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Broker Report

September 2023

News

Registration for NYSAR 2023 Fall Business Meetings is still open
Elevate your profession at the NYSAR 2023 Fall Business Meetings!
In-person meetings, including the NYSAR Board of Directors meeting, will be held October 1-4, 2023 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY.  To learn more and register, click here!

NYSAR Meeting Planner is now NYSAR Connect
Once you’ve registered for the NYSAR “Elevate Your Profession” Fall Business Meetings, access Zoom links, meeting agendas and supporting documents, plan your schedule and more. View NYSAR Connect on the web by clicking here.

The NYSAR Connect app is also available for iPhone users by searching “NYSAR Connect” in the App Store or download the NYSAR Connect app by clicking here.

Android users can search “NYSAR Connect” in the Google Play Store or download the NYSAR Connect app by clicking here.

(Your login information is the same as your NYSAR.com login, which is typically your nine digit NRDS ID number as your username and your password is your last name with the first letter capitalized.)

Register now for Triple Play 2023!
Grow and succeed in your real estate career! Registration is now open for the 2023 REALTORS® Triple Play Convention & Trade Expo, which will be held Dec. 4–7 in Atlantic City, N.J.
Register before October 17 and save $30.
For more information, click here!

Cold Calling Still Prohibited in New York
Real estate licensees may not make any unsolicited phone calls to a member of the public during a State of Emergency. General Business Law §399-z(5)(a) states, “It shall be unlawful for any telemarketer doing business in this state to knowingly make an unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village under a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency as described in sections twenty-four or twenty-eight of the executive law.” All other types of marketing such as mailers, billboards, social media, internet etc., are permitted. You may call a FSBO if you have an identifiable purchaser interested in the property.  You are prohibited from calling the FSBO to solicit the listing.  You may still perform business to business calls so long as you are calling the number provided as the business number. NYSAR is monitoring all of the current Executive Orders declaring a State of Emergency. To view the States of Emergency that are still in effect, click here.

Across the Association
With our “Elevate Your Profession” Fall Business Meetings around the corner, we’ve developed an easier way to keep track of all the great meetings and events you’ll want to attend. We explain in this edition of Across the Association. Watch now!

NYSAR 2024 Leadership Academy
Be part of NYSAR’s 7th Leadership Academy (LA7)! Immerse yourself in a comprehensive program that will develop your skills in the many facets of successful leadership. The 2024 academy class will be comprised of 12 REALTOR® members who will participate in five sessions at locations across New York State. For more information and to apply by October 13, click here!

Education

Get started on your Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) Designation this fall! The GRI Designation provides newer REALTORS® with important foundational information on all aspects of residential real estate and more experienced registrants with a valuable refresher. Each GRI course provides 7.5 continuing education hours to attendees, many in NYS required areas of credit.  Attendees have 5 years from the date of their first GRI course to complete the e=designation requirements.

Instructor Katheryn DeClerck will lead you through the steps of how to create a seamless, stress-free transaction for your seller clients while ensuring repeat future business from them – whether it be upgrading from a starter home or downsizing – at GRI-6 Sellers, September 27-28. From the CMA, pricing and positioning discussions to marketing and safely showing property, registrants will acquire the skills necessary to represent the seller competently, ethically, and legally while negotiating on their behalf and guiding them through the sales process.

Learn how to take your business to the next level and gain market share with GRI-2 Business, October 12-13with instructor Michael Smith. Explore the building blocks to creating an effective business plan; how to form support structures using assistants and teams; how to successfully prospect and tap into niche markets and how to develop policies to avoid risk.

Focus on the intricacies involved in creating a smoother transaction for both buyers and sellers at GRI-7 Property, October 16-17 with instructor Linda D’Amico.

Go in-depth on all forms of agency representation, proper agency disclosure and how to avoid risks of misrepresentation, vicarious liability, and breach of fiduciary duties at GRI-3 Agency, October 25-26with Alfred Fazio, Esq. This course fulfills the 2 hours required in Agency for NYS for license renewal.

Close the month with GRI-5 BuyersOctober 30-31. Get tips on demonstrating your value to clients from listing to closing from instructor, Nancy Mosca. Develop strategies to secure more buyer clients and confidently lead them through the entire home buying process while ensuring compliance with Fair Housing and Agency Representation laws. GRI-5 fulfills both the NYS Fair Housing and Agency CE requirements for license renewal.

Considering specialized credentials like a Designation or Certification? 
Tap into the 50+ crowd, the largest and wealthiest buyer’s and seller’s group in the country with the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation, October 16- 19, taught by Roseann Farrow and offering 12 CE credits. Learn their motivation – whether selling, buying, relocating, or financing residential or investment properties – and gain knowledge and expertise in this market.

Acquire the skills required to become a proficient, profitable buyer’s representative and earn the Accredited Buyer Representative(ABR) designation, October 23-26. The 15-credit course, taught by Randy Templeman, will guide you through the intricacies of agency relationships, policy options and disclosure requirements. Learn how to avoid conflicts of interest; reduce your legal liability; develop negotiating skills; and build buyer commitment by helping them find the right property at the right terms in every type of market. This class fulfills the 2 credit Agency training requirement for license renewal.

Incorporate inclusion and equality into daily business practices to help all buyers achieve the dream of homeownership, November 1-2, with Lin Fields in At Home With Diversity (AHWD). Develop awareness of your biases and learn diversity sensitivity to mitigate risks of Fair Housing complaints and violations.  Build a business plan embracing cultural competency to expand your client base and ensure equal treatment of all.

Need a Few Supplemental Credits before License Renewal?  
Celebrate Diversity with Cultural Competency!, taught by Roseann Farrow, on October 27. Examine your cultural knowledge, attitude, and behavior while earning 2 hours in Cultural Competency. Learn critical tips and techniques about cross-cultural communication, business practices and customs in the amazing quilt of the USA. Be the REALTOR® who actively celebrates diversity and inclusion.

The free monthly Legal Update with NYSAR’s Anthony Gatto, Esq., offering 1 CE hour in Recent Legal Matters, is scheduled October 17, 10 am – 11 am.

To view the full 2023 Legal Update schedule and past video recordings, click here!

Government Affairs

NYSAR IMF Committee approves funding of study in support of first-time homebuyer legislation
On August 22, NYSAR’s Issues Mobilization Committee approved an application to provide funding for an economic impact study and fiscal analysis of NYSAR-supported legislation to create a NYS first-time homebuyer savings account program. The proposed bill (S.6574/A.6933) would allow NY residents to deposit annually up to $10,000 in a dedicated savings account for the sole purpose of purchasing a first home in the state, and take a state income tax deduction on those deposits. Independent fiscal analysis is a critical step to gain support from state lawmakers and budget negotiators.

Governor launches program to prioritize $650 million to localities committed to housing growth
On August 31, Gov. Kathy Hochul launched her “Pro-Housing Communities Program,” which will direct $650 million in state discretionary funds to municipalities committed to building more housing. These “pro-housing communities” will receive priority consideration for a number of different economic development and housing grants. Earlier this year in June, the Senate and Assembly included in their one-house budgets a proposal for $500 million in incentives for local governments to spur housing growth. Learn more.

Governor signs law nearly doubling maximum fines on “Do Not Call” Registry violators
On September 13, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law new legislation that increases the maximum fine from $11,000 to $20,000 for persons who violate the “Do Not Call Registry” telemarketing law. The new law takes effect immediately. Learn more.

NYC building owners could get 2 more years to comply with Local Law 97
According to new rules proposed by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) enforcing Local Law 97, building owners in New York City who make a “good faith effort” to meet new emission caps but don’t achieve them by the 2024 deadline may get two more years before incurring fines. Local Law 97, passed by the City Council in 2019, imposes limits on carbon on all buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, including apartments, coops and offices. Most building owners the law applies to must comply starting in 2024, with stricter emissions limits imposed in 2030 and 2050. Owners not in compliance could face fines of $268 for every ton of emissions above the limit. NYSAR is continuing to review the newly proposed rule. Learn more.

