Broker Report
September 2026
News
August 2026 NYS Housing Market Report
“Housing inventory across New York State continued to grow in August, marking the 18th consecutive month of year-over-year increases.”
Dr. Lawrence Yun Explains NYS August Housing Market Report
The New York housing market is on the upswing. See what NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun has to say about the August numbers.
Is There a ‘Data-Center Effect’ on Real Estate?
The impact of data centers on housing can vary significantly depending on the local market, according to a new report from NAR.
Webinar: You’re Not Losing Clients to Competitors. You’re Losing Them to Silence.
In this session on September 30 at 12 p.m., do the math most agents avoid: what your network, past clients and sphere alike, is actually worth in business you’ve already earned or could easily earn. Walk away with a complete plan for closing that silence gap and know exactly where your next deal is hiding, and how to get it.
REALTORS® Relief Foundation: NYSAR Past President Dave Legaz’s Story
For the past 25 years, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation has been providing support when disaster strikes in communities across the country. Hear from Legaz, who is now an RRF director, and the legacy of the foundation.
NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 2.0% Decrease in August
Existing-home sales decreased by 2.0% month-over-month and 1.2% year-over-year, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales report.
WEBINAR: Cybersecurity in the Age of AI on Sept. 29
Learn how autonomous security and AI driven cyber defense are becoming essential to safeguarding multi-level security infrastructure, property data, and the increasingly automated transaction ecosystem. This webinar will be held on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
Fall is shaping up to be a busy one for New York REALTORS®! We’re covering what’s happening in Albany, a NYSAR member benefit worth taking advantage of, and an upcoming event you’ll want on your calendar.
REALTORS® Triple Play Registration Open
Join us Dec. 7-10 in Atlantic City for REALTORS® Triple Play! The event features networking, CE sessions, national speakers, a two-day expo and more. Take advantage of early bird pricing before Oct. 15!
Education
e-PRO Certification
Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 12
Member Price: $295
Instructor: Randy Templeman
GRI-1 Ethics (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
Oct. 5-6 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5, Includes 2.5 in Ethics (satisfies NAR and NYS Ethics requirements)
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Lin Fields
HFR: Home Finance Resource Specialist Certification
Oct. 15-16 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 6
Member Price: $150
Instructor: Michael Smith
Fair Housing: Getting Up Close and Personal
Oct. 15 | 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
CE Hours: 2 in Fair Housing
Member Price: $50
Instructors: Robert Morris
SRES: Seniors Real Estate Specialist Designation
Oct. 19-22 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 12
Member Price: $295
Instructor: Linda Lugo
GRI-7 Property (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
Oct. 27-28 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Michael Smith
MRP: Military Relocation Professional Certification
Nov. 2-3 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 6.5
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Nancy Mosca
*TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GRI PROMOTION!*
NYSAR’s TAKE TWO, GET ONE FREE GRI Class Promotion for 2026 is open to ALL NYSAR Members! Now is the time to complete your GRI Designation requirements. Take two classes and get the third one on us! Classes must be taken during 2026. Pay for and attend two GRI classes at the regular rate of $125 each, then contact the Education Department via email, [email protected] or by phone at 518.463.0300 x219 to be registered for your free class.
Active REALTORS® who have earned and maintained their NAR-family designations/certifications and are looking for a refresher, may retake a previously completed designation/certification course for only $50 and earn CE credit for doing so provided your dues are current!
Government Affairs
Renewed attention to Scaffold Law reforms is opportunity to lower construction costs
A new poll released from the Empire Center shows that nearly 67 percent of New Yorkers surveyed support reforming the state’s long-standing Scaffold Law which imposes strict liability on contractors and property owners for certain construction-related injuries, even in cases when the worker ignored safety rules. New York is the only state in the country that continues to impose the Scaffold Law, which adds significant costs on housing and building construction. Recent news reports have signaled that Gov. Hochul could be considering reforms to the law to help address housing affordability in New York. Democrats in the state Legislature are likely to oppose any changes to the Scaffold Law. NYSAR has long-supported reforms to the state’s Scaffold Law and will continue to urge state lawmakers to modernize the outdated policy as it gains renewed attention.
NYSAR submits comments on NYC Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) bill
NYSAR submitted written comments to the New York City Council outlining concerns regarding legislation (Int. 905) that would impose lengthy delays (up to 145 days) on the sale of certain multi-family buildings in New York City while establishing a right of first opportunity to purchase for certain qualified not-for-profits. The legislation is known as the “Community Opportunity to Purchase Act” (COPA). NYSAR helped negotiate significant changes to the bill over the last year, however, aspects of the current legislation remain problematic.
More than 500 bills await action by Gov. Hochul, including 2 NYSAR priorities
The state Legislature passed more than 750 bills during its legislative session this year. Of those, Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed more than 175 since the end of the session in June. Two of the outstanding bills that have not yet been sent to the governor for consideration include NYSAR priority bills that would increase years of experience requirements for real estate agents prior to becoming a broker from two years to four, and a bill that would require public marketing of residential real estate listings unless a seller provides informed written consent. Gov. Hochul has until the end of the year to take action on the remaining bills that have passed both houses of the legislature.
NYC extends appeal deadline for pied-a-terre tax until Oct. 6
New York City has extended for a second time the deadline to submit proof of primary residency to avoid paying a new pied-a-terre tax on second homes valued at more than $5 million. New York City residents now have until October 6, 2026, to submit proof of residency. New York City’s rollout of the new pied-a-terre tax continues to face growing criticism, including its implementation on co-ops valued at over $1 million. Homeowners filed a lawsuit earlier this month arguing that the city’s initial notice was too broad and unduly forced owners to prove residency.
RPAC
2026 RPAC Fundraising & Participation Update
As of September 15, RPAC of New York has raised $621,317 reflecting 47% toward our 2026 fundraising goal of $1.3 million. In terms of participation, 10,122 members have invested in RPAC, representing 82% toward our 2026 Participation Goal of 12,390. These figures represent 18% of NYSAR’s total membership as invested in RPAC to date.
NYSAR launches RPAC Look-up Feature
Local boards are busy planning events to benefit RPAC with LIBOR’s Sunset Cruise, HGAR’s Cocktails & Cigars at the Havana Room and Elmira Corning’s Cornhole Tournament, and a few more in the works.
Local boards are busy planning events to benefit RPAC with HGAR’s Cocktails & Cigars at the Havana Room, HGAR’s NY Yankees Game, GCAR’s Altamont Winery Happy Hour and a few more in the works.
September Auction Item – Mesa Torch – Set of 3 by Solo Stove
Fall is right around the corner, and it is the time of year for cozy nights on the patio! Set of three Mesa Torches by Solo Stove will upgrade your outdoor living space. The torches are adjustable, feature a large flame in a durable steel frame vessel, bring plenty of style to your outdoor vibe plus a lifetime guarantee.
Bidding will end on Wednesday, Sep. 30 at 5 p.m.
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.