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New Member Orientation Resources

Welcome to the Vail Board of REALTORS®

In choosing the real estate profession, you are joining one of the last truly free enterprise systems existing in our business world today. Your hard work, competence, and good ethics will determine your rewards.

By joining the Vail Board of REALTORS® you also become a member of the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).  These organizations will not only provide you with a strong voice in the national and local political arenas but will also provide you with many opportunities to enhance your skills through a variety of educational programs.

REALTORS® is capitalized because it is a licensed trademark to be used ONLY by members of the organizations you are joining today.  It is important to remember that not all real estate licensees are REALTORS® whose members subscribe to the high degree of standards of practice you are accepting today.

Our mission statement is: “TO SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY, PHILANTHROPY, AND ADVOCACY.”  You are the lifeblood of our organization.  Get involved!  If you have a particular interest or skill, your association can use your talents.  The more you become involved and interact with our six hundred plus Vail Board membership, the more you will learn and grow as REALTORS®.

CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a member of the Vail Board of REALTORS®, the Colorado Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®.  Our very best wishes for a successful career!

Getting Oriented with NAR & VBR

All new members will need to attend VBR's New Member Orientation - offered in person at the VBR or live on Zoom.

See the Orientation requirements here.

The National Association of REALTORS® offers an online New Member Orientation module. The VBR requires newly licensed Brokers to take this online module.

You will use NAR's SSO (Single Sign On) to access the modules.

  1. Create your NAR Account at www.nar.realtor using your NRDS ID#. You can get this ID from the VBR if you don't have it.
  2. Access the module at: https://learning.realtor.

Upon completion of the module, you will receive a certificate that can be downloaded and used as proof of course completion. Please note, that once you log in and start the module, you will have 30 days to complete the module.

Top 10 Things You Need to Know Specific to Our Area

  1. Board Structure. Understanding the structure of the Vail Board of Realtors® and how our organization works to support your business is an important part of being a member.
    • View our Organizational Chart that shows the structure. As a member of the VBR, you are also a member of the Colorado Association of Realtors® (CAR) and National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
  2. A few current issues.
  3. Contracts. It is heavily suggested that you take a Contracts course each year so you are aware of any changes.
  4. Title. Title companies are a big part of the process of selling real estate. Most are affiliate members of the VBR. Get to know them. Take our Vail Pro Title and Survey course to learn more about it.
  5. Homeowner Associations. It is your responsibility to know HOA’s dues and verify them.
    • Don’t rely on old MLS information as it will change.
    • How many people oversee the property and know the information you are sharing?
    • First right of refusal.
  6. Short-term rentals. Be aware of each area as it is a moving target when it comes to short-term rental policies.
  7. Transfer taxes. Use resources to figure out transfer taxes. Specific areas and developments have them.
  8. International and out-of-state buyers and sellers. Be aware! There are different taxes that may apply. Take time to explain Colorado laws because they may be thinking it is the same as their current state or country. You are the expert and need to take the time to LEARN MORE.
  9. Vail Pro Designation. The Vail Pro Designation is a local designation addressing local topics that help members learn more about information that is important to our area. A few courses to watch for are below.
    - Inspection and 4 Scary Words: Radon, mold asbestos, and lead. Learn about the process and understand you are not the expert and be careful of what you say.
    - Impacts of Natural Resources. Water, septic, well. All situations are different for water. Take the Vail Pro course to learn more from a water attorney and GSA’s.
    - Wildfire Awareness/REALFire. We have a specific program on wildfire awareness and education called REALFire®  Learn more about it and how local homeowners can get free property wildfire assessments.
  10. Pathways to Professionalism
    - Etiquette of showing a property
    - Dressing appropriately
    - Leaving the home the way it was
    - Respect for the public, property, and peers.