated from the Association Leadership Development on May 8. These graduates were selected (along with a dozen other REALTOR? from FAAR and DAAR) to participate in this Leadership Program which was a rigorous curriculum over the course of eight months. This intensive study included reading required leadership literature, group/team assignments, and monthly lectures. Let?s celebrate with this individuals as we look forward to putting their leadership skills to test in the future for PWAR.
Lizzie Hernandez, ReMax Regency
John Pagan, Coldwell Banker Elite
Fatima Pereira, Weichert Realtors
Delores Spraker, Keller Williams Realty
Gwendolyn Walton, ReMax Regency
Sherrie Beach

Click Here to see the New Member List

Prince William County?s Home Help Program

As an employee of Prince William County, Virginia, you may be eligible to benefit from the Home Help Program.

This program offers special incentives to assist public service professionals ? including law enforcement officers, firefighters, County government employees and teachers ? in achieving homeownership.
Download the Home Help Flyer

AWARDS

Million Dollar Award Plaques and Certificates may be picked up beginning March 30th at our new building.

4545 Daisy Reid Ave
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Directions to the New PWAR Building

Check out photos from the event! Click here

Who's Controlling the Message?

This is a question that demands considerable attention from serious minded Brokers and Agents who are committed to their personal business and the real estate profession. Over the past couple years I have heard a lot of grousing and complaining about the negative reporting the media seems totally committed to when talking about our industry and us as practitioners. The whimpering and whining from us reached a crescendo as the government bailouts, stimulus attempts and housing related programs were being rolled out and examined. Pity the poor Realtor and their beleaguered industry.

I?m all for being aware of the reality that things aren?t like we want them to be and the road seems to only go uphill for us, but enough with us playing victims. Enough with us complaining about the negative messages being spread by ?the media?, enough with us acting like there?s nothing we can do locally to have an impact.

In our quest to look for rescue from the higher up, from the powers that be, we have ignored the most potent weapon that we have always had for controlling the message in our local market. The simple YARD SIGN.

The yard sign has always been the real estate broker and agent?s most effective communications tool to communicate to our friends, neighbors, and anyone else wandering around our area as to what our local market is really doing. The up and down of signs, the constantly changing sign riders, the message of the riders all ?talk? to the people who matter most about what is happening in real estate in Prince William County and beyond.

Last year in Prince William County, Manassas City and Manassas Park we had 10,842 sales. When you tell people, both agents and regular citizens, they are shocked by that number because what we didn?t have was 10,842 signs going up and down, 10,842 times to say ?For Sale?, Under Contract?, ?SOLD? in the rapid succession which is how it happened. Many missed the real pulse of our local market, because it was drowned out by that national media reporting. Mostly it was missed by our failure to put up a darn sign!

You have to go back to 2002 (10,170 sales) ? 2005 (13,594 sales) to hit those numbers. Anyone working the street today knows the greatest challenge right now is lack of inventory. As I write this today, of the 4539 properties on the market 61% are in some type of ? Contract? status. Only 39% (1768) are showing as ?Active? and anyone calling listing agents? inquiring about status knows maybe half of those are truly available.

This, my fellow Realtors, is the market we?re in, the market our clients are in, and the market our community is in. We need to communicate this loud and clear so everyone knows. No more excuses, no more whining, no more complaining, from this moment forward all we do is shout and shout loudly in the one way that no one can drown us out and that?s with signs, and more signs, and more SIGNS! Use them or quit complaining.

