BEST OF THE BLOGS

Many buyers aren’t jumping at lower mortgage rates


Borrowing costs have fallen to their lowest level in more than a year, but home buying activity is only seeing small gains.

From NAR.

Eagle County Conservation District to ask property owners for tax increase


The board of directors has decided to pursue a ballot measure in the Nov. 5, 2024 general election, asking property owners for a 0.15 mill levy. From VailDaily.com.

Navigating upcoming real estate practice changes


A message from Colorado Association of REALTORS® President Jason Witt: Resilience in the Face of Change.

NAR SETTLEMENT UPDATE

Commission fields were removed in the Vail Multi-List Service (Flexmls system) on August 1st as part of the VMLS' compliance with the NAR Settlement. This was implemented ahead of the required date of August 17th to ensure compliance with the settlement terms, safeguard the MLS from future risks, and continue providing a centralized marketplace for listings in the Vail Valley.


New contracts are available from the Division of Real Estate - for use starting August 15th. This creates a gap between the elimination of the compensation fields on August 1st and the release of the new contracts on August 15th. VMLS is committed to assisting you throughout this process but is limited in the guidance and advice we can provide, as Colorado contracts are governed by the Division of Real Estate. We cannot guide or dictate individual business practices due to anti-trust laws.

New Colorado contracts & forms here

To help you navigate this timing gap, the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) General Counsel, Scott Peterson, has created a 10-minute video titled "Mind the Gap" to assist you during this period.


CAR also hosted two webinars on new contracts. Both recordings can be found here. VBR is hosting several classes over the next few months to support these industry shifts. 



VMLS is committed to supporting our participants and subscribers through these changes. You are encouraged to reach out to your legal counsel, or take advantage of the CAR Legal Hotline that is available for legal information at no cost to Realtors®.

Mind the Gap (MLS participants)
Scott Peterson, Colorado Association of REALTORS® General Counsel has an extremely helpful video for MLS participants whose practice changes are being implemented before the August 15th release of the new forms.

Reminder: VMLS removed compensation fields on August 1st and contracts cannot be used until August 15th. VMLS participants have a gap between removal of fields and new forms.  

SETTLEMENT RESOURCES

Get the facts & resources on the proposed lawsuit settlement.

The links below include access to updated resources from the National Association of REALTORS®.
Get the facts at facts.realtor
Visit the CAR resources page
Visit VBR's page of resources

NAR webinar on best practices - this week!


The National Association of REALTORS® is providing Realtors® with a webinar on learning.realtor about navigating the upcoming practice changes. Log in with your NAR account to watch the live webinar.


  • August 15th at 3:00 p.m. CT/ 2:00 p.m. MT (Link available HERE)


Registration link available on facts.realtor.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A celebration of life will be hosted for REALTOR® Dave Cole today, August 12 in Vail. Dave was a co-founder and inaugural member of the Vail Board of REALTORS®, which was formed in 1978.


Monday, August 12

2:00 p.m.

Vail Interfaith Chapel


Dave served as the VBR's first president from 1978 through 1980, and he was recognized for his service by being named REALTOR® of the Year in 1980 by his peers.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Congratulations to Betsy Laughlin, Realtor®, who has been named to the National Association of REALTORS®' 2025 Leadership Academy!


Betsy is one of twenty Realtors® from across the country chosen to participate in the 10-month program, which prepares emerging state and local volunteers for future leadership positions at NAR.


Read more from NAR.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This week! Listing Contracts

Wednesday, August 14

1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

3 CE credits.

REGISTER


Taught by Charity Vermeer, this class reviews listing contracts using redline versions of the new Colorado Real Estate Commission approved Contracts and Forms. 


New contracts and forms must be used starting August 15.

NAR Ethics

Thursday August 15

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - New time.

4 CE credits.

REGISTER


Taught by Charity Vermeer, this 4 CE class meets the Code of Ethics requirement for REALTORS® and Appraisers.  


Ethics must be completed once every three years. The current cycle is January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024 - for all REALTORS® and Appraisers.

Contract Changes

Tuesday, September 17

12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

4 CE credits.

REGISTER


Taught by Connie Tremblay, this class focuses on the 2024 changes to Colorado forms and contracts. 

Find & register for VBR classes & events

VBR EVENTS

Join the Vail Board of REALTORS® Foundation for this signature event with a panel of Vail Valley legends, cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, and a buffet dinner. Directly benefiting local housing solutions.


Please consider contributing a gift basket or item for a silent auction at the event. Information is here or in the link below.

