The Source

 
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Welcome to The Source!

The Source immerses readers through captivating video content, expert insights, and scenarios. Elevate your industry expertise by checking back each month for engaging multimedia and invaluable professional advice.

The Source is your inside scoop on legal, governmental, and ethical developments in the real estate industry.
 

An Update on the DC Area Housing Market

There have been "reports" on social media that there has been a surge of new listing activity in the Washington DC area housing market, which some are pointing to as evidence of an exodus of federal employees from the region.  Untitled (1080 x 800 px)Facts do not support these "reports." Based on Bright MLS data over the weekend, we are not seeing a significantly different pattern in the DC area that would suggest listing activity associated with changes within the federal government workforce. Listing activity in the first two weeks of February is virtually unchanged from a year ago. In Arlington, Virginia, there were 110 new listings in the first part of February this year compared to 112 new listings during the same period in 2024. The pattern is similar in the broader DC region, and throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Our partners at Bright MLS have the data and are sharing a new blog post. Don’t believe the hype you might be hearing on social media. Get the facts!

Read the Bright MLS Blog Here!

 

New from Government Affairs:

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2025 Virginia General Assembly Crossover Update
Nearly 2,500 bills are under review, with key Realtor® priorities advancing, including buyer agreements, board qualifications, and anti-fraud efforts. All Realtor® bills passed crossover. Other notable bills include airport noise disclosures and a first-time homebuyer grant. NVAR's Government Affairs team continues advocating for policies supporting real estate professionals and property rights.

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How Luxury Housing Helps Affordability

Housing costs — to buy or to rent — have far outpaced income growth. As a share of our income, we’re now spending more on housing than at any other point since World War II. Learn more from Justine Underhill, Falls Church City Council Member.



New from Legal Services:

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What is the Difference Between Legal, Physical, and Mailing Addresses?
There are several different types of addresses and as a Realtor® it's important you know the differences.

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What is Cash to Close?
Do you know what is included in Cash to Close? Learn more so you can better assist your clients as they reach the closing table.

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What is an Absentee Owner?
Hear from members of the NVAR Real Estate Finance & Settlements Forum as they explain the meaning of an Absentee Owner.



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Legal Reminder: New FCC One-to-One Consent Rules
The deadline for compliance with the new FCC One-to-One consent rule for telemarketing calls was recently extended in response to ongoing litigation. The new deadline is January 26, 2026, at the latest.


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Legal Blog: How to Enter Broker Compensation into the Exclusive Right to Lease Listing Agreement
Form K1281, the Exclusive Right to Lease Listing Agreement (ERRL), NVAR's agreement for brokers and landlords in rental listings, was updated at the beginning of this year. Learn more about how to properly fill out this form.


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Legal Hotline Question of the Month
"I helped my client buy an investment property and now they want to understand landlord-tenant rights under Virginia law. How can I help them?" Learn the answer to this commonly asked question.


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Updates from Professional Services:

2025 Updates to the Code of Ethics
The newest version of the NVAR Code of Ethics, effective January 1, 2025, is now available. Articles 4 and 11 were updated (see changes in bold below).

Article 4: Realtors® are required to disclose to all parties in writing any present ownership interest they may have in a property before signing any agreement relating to that transaction.

  • The types of ownership interests that would trigger this disclosure have been clarified and now include where the Realtor® represents themselves, a member of their immediate family, their firm or any broker or agent thereof, or any entity in which the Realtor® or immediate family member have a legal interest.
  • NEW FOR 2025: Realtors® are not required to disclose the identity of the interested client or customer, nor do they have to disclose the specific nature of the interest – they only have to disclose that an interest exists at all.

Article 11: Realtors® must be knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which they ordinarily engage. They shall not provide specialized professional services outside their field of competence.

  • Standard of Practice 11-2, which evaluates what constitutes basic due diligence for Realtors®, adds that reasonable competence also requires Realtors® to act in accordance with their agency duties under the law.

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Wednesday, February 26

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

NVAR Fairfax

Escalate Your Spring Market: Escalation Addendum & Calculator Workshop
With the spring market just around the corner, learn how to compare multiple offers with our new Escalation Addendum Calculator Workshop! Join our moderator, Ron Pieper, as he gives an overview of the NVAR Escalation Calculator and reviews how to use the Escalation Addendum form to best suit your clients' needs.

Register Now