Sentrilock Conversion
Click here to learn all you need to know about the lockbox conversion.
PWAR is selling used Supra Lockboxes for $35 (while supplies last). These boxes can be used in the Fredericksburg and Dulles areas.
Used Supra Lockbox Order Form

Moving Up & Moving In

Yes, March was the month of moving and moving and moving. We first moved into the spring market with lots of momentum from a month of great sales in February. We then moved through our annual Realtor Gala and Awards festivities where we recognized our Million Dollar and Top Producer agents for having moved a whole lot of houses in 2008! We also recognized some ?Of the Year? special award winners (Education, Code of Ethics, Volunteer, Sales Associate) and the whole REALTOR organization for persevering and prospering during challenging times. ) Check out photos from the event! Click here

The moving didn?t stop there, we also moved our PWAR Headquarters from it 30 year location in Manassas into its brand spanking new building in Mid-County (Woodbridge). Our new building represents our collective faith in the long-term viability of real estate and this county. Where others have wavered and retreated, we have pressed forward with persistence and commitment to our profession and our community.

So you ask, what?s left to move? First, our primary purpose has been and will always be to move people in and out of houses, to move real estate among the people of our great county. The second thing we?ll be moving is through the public Grand Opening of our new building. Lots of activities are planned for the months of April & May that will involve, ribbon cuttings, special events, educational events for consumers and PWAR members, and just some plain ole celebrating. We will be doing this with local dignitaries; members of the community and of course you, our members! Stay tuned for dates and details.

You can feel the momentum in the air, the urge to move, the regeneration of a market and a community. I invite each and every one of you to get into the flow and swing of things and make this April the month of moving, moving and more moving.

Does it Get Better than This?

Fellow REALTOR, it's that time of year again when we all shake off the doldrums of winter and get ready to spring into an awakening Spring Market, except this year it is very different. Of course, after the recent snowfall, we have a little snow to shovel up but also this year the market isn't "awakening". It is already wide eyed sit up in the bed AWAKE! That's right, have you seen the January sold figures from MRIS? Can't wait to see February's numbers. Hold on, I thought this was supposed to be a bad market, a real downer in a down economy?

Being a little concerned that I might be reading this all wrong I consulted with our very own Forrest Oden'hal (BOD Vice President, Chairman of Budget & Finance Committee, Forrest's a perennial Top Producer and Real Estate Stud) to get his take on what's going on. So now let me turn the floor over (I mean column) to Forrest for some timely and astute insight into our current Market and Opportunities as Prince William agents.

From Forrest Odend'hal:
As most of you are aware, I am a glass half-full kind of guy. I am asked daily ?How is the real estate market?? I?m passionate about the real estate industry and believe this market offers opportunity that ?we? have never witnessed. Here are some statistics to prove my point:

• Average Sales Price = $201,925, down 52.5% from 2006 high of $424,893
• Sub 5% Interest Rate ? a 50 year low
• Unemployment Rate = 3.6-3.8% - Half of the Nation?s average
• Median salary in PWCounty = $96,800
• Stimulus package offers an $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit
• 759 Homes sold in Jan 2009 - highest January sales on record
• Population growth outpacing new home starts. NVa population (2000-07) is up 16% compared to new home starts which are down 58%
• Sales volume is up and inventory is down (by 50% over a year ago)

From an investor standpoint, (return on the dollar, tax savings) the future is bright. The net return per investor property I have sold in the past few months ranged from 8.5%-16%.

This is all a perfect storm for buyers: Yesterday pricing, interest rates at a 50 year low, the NVA area income at the top of the nation rating, unemployment rating 50% of national average, a local economy poised to take advantage of the national stimulus package.

Does it get any better than this?

REALTORS? Go to the Hill

20 PWAR REALTORS? went to visit the legislature on Feb. 11, 2009. The delegation met with Delegates Jackson Miller, Paul Nichols, Scott Linghamfelter, and Senator George Barker. The REALTOR? Group discussed legislation related to real estate. Thank you to all who participated.

