http://www.nysar.com/ The latest press releases from NYSAR. en-us 5/13/2008 10:11:52 PM 5/13/2008 10:11:52 PM Solasus.com http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=115 Albany April 23, 2008 Sales of existing single-family homes in New York State in March increased by more than 10 percent compared to February, but lagged behind March 2007, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. New York REALTORS sold 5,035 existing single-family homes in March 2008, a 10.1-percent increase compared to the 4,575 sales recorded in February. The March sales total represents a 29-percent decrease compared to the March 2007 total of 7,094. The March 2008 median selling price of $210,000 represents a 6.7-percent decrease from the February median of $225,000. The March 2008 median selling price represents a 14.7-percent decrease compared to the March 2007 median of $246,150. In March 2008 sales gains were reported in 31 counties compared to February, while just four experienced growth compared to March 2007. Thirty-one counties reported gains in median selling price in March 2008 compared to February 2008, while 20 posted gains compared to March 2007. With a more than 10 percent increase in sales of existing single-family homes in March compared to February, the New York State housing market is performing better than the national housing market, said Duncan R. MacKenzie, NYSAR chief executive officer. While changes in the median selling price fared better on a national level, New Yorks median price continues to remain above the national median. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 61,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 4/23/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=114 Albany March 26, 2008 Sales of existing single-family homes in New York State in February decreased by more than 12 percent compared to last February, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The February 2008 sales total of 4,528 represents a 19-percent decrease compared to the 5,588 sales closed in February 2007. The February sales total fell 12.6 percent from the January 2008 sales total of 5,178. The February 2008 median selling price of $230,000 represents an 11.5 -percent decrease from the February 2007 median of $260,000. However, the February 2008 median was only 2.1 percent below the previous months median of $235,000. In February 2008 sales gains were reported in 19 counties compared to February 2007, while 16 experienced growth compared to January 2008. Thirty-seven counties reported gains in median selling price in February 2008 compared to February 2007, while 29 posted gains compared to January 2008. The winter months are historically slow in terms of sales, and this months total is reminiscent of a typical February, said Duncan R. MacKenzie, NYSAR chief executive officer. Based on historical trends, we anticipate sales will increase as we move closer to the spring and summer months, especially as buyers take advantage of historically low mortgage finance rates and increasing inventory levels. The recent actions by the federal government intended to assist the housing market should also bring improvement in the coming months. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 3/26/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=113 Albany March 4, 2008 Sales of existing single-family homes decreased in January by more than 23 percent compared to December 2007, while the median sales price increased by more than 9 percent from the previous month, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The January 2008 sales total of 5,121 fell 23.4 percent from the December 2007 sales total of 6,682. January 2008 sales decreased by 21.8 percent compared to the January 2007 sales total of 6,548. The January 2008 statewide median sales price of $240,000 represents a 9.1-percent increase compared to the December 2007 median of $220,000. The January 2008 median decreased 18.6 percent from the January 2007 median of $295,000. In January 2008 sales gains were reported in 20 counties compared to January 2007, while nine experienced growth compared to December 2007. Twenty-seven counties in January 2008 reported gains in median selling price compared to January 2007, while 22 posted gains compared to December 2007. A combination of the traditionally slow winter housing market and tighter mortgage lending practices likely resulted in a January sales slowdown in New York, said Duncan R. MacKenzie, NYSAR chief executive officer. New York State like most of the nation is feeling the credit pinch caused by the fallout from the subprime market. Moving forward, we are optimistic that the market should be helped by the increase in FHA loan limits, which will expand access to stable mortgage products for all buyers. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 3/4/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=100 Albany February 8, 2008 Linda J. Page of Red Hook took the oath of office Monday, Feb. 4, as the 2008 president of the New York State Association of REALTOR (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony, held in conjunction with its Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. She will serve a one-year term in the post. Page, a REALTOR for more than 36 years, is the principal broker with Fraleigh & Rakow Realty, LLC in Rhinebeck. Page is a former president of the Columbia-Greene Board of REALTORS, where she has served as treasurer, MLS president and as a member of the board of directors. She has also served as a chair or member of numerous committees including education, legislative, budget and finance, building, long-range planning, MLS vendor search, nominating, professional standards and RPAC. In 1998-2000 and in 2002, she was recognized as the Columbia-Greene REALTOR of the Year. Page is also a member of the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS, a member of the DCAR legislative and professional standards committee, and a former director of its MLS. She has repeatedly served on NYSARs Board of Directors and chaired or served on many committees at the state level including education management, executive, nominating, MLS, organizational planning, organizational standards, housing opportunities, housing foundation, professional standards, budget and finance, legislative policy, issues mobilization, legal action and the REALTORS Housing Relief Fund. In 2003, she was recognized as NYSARs REALTOR of the Year. At the national level, Page serves on the professional standards and risk management committees. In addition, she also serves on the NAR Board of Directors and the interpretations and procedures subcommittee. She has served as an ambassador for the HOPE Awards and on the Mediation Pilot Program. Page is actively involved in numerous civic and community organizations including the Economic Development Committee and Zoning Review Committee for the Town of Red Hook. She is a past president of the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTORis a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. ### Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=102 Albany February 8, 2008 Daniel J. Hartnett of Syracuse took the oath of office Monday, Feb. 4, as the 2008 president-elect of the New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony, held in conjunction with its Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. He will serve a one-year term in the post. Hartnett, a REALTOR for more than 25 years, holds a New York State real estate brokers license. He is the vice president of Prudential First Properties and manager of its Cicero office. At the local level, Hartnett serves on the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS Legislative Committee and the Central New York Information Service (CNYIS) Forms Task Force. He was selected twice as his local associations REALTOR of the Year. Hartnett serves on numerous committees at the state level including executive, budget and finance, housing opportunities, legal action, legislative policy forum, organizational planning and investment. He is a REALTORS Political Action Committee trustee. Hartnett has served on the National Association of REALTORS Board of Directors and the Housing Opportunities Committee. He is a federal political coordinator to Congressman Jim Walsh of the 25th Congressional District. He is a member of the national associations REALTORS Political Information Committee (RPIC), which is charged with appointing, educating and mobilizing NAR key contacts to members of Congress. Active in his community, Hartnett serves on the board of directors for Home Headquarters, Equity Headquarters and The Salvation Army. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTORis a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=103 Albany February 8, 2008 Henry W. Fries of White Plains took the oath of office Monday, Feb. 4, as the 2008 secretary/treasurer of the New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony, held in conjunction with its Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. He will serve a one-year term in the post. Fries, a REALTORf or more than 25 years, is the broker-owner of Henry W. Fries Real Estate in White Plains. A past president of the Westchester County Board of REALTORS, Fries has a long history of involvement with his local association, serving as the 2007 legislative, political and legal affairs council chair. Fries serves on numerous committees and working groups at the state level including Article 12-A, budget and finance, commercial issues, commercial protection, education management, executive, legislative policy forum, organizational planning, legislative policy and legislative steering. In 2006, he was recognized as NYSARs REALTOR of the Year. At the national level, he serves on NARs Appraisal Committee and the REALTORS Commercial Alliance Committee. In addition, Fries has served on the Public Policy Coordinating Committee and in 2005, he was selected to serve as the first chair of the National Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Forum. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTORis a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=104 Albany February 8, 2008 Mark S. Bergman, GRI, of Johnsburg took the oath of office Monday, Feb. 4, as the 2008 Adirondack Region vice president of the New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony, held in conjunction with its Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. Bergman is serving a second one-year term in the post. Bergman, a REALTOR for five years, is the principal broker of Bergman Real Estate in North Creek, NY. In addition to his responsibilities with NYSAR, Bergman is serving as the 2008 president of the Warren County Association of REALTORS and sits on the board of directors and MLS operations committee. In 2007, Bergman completed his GRI education, joining other real estate professionals who have earned this prestigious national designation. Bergman has been active at the state level since entering the industry, joining a number of NYSAR committees, including: professional standards, communications and public relations, organizational planning, legislative policy, resort and second home, and emerging issues. He has attended the NYSAR business meetings since 2002, devoting his time and attention to issues affecting REALTORS and the real estate industry. Active in his community, Bergman belongs to the Town of Johnsburg Planning Board. He also serves his community as a member of Johnsburg EMS, and has been named a certified arbitrator by the Better Business Bureau. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=106 Albany February 8, 2008 T. Peter Brizee of Pittsford took the oath of office Monday, Feb. 4, as the 2008 Genesee Region vice president of the New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony, held in conjunction with its Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. Brizee is serving a second one-year term in the post. Brizee, a REALTOR for more than 25 years, is the principal broker of T. Peter Brizee REALTORS in Pittsford. Brizee is a director of the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS Charitable Foundation and a member of GRARs Professional Standards and Industry Advocacy committees. In 2007, Brizee served as chair of the local associations REALTOR-bar committee. He has also served on the organizational review task force and finance committee. A past president of GRAR, he has served several terms on its board of directors. In 1996, Brizee was named GRARs REALTOR of the Year. At the state level, Brizee serves on the executive and organizational planning committees. In addition, he has served as a NYSAR delegate and as a member of the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC). Active in his community, Brizee is a member of the Downtown Development Committee of Pittsfords Master Planning Committee and the Hobart College Club of Rochester. He served as a Pittsford Village Trustee for nine years and continues to be politically active. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=107 Albany February 8, 2008 Frederic Cantor, GRI, of Fishkill took the oath of office Monday, Feb. 4, as the 2008 Lower Hudson Region vice president of the New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony, held in conjunction with its Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. Cantor is serving a second one-year term in the post. Cantor, a REALTOR for more than 35 years, is the president/owner of two real estate offices in the Lower Hudson Region, and is the principal broker of Century 21 Country Bumpkin in Fishkill. He has served as director of the Putnam County Association of REALTORS for 16 years and the Dutchess County Association of REALTORS since 1996. Cantor has served as president of PCAR (1981, 1982) as well as president of the Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service (1983-1985) and the Putnam County Multiple Listing Corporation (1980, 1981). He has been named REALTORof the Year by both the Putnam and Dutchess County Associations. At the state level, Cantor has been a director of the New York State Association of REALTORS since 1981 and has chaired numerous committees. He served as president of the Commercial and Investment Division in 1991 and 1992. In addition to his dedication to NYSAR, Cantor was a founding member of the New York State Commercial Association of REALTORS (NYSCAR) in 1996, where he served as a governor from 1996-2003, and was named NYSCARs REALTOR of the Year in 2000. At the national level, Cantor served five years on the National Association of REALTORS Equal Opportunity Committee. Known as Mr. Fishkill Little League throughout the community, Cantor has spent numerous years developing the towns baseball program, helping him earn the distinguished Person of the Year award from the municipality in 2004. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM http://www.nysar.com/media/release.asp?r=108 Albany February 8, 2008 William C. Curtin of Orchard Park took the oath of office Monday, Feb. 4, as the 2008 Western Region vice president of the New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony, held in conjunction with its Business Meetings at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. He will serve a one-year term in the post. Curtin, a REALTOR for 37 years, is a broker with Hunt Real Estate ERA in West Seneca, NY. He serves on the board of directors of the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS (BNAR), where he has also served on or chaired numerous committees including executive finance, investment, nominating, public affairs, legislative policy and strategic planning. In 2002, Curtin served as the local associations president. At the state level, Curtin serves on the NYSAR Board of Directors and was the 2007 chair of the RPAC Trustees. In addition, Curtin serves on numerous committees including executive, legislative policy and organizational planning as well as the commission protection working group. Curtin is an active member of the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC). Active in his community, Curtin founded the Mercy Hospital Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament and served as its chairman for five years. He is a past president of St. Martins Holy Name Society, and with his wife Irene, founded the afternoon and evening youth summer programs at St. Martins. The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 64,000 of New York states real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS. -###- Salvatore I. Prividera Jr. Director of Communications and Special Projects 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM