What Drives CAAR?

Anne Gardner Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors
Anne Gardner, CEO of CAAR

This isn’t your grandfather’s CAAR. The Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) has come a long way from its roots in 1925 as a helping hand for home buyers and sellers to a full service, proactive, high-tech organization with real estate and related resources for literally anyone.

Today, CAAR, a trade organization for real estate professionals, is a dynamic organization, widely recognized as the leading voice for real estate in Central Virginia. CAAR serves more than 1,000 real estate professionals and affiliate members throughout the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. CAAR is also a partner of the Piedmont Housing Alliance, which opens a wide array of possibilities for low- and moderate-income families to address their housing challenges, build strong financial futures, and achieve their dreams of homeownership. Just last year, Piedmont Housing Alliance’s certified housing counselors helped 44 families purchase a home, through a combination of expert coaching and down payment assistance financing. Throughout the year, Piedmont Housing Alliance offers the VHDA Homebuyer Education Class, which includes a section on the role of a real estate agent that is often taught by a CAAR member Realtor.

CAAR member Realtors are committed to bringing professionalism and high ethical standards to every business transaction and additional services. The Association advocates for the protection of private property rights and provides tools and technology for members to achieve expertise in serving the needs of customers and clients. The CAAR membership enriches the region’s neighborhoods by engaging in a variety of educational programs as well as community service events each year.

CAAR services are related to their four primary objectives: advocacy, member participation, information resources, and community relations. Here is what they provide:

>Local market statistics and community information

>Publications for weekly real estate listings, home services, fine homes

>Affiliations for specialized services in the following areas:  mortgage and finance, title insurance, settlement, home insurance and warranties, builders, inspectors, movers, housing programs, legal issues, business/commercial, tourism, communities and clubs, local media.

>Senior citizen help and housing programs

>Assistance in properly filing a complaint

>Tools and programs to becoming a real estate professional

Call CAAR at (434) 817-2227 or email info@caar.com.