New Member Advertising List

Manassas Housing Trust Fund

The City of Manassas has approved $168,750 in funds to be used to assist City Employees and City School System Employees to purchase foreclosure homes in the City of Manassas and will be administered through the City of Manassas Housing Trust Fund, Inc. (MHTF). The funds will be used for downpayment closing/cost assistance for eligible borrowers, subject to program guidelines and procedures. Applications for assistance will be accepted starting December 8, 2008 and all funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis

MHTF Letter to REALTORS? and Lenders
MHTF Application

Realtors Loving Realtors

Sounds sexy, doesn?t it? Kind of exciting, a story just waiting to be told. In this Month that so famously represents all things love, allow me to wax poetic on my favorite kind of love, Realtors Loving Realtors. Will true love be realized or will a lover be scorned, will love be appreciated and acknowledged , or will it be taken for granted and forgotten? In the world of Realtors, especially among Prince William Realtors it all happens, everyday in everyway with everyone involved in Realtor to Realtor relationships.

It usually starts with a phone call, a gentle but persistent inquiry of availability. This is followed by an imploring and animated request to know more by the interested party, a hunger for details, pictures are sought if available, the question, ?when can I see?? The Realtor who is called will respond from his or her own need. The response could coy, or even arrogant, if sought by many suitors. It could be desperate and accommodating if unaccustomed to such attention, or sometimes aloof, especially if no flame for action still burns within. And so our story begins.

If we?re fortunate, these first tentative steps will blossom into a few dates, a discussion of making a commitment with terms and mutual benefits clarified, an agreement to move forward, and finally settlement at a title company of our mutually agreed upon choice.

Far to often we don?t reach that story book ending because the first attempt at building a relationship is rejected by one or both parties engaging in arrogant, disinterested, self-centered , ego-maniacal, down right jerkish behavior that as of late has become the bane of our profession. People please, it aint no way to have Realtor to Realtor love.

Hold on Cupid?s on the way! Before you break out the hankies there is a way to fix this and fix it quick, therefore allowing our love story to end happily ever after. Here goes, click on this link REALTOR LOVE and behold the Pathways to Professionalism and the one true way to Loveville. You see that though the Pathways to Professionalism isn?t a part of or enforceable under the Realtor Code of Ethics, it does speak to how we should conduct ourselves professionally in living out the spirit and letter of our Code of Ethics. It is an excellent guideline of how we should treat, our clients, the property they entrust us with, and most importantly each other.

So how do we use this gem of wisdom and knowledge. First, we make an undying pledge to incorporate it in our own personal code of professional behavior. Secondly, we share it with those we?re associated with and ask them to do the same, and finally we vow to not tolerate bad behavior and mistreatment from each other, ever. When confronted with less than professional and respectful behavior we must remind our fellow Realtors of this way of living and by provide them and their broker with a fresh copy of the Pathways to Professionalism highlighting the appropriate behavior we?re looking for. We can no longer accept bad behavior as the norm. We can no longer tolerate bad actors who attempt to excuse their actions with a curt ?I?m very busy?, ?I?m swamped? or some other variation of this pitiful excuse for bad behavior. I would submit if a Realtor is that busy they should hire some help or find someone capable to manage their thriving enterprise.

When the standard becomes a culture of professionalism and respect for each other, we will find that being in the real estate profession is indeed a joy and contacting another Realtor will be the highlight of a good business day. As I?ve heard Scott Brunner, CEO of the Virginia Association of Realtors often quote his grandmother who so wisely told him ?You can?t talk yourself out of something you acted yourself into? and so goes with the professional culture we create. Our actions and those alone will show the true level of love and respect we have for each other as people and professionals.

Finally, I will say there is a happy ending to our story because throughout time people have always found a way to allow love to conquer all and this crazy market is no exception.

Ladies, please don?t forget the candy and flowers we just love those thoughtful appreciations of your love!

PWAR's Site for Teachers

Did you know that PWAR has a partnership with Prince William County Teachers?
Click here to see the Teacher Partnership Page

Foreclosure Rehabilitations Acquisition Program (FRAP) Informational Meeting

Prince William County Office of Housing and Community Development and City of Manassas Housing Trust Fund are pleased to announce a new HUD funded Foreclosure Rehabilitations Acquisition Program (FRAP) designed to help qualified Homebuyers purchase foreclosed homes in local targeted areas. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program will provide homeownership education loans for partial down payment, closing costs, rehabilitation, energy improvements. To learn more about this opportunity for your purchasers, you are invited to attend one of two information meeting.

