Message from the CEO

Sept + Oct 2020: NVAR Has the Tools to Help You Build Your Future

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

September 1, 2020

As we round the homestretch on the year 2020, plans are already well underway for our landmark Centennial year in 2021. Our all-new three-week Virtual Convention and Trade Show, Reimagine: Build Your Future, is a prelude to the excitement and innovation that’s on the horizon.

With the Convention kick-off just a few weeks away, check NVAR.com/Convention regularly for updated session information tied to our goals for your future success and see page 23 to learn more.

To ensure Realtors® remain marketplace leaders, you can expect NVAR resources, programming and opportunities during Convention and beyond that will:

Deliver world-class member service with a 21st Century mindset;
Create unprecedented collaboration and leadership opportunities throughout the industry;
Position Northern Virginia Realtors® as industry leaders and spokespersons at state, local and national levels;
Leverage our Metro D.C. market position to attract homeowners, investors and professionals; and
Provide a digital-first approach for access and engagement with NVAR.

One significant example of how NVAR is positioning you for the future is the adoption of Remine Docs+ as our primary forms vendor. This resource is a future-focused game changer! It integrates the entire transaction process into an intuitive cloud- based collaborative tool that will help both you and your clients. You’ll be hearing much more about Docs+ during the transition period, from Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, and you can learn more at NVAR.com/Remine and on page 7 of this issue.

Real estate is predicted to continue the strong rebound that began this summer, with NAR’s Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun projecting sales in 2021 to increase by 8 to 12%. Without the dedication, innovation and initiative of Realtors® and industry professionals, such a remarkable recovery would not be possible. Your NVAR staff and leadership team are here as your industry and professional partners to continue driving this momentum.

Take advantage of your NVAR membership to stay at the top of your game. Embrace innovation, engage with your industry, and help shape the next 100 years of real estate in Northern Virginia.

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer
rconrad@nvar.com

July + Aug 2020: Framing the Future of Real Estate - NVAR Is Your Partner for Progress

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

July 1, 2020

It may be tempting to relegate 2020 to the history books, but our NVAR region has incredible positive momentum just waiting to be tapped – and we are ready to lead the way.

We’ve demonstrated during these past several months our collective initiative – to embrace technology, lead change, and be nimble in the face of adversity. But the work doesn’t end there.

NVAR, like other membership associations, exists in perpetuity, ensuring continuity of professional services to both current and future members. Our profession thrives not only because of your dedication and efforts today, but also because of the contributions of past members throughout the years. One hundred years, to be exact!

July of 2021 marks NVAR’s Centennial. We’re planning a year-long celebration of this milestone that will recognize where we’ve been, leverage the opportunities our region provides and launch us on an exciting path towards the future of real estate for Northern Virginia.

That future includes reinforcing your role as trusted industry spokespersons in our region and beyond. It means leading with a digital-first mindset in providing access to vital resources and services – for members and clients.

Our diverse Northern Virginia region is a hub for technology and global opportunity. Real estate plays a key role in the ability to sustain next-generation growth and development. As the region’s premier real estate association, we aim to engage members with world-class customer service that positions you to deliver the same for your clients while meeting the needs of an expanding marketplace.

Just as our local housing market is experiencing pent-up demand, we know that our members, volunteer leaders and staff team are ready to channel our energy and enthusiasm as the phased re-opening of our economy continues.

With unprecedented teamwork both within NVAR and industry-wide, we can harness that untapped energy to frame the future of real estate – not only in Northern Virginia, but throughout the industry.

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer
rconrad@nvar.com

May + June 2020: Business as Usual Means Adapting to Meet Member Needs in Unusual Circumstances

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

May 1, 2020

During these unprecedented times, we are all faced with changing circumstances on a daily – sometimes hourly – basis. What remains constant, though, is our ability as an industry to adapt in the face of change and our efforts as an association to support your business needs. Nowhere is this better reflected than in NVAR’s response as an association to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world around us has changed, we remain steadfast in our commitment to you.