AFFILIATE CORNER

Business + Affiliate Expo

We hope to see you at our Business & Affiliate Expo! This is an excellent networking opportunity to connect with our Affiliate business partners and fellow Realtors®.

Door prizes will be raffled, including two YETI coolers! We'll provide lunch too.

NEW DATE!
Thursday, September 26
EagleVail Pavilion
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Please RSVP for an accurate headcount for food. This event is FREE for VBR Realtors and Appraisers. $10 for other members and guests.
Click here to RSVP!
Check out the Affiliate Directory!

There are approximately 200 VBR Affiliates offering services ranging from lending, home services, legal, home inspection, and more.

Visit our Affiliate Directory page (We have two directory options to search). We also have a print version available for members and clients. Let us know if you need a print directory!
Find an Affiliate to help you

VISIT FAIRHAVEN

Fairhaven is free fair housing simulation training for REALTORS® that uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate.

VBR aims to have 65 members complete the Fairhaven program by the end of 2024. Log into your National Association of REALTORS® account and visit Fairhaven today.
Visit fairhaven.realtor today!

WILDFIRE AWARENESS

Free wildfire mitigation offered

Eagle County homeowners can receive FREE wildfire mitigation property assessments. More information is available at RealFire.net.

Please take some time to educate yourself, clients, and fellow community members.
Learn more about REALFire

MEMBER RESOURCES

Member Benefits & Programs

As a Realtor®, your membership includes National, State, and Local. Affiliates also receive benefits as a VBR member. We provide the tools to enhance professionalism in the real estate industry.
View Realtor® Member benefits
View Affiliate Member benefits
Members only: Monthly market stats

Log in at VBR.net to see monthly stats, including an overview of residential real estate and detailed reports of each area in Eagle County.
Visit the monthly statistics page
Find trusted industry-related partners in the Vail Board of Realtors®' Affiliate directory. 
View Affiliate Directory
A list highlighting the newest Realtor® and Affiliate members.
Meet our newest members
Help strengthen the VBR's events, services, member offerings, and initiatives.
Get involved with a committee

MEMBER SAFETY TOOLS

Put your safety first - with free tools available to members!
SafeShowings deters criminal behavior, allows you to notify emergency contacts, and mark yourself as safe through the app.

Learn how it works and register today to use SafeShowings (see link below)!
Get started with SafeShowings
FOREWARN allows agents to have instant due diligence on prospects.

VMLS members can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records in one place, leading to safer and more productive interactions.
Get started with Forewarn

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Education Quick Links

Visit VBR's Education Requirements page for more info on Code of Ethics, license cycle requirements,and more. A reminder: Please stay organized, and keep paper or virtual copies of your certificates.
Education Requirement Information
Find online education providers
Look up your Code of Ethics status
Tracking education requirements

The VBR provides a helpful spreadsheet to help Colorado Brokers track their professional development.
Download a fillable pdf
Download a Google Doc
Earn the Vail Pro Designation
Increase your knowledge in the real estate industry and become a local expert! The Vail Pro Designation is an educational program open to ALL VBR Realtor and Affiliate members!

Classes are free for VBR members.
Learn how to earn the Vail Pro!

WELCOME HOME BAGS

Welcome Home Bags available as free closing gifts

The Welcome Home Bag Program is a FREE benefit available for REALTOR® members who sell a home. Call 766-1028 to schedule a pick-up or email matt@vbr.net.

The bag is a great gift for your buyer clients. Each cooler bag includes a picnic blanket, set of wine tumblers, and a reusable shopping tote. It is also a great way to promote our REALTOR® and Affiliate members.

Affiliates: Sponsorship opportunities are available for one of the items. Please contact mel@vbr.net.

ACCESS YOUR VBR ACCOUNT

You can easily access your account with the Vail Board of REALTORS® to register for events, pay invoices, and update your contact information.
Read more tips on using your Member Hub account
If you have not yet created your account, click the link below and enter your name and contact email (Make sure it's the email we have on file for you). Once you hit submit, you will get a follow-up email to finish setting up the account.
Click here to create your VBR account

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION

VBR TEAM

Association Executive

MLS Director

Member Services & Office Manager

Melanie McKinney Education & Marketing Manager
SUPPORT LINES

Flexmls Support:
888-525-4747
7:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday - Friday

Tech Helpline:
Phone: 866-619-8170

Sentrilock Support:
Phone: 877-736-8745

ShowingTime & InfoSparks:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

Vail Board of Realtors
970-766-1028 | www.vbr.net
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