Blog
Conforming Loan Limits to Rise 6.9%
November 28, 2018
The maximum conforming loan amount that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can back will increase to $484,350 from $453,100 in 2019, a 6.9 percent increase, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced today. NAR President John Smaby applauded the action, saying it will help keep homeownership within reach for many households by ensuring loan limits keep pace […]
REALTORS: You May be Eligible for Group Health Insurance thanks to a New Virginia Law
November 26, 2018
This year, an important new law in Virginia approved expanding health insurance options for self- employed individuals, including REALTORS® who meet the self-employed eligibility definition. Effective July 1st, 2018, SB 672 , introduced by Senator Creigh Deeds, changed the definition of a group for the purposes of purchasing health insurance to allow a one-person single […]
Don’t Delay – NAR Code of Ethics Required by 12/31/18. Take the Course on 11/30
November 11, 2018
NEW Two-year Cycle Deadline December 31, 2018 REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time within two-year cycles. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. A new two-year cycle began January 1, 2017. The deadline for this cycle is December 31, […]
Register for Bright MLS Training Classes!
October 31, 2018
Bright MLS is excited to offer Conversion to Bright training classes to help you get to know the new Bright system. All Bright classes are free and walk-ins are welcome. For more information about the conversion, click here. You can register for the following classes by logging into https://www.brightmls.com/#/home with your Bright MLS ID and […]
Power Up: Bright MLS Preview Begins October 29th!
October 25, 2018
DAAR Members! Your estimated conversion date of Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 to Bright MLS is about four weeks away! Bright is excited to bring you onboard so you can take advantage of some of the innovative features Bright offers to help drive your business forward. It’s time to Power Up! Here’s what to expect. Your transition to Bright […]
Need to Know: New Law Regulating Real Estate Teams – Effective 1/1/19
October 11, 2018
Are you working as a real estate team? A new law approved during 2018 Virginia General Assembly session, and supported by the Virginia REALTORS®, as part of their legislative agenda, clarifies the definition of teams, requires teams to obtain a business entity license and requires brokerage agreements to include the name and contact information of the […]
MRIS Conversion Process to Bright MLS Begins October 15th
October 10, 2018
The MRIS conversion to Bright MLS begins next week. Bright MLS will convert subscribers by county of their office location, beginning October 15th, with a three-week preview period and conversion date of November 5th, for Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church City, VA and then October 22th, with a three week preview […]
Access National Bank Offers Great Rates (plus NO FEE any ATM) for REALTOR® Members
October 9, 2018
DAAR REALTOR® members can now take advantage of an exclusive offer from Access National Bank on an above-market interest rate Executive Checking account that offers a ton of great perks. Additionally, members get tailored service and direct access to a personal banker to assist with financial needs from savings plans to mortgage financing. VALUABLE BANKING BENEFITS: […]
Bright MLS Numbers will Soon include a Geographic Identifier
October 5, 2018
After hearing feedback from subscribers and area associations on the benefits of having a geographic identifier within the Listing Number format, they are planning to reintroduce this in Bright. Because there are several duplicate county names in different states (for example Montgomery MD and PA, Kent, MD and DE) 2 character codes cannot be used […]
IRS to Issue Clarification on Client Meal Deductibility under New Tax Law
October 4, 2018
The Internal Revenue Service is working on guidance that would clarify the deductibility of expenses for client meals under the new tax law, The Wall Street Journal reports. According to the report, this guidance is expected to say that the cost of business meals will be 50 percent deductible, even when those meals are purchased […]