Locally at NVAR, as well as at the state and national levels, your staff teams have not skipped a beat in ensuring that your business needs are met, your calls and emails are answered and your concerns are addressed.

Our legislative teams at the local, state and national levels are working tirelessly on your behalf, not only for your continued ability to transact business, but also to ensure access to extended unemployment benefits for Realtors® as independent contractors. Thanks to their lobbying efforts, you can continue to safely show homes, sign contracts and record transactions.

Since mid-March, our virtual workplace has been operating full-time to deliver membership and lockbox services, enhanced communications, continuing education, and top-quality programming. Committee and forum members are meeting, strategic planning and initiatives are on track; in short, the only thing that’s changed is our physical presence in Fairfax and Herndon. Instead, our multiple home office locations throughout the DMV are “online for business” and ready to serve you!

In fact, at NVAR, we are going beyond the basics to bring you virtual events featuring elected officials, nationally-recognized speakers and renowned subject-matter experts. Check out our webinar recordings at NVAR.com/OnlineLearning to view programs that you may have missed. And be sure to read our emails, follow us on social media and visit our website to learn about upcoming opportunities.

Rest assured that while our circumstances may be unusual, at NVAR it is business as usual when it comes to meeting the needs of our members – and business reimagined as we forge ahead to deliver value and Take You Further in new and exciting ways.

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer
rconrad@nvar.com

March + April 2020: NVAR – Your Gateway to Realtor® Success

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

March 1, 2020

Vision 2020 Strategic Plan Delivers Unique Member Experience

Does NVAR’s Vision 2020 have you seeing spots? We hope so! That’s because NVAR is much more than your one-spot stop (you read that right!) for business success.

In our January/February RE+View magazine, we introduced “Shop Realtor®,” a new way of curating and delivering benefits from all three levels of the association – local, state and national – to create an individualized member experience that aligns with the way you do business. More than just a store, Shop Realtor® categorizes every benefit that’s included with your membership – products, services, events, articles, referral partners, opportunities and more – in one of eight categories based on how you serve your clients and how you run your business. Each category has an associated icon, which you can see below, on the Table of Contents and throughout this issue. See if you can “spot” them!

In the coming months, look for the colorful icons everywhere you interact with NVAR – in print, online, and in-person on the digital signage in our Fairfax and Herndon locations. You’ll see that your NVAR membership is a gateway to thousands of resources that will help you at every stage of a client transaction and in all aspects of your business.

Learn more about what the Shop Realtor® experience can do to help you achieve success at NVAR.com/ShopRealtor.

Shop Realtor Icon Key

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer
rconrad@nvar.com

Jan + Feb 2020: New Year, New You, New Member Experience (M.E.)

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

January 1, 2020

Happy New Year! As we focus on the final stretch of our three-year Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, there are exciting transformations taking place in our association and our profession. Your NVAR staff team is committed to working closely with our volunteer leaders to deliver on the goals that will help you build your business and serve the needs of your clients.

Our Vision 2020 strategic drivers – value, innovation, and impact – are reflected throughout your association and in the pages of this RE+View magazine.

We continually explore ways to deliver value and help maximize your membership experience. This article explains how we’ve redesigned our offerings into eight “core competencies” to better align with the way you do business.

NVAR’s You and M.E. initiative offers new options for accessing your Realtor® association benefits to improve your Member Experience. Whether it’s text messaging, Alexa voice search, or enhanced access to member services, we are committed to helping you stay connected and adding value to your membership.

We’re implementing innovative approaches to member engagement, reflected in the all-new Realtor® Hub in our Fairfax location.

We’re supporting industry innovation, too, with an investment in NAR’s REACH program – committed to the exploration of technological advancements in the real estate space. Together, we are at the leading edge of industry trends, delivering the products and services you need to maintain your status as trusted advisors to your clients and meet evolving expectations. Learn more about the REACH program at nar-reach.com.

Northern Virginia Realtor® impact throughout the region and in Richmond continues to flourish. The NVAR Cares Committee and Young Professional Network give back to our local communities in a variety of ways that support worthwhile organizations and causes. By working with elected officials to protect your business interests and the interests of buyers and sellers, NVAR positions Realtors® as a positive influence in the region. Learn about the 2020 legislative agenda that your NVAR lobbying team is pursuing on your behalf..

