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Honoring Love, Courage, and Resilience: Celebrating Pride Month and Advancing Equality for All

06/11/2024

Celebrate Pride Month by honoring LGBTQ+ history and triumphs

A note from ValleyMLS Co-Chair Chris Hulser-Hoover

 

As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s take a moment to reflect on what it truly stands for. Pride is about honoring the history, struggles, and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a time to recognize and embrace diversity, promote equality, and advocate for the rights and acceptance of all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

 

Pride is a celebration of love, courage, and resilience. It’s a reminder that everyone deserves to live authentically and without fear of discrimination or prejudice. It’s a call to action to continue fighting for a more inclusive and accepting society for all.

 

Let’s use this month to educate, uplift, and support one another. Let’s stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ friends, family members, and neighbors. Together, we can create a world where everyone is free to be their true selves without fear or judgment.

 

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Golf Cards are Back from ValleyMLS!

06/11/2024

ValleyMLS is pleased to announce the return of FREE GREENS FEES at The Links at Redstone! These cards are available at HAAR and ValleyMLS offices in Huntsville and can be given to clients, friends, and family – or use them for yourself!
What to know:
  • Each card is good for a free greens fee with a paid 18-hole cart.
  • All proceeds from your trip to The Links go to the Redstone Arsenal’s Morale, Wellness and Recreation program.
  • 15 cards can be picked up at a time.
  • Currently, these cards can be used any time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday. Restrictions are subject to change and listed at Tee4Troops.com.
  • If we are out of cards, you can still register for free greens fees at Tee4Troops.com.
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Communicating Offers of Compensation

06/06/2024

Starting Aug. 17, the MLS will no longer be a platform for communicating offers of compensation. However, they still remain an option for consumers.
Under practice changes that will take effect Aug. 17, real estate professionals will no longer be able to communicate offers of compensation in the MLS. However, offers of compensation will continue to be an option consumers can pursue off-MLS through negotiation and consultation with their real estate professionals. 
MLS policies have been changed to reflect the practice changes under the proposed settlement agreement. The National Association of REALTORS®’ legal team has developed a series of “Window to the Law” videos to explain the coming changes, with the first video focusing on compensation—which is and always has been negotiable.
Charlie Lee, NAR’s senior counsel and director of legal affairs, says real estate pros have a variety of ways to negotiate and communicate offers of compensation, including through:
  1. Marketing: If the listing broker or seller is offering compensation for the buyer’s broker, the listing agent can share that offer through their marketing, such as in flyers, signs or emails.
  2. Website displays: “A broker can show offers of compensation for their listings on their website display,” Lee says. Brokers must not display offers of compensation for other broker’s listings on their website display.” You can show other brokers’ compensation on your listings if you don’t get it from MLS data or an MLS feed, he adds.
  3. Seller concessions: Sellers may elect to offer concessions to the buyer, which may include items like paying for the buyer’s closing costs or the commission for the buyer’s agent. If the local MLS allows, such concessions can be communicated on the MLS within designated fields. However, any concessions listed cannot be conditioned on the use of or payment to a buyer broker, Lee says.
  4. Negotiations: Buyers may request that their agent include broker compensation as part of the terms of a purchase offer.
  5. Buyer agreements: NAR’s proposed settlement agreement will require buyers and their agents to enter into written agreements before touring homes. These agreements will detail the compensation for using the buyer broker’s services.
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Focus on Credit: Preparing for Obtaining a Mortgage Loan

06/05/2024

Don’t miss this informative class coming up on June 11th at HAAR! Register at NAREBHUNTSVILLE.com
REGISTER
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New Guidance for Written Buyer Agreements

06/03/2024

NAR has developed a new guide on written buyer agreements to support members as they prepare for and adapt to the upcoming practice changes following NAR’s settlement agreement. Beginning Aug. 17, a buyer representative working with a buyer will be required to enter into a written agreement with the buyer prior to touring a home, including both in-person and live virtual tours. The guide for developing these agreements is available at facts.realtor and a PDF version can be downloaded here.
Written buyer agreements benefit consumers because they clearly and transparently outline the services an MLS Participant will provide and how they will be compensated.
Beginning August 17, 2024, an MLS Participant “working with” a buyer will be required to enter into a written agreement with the buyer prior to touring a home, including both in-person and live virtual tours. This resource provides information about what provisions must be included in the written agreement pursuant to the NAR settlement as well as other provisions that, while not required by the settlement, MLS Participants may consider addressing with their clients.
As you develop or refresh your agreement forms, keep in mind:
  • Agreement forms should account for the choice and optionality consumers and real estate professionals have when negotiating the terms of their relationship permissible under state law.
  • Agreement forms should give the real estate professional and consumer the ability to efficiently memorialize the relationship based on the transparent and clear conversation they have when deciding to work together.

Mandatory Provisions

Pursuant to paragraph 58(vi) of the NAR proposed settlement agreement, written buyer agreements must:
  • Specify and conspicuously disclose the amount or rate of any compensation the MLS Participant will receive from any source;
  • The amount of compensation must be objectively ascertainable and may not be open-ended (e.g., “buyer broker compensation shall be whatever amount the seller is offering to the buyer”);
  • Include a statement that MLS Participants may not receive compensation from any source that exceeds the amount or rate agreed to with the buyer;
  • Disclose in conspicuous language that broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable; and
  • Include any provisions required by law.

Other Considerations When Entering Into a Buyer Agreement:

While not required by NAR policy changes, there are several other considerations and contractual provisions for MLS Participants, associations, MLSs and other forms providers to consider when creating or updating written buyer agreements:
  • Format: Agreements should be organized, written in understandable terms for all parties, and use a clear, readable font size. MLS Participants are cautioned to avoid pre-filling key terms like length of the agreement and compensation, and to avoid changing provisions without legal advice.
  • Types of Representation: To maximize broker and buyer choice, consider all types of written buyer agreements permitted by state law, including short form, limited service, agency, non-agency, transactional, customer, among others.
  • Broker Services: Agreements should clearly articulate the services the MLS Participant will provide buyer.
  • Consumer Protection: Agreements should clearly disclose all contractual obligations of the buyer, duties of confidentiality owed to the buyer, the Equal Housing Opportunity statement. Consider including warnings regarding wire fraud as well as video and audio recording by sellers while touring a home for sale. MLS Participants may also notify consumers that they are providing real estate brokerage services and advise buyers to seek appropriate professional services from inspectors, lenders, attorneys, tax advisors and title agents, among others.
  • Term and Termination: MLS Participants and buyers can negotiate and agree to the duration of the agreement, including whether the term is automatically extended until closing upon purchase contract ratification. Buyer agreements may include provisions addressing termination with cause and without cause by both the buyer and the MLS Participant. Termination by the buyer may also address whether there is a carryover period, where compensation may be owed to the MLS Participant if the buyer terminates the written buyer agreement and subsequently executes a purchase agreement within an agreed upon time following termination of the buyer agreement.
  • Compensation and Fees: In addition to the mandatory provisions above, MLS Participants and buyers may agree to a retainer fee and address whether any retainer is included in total compensation, credited against compensation and/or refundable.
  • Conflicts of Interest: Consider addressing how MLS Participants resolve potential conflicts of interest during the term of the agreement, including disclosure and consent for representing other buyers submitting offers on the same property, dual agency, designated agency, or transaction brokerage.
  • Dispute Resolution: Written buyer agreements may include mandatory or optional alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration. The parties may also agree to waive trial by jury and class actions in the event of litigation relating to the agreement.

NAR Policy Will Not Dictate:

  • Type of relationship the professional has with the potential buyer (e.g., agency, non- agency, exclusive, non-exclusive, subagency, transactional, customer);
  • Term of the agreement (e.g., one day, one month, one house, one zip code);
  • Services to be provided (e.g., ministerial acts, a certain number of showings, negotiations, presenting offers); or
  • Type or amount of compensation charged (e.g., $0, X flat fee, X percent, X hourly rate).
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Veterans Affairs Signals Temporary Suspension of Buyer Agent Payment Ban

05/28/2024

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to temporarily lift its ban on buyers directly paying for professional real estate representation until the agency deems it necessary to engage in a formal rulemaking process, a VA official said Tuesday at a Mortgage Bankers Association conference in New York.
Although not an official announcement, the comments from VA Deputy Director of Policy Michelle Corridon were met with relief from the real estate industry, as the VA’s home loan guaranty is the only loan program with this explicit prohibition. Veteran buyers have limited options in situations where the listing broker makes no offer of compensation to the buyer broker, potentially leaving veterans without professional representation or forcing them to switch to less favorable loan products.
“NAR launched an all-hands advocacy effort on this issue, meeting with VA officials, engaging with lawmakers and rallying our industry partners to ensure this prohibition was lifted,” says Shannon McGahn, chief advocacy officer at the National Association of REALTORS®. “This is also a testament to the thousands of REALTORS® who came to Washington just a few weeks ago with a unified message. Without this change, thousands of veteran buyers could be denied access to professional representation in their pursuit of the American Dream of homeownership. Taking this extra step ensures veterans have the same opportunity as others to compete in a tight housing market. We applaud the VA for recognizing this danger and acting swiftly to protect veterans.”
The VA’s current policy states that veteran buyers who are using their VA loan benefit “may not, under any circumstances, be charged a brokerage fee or commission in connection with the services” of a real estate professional. That policy may create complications for these buyers in light of the practice changes required under NAR’s proposed settlement agreement. The practice changes prohibit listing brokers from making offers of compensation on the MLS. They also require MLS participants working with a buyer to enter into a written buyer agreement with their clients that outlines the amount of compensation the buyer representative will receive and how this amount will be determined.
NAR submitted a letter to the VA in late March, urging a policy change to ensure veterans maintain their access to the VA home loan program, which has been a significant tool in helping service members achieve homeownership.
“In situations where no offer of compensation is offered from a seller, VA buyers are immediately at a disadvantage, potentially forcing them to forego professional representation, lose a property in an already limited inventory, choose a different loan product or exit the market entirely,” the letter read. “The VA home loan guaranty program is a vital homeownership tool that provides veterans with a centralized, affordable, and accessible method of purchasing homes as a benefit they earned for their service to our nation. NAR wants to ensure that VA buyers remain active participants in the real estate market to achieve the American Dream of homeownership.”
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The Story of Bringing the Madison Mural Trail to Life

05/24/2024

Madison, Alabama is finally home to two stunning murals. Both are grand in size, bold in color, and rich with meaning. Read on to learn how the first two murals along Madison’s very own mural trail came to fruition.

Bringing murals to Madison: Surely it’s as easy as picking some fun designs, grabbing some paint, and getting them thrown up on some exterior walls to add just a little bit of color to the city, right?

Err, not quite! The “behind the scenes” process of bringing something new (such as a couple of new murals) to a city is often much more involved and costly than one may assume, but a few local groups worked together diligently to bring the Madison Mural Trail to life! Here’s the story.

In case you haven’t heard (or seen them!), Madison now has two visually stunning, expansive murals right smack in the middle of our community.

A landscape-orientation mural is located on the east-facing wall of Filthy Gorgeous in downtown Madison and is a nod to our community’s historical roots.

A portrait-orientation mural is located within The Avenue community just south of Downtown Madison on a north-facing wall beside Honest Coffee. This mural is a nod to the growth of Madison as well as the migratory path of the Monarch butterfly.
 

COMING TOGETHER

The mural project began nearly 12 months ago after a few community members brought the idea to city leaders in Madison. Madison Visionary Partners soon came on board with support and rapidly put the pedal to the metal to get the ball rolling with funding, location approval, artistic selection, and more. 

Executive Director Melanie Thornton says that this project was a “perfect fit” for MVP.

“We see murals all over Alabama in both big and small cities, and we wanted that for Madison too.”

She shares that “public art displays tell the stories of a community and bring people together.”

The Madison Arts Alliance also brought their expertise in mural maintenance to assist with the long term care of the murals.

Thornton worked hard with Mayor of Madison Paul Finley and other city leaders to have an ordinance put in place that would allow art like this in Madison to move forward. 

A mural advisory board was formed and location ideas were suggested. 

 

LOCATION SELECTIONS

Selecting locations was more challenging than it may seem because the right spots for a mural had to checkmark a handful of boxes, especially the Downtown Madison mural, where century-old buildings must be protected and respected.

Public viewability and accessibility are also important, so options were further limited. 

 

Cindy Sensenberger, the owner of the far-west downtown building that houses businesses such as Filthy Gorgeous and Pure Barre, was enthusiastic from the beginning and supportive of a mural being painted along the north-facing side. This checked the box for the historical downtown mural.

Charlie Sealy, Vice President of Sealy Management Company, and Christy Wimberly, owner of Honest Coffee, had had conversations about bringing a mural to The Avenue already, so they were easily on board with Thornton’s suggestion to move forward with an Avenue mural location.

ARTIST SELECTIONS

Ann Moeller was hand-selected by the MVP Board of Directors to paint The Avenue mural, named “March of the Monarch”.

“We wanted a local artist,” shared Thornton, who explains that Moeller is from Madison with children in the school system.

She was first discovered by the advisory committee after her mural within the new Kroger on the corner of County Line Road and Highway 72 was recognized. 

“We loved the look of the mural she painted in Kroger, so we approached her with our idea. She has roots here, and we knew that she was exactly what we were looking for.”

The inset in the brick wall fits a perfect 15.5’ wide by 26’ tall mural. 

The Madison Mural in downtown was completed by Sonya Clemons, known as The Art Lady.

“I’ve been a huge fan of her work for years,” explains Thornton. “I love her style, and she has done great work with a few historic murals already.”

Thornton says that the committee loved that she is from North Alabama as well.

“Her artwork is very engaging and just leaves you wanting a little bit more.”

DESIGNS

Thornton says that the “March of the Monarch” mural is a thoughtful and purposeful design that beautifies the city while also serving as an educational opportunity.

Inspired by a desire for a garden-themed mural that reflects the city’s growth and evolution, the committee behind the design chose the monarch butterfly as a symbol for two reasons. Firstly, Madison sits on the migratory trail for monarch butterflies, making it a fitting choice that resonates with the local environment. The design focuses on the significance of planting pollinator plants and showcasing the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Secondly, it ties into our city’s evolution and transformation. 

This mural would not have been possible without funding support from organizations like the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors, Toyota of Alabama, Sealy Management, and Bank Independent.

For the Downtown Madison Mural, a heavy priority was creating a design appealing to children. Anything that felt overly serious or heavy was out of the picture.

“We wanted you to leave with a sense of happiness, so every element is very intentional and designed to be inclusive.”

The Mural Advisory Committee worked alongside local historian John Rankin to examine major parts of Madison’s history and determine what would be best for the mural. 

“We can’t put all of Madison’s history on one wall,” explains Thornton as she elaborates on how coming up with the design was trickier than it may seem. 

Both murals will have nearby plaques with website information that will help viewers dive deeper into the symbolism of what they see. 

This mural would not have been possible without funding support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts as well as District 4 State Representative Parker Moore, who championed this project from the beginning. 

Thornton says that she would be remiss to not give great thanks to the Madison Station Historic Preservation Commission as well as Madison’s Director of Development Services Mary Beth Broeren who took these projects on their backs and worked hard to get them approved. 

And here’s more good news: Phase Two of the Madison Mural Trail is already underway!

To learn more about the Madison Mural Trail and keep up with future additions, click here!

VISIT THE MURALS

“MADISON MURAL”: 14 Main Street, Madison, AL 35758

“MARCH OF THE MONARCH”: 92 Shorter Street, Madison, Alabama 35758

Written by: All Things Madison

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Staff Spotlight: Diane Stevenson

04/26/2024

Navigating the Real Estate Realm: A Day in the Life of Diane Stevenson

With the dawn of a new day, Diane Stevenson, Member Service Specialist for HAAR and ValleyMLS, prepares for another day of diverse challenges and enriching engagements. Whether she’s processing applications or overseeing lockbox and e-key issuance, Diane’s role plays a pivotal part in ensuring the seamless operation of the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS®.
An average day in Diane’s shoes is anything but ordinary. Juggling various tasks with finesse, she handles the intricacies of member care. Whether addressing inquiries over the phone or meticulously managing Sentrilock inventory, each duty contributes to the seamless operation of the association.
Among her primary responsibilities, Diane takes immense pride in overseeing the SentriLock transition. This monumental project underscores her commitment to ensuring every member’s needs are met with precision and care.
What Diane enjoys about working at HAAR is the familial atmosphere. Embracing Christian values and fostering camaraderie, the association stands as a pillar of support and encouragement for its members.
 

Reflecting on her journey at HAAR:

Diane acknowledges the evolution of her role from the front desk to member care specialist. Through years of dedicated service, she has cultivated a deep understanding of REALTOR® needs and the inner workings of the association. This firsthand experience fuels her motivation to provide unparalleled support to members, contributing to the association’s remarkable growth and success.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Diane finds joy in the simple things in life. A devoted wife and mother of four, she treasures moments spent with family, especially during travels to Destin, their favorite city. Tending to their home and garden brings her peace, particularly amidst the spring greenery in Huntsville.
Diane Stevenson’s role as a Member Care Specialist embodies the values of integrity and genuine care. She continues elevating the service standard, leaving a positive mark on the hearts and businesses of association members.
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Fair Housing Champions: Huntsville Housing Authority

04/25/2024

In the housing world, Jacqueline Egbujo stands as an advocate of change. As the Executive Operations Manager at the Huntsville Housing Authority, her dedication to fostering inclusive communities and dismantling barriers to housing access has left a mark on the landscape of Huntsville.
With a passion for social justice, Egbujo has dedicated her career to ensuring that every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to secure safe and affordable housing. Her work goes beyond the confines of her role; it embodies a deep-seated commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and equity.
Egbujo spearheads initiatives alongside Executive Director Antonio McGinnis to promote awareness of Fair Housing laws and empower individuals to assert their rights. From educational workshops to community outreach programs, she has advocated for the importance of inclusivity and diversity within housing.
Her impact extends beyond her professional duties. She catalyzes change, inspiring those around her to take action. Her leadership within the Huntsville Housing Authority is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the cause of equitable housing.
 
As we look toward the future, Egbujo remains a force in the fight for Fair Housing. Her passion, advocacy, and commitment to justice serve as hope for communities striving to create a world where everyone has a place to call home.
 
In the heart of Huntsville, Jacqueline Egbujo stands as a reminder that change is possible and that together, we can build a future where equitable housing is not just a dream but a reality for all.
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BREAKING: ValleyMLS to Withdraw from ALEX Data Share

04/22/2024

ValleyMLS is announcing today that it has given notice of its intent to terminate its partnership with Greater Alabama MLS in the Alabama Exchange (ALEX) data share, effective June 16th, 2024. After careful evaluation and gathering direct feedback from subscribers, the ValleyMLS Board of Directors determined that continuing to participate in ALEX was no longer in the best interest of REALTORS® and their clients.

After June 16th, listings from Greater Alabama MLS will no longer appear in ValleyMLS, and ValleyMLS listings will no longer be transmitted to Birmingham.

ValleyMLS will continue to institute bold and ambitious programs for its subscribers. A key component of managing any data share project we undertake is regular evaluation of its effectiveness for you and your clients.
We are grateful for the effort and energy of our volunteer leaders who worked tirelessly on ALEX. What we’ve learned from the ALEX initiative will help us tremendously in the successful implementation of future data share projects with new partners.
We look forward to future opportunities that will allow us to retain data integrity while providing greater access to information for our members, partners, and consumers.

Please feel free to reach out to the Leadership Team, the ValleyMLS Board of Directors, or the MLS staff with any questions.
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