1. Recognize the role of the housing industry as a critical economic development engine within the Commonwealth by streamlining regulations, ensuring robust finance and construction sectors, promoting the development of workforce housing, reducing commute times between home and work, and increasing residential access to transportation systems, while furthering public understanding of housing finance and economic literacy.

2. Promote sustainable and vibrant communities through measures that promote mixed use development, increase energy efficiency and use of cost effective green building concepts, support the rehabilitation of substandard housing, clarify the role of community associations in common interest communities, and expand public-private cooperation in addressing affordable safe housing.

3. Ensure that a range of housing options can be provided to  meet the housing needs of a dynamic and changing population, achieve proper balance between homeownership and rental options, promote a continuum of quality housing options for special needs populations, match existing subsidies with areas of housing need, and increase the emphasis on fair housing (eliminating barriers to housing).

4. Increase capacity to address the needs of homeless Virginians by focusing on the reduction of chronic homelessness, ensuring the continued viability of the safety net of shelters and services, and investing in transitional and permanent supportive housing. 
   
   You can review the full policy online @ http://www.virginiahousingpolicy.com/ and make comments to be considered by the committee. 

GOVERNOR MCDONNELL APPOINTS JOE FUNKHOUSER TO THE VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE BOARD

HARRISONBURG – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has announced his appointment of Harrisonburg REALTOR® Joe Funkhouser to the Virginia Real Estate Board.  Funkhouser is President and Owner of Coldwell Banker Funkhouser REALTORS®.

The Virginia Real Estate Board regulates businesses and individuals representing others in real property transactions.  The Board writes and enforces state real estate regulations as directed by the Code of Virginia.

"I'm honored to accept the Governor's appointment," said Funkhouser. "This board plays a vital role in governing the actions of real estate licensees, protecting the interests of the public and setting the professional standard in our industry.  Throughout my career, I have been passionate about Professional Standards of the real estate industry and serving the interests of clients and the public." 

Funkhouser will begin his four year term immediately.  He was previously appointed to this board by Governor Allen from 1995 to 2003 and served as Chairman for nearly seven years.  He has also served as President of the Virginia Association of REALTORS® and Vice President of the National Association of REALTORS®. 

"We applaud the Governor's appointment of REALTOR® Joe Funkhouser to the Real Estate Board," said Scott Brunner, CEO of the Virginia Association of REALTORS®. "He understands dual roles of the Real Estate Board in protecting consumers and serving the licensing needs of real estate practitioners, and he'll bring informed, experienced leadership and wisdom to his role in regulating Virginia real estate licensees."

About Joe Funkhouser

Joe entered the real estate business in 1972 after service in the US Military.  In 1975 he started what is now Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors.  Joe has held leadership positions at the local, state and national levels within the real estate industry.  In 1995, Governor George Allen appointed Joe to the Virginia Real Estate Regulatory Board where he served two terms and was chairman 6 ½ of his eight years on the board.  Joe has served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of REALTORS® (the largest trade association in the United States), and its Board of Directors for over 20 years.  Recently, Joe was only the 69^th person to receive the highest honor given by the 1.2 million member NAR, the National Association of REALTORS® Distinguished Service Award. 

In 2010, Joe was appointed by Governor McDonnell to the Governor's Economic Development and Job Creation Commission.

Within the Harrisonburg community, Joe is serving on the Board of Directors at Rockingham Memorial Hospital and the JMU Board of Visitors.  He has also held positions on the Harrisonburg Electric Commission, Co-Chair of the RMH Capital Campaign, JMU Foundation Board, Rockingham Heritage Bank Board, RMH Foundation Board, JMU Executive Advisory Board to the College of Business and Chairman of the JMU Athletic Performance Center Campaign.  He is a recipient of the Multiple Sclerosis Silver Hope Award and the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.

Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors and Coldwell Banker Commercial Funkhouser Realtors serve the Shenandoah Valley with services in Residential and Commercial Brokerage, Residential and Commercial Property Management and Property Appraisal.  The company has 98 real estate licensees and locations in Harrisonburg and Woodstock.

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Two Local Firms Merge To Provide Clients & Associates State-Of-The-Art Real Estate Services

For the last two years, Joe Funkhouser, President of Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors, has carefully analyzed the real estate industry in the new economy and came to one conclusion: today's real estate firm must be large enough to provide more tools and services to clients and associates.  Joe looked for opportunities to make this happen and began conversations with Philip Constable, broker and owner of Century 21 Real Estate Unlimited.  "I have always had great respect for Philip and the team of associates he built at Century 21," said Funkhouser. 

After being approached by Joe,  Philip Constable did his own research to see what local firms would be the best fit if he decided to merge his company.  "I talked with several Brokers and realized the firm which had the closest structure and business philosophy of ours was Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors," said Constable. 

This business philosophy is founded on Integrity, Honesty, Professionalism and Knowledge. "Our company is founded on principles that we expect each associate to carry forward in our service to clients and customers," said Joe Funkhouser.  "I believe our business philosophy and the emphasis we put on equipping our associates with proven tools, education and management support is our advantage in today's market". 

The thought of a merger between the two firms began last year and was focused on how to provide better service to associates and clients, "Joe and I met many times over the last year to formulate a merger that would bring our two firms together under one roof and create not only the largest real estate firm in the region but also the most professionally trained associates and the firm with the best cutting edge technology in the industry," said Philip Constable who will now serve as Associate Broker and a Sales Manager of Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors.

Some of the many tools available to associates include websites, virtual tours, social media, graphic design assistance, marketing consultants and a strong management team of industry leaders.  "Our company is here to support our associates.  Whether it is a question about building a successful marketing plan or the effects of new laws on our business,we are here to make our associates successful in helping clients," said Joe Funkhouser, who has served as Chairman of the Virginia Real Estate Board and Vice President of the National Association of REALTORS®.

Over the past 12 months, the combined companies have represented clients in the sale of 662 properties totaling $127,845,895 in sales volume.   The firm will now have 95 full service licensees, making it the largest real estate firm in the region.  "The size of our firm is a great advantage to our associates and our clients.  When someone chooses to work with our real estate firm they are not hiring just one of our associates, they are working with a team of real estate professionals dedicated to their real estate needs," said Funkhouser.

Along with its sister company, Coldwell Banker Commercial Funkhouser Realtors, Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors provides services in Residential and Commercial Brokerage, Residential and Commercial Property Management, Farms and Land Brokerage and  Property Appraisal.  The company was founded in 1975 by Joe Funkhouser and currently has locations in Harrisonburg and Woodstock offering services in Augusta, Rockingham, Page & Shenandoah counties.

For more information about Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors, visit www.cbfunkhouser.com or call (540) 434-2400.

Coldwell Banker Was the First to Launch A Real Estate App for the iPhone

If you are an iphone (or Android) phone user, you can now more easily search for properties.  This app works for properties in our local area, across the nation and throughout the world! [View Video Below]

When a user accesses the Coldwell Banker corporate site, www.ColdwellBanker.com,  through his or her handset, the Coldwell Banker Web site automatically recognizes that it is being accessed by an iPhone, and will serve up the special iPhone interface.  iPhone users do not need to download any special software to benefit from this enhancement to the Coldwell Banker mobile technology.

In addition, consumers will be able to enter specific search criteria such as city, state, price as well as optional filters including number of bedrooms and bathrooms.  When a property is selected, iPhone users can view all of the specifications for that home and contact an agent directly.

Earlier this year Coldwell Banker became the first national real estate brand to put its listings on in-car GPS devices through an exclusive feed to Dash Navigation.  Drivers can now call up Coldwell Banker listings, map them, get directions and view other Coldwell Banker listings in close proximity.

Another great service by Coldwell Banker to give you insight into today's real estate market!