Your NVAR staff and volunteer leadership team are committed to creating opportunities for your success. I encourage you to learn about all that your association offers. Stay connected. Get involved. Maximize your Member Experience in 2020!

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer
rconrad@nvar.com

Nov + Dec 2019: Realtors®, Association, Industry Evolve and Reaffirm Core Beliefs

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

November 1, 2019

From individual brokerages to real estate thought leaders and professional publications, everyone is talking about change in the real estate industry. And we know that change is the reality – in business models, consumer expectations, and our local market.

Our Convention theme this year addressed this paradigm: Realtors® Evolve – and was reflected not only in program sessions, but in the event format itself. We added two new sessions this year to celebrate our global marketplace and our top producers.

In fact, I’m pleased to announce that NVAR has again this year earned Platinum status in NAR’s Global Business Council Achievement Program. You can read more in this magazine issue about the great strides our members are making that helped lead to this achievement in 2019.

And take a look on page 7 to see how we celebrated the success of our top producing agents in a bold new way this year.

I’m excited about the new and innovative benefits and programs NVAR is introducing, yet it’s important to appreciate what’s not changing. The Realtor® profession is based on certain core beliefs that guide our work with one another and with the home buyers and sellers who rely on us as trusted professionals.

And those core beliefs are reflected in our Code of Ethics as well as the concept of cooperation on which our multiple listing service was created.

Your NVAR Board of Directors recently adopted a position statement expressing core beliefs related to the MLS cooperation and off-MLS listings:

Marketing decisions must be made based on what is in the client’s best interest.
Properties not included in the MLS severely limits exposure to the widest group of potential buyers.
Withholding listings from the MLS compromises the integrity of MLS data to the detriment of consumers.
Cooperation between brokers is a cornerstone of the NAR Code of Ethics, the foundation of the MLS, and essential to promote the best interests of consumers. Cooperation is institutionalized and facilitated efficiently and effectively through the MLS.

Continuing dialogue and open lines of communication are critical as our industry and association continue to keep pace with marketplace demands. Please share your feedback and suggestions. Your voice matters.

Our staff team and I are looking forward to working closely with our newly elected volunteer leadership in 2020. I hope that you will continue to be engaged and take it up a notch in 2020!

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer
rconrad@nvar.com

Sept + Oct 2019: NVAR Safeguards Your Business Success

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

September 1, 2019

In keeping with the September safety theme, I’m excited to provide an update on NVAR initiatives that safeguard your business success.

Here’s a brief rundown of some of this year’s significant milestones within our three strategic drivers:

VALUE

Expanded annual Finance Summit to include a full day of programming
Updated Top Producer’s Club to allow for greater participation, benefits and engagement
Added five additional advisory groups to engage more members in leadership opportunities
Updated the Herndon Center to match the look, feel and experience of our Fairfax headquarters

INNOVATION

Upgraded audio-visual capabilities in classrooms and meeting rooms
Shared knowledge from Stefan Swanepeol’s T-3 Summit
Partnered with neighboring associations to host the Xplode Tech Conference

IMPACT

Continued NVAR Cares efforts, making a difference for our community through financial support, in-kind contributions, and member participation, including becoming the first-ever lifetime partner for three regional ReStores for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
Collaborated regionally with local chambers of commerce and the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance to address issues such as affordability and transportation
Advocated to preserve your rights to post signs in Fairfax County; helped to elect primary candidates for the upcoming mid-term election who are champions of our business interests
Cultivated media sources to facilitate reporting by major news outlets, including the New York Times, WAMU, WTOP, Washington Post, Washingtonian magazine, CNBC, Fox5 News and others, recognizing NVAR Realtors® as the go-to experts on the Northern Virginia market

TAKING IT FURTHER

Now here are some things you can do to ensure business success moving forward:

Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 15 for our Annual Convention and Trade Show. Check out the center pull-out section of this issue to learn more.