NYSREEF September auction item

BEATS STUDIO BUDS+ is our September NYSREEF Facebook Auction item! Sweat Resistant Bluetooth Headphone, Spatial Audio for music and more… Featuring enhanced digital processing with Apple & Android Compatibility, 3-sized ear tips, 3 new microphones in each bud – enhanced noise cancellation and voice calling, improved transparency mode and battery life. Available in the new Transparent option, Black, or Ivory. To bid, visit the NYSREEF Facebook page before September 29 at 5 p.m.

NYSREEF SCHOLARSHIPS
The New York State Real Estate Education Foundation (NYSREEF) has awarded more than $441,213 in tuition scholarships for national REALTOR® designation courses since 2004. The courses provide participants with the latest industry-based information enabling them to grow their business and careers. The next deadline for applications will be December 31.  You must be licensed for one year or longer to apply.  Application information is available online.

MEMBER PERK

Compare and save on auto, home, and renters insurance with Farmers Insurance ChoiceSM
Find the right coverage, at the right price, with the right carrier. Farmers Insurance ChoiceSM lets you quickly and easily explore all your insurance needs all in one place. Choose from multiple quotes from highly-rated carriers and get the coverage best suited to your needs. For more information, visit www.farmersinsurancechoice.com/nysar.

RPAC

2023 RPAC Fundraising & Participation Update
As of August 31, RPAC of New York has raised $756,992 reflecting 52% toward our 2023 fundraising goal of $1.4 million. In terms of participation, 10,902 members have invested in RPAC, representing 51% percent toward our 2023 Participation Goal of 21,449. These figures represent 18% of NYSAR’s total membership as invested in RPAC to date.
See link to view RPAC fundraising and participation totals organized by region.  
See link to view board by board Local Revenue Sharing (LRS) figures.

2023 Local Board RPAC Events on the Calendar
Local boards are busy event planning with an HGAR Breakfast with NAR’s Dr. Yun, Mohawk Valley Basketball Tournament & MV Chili Cook-off, BNAR Paint and Sip, Otsego Delaware Happy Hour & GCAR RPAC VIP Lounge on the summer/fall event calendar with more in the works. See flyers for complete details. To view the event calendar, click here.

New RPAC Merch Available!
RPAC Power Bank – Powered by RPAC

This portable charger will keep your devices charged so you’re ready to tackle your busy day.
Cost: $30 RPAC Investment
To order, click here!

Save the Date: Monday, October 2 for RPAC Karaoke Night
The legendary RPAC Karaoke Night is returning on Monday, October 2 as part of the NYSAR Fall Business meetings at Turning Stone. Once again, the event will be MC’ed by the energetic and entertaining Matt Arnold, with Karaoke provided by the professional, Al Curti and AC Entertainment. Live and Silent auctions, performance awards, light appetizers and plenty of fun in the name of RPAC. Do not delay, buy your tickets when registering for the NYSAR meetings before they sell out by clicking here.

September Auction Item – Taylormade Golf Bag in Black 
TaylorMade Pro 5.0 Bag features 7 total pockets, including two oversized apparel pockets, a padded single carry strap, plus XL ball pocket and veloured lined dry pocket. Bidding will end on Friday, September 29 at 5 p.m. To bid, visit the RPAC of New York Facebook group.

 

Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may contribute more or less than the suggested amount. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of REALTORS®, the New York State Association of REALTORS® or any of its local boards or associations will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your NYSAR PAC reaches its PAC goal, 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after NYSAR PAC reaches its RPAC goal, it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates. Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may contribute more or less than the suggested amount. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of REALTORS®, the New York State Association of REALTORS® or any of its local boards or associations will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your NYSAR PAC reaches its PAC goal, 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after NYSAR PAC reaches its RPAC goal, it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates.