Hudson Gateway MLS Finalizes Merger Deal With Sullivan County Multiple Listing Service

From left; HGMLS Director, Gary Connolly; James Braman Esq.; SCBOR President, Ian Blumenthal; SCMLS President, Rosemarie DeCristofaro; HGAR CEO, Richard Haggerty; HGAR COO, Ann Garti; SCBOR AE, Mary Bakalis; John Dolgetta Esq.

WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (HGMLS) and the Sullivan County Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (SCMLS) announced on April 13 they have finalized an agreement to combine their two MLSs, expanding the HGMLS coverage to five counties in the Hudson Valley.

SCMLS currently has approximately 200 agents in 58 primary participating offices, and a listing inventory of more than 1,400 active listings. It’s anticipated that the integration of the Sullivan County office/agent and listing information will be fully integrated into the HGMLS system by the end of June.

“HGMLS has evolved over the years by a successful joining of forces of several MLS’s. This growth has enabled all participants and subscribers to access a widening market area to the benefit of the customers and clients we serve as well as the cost savings from having only to join a single MLS,” said HGMLS CEO Richard Haggerty.

“We believe this is a win-win for all of the Participants and Subscribers of both HGMLS and SCMLS, who will now be able to access more complete listing data from one system,” added SCMLS President Rosemarie DeCristofaro.

The transaction, structured as an asset acquisition, only involves the MLSs and does not involve either the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc. or the Sullivan County Board of Realtors, Inc.

In addition to Sullivan County, HGMLS offers property listings in Westchester, Putnam, Orange and Rockland counties, as well as the Bronx. HGMLS is owned and operated by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors. HGAR is a not-for-profit trade association consisting of almost 11,000 real estate professionals doing business in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties as well as the Bronx and Manhattan. It is the second largest Realtor Association in New York, and one of the largest in the country.

Sullivan County is home to the Catskills, a long-time tourist attraction. With the recent opening of Resorts World Casino in Monticello, the area is expected to grow in population.