Get to know the candidates for your 2020 Board of Directors by viewing their bios beginning on page 30. Then plan to cast your vote online between Sept. 11 – Oct. 12, 2019.

Renew your membership with NVAR. If you haven’t already, visit NVAR.com/dues to maintain your member benefits through 2020.

We look forward to continued progress on our strategic goals and a strong finish to 2019!

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer rconrad@nvar.com

July + Aug 2019: It's Time to Evolve

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

July 1, 2019

Embracing Change and the Future of Real Estate

In our industry there’s been a great deal of discussion recently about embracing change. As we explore in this issue, change can occur in a variety of ways – from highly tech-focused new business models, to alternative financing methods, to looking at new home ownership and living arrangements. Our goal at NVAR is to ensure that we recognize what’s on the horizon so that we can help our members understand and embrace the future. You can read about these topics and more in the following pages.

This past May, several members of your leadership team attended Stefan Swanepoel’s annual T-3 Summit. We spent that time hearing from an impressive lineup of industry leaders like Swanepoel, Rich Barton, the co-founder and CEO of Zillow, Robert Reffkin, co- founder and CEO of Compass, Gary Keller, co-founder and CEO of Keller Williams, and others who shared their perspectives about where our profession is headed. It was incredibly thought-provoking, and challenged all of us to consider new concepts about the future of real estate.

The real value of our attendance at the summit is the take-aways that we can share with our members. You may already have read our follow-up coverage on NVAR.com. Also, we have several copies of Swanepoel’s Annual Trends Report ($279 retail value) and will have a drawing to give those to interested members. If you’d like to enter the drawing, email webmaster@nvar.com.

As dues billing begins for your 2020 membership year, we have a renewed focus on delivering value. Your leadership team has been working diligently to deliver on the strategic goals adopted in 2018 – reflected in our Vision 2020 strategic plan. For examples of some of our accomplishments to date, visit NVAR.com.

Your leadership and staff teams are highly motivated to continue the work of realizing our collective strategic vision. With that in mind, we will continue to support your business needs so that you can serve your clients with the utmost professionalism and achieve your professional goals.

Ryan Conrad, CAE, CIPS, RCE, e-Pro
NVAR Chief Executive Officer
rconrad@nvar.com

May + June 2019: Realtors® - Rethink, Revise, Refresh for Success

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

May 1, 2019

The C2EX Challenge

The anecdotes in this issue’s cover article show that unexpected occurrences can require a shift in mindset, or even business practices. Sometimes things impact our business that we just can’t predict or control. What we can do, is educate ourselves about potential challenges and be proactive about making needed adjustments.

Our business landscape is constantly changing to adapt to our evolving world. Earlier this year, I attended an economic conference where the recurring themes were innovation, curiosity and change. In his opening remarks, George Mason University President Angel Cabrera said, “Businesses that thrive are leading the disruption.”

So how can we be prepared to deal with change in our marketplace? One great place to start is NAR’s C2EX Commitment to Excellence program (details below). I recently completed this online journey, which includes a self-assessment that measures proficiency in various elements of professionalism. Based on your personalized results, the platform generates customized learning paths. I highly recommend this program and challenge each of you to join me in our collective path towards achieving excellence! The modest time commitment will pay off in knowledge and skill enhancements that will benefit your business.

Whether you call it innovation, disruption, or evolution, it’s clear that change is on our horizon. Working together, we can ensure continued relevance, respect and Realtor® success.

NAR’s New Professionalism Tool

Commitment to Excellence

Realtors® are committed to their clients, the community, and the professionalism of the real estate industry. When it comes to upholding professionalism, Realtors® are committed to nothing short of excellence. The Code of Ethics lays the groundwork for Realtor® professionalism, and the National Association of Realtor’s® Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) tool takes it further by giving Realtors® a method to evaluate and improve their professional service.

C2EX allows Realtors® to take a self-assessment and then measures their proficiency in several professionalism elements called the C2EX Competencies. The program then generates a personalized set of learning paths, tools and resources to help enhance each user’s skillsets.

Be an advocate for the future our industry. Be committed to excellence. Visit www.C2EX.realtor to start the program today!

March + April 2019: Owning the Realtor® Brand

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

March 1, 2019

In this month’s cover article, we focus on how members can stand out from the crowd by owning their brand. If that sounds familiar, it’s because this was the theme of our 2018 Convention. There was such great energy behind that topic that we wanted to continue to share ideas this year.

Standing out from the crowd is what successful Realtors® do best. Our goal is to ensure that NVAR membership offers a professional advantage that gives you an edge in the marketplace.

Looking through the pages of this magazine, you’ll find opportunities for leadership, professional development and networking. RE+VIEW is also an excellent informational resource for serving your clients and running your business. There are articles devoted to law and ethics, our regional market statistics, the commercial marketplace, and even the latest smart home technology. These pieces have been researched, written and curated with one goal in mind: your professional success. I hope that you’ll take time to read and share them with your clients. Use this resource to help you stand out.

At NVAR, we work hard to own our Northern Virginia Realtor® brand to benefit your business. Throughout this issue, there are examples of how NVAR collaborates within our community to keep the Realtor® brand visible to legislators, businesses, civic leaders and consumers.

Whether it’s partnering with the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis on market analytics and projections, working with the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance to keep the region moving, or joining forces with Fairfax County to promote fair housing, NVAR is representing you throughout Northern Virginia. We’re also pleased to announce the recent publication, in partnership with the Northern Virginia Chamber, of the Northern Virginia Livability Magazine. We’ll have a limited supply of copies available at our Fairfax headquarters, and you can access it online at livability.com/northern-virginia.

Please remember that NVAR is your association – dedicated to providing the best resources for serving your clients and running a successful business. Engage with us to make the most of this significant professional relationship. And please share suggestions about how we can help you stay engaged and continue to own the Realtor® brand in our community.

Jan + Feb 2019: Happy New Year!

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

January 1, 2019

We began 2018 with a three-year strategic plan to take you further. And looking back, we have much to be proud of.

Here’s a brief snapshot of some of those accomplishments:

Member engagement
- Nearly 7,000 members attending classes, including more than 1,000 in global programming
- More than 3,200 legal hotline calls
- 20 percent increase in Board voting participation
- 25 percent increase in leadership position applications, with every applicant appointed to a position
Annual Convention - still a free member benefit
- Well over 2,000 attendees
- Significant increases in exhibitor and sponsorship support
- Our most successful RPAC auction - you raised $22,532!
Partnership and collaboration
- Leadership day, professional standards training, transportation funding coalition, and Silver Line commercial tour with regional Realtor® associations
- GMU Amazon HQ2 symposium and continued collaboration with the Center for Regional Analysis
- Capitalize DC with GCAAR and DCAR at MIPIM
- Joint YPN event with GCAAR during NAR midyear meetings
- Tech Edge, “Day in the Life,” and Midyear Trade Expo with NAR
- Fair Housing 50th Anniversary event with Fairfax County
Continuous NVAR improvement
- Audio/Visual enhancements to improve member experience
- Improved governance through increased accountability, enhanced transparency, and membership- approved bylaws changes, with policies and procedures review underway
- Continued strengthening of financial position, with an unmodified opinion from outside auditors and reduced reliance on reserves – without increasing dues

While 2018 was a year of unparalleled success, we aim to build on that momentum in 2019. Our volunteer member leaders will work with our staff team to deliver more opportunities for engagement, professionalism and success in ways that align with how you do business.

Take advantage of all that your membership offers in 2019. Your success is the backbone of this association, our community and the profession.

Looking ahead to 2019, we’re excited, energized and confident in our future as an association and as an industry. To continue to thrive as an organization, we depend on your participation, we value your commitment and we appreciate your support.

