CEO named a Co-Chair of Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger’s “United for Virginia’s Future” transition team.
19 CEO presentations/ speaking engagements
42 sales meeting visits by RAR & CVR MLS staff
In last year’s inaugural Impact Report, I noted: “while we cannot always control the circumstances in which we find ourselves and our industry, we can control our attitude toward those circumstances. Let us choose to be proactive, positive, and professional.” I am pleased to report that this is precisely how our Association and we, the members, have responded in 2025 to the ever-changing market and industry landscape.
While much of the country has seen a shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market, that trend has not yet materialized in Central Virginia. While 2025 inventory increased over past years and the pace of price appreciation slowed, demand remained quite strong. This reflects the high quality of life we enjoy in our region; understandably, many others want to experience that quality of life and put down roots in our communities. Much of the work of the Richmond Association of REALTORS® is focused on enhancing our collective quality of life. We do this by supporting the Partnership for Housing Affordability, donating $100,000 annually to nonprofits serving pre-K-12 and after-school programs that improve educational outcomes for youth, and partnering with Chamber RVA and other entities to promote “RVA Rising,” an economic mobility initiative. If we know that people will not buy a house until they have first bought into a community’s quality of life, then it’s our job to help
Looking Back
JOAN DORSEY, 2025 PRESIDENT
build, maintain, and promote the attractiveness of our region and our collective quality of life.
Another significant component of our work is to provide our members with the products, programs, and services to enable them to practice real estate ethically, professionally and profitably. In 2024, we were required to shift our educational efforts into overdrive to prepare our members to practice in a world in which compensation was removed from the MLS. In 2025, new septic tank inspection legislation required changes to the ways our members must practice. Once again, RAR responded rapidly and thoroughly with town halls, FAQs, and Knowledge Base articles available 24/7. Your Association continues to do what all of us as real estate professionals must do daily — lean into the ability to adapt, it is a strength we must constantly call upon.
While we must respond quickly to changing markets and industry conditions, we must also prepare our agents for the future. An excellent example of this is the data share that CVR MLS executed with BRIGHT MLS earlier this year. Enriching the MLS database through the inclusion of data sets from other MLSs strengthens the ability of our members to meet the demands of their buyers and sellers.
Markets change and the real estate industry continues to evolve; but what will always remain the same is our commitment to our members.
Looking Forward
DAKIA KNIGHT, 2026 PRESIDENT
As we look to 2026 and beyond, we must seek to meet the needs of today’s REALTOR® and prepare for a future which may have only one characteristic in common with the present — change. While we cannot control the future, we believe we can own our path to navigate it. We can own our value by defining, delivering, and communicating our hyper-local relevance. We can own our infrastructure by building internal strength and agility to lead with curiosity and courage. And we can own our impact by amplifying RAR’s influence through policy, education, and community leadership that drives progress and growth. When we state our intention to “own” our future, we are committing to hold ourselves accountable to deliver on what we promise to our members.
In 2026, we promise to emphasize clarity, consistency, and transparency in all our communications. We will focus on our core capacities: member engagement, delivery of timely educational programming and
professional development support, powerful advocacy, the management of a state-of-theart MLS, and operational excellence. Working with partners in local and state government, philanthropy, as well as for-profit and nonprofit developers, RAR will continue to champion the necessity of investing in and building more housing. Safe, sustainable, attainable housing is the foundation upon which communities of opportunity are built.
The futures of this region and the real estate profession are bright; we are excited to be a part of it.
Safe, sustainable, attainable housing is the foundation upon which a communities of opportunity are built. “ “
Impact of Events
DAY ON THE HILL
JANUARY 23, 2025
RAR hosted our annual Day on the Hill. Attendees met at the Capitol, sat in on committee meetings, met with their legislators, and viewed the floor sessions.
ANTITRUST TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEER LEADERS | JANUARY 29, 2025
For the first time, all Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for the Richmond Association of REALTORS® gathered for a training session focused on avoiding antitrust conversations in committee meetings.
