July 1, 2023 Forms and Legal Updates

2023-10-09T15:32:57-04:00July 1st, 2023|

On July 1, 2023, several new and revised forms are available in the CVR MLS forms library. The majority of the changes to the revised forms were necessitated by the new Residential Resale Disclosure Act (RRDA). Forms ReVISION Guide Effective July 1, 2023, this new act replaces the Property Owners Association (POA) and the Condominium Owners Association (COA) Acts. The new RRDA consolidates the majority of the provisions of the POA and COA acts, but there are some key differences licensees need to be aware of: I. The following terms have been removed from the act: Property Owners [...]

New Laws Effective July 1, 2022

2023-06-23T12:02:04-04:00June 23rd, 2022|

New Laws Effective July 1 Please be aware of the following changes to Virginia law that become effective Friday, July 1, 2022 Escrow SB 533 states that if a principal or supervising broker, or any of their agents receive an EMD that will not be held in the firm's escrow account, the principal or supervising broker shall ensure that the EMD is delivered to the escrow agent named in the contract by the end of the fifth business banking day following receipt of the deposit, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the principals to the transaction Residential Property Disclosure Act [...]

Source of Income in the Virginia Fair Housing Act

2020-06-24T15:01:20-04:00June 19th, 2020|

In this podcast, Government Affairs Manager Joh Gehlbach sits down with Alex Guzmán, the Director of Fair Housing at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, to discuss source of income. On July 1, 2020, source of income becomes a protected class in the Virginia Fair Housing Act. Learn more about this new law and how it expands housing opportunities. This podcast is sponsored by Virginia Credit Union.

2020 General Assembly Report

2020-06-19T10:22:12-04:00June 18th, 2020|

Over 3000 bills were introduced during the 2020 Virginia General Assembly Session. The Richmond Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs team, along with our local and state counterparts, reviewed every bill that would impact real estate. Below you will find a brief summary of each successful piece of legislation that could affect your business. If you would like to review the legislation in depth, each bill number links to the full text as it is enacted into law. All bills are effective July 1, 2020 unless otherwise noted. For more information on these or other legislative items, contact Joh Gehlbach at jgehlbach@rarealtors.com. [...]

NAR Wins Major Provisions for REALTORS®

2020-03-30T10:35:57-04:00March 26th, 2020|

Last week, the United States Congress passed a $2 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package with overwhelming bipartisan support. President Trump signed it into law. The measure includes $350 billion for the Small Business Administration 7(a) loan program.  Under the terms, eligible businesses (500 employees or fewer) can get up to $10 million toward mortgage interest, rents, utilities, and payroll costs. A portion of these loans will be forgivable. “We worked with the drafters of this legislation to ensure that independent contractors and those living on a commission-based income will be eligible for the loans as well as the forgiveness provision,” said [...]

Chesterfield County Tax Benefits for Improving Older Homes

2019-10-30T11:30:19-04:00October 30th, 2019|

Chesterfield County actively encourages investment in aging neighborhoods and offers an incentive program to homeowners who improve the value of homes that are at least 25 years old (built-in 1994 or earlier). Homeowners anywhere in the county who improve the assessed value of their home by at least 10% may realize a property tax exemption based on the assessed value of the improvement. This program applies to rehabilitation, renovation, or replacement of older structures. The benefit lasts 15 years and runs with the property. Rehabilitation tax exemptions are also available for commercial and industrial buildings, as well as for apartments and [...]

Navy Hill Presentations

2019-10-08T16:35:32-04:00October 8th, 2019|

View the available Navy Hill presentations below Navy Hill Council Work Session - City Overview Presentation Navy Hill Council Work Session - NH Presentation Navy Hill is the revitalization of an entire neighborhood where one was lost, creating jobs and opportunities, affordable homes, and new tax revenue for the City. Here’s what the project will do: Create new tax revenue for schools, public safety, and core City services (streets, utilities, etc). Currently, there is nowhere to live, eat or shop in the neighborhood—meaning the downtown land generates almost no tax revenue to fund City services. Once developed, there will be apartments, [...]

RAR Endorsements

2019-09-13T15:55:08-04:00September 13th, 2019|

The Richmond Association of REALTORS® has issued endorsements in several local races. Candidates running for open Board of Supervisor or School Board seats were invited to participate in interviews conducted by the RPAC Trustees, a nine-member board composed of REALTORS® from across the Richmond Metro Region. The endorsement process is non-partisan and solely focused on housing policy. After three days of intensive candidate interviews, the RPAC Trustees have endorsed the following candidates: Chesterfield Board of Supervisors Jim Ingle – Bermuda District Kevin Carroll – Matoaca District Chesterfield School Board Ann Crawley Coker – Bermuda District Dot Heffron – Clover Hill District [...]

New Laws Effective July 1

2019-07-18T10:06:30-04:00June 28th, 2019|

New Laws Effective in July Please be aware of the following changes to Virginia law that become effective today - Monday, July 1: Unlicensed Real Estate Activity HB 2218 adds unlicensed real estate activity to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to better protect homebuyers and real estate licensees. Unlicensed activity can be enforced by the Virginia Attorney General, a Commonwealth's Attorney, or a locality's attorney. Residential Property Disclosure Act SB 1292 adds mineral rights and special flood hazard zones to the Residential Property Disclosure Statement and adds more specific language about where flood information can be found. HB 2019 deals with stormwater detention facilities. [...]

Richmond RPAC Brick Engraving

2019-03-03T13:40:31-05:00March 1st, 2019|

Want your name on a brick at the Richmond Association of REALTORS®? Now is your chance to become the foundation of our local and statewide advocacy efforts through a contribution to the Richmond REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC). Make a $2,500 contribution to RPAC by Thursday, October 31, 2019, and have your name engraved on a brick outside of RAR's main entrance. If you would like to take advantage of this engraving opportunity, you may contribute through a monthly installment program or a one-time payment by contacting Joh Gehlbach, Government Affairs Coordinator at 804.422.5029.