September 2009 Archives

This is the last issue of the Weekly Internal News (aka WIN) Report.  Although the WIN Report has been a great source of information for our members, we've found that many members either disregard the report altogether or put off reading it "until they have more time".  As a result, members often miss the information they really want and need to know.  But the end of the WIN Report doesn't mean the end of communication.

Have you seen the countdown clock that measures how much time is left before the $8,000 First-time Homebuyer's Tax Credit expires?  (If not, just look in the right-hand column on the DAAR homepage under the heading "Time is Ticking Away".)  Like the sense of urgency this clock creates?  Want to instill that sense of urgency in your clients?

There has been some recent confusion over the number of times an agent can update their SentriCard lockbox key without running it through the card reader.  DAAR has received confirmation from NVAR that their policy is to allow no more than two updates in a row away from the card reader (i.e. at a lockbox or by calling SentriLock) and no more than three total in a month.

DAAR published existing home sale indicators in Loudoun County for August this week.  The monthly report reflects a market in need of more supply.  Following five consecutive months of declines, the number of active listings in August 2009 totaled 1,229 units, down 58% from the August 2008 level and 72% below the total in August 2006.  The steadily declining number of active listings affects other market indicators such as available inventory, days on market and sales volume.

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) banned telemarketing sales calls using pre-recorded messages without a consumer's written consent to receive such calls.  The new rule took effect on September 1, 2009. 

Debbie Reuter, wife of Jock Reuter and DAAR member, of Reuter's Real Estate, passed away on Friday, September 4th.  The family will hold a private service, but memorial donations may be made to Round Hill Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 145, Round Hill, VA 20142.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Jock at P.O. Box 984, Middleburg, VA 20118.

Victor duPont, former DAAR member, who served on the Board of Directors, Governmental Affairs Committee, RPAC Committee and Golf Tournament Committee; and was affiliated with Armfield, Miller and Ripley, Fine Properties, passed away on Tuesday, September 8th.  There will be a funeral service held on Saturday, September 12th, 3 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church, Upperville.  Memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St. Winchester, VA 22601 or his church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 306, Middleburg, VA 20118.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to his wife Barbara at P.O. Box 1361, Middleburg, VA 20118.   We extend our deepest sympathies to Jock and Barbara.

DAAR has signed a co-marketing agreement with the Northern Virginia Real Estate Times (NVRE Times), Northern Virginia's only socially networked online newspaper focusing on real estate and the communities of Northern Virginia. Under the terms of the agreement, DAAR members who sign up for the service will be guaranteed that their price will never increase during the life of the agreement.

Overnight on Sunday, September 13th, GE Supra will "flash" the firmware of all ActiveKEYs issued by DAAR.  Doing so will update the keys' firmware to take advantage of several improvements to how the keys manage their battery life.  You won't need to do anything to receive this new firmware, as long as your key is charged and the radio is turned on.