DONNA PROCISE CLASSROOM DEDICATION | APRIL 9, 2025
The classroom at the Richmond Association of REALTORS® was dedicated in honor of Donna Procise, in recognition of her decades of service to the Association as a dedicated educator.
REALTOR® HEADSHOT DAY
APRIL 15, 2025 & SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
Twice per year, RAR provides our members with the opportunity to have their professional headshots taken by photographer Michelle Lefebvre of Aquatree Designs.
70+
headshots
RAR GOLF TOURNAMENT AND SPRING FLING
APRIL 23, 2025
RAR’s Golf Tournament and Spring Fling Cocktail Reception at the beautiful Magnolia Green Golf Course were great successes. Tournament players competed for prizes, and all members were invited to join the Spring Fling reception to enjoy beverages, appetizers, and great music.
LOCKBOX RETURN & EARN
MAY 1 – 16, 2025 & DECEMBER 1 – 11, 2025
From May 1-16 and December 1-11, members returned their unassigned SentriLock lockboxes to the Richmond Association of REALTORS/CVR MLS offices. CVR MLS users earned $10 for every returned lockbox.
RE TRENDS | OCTOBER 29, 2025
RE Trends is the Richmond Association of REALTORS® biennial event focused on emerging trends and technology in real estate. This event included speakers Brandi Snowden, Director of Member and Consumer Survey Research at the National Association of REALTORS®, and Ryan Price, Chief Economist at Virginia REALTORS®.
RPAC APPRECIATION RECEPTION
NOVEMBER 19, 2025
This annual reception is held in recognition of RAR’s RPAC Investors and their commitment to the Association’s advocacy work. Every year, RPAC’s Fair Share ($99+) and Major ($250+) Investors are invited to share a cocktail and break bread with area elected officials.
INSTALLATION RECEPTION AT THE JEPSON ALUMNI CENTER | DECEMBER 11, 2025
The leadership of RAR and CVR MLS for 2025 are installed and outline their visions for the coming year.
23,543 tickets received in 2025
Subscriptions
501 new MLS subscribers in 2025 (from January 1 - October 30)
4 Fellows
407 new REALTOR® applications processed from January 1 to October 30, 2025 from VCU’s Kornblau Real Estate Program. This successful rotation led to 2025 Fellow Alexis Hurdle joining the staff of RAR.
18,683 lockboxes out in the market
TImpact of Professional Development
he Richmond Association of REALTORS® strives to foster professional development in the real estate community by offering its members a diverse selection of programs and educational opportunities.
In 2025, these opportunities included:
180+ through our Real Estate School COURSES
550 of continuing education credit HOURS
9 designations and certifications
7 training opportunities NAR
4 Town Hall Meetings FREE with Attorney Michael P. Lafayette, including a Town Hall focused on septic legislation updates
New course offerings focused on housing affordability
In May, the Richmond Association of REALTORS® hosted a town hall meeting with Attorney Michael Lafayette to review the changes in the septic system inspection requirements, which became effective on July 1. Additionally, RAR provided an extensive list of frequently asked questions, a list of system type descriptions, and a thorough summary of the changes in the CVR MLS forms necessitated by the legislative changes.
8,922 CLASS registrations
3,445 CERTIFICATES awarded
230 HOURS spent onsite
MEMBERS WHO EARNED THE MOST CE CREDIT THROUGH THE RAR REAL ESTATE SCHOOL
Gwen Branch | Ann Lauterbach | Eric Hughes
4 2,335 TOWN HALLS REGISTRANTS
968 Septic Town Hall MAY 28
Broker Town Hall JUNE 16
4 ON-DEMAND classes offered on learning.RARealtors.com
348 HOURS spent on Zoom classes
TOP 5 MOST POPULAR CLASSES
Nº 1
Affordable Housing Opportunities in the Region
Nº 2 Fair Housing
Nº 3
Asking for a Friend: Best Practices for Today’s Real Estate Market
Nº 4 NAR Triennial Ethics
Nº 5 Trending Real Estate Topics
WE THANK OUR INSTRUCTORS WHO HAVE TAUGHT CLASSES WITH US IN 2025:
In 2025, the Richmond Association of REALTORS® Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee partnered with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) to provide a series of experiential learning sessions for the greater membership.
