E-News Weekly
January 18, 2025
NAR LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT UPDATES
NYSAR Guide to complying with the NAR Antitrust Settlement
As of August 17, 2024, all MLSs that have opted-in to the NAR settlement agreement for the Sitzer/Burnett lawsuit will need to implement new policies that are applicable to all participants of the MLS. NYSAR has a dedicated webpage to assist our members on how to fully comply with the NAR settlement agreement terms, including specific questions pertaining to New York State REALTORS®. For more information, click here.
Model statewide forms and tutorial videos available
View NYSAR’s updated model statewide forms and instructional videos by clicking here.
NEW NAR Home Inspection series
NAR’s latest consumer guide focuses on home inspections and what buyers should know.
REALTOR® NEWS
NYSAR Professional Standards Training
NYSAR is offering FREE Professional Standards training virtually and across the state at these locations through March:
- Rochester
- Albany
- Columbia-Greene
- Syracuse
Donate to California wildfire victims
As your heart goes out to the victims of the California wildfires, give now to help bring hope and immediate aid to those in crisis. Donate to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation by January 31 to ensure 100% of your donation is earmarked for wildfire victims.
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NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings
Registration is now open for the 2025 “Opportunity Awaits” Mid-Winter Business Meetings. Select committee meetings will be held virtually via Zoom Jan. 21-24 and in-person at the Crowne Plaza – The Desmond Hotel in Albany Feb. 2-6.
As we head “Across the Association” for the first time in 2025, we start off with some important Advocacy information and some FREE training from NYSAR.
Cold Calling Still Prohibited in New York
Unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village are still prohibited. You may still perform business to business calls so long as you are calling the number provided as the business number. To view the States of Emergency that are still in effect, click here.
Upcoming Events
FREE Down Payment Resource Webinar
Down Payment Resource is hosting a FREE webinar for NYSAR members on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. about how to overcome obstacles for the down payment assistance programs.
Education
GRI – 7: Property (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
January 21-22 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Mike Smith
Buyer Representation: The Essential Guide
January 24 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
CE Hours: 3; 1 in Agency
Member Price: $50
Instructor: Randy Templeman
GRI – 2: Business (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
January 27-28 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Mike Smith
GRI – 8: Technology (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
February 10-11 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CE Hours: 7.5
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Ifoma Pierre
GRI – 3: Agency (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation Class*)
February 13-14 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CE Hours: 7.5; 2 in Agency
Member Price: $125
Instructor: Al Fazio, Esq.
*NYSAR continues to offer new professionals, licensed in New York State one year or less, the opportunity to take GRI Zoom courses for free! Take two classes and get the third one on us! Classes must be taken over a one-year period. Contact the Education Department via email, [email protected] or call 518.463.0300 x219 for information.
Remember: 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
Governor Hochul delivers 2025 State of the State Address
On January 14, Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her fourth State of the State Address in Albany outlining her priorities for the year. The governor’s speech placed a large focus on public safety and increasing affordability for New Yorkers, including proposals to provide a one-time “inflation refund” check, increasing the child tax credit, and providing down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address serves as a preview to her Executive Budget proposal, which is due by January 21. NYSAR will evaluate all relevant proposals as more details become available throughout the budget process, underscoring the importance of building upon the state’s investment in housing included in last year’s budget: $600 million to support new housing development; $500 million in capital funding for new homes on state-owned property; and new local tax incentives to create more housing opportunities.
NYSAR 2025 President Statement on State of the State Address
2025 NYSAR President Jacqlene Rose issued a video statement regarding Governor Hochul’s recent 2025 State of the State address.
Update: State Code Council set to meet on mandated home fire sprinklers Feb. 28
The NYS Fire Prevention and Building Code Council is now scheduled to meet on February 28, 2025 to decide whether to adopt a new state fire sprinkler mandate following the postponement of two prior meetings. The proposed code change would mandate the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems in all new one- and two-family homes across New York. NYSAR is urging REALTORS® and residents to tell Governor Hochul, Secretary of State, and state lawmakers to oppose the proposed mandate. Learn more and Take Action here.
Gov. Hochul and state lawmakers agree on new short-term rental law
State lawmakers and Governor Hochul have agreed to chapter amendments that will result in passage of a new law giving counties the option to create their own registries for short-term rental properties. There will be no mandate on counties. Booking platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo, will be required to send quarterly reports to counties and the Department of State. Short-term rental properties will also be required to pay the same sales and occupancy taxes as hotels. Lawmakers are expected to approve the final, amended version in January. Read more here.
Member Perk
Down Payment Resource is a free tool that connects you and your buyers to available homeownership programs that can help with the down payment, closings costs, and tax credits.
RPAC
2025 RPAC Fundraising & Participation Goals Announced
NAR has announced the 2025 RPAC Fundraising and Participation goals. NYSAR’s 2025 RPAC fundraising goal is $1,331,735 and the 2025 participation goal is 17,844.
Registration open for the RPAC Lounge at Mid-Winter Business Meetings
The legendary RPAC Lounge will be open on Tuesday, February 4 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. during NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Crowne Plaza – The Desmond Hotel in Albany. For a new $300 RPAC investment, enjoy breakfast, lunch, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, a sketch artist, massages, professional photographer, psychic readings and more.
January episode of NAR Advocacy Scoop
Shannon and Patrick delve into the complicated world of tax reform and how Congress and the administration plan to tackle the expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
January RPAC Auction Item
The Jet Set Weekender bag by Michael Kors is the perfect travel companion! The bag dimensions are 19W X 11H X 8.5D and includes a detachable shoulder strap as well. Thank you to Vlora Sejdi from HGAR for the generous donation. Bidding will end on Friday, January 31 at 5p.m.
Get all of the latest news at www.nysar.com. You are receiving this information as a member of the New York State Association of REALTORS®. NYSAR occasionally sends information regarding association programs and services as well as industry news to its membership. Manage your NYSAR email subscriptions. Unsubscribe from ALL NYSAR emails.
New York State Association of REALTORS®, 130 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210 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. 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.