Blog

DAAR Members Give Back!-Over $1,650 Donated to Local Charity

October 15, 2019

Over 40 REALTORS® and guests gathered on Thursday, October 10th at Bungalow Alehouse in Ashburn, VA for DAAR’s Pool & Pints and Silent Auction. The networking event was held to raise money in support of Mobile Hope Loudoun, a local charity in Loudoun County. Auction items were donated by area businesses and were procured by […]

New to Bright MLS or Need a Refresher? Register for Training on Thursday, 10/24!

October 14, 2019

Are you relatively new to Bright or need a refresher? Please take time to join us for Bright Orientation, 10-11AM, Intro to Bright MLS, 11-12:30AM and Managing Listings and Sellers from 1:30-3:30PM at DAAR, 21720 Red Rum Drive, #177, Ashburn, VA.  Topics covered include setting up an account for branding and client preferences, how to […]

Window to the Law: Flood Insurance & Disclosures: What You Need to Know Now

October 10, 2019

Flood-related disclosures can generate a deluge of legal and ethical questions. What needs to be disclosed? How should you advise your sellers? What should you tell buyers about flood risk and flood insurance? Check out the latest Window to the Law video from NAR Associate Counsel Deanne Rymarowicz who answers these questions and more. Click […]

IRS Improves Deduction Safe Harbor for Mixed-Use CRE

October 10, 2019

The Internal Revenue Service this week released final guidance regarding a safe harbor to help owners of real estate enterprises determine whether they qualify for the new 20% deduction for “qualified business income.” While the safe harbor is largely unchanged in most aspects, it does ease the requirements for owners of mixed-use real estate (commercial […]

Why Your Online Reputation Matters

October 9, 2019

Your online reputation is the first thing clients notice when they Google you. But managing your online reputation can be time-consuming. Real estate is already a busy job, so a lot of brokers and agents forgo the additional task of collecting online reviews. That’s a mistake. Managing your online reputation is one of the most valuable things […]

Are You Election Ready? Absentee Voting Began 9/20

October 7, 2019

The General Election will be held in Loudoun County on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. On the ballot will be candidates for the Virginia General Assembly, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, School Board, Constitutional Officers, Soil and Water Conservation District, and bond questions. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November […]

Regulators Increase Appraisal Threshold

October 3, 2019

On September 27, 2019, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (collectively “the Agencies”) adopted a final rule increasing the threshold for requiring an appraisal in residential real estate transactions from $250,000 to $400,000. Federally related transactions under $400,000 […]

NAR Seeks Input Requiring Brokers to Share Listings with Other Brokers in the MLS

October 3, 2019

The National Association of REALTORS® is considering a change in the association’s MLS policy aimed at creating greater cooperation between brokerages within MLSs. The “Clear Cooperation Policy“ proposal is straightforward: Brokers who are MLS participants must share listings with other brokers in the MLS if those listings are being publicly marketed. NAR is seeking member feedback on the policy before […]

Flood Insurance Available Through November 21st

September 30, 2019

On Friday, September 27, 2019, President Trump signed into law an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program’s funding authority. This temporary measure also funds other government operations and averts a government shutdown through November 21, 2019. National Association of Realtors® President John Smaby issued the following statement: “With this CR temporarily ending the threat […]

Legal Corner: Social Media, Advertising and Ethics

September 30, 2019

Advertising media is constantly changing. New social media platforms pop up every week giving Realtors® more choices and easier access to mass advertising. Because of the quick pace of technology, the rules, both the Code of Ethics and the Virginia Regulations, have not kept up with the pace. Here are tips to help you navigate […]