Legal/Advocacy

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: Government Power Hour at Putnam County Day

November 9, 2023

Under HGAR President Tony D’Anzica’s leadership, there has been a concerted effort to streamline and centralize the HGAR “County Days,” which has greatly benefited the HGAR staff, me included, in our ability to execute these events with greater efficiency. As a result, we have put on some great programming this year throughout the Hudson Valley.…

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LEGAL CORNER: The Real Estate Industry Under Attack: Major Legal, Economic Obstacles Agents Will Need to Overcome

November 8, 2023

The real estate industry has certainly been facing significant legal and economic headwinds in the past few months. On Oct.  31, 2023, the real estate industry was dealt a major blow when a Missouri jury issued a $5-billion verdict against the National Association of Realtors, Inc., Keller Williams, Anywhere, RE/MAX and HomeServices of America (including…

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BARRISTER'S BRIEFING: NAR Decision in Sitzer/Burnett: What Do We Do Next?

November 8, 2023

My last article gave a 30,000-foot view of everything that has been going on with the National Association of Realtors and the MLS. Today, I’m going to focus in on the Sitzer/Burnett litigation and what it means to all of us. In the Sitzer/Burnett case, the plaintiffs primarily focused on the NAR rule requiring listing…

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NAR to Appeal Burnett Trial Verdict After Being Found Liable

November 1, 2023

KANSAS CITY, MO—The National Association of Realtors and two codefendants were found liable Tuesday (Oct. 31) in the federal Sitzer/Burnett trial, which challenged MLS rules and the real estate compensation model. The eight-person jury also found liable HomeServices of America and Keller Williams Realty, which were named in the lawsuit. During the 11-day trial, NAR…

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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: As the Climate Changes So Do the Laws

October 16, 2023

I don’t know about you, but it seems like I have heard the phrase “once in a lifetime storm” about 18 times between Superstorm Sandy and the July storms that recently flooded the Hudson Valley. So, either time has sped up or that phrase has lost all its meaning. Regardless, we live in a time…

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LEGAL CORNER: Critical Changes to the New York Property Condition Disclosure Statement Act Effective on March 20, 2024

October 13, 2023

On Sept. 22, 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed critical legislation amending Sections 262, 265 and 267 of New York’s Real Property Law (“RPL”) known as the Property Condition Disclosure Statement Act (PCDSA) [see https://bit.ly/3FeUEem]. The newly enacted amendments to the act will take effect on March 20, 2024. The original PCDSA (“2002 PCDSA”)…

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NAR Forms New Commission to Address Association Culture

October 12, 2023

By Stacey Moncrieff CHICAGO—The National Association of Realtors announced on Tuesday  (Oct. 10) the appointment of a new commission aimed at developing recommendations for changing NAR’s culture. The 75-member Culture Transformation Commission is made up of both members and association staff. The CTC will hold its first meeting Oct. 19. Formation of the CTC comes…

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Attorney General, WRO Settle Discrimination Cases Against New Rochelle Real Estate Management Firm

October 11, 2023

NEW YORK—New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement on Oct. 10 with New Rochelle-based real estate company and property manager, Platzner International Group (PIG), its owners Merrick Platzner and Harrin Platzner, and their various properties for denying housing to low-income residents in Westchester County. The Office of the Attorney General, with assistance from…

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Anywhere, RE/MAX in Proposed Settlement Agreements Will Not Require NAR Membership for Brokers/Agents

October 9, 2023

WHITE PLAINS—After brokerage firm Redfin recently announced its intent to leave the National Association of Realtors over sexual harassment allegations that led to NAR President Kenny Parcell’s resignation, comes news that two other major brokerage firms will not require its brokers or agents to be members of the embattled organization as part of settlement agreements…

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HGAR’s Caro Wins NYSAR’s ‘Alan Yassky Distinguished Serve Award’ for 2023

October 6, 2023

ALBANY—The New York State Association of Realtors announced on Oct. 6 it had honored Leah Caro of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors as the “Alan Yassky Distinguished Service Award” winner during the association’s recent 2023 “Elevate Your Profession” Fall Business Meetings held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY. Caro is…

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LEGAL CORNER: Ransomware and Cyber Threats: The Real Estate and Other Industries Are Under Attack, Again!

September 20, 2023

It is disheartening, but this column yet again has to address the very real threats that cyber-attacks and ransomware incidents pose to industries, including the real estate industry, and individuals. Recently there has been a wave of serious cyber and ransomware attacks against well-known companies, such as Rapattoni, one of the largest national companies providing…

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In Memoriam: Veteran Realtor, Association Executive Don Cummins III

September 4, 2023

The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors regrets to inform its membership of the tragic passing of real estate veteran, HGAR member, association executive and attorney Don Cummins III on Friday, Sept. 1 at the age of 54. Cummins was previously the Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty Partners of Baldwin Place and formerly served as…

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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: Progress Made on Telemarketing Ban

July 14, 2023

The dust has settled and we find ourselves standing on the brink of success? As you know, the 2023 legislative session was exciting, but unproductive. Passing about half the number of bills as they did the year before, the 2023 session will be remembered for having a budget that was a month late, a housing…

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