See a flyer for FRAP here

Inclement Weather Policy

If the George Mason University Campus cancels class, PWAR will cancel its scheduled classes. If GMU delays their classes then PWAR will delay by the same amount of time. PWAR will make all reasonable attempts to contact students who are registered for a class to notify them of any cancellations or delays in advance.

Storm Clouds by President Odems

Happy New Year! Now that that?s out of the way, lets talk about the coming storm.

There is much fretting, cursing and anxiety among our membership about the clouds on the horizon. Over the last 90 days as I have attended National, State and Leadership conventions I?ve heard and felt more of the same. I?d liken it to living in Florida during a particularly active Hurricane season. More predictions of doom, gloom and massive destruction are coming in. Another storm is on the way and it?s worse than the last one. The questions begin in earnest, do we evacuate or not? Do we leave for good or not? Are the forecasters right or is this just more hype?

Did I say Happy New Year? Oh yeah, I did and its going to be just fine. Why? Because we (PWAR Realtors) are smart, committed, professionals who know a lot about storms and how to not only survive the storm but to be positioned to thrive when the sun and blue skies return.

So far we have survived the Category 1, 2 and 3 storms of 2006, 2007, and 2008. We have learned when to hunker down, when to pull out and when to keep on working through the strong winds and rain. We have learned that cursing the storm doesn?t make it go away, we have learned that worrying about how long it will last doesn?t speed it up, and we have learned that asking ?why me? is only wasted breath. Most importantly we have learned we?re tougher than the storm and in the end we will prevail because we know that sooner or later the storm will have run its course and blue skies will follow.

So you ask, what do we do now Lee? It?s real simple. Focus only on that which you can control and commit to winning in the end. We?ve talked in the past about the three C?s of Commitment, Competence, and Confidence. They are your best survival gear to survive this and any storm in your life.

Commit to winning. Commit to not just surviving but thriving. Commit to doing what ever it takes to outlast the storm. Today, I find that I have to show a few more houses, write a few more contracts, take a few more weeks to sell a listing, return a few more agent calls, be a little more patient, work a few more hours a day, or week. All this I do to keep my business going. So what? That is the price of commitment to winning.

Competence. After twenty plus years in this business you think you?ve seen it all, done it all, know it all and then this Category 7 storm shows up and it?s like Oh *(&^! Time to go back to school. The most savvy amongst us recognized a couple years ago that new skills, new business approaches, new attitudes, and new daily behaviors would be required to survive and thrive in these unprecedented times. These early adaptors were rewarded with increased market share and profit. Now that the rest of us have learned that we must become competent in different ways you see a leveling of market share and an expansion of the market itself. As we have brought more skilled and competent workers to the market our sales numbers are up all around and our market is growing

Confidence. You either believe you can do the job or not. The critical factor in survival in times like these is a belief in self and the ability to project that to those around you. Huddling in a corner whimpering and whining is one option for confronting a storm, but it doesn?t do much to help you survive, nor does it give comfort to those who depend on you (your family, the public, your firm). If you have embraced the other two C?s, Commitment and Competence, then this one, Confidence, will be your natural result and will impact all who come in contact with you and then the storm won?t seem so bad.

This is a simple message. It is time for all of us at the dawn of this New Year to ?Pull up our Big Boy Britches? and get busy doing what we do like no others can do it in the entire world. Whether it?s a Category 1 or Category Gazillion storm, when we?re on our game it?s no contest. I?m proud of how we at PWAR have handled the circumstances of the last couple years and look forward to 2009 seeing us at our best. Oh Yeah, Happy New Year!