Nov + Dec 2018: Our Bright Future: Powered by Collaboration, Dedication, Innovation

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

October 31, 2018

The end of the year brings an opportunity for reflection – of the past year’s highlights, accomplishments and challenges – as well as a time to look forward. You – our dedicated NVAR members – have much to celebrate and be proud of:

A culture of collaboration that includes an active, engaged membership of 13,000+:
- A strong group of volunteer leaders who hold more than 350 positions in 28 committees and advisory groups to implement NVAR’s strategic vision
- A 25% increase in committee applications, and 20% increase in members voting in the Board of Directors election
A strong track record of making informed, member-guided decisions about how best to invest member resources to deliver value.
A robust offering of more than 300 classes, events and programs delivering opportunities for you to strengthen your client- and business-driven skills.
An incredibly healthy financial position:
- A strong balance sheet with a remarkable 3.60 ratio of assets to liabilities – a ratio of at least 1.5 is considered solid
- An exceptionally well-qualified team of volunteer leaders and staff, including two CPAs, exercising strong fiduciary oversight to ensure that your dues dollars are utilized efficiently and effectively
- Unmodified opinions by outside independent auditors for the past 15 years–indicating the highest levels of accounting, management and checks and balances
- No dues increase in more than 18 years while many significant member benefits have been added or remain in place
A dedicated professional staff team that partners with volunteer leaders to deliver valuable benefits, programs, products, services and events to our members.
A strong regional economy and robust real estate market: more than $18 billion sold through the end of September.

As a leader in the industry, your association is constantly evolving to foster transparency, improve governance and maintain board accountability. The bylaws updates that members unanimously approved during our Oct. 9 annual meeting and the review of our policies and procedures that is currently underway are manifestations of that commitment.

Looking ahead to 2019, we’re excited, energized and confident in our future as an association and as an industry. To continue to thrive as an organization, we depend on your participation, we value your commitment and we appreciate your support.

Sept + Oct 2018: NVAR's Brand is Your Business

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

September 1, 2018

As you now know from this magazine’s front cover, the theme for this year’s NVAR Convention & Trade Show is “Own Your Brand:Inspire. Connect. Grow.” As we support your volunteer leaders in creating an amazing and impactful event, it helps to reflect on how we all “own” the NVAR and Realtor® brand.

While “owning our brand” could certainly be a restatement of our NVAR mission – “to elevate Realtor® success by delivering exceptional value, driving innovation and impacting the industry”– or our three strategic drivers, “value, innovation and impact,” ultimately, our brand is your business.

NVAR is all of you. Your business needs and goals are the reason that we are here. And your leadership drives the mission and vision of the organization.

Did you know that there are 28 volunteer groups at NVAR that rely on members just like you? Between now and Oct. 13, I encourage you to visit NVAR.com/ getinvolved. Check out all of the ways to step up into a position of leadership and be the guiding force behind the Realtor® brand. There are opportunities for every level of experience and a wide range of interests.

There’s another simple way for each and every member of NVAR to have leadership input in the organization: choose your directors! Get to know the candidates for your 2019 Board of Directors. Next, please vote online between Sept. 5 and Oct. 5 at store.nvar.com/voting. The winning candidates will be announced during our annual meeting at the Oct. 9 Convention &Trade Show. You’ll also have the opportunity at that meeting to vote on changes to the NVAR Bylaws that will increase Board accountability, improve our governance and enhance transparency.

Which brings me back to Convention: don’t miss it! Join over 2,000 of your colleagues at the Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale on Oct. 9. This is an incredible member benefit. I also encourage you to visit NVAR.com/convention to see videos about how some of your fellow Northern Virginia Realtors® own their brand, and to learn how you can share your brand story, too.

At NVAR, we own our brand, as the voice of real estate taking the industry further, by ensuring your success. Reinforce the Realtor® brand by getting involved, casting your vote, and ensuring leadership and governance that keeps us all moving forward.

Jul + Aug 2018: Your Membership - Your Way

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

July 1, 2018

Recognizing Your Business Needs

Delivering value is one of three key components of our NVAR Strategic Plan: Vision 2020. Defining and measuring value isn’t necessarily the same for every person. At NVAR, we serve approximately 13,000 Realtor® and service provider members, each with a diverse set of professional aspirations, needs and accomplishments. Our goal, in Vision 2020, is to deliver a unique value proposition to each individual NVAR member.