These highly interactive workshops allowed participants to learn more about topics such as unconscious bias, effective dialogue, and conflict resolution, while also applying these concepts to real-life situations such as real estate transactions.
These sessions furthered the committee's mission to promote education and awareness around the values of equity and inclusion in the REALTOR® community.
YEAR IN NUMBERS
3 workshops with Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities open to all members
10
REALTORS® attended the Virginia Inclusion Summit to represent the Realtor community
125+ signatures on the digital Commitment to Inclusion pledge at RARealtors.com/DEI
In 2025, the members of the Broker Council encouraged their firms to participate in the Massey Challenge at the Ukrop’s Monument Ave 10K. For their efforts, Napier ERA and Long & Foster were recognized by the Broker Council for their Outstanding Community Engagement.
~$10K raised by teams from Napier ERA & Long & Foster for the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
PHILANTHROPIC COMMITTEE /COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
$100K of interest income earned from RAR’s LION loan (Local Impact Opportunity Note)
12 NONPROFITS
521.5 HOURS of community service by RAR/CVR MLS staff
35 NONPROFITS
5 housing related charities ACTS Better Housing Coalition HomeAgain Homeward Virginia Housing Alliance BY
24 STAFF MEMBERS OCTOBER 2025: RAR & CVR MLS BOARD SERVICE THROUGH COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS AT HOPKINS ELEMENTARY
Impact of Advocacy
POWER IN ACTION
2,469 were introduced BILLS
22 supported & passed BILLS
22 opposed & defeated BILLS
25 successfully amended BILLS
167 were monitored BILLS
5 proposed by REALTORS® passed BILLS
The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
PLACEMAKING GRANT
$10,500
ADVOCACY GRANTS AWARDED
Atlas Zoning Webinar
SMART GROWTH GRANT
$3,000
2025 ADVOCACY
Served on the Inclusive Housing Working Group for the Richmond City Zoning Code Refresh
THE GOAL: Assist the Zoning Advisory Council in reviewing the proposed ordinance. The goal is to ensure the new code aligns with the “Richmond 300” master plan’s vision for inclusive housing, addressing affordability and equity.
Served as a member Chesterfield’s Zoning Ordinance Modernization (ZOMod) Advisory Committee Meeting
THE GOAL: Help with the rewriting of the county’s Zoning Ordinance to align it with their long-range comprehensive plan and modernize development regulations.
City of Richmond Zoning Code Refresh Housing Poll
SMART GROWTH POLLING
$37,000
TOP 5 WEBINARS
Introduction to Henrico County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund Nº 3 1. 2. 3.
Served as a member of the Program for Public Information Committee Member in Henrico County
THE GOAL: Develop strategies to share flood-related information with Henrico residents.
Zoning Atlas Nº 1
Learn and Live 2.0 Nº 2
Richmond Public Schools Update for REALTORS® with Superintendent Kamras Nº 5 Chesterfield ZOMod Nº 4
Smart Growth Survey Data
Geography: Richmond City Wide Survey from all 9 city districts
Sample: 654 Registered Richmond Voters (contacted via phone or text)
Poll conducted: April 28 - May 2
HOUSING
of respondents say housing costs and availability are the top concern facing the city
71% strongly agree or somewhat agree that we need more housing that is affordable
47% say cost of housing is very big or fairly big problem
48% say housing availability is very big or fairly big problem
72% say there is too little housing for young people and those are who just starting in their careers
67% say there is too little housing for people with middle class incomes
65% say there is too little housing for seniors or folks looking to downsize
67%
strongly agree or somewhat agree that Richmond needs more housing options
Many thanks to the 2025 RPAC Major Investors.