Be on the lookout for developments that will deliver a more personalized member experience. One of those changes will be the opportunity to make choices about the email communications you receive from NVAR. And coming soon is an updated login experience that will allow you to select your username, authentication process and login time. These upgrades are being implemented in response to requests from our members. Also, expect enhancements to the audio-visual equipment in our Herndon and Fairfax locations – designed to deliver more effective learning experiences for our live and recorded sessions.

While NVAR may be your local association, we are proud to be the delivery hub for a vast array of Realtor® benefits from many sources, including all three levels of the Realtor® organization.

Whether it’s teaching Realtors® how to develop an online presence using your free realtor.com profile, or providing answers for your tough questions through our Legal Hotline and the Tech Helpline, or offering professional development programs on your terms – onsite, online, every day – NVAR is committed to your success. No matter where you are in your career trajectory, aims to deliver the products, services and opportunities you need.

Realtor® dues renewal opens on Aug.1. Your NVAR dues invoice includes the amounts assessed by the National Association of Realtors® and Virginia Realtors®. As you may know, this year NAR and Virginia Realtors® have each implemented an increase for 2019. NVAR is pleased to be able to maintain the local portion of your dues at the same amount it has been for the past 18 years.

To learn more about the NAR and Virginia Realtors® 2019 dues analysis, please visit NVAR.com/2019duesinfo. We look forward to a productive, fulfilling year for all of our members, and pledge to deliver on the Vision 2020 promise of value, innovation and impact.

May + June 2018: Strategic Vision & Focus on Member Impact

Ryan Conrad CEO CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

May 1, 2018

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role at NVAR is witnessing the successful collaboration of members, staff and partners in achieving organizational goals. Our strategic plan provides a blueprint for our mission (what we do) and our vision (NVAR’s impact). This spring has brought exciting progress towards our vision of Northern Virginia Realtors® as the voice of real estate taking the industry further.

This past April, we had the opportunity to host staff members from the National Association of Realtors® as part of NAR’s “Day in the Life” program. Over the course of five days, we demonstrated how our volunteer leaders and staff work together to deliver programs, products and services that support member success and reinforce Realtor® impact. Photos from these visits are included below.

Feedback from NAR staff reinforced what I already know about our staff team: we are committed to working each day with energy and enthusiasm to deliver excellence to support you – our members.

Whether it’s developing an award- winning website to improve your membership experience, provide a valuable community resource and highlight Realtor® expertise; cultivating media opportunities for member leaders to be the voice of real estate in Northern Virginia; or offering events where members can interact meaningfully with local, state and national elected officials – our strategic plan of action is designed to promote your success.

The next time you visit our website, go to NVAR.com/realtors/news, and take a few minutes to read some articles featuring quotes from NVAR members. You are the trusted local experts, and NVAR is dedicated to providing the resources you need to maintain the level of expertise that homebuyers and sellers rely on. Check out NVAR.com/video to see videos, photos, presentations and more – highlighting our promise to connect you to the experts and decision-makers that influence our industry.

As you read this issue of RE+VIEW, know that the information, events, products and services highlighted in these pages are part of our stated mission: Elevating Realtor® success by delivering exceptional value, driving innovation and impacting the industry.

Mar + Apr 2018: Value, Innovation, Impact Drive Enhanced Member Experience

March 20, 2018

Spring signals growth, and we know that our members are preparing for the active seasonal market. At NVAR, your staff and volunteer leaders are gearing up, too. Through a collaborative strategic planning process this past January, we have developed blueprints for innovative practices designed to advance your career.

With our new strategic plan, NVAR will continue to focus on our core areas of service that you have come to expect. But, we’ll be laser focused on three new strategic drivers that will propel our shared Vision 2020: Value, Innovation and Impact.

We’ll deliver exceptional, highly customized member experiences to enhance and drive value. We’ll innovate by creating inspiring solutions in a dynamic marketplace. And we’ll collaborate strategically to increase our collective impact. Our goal is to energize and mobilize you, our members, so that you can continue to be the valued resource for Northern Virginia homebuyers and sellers.