This list reflects only RPAC contributions received before September 12, 2025.
To become a member of the RPAC Elite, invest $250 or more in Richmond RPAC.
Log in to RARealtors.com and look for the Invest in RPAC link on your member profile page.
Golden R | $5,000
JACK TORZA Long & Foster REALTORS®
SHANNA STORY Parr & Abernathy Realty
KAREN SMITH RE/MAX Commonwealth
BETH DALTON Joyner Fine Properties
JOHN FINN United Real Estate Richmond
LIBBY GATEWOOD Napier Realtors, ERA
BLAKE EUDAILEY BHHS PenFed Realty
JENNIE BARRETT SHAW The Steele Group
RHONDA CARROLL Samson Properties
DAPHNE MACDOUGALL The Steele Group
KATHERINE HAWKS The Steele Group
NATHAN HUGHES Sperity Real Estate Ventures
SANDY OWENS RE/MAX Commonwealth
LATOYA WASHINGTON Covenant Realty
KAREN STEPHENS Long & Foster REALTORS®
KIM ATKINSON Shaheen Ruth Martin & Fonville
DAWN BRADLEY Long & Foster REALTORS®
WAYNE GAUTHIER Joyner Fine Properties
HEATHER PLACER MULL Shaheen Ruth Martin & Fonville
NAVONA HART Century 21 Realty
CURT REICHSTETTER Two Dog Realty
Governor’s Club | $500
Shaheen Ruth Martin &
SCOTT SHAHEEN
Shaheen Ruth Martin & Fonville
JOAN DORSEY Long & Foster REALTORS®
MELANIE HERRING Shaheen Ruth Martin & Fonville
MAHOOD FONVILLE
Fonville
SCOTT RUTH Shaheen Ruth Martin & Fonville
JASON SAUNDERS Rashkind Saunders & Co
DAKIA KNIGHT ICON Realty Group
JOHN MARTIN Shaheen Ruth Martin & Fonville
MARY K MCDONALD Long & Foster REALTORS®
SARAH BICE Bice & Associates
Capitol Insider | $250
JAMIE YOUNGER Long & Foster REALTORS®
CYNTHIA SAADY Fathom Realty Virginia
KATE KELLEY Liz Moore & Associates
JUDITH FLAIG GRAFFUM Harvest Realty
FERAS ALMOMANI Shaheen Ruth Martin Fonville
PATRICE CARROLL Keller Williams Realty
PAULA LISA DAWSON Joyner Fine Properties
NAT CROSS Realty Richmond
TERRA DANTONA Joyner Fine Properties
BETH K. ROBBINS United Real Estate Richmond
TAKISHA RUFFIN Real Broker, LLC
ALEC WHITE Shaheen Ruth Martin & Fonville
JOHN VANDERSYDE Long & Foster REALTORS®
CLAIRE FORCIER ROWE BHHS PenFed Realty
SANDRA FRANCISCO BHHS PenFed Realty
Richmond as a Top Market
A PREMIER DESTINATION IN 2025’S REAL ESTATE LANDSCAPE
Richmond, Virginia has emerged as one of the nation’s most dynamic housing markets in 2025. Ranked #5 by Realtor.com and #9 by Zillow, the city offers a compelling blend of affordability, economic vitality, and cultural richness, making it a prime choice for homebuyers and investors alike.
KEY MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
MEDIAN HOME PRICES
As of January 2025, the median listing price in Richmond stands at $375,000, reflecting a 7.1% year-over-year increase. The median sold price is approximately $350,000, indicating a balanced market where homes are selling close to their asking prices.
INVENTORY DYNAMICS
While inventory remains limited, new construction in suburban areas like Short Pump and Midlothian is expected to provide more options for buyers, potentially easing competition.
NEIGHBORHOOD APPEAL
Richmond’s diverse neighborhoods cater to various lifestyles. The Fan, Museum District, and Byrd Park offer historic charm and walkability, while areas like River Road and Cary Street Road appeal to luxury buyers. Suburban locales like Midlothian provide family-friendly environments with newer construction.
$375,000
median listing price
7.1%
year-over-year increase
Nº 5 BY REALTOR.COM
Nº 9 BY ZILLOW RANKED
WHY RICHMOND?
Economic Growth: Home to major employers such as VCU Health System, CarMax, and Dominion Energy, Richmond’s robust job market continues to attract professionals, fueling housing demand.
Cultural and Lifestyle Appeal: The city’s vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and proximity to outdoor recreational areas make it an attractive place to live.
Investment Opportunities: With rising home values and a competitive market, Richmond presents lucrative opportunities for real estate investors seeking growth potential.
NAVIGATING THE MARKET
For REALTORS® working with prospective buyers and sellers, understanding Richmond’s market dynamics is crucial:
FOR BUYERS AGENTS:
Expect a highly competitive environment, particularly in desirable neighborhoods. Prepare clients for multiple-offer scenarios and emphasize the importance of strong, well-timed offers. Leveraging your local market expertise—comparable data, neighborhood trends, and negotiation insights—can make all the difference in helping buyers secure their ideal home.
FOR LISTING AGENTS:
With inventory moving quickly and many properties selling above list price, now is a prime opportunity to engage potential sellers. Encourage clients to position their homes strategically through professional staging, standout marketing, and data-driven pricing. Your guidance in showcasing unique property features can attract qualified buyers and maximize sale outcomes.
Richmond’s real estate market in 2025 offers a wealth of opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
READING LIST
Nº 1
Realtor.com: Top 10 Housing Markets for 2025"
Nº 2
WFXR: Richmond Among Most Competitive Markets in 2025
Nº 3
Axios Richmond: Richmond Real Estate Heats Up
Impact of PHA
BUILDING MOMENTUM: PHA’S 2025 IMPACT AND THE ROAD AHEAD
In 2025, the Partnership for Housing Affordability reinforced its leadership role by releasing an updated regional policy agenda and a Corporate Playbook for Affordable Housing. Together, these resources provide clear guidance for policymakers, businesses, and advocates, laying the groundwork for collective action to expand housing affordability and stability across our region.
That vision began taking shape through PHA’s administration of Henrico County’s $60 million Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Launched in 2024, the fund is producing results with hundreds of affordable units already awarded and more in the pipeline. Independent analysis by Mangum Economics projects the fund will generate 150 new affordable homes annually while also supporting 247 local jobs, $18.9 million in wages and benefits, and $55 million in economic output each year.
This momentum is reinforced by PHA’s new strategic plan, set to take effect in 2026. The plan codifies the organization’s role as the regional leader in affordable housing policy and advocacy, ensuring that PHA continues to drive solutions at the scale of the housing challenges facing Greater Richmond.
HRL BY THE NUMBERS
6,520 HRL total number of calls
The Housing Resource Line offers residents a direct line to vital housing information and referrals. This service helps connect people with housing assistance programs, affordable housing options, and expert advice to support their unique needs.
773
$196,088
Amount of financial assistance residents were connected to (as of 10.28.2025)
2,294
Henrico Trust Fund
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS
Henrico County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund provides development incentives and grants to builders to create affordable homeownership opportunities for households earning 60–120 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
By reducing home sales prices, the program expands access to ownership and supports wealth building across multiple neighborhoods and magisterial districts. The Partnership for Housing Affordability administers the program, overseeing application review, funding allocation, and compliance. In 2025, over 140 units were awarded through the Fund.
$11.1M+ EXPENDED
PHA collaborated with Mangum Economics to assess the program’s fiscal impact. Household expenditures by new homeowners and the construction of 750 housing units are projected to yield:
2
Impact of
Over the past year, CVR MLS has engaged with a broad spectrum of agents and industry professionals across multiple regions, reinforcing our role as a trusted resource in the real estate ecosystem. Through consistent support and data oversight, CVR MLS touched thousands of listings and facilitated meaningful improvements in accuracy and efficiency. Our strong footprint—reflected in both the volume of interactions and the diversity of markets served—underscores our commitment to excellence and delivering value to our users.
25TH ANNIVERSARY
We have had the pleasure of serving our central Virginia community for 25 years.
STRATEGIC DATA SHARING
CVR MLS advanced its data strategy through key partnerships, including the launch of the Bright MLS data share. Alongside existing collaborations with REIN MLS (Virginia Beach/ Hampton Roads) and CBRAR Property Services (Middle Peninsula), these integrations extend CVR MLS listing visibility across the Commonwealth and beyond—all within the native Matrix platform. We continue to pursue strategic relationships that empower agents and serve their clients.
DATA ACCURACY & COMPLIANCE
Accurate, verifiable data remains the foundation of our compliance efforts. CVR MLS continuously evaluates rules, regulations, and technology to ensure listing data integrity. This commitment supports agent success and maintains the reliability of our MLS ecosystem.
$8,021,860,158 IN TOTAL SALES (YEAR TO DATE) This is based on a total of 16,638 MLS sales with a total of 536,542 households in the Richmond VA CBSA.
3.1% of households were represented in a CVR MLS sale in the last 12 months. Population date is based on the ACS 2023 survey.
313,697 82,160 45,351 12,443 10,001
8,455 4,947 1,875 1,555 1,475 RPR FastStats
CVR + ALL DATA SHARE SERVICE MAP
413 RETURNED LOCKBOXES
TRAFFIC TRENDS BY MONTH SHOWINGSAVERAGE PER LISTING BY MONTH 2025 JANUARY 6.3 MAY 6.4 SEPTEMBER 4.7 FEBRUARY 7.2 JUNE 5.6 OCTOBER 4.7 MARCH 7.5 JULY 5.4 NOVEMBER APRIL 7.3 AUGUST 4.8 DECEMBER
COTALITY CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT RATES (OCTOBER 2025) LAST 30 DAYS
88,841 registered users SINCE LAUNCH
626,135 total listing views
4,462 agents with active users
302,805 monhly visits
500 tour requests
34,000 unique users
15,820 listing likes
Nº 1
An MLS Book was delivered to all the offices every Friday. It included black and white photos of the exterior of a listing.
Nº 4
Agents used to stop by the office to pick up packets of physical contracts.
In 2003 CVR MLS contract had
6 pages only
A CVR MLS photographer used to travel to each listing and snap a single photo of the home. They would then drop off physical prints of the photos to the office, and MLS staff would scan them into the system for use in the MLS Book. Once CD-ROMs were commonly used, the photographer switched to delivering photos via CD.
Nº 3
Nº 2 There used to be only one photo per listing. Now, CVR MLS subscribers can upload 50 photos (and more soon) at once.
Nº 5
A Map Book was used to show the different areas and zones within them.
Nº 6
Listing Information used to be provided via a dial-up connection.
MLS outreach visits in 2025
SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT LAUNCHES
LAUNCHED IN 2013
LAUNCHED IN 2017
The Dashboard
LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER 2019
ROAD RULES CLASS MOVED TO ON-DEMAND IN 2020
LAUNCHED IN 2019
CERTIFICATION IN DECEMBER 2018 RECEIVED
6 Full-time staff AT CVR MLS
New user training became mandatory in 2024
LAUNCHED IN APRIL 2023 FIRST AI PRODUCT
CVR MLS DATA SHARES WITH CBRAR, REIN AND VIRGINIA BRIGHT MLS
Looking back at 2025 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nº 1
BRIGHT DATA SHARE LAUNCH
We rolled out our data share with Bright on May 14, marking a major milestone in our strategic relationships.
Nº 4
NAR’S MULTIPLE LISTING OPTIONS FOR SELLERS
Nº 2 ONEHOME ENHANCEMENTS
We introduced photo search to improve client portal usability.
We successfully navigated NAR’s MLS mandates, affirming that our existing structure continues to support agents and clients with a wide range of listing and marketing options.
Nº 5
COMING SOON EXPANSION
Nº 3
SQUARE FOOTAGE RESTRUCTURE
We redesigned our square footage input fields for more accurate data delivery and flexible searching capabilities.
We extended our Coming Soon listing window from 21 to 45 days to support our changing market.
Nº 7
FORMS LICENSING SHARE
We shared forms with neighboring Associations and MLSs to increase contract familiarity in our region.
Nº 9
Nº 6 KNOWLEDGEBASE
We enhanced our resources for 24/7 access to need-to-know information.
SENTRILOCK RETURN & EARN
We ran a successful incentive program to encourage lockbox returns.
Nº 8
SEPTIC LAW SUPPORT
We delivered updated forms, education, and resources for new inspection requirements.
Nº 10
WILLIAMSBURG MLS LOCKBOX RECIPROCITY
As of November 12, 2025, we partnered with Williamsburg Multiple Listing Service (WMLS) to allow users access to SentriLock lockboxes in each jurisdiction without needing separate credentials.
Circle of Excellence
HONOREES
JOHN
CLAIRE FORCIER-ROWE BHHS PenFed Realty
KEOSHOA GORDON Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville
MELANIE HERRING EXP Realty
LAURA JARRETT RE/MAX Commonwealth
EMJAY JOHNSON ICON Realty Group
MELINDA JOHNSON Resource Realty Services
JENN COX Jenn Cox Realty
TONDRA DEVAREL Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville
FINN United Real Estate Richmond
JUDITH FLAIG GRAFFUM Harvest Realty
LIBBY GATEWOOD Parr & Abernathy Realty, Inc.
TARA ADAMS Keller Williams Realty SCOTT ANDREWS Nest Realty Group
KIM ATKINSON Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville
KHALIYAH BARAKHYAHU EXP Realty
JEMMA BLISS Liz Moore & Associates
AMANDA BRENNAN Coldwell Banker Prime
ANN BRINKLEY Honey Tree Realty
KAREN SMITH RE/MAX Commonwealth
DARE TULLOCH Long & Foster REALTORS®
TINA WINN Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville
JAMIE YOUNGER Long & Foster REALTORS®
DAUNE ZOOK Samson Properties
SAM PLOTT BHHS PenFed Realty
PAM POPE Long & Foster REALTORS®
BETH K. ROBBINS United Real Estate Richmond
CONNIE G. RODRIGUEZ ERA Woody Hogg & Associates
ALICIA SHIELDS NextHome Advantage ALEXANDRIA SMITH Long & Foster REALTORS®
LADONNA LEWIS ICON Realty Group ANGELA MCCLAINE Lifelong Realty, Inc.
SCOTT MCCLAINE Lifelong Realty, Inc.
BECKY MCNEER Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville
MAYA MESSER Long & Foster REALTORS®
JANET NOWLIN NextHome Integrity Realty
LACEY KEARNEY Providence Hill Real Estate
DANIELLE KENNY Wind Chime Properties
DAKIA KNIGHT ICON Realty Group
BETH LANE Metropolitan Real Estate KRYSTYL LEONARD Encompass Realty
DENNETTA WRIGHT Fathom Realty Virginia
TSHIKA JONES ICON Realty Group
Translating Communities of Opportunity into Impact
At the Richmond Association of REALTORS® (RAR), we have a mantra:
“People will not buy a house, until they have first bought into a community’s quality of life.” Our collective quality of life will not be what it can and should be until each person in RVA has the opportunity to flourish. A “community of opportunity” is a regional ecosystem in which people have a chance to experience positive health, educational, and vocational outcomes. Safe, sustainable, attainable housing is the foundation upon which a community of opportunity is built. This philosophy of creating “communities of opportunity” is now being realized in a regional initiative five years in the making, “RVA Rising.” RAR has been one of the key organizations driving the creation and execution of RVA Rising which seeks to make upward economic mobility the primary focus of our public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic efforts.
In the Richmond region, RAR has been and will continue to be a driving force in advocating for and advancing the cause of housing. In 2024, RAR established the Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA)—a 501c3 dedicated to pursuing partnerships with local policy makers to create more affordable housing and undergird our regional real estate market. Last year Henrico county tapped PHA to administer its one of a kind $60 million Affordable Housing Trust Fund. In 2025 PHA awarded $9,855,000
$11,100,000
for the development of 126 homes affordable to households earning between 80 – 115% of the Area Median Income. This is a remarkable public, private, nonprofit partnership.
Within RAR itself, we provide members with the education, advocacy, and risk management services they need for the opportunity to build professional, ethical and profitable careers. For example, before legislation establishing new rules regarding septic inspections went into effect on July 1 of this year, RAR prepared the membership for these changes with informative town halls, video tutorials, and Knowledge Base articles available 24-7 via RARealtors.com.
At the Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Service (CVR MLS), the staff and leadership recognize that maintaining a timely and accurate database of residential listing data makes an orderly real estate market possible. The MLS database is the essential repository of listing data that enables participants to meet the needs of their clients. In 2025 we enriched this database through a datashare with BRIGHT MLS. We will seek to continue to grow strategic partnerships with additional MLS through ongoing datashare efforts. In addition, CVR MLS supports a state-of-the-art portfolio of technology products— Showing Time, SentriLock lockboxes, Transaction Desk, etc.—vital tools that increase the opportunities for our participants to succeed.
Looking Ahead to 2026-28 Strategic Priorities
STRATEGIC INTENTION
OWN THE FUTURE: A roadmap to strengthen relevance and resilience in an evolving industry landscape. When strategy meets agility, we will own our future.
Nº 1
OWN OUR VALUE
Define, deliver, and communicate our hyper-local relevance, reinforcing our unique role as a trusted, mission-driven voice for members and the communities we serve.
HYPER - LOCAL RELEVANCE
Establishing our unique position in the local real estate landscape
TRUSTED VOICE
Serving as the trusted resource for members and communities
MISSION - DRIVEN
Guided by purpose in all initiatives and communications
OWN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
Build internal strength and agility to lead with courage by establishing a stable foundation across leadership, systems, and financial strategy.
LEADERSHIP
Developing and supporting courageous leaders ready to navigate industry challenges
SYSTEMS
Implementing agile technology and processes that support systems thinking
FINANCIAL STRATEGY
Maintaining sustainable financial models for long-term health and opportunity
Nº 3
OWN OUR IMPACT
Show up where it matters and lead with purpose by amplifying influence through policy, education, and community leadership that drives progress.
Core Functions of the Association
Nº 2
LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Providing cutting-edge education and growth opportunities for industry professionals.
Nº 1
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
Fostering active participation and strong relationships within our community of members.
• Develop value-driven member services informed by data analytics
• Prioritize personalization of touchpoints at scale
• Host membership meetings, events, and forums that meet the moment, including diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
Manage content dynamically for microlearning opportunities through modern channels
Offer accredited education, foundational real estate practices education, and broker policy education through live, virtual, and in-person facilitation based on demand metrics
Nº 3
Lead local advocacy on land use, housing, and private property rights
Foster leadership in the real estate profession through leadership development and risk management education
ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Representing member interests and influencing policies that shape the real estate landscape.
Strengthen local government affairs and industry visibility at the General Assembly
Mobilize members for REALTOR® Party initiatives and RPAC fundraising
MLS COMPANY MANAGEMENT Nº 4
Efficiently managing and evolving our Multiple Listing Service to serve subscribers’ needs.
• Maintain strategic ownership and operation of Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Service (CVR MLS) and resource the company’s strategic plan
• Ensure robust and proactive management of MLS technology systems
• Support training on MLS systems to increase fluency among members
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE Nº 5
Ensuring streamlined processes and peak performance capability across all defined organizational functions.