We know that the marketplace is changing. We face challenges – and opportunities – ranging from lagging inventory to “disruptive technologies.” NVAR is committed to facing those challenges, embracing change and creating business solutions that will prepare all of us to emerge in a position of strength.

In the coming months, we will continue to explore and develop leading-edge technologies that respond to the demands of a dynamic marketplace. These advances will enhance our ability to deliver relevant and accessible programs, products and services for our members.

As industry leaders, we pledge to anticipate the trends that will impact your business. Stay connected through our digital communications channels to learn about the latest improvements to your NVAR membership experience that will keep you moving forward.

Jan + Feb 2018: NVAR Takes the Lead to Take Our Members Further

March 20, 2018

Ryan Conrad CAE CIPS RCE e-Pro

Your 2018 Chairman, Lorraine Arora, spoke during her Installation about the importance of leadership.

The concept of leadership has different implications for each of our membership cohorts – Realtors®, brokers, service providers, and association staff.

At NVAR, we’re committed to being a leader among real estate associations, with one central purpose: creating an environment that will lead our members to succeed. As we meet this month to develop strategic goals to guide our work for the next three years, that will be our focus.

We aim to embrace technology so that we can digitize your member experience – simplifying and streamlining your interactions with the association. We’ll also take the lead to research and share the best technology tools to keep your business moving forward.

We plan to introduce advancements that will help you work smarter to achieve your success – and the much- needed balance addressed in this issue’s cover article on page 20.

This year, we’ll take the lead to enhance our collaboration with strategic partners in the community in a way that elevates your professionalism and expands your business opportunities.

In 2018, we’ll work on professionalizing NVAR in a way that positions us as the best service provider for you and uncontested leader among Realtor® associations locally, nationally, and internationally.

Collaborate with us to ensure that you get the most out of your NVAR membership. We look forward to working together to establish our members as trusted leaders at the center of the real estate transaction.

Nov + Dec 2017: Vision 2020: Keeping An Eye On The Future Of Your Business

November 6, 2017

Ryan Conrad CAE RCE e-Pro

As 2017 draws to a close, your leadership team is thinking about how NVAR can continue to help you achieve your professional vision.

At the beginning of 2015, NVAR adopted a three-year plan that is drawing to a close. Looking back at our accomplishments, I can state with confidence that together we’ve achieved success in delivering on our strategic goals in these areas: Advocacy and Government Relations; Professionalism and Education; Technological and Digital Relevance; Community and Public Relations; and Strategic Leadership.

You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “Hindsight is 20/20.” The saying implies that it’s often easier to know the correct course of action after something has already happened, but it’s hard to predict the future.

Of course, in every organization, there is opportunity to reflect and to take things further. A new year brings new opportunities to deliver the education, tools and resources that you, our members, expect and deserve.

Our industry is evolving in significant ways. We’re committed to understanding industry trends so that we can keep our members at their professional best. While we may not have perfect foresight about what the future holds for real estate professionals, we have an excellent team of staff and volunteer leaders who are ready to move forward. Having 20/20 vision does not necessarily mean perfect vision, but it does indicate sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance.

In 2018, members of the NVAR leadership team will work with a task force to develop a new strategic plan that will focus on going the distance for the next three years – through the year 2020. The Strategic Plan task force will provide clarity about our “Vision 2020.”

For NVAR, Vision 2020 means digitizing to simplify and streamline your interaction with NVAR, and to help identify the best tools for your business. It means collaborating with members, brokers, strategic partners and the community in a way that elevates your professional image and expands business opportunities. And, it means professionalizing NVAR in a way that positions us as the best service provider and uncontested leader among Realtor® associations locally, nationally and internationally.

Be on the lookout for advancements that will help you work smarter to achieve success. Collaborate with us to ensure that you get the most out of your NVAR membership. Take advantage of all that we have to offer so that you can be the trusted professional making a difference for home buyers and sellers.